22nd April 2013. So Oscar makes his long awaited return in this chapter. How will he take Lauren's news? Quite a lot stuff in this chapter... Another long chapter.

Chapter 14.

It was another thirty minutes before the pair walked back into number 5. They both dashed upstairs, needing to have a shower before they did anything else and because time was of the essence, they did this separately. Abi didn't appear to be there today and Lauren was relieved as she could do without the tension of her presence.

Max was waiting for them when they both walked back down the stairs. "How's the head, Joey?" He asked, standing and looking closer at his nephew's face.

"I won't lie and say it doesn't hurt because it does but it's not too bad." He shrugged as he spoke.

"No blurred vision? No headaches?" He checked.

"No. All good."

"So what happened?" Max asked.

"It was nothing..." Joey said and now Lauren knew he was lying.

"Liar..." she said softly, folding her arms over her chest.

Joey walked into the lounge and stood by the window. "Can we just forget it happened?" he said softly.

"No Joe. I know you're hiding something and I need you to tell me what it is...?" In that second she knew and she gasped, "It was Derek, wasn't it?"

Joey turned to look at her. "Not him directly... but some thugs sent on his behalf." He told them. "They were passing on a message from him." He said, "And a warning..."

"Talk to me, Joey." Max said.

"They told me he said he wished he'd done the job more effectively when I was a boy." He whispered, looking at the floor. "And he'd said I had to stop seeing Lauren because I was bringing shame on the family name and muddying your reputation. I didn't deserve to have the name Branning." His fists were clenched at his side and tension was running through his body.

Lauren stepped closer to him, shaking off her dad's hand when he tried to stop her. She hugged her boyfriend, her arms around his waist as she leant her head on his chest, "He's an idiot, Joe. He doesn't know what he's talking about. If anyone is bringing shame to this family, it's him by doing this to you." She whispered. Max noticed how as soon as she touched him, all the tension evaporated from Joey's body.

"She's right, Joey. Derek is being a narrow minded bigot... I'll be having words with him." Max said.

"Don't, Uncle Max." Joey said, "I don't want there to be trouble. Hopefully after this weekend I'm rarely going to see him."

"We should report to the police what happened." Max said.

"I don't know who did it. They were all dressed in black and had masks on. All I know is there were three of them." Joey said. "The chance of them catching anyone is zero."

"Okay." Max said, although he still wanted to do something about it. His brother shouldn't be allowed to get away with doing this.

"Dad, Joe and I wanted to take Oscar out for the day so I can talk to him about everything. We'd like to go to the seaside with him if that's alright?"

"That should be fine. He's upstairs, playing in his room." Max said, "Do you want to borrow my car?" he asked her.

"If I could that would great," Lauren said.

"It's got a full tank so you should be fine. Where about were you thinking of going?"

"Southend..." Joey said.

"Why don't you go and get him ready then, Lauren. You might want to pack a spare set of clothes for him too."

*JL*JL*

Lauren made sure Oscar was strapped into the back of the car. He was really excited to be spending the day with his big sister and Joey. It only took just over an hour to get to the seaside and the closer they got, the more excitable Oscar became. Lauren parked the car and the three of them got out.

Joey watched as Oscar stood by his sister's side, he was talking nineteen to the dozen and there was a huge smile on his face. Joey moved closer to his girlfriend, slipping his arm around her waist. "You guys, okay?" he asked when Oscar paused for breath.

"Well, little man here has worn me out with all his chattering," Lauren teased, ruffling her brother's hair.

"Why don't we go down to the beach then?" Joey said. He picked up the blanket they'd brought with them and the backpack Lauren had packed at the house and then held his hand out for Oscar to take. Lauren smiled at him and then held her hand out for Oscar too so he could walk between the two of them.

After quarter of an hour they were on the beach. The weather was fortunately nice, which considering it was a British summer was a miracle. Lauren spread out the blanket and they all sat down.

"Can we go in the sea, Laur?" Oscar asked, staring out towards the water.

"Maybe in a while..." she said. "I wanted to talk to you about something first, little man." She told him. He looked at her and she could see the worry on his face. "I've got something really exciting to tell you. I'm leaving home tomorrow. I'm going to go and live with Joey."

He was silent for several seconds, thinking over what she'd said. "Don't you love us anymore? Is that why you're going?"

