So technically, True Romance could never be described as a Chick Flick... in fact I'm not sure any Quentin Tarantino film could be but the title was appropriate to the chapter. Look out for the surprise at the end! Enjoy!
Chapter 34: True Romance.
Joey carried Lauren into their Uncle's flat and placed her on the couch. Crouching beside her he could see she was starting to hyperventilate as their family's reaction to the revelation of their relationship hit home. "It's going to be okay, baby." He whispered to her, brushing some loose hair back from her face.
"No, it's not, Joe. You heard them..." she said, her breathing heavy as she lifted tear-filled eyes to his. "They are never going to accept this. They think what we're doing is wrong, that we're bringing shame on them." She looked at him in silence and he could see the devastation on her face. This was her worst nightmare coming true. "I don't want to lose you... not now I've only just found you," she whispered, lowering her head again.
"You aren't going to, baby. I promise you, I will never leave you." He told her softly, lifting her chin and making sure she was looking into his eyes as he spoke. "We just need to give them time to deal with our relationship... it took us both a while to get our heads around it and we'd been living with it for a while. We knew this was going to be difficult when we told them. It's going to take them time for them to come to terms with it because of the way they found out. That's the only thing I wish we could change about this... the way they found out." He moved to sit next to her on the couch and pulled her against his body, his hand brushing her back.
"What if they never accept it?" she whispered brokenly into his shirt.
"Then we leave the square..." he told her.
Lauren lifted her head and looked at her boyfriend, "You'd leave Alice?"
His hand came up and he caressed her cheek gently, "She doesn't need me, baby. She's got Anthony and the rest of the family. She's even got Derek." He stared into her eyes, "You need me... and I need you, baby."
"Where would we go?"
"We could go to my mum's while we sort out what we're going to do long term."
Tears ran down Lauren's face, "I love you, Joe."
"I love you too..." he said, smiling at her tenderly. Lauren yawned, "Let's get some sleep, baby... you've had a long day." They rearranged themselves so they were lying side by side on the couch, Lauren wrapped in Joey's arms as he lay behind her.
"I can't believe my nan walked in on us having sex..." she murmured.
"One day we'll look back at this and laugh, baby. We'll tell our grandchildren about this in years to come and they'll be embarrassed about the fact we were having sex."
Lauren turned her head and looked at him in shock, "Our grandchildren?" she whispered.
He looked at her face and held her gaze before leaning forward and kissing her forehead softly. "Yes, baby." He breathed against her skin. Lauren said nothing for some time and Joey was wondering what she was thinking. He asked her carefully, "Does that scare you?"
"A little..." Joey frowned at her. "More the fact you've thought about it..."
"Haven't you?" he asked.
She shrugged, "Not really. I never really figured that children were in my future. I'm not exactly maternal so I guess it's not something I ever thought I would do..." She looked at him, "You've really thought about us having children together?" she asked in a whisper.
"I have..." he said softly. His hand brushed across her body and settled on her flat stomach, "I've thought about what it would be like to see our child growing in here..." he whispered. He saw her eyes darken and hoped that meant she wasn't as opposed to this as he'd initially thought. "I thought about us becoming a family and raising a child together. I want that with you... and I know that's not something I've ever wanted with anyone else."
"Wow..." she whispered.
"Will you think about it?" he asked her softly.
"Of course I will... if it's what you want, I'll give it some serious thought." They fell silent again for a long time and Joey was just starting to drift off to sleep when Lauren suddenly spoke. "Joe..."
"Yeah..." he said, his voice cracking as he spoke through his tiredness.
"I want it too..." she told him.
"I thought you'd have to think about it longer than that." He chuckled.
She turned so she was facing him and looked up at his face, "I think, subconsciously, I may have wanted it too..." she told him. She stared at him and he can see there is something else she wants to say. It's a couple of minutes before she speaks again, "Joe, when was the last time we used a condom?" she whispered.
Her question surprised him and the fact he has to think about it tells him it had been a long time since they had. "I can't remember," he admitted.
Her face is a stunning pink colour, "I don't think we used them after about the fourth or fifth time we were together..." she said. She glanced down, "So there's a small chance we may have already started down that route." She added, looking at his face.
Joey's chest tightened as he thought through what she was saying. "Are you on the pill?" he asked softly.
She nodded, although her eyes wouldn't quite meet his, "I sometimes forget to take it," she whispered.
He looked at her, seeing the fear on her face. He lifted his hand and pushed some of her hair behind her ear, "If we have... we will deal with this, okay."
"You don't think it's too soon?" she whispered, her eyes darting up to meet his.
