The Weekend

by 74CrazyChick

Sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone… doing something that you know is completely the wrong thing for you… It can't possibly work out… It'll just lead to pain and heartbreak for all involved… But then again, there's the smallest of chances that everything will work out okay… And isn't that a risk worth taking?

11. Chapter 11

Sorry for the delay in posting this... I tried to be prepared and got it all ready for posting last night, reading it through... and making odd changes here and there. Given this chapter is over 10,000 words long this took a while and when I pressed the save button, the site asked me to log in again and I lost all the changes I'd made. Needless to say I'd lost motivation to do this again by this point, so I've had to do it tonight... I'm not sure I'm as happy with this as I was last night... but it's the best I can do...

I'd like to say again a huge thank you to everyone for the numerous reviews I've received for this story... it definitely helps motivate me to write more so I'll be working on the stories I have on the go over the next weeks and months. I hope to have something else ready to post soon but they're all quite big stories and none are that close to being finished (and I'm also studying for an exam in December so I need to focus on that too).

Anyway, for the last time, I hope you enjoy this last part of The Weekend... xx

Epilogue.

Joey headed towards the bar, needing a strong drink after his long drive. He smiled slightly as he was given his glass of whisky by the bartender. He was tempted to just go up to his room… he was here a bit earlier than he'd thought he would be. He ran his fingers through the hair on the back of his head, a nervous habit he had but wouldn't readily admit to. He had plenty to be nervous about tonight. He took a sip from the glass, knowing it would be his only drink tonight. It was just as well he'd made it a double.

"You look like you're enjoying this as much as I am…"

Her words made him smile, remembering the first time she'd said them to him. Joey turned his head towards the voice, his mouth running dry as he saw her standing before him. Every time it was as if it was the first time he'd seen her. She took his breath away. He tried to remember his response when she'd said those words, "Well, things are starting to look up a little now…"

The brunette smiled, "Then they must've been really bad before…"

He shrugged, "You know what it's like… you're sitting around waiting for a girl to arrive… and then when she does, things look a lot better…"

Lauren smiled, her cheeks darkening as she took a seat next to him at the bar. "Smooth…" she said.

Joey looked at the barman, "A diet coke, please…" he said.

"A little presumptuous…" she teased.

"Well, what can I say…? I know what I want… and I think I know what you want too… As we're re-creating the past…" he grinned at her, sticking his right hand out towards her, "My name is Joey Branning…" he said, introducing himself.

She grinned back at him, her whole face lighting up. She took his hand, shaking it gently as her fingers squeezed his, "I'm Lauren… Lauren Cross." She said. "It's good to meet you, Joey…" Her face flushed slightly as she realised he was still holding her hand, just like last time. She looked around the bar, "I was surprised you wanted to come back here…" she said.

"It seemed appropriate…" he said, picking up his glass and finishing his whisky. "Why don't we go up to our room?" he asked. "We could get room service…?" he said, smirking at her as she blushed again.

"I'd really like that…" she said. She finished her drink quickly, wanting more than anything to leave the bar with Joey. She stood up, smiling as he slipped his hand in hers, gripping it tightly. "I don't know why you wouldn't let me go up to the room and freshen up before I met you…" she said softly as they left the bar and headed towards the stairs. "And why I had to get the train here… when you could've picked me up and driven me here… Especially seeing as how you beat me here…" she continued to grumble.

"Well, firstly, you were clearly running late… or you would've got here at the same time as me and I wouldn't have had to give reception my note telling you to come straight here…"

"Which was very nice, by the way… I still could've gone to our room first… I feel all sweaty after the train journey…" she groused, "Did you know there was some major football match going on today…? There were about a hundred drunk men on the train… several of whom got a bit handsy with me…"

Joey growled in the back of his throat at her last comment and he stopped, lifting her hand and kissing the back of it gently as he turned to look at her, "I'm sorry, babe… I had some stuff I needed to do before I came up here… I thought it would be quicker doing it this way…" he explained.

Lauren stared at him, seeing the sincerity on his face. "You're forgiven…" she breathed, "but only because I love you…" she said, her cheeks flushing at her words. Saying it was still relatively new to them both… even though they'd known how they felt for some time prior to admitting it to each other… probably since that first weekend if they were both truly honest with themselves. "So did you manage to get one of the rooms we had last time?" she asked as they continued to walk up the stairs.

"Not this time…" Joey said. "Which is the second reason I wanted you to meet me in the bar…" he admitted.

"So what floor are we on?" she asked as they reached the top of the flight of stairs they were climbing.

"We've got a little further to go…" he said. "Our bags should be in our room…" he said. Lauren followed him in silence, fighting the smile that appeared on her face as he squeezed her hand even tighter. She could feel the excitement ebbing through him and it was starting to rub off on her. She'd been looking forward to this weekend a great deal… ever since Joey had suggested it… She wondered just what it was that Joey had planned. They finally reached the highest floor and Lauren frowned as Joey pulled her determinedly towards a room at the far end of the corridor. He eventually stopped, pushing the key card into the door and it clicking unlocked. He pushed open the door slightly, "Lead the way…" he said softly, a sense of anticipation on his face.

Lauren walked into the room, gasping as she looked around her. "This is amazing, Joey…" she whispered. She turned to face him, finding him watching her carefully. "You didn't have to spend so much money…" she said, hugging him, "but thank you…"

"I didn't spend too much… I actually got a discount because we came here for that weekend… I didn't know that when I called to make the booking… I would've paid the full price but my name was on their system and they offered it… so I upgraded…" he told her.

"I love it, Joe…" she said. "I have presents for you…" she said as she pulled away from him.

"You do?" Joey asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Lauren nodded. "They're in my bag…"

"Multiple presents?" he said and she nodded again. "It's just as well I've got you more than one then…" he said, smiling at her and pecking her softly on the lips.

"Did you say something about room service?" Lauren asked.

"Eager?" he teased.

Lauren blushed, "I thought the sooner we ate… the sooner we could get down to… other things…" she whispered coyly.

Joey chuckled, putting his arm around her shoulders and leading her towards the bed, "Sometimes I think you have a one track mind… You certainly affect me that way." He smiled as he pushed her down on the bed, "They'll be bringing up dinner in about half an hour…" he said as he sat next to her.

