Chapter 9

Lauren had awoken rather early for her. Joey was still asleep, his alarm not due to go off for another 20 minutes. She lay content next to him, raising her left hand up above the covers, looking at her empty ring finger. She hadn't even thought about a ring, and to be honest it hadn't bothered her, she wasn't a flashy type, but she wanted everyone to take the engagement seriously. She sighed, still looking at her hand, she hadn't realised Joey had stirred as was now looking at Lauren studying her hand as it clicked, god he hadn't got her a ring, soon she would think he didn't mean it.

Lauren rolled over to snuggle against his chest, Joey snapping his eyes shut to pretend he was still asleep. She traced her fingers over his bare chest muttering to inwardly about how silly she was feeling over a ring.

"Lauren your just being a div" she sighed, Joey feeling much guiltier now.

Lauren had set off early for work leaving Joey to get ready for a day at the car lot. He couldn't stop thinking about a ring. He knew it had to be special, something with meaning that would mean so much to Lauren.

"ABS" he shouted up the stairs, gaining the attention of his soon to be sister in law.

"Yeah? What's up?" she shouted back now standing at the top of the stairs.

"Wanna help me with a ring for Lauren?" he enquired, noticing a smile appear across her face

"Of course! YAY" she skipped down the stairs, pulling Joey out the house with her.

Joey and Abi trailed through plenty of jewellery shops, but nothing stood out to them, nothing was special enough for Lauren, she deserved the best because she was the best. Just then an idea struck Joey, sharing his idea with Abi who was now close to tears.

"Oh my god, Joey she will love that" she whispered hugging her older cousin tightly.

"Right lets head back before your dad has my guts for garters" he laughed, swinging his protective arm around his little cousin heading for the train.

Laurens engagement was still the talk of the square, eventually the news spreading to a not so happy Lucy Beale. Her face turned to thunder when she found out, she wasn't going to lie down and take it, she wanted Joey and if Lauren wanted a fight she was going to get one.

Lauren arrived home, exhausted from a busy day. She flopped down on the sofa, kicking off her heels, propping her feet up on the table. She sighed, noting the house was silent, peaceful finally for once. She hadn't realised Joey standing in the door way watching her, until she went to switch on the lamp.

"Oh hi baby" she giggled slightly startled

"Hey" his voice raspy with a sexy tone, he walked over pulling Lauren to her feet

"I've got something for you" he continued, holding her hands in his own

"If it was what you gave me against that wall last night I won't be complaining" she winked at him as he smirked at her remark

"Nope, it's not that although I may relive it later if you're lucky" he replied stroking her hands

"My proposal was wrong last night" he started, looking deep into her eyes, Lauren stared at him confused, slightly scared wondering if he was taking it back.

"I should have had a ring, but I didn't because it was spontaneous, in the moment" Lauren let out a breath she had held in with relief

"But I want to do it properly now" he bent down on one knee, pulling out a ring box, she gasped not expecting what Joey was going to do.

"Will you marry me?" he said opening the ring box, revealing a engagement ring, a gold band with a large diamond in the centre surrounded by six smaller diamonds. Laurens hand went straight to her mouth muffling the gasp she let out.

"This was my nans ring, she wanted you to have it when she knew I had proposed" gazing into her eyes.

"Yes of course I will" she croaked as she began to cry with happiness, Joey sliding the gorgeous ring onto her finger, picking her up and spinning her around.

"God I love you" she proclaimed kissing his lips so passionately.

"I love you more" he replied, picking her up bridal style carrying her up to their bedroom.

The news of their engagement was still fresh, people who were so against them at first now congratulating them on the street. Finally things were looking up for the young couple who had faced all the odds from the beginning, coming out the other side stronger than ever.

Lauren had decided to buy a present for Joey. Since most men didn't get an engagement ring, she thought buying him the next best thing. A new car. She had started earning some serious money as her paintings were being sold at a fast rate, saving the money for something special and before she knew it she had over £15K in her account. She knew Joey loved car's, it was just hard affording one working two low paid jobs. She had decided on buying him a black Audi A3, it was the car he had constantly gone on and on about, just like boy's did. Max helped her seal the deal, before bringing it to the square late at night whilst Joey slept. Lauren had even placed a new underwear set in the glove box, knowing he would appreciate christening his new car.

The following day, Lauren awoke Joey from his sleep.

"Wake up baby, I got a surprise for you" she whispered into his ear her breath tickling it.

"Mmm a surprise for me, what do you mean?" he questioned rubbing the sleep from his eyes

"Not telling, get dressed meet me downstairs" placing a swift kiss on his cheeks before running to the bathroom to get changed.

Joey slid out the bed pulling on his trackie bottoms and sweat shirt. Lauren was stood eagerly by the front door, her hands slightly shaking as she took his hand in her own.

"Okay, don't kill me promise?" she said covering his eyes with her hands

"I promise" he replied now unable to see

"SURPRISE" she whispered into his ear, pealing her hands away from his face revealing the car parked down the bottom of the steps, she placed the keys in his hands before engaging his reaction.

Joey stood speechless, staring at his dream car, glancing between the car and Lauren.

"You got me a car" he managed to choke out

"Yep, kind of a thank you, engagement present" she replied pulling him down the steps towards it.

Joey was still in shock, this beautiful, amazing girl had just bought him the car he had always dreamt of, he snapped out of his trance picking her up kissing her lips fiercely.

"I love you so much" he shouted out between kisses, Lauren giggled as he placed kisses out her neck, before placing her down to look at his new car.

"Oh my god, oh my god" he kept repeating as he opened the door sitting in the driver's seat, his hands brushing over the steering wheel.

Lauren opened the passenger door, hoping in still watching Joey as he obsessed over the car.

"Open the glove box" she smirked as Joey raised his eyebrow, he pulled down the lever, pulling out the underwear set from the small bag. He glanced at Lauren who was biting down on her lip seductively.

"Give me a second" she quickly whipped the underwear from his clutches jumping out the car running into the house. She emerged 2 minutes later, her long black coat wrapped tightly around her body, stepping back into the car. She pulled open the tie on the front of her jacket revealing the new underwear on her slim body. Joey smirked, leaning over to the passenger seat, his fingers lightly brushing the lace material covering her sex.

"Take me for a spin, you might be able to get me out of this" leaning in to rest her forehead against his.

"You don't have to ask me twice" he rasped, switching on the engine of his new car, pushing his foot on the accelerator so the car hissed a sex groan, before speeding off to find a remote stop to christen it.

"Wow" Joey panted, as Lauren leant against his chest, her straddling him on the driver's seat.

"That was hot babe" she replied, resting her hands on the head rest.

"I still can't believe you bought me this car, it's too much Lauren" he pulled her head back to rest against his.

"It's not enough" she said, leaving Joey even more confused, "You've given me a future, given me everything I could possibly want, you're the one who urged me to go for the job, you're the one who saved me from my drinking spiral, you're the one who I'm spending my future with" glancing down at her engagement ring, "This is just a small something as a thank you, for saving me, for loving me" kissing his lips softly, looking into his brown eyes.

"You saved me too" he replied,

"You saved me"