This Life - Sequel to "Feeling Good"

Chapter 1

A very pregnant Lauren waddled through the busy square on a Wednesday afternoon, carrying plenty of shopping bags, of course filled up with baby stuff. It wasn't long till their first born was due, roughly 1 month left.

"Lauren Branning!" she turned to see her dad walking towards her.

"Sup dad?" feeling pretty exhausted, sighing as her dad was now delaying her.

"Babe your pregnant, you shouldn't be carrying all this, give em over" taking the bags from her hands, walking towards number 30 where Lauren and Joey had set up home.

"Thanks dad, see you later" pecking his cheek as he returned to the car lot.

Taking a deep breath, Lauren sat down on the sofa, feeling very fat and tired. This baby was exhausting her and it wasn't even here yet.

Placing her hands protectively over her large tummy, rubbing it softly as she felt the baby moving.

"Are you having a little party in there?" she whispered towards her belly, feeling the baby move again.

"You're going to be a troublemaker" feeling the side of her bump, as the baby kicked out, getting back up off the sofa to unpack the shopping.

Joey & Max had the car lot business running very well, selling more cars now than every before. It had once again become a proper family business just like It did when Bradley was alive.

"I could kill that daughter of mine" Max expressed, rubbing his hand over his head catching Joey's attention.

"What's Lauren done now?" Joey replied looking up from his paperwork intrigued.

"Caught her carrying like 10 shopping bags, she was struggling I could see it in her face" sitting down in his chair.

"I told her to take it easy, but you know Lauren she doesn't listen to anybody, can I go early, check she's okay?" standing up from his desk, pulling on his grey blazer.

"Sure of course, Joe you don't need to ask it's your business too now son" Max replied smiling at his son in law.

"Catch you later Max" Joey now making his way home, anxious to see if Lauren was alright.

"Hey babe, where are you?" shouting into the hallway as he shut the front door behind him.

Hearing no reply, he made his way into the living room, spotting Lauren asleep on the sofa, her arms wrapped around her stomach in a protective manner. He sighed bending down brushing the hair away from her face. Moving his hand down to her tummy, he felt the baby kick.

"Hey baby, daddy's home" pressing his lips to the bump as the baby continued to kick away, laughing as he felt the baby moving around like there was no tomorrow.

"How did I know you were home aye?" Lauren mumbled from her sleep, peeling her eyes open, as she watched Joey interacting with the bump.

"Baby is kicking away" his ear now pressed against it.

"I know, the baby seems to kick hard when you're around, it's like she knows her daddy is there" she replied, waiting for Joey to pick up on what she just said. Lauren had been to the hospital with Tanya earlier that morning as Joey had to work. They had decided to find out the sex of the baby, Lauren wanting to surprise him as he couldn't be there himself.

"Wait did you just say she?" his eyes locking with Lauren's, pulling her into a passionate kiss, letting his tongue dip inside of her mouth, only to be broken apart as the baby kicked again.

"God, she really is a daddy's girl" Lauren giggled, thinking the baby wanted Joey to focus all his attention on her.

"That's my girl" he whispered, pulling Laurens top up exposing the bump and kissing it all over.

"Can't believe were having a girl, she is going to be just like you" glancing between the bump and Lauren, noticing small tears fall from her eyes.

"What's wrong?" using the pads of his thumbs to wipe away her tears.

"Just, you're going to be an amazing dad" she choked out between tears.

"And you're going to be an amazing mummy" he replied kissing her tear stained lips softly.

"Right, bath for you mummy, come on" pulling Lauren up off the sofa, leading her up the stairs for a relaxing bath. He would usually get in with her, but her protruding bump took up a lot of room.

Lauren lay in the bath, washing the water over her bump, the only time she saw her feet was in the bath when they were rested up on the end of the tub, other than that she hadn't seen her feet for months the bump covering it over.

"Joey" she shouted, her voice echoing around the bathroom.

"Sup babe?" popping his head around the door.

"I can't reach my feet" bursting out into fits of laughter, as he watched her trying to wash her feet.

"Oh dear, right let me at them" Washing her feet with the flannel, watching Lauren squirm slightly as he tickled her feet.

"Can't wait till this little madam arrives" his hand brushing over her naked bump.

"Me too, we need to think of a name" she replied clutching his hand as he went to move away.

"Stay with me?" she whispered blushing with embarrassment as she wanted him to keep her company.

"Of course baby" kissing her porcelain cheek softly sitting at the side of the bath tub.

"You know you have never looked as beautiful as now, carrying our baby" his hand brushing down her wet hair.

"I have never loved you more than now" she replied, his heart melting at her sentiment.

The evening set in after a tiring day. Joey and Lauren curled up on the sofa, her head resting on his chest. They had been discussing baby names for their little girl. They still couldn't decide, only whittling it down to two names to choose from. Lauren wanted a name that was different that had meaning. Agreeing to wait till the baby was born to see what name suited her most.

"I bet our little girl looks exactly like you" he murmured his chin resting on her head, the breathing almost in sync.

"I bet she has your smile" she replied, her fingers brushing along his lips.

"I bet she has your beautiful eyes" kissing her forehead softly.

"I love that she will be half of me and half of you" snuggling closer to Joey, who smirked at her response.

"I love that she will be all ours" he replied, his hand protectively resting over his daughter.