Chapter 29
*JL*JL*JL*
Lauren woke up early the next day, having had a very good night's sleep. The night before she and Joey had a breakthrough, and when Lauren had said she was going to bed, she immediately took Joey with her. Nothing had happened, they still weren't ready for that, Lauren still wasn't ready. They'd slept in the same bed, Joey's arms wrapped around Lauren, her head resting on his chest as he fell asleep smiling. Whatever his Mum had said to her had worked, and he couldn't thank her enough.
"Joey, Joey, wake up, baby" Lauren whispered, kissing his cheek softly. He groaned in his sleep, a small flicker of a smile on his lips as she snuggled back into his arms
"Go back to sleep" he moaned
"It's Christmas Day" she informed him as he cracked his eye open to look at her. She had the most beautiful smile on her lips… "Our first Christmas together, properly"
"Hmm, happy Christmas, beautiful" he whispered, looking down at her, her gazing up at him, their eyes questioning what to do next. Joey really wanted to kiss her, but he didn't know if it'd be a step too far. He definitely didn't want to ruin the progress they'd, she'd made in the past 24 hours. It seemed though that Lauren wanted the same as she lifted herself up and kissed his lips softly…
"I've missed that" he admitted as he reached over to his bedside table. "I've also missed many chances over the years, where we could have been together. So I got you this"
Lauren looked down at the beautifully wrapped box Joey had placed into her hand… "You didn't have to get me anything, Joey. Being with you is all I need"
"Thank you" he replied "but I wanted to get you something you could keep"
"I can keep you" she smiled
"just open it" Joey laughed
Lauren shook her head "Nu-uh, your Mum's Christmas rules state that all presents are opened together"
Joey chuckled, shaking his head at her "We never have been very good at sticking to rules though, have we?"
Reciprocating his smile, she started to pull at the ribbon that was wrapped around the box. She removed several pieces of wrapping paper before reaching another box… "What is this, pass the bloody parcel?"
"open it" Joey chuckled
Finally, after another three layers of paper, she got to the parcel that was wrapped in tissue paper. She gently and carefully opened it per Joey's instruction, a small silver chain falling into her hand… "It's beautiful, Joey"
Picking up the necklace, she examined it thoroughly, the smile not being able to be wiped from her face…
"Turn it over" he stated, smiling at her warmly
Doing as he said, Lauren gasped, tears filling her eyes as she read the engraving… "To my beautiful Lauren. My best friend, my true love and my soulmate. All my love, Joey xx"
"You really didn't have to go to all this trouble for me" she admitted
"I told you before, I wanted to. Anyway, you deserve it" he replied, leaning in to kiss her softly
"Thank you" she sighed, the feeling of Joey's kiss affecting her more than it should've so soon after what had happened. Climbing from the bed, she made her way to her wardrobe, pulling out the present she had for Joey. Making her way back to the bed… "Seeing as we're doing presents, you best have this, hadn't you?"
"I thought we did presents together?" he questioned, a smirk on his face
"I really don't think they'd care" she replied sighing.
Joey grinned at her and opened the present. He was much less delicate than Lauren had been and within seconds the paper had been torn off to reveal a canvas she'd painted of the two of them.
"Babe, this is amazing" he proclaimed. It looked like a photograph it was that good. "When did you do this?"
"A while back" she informed him "that's not all" she added handing him a gold envelope which he quickly made work of opening.
"Is this?" he questioned, his eyes widening. Lauren nodded in reply, smiling warmly at him
"I thought it could be something we do together?" she suggested, raising an eyebrow at him
"It certainly is, babe. Come here" he replied, moving towards her, kissing her softly, smiling against her lips. Lauren had bought him, well them, a day's training at one of the best cocktail bars in the West End. She knew how much he loved his bar work and being able to go on a day out and learn how to mix and do fancy things seemed like the perfect idea.
"Lauren, Joey, can I come in?" Alice's voice asked as she tapped on the door gently
"Yeah! Come in, Al" Joey replied "happy Christmas"
"Thanks, happy Christmas to you too" she mirrored "Mum and Dad want us downstairs pronto"
"Has she done Christmas breakfast?" Joey asked, raising an eyebrow at his younger sister
"Doesn't she always?" his little sister inquired "come on, we're not allowed to start until you two are there"
It's good to see them back on track no ? Is everyone still enjoying? Leave a review and let me know :) xxx
