Professor C (camren)

16.5 - Jauregui (Part 2)

Mindful of her skirt, Lauren bent her knees and opened her unoccupied arm to coax Pebble into a hug despite her maladroit stance with the folders pressed against one side of her chest. Without hesitation, the little girl bounded over to the woman and practically pounced; securing her small arms around Lauren's neck.

"I missed you so much." Eyes closed, Lauren hummed in utter contentment as Pebble's warmth caressed her skin and seeped into her heart.

"I miss you!" Pebble happily retorted, nuzzling her head between Lauren's shoulder and her prominent jaw. "I'm so happy to see you, Mauwen."

"You should be 'cause Miss Lauren is very happy to see her favorite two-year-old!"

It was a deliberate mistake, delivered in a teasing tone, which was intended to rile Pebble up just a tad bit. She was quite sensitive of her very young age and felt obligated to correct the mindless peasants who committed the mistake.

Lauren chuckled with pride riddling her amusement when the little girl squirmed in her arms in protest. She vigorously rubbed Pebble's back, momentarily squeezing her just because her entire being was just uncontrollably idyllic. Somehow, at the seemingly unending height of her annulment case, Lauren's emotions were restricted. Her perturbed being seemed to have served as an impasse to keep her from living in the moment and savoring in the purest of joys.

Admittedly, leaving Camila was only the beginning of her darker days but the legal battle further stole her away from relishing in the joy of living.

Without the obstruction, Lauren held a new appreciation for the things she considered mundane and typical aspects of her relatively new life, which included friends and family.

All of a sudden, she couldn't wait to talk to every single one of them and reconnect the ties she unknowingly severed when she isolated herself to search for Camila.

And somehow, Lauren was finally ready to start rebuilding her life; to pick up the pieces that have been scattered in her misery. Despite the persuasive and attention-seeking twinge in her chest, she was prepared to face the future with the probability of Camila being nothing beyond a friend.

And because of that, Lauren let out a pained, drawn-out sigh as she assessed the long road ahead.

"I'm three!" Pebble exclaimed after finally successful in yanking her tiny body away from Lauren, and subsequently struggled to stick three fingers out as if it would add some evidence to her claim.

The determined look in those brows framing her stubborn eyes prompted a laugh to rumble in Lauren's belly but she bit her lips to keep it in. It was too endearing and somehow, the temporary creases adorning her young face was hilarious.

Lauren's attempt at being remorseful at her evidently immense crime was futile and soon enough, she just laughed to her heart's content. Pebble joined in immediately, letting her own joviality win over slight confusion as to what was so funny while Robert quietly chuckled to himself, quietly grateful for the woman that he had begun seeing more as an older sister than a mere counselor.

"That, you are!" Lauren gasped as remnants of her laughter slowly died down. She set her hand over Pebble's cheek and took a moment to admire the little girl's bliss. It was gratifying to learn how she could brighten another human being's day, especially a little girl's. "Are you excited for later? You're sleeping over at Miss Lauren's tonight, babe!"

"Yes!" Pebble exclaimed in a volume that was definitely bound to traverse through the smallest cracks of closed doors but Lauren didn't have the heart to shush her. Instead, she watched with a smile on her face as the little girl threw her arms in the air and leaped in place; occasionally struggling to keep her balance.