Chapter 48
He stumbled back a little, ending up leaning against the wall. His hands ran over his head and through his hair. "How?" he eventually asked
Lauren was sitting back on the bed now, she was crying once again and wasn't getting much comfort from Joey. "How do you think?" she snapped. "Or do I need to draw you a picture?"
"Don't be funny with me Lauren! We were always careful. You're on the pill, and apart from the first few times we've always used condoms ! Or do I need to draw you a picture?" he was beginning to pace the room now. "How could you let this happen? Do you realise how dangerous this is for you Lauren? You could die... You said it yourself it's already killing you"
"Don't you think I know that ?" she bit back, the initial shock and upset now overridden with anger. "This isn't just something I was told lightly. Another doctor came in, after the other one, and you know what he did ? he offered me an abortion there and then !" Joey finally met her gaze and she could see the tears in his eyes. "He suggested it was best for all involved... if I got rid of it before i got too far along" she shook her head and began to fiddle with her hands.
"Well he was right wasn't he? You can't have a baby Lauren" Joey shook his head
"Who says I can't ?" she frowned "you can't tell me what to do Joey, you or the doctors. My body, my decision." she got up off the bed and went to her bag, pulling out a card and shoving it in front of Joey's face. "That's our baby … he or she, is about 12 weeks old. I'm not having an abortion" she told him firmly.
Joey didn't look at the image, he pushed it away along with his girlfriend. "so you're going to commit suicide then? You're going to go ahead and let this… thing, kill you ? Don't I even get a say in this ?"
"Baby, Joey ! it's a baby ! and no you don't get a say... actually you do, but i'll just ignore it because your being completely irrational! " Lauren yelled
"No! no it's not a baby Lauren. It's going to kill you and your just going to let it. Haven't you thought what'll happen when you die because of this ? How your Mum and Dad will feel, how I'll feel? Because I have and I'm sorry if me not wanting to loose you is being irrational ! !"
"of course I have…" she protested, her hand subconsciously laying on her stomach.
"I don't think you have Lauren, or you wouldn't be doing this!" Joey stopped shouting seeing he was just making Lauren cry more. He hated seeing her upset but if this was the only way to get through to her then, so be it.
The bedroom door opened and Max and Tanya appeared in the doorway "everything ok in here?" Tanya asked a sense of accusation in her voice.
Lauren looked away and picked a tissue up of the side, Joey just staring at her, an incredulous look on his face.
"Right, what the hell is going on ? we can here you shouting from downstairs" Max looked at the two of them, their faces red, evident tear tracks on both their cheeks. He looked at Lauren to answer "Lauren?"
"You going to tell them or shall I ?" Joey shot, daring her to face her parents thoughts on the matter. She stayed silent. "No? fine then." He looked at Max and Tanya and then pointed to Lauren. "your daughter, my girlfriend, the love of my life is Pregnant … 12 weeks pregnant " Tanya gasped, her hand shooting to her mouth as Max stood glaring at his daughter. "And, despite being told by several medical professionals; that having a baby this soon after a transplant is potentially fatal for the baby and her, she's adamant she's going to have it and kill herself in the process" Joey's voice caught in his throat and he pushed past the elder Branning's and ran down the stairs. Lauren called after him, but the front door shattered shut seconds later.
She slumped back on the bed staring at both parents. Tanya was crying and she could see her Dad was closing his eyes to try and stop his tears. All this heartbreak from something that was meant to be the best thing to ever happen. This was not the way this was supposed to happen
Well that went well didn't it... not. Joey really can't bare the thought of loosing Lauren even at the expense of a their baby... And Max and Tanya don't seem to be reacting too good either, Back tomorrow! Xxx