"You've already ordered?" she said, surprised as it didn't seem like Joey to make a decision like that without asking her what she wanted.

He nodded, "Yes… the same meal we had… that night… When you were wearing that dress… and looking so fucking beautiful I nearly came on the spot when I saw you…" he said softly.

"The same meal?" she asked.

He nodded again, smiling at her, "You weren't the only one who wanted to remember our first weekend…" he said.

Lauren smiled, "I love you, Joey Branning…" she said softly.

"I love you too, babe…" he said. He leant forward and kissed her, pushing her back on the bed as he deepened the kiss. Hands strayed and wandered over bodies as they lost track of time, they were only broken apart by a knocking on the door. "I'll get it… it'll be our dinner…" Joey said. Lauren sat up on the bed, straightening her clothes, smiling when she saw Joey adjust himself through his trousers as he walked to the door. He opened it and Lauren was surprised to see several people walk into the room. One was pushing a trolley which clearly was their food. At least two more men and two women also came in and Lauren could see the confusion on Joey's face as well. Their plan became clearer when two of them lifted a dinner table into the middle of the room, the two women laying it for their meal, complete with candles. Lauren was relieved to see no alcohol included in the plans… not that she doubted Joey would be as crass. Two chairs were placed at the table and then one of the men opened the trolley and placed the plates holding their starters onto the place settings on the table. The staff then left the room, the waiter telling Joey that the main courses and dessert were also on the trolley… and to call down when they wanted everything to be collected. Joey shut the door behind them and then turned to face Lauren. Lauren, for her part, was getting up off the bed and as she did Joey walked over to her, taking her hand and leading her towards the table, pulling out her chair and helping her into it. Soon he was sitting opposite her. He pulled out a lighter, lighting the candles at the edge of the table and Lauren smiled.

"This looks amazing, Joey…" she said.

"We should start eating before it gets cold…" Joey said.

Lauren smiled and picked up her cutlery, starting to eat the food on the plate. She moaned, "Just as good as the first time…" she said and Joey smiled. Once they'd eaten their starters, Joey stood and went to the trolley, taking their empty plates with him. He returned to the table with the steaks, hoping they were also as great as they'd been when they had them before. Another moan slipped from her mouth as she savoured the first mouthful and Joey had to close his eyes.

"Babe, you're killing me here…" he murmured and Lauren giggled.

"You'll be just the same when you eat yours," she stated, pausing to watch as he took his first bite. Her smile grew as she heard him moan in the same way she had. "See…" she said pointedly.

"Okay, its true… these are probably the best steaks we've ever had… but hearing you moan like that is making me want to forget all about this great food… and to have my wicked way with you…"

"There is nothing wicked about that…" she giggled. They were silent for a while, continuing to eat. Joey took the plates away again once they were finished and Lauren couldn't help but ask. "Did you get two plates of cake this time… or are we sharing again?"

He smiled at her, lifting one plate out of the trolley, "We're reliving that night, right?" Joey said, lifting up one plate of chocolate fudge cake, "Anyway, I can't eat more than half a slice…"

"Well, I guess I can share it with you…" Lauren said. In a repeat of the last time she took a chunk of cake and held it out, on the fork, towards him. He closed his eyes as he chewed the cake, swallowing it a short time after.

"Just as good…" he said softly.

Lauren smiled and used the fork again to take some for herself. She moaned softly as she chewed on it. Joey's eyes were wide as she fed him some more cake and she watched his face, slipping off her shoe and running her bare foot up the inside of his leg. Her foot pressed softly against his groin and it was his turn to moan. She smiled as she felt him harden against the sole of her foot. "You okay, Joey?" she asked him innocently.

"I think I might be full, babe… can we move onto the rest of our day?"

Lauren smiled, "I think I could be convinced… What did you have in mind?"

"Well, according to the website, there is a wicked bathroom through that door… Fancy sharing a bath?" he asked.

"Sounds good…"

"Give me a few minutes and I'll go and run the water… get everything set up…" Joey said, "Why don't you change into that robe while I'm getting things ready?" he said.

"You don't want to undress me?" Lauren said, a little disappointed.

"Next time…" Joey said. "Finish the cake too… it'd be a shame to waste it…" he added. He disappeared from the room quickly and Lauren sulkily turned to the cake and stabbed a large bit of what remained. It took her many minutes to finish the cake and once she was done she stood and moved to her case, wheeling it over to the bed and lifting it onto it. She undid the zip and opened it, rummaging through the contents, looking for a few things that were packed in a bag. She also found Joey's presents and hid them inside the bedside table on 'her' side of the bed, making sure the door was closed so he would have no clue what was hidden within. She walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out one of the two robes inside, carrying it back over to the bed and starting to remove her clothes. She wrapped the robe around her naked body and sat on the edge of the bed, staring down at her freshly manicured toenails. She'd gone for a manicure and pedicure at her mum's salon a couple of days ago, her mum taking the time with her so she looked good for her weekend away. She'd also had her hair done… nothing too drastic… a slight trim… Lauren knew Joey liked her hair as it was and she didn't want him to be disappointed so there was no radical change on the cards… just a bit of a tidy up.

*JL*JL*

The bathroom door opened and Joey sneaked out, staring at Lauren for several seconds. "Bath's ready…" he told her, "You look amazing…" he added softly.

"I'm wearing a bathrobe, Joey…"

"Well, I think you look amazing… and you'll never convince me otherwise…" he said. He glanced at the bed, "Do you want me to move your case?" he asked. Lauren shrugged, not bothered either way. "I just thought we might want free access to the bed once we come back out of the bathroom… I'd hate to accidentally drop you on the case."

"That's good thinking…" Lauren admitted. She watched as Joey walked over to the bed and picked up her case. She grabbed the bag that was on the bed next to it, sliding it under her arm.

"What's that?" he asked.

"One of your presents…" she said vaguely, her face colouring.

Joey smiled, already guessing just what part of his gifts consisted of. "Well, I'm looking forward to receiving it from you…" he said. He held his hand out towards hers, taking it in his and pulling her over to the bathroom. He opened the door and she gasped when she saw what was inside.

