Chapter 13-Sweeter

Laurens POV

I think I was probably more excited to be collecting Zoe than I had been in a long time. I couldn't wait to see her face when she realised me and Joey were there to pick her up. I'd managed to convince Joey to take us out for tea, we were going to go to Zoe's favourite place which had now turned into mine too. We hadn't been there for such a long time and I was craving the pancakes. I could actually feel my mouth watering at just the thought of them.

"What's got you in such a day dream?" Joey asked nudging me slightly. I'd obviously been staring a little longer and more intense than I thought I had been.

"Pancakes" I nodded a slight tone of need desperation in my voice. Joey chuckled and slinked his arms around me resting his hands across my stomach. As soon as Joey's hands made contact with my bump, the twins got excited and started kicking. "Nice one baby… you've woke them up" I said sarcastically, although part of me was annoyed, they'd only just stopped and to be honest my ribs were feeling a little bit like a punch bag.

"Sorry beautiful" his words whispered into my ear as he kissed the soft skin towards the nape of my neck. "Are they hurting you?" I turned to look in his eyes.

"Ye… a little"

"More pancakes it is for you then ay?"

"That would certainly ease the pain a little." Joey nodded his fingers drumming rhythmically where the babies were kicking. I leaned my head back onto his shoulder his body warming me as the contact was as close as it could be without giving everyone a show. I could feel a few eyes on us as we stood embraced in the playground. Had they never seen people hugging before?

The bell went and drew the attention away from us. I wasn't bothered by it and nether was Joey by the look on his face and considering his one hand was now resting on my bum, I'm guessing he thought people needed something better to stare at. It wasn't long before the kids from the different classes started flowing out. Oscar had come out and shot us a quick hello before pounding off towards Mum who was waiting in the car outside the school. Osc spent his week split between Mum and Dad alternating which weekend he'd spend with who. I felt sorry for him really, he was stuck in the middle of it all and honestly he didn't needed the wreckage of a childhood I had. Mum and Dad argued all the while over "Custardy" although they'd decided not to go through lawyers just to sort it out themselves and Oscar seemed the only level headed one in the whole situation.

Joey nudged me gently and nodded in the direction of the door. "Mummy!" Zoe shouted and came hurtling towards me. I dipped down to her level just in time to catch her as she threw herself at me.

"Hello beautiful girl" I smiled as she wrapped her arms around my neck hugging me tightly. My hands stroked through her hair loving the feeling of being able to hold her properly in my arms. "Have you had a good day at school?" she nodded and smiled holing her bags out to Joey so she could hold my hand as we walked back to the car.

"Excuse Me Mr Branning!" I heard the teacher call as she came walking towards us. Once again we had gained a bit of attention from the other parents. Joey turned around and brought us all to a stop. "Ah you must be Zoe's Mum nice to meet you I'm Mrs Atherton" She extended her hand and I shook it willingly smiling as she spoke again. I looked around and saw a few older parents whispering. "Just a quick note to ask, if you're both free on Friday morning? Zoe's reached her first step on the good deed chart so we'll be rewarding her in the assembly" Joey beamed at me and I nodded.

"We'll be there thank you for letting us know" Joey answered she turned to look at me and her eyes caught my stomach.

"I hope you're feeling better Mrs Branning…Zoe's been talking about you none stop, she's very excited about her brother and sister…I'll see you tomorrow morning Zoe, If you need any more information just as Mrs James over there she's head of the parents committee."

Me and Joe both nodded as she sauntered off back into the school. "Come we best go see when we need to do for Friday" I groaned and pouted and shook my head to Zoe. This Mrs James had been the one shooting us disapproving looks earlier. "Come on" Joey tugged on my arm and literally marched me and Zoe over to the group of chattering women.

"Oh Hello, may we help you?" I rolled my eyes as she did a sweep of Joey and then of me and Zoe not even attempting to cover her disparagement. She spoke quite formally and I had to stop myself from laughing, it was obvious she was putting the accent on; I wasn't as Nieve as she thought I was.

"Ye Mrs Atherton told us to ask you about Fridays assembly, we're Zoe's parents" He indicated to himself and then Me. I was really taken aback by her next statement though, instead of just giving us the information, like any mature adult would do she decided to dig and play dirty.

"Oh so your Zoe's Mother then…you must be what 24/25" her judgmental eyes scanned me.

"I'm 23 actually no that it's any of your business" Joey frowned at her and took my hand; I could tell his protective side was coming out now.

She nodded her head "Hmmm so you were 19 when you had her then and now you're having another…Good luck darling, people like you are going to need it" she chuckled and turned to the group of Mothers behind her. They were cackling like a bunch of hyenas.

"Look here you, I don't have a clue who you think you are but you do not know anything about me so I suggest until you do I'd keep you're gob shut… because it will get you into some big trouble Darling…Come on Zoe" I turned us round and went back to the car Joey hot on our heels.

"Your Information" she called out to Joey who flapped his hand around at her and I was pretty sure he gave her the finger when her back was turned.

"That was hot" Joey whispered as we drove off to the restaurant. I smiled and looked at him.

"Ye well she was judging me… she had no right to"

"Too right she didn't Baby… "

We pulled up outside the restaurant smiling as Zoe had fallen to sleep. I didn't have the heart to wake her so I made Joey carry her in. He didn't take much convincing. As promised Joey ordered double pancakes for me and a huge bowl of pasta.

The food came and Zoe was awake now too tucking into a dish of tomato pasta. I started at the food completely tempted by all of it but my eyes kept drawing back to that double stack of pancakes. Joey must have noticed because he pushed the stack towards me. "It's Ok to have dessert first sometimes"

I grinned but couldn't help thinking I'd had my dessert about an hour ago in the playground when Joey was kissing me- Nothing got better than a kiss from my baby.

Thank you guys for you patience over the weekend :) Loved reading all your reviews from the last chapter hope you enjoyed this one as much, I'll post another one at least today If I can they'll be two more so stay tuned xxx