"No, little man," Lauren whispered. She reached for her brother and pulled him into a tight hug. "I love you all very much, I promise." Joey reached over and brushed his hand down her back, trying to comfort her when he saw she was getting upset. "You remember how the other day I told you I love Joey, in the same way mummy and daddy love each other?" Oscar nodded. "When grownups feel that way about each other, they want to take the next step. They move in together so they can spend every single moment with each other. Does that make sense?"

"I guess..." he whispered.

"Just because I love Joey, it doesn't mean I love you any less. The same goes for mummy and daddy. I love them too, very very much."

"And Abi?"

"Yes, Abi too." She said, not wanting to bring her brother into the centre of the row between her and her sister.

"Why do you have to leave our home though?" he asked.

"I want to be with Joey all the time. When we're not together I'm sad and we don't want that, do we? You want me to be happy, right?" He nodded his head vigorously. "Being with Joey makes me really happy."

"I'm going to miss you, Laur..." he said softly, tears flooding his eyes.

"I'll miss you too, little man but I'll be back all the time. I'll still see you and it just means the times we see each other will be more special, right?"

Joey thought of something that might help ease the situation, "How about this, Oscar? What about if Lauren and I promise that one day a month the three of us will spend the day together, like we're doing today? We'll do something special and we can see if your mummy and daddy will let you stay with us for the night. Does that sound good? Would you like that?"

"Really?" Oscar said excitedly.

"That sounds like a pretty good idea, little man. I'll speak to mummy and daddy tonight and we'll sort something out for a few weeks time." Lauren said, looking at Joey in wonder. Her hand reached for his and squeezed it as it lay on the blanket.

"You can phone us anytime you want to speak to Lauren too, Oscar. Your mummy and daddy will have both our mobile numbers and I'm sure they'll let you call us if you want to speak to us about anything. If we aren't able to take the call, you just need to leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we can," Joey said to the small boy who smiled at him brightly.

"Thanks Joey." He said before turning to his sister, "Can we go in the sea now?"

"I don't see why not..." Lauren said.

"You wait here, babe and look after the stuff. I can take him down there." Joey volunteered.

"Why don't you take your shoes and socks off, little man? I'll help you roll your trousers up so you don't get them wet." Lauren said. While he was taking his shoes off Lauren turned to Joey and kissed him softly, "Thanks baby." She whispered. "You do know how much I love you, right?" she added.

"I have a fair idea," he said with a soft smile. "I may need reminding later though." He told her.

"Deal. Don't let him wear you out, Joe." She said, "Remember you're still recovering, baby."

"I haven't forgotten, don't worry."

Oscar came and stood in front of the pair and Lauren rolled his trousers up while Joey did the same to his own trousers. "You go carefully okay, little man..." she said softly to her brother, "When you come back we'll go and get some lunch and see if we can find something to entertain us for a while..."

"Okay, Laur..." he said eagerly, kissing her on the cheek.

"And do as Joey tells you to, right."

"I will. Come on, Joey!" Oscar said, grabbing Joey's hand and starting to pull him towards the sea.

Lauren watched as they walked down the beach. She could see where Joey's left leg was still giving him problems and he had to get Oscar to slow down a little a couple of times. Oscar was as excitable as any six-year old would be and Lauren smiled when they reached the water and her brother started kicking the water and splashing. Seeing Joey interact with her brother was doing strange things to her insides. It was a sight that only made the urge to start their own little family stronger. She could tell Joey would be an amazing father, which given the example he grew up with was something of a miracle.

Lauren sat and watched two of the most important men in her life for quite a while. The other man who was important to her called her on her mobile as she sat on the blanket, "Hi dad."

"How did things go with Oscar?"

"Okay, I think. He was a bit upset but Joey came up with a plan that made him a bit happier."

"What plan was this?"

"Just that we'd spend a day with him each month where we'd do something special with him... and maybe you and mum would let him stay with us overnight now and again."

"I'll speak to your mum but I can't see that being a problem."

"I didn't mention anything about the stuff with Abi. I didn't want to bring him into the middle of it all. It's nothing to do with him and he shouldn't be made to feel he has to pick sides."

"I think that's the right thing to do. So how are you feeling?" her dad asked her tentatively.

"Excited about moving on with my life with Joey but I'm sad to be leaving you behind."

"We're only a phone call away, sweetheart and we'll still see each other. Maybe things will be different after the summer. Abi will be at University then so you might be able to come round more often and you could stay."

"We'll see, dad. I can't promise anything. I'd need to speak to Joey as well."

"Of course. I spoke to Uncle Jack after you left and told him what Joey said. We're going to try and take care of the Derek situation."

