The early rays of morning sun were filling the bedroom softly, slowly awakening Lulu who yawned and tried to stretch out her sleepy body only to realize she was captured in Fezco's strong and warm embrace.

She felt him rubbing his nose against her exposed shoulder, he dropped a few kisses on her skin and she turned around in his arms to look at his sleepy face, both of them smiling at each other.

"Mornin' gorgeous," he said with a raspy voice, moving away the hair that was covering her face.

Lulu leaned in for a kiss that Fezco gladly returned, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her on top of him —causing Lulu to giggle against his lips.

She rested her body on her elbows, admiring Fezco's face with adoration, sometimes wondering if all of this wasn't just a dream. It was like the universe was rewarding her with what it was like to be loved without any darkness following her in the shadow.

"Morning, handsome," she said as they both let out a small laugh.

But the universe had decided it would take the shape of a man involved in illegal activities and murder. As if to show that nothing was ever black or white. That darkness could be found even in the purest soul and that the light could shine brighter inside of the most broken heart.

Lulu leaned in for another kiss —noticing the goosebumps covering her body just by the way Fezco was letting his fingers travel all over her skin, and when they finally parted, breathing heavily, Lulu had one thing in mind.

"D'you wanna come to the award ceremony with me?"

The question had come out shyly, as if she was scared that the man she was in love with didn't want to be involved in her world. Fezco had always been supportive, even when they were much younger and that her career was nowhere near where it was now. But, from experience, Lulu knew how possessive people could become when they would see someone thrive on their own.

"Yo, you for real?" Fezco asked with his eyes opened wide.

Lulu chuckled, "Yeah... we're not really allowed to bring more than two people but I didn't give much of a choice to Enolla."

"So... even Ash?"

"Yeah?" Lulu said, "I mean... if the midget's down for it."

Fezco let out a small laugh, flipping her over so he was now on top of her, "Yeah, I'd love to come..."

Lulu bit her lower lip, instantly melting under Fezco's burning gaze on her. He had a hand dangerously playing with the hem of her underwear and, before she knew it, Fezco had disappeared under her shirt, feverishly kissing every part of her body until he was between her legs, showing her just how much he loved her.

... ... ...

Fezco was fixing his beard in the bathroom, Lulu watching him as she sat on the countertop, putting her rings on. She couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips, realizing a bit more every day how hooked she was.

"I can't focus on anythin' when you lookin' at me like that," Fezco said, causing Lulu to look away with burning cheeks.

He went to stand between Lulu's legs, using his thumb to make her look at him, "What's goin' on in your brain?"

"Do you wanna, like, go out?" Lulu asked, letting her fingers trace the contours of his face, "Like... tonight or whenever you can."

Fezco raised an eyebrow, smirking, "You askin' me out?"

Lulu chuckled, shaking her head in embarrassment, "Yeah."

"Like, just the two of us?"

Lulu tapped a hand on her cheek, pretending to think for a second, "Hm... I was actually thinking we could have Faye third wheeling or somethin'."

Fezco let out a raspy laugh, kissing Lulu's temple, "You a trip, I swear."

Fezco started walking away, opening the bathroom door, Lulu frowning expectantly, "Hey, you didn't give me an answer, pretty boy."

"Of course I wanna go on a date with ya," Fezco beamed, "Y'know, I'm free tonight."

Lulu jumped off the bathroom countertop, pecking Fezco's lips and walking past him in the corridor, "Let's say we meet by the front door at seven?"

They were now both walking towards the kitchen, Fezco chortling at his girlfriend, "Yeah, perfect for me."

But Lulu's smile fell from her face at the sight of Zahia and Ashtray sitting at the table, a letter dropped between the coffee cups and burned toasts.

Ashtray carried an icy stare when Zahia mostly seemed dumbfounded, an empty look in the eyes.

"Hi..." Lulu whispered, "What's this?"

"It's from the social worker," Zahia mouthed.

Lulu took a deep breath, grabbing the letter with a shaky hand. She looked at her sister to try and read an expression on her face but she looked like a blank canvas, empty.

" Dear Ms. Lulu Jenson and Ms. Zahia Jenson,

Following my visit, I send you my report following an appeal by the law enforcement. It was my duty to assess the stability of your home since your mother, Kris Jenson, left the house.

After examining the Jenson's financial status, meaning Lulu Jenson's income, the condition of the house and its neighborhood, their school results and after speaking with the two sisters separately, I am asking for a second examination.

More informations about the exact date of this second examination will come through by mail shortly.

I will be joined by Paula Moore, head of California's Child Services, and this visit will require for us to stay for a couple of days in order to assess Lulu Jenson's ability to provide a stable home for Zahia Jenson until the police resolves the investigation.

Until then, feel free to contact me if you have any interrogations.

Sincerely,

Mary Rivera "

Slowly, the air filling the room became almost impossible to breathe. The room started spinning, as if she had drank an entire bottle of wine, and the floor became unsteady beneath her feet.

Lulu knew there weren't many hopes for her to become Zahia's legal guardian. She was barely eighteen and had absolutely no clue how to handle the situation on her own. She couldn't talk about all the nightmares she had had ever since their father had walked out of the house three years ago.

She couldn't talk about how worse it got when their mother started leaving the house for days —getting into that car that haunted so many of her nights. She couldn't talk about it because she was supposed to be the strongest one.

Yet, it looked like the social worker had seen right through the surface during that short visit. She had seen enough to want to dig even deeper and to bring someone else with her. To assess her ability to bring a stable home for Zahia.

She loved Zahia with all her heart, she would give her life for her in a heartbeat but, selfishly, Lulu was terrified by the words written on that page. Seeing this made it even more real.

Long gone were the days where Lulu was allowed to be a teenager, or a young adult, and nothing more. When life was just pretending to pay attention during classes when she was really daydreaming. When she cared more about the outfit she would pick for a party then about how much money she would spend on groceries. When she didn't have to pick up the phone with her stomach in a knot, terrified that the bank would ask for money that should come from her parents' accounts and not hers.

When Lulu finally made eye contact with Zahia, she could see the same fear on her face.

Something clicked inside of Lulu. It was time for her to let it all out. It was unhealthy to pretend she was handling it perfectly. That she wasn't scared.

Zahia was terrified. And so was Lulu.

A second later, Lulu had her head over the toilet bowl, throwing up all the bottled-up anxiety and fear she had kept to herself for as long as she could remember.

And Zahia was there, rubbing a hand on her back comfortingly, trying to contain the tears threatening to spill, as she was now reassuring the one who had been there for her through thick and thin, "It's... It's gonna be okay... I swear."

... ... ...

, soooooooo lulu & fez are still flirting as if they weren't dating, i mean that's kinda the goal. also, lulu asking fez on a date was really on my mind for the longest time cause pleaaase that man deserves to be spoiled!!! what do you think their date will be like??? i havent started writing that chapter so any idea/suggestion could be useful !

and unfortunately lulu and zahia still have to go through another visit from the social worker because rationally it is absolutely impossible for mary to simply agree to let lulu become zahia's guardian

i had originally planned for the two girls to be split straight away but i'm not that mean, am i? anyways, how do you think the second examination will go??? and what are you expecting in the following chapters??