Chapter 42

Amber's cries heightened in parallel with Lauren and Joeys fear... was he really capable of hurting their daughter? They dreaded to think. Derek picked her up again, holding her out in front of him in his hands. Her cries continued.

Lauren cried out wanting to take a step forward but not knowing the damage it would cause. "Please Uncle Derek... give her to me, she's just a baby...please" she pleaded "I'm begging you"

"When will you Branning women ever learn ? I give the orders not follow them." He look at Joey who had Lauren firmly in his arms now, trying to give her some comfort. "She's quite the little miracle Joseph. Shame who her Mother is. Could have been quite an addition to the family"

"Put her down..." Joey looked at his fraught new born, literally in the hands of his enemy. He moved Lauren out the way and finally took a step "I'm not telling you again... put her down!" Derek complied this time, putting Amber, not so comfortably back in the cot. There was a sigh around the room as Joey and Lauren both released a breath. Lauren went to move but Derek had different ideas.

"Oh no...i'm not finished with you. Move!" he pointed to Joey and directed him back to Lauren. "I had big plans for you Joseph... and you Lauren. We could have made big money..." he stepped closer to Lauren, his hand reaching out and lacing his fingers through the ends of her hair. Her breath hitched as she let out a sob, scrunching her eyes shut as to block out what ever was next. But nothing happened.

Tanya had been watching from the side lines, she watched his every move intently. Memories too close to comfort for her... she took a breath and chose that point to step up she darted into the room after seeing Derek close to the cot. She forced her way over to Amber, picking her up, trying to settle her as best she could. Her cries were piercing, and at that moment there wasn't anything Joey or Lauren could do. The door opened a minute later, Abi, a nurse and two security guards entering the room.

"Sir, we're going to have to ask you to leave" one of them informed Derek

"Fellas, come on, all I'm trying to do is talk to my son" Derek replied

"Is that true sir?"

Joey shook his head " No, he's just hit my partner and he's making threats...I'd like him arrested" Joey informed them.

A second later and Derek was out of the room, having been forcibly removed "You'll pay for this Joseph... you and that horrible little cow!"

*JL*JL*JL*

One nurse had moved straight over to Lauren, applying a cool pack to her cheek and another had been to check on Amber. Lauren gasped as the nurse pressed a little around her cheek, it was already starting to bruise a deep purple. "It's going to be tender for the next few days, but there's no lasting damage"

"Thank you" Joey replied "will she still be able to go home?" he sat on the bed next to her and held her tightly in his arms.

"You can go as planned" she informed them "but you must take it easy"

Instructing Lauren on what to do with the cool pack, she left the room.

"Lauren, darling, I think Amber might need you" Tanya informed her daughter "do you want her?"

Lauren nodded, holding her arms open as Tanya placed her daughter into them. "Here we go, baby girl, here's Mummy"

"Mummy's got you Amber… everything's going to be fine" she soothed

"We'll leave you to get sorted" Tanya admitted.

"Mum wait..." Lauren grabbed Tanya's arm staring at her. "why did you just do that? You looked like you were scared of Uncle Derek" Sara and Tanya exchanged a look and Sara nodded.

"There's a lot you dont know about Derek Lauren... a lot that you dint ever need to know" she sighed and kissed her daughters forehead "get ready to go baby, we'll be outside"

Tanya moved to the door ushering Sara and Abi with her. Leaving the door open behind her, Lauren sighed heavily as her Mum spoke again… "Max, a word, now!"

"What on earth are you playing at?" Tanya questioned, poking Max in the chest "don't ignore me, Max Branning"

"You heard him Tanya… He didn't have the right to talk about Lauren like that and not Joey… he's the entire reason she's in the state she is " he informed her "the state your in!"

"When are you ever gonna learn, Max?" she asked, sighing heavily "no matter what you say or do they're going to be together… be thankful they want to stay together. Yu know what he's capable of Max, let them be together "

"I give it a week, tops . She'll come running home crying. She can't look after a baby, she's a kid herself and goes running for the blade every time the going gets tough" he proclaimed

The sound of a door closing caught their attention. The pair turned to see Lauren, Joey and Amber in the doorway… "We're ready to go…" Lauren whispered

"Lauren" Tanya sighed brokenly, looking at her daughter who'd obviously heard what her Dad had just said.

"Do you have a car seat that we can use? We don't have one" Lauren questioned, ignoring her father, directing her question at her Mum.

"Yes, we've got one" she informed her "your Nan's got some things down from the loft, so you can come home if you like?" her face was gentle a soft smile on her lips.

"I think we should, babe" Joey admitted before Lauren had chance to reply "we'll go to the flat at the end of the week"

"Okay" she replied "thanks, Mum"

"it's okay darling… come on then let's get you home" Lauren followed slowly Joey's hand on her lower back as they walked. Tanya turned and point to her husband "Don't think about following Max."

Phew ! Amber's ok but Derek's hurt Lauren ! There's a few clues to something in this chapter I'm wondering if anyone will guess what it is ? Let me know what you think ! Back tomorrow xx