Chapter 21

Arriving back at the hospital, Joey quietly opened the door to the private room, his girlfriend still in the exact same spot he'd left her an hour earlier. He shut the door behind him and moved into the spare chair next to Lauren, kissing her forehead as she leaned her head against his shoulder. His arm fell across her shoulders and hugged her against him. She yawned several times and Joey frowned "I thought I told you to get some sleep while I was gone."

"Didn't want too…in case he woke up" she told him. "The doctor said he's improving."

"That's good news gorgeous" Lauren shifted awkwardly in the chair, frowning slightly "you ok?"

She quickly nodded "I need the loo though…"she said softly and Joey helped her up, noticing her speech was a little slurred too. "Thanks. Can you stay with Dad?"

"Of course I can, I'll unpack some of the things I brought alright?" Lauren nodded and disappeared to the toilet.

Joey did as he said he would, taking the things from the holdall and storing them in the cupboard by the bed, he made sure he left Laurens medication out along with Louis. He sat back down in the chair he'd just vacated and looked at Max lying in the bed. This was the last thing they'd expected when the police arrived earlier that day. Max had been involved in a car crash, which of course upset Lauren to no end; the memories still very fresh in her mind. He had apparently been crossing the road when a car ran red and hit him. According to the officers, it had been passers-by who had called for help and once police had arrived on the scene they were able to identify Max and contact his next of kin who was still listed as Tanya. Once the name had been flagged up on the system, they saw that the family had been allocated a FSO and made arrangements with her as to whom should be contacted.

Arriving at the hospital, Lauren was a little in shock. She was suddenly having to deal with the reappearance of her father but also the fact that he was in hospital. She and Joey were taken to the relative's room and the extent of Max's injuries were explained to them. He was currently unconscious and had broken his arm and fractured his left leg in several places. He'd already been taken to theatre to be treated for internal injuries, so they were told it was one huge waiting game.

Joey looked at the man laying the bed wondering if he could hear him, he hope he could because he had a few things he wanted to say. He leant forward, resting his elbows on the bed "I remember when Lauren and I first got together, you asked me to look after her and to make her happy…I hope I've achieved that because she makes me the happiest man alive. She's one of the bravest people I have ever known and I know that's never going to change. She's not even 19 yet and she's been through so much." He took a breath and carried on "I don't know if you know but she's got special guardianship of Oscar now, Lauren and Me have been keeping things together whilst you've been god knows where and you know what ? She's been amazing at it. She hasn't complained once. So I think it's only right that when you wake up; and you are going to wake up, because your kids can't lose another parent, you are going to put things right. As much as she won't admit it, Laurens going to need your help, she's going to need everyone's help." His voice trailed off a little as he glanced at the time, wondering why Lauren was taking so long. "Lauren's pregnant Max, I know we're young but we'll do it, I know we will. Lauren will be an amazing Mum, she already is to Oscar…she's 5 months gone, it's a girl…" Joey said with a smile, remembering when they'd found out they were having a girl a couple of weeks ago. "Laurens really excited…we both are. But I know she's scared as well. She hates talking about it and I don't blame her, but it's making her really worried. Her hearing is slowly going again, she can hardly hear in her right ear now and has to wear her hearing aid all the time. She got an ear infection not so long back and she ended up at the hospital, that's when we found out she was pregnant to, they'd taken some routine bloods and it came back she was pregnant." Joey laughed shaking his head "it was a huge surprise…obviously we hadn't planned it…Laurens terrified she's going to end up like her Mum, that because she's so young the same is going to happen with her as it did Tanya, she needs you to tell her she won't be because I know you are the only one she'll believe…"

The door opened and closed again and Lauren shuffled in smiling at him "Sorry I was so long, there was a queue."

"I was about to send a search party out" he chuckled holding his arms out for her. Lauren moved forward taking a seat on Joey's lap and making herself comfortable "How's my little Bambi?" Joey smiled, his hand resting on Laurens small little bump. Bambi had Joey's nickname for their baby after Laurens first scan because apparently the baby had looked like it was rolling around like Bambi, so the name had kind of stuck.

"She's happy, rolling around in here like no tomorrow" she said softly. "Joe…" Lauren gasped and he looked at her in concern.

"what? What is it ?" he asked facing her so she could see him talk again.

"You brought Louis…" she said, her bottom lip beginning to wobble. Joey passed her the lion and she held it tightly, tears begging to fall.

"hey… I didn't mean to make you cry"

"I don't even know why I'm crying" she chuckled softly, Joey wiping her tears away. "You know, I really love you Joey Branning."

"I love you too gorgeous girl…"

The two of them broke apart from their kiss as coughing began to sound in the room "Dad?" Lauren moved off Joey's lap and reached for her Dads hand "I think he's waking up Joe…"

So a few of you guessed correctly... It was Max in hospital and Lauren and Joey are having a baby...but other things seem to be on their mind! How sweet was Joey talking to Max ? Lets hope things work out for them ! Back tomorrow xxx