Chapter 17

6 or so years later

Lauren's PoV

Everything was right. Today is mine and Joey's 5th wedding anniversary. He told me he had a special surprise planned for me, but boy did I have one too. I had been lying in bed just staring at him for almost an hour. He was still so cute when he slept and I couldn't help myself. He shifted in bed a little bit when Amelia, our two year old, started to fuss in the next room. I quietly got out of bed to get her so he could sleep a little longer.

"Hi my little angel" I said with a big smile on my face as I walked through the door. "How is my Miss Amelia this morning?"

"Hi mama" she said with a bigger smile than mine. She never failed to melt my heart every time she called me mama. I walked over and lifted her out of her crib.

"My god baby, you're getting big. Or maybe mama's just getting old, how about that, huh?" She put her head on my shoulder and hugged me.

"Daddy!" she shouted, right into my ear unfortunately. I turned around to see Joey leaning in the doorway smiling at us.

"And how are my two favorite ladies this fine morning?" he asked. He walked over and gave Amelia kiss on the head "Morning, babe. Happy anniversary" he added as he gave me a quick kiss. The same kiss he gave me every morning, but it still gave me butterflies just the same.

"Happy anniversary, my love" I said. He wrapped his arm around my waist and we went into the kitchen. The table was covered with rose petals and there was a huge bouquet in the center. Beneath the flowers was a card. He must have set this up after I went to bed. I put Amelia in her highchair and ran over to read the card. Joey laughed at my eagerness and put a pot of coffee on.

The card read, "Happy 5th anniversary, Lo! I love you so much and wouldn't have wanted to spend these last 5 (well really it's more like 15 but you get the idea) years with anyone else. You're the love of my life and I can't even imagine what I would do without you. To celebrate our special night, Julia is going to watch Amelia until tomorrow and I'm taking you out. Be ready by 7 o'clock. Love you!"

"Oh Jo, this is so sweet. I love you so much, you have no idea. I don't know where I'd be without you." I walked over and kissed him. We were both getting pretty into it, which of course I enjoyed, but Amelia was right there so I pulled away, blushing a little. "Well then" I said with a laugh. He let out a small laugh as well and turned back to finish the coffee. I went over and began to feed Amelia. I wonder where he could be taking me.

The day progressed fairly normally and it was getting on 5 o'clock so I got Amelia's things ready to take her to Julia's. Julia was doing well. She had two kids of her own and a wonderful husband. They were such a cute little family. I checked the clock and decided it was time to go.

"I'm going to drop Amelia at Julia's!" I yelled to Joey.

"Alright, see you in a bit, love you!" he replied.

When Julia answered the door, she practically toppled me and Amelia over with her hug.

"Happy anniversary you beautiful thing!" she shouted. "And hello there little Amelia"

"Can you say hi to Aunt Julia?" I asked her.

"Hi" she said, giving Julia a little wave.

"Well I don't want to keep you too long" she said. "Send my love to Joey and have a good time tonight." She winked when she said that last part and I laughed to myself.

I got back to our condo and opened to door to see Joey standing there with a single, long-stemmed rose in his hand.

"Wait I still have time to get ready don't I?!" I asked frantically.

"Of course you do, I just can't help but tell you I love you every chance I get." He smiled and pulled me close for a kiss. Things were getting heated up again and he closed the door behind me, holding me up against it as our tongues glided over each other. His shirt was off and mine was unbuttoned before I was finally able to stop myself.

"Joey" I said out of breath. "Why don't we save that for later okay?" He smiled down at me and kissed my nose.

"Okay" he said. "You go get ready now, I'll be waiting."

"Okay. I love you Joey."

"Love you too, Lo" he replied. I left to go get ready.

Joey's PoV

6:58. Any minute now Lo. I sat down on the couch to wait and just as I did so she walked out of the bedroom. She literally took my breath away. I couldn't believe how stunning she looked.

"My god Lauren" I finally managed to get out. "I am the luckiest guy on earth. You look gorgeous" I added. She blushed a little and came over to hug me.

"I love you so much" she said.

"I love you too" I responded as I held her in my arms. "Let's get going to the restaurant though or we're going to be late."

"Okay" she said smiling. She wrapped her arm through mine and we headed off to the restaurant.

When we arrived I gave them my name and the maître d' took us to be seated. I pulled out Lauren's chair for her and then sat down myself.

"Your waiter will be right with you" he said. I nodded and said thank you.

"Jo this is so fancy. You really didn't have to go this all out." Lauren said.

"Of course I did" I replied. "I had to give the most amazing girl the most amazing night." She blushed a little and looked down. Just then the waiter walked over.

"Hello, good evening" he said. "Are we celebrating anything special tonight?"

"Yes, it's our 5th  wedding anniversary" I answered.

"Well congratulations" he said. "Shall I get you a bottle of champagne?"

"Yes that would be lovely, thank you" I replied. He left and I looked over at Lauren. She was looking down with an almost worried look on her face.

"Is everything alright, Lo?" I asked.

She looked up and let out a deep breath then smiled. "Yeah I'm perfect." She answered. I was still a little concerned though. I would have to keep an eye out.

The waiter returned with our champagne and an ice bucket. "Would you like me to pour it?" he asked.

"No thanks, I've got it" I said. He nodded and walked off. I took the two glasses and poured champagne into both, placing one in front of Lauren.

"Happy anniversary Lo. To us" I said, raising my glass and expecting her to do the same. When she didn't, I set mine down. I was more worried now.

"What's wrong Lo? You love champagne, I've never seen you turn it down except when you were..." I trailed off. She couldn't be pregnant again could she? "Lo, are you..."

"Yeah" she said with an air laugh before I could even finish asking.

"Are you serious!" I said, probably a little too loud and everyone turned to look at us. I looked around with a guilty smile before looking back at Lo. "Are you serious?!" I said again, quieter this time.

"Uh huh" she said.

I couldn't stop my smile any longer and it spread wide across my face. Seeing this, she smiled big as well. "Lo, that's incredible!" I walked over to her, pulled her into a hug, and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm so glad you're excited. It was so hard keeping it from you, especially not knowing how you would react" she said.

"Of course I'm excited! Another baby! How far along are you?"

"About 2 and a half months." She smiled.

"Lo, this is so great, we get to be parents again!"

The rest of dinner went off without a hitch as we reminisced and laughed about the good old days as well as talking of our future. Afterwards we headed back to the condo.

"Thank you for such an incredible night Joey" she said. "You always know how to make me feel so special."

"Anything for you" I said. "Thank YOU for choosing me."

"How could I have picked anyone else" she said and then she pulled me into a kiss. The same electricity I felt years ago when she first kissed me rushed through my body. Every part of me was tingling as her lips caressed mine and her fingers ran through my hair. I reciprocated the passion and carried her to the bedroom, closing the door behind us.