the pretty lies, the ugly truth

“Jace, what...” Her sentence trails off because she knows exactly what. Her son is a killer and her world is crumbling around her.

“Mommy.” Rosie ran towards her mother, hugging her tightly.

"Rosie.” A sigh of relief escaped her once Rosie was in her arms, and although she was probably suffocating her daughter, Lauren couldn’t bring herself to care. “I’m right here, baby, it’s okay. Are you hurt?”

“What are you doing? That’s my wife, let her through.” Vincent lifted the police tape up to let her on the other side.

“Vince!” At the sound of his voice, Lauren immediately forgot about the annoying man not allowing her through and shot into her husband’s arms. She couldn’t help but panic, not when all of her children had been put in harm’s way and it was like her worst nightmare had become real life. “Do you know anything? Are they okay?”

Lacey sat outside the school doors, unaware of what was going on inside the gym with a glass of red wine in one hand and her phone in the other, just admiring the scenery of the school.

“Hey you. Need some company?” Lauren had been sitting alone since her kids left for the tour, so really, she was the one in need of company. “They really pulled out all the stops for this thing, huh? I think this is the most expensive wine I’ve had since my wedding.”

❝ No…no see, I don’t do family dinners with strangely… happy… people… that are not exactly family, ❞ He looks at her pointedly for effect, being the queen of said people she is more than a fitting representation. ❝ I do as a matter of fact, it’s a big… big deal. ❞ Quick Beckett, time to hand out a handy excuse !! 

"Well, that's just silly. You live with my son, you're basically family. At least come for the real food. I'm sure you haven't had a meal that isn't processed in weeks." Judging by Jace's less than comendable eating habits, she thinks that's a pretty fair assumption. "What exactly is this prior engagement? If it's so important, I can always move dinner. We all would really like you to be there."

She shakes her head, “No, I don’t like him. I can do plenty better than someone who thinks I’m raging bitch who deserves to be alone. It’s just…” Running her hands through her hair, she sighs deeply. “Why are all the good looking ones completely infuriating? Did you hate Mr. Valentine when you first met him?”

"Well, I'm glad you know you deserve better than that, and I certainly hope you know what he said isn't true." The desire to maim whatever asshole said such a thing to Juliette is strong, but Lauren keeps herself in check. If she ever finds out who it is, though, she won't hesitate to give them a piece of her mind. "I wish I knew the answer to that, sweetheart, I really do. He was... well, I didn't hate him, but I'd be lying if I said he didn't irritate me at times. I suppose that's just how love works sometimes."

“Just a little? Hhm. I see how it is” He teased her before kissing her back softly. “Well should we start with going to the Keg?”

"Oh, absolutely! That sounds perfect. I wouldn't mind seeing a movie either, if you want. It'd be like when we first started dating."

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Valentine, both my lungs are perfectly intact.” Despite her familiarity with her, Juliette is still slightly stunned by the worry, as she hasn’t gotten sick in at least a year. Stunned enough to take the washcloth and hold it against her forehead, welcoming the cool relief. “What’s the verdict? Will I live?”

"I’m not sure. Looks like a pretty serious case of the common cold, but I think you might be fine.” Of course she’ll be fine, but for all her teasing Lauren can’t help but worry. It’s instinctive, even though Juliette’s not actually her kid. She comes around enough, though, that she might as well be. “I don’t think we have any cough medicine, but we might have some Advil if your head’s bothering you.”

“That’s the part I am missing. There is something more to all this.. I can just feel it.” Vincent was usually right about his hunches. He knew that this guy was a professional but the last attack was like a kid had did it. “Of course, I always have time for you buttercup.” He smiled into this kiss. “I love you so much. You know that right?”

“As it turns out, I did know that, but you are more than welcome to remind me any time you’d like. And I guess I love you too, a little.” She stole another quick kiss before coming down from her tip toes, although she her arms remained looped around his neck as she grinned up at him. “So what will this special night out entail, exactly?”

