Author's Note: Hey all, so this is my first shot at writing Fanfiction (Yay) Hope you all enjoy it. I don't write often but I thought I'd give this one a go. I couldn't help myself with Doccubus. It's just such an amazing couple, I couldn't help but feed my obsession by writing fanfic.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All material - Characters etc belong to their rightful creators.

No Way To Stop It

Chapter One: Lilly

Lauren

"Hello."

My ears perk up at the sound of the voice. I was so immersed in the book I'm reading, I hadn't heard anyone enter the bookstore. Putting down the book I'd been reading, I look up over the counter, my eyes falling on a small girl with big curious blue eyes. They are the deepest shade of blue and seem to stand out in contrast to her brunette hair that falls to the top of her shoulders. I raise an eyebrow at her and can't help but smile down at her.

"Hello there," I reply placing my book atop the counter. "What can I do for you today?"

My heart warms as the little girl gives her the biggest toothy smile. She couldn't have been more than five or six years old.

"I wanna buy a book for my mommy," she replies. "It's her birthday today."

"Oh?" I reply making my way around the counter and crouching down next to her so that we are at eye level.

"Mhmm...Papa says I can choose," she says before leaning in and motioning for me to move in closer. She looks around the store as if to see whether anyone is within earshot before cupping her hands to her hands to her mouth. I lean in my ear as she whispers, "Mommy doesn't know we're gone. Shh."

I can't help but feel myself smile again at her. Then in the most serious face I can manage, I run my thumb and pointer finger across my lips, turning it before throwing away the imaginary key letting her know that her secret was safe with me. The little girl giggles and claps happily but then she quickly composes herself and in the most adult manner sticks her hand out.

"I'm Lilly."

Taking her tiny little hand in mine, I shake it gently and give her my own professional nod of acknowledgement. This is one smart kid; I'll give her that.

"It's nice to meet you Lilly, I'm Lauren. That's a very pretty name."

"Thank you," she says blushing a little. "I like your name too."

I stand again and scan the store to see if I can locate her grandfather. Not being able to see any one resembling someone that could be her grandfather, I look down at her again.

"Lilly, where is your Papa?" I ask.

"He's outside. He says he'll stand guard in case mommy comes looking for us. But I just think he doesn't like looking at books with me."

She's also observant.

I chuckle. Moving to the side I see a man indeed standing outside watching one of the TV's in the shop across from my bookstore. He definitely didn't look like he was looking out for his daughter, too immersed in whatever film seemed to be playing on the screen in front of him. He wasn't a very tall man. He wore a grey vest with a white dress shirt underneath and matching grey dress pants.

"Okay then Lilly, shall we get to it then? What does your Mom like to read?" I ask. I watch her as she scratches her head thoughtfully, scrunching up her nose in the most adorable way. It takes her only a few seconds before her face lights up.

"Mommy likes to cook a lot," she says beaming. For a second I scan my brain quickly for a good cooking book that I could give Lilly for her mother.

"How about I get you something that has a little bit of cooking and baking in it?" I ask her. Lilly nods enthusiastically and takes my offered hand as I lead her to where the cookbooks are.

"I love baking. Mommy always lets me lick the wooden spoon whenever we make chocolate cake. Sometimes I have to share with Aunty Kenzi, but that's okay. Mom says it's polite to share," Lilly tells me as we stop in front of the various books for cooking and baking. She doesn't sound too happy about the idea of sharing.

"Your mom is a wise woman and she's right kiddo. But I think you're right, licking the spoon is definitely the best part of baking," I say winking at her. I quickly pick out the book that I was looking for and show Lilly the cover. Her eyes widen as she takes in the vibrant colours reaching out to touch it before nodding furiously in agreement.

"It's so pretty and it looks so real! I want that one please."

"Good choice," I say nodding and giving her a playful wink. "Should we wrap this one up?" I ask as we make our way to the counter, bringing her around with me. Since it's a quiet day, I don't worry too much about anyone seeing. It's after all my store. I pick her up and sit her on one of the stools behind the counter.

"What's your Mom's favourite colour?" I ask her.

