Chapter 56
Lauren's p.o.v
"Is everything okay?" Dad asked shutting the door behind him and Joey sighed before kissing the top of my head as i buried it in his chest, thankful that he clearly hadn't heard our conversation.
"Why don't you ask Bradley" I mumbled.
"I did and he wouldn't tell me... So why don't you 2?"
"Its nothing Max, honestly... You don't need to worry we are fine, aren't we babe?"
"Sure, whatever"
"You don't look fine, you both look pretty upset, if you tell me then maybe i can sort it out for you"
"I was just a little disagreement, everything will be fine... Bradley was just worried about me and Lo being together while she is in Portugal and i got a little mad at him which of course has made Lo a little upset , but we are okay and we are going to come back in, in a minute and have some fun"
"Are you sure that's all? Lauren do you want me to have a word with him about it?"
"No" I sighed. "Its fine, Joe's right... Its all forgotten now and we will be in, in a sec" I sniffed, moving away from Joey a little so i could look at my dad and Joey tucked some hair behind my ear before wiping my tears away as i did.
"Okay if you sure... I will see you in a minute" He said not looking very convinced about everything being okay.
"See you in a minute" I said with a watery smile before turning back to Joey.
"Are you okay now baby, or do you want to stay out here a little while longer and cuddle" Joey asked a few minutes later before kissing me softly.
"I'm good..." I said smiling slightly. " I'm sorry for being silly" I whispered feeling quite embarrassed.
"Your weren't being silly babe... We both get worried about this ending but that's only cause it means so much to both of us, i just never want you to think your not the most important thing in the world to me cause you are... No one and nothing is ever going to change that"
"I know, Your the most important thing in the world to me too, i really don't know how i would cope if we weren't together anymore"
"Well that is something you are never going to have to worry about baby, i promise"
"Good" I smiled. "Now lets go and have some fun before we have to go home"
"Yer lets" He smiled lacing our fingers together and leading us back inside, Lily running up to us as soon as we got inside.
"Anti Yozzy, yook Cindella, Santa got hers for my pressie so I's ave, Dasmine and Cindella now"
"Wow, Your a very lucky baby then aren't you?" I smiled leaning down and scooping her up in my arms.
"Es... Do ou ave boo boo Anti Yozzy?"
"No, why?"
"Cause ou cry cry" She said pointing at my face.
"Oh... Its just cause my face is cold, Baby"
"Oh... Kay, ou want to go round and round?" She said pointing to the ice rink.
"Would you like that?" I asked and she nodded.
"Okay... Come on then and we can go and see Oscar too, he looks like he is having a lot of fun doesn't he?" I asked as we watched him and my dad skating from one side of the rink to the other, trying to stay away from Abi who looks like she is trying to tickle Oscar whenever she gets near him.
"Es... And Anti Abs going to get him..." She giggled clapping her hands.
"I think she is isn't she" I said as we started making our way onto the rink after getting our skates on, Lily being in my arms so she doesn't need any on herself... Bradley stopping us just as we got there...
"Lolly wait... I'm sorry" He said guiltily. "The last thing i wanted to do was upset either of you"
"Well you did" Joey hissed. "So just let us have some fun, will you?"
"I'm really sorry... I was just trying to look out for you"
"Well i don't need you too not when it comes to Joe... Please just leave it Bradley, okay the last thing i want us to do is fight here" I snapped.
"Bradley, what are you doing now?" Stacey sighed from behind him. " I think you have said enough today... Now come on i need ice cream" She sighed tugging on his hand.
"I was just trying to say sorry... I don't want Lo to spend the time she has left here, being mad at me"
"And she wont but you have upset both of them with what you said about them breaking up, like you should have known it would... You just need to give them time to calm down..." She sighed and Bradley nodded before they walked off and i closed my eyes briefly before turning back to Joey, who is now in the middle of the rink, smirking at me for some reason.
"Ner ner ne ner ner, you can't catch me" Him and Oscar who has just reached him, shouted and i couldn't help but smile at them.
"Shall we get them Lily?" I asked.
"Es... Dasmine and Cindella can hewp os"
"Yes they can... Oh yes we can so you better watch out cause here we come" I shouted back before we started skating towards them, but as soon as we got close to them they skated off and Lily giggled loudly as they did.
"Come anti Yozzy ... Day get aways"She squealed pointing at them.
"They are aren't they" I agreed. " Well not for long" I smiled before going around the other way as they started talking to my dad, so they didn't see us sneaking up to them...
