Chapter 11- Silent Night

Joey's POV

It was Christmas Eve on the square and the celebrations were in full swing, the Vic had a Christmas themed party and for once, I'd actually been persuaded to go with Zoe. She seemed very excited at the prospect, partly due to the fact Abi had told her Lauren would be there. Abi had been babysitting for a couple of weeks now and I was happy with the way things had gone. She got on well with Zoe and I knew Lauren was only at the other end of the phone if Abi ever needed her.

Talking of Lauren, I would like to say things were better but they weren't, they were very strained between us. I'd messed up big time. Not so much with the kiss but the events that had followed. I know she responded to the kiss, but I'd kind of backed her into a corner- Literally. I didn't truly know if she felt that way about me but that kiss kind of confirmed it. I'd gone back the next day and basically told her she was being stupid and she should stop playing around with Zoe's head. Being there and then not. It was the worst thing I could have done, she was everything to Zoe. So the following weeks She'd done everything to avoid conversation with me, which made for awkward drop off and pick up at the school, because Zoe was still as stubborn as ever and would only go in if Lauren was there. It killed me not knowing what she was thinking.

I was beginning to think, without a doubt, it was my actions on that Saturday night and the Sunday, that were keeping her away from me- from us. I saw her most mornings, but like I said she completely avoided any means of conversation with me. To be honest I was beginning to feel really shit about this whole situation. Deciding I needed to snap myself out of it I went to visit my Mum. Who instantly noticed my foul mood and actually she pointed out that Zoe seemed unhappy too.

I guess I'd been too wrapped up in thinking how I was feeling; I'd completely forgotten to consider Zoe's feelings in this. She adored Lauren and this lack of contact seemed to be putting her in about as bad mood as me. I noticed she'd go into day-care with a huge smile, obviously because she wanted to be with Lauren. I'd pick her up each day and she'd return to being moody. It was like she knew this was my fault and she was punishing me for it – big style. There were distant sounds of Christmas carols in the square as I was getting ready, this place was so lovey at Christmas

"Zoe, come on we're going out… The Christmas party you wanted to go to remember, come on baby" she sighed as she curled up more into her blanket on the sofa turning on the TV.

"Zoe…come on baby girl" She shook her head and frowned at me "Right then so you want to stay here all night do you?" her shoulders shrugged and she sighed heavily "You can choose what you wear how's about that?" she lazily got off the sofa and strode to her room. Appearing a few minutes later, she was smiling holding to a pair of Pyjamas. Yep, pyjamas. Luckily for her she'd got a new favourite pair thanks to Lauren- Peppa Pig of course however this was unlucky for me. I must admit they were cute; the top had a hood that had little ears on and the feet had toes. Abi had arrived with them on her first night of babysitting, saying they were a present from Lauren. Of course Zoe fell in love with them and has literally lived in them for the past two weeks. I actually had to go and buy another pair exactly the same so I could wash the one pair, without a tantrum brewing. "Zoe baby… we've had this conversation, pyjamas only in the flat." She shook her head and pouted at me. God this child was killing me.

"No Zoe find something else" she stomped her food and stared at me. "No, means no" she went to her room and eventually she ran out , dressed in a dress my Mum had brought for her when we visited, her coat on ready for me to zip up. "All done beautiful… lets go" she smiled slightly but her little happiness soon disappeared when we reached the top of the steps. " Zoe come on" I was nearly half way down whilst she was still stood at the top her arms folded.

"Lauren and Abi usually count the steps with her" Uncle Jack stood with Sharon Dennis and Amy at the bottom.

"Right" I ran back to the top, holding my hand out to her starting to count but she shrugged it off. Uncle Jack was behind me on the steps and scooped Zoe into his arms, whizzing her down the stairs pretending to be a plane.

"What's that sad face for ?" he asked placing her on the floor.

"I wouldn't let her wear her pyjamas to come out" I held my hand out to her and she did eventually take it as we walked across to the Vic.

"So it would have nothing to do with that very beautiful, stubborn niece of mine" I could hear the humour in his voice, something was telling me he knew more than he was letting on. Zoe stared up at me, well glared, she could be really cruel sometimes with her eyes. they were permanently torturing me- like I wasn't doing that enough myself.

"I kissed her" Jack rolled his eyes

"I know"

"What?... I mean… how ?" he couldn't have seen us and I'm sure Lauren wasn't one to kiss and tell.

"Lauren… told me. She was pretty upset when I saw her the next day Joey, she told me what had happened. I honestly think she's just confused son. Kyle did a lot of things to her head" I nodded in understanding. "Just talk to her"

"I don't know what to say" I shrugged as I lifted Zoe up the steps to the pub.

"Anything… or you're going to be in for a silent night" He patted me on the back and steered me towards a table where the rest of the Branning's were already seated. I didn't realise how many of us there was. Somehow which I'd suspected wasn't coincidence; I'd ended up sitting opposite Lauren. As soon as she was in sight Zoe was in Laurens arms. Lauren picked her up and hugged her tight.

"Aghh I have missed you Little Lady…so so much" she kissed her head looked at her sad expression. "What's got you so grumpy… its Christmas… you got to be happy at Christmas it's a rule" I watched as Zoe pointed to me. "What did Daddy do?"

"Wouldn't let her wear those pyjamas you got her" she laughed which made me smile as she started to talk to Zoe.

The rest of the night went pretty much the same. I was still in Zoe's bad books and because of all the conversation I hadn't managed to talk to Lauren, not that I'd know what to say anyway. The night ended pretty much the same way as it started- in silence; only Lauren was actually leaving with me, because Zoe had fallen to sleep in her lap.

We got back to mine and Lauren quickly put Zoe to bed "Merry Christmas Baby" she whispered, I looked at my watch like Lauren had done with hers and saw it was 5 past midnight. She quietly shut the door leaving Zoe fast asleep.

"Lauren… Happy Christmas"

"Ye… Happy Christmas Joe"

SO Joey messed up a little more the next day and it seems his daughter is very (cutely) annoyed at him, will Christmas day fair any better ? see you soon xxx