"Blue," she replies confidently.

Guess I should've known that.

Before taking out the blue wrapping paper I have under one of my tables, I walk over to where the greeting cards are and select a birthday card. In a drawer behind the counter, I bring out a set of coloured pens and hand it to Lilly.

"How about you write your mom a message in the birthday card while I wrap her present?" I tell her placing the card and pens in front of her. Once again, Lilly's eyes light up as she takes the card and pens, placing them carefully on the counter in front of her. Turning her back to me Lilly immediately reaches for the blue pen, but before she starts to write, she turns in her stool and looks over at me.

"Thank you Lauren," she says before turning her attention to the task at hand.

"You're welcome sweetie," I reply, unable to help the smile that spreads across my face. I shake my head and reach for the blue wrapping paper that I have under my table.

Just when I finish wrapping up the cookbook, I hear the door open. Assuming it's Lilly's grandfather wondering where she is, I look up to find Ciara walking in with what looks to be Chinese food. As if on cue, my stomach gives a little rumble, reminding me that I had missed breakfast this morning.

"Oh?" She says when she spots Lilly behind the counter, "and who might this be?" She asks placing the takeaway bags on top of the counter. I watch in amusement as Lilly stops what she's doing and holds out her hand much like she did earlier to me.

"I'm Lilly, and you are?"

Ciara's eyes quickly dart to me, amusement also written on her face, she quickly takes Lilly's hand in hers and gives it a gentle shake.

"My, how polite. I'm Ciara, what have you got there Miss Lilly?" Ciara asks looking down at what Lilly had been doing.

"It's for my Mommy's it's her birthday today. I came with Papa to buy her a present. Lauren helped me pick it, and Papa's over there," she said gesturing to me with her thumb before pointing out her grandfather who was now definitely engrossed in whatever was going on across the way.

"Really now?" Ciara says moving towards me with the food and pulling it out of the paper bag. My mouth begins to water as the smell of sweet and sour makes its way to my nose.

"And since when do we let customers behind the counter, let alone write cards?" Ciara asks me quietly, a hint of a smile in her voice, letting me know she's just teasing. I roll my eyes at her as I place Lily's wrapped up present next to me waiting for her to finish her card. I eye the Chinese food on the table before calling Lilly.

"Lilly, honey, would you like some food?" Before Lilly could answer, her stomach gives a loud growl giving me her answer. Her blush reaches the tips of her ears before we all start to laugh.

"I'll take that as a yes," I say opening the boxes with sweet and sour, noodles and other miscellaneous foods before making my way to the kitchen in the back to get a small bowl for Lilly.

"I finished my card for Mommy, Lauren," she says proudly as she jumps off the stool and walks over to me, handing it over. I smile and put it into an envelope before sticking it onto the present.

"I'm sure your Mom will love it," I say. "Wait here with Ciara while I go get your Granddad, we can't let him stand out there all day."

"Omfkay," Lilly replies already with a mouth full of noodles. Lauren shakes her head and chuckles quietly to herself as she makes her way to the entrance.

I like her.


Bo

If I was agitated before, I was definitely agitated now. It had been an hour and a half since I had last seen my Grandfather or my daughter. I hate it when Trick takes my daughter anywhere because they could be anywhere. Where in the world had they gone off to? Trick had told her they were going for ice cream, but it didn't take an hour and a half to get ice cream. Again I pick up my cell phone and dial Trick's number only to be sent to voicemail again. Narrowing my eyes, I let out a frustrated sigh and decide to go looking for them. Just before I could make it out the door, Kenzi bursts through it almost running into me.

"Woah there, hey Bo-Bo! Happy Birthday miss thang, another year older and another day closer to your retirement," She says before pulling me in for a tight hug. I roll my eyes at her and mumble a 'Gee thanks for the reminder Kenz,' before letting her go.

"You know you love me, anyway, where are you rushing off to and where is my adorable, gorgeous niece? I haven't seen her like, forever," she says as she stands back, arms folded eyeing me and waiting for an answer.

