Second Part continuing from yesterday :) enjoy !
"Alright Lauren?" Max Asked as he approached her and Joey, a confused look on his face as he took in their attire, Joey with a shirt and smart trousers Lauren in a white dress- this was a smart move. I don't think.
"fine ta Dad" She smiled at her Dad casually slipping her left hand through Joeys arm and into his jacket pocket. "Say Hello to Granddad Hope" The little girl smiled up at him and spoke, Max leant down and ruffled her hair.
"We were just coming to Yours actually" Joey said causing Lauren to glare at him, at least a little time to prepare what they were going to say would have been nice, but no, Joey, always living for the moment had just dropped them in it. They really had no choice but to go and follow him back to the house right now.
"Oh right come on then… Your Mom called and said I needed to come home do you know why?" Lauren blushed slightly before feeling joey nudge her.
"erm… ye because we were coming over and need to talk to you" Max stared at his Daughter as they paused at the bottom of the steps to No5. He looked her up and down and then turned to Joey, no emotion on his face at all.
"You best go in then" He opened the front door holding it open as they pushed the pushchair in.
"Dada up" Hope lifted her arms up towards Joey; having discovered the use of her voice is was pretty hard to stop her, she'd mastered a good few words, especially Momma and Dada. Other words were simple words that had started out as sounds but soon quickly developed.
"Up you come then" Joey lifted her from the buggy and balanced her on his hip as they walked into the Lounge. They three of them had barely sat down before Max had started to question them.
"Come on what's all this about then…" Joey and Lauren exchanged a look, it was clear they were nervous about how max would react to this, he would hardly have anything to say though, with the amount of times he'd been married and his track record made Joey and look like the perfect couple.
"Well" He shouted again standing with his hand son his hips
"Max Give them chance… Go on Darling" Tanya smiled encouraging her to go ahead, Joey nodded at Lauren who slowly looked to the floor and then lifted her hand.
"Me and Joey got Married" as expected no one said anything, they all just stared at her. Max's eyes on Joey, Tanya's on Lauren, Alice and Abi exchanging shocked looks and Jack and Carol shaking their heads in disbelief. "Someone say something please"
"Married?" Max questioned raising and eyebrow. Lauren nodded smiling over to her mom. "Married ?" Lauren guessed this could go on for a while it was his way of trying to comprehend what he had been told.
"Mom?" Joey and Lauren turned their gaze to Tanya, her hand sat proudly on her heart, a welcoming smile on her face.
"I think it's wonderful darling , congratulations, both of you" she got up hugging the tow of them "Is this what you were Planning?" Joey nodded
"Ye I wanted it to be a surprise"
"Well it certainly was" Lauren kissed his lips.
"We are officially sister-in-laws!" Alice screamed throwing her arms around Lauren. Abi smiled and started laughing.
"You know you're now Mrs Branning"
Lauren pulled a face "I know I sound like Mom" the girls were laughing and Joey conversing with Jack, who seemed pretty impresses his nephew was taking good care of his niece. They were brought back to earth when the front door slammed shut and they noticed Max had gone.
"He took that well then" she looked at Joey who looked at her with sympathy. "No I'm being serious, there was no arguing, no smashed, only a slammed door- that's an achievement in this house"
Jack and carol laughed in the back ground "She has a point that was pretty well controlled" Lauren turned to Joey as his arm went around her shoulders. After another half hour or so Max still hadn't returned, to be honest this was Max's way of dealing with things, hiding. Pretty much like Lauren to be honest.
"You ready to go babe, I think someone needs their bed" Joey looked down at hope; her had was in his lap, the rest of her stretched across Lauren. Joey continued to brush is hand through her hair, he was so proud she was his, and Proud she was Laurens.
Lauren leaned down slightly to hopes face, brushing her fingers across her cheek, "Hope, Hope baby… time to go home boo" Hope wriggled slightly lifting her head and looking around, before dropping it back to Joeys lap.
"Oh Lauren, don't wake her up, let her sleep." Lauren turned to face her mom.
"if she sleeps now she won't sleep tonight, do you wanna come to ours at 5 in the morning when she's awake wanting to play" she looked at Tanya who remained silent "Ye thought so" Lauren smirked and went back to wake hope.
"Hope, come on baby" Hope looked at Lauren and pushed herself up so she was sitting in Joeys arms. After a few seconds she wrapped her arms around Joey turning away from Lauren.
"Looks like you're in the bad books Lo" Joey giggled as they said their good byes.
"I'll arrange for everyone to meet in the pub next week Mom ok?" Tanya nodded in agreement .
"Bye love"
*J&L* *J&L* *J&L*
"You sure you don't mind having her Mom?" Lauren questioned handing Hope over. Today was her first scan, Tanya knew how worried she'd been over the last week and knew this was a special day for them both.
"Yes, We'll be fine… now go" Tanya ushered her out the door
"Call if you.."
