AN: I'd like to thank everyone for all the kind reviews. I'm glad you're all enjoying the story so far. So thanks a bunch! I love that you all have so many questions. As much as I would love to answer them, guess you'll just have to wait and see how the story unfolds.

JCM: Thank you so much for picking up on the Dyson thing! I'd completely forgotten that I'd said he was at Bo's birthday get together. Thanks for the review :)

Enjoy the next chapter all.

No Way To Stop It

Chapter Four: Chocolate Chip Cookies and Old Wounds

Bo

Saturday just couldn't come quick enough. As cheesy as it may sound, Lilly's excitement over the remaining days was contagious. But just because it was Saturday, didn't mean I couldn't sleep in. Snuggling further into my blankets I close my eyes again hoping to get at least another two hours of sleep. I didn't want to seem too eager about visiting Lauren so I thought that going over there around noon would make me seem…not so eager. As I feel myself start to drift off again, the sound of my door opening forces me awake again. I remain still when I realize that it's Lilly.

It was nice while it lasted.

I smile at the sound of her bare feet moving across the wooden floor. I can tell that she's trying to be as quiet as possible. Leaving my eyes closed I pretend to sleep. I feel her presence in front of me as she comes to a halt. It only takes her a few seconds before I feel her jump on top of me.

"Mommy! Mommy! It's Saturday! Get up, get up, get up!" She cries happily, gently shaking me 'awake'. I roll onto my back and pull her to me wrapping my arms around her and nuzzling her hair. She giggles and snuggles into me.

"But I don't want tooooo. It's too earrrrlllyyy. Little Monsters are usually still asleep. So we shall sleep," I say with one eye open, "Why don't you go play with Aunty Kenzi while mommy get's some more sleep huh?"

I grin up at her knowing full well that she's not going to take no for an answer.

"But you promised we were gonna make cookies and I've been good all week. Besides, I think Aunty Kenzi is over hung again," She says cringing. I sigh exaggeratedly.

"I don't know about good, you did wake me up from my sleep. I think the tickle monster is about to…" I don't finish as I bring my hands up out from under the covers and start tickling Lilly.

"S-stop…Mom…my! I…promise I w-won't…do…it a-again," she tries to get out in her fit of giggles while trying to pull away from me.

"Do you promise?"

"Y-Yes! P-promise," she says.

I laugh and stop before planting a kiss on the top of her head

"Ohhkay. I guess I should get up now since my little monster is awake and I think you mean hung over, love," I chuckle. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Kenzi is hung over. She and Hale's sister, Val, had gone out last night. As to what time they came home, I wouldn't have a clue, but I'm pretty sure it would have been close to 3 or 4 a.m.

"Yay! Can we make chocolate chip cookies? Lauren says chocolate chip cookies are her favourite!" She says rolling off of me and jumping off the bed.

"Whatever you wish my little monster. Now go on and brush your teeth missy before I start tickling you again," I say sitting up and wiggling my fingers at her. She squeals and runs off out of my room and into the bathroom. I fall back into my pillows and grab for my phone. Checking it for the time, I see a text from Dyson. It's only eight o'clock. I open Dyson's message.

Dyson: Pick her up 10am 2morrow.

I reply with a quick "Cyu then". Throwing my phone back on the bedside table, I sit up again and decide that I might as well get this day started. Thinking about the day ahead, I start to feel excited. I smile at my empty room and decide that today is going to be a good day.

After getting ready, I make my way downstairs to the kitchen to find Kenzi sitting at the kitchen island with her head buried in her hands.

"Good morning!" I say brightly as I walk past her and into the kitchen.

"Ugh," she grunts back.

"Beautiful day don't you think?" I ask her as I busy myself getting ingredients ready for the proposed Chocolate chip cookies before deciding pancakes are a good idea for breakfast.

"Don't see anything beautiful about it. Why are you so chipper?" she asks squinting at me through one eye. "And please tell me you're making pancakes because Mama could totally do with some syrupy goodness right now. And coffee. Coffee would be a good place to start."

