To Have And To Hold

5 - Cliche Cookies

When Joey opened his eyes blearily at some point the next morning, he knew there was something off but was unable for a few moments to figure out what. He stretched a hand out, confirming what he had already sensed; Lauren wasn't in bed. He rolled over to check the time and saw that it was almost 2am. He listened for any sound of her, and heard a muffled clatter from the direction of the kitchen. He threw an arm across his eyes, smiling in spite of himself, then got out of bed and crept down the hallway and into the kitchen.

He watched her from the doorway for a few minutes. She had her back to him, mixing cookie dough and humming under her breath, and Joey's heart was full of love for her.

"Couldn't sleep, huh?" he said quietly.

She spun round to him, a half smile on her face as she shook her head. 

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked, going to her side, his hand on her lower back as she turned back to her baking.

"You can preheat the oven for me."

Joey did as she suggested, leaning back against the counter when he was done and watching her work. He couldn't think of anywhere he'd rather be in that moment than baking cookies with the love of his life, making idle conversation about the most nonsensical things but knowing he could still listen to her all day. He tried to wrap his head around how lucky he'd gotten, to be living with his soulmate in their own apartment with the most wonderful dog and all the time in the world together. 

He got lost in daydreams about their life together and their future together. Before he knew it he had become so enraptured in picturing her walking down the aisle towards him that he didn't notice she'd turned around to him, clearly realising that he'd stopped paying attention to what she was saying.

"Joey!"

"Huh?" he said, snapping out of his daze.

"This is the second time this week you've just been staring at me." 

 "What, I'm not allowed to appreciate my incredible girlfriend?" he said with a grin by way of an explanation.

She rolled her eyes affectionately at him, turning away.

"I'm serious, Lo," he said, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. She leaned back against his chest.

"That's really what you were thinking about?" she asked, placing her hands over his.

"Yeah," he said, kissing her neck. It was mostly the truth: he wasn't about to admit to her that he was thinking about their wedding.

The timer went off, piercing through the moment, and Joey reluctantly released her so she could check on the cookies before taking them out of the oven. Joey went to grab one but she slapped his hand away, tutting, and distracted him with a kiss for a few minutes while they cooled.

He was almost disappointed when she pulled away to grab a cookie, breaking it in half and handing one piece to him. She took a bite out of it as she hopped up onto the counter, Joey coming to stand between her legs, his free hand resting on her thigh.

"Not the best I've ever made," she muttered, taking a second bite.

Joey rolled his eyes, speaking around the large mouthful he'd just taken. "They're incredible." 

"You would say that."

"Because it's true!" he persisted.

Lauren finished her own cookie while Joey couldn't resist taking another one, and she played with his fingers absentmindedly while he ate it. He watched her eyes begin to droop, until she leaned forward and rested her head against his chest. He brushed away the last of the cookie crumbs before lifting her up to carry her to bed.

He set her down carefully before climbing in his own side. He had thought she was asleep, but she snuggled closer to him as he lay down, wrapping an arm around him. He looked down and saw the content smile on her face, and pressed a kiss to her forehead, cuddling even closer to her.

They were lying the same way late the next morning, with nowhere to be that day, simply enjoying each other's and Diane's company. In between coddling Diane, they'd pull each other in for slow, lazy kisses, their arms wrapping securely around each other. Lauren reached out to cup Joey's face, her thumb brushing over his cheek bone, and he couldn't help breaking into a smile.

"What are you grinning about?" Lauren said, the happiness in her voice making Joey's heart soar.

"You love me."

"Fucking duh JoJo, I'm your girlfriend," she laughed.

Joey could only grin harder. "Yeah, you are."

Lauren shook her head affectionately at him.

"How did I get so lucky?" he whispered disbelievingly.

"Shut up," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Seriously Lo," he said, reaching out for her hand and gazing directly into her eyes. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

Her eyes shone and she leaned in to kiss him, her lips insistent against his, and Joey silently thanked whatever force had brought Lauren into his life.

"You're such a sap," she told him as she pulled away.

"You fell in love with me," he reminded her.

"I think that was your fault," she laughed.

"Oh yeah?" He raised an amused eyebrow at her, wondering how she was going to blame this one on him.

"You were so sweet, and funny, and too goddamn handsome," she said, grinning. "And you made me happier than anyone else," she finished softly.

He gaped at her. "Now who's the sap?"

"Just kiss me," she said, and Joey happily obliged.

A/N credit to Sophie for her contribution to this chapter (aka I stole dialogue from our conversations again). These two have been so happy..... anyone ready for a bit of angst??