You Are My Sunshine

Chapter Forty-Three: Holiday in Monaco

"What are you smiling about?" Joe asked walking towards Gabriella, he had Elena in his arms and the two had quite enjoyed paddling on the beach; he kissed his daughter's head pleased to be away from Manchester for a bit. 

It wasn't exactly a secret that Adam had been dumped by Jessica after what had happened and Joe wasn't surprised that the former assistant had dumped him after what they had heard. 

Joe hadn't been able to contain his smile at the fact that Gabriella had no interest in her ex-fiancé and he was sure that had irked Adam even more. 

"Nothing... I was just thinking," Gabriella replied with a smile, she was sure that her surprise could wait until later and she was hoping that they would be in private when she spoke with him. 

There was something that she wished to share and she was sure that this time, things would go differently; Gabriella looked to Elena wondering how her daughter would react. 

Joe raised an eyebrow before moving to sit on his sun lounger, it was hot and he was almost glad to duck into the shade with Elena; they'd had fun playing in the swallows for a little while. 

"Feel like sharing?" Joe asked softly, he didn't look to Gabriella instead focused on Elena while he settled her on his stomach; he had heard his girlfriend being sick that morning and he had a feeling that he knew what she was thinking about. 

He hadn't reacted well when Gabriella had told him that they were going to be parents the first time but he would make it right this time; he wasn't going to screw up again.

***

Gabriella raised an eyebrow as Joe handed her a bottle of water, they had retreated to the villa for a few hours after the son had gotten a little too hot for them; she accepted it and carefully took a sip. 

Curled up in the shade, Gabriella couldn't help but admire the view and she was glad that they were here; she couldn't imagine being stuck back in England while it continued to rain. 

"You need to stay hydrated," Joe encouraged sipping on his own bottle of water, he had settled Elena down for a nap and he was sure that it would have cooled down when she was finally awake. 

He settled back into his shady spot and Joe hoped that things weren't about to become complicated and he had a feeling that they would have their hands full in a few months' time. 

"When did you figure it out?" Gabriella asked turning to look at Joe, he was being so attentive and she found it sweet how wonderful he was being right now. 

It didn't take much of a guess to figure out that he knew what her surprise was going to be; Gabriella almost wished that he hadn't worked it out so quickly. 

"You were sick this morning," Joe replied with a smile moving to the end of his lounger, he looked at Gabriella knowing that this certainly changed things for them. 

He had been so horrible to her when she had told him that she was pregnant with Elena, Joe doubted that he would ever forgive himself for being such a dick but he was moving forward with his life. 

"I took a test earlier... we're going to have a baby," Gabriella admitted unable to hold it in any longer, she smiled knowing that this hadn't been planned but she was thrilled none the less. 

Joe grinned moving to kiss Gabriella, the idea of giving Elena a baby brother or sister seemed perfect and he was sure their parents would be thrilled. 

It was no secret that they adored Elena and wanted to have more grandchildren from the couple one day.

"I love you," Joe whispered brushing his fingers through Gabriella's hair, they had come so far since all of this had begun and he couldn't imagine what it would have been like to lose Gabriella or Elena because of his stupid actions. 

He had found something so much better than what he'd had with Georgina and Joe didn't think it would have lasted much longer; he was just happy that he had seen sense before it was too late. 

Ducking down, Joe pressed a kiss to Gabriella's stomach knowing that it would be a while before she started to show; he wanted nothing more than to enjoy this moment. 

There was no telling what would happen between now and when the baby was born but Joe doubted that things would change much; he could only imagine when their second baby would arrive. 

His fingers brushed against her soft skin and Joe couldn't help but smile, he loved the idea of having another child and he was going to do so much better than last time; there was just one small problem, their apartment was pretty small. 

It didn't mean that they would have to move right away but in the near future they were going to have to think about their living arrangements. 

Gabriella's apartment had been fine when it had just been the three of them but it would get even smaller with another baby on the way; they were going to need to think long and hard about their next move. 

"I love you too," Joe whispered softly to the baby, he doubted that they could hear him right now but that didn't matter; he loved it just the same as he loved Elena. 

Gabriella smiled at his words, they were going to be okay and she had a feeling another baby wasn't going to change anything for them including her next surprise for Joe.

***

Georgina sighed staring at the magazine pictures of Joe on holiday, he looked so happy and she was glad that he had moved on from her; it had been months since she had seen him and she wished he'd answer her letters. 

After what had happened in February, she had been held in a secure location while she got the help that she needed; Georgina had never imaged that her life would work out this way. 

Her own father had turned his back on her completely after she had tried to do to Gabriella and she didn't blame him; she had messed everything up and it was her own fault. 

Georgina couldn't remember how this had all started, she hadn't meant to get so carried away with the drugs and the drinking but it had ruined her life. 

She had lost a lot of weight in the last few months and Georgina was determined to put all of this behind her; she wasn't going to let her addictions run her life anymore. 

The doctors were talking about releasing her by the end of the year if things went well, it was a god send that Gabriella hadn't pressed charges after what had happened. 

It would have seen her do time in prison for attempted murder and Georgina counted her blessings that Gabriella had wanted her to get the help that she so needed instead of rotting in prison. 

Georgina chewed on her lip as she stared at the magazine pictures, she wanted to make amends for all the pain that she had caused; there was one person who deserved an apology more than anyone else and that was Gabriella. 

She had set out to ruin the other woman's life for something that she had no control over and she felt horrible that she had nearly succeed; she would never forgive herself for her behaviour. 

When Gabriella should have been resting and preparing to welcome her daughter, she was busy trying to save her business from collapsing because of Georgina's lies. 

Setting down the magazine, Georgina made a decision on her next move; if Joe wouldn't answer her letters then Gabriella would.