25th May 2013. So here we are again... last few days of this story though, which I'm quite sad about. I hope you like what's left in the next few chapters. Enjoy!

Chapter 63.

Lauren woke with a start, gasping as the most painful contraction yet struck. Joey kissed the top of her head and held her hand as she breathed through it. This one lasted longer too and at one stage Lauren wasn't sure it was ever going to end. It did though and she rested against Joey once more. "How long was I asleep for?" she murmured.

Joey glanced at the clock on the wall, "More than two hours, baby girl."

Tanya stood and walked out of the room. Lauren frowned, "Where'd she go?"

It was her dad that answered, "The doctor came in while you were both asleep and she said we should let reception know when you woke up so she could examine you again." He got to his feet, walking over to kiss Lauren gently, "We'll wait outside."

The doctor came back in just after Max and Lesley left. Joey slipped off the bed and helped Lauren move so she could be examined. "You're at 5cms, Lauren." She soon told her. "Would you like to use the birthing pool?" she asked. Lauren nodded. "Okay, well I'll get one of the nurses to sort out that for you. It shouldn't take too long to get it filled and warm. I also think I should rupture your membranes before you get in the pool. Are you okay with that?"

Lauren glanced at Joey, "It's up to you, baby girl." He brushed a stray bit of hair behind her ear, "Didn't it say in your book that it might speed up your contractions?"

"Joey's right, Lauren. This should speed up your labour." She looked at Joey, "You also have the option to be in the pool with Lauren, if you want, Joey. You don't have to decide now, talk it over with Lauren." She smiled, "I'll be back in about half an hour and I'll break your membranes then. Once you're in the pool, I will be staying in the room so I can monitor you and bump more closely." She patted Lauren's arm, "You let me know who else you want in the room when I come back."

When they were alone again Lauren looked at Joey, "What do you want to do, Joe?"

"It's not my decision, baby. I will do whatever you want me to. If you want me in there with you, then that's where I'm going to be."

"Do you think mum will mind if it's just us for a bit longer? I know I said I wanted her here for the delivery but I want her to be here later, when I start pushing."

"This is all your decision, baby girl. Your mum will be fine with whatever you decide. This is your labour. She's been through this, she knows what it's like and she'll understand."

A nurse knocked on the door and started to sort out the birthing pool. Lauren watched her for a while. "I want you with me," she whispered.

"Just as well I've got some clean clothes in that bag then, eh?" he breathed, kissing her tenderly.

"Thanks Joe." She murmured.

They sat and watched the nurse quickly fill the pool with what seemed be warm water. She quickly left the room not long after. "You going to wear your T-shirt in the pool?" Joey asked her softly.

She shook her head, "No... I think it will just get in the way." She glanced at him, "Is that okay?" she asked him worriedly.

His hand brushed the side of her face and he watched her eyes flutter closed, "Hey, it's completely down to you. I've told you, whatever you want is good for me, baby girl."

The doctor re-entered the room after a soft knock. "Still okay, Lauren?" she asked.

"Yeah. Just been talking to Joe about the pool." She said softly. "He's going to get in it with me. I need him there with me..." she whispered the last sentence. Joey kissed her temple.

"That's absolutely fine, Lauren. Now I spoke to your parents and they understand completely if you want it to be just you and Joey for now. Your mum said she will come in, if and when you need her. Is that still what you want?" Lauren smiled and nodded, relieved she didn't have to have that conversation. "So now I just need to rupture your membranes, then I think within fifteen minutes you'll be able to get in that pool."

"Where do you want me?" Lauren asked, eager to get this moving.

"Up on the bed, please."

Lauren was helped onto the bed by Joey and another internal examination and one quick poke with a hook later and Lauren's waters were broken. She wasn't sure she could describe the sensation. It just felt a bit like she was wetting herself if she was being honest. She just hoped this would be the beginning of the birth of their child.

"You okay, baby?" Joey asked her gently.

"Yeah." She whispered. "Excited."

"Me too." He told her with a smile. "If I forget to say it later... thank you so much for doing this; for giving me this baby."

"It was a team effort, baby. I couldn't have done it without you... any of it." She told him softly. Joey lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply, resting his forehead against hers after they pulled apart.

The doctor cleared her throat, reminding them of her presence and they both blushed slightly. "I'll give you a few minutes alone. Joey, you should get into the pool while I'm gone. When I come back, I'll bring Lauren over and you can keep her steady when she gets in with you." She placed a pile of towels on a chair near the pool.

TBC

A/N: Just a bit of a filler chapter... Back later, maybe... :-)

Still trying to get my head around Jacqueline's scenes this week... she was so good in every scene she was in. I can absolutely understand how she jumped to the conclusion she did with Joey... he was totally giving her misleading signals (so cruel). Loved the bits with Jack and Patrick (so sweet). Kind of frustrated by the stuff with Tanya... and the fact Max is totally missing (so angry about this in particular). We all know it's going to get a lot worse... let's just hope it gets better at the end of it all.