Lauren Hart

A day passed but I was still being treated as a patient in ICU bed. I wasn't allowed to move my hand even a bit and it honestly irritated me but I couldn't even protest since Sean had put Ryan on my duty-to keep an eye on me.

Grandma could have protected me from this torture but she already went back home. Basically, she was forced to go back. Sean forced her to go back so she could rest properly since she had been exerting herself too much while looking after me. But grandma's not new to the world; she knew that Sean wanted to spend alone time with me, so she left not before warning us not to do things when Ryan's around.

I cursed Sean for putting me in such an embarrassing situation. I mean couldn't he control himself for a while?

I was sitting in the living room with Ryan, feeding him apple slices with my left hand since it was moveable. What I didn't know was that I got so lost in my thoughts that I had been looking into the void for a long because when my eyes landed on Ryan, I found him staring at me lovingly with his face between his palms.

I laughed as I tilted my head. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You are beautiful." He muttered admiringly which stunned me all of a sudden.

"Am I now?" I laughed. I placed the plate on the table and mimicked him by cupping my face and looked at him adoringly. "What makes you say this?"

"Grandma says that people that care for you are beautiful. And you care for me." His lips curled into a gentle smile and mine too. He's a listener and he understands the meaning of what's being said to him. He's way smarter than his age.

"You are beautiful too; you have been taking care of my injured self too well." I praised him as well. "And have complimented your father? He takes care of you as well." I asked.

His eyebrows curled into a frown and he pouted. "No." He muttered in a dejected tone, looking hurt.

"It's okay, buddy, you can compliment him now." I cheered him. He smiled and nodded his head.

"And you know what my teacher says?" He continued. "She says that mothers are the most caring being in the world." He sat straight and tapped his index finger on his chin, giving the impression that he was thinking something. "I think you and dad should meet my teacher because you are not my mother still you care for me and dad is also not my mother because he is my father and he cares for me as well. You should correct her."

I was rendered speechless. What could have urged this five years old to dive into such a deep matter when all he must be doing is playing games and do stuff that kids do? Of course, the absence of a mother in his life was the reason. How lonely must he have felt when his teacher spoke about such a critical topic. There's no doubt that he missed his mother. He needed someone in his life who could fill the space of a mother.

And thinking about 'his mother' gave me chills. I mean, his mother would be Sean's wife so...

"But if my teacher is right...I wish to have a mother like you."

And my breath hitched and my heart skipped a beat- just like that. My eyes forgot how to blink. I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't form words. Ryan said he wanted a mother LIKE ME. It was the most heartwarming moment. I mean I never imagined myself as a mother but I would never think twice to say yes if I were asked to become his mother.

And honestly, I didn't want to lose Sean to any other woman. I would never. But was Sean ready? Wouldn't it be too soon to talk to him about this? Would I be forcing myself onto him if?

But most importantly, I wanted to cry. This father and son duo had been doing things to me that no other did; they had been making me feel emotions I had never felt before.

"Come here, buddy." I yanked him to me and hugged him. I didn't shed a tear but my throat felt heavy.

"What happened, Lauren?" He asked in a whisper as he wrapped his hands around my neck.

"Nothing buddy. Just know that I love you." I mumbled, kissing his chubby cheeks.

"What's with the hugs and kisses?" As soon as Ryan heard Sean's voice he pulled away from me and dashed to him.

"You are beautiful, dad," Ryan exclaimed while looking up at him. Perplexed Sean looked down at his son with a frown.

"Beautiful? What makes you say that, champ?" Sean chuckled a little. Ryan then gave him the same reason he gave me. Sean kneeled before him and ruffled his hair.

"If this is what being beautiful means then you are beautiful too, Ryan because you have been helping me taking care of Lauren." Sean smiled at him then flicked his eyes at me for a second before turning them to Ryan. "Ryan, go to the room and start the cardboard puzzle game, I'll join you shortly."

Ryan ran to his room almost instantly and Sean came and sat beside me on the couch. I raised questioning eyebrows at him asking him the purpose of sending Ryan into his room.

"I wanted alone time with you so that I can do this-" He leaned forward and captured my lips in a sweet kiss. "When will you be healed completely? I miss the feel of you." He whispered huskily.

"You have been helping me shower, what else you want to feel?" I questioned mockingly. I knew what he meant by what he said but I had to bring that particular thing to his notice.

"Oh, don't act dumb. You know what I mean." His list fill gaze smoldered my body to such an extent that I almost gave in to the temptation. And the funny thing was...he hadn't even touched me yet. That's what he does to me.

Sighing, he pulled away. "I am dying here Lauren and you are making fun of me?" He plopped his head on the backrest of the couch and looked at the ceiling, his chest heavily heaving. He then abruptly sat up and shifted in his body to completely face me. "You remember I wanted to talk about something that night?"

"Yeah? What is it?" I frowned.

"Uh, it's..." He paused, looking everywhere but me. "I..." His gaze fell on me. "Listen this is something important...and...and don't take it otherwise."

"I will take it otherwise if you dare to intensify the suspense. I have been waiting here since that night to listen to what you had to say." I reprimanded him for killing me in suspense. He looked scared. Good for him.