"That is a little more than a bath, Joey…" she stated as she looked at the biggest bath she'd ever seen.

"It's actually a hot tub as well…"

"It looks great in here, Joey… the candles… the bubbles…" Lauren turned towards him and stood on her tiptoes, kissing him on the cheek, "Thank you…"

"Happy anniversary, babe…" he said. "Go and get in the bath… I'll just go and call down to get them to collect all the plates and things while we're in here… I'll be through in a minute or two…"

"Will you help me into the bath?" she asked, worried she'd slip over and hurt herself.

"Gladly." He breathed. She walked across the room, putting down the gift for Joey. She moved her hands to the belt around her waist but felt Joey's hands push them away. "I think I should get to unwrap my present, don't you?" he whispered in her ear.

"I'm not one of your presents…" she said, giggling as his lips settled on her throat.

"I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that score, babe…" he said. "You're a present I received twelve months ago… one I have always and will always cherish…" he told her. He undid the belt, his hands and gravity the only thing keeping the robe covering her. One small move of his hand and it disappeared within the gown, brushing over her soft skin. Lauren's breath hitched and she closed her eyes, her head rolling back on his shoulder as he gently touched her. He pulled away after a few seconds and slid the robe off her body, leaving her naked before him. "Sexy…" he whispered. He put his hands on her hips and urged her towards the bath, holding a hand as she climbed into the tub. She slowly sat down, lying back in the water and staring at him through hooded eyes.

"Water's getting cold, Joey…" she said, smiling at him.

"I won't be long…" he said, leaning forward and kissing her.

"I hope not, Joey… I have plans for you…" she said, smirking as his eyes darkened.

Joey disappeared from the room moments later and Lauren closed her eyes, her arms moving through the water. The water was soothing the stress from her body. Stress she hadn't even realised was present until now. Not that life with Joey was stressful but there were things going on at home that made things complicated. She was glad to get away for a few days with the love of her life. Although her journey had been relatively stressful too. She was glad she was here though… And celebrating their anniversary… twelve months of being together… of loving each other… was the perfect excuse for a break from everything else.

The door opened but Lauren kept her eyes shut, knowing who it was and trusting that he'd soon be joining her. She smiled when she heard the water slosh slightly as he stepped into the tub. He sat on the seat next to her, his arm moving around her shoulders as Lauren leaned against him. "You enjoying yourself?" he asked her in a whisper.

"I always enjoy myself when I'm with you…" she said, turning her head and kissing the skin beneath her cheek.

"So you're liking your gift so far?" he asked.

"Of course I am…" she whispered.

"Good…" Joey said.

Lauren lifted her head, opening her eyes and looking at Joey, "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing." He said, a little too quickly. Lauren gave him a pointed look and he sighed, "I know you've been stressed out at home… that things between your parents aren't great right now… and that Lucy is being a bitch…"

"Like usual…" Lauren said bitterly.

"I just wanted you to have a nice time… I wanted to take you away to somewhere where you could forget all the stress of your life…"

"And be with the man I love…" Lauren finished for him.

Joey smiled, "I'm glad you feel that way, babe…" They sat in silence for a couple of minutes, "So you said something about having plans?" Joey said and Lauren giggled.

"I wondered how long it would be before you brought that up…" she admitted. She twisted to face him and moved so she was straddling his lap, pressing their groins together and feeling Joey's cock instantly pay attention. "Do you know how much of a mess I would be if you hadn't been in my life for the last year?" she whispered, staring into his eyes. They both fell silent as they heard the door to their room open, hearing people moving around and retrieving the remains of their meal from the room. Neither of them moved until they heard the door to the room close once more, leaving them alone.

"You would've managed…" he said, answering her previous question to him.

"No, I wouldn't…" she said, "I would've started drinking again… anything to try and cope with the shit at home…" she added. "I hate it there…"

"Then leave…" Joey said simply, "There's always room for you at mine…"

"I think your house is a little small for another person… and I'm sure your mum would have kittens if I suddenly turned up with all my things… It's different when I stay at yours for the odd night... moving in would inconvenience her..."

"Then we get somewhere together… just the two of us…" Joey said easily.

Lauren froze, her eyes widening as she realised he wasn't joking… not simply messing around like she'd originally thought. "You're serious…?" she whispered unnecessarily.

"Never been more serious." He told her.

Lauren stared into his eyes and she could see the depth of his emotions in them. She could also see a small amount of fear… an emotion she hated to see within him. "Then my answer is yes…" she breathed. He smiled at her, it's presence a breath-taking sight. "Did you think I would say no?" she asked.

"I hoped it would be yes… but was worried I might be rushing you… pushing you into something you weren't ready for…" he admitted. "I don't want to be another thing you want to run away from…" he added softly.

Lauren took in his words, "I think I would've said yes a year ago… I love you… I always have done…" she whispered.

"So do you want to start looking for something as soon as we get home again?" he asked.

Lauren nodded, "I'd really like that… are you sure we can afford it… I'm not exactly rolling in money…" she admitted.

"Its fine, babe…" he whispered, "I got my promotion the other month, didn't I? I've been saving for a while… and I have the money from the sale of the flat I lived in with Amy… I've never spent it… it's just been sitting there. It's been a good month, commission wise… so we can afford the deposit…" Lauren looked guilty and Joey cupped the side of her face, "Stop that…" he whispered. "You don't have anything to feel guilty about… I want to do this… I've been thinking about this for a while… about everything really… This is for our future, babe…"

"Everything?" she murmured, her guilt turning to fear.

"Will you relax?" he said, smiling at her, "I just asked you to move in with me… I'm not exactly likely to break up with you now, am I?"

"I guess…" she breathed.

"So… plans for me… my lap…" he hinted, smirking at her as he changed the subject and hopefully relieved some of the growing tension. Lauren rolled her eyes but lifted her body and lowered herself onto his very erect cock. She was pleased that, after some discussion earlier in their relationship, she'd had the birth control implant put in and they now didn't bother with condoms. Lauren trusted Joey… and he, her… And it meant more spontaneity to their lovemaking than there had been before. Lauren stared into his eyes as she sank onto him and she smiled as he moaned, "Yesssss… that's what I'm talking about…" he breathed, his voice cracking slightly. Lauren smiled, loving how much love she could see on his face. Their relationship had definitely progressed in the last year and she'd never been as happy as she was with Joey.

