"I really want to know what's got you in such a good mood lately." Normani commented as I came upon the reception desk. Camila nodded her head erratically as she provided all of her attention. I rolled my eyes while filling out a patient's record folder before clicking my pen and putting it back in my jacket pocket. I handed the folder to Camila without saying anything, offering a fake smile. "Come on, you really won't tell your best friends?" Normani questioned as I started walking away. I turned around to walk backwards towards my office as I faced the two girls.
"None of your business." Once again I offered a fake smile before turning back around, hearing the two girls laugh. They knew I was messing around with them but in all honesty, I don't think I would ever tell them what's got me like this. Lauren had been the only thing on my mind since I met her and it clearly affected my mood for the better. Clara and I had set up a plan where I could go visit every other day if I wanted to after work, but I was welcome anytime. So far I was able to keep up with going every other day, creating some sort of routine for Lauren because I knew she wanted something to follow every day. I was learning how much routines affected Lauren now much more than in the beginning.
The emerald eyed girl always needed a set plan for whatever she was doing for each and every day. I wanted to help give her what she needed to make it easier on her. My feelings for Lauren only continued to grow despite everything in our way. I could even tell that the younger girl was more comfortable with me and that made me ecstatic to know. That's all I wanted, was for her to be comfortable around me and not have to worry about anything else while she was with me. The secret kissing has also continued, because I couldn't deny something Lauren wanted that badly. I wanted it to of course, but I was still very wary about someone possibly catching us. In the end I knew I couldn't say no to Lauren, I just wanted her happy. When she was happy, so was I. I was practically over the moon at this point.
Today was one of the days I got to visit the Jauregui's, and Clara had explained that she had something important to ask me tonight. Of course I was always willing to help out any way I could, and it was my day to see Lauren so I was literally counting down the seconds before I was able to leave the the office and head over to the Jauregui's. It was already towards the end of the day, and so far I didn't have any more appointments. I would just have to do paperwork either until there was a walk-in or my shift ended. A little while more had passed until Normani had come into my office, taking a seat on my desk. "Did you hear there's a new applicant that wants to work here?" She asked as she started looking at her nails.
I hummed, showing her I was listening. I continued to shuffle through paperwork and finish patient charts so I wouldn't have anything to do tomorrow. "I'm pretty sure she wants to be your nurse, which is weird. She already came in wanting a certain position like that." Normani shrugged her shoulders and I finally looked up at the darker skinned girl. That certainly stopped my actions, I hadn't heard of anyone looking specifically to be my nurse. They were just assigned where it was needed. I rested my head on hand to give Normani my undivided attention this time.
"Do you know anything about her?" I asked. Normani shrugged her shoulders again before placing her hands on each side of her, holding onto the edge as she rocked herself back and forth. "Oh come on, you have to know something. You're the one person I know that can do better detective work than actual detectives." I rose my eyebrow which made Normani laugh loudly.
"I'll only tell you what I know if you make me a deal." The shorter girl finally calmed down to speak. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as to what she wanted from me, giving her the signal to keep going. "I'll tell you, if you tell me what's got you in such a good mood lately." I rolled my eyes. I should've known that's what she wanted. I sighed and leaned back in my chair, propping my hands behind my head. Did I really want to know about this new nurse that badly? I shook my head which caused Normani to raise her eyebrow in my direction.
"The only thing I'm telling you is that I met someone." I shrugged my shoulders. Normani gasped and started cheering loudly. I tried to shush her but she wouldn't budge, and eventually the door to my office opened once more only to reveal Camila who ran over to Normani, asking what was going on. I rolled my eyes for what seemed like the millionth time today, already knowing what was coming next since these two girls were absolutely crazy. I hoped no one else was in the building still, they'd think someone was getting murdered in my office and I didn't want to deal with that on top of everything else.
"Y/N met someone!" Mani squealed and just as I had pictured, Camila joined in on the celebrating as they practically jumped up and down. I didn't even know why they were celebrating this much. "Okay okay, sit." Normani pointed for Camila to sit down but the brunette haired girl instead climbed on me. She sat down in my lap with her full attention on Normani while pinning me down in my chair, even as I was trying to push her off. Eventually I gave up once Mani started speaking again. "So I was just telling Y/N about the new nurse that wants to work for her."
