Lauren woke up with a jolt. She'd been having these nightmares a lot lately. She sat up and began rubbing her temples in a circular motion trying to calm herself down. After a while, taking a deep breath and looked to her left. Sighing a breath of relief she saw her four year old daughter Ciara Branning safe and sound in her small princess bed. Ciara was the best thing that happened to her after Joey Branning, her cousin who she fell in love with. But that's another story for another day. Peeling herself away from the warmth of her bed she tiptoed over to the dresser where her gown was. Putting it on she slowly walked out of the door not wanting to wake Ciara up. She cringed mentally at the creakiness of the door, knowing that could wake her up. She was just like her father when it came to sleep, she loved it, but she was easily awakened. That was one of the many traits she got from her father. Not wanting to think about her ex-lover Lauren thought about how her life had changed in the past six years, if it wasn't for her parents she would be drunk or even dead in a ditch somewhere. Opening a cabinet she got the largest pan out of it and put it on the gas she just turned on. Grabbing bacon she put six pieces on there- two for Max, two for Kirsty and two for Ciara. Another trait she got from her father, eating. Lauren put the kettle on putting teabags and the right amount of sugar and milk for herself, Max and Kirsty into three separate mugs. Taking a bowl out she put beans in it and heated them up. What a weird family she had, eating bacon and beans together. She shuddered at the thought of her eating it. Taking out two plates and one plastic one for Ciara, she popped the bacon on when she was done and poured the beans in each plate. Placing it down on the table she turned and poured the hot water in the cups, stirred and threw the bags in the bin. She placed each cup down in its respective place and smiled at her efforts.

"Well done darling, this looks amazing" Max said, cradling a sleepy Ciara in his arms.

"Well, thought I would make an effort today, how's my little girl? Sleep well?" Lauren said taking Ciara off Max so he and Kirsty could walk in the kitchen and eat their breakfast.

"Yeah mummy, you wasn't there when I wote (woke) up." She said, looking down. "I thought you were donna (gonna) leave me wike (like) daddy did."

Lauren looked at her in shock, trying to process what her baby girl just said to her. "Listen here baby, I am never ever gonna leave you…ever. Your sticking with me for life." Lauren said trying to keep her tears in, Joey was a touchy subject for her.

She set Ciara down in her chair and began feeding her, her words still on her mind.

"Lauren, you ready for your interview today? With Topshop?" Max said, looking at his daughter with pride gleaming on his face. Well, he should be proud, Lauren was going to an interview to become a model, who would have thought, a Branning as a model, certainly not Max.

"No. I'm freaking out and I don't know what to wear." Lauren said with a sigh, she was honestly so scared to be doing the interview. Abi, who had moved in with her fiancé Jay, was going to babysit for the day.

"You'll be fine babe, just be yourself." Max said getting up and kissing Lauren on the forehead and walking out of the kitchen.

"Good luck Lauren." Kirsty said, smiling a genuine smile. After Ciara had been born, Kirsty was a lot nicer to Lauren. Lauren smiled back at her, thanking her for her kindness.

Lauren had showered herself and Ciara and was getting dressed in black chinos, a white shirt and a black blazer with her black court heels. Dressing Ciara up in her pink tee, blue jeans and white converse Lauren began to brush Ciara's long brown hair back into a ponytail. Done. Now for herself, Lauren applied minimal foundation, winged eyeliner and bold red lipstick. Then she curled her hair with a 3 inch curler just the way she liked it and smiled at her reflection in her mirror.

Picking up her phone and bag that she had packed with her cv and purse in it, she walked downstairs to Ciara who was sitting down watching Handy Manny. She dialled Abi's number and before it started dialling there was a knock on the door.

Opening the door she found herself face to face with her sister who engulfed her in a hug.

"You look beautiful Lauren, you're really gonna smash it." Abi said, smiling at her older sister.

"Ciara, aunty Abi's here! Come and say bye to mummy!" Lauren shouted, kneeling down so she could hug her daughter. After all the goodbyes Lauren walked out and got into the taxi where she told the driver where she needed to go. Taking a deep breath she kept chanting in her head. 'Be yourself, Lo'

The taxi stopped with a halt and Lauren stepped out after thanking and paying the taxi man. Shutting the door she walked into the office and and made her way over to the reception. Telling the lady her name, she walked to the third floor and sat in the waiting area there.

"Lauren Branning, Sir will see you now, please bring your CV along with you."

Lauren stood up and took a deep breath walking towards the door which said 'interviews'. She knocked and opened the door to see the person she least expected.

"Joey.."


IM BACK, HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS...MORE TO COME

XOXO

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