Chapter 20

Waking up like any normal day, Joey rubbed his sleepy eyes, looking down at his waist Lauren's arms wrapped securely around, her head rested on his shoulder. He couldn't help but chuckle at their position; usually it was him cradling her. Lauren mumbled in her sleep as the time for her alarm clock to go off neared.

Joey shifted his position, reaching over to turn off her alarm. Pulling her closer into his chest, he drifted back off.

Lauren awoke, looking over at her alarm, the time flashed 9am. Squinting at the clock again, Lauren bolted from the bed.

"JOEY I'M LATE FOR WORK" she screeched running around the bedroom like a headless chicken.

"What baby?" sitting up in bed, looking at the clock.

"Oh shit I am so sorry I turned it off, I was going to wake you myself but I must of drifted back off" holding his head in his hands.

"Joey! Ahh I am going to be in so much trouble you little shit" chucking on an arrangement of clothing.

"I'm sorry babe" he shouted as he heard the front door slam shut.

"Oh fuck" jumping out of bed knowing he had pissed Lauren off. Her job was important to her, and being late when she had a busy day ahead would really grind on her.

Lauren hoped out the taxi, running into the gallery.

"I am so sorry Marge, my husband turned off my alarm" clutching her chest, trying to steady her breathing, her hand moving down to her stomach, as a sick felt became her.

"It's okay Lauren, just make sure it doesn't happen again" she replied walking back into her office.

"Defiantly in the dog house" she whispered inwardly, rubbing her tummy soothing the sick feeling and getting on with her work.

Joey had spent the day tidying the house and cleaning, knowing he had to get back in her good books. He had also been and done the shopping and had started cooking the dinner as Lauren walked through the door.

"Hey baby, still mad?" popping his head around the kitchen door, putting on his famous Joey smile.

"Mmm maybe" she replied dropping her bags and kicking her shoes off.

"On what?" his head still around the door.

"How nice you are to me" she replied pushing the kitchen door open. Lauren looked at Joey as he smirked, she couldn't help but burst out laughing, making Joey twirl.

"I thought I'd be the naked chef" winking at her, standing in only an apron.

Lauren sat down at the kitchen table, her eyes never leaving Joey as he swanned around like a domestic goddess. Her eyes flashing down to his naked bum, then back up to his chest. He had certainly won her over. Walking round to get to the fridge look smacked his bum making him jump.

"Hey no touching" he said walking back to the oven.

"No fair, how about I walk around naked in an apron and you can't touch me" she replied, watching him swallow hard as Joey imagined a naked Lauren. It got him every time.

"That's different, you can resist me when you get naked" chuckling at his own comment.

"Well actually I can't resist you either to be fair, your hot" stirring the dinner, Lauren blushing at his open honesty.

Joey went and put on some clothes and served up dinner. Sitting down next to his wife to start eating dinner, he watched Lauren pick at her food, her face slightly paling.

"Don't you like it?" he questioned feeling slightly upset.

"No no I love it baby" caressing his face to reassure him.

"I just feel so sick" letting her hand fall from his face.

"Shall we go lay down in bed together?" he suggested

"Think that might just make me feel better" smiling back at him, as he led her up the stairs.

Changing into one of his t-shirts, Lauren climbed into their bed Joey sliding in beside her. She rested her head on his chest, taking a deep breath to steady the sick feeling.

"Laying here with you, is one of my favourite things" looking up at him.

"Me too babe" kissing her forehead softly, resting his chin on her head.

Laying in each other's arms contently, Joey rubbing her back to soothe her.

"Sleep baby, I'll be right here" he whispered in her ear, pulling her closer to his warm body, watching her drift off into an exhausted sleep.

Joey lay awake most the night, his eyes barely moving from Lauren, he watched her face scrunch up as if she was in pain, before relaxing. He then saw tears fall down her cheeks, not wanting to wake her he just pulled her closer, the safest place being with him. It didn't seem right that a tummy ache would cause her so much pain and sickness, that's when the light turned on in his head. Maybe Lauren was pregnant. They hadn't given much thought about protection whilst on their honeymoon, he wasn't even sure she was still on the pill since they had been back together, opting for a condom each time they had sex. He sat up in bed trying not to disturb her, thinking back to how many times they had unprotected sex.

"Jesus, we have sex a lot" try to remember.

Sliding out of the bed he paced the room. Were they even ready for a baby?. Sure they were married and stable, Lauren was barely drinking, both had secure jobs. But were they emotionally ready for a baby, could they handle the late night feeds and barely any sleep.

He then pictured what their child would look like. He always envisioned a baby girl exactly like Lauren. Big brown eyes that could melt anyone's heart, curly chocolate coloured hair, a grin that could win him over all the time. He then laughed, picturing a very large pregnant Lauren trying to do everything, waddling around, her beauty excelling.

Maybe a baby wouldn't be so bad; they could handle a baby, after everything they have been through to get to where they are now.

Getting back into bed, he pulled a sleeping Lauren back into his arms, falling a asleep dreaming of a baby they may have.

The following morning, Joey had got up early and run to the shops, picking up a pregnancy test.

"Hey where have you been?" she shouted from the kitchen after hearing the door shut.

"Okay, don't freak out, but you know you have been feeling sick?"

"Yeah?" she replied putting down the dishes.

"Well I think you might be pregnant!" he stated handing her the pregnancy test box.

Lauren gasped, she hadn't even thought about being pregnant, the thought hadn't crossed her mind.

"Oh shit, I haven't been taking my pill, I got caught up with the wedding and honeymoon" scratching her forehead.

"Take the test, if its positive we can handle it baby, I promise you" he whispered holding her close to his body.

"Promise?" she replied

"Promise" he stated

Lauren had been to the toilet, now sitting in their bedroom they both sat watching the clock tick down the three minutes. Glancing at each other then back at the test, the alarm went off signalling the three minutes were up. Getting up and walking to the test that was on the dressing table, Lauren looked at it, not sure what to think.

"It's negative" she said looking at the box and back at the test.

Joey's face dropped, he wasn't sure whether to be relieved or upset. He had spent most the night dreaming of a baby, his baby, their baby.

"What's wrong babe?" Lauren questioned noticing Joey was awfully quiet.

"Nothing babe" getting up and kissing her head and walking downstairs. She could tell Joey was upset with the result. He wanted a child of his own with her. She sighed looking back down at the test. Picking up the box she studied it again.

"JOEY" she shouted at the top of the stairs

"JOEY" he appeared at the bottom of the stairs looking up at her waving the test.

"It was a false negative, I got it wrong, I'm pregnant" she proclaimed, tears leaving her brown eyes.

"We're having a baby" he blurted out, rushing up the stairs towards her, Joey picking her up spinning her around.

"I'm going to do another test to double check" after he put her down. The three minutes passed again, this test confirming what she believed.

"It's official, you're going to be a daddy" she whispered

"I'm going to be a dad" a smile sweeping his face, pulling Lauren towards him, pressing his lips to hers.

"We're having a baby"