Author's note - Randomly decided to do a part two, set early September 2014.

"Dear Dad,

I honestly can't believe I'm writing this.
Pretty sure that's how my last letter started too, oh well.

So I failed at the whole staying in touch thing huh? Couple of voicemails here and there don't really count and for that I'm sorry.
I'd planned on staying in touch, I honestly did, but we'd only just decided where to settle down for good when we hear about Lucy. Not going to lie, it wasn't easy. Someone let on to the police that I'd not exactly parted on best terms with her after everything and neither had Joe, so we got a ton of questions our way.

We fought a lot. I mean I was sad for her, I really was. Once upon a time she was my best friend and no-one deserves to die the way she did. But it bothered Joey, I mean properly bothered him. It could have been me, with all my actions when I was drunk, I'm lucky to be here with him, he said. Or even Alice. She's on his mind a lot I guess, and things between us weren't great for bit.

We was gonna come for a visit, come home for the funeral, when I heard. Peter told Jane who told Mum who told me. Really Dad, sleeping with Lucy? Not your smartest move ay? Of all of your choices, that's got to be up there with the dumbest.
So we decided it weren't smart for us to come back, we'd only just got our own shit dealt with. We hardly needed your shit on top right, the shit that comes with being a Branning. I wrote to Peter, he understood. Might even come for a visit when things calm down a bit, clear his head.

But anyways that's not why I'm writing. I just thought I should y'know? You're my Dad and even after everything, I want you to be happy for me.
We've got a proper place now, me and Joey, you'll have to bring Abs and come visit soon. Joe's working two jobs, running a boxing class a couple of times a week at this posh as gym near us and he's back bartending at the nice cocktail place most nights. It ain't really ideal, but it's worth it.
I'm back doing classes, ain't want I wanted but Joey thought I should give it a go and I really like it now actually. Art & Graphic Design I'm doing, passing everything too. Me, passing grades ay?
Still doing counselling too, not as often as before mind, but think it helps. Sally (my sponsor, she's proper nice Dad. She well fancies Joey too!) has even suggested I help out with some of the junior group counselling sessions. I know, I know, she's clearly mad but I dunno. Might give it a go and see. What d'you think?

Ah I've written loads, running out of paper and only got a few minutes to finish this if I want Joe to post it on his way to work.
Best actually get to the point ay?

D'you remember whenever I had to tell you something I wasn't sure about when I was a little girl? I used to sit on your lap and tell you totally everything that was in my head instead. Mum used to go mad and tell me to spit it out. You didn't. You just laughed, poked my nose and always said "You got anything else to add babe?" and whatever I'd been holding back would all come tumbling out.

You stopped doing it as I got older. You probably should have carried on, now I'm thinking about it.

Joe's calling me now, asking if I'm done, so I guess I should just say it huh?

Well I'm pregnant Dad.
There I said it, and I'm far enough away I can't hear you shouting at me this time. I'm happy, and so Joey's, well that's an understatement. Once he got over his few days of stressing of turning out to be like Derek, he was over the moon. He's going to be brilliant, and I'm going to try my hardest not to mess this up.

We'll be okay though, we've got each other. And now our little one joins that too..

Hope you & Abs are good, tell her I hope Jay's treating her well & she's loving her fresh start at uni.

Love always,
Your,
Lauren xxx (And Joey! xxx)