Sunday 25 December 2016
Nervous anticipation began building within Joey as soon as he woke up. He slid out of the bed and walked into the kitchen. He grabbed his mobile from the side and dialed a number, "Is everything ready?" he asked. He listened to the response, "We'll be there later this afternoon..." he said. He glanced back at the bedroom, "No, she doesn't suspect a thing..." he said with a smile. He heard Lauren moving around the room, "I'd better go... Love you too..." he whispered. He ended the call quickly as she walked out of the bedroom, "Hey babe..." he said, walking over to her and wrapping his arms around her waist as he pulled her against him. "How are you both this morning?" he whispered before pressing his lips against her temple, still stunned by what she'd told him the night before.
"We're fine, baby... and no morning sickness today either," she said, resting her head against his bare chest, "Who were you on the phone to?" she asked.
"I was just listening to a voicemail message from my mum." He said.
*JL*JL*
"Do we really have to go out?" Lauren protested when Joey ushered her out of the flat just as it was starting to get dark. She wrapped her arms around her body and buried her face into her scarf, trying to shield herself from the bitter wind. "I can't believe you're making me go out in the cold."
"Don't you want to see your family?" he asked her.
"I'd rather stay snuggled up with you in our flat..." she admitted, pressing herself into the side of his body, using him as a shield too. In fact she'd spent the last few hours doing just that and she'd been in her happy place. She really wished she was still there and not heading over to the Vic because that was most definitely not her happy place. It was a place that held many bad memories for her. Joey smiled into the collar of his jacket and led her across to the gardens in the centre of the square. He counted the seconds until she mentioned it... "Joey, why is there a piano in the gardens?" she asked him softly. He stopped them beside the piano and Lauren turned to look at him, "Is this something to do with you?" she asked him, staring deeply into his eyes.
"Maybe," he admitted.
"What are you up to, baby?" she asked as he led her over to the bench which sat beside the Christmas tree in the garden. She stared at him as he walked a few feet away from her. She glanced at the piano again and saw that Dexter was now sitting at it and it looked like he was about to play it. Dexter waved at her quickly before placing his hands back on the piano keys.
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Lauren looked back at Joey as soon as the first line left his mouth. Her mouth dropped open when she saw him standing a few feet away, singing to her. He looked so gorgeous.
It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've brought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Lauren's head tilted back as she realised that there were snowflakes falling from the sky. Several fell on her face and she knew it wasn't real snow because they didn't melt. If she concentrated she could hear the whir of the snow machine behind her but she turned her gaze back to Joey, still blown away by what he was doing.
The fire is slowly dying
And my dear we're still goodbyeing
But as long as you love me so
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
His voice was amazing and Lauren had to bite her lip to stop herself from throwing herself at him. She watched him for the rest of the song, sitting there as the fake snowflakes fell around her. The song ended and he stood in the centre of the garden. She could tell he was nervous about what he'd just done but there was something else that she couldn't quite name in the depth of his eyes.
"So I guess it's time for your gift..." he said softly. Lauren glanced around but she couldn't see anything that would be linked to drummer's anywhere. "Happy twelfth day of Christmas, babe..." he said. The music started again and then she heard it... the distant sound of drums. He started to sing and again he became her focus, everything else fading into the distance.
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the tree tops glisten
And the children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmasses be white
Lauren heard the drums get louder and then she saw them, her friends and family walking out of the pub, each carrying a drum that they were tapping on, in time with the piano and Joey. She looked at each person as they walked out onto the street and stood in the road on the other side of the railings. There was her dad, Abi, Jay, her nan, Peter, Joey's mum Sarah, Alice, Liam and Fatboy. The last three that came out of the pub brought tears to her eyes. Her Uncle Jack, her mum and Oscar. All of them were smiling at her as they got into place. She turned her attention back to Joey and as the song ended she was vaguely aware of the sound of the snow machine grinding to a halt. She saw the slightly panicked look on Joey's face as he glanced at someone behind her. Then he looked up at the sky and the most beautiful smile appeared on his face. It was then that Lauren realised it was really snowing, all the fake snow being replaced by proper snowflakes. It was almost like Joey had planned it but that was impossible... right? One look at his face told that he was as surprised as she was.
Joey looked back at her again and then he walked to her, holding his hand out towards her. She took it and he tugged her to her feet, "Merry Christmas..." he whispered.
"Merry Christmas to you too," she replied. She looked around, seeing her friends and families still standing on the street. Then she realised that everyone else from the square was also gathered around the garden, watching her and Joey. "I can't believe you did all this…..."
"Well, it's Christmas Day... I wanted it to be a day you remembered."
"I remember every day with you, Joey..." she whispered. She glanced at her family again, "Mum, Oscar and Uncle Jack are here..." she whispered.
"I know... I had some help from your dad and your sister on those..." he told her softly. He was holding both of her hands and as Lauren looked up at his face she could see there was still something he wasn't telling her.
"Talk to me, baby..." she said.
