Joey woke up first, he looked next to him and saw Lauren laying on her side, facing him. She had her hair in her face, so he gently pushed it behind her ear and off her shoulder. He watched her sleep, her chest going up and down with every breath she took, the way there was still a smile on her face from last night, he love every bit of her. After what seemed like minutes later, Lauren's eyes fluttered open.
"Morning, babe." Joey said as he slowly stroked his thumb across her cheek. Lauren put her hand on top of his.
"Morning"
"I missed waking up like this, waking up to see your beautiful face. It doesn't seem like I went six years without you. Without hearing your voice, or laugh, without seeing your sparkiling smile, without holding you and telling you I love you, without making love to you." Joey continued rubbing Lauren's cheek with his thumb. Lauren smiled.
"I love you, Joey."
"What?" Joey thought he hadn't heard right.
"I love you, and I haven't stopped loving you." Lauren leaned up and kissed Joey.
"I love you too, Lauren. I would do anything for you."
"I don't know how I lived without you."
"I have you now and that's all that matters." Joey said smiling and gave her a soft kiss.
"I know." Joey got out of bed.
"Follow me. I have something for you."
"What do you mean?"
"Come here." Joey said walking into his closet and grabbing a small box.
"What is it?" Lauren was confused.
"Remember this?" Joey said opening the box.
"Oh my god."
FLASHBACK
Joey and Lauren, along with their friends, were at Fatboy's party. Joey found Lauren sitting by herself sipping on a glass of vodka and coke. He had Derek's threat running through his mind 24/7. He couldn't take it anymore so decided it was best he ended it. But not here, not at Fatboy's party.
"Hey, Lauren. Are you alright?" Lauren was startled
"Oh, yeah I'm fine."
"You wanna get out of here?"
"Sure, where do you wanna go?"
"Anywhere. I wanna talk to you."
"Okay, let's go say bye to everyone."
"Okay." Joey followed Lauren to where everyone was talking.
"Hey, we're gonna take off. Dad says he wants me home and Joey offered to walk me back." Lauren lied.
Everyone said goodbye and they all agreed to meet in the vic tomorrow . Joey and Lauren left and were walking to Lauren's house.
"Are your parents home?"
"No, they're out, Oscar is with Uncle Jack and Sharon, and Abi is out with Jay ."
"Can we go to your room?"
"If you want to." Joey walked up the steps and into Lauren's room.
"Lauren..."
"Yeah?"
"We can't do this anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Us. I can't do it anymore. We were never meant to be a serious thing, you were only meant to be a bit of fun. Something to take my mind off Lucy."
"But you said you loved me." Lauren started crying uncontrolably
"I lied. I'm so sorry." Lauren took the necklace Joey had given her and threw it at him and told him to leave.
END FLASHBACK
"Joey, you kept the necklace?" Lauren was about to cry
"Of course I did. I want you to take it back. It belongs to you, it represents our love." Lauren started crying.
"Lo, why are you crying." Joey hugged Lauren
"I'm sorry it's just, the last time I saw it was when I threw it at you."
"Shh, hey don't cry. You have me again, I love you okay?"
"I love you so much, Joey."
"I love you, too. Now, take your necklace back." Joey went behind her and moved her hair to put the necklace on.
"Thank, you Joey."
"It's back where it belongs."
Joey and Lauren kissed passionatly and Joey laid her onto her back when things got heated...
Joey and Lauren woke up in the morning and made breakfast. It was only ten in the morning, but Lauren knew she had to get back to Rebecca. Joey and Lauren were standing in the hallway out side of Joey's flat, Joey wouldn't stop kissing Lauren. Lauren was laughing in between kisses.
"Joey, I love you but I have to get back before Rebecca wakes up."
"Okay, fine. I'll call you later."
"Yes, please call me. I love you."
"I love you too, Miss Branning."
"Bye." Lauren said as she stepped out of the front door and started to make her way home.
When she got home it was five past ten and she was praying no one was awake. She walked in the house to silence, she slowly tiptoed across the livingroom only to hear her mother's voice.
"And what have you been doing all night?" Tanya was in the kitchen.
"Nothing really." Lauren replied casually although the truth was she just had one of the best nights of her life.
"Lauren don't give me that. I am your mother and I want an answer."
"Joey made great food, we cuddled, and talked, then we slept together. Bye mum, gotta go get a shower" Lauren ran out of he kitchen only to leave her mother speechless with her jaw on the ground.