"We're all doing dinner together?" Lauren said, trying to pacify Alice who'd wanted to have a girly movie evening in. "Fine. I just can't believe you would rather just sit and watch Joey work than have fun with me" Alice complained, shutting the front door behind the two girls and Joey, him laughing at his sister's complaining.
"She just loves me more" he said with a smirk, side stepping his sister's attempt to slap his arm. Lauren just laughed at her boyfriend and his sister's antics. Being around them calmed her down, and that was exactly want she wanted today. A nice, casual drama-free day. Perfect.
"Sorry Alice" she said shrugging. Alice just nodded, and stepped ahead of the couple, walking arm-in-arm they hadn't gotten far before Joey spoke "Not that I'm complaining, but you sure you don't wanna do lame girly stuff, really babe?" Alice turned to hear Lauren's reply. "Sounds like you are worried I'll be a distraction?" she teased, avoiding the question. Joey smirked at her teasing, and banter between the siblings started up. Alice clearly on Lauren's side, declaring her brother wouldn't get much done with his girlfriend sat around, Joey adamant it wasn't a problem.
"Baby girl!" Fats called out across the Sqaure, stood in the door way to the Vic, causing Lauren to groan and Joey to raise an eyebrow at her response. She knew he was confused by her reaction, but this was exactly why she'd spent the whole day wholed up inside doing college work, telling him she didn't want to fall behind and he and Alice were under instructions not to tell anyone where she was. They probably thought she was stupid, but she had her reasons. Fats was heading over, and Lauren knew her avoidance of acknowledging what today was would soon be over.
5...4...3...2...1...
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday luscious Lauren, Happy Birthday to you!" He rapped, and she couldn't help but smile. "Yeah it's her birthday, it's my babygirl's birthday, she's gonna party like it's her birthday, gonna get freaky cause it's her birthday. Yeah birthday!" He finished in a gansta pose, making her laugh before he pulled her in for a hug.
"Thanks Fats." She said, muffled by his jacket as he hugged her tight. "You're welcome gorgeous. I gotta dash in, you coming?" He said as he started walking away. "We'll be in a bit, just for dinner though" He pulled a face, she was usually the first up for a party. "Just let me know party plans baby girl. Ain't a proper party without some LaurenFats loving" he joked as he walked backwards, shooting her a wink and a cheeky smile, making her grin.
"Lauren!" Alice cried. "Why didn't you say anything?" Lauren just rolled her eyes, but she could tell Joey agreed with his sister. "I feel terrible for not knowing now" she said. Lauren groaned. "Don't." The siblings were confused and Lauren knew she'd have to at least give a bit of an explanations. "Birthdays suck. Always full of drama." Seeing Joey's face, and reading his eyes she knew he felt bad. Bad he didn't know, bad their family make days like today something to dread. She sighed. "I'd just rather it be a normal day. Everyone can ignore it." Looking at the two of them she knew this wasn't going to happen, Lauren spoke again "Other than Fats" with a teasing roll of the eyes "And Abi obviously" she added, seeing her come down the stairs of number 5 and spotting them. "Lauren!" She turned and walked a few steps in to her younger sister's embrace "Happy Birthday!" the younger of the two said, hugging her big sister that little bit tighter. "Look! For you" She held out a bag with a balloon attached, Lauren letting out a dramatic groan, Abi laughing. "It's from me, Jay & Oscar" . Lauren smiled at her sister's enthusiasm. "Thanks Abs" she said, genuinely meaning it. "So have you had fun avoiding mum, dad and her then" Lauren let out a laugh, and before she could reply, Abi spoke again "I've been giving them excuses all day for you". Lauren grinned. Saint Abigail, supposedly the good child, encouraging her to skip out on the Branning Birthday activities that usually always end up in drama.
"Want to join us for dinner?" Lauren asked, Abi seemed surprised Lauren was offering to spend time with her, on her birthday of all days. "Jay too obviously?" Lauren saw her sister's face lit up at the mention of her boyfriend. "Yes please" she said excitedly, Lauren rolling her eyes at her reaction.
"Vic in 10 minutes then" Lauren added, Abi nodding before heading to walk off. "Wait until I get back then to open your gift." Jokingly rolling her eyes and groaning, Lauren agreed.
"I can't believe you didn't tell us it was your birthday" Alice said again, the second Lauren turned back to them. Before Lauren could reply, Joey did "Al, drop it yeah? She's got her reasons". She looked up to him, smiling, maybe someone got it. He looked tense, she knew he'd be unhappy he hadn't known but he'd want her to be happy and he knows she has her reasons for doing stuff. Reasons she'd probably have to explain later.
Alice carried on grumbling, as they walked over to the Vic, stopping outside to wait for Abi & Jay. Leaning into Joey, Lauren got lost in her own thoughts, staring at the floor, her sister's voice interrupting that. "I miss him too." Lauren looked up to see everyone looking at her, apart from Abi who was staring at the same spot she was. "Bradley. I miss him. And the ways things used to be" she added. Lauren beginning to nod, she missed the calm stable presence of her elder brother sometimes and she hates that she didn't get to have a better relationship with him, same as Billie, both gone too soon , before scoffing at the second part of Abi's sentence.. "Things were just as messed up then, just hidden better". And with that, she turned and walked into the Vic.