"I, umm, it's about Ryan." He muttered and I nodded, encouraging him to speak further.

"I...I adopted him and I am over the moon to have him in my life, but I never asked what you felt. Everything was about me and Ryan and being my girlfriend you have the right to speak about your feelings in this matter. I know you love him and all but I also want to know in case you are feeling pressured. I don't want to force you for anything." He rambled on.

My jaw ticked, so this is what he had been thinking. "What if I felt pressurized, will you dump and go to another woman?"

"No! Not at all. And I didn't mean that...I-" I cut him in between.

"Do you see me as a woman who can hold inside what she feels?" I glared at him. "Haven't you known me enough that I would SAY IT OUT LOUD if I ever feel forced," I said harshly and stood up from the couch in anger. He too stood up.

"And you..." I jabbed a finger of my left hand in his chest, giving him a deathly glare. "You blackmailed me, forced me to come to your house to impress grandma for you, but after that, every single thing was my choice. I chose to be with you. I accepted your lifestyle...I accepted Ryan, your son. I fought for you two. I accepted every damn thing wholeheartedly without complaining and this is what I get in return...your doubt?" I shoved him lightly.

"I never expected this from you, Sean. You have hurt my feelings today." And I thought I would be pressurizing him if I asked him to take things further.

"Lauren you are getting it all wrong!" He came near me but I stepped back, crossing my arms across my chest.

"I just wanted to know what you felt. What's my fault if I am making sure that you are okay with everything? Or do you want me to become a man that doesn't care about what his partner feels?"

"I didn't say that!" I looked at him in disbelief. "I..." I huffed. "I just thought you knew me inside out. I thought you knew I would never consider Ryan as a barrier in our relationship. And I thought I clearly told you that you will find me by your side no matter what."

My voice broke at the end and I felt like crying. Observing my breaking self, Sean came closer and engulfed me in a hug, and began stroking my hair. My arms still crossed across my chest, I pressed my head against his chest

"I am so sorry, Lauren, I didn't mean to hurt you. I was stupid to even think that you were forced. I am sorry I questioned the love you have for me and Ryan. I am extremely sorry, sweetheart. You are the nicest soul I have ever met. I am so sorry." He kissed my forehead, his lips lingering there more than they should.

I wiped the tiny tear which fought to roll out of my eye and pulled away from him. I looked away so he couldn't notice my teary eyes.

"I need to go back to my place," I mumbled.

"You what?" He screeched and held my shoulders roughly. "You are leaving me over a little argument? Are you nuts!" He raised his voice but I showed him no emotions. Here we go again. How could he think I would leave him over a nonsense argument?

"Will you let me complete what I want to say?" I inquired in a monotonous tone.

"What?" He studied my eyes in worry and honestly, I wanted to laugh and make him more worried for saying all that but, I was too emotional to argue more.

"I am short on my belongings. I need to bring more stuff from there." I said with a poker face.

"Oh god, Lauren! You scared me." He hugged me again and smiled slowly. How I love being in his arms!

"I would never allow you to leave me." He mumbled and pulled away. "You know what, you should bring all your stuff here. Seeing that you are my girlfriend, I want to have you closer to me every single moment." He smiled, looking into my eyes lovingly.

"But Sean-" He silenced me with a quick kiss.

"No buts! Miss Lauren Hart, there is no turning back as you have sealed your fate with me...and Ryan, of course."

"Okay." I couldn't my lips from curling upwards. "And keep one thing in mind... I am not going to leave you because I am too lazy to find myself a new man," I grumbled playfully.

He threw his head backward and laughed heartily. "If that's the case I would like you to remain lazy forever. At least I would be at peace knowing that you won't go look for another man." He joked.

"I can do it if I get bored of you." I joked, raising my eyebrows in challenge. I would never do that, I wasn't that type of woman.

"Bored? With me?" He quirked his eyebrow in cockiness then he smirked. "Oh, darling, it's just your injuries that are stopping me from showing how extraordinarily exciting, and entertaining your life will be with me. Heal quickly then I'll never let you get bored...of me."

"You are a shameless, lusty, and dirty-minded person, Mr. Peterson." I shook my head slightly.

"I can be anything you want me to." He winked.

Again double meaning.

:::::::::::::::::::

We went to my place to pack my stuff and bring it to Sean's place. We even took Ryan with us since we couldn't leave him alone. No furniture was mine so it was easy to pack all other stuff.

"I'll miss you a lot, Lauren." Christy hugged me when my stuff was being loaded in a truck. "I'll miss your snarky remarks meant for our landlords. My life will be boring without you."

"Hey, I have taught you a good number of remarks, make sure to use those on them or they will make your life hell. And I am always a phone call away, Christy." I replied, patting her back. "Will miss you," I mumbled as I pulled away.

I approached Mr. and Mrs. Harris who were standing at a distance from us. I passed them the white envelope I had been holding for a while now. "Um, I am vacating the house without prior notice...so, um, this is rent for next month."

Mrs. Harris raked her eyes over my face for a while before speaking. "We don't want this. You leaving our house is enough for us to live peacefully."