I roll my eyes at her before turning on the kettle. Lilly's tell tale clambering down the stairs forces me to glance over at the stairway. She runs into the kitchen and gives Kenzi a hug.

"Morning Aunty Kenzi," she whispers. I have to hold in a laugh, placing my hand over my mouth to stop myself.

"Morning Monster," Kenzi mumbles.

"How do you feel about Pancakes for breakfast sweetie?" I ask while mixing the batter.

"Ooo yes please, can I help? I wanna help," she replies enthusiastically.

"Course. Come on," I say waving her over, "So Kenz, any plans for today?"

"Me and my bed. You guys still going to Lauren's?" She asks. I hand her her cup of coffee and wait until she's taken her sip before I reply.

"Yep, we're making chocolate chip cookies!" Lilly interrupts before I can say anything. Kenzi looks over at me from the top of her mug.

"What?" I avert her inquisitive eyes and turn my back towards her deciding this was a good time to pour my first batch. When she doesn't answer, I face her again to find her smiling. She quickly hides it again behind her mug.

"Oh…nothing. Just…you don't usually bake just for anyone. And two weekends in a row? I feel like someone ikeslay Aurenlay.

"Come of it Kenz, she's just a friend okay? Besides, it's just a small 'thank you' for the free gift."

"That was fine last week but what's your excuse this time? Ouyay ikeslay Aurenlay. Rushcay uchmay?"

"Mommy, why does Aunty Kenzi keep talking funny?" Lilly asks with a look of confusion written across her features as she looks between Kenzi and I.

"Nothing, honey. That special juice that Aunty Kenzi drank last night is messing with her brain," I reply. I pile a few pancakes onto Kenzi's plate once they're done and pass it to her. She tuts and shakes her head at me.

"Eatway ouryay ancakespay," I say handing her the syrup.

Lauren

"What was wrong with her? She's pretty and is a professional photographer Lo! Don't tell me you don't like her because she has an extra toe that I don't know about," Tamsin asks following me around as I rush around getting ready. Ciara wasn't coming in to help me today, so Tamsin offered to step in but I knew better. It's a good thing Brittany and Jessica were free to come in today because I knew that the last thing Tamsin had in mind was helping out. When she turned up to my apartment this morning, the first thing she asked was how things with Nadia had gone.

I hadn't seen her since Wednesday and I had been so busy with work that I didn't have any time to catch up with her. Apparently Nadia was avoiding her texts and calls since she knew nothing about what had happened and how I'd let the poor woman down.

"Nothing's wrong with her and I agree she's a beautiful woman but there was nothing there Tam. We just didn't hit it off like you wanted. Sorry," I say shrugging. Turning to the mirror, I check that my hair is okay before applying lip-gloss and pulling on my favourite brown leather jacket.

"Bullshit. Come on Lo, I'm your best friend, you can tell me all the dirty little details," she pushes as she sits herself on my already made bed. I sigh and turn to face her.

"I just made that!" I say throwing her a dirty look. But being Tamsin she moves back further onto the bed, tucking a leg under herself to show that she has no intention of leaving until I tell her everything. I throw my hands up in defeat.

"Fine. Like I said, nothing happened. She had a few drinks and we talked. It was okay but there was nothing there. I can tell that she's a great girl when she's not being slightly childish but we had absolutely nothing in common. There just wasn't anything there."

"Then why didn't you answer my call?"

"Because I was talking to Bo, it would have been rude of me to ignore her," I answer shrugging my shoulders.

"Now can we go? I'm going to be late," I continue grabbing my purse.

"You're the boss, there's no such thing as late. And we're not finished yet. Who the hells Bo?"

"She's the one that came over to bring Nadia's drink and we got into a conversation. That's when you called. She's also a friend of mine. Look Tamsin, I'm sorry okay? But you can we not do this right now? Besides you promised me you'd let it be if things didn't work out between Nadia and I. Things didn't work out so can you drop it?" I say impatiently.

