Heartfelt

Tracey

{Dianne}
Today Joe wants me to meet his family and, no word of a lie, I am incredibly scared. Not only have I never met anyone from any of my ex-boyfriend's families, but I've never really had a proper boyfriend anyway, which is what it feels like me and Joe are right now. At least what I imagine it would be like to have one. Or if we're not know then I feel like we're very very close to being at that point.

Over the last few weeks he's been amazing. Better than I could ever have asked for. Ever. Even simple things like picking me up some bread or bringing me some chocolate are things that I appreciate so much. It saves me a trip to the shop which saves me so much time in my day. He's also allowing me to be more productive. I've even left the house and left him alone with her a couple of times. Admittedly for half an hour at longest, but he knows it isn't because I don't trust him. Simply I can't be away from her for that long if I can help it. I need to make sure she's okay constantly, she's my responsibility after all. My daughter.

"Dianne? Earth to Dianne?"

"Oh right, sorry."

Joe's voice sounds deeper than usual.

"Did you fall asleep in that lesson?" I ask.

"Um, maybe..."

"Joe!! And before you start, I didn't fall asleep. I was just thinking."

Sighing slightly he turns to me,

"I've told you, my family are going to love you."

"But what if they don't."

"They will. Trust me."

"Okay." I say simply.

Instead of answering he kisses my cheek softly, then grabs my hand and drags me towards our next lesson. Just as the bell goes he pulls me into my seat and slides into his own. Perfect.

~~~

{Joe}
"Mum, this is Dianne, my girlfriend. Dianne, this is my mum."

It's the first time I've ever been introduced as his girlfriend, even though we've been 'seeing each other' for nearly three weeks now. Three weeks? Time flies when you're having fun, so they say.

"Hi Mrs Sugg."

"Call me Tracey, dear. It's lovely to meet you."

"And you."

"How's your daughter? Emelie-Rose isn't it? Beautiful name I must say."

Dianne's face flashes with panic and she turns to face me before answering my mother. If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under.

"Oh, um, she's doing well thanks."

After a few more pleasantries we're finally able to run upstairs. Although whether that's actually a good thing or not for me I'm not quite sure. Sure enough, as I expect, as soon as my bedroom door is closed Dianne stares straight through me; face like ice but eyes like fire.

"You told her I had a daughter?!"

She hisses, desperately wanting to shout but unable to in case her voice carries downstairs.

"Um, yes?"

"Why?!"

"Because you do."

At this she groans, already frustrated at my attempt to turn this into a not so serious conversation. We both know that I struggle with those.

"Yes, Joe, I know I have a daughter, funnily enough. I did spend 18 hours in labour and push her out of my own-..."

Shaking her head she stops for a second.

"...that's not the point. The point is you decided to tell your mother that I have a daughter before she even met me?! Doesn't that make me sound like a slag? A slut? The fact that I'm what, 16 and have a child?! A-ma-zing."

"No."

She looks at me as if she's forgotten I'm here.

"No what?"

"It doesn't make you sound any of those things. And I thought it best to tell her now, because we'd have to tell her at some point. Surely it's easier now than three months down the line 'Oh yeah Tracey by the way I've kind of got a child that I've hidden from you, no big deal.' Let's be real Dianne, never in your life would you want to do that. So now you don't have to, because she already knows."

"I guess..."

"Plus..."

At my excitement in my voice she looks up at me, now only an arm length or so away. Reaching out for her hand and pulling her a little closer I continue.

"...this means we have a very willing, free baby sitter so I can take you..."

Slowly I spin her round once on the spot so she's facing me again.

"...on lovely dates." I whisper.

Biting her lip she looks down at the ground.

"I'd love that, but I could never burden your mum with my daughter."

I can't help but laugh a little.

"Dianne, my mum sees this as the best thing in the world. She's got an early grandchild, that's how she sees this. Honestly, you'll have trouble getting her back after she's looked after her." I joke.

Without saying anything else she leans up to kiss me, standing on her tiptoes with her hands resting on my shoulders for support. Deepening the kiss I move my lips round to her ear, kissing her soft spot just below it before whispering,

"We'll have baby free nights as well."

{Dianne}
Just from the way he whispered I can tell he's smirking.

"Joe!!"

"What? I didn't say anything had to happen, that's just your dirty little mind at work."

Deciding to be the more mature one here I ignore his flippant comment; instead resorting to kissing him softly. However, he decides to carry on.

"It's not like you haven't done it before."

Quickly I pull away and look at him.

"Really Joe?..."

My voice is laced thick with sarcasm.

"...I thought babies were delivered by stalks!!"

Joe's mouth contorts into a goofy smile, before he pressed his lips to my neck without warning, catching my weak spot at the base of it that he seems to have the location of engrained into his brain. Then again, he probably has.