"Dad, don't get into any trouble, please. Yes, I know what he did was wrong and he deserves to be punished for it but not at the expense of you or Uncle Jack."

"Okay." Max said softly although Lauren wasn't convinced he was telling her the truth. "Jack's going to have Oscar tomorrow so we'll be able to help you move all your things over to Joey's. I'll make sure Abi makes herself scarce too."

"That's great. Maybe we could all sit down and have a chat afterwards..." she said softly.

"Should I be worried, Lauren?"

"I don't think so..." she whispered.

"Okay." He said. "Your sister is staying in Oscar's room tonight and he's coming into our room so you and Joey will have your room. I didn't think you'd want Abs in there with you."

"Probably a good idea." She said. "I wanted to say thank you to you and mum for being so good about Joey and me. I'm sure this wasn't what you were hoping for me."

"It wasn't but seeing the two of you together, it's hard to deny that you aren't right for each other. You work so well together and I don't want to be the one who tries to tear you apart. You know I just want you to be happy, babe. It's all your mum and I have ever wanted and Joey is that person for you. We can all see that so clearly. Don't let what people around here say make you doubt that."

"Thanks daddy." She whispered to him. She glanced up and saw Joey and Oscar making their way back to her, "I'd better go, dad. Oscar and Joe are coming back from playing in the sea and I need to dry them both off by the looks of things."

"Just as well you took some spare clothes," he chuckled. "Let us know when you're on your way home and we can sort out tea. Take care, love."

Lauren ended the call and smiled at her brother, "Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah, it was cool. Did you see the big splashes I was making?" he asked her excitedly.

"I did, little man. And I can see that you're soaking wet... I think you need to change into some dry clothes before we go and get lunch." She pulled a towel out of the backpack and passed it to him, pulling out the pair of jogging bottoms she'd brought for him as well. She looked at Joey and saw him watching her. The look in his eyes made her blush and she lowered her gaze again.

"I've got sand all over my feet..." Oscar moaned.

"Well dry them as best you can now and then when we're off the beach we can wipe all the sand away and put your trainers back on." Lauren said, brushing her hand through his hair and kissing him softly. "Can you manage?" she asked. He nodded and started brushing off the damp sand on his feet and legs.

Joey sat on the blanket beside her, "You got anything in that bag for me?" he asked her softly. She nodded, her face heating slightly at the sexiness of his voice. She didn't know what was wrong with her; lately everything he did affected her this way. She handed him another towel and his own pair of jogging bottoms and he leant over and kissed her deeply. "Thanks babe."

"I spoke to dad." She told him softly, glancing at Oscar and seeing him struggling to take off his wet trousers. "He seemed fine about your idea for Oscar." She kissed him for a second, "Thank you for that by the way. It means a lot to me that you want to spend time with him."

"I like him. He's a good kid. He's given me permission to call him your nickname for him..." He looked at Oscar, "You alright there, little man?" he asked with a broad grin.

"My trousers won't come off..." he whined softly.

Lauren and Joey both chuckled and moved to him, helping him pull off his very wet trousers, while protecting his modesty. Lauren helped him put on his dry clothes and while Joey sorted out his own clothes situation she put their wet clothes in a carrier bag and back in the backpack. Joey lifted the backpack and slung it over his shoulder, grabbing Lauren's hand and helping her to her feet. He did the same for Oscar, taking the small boy's hand in his free one. "Let's go and get something to eat, shall we? What do you fancy, little man?" he asked as they walked up the beach.

"Maybe we can dump the wet clothes and blanket in the car?" Lauren suggested. "It's not far from here."

"Good idea."

"Can we have burgers?" Oscar asked as they reached the street.

"I'm sure we can find somewhere that sells burgers. Wait a minute, little man. Let's put our shoes back on then we're going to put some of the stuff in the car so we don't have to carry it round all day. 'Kay?"

"Okay, Joey." Oscar said. Lauren helped him clean his feet and then put on his socks and trainers. Joey sat on the wall beside Oscar and did the same for himself. Lauren was just glad she'd chosen to wear sandals.

*JL*JL*

Joey found a nice cafe about twenty minutes later, a little further down the seafront and they had ordered their food and were waiting for it to arrive.

"Joey, can I ask you something?" Oscar asked softly.

"Course you can, little man."

"Are you and Laur going to get married?" he asked, his eyes shining up at Joey.