"Can I ask when you're planning on giving me a present?" she whispered as she softly kissed the corner of his jaw.

"I can give one to you now… if you'd like?" he said.

Lauren pulled away from him and quirked her eyebrow. He shifted beneath her and thrust up against her. "Ha ha…" she said dryly.

"I actually meant something else… Do you want it?" he asked after a slight pause.

"Yes." She said simply.

"Close your eyes…" he whispered, his hand settling on her hip and stilling her slow movements on his length. She did as he asked and silence fell between them. Joey stared at her, seeing the anticipation on her face and hoping he wasn't about to ruin things. He lifted her hands out of the water, kissing each knuckle on them softly. "You know how much I love you, right?" he whispered.

"Yes." She breathed, not hesitating with her answer.

Joey smiled. "I told you earlier that I'd been thinking about things…" he said. He swallowed the lump in his throat. "It wasn't just getting a house together that I'd thought about… I thought about other things too… The two of us together… how happy you've made me… how you've changed my life in ways I didn't think was possible…" he said. Lauren opened her eyes, staring at him. "Close your eyes, babe…" he pleaded. "I can't say this when you look at me like that…" Lauren frowned but obediently closed her eyes once more. "When I was thinking… something kept niggling at the back of my mind… and I knew I had to ask…"

"Then ask me…" she said, feeling the tension increasing in him. He didn't say anything. "Joey… stop freaking out because you're making me think the…"

"Marry me…" he interrupted. The room fell silent and neither of them breathed or moved for several seconds.

"Can I open my eyes now?" she asked him softly.

"Yes." Joey said, his voice croaking slightly.

Lauren looked at him, staring into his eyes and seeing the fear in their depths. "Do you really think I'm going to say no?" she whispered.

"Is that a yes?" he asked tentatively.

Lauren smiled, "It's an abso-fucking-lutely yes, Joey…" she giggled, squeezing her body around his cock and hearing him moan. "That was some proposal…" she whispered, leaning forward and kissing him. "Just two words… as you interrupted me…"

"It was supposed to be a little smoother than that…" he admitted.

"It was perfect, Joey…" she said, caressing the side of his face with her right hand. "So that was my present?" she asked.

Joey shook his head gently. He lifted her left hand, squeezing it in his. She was watching his face, so caught up in him that she didn't notice what he was doing. "This is your present…" he breathed, lifting her left hand to his mouth and kissing the back of it tenderly.

"Huh…?" Lauren said, confused by what he'd said.

Joey smirked, "I think there's something you need to tell me, Lauren…" he said.

"Huh?" she repeated, so eloquently.

"Well, I do believe you have a ring on your finger… does your fiancé know that you're here with a man?" he said, a teasing tone to his voice.

Lauren looked at her left hand, gasping as she saw the ring that now graced her third finger. It was stunning… beautiful… There were three stones set in the ring… the ring was more than she ever could've hoped for and she could tell it was expensive… not that that sort of thing mattered to her, he could've given her a pink plastic ring from a cracker and she'd have been just as happy. She turned to Joey, seeing his face and remembering what he'd just said to her, "My fiancé is more than aware that I'm here… seeing as how his gorgeous cock is currently buried deep within me… I'm hoping he's going to give me another gift shortly… one that will have me screaming his name very loudly…" she said. She kissed him passionately, her tongue sweeping into his mouth as she cupped his head in her hands. She started to ride him again, the passion between them building quickly. Joey tore his mouth from hers, panting for air as he moved his mouth to her neck, sucking on her skin hard. He turned them in the bath so she was sitting down once more and he was hovering above her.

"You might want to hold on tight, babe…" he murmured in her ear and he was aware of her hands reaching for the sides of the tub, gripping them tightly. He moved so he was kneeling, the tub deep enough to allow him to do that. He pulled her bum to the edge of the ledge she was sitting on, smiling as her legs wound loosely around his waist. "You ready?" he whispered.

She smiled and nodded, "Always…" she breathed.

He pulled slowly from her, the head of his cock just remaining inside her. He lingered there for a moment, moving his hand down her body and rubbing his fingers over her clit, feeling her arousal start to escalate. She moaned, her eyes closing as her head fell back against the rim of the bath. Once she was distracted he pushed back into her in one fluid movement, pressing his groin against hers, feeling her tightening around him. He repeated the motion over and over, the water sloshing around them, candlelight the only thing lighting the room. He swivelled his hips as he slammed back into her and she moaned his name, her legs tightening slightly around him. His fingers pressed harder on her clit and she whimpered, her back arching away from the bath. "Are you close, babe?" he asked, his throat tight as he felt his peak nearly on him.

"Mmmhmm…" she moaned. Joey slowed his movements, feeling the frustration of his fiancée as he did so. "JOEY! So help me, god… if you don't make me come…" she grumbled.

Joey chuckled, "As if I would leave you hanging… you know me better than that…" he told her softly. "Haven't I shown you that in the last year?" Lauren nodded, smiling at him. He rewarded her with another press of his fingers against her clit and her eyes fluttered shut. He moved his hips a little faster, hearing her moan, her body tightening perceptively around him. He picked up his pace once more, pushing in and pulling out of her with increasing tempo as the seconds passed. He could feel Lauren clamping down on him and he knew she was close. "Come on, babe… come for me…" he said, fighting to hold his own peak back. Lauren opened heavy, hooded eyes, staring up at his face. She bit her lip and it was the breaking of him, his cock exploding within her, pulsing deep inside her body. That was the thing she clearly needed because she followed him over the edge seconds later, shrieking his name at the top of her voice. Joey smiled, continuing to move within her, drawing out their peaks for as long as he was physically able. He loved the fact that Lauren was very vocal when they made love… or fucked… Pretty much every peak she had when they were together she normally cried out his name… There had only been a couple of times where she'd remained completely silent which had worried him at the time but she'd reassured him that they were the most intense of experiences and she'd simply been unable to voice her emotions. He watched as she stared up at him, leaning tiredly against the side of the tub. She was so fucking beautiful and he knew he was lucky to have her in his life… in his future… He leant forward, sighing as he slipped free from her body. He kissed her tenderly, making love to her mouth with his tongue. "I love you…" he murmured against her lips.

