Chapter 49

Making good use of the free time, Joey cleaned the kitchen, did the ironing, put another load of washing in and made tea for them. He'd pretty much completed everything he needed to do when Amber woke. Their daughter seemed to have pretty good timing.

"Afternoon, beautiful" he cooed as he walked into the living room, taking her from her Moses basket, making his way back through to the kitchen to heat the bottle Lauren had organised. As soon as it was ready he placed it into Amber's mouth, her cries and whimpers easing immediately… "girl after my own heart"

When Joey had finished feeding her, he winded and changed her, doing everything methodically so he didn't miss anything. The afternoon went by and Amber was happily laying on the baby mat in the living room, the play-gym above her keeping her surprisingly entertained. Joey looked at the time, seeing that Lauren had been asleep for most of the day. He knew she used to sleep lots, but since Amber was born she was quite reluctant to sleep; having some unneeded fear that something was going to happen to Amber.

"Come on, beautiful, let's go and see Mummy, shall we?"

Joey and Amber made their way into the next room, Joey tapping gently on the door. "Lauren, you awake, babe?" a frown grew on his face as there was no response. He pushed the door open "Lauren you ok?"

Joey swallowed and his heart started to beat rapidly in his chest as he realised what had happened. He felt so guilty. He shouldn't have left her asleep for so long. He placed Amber in the cot and moved to the bed sitting cautiously next to Lauren . He began checking her from head to toe, and didn't like the look of things. Lauren lay very limp and static on the bed, her skin pale and clammy. His hand brushed through her hair and he felt a slight tremor in her body. He guessed she'd been like this for some time and he hated himself. "Lo, can you hear me?"

Nothing.

*JL*JL*JL*

Joey was still sat on the bed next to Lauren, his hand clasped in hers as he waited for the ambulance he'd called for. His head snapped up as he felt a the slight twitch of Lauren's fingers. His face met hers and tears filled her eyes as she realised what had happened.

"Thank god" Joey whispered, his finger moving her hair behind her ear. "you scared me baby…" he smiled, but Lauren didn't respond with words just a cry. Joey knew straight away, from the look on her face she was in some form of pain.. "Stay still baby. Where's it hurt?"

Her legs curled up to her stomach as she closed her eyes again "My stomach …I'm cramping" he could see the build of pain in her eyes, they were so glassy and blank, he was unsure if she was even fully aware of what was happening.

"Alright baby, alright… I've called an Ambulance, We'll get you sorted."

*JL*JL*JL*

The paramedics arrived shortly after and both agreed that because Lauren had suffered a more severe seizure she needed to be taken to the hospital to be checked out. Lauren on the other hand had other ideas, she was adamant she wasn't going. She hated hospitals and always had done. After realising how much Joey was worrying about her though, she relented. As soon as the paramedics had her permission, Lauren was led to the ambulance and hooked up to several machines, that were taking various readings from her.

Joey had bundled Amber into her car seat and had thrown together a very quick bag of essentials, following behind the ambulance to the hospital. The drive was a worry for the paramedics as Lauren began to drift in and out of consciousness, and then remained unconscious for the rest of the Journey.

In the car, Joey had convinced himself it was better for her to not be aware of what was going on. The less she knew the better, as far as he was concerned. Arriving at the hospital he made phone calls to his Mum, and then to Max and Tanya who were straight out of the door before Joey even got the chance to hang up. Joey was hoping that it'd just be a quick check and they could be home by teatime, but things were much more complex than they first thought.

Evening eventually drew in, far too slowly than any of them would have likes. Joey, Max and Tanya were sat in the waiting room, Lauren's parents having arrived not too long after Joey. They still had little information on what was going on with Lauren. The three looked up, Tanya moving up to an upright position as the door creaked open and a doctor entered the room.

"Family of Lauren Branning?" he questioned, the 3 of them nodding in response. The doctor stepped in and closed the door… "I've taken a look at Lauren's notes and it's obvious she's had another seizure. I think she may have had several actually. She's awake and I've just spoken to her, she said she had a headache beforehand, which can be a sign the seizures are accumulating"

"She said she had stomach cramps when she came round too. What's that about?" Joey asked

"That's to do with her seizures. We have to remember she only gave birth 3 weeks ago and her body's not had the chance to recover properly yet, stomach cramps aren't uncommon after birth anyway" he informed him "have you heard of eclampsia?"

"I have" Tanya informed him "is that what she has?"

"Well not exactly but her conditions not dissimilar" he replied "but if it's left untreated it can develop into more serious conditions"

"Will she be okay though?" Joey inquired

"I've given her a repeat prescription for some medication which should reduce, if not stop the seizures completely" the doctor informed him "unfortunately there's nothing more we can do unless they continue out of the postpartum stages. If that does happen we can run more tests and go from there. You can see her now, she's asking for Joey and Amber"

Joey stood up and took Amber from Tanya's embrace, following the doctor out of the room, Tanya and Max following closely behind.

*JL*JL*JL*

Lauren was staring at the door as Joey rushed in, Max and Tanya behind him with Amber. She was wrapped in joeys arms as soon as he was close enough. "God you know how to scare me babe" he smiled tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Sorry..." she breathed

"I forgive you. Your Mum and Dad are here" she looked behind him and saw her Dad with Amber.

"Hi babe..."

"Hi Daddy... is she ok?" she murmured looking down at Amber

"she's perfect Lauren. She's changed so much since we saw her last. Looking mire and more like you babe."

"It's the hair" Joey chuckled "she'll have loads of it" he pressed a kiss to Lauren head. "Do you want her"

Lauren shook her head "she's ok With Daddy" Joey nodded, relieved but also slightly confused, she'd hardly let Amber out of her sight, never mind let her Dad, who she was only just talking to hold her.

Tanya was loitering by the door a little "your uncle Jack sends his love" Max stared at her and shook his head "What ? He does. So does Whitney and Lucy."

"What was that look for ?"

"What look?" Max asked innocently

"The look you just gave Mum when she mentioned Uncle Jack?"

Tanya sighed, her face flushing.

"You may as well tell them, they'll find out eventually" Tanya rolled her eyes at Max's comment. This was not the way she intended this to come out.

"Mum?"

"Uncle Jack and I... well we. We kind of kissed"

"What!" Lauren yelled, Amber stirring slightly. "What do you mean kind of Kissed... you either did, or you didn't. Which one is it?"

"We did... but we were drunk. It was the night you and Joey left. We got back to Walford and he'd had a row with Ronnie and I was upset over you ... I'm so sorry Darling I really am."

Lauren shrugged "nothing to do with me. Just dont mess up mum. You ruins my childhood, the both of you did. Don't do that to Abi and Oscar."

Max smiled and reached for her hand "we wont babe I promise, me and Mum or working out, and we'll be there for you whenever you need ok?"

She nodded and turned to Joey "can I go home?"

"In an hour or so. They just want to keep an eye on you... get some sleep."