"Argh. Fine. But now you're going to have to tell me about this new friend of yours and why this is the first time I'm hearing about her."

"If I buy you breakfast and promise to tell you what you want to know, would that get your ass off my bed and out the door? Because I'm serious about being late Tamsin and if you really want to know who Bo is, you can ask her yourself when she comes in today," I say walking towards the door.

Before I reach the door, Tamsin's hand on my shoulder stops me. Giving her a sideways glance, she gives me an apologetic smile.

"Look, Lo, I'm sorry if I'm pushing, I just thought for sure that you two would hit things off okay? But I do promise to stop meddling."

I smile and pull her in for a one-armed hug.

"Now…you said something about a free breakfast?" She asks waggling her eyebrows at me playfully.

"Yeah yeah. Let's go before I change my mind."

Bo

When Lilly and I walk through the entrance of "Read all about it" there seems to be a handful of people in there already. I stand by the door holding a container of cookies and Lilly's hand in the other, while I scan the store for Lauren. When my eyes fall on her talking to a blonde woman whose back is turned toward us, my stomach drops a little. But when Lauren's eyes catch mine and a smile appears on her face, I can't help but return the smile.

"Mommy, come on!" Lilly says tugging my hand as she drags me to where Lauren is. Apparently I'm not the only one that spotted Lauren. I let her drag me along with her. As we approach, I can feel myself start to feel slightly nervous and my heart rate pick up. Lauren stands from her seat and moves to greet us. Automatically my eyes wander the length of her body taking in what she's wearing. She has on a pair of brown medium cut, high-heeled boots, navy blue jeans, and a white tee shirt with a brown leather jacket over the top. Her hair is tied in a loose ponytail, with just a few strands escaping down the side of her face. I'm tempted to reach out and tuck it behind her ear.

Wait…what am I thinking?

I shake my head vigorously and let my gaze meet hers. There seems to be an amused look on her face. I blush and look down at Lilly.

"Hi Lauren! We made chocolate chip cookies," Lilly says grabbing for the container in my hand. I hand it to her as she steps toward Lauren. Lauren in turn crouches down in front of her. She takes the container in her hands and opens the lid to take a peek inside.

"Wow, thank you Lilly, you spoil me you know that? Chocolate chip cookies are my favourite!" She says. Lilly smiles with pride and my heart does that involuntary thing where it swells with pride.

"Yep, I told mommy they were your favourite. I remembered!"

"Did you now?" Lauren replies before looking over at me and giving me a playful wink. "You have a very good memory."

"Yeah. I always win Memory whenever we play at school."

"Well, your mommy better watch out, sounds like she's got a genius on her hands," Lauren says smirking at me.

"Ahem."

I look to my right to find the blonde woman that Lauren had been talking to when we walked in standing there tapping her foot as she stares down at Lauren. I watch Lauren stand, placing the container of cookies on the table behind her. She takes Lilly's hand in hers and walks over to me.

"Bo, Lilly," she says, "I'd like you to meet my best friend, Tamsin. Tamsin I'd like you to meet Bo and her daughter Lilly. I asked them to stop by and help stock some of the shelves with some new releases."

Lilly eyes the blonde carefully before letting go of Lauren's hand and stepping forward toward Tamsin, holding out her hand for the older woman to shake. For a second Tamsin looks down wearing a slightly amused look before taking Lilly's hand in hers and shaking it.

"Hi Tamsin, you're…tall," Lilly says looking up at her. Tamsin chuckles and glances at me.

"I don't know if I should take that as a compliment but thanks kid," she replies ruffling Lilly's hair. "You're…short," she continues playfully. I let out the breath that I didn't realize I was holding, feeling relieved that Tamsin is being playful with Lilly. At first glance, she doesn't seem like the type that likes to interact with people, but I guess she's just one of those people that you have to get to know. Finding the courage I didn't know I needed, I step forward to shake Tamsin's hand.

"Nice to meet you Tamsin," I say.