"Yes Lauren, I have looked after kids before" Lauren smirked
"Ok going … Bye baby" she leaned over and placed a kiss on Hope's cheek"
"Bye" hope giggled at Lauren bounced to Joey waiting in the car. The horn tooted as they sped off.
*J&L* *J&L* *J&L*
"Lauren Branning, If you'd like to come this way please" Lauren and Joey followed the middle-aged woman to a small room, the décor as expected was white and clinical, no comforts.
"OK Lauren, nice to meet you, I'm Karen, Is this Dad ?" Lauren nodded as Joey extended his hand out
"Joey"
"Nice to meet you Joey, don't look so nervous. Ok, Just a few questions before I give you the scan Lauren ok?" Lauren nodded "How far gone do you think you are ?"
She looked at Joey and then back to the Nurse "I don't really know to be completely honest, probably about 3 months, I've not been feeling well for a while and missed a few periods but put it down to stress, but I can see a slight bump"
"Ok that's not a problem, it's just so you have an idea of dates to compare with the scan. "Is this your first baby?"
Lauren sighed, technically yes- but in her hear it wasn't she had a beautiful baby at home. Joey noticed her look and answered. "Erm, we have a daughter, but …" Now it was Joey turn to become stuck, he, like Lauren hated referring to Hope as not Laurens because legally she was Lauren just hadn't given birth to her.
"But she's not biologically mine, she is Legally, I adopted her so this will be my first pregnancy but not first baby." The nurse smiled brightly at Lauren.
"Ok that's not a problem, have you had any bleeding or pain or anything along those lines?"
"nope not now, if im right with the dates I did have when I was about a month, I just thought I was my period… is that normal?" Lauren asked now becoming worried.
"Yes that's entirely normal, that's why a lot of women don't find out they are pregnant until they are 2-3 months, the bleeding can be confused with a period. All it is, is the egg attaching its self to the womb, its your body's way of telling you to prepare for pregnancy."
"That's good then" Joey squeezed Laurens hand tightly.
"OK then Lauren if you want to lie on the bed and lift your top up for me, we can take a look at this baby" following the instruction she sheepishly moved to the bed lifting her top, exposing her stomach.
"Definitely a baby in there lo, Look at you you're getting nice and fat" Joey laughed pointing to Laurens rounded stomach, receiving a slap on the arm and a scowl.
"A little advice Joey, never tell her she's fat." The nurse looked over to him as she pressed the scanner across Laurens stomach. After a few seconds of silence they heard a dull drumming sound. "And that Is baby's heartbeat, all nice and strong" she continued to move the probe around and then stilled it, turning the screen to Lauren and Joey. "There we go, one nice healthy baby, I'd say you were just gone 4 months Lauren, so a little further than you thought but from what you said it sounds about right"
"Wow, Joey that's an actual baby" Lauren spoke almost disbelieving what she was being told.
"That's unreal, you can see its hands and feet and everything" Joey kissed Lauren head as the nurse spoke again whilst wiping the gel from Laurens stomach.
"So, how old is your daughter Lauren?"
"She's one and 4 months, her names Hope" she smiled knowing the nurse was taking an interest; Joey passed his phone over that had a picture on of Lauren with Hope. Hope was probably only 2 months old on the picture if that. Lauren was sitting in a chair, Hope snuggled on her shoulder. She was smiling at the camera whilst her hands were protectively encasing Hope.
"She's beautiful" The nurse flicked across a couple of the images on joeys phone like he said and she laughed reaching a more recent picture. "She's very cute… You looked after her since she was born Lauren?" The nurse fiddled with the screen sending the image to be printed.
Lauren and Joey sat back on the chairs "Well she was two weeks old when Joey found out about her, We'd been together for 6 months, she was left on our doorstep on Christmas night two years ago. I was just instinct, I connected with her the second I saw her and that was it really, we got the papers through last week too, so now I'm legally her Mom as well"
"You must be very proud of her Joey?" He nodded and placed a kiss on her head
"more than anything, she's an amazing person" Lauren blushed at his comment as the nurse could see clear how in love they were.
"Right then, I've booked you an appointment for a months' time, we should be able to tell what baby is then, here's you scan images and some information leaflets, but it sounds like your pretty sussed any way."
"Thanks you!"
*J&L* *J&L* *J&L*
On the way back to the square Lauren had text everyone asking them to meet in the Vic for lunch, having not spent much time with her friends recently they all eagerly agreed. She'd also asked her Mom to tell the family and to bring hope.
As they walked in the Vic, big smiles were plastered across their faces. Tanya walked toward them Passing Hope over to Lauren. "Ohh I've missed you baby… You missed Mommy and daddy?" Hope instantly snuggled to Laurens side gripping to her arms tightly.
"Momma Gone" Hope Looked up to Laurens eyes and put her hand to her lips. Lauren kissed her hand softly before talking back to her.
"ye mommy went out with daddy, I'm back now though… you had Fun with Nana?"
Tanya moved closer to them "say ye… we went to the park and fed the ducks and then we went to see Granddad at work… everything go alright?" the latter part of the sentence hushed as she Guided them across the pub to where everyone was congregated.
