Joey grabbed his phone and walked into the wardrobe looking for what to wear, he dialed his friends number and put the phone down after putting the speaker on.

"Joey, my man. Where the hell have you been? You haven't called or texted me in two weeks."

"Sorry, I was... busy."

"Busy, huh? What kind of busy? 'I was to lazy' busy or 'I was with someone' busy?"

"I was with someone, okay. She's kept me busy and I have enjoyed every minute of it."

"Oh, and who may this woman that is stealing my best friend away be?"

"Lauren."

"Lauren?! As in the Lauren? The Lauren I heard about almost every night for five years?"

"Yes, that Lauren and keep your voice down. You're on speaker."

"Wait, she's with you?"

"No she's downstairs. But I don't want her to hear you."

"Okay, fine I'll be quiet. You're back in Newcastle?"

"Yeah, we are here for the weekend. I needed to take some things back home with me."

"Are you two dating? I thought you were going to take that job you got offered?"

"We are dating. And no i'm not taking the job, I already have enough money anyway and I need to be with Lauren. I'm probably going back to Jersey with her."

"Jersey, really?"

"Yes."

"You'd do all that for one girl?"

"Two actually."

"What do you mean two? Oh, I forgot she's "the one" right?"

"She is the one and about the two thing it's... complicated."

"Oooh, I don't like complicated. But, I am your best guy friend and you have to tell me."

"Not over the phone. Are you busy today?"

"No, I have the rest of the day free. Why?"

"I want you to meet her. Bring Sarah if you want." Joey said referring to Michael's girlfriend.

"Okay, I will, I don't think Sarah will want to come. She's been extra pregnant lately. If you tell me what's going on with the whole two thing."

"That's fine, if Sarah doesn't want to she doesn't have to. I'll call you to come over for dinner. I'll try and tell you tonight, okay?"

"It's a plan. I can't wait to meet the girl you fell in love with."

"I'll text you when we get back. I'm taking her to a surprise."

"Okay, man. Have fun with your surprise."

"Okay, bye Michael."

"Bye, Joey."

Joey hung up the phone and walked out of the wardrobe, while he was on the phone he got dressed. He headed downstairs towards Lauren, she was sitting on the couch sipping coffee cuddled in a blanket looking out the window.

"Hey, Lauren." Lauren looked at Joey, then unwrapped herself from the blanket and set her coffee on the table before scooting next to him.

"Are you ready to go?" Lauren said grabbing his hand

"Yeah."

"So what's the schedule like for today?"

"Well, I am taking you to my favorite restaurant for lunch. Then, we can actually go shopping today for a while instead of tomorrow, and after that we are coming back here to have dinner with my friend, Michael. Does that sound good?"

"Well today sounds pretty good. So Michael is the friend you were talking about."

"Yeah and he is excited to meet you."

"Okay, well let's go then."

Joey and Lauren walked out of the apartment and started walking. The restaurant wasn't very far from Joey's place and it was usually a quiet restaurant. Joey stopped in front of a semi fancy restaurant, he grabbed Lauren's hand and led her inside.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Branning." The hostess greeted them.

"Hi, Britney. Table for two, please." Joey said.

"Of course. Right this way." She stepped out from behind her post and grabbed two menus leading them to a quiet corner of the restaurant.

"Your waitress will be here shortly."

Lauren observed the restaurant, and saw that only about half of the tables were filled. She liked the way she felt seperated from the rest of the people in the restaurant because of their table's location. She also noted the dim lighting and the relaxed vibe in the restaurant. Joey and Lauren figured out what they wanted to eat and then ordered. They ate for about two hours and when they left it was three o'clock, Joey still needed to kill some time and was going to go shopping with her. Lauren stopped in front of a store and looked at it, then she walked in with Joey right behind her. She bought a dress and a tee. They walked around for two more hours, Lauren buying anything she wanted. Joey had about ten bags in his hands, and they were going to take them back to his place.

"Those bags heavy yet?" Lauren said looking back at him smirking.

"A little."

"Okay, I'll help you carry them." Joey and Lauren walked into his apartment and put the bags down. Joey turned to Lauren.

"Lauren, can I tell Michael about Rebecca? It's just he's been there through everything since I moved here and I want him to know, but if you're not comfortable with-" Lauren got Joey to stop rambling by kissing him.

"Of course it is. She's your daughter too and I'm glad that you want people to know that."

"Why wouldn't I, she's my daughter."

"Hearing you say that makes me happy."

.

When they were on their way home, Joey texted Michael.

"We are on our way home. When can you come over?"

"How long until you get home?"

"About fifteen minutes."

"I'll be over in thirty five minutes."

"Okay. Is pizza good with you?"

