Revelation

Running, she just kept running until she found herself outside number 5 Albert Square. Her vision was blurred the tears creating a barrier, rushing up the stairs she fiddled with the keys until they opened the front door, slamming it behind her. Forcing herself to climb the stairs to her shared room. Letting her body finally collapse on the bed, the sobs ripped from her chest, crying into her pillow that was now stained with mascara. How could this happen now? Her head spinning with a million questions. Wiping the tears that fell fiercely down her cheeks, Lauren looked in the mirror, her face blotchy and red, her eyes swollen but most of all her heart was broken.

Her heart had been shattered into a million pieces, yes she had fell in love with Joey, she had planned on telling him how she felt, the well-known words 'Life's too short' ringing in her ears all the time. But that had now been ruined, he was her cousin, her own flesh and blood, they shared a family. His dad was her vile uncle; they were connected by one man, which they both hated.

Rubbing her eyes that now began to dry, she laid down on her bed, letting the emotional exhaustion take full effect. Glancing at her phone, she had no messages or missed calls, Joey hadn't even tried to contact her, see if she was okay. Sure he was most likely as devastated as Lauren but if he cared for her as much as he said he did, surely he should of attempted to call her. Throwing her phone back down, she rested her head on the tear stained pillow, drifting into an exhausted sleep.

Joey was no better than Lauren, after saying bye to Alice; he headed to his apartment, throwing his keys down on the hall table and sitting down in the living room. He stared at the wall in front his thoughts firmly on Lauren. He was worried about her, she was fragile, the news they both received would have rocked her to the core. Picking up his phone he called the one person he knew he could talk too.

"Mum" his voice croaked, the tears edging closer and closer.

"Joey, honey what's wrong?" Jane's voice panicking, never had she heard her son so down he was clearly close to crying and Joey never cried.

"You know Lauren the girl I told you about" his voice trailed off, saying her name even hurt.

"Yes honey, Is she okay?" confused more than ever now.

"No, we both aren't, she's my cousin mum" his voice finally breaking, letting the sobs fall from his lips.

"Joey, I'm coming over" Jane put the phone down, heading for her son's apartment, he needed her now more than ever.

20 minutes later Jane arrived at Joey's apartment, letting herself in with the key he gave her, she was shocked to find her son practically curled up on the couch, his cheeks streaming with tears. "Oh Joey" she embraced her son, letting his head rest on her shoulder as she rubbed his back trying to soothe him.

"What did you mean by she is your cousin?" she asked, Joey now calmed down, the tears had stopped falling. "She's a Branning mum, Derek is her uncle" he sighed, rubbing his head, still trying to get around what had happened a few hours ago. He had a girlfriend one he was actually in love with, for it only to be torn apart.

"Do you love her?" Jane pressed, never seeing her son this way about a girl. She knew his reputation as a player; he had never been one for love. But this time he was different, he was hurt.

"Yes, more than anything, she's my other half mum" he broke down into tears again. The realisation of his loss hitting him hard.

"Then it doesn't matter honey, go and get her" Jane proclaimed, Joey raising his head to look at his mum, who had always been so open and understanding. "You know I can't do that mum" he sighed, confusion once more sweeping across her face. "Why not?" reaching for a tissue and passing it to Joey.

"Alice, I can't hurt her" looking down at his hands, his sister was one of the most important people in his life, he wouldn't hurt her, he refused to. She had suffered enough during her life, it was time he protected her from it.

"She will understand honey, if you love Lauren you should be with her, it's your life Joey" Jane tried to reason with him, knowing he was too stubborn for his own good. He would put Alice's feeling before his own, even if it meant he would lose the person he loved.

"No she won't, if I do this then she will know the truth it will tear her apart" shaking his head, he would hurt Alice for the world.

"But you're willing to hurt yourself and might I say Lauren as well, no doubt she is heartbroken right now" she exclaimed, trying to get through to Joey.

"I don't want to hurt her, but this will kill Al" his thoughts drifting to a fragile Lauren, who most likely had her head in a bottle of Vodka. This worried him; she had opened up a little about her alcohol abuse but never went to deep, the memories too vivid in her mind.

"Alice will get over it" Jane said bluntly, getting frustrated with her stubborn son.

"How will she get over the fact I'm only her half-brother, she won't want me in her life" he sighed, he imagined the look on his sisters face when he told her the truth, she would be devastated.

"Your still her brother, only because you don't have the same father doesn't mean anything, but it does mean you and Lauren aren't related" seeing a little smile creep onto his face.

"I need time to think" he replied, standing up he gulped down some water, unsure what to do next, he had a choice to make, tell Alice the truth and be able to be with Lauren or not, and right now he had no idea what to do.

"Joey, if you really love this girl, then you will do whatever it takes" Jane put it bluntly, picking up her bag; she kissed his cheek and left Joey to his thoughts.

Duff Duff Duff.. ooo I think I may have to post one more chapter tonight If I have time :)