So considering a lot is going on and a lot of secrets are coming out from the parent's pasts, I thought this post would be fitting.

I feel like some of the relationships are now at risk for many different reasons and I am going to explain why below:

Sophie & Aaron -

Part of me feels like they are strong now. They have been back and forth for so long but have finally come back together and are making process. Aaron traveled to New York after refusing to for so long and I feel like they are both really trying to work at it. Plus, they have a baby on the way and their family is finally getting to a good place.

HOWEVER,

I do feel like there is always temptation with Sophie. She gets so much attention from other guys that I think she finds it hard not to think that other options could be better. She gets tempted quite easily and it ends up being the grass is greener on the other side scenario.

I think there could be a risk if she spends too much time with Todd. He is doing a lot for her at the moment and they are clearly close. This could put things at risk for her and Aaron for sure.

I think it wouldn't be a fling either and it would probably be the real deal. I think she could end up having genuine feelings for each other if things progressed.

Lastly, this might be unlikely but remember Max? They guy in the update chapters who she dated in New York. Well SNEAK PEAK(i have permission to share this) - they dated for the entire 4 years she lived in New York. The only reason they broke up was because Sophie had to move back to England for her children. But hey, it might just be a coincidence that's she's back in New York where Max lives ;)

Juliet and Matt -

I didn't doubt their relationship at all until the recent chapters appeared and now I am beginning to get fears. I don't think there is an issue with them two but I do think that the pressures of the Sophie & Lana situation could cause some issues.

I think as much as Juliet may be accepting to bring Lana into their lives, that could frustrate Matt and it may not be what he wants. She will probably be quite persistent and this could cause some tension. He might get frustrated and angry and not even think about Lana and just see Juliet as trying to do things to annoy him and go against what he wants.

I also feel like there could be more to come out in relation to Sophie and Matt and this could cause some further issues too.

It might even turn out that Matt does want to be involved in Lana's life (which Juliet is fine with) but it becomes tough when he has to have a lot of contact with Sophie because of it. This may bring back too much of the past for Juliet and make it difficult to deal with.

Jess and Jack -

I think their relationship is always going to be solid BUT with Jess' illness, it is obviously going to create some strain. Jess wants to keep her independence and not rely on Jack but it's in his natural instinct as her husband to do whatever he can to make sure she is okay.

This difference in dealing with the situations is probably going to cause a few arguments however, I do think they will work it out. They need each other more than ever right now and I don't think either of them is stupid enough not to realise that.

"I need to speak to you." Todd looked to Juliet while trying to keep a composed tone to his voice.

"Just what we need, another twat who is sleeping with Sophie to add to the situation." Jay remarked as Todd ignored his comment and continued to focus his attention on Juliet.

"I don't want to listen. Your view is biased, so you may as well give up now."

"It's not biased. It's based on facts and those facts are ones that my fucking 'brother' loves to run away from."

"Of course you're going to throw me into this shit, like it's all my fault. You're always on Soph's side. Nobody can dare says she is the bad guy too." Matt interrupted.

Todd had barely began talking and he could already see where this was going to go. Sophie would get out looking as innocent as ever, like she did with everything, while he would be made to look like the only issue.

"Not true." Todd quipped and held a finger up in the direction of Matt to silence him. "I'm the first to admit that girl is not innocent. I'm the one standing here today dealing with her shit when I could be sat at home with a beer and watching the 6'o clock news."

What we know:

• Sophie and Matt slept together during his and Juliet's break up when Sophie was around 20/21
• Sophie got pregnant
• It's assumed Todd helped her during this + the adoption as she went travelling with him after this
• Sophie and Matt kept them sleeping together a secret for many years
• It's come out now because Todd told Lana that Abbie wasn't her mum (and probably mentioned Sophie was)

• Todd joined the gang to help get Lana out (this isn't fully confirmed in writing but reading between the lines - this is exactly what happened because...
• ...in his text to Sophie he said 'I had to tell Lana that Abbie wasn't her mum. It was the only way to get her to consider leaving the gang'
• Conclusion from this -> Todd probably found out about Lana and then joined the gang to help get her out (for Sophie's sake)

• Todd could possibly be trying to help the Russle family out too?? Again, this is an assumption but if you read between the lines, it becomes obvious.
• Lana wanted payback on Matt for what he did - Todd is getting her out of the gang which means she can't get payback and she can't hurt Matt, Juliet or Hunter.
• Why would Todd help that family when they can't stand him?? My guess is Sophie!
• When they were on Facetime and Sophie was complaining about not telling Juliet the truth, he mentioned something about doing this for her sake and allowing her to live her perfect life.
• Sophie probably asked for his help and now he is the one saving them.

