Joe and Dianne In Another Universe

Part 10

Four Years Later

She had internally cursed herself when the weather presenter on the BBC announced that today would be the hottest day of the year.

At eight months pregnant, Dianne and Joe had realised that they were grossly underprepared for the birth of their second child and needed to pick a date when they could go and get all the major items that they required before the impending due date.

And so that is how Dianne found herself, feet swollen and back aching, sitting in a rocking chair of a Baby Store in a London Retail Park. The couple having chosen to spend the day in the city, catching up with some friends at the same time.

"Okay, so the last few things on the list Dot, are the Car Seat, a spare sling, maybe similar to the one we got at your baby shower and a Rocking Chair. Do you like that one"? Joe asked his wife, pointing at the chair she was sitting in, there three now nearly four-year-olds snuggling into her dad's legs tired and nearing her nap time.

"Maybe", Dianne replied, truly just wanting to finish the list and get back home.

"Are you okay", Joe questioned leaning down to be level with Dianne, Molly starting to whimper for her mum.

"I'm just tired Joe", Dianne admitted, readjusting herself on the chair as she lifted Molly up so she could lean on her bump.

Molly loved her mum's bump. She had developed a special bond with her unborn sibling, especially since the couple had found out they were having a little boy, making her understand what was to come much more clearly.

"Okay, we'll let me go and pay for all this and then we can get you both home for a nap", Joe said, giving his daughter's head a kiss before leaning in to peck his wife's lips. "I can come back and get the rest another day".

"No", Dianne sighed, "Let's just get it today so we know it's done. This one," Dianne rubbed her belly in acknowledgement, "could come at any time and I want to be prepared".

"Do you need any help", a store assistant, who looked a little older than the younger members of the staff Dianne had noticed walking through the shop, had appeared at Joe's side, smiling at the pair and their daughter.

"Yes", Joe replied, thinking having someone to help them gather the remaining items on their list may be a route to getting his wife home quicker.

"Do you have any of the Hana baby slings in store?", Joe asked, looking at the name of the brand his sister had bought Dianne as part of her shower gift, Joe wanted a second one to keep in the car for when they were out.

"We do, and I think we have that exact one", the lady named Joyce replied looking down at Joe's list. "Is this the car seat you want", she asked, Molly, having found a new leash of energy back on the floor playing with a soft toy from the already filed basket.

Dianne nodded when Joe looked at her, her focus on Molly who was starting to pick things up from the lower-level shelves.

"Lovely", Joyce replied taping the iPad she had with her, "and the rocking chair, do we like this one?", she looked over at Dianne.

"Not really", Dianne admitted.

"Is it the colour, we do have a lighter shade if you want to see a picture?", Joyce asked. Joyce had done this job for years and was an expert in helping expecting parents figure out what they liked and didn't like.

"No, we want a darker brown, it goes with our woodland theme", Dianne replied, smiling when Molly showed her a cuddly lion toy she had found, Dianne not really knowing from where.