"Gotcha!" Lily squealed as she tapped Joey on the shoulder and he smiled as he turned around before slipping his arm around my waist and kissing Lily on the cheek and she giggled before giving him a sloppy kiss on his cheek.
"You did, didn't you?" He smirked picking us up and twirling us around and i laughed as he did, Lily clapping her hands again.
"Joe... I could have dropped her then" I pointed out tightening my arms around Lily slightly but i couldn't stop myself from laughing again and he raised his eyebrows at me.
"No you couldn't, you too careful, besides she loves it"
"I know" I smiled.
"Gan gan" She squealed.
"You want me to spin you again Baby?" Joey asked and she nodded. "Okay then" He said before twirling us round and round.
"Whee... Whee..." Lily squealed and Joey smiled wildly at her. "Kissy" She whispered in my ear moments later and i smiled at her before kissing her on the cheek and she clapped her hands before squealing as Joey span us around again...
An hour later...
"Me seepy Unkie Doe" Lily said putting her hands up to Joey and he smiled before leaning down and picking her up as we stood by the vending machine getting some chocolate after about and hour and a half of playing on the ice.
"Your sleepy? Do you want to go to sleep then?"
"Es..." She murmured laying her head on his chest and closing her eyes.
"Aww" I cooed. "She is so cute" I whispered brushing some hair out of her face and she smiled with her eyes still closed before snuggling closer to Joey.
"Yer she is, just imagine one day we will have a baby just as cute as her"
"Probably... Well if it takes after its mummy anyway" I smirked.
"Hey, I'm just as cute" He pouted.
"Of course you are Joe..."
"I am..." He said poking his tongue out. "Besides i would love for our baby to be just like you if we have a little girl" He said smiling brightly and i bit my lip as he did... Does he really mean that?
"Well if we were to have a little boy... I know he would be just like his daddy... Although we have to make sure if he falls in love with his best friend we don't take them away from each other" I stated.
"After what's going on at the moment... I don't think we could ever bring ourselves to do that, so deal"
"Deal" I nodded before leaning forward and kissing him softly.
"I love you" He breathed.
"Mm... Love you too" I smiled against his lips before kissing him again only for our dad to clear his throat behind us.
"Hey dad, you alright" I smiled turning to face him.
"Yer" He smiled. "I see you are feeling happier"
"Yep"I said popping the p. "That's what happens when i spend time with Joey, he always makes me feel better"
"Good... Erm, we should probably getting going in a minute cause its getting late and both the little one are quite tired now" He whispered and he walked over to Joey and took Lily from him.
"Yer okay, we will be out in a sec, i just want to talk to Lauren about something" Joey said and i frowned at him.
"Okay, well we will wait for you in the car then" He nodded before smiling at me and then they walked off.
"So what do you want to talk to me about?" I asked smiling.
"I don't" He smirked. "We are going to go and see Santa"
"What?" I asked raising my eyebrows in amusement. "No way!"
"Aww, don't you want to tell Santa what you want for Christmas?" He said in a baby voice.
"No i don't" I said also in a bay voice.
"Oh come on babe... It will be fun" He said using puppy dog eyes and i rolled my eyes at him as he did.
"Oh, fine" I pouted.
"So your going to do it?" He said smiling wildly.
"Only if you do too"
"Okay" He shrugged grabbing my hand and walking us over to him...
"Hey Santa" Joey smiled.
"Hello young man, and lady" He said raising his eyebrows at us, clearly a little shocked we have come to see him. "Have you come to tell me what you would like for Christmas?"
"Uh huh" We both nodded.
"Right come on then" He said in clear amusement as we both went and sat on his knees.
"So have you both been good this year?"
"Most of the time"Joey said before winking at me and i blushed furiously.
"What about you darling?" He asked turning and looking at me as i stared at Joey for a few minutes.
"Oh yer I'm really good" I smiled.
"Okay, well good... So what would you 2 like for Christmas?"
"A big mac" Joey said and we both burst out laughing.
"A big mac, really" I said and he smirked.
"Yep..."He said popping the p and i laughed again.
"Well, what about you?" Santa chuckled, and i thought for a moment before leaning over and whispering in his ear. "Really?" he asked in surprise and i nodded. "Well i will see what i can do then"
"Thank you Santa" I said before me and Joey smiled for our photo to be taken and then i hopped off his knee, us paying for it moments later before we made our way outside and got into my dads car...
An hour later...
We arrived back at the square a few minutes ago so me and Joey can grab another change of clothes cause we have decided to stay at my dads again tonight and my dad also needed to talk to John about something.