"Oh I know who you're talking about!" Camila practically yelled in my ear. I leaned away from her and shushed her, pushing her head away playfully. "Sorry." She laughed but then quickly stopped, turning to me and signaling for me to be quiet. I scoffed because I wasn't even making any noise in the first place. I couldn't with these two. Either way I shook my head and gave Normani my attention again so she would know to go on with what she was supposed to tell me.
"So all I know is her name is Dinah, but she prefers to be called Dinah Jane. She somehow knew Y/N was working here and when she applied, she asked specifically to be one of Y/N's nurses. She's getting interviewed tomorrow and if she's hired, I bet she'd start next Monday since today is Thursday. I don't know how or why, but only wants to work under Y/N." Normani shrugged her shoulders and I couldn't help but furrow my eyebrows again. I thought it was extremely weird that someone would only apply to be a nurse for me, even when I already had one. Normani was my primary nurse, and I never really needed another one but it wasn't my call whether she was hired or not. I couldn't tell her no because it wasn't my place. If she was hired, I don't even know how that would end up working. Her and Normani would barely have to do anything because there wouldn't be enough for the both of them to do.
"Yeah I bet she really wants to work under Y/N." Camila shimmied her shoulders and wiggled her eyebrows in a suggestive manner which had Normani busting out laughing. I didn't even want to think about that, I already had my eyes on a special girl and nothing was going to change that. I looked over at my computer to see that my shift had already ended like ten minutes ago. I was excited to be able to see Lauren again so I stood up and helped Camila to stand as well before I went to gather my things.
"This was fun and all, but I have places to be." I joked while fixing the rest of my belongings. The other two girls groaned over-dramatically but they, too, started getting themselves ready to leave. When we all left my office, I locked the door behind us and stayed while Camila and Normani grabbed their bags from the receptionists' desk. The three of us walked out of the building together and since we were the last ones to leave, I locked the door again and made sure everything was closed up. The janitors working would still be able to leave but they would finish cleaning and lock up the rest of the building. Normani, Camila, and I bid our goodbyes before going our separate ways.
I threw everything in the trunk of my car and let myself in the driver's seat. After starting my car, I immediately headed towards the Jauregui's house where Clara had wanted to make dinner. Of course I tried to object but she wouldn't take no for an answer. I made it to the house after about a fifteen minute drive. While I went to park on the street, Lauren came running out of the house so by the time I stepped out of my car, she was already pulling me in for a hug. "Y-Y/N! I missed- I missed you!" She squealed while jumping up and down. I chuckled quietly, returning the hug before I pulled away to grab her hand. Lauren pulled me towards the house and I barely had time to close the door to my car before she was already whisking me away.
In the house, I could smell dinner already and when Lauren pulled me further in I saw Clara moving around the kitchen with ease. I didn't have time before Lauren was jumping up and down again. "Y/N! This is my- this is my brother- my brother Chris and my-my sister T-Taylor!" The shorter girl pulled me towards her siblings who were sitting down at the dining room table. My head was spinning so fast from how energetic Lauren was but I managed to offer them a smile.
"I know Lauren, we've met before. I come over here almost every day, remember?" I lightly joked which caused the two siblings to laugh. Every time I come over, Lauren has to introduce us. I remember the first time I introduced myself. It was probably too formal but I was awkward in situations like that. It was almost like meeting a girlfriend's family and hoping they like you otherwise they won't let you see your girlfriend anymore. I shook the thought away as soon as Lauren pulled me back towards her mother. Clara was already turned in our direction and watching us with a warm smile on her face, her arms crossed over her chest. She welcomed me with a hug before she pulled away. "How are you?" I asked when she did.
"I'm good dear, and you? Lauren can't stop talking about you but I'm sure you know that by now. We tell you every time you come over." Clara laughed lightly as I nodded my head with a smile. It was true that Lauren was always talking about me apparently. The Jauregui's always tell me that Lauren can never shut up when it comes to me. I loved that she couldn't, but I wasn't ever going to admit that to her family. I loved coming over here, it always brightened my mood no matter what kind of day I was having at work.