*JL*JL*

Lauren climbed out of the bath, feeling Joey's hands on her hips as he stood behind her in the hot tub. She grabbed a towel and shook it loose, wrapping it around her body and rubbing over herself. She was aware of Joey also getting out of the tub, winding a towel loosely around his hips. She glanced at him, licking her lips as she saw rivulets of water running down his chest. She turned away from him quickly, not wanting to get caught up in something. She had a plan and she was determined to stick to it. "Why don't you go into the bedroom, Joey?" she told him.

"Eager to get rid of me?" he said, laughter in his voice.

"Of course not… I just thought maybe it was time I gave you one of your presents…" she said.

"Well, I think I can get on board with that idea… Do you need me to do anything?" he asked.

Lauren shook her head, "Just lie on the bed… and wait for me…" she said, glancing at him again. She stared at his face, seeing the sense of anticipation on his face… the way his eyes darkened at what she'd said.

"I'm always going to wait for you…" he said softly, reaching for her left hand and brushing his thumb over the ring he'd given her. Lauren's heart swelled at the words he'd said… and the passion in his voice as he said them. "I'll just blow these candles out…" he told her, tugging on her hand and placing a tender kiss on her lips.

"Thanks Joey…" Lauren said. She watched as he moved smoothly around the room, blowing out the candles scattered around the bath quickly.

"See you soon?" Joey said.

"Soon…" Lauren nodded. Lauren waited until the door was closed and then picked up the bag she'd brought into the room. She was still a little hesitant to do what she was about to do… but at the same time she wanted Joey to realise just how far she'd come in the last year… whilst they were together. She tipped the items she'd brought with her out of the bag and looked at them all. Her heart began to beat a little faster as she took in each item. She took a deep breath and then grabbed the main part of the present… a babydoll… She hoped Joey liked it… although she was pretty sure he would. It was bright red and it clung to her body in just the way she'd hoped it would. The next thing she picked up were stockings and she carefully eased them onto her legs, not wanting to ladder them in her haste at the last second. That just left one thing… the knickers… they were more like lace shorts than knickers… but Lauren knew they were comfortable… and they were better than the thong that had come with the babydoll. She clipped the suspender straps on the shorts to the top of each stocking, making sure they weren't twisted. Her eyes ran over her body and she realised it all looked perfect. She groaned in frustration as she realised she hadn't brought the shoes in with her… and she really needed them… to accentuate her legs further… and they would look amazing with the black sheer stockings she was wearing. She put the small make-up bag on the side, staring in the mirror in contemplation. She didn't need to do a lot… not wanting to scare Joey with an over the top look. She started with putting on her eyeliner, making it a little darker and more pronounced than she would normally wear it. She knew that Joey liked her eyes though and wearing her make-up like this certainly emphasized them. Some thick mascara finished it off perfectly. She put a small amount of blusher on her cheeks, making sure her face had a healthy glow to it. She grabbed the one last item, a bright red lipstick and put it on her lips, pouting slightly as she looked in the mirror once she was done. She liked the look she'd created… she just hoped Joey did too. She ran her fingers through her hair, adding a little volume to it. She was ready.

*JL*JL*

"Shut your eyes, Joey…" Lauren called through the door.

"Babe?" Joey said.

"Please Joey… I forgot something so I need to get it…" she explained.

"They're closed…" he called back to her. Lauren hesitantly pushed the door open, looking at the bed and seeing Joey with his eyes shut. "I can't promise to sit here forever, babe… so you might want to be quick…"

Lauren giggled and quickly made her way to her case and pulled the stiletto heels from inside. She slid them onto her feet and then moved back towards the bathroom door, shutting it and leaning against it, trying to appear nonchalant. She wasn't wholly successful as the atmosphere was climbing around them. "You can open your eyes now…" she whispered.

Joey did, blinking a couple of times as the light of the room hit his retinas. He turned his head towards where Lauren was stood and his mouth dropped open. "Fucking hell, Lauren…" he breathed, "I could fuck you right now…"

Lauren grinned, staying where she was. "I wouldn't be opposed to that idea…" she told him. "Why don't you come over here… and take a closer look…?" she suggested, her heart racing a little faster as she saw the look on his face. Joey sat up, pushing himself off the bed in one fluid movement, as graceful as a cat. He moved across the room to stand in front of her, his eyes running over her body.

"I don't know where to start…" he breathed.

Lauren smiled, her cheeks glowing, "Well, you might want to know you don't need to remove anything…" she murmured, "to do what you wanted to do…" she added when she saw he didn't understand.

"You mean…?" he lowered his eyes to her core, biting his bottom lip, his mouth running dry.

"Why don't you have a look?" she suggested. She watched as he dropped to his knees, pressing his face against her lace covered stomach, his hands slowly running up her legs. He pulled away from her as his hands pushed up the babydoll, settling on her hips. She moved her feet apart slightly, hearing the slight catch of his breath as he caught sight of her opening.

He looked up at her face, "Can I?" he asked.

"Always…" she told him. He moved closer, his mouth pressing against her clit, pulling it between his teeth. She moaned, her hips thrusting forward as he worshipped her clit for several minutes. Lauren could feel her body reacting to what he was doing and she wanted more. "Touch me…" she begged him.

He moved one hand, grazing the skin between her legs with a feather-like touch as they ran up to her core. She moaned again as one fingertip entered her, testing the waters and finding her wet for him. Joey pulled the digit free, pushing two into her with one hard thrust. Her legs were shaking, she could barely stand anymore and she knew that if Joey's hand wasn't on her hip she would've lost her balance many minutes ago. He fucked her with his fingers for longer than she'd have liked, she was eager to move on with her plan… but at the same time she couldn't deny she was enjoying what he was bringing out of her… and she'd promised him he could do what he wanted. A third finger joined the other two and Lauren clenched her hands at her sides, the shaking of her body increasing. Joey pulled away from her, looking up at her face as he stroked his fingers in and out of her body. "Is this what you want?" he asked, knowing the answer. Lauren shook her head. "Tell me what you want…"

"You." She gasped, "Inside me… fucking me… loving me…" she whispered, her voice breaking slightly as he brushed over her G-spot several times.

