Chapter 34

The buzz went around the corridors, intensifying the tension that was already at fever pitch. They were no longer dressed in camouflage, but in smart, dusky brown suits. The girls had perfectly fitted pencil skirts and jackets. All had their hair tied perfectly in neat buns at the nape of their necks, shoes shined to perfection.

"This skirt is so uncomfortable…" Nancy moaned and not for the first time. Lauren rolled her eyes and continued to apply the minimal make up they were allowed to wear. "Seriously I can't walk properly in it…"

"Well I'd lean fast if I was you, we've got to march in them later"

Nancy's face dropped and she groaned "Seriously, this is the first time I've worn a skirt in my entire teenage and adult life combined. I'm not a preened girly girl like you"

"Oh Nancy I will miss your kind words" Lauren laughed and stood back from the mirror. She picked her hat up and fixed it in place on her head, this was it …7 weeks of blood, sweat and many tears and she'd finally made it.

"You look perfect …" a voice sounded behind her. She smiled and looked in the mirror to see Joey standing behind her. A quick look around and Lauren realised they were alone. "I just wanted to see you before the parade. To say how proud I am of you and how much I love you"

She turned around and kissed him softly, her arms looping around his neck "Thank you, I couldn't have done it without you Joey."

"You could have done" he smiled "Anyway I best go…I've got to change to." Another lingering kiss and Lauren was alone again.

*JL*JL*JL*

The girls were lined in the corridor awaiting the arrival of their Sargent. Corporal Foster inspected their uniforms and had even congratulated them. Footsteps down the corridor alerted them all to another presence. Laurens heart almost stopped as she saw Joey in all his finery, badges on his uniform, looking mighty hot.

"Ladies." He started and they all saluted and stood to attention for what would probably be the last time. "The end is neigh Ladies and I can honestly say I'm glad to not have lost any of you along the way. You're a strong group. Don't be afraid and keep your heads high, you've a achieved a great deal here, let that continue. Let's go… remember your disciplines, your values and enjoy it. You deserve it."

*JL*JL*JL*

They began their march across courtyard seeing that the most senior of Army personnel were there watching them. It was a tradition for at least one of the senior officers to join the celebrations…. But it seems they were all out in full force that day.

Lauren's heart raced as she tried to remember every step and not make a fool of herself, the Army marching band was playing and she felt proud. She'd already received messages of support from her Mum and Dad, who would be out there with the family in the special guest seating, she hoped Susan and Alice would be there to, not just for her but for Joey too.

The sun was high and bright as they came to a standstill, presenting their weapons in the correct way. The Major barked the orders each of the soldiers complying.

Laurens eye's drifted slightly from the front and in her peripheral vision she could she her Mum, Dad and siblings in the stands. She fought so hard to not let the smile show on her face… she needed to be serious.

*JL*JL*JL*

One by one the trainees were called forward where the Major and the sergeant presented them with their official badges. It took a good half an hour before the ceremony eventually drew to a close. The bright badge was shining on the breast of her uniform, glinting in the sunlight as they made their way back in side. They all hovered in the corridor unsure of what would happen next.

"Congratulations ladies… you are dismissed" Joey told them all. After a couple of seconds of silence they broke out into cheers, their caps been thrown into the air as they celebrated. Lauren hugged Nancy and Ella, as well as a few others but those two meant the most to her.

"I'll catch up with you later, there's something I got to do." She smiled making a dash towards her boyfriend who was nearing the exit. She looped her arm through his as he walked "Mind if I join you?" she asked smiling

"I was hoping you would, there's some people out there who are desperate to see you"

Lauren could practically feel the smiles on her parents faces as she rounded the corner, which made her beam even more. She could see they were talking to Susan and Alice who seemed to be laughing along at whatever the twins had said.

"Lauren! Oh sweetheart we are so so proud of you" she ran the few steps towards her Mum and hugged her tightly.

"You look so grown up, where is my little girl? " Max asked taking his turn to hug his daughter as his wife hugged Joey.

The emotions were all high as Lauren hugged Abi and then the twins, closely followed by Susan and Alice. "Joey told us your finished now and can come home tonight?"

Lauren nodded "I'm all packed and ready to go, I hope my room is still in good condition"

"It's perfectly fine sweetheart, all ready for you if you want to come home?" Tanya asked looking at Joey, something that Lauren didn't noticed.

"Why wouldn't I want to come home?" she laughed almost forcing herself not to cry. Did they not want her home?"

"Because…" Joey started turning to face her and holding her hand "I spoke to your parents and even got Oscar and Olivia's permission and we thought you might like to move in with me?"

"What?" they all laughed at the shock in her voice.

"I want you to move in with me babe, I don't want to be apart from you, I want to be with you every second I possibly can be. So what do you say?" he questioned brushing his thumb over her cheek.

She nodded and broke down into tears against his shoulder "Yes…" she sobbed "I really do want to live with you"

"What you crying for then ay?" he asked gently, whilst still cradling her to him.

"I'm just really happy. I didn't think I could ever feel like this" she wiped her eyes and looked at her parents "How long have you known about this?"

"Since just after Christmas darling… Joey said he'd already spoken to his Mum about it. But he asked us after you didn't want to spend Christmas without each other." Tanya told her. "Susan, your Dad and I have been helping move your stuff for the last couple of weeks."

Lauren could feel the emotions rising again, no way had she ever imagined people going to this much trouble for her. But, it was the perfect ending. It would make things easier for them both, by far. She knew they would have about a month or two together before she stared phase two training and he went off to Hereford, so the more time they had together the better in her eyes. Only then a thought popped into her head and she looked accusing at her Mum "Did you tell Joey about the flowers?"

"What flowers?"

"That was me actually" Abi grinned sheepishly behind her father. "He called and asked and well...I like him so I told him " she nodded her head in an affirmative manor.

"Ye babe, she likes me" Joey said hugging his girlfriend closer.

Max clapped his hands together and picked up Oscar who was beginning to wonder off. "Are we ready to go then ? We've got a table booked at a nice restaurant in London." Max beamed "And before you say anything, we want to celebrate. It's not every day our Daughter Joins the Army."

Lauren knew she wasn't going to win and sighed "I have nothing to wear…"

Alice Squealed and Joey shook his head "Your wrong !" she chimed " we have something for you…it's in the car. We have things to do your hair and makeup and everything. We're going to go to the hotel where you and Joey will be staying tonight and then we'll meet the boys at the restaurant "

Joey looked lovingly at Lauren "Go be pampered baby…I'll see you later on." He pecked her lips "Love you baby"

It's a fine day for Lauren isn't it ? Joey finally asked her to move in with him and she's passed her stage one of training... now it's off to celebrate! 15 of your reviews and you'll get the next chapter, it's a cute one ! Xxx