Chapter 53

"Yeah everything's fine. This is..." he stumbled as he thought about it before continuing with a response. "This is Lauren and Joey… they're family" he said leaving it quite a brief response.

"I can tell when you're lying Max Branning …" she said firmly, her hands on his hips. Lauren looked at her, she looked too young to be his wife, but maybe not… his daughter maybe? But why would she call him by his proper name… maybe they had an unconventional relationship? She shook herself from her thoughts, pregnancy really did let her mind run away with itself.

Max looked at her and took a breath "Lauren is my daughter and this is her fiancé Joey. Lauren, Joey meet Stacey my daughter-in-law, your brother's wife."

"Your Daughter? When did this happen?" Stacy asked clearly interested in the story.

"24 years ago" Max said with a smile "Bradley's Mum had left with him and I met Laurens Mum…"

"Bradley's always wanted a little sister. He'll be well impressed" she smiled "I'll see you later, got to pick Lilly up from her friend's house, nice to meet you two…"

*JL*JL*JL*

Max looked back at Lauren and saw her staring at the spot Stacy had vacated. "Yes, you have a brother, that's his wife and they have a little girl called Lilly." He stood up and walked over to the fridge pulling a photo from under a magnet and handing it to Lauren. He pointed to the ginger haired male who was holing a little girl on his hip "That's Bradley, and his and Stacey's daughter Lilly." He sat down and saw her amazed expression. "Not quite what you were expecting when you came here was it ?" he asked.

"I don't really know what I was expecting to be honest." Lauren confessed "I hadn't thought past the point of telling you I was your daughter…I'm pleasantly surprised" she smiled.

"Well that's a relief ! I'd have hated to disappoint you." Max saw the empty glass she was now fiddling with and he really did understand her nervousness. "Would you like another drink?" Lauren shook her head "Joey?"

"I'm good thank you. Actually babe, we need to be making a move, we have dinner reservations" he reminded Lauren, the two having booked a table earlier that day "sorry" he said softly as she pouted. He helped Lauren up from her chair and turned to face Max.

"It was wonderful to meet you Lauren and you Joey…" He said not really sure what he should be doing.

Lauren stepped forward slightly "You too…" she whispered and without really thinking she had hugged him. She was about to completely regret her decision but his arms went around her and hugged her back.

"I've always wanted a daughter… and now I have one, a very beautiful one at that" Max told her. He let her go and held his hand out to Joey. He shook it smiling at the gesture. "You're a lucky Man. Listen, why don't we meet up in a couple of days' time and we can get to know each other some more, you could meet Bradley and Lilly too if you'd like?"

Lauren nodded "I'd like that." She pulled a piece of scrap paper from her bag along with a pen and quickly scribbled her mobile number down along with Joeys. "Here… now you have our numbers. Hopefully we can meet soon" she took Joey hand and the two of them walked towards the door.

"Lauren?" she turned around to face Max. "I'm glad you found me"

She smiled, tears in her eyes "Me too… Dad."

Well everything worked out dandy ...didn't it ? I'm afraid the next chapter wont be up until Wednesday possibly even Thursday as I'm away the next couple of days and wont be able to post! So leave me a review and i'll leave you with this little spoiler:

Laurens hand was resting on her stomach, the material of her dress skimming over the tiny bump that was there. "I'm scared Stacey…"

Xxx