What we don't know:

• Does Matt actually know about Lana? and Did he know Sophie was pregnant?
• He denies that he did but it seems to suspicious
• Maybe he genuinely didn't know because he did seem shocked and Sophie has lied/not told people before when she was pregnant
• However, it also would make more sense if he did know
• Todd could have jumped in to save the day - 1. because he hates his brother and wanted to play hero and 2. because he cares about Sophie so wanted to help anyway
• ALSO - Sophie and Matt didn't see eye to eye for a long time when he got back with Juliet
• Sophie used to warn Juliet about him - especially when they moved to Vegas
• All that tension could have linked to their past
• Matt stepped up with his and Juliet's kids but maybe he refused with Sophie's??
• That could have caused that tension
• OR it could have been a mutual decision? Sophie always said she didn't want kids

• We also don't know if Sophie wanted Matt to be apart of the baby's life
• Or if Matt will be (my guess not)
• We also don't know how this will fully go down with Sophie and Juliet PLUS Matt and Juliet

I'm now going to add one last inappropriate thing at this point in time that hopefully nobody will see and I can get away with it...

I am shipping sophie and todd SO BAD right now if this is all true.

Love aaron but Todd is such a dickhead yet he's been an a diamond to sophie and i love it!!!

okay let's pretend I didn't say that and move on

let's go back to focusing on how bad i feel for juliet haha!

So if you have read the recent chapter, you will probably be as shocked as me!!

Here is a little sum up of the Lana situation in case you forgot what was going on all those years ago in the book:

• Matt and Juliet broke up when they all found out that Matt was 'working for Buddy' and being the 'bad guy'
• It turned out eventually that Matt was faking working for them and was actually on Jess and Jay's side but they didn't know that for a while

• When they broke up, Juliet got with Dylan and had James
• We didn't really know what Matt was up to during this time but we now know Sophie was involved

• Why did she sleep with him???? Not a clue as she thought he was working with Buddy too
• However, Sophie was close to Todd Russle at this point. So maybe she knew more than everyone else
• Todd could have known the real truth and told Sophie? This wouldn't surprise me as he seems to trust her with a lot.

• Sophie was friends with Matt as well anyway due to Isabella and George being together
• She might have been the only one to reach out to Matt because of what his brother told her...
• He may have been struggling at the time due to everyone turning on him. 
• Therefore, when having Sophie let him open up, one thing could have led to another?

This isn't an excuse for their behaviour, it's far from it. It's just an explanation of why it could have happened.

• I think for Sophie, it would have been absolutely nothing. Just sex and that's it. 
• Matt may have been seeking some security, comfort, reassurance or whatever but didn't receive that in return...
• Sophie didn't think about it anymore and went travelling with Todd - so the pregnancy was easily hidden
• Then she gave it up for adoption
• It makes sense that Lana ended up in the wrong hands - Todd probably helped Sophie with the whole adoption thing and he wasn't the most sensible or trustworthy person ever.

Okay so that chapter had me speechless!!!! Corey, Abbie and Amie???!!!

In case you are questioning everything right now, I have made a timeline of events to explain some of this ---->

Who is Amie Edwards??

Aaron's ex girlfriend!!!

She and Aaron dated for a long time and got very close to serious until Aaron chickened out.

They broke up when Aaron was 26.


Amie and Corey?

At first, it seems quite crazy that them two could be the parents. Amie is Aaron's ex, yet she slept with Corey? HOWEVER, when you think about it, it could make sense!!

Sophie and Aaron started seeing each other when Sophie was 26 and Aaron was 27 - a year after Aaron and Amie broke up.

What if Amie slept with Corey after Aaron broke up with her and got pregnant with his baby?

She then could have put it up for adoption.

Sophie and Aaron adopted Phoebe when she was two and Sophie was 28 and Aaron 29.

Aaron and Amie broke up when Aaron was 26.

Amie could have fell pregnant then and had the baby when Aaron was 27.

Two years later, Aaron is 29 and they adopt the same baby.

Was it planned??? Idk!!! But it does make sense.



Abbie being the mum???

This seems legit, except the whole Corey-Abbie thing. We've never known of them speaking but we do know that Abbie has been with a lot of people, so I wouldn't deny it happening.

