Daddy Issues- Joseph Quinn

A beautiful soul

AUTHORS NOTE
I do want to add that I'm not entirely sure of Joseph's whole family etc so this will entirely be kind of on a whim and not accurate but it's to fit with the story :)

It was Sunday and Mabel was anxiously brushing her hair getting ready to meet Joe's entire family. He had explained that usually they don't all attend every Sunday but his mum was telling everyone Mabel was going to be there and everyone wanted to meet the girl that finally caught Joseph's attention. This made Mabel extra nervous because she couldn't imagine everyone making all this effort to meet her just to simply find her- underwhelming. Joe had reassured her multiple times that day that they will love her and it's nothing to worry about.

Mabel paired one of Joe's knitted sweaters with some black jeans trying to look put together but not like she's trying too hard. She made sure her hair was down as everyone always told her how wonderful it looked. Joe had told Mabel that the children are extremely excited to meet Mabel because they all loved her part in a recent children's movie where she played a spy. She felt some relief knowing that at least if talking to the adults doesn't work out she'll have the kids to fall back on.

The pair headed into the main house to await the arrival of Joe's family. Mabel nervously squeezing her hands into fists and releasing over and over again. Joe noticed her nervous tick and placed his hand in her squeezing it lightly. Mabel turned her head towards him and thanked him, she was grateful he was making sure she was okay. Joe went over to talk to his dad who was busy preparing the turkey. Joe's mum walked over and handed Mabel a glass of wine, her too noticing Mabel's nerves.

"It'll be fine you know? They're all incredibly excited to meet you" Joe's mum reassured.

"That's what I'm worried about- what if I'm underwhelming" she blurted sipping her wine. Joes mum scoffed and rolled her eyes at Mabel's insecurity.

"My darling you are wonderful. I don't know why you doubt yourself so much, Joe clearly loves you, as does a lot of the world." She placed her hand on Mabel's back and gave her a soft rub.

Mabel took an even bigger swig of wine at the mention of love. She wasn't sure if she was even capable of love, she wasn't even sure what love was. She enjoyed every moment with Joe and hated when he wasn't around but that can't be the definition of love.

Just then the doorbell goes breaking Mabel away from her thoughts. Joe's mum scurried to the door and Mabel downed the rest of her wine and swiftly made her way over to refill it. Joes dad poured the wine with no questions asked and patted her shoulder.

"You'll do great kid" he smiled, him too heading towards the door, leaving Mabel and Joe standing waiting.

An array of voices trailed into the house and Joe snaked his arm around Mabel's waist to comfort her. She could feel the nerves really kicking in. All of a sudden a male quickly makes his way over to Joe doing a fake salute.
Joe removes his arm from Mabel and gives the man a hug.

"This is my brother, Arthur." He smiled. Arthur hugged Mabel and greeted her.

"And Arthur's lovely wife, and children" he pointed over to a brunette with 2 children. Mabel knew who everyone was thanks to Joe giving her an entire de-brief with photographs to calm her nerves this morning.

The two children ran right up to Joe tackling him into a big hug. Mabel watched Joe attentively hug the boys back and ruffle their hair.

"When did you both get so big?" Joe groaned at the boys. They couldn't have been much older than 4 and 6. Joe bent down in front of the boys and took his voice to a whisper.

"Now boys I want you to meet someone very special. This is Mabel" Joe told the pair glancing up to Mabel. Mabel copied joes position and knelt down to the two boys giving them a wave and saying hi.