Broken Daughter

Joey had stayed with Lauren the rest of the evening, curled up on the couch with her, his fingers gently running through her long dark hair, soothing the tears that continuously fell. Tanya had arrived back, smiling at the sight she saw, both Joey and Lauren asleep, his arms wrapped around her as she slept on his chest, his head resting on hers.

She had wondered how this moment had occurred. She had left them to talk earlier but expected to come back and find Lauren in an even worse state than before. But she was thoroughly surprised to find Joey still here; there was no sign of alcohol or anything broken, well except her daughter.

She gently shook Joey's shoulder stirring him from his sleep, but not enough to wake Lauren, who was most likely having the best sleep of her life.

"It went well I take it?" she whispered, watching Joey glanced down at a sleeping Lauren.

"She's letting me help her, it's all I wanted" he smiled, his fingers brushing up and down her back.

"And when she's better, what if she wants more?" Tanya asked nervously hoping he wouldn't break her daughter's heart again.

"Then I'm hers, I've always been hers" he replied, kissing her forehead softly.

"She wants to talk to you and Max" Joey announced.

"What about?" she replied, Lauren wasn't one for talking.

"She has things she needs to say to you both, you might not see it but you both hurt her, I'm sorry Tan but you two are part of the reason this happened" he said bravely, he was going to help Lauren even if that meant being harsh towards those who hurt her.

"I see, I'll call Max in the morning" she sighed, "Can you take her to bed, you can stay Joey" she continued, moving towards the door, bidding goodnight leaving Joey with Lauren.

Picking her up and gently as he could, he carried her into the bedroom, laying her down on the bed. Luckily she was already in her pyjamas so he needn't wake her up to change. Pulling his t-shirt over his head and dropping his jeans from his waist he slid under the duvet next to Lauren, her body automatically curling into his warm embrace. He had missed this, being so close to her, so imitate without doing anything. He want sure what they were, he wouldn't put pressure on to find out either, that was for when she was better, she knew she had his heart for always.

"Night Lo" he whispered, cradling her against his chest, placing a soft kiss to her head, letting sleep set in. Lauren only partially awake dropped a sleep kiss to his bare chest before being swept back into a dream.

The morning broke as Lauren stirred in familiar arms, the arms she had missed for over a month now. A peaceful Joey still fast asleep beneath her. She was so grateful for him being here, saying he would help in any way he could. All she really needed was his support and love and she could get through anything.

Dropping a kiss to his jaw, he began to come around, wiping his sleepy eyes as he saw Lauren propped up on her arms watching him a small smile on her face.

"Did you sleep okay?" he croaked, his hand brushing up and down her arm.

"Best sleep in ages, thank you for staying" she whispered, blushing a little, that effect he had over her was as strong as ever.

"It was my pleasure babe" he smiled, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. "Your mum is calling you dad over today" he continued, seeing her tense a little, that dreaded conversation nearing.

"I'm scared" she whispered, battling the tears back. She was dreading this talk where she finally said everything she was feeling. Scared that they would hate her for saying such things to them, hating themselves for what they caused.

"Don't be, I'll be with you the whole time" he replied, reaching up he kissed her cheek softly, calming her down within seconds.

It was late morning when the pair made an appearance down stairs, it had taken Joey some time to convince her to go down. She would only do so if he held onto her hand providing the support she needed.

"Babe talk to us" Max stated, seeing the mixed emotions written across his daughters faces as she took a deep breath.

"You don't know how hard it was growing up, with you two fighting and falling out, then making up and the constant affairs. It was unstable, really messed with my head. Then Bradley died and the world fell apart yet I felt so alone just like I did when you left dad and mum had cancer. Then dad you come back force me out of caring for mum, we then find out on Christmas day you have another wife I mean for fuck sake this family is a joke. You put all your secrets and lies onto my shoulders, when you should have protected me from it all, why didn't you protect me?" she choked a little, the sobs forcing their way up. Joey squeezing her hand as he saw her crumbling apart.

"We're so sorry honey" Tanya gasped, the extent of the pressure Lauren had been under for so many years hitting her.

"Sorry doesn't cut it, it needs to change" she stated a little firmly. Staring directly at her father who seemed to still be digesting what she had just said.

"It will change" Max finally stated, looking up at his eldest daughter. It was just a matter of proving it.