"Has Fats been back here at all?" I asked Alice as Joey ran back upstairs to grab his phone charger.
"No i thought he was staying at your dads house with you until dinner tonight which is when you were all coming back"
"He was but he went out with Lucy earlier for some reason"
"Oh..."
"Babe are you ready? Cause your dad says he wants to leave now if you are" Joey asked popping his head around the door.
"Erm... Yer" I said before slipping my leather coat on. "see you tomorrow Alice" I smiled.
"Bye" She smiled back just before we left the room, us all leaving the house moments later and i saw my Nan, Patrick,mum and Gregg leave number 5 as we did and i smiled as an idea popped into my head.
"We will catch you up dad" I said suddenly.
"Why?" He asked suspiciously.
"Well, i forgot me and Joey actually have something we need to do, but we will be back at yours in a bit"
"Really and what have you got to do?" He asked narrowing his eyes.
"Just something we forgot to do" I shrugged.
"Okay but i want you back by 11 okay, no later"
"Okay daddy, we will be there" I smiled before grabbing Joey's hand and leading us towards number 5.
"Why did you say that babe? We don't have anything that we need to do" Joey frowned. "And where are we going?"
"Well my mum and everyone have just gone out, so the house is empty"
"Right" He said confused.
"Well you do want us to have some alone time, don't you ?" I asked and his eyes light us as i did.
"Of course i do, but is here really the best place?"
"Why not? Its empty" I shrugged as i got my keys out.
"But they could come back at any minute..."
"Well we are just going to have to be quick then aren't we?" I said, saying the last bit against his lips before kissing him heatedly.
"Mm... Yes please" He breathed pulling me flush against him and i opened the door without looking so we didn't have to stop kissing, and we rushed straight up to my room when we had gotten inside, slamming my door shut behind us, us having already started to rip clothes off of each other...
"Oh god..." I gasped as he quickly trust into me.
"So good..." He breathed as he trust in and out of me at an ever faster pace and i closed my eyes, both of us moaning constantly now...
An hour later...
"So are you going to tell me what you asked Santa for?" Joey asked still a little breathless as we layed cuddled up together, us both having got dressed in case we have to leave quickly.
"Nope" I smirked and he pouted at me.
"Why not!?, we tell each other everything" He said in a baby voice and i giggled.
"Yes, but if i tell you then it might not come true and i really really want it too" I said also in a baby voice before kissing his chest through his shirt and then i rested my chin on it and looked at him.
"Oh..."He pouted again. "You will tell me when it comes true though, right?"
"Of course i will" I stated and he smiled wildly before leaning down to kiss me, just as the front door slammed shut and we both froze...
"Abs , are you here darling?" My mum shouted up the stairs, clearly she doesn't know about Abi staying at my dads for longer then.
"She is probably still out with Max, Tan, we did she them go off somewhere earlier remember after they stopped off after Arthur's for some reason, i think that boy may be staying with them for a while" My Nan said bitterness clear in her voice and i sighed. I really didn't think they were paying that much attention to us, we heard footsteps moments later and then the living room door slammed shut and me and Joey both sighed with relief and we slipped out of bed.
"Are you okay baby?" Joey asked concerned as he grabbed my hand just as i was about to leave the room.
"Yer" I said smiling up at him. "I'm just a little worried about us getting out of here without being seen, i have a feeling they might not be too pleased..." I said before smirking. "Especially if you go down like that" I said pointing to his open trouser zip and his inside out top and he looked down at himself and chuckled before doing his zip up and sorting his top out.
"I guess that's what's happens when you are getting dressed next to me... It can be very distracting you know" He whispered and i blushed.
"If you say so... I would have loved to see my Nan's face though" I giggled.
"I wouldn't, she's scary enough normally... I think she would kill me, seen as we have clearly come up here for some alone time" He winked before smiling as i laced our fingers together.
"Its none of her business! And don't worry i love you way too much to let her kill you" I said before leaning up and kissing him on the cheek. "Now come on we need to try and sneak out before anyone comes up here"
"Okay... But come here first"
"Why...?" I frowned before sighing happily as he pulled me against him and kissed me passionately.
"I just wanted to kiss you one last time before we go out there , it might bring us some luck"He said dramatically and i couldn't help but giggle slightly.
"Lets just go" I said rolling my eyes before i led him out of the room and we started walking downstairs as quietly as we could, only for us to stop dead when one fo the steps creaked and we held our breaths as we waited to see if anyone was going to come out.
