Chapter 24

"all snug as a bug in a rug aren't you Mr?" Lauren cooed , tucking Harry into the pushchair. She'd been rather impressed by Joey's choice, it was modern but functional at the same time and, if she had known she was pregnant it would definitely have been something she'd have chosen. Today they'd decided they were going to go shopping and get everything they needed, which was pretty much everything. As much as she appreciated Oscar's hand-me-downs, they wanted new things. Things they could call their own.

"I think you like that more than H does babe". Joey chuckled as he saw the bright smile on Laurens face whilst she pushed it into the lift. "must admit though it is pretty cool …Daddy did good little man didn't he ?"

Lauren shook her head smiling as they got to the car, Joey would not let her live this one down. With a simple click, the pushchair was easily formed into a car seat which got quickly placed into its fixtures.

"ready?" Lauren nodded in response and shut the door, climbing in the back so she was beside Harry.

Deciding to make things easier, they opted to go straight to a big baby store where everything was under one roof. They literally wouldn't have to go anywhere else, which suited Lauren fine seen as she was still a little apprehensive about going out. But as joey reminded her, Harry was a week old now and they hadn't been out with him, if they'd have known she was pregnant they would have probably being parading him around right about now, that's not to say they didn't want to, it was just the fact Lauren was nervous about people's reactions.

Joey understood where her fears were coming from, out of the few people that knew, several reactions weren't one's they would gladly remember in a hurry, not to mention there were still numerous people that didn't know they were together- most of their work colleges included.

"where do we even start?" joey wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked into the store, it was way bigger then he'd expected.

" at the beginning?" she offered, it wasn't intended as a joke but the two of them laughed, causing a few odd looks to fly in their direction. "I was being serious, we should start at the first aisle and just work our way around, I'm sure we'll work out what need as we go along"

"ok then" Joey took the trolley as she took the pushchair, they started; as suggested by Lauren, at the top of the first Aisle, which just happened to be clothes and material things, like blankets and towels.

"time to spend Daddy's money H" Lauren smiled at her son, who was wide awake, but laying contentedly watching his Mum and Dad.

"it's a good job you secured that deal before Christmas Branning !" he smirked when Lauren just giggled and began to lift things off the rails. She turned to face him and held up a small onesie with hood. Joey's face was a picture as he shook his head. "That's just child cruelty babe"

A frown took to Laurens face as she stared at the little piece of clothing "it's cute…" she placed it in the trolley and then leaned in towards Harry " what was that H ? you like it…ye so does Mummy . see Harry likes it. Tough luck babe" she stuck her tongue out at Joey and was punished with a very well placed slap to her bum. She giggled and jumped a little, shooting him an unimpressed look.

"Two can play that game Mrs…Come on move from the weird clothes and him some things he actually needs." One of her best pouts formed on her lips, but it was quickly kissed away by Joey. The three of them looked like the perfect little family and there was no word to describe the amount of love you could see in both of them. It reflected so simply in their eyes as well as their rather amorous actions.

It was a novelty for them really, to be as open as they were being with their affections; day to day life at the office consisted of stolen kisses and lustrous looks that would occasionally stretch to quick make-out sessions on the desk only to be interrupted by the wonderful Helen and her "You have a visitor Mr Branning" . The amount of times they'd heard that phrase was pretty unreal, so it was nice to actually share a kiss when they wanted and to act, normal I guess.

As they worked around the store, the trolley became rather full. Most of what they brought were essential thing such as a proper cot and baby bath. Others were things they didn't necessarily need but wanted, and most of the time it was Joey who had insisting on getting the things. Laure was pretty sure he just wanted to see her using them. He loved seeing her with Harry and Lauren knew damn well how to use it to her advantage.

"Joe…we nearly cleared the store out babe, I think we're done."

"Fine fine, are you sure we don't need the fluffy Duck that makes a noise and is really soft?" she suggested holding a yellow stuffed toy out to her, moving its feet to look as if it was walking.

"If you want the Duck Joe, get the duck. But I'm reasonably sure, Harry could do without that." He sighed and put it back on the shelf following Lauren to the check out.

*JL*JL*JL*

"£800 ! £800 … I can believe we just spent nearly £800." Lauren stared down at the receipt. Joey had forced her out of the queue before she saw the total and stared insisting they put things back.

"Babe stop it, it's nothing. We won't even notice it's missing I promise you" He wasn't one to boast about Money but he hated Lauren worry they wouldn't be able cope and afford things. He turned to face Lauren and took hold of her shoulders, so he could look into her beautiful brown eyes. "I have money baby… we have money. You don't need to worry about that ok ? The company's doing really well, you have extra commission for your designs, and Dad left me money too, I'm sure he'd be more the happy to see it being sent on his first grandchild.

Lauren sighed "I don't want to feel like I'm living off you though, you already pay for the apartment and won't let me help out. I want to do my bit."

"Don't be daft, you're not living off me, I paid for the apartment on my own before I was with you, so I don't see why you should pay when I was already doing so. And you do, do your bit. The company wouldn't be doing half as good as it is without your brains and amazing work, this is what couples do baby." He kissed her softly and loaded the last of the things into the boot, shutting it with a little bit of force to ensure it closed.

"I'd feel better if we had like a joint account or something, or like some of my money goes into your account." She leaned against the car gently pushing the pushchair back and forth with her foot.

Joey rolled his eyes. "We can do that if you like…why don't we go for coffee ay ? feed H and we can sort something. Lauren nodded and Looped her arm through Joeys, who was already pushing Harry in the direction of the Café.

"What do you want?"

"Coffee, mil…"

" Milk, two Sugars, I know." Lauren grinned as he walked over to the counter, placing their order and asking for hot water to heat Harry's Bottle.

"Come on Mr…" She lifted Harry into her arms rocking him gently, he was still awake but she could tell he was getting grouchy. "I know, I know, Daddy's getting it baby…" Harry lay against her shoulder as she patted his back and hushed him gently.

As she was comforting Harry, the door to the café opened the small bell chiming out. The jingle was soon replaced by raucous laughter and the clip clop of heels on the tiles. Lauren swore she heard her name in the distance but didn't respond, thinking it was just her mind paying her back for the lack of sleep.

"Oh my god it is you !" she heard. She knew that voice anywhere, the voice that, when it came down to it had probably got her into the situation she was in. Lauren stayed staring ahead of her as Harry continued to cry, she daren't turn around and face them. "Looks like you got yourself into some trouble"

Again I cant apologise enough for the lack of updates hope your all still with me ! Who could it be ? are they going to cause trouble ?

Go check out my one shot called "Always" as well back soon xxxx