Richpez one-shots

HoMe alternate ending

Surprise I'm back with that alternate ending! I did warn you guys I was really busy the few weeks between my last post and now. I've moved and started my last year of college, YAY!

My plan was to post this when I hit 500 reads, but I'm a slacker and only finished it today. Hope you all like it!

"It's nothing serious, just what happened earlier. I know I jumped to conclusions, but I really wouldn't have minded it had you done it there."

"You told me I would have been an asshole if I did it there." He looked around and then back up at her "or here." He said jokingly.

"Okay, so that's not happening. Good to know." She said a bit defeated.

"It's not happening here, at this moment, anyway. What kind of person gets engaged the same weekend their sibling gets married?" She nodded understanding what he was saying, but there was something in what he had said that left her asking more questions.

"You just said not here, at this moment. Are you actually planning something?" She asked excitedly.

"Maybe" He said with a wink and a smirk. "There is one more place I want to visit before we head back to your parents'. You up for it?"

Lauren mumbled in agreement knowing full well that wherever they were going she was going to be distracted. She couldn't believe what he had just said. Sure they had talked about getting married at some point but she didn't think that day would be so soon. They finished packing up their things and headed back to the car, en route to their final destination of the day. Joey hadn't said anything for a few minutes, at least not that Lauren had noticed, which was odd because he seemed so excited.

Lauren had finally snapped out of her daze when she realized they were pulling up on the North Campus. "Joey, what could you possibly have planned for this place? A grand tour of our old classrooms and a stop to see the shrine dedicated to Darren?"

"Would you just come with me?" He asked flatly. Lauren could sense that something was off with him but couldn't quite place it. He was acting the way he usually does before he's about to do something big, like launch a new project or open a new show, but never about visiting this part of the school. She briefly thought he could be nervous about proposing, especially after all of those comments from earlier in the day, but he had reassured her that that wasn't happening, so the thought vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

"Yeah, sure." She grabbed his hand to reassure him, she might not have known what was bothering him but knew the simple gesture would likely be enough to quell some of his anxiety. And without fail, it was.

Joey looked at their intertwined hands and gave Lauren a soft smile. He knew as long as she was by his side, he would be okay, and if the next 10 minutes goes as planned, that would be her permanent place. He led them through the halls of the Walgreen Drama Center, stopping outside of one of the rehearsal rooms causing her to stop as well. She quickly realized that this was the room where they held auditions and rehearsals for A Very Potter Musical, or as it was known then, Harry Potter the Musical.

"Jojo, this is where we held —" she was cut off by Joey.

"Rehearsals, I know." He paused, "I did bring you here for a reason." She knew he had a reason, but she just assumed it was a part of their trip down memory lane. "Lo, this is the place where you became one of my best friends, and while we weren't together in college, it was the start of the best relationship in my life." He took a deep breath, reaching into his pocket. "These past few years I've been the happiest I've ever been, even with all of the ups and downs, you've been by my side and I knew everything would be okay with you there. I really hope you feel the same way, or this is going to be awkward." He chuckled before continuing, " I know we already talked about spending the rest of our lives together, but I'd like to make that official. You never said I couldn't do this here." He winked, hesitating in order for her to process what was happening, and getting down on one knee, "Lo, will you do me the honor and marry me?"

"Joey. I -" she muttered, practically tackling him and kissed him fiercely.

"I'll take that as a yes" he teased.

"God, I love you. Of course I will, you big sap." She eventually stood up, finally seeing Joey and the ring he had in his hand. It was a simple ring with a small stone at the center. She had a fear that fans would catch on to their relationship and eventual engagement, indicating she didn't want anything too flashy. "Jojo, this is perfect."

"I knew you didn't want anything too big, and I hope this is subtle enough that you'll actually wear it, but I certainly won't be offended if you decide not to." He said still holding out the ring.

"I don't really care what other people will think or say, I honestly haven't for a while. They can speculate all they want, but this is the happiest I've ever been in my life and no one can take that away from me-us." She put her hand out and he placed the ring on her finger. He stood up and kissed her again, pulling her in for a hug. "Now we have to tell my family." Lauren mumbled into his chest.

"Do you really want to do that? I mean we are here for your brother's wedding. It wasn't my intention to take away his thunder. I wasn't trying to be that guy."

"Too late." She laughed, pulling him back to their car. "They're going to make comments about how I'm next or ask when I'm finally going to settle down and get married. Might as well actually have a solid answer." He knew she was right that they would be asked about it all night.

When they arrived back at Lauren's parents' house the couple asked if they could talk to her parents. Joey was still quite nervous,  but her parents were aware he was planning on proposing at some point, but that didn't relieve any of those nerves. Lauren on the other hand was bouncing with glee wanting to tell her parents their exciting news, knowing her brother and his very soon to be wife were also at the house so she figured it was a perfect time to tell those closest to her.

Lauren sat close to Joey and tried to hide her left hand from her family. "Joey and I have something to tell you guys." Lauren said to the concerned faces looking back at her. Her dad and brother not taking their eyes off of Joey, looking to him for some sort of inclination to what was happening. "We're engaged!" She exclaimed, everyone quickly turning their attention to her now prominent left hand. They all got up and hugged each other congratulating the newly engaged couple. When Lauren's brother reached Joey he made a passing joke about stealing the attention, to which Joey reassured him was unintentional. They laughed it off and went back to focusing on their respective fiancés.

As Lauren predicted, her family did ask all of those annoying questions about her future. She was grateful to finally have an answer, not that she would really pay much attention before, but she sort of loved the attention in this case. Having Joey by her side made the whole experience even better. She couldn't wait to get home to LA and just be together without any interruptions from her family. Joey must have sensed her desire for some alone time. A slow song came on as Joey approached grabbing Lauren's waist and pulling her into him.

"You look so beautiful Lo. I can't wait to marry you." He smiled down, and she up "huh, that's weird to say now that this is happening." He said as he held her left hand up between their chests. Joey pressed a kiss to her temple, whispering "I love you."

As he pulled away, Lauren looked up at him with a smile from ear to ear. "I love you too."

They left the dance floor as the other attendees had started to leave the reception. Joey sat at a table near the front of the hall with Lauren's family chatting away. Lauren had gotten tired and took solace on his lap, drifting in and out of consciousness as Joey talked amongst the family. This is the most content she had been in her life; she was exactly where she wanted to be, with the love of her life and her family, what more could she have asked for in that moment. Well, maybe if Diane were there too, but this was still pretty perfect.

I really enjoyed writing this so I hope you all enjoyed reading it! Thanks again to all 500(+) times people have looked at this story!