"Lo Babe where are you?" Joey frowned when he didn't get a response but saw Lauren and Hope's things around. Lauren was pretty much living at no.23 now and if she wasn't there it was only because Joey was working nights (which she hated) so she and hope would stay at no.5, she was a permanent fixture in Joeys life now, and had been for the last 3 months, Hope was a healthy and happy 5 month old, who adored Lauren, to Hope, Lauren was her Mom, she was the only one she wanted.

Walking in the kitchen Joey could smell food cooking, yet still no sign of his girls. Carefully listening he heard the distant sound of Laurens heart-warming laugh. Progressing up the stairs he reached the bathroom which was obviously the source of the laughter. "Lo, you in here?" he knocked gently on the door pushing it open slightly when she signalled yes.

"What are you doing?" He laughed, seeing Lauren sitting in a bath full of bubbles, Hope sitting on Laurens legs. The sight made his heart melt, Hope was laughing as Lauren splashed her gently with the water.

"Someone got really messy, when they had their tea" Joey leaned over the tub brushing his hand over Hopes head.

"What happened?" he tried to bite back a laugh as Lauren responded

"Let's just say more of it went on her clothes and the kitchen floor than it did in her mouth"

"That's my girl, make a mess for Mommy to clean up" Hope giggled

"Don't encourage her Joseph, corrupting my little baby before she's even got chance to fight back" Lauren lifted Hope to her shoulder, her little arms curling to Lauren. Over the last few weeks, Hope had become more affectionate, she would now give hugs lean in for kisses and lift her arms up when she wanted to be held. Her head dropped to Laurens shoulder as she put her thumb into her mouth. "I think some one's tired… Pass that towel babe"

Joey lifted Hope into the towel, as Lauren had guessed she was virtually asleep "You stay in a bit babe, I'll see to this one" Lauren nodded sinking a little further into the water.

"There's pasta bake in the oven should be about 20minutes … don't let it burn" she heard Joeys Laugh as he settled Hope in the next room.

"Joey, Lauren I'm home" Alice shut the front door behind her "Something smells amazing"

"In the kitchen Al" Alice walked through to be greeted by a plate of pasta. "I swear you and Joey both smell food a mile off"

"When its you pasta back … yes" Alice started tucking into the food, groans emitting her lips "This is like heaven Lo" Lauren smirked as Joey caught her eye and whispered in her ear.

"Aint that I was saying last night" Lauren swatted him, Alice too engrossed in the food to even notice.

"Play your cards right and you may be saying it again tonight." Joey stared at her in wonder as she deliberately leaned over the table to reach the salt, her cleavage right in front of him. "Mouth closed Joseph" the three of them sat in silence whilst they finished the food, Lauren and Joey catching each other's gazes across the table, causing Lauren to blush and Joey to almost choke on his food.

After arguing with Alice about the washing up Joey and Lauren sat watching the TV, Joeys hand crawling further up her thigh with every second passing. "Oh before I forget, Hope's got her Jabs tomorrow, I've got the day off so we can take her together. Thought we could go for some food after?"

"Sounds like a plan baby, what time's her appointment?"

"Half 11, I think the letters in the kitchen"

"Better go to bed then get some sleep" Joey stood up following Lauren his hands took to her waist as he slowly kissed down her exposed neck. "Or not…." She laughed as Joey picked her up taking her to the bedroom. Luckily for them Hope would happily sleep in her own room now.

"Joey come on, we're going to be late if you don't get a move on" Lauren stood in the hall way glancing at her watch, with Hope in the pushchair, happily occupied by the biscuit she was sucking.

"Alright, I'm hear Ready?" Lauren rolled her eyes at his comment, obviously she was ready, and it was him they'd been waiting for, for the last 10 minutes.

Sitting in the waiting room of the doctors, Lauren was more nervous than Hope, one she hated needles and two she hated seeing Hope in pain, Alice had taken her to all other appointments but now Hope was older, she was staring to understand things and sought comfort even more form Lauren. For now though Hope was more than happy being held by Joey who was jigging her up and down on his knee.

"Hope Branning" A young nurse came in the waiting room, she seemed nice enough.

"Come on then let's get this done" Joey stood up holding onto Hope. The nurse smiled as Joey turned to her, but hope did the complete opposite. Her bottom Lip started to wobble and the tears started to fall. The nurse watched as Hope wriggled in Joeys arms leaning her arms out to Lauren.

"Looks like someone want mom" The nurse smiled as Joey passed Hope to Lauren.

"Can we both come in? She obviously wants her mom but Lauren's scared of needles.

"I think I can make an exception… follow me."

"Its alright baby, Mommy's got you, look the Hope… Look what Daddy's got… Look" Lauren turned Hope in her arms to face Joey who was holding a ladybird cuddly toy out to her.

"You might want to look away…" Lauren nodded to the nurse and quickly averted her gaze as she gave Hope the injection.

"All over sweetie" At first she didn't react but soon let out a massive cry. Lauren passed her over to Joey while she got a bottle from the push chair. Hope cried harshly and stretched over to Lauren her little arms reaching for the only person she wanted.

"Come on baby…" Lauren was hushing Hope, and after a good 20minuets she had finally settled. Joey had led them to a little restaurant in the city centre; he'd said it was his favourite when he was younger.

"You get a table babe I'll go order some drinks" Lauren nodded and found a table tucked away in the corner.

"Hiya My names Anne I'll be your waitress for today, here's your menus" Lauren thanked her as she balanced Hope on her hip.

"Do you have a highchair for this little monster?" The waitress smiled returning a few seconds later with the highchair.

"One highchair… How old is she?" Lauren smiled; she loved talking to people about Hope, especially when they didn't know the extent of the situation.

"She's nearly 6months, Proper lively little madam aint you hope?" Hope looked at Lauren and giggled, she really was starting to comprehend what was going on. Her hands started to reach for Lauren "What you want baby?" hope started grabbing her hand and Lauren soon realised she wanted the ladybird cuddly that was on the buggy. Lauren laughed passing the toy across t her watching as the little girl pulled it to a hug.

"She's gorgeous, is she yours? … Sorry I'm being nosey"

"No its fine, I get it a lot because of my age but yes she's mine… All mine" the waitress smiled but Lauren sensed it was forced. She then saw Joey walking back to the table, "ahh and hears Daddy" The waitress stared at Joey.

"Having fun playing happy families with My daughter Joey?" The waitress turned back around and extended her hand to Lauren "Nice to meet you I'm Hannah"

Cue the Duff duffs … will Hannah be causing drama? Have a feeling she will …. Also very sad after tonight's episode and dreading Mondays I hate Lucy so much the smug cow !