Hello again everyone as promised here's your Sequel- Hidden Territories. Again Thanks for all the support with silent voices, it's made this so much easier to write ! I'm aiming for at least one chapter a day so you'll always get at least one, anyways... here goes Enjoy !

Chapter 1-Its one word

Joey's POV

"Babe… one more thing…Will you Marry me?" I'd said that a good 5 minutes ago and Lauren was still lying in the exact same place staring at me from the couch. I had no idea what she was thinking, I couldn't read her in the slightest. She wasn't the easiest of people to read anyway but now it seemed completely impossible. She was looking blankly at me, her eyes a little blurred. "Lauren…" she blinked a couple of times leaving her eyes closed longer than probably necessary and then fully opened them. She started fiddling with her hands and I probably would have been paying more attention if it wasn't for the fact she was beautifully naked under that blanket. "It's one word, just one word baby…"

She still remained frozen. It was slightly worrying, her hand brushed occasionally over her stomach; subconsciously I was guessing. Nevertheless I was concerned, she wasn't one to keep things to herself, ok big things she bottled up but her opinions she made well know. I ran my finger down the side of her face, tucking her hair behind he ear. "Babe..."

"Yes" she breathed; I almost didn't hear her she'd said it so quietly. "That's my one word" she smiled leaned over to me and kissing me deeply, she was attacking my lips at full force, responding with numerous yes's and punctuating each one with a kiss. Now it was my turn to go quiet. I had no idea what to say next. I think words were beyond usage at this point. Instead I responded to the kisses and wrapped my arms tightly around her body. I quickly had a thought.

Lauren bit her lip as she watched me move. "What are you doing?" she moaned as I got up from the sofa. As I stood she giggled and ogled my body, only then I realised I was still naked. "Put something on" her voice bordering a little desperate. she reached down and chucked my boxers at me. "Please" I pulled them on quickly, I really didn't want them on after what we'd just done, it was bloody uncomfortable.

"I'll be 2 seconds…" I smirked as she pouted and sighed. Shuffling around to the hall where my coat was I got what I needed and walked back in the room. She hadn't moved but there was a beautiful flush to her cheeks and a slightly disbelieving smile on her face. "See two seconds" I scooted her over on the sofa so I could sit and then pulled her naked frame onto my lap wrapping the blanket snugly over us. I placed the small black box on her lap and nodded down to it. "It won't open its self y'know"

"If this is what I think It is ...I thought you were meant to open the box and show me…its tradition" I rolled my eyes at her, we definitely weren't the most traditional of couples but Lauren seemed to like to keep some things traditional. She always had the fairy tale dream in her head. I opened the box as she'd asked and showed the ring to her.

A small gasp emitted her lips as she realised what the ring was. I took it out and took her left hand in mine "It's Grandma's ring" she said softly as I slid it down her finger, a few tears falling from her gazing eyes. It fitted perfectly, like I'd expected. The white gold ring was a simple band encasing a small blue gemstone in the middle, two smaller white diamonds either side of it.

I nodded in response to her earlier question. "Ye it was your Dad's Mum's, when I asked your Dad for permission to marry you, he gave me the ring and said that she wanted you to have it. He said your Grandma had made him promise no to give it you until your perfect match came along and that it was forever, and I guess your dad thinks that's me"

"He's right, you are my perfect match…my soul mate" her hands captured my face as she leaned in and kissed me with such a feather light kiss. "It's perfect Joey" She twiddled the ring around her finger. "It looks a little different" I nodded.

"it is, I asked your Dad if he minded me making one adjustment, this…" I traced my finger over the blue gemstone in the middle of the ring. "This replaced the white diamond that was there. It's been in my family for generations, It was my Mum's Grandmothers, and like your Dad she's been waiting for the right person to come along before she gave it to me. I had it put in the ring, it kind of symbolises the joining of our two families."

"Wow" she breathed, "What about your sister, wouldn't she want it?" I shook my head

"Al has something else from her, this was mine, and now it's yours because your mine too...forever" I smiled tracing her cheek with my finger.

"You can be such a romantic at times Joey Branning" her face brightened and she snuggled deeper into the blanket, her body shivering a little. My arms automatically tightened around her trying to give her a little warmth.

"You're getting cold" She shook her head leaning her cheek against my chest. "Don't lie Mrs…come on" She squealed as I lifted her into my arms wrapping the blanket tightly over her.

"Joe! What are you doing…put me down" she giggled but made no attempts to stop me.

"Nope… I'm taking my Fiancée to bed"

"I'm not tired" she moaned, although she said she wasn't, a small yawn escaped and her eyes drifted closed. I could feel her slowly succumbing to sleep as I climbed the stairs.

"Oh really… so you're not falling to sleep on me then?" I just felt her smile against me "Ye exactly, you and the twins need sleep, you're tired out, you need resting." We reached the bedroom and I realised Lauren was pretty much asleep. I eased her into the bed feeling some slight movement from the twins. Smiling,I placed my hand softly where they lay "Ye bed for two as well" It was so amazing to feel them move, knowing that inside Lauren were two lives growing, two combinations of us and Lauren was keeping them safe, protecting them.

Thinking ahead to tomorrow morning I placed Lauren in some underwear and my shirt knowing Zoe would be in first thing for morning cuddles, and I really didn't think Lauren would appreciate being naked.

"Joey…" she stirred as I slid in next to her, Lauren curling into my body.

"Go back to sleep" I kissed her softly as she decided to use my chest as her pillow. "Night baby"

Of course she said yes... was there really any doubt ? Next chapter up soon xxx