Joanne ~ Back in time

Chapter 20~Caring

{Joe's POV}

The day had come to an end and Dianne and I were going to pick up Eponiné and Macklynn from school.

D-"So what are we going to do"
J-"What do you mean"
D-"About the whole living situation"
J-"Oh what about it"
D-"Well what are we going to do about it"
J-"..."
D-"I mean everything's a lot easier with you around"
J-"So you don't want me to leave"
D-"No, I honestly don't know what I'd do if you did"
J-"Ok so I'm staying but whose house do we live at... you and the girls live there and have done for a while"
D-"Yes but your house has a pool"
I burst out laughing. Dianne was trying to be serious but between each word, she would laugh.
D-"I'm being... serious"
J-"Oh I know you are, you're just hilarious"
D-"In all seriousness, though your house is bigger and also isn't on the main road so is safer for the girls"
J-"That's a good point and it has a huge yard"
D-"Yeah... wait I haven't actually asked you do you even want us or mind us moving in and taking up all your space"
J-"Well the house has been too empty for too long and it needs laughter and happiness in it and if I'm living on my own it won't have those things"
D-"I'm taking that as a yes"
I nodded. I was happy I would have company again.
J-"We might want to ask the girls first"
D-"Yeah"
J-"They haven't even visited it yet"
D-"I suppose"
J-"I literally met them what yesterday and they're already moving into my house it might be a little too much too soon for them"
D-"I've never looked at it from there point of view"
J-"We've known each other for years or at least knew about each other's existence for years"
D-"We've only known each other properly for a week though"
J-"Yeah but that's not the point at least we knew who each other were, they didn't even know I existed until yesterday"
D-"Fine you're right"
J-"I don't want to be right but I think we need to think about the girls"
D-"I love that you're thinking about all of us"
J-"Yeah"
D-"Yeah I am honestly so happy you didn't run when I told you about them"
J-"Why would I"
D-"Most people do or would you're part of the 0.01% that didn't or wouldn't"
J-"Well I must be special"
D-"Yeah you are, you really are"

Dianne looked at me then looked ahead at the road. I could see out of the corner of my eye that tears had started rolling down her cheek. Had I said something?

J-"D... are you ok"
D-"Urmm... Yeah"
She quickly wiped the tears pretending nothing had happened.
J-"Di please tell me"
D-"No I'm fine"
J-"Di come on I know you're not... D please"
D-"Fine... I'm just so thankful that I met you because you're one of the best things that have happened in my life... I haven't exactly had the greatest of lives... Before it was quite a dark and lonely then you waltz on in and make it fun and happy and the greatest life anyone could ever have"

We had arrived at the school and I was just parking up as Dianne was finishing speaking. I turned and looked at her. She leaned over and pressed her lips firmly against mine. Our heads rested against each other and between kisses we both manage to say I love you. We got out of the car and held hands to go and collect Eponiné. When Eponiné saw us she ran into my arms.

E-"You're here"
J-"I told you I would be"
E-"Thank you d...joey"

Eponiné put her arms out so Dianne would take her out of my arms. Eponiné gave Dianne the biggest hug. What did Eponiné go to say just then because she calls Dianne mum or mummy? So she wasn't going to say, Dianne. I'm probably just over thinking it.

J-"Shall we go and get Macklynn before tomorrow starts"
Eponiné and Dianne both laughed. I loved to see them happy. We got to Macklynn's school and the teacher was waiting with Macklynn.
J-"Well we aren't late because most parents are only just picking up their children now"
D-"Yeah we should go and see what she wants"

We all got out of the car and headed towards Macklynn and the teacher.

