Laurens POV

Waking up the next morning I felt so much better, cliché to say I know but I felt like a different person. Ok not a different person, a more relived person who knew she had support when she needed it. Talking with Joey the day before had been such a strange experience for me. I didn't really know how to talk to him before, like before I left. I always thought that the slightest of things were going to send him running back into the arms of Lucy. At the time I found it hard to believe that he loved me. Looking back now I know I should have trusted him, after all he wouldn't be in a relationship with me, his cousin, if he didn't think it was worth it. Still it was hard, after he left after the crash and told me I was a mistake, it was just difficult to be able to let myself back there again. I wasn't the most trusting of people ; I had Mum and Dad to thank for that, so I found it hard to give myself fully to him. But rehab had taught me a lot of things, one of them being able to talk, and I mean really talk.

Joey had been amazing the day before, he actually sat and listened to me, understanding what I was saying and not judging me. He really wanted to know and I think that was the mistakes we made before. I didn't want him to know and Joey didn't really have the understanding he did now. He got it wasn't just a simple thing he could click his fingers over and it would vanish, as much as we wanted it to be that way, it wasn't. He knew now it was an ongoing issues, that it would be a part of me for the rest of my life, I'd always be the girl with the alcohol issues.

I stretched out in the bed, a big smile stretching on my face. I'd slept so well last night and I had a pretty good idea why. Joey had sent me a message before I'd gone to sleep, just wishing me good night, and ye it was the simplest of messages, but it was a big deal to me. I know he was serious and he meant everything he had said.

"Lauren breakfast" I jumped from the bed, wrapping my dressing gown around me. Ronnie had a habit of making breakfast for us all now, it was like a proper little family, accept Jack and Ronnie weren't my Mum and Dad. This was the first day since being back in Walford a month ago that I hadn't been for my run.

I was slightly disappointed in myself for letting my routine slip as soon as Joey was back on the scene, but as my councillor had said many times, my running was only a distraction and there would be times when I didn't feel like a needed to run and that was ok. Having reassured myself I hadn't failed, I opened the bedroom door and sat at the table pulling a piece of toast into my mouth straight away.

Ronnie and Jack had stopped eating, Jack's hand hovering in mid-air over his mug, holding a tea spoon of sugar. They exchanged a look as I took a bite and then looked at me – that was weird. "what?"

"nothing, nothing" Jack shook his head and finally put the sugar filled spoon into his tea.

"no come on, you're looking at me really odd" I questioned putting my toast down.

"you look extremely happy this morning that's all darling…" I rolled my eyes and sat waiting for the next bit which I knew was about to follow. It was quite for a while, the sound of crunching toast and clanking of the spoon on the mugs just made it even more awkward . "wouldn't have anything to do with a certain nephew of mine would it ?"

"who Oscar ? Ye Uncle Jack he came all the way back to London in the middle of the might" Ronnie giggled, causing me to smirk, but Jack didn't seem too impressed with my comedy.

"Very funny… you know who I meant, you two seemed pretty sorted in the office yesterday" he raised an eyebrow and then suddenly yelped. He shot a glare across at Ronnie who I assumed; by the way jack was rubbing his shin, had just kicked him.

"ye thanks for the little intervention Uncle Jack, we talked " I took a sip of juice and smiled, o really couldn't help the smile, it was like a reflex. "just talked"

"it looked a little more than talking when I walked in" he smirked a slight pleasure in his voice that he was embarrassing me. I shot him a look as my cheeks flamed knowing full well jack had caught us in the middle of quite an intense kiss.

"well come on then…" Ronnie said

"We came to the conclusion, that we both made mistakes and we're going to give things another shot. We're taking things slow and doing everything the right way this time. He's made some promises and I know he means them." As if in some odd form of magic the door knocked, Jack getting up to answer it.

"ahh talk of the devil… come in Joe" my head snapped up to see Joey standing awkwardly by the door stuffing his hands into the pockets of his shorts. Hmm Joey in shorts. That was a sight I hadn't seem for a while- his perfectly formed legs, arms ….arse, were all showed off to a T. See I know there was a reason I came back in the summer. My smile instantly grew bigger and I knew I must have looked like a complete idiot. "right we're off" Jack said, he passed Ronnie her jacket and looked with a smug smile at me miming a "behave".

"have a good day sweetie" I smiled gently as Ronnie softly kissed my forehead followed by uncle Jack. The two of them left and me and Joey both waited for the sound of the front entry door to close before either of us moved.

As soon as that tell-tale click was heard, our smiles widened even more, if at all possible. My jaw was seriously starting to ache but, I just couldn't help it. "good morning" Joey literally stated, it was like he was admitting it was a good morning.

"hmm yes it is… and it's just got a whole lot better" I stood up from the chair and made my way over to him, his arms automatically enveloping me. "Hi"

"Hi" he kissed me briefly "you ok?"

"yes thank you" I nodded and held a slice of toast out to him. He smiled but shook his head. " so what brings you here ? not that I mind in the slightest." I added quickly.

"nice save" he smirked a little glint of something in his eyes. He was up to something "we are going out for the day…I'm taking you on a date" I think my face said it all and I knew I had definitely zoned out a little when I heard him chuckle and click his fingers in front of me.

"sorry" I felt the blush rise in my cheeks, so in an aim to cool off literally, I took a huge gulp of juice and decided to choke in the process. At first it was only a slight cough but it just got worse, and to add to the embarrassment Joey had to pat my back like I was some kind of incapable child.

"careful babe…" he soothed, a little hint of laughter to his voice "better?"

I nodded and sipped the water he'd given me " so where are we going?"

"aha" he tapped his nose with his finger and raised his eyebrow-so sexy when he does that. I shook my head of the stupid thought…. Well not so stupid he was incredibly hot… anyway he looked back to me "that's for me to know and you to find out… go change we have about an hour before we need to leave" I opened my mouth to ask a question but he stopped me "you trust me yes?" I nodded "then just get changed and don't ask questions"

I frowned and pouted a little but soon felt myself being marched to the bathroom with instructions of shower and change. I could feel the excitement building as I stood in the shower, this was the first proper date I'd been on in years. I let myself go into my own little world for god knows how long.

"Beautiful singing babe… but we're running out of time here" Joeys voice came through the bathroom door, my own mind kicked itself. Turns out I'd been singing (out of tune) my little heart out like I was the next Adele. Poor Joey's ears.

"sorry" I murmured back receiving yet another chuckle in response.

*JL*JL*JL*

"You look beautiful babe" I blushed at his comment as he held my hand and led me from the flat. After debating with me over what was appropriate to wear, he finally gave me a few hints and suggested I wore something comfortable but made me feel good. So I'd decided on a patterned dress, it was summer after all. Plus Mum had completely overhauled my wardrobe whilst I was down south. Apparently skinnys and back tops didn't quite cut it. I guess a sober Lauren was a brighter Lauren and so I did agree my clothes needed to reflect that.

"Thank you…Mum made me buy it" Joey casually walked us along towards the tube station our fingers naturally entwining.

"It really suites you, brings out your eyes" my heart skipped and began beating heavily as his hand came up and brushed my hair behind my ear. I was more than thankful I'd worn it down today, because, even without words, I knew what that gesture meant and like that, the last shimmer of doubt was gone.

Last one for the weekend i'll be back to update next Friday :)

Where's Joey taking Lauren on their date ? and don't you just over the Mum and Dad figures in Jack and Ronnie xxx