So here is the last chapter in this story. Thanks for everyone who has sent a review (so far). Enjoy!

Chapter 20.

They were still sitting together a couple of hours after their uncle had left. "Do you think about the future, Joey?" Lauren asked him as they lay side by side on the couch. Given what they'd discussed a few hours earlier, it seemed a silly conversation to only now be having but Lauren needed to know.

"I never used to..."

"And now?" she whispered.

"When I think of a future now, I only see you." He told her gently, his fingers brushing down her cheek.

"I'm glad about that, Joe." She turned her head into his shoulder, inhaling the aroma that was pure Joey. "I think of you too." She fell silent again, "I know we're going to leave but do you think they'll ever accept us, Joe?"

"I don't know sweetheart. I wish I could say yes to your question but I just don't know. Whatever happens though, we're going to be together. I promise you that."

"I'm glad you feel that way, Joe." Lauren kissed his neck, her hand gripping his T-shirt. "Joey, would you take me to bed?" she whispered to him.

"I would like nothing more, sweetheart," Joey said. He climbed off the couch and picked her up in his arms, making her giggle.

"I do have legs you know, Joey." She chuckled.

"I'm more than aware of that, baby." He smirked at her. Once they were in their room, Joey dropped Lauren onto the bed, smiling as she scrabbled backwards on the mattress and leant against the pillows. He crawled up the bed, looking down at Lauren, who was still giggling up at him.

"Joe, I want you..." she whispered up at him.

"I want you too." He said, kissing her neck softly.

"No, Joey. I mean, I want you now. I don't want to wait any longer." Joey stared down at her, shock written across his face. "Don't look at me like that, Joe. You can't tell me you don't want this too. I know you do." Lauren reached up for him and pulled his head down to hers, kissing him passionately on the mouth. He moaned into her mouth and she hoped that meant he was going to do as she asked.

Joey brushed his hand down her face, his lips worshipping hers and he felt his arousal climb. Could he do this? Did she really want this? He knew she thought she did but he wasn't convinced she wouldn't change her mind and then it might be very difficult to stop. He knew he was as interested in taking part in this as anyone could be in this position. He loved Lauren and he knew she was the only girl for him. No, what held him back from taking this step was the hideous thought that if she changed her mind, she might be scared of him or even worse, it might end their relationship permanently.

*JL*JL*

Lauren stared up at Joey, seeing the indecision on his face. She placed her hands on his chest and pushed him back, sitting up as well, "Lauren?" he said softly. She stared at him for several seconds before lifting the top she was wearing over her head. She could see she'd stunned him with her action and she bit her lip, suddenly hesitant. She took a deep breath and reached behind her, undoing her bra and dropping it over the side of the bed.

"I do believe, Mr. Branning, you are far too overdressed..." she whispered, staring him in the eyes and hoping he could see she really meant what she was saying. She watched as his eyes drifted down her body, the bruises that had once marred her skin had finally faded to a green, yellowy colour. She wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination and she was sure Joey could do much better than her but while he was still interested in her, she was going to prove she was as good as any other girl he could find... even if she was damaged goods.

Lauren grabbed his T-shirt and pulled him closer, pecking at his lips. He still wasn't doing anything so she decided she was going to have to help him out a little more. She pulled his T-shirt loose and tugged it up his body. This seemed to break him out of his stupor and he kissed her again as his hands finally began to roam her body. Lauren tried not to moan as his hands both cupped her breasts but she was wholly unsuccessful and he chuckled against her neck. Joey's hands moved lower and gradually he pushed down her leggings, leaving her in just her knickers.

"Are you sure about this babe?" he breathed against her skin.

"Joey, what do I have to do to convince you?" she said, her hand drifted down his body, her fingers tickling his skin before reaching his jeans. She winked at him cheekily and her hand moved just a few inches south and wrapped around a certain part of his anatomy that had certainly been paying attention to pretty much everything she'd been doing.

