Chapter 6 - Sign

Laurens POV

As he'd promised Joey was bang on time for pick over the next few weeks, I could see how guilty he was feeling and no matter how much anyone had tried to tell him not to be I cold see he was still feeling. It just fell on deaf ears. Today was going to be a first for us all and I wasn't sure how it would be handled on either of our parts. Friday nights were usually pub nights, which Joey had always declined obviously because of Zoe. Most nights out now, Joey's name had actually been brought up in conversation, Whitney had no reserves in telling the whole gang, my sister included, that I had a thing for him.

Obviously Abi hadn't been able to keep her mouth shut as I woke the next morning with numerous demanding texts of my Mother wanting to see if I was ok. Clearly she didn't want just the : "yes I'm ok" answer, she wanted full details. I think she was half expecting me to have moved in and married the guy. Anyway, after a week of battling with me, she'd somehow managed to convince me to go to dinner. How I have no idea, I absolutely hated family dinners, with a passion. It wasn't until this afternoon when Joey picked Zoe up from nursery I'd discovered my darling mother had invited Joey and Zoe along to, under the pretences of Family bonding. Technically, Joey wasn't actually family, which didn't wash as an excuse when he'd told me he'd tried to get out of it. It turns out, like me Joey didn't like family sessions.

Mum had sent me a message earlier telling me to dress up, I knew she was only trying to get me to make an effort but I really couldn't be bothered with her match making schemes. It seemed though Mum had failed to notice Joey had a daughter, or she was just to oblivious playing cupid she didn't care. But I did, and I knew Joey would too. Zoe needed stability and really didn't need my mother setting her father up.

I sighed heavily staring into the mirror, I'd have to do. Like Mum had asked I'd made a little more effort than usual, in other words I wasn't wearing jeans. I'd dug out a simple black dress, it fell just below the knee and hung perfectly. I was surprised it still fitted actually. Teamed with a simple pair of wedges I deemed myself "dressed up". It seemed Mum had given joey the same instruction as he text me asking for help. pleading me for help.

HELP ME PLEASE ! what does your Mum mean by "dress up" J and Z xx

I couldn't help but laugh; it was mean I know, I'm sure his conversation with my Mum would have been quite scary to be honest. She can be quite overpowering with enthusiasm.

Calm yourself Joseph, just wear a shirt and put Zoe in a dress L xx

Just after I'd sent the message my ring tone began blaring out. Joey.

"Hello?"

"Seriously how do this … I mean I'm standing in front of my wardrobe and I cant see anything appropriate. Zoe's just standing in the middle of the room staring at me and she's refusing to put anything other than a pair of Peppa-Pig pyjamas on"

I laughed down the phone at him "I'm on my way" he sighed a massive breath of relief as I hung up.

I stood outside of his door and knocked a couple of times. A smile took to my lips as I heard the little footsteps run towards it.

"AH… Don't you dare Zoe Branning, Only adults open the door, remember?" I rolled my eyes at his scorn, he couldn't be harsh even if he tried. He still sounded normal when he was telling her off. No wonder she always got what she wanted. The door opened seconds later and I was attacked by two little arms around my Legs.

"Zo… let Lauren in first baby" I chuckled lifting her into my arms.

"Hello Mrs… You missed me?" she nodded and Joey rolled his eyes, I turned to notice he was topless. Yep that's right. No top on. I closed my eyes and reopened them just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Nope definitely no top.

"Thank god you're here" He sighed. I placed Zoe back on the floor and she plodded off to another room. "I'm stressing so bad about this dinner. I have nothing to ware and Zoe…" He stopped speaking and swallowed loudly as I slipped my coat off.

"What?" I questioned holing my movements.

"You look… look really nice" His eyes were wide and I couldn't help notice that they'd darkened a few shades.

It took me a few seconds to gain composure "Thanks… now I'll go sort Zoe and you go sort you Ok?"

"Zoe, come here baby" We waited a few seconds, our eyes darting everywhere other than each other. Thank god Zoe came in. Joey swung her into his arms, she smiled brightly but I noticed she didn't laugh, it was like something was stopping her. "Lolly's said she'll help you chose some clothes out ok?" she shook her head pointing to the PJ's she had on. "Zoe, honey you can't go out in those" she nodded and frowned giving him puppy dog eyes. I had to bite my lip to stop myself laughing.

"How about you show me your favourite clothes Zo ? and then I'll do your hair?" she quickly nodded as I took her out of Joeys arms "She me which is your room" she pointed as we walked towards the door. "Go get dressed Joey" I shouted and cover those damn muscles.

