Love, Lies & Blackmail.

Chapter 7-

The next few days passed slowly. Lauren knew she should be helping her family through their grief but she was counting down the seconds she was with Joey alone again. Lauren felt bad but it was the only thing that was keeping her together. She felt like her mother knew because Tanya would give her these looks every now and again.

As the last meal of the day was served the 3rd day after Derek's death, Max rounded on Lauren.

"Right, we need to talk about your behaviour, Lauren"

Lauren sighed as she took a sip of water. She briefly looked at Joey and Alice, who was also over, then back at her dad.

"I'm sorry. That's all I can say and it's the worst thing to say but I don't know what else to say" Lauren told him, rubbing her temples.

"Why, Lauren? That's all I want to know. Your mum appears to know but she won't tell me so I would like to know from you" Max questioned, placing his knife and fork down.

"She is just under a bit of stress lately" Tanya tried to say

"Tanya, listen to yourself. I get the drinking just about if she is stressed but trashing our wedding? Now that's crazy" Max replied, looking at Tanya, annoyed.

"It was stupid. I'm sorry" Lauren whispered, looking down, knowing she wasn't getting away with this easily. Lauren then knew it was time. She wanted more time to work this out but Lauren's time was up. She glanced up at Joey as if to ask his permission and he nodded, something that Tanya saw. Lauren sighed as she looked at her father who was waiting for an answer.

"I'm involved in something. Something I can't control and I lashed out" Lauren finally said.

"Lauren, whatever it is, you can tell us. We won't judge you" Max told her. Lauren exhaled deeply and nodded, wishing Joey was sat next to her.

"I'm just gonna say it. It's the only way. I'm in love with Joey and we have been involved with each other for a while" Lauren replied, gripping onto her knife as she waited for her fathers reaction.

"Was this before or after I gave you a place to stay?" Max demanded, looking at Joey. Tanya tried to tell Max to calm down but failed too.

"I'll say a bit of both. I knew I felt something for Lauren before I moved in. The reason I broke up with Lucy and moved out of hers because I knew I felt something for Lauren. But yeah, living here, it just escalated" Joey replied. Max looked at Lauren who nodded.

"But your cousins! You can't feel like that for each other" Max shouted, standing up

"Dad, don't you think I've been through this in my head a million times. Do you think I chose to feel like this? No. I can't help how I feel" Lauren said, standing up.

"No! Lauren. I can't accept this. You can't honestly expect me to accept this?" Max questioned, staring at Lauren with disgust.

"Max, she is our daughter" Tanya told him.

Max sighed and pointed at Joey "And this is our nephew or did you forget that?"

"Look, I know how this may look" Joey said, standing up.

"Max, they are in love and there's nothing we can do about it. She is 18. She isn't a child anymore" Tanya tried to tell him, grabbing Max's arm.

"No! This is wrong and it's not happening under my roof. If you two are gonna do this, Joey you can find somewhere else to live" Max shouted.

"If he goes I go too, Dad. Is that what you want?" Lauren asked, looking at her dad, staring at him in fact.

"Do what you want, Lauren. I'm passed caring" Max said before leaving the room.

Lauren rushed upstairs with Joey not far behind her. She slammed her bedroom door for him to stop it and walked in before shutting it himself. Lauren felt herself collapse in tears, holding onto her drawers for support. Joey rushed to her, holding her as she cried trying to comfort her but failed doing so. Once Lauren felt like she was all cried out, she leaned against her drawers, sitting down. Joey sat next to her and Lauren rested her head on his shoulder.

"What are we gonna do?" Lauren whispered, wiping away the remainders of her tears.

"I don't know but as long as we do it together, we will be fine" Joey replied, kissing her forehead as they listened to her parents argue downstairs.

"Max! You can't act like this. We will lose her if you keep this!"

"I don't care this is wrong! They are cousins!"

"Don't you think they know that? You need to talk to her. Find out the full details. Don't even get me started on what Derek did when he found"

"Wait, your telling me that both you and my brother knew? This keeps getting better and better, Tanya "

"Please, Max. Just talk to her. She fell in love. Where's the crime in that?"

"No! They are cousins. They are not meant to feel like that!"

"Look, thanks to Derek. They never grew up together. They are adults, Max. Just think about it!"

Lauren and Joey couldn't make out anymore talking because the volume had gone down. Lauren sighed and snuggled into Joey who played with her hair. They jumped at the sound of knocking on the door. It was Tanya.

"Your Dad wants to talk you, Lauren. Both of you" Tanya called through the door. Lauren looked at Joey, who half smiled at her and nodded. They stood up and walked downstairs. Lauren took Joey's hand as they went into the living room, waiting to hear what Max had to say. He turned around when he heard them walk in.

"Right, your mum has made some valid points as usual. And I come to the decision that I will never be fully on board with it but you can stay here. Both of you but theres rules. Separate rooms still. You know the drill" Max told them. Lauren gasped, let go of Joey's hand and ran up to her dad, hugging him.

"Thanks, Dad. You have no idea how much that means" Lauren replied, smiling despite herself.

"Well if your happy, I'm happy" Max said, hugging her back.

Omg tonight's ep :( arghhhh. Derek, I officially hate you now :)

xoxo