Chapter 26

Over the next few weeks things began to return to some form of normality, well their type of normal at least. It had been just over a month since that day on holiday, the day that had changed their lives forever. It hadn't been the way they had intended on having children, that's even if either of them had intended it at all; but they definitely wouldn't say they regretted it. Harry was their whole life, everything they did now seemed to have more of a purpose, they had someone to care for, someone who relied on them. He was a happy baby, partly due to the fact his Mum was never far from him, her every move revolving around him. Lauren had surprised herself as well as everyone else, at how maternal she was. After getting over the initial shock of things, she was amazing, that's not to say she didn't have little wobbles now and then, because she did. But, with a little reassurance and a hug from her man, all was fine again.

Unfortunately, the bliss they had hold of was about to be greeted with a little problem, well a big problem actually. Lauren had to go back to work. I was a decision that her and Joey had thought long over, writing up a list of the positives and negatives of the situation in true Lauren style. It turns out the negatives seemed to be the more dominant column. The only positives she had down was the fact that work wouldn't know any different and that was something they had both agreed needed to stay that way. It wasn't that they didn't want people to know, they didn't want things to be affected at work. Certain people in the office had opinions, opinions that were clearly against interwork relationships, Joey's friend Mitch was happy to make that clear within the first week "We don't mix business with pleasure" was the phrase he used to clarify yet another unwritten rule.

It seemed Joey and Lauren were damn good at breaking rules, even if the rules didn't exist on paper, they knew they were breaking them, but it just didn't feel wrong, it felt more hen right actually. Back to the current situation though, Lauren was on the verge of a break down. She'd deliberately took her time that morning to get ready, dragging a task that would usually only take 5 minutes out to reach near on 20 was something that required a certain skill.

"Lauren come on…we'll be late" Joey shouted from the doorway. He looked at his watch and saw it was quarter to 9, they really needed to leave. "Babe come on"

"I'm coming" she murmured as she walked through from the bedroom with Harry in her arms. Joey saw the tears in her eyes and it broke his heart.

"You don't have to come back babe….you can work at home, I'll just have to tell the company why though." He gently reached out and pushed her hair behind her ear.

"No, I need to come back, I can't stay at home forever can I ?" Lauren turned and looked at Her Mum who had offered to have Harry the three days Lauren would be working. She sighed and then kissed Harry handing him over to his Nana. "Be a good boy Mr. Mummy loves you" Joey repeated her actions and then held the door open for her.

"You have the office number Tan…it'll be easier to ring on that" She nodded

"Oh don't you start as well…Go We'll be fine" she smiled.

Joey held Lauren close to him as they made the walk down to the car, he was expecting her to turn and run back to the apartment at any given second but she didn't. she just walked a little slower than normal, a pondering look on her face as she remained quiet.

They sat in the car and like he'd expected Lauren burst into tears. Joey wrapped his arm around her shoulder and held her tight. "I know it's hard baby, but he'll be fine. Your Mum knows what she's doing, she raised you dint she."

"It's just so hard leaving him Joe…" she cried into his shoulder

"I know beautiful, I know and without sounding harsh, we have to do it some time, we need a break as well once in a while and trust me once we've been at work and got home, it'll all be worth it I promise you" His thumbs brushed tenderly over her cheeks wiping at her tears. "Like I said though baby, you don't have to come back"

Lauren sighed deeply and clicked her seatbelt in "Drive…before I change my mind"

"You sure?" she nodded to confirm. "It's the right choice babe I promise."

*JL*JL*JL*

As soon as they were in the office it was like she had never been away. The two of them signed in and made their way to their office. Lauren walked in went straight to her desk seeing a small wrapped box on her desk. Joey stood in the doorway between their offices, watching as she looked at the item in confusion. She held it up gently shaking it against her ear, there were no sounds coming from the box. Joey just chuckled. "open it then…"

"so it's from you then and not my mystery bit on the side?" she teased perching in her swivel chair.

"ha ha, yes it's from me, I thought it might make being here a little easier"

Laurens fingers worked at the paper until she reached a rectangular box, she carefully lifted the lid, her eyes welling up as she saw the contents. "Joey… it's beautiful thank you" she smiled looking over the image. Joey had gotten a picture of her and harry framed, it was one of the first pictures Lauren had allowed to be taken. She was sitting in the newly purchased rocking chair in their room, 2 week old Harry fast asleep on her chest, her top fisted in his hand.

Joey walked around to her chair and sat on the desk, his legs either side of Laurens chair "well I thought it would have a perfect place on your desk, then he'll be with you all the time too." He inclined his head down slightly and pecked her lips, a smile emerging on hers. "see it's already bringing a smile to your face"

There was a slight knock at the door and Lauren chuckled. "and so it begins" Joy got up from his position going over to the door. Lauren didn't know who he was talking to but she eased it wasn't something he was wanting to deal with right now. She raised her eyebrow " 'sup ?"

"some trouble with one of the new contracts, they're threatening to walk unless we can give them a better deal. Are you alright if I go… they are in reception and are refusing to leave until they see boss."

"yes go… I've got a few emails to sort through. See you later" he nodded kissing her quickly.

"love you…I'll come join You for lunch"

*JL*JL*JL*

Joey walked rather swiftly down the corridors trying to sustain pace with Helen, who seemed to be on a mission to irritate him today. He was just glad Lauren hadn't encountered her yet. As they reached the foyer Helen delightfully showed him to the awaiting client. His first shock of the day came when the supposed client turned around. The face was recognisable and for all the wrong reasons.

"Joey Branning? Luke Walker…but you already know who I am don't you" Joey's jaw clenched his hands forming fists at his side.

"What the hell are you doing here…did I not make myself clear last time I had the displeasure of meeting you"

"Well that's not a very good way to talk to a client is it… very bad business Mr Branning" Luke shook his head, tutting just to add to the affect. "But to answer your question my father sent me, especially when he heard it was a Branning he was dealing with, he though my history would go down well, that and the fact I was told Lauren was working here. Thought it was about time I said hello" he smirked, the situation to him was more than funny.

"What makes you think Lauren works here ?" he questioned frowning, the anger and irritation was definitely boiling inside him.

Luke chuckled "Oh I don't Think she works here I know she does" he turned and nodded his head. Joey couldn't see exactly what he was doing but that's when he received the second shock oh his day. A pair of stiletto heels tapped on the floor "I believe you know Lucy"

So Crazychick guess right the other day when she thought Luke would be back soon... him and Lucy are a lethal combination don't you think ?