"You saw her two days ago and your said niece, has gone somewhere with her Great Grandfather for supposed "Ice Cream" an hour and a half ago," I say making quotation marks in the air before lowering them.

"Really? Maybe they just got caught up with something…or maybe buying you a present?" Kenzi says suggestively. I narrow my eyes at her. She holds up her hands defensively.

"Hey, it's true, I'm pretty sure I heard the two whispering something about a present. I don't know, that girl of yours can be really sneaky sometimes."

"Mhmm…I wonder who she gets that from," I say making my way towards the door again.

"Not my fault, I swear," Kenzi replies.

"Uh huh. You gonna come with? They're not too far from here, I tracked Trick's phone. They're where they're supposed to be, but it keeps showing me they're at 'Johnny's TV Yard'. We don't need another TV and if they're buying a new one, it shouldn't take an hour and a half."

"Didn't I tell you a tracking device would be helpful?" She asks looking at me proudly.

"I'm not happy that I used it because I still think it's wrong Kenz, but for now, it's the only thing that's keeping me sane right now. I swear I'm gonna be pissed if I find out Trick's dropped his phone." I reply as we quickly rush out the door and downstairs to the car and make our way to Johnny's TV Yard.

I found it strange that Trick had taken her to a store that sells only TV's. The thought that maybe Trick had dropped his phone did nothing to settle my nerves. The only reason I'm ruling out Trick's phone being lost is the fact that had he dropped it someone would have found it by now. I trust Trick, but this was the first time they had ever gone out this long before. I hate worrying about the whereabouts of my daughter. I know that for a six-year-old she's a lot smarter than most. She's also very outgoing and loves people. Sometimes I wonder where my daughter gets her confidence from because it's certainly not from me. Dyson isn't exactly the friendliest person in the world either.

My daughter is the centre of my universe and right now I try to push the thought of something happening to her, to the back of my mind. I only hope that when I get to where we're going that I would find them – eating ice cream. When Kenzi and I pull up to the small shopping area, I quickly scan the area in the hopes that maybe they were just coming out of their favourite Ice Cream place across the road. Not seeing Trick or Lilly, I quickly motion for Kenzi to get out of the car. I lock the door and scan the parking lot for my grandfather's car and find it parked about six cars down from mine. I frown and let out another frustrated sigh.

Where the hell could they be?!

"Hey Bo-balicious, I'm pretty sure we came here for a reason so can we please hurry up and go look for your daughter so I can shower her with Kenzi Kisses?"

I nod silently and follow her towards the long alley of shops. I had never been as far as Poppy's Ice Cream parlour whenever we visited this place. I knew there were several stores along this alley but it never interested me enough to go explore. It's why it puzzled me to find out that Trick and Lilly were in the midst of the not to busy alleyway. As Kenzi and I made our way past shoppers and shops, I couldn't help but wonder why I hadn't explored this area. It certainly had a lot of stores and cute little knick-knacks around.

Kenzi's hand on my elbow pulls me out of my intrigue, remembering that we were here to look for Lilly. We turned a corner and two stores down another alleyway filled with shops was 'Johnny's TV Yard' only there was no Trick in sight. It was then that a chill ran down my spine at the thought of what might have happened. Picking up my pace I was now dragging Kenzi as we made our way to Johnny's. Stopping at the front of the store I peek inside but see no one inside. I quickly rush in and stop to scan the store. An old man with a great potbelly, receding grey hair and a moustache greatly resembling Colonel Sanders, jerks awake from behind his counter at my hasty entrance.

"C-can I help you?" He says groggily trying to wipe the sleep from his eyes discreetly while making an effort to look less guilty for falling asleep.

"Did an old man with a grey vest and a little girl come into this shop at all today?" I ask briskly, still standing by the door. It was then that I realised that Kenzi hadn't followed me inside. I push the thought aside and just assume she is waiting for me outside. The old man stands from his chair and rubs his belly thoughtfully before shaking his slowly.

"No love, not that I know of. However, I did see an old fellow with a grey vest standing outside there watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," He replies pointing towards the outside window where I can see Kenzi laughing at something that was showing. I frown and nod at him about ready to turn around and exit the store.

