So sorry for the lack of updates! I've just been in so much shock over Cory Monteith's death :'( I can't imagine what his family are going through, or Lea... My heart goes out to Lea and his family. I hope God gives the strength to them to continue on their journey in life

I promise I will update Come Home, Seven Years and An Explosive Night soon :)

Enjoy...


Joey and Lauren were curled up in bed together, Joey been more relived to have Lauren back in his arms after she spent two weeks on holiday with her family in Hawaii. It had been torture, watching her leave with her parents, knowing that he was stuck working in R&R because Sharon had gone away with Denny. Alice had called him whipped, but he had merely stated that he wasn't, even though he knew he was. ght back to reality when he felt Lauren turn in his arms and watched as her eyes flickered open, a lazy smile grazing her features.

'Morning babe' he greeted, kissing her lips gently. Lauren smiled and snuggled into him, even it was even more possible

'Morning baby' she greeted back, gazing up at him. They lay there for a few minutes, no words needed as they communicated silently. Lauren yawned and stretched, glancing at the alarm clock on the side. She groaned and stretched, running a hand through her hair before sitting, dragging the covers up to her chest to protect some of her modesty. She reached down and grabbed her bra and panties, sliding them on, before reaching for her summer dress and sliding it over her body. She climbed from the bed, making Joey pout.

'You're leaving me?' he asked, pouting. Lauren giggled and kissed him softly.

'I have a busy day of unpacking to do. The quicker I do it now, the quicker I get it done and I can all evening and night with you' said Lauren, biting her lip and smirking. Joey tugged her lip out and pulled her by the chin to meet his lips softly.

'I love you' Lauren said, smiling against his lips

'I love you too, baby' Joey repied, once he pulled away and locked their eyes together

'No, I mean it. I really do love you, Joey' said Lauren. Joey smiled

'I know, babe... I love you too, babe. Forever and always' Joey replied, kissing her softly...


Later that day, after she had unpacked everything, Lauren flopped down on her bed, when her phone pinged. She sighed and reached for it. She saw had a message and opened it. She sighed in relief and quickly got changed into her black demin shorts and tight white thin strap top. She slid her sandals on her feet and grabbed her bag, before rushing down stairs. She quickly wrote a note to her Dad and Abi, just two words to apologize for not making dinner.

I'm sorry


'Charming!' was the first word Max heard as he was in the kitchen, making himself a drink. He poked his head round the kitchen door and saw Abi holding her phone.

'What's wrong?' he asked

'Lauren's spending the night at her friends from college, Sarah... She promised me a girly night in tonight' said Abi, the dissapointment showing in her voice. Max sighed and hugged his youngest daughter.

'I'll have a word with her tomorrow when she gets back' Max said, making Abi smile. He pulled away from the hug and looked at his youngest daughter. 'How about fish and chips and movies?' he suggested. Abi raised an eyebrow as she comsidered this.

'OKay, but no running commentary through the films, saying this and that is unrealistic' said Abi pointedly, pointing her finger at him. Max nodded and held his hands up in surrender.

'Okay, I promise' he said, handing Abi a ten pound note. She smiled and headed for the front door, as Max turned back to his coffee. He heard Abi open the front door and heard Joey's voice float down the hallway, asking where he was. He assumed Abi had pointed to the kitchen, as the front door slammed shut and Joey entered the kitchen a few seconds later.

'Alright, Joey?' asked Max, frowning when he noticed his nephew looked pale and shaky. 'Joey?' he questioned worriedly.

'I want your permission to marry Lauren' Joey blurted out. Max's eyebrows nearly shot off his forehead, as the question sunk in.

'You want what?' Max asked, sitting down at the kitchen table. Joey sat down too, his voice shaky.

'I want your permission to ask Lo to marry me' Joey repeated, a little calmer this time. Max didn't reply for a few minutes nad Joey allowed him to take as much time as he wanted to absorb what he had asked.

'Why do you want to marry my daughter? She has her whole live ahead of her...' said Max. Joey sighed.

'Uncle Max. I love your daughter... There's no doubt in the world about that. I would do anything for her, and she knows that. I know I wasn't there for her when her drinking spiralled out of control and I'll live with that guilt for the rest of my life, but I'm going to be here for her now, through thick and thin. Whatever life throws at us, I'm WILL support her and her desicions...' Joey admitted. Max was silent as he took in what Joey had said.

'You love her? Like really truly love her? Like I love Tanya?' Max asked, watching a flicker of surprise flashed across Joey's face when he mentioned Tanya

'I love her more than anyone else I've ever loved. She's it, Max. My other half' Joey admitted honestly. Max smiled lightly.

'Just out of mild curiousity... You got a ring planned or?' he asked, keeping face pokerstraight. Joey nodded and rested into his pocket, pulling out a ring box and snapping it open to reveal a 9ct White Gold, Diamond & Sapphire Cluster Ring.

'Wow!' said Max, admiring the ring. Joey smirked, knowing he had made Max speechless. After a few seconds, Max handed the box back to Joey and looking at him.

'Do you promise to look after her and respect her desicions? I swear if you put one foot out of line, I'm coming after you with a gun' Max threatened. Joey pale again slightly and nodded quickly, knowing Max was serious.

'Then you have my permission' Max said, holding out his hand to Joey, who visably relaxed a lot and shook Max's hand.

'Beer?' Max offered, making Joey smile and nod...


The next morning, Max woke up and went about his buissness as usual. He got up, went to work and came back home for his dinner. That's when everything changed. Just one knock at the door.

'Erm... Hello Officers. Can I help you?' Max asked confusedly.

'Max Branning?' one of them asked

'Yes. Is something wrong?' he asked, stepping aside to let them in. He led them to the kitchen and montioned for them to sit, but they declined.

'Officer Blackwell and I recieved a phonecall from an ambulance service about news of a sudden death what had been reported in Camden Town' said Officer Smith. Max frowned.

'Rightttt' he said, dragging the word out and shrugging his shoulders. 'What's that got to do with me?' he asked.

'Do you have a daughter, Mr Branning?'

'Yeah, I have two..' he said. The officers looked at each other and sighed.

'Mr Branning... I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to accompany us to the hospital' said Officer Blackwell. Max eyes widened and his body stiffened.

'Why? What's happened to my daughters?' he asked, panic beginning to set in.

'We need you to confirm that the body that was discovered this morning in Camden Town was a Miss Lauren Branning...' said Officer Smith...


R&R xx