Chapter 43

Joey and Lauren pulled up outside number 5 half-an-hour later, Max, Tanya, Abi and Sara pulling up behind them a little later. It was clear from the second they arrived that the residents of the Square knew something had gone on. Many were at their windows, twitching their curtains to get a better look. There were others who didn't try to hide the fact they were staring, simply standing in their gardens glaring across as Joey helped Lauren from the car. She held Amber's car sear as close to her as she could so no one could see. Joey looked around and saw his Dad's car gone, he was slightly more relaxed now. His eyes followed around the parameters of the gardens, curtains falling swiftly back into place.

"Come on lets get inside"

By the time the others arrived, Joey and Lauren were in the kitchen, Cora cooing over her great granddaughter. "She's an angel, Lauren. Absolute beauty. How you feeling, sweetheart? You alright ?"

"Drained" she admitted "but other than that I'm okay" Lauren smiled weakly at her Nan but then focused her attention back to Amber.

"Where's Mum?" Joey asked Tanya as she walked into the room

"She's gone home to see Alice and to try and talk to your Dad " she informed him a little flippantly. She looked at the table to see the car seat perched on top of it in front of Lauren "why is she still in the car seat Lauren ?"

"She's sleeping, I didn't wanna wake her. Should I take her out?" Lauren inquired

"No!" Cora proclaimed "first lesson, sweetheart, don't ever wake a sleeping baby and don't let anyone tell you what to do" she said shooting a look at her daughter. "You're the one that knows best with your own baby. You'll be amazing at this, Lauren, I know it"

"Thanks, Nan" Lauren whispered, tears in her eyes

"You're welcome, darling" she chuckled, wiping at her granddaughter's stray tears "now how about I go and wet the baby's head?"

"Yeah" she replied, sniffing back the tears "have one for me too"

Cora nodded her head and made her way out of the kitchen, the front door shutting behind her a few seconds later. Joey wrapped his arm around Lauren as she watched her daughter sleeping peacefully "You okay?"

"Yeah" she informed him "just thinking. We've got nothing for her... Everything's such a mess, she wasn't even here this time two days ago, you weren't here, she wasn't coming home and now... we have a baby, and she's ok and relying on us"

"relax, baby. It's fine, Everything's going to be just fine I promise you." he replied, kissing her forehead softly "you go upstairs and get some sleep"

"Are you sure?"

"Course" he assured her "how about I look after Amber?"

"No, I'll have her with me" she informed him quickly looking horrified at the thought "it's not that I don't trust you, Joey, I just want her with me. You understand that, right?"

He nodded his head and turned her to him, kissing her softly "Go on, off you go"

"I'll bring the car seat up in a minute for you, Lauren you can't carry anything heavy… she'll be ok for a few minutes without you" Tanya informed her daughter watching Laurens sceptical look "she'll be fine Lauren I promise you. Now, you go and get yourself sorted. I've changed your bedding and as you know your Nan's got some stuff down. A Moses basket is set up and there's some clothes for you too. I'll pop to the Minute Mart in a bit, get some nappies and formula for you, yeah?"

"Thanks, Mum" she sighed with relief, kissing Joey's cheek before leaving the room, pausing briefly by the door before she left. Joey's eyes watching her every move.

*JL*JL*JL*

"You really love her, don't you?" Tanya questioned as she heard Lauren's bedroom door shut behind her.

"Yeah, I do, Auntie Tan" he informed her

"Promise me something then please?" she questioned

"Anything" he assured her

"Don't do anything to hurt her" she replied "just make her happy. She needs that and deserves it"

"Always. This one and Lauren mean the world to me. I'm gonna be a damn good Dad, better than mine ever was" he informed her..

"You already are, Joey" she admitted

Joey was quiet for several seconds "Tan... what happened between you and My Dad?" There was a clatter as Tanya dropped the things she was holding. She swallowed and turned around to face him, her face haunted. "I saw you earlier at the hospital, you were watching him..."

"Your Dad and I ... we have history. Your uncle Max wasn't the first Branning I met."

"My Dad?" Joey gasped his eyes wide.

Tanya nodded "Yes. I met him whilst I was an apprentice at a salon. He'd come in every other week to have his hair cut, and he's always wait for me. He'd tip me really well and he'd bring me a doughnut every week too. He used to always tell me how nice my hair was..." she took a breath "I was only 16 at the time".

"So how did you meet uncle Max?" Joey asked intrigued, but unsure if he really wanted to know the answer.

"Your Dad and I got talking and he offered to walk me to the bus stop after my shift the one day... it was dark and to be honest the thought of walking on my own was a bit scary. So I let him. He suggested we take a short cut... we went through the park and he tried it on with me. Max had been waiting for Derek apparently and saw me trying to stop your Dad. He saved me" she whispered " and that was it really Max and I got talking and 6 months later I was pregnant with Lauren."

Joey did the maths in his head and it dawned on him. "He was with My Mum wasn't he when this happen to you ?"

She nodded "she was pregnant with you at the time"

Joey's head fell into his hands "He's still got hold over you hasn't he ? But why?"

"Your Mum knew he was seeing someone else... she still doesn't know it was me. It's in the last now Joey and I don't want to ruin the friendship I have with your Mum." Joey nodded understanding "why don't you take Amber up to Lauren instead of me ay?"

"I will" he replied "Thanks, Tan, for letting us do this I mean. Lauren likes to think she's super girl and can do it all on her own but it means a lot to her that you're there for us. It does me too"

"Go on, get out of here" she proclaimed, chuckling softly "I'll go to the shops"

So we know what went down with Tanya and Derek ! there's still some pieces to be filled in though. Let me know your thoughts, back tomorrow xx