Unexpected

Lauren and Joey had been back a week now, and as promised he called her straight away, not only because he promised, but he was desperate to hear her voice. Missing her being around him all the time.

"Hey baby" she could sense he was smiling, the happy tone in his voice evident.

"Hey you, I miss you" she giggled, she felt like a 16 year old school girl with her first boyfriend. Lauren only ever had one boyfriend that being Peter Beale when they were younger, it was nothing compared to being with Joey as a women now. He made her feel things she never thought she deserved emotionally and physically.

"God I miss you too Lo, can we meet soon? I'm settled back at work so you just let me know time and place" he was so eager, they hadn't seen each other since arriving back, and to be fair it was killing him a little, she was the brightness to his day, each day on holiday was just as amazing as the day before with her.

"Defiantly" she squealed, luckily her house was empty she couldn't resist running around living room like a kid at Christmas.

"You sound as excited as I am, how about tomorrow lunch?" hoping she would be free to see him, unsure he could go another day without seeing her, a week was far too long.

"Just so happens I'm free" she blushed, excitement taking over. He wasn't even with her and he could make her blush still.

"Perfect, I got to work the morning so how about you come to my work, there is a restaurant nearby is the best I swear" he replied.

"That's great, text me the address I'll be there, I better go dads got me doing some advertising rubbish" she sighed, their phone call being too short, she could talk to him forever.

"See you tomorrow baby" he smiled to himself, he never thought he could be so affectionate with a girl, he felt like he could say anything to her and she wouldn't think he was being cheesy.

"Bye babe" she whispered, sighing the phone line went dead. Lauren placing her phone back in her pocket and heading for the car lot. Opening the door she found her dad and Uncle Derek. For some reason her uncle gave her the creeps, his hair slick back with too much gel it was unreal, he always seemed to have a smirk plastered across his face as if he was secretly happy at others misery which he tend to cause. He was her least favourite uncle in the family, her Uncle Jack had won her affection when she was younger providing some stability when the family hit rock bottom. It was fair to say Derek didn't particularly like Lauren either, thinking she was a lost cause or damaged goods and a bad influence on his daughter.

"Alright Lauren?" Max turned to face his daughter. He had missed her when she was away, Lauren had always been his favourite, not that he would ever say, parents aren't meant to have favourites but Lauren and Max had a bond even after everything he had done, she was still a daddy's girl and would call him out on his faults which he liked.

"Yeah, I've done the adverts, but I can't do anymore tomorrow I'm going out" passing over the completed adverts, her dad seriously impressed with her artistic talent.

"Where are you going tomorrow?" Max quizzed, flicking through the adverts.

"Just meeting a friend from holiday" she replied, she wasn't going to tell him she was meeting her boyfriend who she had only known for 3 weeks, who happened to be a few years older than her. "I better go, bye" she smiled politely at Derek, kissing her dads cheek and heading to find Whitney.

"You wanna rein her in Max, she will only cause more trouble, meeting random people" Derek snipped, his dislike for Lauren evident. "She's not like my Alice, she's a bad influence" pushing Max's buttons once more.

"Well thanks for the parenting advice Del, see you later" Max snapped back, signalling towards the door for Derek to leave. There was only so much he could take of Derek on a daily basis.

The following day came around, Lauren had spent most the night picking and choosing the perfect outfit, changing her mind constantly, but it is a women's purgative to change her mind. Finally choosing something wear she settled into bed with only a few hours' sleep, worry and nerves taking over her. Waking up at 10am, Lauren groaned, god she felt exhausted, stretching her long legs she got out of bed, making her way into the shower hoping it would wake her up a bit more because right now she was like a zombie.

After managing to shower and have a bite of toast, she changed into her outfit. A tight bodycon skirt with a electric blue sleeveless shirt tucked into it, put with her wedged black boots. Tying her hair up into a ponytail and adding a dash of make up to her well-tanned skin she was ready to meet Joey. Heading to the station she hoped on a train, his directions to his work on her phone. Feeling the butterflies in her stomach she couldn't help but feel extremely excited to see her boyfriend, god if she could she would see him every day, Lauren falling a little harder each day for him.

