24th May 2013. Well I was going to post this before the show but decided to wait until after it was on. How good was Jacqueline tonight? I loved the scene with Patrick... he even walked her home. AND she admitted (for anyone who's blind and didn't already know) that she's still in love with Joey! I've seen the previews for Tuesday and when she hits Lucy next week... WOW!

Anyway, on with the story. Enjoy!

Chapter 62.

The couple walked around the clinic, pausing whenever Lauren had a contraction. They were definitely increasing in frequency and Lauren was hoping that meant things were progressing well. They walked back to the room after nearly twenty minutes but had to stop one more time when Lauren clutched Joey's hand. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow..." she said softly.

"What can I do to help you baby girl?" he asked her softly.

"Just hold me," she whispered. After a couple of minutes she released her grip on his hand. "It's over, I think."

"Was that one stronger than the other ones?" he asked.

"Mmm..." she whispered. "I think I need to sit down for a bit."

"Come on then. Let's see if Maggie's sent the food over."

*JL*JL*

They got back to the room at the same time as Max brought the food in. Joey helped Lauren back onto the bed and pulled over a tray table for them both to use. Max pulled the packaged food from the bag and handed two to the mums. He placed one on the seat for himself and then walked over the bed. "Here are your burgers..." he said, placing them on the table, "And this is from Maggie, the delivery boy said." He passed a small gift bag to Lauren.

"Oh, she's a sweetheart." Lauren whispered. Burger forgotten momentarily she pulled open the gift bag and Joey frowned when he heard her sob.

"Baby?"

She looked up at him and tears were running down her face. She pulled out a pair of cream booties and a matching cardigan and hat. "There's a note too." She pulled it out of the bag and read it, wiping her eyes intermittently. Joey climbed off the bed and stood by her side, pulling her against his body. Her crying became stronger once he was holding her and she passed him the note. He read it, understanding why his wife had got so upset.

My darling Lauren,

Just a short note to wish you and Joseph well with your long awaited new arrival. I'm thinking of you both and I hope you like the small gift I've sent. I have no grandchildren of my own and I've always thought fondly of Joseph in the years I've known him. He was a bit of a rascal as he grew up but you, my dear, have calmed him and brought out the best in him. I know your child will be loved and will be a perfect blend of the two of you and I look forward to seeing him or her in a few weeks time, once you've got yourself sorted out.

All my love

Maggie x

"You need to eat," he said to her softly once he'd read the note and Lauren had calmed slightly.

"I know..." She put the baby clothes back in the gift bag and then turned to her burger. The family fell silent as they ate their food, Joey holding Lauren's hand as it rested on the bed. Every now and again she'd paused to let a contraction pass, Joey would brush his thumb across the back of her hand as he watched her.

*JL*JL*

After they'd finished their food Tanya cleared up the now empty packaging. Lauren shifted on the bed, moving towards the edge and sliding off it. She turned to face the bed and leant forward, resting her hands on the mattress and biting her lip as her fingers clenched around the blanket. She breathed deeply, remembering everything she'd been told in the antenatal classes. Joey watched in silence, instinctively knowing she wanted quiet right now.

There was a soft knock at the door and the doctor walked in. She saw Lauren leaning on the bed and stayed near the door. One thing Lauren had stressed in her birth plan was she didn't want people talking to her unnecessarily once she was in labour, especially during the contractions as she would find it distracting, annoying and she was more likely to lose her cool if that was to happen which she didn't want; only Joey could speak to her at any time because she always found his voice soothing. She wanted this birth to be as relaxing as possible, anything to keep her calm and reduce the risk of there being a problem with her heart.

Once the doctor saw Lauren relax slightly she ushered the parents out of the room and then walked over to the bed, "Are they getting stronger, Lauren?" she asked. Lauren nodded. "I need to examine you again I'm afraid... is that okay?"

"Only if you tell me good news." She said with a small but slightly pained smile.

The examination was quick. "Well I wish I could give you better news, Lauren but you're only 2.5cms dilated."

