I hate starting chapters like this but I need just get this said, as it's starting to really irritate me now... I've had several reviews for this story now all by guest reviewers that have, to be honest been down right rude. I do ignore the majority of them because I get such lovely reviews of others and really do appreciate them all, but last night I had a review that just tipped me. I say this on behalf of writers, we write these stories because we like the characters we are writing about, we put a lot of time and effort in coming up with interesting and different stories. Lots of these stories really do take over our lives, be it writing them or reading them, we become invested in the words on the page and wait, excited to find out what's coming next. To have reviews on stories that tell you your writing is boring, unoriginal and not intriguing is really offensive to writers, sure everyone is entitled to an opinion, but some are best kept to yourselves. It's not only upsetting but it really discourages you to write and that's completely unfair for those who are reading. To the reviewer who asked me to acknowledge them …this is me acknowledging you, yes I did find your review offensive despite you saying you didn't want it to be.

It's a big thank you to those who do review leaving their support, because it's those reviews that make the stories worth writing .

Anyway. Rant over... on with the chapter !

Chapter 33

It had been six weeks since Joey had moved to university, six weeks since Lauren had made the decision that she wasn't ready to raise a baby, and whatever she and Joey had was over.

University wasn't what he had anticipated it to be, in a word , it was lonely. From the moment he moved into the flat he knew things wouldn't be ok for him.

One of the main differences was the fact Joey was living in his own accommodation, by Derek's insistence, Joey was renting a flat a mile from his campus. There were benefits to living alone, but mostly, joey hated it. There was never a night were he didn't wish he was back in Walford. Unfortunately though, that wasn't an option. Derek had made it very clear on numerous occasions that Joey was not to quit. Brannings were not quitters.

So like the Saturdays before, Joey sat revising at his desk. The friends he'd made didn't have the same work ethic as he did and spent most of their time partying and drinking. Joey didn't, nine times out of ten he had his head buried in a book. It was the last week in august at the time and nothing made him think of Lauren more. It was her birthday, her 18 birthday to be precise.

He flicked his phone in his hand contemplating sending her a quick happy birthday text, but quickly decided against it. He stared at the screen sighing at his head winning over his heart.

There was a brief flash of light from his phone, smiling as he saw the caller he answered.

"Hi Mum" he breathed out

"Hello son, how are you?" she asked, a gently tone of sympathy in her voice.

"I wanna come home Mum, it's horrible here. The only thing keeping me going is knowing I'll get to see you in four weeks…"

"counting are we?" she chuckled

"yes. How's…" he hesitated a little but Sara knew who he meant

"it's her Birthday today"

"I know… have you seen her recently? Know how she is or anything?"

"I'm sorry son, I haven't seen her. I catch glimpses of her in the window sometimes, she still stares over here. But ye, from what I've seen she looks ok, getting bigger"

"ye she'll be 7 and a half months now."

"I'm so sorry Joey… If things were different"

"It's ok Mum. Anyway how are you?" he asked knowing she wasn't going to say anything other than she was ok.

"I'm fine… look Joe I've got to go your dads just pulled up"

"alright, I love you Mum and I'll see you soon"

"love you to Joey… keep looking up" with that the phone was hung up and Joey went back to being endorsed in his book.

*JL*JL*JL*

Over in Walford it was like the Brannings at number 5 hadn't understood that Birthdays were meant to be celebrated. Lauren had spent the entire morning moping in her room. The baby had been causing her a few problems the last few weeks, which had resulted in a few dashes to the doctors and a very long and somewhat awkward conversation with a psychiatrist.

It turned out the baby had hiccups on one occasion and then Lauren was having Braxton hicks the other. She sat lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her hands were splayed across her bump as she fidgeted to get comfortable.

"it's my birthday today you know ?" she questioned, the baby kicking at the sound of her voice. "ye that's right… you can hear me can't you?" she smiled as there was soft nudge against her hand. "I'm 18 years old today… now I know that's a big number for you, you're not even 1 year old yet."

She sighed glancing down to her bump " yesterday I made a big decision …for you. I chose your Mummy and Daddy. It was the hardest thing I've ever done, and I don't even know if they will be who gets you. I don't get a say really. If I did well… let's say I wouldn't be choosing anyone"

Tanya was walking up the stairs when she saw Abi leaning against Laurens door. "Abi what are you doing?"

Abi put her finger to her mouth "shush! Laurens talking to the baby"

Tanya closed her eyes "I've told her not to do that… she'll only bond with it and that can't happen"

"I thinks it's a little late for that… Listen" Abi moved across a little, Tanya following her pose and listening in to Lauren.

"Your Daddy is amazing… he's the most loving, kindest person I've ever known. He was my best friend, the first and only person I've been with. Been in love with. I just wish we were still together… he'd be such a perfect Dad to you. I just need you to know we love you though little miss and yes I still believe you're a girl so if you're not I'm sorry... I need you to be strong for me baby and work really hard in there so your not poorly when your born... loosing you to another family is hard, but I couldn't cope if I lost you altogether " The baby had really given Lauren something to focus on, she was doing well, really well.

"I guess I best eat and feed you up ay?" she was about to move from the bed when the door opened and her Mum and Abi walked in. "hi" she whispered weakly leaning back onto her elbows as she pushed herself up. "have you been listening to me?"

Tanya smiled weakly and nodded "Would you like to go out for dinner?"

"what actually leave the house?"

"your 18 Lauren, I think we could sneak you out the back, we'll go somewhere out of town"

Lauren nodded stopping herself from crying, her hormones weren't helping the situation. "Thank you" she whispered. Tanya took her hand and helped her up.

"come on, get yourself sorted I'll take the car round the back"

so Tanya's letting Lauren leave the house, Lauren's bonded with the baby... next chapter will be up later :) xx