Closed All On The Table

[Lauren Carter]

PLOT ID #115234 / #87341

At least things were better than they had been. If Lauren looked back she could not complain. She felt more loved, than she ever did before and who would have thought things were gonna go like this? She lived at her old head of houses place, and had him as her father and his lovely wife as mother. Lauren really saw it like that, although it was not from birth. It had been about four years she now lived in New Zealand with Landon, and the time flew by. But in a way Lauren sometimes figured she never moved forward. But that was not really true, she had been working really hard in therapy at herself and learned to open up some more to people around her, talk more in general. She also had to do exercises and do social stuff, although it still felt weird and Lauren sometimes still had the feeling anyone could read her story from her face, that was not really true. It was all in her head, and she had been social once before and wanted to return to her true self again. Although stuff was getting better, there were also new challenges and the therapy did so good, that she had spilled a secret before she realised she said it. And now she had told an complete stranger, they also gave her a choice what to do with that. And Lauren decided to take control herself, she had to. She would not forgive herself if she would keep this a secret to Landon, who gave her all. And if he would find out she would never told him this, what was the trust between them worth?

So nervous and tired from laying awake at night, the blonde walked towards the kitchen. It was the only good timing, because there was an break right now at Hogwarts. So Landon was at home, and Lauren needed to do it now. Or she would never dare to take action. So gathering all the courage there was, she was glad to see her father in the kitchen. And he was alone, so that was good. Camille was still in bed it seemed, and it would not be new information for her. But she was still so young, so Lauren didn't want to burden her or let her hear what she was gonna share. She had no idea how to say it, which words to use, or what Landon's reaction was. But if he would still support her, than he would know everything and have her full complete trust. '' Goodmorning.'' Lauren said softly as she went sitting at the table, looking at Landon with an small nervous smile.
​

 

[Professor Landon Carter]

Landon quite enjoyed the school break as it meant that he could spend some time at home with his children. It was a handful having four of them, however Landon loved them all just the same and he couldn’t fault any of them. The man planned on surprising the girls today with a nice day out, if they all desired, to make the most of the sunny day outside. Firstly, that morning he woke up early and began making everyone some breakfast in the kitchen. Tessaria loved the mini pancakes he made, so he immediately went to work, getting out the mixing bowl from the cupboard and collecting his ingredients.

As Landon heard a voice behind him sitting at the table, he quickly turned around and beamed at the sight of Lauren. “Lauren, darling, how did you sleep?” he asked as he cracked open an egg over the mixing bowl. She was up fairly early and so Landon hoped she managed to get enough sleep, especially with everything she had been going through with her therapy. He could tell she was improving slightly, but he could also never be so sure.

 

[Lauren Carter]

As her father greeted her she still smiled nervous and looked at what he was doing. And his question was something she could lie about, but that was not making any sense if she would tell him what was on her mind. '' Not really. '' The blonde said honestly. Lying was something she learned in the Davenport family. But ever since opening up it was something she didn't liked to do. She quickly spoke of something else. '' Making pancakes I see.'' Lauren said. Which felt really stupid since that was logic if you looked at it. But she was talking around it. It would be easy to just say it shortly than it was out. But it was still hard, and Lauren hated it that she was making it herself so hard. '' Can I talk to you for a second?'' Lauren than said. And stepped of the chair to close the door, so it was an private conversation. She felt her heart beating faster in her chest. ​

 

[Professor Landon Carter]

Landon frowned a little as Lauren admitted she hadn't had a very good sleep. "That's not good. Is everything okay, pet?" he asked, turning to face her. At the mention of the pancakes, Landon beamed. "Yes! There will be plenty for everyone." he reassured her. As she asked if she could talk with him, Landon quickly nodded, turning his attention away from the pancakes. "Of course." he said, making his way over to the dining table and sitting down. "What's up?"

 

[Lauren Carter]

As Lauren saw Landon's face when she was being honest, she knew he cared about her well being. That was already known since she was an student at Hogwarts, but now in a different role. Everything okay? That was an question which was hard. Things were more okay, but now they weren't. Or perhaps will be. But a lot of different thoughts went inside her mind. Thinking of everything that will change after her talk to her father. So she just shook her head, to say without words that not everything was ok. And she tried to be strong, pushing away the tears which were burning in the corner of her eye. And she forced an smile as she focused on the pancakes for an second. And she sat down next to Landon, so she didn't have to look him in the eye all the time. She felt her throat being very dry. As she watched her hands she sighted. '' I.. I...'' Lauren than tried to start. And stopped for an moment, to try and watch him in the eye. She was so afraid that he would be mad, that she didn't say it sooner. But if it wasn't for her, than it would be for Camille. But perhaps they would all hate her, but in the end it was better that it was out.