"I'm good, thanks." I smiled politely. "Do you need any help with anything?" Clara shook her head and waved me off as I tried to help her. I playfully sighed out loud which caused the older woman to laugh again. Lauren pulled me into her as she cuddled into my shoulder. "One of these days, I'll get you to let me help out around here." I tsked. Clara turned to me before rolling her eyes, making Lauren giggle by my side. I couldn't help but smile at the sound as I looked down at the emerald eyed beauty.
"Oh hush and just go sit down. Dinner is almost ready." Clara waved us off so Lauren pulled me towards the dining room table once again where she sat me down across from her siblings. The shorter girl sat down by my side and immediately took her previous position of cuddling into my arm. Taylor, Chris, and I engaged in some lighthearted conversation so it wasn't so awkward. Lauren was pretty much silent, just watching the three of us talk. She bit at her nails and rocked back and forth in her chair every so often but it didn't bother me one bit. I was always fascinated by her little ticks and what she used to calm herself down if she needed it. I always saw parents getting upset with their children for moving too much but I knew Clara and Mike weren't like that.
It was easy to see that they adored Lauren, and simply because that's just who she was. She was beautiful, fun loving, kind, and so much more that I couldn't even begin to name off. Everything that made her who she was, was all the more reason I found myself falling deeper for her. I couldn't admit to myself that I was in love with her yet, but I knew I was well on my way with the way things were playing out. I wouldn't be able to help myself. Eventually Clara had started bringing the dinner to the table which knocked me out of my thoughts. Mike also joined in helping his wife set the table, and I didn't see him when I had come in earlier so we exchanged our pleasantries before Clara instructed us to dig into the food.
I helped Lauren fill her plate with food with everything that she wanted and nothing she didn't. When she was happy, she grabbed it from my hands and immediately started digging into her food, literally. I chuckled to myself and piled my own plate with food just as everyone else joined in. Like always, dinner was loud with different conversations swimming around with different family members. Lauren remained quiet and reserved to herself unless she was telling me about what had happened since the last time I had seen her. I gave her my full attention and it was clear to see that she enjoyed having it. I was glad to make her so happy even if I thought it was selfish in a way. I wanted to be the one to make her happy, to give her what she wanted and what she needed.
"Y/N." I heard Clara call my name which again knocked me out of my daze. I turned to her once Lauren was done talking but there was still other conversations happening around us. "I hope this isn't too much to ask, but I was wondering if maybe you could take Lauren for a little bit on Saturday while I take Mike to his appointment. It's okay if you don't want to, I don't want to force Lauren on you or anything like that." The older woman quickly interjected but I offered her a smile while holding my hand up to stop her rambling.
"I would love to, and she can even spend the night again if you guys need it." I shrugged my shoulders lightheartedly. Clara seemed to let out a deep breath as a smile took over her face as well. "You don't have to worry about asking me, I'll always be happy to help whenever you need me." Lauren cheered in her seat excitedly when her mother nodded her head to signal that she was able to spend the night again. The slightly younger girl took over my attention again as she started to talk about all the things she wanted to do when she would come to spend the night again. She spoke about all the movies she wanted to watch, all the food she wanted to eat. I couldn't help but smile at her rambling as she continued to go on about what she wanted to do on Saturday.
I knew eventually we would end up doing most of what she wanted because I wouldn't be able to say no to Lauren. Plus, if she was going to plan everything out then I knew it'd be better to just go along with it. She needed a set plan. With enough time that had passed by, everyone started finishing their plates and the conversations started to die out. Before Clara could start to clean up, I took the initiative to stand up and grab the empty plates so that I could help out. Clara playfully glared at me to which Lauren started laughing again. I went to wash the dishes and I could faintly heat Clara tell Lauren to come help before the smaller girl came up to my side with the rest of the plates. Without speaking, Lauren and I mowed through the dishes with me rinsing them and the younger girl loading them into the dishwasher.
The rest of the Jauregui's seemed to migrate into separate ways with some heading into the living room and others heading upstairs. When Lauren and I had finished cleaning the dishes, I stepped back while drying my hands so that I was leaning against the counter with a sigh. I set the washcloth on the counter next to me as Lauren came up to wrap her arms around my waist. I leaned down to place a short kiss on the crown of her head before laying my own head on top of hers. We stayed in that position for who knows how long before Lauren spoke up in a whisper. "Y/N? Can I- Can I kiss you n-now?" The raven haired girl asked. I looked around the kitchen to make sure no one was around before I leaned down to softly kiss the shorter girl. Her soft lips molded against my own as they trembled slightly.