Joey pulled his hand free, unable to resist the urge of putting them in his mouth and tasting her essence. He pressed his mouth against her, pressing his tongue into her opening briefly before he kissed up her body, over the top of her lingerie as he got to his feet. The shoes she was wearing helped with their height difference and he found he only had to bend down slightly before he thrust his cock deep into her body, both of them pausing once he was buried within her. Lauren lifted one leg off the floor, staring into his eyes as she wound it around his waist. Joey nodded his head, smiling at her and pressing her into the door behind her as she lifted her other leg. "This was not what I was expecting…" he told her softly. "Well, I knew it was underwear… but I wasn't expecting something so… wild…?" he added.

"Disappointed?" she asked.

"Never, babe…" Joey replied. "Nothing you could ever do would disappoint me… you could be standing here wearing a burlap sack and I'd get hard looking at you… I have to say this outfit is something else though… Remind me not to tear it off you… we are keeping this… and will use it again… special occasions…" he said, littering kisses over her neck as he spoke. "Leave the shoes on…" he said as he felt her move her legs and guessing what she was about to do. "I like them on…" he admitted to her. Lauren nodded, closing her eyes briefly as he shifted his hips slightly. "Do you trust me?" Joey whispered in her ear, pulling her lobe between his lips and hearing her moan.

"You know I do…" she panted.

Joey pulled his body away from her slightly, reaching behind him and untangling her legs. He moved them back around his body, aware of the frown forming on Lauren's face… along with an innate sadness. "Relax, babe…" he whispered as he lifted one leg and placed her foot on his shoulder, kissing the inside of her ankle tenderly. He repeated his action with her other leg and Lauren had to wonder how he had the strength to hold her against the door like this. The time they spent in the gym, both alone and together, was certainly proving worthwhile tonight. His hands moved to her hips, holding them in place against the door and he stared into her eyes. "This might not be too comfortable… tell me if it hurts, okay?" he said.

"It feels pretty fantastic so far…" she said.

"Put your hands on my shoulders, babe…" he said, "Grip them tightly…" he instructed. She did as he said, watching his face and seeing the concentration he was wearing. "Here goes…" he said and he eased his cock back out of her body. Lauren whimpered as she felt ever part of him brush against her inner walls. It was intense and she knew it was only going to get better. He slammed back into her, taking her breath away as he managed to get deeper inside her. "FUCK…" Joey panted, clearly as affected as Lauren was. Lauren felt her body start to shake as he did the same thing six or seven times, moving so slowly as he pulled out of her and then ramming back into her at breakneck speed. He was still kissing her neck but then he slowly kissed lower down her body, his mouth finally settling on one peak, lathing her nipple with his tongue through the lace that covered it. The next time he slid into her, Lauren's peak hit, a silent scream of his name falling from her lips as her body clenched his beautiful cock in a vice-like grip. Joey pulled away from her, watching her face, concerned when he saw tears falling from her eyes. He slowed his movements, feeling her orgasm start to fade now. "You okay?" he asked her gently.

"Never better…" she croaked, her voice hoarse as if she'd really just screamed. "Are you?" she asked him.

"Yep…" he said, his jaw tightening as he felt his body edge nearer to nirvana.

Lauren lifted her hand, brushing the side of his jaw as she saw the tension form. "What do you need me to do?" she whispered.

"A different position…" he said.

"Tell me where you want me…" she said.

Joey stilled his movements, slowly pulling her legs from his shoulders and lowering them to first his waist and then the floor. He withdrew from her, his cock aching with need as he stood before her. He slid his hand in hers and tugged on it, urging her away from the door and over to the bed. She complied as he pushed her gently onto the edge of the bed, her chest pressed against the mattress, her bum sticking in the air. She bit her lip as she felt Joey push the babydoll up slightly, revealing the entirety of her shorts to him, hearing the soft expletive as he took in the sight. Taking her from behind was a favourite position for Joey Lauren had discovered, one that she enjoyed just as much as he did. She knew he liked it because he could get extra deep inside her and she'd been hoping that they would get a chance to do that tonight… having purposefully chosen the shorts because of it. It wasn't just her crotch that was exposed by the underwear… the back of them was barely there and she'd known it would blow his mind… and it clearly had. She moved her legs further apart, wiggling her hips slightly and hearing the effect on his breathing as she did so. She straightened her legs, pushing her bum further in the air, trying to entice him to start what they both wanted and she heard him moan again. His hands gripped her hips, so tight he was probably going to leave bruises but Lauren couldn't say she cared. She felt the head of his cock barely touching her entrance and she took a few seconds to mentally prepare herself, feeling her arousal rising once again. He slid into her body, moaning as he eased himself inside. His gentleness took her by surprise as he was usually pretty brutal when they did this. This was a nice change… and her anticipation climbed higher. There wasn't much that they did that Lauren didn't like when it came to their sex life… in fact Lauren craved the times when he was tender with her as much as the times when he fucked her so hard she could hardly see straight. He was completely sheathed inside her now and Lauren could feel her body stretching to accommodate his impressive length. Even after all this time, it was still like it was their first time together when he first entered her… his length and girth more than any other man she'd been with. He wasn't out of proportion with the rest of him though… his cock was perfect... just like every other part of him. She shifted her hips slightly, wanting him to move… to start… to do something… "I fall in love with you a little more every time I look at you…" he said, startling her slightly.

"Well you are looking at my best side…" she said, giggling softly.

He slapped her ass gently, "You don't have a bad side, babe…" he told her, "You're perfect… there isn't anything I don't love about you…"

"I feel the same way about you, Joey…" she said, "although I may change my mind if you don't get this show on the road…" she threatened, both of them knowing it was an empty threat.

"I'm getting there…"

"You'd better be…" she muttered in frustration.