"Why would she want to stay with Max longer!?" My mum asked slamming our house phone back into the holder making it echo through the house.
"She's probably just enjoying spending time there... She did say something about Lauren being there didn't she?" Gregg said and i heard my mum sigh.
"Yer she is i think... I only know that cause Abi told me , i wonder why Lauren has forgiven Max so quickly... She hated him just as much as she hates me last week, i even saw her walk right past him when he tried to talk to her... But now they are back to being as close as they were before... And its all down to Joey i know there is no way she would be rude to me if he wasn't around" She said raising her voice a little and i clenched my fist when she did, Joey squeezing my other hand and i sighed before looking up at him and then i went to walk down the stairs when i saw a hint of sadness in his eyes at my mums words but he quickly stopped me.
"Don't baby" He breathed in my ear. "We aren't supposed to be here remember"
"I know but she isn't being fair to you and i know your upset about what she said, even if you won't admit it... And i hate that she is upsetting you" I whispered.
"Its okay honestly... It just stings a little that your mum thinks I'm not good enough for you"
"But you are though" I whispered cupping his cheek. "You are everything to me just like i am to you remember" I breathed and he smiled brightly as he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me into a hug.
"Yes you are" He breathed in my ear just as my Nan spoke and we both turned our attention to their conversation again.
"That's true... He really is a bad influence, and you know there might be another reason for Abi staying longer apart from Lauren being there of course"
"And what's that?" Mum asked confused.
"Max could have told them the truth" She said and my mum laughed quite loudly as she did.
"He wouldn't dare, he knows what i will do if he does"
"What other reason could there be for Lauren forgiving him then?"
"I don't know mum but it has to be something else... Maybe it has something to do with Joey... She will do whatever he wants anyway"
"He could be the reason... I really don't know why you are still letting them see each other"
"Cause i can't stop them at the moment... But trust me everything is going to change when we get to Portugal... I'm going to make sure they don't even talk to each other especially after all the rudeness i have had from her lately, she doesn't deserve too"
"Don't you think that's a little harsh Tan, she is only upset cause you are taking her away from everything she knows... And her and Joey have been friends since they were 5 , i don't think they can even manage a day without speaking"Gregg said and i smiled slightly, it is kind of nice of him to try and stick up for us.
"Maybe they have but she will make better friends before she knows it and Joey will be forgotten just like he should be, Lauren shouldn't have friends who are going to be rude to me... Besides Lauren brought this on herself"
"You know what, i don't even recognise you anymore"Gregg shouted. "You used to love your children more then anything and you would have never dreamt of hurting Max cause you have always been friends... But its like the second you found out he was in trouble you used it to get you what you want"
"Come on Gregg... I'm doing this for us and Max is the one who was stupid enough to get himself into trouble in the first place"
"Your not doing this for us! And your certainly not doing this for the kids... Your doing it for you and you know what i don't if i want to be with anyone like that" He snapped before coming out of the living room and his eyes widened when he saw me and Joey.
"Lauren what are you doing here?" He hissed.
"Just getting some of my stuff" I said holding up my bag which has some bits i grabbed while we were in my room, in it.
"Right well you better go before your mum finds out your here and you end up fighting again" He whispered and i nodded, me and Joey rushing down the rest of the stairs and then we opened the door.
"Okay, thanks for sticking up for us by the way" I whispered and he smiled slightly before hurrying us out of the house. "Bye Gregg"
"Bye sweetheart, Joey... I'll see you soon"
"Bye"Joey said and then we hurried down the steps outside, us hearing the door click shut behind us and then we headed towards my dads house in silence...
"You know its going to be okay, don't you" Joey said breaking the silence between us as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
"How is it...? The way my mum was talking about you and me... It just wasn't right and now she knows that something isn't right cause things are okay between me and my dad and she's right i was still really mad at him last week... What if it ends up causing more trouble for my dad?" I asked sighing heavily and resting my head on his chest when he stopped us and pulled me against him properly.
"Baby if your mum does cause more trouble then its not your fault" He whispered before kissing me on top of the head.
"Isn't it... I know my mum has proof of my dad selling dodgy cars and that but i still forgave him and everyone knows i have ... And my mums not stupid, it wont be long before she believes my Nan about my dad telling me...and then what? The last thing i want is for him to end up in prison because of me..." I said as my eyes filled with tears.