❝ Mrs Valentine, I appreciate the gesture, really, but I’m just Jace’s roommate, we’re barely friends, and I understand, you’ve probably been deprived of disappointment by your three, wonderfully golden children, ❞ literally, with all that blonde how could they not be? ❝ Lucky for you, I’m glad to provide you with plenty of that, ❞ he’s already attempting to walk her out, polite as can be. ❝ I’m busy that night anyway, but I’ll tell Jace that you stopped by, ❞ and he gives her a bright smile that spells, ‘goodbye now’ quite plainly.

“Well, that’s perfect then, actually. This dinner will give you two plenty of time to become friends! I’ve been far from deprived of disappointment, but thank you for your offer even though I won’t be accepting it.” It’s clear as day that he wants her out which, quite frankly, makes the whole thing slightly more amusing for her. “I highly doubt you have something more important to do than enjoy a nice, homemade meal, made by yours truly.”

❝       .        am I supposed to be complicit to this plan? ❞

"You act like I’m forcing you to help me rob a bank. Honestly, Beck, it’s only dinner. Are you trying to tell me you don’t want to come? Because if you are, I will be very disappointed.”

”… Oh, well, at least you’re pretty enough to not need beauty sleep?” she offers, the closest thing Lauren will ever get to an apology. As she accepts the glass of water, taking a few sips, she shudders involuntarily, imagining Mr. Valentine being the one to find her outside. Her attention span isn’t very long right now as she’s already back to her rant, “He was in England and then he came here, but then I left and he left and now he’s here again. But I’m not playing chess with him, Mrs. Valentine, he’s not even allowed on the board.”

"Yeah, yeah. You’re already in my house, no need to flatter me.” Although, she can’t say she doesn’t smile to herself just a little bit. She’s pretty lost on the situation still, but at least Juliette’s words are starting to make a little more sense. “I see. So you’re not actually playing chess with this boy? I take it you liked him a lot, though, considering you were just dancing around to protest his existence. Maybe you still do?” She’s grasping for straws, but at the current moment it’s the best she can do.

“I know. I made sure we have the best watching over you my love.” He smiled softly, kissing her cheek gently. “He is.. Somehow he made sure that no one saw him.. There just isn’t something right about this. It’s almost like it was all staged and hadn’t planned to really take the girls. Jeremy told me that the man didn’t have a bag or anything on him and ran off into the forest. There was no get away car, or rope or anything that could be used to take two girls. It’s just very fishy..” Vince rambled on. He wasn’t supposed to talk about the case outside of work, but he had a hard time not talking to his wife about cases.. especially this one. He raised his eyebrow when Lauren claimed that he wasn’t paying attention to her. “Oh my love.. I am so sorry. I know I’ve been busy. Tell you what, let’s go out tonight just you and me.”

“That doesn’t make any sense. Why would he risk exposing himself if he just wanted to rough them up a bit?” Lauren wasn’t even close to being a detective, but even she knew that was unusual. It almost seemed like he was giving them a warning, and it didn’t sit well with her. However, she knew if anyone could figure this whole thing out, it was her husband, and she trusted him to keep everyone safe. “I was just kidding, honey, you don’t have to apologize. I know you’re busy. I’d like that, though. If you have the time.” She laughed and pressed a kiss to Vince’s lips, and suddenly everything got just a little bit better.

“No, I’m not sick. I don’t get sick.” She simply won’t have it, especially when this is her own damn fault.

"Mhm, yeah. That’s why you’re coughing up a lung.” Even though it was completely obvious Juliette was sick, Lauren pressed the back of her hand to the girl’s forehead anyway, if only for dramatic effect. It was lucky she’d come prepared with a cold washcloth, because her forehead was hotter than she’d expected. “Oh, honey, you’re burning up. Put this washcloth on your head, it’ll help.”