Heaven Knows it's High Time | Joanne

Chapter Four

"Oh, it's been so lovely to see you. We'll come and visit soon. Have a safe flight and we'll call you when you're back. Alright?" Rina brushed Emelia's hair behind her ear.

Turning to Dianne, Rina pulled her into her arms and kissed her cheek. "I'll miss you too, my big girl" she whispered. "But I know you're going back home. Where you belong."

Dianne nodded. She hated this bit. Hated the goodbyes. "I know. It's good. It's good that it's definitely my home now."

"It is. And we'll see you before you know it."

As Rina hugged Dianne again, Mark picked Emelia up and held her on his hip.

"You're getting too big for me to do this."

Emelia giggled. "Or maybe you're getting too old."

Mark gasped. "You're so cheeky. Right, peanut. Give grandpa a cuddle. I'll see you soon. Be good for your mama and Joe, alright?"

Emelia nodded and embraced her grandfather. "I'll try and be good" she whispered. Joe noticed she had her fingers crossed behind her back as she said it. He poked her and pointed his eyes down.

"I mean, I'll definitely be good?" she grinned.

"Better" Joe said smiling. Turning to Mark, he held his hand out. "It was nice to see you again, mate. Thank you so much for having us. It's been such a great time. I'm sorry we can't stay longer, but duty calls. And Emelia's got to get back to school."

Mark smiled as he shook Joe's hand. "I understand. It's been nice to see all of you. Keep looking after my girls, yeah?"

"Definitely. Don't worry about that."

"OK. Let's get through security," Dianne said as she checked the time. "Joe will get antsy if we're not at the gate the minute it opens". She grinned over at her boyfriend.

"I would disagree, but we all know it's true" Joe admitted. "Right, let's get going. See you soon."

The three of them waved at Mark and Rina one final time as they made their way into the main body of the airport.

///

"OK, Peanut. We're here."

Dianne turned to the back of the car, smiling as she realised her daughter was fast asleep. Joe got out of his seat and walked around, opening the door and unbuckling the seatbelt. He pulled Emelia up into his arms, carrying her carefully towards the front door.

The door opened. Joe held his finger up to his lips as Zoe smiled at them.

She laughed softly. "I was about to say the same thing" she whispered, "I've just got Angus to sleep. Do you want to put her in the spare room?"

Joe carried Emelia into his sister's house, carefully navigating the stairs. Pushing open the door to the spare bedroom, he placed her on the bed and pulled off her shoes.

"I told you she always falls asleep on long car journeys" Dianne said as she watched Joe get her daughter ready for bed. "I know it's only the afternoon, but she might actually sleep through. She looks like she needs it. Bless her, you get over the jet lag from the flight out, and then it's time to come home and do it all again."

Zoe, who had followed them upstairs, smiled. "Don't worry. I'm on newborn baby time. I don't even know what time zone I'm in. So, whenever she wakes up, I'll probably be awake too."

Dianne patted Zoe's shoulder. "Are you doing OK?"

Zoe nodded. "I'm exhausted. But I'm loving it. It's just... newborns like attention, don't they?"