"Hey, that is not going to happen... Do you really think your mum would do that to you , Abi and Oscar. Ay? Cause I'm not so sure"
"Maybe she wouldn't have before but she seems to have changed all of a sudden and she is nothing like i thought she was , Joe... I don't know what she will do" I breathed burying my face in his chest and tears started streaming down my face and he pulled me against him tighter while the fingers of his other hand ran through my hair which is now down, to soothe me and i have to admit, it is kind of working just like it normally does when I'm upset.
Bedtime...
"Joey" I shouted giggling loudly as he blowed raspberries on my stomach while we laid in bed.
"Yes?" He smirked up at me as he lifted his head.
"Stop!"
"Are you going to give me some of your crunchy?"
"Erm no..." I whispered and he raised his eyebrows and me while still smirking.
"Then you know my answer too then don't you?" He chuckled before continuing to blow raspberries on my stomach.
"Joey" I shouted again before laughing louder as he started tickling my sides at the same time.
"Well... Your happier then you were before then" My dad chuckled and Joey quickly jumped away from me when he did and i jumped out of bed and went over to my dad so he couldn't start tickling me again.
"Thank you... You saved me daddy" I said before hugging him and sticking my tongue out at Joey as i did.
"So it appears..." He chuckled. "What did you do to deserve that then?" He asked amusement clear in his voice.
"Nothing! Joey is being mean" I pouted.
" I am not! She wont give me some of her crunchy"He pouted back.
" then, you do realize we have more downstairs... You can have one of them if you want"
"Fine but your not having any of the whisper bites"
"But they are for both of us" I said going to grab them but Joey just smirked before holding them above his head and i crossed my arms before shaking my head and smiling... I really love that we can be like this with each other, we have always argued about stuff like little kids but in the end we just end up laughing about it. "Is there something wrong dad? You don't normally come in here before bed" I asked suddenly feeling really worried that my mum may have done something.
"He probably heard all the laughing and wondered what was going on in here, baby girl" Fats smirked as he came into the room and got into his bed.
"Joey wouldn't stop blowing raspberries on my stomach" I pointed out.
"Uh huh" Fats winked not at all convinced its the truth and i rolled my eyes.
"Its true" Joey protested. " But only cause she wouldn't give me some of her crunchy"
"But you don't even like them"
"So... I wanted some"
"Of course you did" Fats winked knowingly and i knew i had to change the subject quickly before my dad realized what he was suggesting.
"So has something happened?"
"Oh no babe... I just wanted to make sure that you are okay, you have been pretty quite since you got back"
"Oh, I'm fine " I sighed.
"Did something happen while you were out?" He asked concerned.
"No" I said a bit too quickly and he raised his eyebrows at me.
"Where did you go?" He asked narrowing his eyes.
"Just around"
"Lauren..."He started.
"Look nothing happened okay, everything is fine" I snapped before getting back into bed next to Joey and he grabbed my hand and squeezed it which caused me to look at him and he nodded towards my dad, who looks quite shocked and i sighed before smiling back at Joey briefly. "I'm sorry dad, I'm just..." I trailed off trying to think of something else to say. "Tired"
"Its okay..." He sighed. "I'm sorry i didn't mean to push you about it you just seemed worried"
"No i wasn't" I lied smiling.
"Okay" He also smiled but he didn't look really convinced i was telling the truth."Well I'm going to go to bed now, try not to make Joey tickle you again"He chuckled.
" I wont" I smiled. "Night daddy"
"Night babe, Joey, Fats"
" Night Max" Joey said before kissing the top of my head as i cuddled up to him.
"Mr B" Fats nodded as he laid down, my dad leaving the room as he did and we all fell asleep not long after...
Hey everyone :) sorry i have posted this a day later then i planned but i was really busy yesterday and by the time i got home i was way too tired to edit this chapter...
So what do you think ? Is there more drama to come where Max and Tanya are concerned? And what do you think Lauren asked Santa for ?
The next chapter will be up next Tuesday hopefully but if not if will definitely be later on in the week.
Thank you to the 8 guests for all your reviews I'm glad you all enjoyed the last chapter... and for all your kinds words :) i hope you enjoy this chapter xxxx
Thank you MS for yet another really sweet review :) you really are the best! I'm really glad that you always look forward to my updates and i hope i don't start to disappoint at some point, I think love can certainly be quite complicated between best friends cause you have known each other for quite a while most of the time and you know each other better then pretty much anyone else... I hope you story helped you in some way and that things work out for you and your best friend :) I hope you like this chapter and thank you again for such a sweet review and not for thinking I'm really weird wanting to know a bit about your relationship xxx
thank you everyone for reading and please drop me a review if you enjoyed xxx