Joey smiled, "Why do you ask that, little man?" Lauren's face was heating and while she wanted to know what Oscar was about to say, she was also pretty interested in hearing Joey's answer too.

"Well, mummy and daddy love each other and they got married. Laur told me that you love each other like mummy and daddy do... so I wondered if that meant you would too..." He glanced at his sister, "Is it okay to ask that?" he asked, biting his lip with worry.

"It's a very good question actually, little man," Joey said. His hand moved to settle on Lauren's hand beneath the table surface and squeezed it gently. "Can I let you in on a secret?" he asked the young boy in a stage whisper. Oscar nodded. "I do plan on asking your sister... but I want to make it special for her and surprise her so I'm going to do it when she's least expecting it. Is that okay with you?" He nodded again. "Good." He said with a smile. His thumb brushed across the back of Lauren's hand and he threaded his fingers through hers, tightening his grip on it.

*JL*JL*

Their food arrived shortly after that and the boys both ate enthusiastically having worked up an appetite in the sea. Lauren however was still in shock at the conversation she'd just witnessed. She knew she shouldn't have been surprised by what Joey had said. They'd discussed several times what they wanted for their future but to hear him tell her brother that he was planning on proposing to her had thrown her slightly. She was obviously going to say yes to him. The thought of saying no and losing him from her life never even occurred to her. That didn't stop it from surprising her to hear him talk about it so openly.

"You okay, baby?" Joey asked her softly, having finished his lunch and seeing she'd barely touched her food. She nodded distractedly and he became more concerned. He glanced at Oscar and saw him absorbed in his food so Joey turned his attention to the love of his life, turning in his chair so he was looking directly at her. "What's wrong?" he asked her quietly.

She glanced at him, "Nothing..."

He wished he could believe her but he can tell something is bothering her. He brushed her hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear then leant forward and brushed his lips against her cheek. "Talk to me, baby girl." He whispered in her ear.

"What you said surprised me, that's all."

"Oh..."

She looked at him, seeing the slightly crestfallen look on his face, "Baby, it's not what you're thinking. I just hadn't realised you'd put so much thought into it." She bit her lip as she stared at him, "I don't even really know why it surprised me so much. I know we're going to be together and we've obviously talked about a family but... it just was a shock, I guess."

"So you're not opposed to it then?"

"What? Marriage?" she asked. He nodded his head. "Not to you, no." She admitted with a smile.

"That's good to know, baby girl." He said. "Eat your salad, baby." He rested his arm on the back of her chair, his fingers brushing through the ends of her hair and stroking her back softly. He pulled out his mobile phone and started looking for information on what to do in the afternoon. "So little man, what about going to the Sea Life centre this afternoon? Does that sound okay?"

"What do they have there?" He asked, clearly a little interested.

"Well there seems to be tropical fish, seahorses, turtles and sharks among other things. Would you like to see that?"

"Can we, Laur?" Oscar asked eagerly.

"I don't see why not... but you and Joey might have to hold my hand when we see the sharks, okay?"

"Okay!" he said.

"I'll just go and pay, baby." Joey told her, getting up from his chair and walking to the till.

"Joey's nice, Laur." Oscar whispered to her.

"I'm glad you like him, little man." Lauren said with a smile. "He likes you too. Very much." Her response brought a huge smile to her brother's face. Joey came back to the table and Lauren and Oscar both stood. "Maybe we should move the car further down towards where we're going, baby." She said to Joey. "It sounds like it's a lot of walking and I don't want you to get too tired..." she told him.

"Okay, babe." He said with little protest which Lauren knew meant he was beginning to get tired.

"Are you sure you're alright for this?" she asked him, standing in front of him and looking up at his face.

"It's fine... but I think by the end of the day I'm going to be tired. I don't fancy having to walk all the way back to the car when we're done."

"You'll tell me if it gets too much?" she asked him gently.

"I will. Don't worry so much," he reassured her, brushing her hair behind her ear. He kissed the tip of her nose and then nudged her slightly so they could leave, Oscar was already waiting for them (impatiently) outside.

"You're being all bleurgh again!" he said as they walked out of the cafe and they both laughed at him.

"Come here, little man," Joey said, holding his hand out towards him. Oscar took his hand and they began to make their way back to the car. Joey put his arm around Lauren's waist and kissed her temple softly as they walked down the street.

TBC

A/N: So Joey and Oscar 'Little Man' Branning are bonding. Aren't they sweet? Did you like it? Back tomorrow and it's a big one.