"Are you sure you're okay?" Lauren asks her fellow judge who just got blatantly attacked by some bitter contestant, and the younger girl nods and sniffles, wiping her nose and taking a swig of water.

"Okay, send the next one in," Simon instructs and a few moments later, a girl wearing ripped black jeans, vans, a checkered white shirt, and a black denim jacket. Lauren is immediately taken aback by her appearance, and when she glances up at the big screens to get a better look at her, her breathing hitches.

"Hi!" Lauren grins, leaning into her microphone as it's her turn to talk to the contestant.

"Hey!" She gets back, along with a wave. Secretly, the girl on stage is freaking out. Lauren is one of her favourite people, nevermind singers. She somehow manages to keep her cool though as she adjusts the mic stand in the middle of the x-shaped stage.

"What's your name?" Lauren clears her throat and shifts in her seat slightly, but keeps the smile plastered on her face while what she really wants to ask is 'are you single?'.

"Uh, Y/n. Y/n Y/l/n."

"And how old are you, Y/n?" Lauren continues with a wink, pushing the boundaries just a little.

"I'm 20." Y/n nods and blushes slightly.

"Great, and what are you going to sing for us today?" Simon takes the question, earning a subtle glare from a blushing Lauren.

"Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato." Y/n grins and the crowd lets out a little cheer, and then she's told to take it away and the music starts to play.

When Y/n starts singing, Lauren is blown away. She starts tapping along and bobbing her head to the beat of the music, and when Y/n gets to the chorus, she quietly starts singing along.

The atmosphere is crazy, everyone seems to be shocked by the power in this girl's voice. Pretty soon, a standing ovation begins, and it starts at the far left seat of the judge's table with a certain green-eyed girl.

It all ends far too soon, but Y/n smiles giddily as she looks about the busy arena and sees many people cheering her name. They actually liked her! They actually liked her singing!

"Okay, let's start with Hayley," Simon says, making everyone quieten down.

"Oh. My. God! That was great. That was fantastic Y/n." Hayley smiles and Y/n lets out a little squeal of excitement.

"Justin?"

"Well done, Y/n. I mean, standing ovation? These are a tough crowd to please." The man jokes, making everyone laugh, "That's some voice you've got."

"Jauregui?" Simon then says, and everything seems hushed for Y/n. It's just her and Lauren, staring into each other's eyes from so far away. This is the real moment she's nervous for; not for singing, not even for Simon Cowell's blunt honesty.

"That, Y/n..." Lauren begins in a tone that reveals nothing about what she's going to say, and Y/n holds her breath, "Was real talent. That's what we're looking for on this show, and that, is why-" she interrupts herself by launching across the table and hitting the golden buzzer, making everyone freak out and especially Y/n, who runs over to the table to meet Lauren halfway and give her a huge hug.

"Thank you! I love you so much, oh my god, thank you so much!" Y/n's cool exterior breaks as she is span around in a laughing Lauren's arms.

"You're welcome, baby." She hears and then feels- no way is Lauren kissing the top of her head.

But then the next thing that comes is even more of a shock.

"Hey, and your age isn't the only number I want." Lauren flirts further, and Y/n thinks she might just pass out at the insinuation of her words.

—

5 years later.

"Y/n Y/l/n and former x-factor mentor, Lauren Jauregui, are reportedly engaged!" The talk show host announces, and Y/n lets out a squeal similar to the one she had when Lauren had said yes, to being her girlfriend and her fiancé.

"Yes, it seems with baby three on the way, the pair has finally decided to tie the knot." Her cohost jokes, making Lauren chuckle and her hand automatically land on her swollen belly.

"Y/ship-name Fans everywhere are shook."

"Mami!" A small voice followed by the pitter-patter of tiny feet comes from the hall and soon, the little boy peeks around the corner to see his mothers and younger sister sitting on the sofa. He smiles broadly and runs over to them, bouncing into his mommy's lap and smiling across at Lauren as Y/n laughs and pulls him closer so he won't fall off.

"What's up?" Lauren smiles at the giggling kid, and then lovingly at her fiancé. In that moment, she's purely happy, and Lauren is helpless against the contagious feeling.

"I want ice cream!" Her son interrupts the small staring session and soon the little girl who was almost sleeping against her arm jumps up and starts cheering for ice cream.

"I'll get them some." Y/n offers, and Lauren nods gratefully as the y/h/c-haired girl does just that.

This is all she needs.