Trials and Tribulations

Chapter 37

"No one mention her speech ok?" Lauren said anxiously to her assembled family who were watching the brunette pace backwards and forwards across the living room floor whilst they awaited the arrival of Camila, her parents and Sofi for dinner. It was the Thursday, three days after Christmas, and Camila had finally been released from the hospital earlier that morning with her speech no better than it had been when she'd initially woken up on the intensive care unit six days ago. "Honey, we have met Camila before," Clara reminded Lauren, offering her daughter a small, sympathetic smile in an attempt to reassure her. "Yeah I know," Lauren conceded, continuing to pace, "but she's different now." She told them sadly. "Her speech is much worse than you've ever seen it before and I just don't want you to make her feel selfconscious." Lauren said seriously. "She struggles with her confidence as it is." "I think," Clara said, standing up and placing a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder, stopping her in her tracks, "that this probably has more to do with the fact that you're nervous about having your girlfriend's family round for

dinner than Camila's difficulties with her speech." She noted shrewdly. "You guys have to be normal, ok?" Lauren said, getting right to the crux of the problem and admitting that her mom had been close to the mark with her observation. "Don't be weird and make them feel uncomfortable..." "We're not weird," her dad chimed in, laughing lightly from his position on the sofa, evidently amused by his daughter's nervousness. "I know," Lauren sighed, "but, I really like her and it's the first time I've ever had a proper girlfriend and you've met her family, just, don't ruin it for me, please?" she pleaded and Clara pulled her in to a warm embrace, kissing her on the forehead supportively. "Lauren," she said simply, moving her head back to look at her eldest child after a moment, her eyes bright, and an encouraging smile on her lips. "Everyone will be on their best behaviour tonight I promise," Clara reassured her, but Lauren didn't look convinced. "Look I know it might be weird because she's a girl..." Lauren started, but Clara cut her off immediately by pulling her in to a tight embrace once again. "Hey," Clara scolded, not relaxing her grasp from around Lauren's shoulders. "I've already told you before that your dad and I don't care who you date as long as you're happy. We're proud of you no matter what, you know that..." "You say that," Lauren started, getting agitated by the prospect of this new experience, her unease palpable, "but this kind of makes it real doesn't it? I mean, it's different when you don't have to see it..." "Oh, we've seen it," Chris commented laughing and Lauren threw

him a warning look, her eyes glaring meaningfully for him to say no more about the time he'd walked in on Camila and her in her bedroom. "Chris," Clara reproached, turning to face him for an instant, her eyes growing wide and silently telling him to keep quiet, that he wasn't helping the situation. She turned back to Lauren and brushed a strand of her hair soothingly. "Lauren," she continued, addressing her daughter again. "You and Camila have been dating for a while now..." she reminded her. "Since October," Lauren informed her quickly, interceding, the date firmly fixed in her memory. "Right," Clara laughed, stroking Lauren's hair where it fell down in loose curls and framed her face. "We've seen how the two of you are together and trust me when I say that your father and I are in no way confused about the definition of your relationship..." "To be honest Lauren," her dad said, standing up from his position on the sofa and walking over to his daughter in order to place an arm around her shoulder, "most dads with teenage daughters have to worry about boys taking advantage of their little girls and unplanned pregnancies..." he told her playfully. "I can't tell you how much of a relief it is that I don't have to be concerned about becoming a grandfather just yet," he joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Mike," Clara reprimanded, hitting him on the arm but she smiled when she saw Lauren relax in response to his joviality. "Yeah, well

there's still Chris and Taylor," she said laughing despite her trepidation at the upcoming dinner. "You may well become a grandfather yet," she teased him. "Not a chance," he laughed, pulling Lauren close in to his side and hugging her affectionately. "Chris is grounded until he's at least thirtyfive and I refuse to let Taylor date until she's the same age." He jested. "Hey," Chris and Taylor protested in unison and Lauren laughed at their response. "Seriously though sweetheart," Clara said, rolling her eyes in amusement at her husband's behaviour as she rubbed Lauren's arm with her hand, "you know how much we like Camila, she's a remarkable girl and we think a lot about her, we'd never do anything to jeopardise your relationship." She told her truthfully. "Tonight will be fun I promise," Clara reassured her, rubbing Lauren's arm again and stroking her brow lightly with the fingers of her other hand. "Just try and relax alright," she coached. "No one will say anything to Camila about her speech," Clara told her seriously, looking around at the rest of her family who were all nodding wholeheartedly in agreement with her words. "It's just a nice opportunity for us to get to know her family better and do something nice for them after the week that they've had. It'll be fine, I promise." "Ok," Lauren said, sighing in relief at her mom's assurances. "Just, please don't stare at her either," she requested, still a little nervous. "She has a black eye and this cut..." "Will you please stop worrying," Clara laughed interrupted Lauren just as the doorbell rang informing them that their guests had arrived.