Their walk to the tube station was muted, the pair walked in unison Lauren pushing the pushchair. Noah had happily gone with them, leaving Max and Tanya without a fuss, only wanting Lauren now she was there. Lauren was grateful for Joeys presence it gave her some guarantee however small it was that he was ok with this for now at least. Her thoughts slowly drifted away not knowing what to say to break this uncomfortable silence they held since Leaving the Branning's. Reaching the tube station Lauren knew she would need to talk to him now, getting a pushchair up two flights of stairs alone posed certain difficulties. She paused at the bottom step about to talk when Joey moved round to the front of it lifting it with ease. Lauren smiled weakly at him as they navigated the stairs.
Reaching the top Joey released his hold and they went back to walking in silence. They reached their platform as the tube arrived and again Joey lifted the pushchair up the step. Luckily the tub was pretty empty so they got seats without a problem. Lauren sat and turned the pushchair to face her, Noah again sleeping. She smiled slightly; he really was like her, craving his sleep at every opportunity. Joey sat next to Lauren leaning his elbows in his knees.
"Joey…" her hand settled gently on his knee but he nudged it away.
"Not now Lauren" she noticed the off Standish tone, obviously he wasn't taking this as well as she'd first thought. His actions from earlier seemed insignificant now, it was like he'd only acted the way he had to spite the family, it had worked but Lauren was now feeling the consequences. She felt deflated, she wanted Noah and she wanted joey she just prayed the two wouldn't conflict and she'd be forced to make a choice.
The Tube journey was long, the usual conversation that flowed between the two was lying dead at their feet, no words spoken just strained breathing and looks. Laurens breathing was Laboured evident she was silently crying. Her foot rocked the pushchair as she stared out the window brushing away the occasional tear. Their stop couldn't come quick enough and as soon as it did Lauren was speeding from the platform.
Joey sighed watching as Lauren walked in front of him, keeping her distance, he knew he had been off with her but he couldn't really grasp why, was he hurt? shocked? He really didn't know. Walking from the station the night greeted them. It was now dark and cold, a harsh wind blowing carrying sleet in its gusts. Joey quickened his step so he was next to Lauren. She tensed slightly as his hand came to rest on top of hers on the handle. She turned her head smiling at him slightly. His arm dropped and then snaked around her waist applying sight pressure to encourage her forward.
"Come on" he spoke softly. His protection of Lauren creeping in the more they walked nearer to the flats. Lauren knew what Joey was doing, he hated her going out in the dark for work and now it was later and they had a baby with them. They continued to walk Joeys hold of Lauren increasing as they reached the worst part of the estate. Her feet dragged along the floor as the noises got louder, never before had she been threatened by the place she lived, but now she was scared. Scared that it wasn't just her, but Noah that needed protecting. She felt slightly guilty now for taking Noah out of the safer surroundings of number 5 and Walford.
Walking these streets was like being in a different world, gangs of teenagers lined the streets kicking empty cans around and chanting as rival gang members swaged by. "mmm Looking fine tonight sweet cheeks" one of the gang leered at Lauren and Joey was straight in to protect her.
"your disgusting mate… leave my girlfriend alone, can you not see she'd got her son?" the lad sucked his teeth as the rest of the gang laughed in the background "Come on babe". The remainder of the walk took 2 minutes. Finally they were in the flat block, her flat on the 3rd floor looking more appealing by the second.
"Eugh finally, home sweet home" Lauren pushed the pushchair into the living area Joey shutting the door behind her. She lifted Noah up into her arms and settled onto the sofa. He stirred slightly as she removed his coat yet he still remained sleeping. Joey leaned against the door staring at his girlfriend and son. Lauren caught his gaze and sighed. "I understand if you hate me"
"I don't hate you Lauren… I'm just annoyed. Why didn't you tell me?" her shrugged his coat off and hung it on the pegs by the door.
