Moon Child (A Camren KidFic)

twenty-six

The following anxiety ridden weeks painfully went by. Camila grew uncertain about the whereabouts of Mike. She kept going to her sobriety meetings for her sake however she could not help but glance around the room each time. The absence of a body brought fear through her spine. Mike had control over her. She wondered if he knew. If he knew how much hurt he is causing. Why is he grieving his victim, his wife, now? He sat his own fate in action. He should live with his consequences.

"Cam? Hun?" Ariana called out. Camila sat in the same spot. Aside from teaching or the occasional brief visit with Lauren, she hadn't left her couch. "Camila, are you there?" No.

Arianna sighed. Mike had caused a domino effect around Camila's live. Ariana was working hours and hours at a day to find any traces of him. She put her own mind to things; it wasn't even her field. This case just happened to be personal. Arianna took her place by Camila. She learned not to ask or she would shut down more. It was agony watching her go through this; all Ariana could do was pull her closer. "No luck today either, baby." Arianna watched to see any facial expression change on her face. She thought it was impossible for her too look more broken. She was wrong. Camila let tears fall once again. Ariana rubbed her back whispering comforting words into her ear.

"It hurts lying to her."

Camila finally spoke. Ariana took the pad of her thumb to wipe away her tears and followed by tucking her loose strands of hair behind her ear. "I lie. I tell her, 'the good guys are going to win. We will be together at home soon. I promise', why-why would I promise her?" Camila gripped Ariana tighter. Ariana was speechless at first. "Because, you're a parent. When you were little, and worried about something, what did your parents tell you?" Camila shook her head, "This is different. This is actually life threatening." Arianna nodded, "but a part of you, as a parent, believes in the good outcome. The best outcome for Lauren. I believe in it too. Everything will be okay. I promise." Ariana finally understood the weight of her promise.

Camila sniffled, "okay." Ariana wiped more tears off her face and kissed her forehead. "Do you want to call Lauren? That might cheer you up." Camila shook her head. "She knows when I cry. I don't want to worry her." Ariana scratched her back gently trying to soothe her, "how about a bath?" Camila's cheeks flushed. "Yes, you stink. Come on."

Camila anxiety heightened. Yes, they were dating. Did Ariana think now was the time to...do it?

"I don't want to have sex with you. Thank you for voicing your concerns," Ariana pulled Camila off the couch. "I just want to hold you." Camila hid her face in the crook of her neck. "Unless, you don't want to. I think think you should take a shower or something." Camila sighed, "I haven't felt like this before. Not since Shawn. I'm scared." Camila felt like a broken record. Ariana nodded, "I'm not going anywhere. I like what we have, baby. Let me take care of you." Camila sheepishly nodded.

Ariana let Camila lead the way to the bathroom. She made sure the water was warm as well before they started to undress. "May I?" Camila nodded. Ariana slipped off her sweater and tugged her jeans giving her ass a light squeeze. Camila giggled, "Ari!" Ariana truly missed her laugh. "I couldn't help it." Camila tried to hide the red tone in her cheeks but failed miserably. "You're cute when you blush." Ariana pulled Camila closer. She place her hands on her jawline and kissed her. Camila waited for Ariana's  nod to take off her top.

Camila stood in awe. "You're so.." Ariana blushed this time. "What is that, babygirl?" Camila shook her head, "couldn't let me have my moment? But as I was saying, you're beautiful." The last part trailed off at the end but Ariana caught it. "You know this is the longest I took to take off my clothes." Camila playfully pushed her. "Oh shit!" The water was running over in the bathroom out of the tub.
"Ari, how could you forget?" Camila tried to sound stern as she turned the water off. Ariana laughed, "I'm sorry!" Camila shook her head, "there goes my relaxing bath."

The two's banter was cut off by Ariana's phone ringing. Ariana groaned taking her phone out of her pocket answering without checking the number. Camila traced along her back kissing her shoulders teasingly until she heard Nick's voice.

"Nick, slow down. What is going on?" Ariana spoke trying not to alarm Camila. "He tried attacking Dinah.", Nick yelled. Camila's eyes went wide. "He attempted. Meaning he wasn't successful, right?" Camila calmed at Ariana's relief washing over her face. "Take them to my place. Make sure no one follows. Have a 24 hour team on stand by if possible." Ariana hung up the phone. Camila was already putting her clothes back on.

"Lauren is okay."

Camila hugged Ariana letting happy tears fall. Ariana combed her hands through her hair, "we are going to go to my place. Dinah and Lauren will be there too. Mike is still out there." Camila started to shake visibility. "I know it's not fair, but we can handle this. We can shower at my house. Get keys, clothes, anything Lauren might miss."

Once they arrived, Camila and Lauren hugged forever. "Dinah is good at taking care of me, but I missed you." Lauren's voice was hoarse. Camila did not want to press questions at the moment. She was enjoying time she had missed with her moon child. Ariana could tell Dinah was shaken up by the incident. She only had a few marks and viable bruises here and there. "I tried so hard to get to her in time." Ariana handed Dinah a box of tissues. "I know. What happened, Dinah?" Dinah started to explain.

"Laur, that's totally cheating." Dinah laughed as Lauren moved eight spaces besides of seven. Lauren giggled, "I was joking. She moved her silver car piece one space back. What is the boardwalk?" Dinah realized she should have let her keep that one space. "It is one of the most expensive spaces on the board, do you want it?" Lauren smirked, "Duh!" Dinah cursed herself. Out of all board games, why monopoly?" Dinah cautiously tried to roll past the boardwalk each of her turns. As the game progressed, Lauren already invested houses. "Dinah?" Dinah continued to roll for her turn, "yeah?" Lauren shifted in her seat, "do you think Camila would mind if I called her mom?" Dinah's heart warmed, "I think she would love it." Lauren beamed, "I need to ask Mami first. I don't want her to think I am replacing her. Camila reminds me of her though. A lot. I miss her." Dinah counted the number on her dice, seven. Dinah noticed she would land on the boardwalk. Is it really worth it to cheat? To beat a first grader? "Well, she is trying to keep you safe. Like a good mama." Lauren nodded, "I know. I just miss her hugs. And we used to dance-" a loud banging from the door interrupted. "Dinah.." Lauren whispered. Before Dinah could react a man barged into the dining room. "Run Lauren!"

"She started to run, but her feet couldn't go fast enough. I thought I would have time to call 911," Dinah explained crying. "I let him hurt her." Ariana shook her head, "you saved her."
Dinah balled up her fist, "next time I see that lanky-" Ariana puzzled, "lanky? Dinah, what did the man look like?"

"It wasn't Papi." Lauren spoke up. All eyes fell on her. Camila held her closer if possible. Who else was her enemy now?

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I lost my saved chapters and was agitated for a bit. I am so so sorry for the delay! I tried to write a longer chapter. I think it is a bit choppy but I liked enough. I hope you all are having a good day or night.  Thank you for your patience.