The Other Branning ~ Eastenders

Realisation

Grace paced up and down the kitchen. Roxy. She just needed to talk to Roxy. It had been a few weeks since she had slept with Joey. She had avoided Mark, all his calls and everything. She couldn't bring herself to make a decision. Joey or Mark? Roxy finally came through the door, pushing a sleeping JJ in his pushchair. "Amy and Ricky really didn't want to go to school today. No idea why, they kept trying to cling onto me at the school gates. The teachers pretty much had to pull them away. Any idea what's gotten into them lately?" Roxy asked her step-daughter.

"I've no idea. Rox, I really need to talk to you." Grace solemnly told her. Roxy nodded, urging Grace to carry on. "I slept with Joey." Grace blurted out.

Roxy was taken aback. "Again?! I thought you'd gotten over that ages ago! Anyway, I swear you're with Mark now?"

"I'm not with him as such. Or even if he thinks that, it hasn't been long." Grace it her lip, she felt guilty. She'd told Mark she liked him. Then she'd slept with Joey, the worst part about it was Joey is her cousin. "But, even when I was with Lee, it's not like how it is with Joey. I don't know what to say about it. It's like there's this spark whenever I see him. Something just happens. It's like I can't resist and I don't know what to do about it. He's been to the square everyday this week. While it's just been me and Aria home, he'll knock on the door and beg to be let in. I haven't let him in, because I know if I do I'll fall under the spell again. As soon as I see his face." Grace admitted to Roxy.

"This is bigger than I thought. Do you love him?" Roxy asked. Grace thought about it, then slowly nodded. "Look, Grace, babe, my sister hates me. I have no relationship whatsoever with her or my nephew, Matthew. That's because I chose to love your Dad and be with him. If I didn't, we probably wouldn't have Amy and JJ. So, you tell me, was all of that worth it to lose my sister and nephew?"

"Yes, of course. You're perfect for Dad. And I love Amy, Ricky and JJ." Grace confirmed, making Roxy's point even easier to prove.

"So go for it. Don't worry about what anyone says, your Dad and me will support you whatever you do. Choose love, Grace, don't give it up because you're afraid of hurting people. That's not the way it should be. It's obvious Joey is in awe of you, too. If he's been round here everyday, what does that tell you?"

"It's not that simple!" Grace exclaimed.

Roxy furrowed her eyebrows. "Why's that? Oh god, Grace, what have you done now?"

"I was stupid. Joey was the first I slept with after having Aria. I didn't use protection." Grace muttered, ashamed to tell Roxy.

"And? What? You're pregnant? So what!? So, you'll have two babies within eleven months of each other. You know Joey will stand by you." Roxy told her. She was right. Grace finally smiled, making a decision. She raced upstairs, getting her four month old daughter out of her cot where she was sleeping, strapping her in the pram; she shoved on her shoes and pushed Aria out the door. Roxy laughed a little at Grace hurrying to get to Joey's.

•

"Finally decide to show your face then." Joey answered the door, letting Grace walk through. "Alice and Mum are both out. Haven't stayed at my place in days. Who wants to be alone?" He grimaced. Grace has ignored him for weeks and now decides to show up? "What are you doing here?"

"I want to be with you. And I'm pregnant." She came straight out with it.

Joey guffawed. "Right, so you just want someone to play Daddy to your two brats. Who's the father of this one then? Considering Aria had three possible fathers."

"You are. Don't be an idiot, Joey. I haven't slept with anyone except you since Aria was born. I don't just want a father for Aria and the other baby. Aria has a Daddy, Johnny is great with her. If I just wanted someone to play Daddy for them, I'd just get back with Lee. Or Mark is very willing to be there for Aria. But I don't want them. I love you, Joey. And people are going to think it's weird and we shouldn't be together. But if you love me too, we can do it." Grace pleaded with him. "I know you've been trying for weeks, but now I know. And I want to be with you."

Joey was speechless. He stood silent for half a minute. Without warning, he hugged Grace. "I love you too. What if there's something wrong with the baby? We are cousins you know."

"I've got a scan in a few days. They can tell us anything that could be wrong or go wrong in a few days. If there is, we can consider abortion. But there is also a fifty percent chance that nothing will be wrong. But it's a baby, Joe, I love Aria and I don't think anything could stop me loving your baby." Grace reassured him.

"I'll come with you. It's me and you from now on and it always will be."

•

Grace and Joey walked into the vic, hand in hand. They were going to deal with it together and just see what happens. "A pint and an orange juice, please, Mick." Joey ordered.

"What's going on, Grace? Where's my gorgeous little granddaughter?" Mick grinned. He was in awe of Aria.

"Johnny's taken her out for a walk. Mick, this is my boyfriend, Joey." Grace introduced them.

"Joey Branning? But aren't you two, ya know, related?" Mick was confused.

"Cousins." Joey confirmed. "But it's fine. Not like we're brother and sister."