"There are a couple more things," he breathed, letting go of one of her hands and lifting it, brushing her hair back from her face and tucking it behind her ear in his trademark move that was just hers. Lauren turned her face into the palm of his hand. She lifted her hand and held his against her cheek. "I had everything planned out..." he whispered, "I knew what I was going to say... and now the moment's here and my mind is blank..." he admitted. Again there was fear in his eyes and Lauren watched as he pulled away from her and took a deep breath. Her breath faltered as she saw him smoothly go down on one knee and she bit her lip when he looked up at her face, "You know I'm not one for fancy words... that I've always struggled with telling anyone how I've felt about them... You've always been different though, babe. You're the one person in my life that made me truly believe that I'm nothing like my father... you gave me a purpose and made me want to be the kind of guy that could be with someone like you." He stopped speaking for a minute and they just stared at each other, "Lauren Branning, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" he asked her softly.
Lauren's heart stopped... literally... in that moment. She'd never thought she would hear those words from him. He'd never believed in marriage and given the fallout from her parent's tumultuous relationship, she wasn't completely sure she blamed him. "Is this because of what I told you last night?" she whispered. She saw his face drop and felt awful for not giving him an answer but she needed to know the reasons behind his proposal first.
He'd lowered his head at her question and when he lifted it again, Lauren could see the love in his eyes. "Babe..." he whispered, "All of this takes more than a few hours to throw together..." he said softly as his eyes ran around the square. "I've been planning this for months... I've known I wanted to do this for a long time. I wanted to do this last year but I knew that I wasn't ready then. I was scared that it was too soon... that there were still things we needed to sort out between us, but I was wrong. I think the biggest thing that stopped me doing it was that I wasn't sure I was the right guy for you. I was just second guessing myself though. I asked your dad for permission back in the summer. That was when I made the decision to ask you today. When you suggested this 12 days thing everything fell into place and I knew today was be the perfect time to ask you the most important question I've ever asked anyone. So I started to plan this... I got your family and friends here, arranged for them to have drums and to learn their parts, I convinced Alfie to sort out a snow machine, Dexter to play the piano... fitted in a couple of singing lessons and got everything else ready. I wanted it to be perfect," He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles tenderly, "I may have also got this for you..." he whispered, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out that much sought after little black box. He opened it and showed her what was inside.
Lauren stared at him in wonder because there inside the box was the very ring she'd spent so much time gazing at; the solitaire diamond ring she'd wanted him to give her last year. "Joey..." she whispered.
"Are you going to answer my question, babe...?" he murmured.
"Yes..." she whispered.
He stared at her, not sure which question she was answering, "Was that a yes, you'll be my wife?" he asked softly. She nodded her head, a huge lump forming in her throat as she saw the relief in his eyes at her confirmation. He hugged her from his kneeling position and her arms wound around his neck, pulling him against her stomach. She felt him press his mouth against her belly and a tear ran down her face.
"Get up, baby..." she whispered, the tears flowing faster now. He frowned but did as she said and got to his feet. "You say you're not one for fancy words and then you say all that... I've loved you since the first day I saw you, Joey Branning." She told him, "I've dreamt about you asking me that question for the last two years but I never thought you'd go to this much trouble to ask me it." She smiled at him, reaching up and brushing away the one lone tear that fell down his cheek. "Yes, Joey... I will be your wife... I would never say no to you because you're the only guy I am going to do this with and we're only going to do this once... just so you know." She winked at him, "So are you going to put that beautiful ring on my finger and then kiss me?" she giggled.
"If you insist..." he said with a soft smile. He pulled the ring from the box and lifted her hand, sliding it gently onto her ring finger. Lauren looked at how pretty it looked on her hand but Joey distracted her by lifting her chin, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with a smile. It seemed an age before his lips met hers and she was kind of aware of the cheering and clapping of the people around them but most of her focus was on Joey. He was hers now... well, he had been for a few years but now it was official. She was going to be Mrs. Joseph Branning and she didn't think she'd ever been this happy in her life. He pulled away from her and then stepped away altogether, winking at her as he saw the confused expression on her face. She saw him look at Dexter who was still sat at the piano and when he began to sing again, her heart melted.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about those presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
You know that all I want for Christmas
Is you...
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even ask for snow
No, I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
There's no sense in hanging stockings
There upon the fireplace
Cause Santa he won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day
I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
Girl, what can I do?
You know that all I want for Christmas
Is you...
Lauren was transfixed as she watched and listened to him sing, knowing that every single word was meant from the heart. In that moment it was just the two of them in the square; all of the other residents were gone as far as she was concerned. The song brought tears to her eyes again and then Joey was in front of her, wiping those tears away as he continued to sing. As the song ended and Dexter finished playing the piano Joey pulled her against him and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, babe." He said softly.
"Love you too, Joey..." she whispered.
