"What? What's she on about?" Jack questioned, but in his eyes it was clear he believed every word Lauren had said.

"Ignore her she's probably drunk" Tanya snarled once again trying to take Noah. "she doesn't know what she's saying"

"Im not Drunk and I know exactly what I'm saying. Noah is my son. Not yours." He words were firm and straight to the point as she turned herself into Jack grasping Noah, like her life depended on it.

The last 12 months she'd been living a lie at the request of her parents. To start with it seemed like the best idea all round, Noah would be with two "Parents" so to speak and she would be able to live her life. After a month things dramatically changed, Tanya became over protective of Noah not letting Lauren be involved in anything, which resulted in her first drunken melt down. As Lauren continued to watch her mother bring up her son, it slowly tore away at her, hearing Tanya telling him she was Mummy and Max was Daddy- it all just came to much to cope with. So that's when she ended up in hospital, having her stomach pumped and then she got arrested and it was the final straw. Max had told her she needed to leave, she was putting Noah in danger by staying, and yes technically it was emotional blackmail but Lauren knew this was what was best for her son- well at least that's what she thought. It turns out it was harder living away from him than it was living with him and if it wasn't for Abi she would have probably hit her grave a long time ago. Abi had been sending Lauren pictures and video's of him so she still felt involved, form the word go Abi hadn't been behind the idea and her doubts were only increased as she saw Lauren struggle more and more each day.

Noah's birth was a shock to the whole family, obviously brining Noah back to the square was the first hurdle, and with everyone assuming he was Tanya's the agreement kind of fell into place. It wasn't easy- Lauren practically looked like death when she was brought home, having given birth only 24hours earlier. Lauren's whole pregnancy had been kept a secret, she was the only one who knew, knowing damn well her parents would flip. So she waited until the very last possible moment to break it to them, which just happened to be when she was in labour. If it was down to her, she wouldn't have even told them then, but considering she was sitting in the back of their car when she started having contractions and her waters broke, she really had little choice.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Max's voice startled Lauren as she noticed Joey had stepped forward further into the room his hand resting on her shoulder. She turned staring at her Father who had posed the question, her mouth opened but the words dried up before she could get them out. Joey stared down at the 1year old in his girlfriend's arms. His eyes met with Noah's and he became lost in them. the deep chocolate browns slightly hypnotic as they fluttered. It was like looking straight at Lauren, the eyes identical. A small smile took to his lips as Noah leaned his head back to Laurens shoulder.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, I've just come for Lauren ... and im presuming she'll want Noah too so when she'd sorted were gone." Joey nodded his head towards the door when Max's arm grabbed for Joey.

"She's going nowhere" Max shoved joey away nearly sending Lauren flying in the process. she stopped herself from falling and cradled Noah's head.

"And neither is Noah" Tanya spoke up again

"He's Laurens son, If she wants to take him home with her then, there's nothing you can do" Joey stuck up for Lauren, he understood what it was like for a child to be away from their parents and he knew Lauren needed Noah as much as he needed her.

"Now now Joseph don't get involved... she's probably lying, we all know how good the pair of you are at that" Derek smarmy tone travelled so smugly through the room.

"Stay out of this Derek" Joey pushed him aside a fight erupting between the.

Lauren stood slightly bewildered, an argument flying between the her parents, Derek had started on Joey again, it was a sea of chaos. "Lauren?... Lauren?" she blinked trying to locate the voice that was calling her, fully opening her eyes she found Jack, a sympathetic look on his face that was slightly specked with pride. "Is it true? Is Noah yours?" she nodded quickly.

"All Mine"

"Oh Lauren you silly, silly girl" he hesitantly pulled her into a hug "When Lauren?... When did it all happen?" he asked moving her to the side. Sometime in the last few minutes Tanya had fled the room and was now having a slanging match with Max in the kitchen. Laurens eyes darted around the room Seeing Alice tending to Derek and Joey sitting on one of the chairs, his eyes boring into her.

"A year ago today… born at 4:30 am in Walford General weighing 6pounds and 4 ounces." Her eyes dared a look at Joey and then back to her son in her arms. She remembered the day as if it was yesterday. Her Mum and Dad had taken her Abi and Oscar to the city for the day to spend their Christmas money, it wasn't something she really wanted to do considering her condition but, she had to go, otherwise she would have been found out. She'd had the pains all day, and when questioned by both Mother and sister had given the excuse of Period pains.

As the day drew in Lauren knew she was in labour, she couldn't deny it. Her plan was to get home and then go to Jacks, knowing he wouldn't have judged. But that plan was scuppered from the off. Her pains continued to get worse and then her waters broke in the back of the car. Abi had spotted it when Lauren had tried to cover up, but Abi being Abi wouldn't let it lie as Lauren doubled in pain and clutched to her stomach Abi broke it to Tanya. The exact words were "OH my god Laurens in labour", they were all stunned to say the least and even thought Abi was Joking to start with. That soon changed when Lauren could no longer mute her agony. In a blind panic they rushed her to the hospital, none of them speaking, too in shock at what was going on.

On arrival Lauren was seen and was told she was in established labour, but slow established labour. After a gruelling 10 hours, little baby Branning (yet to be named) was born. It didn't take long before that instant bond was there, but was taken from her by her parents interfering.

"Why didn't you say anything Lauren? Ay you could have raised him yourself, you're a clever kid, we could have sorted something out" Jack nudged her slightly seeing her smile softly

"I wasn't in the best place Uncle Jack, my head was everywhere, His dad wasn't around and Mum and Dad said it was for the best" she sniffed regretting that she'd ever listened to them. She knew now that their actions had been completely spiteful, it was all to save their own back and so they didn't have to face the fact that their 18year old daughter had had a baby and was on a downward spiral after sending her uncle to Jail and sleeping with his son.

"But he's your son Lauren, surely that counted for something? Why was it for the best that your Mum and Dad raised him?" Lauren looked down and then her weak eyes locked with Joeys. He was sitting his hands clutched together. Taking a deep breath in Joey stood and walked over to Lauren. A few looks between them and his silent questions were answered.

"Because…" he paused looking at Noah and Lauren, he traced over Noah's head with his palm and then did the same with Laurens cheek. "I'm guessing they didn't like the fact that the father of their daughter's son was her cousin."

"You cant be serious …" Jacks eyes opened wide, staring at his niece and nephew who were apparently together.

"Noah's Joey's son too uncle Jack".

I was going to post that last night but I was slightly distraught after that episode Joeys words of "I tried to stay away but I couldn't" broke my heart and then the Joey twist :( lets just say I couldn't cope with posting the heart break in this after all of that anyways enjoy :) xxx