"No, I don't... I firmly believe everything happens for a reason, so if we are having a baby, then it's the right time for us to do this... unless you're not ready. And if you're not, then that's fine too."
"I love you so much, Joe." She whispered. He kissed her tenderly, feeling the emotion from her as she responded. "Make love to me..." she breathed against his lips.
"I don't have anything," he said.
Lauren smiled shyly, "I don't care, Joe... I just want you. We were interrupted earlier and I still need you. If there's one thing I'm more certain of after everything that's happened this evening, I want you forever. Prove to me, Joe that you want that too."
He knew she didn't doubt his feelings for her. If anything she just needed him to reassure her that everything was going to be okay and nothing had changed. If it took him making love to her to prove that, he was definitely more than capable of doing that. Fuck, he would without any hesitation whatsoever. He sat upright and pulled her up with him, them both standing up from the couch. Slowly he walked around behind her and began to pull the pins from her hair, so that it fell down in curls around her shoulders. He kissed her collar bone gently as his hands moved to the back of her dress and slowly lowered the zip, his lips pressing against her skin as it was revealed. The bra she was wearing was strapless and was the same colour as the thong he could see she was wearing again. In just a few minutes she was standing before him, completely naked. He pressed his body up against her, knowing she would feel his arousal as he pushed it against her ass. He stepped back and tore his clothes from his body, moving back towards her once he was wearing nothing as well.
Joey took her hand in his and pulled her back towards the couch. There was a throw draped over the back of the couch that he partly moved down on the couch. Lauren lay down and Joey lay next to her. His hands caressed her body, brushing softly over her skin until she was moaning his name. He rolled over so he lay on top of her and he saw the trust in her eyes as she stared up at him. He edged his length into her slowly, watching her face and seeing the desire blossoming there. "I love you, baby," he whispered as he pulled his cock slowly from her. A slight flex of the hips and he was buried within her again, both of them sighing. Joey took his time, his lips brushing across her skin as he haphazardly dotted kisses over her face and neck. A tear rolled down her face and he kissed it away, frowning slightly until he saw the small smile on her face. Her hands clutched at his back before brushing up to his head and holding it against her mouth as she kissed him deeply. Lauren came apart around him and he was close behind her, collapsing on top of her as they both struggled for breath. "Was that enough proof for you, baby?" he whispered in her ear as he reversed their positions.
"You know it was, Joe." She shivered slightly in his arms and he pulled the rest of the throw they were lying on over them both.
"Sleep, baby." He whispered to her. "We'll deal with everything in the morning."
*JL*JL*
Alice POV.
I can't believe my brother is in love. I mean, I have no doubt he is but it's such a surprise because I know he never has been before. In hindsight it's easy to see the signs. I can't believe I didn't realise earlier. I should've guessed after the holiday in Spain... although I'm not sure if it had started then. Thinking about it though everyone should've been able to see the signs.
I hope the family can accept them being together because I know them both enough to know they would leave the square before they split. They're both too stubborn for their own good. I think I'm going to call mum in the morning, I bet Joey spoke to her about this. I want to know what she thinks and that she'll support them if they need her.
I'm really disappointed with everyone's attitude towards Joey and Lauren. It was definitely a case of shoot first and ask questions later. I wish they'd let them explain how it happened. I know them both well enough to know they wouldn't have rushed into this... and they care for each other deeply.
First chance I get I'm going to tell them that I back them being together. I don't care what anyone else thinks... I just want them to be happy.
*JL*JL*
Abi POV.
I'm so pleased my sister is in love. Over the last few years I've been so worried about her and tonight it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders because there's no need to worry anymore. Well, apart from the fact most of the family doesn't approve. Most of them are so caught up in how it will make the family look that they're looking past what is important in all this. And that is that Joey and Lauren are happy and in love with each other.
I wonder how long they've been together. I want to know how it started... because I know my sister too well. My gut tells me it was Joey who made the first move. Lauren would never make a move on him. The main reason being he's our cousin. And if she could get her head around that she'd assume she'd be rejected by him. Despite outward appearances my sister lacks any self-confidence... especially when it comes to boys. The only time that isn't true is when she's been drinking but then she usually chooses the wrong kind of boys.
Even if it was Joey who made the first move though, I know it must've taken a lot for them to embark on a relationship together; which just tells me how much she feels for him because I know she wouldn't get involved in a relationship with him if she wasn't serious about it. She would know how the family would take this news; much like they did tonight. I realise, belatedly, just how brave my sister is... This realisation makes me love her even more than I already did. I hope she gets the opportunity to be with Joey because I think he's really good for her. She seemed so happy today at the wedding and now I know why... If being with Joey makes her like that, how can we stop them seeing each other?