Jumping off the train, she walked out the station, following his instructions until she reached a tall white building, a sign saying 'Ross Marketing' glancing down at her phone, she had reached his work. Once again a wave of nerves hit Lauren as she stood awkwardly outside his work. Joey came out the main door to his building, stopping Lauren instantly; she was bending down tying the lace on her boot. Smirking he tilted his head sideways her bum in his direction. Walking up slowly behind her, he sneaked his arms around her waist feeling her jump at the contact.

"Hi baby" he whispered into her ear, feeling her relax back into his arms. Turning to face him she slapped his arm, "Joey" her voice almost a whisper, "You scared me" she exclaimed, her hand resting on her beating chest.

"Sorry it was too hard to resist" he chuckled, pulling her flush against his rock hard body. Snaking her arms around his neck their lips connected, the spark stronger than it was in Zante. Dipping her tongue into his mouth, his brushed up against hers as they dominated for control of the kiss. Pulling away as it began to get rather heated on a public street in London, Lauren blushed resting her head onto his chest, his fingers tracing up and down her back.

"Lets get some lunch" taking her hand in his, they walked towards a small restaurant a few blocks down. The conversation flowing as they reacquainted themselves with each other. Sitting down in the restaurant, they ordered their food.

"How has it been since you been back?" Joey quizzed, from what Lauren had told him, her home life was rather rocky, it would be fair to say she hated it.

"Umm, okay I guess, dad gave me a project like I told you, got me thinking about my future I guess" she replied tucking into her food, Joey watching her amused once more.

"That's good then baby" he smiled at her, glad she was thinking ahead to what she wanted to do. She had talent and it was only right if she got to share it with the rest of the world.

"What about you?" she pressed, loving hearing about his work and life, knowing she was now a part of it.

"Work is going well, busy but good, I've spoken to my sister, she is living with him" his teeth gritted as he mentioned his dad, Lauren reached across the table squeezing his hand gently. "Anyways, I hope you don't mind, but my sister is popping down in like half hour just to say hello, I thought I could introduce you, if you don't think it's too soon" hoping she wouldn't think he was rushing it, introducing Lauren to his family was a big step for both of them, he didn't want to scare her away before they had even a chance to flourish.

"No that's fine, I'd love to" she smiled back at him. If his sister was as nice as Joey was she wouldn't have a problem. Finishing off their lunch in deep conversation, Joey glanced over to the door, seeing his sister walk in, a huge grin on her face. He had told her he was having lunch with his girlfriend and she had immediately wanted to meet the girl that captured her brother's heart. Waving her over, Lauren failed to notice she had arrived.

"Hey" he moved away from the table a little engulfing his sister into a hug, shadowing her from Lauren. Standing up, Lauren straightened her skirt out turning to face Joey and his sister.

"Lauren" Alice proclaimed, looking up at Joey confused. Lauren stood for a second, as if time had come to a standstill. Looking between Joey and Alice, she couldn't get any words out, her mouth drying up, and the pit of her stomach churning. Surely not, surely Joey's sister wasn't in fact her cousin Alice. Gulping it hit hard, Joey was her cousin.

"Alice how do you know Lauren?" Joey broke the silence, he was seriously confused.

"Joey, this is our cousin Lauren, Lauren Branning" she looked at her brother the heart break in his eyes as he looked at Lauren who still failed to say anything.

"I need to go" scrambling for the door, Lauren finally managed to speak, her head was spinning she felt faint.

"Wait Lauren" Joey called after her, but she was gone, the door slamming shut behind her. Dropping down into the chair, Alice sat opposite him, she couldn't think of anything to say to him. Joey had told Alice all about this girl who he was in love with.

"I didn't know Al, I swear" he voice rather muted, swallowing hard on the lump in his throat.

"How could you" she replied, "I didn't know her till a few months back" she continued hoping in some way she was making him feel better, but failing miserably.

"I didn't even ask her last name when we met, it was sort of then and there, we fell hard" he whispered, rubbing his forehead that was now pounding hard a headache approaching as he tried desperately to get his head around what just happened. For once in his life he had found someone he had connected with instantly, his heart now beat for her and no one else. Yet as it had just begun it was being ripped away in the harshest possible way. They were family.

Found this chapter hard to write, so I hope you all liked it (or not) because its rather mean, anyways I promise another chapter later on, hopefully I might be able to surprise you all with where this is going :) x