The Wedding Date

Welcome Home, Dot

"Dot!"

A familiar voice echoed across the busy pick-up area outside the Perth Airport, causing Dianne to stop in her tracks, her hand instinctively shooting out to wrap around Joe's wrist as he continued to walk at a quick pace past her, dragging both of their large suitcases.

"Dot! Over here!"

"Dot?" Joe quirked an eyebrow as he stumbled to a stop, following the direction of her gaze.

"My family's nickname for me," Dianne mumbled, already smiling as she saw her brother, Andrew, leaning halfway out the window of a small sedan, his girlfriend Mel behind the wheel.

"Right...Dot," she heard him mutter to himself and she couldn't help but smile as she turned to look at him, noticing his brow furrowed as if he was trying to commit this new fact to memory. 

He'd been good so far...listening intently and passing all the pop quizzes she'd given him during the last two hours of their flight with flying colors. But now it was time to really put him to the test.

"My bro!" Dianne exclaimed as they weaved their way through the parked cars, wrapping Andrew up in a hug as he hopped out to help them load their bags into the boot. Having two older brothers had not been an easy feat growing up - but now, despite their constant bickering, Andrew and Brendan had turned into two of her best friends.

"My sis!" Andrew replied in a loud voice, before turning toward Joe, "And wow...my sis's boyfriend...who is actually real."

Dianne reached out to shove Andrew's shoulder, "Shut up."

"Sorry did I say that out loud? Hi mate," Andrew extended a hand. "I'm Andrew."

"Joe," Joe smiled back easily, shaking his hand.

"My brother," Dianne rolled her eyes, "Has no filter."

"Ah, a family trait," Joe winked toward her, and she felt her stomach do a weird flip flop.

"Ha!" Andrew laughed loudly, "And he's funny. Wow, Aunt Caro is gonna have a field day."

Dianne glared toward her brother, before shoving him again, "Don't even start."

Joe followed her into the backseat of the car, a small smile still playing on his lips, but otherwise, remaining quiet. She suddenly felt the exhaustion of a 17 hour flight washing over her, as she was hit with a cold blast of air coming out of the car vent, a nice contrast to the balmy Australian December heat.

"So, did she fill you in?" Andrew turned around, looking at Joe after introductions to Mel had been made.

"About?" Joe questioned, looking a bit confused.

"Our family," Andrew smirked. "Do you know what you're about to walk into?"

"Oh, er, yeah, Di's told me a bit," Joe chuckled. Dianne felt another weird shiver at the way he had shortened her name, but blamed the cold air still blasting on them.

"So you know our whole family is very...um, overbearing?"

Joe nodded, another smile sneaking it's way out.

"And you know Dianne is in Penny's wedding as her Maid of Honor...and the Best Man is her ex-boyfriend?" Andrew raised his eyebrows.

"Of course," Joe grinned, suddenly reaching out to clasp Dianne's hand that was resting between them. "That's exactly why I came."

Dianne had to hide a smile at the double meaning behind Joe's response. If only Andrew knew he was paid to be here...

"Aw," Andrew pouted, staring at their clasped hands, "Look, Mel. These cuties are holding hands in the backseat."