Opening Up
A/N - I have decided to do an one-shot based in the near-by future when Lauren makes the decision to forgive Joey after what has happened between the two of them and both of them find themselves opening up about how they truly feel. May be a two or three-shot, depending on how I feel.
After a tough few months, Lauren Branning finds feeling like herself. After almost dying, visiting her Aunt Rainie to get some perspective, her Mam leaving and the truth coming out about her ex-best friend spiking her drink, Lauren finds herself feeling like she can be the person she has always wanted to be without the alcohol abusing her.
Going back to college doing the art course she wants to do and finally being the sister she wants to be to Abi and Oscar, it almost seems like Lauren has the life she always wanted but there is one thing missing. Ever since the truth came out about Lucy spiking her drink a few months ago, Lauren has refused to allow Joey back into her life even though it hurts both of them and event with close moments between the two of them, Lauren refuses to let anything happen much to the frustration of both Abi and Alice.
"Eurgh, I don't need to see that, can't the both of you restrain yourselves" states a disgusted Lauren, as she walks into the living room of No5 to see Abi and Jay making out on the couch. Seeing her sister so happy in a stable relationship has shown to Lauren that she is truly alone and finds herself still struggling with her emotions as she continues to think on what she has lost.
"You are just jealous of what I've got" states Abi as she removes her lips from Jay's and she widens her eyes as she sees the upset look on Lauren's face and is unable to say anything as she hears the front door slam shut and ends up feeling guilty.
After a rough year, Joey Branning finds himself struggling day-by-day with living so near-by to his ex-girlfriend. The guilt of not believing Lauren over his manipulative ex-boyfriend has broken more than he first realised and even with him continuing to grovel to try to get the love of his life back, Lauren has refused to co-operate and ends up giving Joey very little back. With the anniversary of his dad's death coming closer and closer, Joey finds himself getting quieter and quieter and unable to open up to Alice, Joey finds himself sitting alone on the bench in the gardens with no-one to talk to him, unaware of someone watching him near-by.
"What you doing sitting out hear alone? Alice, working or something, or have you pissed her off again?" asks a concerned Lauren as she walks into the garden. Joey, finds himself unable to know what to say, concerns Lauren even more and as Lauren grasps onto her ex-boyfriends' hand, electricity is felt between the two of them.
Unable to be around Lauren as it hurts too much, Joey removes his hand from her and starts to walk away and as he clocks the hurt look on Lauren's face, Joey starts to feel guilty. Nothing is ever the same again, you have broken her too much, just walk away, Joey reminds himself.
"Just walk away, it's what you do best, you know I thought, after everything we have been through, you would let me in" states a frustrated Lauren and as she starts to walk away, an annoyed Joey refuses to allow Lauren get away and walks up to her and turns her around before intensely kissing her.
Lauren finds herself unable to let go of Joey and ends up sinking more in love with Joey than ever before but as she starts to lose her breath, Lauren reluctantly removes her lips from his. " I'm sorry for everything that has happened, I never meant to hurt you, I love you so much" states a guilty Joey and as he looks in Lauren's tearful eyes, he realises he never wants to let Lauren go ever again.
As they sit back down on the bench in the gardens, Lauren tries to pry on what has got Joey upset and she finds herself shocked when Joey reveals the truth " Even with everything he did, I still miss him, I mean, I hated him, he almost destroyed us but still, he was my dad and I can't -" states a shaky Joey, who succumbs to crying his heart out, causing Lauren to comfort him as the love of her life continues to struggle with the loss of his Dad and even with all of the terrible things he did, Lauren knows Joey needs her support.
"What about you, you need my support too, we have put each other through so much-" states a tired-looking Joey. Lauren puts her finger on top of Joey's lips to shut him up and states "We have all of the time to talk about everything that has happened, just relax", causing the newly-reunited couple to curl up on the bench as they stare into spaceā¦
