Leaving for work this morning is mayhem, the traffic jam seems to get worse every morning. I turn up the radio and hear that there’s been an accident just a little futher up from where I am stuck in traffic. While I’m sitting there my boss calls me “Michelle where are you?” Asks Lauren calmly “stuck in a traffic jam due to an accident that is a little up from where I am” I explained Lauren asked me to keep her updated.

While I’m still sat in traffic the radio announces that two people have died in the car accident but the road will be back open shortly. I call Lauren “Hi Lauren, the traffic should be moving shortly I’ve just heard that two people died from the accident, I can’t imagine how their family feel” I say with compassion in my voice “it was my mother and sister my three week old nephew made it out alive from the wreckage he’s been transported to hospital for more checks and scans. When you get here can you cover for me? I will pay you over time, I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate” Lauren asks with a teary tone in her voice so I know that she’s been crying “im so sorry but of course take all the time you need I have you covered when I get there”

I walk into the office and Lauren runs upto me and hugs onto me. I wrap my arms around her as we walk back to her personal office, I turn around to see Lauren packing her things “you can take my office I have to sort a lot of things out, I need to get an emergency court hearing for emergency custody of Harlow so I’m not sure when I’m going to be back” Lauren says while rushing aorund “honestly it’s fine, I’m here if you need a hand with anything, you’ve got this” I state back to her.

Lauren leaves which means her PA is now my PA temporarily, I buzz Jane to come through to the office. Jane is one of the main hard working members of this office she’s the first one in and the last one out the office “can I help you Miss Connors?” Jane says very professionally “Yes I’m not sure if you’ve heard but I will be filling in for Lauren as long as she needs me too. I just wanted to make sure that you felt ok to work with myself temporarily” I say with a small smile. Jane looks at me and smiles “of course! Your a lovely woman and a very hard worker which is something I like about you. Anything else I could do or get for you Miss Connors?” Asks Lauren before she walks out and goes back to her office.

It’s half way through work hours, it’s been four and half hours since Lauren had to rush off. I pick up my phone out of my drawer and send Lauren a message “Hi Lauren, I hope your okay. I know how hard it is to lose a parent and a sibling. I lost my father and eleven year old sister to a car wreck so I just want you to know I’m here for you. Take care of yourself and if you need anything please let me know”. The message sends and I continue to finish my work

I put my key in the front door and it swings open I mumble to myself “I really need to get that door sorted”. I drop my bag onto the sofa and put the key on the hook after locking the front door, I walk towards the downstairs bathroom and I hear a notification come through on my phone. While I’m drying my hands I hear my phone start ringing but cuts off just as I go to pick it up, I see that it’s Lauren that’s called and message me “Hey Michelle, thank you for the message and flowers you got Jane to send they are beautiful. I’m sorry to hear about your mother and sister I didn’t know. Would you like to come round? Thought we could do with a ‘girls night’ and have a few drinks?” I take a few minutes to think about it and I start to reply back “it’s okay honestly you deserve to be treated, its been a long time but still plays in my head like it was yesterday. Girls night sounds amazing! Will take a shower and come round! Are we doing PJS or normal clothes?” As I await for the reply I decide to take a shower, whilst in the shower I wash my hair so I can attempt to braid it a little wet. I step out of the shower and reach for my towel, I see a message come through from Lauren “PJS of course! And Ekkk I’m excited just what I need after todays events, let me know when your leaving and I’ll make us up a drink” I smile stupidly.

Me and Lauren are laughing and joking away while sitting crossed legged on the velvet fabric two and three sofa set. Lauren leans in to kiss me and I lean into her before we both know it we are in the moment which lasts for what feels like forever but physically lasted three minutes. Lauren slowly pulls away from me “wow…. Umm…. That was more amazing than I imagined it would be. I know we are collegeues and I’m your boss but I can’t stop feeling what I do for you, it’s been so long and I can’t hold it back anymore” Lauren says with a shy smile. I take Lauren in my arms and kiss her again before releasing her “we will keep our private life separate from work, I love you and I have since the first day I started working” I simply explain to her as she leans into my chest as I wrap my arms around her.

Its the day of Lauren’s mum and sisters funeral, everyone has turned up and are all gathered around the garden while some of the flowers are scattered on the driveway, Lauren is holding my hand as we walk out to greet people who have came for the funeral. As Lauren’s cousin Lily lays the last funeral flower down we hear start of the music from the funeral horse containing Willow and Stephanie’s coffin, Lauren break down and holds onto me as I comfort her the best I can. Me, Lauren and Harlow get into the first black funeral car while everyone goes into either their own car or one of the two other funeral cars “it’s okay, I’m here for you. I love you unconditionally” i softly say to Lauren

Lauren is stood up in the church wanting to say a few things “I firstly would like to say thank you for everyone being here today especially my girlfriend whos been there every step of the way. Willow Connors was not just my mother she was my best friend, someone I could turn to when things got tough, someone I could laugh with when I needed it the most… my sister Stephanie Connors we was not just sisters we were partners in crime, you were not just a sister you were a daughter and a mother to a very lucky young boy. We all miss you both dearly may you rest in peace”. Lauren cries as she’s walking towards me and Harlow, as Lauren sits down next to me I hold her as the funeral finishes

It’s been two weeks since Willow and Stephanie’s funeral, Lauren is slowly getting better still very raw. Lauren hasn’t wanted to do much apart from snuggle with Harlow and eat junk food so I planned a date for us all. I walk into the living room where Lauren and Harlow are cuddled up while watching something on TV “hey princess and prince… I have something planned for us today shall we go and get cleaned up and dressed? I promise you it’s worth it” I say with a smile on my face before kissing her then Harlow.