After Lauren admitted she was falling for the idea of her joey and the baby, she'd decided it would be best for her to leave him to realise what he wanted in his own time. There was little point in Lauren taking the responsibility of the baby if it wasn't what Joey wanted. It was obvious he wanted Lauren but there was still little indication he wanted the baby full time. Alice and Lauren had been in touch with social services again and had given the circumstances in which the baby was given to Joey, there would be a six week adjustment period before any more action would be taken.

Lauren had kept her distance from everyone over the last two weeks, the baby was now 6 weeks old and he been living with Joey and Alice for 4 weeks. Lauren knew it would break her heart if Joey was to give his daughter up; she had grown so attached to her, knowing the fact joey said the baby sought comfort from her only gave her more hope he would keep her. The one thing that kept Lauren happy in all of this was the baby, she didn't have contact with Joey knowing he needed time and her constantly being there might force him into something, but Alice knew Lauren and the baby needed each other. The one more than the other- Alice had noticed how much happier Lauren seemed around the baby, she was much more grounded, and she actually looked like a Mom. And as for the baby, only the slightest amount of Contact with Lauren and she would stop crying; she'd settle and sleep better.

Finally deciding to stage an intervention Alice had told Joey he needed to make a decision, and either way he needed to tell Lauren, as guessed that was a conversation that didn't go down well and resulted in Joey going missing for the day leaving Alice holding the baby.

It had now been two weeks – two very long weeks since he'd spoken or had contact with Lauren, and finally his head was clear, he had an idea of what he was going to do.

Text to Lauren:

Can we meet, we need to talk

Joey hovered over the send button for a good 5 minutes before finally sending the message, reading it back he realised he'd sounded harsher than expected, realising his mistake he quickly sent another message.

Text to Lauren:

Sorry that was harsh, can we meet in the park please, I could do with speaking to you J

Lauren sat up from the sofa having seen her phone flash, reading of the first message she was slightly taken aback by the tone that was coming across even through a text. Deciding to read the next message before replying she rolled her eyes, he'd obviously thought the same.

Text to Joey:

Apology accepted :) that sounds like a good idea I'll meet you there in 20min? L x

Text to Lauren:

Thanks, that's fine see you then x

The walk to the park was pretty much silent, he couldn't help but recall what she had said the other day, but now his decision was made, how Lauren would take it would be a different story though. Joey ordered to hot drinks for them and sat waiting for her.

Arriving on time Lauren saw Joey was already waiting, but no baby, Alice had obviously got her still. She inhaled deeply, the January air chilling her as she moved.

"Hi" Joey pushed the steaming mug toward her as she sat down.

"Thanks, it's freezing today" She smiled lightly at him and took a sip of the drink, it warming her instantly. "You ok?" He nodded and proceeded to ask her the same question back.

"Ye" she sighed, Joey instantly becoming more aware and concerned.

"Why what's the matter?" he reached for her hand across the wooden table "I can tell something's on your mind" She scoffed at his response forgetting how well they could read each other.

"Nothing, honestly, what did you want to talk about?"

"I need you to listen before you say anything ok, just let me explain things fully" Lauren nodded, her stomach tying in knots, she was pretty sure this conversation would end with him saying he was giving up the baby. "I've been doing a lot of thinking, since you came around the other day. Alice doesn't know yet so, I need you to not tell her. I've contacted social services."

Lauren took a sharp intake of breath the tears starting to fall from her eyes. "Please, Joey will you think about what you're doing, I think you'll regret it if you give her up" Joey stood and moved round to Lauren, his arm wrapper around her shoulders pulling her close to his body.

"I know I will, that's why I asked for the adjustment period to be dropped, I've told them I want to keep her full time, she's a part of me and I know what it's like to grow up think one of your parents didn't want you never mind two of them. I've also asked for all the parental rights to be moved to me, so if in future anything was to happen all rights will lie with me and Hannah won't have a say."

Joey looked at Lauren who was now pretty much frozen in his arms; he decided to carry on knowing he needed to say everything. " Christmas night when you handed her to me, my heart broke, I felt nothing for this thing that was pulling us, Me and you apart, because I know deep down that she was mine, as much as I wanted to try and hide from it I couldn't. you and I both know she looks like me, and that scared me Lo, scared me that in a matter of seconds I was a dad, and you weren't a mom."

Lauren sniffled in his arms as they tightened around her "but then I saw it the other day, she had you in her heart from the word go, and to be honest who wouldn't, look at you your amazing, your beautiful and have the biggest heart I know. You were there for her and me when she needed it, she doesn't care that you didn't give birth to her, she wants you. That's what makes a mom Lo, and I know you would do anything for me and I've seen in such a small amount of time what you'd do for her you'd be the most amazing mom to anyone, but I can't let you do it, I can't let you live the rest of your life for my mistakes."

Finally Lauren spoke and pulled herself from Joey's arms, "I guess this is the end for us then ?"

"I don't want it to be Lo"

"Then why then Joey ? , I've told you, I love you and I love that Kid like she's my own, I feel something for her that's different to how I feel for Oscar, I feel I need to be there for her and look after to her, and I want to joey!"

"that's the thing Lo I can't let you, you need to go and Live your life babe, have your own kids" Joey smiled softly at her , the tears were now visible down her face.