"I'm going… I'm going"

Zoe sat quietly on the end of her bed as I brushed her hair through and plaited it like mine as she'd requested. "All finished beautiful." My mouth dropped open when she signed thank you back to me.

"Joey… come here" I called trying not to sound too desperate. He appeared in the door way much more suitably dressed.

"Ye?" he smiled

"Zoe, can you show Daddy what you just did for Lolly?" she nodded and did it again "It means thank you" I stated a little teary.

"That's my clever girl" He kissed her and then squeezed my hand

"I've been trying to show her some in class, she obviously feels comfortable enough to use it" Although it wasn't much it was a massive break through to Joey and I could see how much it meant to him.

"You must have magic powers… you know how long it's taken me to get her to even consider putting that on?"

I just raised my eyebrows at him, holing tight to Zoe's hand as we walked down the stairs of the flats. "Well she chose it herself and wanted her hair like mine, A little bribery never hurt anyone"

"Are you corrupting my daughter?" he questioned sarcastically with a little smirk.

"Oh please you don't need my help for that… you can do that all by yourself" he shook his head at me as we walked across the square. Suddenly Zoe stooped and tugged on my arm. "What is it sweetie ?" she looked at Joey and then to me and placed her hand on my heart then hers.

Joeys face shone with a huge smile "Do you Love Lolly Zoe?" she nodded and looked at me scared as if I was going to reject her.

"Zoe, can I tell you a secret?" she nodded and leant her ear towards mine I whispered into it "Lolly love's you too" her smile grew bigger as she reached up and hugged me. I carried her the rest of the way, Joey walking behind me.

I Let us in to no.5, I couldn't be dealing with waiting for someone to answer. "Mum, Joey's here with Zoe".

She came bursting through from the kitchen as I was hanging up our coats. "It's lovely to see you Lauren… oh you look beautiful darling… doesn't she Joey ?"

"Mum!"

"Ye she does" he placed his hand on my shoulder as Abi and Jay called him through to the lounge. "Zoe come on" She shook her head and looked up to me.

"You can stay with me if you want to… we can help my Mum in the kitchen?"

"You sure?" Joey asked, I nodded yes and moved to the kitchen, feeling his eyes on my body as I went. "Be good with Lolly" he shouted to Zoe. Mum shut the door behind us. I sat at the table, Zoe on my lap.

Mum stared at us for a few seconds before going back to her cooking. Zoe was happily playing with Fuzz, she seemed so much calmer recently, and she'd stopped reacting so badly to loud noises too. Joey had noticed too and said she'd been sleeping much better. "So what's been going on with you then?"

My mother everyone, about as subtle as a neon light.

"Nothing much, been working that's all" I wasn't giving her the satisfaction

"So no boy on the scene then… or a certain parent?" she raised her eyebrows and lowered her eyes to Zoe.

"Oh Mum please… there's nothing going on, we're just friends"

"Hmm really, I'm sure just friends don't look at each other the ways, you two were in the hallway just then." She placed the plates down on the side with a little bit of a clutter. Zoe jumped slightly in my arms but soon relaxed even if she was now curled into my chest.

"Honest Mum, there's nothing…"

"Lauren Branning, I know you…and you haven't been this happy since you first got together with that Pri… idiot." Zoe clasped her hand to her mouth and looked at me.

"Ye… she said a bad word. Lolly doesn't like that word in Ladybugs does she?" Zoe shook her head I stared at my Mum. "Yes I might be happy but it has nothing to do with any boy, can I not just be happy, without having to have a reason?" I Stood up lifting Zoe with me "Come Zo, Lets go find Daddy"

"You cant spend all your life running away from everything your scared of Lauren. its what you do... you need t grow up and start facing things Lauren ! you did the same with Kyle, now he was a nice Lad..."

"Mum he cheated on Me with my best friend" I whispered tears starting to spill

"you probably scared him off Lauren, you were the one talking to him about kids and stuff, it's no wonder he did a runner"

"I cant believe you think its my fault" I didn't actually mean to speak out loud but it came out anyway "Please can you not talk about this" I was close to begging her right now.

"You can deny it all you like but I know you like him"

"Like who?" Joeys voice rang through my ears. I turned to se him leaning against the door frame. Oh crap. I was praying he'd only heard that much.

So Zoe's had a bit of a breakthrough ... and Laurens relationship with her Mum is a little... rusty lets say . I may be persuaded to post another later ?

Big thanks again... I've been amazed by the responses to this so thank you all the guest reviews too !