Safe

Part 3

Lauren looked up when she saw Shawn and a lady enter. The little girl ran to Shawn and hid behind him. She looked up at the tall lady. She looked really pretty. She hoped the lady was nice. Daddy always told her that ladies were mean and that men only wanted what was best for her. But Ms. Manibear was really nice. She really liked her. Lauren wanted her to come back.

"Lauren," Shawn said, crouching down in front of the little girl, "this is my wife, Camila. Camila, this is Princess Lauren."

Lauren turned to the lady, Camila. She crouched down and smiled at her. Lauren took a step back. Camila kept smiling at her. Lauren stared at her, liking her hair. She had nice eyes as well.

"I'm really glad to meet you Lauren. Shawn has been really excited to meet you."

Lauren looked at Shawn. "'causa p'incess?" Lauren asked him, tilting her head a little.

Shawn smiled. "Yeah. I always wanted to meet Princess Lauren. Where is Prince Benji?"

Lauren looked over to her bear on a beanbag. "S'eepin'."

Camila smiled. "You are really pretty."

Lauren smiled. Camila was nice. Just like Manibear. The little girl walked to Camila and placed her hands on the woman's face. Lauren gave Camila's head a pat. "P'etty."

Camila grinned. "That's such an honor."

The little girl giggled, her eyes wide. She turned to Shawn. "Lawn?" She asked, a small frown on her face.

Shawn smiled. "That's my name."

"I go home?" the little girl questioned. She watched as the smile left Shawn's face. She tilted her head, confused as to why.

"Lauren, there is something I have to tell you," Shawn whispered, patting the chair Lauren was sitting on.

The little girl nodded, taking the seat.

-

Camila watched the little girl look up at Shawn, her eyes filled with wonder. She knew Shawn was going to break that, and she just hoped it didn't break that little girl's heart.

In a matter of seconds, Lauren got into her heart. She was too cute to not fall for her.

"Lawn? Home?" Lauren asked, her little legs swinging.

"Lauren, your daddy, he did something bad. And he tried to hurt the police officers that wanted to keep you safe."

Camila watched as the little girl frowned, her legs coming to a halt. "Bad?"

Shawn nodded. "The officers had to stop him."

"No home?"

"No, he's not coming home," Shawn told the girl, tears in his own eyes.

"No 'day? 'mowwow?" Lauren asked him, looking even more confused.

"Lauren, your dad isn't coming back, ever. I'm really sorry," Shawn whispered, reaching over to touch her hand.

Lauren's eyes filled with tears. She pulled away quickly. "Wan' daddy!"

The detective sighed, looking at Camila. The woman gave him a small smile. She could see how much it was hurting him.

Camila sat down next to Lauren. "You know, my daddy's gone too."

Lauren looked up at Camila, her small tears streaming down her face. She rubbed her eyes. "Wan' daddy."

Camila frowned, her hand running through Lauren's hair. She wanted to tell her it was okay. That it was okay to miss her father, but she didn't know if it was the right thing, not after what he did.