Chapter 22

"Well, well, well what do we have here then?"

Joey pushed Lauren gently behind his back, creating a barrier around her and Harry.

"what do you want Derek?"

"I came to see my son, considering his Mother was acing rather strangely when I came home. Only when came round you weren't in. so I decided to wait" his eyes wondered around to Lauren and he chuckled, a very deep dry laugh.

"oh, we have been busy haven't we ?" Derek snarled as he stubbed his cigarette out with his foot, his eyes firmly on Harry. Lauren swallowed harshly , a small gasp escaping her lips as Harry began to murmur and Derek got a little closer. Derek simply laughed as he saw how weak the two younger Brannings were, nothing scared them more than the prospect of what he could do. They both knew what he was capable of, Joey more than Lauren, having witnessed a fair few of his "debates" in his teenage years. "I think we need a little chat don't you?"

"no. I am not your son. This doesn't concern you." Joey's arm reached around his back and brought Lauren closer to him. "You need to leave"

"I'm not going anywhere boy." Derek's tone was flat, a very dark, deep, emotionless voice. As his voice grew louder Harry's cries did too and it was proving painful for the young parents not to be able to do anything.

"Take him inside Lo…" Joey handed her the keys, his eyes not leaving Derek though.

"What? No " she questioned looing up her eyes almost pleading with his.

"Go in and settle him babe, I'll be two minutes" he briefly turned and kissed her cheek, hoping the gesture would persuade her to go back inside. He saw the fear in her eyes "Lo please…"

Lauren shook her head furiously "No I'm not leaving you on your own" knowing Lauren like he did he knew she wouldn't be backing down.

"Fine, at least sit in the car?"

"No…I'm staying with you…" she quickly reached for his hand and entwined his fingers with hers. "I love you and I'm not leaving you with him"

"she's lively ain't she Joe? I like a girl who knows what she wants…mind you keeping it in the family aint really my style. But whatever floats your boat" Derek walked around the two of them it was like they were his prey. Joey's jaw locked as his hands fell from around Lauren. He took a step forward and rounded on Derek.

"Don't you dare say another word about Lauren alright, you know nothing about her and for the hundredth time, I AM NOT YOUR SON! I never have been and never will be."

Lauren zoned out of the argument, he attention suddenly taken by her crying son. She moved away from where the argument was happening and gently lifted Harry onto her arms. "Hey come on shhhh, Mummy's got you baby" she bounced him slightly but seemed to have no luck. She rocked him and paced but his cries stayed the same. She took a brief glance over to the left and saw Joey and Derek on the verge of breaking out into a fight. The tears filled her eyes, she didn't want to cry, she didn't want Harry to pick up on her distress but it already seemed too late for that.

Not knowing what else to do she negotiated with Harry in her arms and managed to dial the familiar number into her phone. The dial tone rang out a couple of times before there was and answer.

"Hello?" her heart sank as he answered, she didn't want him she wanted her Mum.

Max could her the crying on the other end of the line, he knew those cries anywhere. "Lauren? Is that you ? talk to me…"

"Where's Mum?" she sobbed trying to calm Harry at the same time.

"She's gone out for Lunch with Ab, Alice and Julie, is something wrong, I can hear crying Lauren and not just the baby."

"I need your help… Dereks here he's arguing with Joe and I'm scared Daddy, im really scared. Please help?"

"Alright, calm down where are you ?" She could hear key's being picked up, followed by the front door closing.

"At the apartment."

"Ok I'm on my way sweetheart…Lauren?"

"Ye?"

"I'm sorry darling"

"I know…" she hung up the phone as she could her the voiced exculpating in the car park. "Joey…babe please, come on Leave him ye…lets go" Joey stepped away.

"That's it Joseph… run along, you go and play happy families with your bit of skirt"

Lauren pulled Joey's arm back and tugged him away. "He's not worth it" she cried trying her best to be a little bit strong for Harry's sake as much as her own.

Derek smirked as Joey walked away "I'm surprised that Kid's even yours…" that was the last straw for Joey who turned back to Lauren and gave her a look she knew meant business and not the type of business that took place in the office.

"Go inside, now Lauren." She shook her head and continued to run her hand up and down Harry's back. "Now Lauren" Lauren again indicated she wasn't leaving but she did move to lean against the car as Joey moved nearer to Derek once more.

"I have no idea what my Mother sees in you Derek, you're a low life piece of scum" Joey had squared up to him and to be honest, you'd say Joey had the advantage, he was taller than Derek by a good few inches and was definitely stronger. Joey's only disadvantage was the love of his life and son were meters away and he didn't want them seeing this.

"A bit like Lauren then really… I'm guessing that little brat of yours was created when you met. In a club wasn't it? Ye bet she was only meant to be a one night thing, a little bit of fun to pass the time, well you really fucked that one didn't you Joey, literally" he sniggered.

"One more word and I will make you regret you ever met me Derek"

"Go on then Hit me!" Derek said, and as asked Joey swung for him only to be hit first in the nose by Derek's flying fist.

"Joey!" Lauren screamed, sprinting over to him. "Oh my god… Joe"

"No Lo stay back, I'm fine, he's done worse in the past aint you Derek ?" Joey got to his feet and landed a punch to Derek's jaw, cutting his lip in the process. He shook his hand out in tme to be hit again my his stepfather.

"Get off him! Leave him alone" Lauren was screaming at the top of her voice as the two fought. Within seconds Derek had Joey face down on the top of his car, his face pressed to the bonnet, hands behind his back. Lauren felt an arm pull her back as she went across to help Joey.

"Shhh… No you don't let your dad go darling, Joey will be fine." She curled into a small ball against her uncle. Jack took Harry from her (with some gentle persuasion) and placed him back into the car seat. A few minutes later she wiped her eyes and saw that Derek was gone and her Dad was talking, actually talking to Joey. She sprinted across to him as soon as she saw him.

Joey caught her as she flung herself into his arms, sobbing. "Hey, it's ok babe, I'm fine, just a few cuts and bruises." She continued to shake against his chest. Joey looked at Max, who was smiling at him.

"Why don't you two get inside ay, get yourself settled."

Joey nodded and kissed the top of Laurens head "come on"

*JL*JL*JL*

They finally got into the apartment, tired and emotionally drained. Joey had cleaned himself up and was sure he'd be waking the next day looking a little worse for ware, he walked from the bathroom and into the living area, seeing Lauren curled up on the sofa, snuggling Harry against her. He'd stopped crying the instant they were inside, and had a bottle in his mouth.

"you alrigtht?" Joey questioned pulling her into his arms on the sofa.

"I am now…you really know how to give a girl a heart attack Joe" she smiled up to him and rested her had on his chest. They could see Max and Jack watching them from the kitchen.

"Dad?" Max was in front of her in a flash as she called his name.

"Ye?" he knelt on the floor by her feet and reached for her hand .

"Thank you" she whispered.

"Your, my baby girl Lauren, I'd do anything for you…and I'm really sorry I reacted the way I did at the hospital. I was just a bit shocked that's all. I really do mean it that darling, I'm sorry. I don't think I've ever seen you so happy and if that's down to Joey then, I'm happy" He extended his hand to Joey who took it to shake. "You look after her and your son."

"With my life Max, I promise. I'll die before I see either of them get hurt."

Max nodded appreciating his words. "Do you want to hold Harry?" Lauren asked

"I'd love to" Lauren lay him into Max's arms and then climbed back to the, well more like Joey's lap. "Hello there little Man" the tears filled Max's eyes as he held his grandson "I think you are going to be one spoilt little boy Harry"