A/N: Hey guys!

1. Sorry i haven't updated... it was my birthday and my mums today so i've been relatively busy!

2. This is a long-ish chapter so i hope it makes up for the lack of updates!

3. I'm also going on holiday on Wednesday... so i'm going to try and update at least once tomorrow and Tuesday if not twice a day, then hopefully relatively regular updates when i return the following Wednesday!

Joey's POV

We all returned in the reception about 10 minutes after Lauren left my room.

She, Abi and Alice returned 5 minutes later, 'Girls take the piss to get ready!' I shouted chuckling.

Alice stuck her tongue out at me and Lauren rolled her eyes giggling. She was wearing a pale blue crop top that rested just above her belly button and a pair of denim shorts that rested on her hips. Her hair floated down past her shoulders and was held back by her sunglasses that rested on her head. She looked incredible.

'You look beautiful' I whispered when she got nearer. She looked up at smiled as she reached for my hand and squeezed it without anyone seeing. I wanted to hold her hand, to walk with her proudly. It hurt knowing we couldn't, I wanted to show her I wasn't ashamed but I knew it would take time for her to get used to us, let alone everyone else but I'd concluded I was willing to wait for her, never had I thought I'd say that about a girl.

We reached the water park and all went to get changed. Lauren took my breath away as she walked out with Alice and Abi, wearing a red bikini tied behind her neck. I literally had to prize my eyes away from her as she giggled knowing I was staring.

'Try not to stare Joseph' she whispered as she walked past, biting her lip, giggling.

'Don't bite your lip; I can barely handle the bikini!' I replied. She knew exactly what she was doing as she chuckled and walked off with the girls. She looked happy and carefree, the events of the other night completely dismissed from her thoughts. I shuddered at the thought.

I found some sunbeds and everyone left their belongings near them as we set up a base. The kids ran off, way too excited to wait, Tanya, Sharon and Carol following with Oscar. Bianca went to find a shop to buy drinks for everyone and Max and Jack headed to the bar. Alice and Abi were trying to convince Lauren to go in the Lazy River with them. She looked up at me, and I smiled nodding.

'What are you gonna do?' Lauren asked calmly, without giving anything away.

'I'll hang around here for a bit, watch the stuff. Gotta top up my tan ain't I' I joked 'You go have fun'

She nodded and followed Abi and Alice walking towards the pool entrance. I couldn't help but watch her as she walked away and I knew she knew I was as she turned around and gave me the most beautiful smile. I settled down and began to listen to my music after claiming a sunbed as my own. Lying there, content with everything that had happened lately; I began to drift off to sleep.

Lauren's POV

It had been around an hour, when my thoughts drifted back to Joey. I wonder what he is doing. I thought to myself.

'Guys I'm gonna head back to the beds for a bit, dry off.' I shouted across to Abs and Al.

'Okay' they replied in unison.

I returned only to see Joey had fallen asleep listening to his IPOD. I stood over him admiringly, as his eyes began to flutter and eventually open.

'Hey' I smiled down at him.

'Who gave you permission to interrupt my sleep Miss Branning?' he questioned jokingly.

'I can always leave you to it Joseph' I replied, playing him at his own game.

'Erm, no I think you should stay' he smirked as he sat up.

I sat down next to him and we stayed talking about half an hour. I'd never connected with anyone like I do with Joey. He is so different to what I first assumed he'd be like, as I thought about this a smile swept across me.

'What you smiling about?' Joey asked as he too smiled.

'Nothing' I told him simply, but couldn't wipe my smile away.

'Hm, I bet. Come on, we should go find the others, they may get suspicious.' Joey joked as he winked at me. I giggled shaking my head.

'Nothing to get suspicious about.' I said calmly and turned around to head off.

'There isn't?' Joey asked, stopping me in my tracks. I turned to see a saddened expression on his face and I walked towards him.

'Maybe' I said smiling up at him. He began to smile and reached and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

'You're so beautiful, do you know that?' he whispered, his face close to my ear.

I blushed brighter than ever and shook my head. 'Ssh' I said trying to hide my embarrassment.

'Believe me' Joey stated quietly as he kissed my cheek. I entwined my hand in his and squeezed it gently, never wanting this moment to end.

