Black Lace

ALL Joe in this chapter yay!

Chapter Thirty-Five

I got home, after being out all night looking for Zack, well more Derek or Olivia, and finding no sign of either. I really thought I had got Derek sussed out, looking in my first place of the run down garage in the south end, it's were Derek would take the boys when he was younger, force them to fight him, there was a rumour he'd killed someone down there as well when I was about six or seven, it wouldn't surprise me I wouldn't put anything past Derek.

What I hadn't told Lauren was that, once again I'd been in touch with an old friend of mine, one I promised I wouldn't get in touch with. My old friend Jason Dyer, he'd been to prison a few times and Lauren had told me she didn't want me involved with him because he was bad news, I'd kept his number for times when I needed him and I knew for a fact he'd have my back. Once I found Derek or Olivia I'd get Jase to sort them out for me, anyone else I'd let the police deal with, but not them two not when they brought my son into it. Me and Jase had drove around for at least 6 hours before calling it a night. I dropped him home and told him I'd pick him back up in the morning when I'd convinced Lauren to go to her mums, which I knew for a fact was going to be near enough impossible in its self.

When I got back the house was silent something I wasn't used to, it was depressing, usually at this time Zack would be up, with Pepper Pig and his porridge, when I say with his porridge I mean in his hair all over his face and in his lap laughing at the mess he'd made, I usually wouldn't be laughing thinking he'd do it on purpose just to get out of eating it, I knew for a fact he hated porridge but Lauren insisted he ate it, if only it was like that today.

I was slightly grateful that Lo wasn't awake yet, I couldn't bring myself to see her crying anymore or to even see the despair on her face when I told her our son hadn't been found yet.

I shut the door, the sound of Lauren's phone startling me, followed by the house phone that I had forgotten to unplug. Abi's name on the little window, I ignored it, I couldn't stand to speak to Abi right now me and her weren't on the best of terms and right now. Before the phone could finish ringing I ripped it from the plug smashing it on the floor in temper. Looking at the various pieces of the broken phone on the floor, it reminded me of the day I heard that Derek was dead, I smashed up the phone and the television and the kitchen and most things in sight, Lauren didn't speak to me for days and when she did everything she said made sense.

I peeped my head through our bedroom door, Lauren fast asleep she looked pained.

"Hi Babe, your phone's been ringing like crazy, surprised it didn't wake you up" I said pointing to the phone, Lauren read the messages on her phone and burst into tears she was sobbing and jolting in my arms. I had silenced Lauren she wasn't screaming or crying anymore, the room was quiet "It's gonna be alright, sh, sh, sh, it's gonna be alright" I repeated

"Bradley and I are going to get our son back today, you are going to go to the square, go to your mums and that way I know you're safe do you understand?" I said.

Lauren had disappeared, but before I had chance to ring her my phone rang, again a number I didn't recognise and I couldn't risk not answering it. I could hear laughing in the background, sounded like Zack and then heavy breathing directly down the phone. "Joey, it's me, I've got your son and Derek's gone said he wants nothing more to do with this. But we can be together now Joey, we've got your son, us two we can make a go of things, me you and Zack" She said with confidence down the phone.

I listened in disbelief was this woman for real, I wanted to tell her how deluded she was how I wasn't interested and that even if I didn't have a son I wouldn't want to be with her because she wasn't Lauren. But I couldn't risk not having her onside.

"Yeah okay, let me pack a bag and get some cash out. I'll get my mate to pick me up and then come and get you and Zack, Lauren's gone out in the car" I replied, my mind working before my mouth thank God.

"Ok, the garages the ones Derek used to own we're there" She said confirming my earlier thoughts Derek thought he was smart but he was too easy to work out.

"Ok, I know it. I'll be there soon be ready, I'll have some clothes for you both to change into so know body recognises you" I said trying to sound convincing and hanging up.

A while later I was in the car the garages with Jase, we both rehearsed the plan and he went in with a gun just in case Derek was there. I opened the garage doors expecting to find a mess, but there was a sofa loads of blankets and travel cot and loads of toys for Zack. Olivia was sat on the sofa with Zack on her lap feeding him Lauren hated it when Zack ate that brand I thought to myself as Zack screwed his face up and lifted his eyes to where I was standing a smile formed on his face as soon as he saw me and he was toddling towards me before I could blink, "daddy" he said with a giggle. I scooped him into my arms and turned my back on Olivia, making my way to the car. I could hear Olivia's foot steps behind me I swiftly turned around.

"Where are you going?" I asked laughing

"With you? Our flat in Manchester?" She said raising her eyebrow "Or maybe we can get somewhere new?" She asked in the same deluded voice.

"No Lauren will be back soon, she'd have got bored at her mum's she'll be hoping her little boy will be there before she is and she'll be holding him in her arms, you'll never touch us again, we're united, he is our son mine and Lauren's not yours and I never ever want to see you or Derek's face ever again" I said shaking my head and then I heard the police sirens, her face paling "You didn't think I'd let you get away with trying to destroy my family did you? They've already got Derek who made a great job and took great pleasure in dropping you straight in the shit at the police station, I'll see you around Olivia…Actually I won't" I said shaking my head and strapping Zack into his car seat and dumping into the driver's seat, Jase had gone soon as he heard the sirens something about not having a licence for the gun.

Later on back at home I'd bathed Zack fed him and changed his clothes so he was ready for bed. I was in the kitchen with Zack when we heard Lauren calling through the house, Zack's brightened and his smile was so much bigger than the one he'd had earlier when he saw me, it kind of hurt but I couldn't hold a grudge against him for loving mummy more, who wouldn't? I'd taken a while to get home earlier taking me back to the jewellers in Manchester, there was a ring I'd see ages ago before we got back together that I knew I'd chose if ever I got the chance and brought it just like that. Zack was mesmerised by all the shiny stuff in the shop and it was a job to actually get him out, in fact he was just like Lauren when it came to that, attention was given 100% to anything expensive and shiny and she would complain until she left the shop with something. I let Zack on the floor from his high chair and he ran in the direction of the voice. I heard him talking to her and Lauren trying to stop herself crying but failing.

Lauren was holding him to her chest as I walked out of the kitchen, "I told you I'd get our son back" I whispered taking them both into his arms and kissing Lauren and then Zack on the forehead.

A while later Joey I explained to Lauren all about how I had managed to get Zack back. Only telling her the basics.

We had taken Zack to bed together for the first time Lauren had taken it upon herself to check on him every 10 minutes. Bradley and I had said that it was ridiculous but she wasn't convinced. As Lauren went to check on Zack for the millionth time, I sat contemplating my life and how lucky I was to have this life after leaving it all those months ago. I pulled the ring out of my pocket studying it in-between my little finger and thumb it was almost as perfect as her and tomorrow I'm going to propose to Lauren, the love of my life, my vibrant Lauren the happiness the light at the end of the tunnel.

It's not all plain sailing though guys, I've never written a wedding any of my stories before hehe yay! I'm very very sorry the next will be the last chapter to this story and is going to be posted tonight after this one. The upcoming events may come as a shock to some of you, some it might be all too obvious.

AHHHHHHH JOEY AND LAUREN IN TONIGHTS EP, AHHHHHHH MORE PLEASE MORE! THE HAIR HE DID IT THEY NEARLY KISSED OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG – more than appropriate caps.