You Are My Sunshine

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Marking Territory

Joe sighed watching Gabriella get ready for work, he hated that she had to go into the office for her meeting with her ex and his fiancée; he didn't like the fact that she was working this closely with Adam but he knew that it wouldn't change anything. 

"Do you really have to go?" Joe murmured moving to get out of bed, he wished that she could stay here with him but he knew that this job was important. 

It would do wonders for her company after the damage to Gabriella's reputation, they needed some good luck especially with everything that had happened. 

Gabriella sighed and nodded her head, she turned to look at Joe knowing that things were going to be a little difficult but it was just one meeting a week and things were going well. 

"I would stay if I could," Gabriella murmured kissing Joe, she wanted nothing more than to stay here with him and Elena but she had to make this work if she wanted to save her business. 

Things were finally starting to look up and Gabriella was determined to remain professional about what was going on; she had no interest in Adam anymore when she had someone as perfect as Joe in her life. 

Kissing Gabriella, Joe rested his hands on her hips gently trying to encourage her to return to bed with him; he wanted to enjoy the time he had off before he had training tomorrow. 

"I can't," Gabriella insisted stopping Joe, she brushed her fingers through his blonde hair and smiled at him knowing that she had to get going soon or she would be late for her meeting with Adam's fiancée. 

Things were strange and Gabriella was going to do her hardest to be professional, she wasn't going to let Adam or Jessica ruin things for her.

***

Carefully picking Elena up, Joe whispered softly to her knowing that he loved moments like this and he was just a little sad that Gabriella hadn't been able to stay home with them for the day. 

Joe knew that Gabriella was only working on the one event but it made him feel a little uneasy knowing that it was for her ex-fiancé; he trusted Gabriella but he understood how upsetting this must be for her. 

It didn't sit right with him that Adam had shown up now after all this time to ask Gabriella to organise his wedding to another woman; the same woman that he had left Gabriella for. 

Joe walked into the living room and sighed peeking at the clock, he was doing his best to be supportive of her work and he knew that he always would be. 

Joe didn't want Gabriella to get hurt and he couldn't figure out why Adam had allowed his fiancée to choose Gabriella as their wedding planner; they surely knew that it would be her and it didn't make sense to him at all. 

Chewing on his lip, an idea formed in Joe's mind and he couldn't help but smile before he looked at Elena; it might have been a little petty but he wanted to make it clear to Adam that Gabriella had moved on from him. 

"How about we go and surprise mummy at work?" Joe suggested grinning, he wanted to let Adam know that she had moved on to something better even if the pictures in Gabriella's office weren't enough. 

It hadn't been an easy ride for either of them and Joe wasn't about to let anyone else ruin things for them; they not only had Elena to think about but he cared deeply about Gabriella and he wasn't just going to let her go. 

Elena babbled staring up at her father with big dark eyes, they were starting to settle into a brown colour which she clearly got from her mother. 

Joe grinned moving back towards his bedroom to get them both ready for their little trip, he didn't want to be late and miss the chance of meeting Adam and his fiancée.

***

"I'd love to do what Kate Middleton did and have trees lining the aisle," Jessica gushed with a large smile on her face, she couldn't wait to get married to Adam even if it was a little strange having his ex as their wedding planner. 

Jessica couldn't help but feel guilty about how she had screwed Gabriella over, she had done a horrible thing by helping Adam cheat on her but she loved him and it seemed to have all worked out if the pictures on Gabriella's desk were anything to go by. 

Nodding her head as she made notes, Gabriella tried not to roll her eyes at how unoriginal Jessica was being; it was very clear she wanted a wedding like something a royal would have. 

Adam certainly wasn't sparing any expensive and Gabriella couldn't help but wonder what he saw in his former assistant who seemed more interested in spending his money than anything else that was going on. 

"I also want programme's doing..." Jessica mused moving to get the samples that she had in her bag out, she was so pleased with her research and she knew that it would be a wonderful gift to her guests. 

No one would ever forget the day and she was so excited to be finally marrying Adam, of course there were issues with his family; his mother despised her after what had happened with Gabriella but that was all in the past now. 

Gabriella nodded her head taking the programme samples from Jessica, she resisted the urge to snort noticing that they were exactly the same as the royal wedding ones that had been used.

Opening her mouth to say something, Gabriella was interrupted by the sound of someone knocking at her door; she looked up just in time to see Joe entering carrying their daughter in his arms. 

"Joe?" Gabriella greeted confused, she hadn't been expecting to see him so soon and she couldn't stop the smile that was forming on her face; she got to her feet and moved towards him ignoring her clients. 

Joe grinned back, he was pleased that he had come and peeking at her ex made him feel even better; Adam did not look happy about him being here. 

"Someone wanted to surprise their mummy at work," Joe cooed handing Elena over to Gabriella, he couldn't help but smile and he knew that it wouldn't be long until Gabriella was finished with her meeting. 

Joe had plans to take his little family to lunch, it was the perfect reason for him to pop in unannounced at Gabriella's office and check in with her. 

Raising an eyebrow, Gabriella stared at Joe not quiet believing that was why he had come to her office; he had been a little tense about these meetings and she hoped he was okay. 

"I was thinking that we could go to lunch?" Joe suggested not giving Gabriella a chance to speak, he was here to make it clear that Gabriella had moved on and there was no way in hell that Joe was going to let Adam or Jessica get to her. 

Joe knew that Gabriella had no interest in getting back together with Adam, she would never forgive him for what he had done to her and Joe knew that she loved him. 

Staring at the footballer that only seemed to have eyes for Gabriella, Jessica couldn't help but feel a little jealous about that; Adam had never looked at her like Joe looked at Gabriella. 

 "We're done here... we'll see you next week Ms. Evans," Jessica said getting to her feet, an uneasy feeling settling in her stomach as she looked to Adam who was still staring at Gabriella.