Chapter 10
Lauren had been rather quite the whole journey, Joey guessing it was her fears of being back in a car again. The insurance company had paid out, allowing Joey to get the same car again much to his delight. Lauren on the other hand found it very unnerving being in a car especially with the two people she loved the most.
"Babe relax your safe with me" trying to soothe her evident nerves.
"I know I know, it's not your driving I'm worried about its other peoples" she replied, glancing at the cars that passed on the other side.
"Lauren babe, it was a freak accident there was nothing you could have done" he replied, slowing down his speed just to take extra caution for her sake.
"Your right, I know" she sighed, turning around to see Grace asleep in her car seat, "She's out like a light" gazing at her beautiful daughter.
"That kid could sleep for England" chuckling at how much Grace could sleep, she definitely took after Lauren in the sleep department, she often was moody when woken up just like Lauren.
"So how much longer driver?" turning back around in her seat.
"Oh driver am I? nice Branning, umm you're looking at 40 minutes" glancing in her rear mirror and switching lanes as they approached the motorway.
"You're a driver and a SatNav rolled into one, lucky me" she replied sarcastically catching Joey's vintage smirk.
"Well I do know my way around a certain area perfectly, if you catch my drift" his smirk still plastered on his face as Lauren playfully slapped him.
"Well I wouldn't say perfectly, think you need to brush up on your skills" her response having that signature Lauren Branning sting.
"You'll be eating your words later" letting one hand off the wheel, rubbing it against her warm thigh feeling Lauren squirm slightly beneath it.
"Behave!" slapping it away before it reached the top.
The drive took roughly the time Joey had estimated, Grace in deep sleep the whole drive, Lauren dipping between sleep occasionally. Parking the car in the designated car park he shook Lauren gently to wake her.
"Baby were here" he whispered into her ear, Lauren stirring instantly.
Looking around, Lauren couldn't quite work out where here was.
"Umm, where exactly are we Joe?" she quizzed, stepping out the car to get Grace from the car seat.
"The Enchanted Forest" he replied, smiling as Lauren's face lit up.
"You kept saying how you wanted to come here so were here" he said, stroking her back, as she held Grace tightly on her hip.
"Can't believe you remembered that baby" reaching up on her tip toes planting a soft kiss on his lips.
"I remember everything you say" he replied mimicking her previous sentiments before he proposed.
"You're so romantic" her fingers brushing his cheeks.
"I also brought your sketch book and pencils, thought you could work your magic here, there is so much to see" pulling them from the bag on his back.
"Daddy thought of everything Boo" handing over grace to Joey, who was dying for his attention.
"Right come on then" Taking Laurens hand in his, with Grace tightly in his arms they made their way to the entrance.
The Enchanted Forest was exactly how Lauren imagined it. Beautiful, the surroundings all green, deer's hidden amidst the forest. Children running around, playing with the various activities and gawping at all the animals a story hidden around every corner.
The young couple watched as their daughter took in the sights. Her tiny eyes lighting up constantly. Lauren pulled out her camera as Joey and Grace went ahead, taking precious pictures of them together. Grace giggling in her father's embrace, Joey complete as he held his little girl in his arms that were made for her to sit perfectly in.
After walking a little further they found a quiet spot to sit in. Joey sitting down on the grass, Grace sleeping in his arm, Lauren sat between his legs. Pulling out her sketch book, she leant back against his chest so she was side by side Grace. She began sketching the scenery in front of her. The flowers that lay in a colourful display, the trees providing coverage.
Joey watched in amazement as Lauren created a masterpiece within such a short space of time. He knew her art was fantastic, but when she was relaxed that is when she created her best work.
"That's beautiful babe" he whispered in her ear, watching her cheeks flush red.
"Thanks baby" she replied, shading an area on the page, before setting her pencil and book down and turning to face him.
"Tell me a secret" she blurted out, letting her head rest in her hands.
"I don't keep secrets from your babe" he replied simply, since the last huge secret they had promised never to keep them.
"Well tell me something I don't know, about you" raising her eyebrow as she waited for his reply.
Joey sat silently for a few seconds trying to think of something.
"Okay, well you know the first day we met?"
"Yeah" she replied
"Well, I wasn't drawn to Lucy that day, you were the one who stood out to me, I would of for sure started flirting with you but then you said who you were" brushing her hair from her face.
"Really?" she replied even more intrigued.
"Of course, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen Lauren, of course I was drawn to you, then you said we were cousins so I backed off" Lauren blushing at his comment.
"Damn cousins" she muttered.
"But it doesn't matter, because we still got to this point didn't we? Cousins or not, we are meant to be together" pulling her closer into his chest.
"Everything happens for a reason babe, everything with Lucy was a distraction for my growing feelings for you, then everything with Derek" he sighed trying to push away the bad memories of being apart for so long, "We are meant to be" kissing her forehead softly.
"I love you so much" she whispered into his chest, her head resting next to their daughters.
"I love you so much more, you and Grace" kissing both their heads.
"Right now it's your turn to tell me something" breaking the moment, wanting to play the game.
Lauren thought for a moment, she barely kept anything from Joey, expect a few things she felt embarrassed about.
"You know that night when you chucked me out of the club" already feeling embarrassed about recalling that night.
She felt Joey nod in reply.
"How embarrassing, anyways I had tried so hard to look nice so that you would want me that night, but I got so nervous about seeing you, well even being in the same room as you that's why I drank before" she sighed, thinking about how much she relied on alcohol.
Joey titled her chin up so he could look at her, knowing she was probably feeling so insecure at this moment.
"Baby, you did impress me, god you looked hot there hasn't ever been a time when I haven't wanted you, but I was protecting you" hating the memory of himself at that time.
"I know babe" stroking his cheek.
"But never think I don't want you, if I could I would make love to you every second of every day, but I think we would be very tired and unsociable of us" lightening the mood instantly with his typical cheekiness.
"You sure know a way to a women's heart" giggling at the thought of constant love making.
"Maybe you could show me how much you want me when we get home?" pulling herself closer to his lips, deliberately grazing her crutch over his. Joey letting a slight hiss through his teeth as she desperately tried to not harden.
"There's no maybe" pressing his lips to hers.
"Definitely" she replied.