I still shoved the envelope in her hands. "No, no, no, it's not a good manner to leave without informing. Keep it as it will help you until you find someone else to live there."

She looked at me with wide eyes. "You are not Lauren I have known you for almost four years. The Lauren I know does not know what manners are."

I mentally rolled my eyes at her comment.
I haven't troubled them much or have I?

"By the way, whose that kid there." She bobbed her head, signaling me to look behind at Ryan who had been standing quietly with Sean. "Don't tell me he's yours and you have been hiding him from everybody."

She herself urges me to make a snarky remark then she says I am insolent. Well, she asked for it.

"Mmmhmm," I nodded my head stiffly. "He is and I love him more than I love myself. And just to tell you, he's five years old." I blinked innocently, giving her a toothy grin.

She raked her eyes over me from head to toe in astonishment.

I twisted my waist a little. "I don't look like I have given birth, do I?" I laughed. "I exercise to keep myself in shape."

I stepped back and turned around only to again turn to face her. "Oh, I forgot to tell one thing. My mother doesn't know about my son. Hope you can keep this a secret. Okay, bye."

Grinning, I walked back to my boys.

"Why are you grinning?" Sean asked.

"Had last bit of fun with the stone age lady. Now, let's go." I winked. I then held Ryan's hand with my unbandaged hand and marched to the car with Sean following us.

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Sean Peterson

I relaxed on my chair, flipping the pen between my fingers thinking how my gloomy life changed with the entry of Lauren. And now, she would be living with me forever. I swear I almost had a heart attack when she spoke about going back to her place, but now, everything was at the right place. She was somewhere she was supposed to be, with me.

It was nine at night and she was resting in my room-basically our room- and I was in my study to look at a few documents that I had not been able to give time to. Ryan was with her, playing with some puzzles. He surely loves to play puzzles.

I again focused back on the documents only to be disturbed by the knock on the study door. The door creaked open and I saw a small head peaking inside.

"Can I come in, dad," Ryan asked politely.

I dropped the pen on the table and sat straight. "Yeah, sure Ryan, come in."

He widely opened the door and slowly walked up to me, fidgeting his fingers.

"Hey, what happened? You need anything?" I asked and hurled him up on my lap.

"Yes, dad." He mumbled in a whisper, not looking at me but at his lap. I placed my finger under his chin and craned his face up.

"What is it? Ryan, I told you that you don't have to be shy to ask for anything." I reminded him politely.

"Uh, dad." His gaze studied my face then he lowered his eyes again. "Can you give me a mother too?"

I honestly was taken aback by his request. I didn't know that had been thinking about this matter. I thought he was happy with me being his dad and of course with Lauren but he still felt lonely.

Anyway, it was bound to happen one day or the other and I couldn't skip the question as well because I too wanted to confirm something from him.

"Alright, but first tell me what things are you looking for in a mother? I'll start my search accordingly."

His face lit up like the bright sun. He shifted on my lap so that he could look at me properly. "I want a mother who plays puzzles and other games with me, feed me food, cuddle me to sleep, and do all things Lauren does."

"L...Lauren?" I was left stunned again. I wondered if his mind was going to the same place as mine.

"Yes, Lauren." He beamed. "She's soooooo sweet. She even makes me laugh. I don't get bored with her. I love her soooo much." The shine on his face was something I hadn't seen before, not even when I told him I had become his father.

I couldn't speak. He was saying something that I had been pressing over a lot these days. I couldn't imagine my life without Lauren anymore. Moreover, she had accepted Ryan wholeheartedly and Ryan wanting a mother like her was a bonus. What else could I ask for?

"Dad?" Ryan brought me back from my daze. "Can I ask you for one more thing?"

"Yeah, sure, go ahead."

"Can you ask Lauren to be my mother? Or can you talk to her if I can call her mom or not?

My jaw dropped on the floor. God, he just spoke something that was on the tip of my tongue. I had already formed a question in my mind to ask him. I wanted to know if he would accept Lauren as his mother. What I didn't know was he had already made up his mind to make Lauren his mother.

In utter happiness, I squeezed him a bone-crushing hug. "God Ryan. You have no idea what you have said. You have brushed off all my hesitations."

"Huh? But I did nothing, dad." He wiggled, trying to get free from my hold but I had no intention to set him free anytime soon.

"You will never know what said mean to me. You have fulfilled my wish, my son. Thank you for coming into my life. Your entry into my life was the best thing ever happened to me."

"Dad...you are squeezing me." He whined and this time I pulled away and kissed his face in happiness.

"Dad, no." He whined, trying to push me away while laughing.

"Love you, my son." I gave him a final forehead kiss.

He pouted. "You haven't answered my question. Will you talk to Lauren?" He asked again.

"Let's do one thing, we both will ask her together but not now. Could you wait for few more days so that I can arrange things to propose to her?"

"Yes, I will wait." He jumped on my lap while clapping his hands. "You are the best dad in the world." He hugged me.

"And you are the best son," I mumbled.

Now, it's the time to propose to her in such a way that she could never say no to us.

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