Chapter 7

Lauren awoke from her rather deep sleep. She found Joey draped over her body in a protective manor. He had spent the early hours of the mornings holding Lauren as she wept, upset over what had transpired at the club. She thought she had a new friend, unfortunately for Lauren she was wrong, another person who she couldn't trust.

She lay there stroking his hair as he slept, his head rested on her chest. He looked peaceful for once, not a single frown or worry line on his forehead which was usually caused by Lauren. She loved the way his hair was fluffy in the morning, it made him look young, which he was although he acted way above his actual years. She snuggled closer to him, feeling the warmth of his body against her own, it was soothing. Lauren felt Joey stir from his sleep as his hands crept up her leg to rest on her waist.

"Mmm morning baby" he whispered kissing her naked stomach

"Morning yourself" placing a kiss onto his head

"How are you feeling after last night?" hesitation within his voice

"Fine, she was a bitch anyways" she replied sternly, not wanting to think another second or Kelly.

This made Joey smirk. He loved feisty Lauren, she was sexy, brave and was the biggest part of her personality, although it barely made an appearance, it was usually covered with hurt, fears and mostly sarcasm.

Joey was jolted from his thoughts as Lauren rolled him over climbing on top of him so she was now straddling him.

"I like being on top" she whispered blushing, "I get to watch your reaction, appreciate you" blushing again.

"Babe, I do not mind you being on top, trust me" he scoffed.

"Do you mind if I do this" she replied peppering kisses from his neck, moving herself slowly down his body, deliberately grazing her crutch slowly over his, noticing Joe release a moan of satisfaction from his pursed lips. Her trail of kisses stopping just above the band of his boxers. Her hands lightly tracing where her lips had previously sat before pulling them down and exposing him. Before Joey had a second thought, Lauren had him in her mouth, her tongue playing around before sucking. Joey gasped as he relished the pleasure and the build-up to his climax. Lauren felt his hands knot in her hair as he was closer to finishing, finally releasing his sexual pleasure. Lauren crawled back up his body with a smirk on her face. He brushed the stray hair from her face placing a kiss on her lips.

"You are naughty, you know that?" he asked his girlfriend who had a very satisfied look across her face

"Don't you just love it" she replied pushing him back down from his sitting position, grabbing the quilt and pulling it back over them giggling as she did.

The weekend was over and Lauren was back to work on a normal Monday morning. Her weekend had been packed full of some intense love making sessions with Joey. He knew what she liked and he knew how to do it well. Laurens hand became rather sweaty as she sat on the train reminiscing about their weekend. She bit down on her lip as she reminded herself of their heated moments in the car lot, on the sofa, in her bedroom, on her bedroom floor and definitely not forgetting against the kitchen side. She then noticed herself blushing and composed herself before heading from the train to work.

Lauren arrived at work, whipping out her phone to text Joey quickly before continuing with her exhibition pieces.

"I want you when I get home, got it? L xx" SENT

"Oh babe, you were already going to get it ;) J xx" she giggled at his response

"Laters sexy, I love you L xx" she hit send before picking up her paint brush.

Lauren had finally finished her last exhibition piece for the Life art show. Her boss wanted her art work to be featured and was thoroughly impressed by the work she had produced. Lauren for once for was proud of herself, in particular the piece on Joey. She wasn't sure how he would react to it, but she loved it and it was going in pride place.

The night of the exhibition came around a few days later. The whole family had been invited, much to Laurens dislike because wherever the whole family went so did drama and trouble. She would of much preferred just for Joey to go, but they all insisted.

"Right lets get this over and done with" she sighed placing her earrings in. Lauren had chosen one of her classier dresses for the evening. A Black peplum dress with a bold gold necklace matching her black wedges and pale blazer.

"You look gorgeous" Joey whispered in her ear, giving her a small peck on her cheek.

"Oh honey, look at you all grown up" Tanya stated making her way from the hallway with the rest of the family in pursuit.

"Yeah yeah, come on lets go" she replied grabbing Joeys hand and jumping in the car.

The Brannings pulled up outside Life gallery. Climbing out the car, they followed Lauren up the stairs into the entrance. It was much bigger than they ever imagined. They were greeted with a glass of champagne from a waiter and shown through to the main hall where all the exhibitions were.

"Show us your work Lauren" Max said nudging his daughter

Lauren took a deep breath and headed towards the middle where her work was position, "Look, don't expect too much" she sighed her nerves getting the better of her, Joey squeezing her hand tightly in reaction to her comment.

Lauren walked ahead, unveiling her work. There sat three huge canvases. The first canvas was a painting of Max, Tanya, Abi and Oscar. The detail to their features were astonishing to Tanya who began to well up with pride. On the second canvas lay a painting with the name 'Strangers' it consisted of a view of the Thames sidewalk and faces of strangers making a collection of about 100 faces. The third and final canvas was the one Lauren was most nervous about as she studied the faces of her family and finally Joeys face. The final canvas has a collage of Joey. His portrait outline taking up the whole of the frame, but it was the detail inside which made him gasp. His face and features were made up of words and expressions he had said to her since they had met.

The words forever, love, hope and happiness being written in bold. In smaller writing were quotations Joey had said to her such as "I love you", "I'm proud of you", "You can trust me" and "I love a challenge". Every single word he had said to her was writing in the outline of his face.

Lauren who was still watching Joey's reaction, was interrupted by her boss.

"Oh hi, you must be Laurens family, I'm Marge Laurens boss, were so proud of the work she had produced, I hope your all enjoying it" she greeted the Brannings

"Yes we love it" Tanya replied wiping a few stray tears of pride from her eyes.

"Lovely to meet you all, see you tomorrow Lauren" Marge rushed off to greet her next family.

"So what do you all think?" Lauren asked nervously

"Oh babe, were so proud of you, you have such a talent its ridiculous really" Max replied hugging her daughter closely as the rest of the family began congratulating her. Joey had still not answered, noticing this Lauren stepped away from her family who began looking at the other pieces.

"Well" Lauren stepped to the side of Joey so they were standing looking at his portrait collage.

"I'm speechless" he replied still studying it.

"Do you like it?" she asked sheepishly

"Like it? Bit of an understatement, it is amazing Lauren" grabbing her face and kissing her lips fiercely.

"How did you remember all of what I've said to you" still mesmerised by the writing and quotations

"I remember everything you say Joey, every word you say to me, your just so special to me" she whispered back to him.

Joey was left speechless again, this girl stood in front of him meant more to him now than ever before. She laid her heart on the line with this, exposing her honest feelings for him he couldn't love her anymore or he might burst. His next move surprised himself just as much as it did Lauren.

"Marry me" he proclaimed, as he watched Laurens eyes pop open,

"Marry me Lauren" ….