"Nice to finally meet you, Bo. Lauren was just telling me about you before you both walked in."

"Oh?" I look over at Lauren who seems to be averting my gaze but I can swear I can see the corner of her lips twitching, obviously trying to hide a smile.

"All good things I hope?"

"Definitely, she was saying that you're a good baker. So I have high hopes for those Chocolate Chip cookies," she says moving over to the container.

"Hey! Hands off the cookie container missy!" I hear Lauren say playfully, stopping Tamsin mid reach. Tamsin snaps her hand away from the container and huffs before stalking off to the back of the store. Lilly giggles before walking over to the container and grabbing two cookies, she follows Tamsin, calling after her.

"I'm glad you both came today," Lauren says finally facing me. "Ciara couldn't make it today, so Tamsin offered to come in. However, she usually just sits around making fun of my customers. It's why I asked Brittany and Jess to come in today. Oh and thanks again for the cookies."

"You're welcome. Believe it or not, Lilly's the one that woke me up this morning saying that we should bake Choc Chip cookies because she remembered you told her they were your favourite that day you first met."

"Like I said to Lilly, you're both spoiling me," she says giving me a knee buckling lopsided grin. I have to bite the side of my cheek to stop myself from licking my lips. Thankfully, Lilly running back towards us saves me, fearing that I might say or do something embarrassing.

"Tamsin says the cookies are yummy and that you're a meanie. But I don't think you're a meanie Lauren," Lilly says to the blonde. We both laugh.

"Well…shall we get to it then my little helper?" Lauren asks once the laughter has subsided. Lilly nods enthusiastically and takes Lauren's offered hand in hers.

"Lead the way boss," I say playfully when they both look at me expectantly.

Lauren

As Lilly slept on the couch in the bookshop, Bo and I move about tidying the store a little. We had closed the doors 15 minutes ago. My little helper for the day conked out half an hour before closing time. Bo is right about one thing; she sure does ask a lot of questions. But I didn't mind too much, Lilly and her mother are good company.

Tamsin had stepped out to get us all some dinner. Thai from what I heard her call out. It wasn't everyday that Tamsin would voluntarily buy me, let alone other people dinner. When Bo and I finally finish what we're doing, we both move to the couch area where Lilly is sleeping. I opt to sit on one of the chairs while Bo takes refuge on the couch. She gently lifts Lilly's legs, sits and places them on top of her thighs. She lets out a tired sigh and I smile.

"Long day huh?" I ask softly.

"Just a little bit," she replies looking over at me.

"Apparently not as long as this ones," she continues lightly patting her daughter's legs. I look over at Lilly who sleeps on peacefully and nod.

"She's earned it, she was a very…enthusiastic helper."

Bo nods and a comfortable silence falls between us.

"So how long have you owned this place?" She asks after several moments.

"It's pretty new, about a year and a bit now. It's sort of been something I've always wanted to own. I love to read and so it was only fitting that I buy myself a little bookstore. I just wish I could work here full time, but as you know, other priorities are at the top of my list at the moment."

"It certainly suits you very well. From what I can tell, it's doing very well. If it's something you wish you could do full time, why don't you?"

"It's…complicated. I almost didn't get the bookstore to be honest," I sigh. "I love being a Lawyer too. It was never meant to be the path I would go down. There were different expectations. When I decided to take things into my own hands, I found that I actually really loved being a Lawyer so I stuck with it. But I always knew that ultimately, I would wound up in a bookshop somewhere. I was just lucky enough to be able to have both early on."

"Well…I'm glad you decided on getting the bookstore. Otherwise we never would have met you," Bo says giving me a warm smile. Her smile is contagious and I find myself returning it.

"Me too. I have Ciara and my Dad to thank for that."

For second Bo looks like she's going to say something, but she stopps herself. I want to ask but I refrain.

"Anyway, enough about me and my dreams and aspirations. What about you? Has it always been you and Lilly?" I ask deciding on a change of topic.

