Lauren's P.O.V

"Come on, Lauren, seriously, I'm starving!" Abi said to me whilst I was taking down my paintings and drawings.

"You'll have to starve a bit longer then, Abigail" I laughed noticing the expression on my sisters face. "I'm done now."

"Come on then girls, I'll go and round up Oscar, you two go to the car." My dad said. We were actually on okay terms considering he hadn't bothered to see me since my accident.

We arrived home about half an hour later and it was such a relief. I walked through the door unaware that Joey had moved in and I saw his coat on one of the pegs. I sighed remembering the offer I gave him, but I didn't feel the need to drink which was always good. Assuming he would be in his bedroom, or in one of the downstairs rooms, I decided to take my belongings back up to my room. As I walked up the stairs it felt so different to be back. I looked at my mum and dad's old bedroom door and swallowed loudly. I walked into my room and placed my suitcases by the wardrobe, then I looked up and saw Joey.

"Joey, what the hell?!" I shouted, furrowing my eyebrows together.

He looked up at me, his eyes red and swollen with tear lines staining his face, and spoke "I'm so sorry for pushing you. I'm so sorry for reading this book. I'm so, so, sorry" I gulped

"You found it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I thought, if I ignored it, it might go away." I said, walking over to him and sitting next to him on the floor next to my bed. I swung my arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips passionately. "Don't cry, baby. I'm still the same girl you fell in love with"

"I love you so much. I'll be here for you, Lauren, all the way" He insisted as another tear fell. He kissed me briefly and stood up, pulling me with him, then sat on the bed. "Let me hold you"

"Okay" I agreed, laying down and climbing under the covers. My back was against Joey's front and his arms were wrapped around my waist. His head nestled into the crook of my neck and I turned around slightly to look at his face.

Turning back around and let the tears fall freely as was Joey. With in a while I had felt Joey stop shaking and his breathing evened out signalling he was asleep. I relaxed in his embrace and set off in a trance of my own.

Max's P.O.V

I hadn't heard from Lauren or Joey since I'd been back. Abi had gone to Jays, like she had been almost every night, and Oscar was fast out in bed.

"Lauren? Joey?" I shouted up the stairs, but got no reply. I made my way up and knocked on Lauren's door.

"Babe, you all right?" I got no reply. I made my way to mine and Tanya's old bedroom and knocked on the door.

"Joe, you in there son?" I got no reply again. I decided to knock on Lauren's again and when I had no reply, I decided to slowly let myself in. I saw her lying in bed, a small smile on her face, fast asleep. Then reality hit me and Joey was there with her, curled up with her, and they looked so happy. That seemed so wrong.

"WHAT DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE PLAYING AT?" I shouted, absolutely oblivious to what had been going on around me.

Lauren's P.O.V

I was woke up by my dad screaming at Joey, who was now in the corner with my dad threatening him, realising that I let us lie in that long.

"Dad, get off him, please. This isn't his fault." I said, swallowing a lump in my throat and sorting my bed head out.

"NOT HIS FAULT? NO YOU'RE RIGHT IT'S BOTH OF YOU. YOU'RE TWISTED." He shouted, making me wince, turning back to Joey and letting him go.

"Uncle Max, seriously, let me explain" Joey said before I interrupted me

"Dad, listen to me, now." I asked, "I know Joey isn't your ideal choice of partner for me, but he's what I need, we're good for each other." I said, walking over to Joey and taking his hand in mine before standing in front of him.

"No, you're cousins, babe, this is so wrong!" He insisted,

"It's legal, dad, and I need him." I admitted, looking down shyly.

"I love her, Uncle Max." Joey said, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

"I don't care if its legal, you don't love her, you're too young, it's not happening." He proclaimed through gritted teeth.

"I need him." I said. I wasn't going to beat around the bush I wanted to be bluntly honest.

"No you don't." He told me.

"I do, I'm sick, dad." I admitted, tears falling freely.

"No you're not, don't be silly, what you talking about" He said.

"LISTEN TO ME!" I screamed, "Dad, I have cancer, like mum did."

He just stood there taking it in. I turned to Joey and watched as his eyes turned sad and a tear rolled down his cheek. I wiped it away and this didn't go amiss with my dad.

"I'm sorry, babe. I should have been there for you." He admitted finally, and I pulled him in for a hug, and he added, "You really love her, don't you, Joey. I saw you cry and I know those weren't crocodile tears. I also saw how affectionate you were with Joey just, Lauren. You have my consent to do this. I want you to be happy, Lauren."

I just nodded and proclaimed "It's fine, dad, honestly. You knowing wouldn't have made any difference. I just want to be happy for the time I've got left, with no more arguing, dad." I smiled once I'd finished and wiped Joey's tears away, kissing him briefly and entwining our hands again, turning back to face my dad, who had previously shook Joey's hand. "I'm not telling anyone else."

"Okay babe." He said, that was when I knew I'd be happy, all of us walking downstairs again.

A/N

The last chapter went down a lot better than expected! Thank you all you're amazing.

I may not post for a few days being as I may alter the final few chapters. The story is coming to an end fairly shortly too, which I am unsure about, all the more reason to change the ending. I may not change it yet but judging from the reviews it is highly likely. If I do it does mean I won't be posting for a while.

Hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you think. :) x