Joey's eyes widened as she gripped him, "That might work..." he said, closing his eyes and letting himself feel what she was doing. It was the encouragement he needed and he quickly pulled himself from the bed and almost ripped his jeans from his body. He wasn't sure why but he turned his back to her when he did that and a little insecurity threatened to strike once he was naked. He knew he was good looking and he was fairly confident that he didn't lack anything when it came to his manhood. He was a good lover, he knew that too but he was also very aware of what Lauren had been through and it worried him how she'd react when they finally did this.

"Joey?" she whispered, seeing him pause once he'd removed his clothes. She could see that, from the back at least, he was stunning. It wasn't a surprise to her, she'd known from the off that her cousin was... well drop dead gorgeous was a phrase that sprung to mind. Her nerves were beginning to heighten as the moment got closer. She wasn't worried too much about doing this with Joey; what scared her was the possibility of a flashback hitting her at an inopportune moment. She didn't want to ruin this. He deserved better than that. If she was being honest with herself she still believed he deserved better than her.

Joey turned to face her and she was caught by the look on his face so she never did get to see just how gorgeous he was. His face was intense and his eyes dark. He moved back towards her and lay on the bed beside her. He brushed his hand down her face, staring into her eyes. Then he slowly traced a finger down her neck, moving lower and lazily sweeping over her chest. Her stomach was next and he smiled when he saw her squirm. His eyes had followed the path of his finger as if descended down her body but now he looked at her face again, staring into her eyes as he played with the waistband of her knickers. Seeing her eyes darken he gained a bit more confidence and slipped his hand inside the material. She gasped as he touched her clit and it turned into a moan as his hand moved slightly lower. He stroked her gently, seeing her lose herself in what he was doing. Her hips began to move against his hand and he knew she was close to coming. He pressed his thumb on her clit and she flew apart, crying out his name and clutching at his free hand.

"Did you like that babe?" he asked her gently a minute or two later, hoping she wasn't freaking out.

Her answer reassured him. "God yes... but I'm ready for more, Joe. I know you think I'm going to change my mind but I'm really not. I love you and I want to feel what it's like when you make love to me. Please Joey?"

"I can never say no to you, sweetheart." He whispered. Slowly he pushed her knickers down her legs and she kicked them off. They kissed for a while, Joey wanted to make sure she was as relaxed as she could be. Finally there was no putting it off any longer and he pulled her against him. He lifted her leg, pulling it up his body, "I told you I knew you had legs," he said softly and she smiled. He gazed at her face, watching her reaction as he slowly pushed into her. Her hands clutched his shoulders and he saw her shut her eyes. He stilled, waiting for a sign from her that she wanted him to continue. She kissed his chest and he moved his hips slightly, loving the feeling of being within her. The passion between them increased, Joey tried to keep his movements as tender as possible but towards the end his control frayed slightly and he was a little more forceful. Lauren didn't seem to mind though, she gasped his name each time his hips hit hers and at the end she was moving as much as he was. Lauren came first but Joey was only slightly behind. Hearing Lauren scream his name was what pushed him over the edge and he held her in his arms as they both calmed and he kissed her deeply. He smiled as he realised he'd kept his promise of making her scream in a much more pleasurable way than a few days ago when it had been a scream of pure terror.

"I love you, Joey Branning." She whispered in his ear once they'd both caught their breath. "Thank you for being my hero and showing me it's possible for someone to love me in return."

"I love you so much, babe. And I always will." He murmured to her. Never had he thought it was possible for him to love someone like this. But he did. Lauren Branning was the girl for him. Forever if he could convince her. And he was more than prepared to put the work in to do just that. However long it took. Joey already knew it would be a very pleasurable way to spend his future. And the rest of his life.

THE END.

A/N: May seem like a strange place to leave this story but I think pretty much everything else is self-evident for this story and I didn't want to go further. I've done the important stuff. That's not to say I haven't left it open for a sequel. Never say never and all that...

Let me know what you thought.

Some time later this week I'll be posting a new story. It's my longest EE's one I've written. It's pretty much done - just having a final read-through, sorting out the chapter breaks and plugging any gaps that need filling (I've found one so far...) but I hope to post the first chapter by Friday at the latest. Hope you read it... I've really had fun writing it.