The Parent Project

Monday (Bonus)

Hands clasped tightly together, Lauren and Joey meandered to Health and Social Care.

"I don't want to go in," Joey said, pulling Lauren to a stop just outside of the classroom door.

"Me neither," Lauren replied sadly. He tugged on her hand so she would step into his space and with the hand that wasn't holding Samson he wrapped an arm around her back, keeping her tightly pressed against him. They stayed that way for a little while before Lauren pulled away and looked up at Joey.

"Should we say goodbye?" She asked, redirecting her gaze to the baby in Joey's arm. He nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Thanks for everything Sammy, I hope you bring us a good grade," she paused, "I'm gonna miss you, you weird plastic robot,"

"Yeah, what your Mom said," Joey added, his voice a little choked, "I hope the next parents you have are great ones."

Lauren reached for his hand and squeezed his fingers with a small, sad smile.

"This is stupid, we need to go in," she attempted a laugh.

"Samson got me a girlfriend, he was a wonderful wingman so it's no wonder I'm gonna miss him" Joey replied, a tiny cheeky smirk on his face as Lauren laughed loudly.

"No more wingmen for you, you're stuck with me now," She added, adjusting Sam's cap.

"You got it," the tall brunette affirmed, a ridiculous grin on his face at the thought.

The pair steeled themselves and with a nod Joey pushed open the door, Lauren in tow.

"Ah! My final two parents!" Mr Hastings greeted them, standing up from his desk and staring at Sam.

"We're really the last two?" Joey asked as their teacher reached for the baby.

"Yeah! Almost everyone stopped by first thing this morning to drop off their kids," Carefully Joey handed Mr Hastings Sam.

"We kinda bonded," Lauren said by way of explanation. Mr Hastings reached for the black remote to switch Sam off and raised an eyebrow at their joined hands.

"I can see that," he smiled as the pair blushed. "I was always rooting for you two," he laughed before adding "Have you got your essays too?"

The two of them fumbled in their bags for their papers desperately ignoring the awkward comment and handed them over with a sense of finality.

"You'll receive your grade by the end of the week but I'm pretty positive you two will have aced this project." Lauren grinned up at Joey who smiled back happily. Even if they didn't have Sam anymore at least they would get a good grade. Mr Hastings was rambling about Darren's baby being handed back with a dent in her head and the pair nodded as if they were listening intently.

Lauren couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as they left the classroom ten minutes later. This week she had had a baby, made a friend, kissed a boy, got a boyfriend and was in line for an excellent grade. There was no way she could've done any of it without Joey – he was the sole reason she was as happy as she could be.

"See you after class?" The boy in question was saying, and she tuned back in realising he was dropping her off at math.

"Hey, I just wanna say thanks for being such a good Dad and project partner," Lauren said as their friends filed past them and into class. "It really was one of the best experiences of my life and I'm really glad I got to do it all with you,"

"Right back at you babe," Joey smiled softly, "you said you weren't maternal but you kicked ass and I'm so proud of you," he paused to gaze adoringly at her, "I'm looking forward to having some quality Lauren time now we don't have Sam though," he wiggled his eyebrows at her in an attempt to lighten the mood and she laughed loudly.