Thanks for nothing.

"You can ask Lauren from across the way, maybe she saw which way they went," he says before I mumble a quick 'thank you' and walk out the store. I close my eyes and rub my temples at the impeding headache that seems to have made itself known. I grit my teeth and chastise Trick silently for being so thoughtless and not calling her at all. I open my eyes and glance over at the bookstore that the old man had suggested.

"Kenz?" I call as I slowly make my way towards the store, I can't see the counter from the outside so I decide it might be a good idea to at least try "Read All About It". Just before I reach the door I hear Kenzi's footsteps behind me. I rest my hand on the handle as I look back at her and ask her what she was laughing at.

"Oh. Up! Was pla—"

"Mommy!" I whip my head around to find Lilly running toward the door. I quickly open it and make my way inside just before she reaches me, jumping into my arms. I catch her and wrap my arms around her, hugging her tightly, relief washing over me at finding her safe and sound. I let her down and straighten myself. I look up to find a guilty looking Trick emerging from behind one of the bookshelves. I glare at him giving him my trademark 'You are so getting an earful later' look.

The sound of the door opening and closing again draws my attention from Trick as Kenzi walks in, scooping Lilly into her arms, raining her with her promised "Kenzi Kisses".

"Monster!" Kenzi says still raining kisses.

"Aunty Kenzi!" She exclaimed giggling at her Aunts antics. A movement in the corner of my eye catches my attention as I draw my eyes away from my daughter and Kenzi to see who it is. My breath hitches suddenly as I watch a blonde woman with hair that disappears down her back, dark blue button down shirt and black skinny jeans that look painted on, emerge from behind Trick. I could only watch frozen, as she seems to glide towards us, a warm smile on her face.

"Mommy, mommy, that's Lauren," Lilly's voice brings me back to reality. I shake my head and look down at her tugging on my arm. When I look up again, Lauren is in front of me, her smile is so warm and inviting I can't help but return it.

"Yes I am," she replies her voice sounding slightly amused. Lauren holds out her hand and it takes me a second to realise that I need to shake it.

"I'm Bo," I reply placing my hand in hers, I can't help but feel a light shock run from the tips of my fingers to the tips of my toes as I shake her hand gently. I also can't help but notice how soft her hand is before letting it go.

"Nice to finally meet. Lilly has been telling me about how awesome her Mom is, oh and Happy Birthday," she says with a twinkle in her eye. I can feel myself flush as I utter a quiet thank you and look down to my feet.

"Umm…Lilly, I think you forgot something by the way," I hear Lauren's soft voice as I look over at my daughter to find her quickly cover her mouth as if shocked and uttering a quiet 'Oh' before running off back in the direction Lauren had just appeared.

"Ahem," I hear from behind me. I had almost forgotten I had come with Kenzi. Quickly gathering myself, I clear my throat and reach for Kenzi's arm and pull her forward.

"Lauren, this is Kenzi, my ever so loving best friend," I say sarcastically. Kenzi glares at me before stepping forward to shake hands with Lauren.

"I'm only friends with her because her daughter is so darn cute," Kenzi says poking tongues at me. Lauren gives a soft chuckle and for some reason it makes me smile inwardly at the sound. I definitely wouldn't mind hearing that again.

Woah, what the hell?

At the sound of Lilly's pattering feet across the wooden floors of the store, I look up to see her running towards me again holding what looked like a gift bag. I raise a quizzical brow towards Lauren who just smiles and shrugs at me. I crouch down just as Lilly reaches me.

"Happy Birthday Mommy," she says beaming as she hands me the gift bag. I peer inside to find something wrapped neatly in navy blue wrapping paper and a golden ribbon, with a white envelope tucked just underneath the ribbon.

"Me and Papa came to buy you a present Mommy, we had to keep it a secret. We didn't really come for Ice Cream."

Suddenly my anger at Trick evaporates as I pull my daughter in for another hug and give her a kiss on the cheek.

"You got this for me?" I ask. She nods.