Joey chuckled, his thumbs brushing over her soft skin of her sides as he clutched her hips. It was an amazing experience to be buried in Lauren. He swore he could spend his whole life doing just what he was doing now. He'd never thought he would feel anything for someone after Amy had died… but Lauren had changed everything. She had given him brightness… a reason for being… She made him want to get up every morning. Her voice set his gut alight… each word she uttered affecting him… even those said in anger. Their relationship hadn't been perfect… none ever are… they'd had some spectacular rows in the last twelve months… and some pretty wild make up sex afterwards… There wasn't anything Joey wanted to change about what he had with Lauren… He was looking forward to the rest of his life… with her.

Joey glanced down at Lauren's pert little bottom, still stunned by what she was wearing. It thrilled him to know she was wearing it for him… and he knew the message she was trying to convey to him. A message he totally agreed with. That she was beautiful… and she was his. He pulled his hips back, watching as he slid out of her body. He found it intoxicating to watch as his cock moved in and out of her body. He liked seeing the way her juices coated his shaft and he loved how responsive she was to every move he made in this position. He took a deep breath, slamming back into her quickly and hearing her moan, her hands clutching at the covers on the bed. Her body gripped him tightly, her walls rippling around his cock. He pulled out once more, watching again. He hovered in place, the head of his cock only just in her entrance. His hand moved, pushing between her body and bed and his fingertips finding her clit. She groaned his name, her body twitching as he touched her so intimately. He pressed her clit firmly, feeling and hearing her reaction to his touch. She swayed her hips from side to side, trying to increase the pressure of his hand but not succeeding. "Patience, babe…" he told her and she growled. Joey reacted instinctively, pushing his length back into her fast. He withdrew from her once more, slightly annoyed that he'd lost control of himself. Really it was Lauren's fault, the noise she'd made had pushed him over the edge. He focused once more on his task, stimulating her clit, teasing her with soft and hard touches until she was quivering beneath him. He moved his hand back to her hip, gripping it tightly and closing his eyes briefly as he centred himself. He counted to five and then thrust back into her, Lauren shrieking his name, her body igniting. He started to fuck her… his hips moving faster in and out of her body, his eyes locking on his cock as it moved within her. Her whole body was shaking now and she was moaning and whimpering constantly. He stilled himself again, his hips pressed against her, his cock deeply within her. "Shift forward…" he said, strain in his voice as he fought his need for release. "Slowly…" he added as she nearly pulled free of his hands. She lifted each leg, with some assistance from him and shuffled forward on the bed, a smile gracing his face as he saw she was still wearing those sexy shoes. His cock slid out of her slightly as she moved away from him and Joey followed her, kneeling between her legs, her hips still tightly in his hands. He slid each hand higher, pushing under the babydoll she was wearing and spanning across her stomach, "Up…" he breathed, his voice barely audible. She moaned but slowly lifted her body off the mattress, leaning back against him once she was upright. Once more he touched her clit, a breathy moan falling from her lips as he touched her tenderly. His other hand climbed up her body, sweeping under the lingerie, pushing under the lace and covering a breast. He cupped her in the palm of each hand, teasing her softly and feeling her body press against both hands. "Can you move?" he breathed in her ear. She didn't reply, turning her head and looking into his eyes. "Can you move on me… or do you need me to help you?" he asked her.

"I'll try…" she breathed. He heard her inhale and then slowly lift her body off his cock, dropping back onto him seconds later. She moved again, a little further this time and they both moaned when she fell back onto his lap. His hands continued to stroke her skin tenderly and she began to tighten on him again. "Come with me, Joey…" she pleaded. "I want you to come inside me… Fill me…" she breathed.

Joey smiled, hearing the desperation in her voice, sharing that emotion with her. He pulled both hands back to her hips, helping her move faster on him, pushing his length up into her as she moved back down. Her hands clutched his forearms and he knew she was fighting her desire, wanting him to come with her. He was very close… had been ever since they'd left the door in truth… and he lowered his head, kissing the soft skin beneath her ear, sucking on it gently, stilling her hips after she lifted off him and thrusting up into her over and over at speed. His peak hit him hard, taking him by surprise even though he was aware of how close he was. He kept moving within her, his skin slapping against hers fighting the noise of the guttural moans they were both making. Lauren's body clamped down on him and she screamed, her back arching away from him as she milked him dry. Joey pressed her body forward, leaning over her as he slowed his movements within her. He wanted one more peak from her before he was prepared to stop so he teased her clit with his fingertips. She moaned his name softly and Joey kissed her shoulder, "Just one more…" he breathed against her skin. "Enjoy it…"

"Always…" she breathed and he danced his fingers over her clit, feeling her body tighten once more. Her body tensed around him and he felt the ripples as she came… another strong one that clearly took her breath away. He slowed the movements of his cock, knowing she was tired now… and probably a little sore. "I love you…" she sighed and Joey closed his eyes, his balls tightening quickly and a softer peak ebbed through his whole frame. She moaned as she felt him come inside her again and she moved slowly on his cock, easing him through his second release.

*JL*JL*

"Well, I think that was a record, even for us…" Lauren giggled as she lay in Joey's arms some time later.

"Best sex ever…" he murmured, kissing the top of her head. His hand ran over her body, pushing the babydoll she was still wearing up her body so he could touch her skin. "Can I unwrap my present now?" he asked. Lauren lifted her head, smiling at him and nodding her head. She pulled away from him, rolling onto her back and watching as his eyes ran over her body. "I can't decide where to start…" he said.

Lauren lifted the material of the babydoll, "Start here…" she suggested.

Joey nodded and sat up and looked down at her. She was a beautiful sight. He ran his hand up her body, cupping a breast, his thumb stoking her skin gently. He moved his hand behind her neck and undid the tie string at the top of the lingerie. He pulled the top down and lowered his head, pulling a nipple between his lips and sucking on it. Lauren murmured and her hand clutched the back of his head, holding him against her chest. His hand moved to the side of the red lace and he slid down the zip. When he pulled away from her chest he eased the babydoll down her body and throwing it onto the floor. "Do you know how fucking sexy you are?" he asked her.