I wish she'd told me about it though... she was obviously scared about how we would react. Did she think I would think badly of her? That I would think less of her because of who she was sleeping with? That thought makes me sad. I thought we were close. It appears there are a lot of things I don't know about my sister but I'm determined to find out. And I want her to know how much I love her... family matters... she matters.
*JL*JL*
Jack's POV.
Well that didn't go as well as I'd hoped. I'd seen Joey and Lauren dancing earlier at the reception and I knew they were together. I could see it so clearly and it confirmed what I'd suspected for a while because Lauren had seemed so much better in the last few weeks than she had when I spoke to her. My niece... my favourite niece... deserves some happiness in her life. Lauren has been dragged through too much drama over the last few years. She's protected her brother and sister from most of it, taking the brunt of it on her own shoulders instead. She has suffered more than any other because of the mess of a marriage Max and Tanya have. I love my brother and his wife... I would die for them both... but they have caused so much pain to their daughter and I don't think they even realise it.
I'm lying on the couch at Carol's house and trying not to imagine what is going on in my flat right now. I know Joey loves Lauren... I saw that tonight when he stood up to the rest of the family and when he carried her out of the house. I have no doubt about their feelings for each other and I just hope they are given the freedom to continue their relationship. I think this will be good for both of them. They need each other.
More than anything I just want them to be happy. If that means they have to leave the square to be so, I'm going to help them; even if it means my having to leave the square as well when the rest of the family find out. For a change, the Branning's aren't going to ruin a relationship and I'm going to see to it.
*JL*JL*
Cora POV.
I can't believe what I walked in on earlier. Never have I been so ashamed of my granddaughter... and believe me she has done many things to disappoint me over the years. That started when she dropped out of school. Despite evidence to the contrary tonight she's not a stupid girl... she could do anything with her life if she put her mind to it but instead she quit school; she quit everything. Well apart from drinking. That she started and hasn't stopped since. I know we all drink at times but Lauren takes it to excess, much like my youngest daughter did. I recognise the signs... she's going to end up just like Rainie did. And now we find out she's sleeping with her cousin. They're blood relatives. It's so wrong it should be illegal. What is that silly girl thinking? How can she be so stupid? I hope my daughter and her husband don't back down from this. They need to make sure this ends and it ends now.
*JL*JL*
Tanya POV.
I can't believe the mess Lauren has got us into today. Why can't she be more like Abi? Abi never lets us down. That's all Lauren seems to do these days. I tried to talk to Max about it once everyone was gone but he was too angry and he wasn't prepared to listen. I'll speak to him about it in the morning because we need to sort this out. We need to sort Lauren out. Maybe we should send her away somewhere...
The day had started off so well as well. Earlier this evening when Max and I first arrived at the reception I saw Lauren and it was like seeing the daughter we used to have. She looked beautiful; it brought a tear to my eye. Just seeing her walk over to us when we first got there took our breath away. Then we accused her of getting drunk and everything went downhill from there really.
I wish I could sleep but Jack's words from earlier are still whirring round my head. I remembered the day Lauren came home with bruises all over her face. I called Max immediately and he'd dashed home after I told him the state our daughter was in. Despite how much we'd tried she wouldn't tell us how she came to be in that state and I think, because the alternative was too painful to consider, we'd assumed it was a result of a fall when she was drunk. We must be very naive.
Now I can't stop thinking about how she got them. Did someone hit her? Why would someone do that? Where was her supposed best friend when all this happened? Actually I'm probably doing Joey an injustice; after all he was there for her when those guys tried it on with her in R&R's. He stopped them from hurting her. I guess I should've realised then that there was something going on between them because she stayed at the B&B with him all night. And we saw how upset she was when he was trapped in the B&B. I should've realised but I just thought they were good friends with each other. What I don't understand is why she wouldn't tell me about this? Am I that bad a mother that she can't talk to me?
*JL*JL*
Max POV.
I'm furious. I can't believe Joey has taken advantage of my baby girl. He's so much older than her and he's my nephew; her cousin. He should've known better. And if I'm being honest with myself, so should she.
I can tell Tanya is awake. She keeps shifting in the bed beside me. I know she's thinking about this too. We should really be talking about it but I'm too angry to do that now. My brain is actually hurting thinking about this.