The next few minutes passed in a blur as the twelve drummers and Dexter gathered around them congratulating and hugging them both. Those minutes were followed by an hour or so in the pub with the rest of the square doing the same thing. Lauren could barely focus on any of it... she would never be able to remember what any of them said to her because all she was aware of was Joey holding her hand, Joey periodically pressing his lips onto her hair, her face, her mouth. She was absorbed by the fact that whenever she glanced at Joey she found he was watching her, his emotions for her clearly on display in a way she'd never seen before... not with other people present anyway. After just under two hours there was just one other thing on Lauren's mind. She wanted Joey... NOW and if they didn't go home to the privacy of their flat right fucking now... she's do that here in the bar... with the rest of the square watching them.
"Can we get out of here?" she whispered as she moved her mouth to his ear, seeing the knowing smirk appear on his face. She'd said something similar to him before, when the two of them were on a double date with Fats and Poppy – not that Fats and Poppy knew that as they didn't know Joey and Lauren were dating at that time. She'd got the same reaction from him then too.
"Guys, we're going to call it a night..." Joey said, downing the rest of his drink. They ignored the looks from friends and family as Joey helped Lauren to her feet. He put his arm around her back, hugging her against his side as they walked out of the pub. The snow was thicker on the ground now as they walked back over to their flat.
"I'm not sure I said it earlier, baby... but thank you..." Lauren whispered.
"What for?" he asked, although he suspected her answer.
"Giving me the perfect Christmas..." she said as he slid the key in the door to their flat.
"Well, by my reckoning, I still have a few hours left, babe..." he whispered, ushering her through the door and slamming it shut behind him. He spun her round and pressed against the door he'd just shut, crushing his mouth to hers, the passion quickly building between them. Joey ran his hands up her thighs, pushing the skirt of her dress higher and his fingers easing her knickers off her hips. Lauren moaned as she felt his fingers slide into her, her hips rocking against his hand as he continued to stroke her.
"Oh god, Joey..." she moaned, stretching her neck so she could kiss his mouth. "I need you, baby..." she whimpered and Joey needed little more encouragement from her. She leant against the wall as he literally tore his coat off his body. He was gentler as he eased her coat from her, his hands brushing over her body again. "I really need you, Joey..." she said, her hands moving urgently to his jeans and fighting with his belt and the zip before his jeans were thrust down to his thighs. He lifted her off the floor, sliding his length into her welcoming body, most of their clothes still on their bodies. They both moaned and their kisses became more frantic. This time was hard and fast as they both gave in to the emotions that had escalated since they'd left the flat earlier that day. "Harder, baby..." she sighed as he sank into her, deeper than before. "That's it..." she cried out as he complied with her every demand. It didn't take much before they both came. Joey felt his length slip from her body and he sagged against her, his energy spent after the tension of the day and the stress of not knowing if Lauren would say yes was finally released.
*JL*JL*
After regaining some strength he pushed away from the wall and carefully stripped the rest of her clothes from her body. She smiled at him tenderly as she leant against the wall, her eyes raking over his body as he quickly removed what he was still wearing. He lifted her off her feet and into his arms and carried her through to their bedroom. He laid her on the bed and climbed in behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, his hand settling on her stomach, "So I was thinking, babe..." he whispered, pressing his mouth against her shoulder.
"Should I be worried?" she giggled.
"Maybe..." he admitted and Lauren glanced back at him, not expecting him to say that. "How would you feel about getting married on New Year's Eve?" he asked her softly.
"Are you in a rush?" she asked him, frowning at him.
"Well, I want us to be married before the baby is born... and I'm not desperate for a lavish wedding unless you are... just something simple will suit me, with a few friends and family there. Your mum and Oscar are already here. So is Uncle Jack." He paused and looked at her face, "And I may have already booked it..." he whispered, not quite able to meet her eyes.
"You have?" she gasped.
"Yeah... I hoped you would say yes..." he murmured, taking a deep breath before speaking again, "I want us to start next year as husband and wife... a fresh start for us both..." he added softly. "All you need to do is sort a dress... and turn up."
"I'm sure I've got something I can wear..." she said.
"I want you to get a dress... to get something special for the day..."
"Let's do this, Joey..." She said excitedly as she twisted in his arms so she could look at him better.
"I'm glad you said that, babe..." he whispered, kissing her passionately. "Do you think you can get the time off work for a honeymoon?" he said with a small smirk.
"I'll try my best..." Lauren whispered. She moved back to her original position and they settled into a comfortable silence.
*JL*JL*
Lauren could hear the faint sound of Joey snoring in her ear and she could feel it lulling her to sleep. The room was dark apart from the fairy lights that hung above the bed. She glanced, not for the first time, at her left hand, her eyes focusing on the sparkling ring that made it look so much more beautiful. She hadn't thought she could be as happy as she was now. She thought after everything she'd been through she didn't deserve to be this happy. Joey's left hand was resting on her very small bump and that made her happy too. No one else would know, from looking at her, about the baby but she liked the fact that her and Joey could see a very small sign of their child that was growing within her. They were a proper family and in seven days time it would be official.
AN: So, okay, it was a little cheesy but Joey wanted it to be special... and hopefully you can agree it was that. I may have been listening to Michael Buble when I wrote this and feeling very Christmassy.
Let me and Eastendersfan444 know what you think... One more chapter to go... the epilogue... Back tomorrow.
R&R as always