Chapter 13.1
"WHAT" she screeched, jumping up off of the bed, standing at the end arms crossed.
"Lauren calm down" he said, his arms reached out to her.
"CALM DOWN CALM DOWN" she continued to scream, anger appearing across her face as she stormed out of the bedroom, stomping down the stairs for further effect.
"Babe" he called after her, putting on his trackie bottoms and running down after her.
"What is going through your mind? Like seriously" she said pacing the living room, the carpet practically wearing away under her stomps.
"I think that was pretty obvious" he smirked, trying to lighten the mood but failing miserably.
"It isn't a joke Joey" she snapped back.
"I don't understand why your so wound up babe?" placing his hands either side of her, stopping her from pacing.
"Then you don't understand me do you" she replied, shrugging from his hold.
"That was out of line" Joe becoming slightly annoyed at her tone.
"Sorry" she muttered, knowing her comment was below the belt but she was angry.
Joey sat down on the sofa, still watching Lauren as she stood looking out the window. She was glaring, which meant she was pretty pissed off. Turning to face him, her dagger eyes were now pointing straight at him.
"You do know how old I actually am don't you?" she snapped, her face slightly red.
"Of course I do, but that doesn't mean anything" he replied, trying to reason with her and failing miserably.
"Doesn't matter?" she scoffed.
"No of course not, I thought you would feel the same as me" he replied, watching as her face softened slightly.
"I do feel the same, just not yet babe, I'm 21 not 30" sitting down on the coffee table in front of him taking his hands in hers.
"Then why not now?" stroking her warm cheeks with the back of his hand.
"I'm not ready, I want to get back to work, it's my passion" her face leaning automatically into his touch.
"Okay I understand, let's say no more about it" placing a little kiss onto her lips Lauren smiling as they had laid that issue to bed for a while.
Lauren had finally returned to work, it seemed like she had been away for ages.
"Nice to see you again Lauren, we've had some clients asking for your work so jump straight in" Marge said giving her a swift hug and letting Lauren get on with her work.
Lauren had so much inspiration for her art. The crash being one, she was able to portray her emotions onto the page easily and created some outstanding work. This always resulted in a huge pay check at the end of the month. Wanting to distract Joey away from the subject, which seemed to loom in the back of their minds, she bought him a new watch. A designer watch, which had cost a bomb hoping that it would keep Joey distracted for a while.
Entering into their house Lauren chucked down her bag. Hearing Grace giggling in the front room with Joey she felt a smile sweep across her face.
"There's my two favourite people" sitting down on the carpet next to Joey who had Grace in his lap.
"Mama" she squealed excited to see Lauren.
"Hello my baby" taking Grace from Joey and kissing her daughters pink cheek. Grace had grown so big now, she had taken to crawling expertly knowing walking was next.
"Hello you" kissing Joeys lips whilst Grace crawled around them.
"We missed you" he replied their lips still on one and others.
"Me too" kissing him again, letting it last longer.
"I got you a present" she said getting up and walking to the hallway to get the watch from her bag, she walked back in, stepping over Grace who had paused for a second before crawling again.
"What's this for?" he said raising his eyebrow in surprise.
"A thank you for everything really, you've been so good through all the crash stuff" passing the present bag over to Joey.
"No need to thank me babe, Its what I'm here for" he replied, kissing the hand which passed him the present.
Watching Joey open the present she felt slightly guilty, although she meant it as a thank you she was also using it as a bribe. His eyes lit up as she pulled out the watch from the box.
"Babe this is Armini?" his jaw dropping to the floor as he placed it on his wrist.
"Nothing less for my baby" she said sweetly, feeling a bit better that he liked it so much.
"You shouldn't have babe" standing up and pulling her into a hug, "I love it" kissing her lips passionately.
"Look Boo, look what mummy got daddy" picking his excited daughter up, Grace reaching for the new shiny object on his wrist, her tiny fingers playing with it.
"I think she likes it just as much as me" he muttered to Lauren who stood watching the interaction between Father and Daughter.
"Right I'll start on dinner, just need to give Abs a call" leaving the two watching the TV and closing the living room door behind. Lauren made her way upstairs closing the bedroom door behind her and pulling out her mobile dialling Abi's number.
"Hey Lauren what's up?"
"Abs, need your advice" Lauren sighing down the phone, she hated burdening her sister with her problems but she needed some sisterly advice.
"Sure hit me with it?" Abi said laughing nervously.
Lauren began explaining the situation to Abi, who stayed silent during the phone call until Laurne had finished explaining.
"Wow" Abi said, letting a sigh release from her mouth.
"I know, I don't know how I feel" Lauren replied running her hands through her hair.
"And he's sure?"
"100%, I mean I understand completely just right now I'm not sure" Lauren had now begun pacing the bedroom.
"I think it would be perfect, but it's up to you" Abi replied, trying to make her sister feel better about the situation.
"Your right Abs, thanks see you later" she replied before putting the phone down.
Changing into her comfy clothes Lauren made her way downstairs, peaking her head around the door she lent on the doorframe watching Joey and Grace together. He had begun throwing her lightly up and down, Grace squealing with excitement.
"I love you Boo" placing a little kiss on her nose, Grace resting her tiny hands on his cheek.
"Dada" she said, a breath taking smile sweeping across Joey's face.
"That's right I'm your dada" mimicking her, pulling his daughter close into his chest, Grace curling herself into it just like Lauren did.
"Joey" she whispered disturbing the moment, and sitting down next to him.
"Yeah babe" he replied, rubbing her arm soothingly.
"I think we should try for another baby"