chapter 15- stormy weather

Laurens POV

I sat on the bottom step of the stairs staring at the door. Begging it to open and for Joey to walk back through. My knee was spontaneously bouncing up and down as I gnawed at my finger nails. I was annoyed with him it was beyond words. After numerous calls and texts, both of which got no response, I'd given up trying to contact him. I knew full well he'd have gone to see her and I just couldn't understand why, after everything she put him, us through. I sighed deeply shuffling my position on the stairs. I checked my phone seeing it was half 8 if he wasn't back within the next hour I was seriously going to kill him and he'd have some big big grovelling to do. I was feeling sorry for myself now, Zoe was tucked up in bed, not even needing the bedtime story tonight and so I was feeling alone and bored. Just when I thought things couldn't get much worse, it did.

The rain had been throwing a fit all day. I watched as it had a full-blown tantrum outside my window, It was so heavy I thought it would break the glass at one point, I didn't mind rain I quite enjoyed watching it but thunderstorms on the other hand- BIG no no. I was seriously going to kill Joey, I fucking hated storms, like literally I would make him hold me continuously until they stopped, but not tonight he wasn't here. The lightning splintered across the sky sending a shock of light through the hallway illuminating the small space for a split second. The Rain continued to pelt at the windows and only worsened as the rumbles of thunder neared. This rain meant business. And right now it's business was to make sure I was scared.

Gradually the rumbling became more distinct, and eventually there was a loud terrifying conversation between the thunder and lightning. I wanted to move but I couldn't, fear had me glued the stairs. I was cruelly hoping that the storm would have woken Zoe so I had some company, I didn't though even if it had, she wouldn't have cared she loved storms.

Joeys POV

I was sat in traffic on the way home, about 10 minutes away from Walford, trying to figure out what to say to Lauren when I was home. My battery had died after I'd left the prison and I'd got stuck in traffic making my return later than first anticipated. Eventually the traffic started moving, at a snail's pace mind. The automatic wipers on the windscreen started, great, rain was all I needed. I just wanted to be home with Lauren, I knew Zoe would be in bed by now and by the way she's been the last few weeks she'd be pretty bored.

"Well it looks like we have a pretty nasty storm coming in over the East end tonight" I listened to the weather forecast on the radio and lowered the volume slightly hearing said thunderstorm in the distance.

"SHIT" I mumbled. Lauren was petrified of storms literally hated them. I needed to get to her, she was probably in a bad enough mood already. Finally I reached home and the storm was in full swing. The rain was vile and the thunder was out of this world, it was so loud it sounded like it was literally right above you.

I was soaked through just walking the small distance from the car to the house. I opened the front door and my split. The house was in darkness- I guess a power cut had set in and Lauren was sat on the bottom step her head in her hands knees tucked up tightly to her chest (as much as her bump would let her). I went over and scooped up her shaking, sobbing body to me pulling her tightly against my chest as I lowered myself down to the floor. She was a mass of trembling limbs and deep shuddering sobs, her reaction even worse than I'd predicted.

"Shh, its ok I've got you, baby. I'm here," I soothed, rocking her gently. I could feel her body relax a little although it was still full of tension. You're safe, Lauren. You're fine baby"

"Where the Fuck have you been Joey" she cried, her voice quaking. She looked up to me her face pale, eyes red. I could tell she was annoyed at herself for needing me right now, and to be hones she had every right to be.

"I'm so sorry baby, I went to the prison" I closed my eyes and sighed "We'll talk later"

The walls were shaking with the deep rumbles of thunder from outside and you could hear the fierceness of the rain hitting the roof Looking down at Lauren, I wished that there was something more I could do, I hated seeing her like this and part of me knew it wouldn't have exculpated this far if I'd have been here when it started.

I nuzzled her head against my shoulder, wondering what was going through her head. No doubt I had just fucked up our plans, but holding her and feeling her terror decline a little because of my presence, I knew I'd done the right thing in going today. I just hoped she would see it that way afterwards.

Slowly, I felt her relax to the point I was able to lift her head up from my chest. Her shaking had eased off slightly but she was still trembling and frightened. "Do you want to move from here?"

"No" she mumbled firmly as the storm eased off a little the power flickered back on and illuminated the hallway "You can let me go now" she whispered pulling away from me.

"Lauren please…"

"I'm angry with you Joey, did you really expect to show up here after you vanish leaving only a cryptic note and everything will be ok ?" I didn't know what to say I was completely stunned. She turned her back to me and went to the kitchen.

"Baby please… let me do that" she scurried around and slammed the mug back onto the worktop. I closed my eyes sighing needing to talk to her but knowing she was upset, I really didn't want to make things worse but had had a feeling either way I approached this I would be doing just that.

She leaned against the breakfast bar and looked over to me, a frown pronounced on her face. "Do you still love me ?"

"What?... what kind of question is that?" I asked shocked

"Please…"

"Yes, of course I love you babe" I stepped a little closer to her as she wiped her eyes

"Then why did you go today? Do you still have some things unsolved with her or what…"

"NO, no Lauren. It was just for closure I needed to see that she was where she belonged, I feel nothing for her. nothing at all…I'm sorry I didn't tell you baby" she moved away from me as I tried to take her hand.

"It's not that you didn't tell me Joe, you're allowed to do things by yourself" she wiped at her eyes again and took a deep breathe "It's the fact that you went when you said you wouldn't…you went behind my back…" she bit her lip and sobbed a little pulling away when I reached for her face to wipe her tears. "No…no just let me finish please… It hurt me the fact that I woke up and you weren't there…that you'd vanished. I thought you'd left Joe or that you'd gone missing. I was so scared that I was going to have to raise three kids on my own. You have no idea how much you've hurt me"

"I didn't mean to Lauren… I'm sorry I really am"

She shook her head smiling a little "You know what the worst of it is… you went knowing it would hurt me and you still did it" she walked to the hall way and started grabbing her things.

"Where are you going it's really raining out there babe…"

"I'm going to my Dad's I need time to cool off before I say something I regret… I'll see you tomorrow" Before I had chance to stop her she was off out the door.

"Daddy?" I turned to see Zoe standing on the stairs blanket and Fuzz in hand.

"Hey baby…go back to bed baby girl It's late…" I stepped toward her lifting her sleepy body into my arms.

"Where's Mummy?" she mumbled

"She's gone out baby…she'll be back later" I hated lying to her, but by the look on her face she already knew exactly where Lauren had gone. Zoe scowled at me and breathed in heavily through her nose.

"I want Mummy" I rolled my eyes as she continued to frown at me. I'd fucked up. Yet again.

So Joey's in big trouble with his girls... Laurens gone seeking comfort in her Dad and is battling her head and heart, how's Joey ever going to make it up to her ?

Next chapter up later on ! and only 5 more till this story finishes :( xxx