4 Years

Hi this is my first story, I hope you enjoy! Please read and review. If you don't like the pairing, then don't read. Just a little thought when watching EastEnders a few weeks ago.

This is set in November 2017, Lauren didn't go with Peter and didn't have a baby. She went to college and then university to get a degree. Joey is working in Newcastle in his string of nightclubs, He keeps in touch with Alice but that's it out of the family. They haven't heard from each other since Joey left Walford in 2013.

Lauren was sitting in the café on a cold winters morning, she was sat watching everyone round her as she drank her coffee. She had just got a job doing accountings but she wasn't sure what she wanted to do, she had just been for the interview to be told that she would be working in Anfeild in Liverpool so would need to move meaning she would be leaving her family... well what's left of the Branning's. She sighed and took another sip of her coffee as someone sat down opposite her.

"penny for your thoughts?" Whitney said

Lauren looked up, "it's nothing, in just thinking"

Whitney took a bite of her sandwich, "thinking about what?"

"how much things have changed; can I deal with more changes in my life?" Lauren put her coffee cup down and pushed it away from her. "I've got to go Whit but thanks"

Lauren walked out the café and ran to her house which she still shared with her dad and sister Abi. She got inside and went into the kitchen, phoning her dad.

Joey was very successful since leaving the square, he moved to Newcastle and since then has opened 6 nightclubs in and around Newcastle. He detached himself from the family when he left in 2013 and only spoke to Alice every couple of weeks. He knew Alice still spoke to Abi but decided not to be involved in that side of the family after everything that happened with Lauren.

Joey was sat working in his newest club that was going to be opening in a month's time, he was getting stock ready for the big opening when his phone went signalling that Alice was phoning.

"hey Al, everything okay? How are you and mum?

"we are fine Joey, just phoning to see how you are?"

"I'm tired but I'm always tired, it will all be worth it once this club is opened. Why do I feel that's why you haven't phoned?"

"okay, you caught me out. I thought you should know I was on the phone to Abi earlier"

"Al, I've said before I can't hear about that side of the family" he put his head in his hands sighing as Lauren face floods his memory.

"She's doing really well, Lauren I mean, she's just finished uni and is looking forward to her future"

Joey shaked his head as he tried to get Lauren's face out his head, "I'm happy for her I am Al but she's looking forward to a future that doesn't involve me so I shouldn't know unless she wanted me to know"

Alice coughed and laughed lightly, "you shouted like you still care joe, maybe you should get back in contact? What's to lose?"

"just my heart to break again when she doesn't want to know, if that's all you phoned for then I'm going to cut you short as I'm busy. Ill speak soon Al, send my love to mum. Love you" he hung the phone up and poured himself a whiskey, he laughed lightly shaking his head knowing this was what split Lauren and himself up all them years ago.

Hope you all enjoyed, it's just a quick chapter. Remember and r&r. thanks x