I give up the pretence of trying to sleep and go downstairs, pouring myself a glass of whisky. I see Lauren's bag on the side and I can't resist. I need to try and understand her. My god, there's a lot of shit in here. I pull out a small clear plastic food bag and stare at the contents. Rose petals? That's bit odd, even for Lauren. My hand grasped a sheet of headed notepaper. When the hell did she go to a hotel that fancy? The next thing I pull out is a program for a musical that I know Lauren has wanted to see since it opened. Has she been to see it? I'm now thoroughly confused and I open the bag wider. I see a book and it's held shut by an elastic band. I pull it out and flick through the pages. The first few pages are fine then my world stands still as I saw picture after picture of Joey's face. She had drawn dozens of them. Most of the book is filled with them.
My heart sinks. Lauren and I may have had our moments but I know her. I know how she thinks. She really thinks she's in love with Joey. I sigh because something tells she might actually be.
In my heart I know this is more serious than I think any of us realise. I know my daughter well enough to know she wouldn't have started this thing with Joey unless she felt a lot for him. I look again at the last picture in the book. His face is smiling up from the paper and I can see the time she's spent drawing it. The love and care she has put into it. Even though it's a picture I can see from how she's drawn his face that he cares for her too. Fuck! There is no way we are going to be able to get them to split up with each other. I know that now.
I take another sip from my glass, unable to stop looking at the pictures she's drawn. So if they aren't going to split up that leaves me with two choices. We either accept them or we push them away completely. I know what that will mean. I'll lose another child. Lauren will leave the square with Joey and they won't come back. It's a tough decision.
What am I thinking? Actually it's a really easy decision because I know I can't lose her. She's my little girl. She's my Lauren. I can't lose her. So that means I'm going to have to accept their relationship. Can I really do that? I know I'm going to have to... but we're going to have to set some ground rules. I stretch and my eyes run around the room, settling for a fraction too long on the couch. Definitely need to set some rules for them.
*JL*JL*
Oscar POV.
I love my big sister lots. When mummy was poorly, it was Laur who looked after me. She would walk me to school and pick me up again at the end of the day. She was looking after mummy and Abs as well but she would spend special time with me; where it was just the two of us. Each day she'd make me my breakfast and make sure I cleaned my teeth properly afterwards. My packed lunch would have a treat in it each day... always something different. I don't get treats when mummy or daddy makes my lunch. Only when Laur makes it for me. They are the best days.
While we walked home from school she'd ask me about my day. On Wednesdays, after she'd given me my pocket money we would go to the shop on the way home and she would let me spend some of it on sweets. The rest of it we would put in my piggy bank when we got home.
She would watch my cartoons with me if mummy was too sick and she'd help me with my homework. She also played on the computer with me; even Mario Kart which she doesn't like because she's not very good at it. I used to think she was letting me win but I could see she was really just not very good... but she told me she didn't mind losing to me. If I had bad dreams I knew I could always go to Laur's room. She never minded, she'd just lift the duvet and let me climb in bed with her... because she always keeps the monsters away.
My favourite times with Laur though are when she reads to me when I go to bed. She does all the voices of the characters and it makes me laugh every time. She never gets them confused with each other. I try and stay awake as long as I can so I can hear her read to me... but whenever it is I fall asleep she'll start again the next night and she starts from exactly the right point.
Through all that time though I could tell Laur was unhappy and it made me sad to see her like that. I noticed she stopped being sad in the summer. And I know the reason why. They all think I'm too young to notice things but when it comes to Laur, there isn't much I don't notice. I can see that it's our cousin Joey who makes her smile.
At first I was worried she wouldn't have any space for me if she had Joey but we still spend time together. Not as much as we used to because mummy's better now and daddy's back too so she doesn't have to do everything for me now but she's there when I need her. Sometimes she still walks me to school and she'll take me to the shop to buy my sweets still. Now though she'll spend the same amount of money on sweets as I do and she gives them to me so they last longer.
I'm glad she's got Joey in her life. She needs someone to make her happy because most things still make her sad. It's only me and Joey who can make her smile the smile that lights up her whole face. The smile that makes her look even prettier than she normally does.
I stayed at Bobby's house last night. Denny was there too. Bobby's daddy looked after us. Denny's mummy picked me and Denny up this morning and brought us back over to my house. I can sense something isn't right in the house but Abi tells me to play on the computer with Denny.
Everyone's talking in quiet voices but I keep hearing them say Laur's name and Joey's so I know it's something to do with them. Laur's not here and I wonder where she is. I hope she's okay.
TBC
A/N: Yay... Oscar is back... Will we see him again, do you think? Maybe... you'll have to wait and see. Let me know what you thought.
COMING SOON... TO A FAN FIC SITE NEAR YOU... LOVE HAPPENS...