"Yeah, pizza's great."

"Okay, you excited to meet Lauren?"

"I am."

"Gotta go. I want to spend a little time with her before you come."

"Okay, I'll be over soon."

Joey and Lauren walked inside and sat on the couch. Joey had already ordered the pizza and it would be there soon.

"Joey, I had so much fun with you today."

"I'm glad you did, I did too. But, my feet hurt." Joey laughed then laid down. Lauren crawled on top of him straddling his waist.

"Are you okay?" Lauren smiled down at Joey.

"No, I think you can distract me, though."

"Maybe I can." Lauren leaned down and kissed him.

"Better?" She said smiling.

"No I don't think so." Joey said flipping them over and kissing her. Right when he was going to pick her up and carry her to his room the doorbell rang. Joey sat up off of Lauren and groaned, she laughed and sat up. Joey walked to the door and opened it.

"Hey, Michael." Joey said giving him a bro hug.

"What's up, Joey." Joey stepped aside letting him come in the apartment.

"Michael, this is Lauren. Lauren this is Michael."

"Hi." Lauren said giving him a soft smile.

"So this is the famous Lauren Branning. Nice to meet you." Michael said grabbing her hand and kissing it.

"Hey, lay off Michael. She's mine." Joey laughed

"Okay, okay." Michael laughed and sat down. Lauren sat opposite to him on a chair.

"So Michael, you've known Jake since he moved here."

"Yes, we were work mates. I feel like I've known you that long too." Joey sat next to Michael.

"What do you mean?" Lauren asked

"Well, you're all he ever talked about."

Lauren smiled. "I didn't know you talked about me that much."

"I missed you, I needed to." Joey smiled as he talked to Lauren.

Michael, Lauren and Joey had been talking for ten more minutes when the doorbell rang.

"That must be the pizza. I'll get it." Lauren said standing up and walking over to the door. Once she was out of earshot Michael turned to Joey.

"She's just how you described her so when are you going to explain to me this 'complicated' thing that has to do with you moving to Jersey."

"I can't tell you now, she'll hear. I'll tell you when you ready to leave."

"Fine. But you bett-" Michael was cut off by Joey.

"Shhh. She's back."

"Here's the pizza and some plates." Lauren said setting them down on the coffee table.

They all ate pizza and had a good time. Michael thought Lauren was sweet and good for Joey, and Marley could tell Michael was a good friend to Joey. About an hour after talking and eating pizza Michael was ready to head out. Lauren took the rubbish and plates into the kitchen and came back into the livingroom to see Joey grabbing his jacket.

"Lo. I'll be right back, I'm going to go downstairs with him."

"Okay, Joe. I'll be in the bedroom." Lauren winked at Joey before walking to the bedroom.

"Damn, she's hot." Michael said once they walked into the hall.

"Yeah, she is and she's all mine." Joey said smiling walking towards the elevator.

"How's Sarah?" Joey asked.

"She's moody, tired, and pregnant. How do you think she is?" Joey chuckled walking into the elevator.

"You excited to be a dad? She due soon, right?"

"Yeah, she's due in two weeks. I'm excited and nervous, I still can't believe I'm going to be a dad. I'm going to be a dad before you."

"No you're not." Joey said looking at him and stepping out of the elevator walking towards the exit.

Michael grabbed Joey by the arm. "What are you talking about? Did you knock someone up? Does Lauren know?"

"Woah, woah. Calm down. That's where the whole two thing is coming from."

"I'm confused."

"Remember when I told you I broke up with Lauren because of the whole thing with my dad?"

"She was pregnant. She had a baby girl and named her Rebecca." Joey pulled out his phone and showed Michael a picture of himself and Rebecca. "She's beautiful isn't she?"

"Yeah, that's just really shocking. How did you find out?"

"I suspected but wasn't sure until she told me."

"Well, congrats I guess?"

"Well, I expect to she pictures of your son once he arrives. I also want you and Sarah to meet Rebecca sometime."

"Okay, I'll talk to her once the baby comes out." Michael chuckled walking outside.

"See ya soon." Michael called before getting into a taxi and leaving.

Joey walked upstairs to his bedroom and saw Lauren no where to be found. He stripped down to his boxers and laid in bed on top the covers. He heard the bathroom door open to see Lauren wearing nothing but his tee shirt. She walked over to him and straddled his waist leaning down to kiss him. When they broke apart she whispered to him.

"Why don't we finish what we started earlier."

"Your wish is my command." Joey said rolling Lauren over and continued kissing her.

Lauren woke up the next day in Joey's arms, her head on his chest. She looked up at his face and smiled.

"Morning, babe."

"Morning." Lauren said laughing. They both laid together in bed until noon.