"Not really. I was married once, but it didn't last very long. I was pregnant with Lilly our second year in. We lasted another year before her father and I decided it wasn't working out. He was always at work and there were too many excuses as to why he was never home. I never asked. We divorced before Lilly was two and so it's been just the two of us. Actually no, there's Kenzi. So it' been the three of us since then. Dyson and I are still friends and he takes Lilly for the day or a weekend when he's free," she explains. I nod in acknowledgement. I can tell that there's more to it but again, I stop myself from asking further questions.

"Speaking of Kenzi, how long have you two been friends?" I ask instead.

"A few years before Lilly was born. About nine years now. Can you believe we met because I caught her pickpocketing customers and being in a bar underage?"

"What? Really?" I laugh.

"Yep. She had a fake I.D. and everything. She managed to fool Bruce our bouncer and now they're drinking buddies. She ran into a bit of trouble that night when a customer roofied a drink and offered it to her. I managed to follow them and save her before the guy did anything. We became inseparable from that day forward."

"Oh dear, I hope Lilly doesn't get any ideas when she gets older," I joke.

"Might be a little too late for that one. Came home to find them eating ice cream for breakfast the next morning when I got home Thursday after my shift," Bo chuckles.

"What's so funny?" Tamsin interrupts as she walks in carrying two bags of food in each hand.

"Lilly," Bo and I both say in unison.

"Mommy, is that food?"

All at once we all look over to find Lilly awake and looking at what Tamsin is carrying, a hungry look in her eye.

"And just like her Aunty Kenzi, she can smell food from a mile away," Bo teases causes us all to erupt in laughter.

"Well then little one, it's time to dig in," Tamsin says placing the food on the counter. She grabs the small table from behind the counter and places it in front of us. She then moves the food onto the table while Lilly moves onto the floor, already licking her lips.

"Before you eat Lauren, can I just talk to you for a sec?" Tamsin asks while handing Lilly a fork. I look up at her questioningly.

"Umm…okay," I say slowly. "You two go ahead, we'll be right back."

I get up off my chair and walk to the back and into my office with Tamsin right behind me. I decide to perch myself on the edge of my desk while Tamsin stands by the door. She eyes me carefully trying to find a way to approach the subject she wants to talk about.

"You like her don't you?" She asks bluntly after a few moments of silence.

"Of course I like her," I reply. Tamsin rolls her eyes at me.

"I know you like her, but I mean you like her, like her. You know like…really like her."

I stand from the desk and decide that my desk needs tidying. I really do need to organize it. There's just way too much clutter on here that I have yet to sort out.

"Lauren, come on. I've been watching you two stealing glances at each other and the flirting all afternoon. Ask for her number and invite her to that Charity mingle thing that you have to go to tomorrow," Tamsin says.

"I don't know what you're talking about Tamsin," I say continuing to avoid eye contact.

"Bull-fucking-shit. Forget about the Nadia thing. I know what I saw between you and Bo today and I say take a chance! Come on Lo, she's gorgeous and from what I can tell, you like her. A lot! What are you so afraid of?!"

"Of getting hurt Tamsin! Or did you forget what happened four years ago huh?" I grit my teeth and hold onto the edge of my desk.

"That was four years ago Lo. You need to get over that and be happy with someone else! I can't stand to see you working all the time and not having fun. What happened back then is all in the past. That bitch didn't deserve you and your mother never should have gotten involved. Today is the first time I've ever seen your smile reach your eyes and I want to see it more often Lauren. Stop being a coward and move. Forward. For fuck sakes," Tamsin hisses at me.

"Now. I'm going to go back to the front and act like nothing just happened back here while you sit here and think about what you wanna do Lauren. Get your shit together. The ball is in your court and I suggest you make the right choice."

And with that, Tamsin is out the door before I can say anything. I fall back into my chair and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Fuck!" I say out loud to no one in particular. I'm pissed because I know Tamsin is right. I'm pissed because she had to open up old wounds. I'm pissed because of my mother and I'm pissed at myself for being so weak.