"Dad?! She's sneaking around with my Dad?" I hiss at Joey, whose expression, strangely, isn't mirroring my own one of shock.

"Shush. Not here, they'll hear ya." He grabs my arm and leads me out of the alleyway, then back towards the house. Once inside, I let rip.

"I don't even know why I'm shocked! I mean, it's not like she hasn't done it before! She was married to Greg and secretly seeing Dad!" I snap, my brows furrowed.

"Babe, it might not be what it looks like." Joey suggests.

"Don't be stupid, Joseph."

"Why are you so shocked?"

"Why aren't you so shocked?"

"Because it's not that weird."

"It is."

"It isn't. You've said it yourself, they keep going back to each other don't they. I guess they can't stay away."

"That's not why I'm shocked. Before you got here, I told Mum that she should give it a shot with Dad again and I totally had to force her into calling him. And then afterwards, she just said it wasn't the same and nothing had come of it. Why did she lie?"

"Maybe they wanted to keep it a secret for a while?"

"Because lying is always the best policy, isn't it? It's secrets that have ripped our family apart, time and time again."

"It's not like that this time."

"How do you know?"

"Because you said you had to really talk your mum into calling him. So, it sounds like she was making really sure that it was the right thing to do before she did it. I mean, she wouldn't move all the way over here just to get back with him straightaway, would she? So she must be dead sure."

"I suppose you could be right."

"I usually am, babe."

"Still a cocky git."

"Ah, now there's the Lauren I know and love."

"For a commitment phobe, you sure are awfully comfortable with saying the L word."

"I'm not a commitment phobe. Not when it comes to you."

"You did give me a ring."

"I did."

"It was a nice ring."

"Just nice?"

"It was really nice. Beautiful, actually."

"It'd suit you then."

"Do you really love me?"

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I'm serious."

"Of course I fucking love you."
"Why?"

"Why do I love you?"

"Why do you love me?"

"So many reasons, baby. Because of the look on your face when you've got a piece of paper and a pencil in your hand. Because of the way you sleep all entwined with me like you're scared to let go. Because you make me a better person. Because you've been the strong one all your life and now you don't need to anymore because I wanna look after you and make you smile every day. Because of your determination when you set your mind on something. Because you're crazy. Because I don't go about falling in love here and there but now I have and it's for good." Joey exhales, running a hand through his hair and looking at me expectantly, waiting for my reaction. I open my mouth, then clamp it shut. Instead of answering, I flick on the telly and stare intently at the screen.

"Okay, sweet. Isn't it great when we talk?" Joey rolls his eyes at me.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to say, Joe." I whisper, looking up at him.

"Erm, I love you too would be a start." He sighs, exasperated.

"I can't." I breathe, shaking my head firmly.

"You and me, babe. It's the only thing that matters. Everything else is just playing in the background. You're the main picture." Joey tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, then cups my face in his hands.

"So, my Mum and Dad, eh?" I say, pulling out of his grasp.

"Reckon Abi knows?" He asks, blankly.

"I don't know. She would've said. Wouldn't she?"

"I suppose so, yeah." He nods, non-committedly.

"Are you gonna be off with me?" I ask, nervously.

"No, of course not. But you can't keep it avoiding it. There's something between us and you know that. There always will be."

"Yeah and you have to realise that you can't just click your fingers and expect me to fall at your feet. It's gonna take time."

"I know. I know that. I'm sorry. Look, do you want me to go?"

"If you want."

"I'll take that as a no." He winks, slinging an arm over my shoulder.

Suddenly I jump up and switch the telly off.

"Let's bake a cake. Or cupcakes." I suggest, grinning widely.

"Pfft." Joey snorts derisively, curling up his lip in disgust.

"Come on, it'll be fun." I sing-song.

"Birds bake cakes." Joey gives me a look.

"And real men like you do what?"

"Eat the cakes." He sniggers.

"Such a sexist pig." I smirk.

"I'm a real bloke, aren't I? Baking is women's work."

"You're really not gonna help?" I place one hand on my hip and raise an eyebrow at him.

"Nope. Move if you're going. There's footie on the other side." He points the remote at the telly, and moves his head so he can see the screen.

"Joey." I pout, tugging at his hand. He looks at me, shaking his head.

"Fine." He sighs heavily and gets up, begrudgingly following me into the kitchen.

"It's really good for de-stressing." I tell him.

"You're not stressed, are ya?" His face creases with concern, instantly.

"No. I'm just one of those freaks who like cooking for fun." I giggle.

"And I like a woman who knows her place." Joey winks.

"You're such a caveman." I roll my eyes.

"What's wrong with that? My job is to look after you and in return all you have to do is feed me." He pouts.

"And wash your clothes and clean your house and give you babies." I point out.

"Really? You're planning on giving me babies?" His eyes light up.

"Not bloody likely." I snort.

"That's attractive (!)" He laughs.

"Like you want kids, anyway."

"With the right girl, I want the whole package."

"What you hanging round here for then? She's out there somewhere." I tease.

"You're bloody hilarious you, aren't ya?"

"I try."

"You're so cute." Joey grins, his eyes twinkling.

"Why, thank you. Pop and get some eggs, Joe. We're out." I tell him after opening the fridge and cupboards to check we have what we need.

"And here I was thinking the bloke was the dominant one (!)" He says, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"That's your problem, babe. You insist on thinking and I've told you how dangerous that is. You could die." I mock seriousness.

"You're on a roll. My sides are aching." He says dryly, on his way out. I laugh to myself and measure out the ingredients whilst I wait for the eggs.

"See? I told you it'd be fun. Tell me you didn't have fun." I flop down on the sofa two hours later, still wearing my apron.

"You were right. It was fun." Joey agrees, sitting beside me. We have flour all over our clothes, in our hair and on our face.

"We should do that again." I smile up at him, my eyes sparkling.

"Yeah." He nods, slowly. His eyes flash to my mouth, then back up to my eyes.

"Wanna try one?" I offer, picking up a cupcake off the plate on the table. I peel off the muffin case and pull of a chunk, putting in his mouth. As he chews, his eyes widen.

"That's a good cake." He states, firmly.

"Well done, you." I grin, popping another bit in his mouth.

"I feel quite proud of myself. Like I've achieved something." He sighs, dramatically.

"Not being sexist is an achievement." I assure him, chuckling.

"You've got great laugh." He smiles, leaning in a tiny bit closer to me.

"I think you've said that before." I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry.

"It's true." He nods, our heads almost touching.

"I just need you to be laughing all the time. Or smiling. Just, always happy." He whispers, inching closer.

"No-one can be happy all the time." I reply, speaking barely above a whisper myself.

"You could be, baby. I promise." He mutters and then his mouth is on mine. He takes a hold of my face gently in his hands, all the while kissing me. And as soon as our lips meet and I'm kissing him back, all my worries and doubts about Joey, and about us getting back together, seem to just slip away.

A/N- Thank you for all the lovely reviews and all the guest reviews I couldn't reply to. Your comments mean so much to me and always always make me smile a lot! They are so encouraging and motivating! Hope yous enjoyed this chapter as much as you enjoyed the last! As always, please review and let me know what you thought. Next chapter will hopefully be up tomorrow, so stay tuned. Much love x

-Side note to Lolly- Thank you soso much for your reviews! Again, I reallyreally wanted to reply to you personally but unfortunately I can't reply to guest reviews :/ Just wanted to say that your comments really made me grin! Thank you su much and I'm made up that you think I have all that potential :) Please start up a plublication company so you can publish my book? Also, chuffed you're loving the story so much. Thanks for all the support and encouragement. Sorry I took a while to upload! You're great :)