"I don't want that with anyone else Joey, Id rather be on my own than have kids with someone who I don't love" she was pretty much inconsolable now, "If, this is what you want then fine, but don't expect me to stay out of that kids life, You can't do that too me as well." Lauren quickly turned on her heel feeing the park.

"Lauren !" Joey was hot on her heel but she'd quickened her pace and disappeared from sight before he could catch up with her. "Nice on Joey" he said punching the wall next to him.

"Oh good your back!, I'm going away for the weekend with some mates, will you be alright ?" Alice asked placing the baby into the Moses basket.

"I'll be fine, I promise" Joey leaned into the basket staring as the baby wriggled under his touch "I spoke to social services earlier"

"Oh right…" Alice attempted to keep her voice as normal as possible, but it was clear she was worried what he had done.

"It's ok don't sound so worried, I've asked for full parental responsibility, she'll be staying with us and all rights will be passed to me so Hannah won't be a part of anything." The next thing he knew, Alice's arms was around him and hugging him tight.

"I think it's the right choice Joe, You'll be fine with her I promise… anyway I got to go, call me if you need anything… Bye bye beautiful" Alice leaned into the basked and kissed the baby's hand. "And Joey, you can't keep calling her baby… you have a week before she needs registering"

Three hours later and Joey was starting to struggle, he was once again pacing the room attempting to calm the little girl. "I have no Idea what you want baby, I've fed you changed you, you won't sleep, what do you want" he trailed the entire house, attempting to distract her with another bottle or toys and all attempts failing. He was at this stage really starting to regret the decision to keep her- if this is what it would be like he had no chance. Another 2 hours and Joey had yet to manage to stop her fully. There had been breaks of about 20 minutes where she had settled and briefly slept only to wake just as quick and another crying match to start.

Lauren watched through the window of number 5, it was now 1:30 in the morning, she had seen the lights flick on and off repeatedly for the last 5 hours, she was fighting the urge to go over there knowing Joey was on his own. Alice unknowing of the conversation that had happened between Lauren and joey earlier in the day, had asked Lauren to keep an eye out whilst she was away. She had watched intently as Joeys room light would go on and then the downstairs light followed by his brief shadow across the window. Taking a look at her phone and seeing another hour had passed, enough was enough. She quietly descended the stairs opening and shutting the door behind her, proceeding with some speed to No.23. Approaching the door she could the cries from the inside, the sound broke her heart. As she was about to reach for her key her phone went off.

"Lo, I need you, we need you" She could hear the desperation in his voice, and she was pretty sure he was close to tears if not crying already.

"Good Job I'm here then isn't it" Joey watched her intently, she had somehow known she was needed and she was standing in the doorway a sympathetic look on her face. Lauren clasped her phone shut and walked over to him. Joey looked at her his eyes heavy as she leaned in taking the baby from him.

"Come on beautiful, what's all this fuss about ay, nothings that bad" Lauren was cradling the baby to her chest, her hand rubbing gently up and down her back. "See there we go" It hadn't taken Lauren more than 5 minutes and the baby was pretty much settled. Joey looked at them together and attempted a smile, not quite making it.

"Where the Moses Basket? I'll put her to sleep"

"Upstairs, in our ro…" Joey stopped himself and made the correction "My room, I'll do a bottle"

Lauren smiled weakly at him bouncing the baby as she walked up the stairs. Lauren walked into Joeys room, the one they called theirs, she took her coat off and noticed there was still some of her things in the wardrobe and on the dresser. She settled herself into the rocking the baby in her arms "What's your daddy Playing at ay, got himself in a right mess aint he? Ye he has, what we going to do with him ay?"

Joey approached the door, but stopped outside when her heard Lauren talking, "you know, I think your Daddy's just scared, I would be, but I tell you something he's got nothing to be sacred of, he'll be just fine. You look just like him, a little bit of hope aint you; ye hope that's what you are"

Joey stepped inside "What did you just call her?" he smiled passing her the bottle,

"Hope, She's your hope Joey" Lauren took the bottle from him

"I think that's what we should call her" he knelt down by the side of the chair so he was face to face with the baby, Joey lightly traced his finger across her cheek as she was sucking the bottle.

"What?" Lauren suddenly looked at Joey her tone shocked as processed.

"I've been so stupid Lo; I don't want to do this without you I don't think I can do it without you. I made a promise to you when we got together that I would always be with you and make you happy, I can't take this from you." Joey moved his hand to cup Laurens face, a tear dripped from her eye "I need you to promise me this is what you want Lo, and you don't have to do this"

"I've never wanted anything more Joey, I want us to be a family, You me and Hope, I'll be here forever Joey once I'm in I'm in for life" Joey turned his attention back to hope and smiled at her now sleeping.

"What you say hope, can we deal with forever? Ye I think so too… say deal" Joey smiled up at Lauren and kissed her lips, both of them groaning at the tension they were releasing. Lauren got up and put Hope into the Moses basket, the small blanket covered her tightly.

"Night baby" Lauren tenderly kissed Hope on the forehead, she placed a kiss on Joeys cheek and went to Leave "Call, me if you need me". Lauren grabber her coat and walked towards the door, as almost a reflex Joey Grabbed her hand.

"Stay… Please"