A/N: Hi, this is my first BSG fic, and the first fic I have written in around 5 years. It takes place just after Shaun leaves Laura's in Day Break, but then go's au. Some things from the series will still be weaved into the story, so spoiler warning for all seasons.
I hope you guys like it, all errors are mine.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Once she heard the front door close indicating Sean's departure, Laura sighed and slowly sank down onto the bed. She picked up the last remaining picture of her entire family, the rest had been boxed away too painful to look at, and traced the faces of her parents and sisters. The picture taken five years ago, before her Mother had been diagnosed with cancer, showed the family embracing each other as they smiled for the camera on her sister's wedding day.
As Laura sat and thought about the events that had just transpired, she was stunned by how much her grief had influenced her recent choices. A single tear ran down her cheek and Laura realised she couldn't keep living her life like this, she was miserable, she needed something to put all her effort into, she needed something to give her a reason to smile again.
She grabbed her phone and dialled the number of her real-estate agent "Hi, I've decided to take my father's bookstore off the market, and run the place myself!"
6 months later
It took months of hard work to convert the building her father had purchased just weeks before his death into a bookstore. The process of working through her father's plans and ideas for the bookstore allowed her to begin to work through her grief, as well as honour the love of books he had instilled in her, in particular the love of mystery novels, which now accounted for more than a third of the books available for sale in the bookstore.
The first day had been slow, with only a few customers entering the bookstore and none making a purchase, when a man and his two sons strode into bookstore. Laura couldn't help notice the man was quite handsome as she watched him head straight for the section dedicated to mystery novels, his children following closely behind. As the man perused the shelves looking for a book that grabbed his attention she continued watching him until he caught her eye and smiled at her, she blushed and quickly looked away deciding to arrange the display of books next to the counter to keep her mind occupied.
While the his sons were content to wait patiently next to him for a short period of time they soon became bored, and decided instead to pretend to be viper pilots flying around the bookshelves and shooting at Cylons.
The man turned at the sound of the boys running around and shouted "be careful boys", but it was too late, as his youngest son went crashing into the display, scattering the books across the floor.
"I'm so sorry" the man said to Laura "what do you say boys?"
"Sorry Miss" the boys chorused together as they scrambled to help pick up the books.
"That's quite alright, accidents happen" Laura replied as she gave the boys a kind smile.
Once the book stand had been righted and the books collected the man turned to Laura again, "I really am sorry Miss…."
"Laura, Laura Roslin" she replied as she reached out a hand in greeting.
The man grasped her hand firmly "Hi I'm Bill Adama, I really am sorry Laura, I hope the boys have not caused any damage".
"Its fine, don't worry about it" Laura smiled as she crouched down to the boys level "and what by chance are your names?"
"I'm Lee, I'm eight" Lee stated proudly, he then pointed towards Zak "and this is my little brother Zach, he's only four".
"We are going to see the Buccaneers play the Bulls" Zak supplied upon hearing his name.
"Yes we are and the game starts in an hour, come on boys, we'd better getting going if we want to make the game on time" Bill said as he herded Lee and Zak towards the door while smiling politely at Laura, "say goodbye boys".
"Bye Miss Laura" the boys said together as they waved goodbye.
"Bye boys" Laura replied as she watched them leave.
It was another month before Bill returned to the bookstore again, but Laura could not contain the small smile that graced her face at his arrival.
"You didn't bring the boys with you today I see" Laura stated as Bill approached the counter.
"No I didn't, they have gone up state to see their grandparents with their Mother" Bill replied with a sad smile.
"Oh, you didn't want to go along as well?"
"Uhh no…their Mother and I recently divorced and they are heading up state to see her parents" Bill supplied with a small shrug.
"Oh I'm sorry" Laura replied feeling as if she had just put her foot in it, but also strangely excited at the revelation that this man she barely knew was single.
After a moment of awkward silence Bill asked "So I see you have an extensive collection of mystery novels, is there any you would recommend?"
"Yes Blood Runs At Midnight" at the look on his face she added "don't let the title fool you. It's a pretty good mystery. I think you'll like it."
"Thanks I'll take that then, also uh in the process of moving houses I discovered I had two copies of this book, so I would like to donate it to your bookstore" Bill said with a soft smile.
"Dark Day, Edward Prima. I am embarrassed to say it's one of those classics I've never gotten around to reading" Laura replied "Thank you, I might keep it for myself before putting it on the shelves"
Laura placed Dark Day below the counter and proceeded to process the sale. As she printed out his receipt and packaged his purchase her eyes occasionally darted up to see Bill awkwardly smiling at her.
"Would you like to have dinner with me Friday night?" Bill blurted out once Laura placed his purchase on the counter.
Laura was startled for a second but soon a grin broke out on her face and she replied "I'd love to". She grabbed a piece of paper from below the counter and quickly scribbled her phone number and address on the piece of paper, before handing it to him.
"Great, I'll pick you up at 7pm on Friday then…well I'll just take this" he said grabbing the bag containing Blood Runs At Midnight "and I'll see you Friday".
"I'll see you then"
Bill walked towards the door grinning and couldn't help himself turning around to look once more at Laura as she gave him a wave goodbye.
What did you think? let me know if you think I should continue :)