Joey nodded and smiled "everything's perfect, Due September" he whispered causing her to smile brightly.
"Hello strangers" Whitney said hugging Lauren as they sat down.
"I know it's been ages… Hope, wanna go to auntie whit?" Hope nodded putting her arms out to whit who grabbed her tickling her with Tyler.
"Drink Babe?" Joey asked
"Ye orange juice please" she smiled Joey nodding in response, her order had caused most of the family and friends to give her a confused look. She attempted to ignore it but the longer she remained silent the more intense the looks were getting. Even Poppy who knew seemed to be staring, but then again this was Poppy so she'd probably forgotten.
Joey sat back down flinging his arm over the back of Laurens chair. Whilst he was at the bar Max had arrived and like everyone else was staring at Lauren as she took a sip of her drink.
"Ok can you all stop with the stares please… its creepy"
"No babe, what's creepy is the fact you're in the pub and are drinking orange juice." Max said, obviously it was going to be him that spoke.
Joey nodded seeing Lauren look at him with raised eyebrows. She went to her bag and pulled out a few of the scan pictures, she placed them slowly on the table hoping people would notice.
"Is this some sort of Joke?" Max questioned
"What is it I can't see?" Abi nudged her dad, trying to get him to explain.
"I think your sister is trying to tell us that she's pregnant" Abi squealed with excitement as the rest of the group shot their congratulations to them.
"I'm due September and Everything's just as it should be" Lauren unzipped her jacket revealing her small bump on show thanks to the tight vest top she was wearing. Her hands came to rest on top of the bump.
"You alright Dad?" Abi asked
"What do you think Abi my Daughters just told me she's 4 months pregnant, course I'm not bloody alight."
"I don't understand you Dad I really don't, can't you just be happy for me and Joey, and it's not like we just met, we've been together nearly two years, were married we live together and let's not forget the fact that we have one kid already… I don't see your problem."
"Babe calm down" Joey placed his hand on Laurens arm but she shrugged it off and got to her feet.
"NO I won't calm down, I'm tired of him looking down his nose at us,"
"Lauren you need to do as your Boyfriend tells you before we both say something we regret." Max was now standing the father daughter due, both prepared for a battle.
"Husband, Dad, joey is my Husband. Learn to accept it" Max shook his head "Don't shake your head at me, I think your actually jealous of what me and Joey have got" by this point it was as if there was only her and him in the room no one else.
"I'm warning you Lauren!"
"Oh hit the nail on the head their aint I? You can't stand to see two people happily married with kids because of your car crash marriages, well I tell you something Dad I aint nothing like you" Lauren picked up her drink and took another sip, she was about to start ranting again when Max started talking.
"You and Him- it won't last Lauren, You'll get bored of Playing Mom and staying sober and you'll just up and leave, your more like me than you think Lauren. It won't last long, end you'll end up doing to your kids what I did to you"
Lauren turned around scoffing at him and shaking his head, "I want you gone, I'm going to the toilet and when I come back, your gone out of my life" as she moved her chair back she stood and walked straight into someone, her hand going round her bump immediately, throwing a half-hearted apology over her shoulder she realised who it was she'd walked into.
"Well well well … Looks like Joeys been busy" Joey was up on his feet and next to Lauren in a second when he heard the voice.
"What the hell are you doing here Hannah?"
"I told I want my Daughter and from what I can see she won't be wanting to play mom to her anymore" Lauren glared at her Joeys arm around her waist puling her to his side.
"Get pregnant on purpose did you hunnie? Thought it might keep him satisfied a little Longer?"
"You need to go now!" Joey spoke in a voice he rarely used.
"I'm going nowhere without my daughter?" Lauren let out a laugh
"But she aint yours is she? … never really was and most defiantly aint now." Hannah took a step nearer but Fatboy, Tyler, jay and Jack were at her side.
"See Hannah, It's not only me that has Legal rights over hope, Lauren has too"
"What you talking about?" Hannah stared at Joey
"I've adopted Hope, she's legally mine" The smugness In Laurens voice was rather amusing, Joey had to bite back a laugh. Without warning Hannah took the glass of lemonade off the side and through it over Lauren. She gasped at the contact but causally wiped it from her face.
"You're Lucky your Pregnant Hunnie, or it would be much worse that a drink in your face"
Taking everyone by surprise Lauren swung her hand back and slapped Hannah across the face "No, You're Lucky I'm pregnant, or it would be much worse than a slap… now take your twisted head and get the hell out of our lives."
Hannah turned to face Joey and Jack spoke " I'd leave now if I was you… you know abandoning a baby is an illegal offence?" Hannah turned on her heel and bolted form the pub.
Joey stared at Lauren and pulled her into a hug, her head falling to his shoulder
"Take me home Joey"
Soooo… hope you liked it Full of drama and Feisty Lauren just a quick question out of interest too, what's been your favourite chapter of this story so far and why ? leave your thoughts :) thanks guys xxx