It would make sense that she was the one who got the letter sent as she is involved with the Kye gang thing. He could want revenge on Sophie and so could Abbie due to the Elliot-Sophie situation a long time ago.

Maybe she's trying to reveal this all now as she knows the fact that Amie or herself is Phoebe's mum will hurt Sophie and the fact that Corey is Phoebe's dad would hurt Aaron and potentially break up their 'perfect' family!

Anya Gibson

(played by Mackenzie Foy)

Age: 15

Parents: Jay Gibson & Nessa

About: 

Part of gang - been in and out of care, lived with Steph but ended up working with Kye, Abbie etc...

Lana _____

(played by Olivia Holt)

Age: 17

Parents: Abbie? Dad unknown?

About:

Part of the same gang as Anya. We're not sure how she got there or where she is from but she told Hunter that she is related to him??

The Jess storyline is one that is going to break my heart for many reasons. Lucie wanted to do it to show the importance of family and highlight the strength of the youth. Younger people always get looked over as not being good/smart enough yet they always seem to prove everyone wrong... (not to get political but you know what I'm talking about)!

Through this storyline you will see that actually, it can be the kids that keep the family together. I tried to highlight this in the trailer.

We know for certain that Jack is going to suffer a lot with Jess being ill. We saw it when his mum became sick, as although he's strong, this area is his weakness and something that makes him break.

Jack needs Jess. That is a fact.

He turned to her when his mum got sick but who can he happily turn to now without feeling guilty? He won't like to put that onto his children. He will want to remain strong for them.

If she doesn't make it through this, I don't know how he will cope.

Yes, he has the kids - which obviously the storyline will highlight their importance for him however, he won't find it easy.

Jack will feel as though he should be the strong one when in actual fact, he will be broken inside.


Jess is going to suffer watching her family go through the trauma too. She is the light and emotional support in the family who keeps everything stable. She will feel like she is incapable of providing that anymore and that will make her feel worse.

Jack and Jess have been through their ups and downs but they have always remained so strong and their love for one another is so concrete. No one could ever doubt that.

This is a couple who have experienced so much yet expressed so much unconditional love for one another through everything that makes it impossible to imagine them being successful with anyone else.

I think that's what has always made them stand out among the different relationships.

Sophie and Aaron are yoyo-ing constantly. They are capable of being without one another.
Juliet and Matt spent so much time apart and managed other relationships without too much hassle.

I'm not saying those other relationships are not valid, of course they are - every relationship is different however, it's just what stands out for Jess and Jack. That kind of love is rare nowadays (sadly) as it's hard to stay focused on one love however, they seem to have managed it and I love that.

I really really hope their family copes well and more importantly, that Jess makes it through.

1. Matt = dad, Abbie = mum

Lana is 17, the same age as James.
James is Dylan's son and Juliet got pregnant with him during a time when she was not with Matt.
Maybe Matt got Abbie pregnant during this time.

There hadn't been much mention of Vegas at this point but we do know that Matt used to date Lara (who is a gang member who spent time in Vegas).

We also know that Jay has known Steph since a teen and Steph knows Abbie which could = Matt knowing Abbie before Bad Bets????

Maybe he got her pregnant without realising it and she gave the baby up to continue her life in Vegas?

There was mention in Bad Bets that she used to be quite dull and never got much attention so wanted to work on building herself up. Maybe she felt like a baby would hold her back in those plans. Then Lana somehow found herself in the gang life after being put up for adoption in Vegas.


2. Todd = dad, Sophie = mum

We know that Sophie and Todd went travelling together when Sophie was 20/21.
Maybe she fell pregnant with Todd's baby when they went travelling and then gave it up for adoption when she got home.

When we found out she was pregnant with Todd's baby before (in the fast forward - bad desire), she hadn't told Todd or anyone as she didn't think he could step up due to his lifestyle.
This is proof that Sophie does not trust Todd with a baby.

Maybe the Lana one could be a similar situation?

Maybe that was why she was so quick to rush back into a relationship with Elliot when she got home? To forget it all? It makes sense as we know she never saw a future with Elliot. Sophie knew they were too different and fell out of love with him (yet didn't tell him for a long time). However, she still went back with him and very quickly too!



3. Todd = dad, Abbie = mum

It's already been mentioned by Lana that Abbie is her mum so maybe this is actually right. We do not know much about Abbie's past but we do know she has lived in Vegas for a long time and this instantly builds a connection for Lana and explains how she ended up in the gang.

