To Have And To Hold

2 - Family Favourite

Joey was at home by himself while Lauren was at work the next day, reading sides for an audition he had coming up. He regretted making fun of her for wearing his sweatshirt as he contemplated whether he should attempt to fit into one of hers. He missed her while she was gone, the house not being the same without her. He had Diane for company, of course, but he still hadn't quite gotten used to how quiet the place was when Lauren wasn't there. It felt even more like home when she was there with him.

He decided to Skype his parents just for something to do, and because it would be nice to catch up with them. He also wanted to try and arrange a visit soon, seeing as he hadn't seen them in person since the holidays. His mom picked up on the third ring. 

"Hi mom," he said, relaxing back on the couch. He tilted his screen to get rid of the glare from the lamp behind him.

"Hi Joey! How are things?" she asked, her face lighting up.

"Really great! Lauren had a big audition last week and she wasn't feeling good about it but we found out she got a callback and I'm super proud of her..." Joey trailed off, realising he was rambling, and redirected the conversation. "I'm good too, still busy with editing and stuff. How's everything with you guys?"

Denise smiled. "Same as usual. And tell Lauren congratulations from us." 

Joey gave her a self-deprecating grin, thankful his mom didn't mind his tendency to go off on tangents about Lauren.  "Will do."

He heard a key turn in the lock and looked up to smile at Lauren as she walked through the door, her backpack slipping from her shoulder when she bent down to stroke Diane.

"Hi Lo," his mom called out.

Lauren rolled her eyes at Joey with a grin before coming round behind the couch. She linked her arms around his neck as she leaned down into frame.

"Hi Denise."

"Joey told me about your audition, we're all very proud of you," she said, seeming as pleased for Lauren as if she were her own daughter - which, Joey supposed, she pretty much was.

Lauren looked briefly at Joey, who flushed, and then she smiled. "Thanks."

She kissed Joey's cheek and then disappeared down the hall into the bathroom. Joey turned his attention back to his mom.

"I was thinking of coming down for a weekend sometime next month?" he suggested.

Denise beamed at the prospect of seeing her son again soon. "That sounds great," she said, nodding. "Is Lauren coming?" she asked eagerly.

Joey shrugged, looking over his shoulder, but the bathroom door was still closed. "If she wants to."

"Make sure you ask her," she pressed. It was lucky he wasn't the jealous type, or else he'd be put out by how his mom seemed so much more interested in seeing Lauren than she was in seeing him.

"I'll ask when she gets back," he promised.

"She knows she's always welcome here, doesn't she?"

"Yes," he groaned, laughing.

"She is family after all." Joey smiled softly at that. He'd always considered Lauren part of his family, but it still warmed his heart to see how much she'd been accepted as a Richter.

"I'm sure she'll want to come," he reassured her.

"Good. I feel like we don't see our future daughter-in-law enough."

"Mom, she'll hear you," he said in a low voice, feeling slightly irritated.

"Well you've got to propose at some point," she said teasingly.

"Not if Lo doesn't want to get married I don't," he said, at which Denise shifted uncomfortably in her seat, putting an end to that conversation just in time for Lauren to walk out of the bathroom

"I'm gonna go to my parents one weekend next month, did you want to come with me?" he turned to ask her on her way into the kitchen. She nodded with a smile, and Joey turned back to his mom to see her smiling too.

"Happy?" he muttered, unable to keep from smiling himself.

She nodded, seeming satisfied with herself.

"Well, I'm gonna go now," he said. He'd enjoyed catching up with her, but he was eager to see if Lauren needed his help with anything and to find out how her day went. "I'll see you guys soon."

"We can't wait to see you."

"Is dad there?" he asked, hoping to speak to him quickly before he went.

His mom shook her head. "He's repainting a fence in the yard. I can go and get him for you?"

"That's okay. Say hi to him for me." 

"I will," she assured him.

"I love you."

"Love you too," she said, waving until Joey ended the call. He closed the laptop and put it on the coffee table, Lauren swiftly taking up its place on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her.

"I missed you today," he said, pressing his face into her neck and inhaling the scent of her.

"Hey!" she twisted round to face him. "That's exactly why you were making fun of me yesterday!"

He grinned at her, hugging her tighter to him. Without trying she got him to forget all about his frustration with his mom for talking about him proposing - when Lauren was potentially in earshot, no less. All he thought about was how glad he was to have her home.

Diane jumped up onto the couch beside them, and Lauren immediately reached out to lift her into her arms. Joey felt a familiar feeling of contentment settle in his heart, happy to have this loving home and their little family.

"I've ordered pizza," she told him, distracted by giving Diane kisses to make up for the day away from her.

"You're amazing," he said with a grin, managing to catch her attention long enough to peck her lips.

"I know," she said, smirking, letting her head fall to the crook of his neck. Joey couldn't think of a better way to end the day than with pizza on the way and Lauren in his arms.

A/N Everyone still good with this amount of fluff? While we've barely begun this fic I might as well give y'all an update about my WIP. It features more OCs than I've ever written, a potential sequel, and a lot of plot that's practically changing by the minute. Super fun!!