chapter 10- What's your emergency

Joeys POV

It's like a kaleidoscope of memories flashing before your eyes, watching the love of your life lay motionless in front of you, my mind tracked back to 3 months ago when we were in this exact same room in a very similar situation. Only this time I knew exactly what was at risk. Lauren and the Babies. I'd been checked out by the doctors and apart from light concussion and a few cuts and bruises I had gotten away very lightly. My ribs were pretty bad but nothing compared to the emotional pain I was feeling right now.

I knew it was stress that had caused all this, she should have been there, I fucking hated him, Derek that is. All this time I'd coped knowing there was a small chance that Lauren was still ok, that she and Zoe and the twins were coping. I dared a look to her face on the bed she was sleeping right now, yet the stress and pain were so clearly etched on her face. She was pale and clammy and freezing to touch. I wanted to wrap her up in cotton wool and never let her go. There was a monitor strapped across her stomach. She'd grown so much since I'd been gone, she was massive. I wouldn't tell her that obviously, I wanted to live. The monitors were tracing the foetal heartbeats, which to my relief they had been able to trace. It seemed that was the only bit of good news though. Laurens blood tests had come back showing she was anaemic hence the passing out, the doctor had said that combined with stress the twins were laying in a war zone.

Max and Jack were being questioned by the police and the other officers were giving their statements. From what I'd gathered Derek had apparently know Paige for some time, she looked as if she was keeping him in business if you get what I mean.

"Mr Branning?" I looked up to see an older Male dressed in a suit standing in the door way.

"Joey Please…" I smiled shaking his hand

"Just to Inform you Joey… that Mr Branning and Miss Harper have been arrested, it's highly likely due to the severity of the offence they shall be facing lengthy sentences…If there's anything you need please contact me" He nodded curtly at me and handed his card across.

"Thank you"

A few more hours past, Max having returned to be with me and Lauren. There were hardly any words exchanged between us , I think it had got to the point where we knew words wouldn't be of any comfort. Nothing seemed to be a comfort other than the prospect of Lauren waking up.

Doctors and Nurses had been in to check on her every half an hour and had delivered us with the heart-breaking news that they thought Lauren was in early Labour. The monitors were showing she was having contractions and the babies' heartbeats were dipping occasionally. It was purely just a waiting game now, it was my worst nightmare come true.

"Joe… Joey. What's going on what's happening?" she was panicking as her eyes locked on the monitors across her stomach.

"Shhh, lay back baby, it's alright, your ok" she closed her eyes for a second and I noticed the tears spill from them. "Ey… we'll have none of that" I smiled wiping her eyes with the pads of my thumbs. Max reappeared with Laurens doctor seconds later. I went to move away to let the doctor closer but she grabbed my hand and shook her head. "I'm right here babe…right here"

"Right then Lauren… First of all I'd like to examine you ok?" The fear fled to her face and she looked over to me "I know you won't want this done sweetheart but we really need to see what's happening." I kissed her head softly groaning a little from the pain in my ribs but mostly from the sensations of my lips being reunited with her skin.

"I'll go ring you Mum Joey give her an update" Max smiled at Lauren who was completely oblivious that he was even there.

"OK Lauren just relax for me … and deep breath in…good girl" I really didn't want to think what the doctor was doing down there, but whatever it was it was hurting Lauren. "All done" She removed the medical gloves and disposed of them before checking the monitors. "Well the good news is you're not dilating Lauren, which means even if you are in Labour it's not full induced labour. Now we've given you medication through the IV which will stop any contractions"

"Are the babies ok?" she asked weakly, I could see she was tired and scared and in a little pain.

"We'll scan you later on but they're not under any stress since we've given you the medication. They seem comfortable and so as long as you can stay calm there shouldn't be any more problems"

"I wish you could lay with me Joe , to hold me and make me feel safe again" I watched her shuffle on the bed and I could see how uncomfortable she was.

"Move over…" I sighed sliding on the edge of the bed nudging her gently when she didn't move. I lay on the bed easing Lauren against me. "Ive missed you so much baby…"

"I was so scared joe… I thought I'd lost you"

"You didn't though baby…I'm here aren't I? and I always will be"

Back tomorrow xx