Chapter 47
Max and Tanya were sitting at home, doing a last minute wrap of presents, when the front door opened swiftly and closed just as quick. A blast of cold ran through the house as the wind blew in.
"Is that you darling?" Tanya called out, ripping a piece of sticky tape with her teeth. She and Max exchanged a glance. "Lauren?"
They heard the running of footsteps up the stairs, followed by the slam of the bedroom door. Tanya was on her feet and up the stairs in an instant, standing outside Laurens door and tapping it gently. "Lauren? It's Mum. Can I come in baby girl?" There was a muffled "go away" from Lauren, and then a continuous sobbing. "Do you want Daddy?" again she told them to leave her alone. "Darling we can hear you crying... we're going to come in baby"
This time she didn't answer, but they could here her crying more. Max was right behind his wife and moved forward, placing his hand on her shoulder "Why don't you go down and call Joey, see if he knows what's wrong?" Tanya kissed his cheek and did as he'd suggested.
Max took a breath and pushed the door open, surprised it wasn't locked. His heart broke when he saw Lauren. She was curled into the smallest ball on her bed, a pillow and t-shirt (of Joeys) clutched to her chest as she sobbed. She was facing the wall and Max could see her body shaking, he could see she was tired too, she looked in pain... all the stuffing kicked out of her. He could see papers on the side, the hospital emblem on the corner, he ignored it for the time being and concentrated on Lauren.
He sat on the bed, and pulled his daughter into his arms. Lauren went to him straight away and continued to sob "It's alright… it's alright". Max let her cry, knowing words didn't bring her much comfort, she cried for what seemed like hours and eventually max noticed she'd stopped. She was so still and quiet, he though she was asleep, but the occasional ragged breath told him she was still awake. "What happened Darling ? Did you argue with Joey?"
"Joey…" Lauren whispered, it was like she'd forgotten about him, temporarily. After what she'd been told, she went into shutdown and just ran.
"Your Mum's calling him… what happened sweetheart?" he probed gently, not wanting to cause another set of tears, but needing to know at the same time.
Lauren shook her head "It's bad Daddy… the scan… it was bad"
"It's ok baby girl, that's why you have these scans, so the doctors can find our if something's wrong and then they can fix it, it's nothing worth getting this upset over baby girl..."
Lauren shook her head "Daddy... It.." Lauren screamed almost painfully.
"Hey! Lauren. Come on baby girl... calm down"
"My Body hates me Dad! it's failing me again and I can't be saved twice!" she yelled
"What exactly did the scan show darling?"
There were footsteps up the stairs and Lauren sprung from the bed, knowing the footsteps were much too heavy to be her Mum's . She was greeted by Joey on the landing. His arms circled around her whole body and held her tight, like he never wanted to let go. His fingers brushed through her hair, noticing how it's healthy shine had vanished. "God baby, where have you been." He kissed her head softly "I've been so, so worried, you phone was switched off, and the Doctor at the hospital looked so worried baby...".
Max and Tanya watched them closely, seeing their daughter calm significantly in the arms of her boyfriend, "We'll leave you two alone… come on babe" Max ushered his wife down the stairs, leaving Joey to look after their daughter.
"C'mon baby…" Joey steered them into her room and closed the door. He sat next to Lauren on the bed and put his arm around her shoulders. "What happened at the hospital baby? I heard you telling your Dad it wasn't good, nothing can be that bad" he said gently, wiping the tears from under her eyes. Joey knew no matter what she'd say he'd still want her, they were soul mates, they fitted together like pieces of a puzzle.
Laurens soft eyes landed upon Joey "The technician had to go and get a doctor, I told her I'd been feeling unwell, that I was feeling like I did before the transplant." Joey squeezed her hand sensing she was getting worked up again. "she did her scan's as usually, but she turned the screen away from me Joey and then turned it off… she said she needed a second opinion" The tears were in abundance once more and she was openly crying against Joey. "she looked really concerned Joey..."
"Hey… it's alright. Whatever it is, we'll get through it together baby… but you have to tell me what the problem is."
Lauren pulled away from him and moved to the other end of the bed. "I think you should go…" she said weakly, swiping at her eyes with the sleeve of her Jumper. "your not going to want me anymore..."
"Lauren! When will you get it into your head ? I love you, I'm in love with you, nothing you can say will ever change that." His voice was raised, the forgiving sympathetic tone been forgotten against his determination for Lauren to believe him. She moved off the bed stepped away from him. She shook her head, scoffing bitterly. "Why is it you don't believe me Lauren? I don't care if you're getting ill again, if you need me 24 hours a day, If you're going to need to go back in hospital. None of it changes how are feel for you. You are my life… nothing will come between us"
"I'm pregnant Joey and the Baby's killing me" The words echoed around the room a thousand times be for Joey could properly comprehend them.
So I'm cruel aren't I ? A baby was one of the things her Doctor told her specifically not to have ... I could be persuaded for another chapter, I think some explanations are due ? Xxx