"Mhmm…Lauren helped me pick it out and she wrapped it because I do no good at wrapping yet. But you can't open it until we get home! I wrote a card and everything," she says enthusiastically and then in a more serious tone, "I hope you like it."

"Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll love it. Thank you sweetheart," I say unable to resist giving her another kiss on her little forehead. I stand and turneto find Kenzi smiling at me knowingly.

"You knew?" I ask.

"Of course, I did tell you but you never believe me so I just went along with it."

Turning to Lauren, I smile at her.

"Thank you Lauren," I say genuinely grateful. She returns my smile and shrugs saying that it was her pleasure and that Lilly was very good at choosing gifts. I watch as Lauren looks down at Lilly who she quickly winks at. Just then Trick and another woman emerge from behind the shelves again. She introduces herself to me as Ciara, Lauren's business partner and older sister.

"Anyway, we better get going, we have a big night planned tonight don't we Little Monster?" Trick says looking over at Bo and Kenzi. Lilly nods and I watch as she runs over to Lauren giving her a quick hug. Lauren is momentarily surprised, not really expecting it but quickly picks Lilly up and gives her a kiss on the cheek and hugs her properly. Ciara moves towards the too and kisses Lilly on the tip of her nose.

"Well, it was nice meeting you Miss Lilly, we hope to see you again," Ciara says.

"Can we come here again tomorrow mom? Please?" Lilly asks, giving me her best puppy dog eyes.

"We'll see, only if it's all right with Lauren and Ciara," I say. Lauren lets her down gently and watches Lilly bound over to me.

"We would be happy to have her visit, any of you. You're all more than welcome, I'm pretty sure Trick wouldn't mind watching movies through Johnny's window again," Lauren replies. Trick looks embarrassed and brushes off Lauren's light teasing with a laugh.

I thank Lauren and Ciara again before taking Lilly's hand in mine as we turn to leave. Just before we reach the door, I glance over my shoulder again and bite my lip as I meet Lauren's gaze. I wave tentatively at her before turning towards the door again.

"Thanks for lunch Lauren," Lilly calls out again, just before we slip out the door.


Later that night after a small get together with few friends and Lilly's father, I settle into bed with Lilly's unopened gift sitting on my bedside table. I had tucked her in a half hour ago. Throughout the night she had reminded me that I couldn't open it until later when everyone was gone. She wanted her gift to be the last opened. I smile as I pull out the present. I know immediately that it is a book. I marvel at the wrapping. It is intricately and neatly wrapped. I'm almost too afraid to ruin the wrapping paper. So I don't, gently untying the ribbon, I slip the card off and open it. I smile when I see the card. It read 'To a Special Mother" in the front with a picture of Lilies on the front. It was very clever and I knew then that Lilly couldn't have picked it. When I open the card however, it had Lilly's familiar squiggly handwriting. It read:

Happy Birthday to the

Bestest Mommy

Lots of love, Lilly.

On the other side of the card was a stick figure drawing of her and Lilly. Made obvious only by the words 'Mommy' and 'Lilly" written under each figure. My heart swells and tears begin to blur my vision. My god I'm so lucky to have a daughter like Lilly. Sniffling and quickly wiping the tears that seemed to have escaped, I make-work on the unopened gift. I am careful not to rip it as I carefully pull the taped edges off. I gasp when I see the book. It is beautiful. I also know that this book is a lot more expensive considering it contains one or two recipes from every well-known chef and baker throughout the years in it. In the back it also contains several lined pages that could allow me to add my own recipes in the book.

I find myself excited at the prospect of using the untouched recipes in the book the next day. I had learned later on that night from Trick that Lauren had given them the gift free of charge. When Trick had insisted that he pay for the book, Lauren refused and told him that if it really made him feel that bad, he could pay for the greeting card, but that was it. I couldn't believe my ears when he'd told me about it. I made a mental note to pop into Lauren's store sometime tomorrow and thank her again. Maybe she would visit her with Lilly after picking her up from school. This is definitely one of the best gifts that I have received in my life. At the top of my list is and always will be: Lilly.