I pulled away too quickly for my liking but I really didn't want to get caught by any of her family members. I sighed to myself when Lauren tightened her arms around me. "Are you excited for Saturday?" I questioned lightly since I didn't want to disrupt the quietness around us. Even with the TV playing in the background, I enjoyed the atmosphere that seemed to encompass Lauren and I whenever we were alone together. The shorter girl nodded her head against my chest, not saying anything else about the matter but I didn't take anything to heart.
"Why do you- Why do you always have to- have to leave me?" Lauren's question caught me completely off guard, but before I even had the chance to think, she kept going. "I want you- I want you to stay- to stay with me." I couldn't see her face but judging from the sadness in her voice, I could tell Lauren was upset. I didn't think she would take me leaving so hard but it wasn't something I could really control. I didn't know how to respond to that really, but the words were already spilling from my mouth before I could stop them.
"I'm sorry Laur, I don't want to leave either. I just can't stay here though, I'm sure your mom wouldn't like that very much. I don't live here, I have to go back home. I have to work sometimes too, even though I want to stay and hang out with you all day. It makes me sad that you're upset, I don't mean to make you that way." I tightened my arms around the smaller girl in hopes of making her feel better.
"I want- I want to stay with- to stay with you." Lauren whispered. This time I decided to keep my mouth shut. There was really nothing I could say to make her feel better. We stayed in that position until Clara had come back into the kitchen. She saw us standing there and a sad smile spread across her face. It seemed like she hesitated before calling out softly to her daughter.
"Lauren, it's time for bed. Let's start getting ready because Y/N has to go back to work really early tomorrow." Clara's soft, motherly tone came out and hearing that made me miss my own mother. I made a mental note to call her one of these days. Lauren shook her head against my chest and I was actually surprised. As I had said before, Lauren needed a certain schedule to follow and now that she wasn't following it, it was surprising to see.
"I'll help you Lauren, let's get to bed." I pulled away from the hug to grab her hand and lead her upstairs. I was happy that she decided not to fight me on it, but instead she followed her nightly routine of changing into her pajamas and using the bathroom for whatever she needed to do. I waited on her bed as she finished up in the bathroom and when she came out, she climbed into her bed in silence. One by one the Jauregui's came to say goodnight to the emerald eyed girl before they left us alone once again. I tucked Lauren into her blankets as she laid on her side, her big green orbs staring right at me, watching my every move.
When she was tucked in, I sat back on the bed and just looked back into her eyes. "You're all snug in there, right?" I lightly smiled. Lauren nodded her head and pulled the blankets up to come right under her eyes. "I'll see you Saturday okay? Promise?" I held out my pinky finger and I could finally see a hint of a smile on Lauren's face when she pulled the blankets back down so she could expose her hand, her pinky finger up before we interlaced the two.
"I promise." Lauren whispered before letting go and pulling the blankets back up. I nodded my head before leaning down, placing a kiss on Lauren's forehead before standing up and heading towards the door. I paused, hanging off the frame of the door as I looked back at the raven haired beauty. I offered a small smile.
"Goodnight, love." I spoke before closing the door. I headed back downstairs quietly to see Mike and Clara hanging out in the living room. "I'll see you guys Saturday, but if you need me before that then don't be afraid to call." I stopped behind the couch as Clara stood up when she saw me coming down from the stairs. She offered me a hug before Mike held his hand up from his spot. I shook his hand as Clara led me towards the door.
"Okay, thank you for coming over as always Y/N, we really appreciate it. Lauren loves you so much and even if I tell you every time, it's true. We're so grateful to have met you." Clara smiled sadly, becoming choked up. I brought her in for a hug again in hopes of stopping her from crying.
"It's no problem at all Clara, I'm always happy to help anyway I can. I love Lauren as well, and if I'm doing you guys a service as well, I'm perfectly happy. I'm glad to have met you all as well, it reminds me what it's like to have a family again. I'll always be here if you need me, just don't be afraid to ask." I opened the door and stepped outside as Clara nodded her head. I offered one last wave before making my way to the car, my mood improved just as always.
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