'We should go find them baby' he finally admitted. I nodded and let go of his hand, turning and walking towards the big pool, Joey began to follow.

'Hey you two! Where you been Lozzy?' Oscar shouted.

'Nowhere, went to find Joey to try and stop him being a big bore' I shouted back smirking. Joey looked over to me and gasped mockingly.

'I'll get you for that one babe' he whispered in my ear making my insides tingle with excitement.

'Bring it on Branning' I challenged back as I jumped straight into the pool to join my family, Joey close behind.

I swam over too my mum and Carol who were in the Jacuzzi.

'Hello darling, you okay?' Mum asked smiling.

I nodded towards her and took up the seat next to her.

'You having a good time?' I asked cheerily. They both nodded and continued with their previous conversation. I looked around the pool to where the others were and Joey caught my eye. He was playing catch with Oscar and then pretending to throw him into the water. Oscar was smiling and giggling and my heart melted at the site of them.

'What you smiling at trouble?' I turned and noticed my dad wading his way towards me.

'Nothing dad, just enjoying myself' I tore my eyes away from Joey and Oscar and smiled at my dad. 'Thank you for today, it's been great'

'No problem sweetheart, it's done us good this holiday, can't remember the last big family holiday we had' Dad admitted.

'Me either, it's been amazing' I replied.

'It's not over yet babe' Dad winked at me. What is it with the Branning men and winking? I thought to myself.

'I'm gonna go play with Oscar for a bit dad, see you later?' I asked as I moved away.

'Sure, have fun' he replied.

As I approached Oscar on the other side of the pool I felt arms wrapping around my waist.

'You don't understand how hot you look in this bikini' I heard Joey whisper in my ear tugging slightly on my bikini tie before he threw me up in the air. I squealed as I landed with a splash. It covered my blushing though, that's for sure.

Oscar was laughing when I came up, as was Joey when I looked at him he winked at me and squeezed my hand under the water. Two can play at this game.

I moved towards him slightly, without making it too obvious and pulled on the tie of his swimming trunks. 'Ooops' I said quietly as I turned away smirking.

I made my way over to Oscar when I felt a hand on my behind. Turning around I saw Joey standing rather close smirking.

'We need to stop, dunno if I can keep my hands off you babe' he teased.

I winked at him as I turned around and headed to play with Oscar who had now found Abi and Alice.

I could feel his gaze on me as I played in the water with my family, occasionally turning to catch his eye and blush.

Joey's POV

She looked so happy, it actually warmed my heart. I genuinely didn't know what she'd done to me, she made me better.

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the park mostly as a family although a few times Lauren and I managed to sneak away.

'Boo' I whispered in her ear, checking around me before I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. Everyone else had gone to get changed ready to head back to the hotel and of course I'd held back to see her.

'Joey' she chuckled, jumping slightly. 'Are you trying to give me a heart attack?'

'I could say the same thing about you in that bikini babe' I smirked, winking cheekily at her. She chuckled and blushed slightly and bowed her head trying to hide it from me. 'Don't hide baby'

She turned her head and looked up at me and smiled. 'Someone is gonna see us Joe' I looked at her for a second absorbing the excitement along with worry in her eyes and smiled at her innocence, I couldn't help it. I leaned in and brushed my lips onto hers gently fixing my arms tighter around her. She turned around to face me and continued the kiss and wrapping her arms around my neck as my hands rested on her hips. I felt her smile into the kiss just before we both pulled away breathless. We both stood still for a while longer just looking at each other, neither of us wanting to pull away.

'We should catch up with the others' she finally broke the silence. I nodded and let go of her but not without sighing. Every moment spent touching her was exhilarating. I'd never admit this to anyone but her, this was a different person, I'd never been like this about a girl before.

I reached down and entwined our hands and squeezed her lightly, not taking my eyes off of hers.

'Guys, you coming?' Abi shouted as she reached us, catching us off guard.

We quickly sprung apart and dropped hands immediately trying to act normal.

'Oh erm yeah, just coming Abs. Carry this for me?' Lauren mumbled wanting to distract her sister. She gave me an awkward glance full of worry and hurried away with her younger sister. I sighed and followed carrying my bag.

A/N: Hope i didn't disappoint! please R&R.

Thank you for the support xxx