Epilogue

Lauren was in a Complete daze, she'd never really pictured this day… no tell a lie, she'd always pictured this day. She just couldn't believe how quickly the time had gone since Joey had even brought it up in conversation.

"Lauren are you ready ? we need to go" Max popped his head around her bedroom door, Amber in his arms, dressed all pretty in her dress, her hair scooped into two little pigtails.

"Two minutes…" she called placing her locket around her neck.

"Lauren, we don't have two minutes, you can't keep Joey waiting" Max smiled as she turned around. She looked beautiful, a knee length dress covered in lace, perfectly different for Lauren "You look amazing Lauren. Doesn't Mummy look like a princess Amber?" she nodded snuggling into her Granddad.

"Thanks Dad" she wiped at her tears that had been threatening to fall all morning. "right come on we going or what?"

Max was brought from his daydream and nodded "yes… come on we're late as it is"

*JL*JL*JL*

Lauren got out of the car, a rather excited Amber in her booster seat "are we there Mummy?"

"Yes baby we're here… come on" Lauren held her hand out and helped Amber down from the car. "you excited to see Daddy"

"I missed him" she nodded eagerly taking Laurens hand "will Daddy be dressed like a prince?"

Max smiled at his granddaughter and swept her into his arms causing a flood of giggles "I'd hope he is… this is a big day for Daddy and Mummy" .

They could hear the music playing as they neared the venue, it sounded quite busy with chatter and laughing "There's lots of People in there Dad"

"of course there is Lauren, Abi's already there with Alice and Sara. They're just waiting for us" she nodded and pulled her dress out straight. Tucking her hair behind her ear and securing it with the floral slide she had.

"lets go" Max held Amber's hand tightly as the three of them walked in a row and into the building. They were given instructions of where to go, so they walked through the outside area. There were seats set out in rows all filled with people. There were flowers at the sides and the music was playing softly.

"Lauren over here!"

"Nanna!" Amber ran towards Sara, Lauren and Max following. They took their seats, Lauren in the end seat. She felt a little exposed.

"I've just seen Joey he's so nervous" Sara smiled "mind you, I'm nervous and you look..."

"I'm actually shaking and I'm not the one graduating"

"Can I have your attention please?" all the guests simmered down and a silence fell upon them as the ceremony began.

Amber had climbed across from Sara and had ended up back in her Mum's lap as she tried to see her Daddy. "I no see Daddy, Mummy!" Lauren shushed her as the first of the people were called up on stage.

"Miss Scarlet Adams, Mr Lucas Armstrong…" she zones out temporarily, only snapping back to reality when she felt movement in her arms "Mr Joseph Branning".

"Daddy!" Amber pulled out of Laurens arms and ran towards the stage.

"Amber no!" Lauren tried to move to get her back but it was too late.

As Joey stepped on the stage to receive his scroll and graduation cap, Amber clambered up the steps, her little legs having to really stretch to reach each one. The audience were watching as she tried her hardest to run towards him.

"Amber…" Joey grinned bending down and holding her hand

"Daddy" she smiled and that was it, there and then his whole world completed. He lifted her into his arms and walked towards the man who was awarding the certificates.

"Mr Joseph Branning, Graduating with a 1st in sports coaching" he shook his hand and allowed the hat to be placed in his head.

"Thank you" Joey turned towards the audience seeing them all aww'ing, but his eyes connected on Laurens. She had made her way to the side of the stage and was watching them with pride. Joey laughed as Amber took the cap off his head and put it on her own.

"Mummy Look at Me!"

Lauren wiped away her tears and laughed "That's Daddy's baby girl"

Joey walked down the stairs ignoring calls for him to go back to have his pictures taken. Lauren took Amber's hand and went to walk back to their seats. "Lauren one more thing, just before you go…" he stepped down and stood in front of her. "I've wanted to do this for the last three years, since you had our beautiful baby. Marry me Lauren…"

Her eyes widened as he got down on one knee "Joey…"

"Say yes Mummy!" Amber yelled, Joey smiling.

"Well? We've got an audience "

"well if I must" she pulled him up and kissed him, Joey spinning her around. "I love you, I love you, I love you"

"I love you too".

So they got their happy ending ! Thanks for all the reviews for this story, hope you enjoyed it and keep your eyes peeled for my new story ! Xxx