"I was scared you'd run again" she murmured so quietly Joey hardly heard her. "You'd only just come back and I was ok with how things for"
"I meant before I left… you obviously knew" she shook her head and Joey frowned
"I found out about two weeks after you went, I was sick and collapsed at college and Mum forced me to go to the doctors because college called her… I went to the doctors they took some bloods and told me they'd call with the results" she shifted on the sofa and Joey finally came and sat next to her. "They called me back the same day, I was petrified. They told me I was pregnant Joe. Me useless Lauren Branning was having a baby" she scoffed and looked down at Noah.
"You aint useless Lo, Look at you" his words had more conviction to them but his face still remained emotionless. He seemed to be battling with himself to accept and be happy about this, he wanted to but something was stopping him, like if he was happy about it something would come along and take it all away. After all that's exactly what happened with Lauren.
"Really? Joey I was a mess, you'd gone my Mum and dad practically hated me and then I was pregnant, they did a scan and told me I was 3 months pregnant. You should have seen him, a tiny little blob with arms and legs on the screen, it just made it all real. I'd decided there and then I wanted to have him, he was part of me and it meant I'd have part of you too" Noah woke up with a grumble his eyes looking up at Lauren.
"I think someone wants your attention" Joey smiled as Noah began prodding Laurens arm.
"Good sleep Mr? you missed all the drama baby… ye you did" As anticipated at some point, Noah started crying "Oh dear me what's the matter ?" Lauren started soothing him running her hand over his back.
"You amazing with him Lo" Joey reached out his hand squeezing hers and then moving to brush his fingers through Noah's hair "Shall I sort some food out ?" Lauren nodded
"Joe ?" He froze turning back to her "We will be alright wont we ?" Joey could see the hurt in her eyes. He moved to kneel in front of her. Reaching up he tilted her chin to him.
"I love you Lauren… I'm just a little shell shocked babe that's all. But ye we'll get through it, it's not just about us now is it… we got this little solider to think of. I promise I'll do all I can for the both of you, It'll just take some time"
"We love you too" she smiled leaning in kissing him quickly.
*JL*JL*JL*
After feeding Noah and changing him Lauren had quickly settled him back in the pushchair, the only place available for him to sleep until they got things sorted. The two of them Lay in the bed, Laurens body almost draped over Joeys.
"I'm really sorry I didn't tell you about him" Lauren turned to face him, propping up on her elbow.
"Babe honestly, stop apologising, you explained I understand, I didn't exactly give you much opportunity to tell me did I" she dropped back to his chest her cheek resting against his warm skin. "We should go and sort some things tomorrow, see if uncle Jack can bring some things over" Lauren nodded. "How did people not guess he was yours? He's the spit of you"
"I think he looks like you, when he was born he had the exact same hair as you, all messy" she giggled "I saw you in him every time he opened his eyes"
"His eyes are yours Lauren, there's no denying it baby" Joey kissed her softly on the forehead "He's perfect Lo, just like his Mum" He continued talking to her but realised she had fallen asleep, probably some time ago, by the way her mouth was open. "Sleep tight baby".
Next morning, Lauren woke to find the bed empty again, she sighed guessing he'd probably run, what shocked her most though was Noah was gone too. Panic setting in she bounder through to the living area and stopped dead in her tracks at what she saw. Joey was asleep on the sofa; Noah curled up in a blanket on his chest, also sleeping. A big grin took to her face as she stepped closer.
"Wakey, wakey sunshine" she whispered, her fingers tracing across his face. Joey groaned and prised an eye open. "Morning" Lauren smiled to him
"Morning to you too" he shifted carefully, in an attempt not to wake Noah.
"You should have woke me" she said joining her boys on the sofa, Joey opened his arm out to her pulling her next to Noah.
"It was half 6 and were tired after yesterday, He was already awake when I woke up, just sitting staring at us" Lauren smiled "He's been fed and we watched some random baby show, and then he settled back like this and fell to sleep again" Joey looked rather pleased with himself, as he caught Laurens gaze.
"Well get you Mr domestic" she laughed finally feeling like they'd had a breakthrough- things would be ok.
