A/N - next chapter will be up mid-week :) Let me know what you think xo


Joey was lost in his thoughts. He'd tried to go see Lauren earlier but Jack had sent him away. She'd apparently been having a heart-to-heart with Abi, which Jack deemed more important than letting Joey talk to her. Alice was worried how this would effect them as a family, Lauren clearly wasn't on their side anymore. Her being pregnant changes everything, as far as he was concerned. He only ended things with her because of the drink and the lies that came with it, he just couldn't cope.

His feelings for her were still there though, and he wasn't going to just abandon her now, not now she was having his baby. His thoughts were interrupted by someone coming over "Hi Aunty Carol" his sister cheerfully said. He joined her and the rest of the group for a late lunch, everyone wanting to discuss Lauren but no-one actually willing to broach the topic. "Is it true then?" Straight to the point, as always. Typical Carol. Joey shrugged as Alice answered. "About Lauren? Yeah I guess so" Her tone changed as she added the next bit. "She hasn't exactly let us anywhere near her."

"Mum, get off" The whole Vic somewhat came to a halt at the sight of Tanya Cross Branning dragging her eldest daughter by the arm across the pub over to the table where her father and uncle sat. "Mum leave her alone" Her younger daughter cried out, trailing behind them. "Go home Abs, I'm fine" Lauren shot her sister a look, trying to protect her, Abi and Jay just standing off the one side, waiting for it to kick-off.

"Tell him then" Tanya demanded. "Let's see what he has to say about it Lauren." Lauren rolled her eyes, a tad over-dramatic her mother was being. "Lauren..." Tanya tapped her foot, she was waiting.

Lauren sighed, let's get this over with. "I'm pregnant." Max spat out his drink. "You're what? How?" he seemed genuinely surprised. He sometimes struggled to remember exactly how old his girls are, and needed to try them that way. He shouldn't be that surprised though, as much as he'd like to pretend she's innocent, the amount of times people had walked in on her and Joey kind of gave it away.

"You should know how this works by now Dad" she replied sarcastically. "Like Bradley, me, Abs, Oscar, the new one." She said with a smirk. "Surely you know how babies are made?" Jack bit back a laugh. "Enough of the cheek ay Lauren?" he said.

She nodded, she could cut back on the sarcasm she guessed. "I booked her a doctors appointment for later." Abi chipped in. "Will you take her Uncle Jack?" It was important to check on her health she knew that, but she was dreading the appointment. She'd seen the disappointed look on her sister's face when Abi had tried to work out how far along she could be and Lauren had quite a few possibilities. She was just praying her drinking wouldn't have affected the baby.

Max seemed lost in his thoughts. "She's pregnant Max. What exactly are you going to do about it?" Tanya said, she was fuming. "It's a bit late for me to change it Tan" Max shrugged and took a mouthful of his drink. Lauren laughed. "Y'alright though babes?" he turned his attention to her before Tanya could start ranting, Lauren just shrugged. She didn't really have an answer to that.

"You've got options Lauren." Jack said, hesitantly not sure of her reaction. She didn't answer but Max nodded. "And we'll be there no matter what you choose." She smiled at that, she really wasn't expecting their support. Neither was Tanya obviously. "What?" she cried. "You aren't seriously encouraging her to keep it?" Tanya sounded horrified by the idea. "Mum!" Abi's voice came behind them, horrified by the idea of what Tanya was suggesting.

"What?" Tanya sounded defensive. "None of you can honestly tell me you think she can do it?" She turned, addressing everyone at this point. "She can't even look after herself, let alone a baby." Lauren let out a sigh, her mum wasn't exactly lying. "And she ain't going to get no support of him now is she?" Tanya glared at Joey. "He's already ditched her twice."

Turning back to Lauren, she changed her voice, trying to seem supportive and softer. "I just don't want you throwing your life away darling." She said stroking Lauren's cheek. "Having a baby now will do that. You'd regret it" Lauren scoffed. "Like you do with me you mean?" Lauren hadn't forgotten that her mum was her age when she had an affair with her dad, resulting in Lauren.

"I didn't mean it like that" Tanya tried to back-track, Lauren letting out a bitter laugh. "Yes you did."Max stood, getting in between the two. "Tan leave her." Both of them were surprised he was on Lauren's side. "It's got to be her decision.". Lauren's hands came to rest on top of her stomach.

"I think we should have a family dinner" came Alice's voice from their table in the corner. Lauren scoffed and thankfully Abi voiced her thoughts out loud. "And all hold hands and say I love you? That's going to fix nothing" The sisters laughed, and Jack and Max had to hide their smirks. "It's not a bad idea Max" Carol added, looking at him and Lauren. "Things will need to be discussed openly."

Lauren shook her head, that's the last thing she wanted. "Lauren?" Jack questioned. "No." She said firmly. "It's my baby. None of you get a say."

"Not even me?"