D-"Is everything ok"
Teacher-T
T-"Yes urmm you're new you must be Joe"
J-"Oh yeah"
T-"I would actually like to have a word with you"
J-"Oh ok"
Macklynn, Eponiné and Dianne all got in the car and waited for me.
T-"Sorry to keep you waiting it's just a quick thing"
J-"No it's fine"
T-"I just wanted to talk to you about your relationship with Macklynn"
J-"Alright"
T-"In class, we tend to ask students what's been good about there week and this week Macklynn's answer was you... I also know that Macklynn has a younger sister and she was saying how she and Eponiné don't tend to trust new people in Dianne's life but with you it was different it's like they knew that you were going to protect them once they got to know you... she told me about the police and how amazingly you handled that... basically, my point is there's this thing with children when they don't have something in their life and all of a sudden they get it, they get attached"
J-"Ok..."
T-"To them your like this father figure they've never had and they will get attached well they are getting attached so please if your going to leave, leave because as a teacher, as a mum, as a human being I can't stand by and watch that kids heart get broken any more than it already is"
J-"I understand but I'm planning to stay... I want to be there in there lives, I want to be that father figure to them"
T-"Good, I'm sorry I kept you behind"
J-"No it's fine and I think it's good that you care about your kids that much"
T-"Yeah well you've gotta love kids to do the job"
J-"I suppose"

I left and joined the others in the car. When I got in I kissed Dianne then set off.

M-"What did she want you for, have I done something wrong"
J-"No, of course, you haven't it was just because she had never seen me before today so she wanted to know who I was"
M-"Oh Okay"
D-"Oh wait you're going to need new clothes you can't keep wearing the same outfit"
J-"Yeah I'll quickly stop off at my house"
E-"We're going to Joey's house"
D-"Yeah"
M-"What's your house like"
J-"Urmm I don't know... it isn't on the main road like yours"
D-"Yeah it's big and has a huge garden"
E-"Really"
J-"Yeah"

{Dianne's POV}

As we pulled into the driveway Macklynn and Eponiné's jaws dropped. We all got out of the car.

M-"Omg"
E-"Woah"
M-"It's like something out of a Disney movie"
Joe and I looked at each other and laughed.
E-"What's funny"
D-"I said the exact same thing as Macklynn when I first came here"
M-"Well it is it's the kind of house you see in children's books the ones that you always dream of living in"
J-"Yeah come on I'll race you to the door"
We all run and Joe slows down to let Macklynn win.
M-"I win"
J-"Arggg"
D-"Come on Eponiné let's go catch those losers up"
E-"Can I open the door"
J-"Yeah"
Joe unlocked the door and Eponiné slowly opened it.
M-"This house is amazing"
E-"How big is it"
M-"I've always wanted to live somewhere like this"
D-"Like what"
M-"Somewhere that's big but still cosy and cute somewhere that is homely"
D-"I know it's like a dream"
Macklynn and Eponiné ran around searching every room.

D-"Joe do you think now would be a good time to ask them what they think about moving"
J-"Yeah probably"
D-"GIRLS"
M & E-"Yeah"
J-"Come here"
M-"K"
They ran over and were panting.
J-"Where did you run to"
Macklynn laughed.
E-"Just around the house"
J-"But you're all out of breathe"
D-"Anyway we need to talk to you"
M-"Okay"

I could tell the girls were a little worried as Joe and I were both being serious.

J-"Urmm"
D-"We were wondering how you'd feel about moving here... moving in with Joe"
Everyone was silent so I continued.
D-"It's all up to you it's just everything is a lot easier with Joe around and he does have the bigger house which isn't on the main road so it's safer and well it's just-"
M-"A nicer house"
D-"Yeah so what do you think, would you want to move"
Macklynn and Eponiné smiled at each other then turned to Joe and I and in sync shouted "YES" Joe and I turned to each other and smiled. I'm so happy that they said yes. My life was good and I was happy for once.
E-"Will we get our own rooms or will we have to share again"
We all burst out laughing.
E-"I'm being serious"
I turned to Joe.
J-"If you want your own rooms you can have your own rooms"
M-"Yessss"
Macklynn and Eponiné both seemed very happy that they were moving. Everything was working out and for the first time, I loved my life.