37

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The shrill ring of her alarm pierces the quiet of the early morning, and Lauren bolts upright with a gasp, her stomach churning. She stumbles to the bathroom, her legs shaky beneath her. As she reaches the toilet, she heaves, her body expelling the remains of a sleepless night. The cold porcelain is a stark contrast to her feverish skin, the smell of the room a harsh reminder of the night's fears.With trembling hands, she splashes cold water on her face, the icy shock grounding her. She stares into the mirror, her eyes bloodshot and her face pale. The reflection staring back at her is a stark contrast to the confident officer she once knew. But she's not about to let that define her today.Moving with a newfound determination, Lauren quickly brushes her teeth and pulls her hair into a tight bun. Each step is deliberate, each movement a silent declaration of her resilience. She dresses in her usual attire, but today, she opts for a black long sleeve, a nod to her mood's solemnity. The fabric is soft against her skin, offering a hint of comfort as she tucks it into her blue jeans, the material's flexibility allowing for swift movements. Her boots, polished to a mirror shine, are the same pair she's worn for countless shifts, their soles a testament to the miles she's walked in the line of duty.When she goes out to the living room, she sees Tim standing there, with a facial expression she has never seen on him before. His eyes are filled with a blend of worry, love, and fear. His usual stoic demeanor is shattered, replaced by a vulnerability that makes her heart ache. He's holding a steaming mug of coffee, the scent of espresso and vanilla wafting through the air. The sight of him, dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans."Hey," he says softly, his voice a balm to her frayed nerves. "How are you feeling?"Lauren takes the mug from him, her fingers brushing his. "Good, why do you ask," she says, trying to keep her voice steady.Tim sighs, his eyes never leaving hers as he runs a hand through his hair. He pulls something out of his pocket and holds it out to her. "I found this in the bathroom trash this morning." The small, plastic stick in his hand is unmistakable. A positive pregnancy test.Lauren's heart drops into her stomach. This is a secret she's been keeping to herself for a few days, the fear of what it could mean for her job, for Tim, for Maeve, holding her tongue. She'd hoped it was just stress, that her body was playing tricks on her. But the truth, stark and unyielding, stares back at her from Tim's palm.Her eyes dart around the room, seeking an escape from the weight of his gaze. "I was going to tell you," she whispers, setting the mug down with a trembling hand. "I just needed more time."Tim's face relaxes a fraction, but the concern doesn't leave his eyes. "Why, Lauren?""Why what?" she asks, her voice small and lost."Why keep this from me?" Tim's voice is gentle, but the hurt is palpable.

Lauren takes a deep breath, her eyes meeting his. "There's just so much going on, and we haven't even been together that long," she starts, her voice shaky. "Now there's a human inside of me and we're still trying to figure us out.""How far along are you?" Tim's voice is a gentle murmur, cutting through the silence like a knife.Laura swallows hard, her eyes locked on the pregnancy test in his hand. "Five months," she whispers. "Doctor says it's a cryptic pregnancy. 1 in 475 women get them.""Okay. Um. Okay." Tim says, his hand moving to run through his hair, a gesture Lauren knows all too well. It's his tell, his way of processing the unprocessable. "Why haven't you been showing?"Lauren manages a weak laugh. "She said it's pretty common with cryptic pregnancies. With Maeve, I had some symptoms but nothing too obvious until I was six months along. I've got those strong core muscles," she says, trying to lighten the mood, her hand absently moving to her still flatish stomach.Tim's eyes soften, and he steps closer to her, cupping her face in his hands. "We'll figure this out together, okay?" he says, his voice firm, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips.Lauren nods, tears threatening to spill over. "Okay," she whispers.

...

When Lauren gets to the station that morning, the first thing she does is ask Jackson, "Hey, have you seen Lucy?" The urgency in her voice is palpable, her eyes searching the bustling precinct for her friend's familiar face.Jackson nods, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "Yeah, she's in the lobby with Tamara."Lauren smiles and heads straight to the lobby. When she turns the corner, she sees Lucy and Tamara. Lauren met the girl and has grown close to her, just like Lucy has. "Hey. I need to talk to you." Lauren says while walking over to them.Lucy's eyes widen with concern. "What's wrong?" she asks, her smile fading as she notices the weight on Lauren's shoulders.Tamara, sensing the shift in mood, excuses herself. "I'll catch up with you later," she says to Lucy before heading back to her duties.With the lobby momentarily empty, Lauren pulls Lucy aside, her eyes searching for understanding. "I'm pregnant," she blurts out, the words leaving her mouth with surprising ease.Lucy's eyes widen in shock, but she quickly recovers, her hand reaching out to grasp Lauren's in a tight squeeze. "Oh my god," she whispers, her grip a silent promise of support. "What? How far?""Five months," Lauren says, her voice barely audible above the din of the precinct. "It's a cryptic pregnancy. I found out a couple of days ago, but Tim found out this morning by looking in the trash.""Wow," Lucy says, her eyes still wide with shock. "But you're okay?""Physically, yes," Lauren nods, her grip on Lucy's hand tightening. "But emotionally, it's a rollercoaster.""How does Tim feel?" Lucy asks, her voice a gentle prod into the conversation Lauren had been avoiding."Honestly" Lauren says, her eyes dropping to the floor, "I'm not sure. What he really thinks.""Do you want me to bring it up on patrol today?" Lucy asks, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "You know, just see what he has to say. I'll even watch his body language." She concern growing into a smile.Lauren nods, a glimmer of hope lighting her eyes. "If you could please," she says, her voice a whisper. "I just... I need to know now, rather than later."As the day progresses, Lucy keeps a keen eye on Tim, noticing the subtle changes in his body language, the furrowed brow, and the way he smiles at the kids when he thinks no one's looking. Her intuition tells her he's just as overwhelmed as Lauren is, but hiding it behind his usual tough exterior."So Lauren told me," Lucy says casually to Tim during their patrol, her eyes on the road as she watches the bustling streets. "How are you holding up?"Tim's knuckles turn white around the steering wheel, his gaze unwavering from the road ahead. "Fine," he says gruffly. "Why?""Because she's worried about you," Lucy says, her eyes meeting his briefly in the rearview mirror. "You guys are going to be parents."Tim's expression relaxes, his eyes flicking to the mirror before returning to the road. "Yeah, I know," he says, his voice tight. "It's just a lot to take in."

