Sobriety

Chapter Two: Party Planners

Lauren pulled the curtain across and looked out at number 23, she saw Joey come out of his house and walk over to the Vic, her eyes followed him as he passed through the throngs of people holding pints to their lips and clutching glasses of wine. She rolled her eyes and let the curtain fall back into place, her two vices in one place all she needed to do was avoid both of them. She had suffered through counselling for her addiction to alcohol, she was shown how to deal with her emotions and avoid the need and shown how to manage her self control. However, nowhere in that clinic taught her how to stop her addiction to Joey Branning. Her Dad had her pretty much on house arrest since her arrival home and she had become very bored of daytime TV and the glares she was receiving from Abi due to her early homecoming. Apparently no one in her house believed she had the capability to kick her addiction on her own.

Lauren settled herself back on the sofa for another session of This Morning when there was a knock on the door. Pausing the TV because she'd become so hooked on the most recent debate between some idiot on the sofa and Holly Willoughby, she got up and tried to pull down the simple t-shirt and short shorts she had on – because since she wasn't going anywhere there was no point in getting dressed from her pyjamas.

"Lauren I –" Joey stood staring down at what very little clothing his cousin seemed to be wearing. Suddenly any blood he had in his brain was currently heading south and he couldn't remember why he was standing there.

Lauren blushed as Joey's eyes travelled up her tanned legs and then made their way back down again. "Joe?" She asked just making sure he was okay.

"Yeah right, I just came here because I need a favour and I thought you might need something to do. And I know you said you needed space but I really need your help and Abi said your Dad's got you locked up here." He rambled on, his eyes still flitting to her legs every now and again.

"What do you need Joey?" Lauren asked amusement in her voice because for the first time Joey seemed to be speechless. It wasn't like he hadn't seen her wearing little before, in fact most of their relationship had been based on their total love for each other wearing not a lot.

"Alice has asked me to throw Grandad a birthday party for the family you know? Just a small gathering but I'm rushed off my feet at work and thought you might be able to help out. You know, make invites and get the food and all that stuff. Thought it could keep you busy?"

"I'd love to help but like you said, I'm on house arrest and I can't get to the shops to get everything…" She mumbled and if she was being honest with herself – which she had promised she would be – she was scared about going out and facing everyone, bumping into people and having to avoid their curious gazes and sympathetic looks as all it would do was remind that she screwed up. Big time.

"I'll take you; we can go to a Supermarket on the tube and get everything we need. It'll be fun, I promise." He said with a smile that eased his dimples into place so much so that she wanted to kiss each one over and over again. And with a smile like that how could she say no.

"Fine, just let me go and get dressed." She replied, knowing this was just his ploy to keep her busy. She couldn't help question his intentions when he Lucy dutifully waiting for him.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, pretty sure the population of London won't complain if you went out like that. I know I wouldn't!" He called after her cheekily, his eyes firmly glued to her as she laughed her way up the stairs.

The pair of them stood in the Supermarket staring down at the trolley as they realised neither of them knew what to buy for this party.

"How am I meant to know? I can't remember any of the parties I've been to!" Lauren joked receiving a disapproving glare from Joey regarding her alcoholic joke – no one seemed to have a sense of humour when it came to that.

"Come on babe, we can just get some snacks; crisps, cakes, sandwiches. That kind of thing." Joey replied ignoring her joke and pushing the trolley.

"Didn't realise we were just doing your weeks' worth of shopping." She quipped, winking at him as he laughed and rolled his eyes.

So that's how the pair of them went, up and down the aisles collecting appropriate party like food and a cake. It wasn't until they came to the wine and beer aisle did Lauren come to a stop suddenly very unsure of herself.

"Lauren you alright? I can always just go grab some stuff and then be back, you don't have to come with me babe." Just that nickname there, her breath caught in her throat at the memories of every time he had every called her that flashed in her head. Right after they had had sex for the first time all of the walls she had built so carefully for herself had been knocked by Joey Branning. He would hold her at night and whisper things in her ear that would make her fall asleep in his arms. And in the morning he would wake her up by whispering "Morning Babe" as he kissed his way down her naked body on one of the best mornings ever. She didn't realise it back then but all those moments gave her the strength to be better.