Lauren smiled at him, "It's why I got it…" she whispered. "I saw it and I knew you would love it. I tried it on and when I looked at myself in the mirror, I knew it was the right one. The others I'd chosen just went back out without me even trying them on."

"How did you know?" he asked, knowing what she was going to say but wanting to hear her say it.

"Because I felt beautiful in it…" she breathed, staring into his eyes. Joey smiled and then kissed her, deepening the kiss quickly as he lay back beside her. Lauren pulled away from him, frowning slightly, "You haven't finished unwrapping me…" she reminded.

"Consider this a game of pass the parcel… I've taken off the first layer… and now I get to play with you again before I remove the next one…" he told her with a smile.

*JL*JL*

"Morning to the future Mrs Branning…" Joey whispered in her ear as he felt her stir from her sleep.

Lauren smiled, "I like the sound of that…" she admitted.

"Good…" Joey said.

Lauren turned her head and looked at him, "Have you been awake long?"

Joey shrugged, "A little while…"

Lauren turned in his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist, "I would've thought you'd be knackered after last night…" she said, kissing his chest softly.

"I was… but I couldn't sleep… I wanted to enjoy the experience of holding you in my arms…"

"Joey, we have the rest of our lives for that…" she said.

"I know… but…" He closed his eyes, hesitating to say any more.

"What?" she whispered.

"I worry…" he murmured.

"About?"

"Losing you…" he said, his voice breaking slightly. "I've finally found you… and you've fixed me… made me whole again… and I'm scared that something will happen… something that will tear us apart… will tear me apart…"

"I don't plan on going anywhere…" she said.

"I don't think it's as simple as that…" he muttered.

"I know… but wouldn't you rather live your life to the fullest… and appreciate everything you can… than run away and hide from things and be miserable?" she said, "My dad once told my mum that you have to live life to be able to enjoy it…"

"Do you really believe that?" he asked.

"I think we have to, Joey… or there's no point in anything, is there?"

Joey stared into her eyes, seeing love and worry. "Can I ask you something…?"

"Of course you can."

"What would you say if I said I wanted us to have a baby?"

"Are you sure?" Lauren whispered. He nodded. "I've thought about it… I knew it'd come up at some point…"

"And?" he breathed.

"When I was younger I never thought children were a part of my future…" she said and she felt Joey tense. "Those thoughts changed slightly after my brother was born… and when I was looking after him when mum was ill…" she said. "I still wasn't sure I was responsible enough to bring a child into the world… and I worry that my drinking and health issues will have an effect…" she admitted. She lifted her eyes and looked into his, "Then I met you… and everything changed…" she whispered. "I was gutted for you when you told me about Amy… and Christopher…" she said, "I want you to have that… with me…" she told him.

"You do?"

"Yes…" she replied.

"So…" Joey swallowed, not sure what to say next.

"Were you thinking of a long engagement?" Lauren asked.

"I'm happy with whatever you want, babe." Joey said.

"Then how about we plan that… and I'll go and see my doctor and will find out about getting my implant removed… and how long it would take to get pregnant when I do that… Then we'll know where we stand…?" she suggested.

Joey smiled, "It sounds like we've got some busy months ahead of us if we're going to get a house sorted out as well…" he breathed.

"We'll get it all done…" Lauren whispered. "We can do anything together." She reminded him. She smiled, "So it's a year since we met…" she breathed.

"I know… it doesn't feel that long… and yet I feel like I've known you forever…" Joey told her.

"Me too." Lauren said. "I never thought I'd meet the man of my dreams that day… As far as I was concerned the whole weekend was going to be a write off…" she admitted. "I was dreading every second of it… and then I saw you in the restaurant… and met you in the bar… and I didn't want the weekend to end…"

"A year ago today was the day my world was set off on a new tangent…" Joey told her, "You are the most important thing in my life, Lauren… and every day I have to thank whoever saw fit to make sure we met each other a year ago…" He took her left hand in his and lifted it, kissing her ring finger tenderly. "I love you… more than I thought was humanly possible…"

"I love you too, Joey…" Lauren breathed. "And I look forward to becoming your wife…" she told him. "Can we come back here next year?" she asked him.

"We could make it an annual thing… maybe we'll always get a discount…" Joey chuckled. "One weekend every year at the place where we met…"

"Sounds like a good plan to me…" Lauren said. She pulled away from him slightly and Joey moaned as he saw her underwear practically taunting him as she twisted away from him.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I want to give you your present…" she said, opening the bedside cupboard and pulling out the wrapped gift. She sat on the bed next to him and handed the box to him. "I hope you like it…" she whispered.

"I will love it." Joey said. He tore off the wrapping paper, glancing up at Lauren when he saw the box inside. He lifted the lid, his mouth dropping open when he saw the watch he'd been looking after for the last six months. "Babe, you shouldn't have…" he said.

"Dad helped me out… I think he felt guilty about me having to referee the rows between him and mum all the time…" she said. "It's engraved…" she added softly.

Joey pulled the watch free and turned it in his hands. He smiled when he saw the words inscribed in the back. Our love is timeless… always... He put it back in the box and shut it, reaching past her and placing the box carefully on the side. As he moved back to his previous position Lauren tilted her head back and kissed him softly, pulling him so he was lying on top of her once more. "Again?" he teased her, a knowing smile on his face.

"What can I say… you bring out the best in me…" she said with a grin.

"Well, I guess we should get some practice in… we need to make sure we're ready when we get the go ahead from the doctor…" he said seriously.

"I'm pretty sure we're already well practiced, Joey…" Lauren giggled, "but I'll never turn down the prospect of my fiancé making love to me…"

"That's good to know." Joey said, smiling down at her. He kissed her again, the passion quickly building between them. As they'd already done many times over the last few hours, it didn't take long for the two of them to rise to the occasion. There was plenty of their weekend still to get through.

THE END.

A/N: There you go then… Did you like the ending? I know I probably could've continued this story longer but I think this is enough… it was a story about the two of them lowering their boundaries with each other… and letting themselves embark on a new future together. DON'T FORGET TO SEND ME A REVIEW. Back sometime… hopefully soon… with a new story… xx