We know that Todd is actually Michael (Matt's brother) and he worked in a different gang for a long time which included Lara. Maybe this gang worked out in Vegas a lot and this was how Todd met Abbie.

Like the Matt theory, maybe she put Lana up for adoption because she was trying to start a new life for herself and thought a baby would hold her back.

Todd also distanced himself from her as much as possible and also started a new life with a normal job. But now he has reconnected with her and that's why she is in this gang.


4. Jay = dad, the mum could be anyone in this scenario lol

We know Jay has always been a ladies man so it wouldn't surprise me if he is the dad. In addition to this, Anya and Lana are in the gang together so maybe they have always known one another or found each other some how??

They could be sisters and they found this out and decided to be in the gang together to get back at their dad for not being in their lives??

I don't know who the potential mum could be but it could be anyone (Abbie included as in Bad Bets it was mentioned he knew her when she was much more toned down and quiet).


5. Elliot = dad, Sophie = mum

This may be a bit more unlikely but the reason I thought of this combination was because of Sophie's insistence to Elliot that she did not want kids. Maybe she fell pregnant with his baby just before she went travelling with Todd so gave the baby up for adoption.

After this she may have felt guilty or just wanted to hide it as she knew how badly Elliot wanted a baby and that he would go looking for it.

I don't know how Lana would have found the gang but it could link to Todd. Todd would have known about Sophie's pregnancy as they were travelling together and he may have been the one to help organise the adoption etc... these two have always been close and kept secrets between them.

Now that we have seen the characters all grown up in Because I'm a Lawrence and how they are as parents to teenagers/children, I thought this post would be a good idea.

Like Mother, Like Daughter is so accurate to Sophie, Jess and Juliet and I wanted to talk about it and point some patterns out.


Estee - Sophie - Phoebe, Tiger & Kaden:

Estee was always a very distant mum and her parenting style was more based on independence and pushing her children to do things for themselves. She was never very warm and forthcoming to comfort them and instead pushed them to handle any issues themselves.

Sophie grew up having to do a lot for herself and not having that emotional/maternal love from her mum. They get on great but more on a friend-friend basis rather than a mother-daughter relationship.

As a result, Estee's ways have rubbed off onto Sophie a bit. She struggles to show that maternal side as she lacks it a lot. She never wanted children for a long time and now that she does have them, her parenting is very different from Jess and Juliet.

She lived in New York + London for a long time, not getting to see her kids everyday. While I am sure this was difficult for her, she still did it when the choice to move back to Brighton was there. She is close to her children but she shows them a tough love whereby she also pushes independence onto them. She is showing them that by working hard you can get success and that in the process you sometimes have to make some sacrifices.


Alissa - Juliet - James, Hunter, Grace & Ava:

Alissa was always very overly protective and consuming, wanting to keep her children from getting into any harm or hurt. She constantly tried to keep them very close and this was smothering for both Juliet and Elliot.

Juliet's relationship with her mum suffered a lot because she didn't understand her mum's intentions at the time but when she did, things got better. Her mum was just an extreme worrier and wanting to keep her children safe. It may not have been the best way of showing it but she was just trying to do a good job.

As a result, Juliet as a mum has also adapted some of these traits (but to a lesser degree). She worries a lot like her mum and her relationship with her children is revolved around wrapping them in cotton wool and wanting to keep them close.

I think the situation with Hunter will be the first test of this as while Matt will try and take a different approach, she will try and smother him and ensure he stays close.


Jasmine/Louise - Jess - Ellie, Harvey, Mia, Addison & Theo:

Jasmine was never a great mum to Jess as she gave her up. Jess didn't receive any love from her at all and for a long time Jess had this approach to everyone, including children.

Fast forward to when she met Jack and built up a relationship with Louise (mother/daughter kind of relationship) this changed everything. Louise is very loving and always puts everyone before herself.

As a mum to Jack and Connor, she always allowed them a lot of freedom but provided a safe space for them to return to at all times. Her relationship with Jess has been very much like this, she provides her advice but doesn't overstep and is always there as a support if things go wrong.

I think Jess has learned a lot from Louise in terms of being a mum to her own children. She takes this same 'freedom' approach whereby she allows them the space to explore the world as they like but provides a warm and loving space to come back to. This has come with slightly negative consequences as she is the mum of a son who is continuing the 'Lawrence' tradition with the whole pregnancy thing.

Lastly, like Louise, Jess was a young mum and had the determination to just do things right and ensure she didn't let her children down. This came with a lot of challenges but Jess had learned to deal with them and not get too panicked or anything.