Sorry for the long wait but, let's continue...
Joey's POV
I came home from a business meeting at work, back to mine and Lauren's home, all I wanted was Lauren, I, and the kids to have a normal peaceful evening. Speed of lightening I ran into the kitchen startled by the sight of Lauren at the kitchen table with her head bowed against bottle of Vodka in held in her hands. "Lauren what the hell are you doing!" I grabbed the bottle away from her hands and she lifted her head looking at me, her complexion was pale, her eyes were puffy, and she had mascara stained cheeks. Lauren spoke in a very gentle voice she was broken, "Don't worry I didn't drink any of it Joey holding the bottle comforts me when you're not around, Peter's gone Joey, ten years gone." I leaned offering her a hug which she accepted it felt like she was never going to let go I then whispered into her ear "I'm here babe, I'm here." She suddenly pulled herself from the embrace standing from the chair and began to wipe her eyes trying to appear as if Peter leaving didn't affect her, it's her way of coping I thought locking eyes with her. Lauren painted a smile on her pain stricken face I knew she still had the fear that if I saw her vulnerable I would run, she went over to the coffee machine and began to make coffee. Lauren began to talk while pouring the milk in my coffee, "Look at me such a mess sorry you had to see that, any way Peter is the past I have a new life now and I am very happy with it." She took a seat on the opposite side of the dining table giving me my coffee somehow I had to reassure her that I was here for her no matter what so I said, "Lauren I want to see you a mess because then at least I know your human, any way you're a beautiful mess, and I'm in this for the long haul anytime your broken I will be there to piece you back together I promise." Here face brightened and the clown painted smile was replace with a real smile she replied, "Joey Branning you have become all mushy on me but, I like it and thank you, you have no idea how horrible it was to see ten years just disappear." Love was on our faces we leaned towards each other over the table that bought us back together and softly kissing we lingered there peacefully for a few seconds before pulling away hearing the loud banging on the front door.
Lauren's POV
I managed to tare myself away from the peaceful normality and made my way to the door, wonder who it is this time of the evening people are usually eating dinner I thought opening the door. No way not now please I thought seeing the blonde holding a card board box in her hands, "Lucy, what a nice surprise." She was riddled with jealousy you could see it, she looked dead into my eyes not saying a word to me I turned my head towards the kitchen and yelled, "Joey it's for you!" Joey ran to the door completely taken back by the sight of her, "Luce what are you doing here where's Brittany?"I walked away into the living room I know when I'm not wanted but , I wanted to hear everything she had to say and the way I feel right now if she even threatens Joey's and I relationship I will take great pleasure of whacking her around the head. Lucy was first "Joey I have a few of you things and Brittany is fine she is with a babysitter." She continued it sounded as if Joey wasn't prepared to even face his reality yet "Joey I don't want to fight with you anymore or Lauren for that matter, I always knew you loved her and she would be the one you who eventually end up with but, I was just so jealous I was so in love with you but, I realised that if I loved you as much as I do I would want you to be happy with whomever you chose." I was shocked Lucy not wanting a fight now I wasn't expecting that, Joey finally got a word in "listen you are an amazing person and you will always be a very close friend to me but, I love Lauren always have and I intend on being with her forever she makes me happy, and thank you for finally coming to your senses." Wow, Joey is serious about this I thought gripping my mug on the couch ease dropping on them next was Lucy, "About the divorce, it's taken care of don't worry about that, and Brittany you are welcome to see her any time you wish but, please run it by me first, last Joey tell Lauren I'm sorry and I wish her a very happily ever after." With that I heard the door shut signalling the end of Joey's ten years of false happiness and the start of real happiness, I was still sat on the couch, I had to put my mug down on the coffee table I was shocked that really happened I got an apology from Lucy Beale. Joey came in to the living room holding the box of clothing in his hands; he looked at me and started to shake his head side to side with the same look on his face as I had on mine shock!
Were you shocked Lucy Beale not wanting a fight, I know it's short but the next chapter is a long one, hoped you liked it xx