"No I'm fine, I can come with you." She said smiling at him and he nodded uncertainty clouding his face but he didn't stop her. The two of them wondered down the aisle and Joey picked out wines and beers for the party while Lauren stood by the trolley, until a certain small clear bottle caught her eye. She wandered over to it and stared at the bottle for a while, it was so clear, it could have been water for all anyone knew and no damage would be caused. She reached out and traced the red letters on the bottle and imagined what it would feel like to tip the small container to her lips and feel the alcohol burn her throat and numb the pain.

"Lauren…" Somewhere in the background she could feel Joey come closer to her and prize the bottle she didn't realise she was holding from her hand. Carefully he placed it back in front of her, his strong arms wrapped around her stomach as he stood behind her. His lips were in her hair as he pulled her away with him. "You don't need it Lauren." She nodded as her eyes slowly filled up with tears; Joey turned her around and held her close to his chest. "You're stronger than all of this." He muttered into her hair as he stroked her back.

Finally they pulled away from each other and ignored the strange looks they received from other Thursday morning shoppers. They paid for their food and drink and headed back to Walford and despite Joey having to hold several bags in one hand; he refused to let her go.

The party was in full swing and Lauren managed to stay on the Apple Juice all day despite the fact that every room she went in people were talking about her or had just stopped. It was like a constant round of who didn't believe in Lauren and the overall vote was her whole family. She quickly wandered into the kitchen and shut the door behind her closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Alright?" Her eyes flew open and there across the kitchen stood Joey again.

"Wow, there is just no avoiding you is there?" She teased rubbing her hands up and down her jeans and avoiding his question.

"Lauren? Are you alright?" He asked again.

"Yeah, I'm fine it's just tough you know? Feels like everywhere I go they are talking about me." She muttered, pouring herself another Apple Juice.

"That's probably because they are but don't worry about it babe, I believe you can do this."

"Really? Even after my display over a bottle of Vodka earlier today." She muttered.

"Especially after that, it was your addiction Lauren; it's tough to walk away from. I would know this because I currently trying to beat my own addiction." Joey said walking slowly towards her.

"Really? You've stopped looking at yourself in the mirror every two hours?" She joked winking at him, he grinned but chose ignore her as he walked towards. Lauren's head and heart was going into overload. What was he doing? She needed to get better, she needed space, and she needed him to not wear such tight shirts. Her heart was telling her something else though; she needed Joey and his arms and his heart to make her better.

Suddenly he was in front of her and he was tucking her hair behind her ear and his face was nearing hers, slowly though giving her time to avoid him or tell him no. But they both knew that was going to happen. And nowhere in her mind did Lucy pop up because right then it was just her and Joey and no one else mattered.

"Lauren…" He whispered as his lips made contact with hers and the sparks flew off the pair of them. His hands gripped her hips and pulled her to him and her hands went to the front of his shirt, desperately trying to eliminate any space between the pair of them. Joey backed her up against the door and pressed his body into hers as her hips automatically grinded against him. He moaned softly against her mouth and his arms moved to be pressed either side of her head caging her in between the door and his body.

Suddenly, singing started and Lauren pulled herself away from Joey staring at him, their eyes filled with lust. As their family sung Happy Birthday they rearrange their clothes and Joey smoothed Lauren's hair out. Despite their lips being swollen and their breaths slightly ragged they returned to their family and were congratulated by everyone on what a great team of Party Planners they made.

Throughout the evening, Joey stared at Lauren his need for her never lulling. He was certain she was avoiding him since there kiss, as she stood and chatted to Auntie Carol and Bianca. He wanted nothing more than to pull her upstairs and show her exactly how much he had missed her. It turns out, that although he was certain Lauren could kick her addiction. He wasn't so sure about himself.