Heaven Knows it's High Time | Joanne

Chapter Nineteen

"Say 'Happy Birthday, Daddy!'" Dianne said, waving Ruby's tiny arms. "Yaaay! Last year of your twenties! You're getting old!"

Joe stopped laughing and looked directly at Dianne. "Harsh words from a woman who is already in her thirties."

Dianne grinned. "Sorry. Anyway, we have presents for you."

"When did you have time to buy presents?"

Dianne smiled. "I was actually very organised this year. Mainly because I knew I'd be busy around your actual birthday, you know, pushing a baby out of my hoo-ha. I got most of your gifts the day before I went into labour. Which was good planning, really."

"I'm impressed" Joe said, taking Ruby from Dianne as she opened the doors to their walk-in wardrobe. "You know you didn't have to get me anything. This little one was enough." He kissed Ruby's head. "Ah, you're so soft and squishy in the mornings."

Dianne smiled. "Are you talking about me or the baby?"

"The baby. You are also soft in the mornings. But there's nothing like newborn baby squishiness!" Joe smiled at Ruby. "Can Daddy get a smile? Is that a smile? Or is that just gas?"

Dianne walked back over to the bed, carrying a huge bag of wrapped presents. "She's your daughter, Joe. It's definitely gas." She climbed back into bed, took Ruby into her arms and gestured to the gifts now laying in front of them both.

"Anyway. Happy birthday."

Joe gasped. "Dianne! This is loads!"

She smiled. "I got quite a lot of presents because it's difficult for us to do anything. I wanted to get you a trip or an experience but, well, not this year. So, I got you stuff. Cool stuff. I hope."

Joe unwrapped each gift carefully. Dianne had gone to so much effort, buying him things he really loved. Everything had some kind of meaning or memory attached to it- even if it was something he'd said, or a coffee she'd accidentally spilt down his favourite shirt- and he loved that she had remembered so much.

"I can't believe you went to the effort of walking around a shopping centre at nine months pregnant to do this for me" Joe said, leaning close and kissing Dianne gently. "Thank you."

She smiled. "Do you like them?"

"Everything is perfect. You spoil me so much. Come here." Joe leaned in once more, capturing Dianne's lips in a much slower, more romantic kiss. As they pulled apart, Dianne smiled.

"I love you so much, Joseph. So much. Actually, because we all love you, we do have another special gift. But I kind of want Emelia to give it to you."

Dianne placed Ruby down next to Joe, smiling as he watched her and chatted to her. She walked down the corridor to Emelia's room and pushed the door open. "Morning Peanut. Are you going to come and give your dad his presents? He's waiting."

Emelia sat up quickly. Walking to her desk, she picked up the wrapped gift and card.

"Good girl. Come on."

Once they arrived back in the bedroom, Emelia climbed into bed beside Ruby, Dianne on her other side, and handed Joe his gifts.

"Happy birthday, Daddy" she said. Joe melted. Every time she called him 'dad' his heart grew a little bigger.

"Thank you, Peanut. Is this for me?"

Joe unwrapped the gift first, smiling. "Dad jokes? Perfect! I know exactly who I'm going to test these out on!" He winked as Emelia rolled her eyes- just like her mother.