As she continued she looked at her hands again. Why couldn't she just spit it out and be done with it. In a way she wanted it, but she couldn't. And as she wanted to speak again the tears rolled down her cheeks. '' I.. haven't told you everything..'' Lauren than said. '' There is more.. that happend.. back than.'' Lauren than explained, and she didn't have to say more to explain where they were talking about. It was painfull still to talk about, but it was getting more easy. Talk about it and spitting it out was already an big step. Lauren had already figured she could not say it herself, she tried. But it was too hard. So had written a letter with some of it and from her therapist in it. And handed it over to Landon where it explained what happend, and Lauren didn't want it to come out at first because she knew the consequences for her family. Her biological father would be locked up for life long in Azkaban because of using an unforgivable curse more than once. If they would believe her. But Lauren wasn't so scared for that anymore. She didn't want to look at Landon, see his reaction so watched her hands again. As he finished she quickly peeked and directly said '' I'm so sorry! I haven't told you sooner...'' Lauren added and burst out in crying. ​

 

[Professor Landon Carter]

Landon could see that Lauren was struggling for words. He was patient with her however, letting her compose herself before she could finally to tell him what she'd been holding back. The man sat on the edge of his seat as she mentioned she hadn't told him everything. He gave her a soft smile to encourage her and reassure her that he was there to listen. He knew she previously hadn't had very much support, and he hoped that she knew he was there for her now, no matter what happened, and there was no way he was leaving any time soon.

As Lauren began to pull out a letter, Landon looked curiously at the piece of paper before taking it in his hands. He wondered how long Lauren had been holding onto it for. Writing a letter was probably the easiest way for her to do it however, and so he was glad to take it, feeling as though she was truly giving him her complete trust as he opened it up to read it.

Landon's eyes ran over the piece of paper, his heart sinking as he took in the words. He had to read over the sentence a couple of times. How could anyone... in their right mind? As he finished reading the last sentence, he slowly placed the piece of paper onto the table in front him as he tried his best to process it. "Lauren... my dear... I had no idea." he spoke softly, frowning at the sight of her crying. He pulled her into a soft hug, trying his best to stop her from crying. But he knew that perhaps crying was the best way for her to deal with everything she had been going through. There was no man on earth who should ever be allowed to get away with what her father had done. His sympathy turned into anger as he realised this, letting go of Lauren and looking at her directly into her eyes. "Don't worry - I'm going to make sure this never happens again. Mark my words, there is no way he can get away with this. We are going to trial." He spoke sternly, seeing nothing but red in that moment. This poor girl had to have her justice.

 

[Lauren Carter]

She heard Landon's words and tried to focus on her breathing. Knowing she should be proud of her own and the step and progress she had set today, but all she could think was that she was the one in fault here. Conflicted about protecting her siblings, with good intentions. But on the other hand destroy their family. She knew June was gonna be furious, if she wasn't already. But Camille was still so young, and thankfully she was now in the good hands of Landon and Georgiana, just as she herself was. But now she would open an wound again, and they would need time for it to heal. She worried most about Camille, and figured she had to tell her or Landon. Because otherwise she just felt that something was wrong. Since young age already her sister could, or would feel sad when she was too.

She was glad though as she watched Landon with nerves that he wasn't mad at her. But he was different than Bryon was. This was another good example. And he let her hug her, and it didn't felt scary anymore. It was just what she needed as she cried out on his back. And his next words, were just what she wanted to hear and knew was gonna happen. But gave her axcienty again. She would have to face Bryon again and her family. She would see her mother too. Gabriella would sure be on her side, their relationship was better nowdays. And Lauren was thankfull that she kept this secret and let it to Lauren to decide what to do. If she hadn't Lauren would never trust her again, and be angry. Although she believed it was very hard to her oldest sister to deal with this every day, knowing but not doing something. But that was their lives for very long, and Lauren had been angry at her first for not doing something, help her. But now Lauren knew how powerless it must have felt and saw it from different perspectives. She watched Landon as she let go and wiped away her tears. Nodding at his comment. '' We have to tell Camille...'' She said and started crying again. And thinking of her younger sister. Camille was too young too understand it all, back than but her sister was smarter than other thought. And Lauren was sure, that the girl would understand this all. Also thinking of June, who had never been kind to her. But she felt for her sister. Knowing she was on the wings of another professor at Hogwarts. But perhaps she could help her if she did a good word for her mother, so June could live with her again. Lauren was certain her father would never come out. She was not scared for that, anymore. But more of the consequences for her family. '' Thank you.. father.'' Lauren said and hugged Landon, which was the first time she actually wanted and it came from herself. ​