"Half a centimetre?" she whispered.

"It can take a while..."

"So keep doing what we've been doing?" Joey asked.

"Yes. Do you want any pain relief yet? I can sort out the gas and air and show you how to use it, if you'd like it now."

"No, I'm fine right now." Lauren said.

"Shall I show your parents back in?"

"Can you ask them to go and get a coffee or something? I'd like it to just be me and Joe for a while..."

"I'm sure that'll be fine. I'll get them to come back in about an hour and I'll come back just before they do and examine you again."

"Thanks."

The pair were alone again moments later. "You okay, babe?" Joey asked her softly.

"Yeah." She looked at her husband, "Do you think you can rub my feet for me?" she asked him softly.

"Of course, I can. I'm here for you, you know that. You just have to ask."

"I know." She sighed as Joey sat at the end of the bed and moved her feet onto his lap. He concentrated on her left foot first, finding the exact spots that made her toes almost curl, it felt so good. Her head fell backwards against the pillow and she moaned in relief. "Joey, please make sure you never stop doing this for me..." she whimpered. "Even when we're really, really old."

"Fine with me, baby girl." He smiled and blew her a kiss. "I thought you were never going to be old? I remember you telling me that some time ago." Once he was done with one foot he moved to the other and got pretty much the same reaction from her. Her eyes were closed once he was done and he watched her with a smile on his face.

"Can you rub my back for me?" she whispered, a frown forming on her face. He stood and helped her roll onto her side.

"Why don't you take off the dressing gown?" he suggested to her gently. She nodded and soon the gown was thrown over to the chair on the other side of the room. Joey grabbed a scrunchie from Lauren's bag and pulled her hair up into a loose bun. He leant down first and kissed her neck softly, "Love you, baby girl." He breathed against her skin.

"Love you back." She whispered. Joey put his hands on her shoulders and started to massage them gently, following Lauren's lead as to how much pressure she wanted him to apply. He moved slowly down her back until he reached the base. He pulled her T-shirt up her back and pressed a little harder as he felt her push back against him. Her legs curled up towards her body and Joey knew it was another contraction. He continued to massage her lower back and after a couple of minutes she relaxed again. "Can you hold me, Joe?" she asked as his hands slowed their movements.

Joey walked around the bed, toeing off his shoes and climbing onto the edge of the bed beside her. "Come here." He whispered to her, seeing her smile at his words. She moved closer to him, resting against his body, her head on his chest, listening to his heart. "Get some rest, baby girl." He said softly, trailing his fingers up and down her back beneath the T-shirt she wore.

The doctor came in just before the hour was up but decided against examining her when she saw Lauren was asleep. She had a quiet conversation with Joey, telling him she'd come back in an hour and left again. Tanya and the others were quiet when they came back into the room and sat on the far side of the room, letting Lauren rest.

Lesley came over to Joey briefly before sitting down. She kissed his forehead, smiling at her son. "You should get some rest as well, Joe. She'll need you later and you need to be rested so you can help her."

Joey knew she was right and closed his eyes briefly, thinking he wouldn't be able to get any rest but soon he dropped off too.

*JL*JL*

"How do you think she's doing?" Max asked.

"I think it's going to be slow," Tanya admitted, watching the couple as they slept, Lauren in Joey's arms. "I'd be surprised if she doesn't have some pain relief too. I know she's said she doesn't want anything other than gas and air but I think once the pain gets bad she'll ask for something stronger."

"I think the pain would have to be pretty bad for her to do that. She wants to try and have it be as natural as possible for this. She doesn't want bump to be subjected to the medication..." Lesley told them, "We talked about it when she was first thinking things through. She said she was really worried about all the drugs and rubbish she put through her system, in the last couple of years, before she was pregnant and she doesn't want their child to start it's life with her taking more."

"I think Lauren's going to surprise us all." Max said, looking at his daughter, pride shining from his eyes.

TBC

A/N: Did you like Maggie's letter? And who do you think is right about Lauren? Back tomorrow...