Ok, so to understand this you'll need to read the prequel to this one (Forbiddened Love). So, lets jolly on with the story my friends

Lauren woke up to someone kissing her neck. She giggled and turned over, slowly opening her eyes, to see Joey smiling down at her. She giggled and smiled.

'What time is it?' she asked, her voice thick with sleep. Joey glanced at the clock.

'Half ten' he said. Lauren blinked.

'Wow, latest I've ever slept in' said Lauren. Joey smiled and handed her two bags with a cards. Lauren smiled brightly.

'Joey... I said I didn't want anything for my birthday' she said, but accepted the presents. Joey chuckled.

'Yeah, I wanted to spoil my girl. That's not a crime is it?'. Lauren smiled at him from under her lashes

'No.. it isn't... Come on' she said, grabbing her dressing gown and throwing over her pyjama clad body. Joey frowned lightly.

'Where are we going?' he asked. Lauren stopped in her tracks and looked at him.

'Downstairs. I want to open my presents with your mum' she said, smiling then darting from the room. Joey blinked at the stop then smiled as he followed her downstairs...

He entered the living room, just as Lauren and Suzy pulled away from the hug they were sharing.

'Happy Birthday, darling' Suzy said, handing Lauren a present. Lauren looked as though she was going to protest, but she decided against it as Suzy shot her a look. Lauren joined Joey on the sofa and opened Suzy's present. It was a cute little charm braclet what Lauren had seen in the shops one day.

'Aww, Suzy, thankyou' said Lauren, getting up and giving her another hug. Suzy hugged her back and smiled. Lauren sat back down next to Joey and opened one of the bags to find a lot of candles and bath stuff and right down at bottom, a box. She pulled it gently out of the bag and unwrapped it. She opened it find a pair of dangly earrings. She smiled at Joey, who was watching her closely.

'You like them? 'Cause I've got-' the rest of sentence was cut off by Lauren pressing a quick kiss to his lips

'I love them' she reassured him. She closed her earring box and put them down on the coffee table, reaching for her other bag. She opened it to find a box and a mini dress.

'My mum slightly helped me on this one' admitted Joey, when Lauren casted a glance at him. Lauren smiled and pulled out the blood red dress and held it up to herself.

'Nice choice' said Lauren, clearly approving. She folded the dress up and brought out the box. She opened it find a pair of black suede shoes with a diamante heel.

'Holy... Where did you find these? They're gorgoues!' exclaimed Lauren, sliding onto her foot and lifting her leg, examining it from where she was sat. Joey smirked, clearly pleased with himself.

'Glad you like them' said Joey, smiling as Lauren pressed another kiss to his lips. She slid the shoe off and placed back in the box, setting the box on the floor and putting the dress son top of it, and reached for her cards. She opened Suzy and was slightly surprised as twenty pounds dropped out.

'Suzy, are you sure? You've done so much for us these past few months' said Lauren.

'It's perfectly fine, dear' said Suzy, smiling at Lauren. Lauren smiled back and reached for Joeys card. She opened the envelope and slid the card out, turning it over and smiled reading the front. She opened it and read

My girl, Lauren

Happy Birthday, babe

Hope we get to spend many more together

Have a fab one... Which I know you will because you'll be with me :P

I Love You

Your Joey

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

'Aww.. Joey' said Lauren, her eyes filling with happy tears. The doorbell rung and Suzy got up to answer it, giving Lauren the chance to pull Joey to her for a kiss, much more passionate than the previous two.

'JESUS! Not what I want to see when we've just had breakfast'!' exclaimed Alice. Lauren and Joey pulled away, smiling.

'Happy birthday!' said Alice, holding her arms out. Lauren smiled, getting up and hugging her. She accepted her present of Alice and was about to sit back down when another person walked into the living room.

'ABI!' squealed Lauren. Abi smiled and laughed as her older sister rushed round to hug her. They hugged for about a minute before Lauren let her go. She held out her present for Lauren and she accepted, placing it on the table and drawing her in for another hug...

After opening her presents and having her breakfast, Lauren beckoned Abi out of the living room and into the empty kitchen. They sat down at the table.

'Thanks for the present, Abi. It smells lovely' said Lauren. Abi nodded. She knew what Lauren wanted to ask and she knew she was afraid of the answer.

'Mum and Dad... they're alright. Although they miss you and Oscar does..' Abi trailed off, as Lauren's head snapped up towards her

'If mum and dad are missing me, they've got a funny way of showing it!' said Lauren.

'They do!-' began Abi, but Lauren furiously cut her off

'If they cared... They would've sent me a birthday card or got in contact with me over these last three months! So, don't make out they're missing me when they clearly aren't!' said Lauren hotly. Abi nodded and that conversation was closed.

'Wait a minute... Aren't you supposed to be at school?' asked Lauren. Abi glanced round the room, suddenly finding the tiles on the walls interesting.

'Oh My God, you've skived. You rebel!' joked Lauren, nudging her little sister's arm. Abi laughed

'They don't know that. School think I'm at home sick and mum and dad thinks I'm at school' said Abi, smiling proudly, as Lauren laughed...

Later than night, Joey was driving him and Lauren home. However, Lauren soon noticed that they had gone past the left exit, which led to his mum's house.

'erm, Joey... where are we going?' Lauren asked, looking round. Joey didn't answer and stayed focused on the drive ahead. A few minutes later they pulled up at an apartment block. Lauren frowned, but followed Joey up into the apartment block. He stopped outside a door and turned to face a very confused Lauren.

'Here' he said, handing her a key. Lauren looked at the key, then at Joey. Joey swallowed and became nervous.

'That... That key is the key... to out apartment' Joey stuttered.

Lauren blinked

'You've bought us an apartment?' asked Lauren. Joey shook his head, locking eyes with her.

'Rented it. We'll see how it how it goes first... if you want of course' said Joey, not wanting to pressure Lauren into anything. Lauren ran through all the possibilities of living on their own and a smirk came to her face.

'Is that a yes?' asked Joey hopefully. Lauren smiled and put the key into the lock, opening the door. She was about to step in, when Joey stopped her. She looked at him, then shriek became a laugh as he carried her over the threshold, kicking the door shut with his foot. He stood in the hallway and looked round.

'So... where to first, birthday girl? Am I right in suggesting the bedroom' he smirked. Lauren's laughter rang in his ears like music as he carried her into the bedroom, kicking the door shut...

Okay, first chapter done :D Hope you enjoyed it and R&R :D