Shooting Star.
The family waited what seemed hours, months and years. Joey had finally fallen asleep, using Alice as support. Being awake for nearly 36 hours had drained him. He didn't think he had ever gone that long without sleeping.
Abi was also sleeping, resting on Jay. Things were awkward between Max and Tanya. Kirsty was trying her best but she just looked like a spare part. She sighed and sat next to Abi. The doctor in charge came with news. Alice nudged Joey awake whilst Jay did the same with Abi.
"What's the news, doctor?" Max asked, sighing.
"There's been a few complications" The family exchanged looks of concern and worry "but we are confident that Lauren will pull through"
"I wanna be there with her" Joey said, suddenly, standing up.
"We can't allow that, I'm aware" The doctor replied, smiling out of reassurance.
"I don't care. I'm being there. Even it means standing outside, I'm being there" Joey told them. The doctor sighed and nodded, leaning the way.
Lauren didn't know where she was. She felt grass, wet grass and was 99.99% sure she was asleep. She opened her eyes and stood up before walking straight into the figure of Bradley Branning. She stared at him, her eyes wide.
"Bradley?" She said, in disbelief.
"Yes, it's me, Lauren" He replied. She laughed in shock before hugging him tightly.
"Oh, Lauren, what happened to you, eh?" He asked, returning the hug.
"I miss you" She whispered, crying, resting her head on his shoulder.
"I miss you too but you're doing right well now are you kiddo?" He questioned, ending the hug and looked at her.
"I'm sorry, Brad" She said, looking down, as tears fell.
"Hey, don't cry. I've seen enough of that" He told her, wiping her tears.
"Bradley, what am I going to do?" Lauren asked, sighing.
"You are going to live a long and happy life like you deserve" Bradley replied, smiling.
"Do I though? Do I really deserve it?" She questioned, quietly.
"Yes you do and you're going to live it with Joey" He replied, smiling. She looked up at him, narrowing her eyes.
"You don't think it's weird?" She proclaimed, raising an eyebrow.
"A bit yeah but our family is weird" He replied "Besides, I've seen the way he looks at you"
"What do you mean?" She asked, laughing nervously.
"It's the way I used to look at Stace. Go on, Lauren. Be happy and be what me and Stacey didn't get to be because look, you could have it all, if you just believe" He told her, pointing to a pool she wasn't aware was there and looked in it, seeing her living a happy life, without alcohol, with Joey, marrying him, having children. She quickly looked away, laughing.
"I ain't having kids. I ain't get fat!" She exclaimed, laughing.
"Not saying you will, I'm just saying its a possibility" He replied, smiling, hugging her again.
"Bye, Bradley. I love you" She said, smiling.
"I love you too, sis" He told her, squeezing her tight...
Joey sat on the hospital floor, leaning against the wall, hearing the machinery and moving about in the room behind him. Alice had brought him another coffee, sighing and sat next to him.
"You need a shave. I'm not sure Lauren will appreciate the stubble when she wakes him" She laughed, raising an eyebrow.
"I'll have a shave when I've held her and know she is okay" He replied, leaning back onto the wall, titling his head.
"Lucy's here" She sighed, quietly.
"Hope Abi shows her where the door is" He proclaimed, taking a sip of coffee.
"I don't think she meant for it to get this, Joey" Alice told him, sighing.
He narrowed his eyes at his sister "Are you defending her over your own cousin?"
"Look, I don't want to arg-" He held his arm up as the doctor came out of the operation room. He stood up, straightening himself.
"The operation was a success but she is going to need some rest. We suggest you come back when she recovers" Joey and Alice were informed. They sighed in relief.
"I'm not leaving her, Al. I'm going to be here when she wakes" He said, as the doctor went back into the operation room.
"I think Lauren will want you smelling not of sweat and coffee" She replied. He sighed and nodded.
Lauren hadn't remember a time where her sleep was so peaceful and undisturbed from nightmares. She had a dream, more like a vision but she was too embarrassed to admit it. She began to stir, not wanting to wake but she was aware of soft pressure on her hand. She returned it. She was then aware of the smell of strong cologne. She smiled weakly when she realised it was Joey. She began to open her eyes. He saw this and stood up, smiling widely.
"Hello, beautiful" He said, stroking her forehead with his spare hand and kissed it. She smiled, weakly.
"I don't look right beautiful right now" She complained, sighing.
"I disagree" He said, smiling, pulling the chair closer to her and sat down.
"I'm sorry. For everything" She replied, smiling weakly.
"Yeah, it's been hell seeing you like that, I'll admit that but seeing you well again is more important" He told her, squeezing her hand.
"It's can't just go back to the way it was. I can't forget that you didn't believe me and I don't think you can forget seeing me like that" Lauren admitted, sighing.
"No I can't, babe. Thank you for understanding. That killed me to see you in that state but knowing that Lucy set you on that path when you were trying, I don't know what to do with that" Joey replied, looking at her.
"I did try to tell you but you wasn't having any of it. That killed me" She told him, raising an eyebrow.
"Then what are we going to do?" He questioned, sighing. She sat up, trying to be careful of her snitches.
"Lauren, be careful, please" She held out her hand and he took it, realising what she wanted and hugged her, trying to be careful himself.
"I'm not made of glass you know" She chuckled, smiling.
"You are at the moment" He replied, resting his head on her shoulder.
"As long as you don't treat me like that forever" She proclaimed, still laughing. He placed his hands over her shoulders, ending the hug, pushing her away to look at her.
"You're gonna make me work for it, ain't you?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep" She replied, smiling widely but acted on impulse and kissed him.