...

Back at the station, the air feels thick with the weight of Laura's secret. She can't ignore it any longer; she needs to tell Sgt. Grey about her pregnancy. The thought of his reaction sends a shiver down her spine. Would he understand? Would he judge her? Or worse, would he see her as a liability? She takes a deep breath, her hand resting on her still-flat stomach, and steels herself for the conversation she's been dreading.In Grey's office, Lauren closes the door behind her and takes a seat, her heart racing. She watches as he looks up from his paperwork, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. "What's up Clark?" he asks, his tone neutral."I've got something to tell you, Sarge," she starts, her voice stronger than she feels."You're pregnant." Grey says with a hint of a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.Lauren's mouth opens in surprise. "How did you know?"Grey leans back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "You've been a little off your game lately, and you've been avoiding the more physical aspects of the job.""I didn't want to put anyone at risk," Lauren admits, her voice barely above a whisper.Grey nods, his expression turning serious. "We need to make some adjustments, but I'm not going to give you maternity leave until it's time," he says firmly. "You're one of the best officers I have, and I know you can handle this. Just keep me informed, and we'll work something out."Relief washes over Lauren, and she nods her understanding. "Thank you.""Tell Tim I say congrats as well," Grey adds with a knowing wink. Lauren feels her cheeks flush with heat. "I know everything Officer Clark."Lauren nods, standing up with renewed resolve. She leaves Grey's office and heads back to her desk, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Her mind races with the implications of her pregnancy on her job, her relationship with Tim, and her ability to protect her unborn child and Maeve.

With a deep breath, she heads out to the streets of LA in her patrol car. The engine roars to life, the sound echoing through the parking garage. The cool leather of the steering wheel feels reassuring under her hands. She's always loved the rush of adrenaline that comes with being a police officer, but now there's a new layer to it. Every decision she makes isn't just for herself anymore, but for the tiny life growing inside her.As she cruises through the city, the neon lights flickering by, she can't help but feel a sense of responsibility that goes beyond her badge. The faces that pass by, the sounds of the city, the smells of food from the street carts – it's all part of the tapestry she's sworn to protect. And now, there's another heartbeat to consider."7-Adam-12," the radio crackles to life, breaking the quiet of the car. "We got a call about teenagers trespassing at 4223 Elm Street.""Copy that," Lauren responds, her voice calm and composed. She flips the switch, the siren coming to life with a wail that pierces the night air. The lights on the dashboard flash a strobing pattern, casting a frenetic dance across the urban landscape as they speed towards the address.Pulling up to the scene, she spots a group of teenagers huddled around a fence, their silhouettes illuminated by the flashing lights of her patrol car. They scatter at the sight of her, their footsteps pounding on the pavement. Lauren's instincts kick in, and she jumps out of the car, her boots echoing their retreating steps. She knows the drill: keep them safe, keep the peace.Her hand rests firmly on the butt of her gun, a silent reminder of the responsibility she carries. The house is quiet, but she can feel the tension in the air. She calls out, "LAPD!" and waits for a response. Silence. She takes a deep breath and approaches the house, her eyes scanning the windows for any signs of movement.With a swift motion, she pushes the door open and raises her gun, her heart pounding in her chest. The hallway stretches before her, shadowy and uncertain. The creaks of the old floorboards seem to amplify with each step she takes. She can hear the blood rushing in her ears, a symphony of fear and adrenaline.As she turns the corner, the sunroom comes into view. The teenagers, caught in the act, freeze like deer in headlights. One holds a shattered vase, another a stolen necklace. Their eyes widen as they take in her uniform, the badge glinting in the moonlight."You're under arrest," Lauren says, her voice firm but not unkind. They're just kids, after all, and she can see the fear etched into their young faces. It's a look she's seen too often in her line of work, a blend of defiance and terror. The one with the vase drops it, and the sound of shattering glass is like a gunshot in the quiet house.And then, the blonde girl turns around, her eyes going wide. "Mom?"

🚓...🤍

KATE SPEAKS!

this chapter may seemed rushed and everything, but trust. it's all for good reasons.also yes! cryptic pregnancies are a thing, i did a lot of research just for this chapter😭 and everything about it is true!you don't really see people writing about them, and the reason why i chose for lauren to have a cryptic pregnancy is also for the timeline, and so you can see the realness of 'life loves to throw curve balls'lauren and tim did not expect this at all! and i did this because it will help them grow and learn.so yeah! here's this chapter😊😊