With Me Through Troubled Times (With Me - book 2)

Chapter 41

5 YEARS LATER (2020) (33-years-old)

I sat in the VIP box at the City of Manchester Stadium with the children, watching Joe play the last game of the season.

Connor was getting more and more like Joe by the day. His blonde hair had to be sitting perfect or he wouldn't leave the house. He had Joe's cheeky grin and sparkling green eyes. Defiantly his fathers double.

Odette was like me but had Joe's features. She had Joe's blonde hair but my blue eyes - without a doubt a blonde-haired blue-eyed wonder. She refused to let anyone other than William, Joe or I touch her hair. No one was allowed to touch it because she loved her blonde hair too much to let it look dirty. She also refused to let herself wear the same outfit twice, which is what I'm like with my clothes.

Then there's Matthew - our little mixture. He started to become a great mix of Joe and I when he turned six. He had my brown hair but Joe's green eyes and smile. He liked football but preferred to play basketball in the indoor basketball court. He doesn't like anyone watching him when he does things because he's very picky in what he does.

I watch Odette lean over the table and look out the glass window to the pitch. The game finished a few moments ago, so she wanted to see Joe walk off before getting ready to go and meet him so he could take them out onto the pitch.

She sat back down and turns to me. “Can we go yet?”

“No,” I answer.

“Why? The other team's off the pitch and dad will be wondering where we are,” she starts, getting off the chair and walking towards the room door.

“Odette, I said no!” I shout as I stood up and look at her.

“I want to see my dad!” She shouts back at me.

“Odette, shut up!” Connor groans to her.

“No! I want...” She starts before the door opened.

“You to be quiet or I ain't taking you down onto the pitch,” Joe warns as he looks down at her.

“Dad!” She squealed, reaching up and hugging him as best she could.

“All set?” Joe asks, looking over at me.

I nod and pick up my black Louboutin bag from the couch I was sitting on. I let Matthew and Connor run past me before I start to walk towards Joe. He took my hand in his and gave me a kiss.

“They've not been a nightmare have they?” He asks as we leave the room.

“No, it's fine.” I smile as we walk down some stairs after the children.

“You sure? Because you just came out of hospital yesterday after being dehydrated and I don't want you over-doing it.” He worries as we reach the bottom of the stairs.

“I'm fine!” I snap as we walk over to the lift to go down to the ground floor.

“Okay,” he nods, kissing the side of my head.

We got in the lift with the children and went down to the first floor.

We got out the lift as it reached the ground floor. The children ran towards the tunnel which leads out to the pitch as we walk close behind them. They knew where to go because they've done this so many times and love all eyes will be on them cause their dad plays for the team.

As we walk through the last set of doors to the tunnel, I saw the children standing waiting on us. We approached them and Joe ushers them to walk out onto the pitch with the rest of the players and their families. We walk out after them and Joe puts his arm over my shoulders.

“Better watch your heels don't dig into the grass,” Joe whispers into my ear as we step onto the pitch.

“You'll just have to carry me if they do,” I smirk, looking at him.

He smiles before kissing me which made everyone in the stadium 'aww' at the sight. We pull away and continue to walk round the pitch.

“Joe, can we get a picture of you and your family?” A women asks after we take a few steps.

“Sure. Connor, get your brother and sister over here,” Joe calls to Connor.

I look over at Connor and watch both him and Matthew drag Odette over to us.

“My crowd loves me!” I heard Odette say.

I laugh before they came and stand in front of us to get the picture took.

“Perfect!” The women smiles. “Thank you.”

I smile before we continue to walk round the pitch. The children ran away from us and started to play with the rest of the players children.

“Would you?” Joe asks, holding my hand with the hand he held over my shoulders.

“Would I what?” I ask in confusion.

“Have another?”

“Would you put up with another one of them?” I question.

“It's been nine years since you had the twins and I want another,” he explained, stopping and standing in front of me. He places both his arms over my shoulders and looks into my eyes. “What do you say?”

“Not the now,” I answer, holding the sides of his jersey.

“Within the next five years?” He continues, sounding a little hopeful.

“Maybe,” I shrug, letting him go and moving away from him.

“Is that a yes?” He smirked, moving towards me.

“I didn't say that,” I counter, walking backwards towards the middle of the pitch.

“Yes, you did. You said 'maybe' which, to me, is a 'yes'.”

“Joe, don't. I swear to god, don't even think about it! I'm wearing heels and can fall over. Don't. No...NO!” I shout as he start to chase after me.

I ran only a few feet before he grabs me by my waist and lifts me into his arms. I scream as he spun me round a little before putting me back down. I turn in his hold to face him and he brings his face close to mine.

“I still have the speed and strength to come after you,” he smirks before kissing me.