Two Birds of a Feather

Wish You Were Here

Joe woke up alone. Dianne was back on the Strictly tour and he was the only one home. He didn't like it. In fact, he detested it. He hated being so far away from the person he loved most, the person he always wanted to see, the person he knew understood him more than anyone. Byron had moved out months ago to live with Emily, giving him and Dianne much more space but it was times like these that made him wish Byron hadn't gone. It was selfish, Joe knew it was, but he couldn't help and wallow in self-pity as he thought about it. Byron and Emily were never really ripped apart and if they were, it was never for long. Joe and Dianne were different. She was constantly being taken around the country on the many tours she danced in and as a result, Joe was left at home on his own. Joe knew it was Dianne's job and he completely understood, having taken part in one of these tours himself earlier in the year but it didn't stop him hating it. It didn't stop him yearning for her to be back with him, that was all he ever really wanted now. God Joe, you've gone all soft. He hated how lonely he felt and wished he could follow her around the country, keeping her company when they had days off or holding her at night when she was exhausted and her whole body ached. Every time he looked on social media, there was usually an Instagram story or two and he would watch them all with a strong pang of emotion. He hadn't quite worked out what that emotion was just yet. It was somewhere between sadness, jealousy and loneliness. But every time he saw a clip from the show, his heart swelled with pride seeing his beautiful girlfriend up there on the stage. Her energy and character seemed to fill the whole theatre, overpowering the others. She stood out from the other professionals and Joe was sure it wasn't just her brightly coloured hair. Her stage presence was amazing and Joe could see in the way the smile never left her face that she was having the best time up there on that stage, surrounded by nine members of her second family, doing the thing she did best. He had found himself smiling at the little glimpses of her tour life he got through her social media's or through their phone conversations whilst they both lay in bed. Different beds. Miles apart. Wanting nothing more than to be together. Whilst she was away, Dianne was never physically lonely. She had the rest of the cast to keep her company but she still only ever wanted her Joe. When she was feeling the strain and when the exhaustion hit her, Dianne only ever wanted Joe to be the one to hug her. She wished that he was able to come with them but it wasn't possible. He had work to do in London and she had work to do all over the country. But, on the more positive side, it made them both cherish the moments they were together. They didn't take the time they spent together for granted. Strictly had brought them together and now it separated them physically, yet it somehow managed to pull them closer at the same time. It was a good test for their relationship and instead of weakening them as a couple, it only made them stronger.

But the bout of loneliness was about to be brought to an end for a couple of days. He was travelling down to Bournemouth to watch the show and would get to see all of them. With this spur of energy, Joe jumped out of bed and began to get ready.

Joe arrived at the theatre and went round the back to the stage door. He was let in and immediately went to find Dianne. It didn't take him long. She was in the girls changing room chilling before it got mad. Joe walked over to her, arms open, and breathed a sigh of happiness as she embraced him back.
"Hiya" she said as they broke apart. Joe kissed her lips and hugged her again.
"I've missed you" he breathed into her ear as they stood wrapped in each other's arms. Dianne giggled softly.
"I missed you too."

The room was filled with cheers and the sound of clapping as the pros stood on stage at the end of the show. They started to dance off as music came on once more and the stage was blacked out. Joe, along with Oti's husband Marius, left the auditorium quickly to avoid any fans and were rushed round the back by some runners before it could get crowded. The prankster side in Joe burst out as he ran into the boys dressing room and hid under a table covered by cloth. Giovanni was always the person he had wanted to make jump, and was also the person he could never make jump. He slithered under the table and waited for the door to open. It did and a tall Italian man walked through it. Joe poked his head out from under the cloth and shouted "boo!" Giovanni, not in the least bit surprised, turned around calmly and said, "nope."
"Damn it" Joe laughed, "why can I never make you jump?!"

"It's officially my birthday" Dianne said happily as they pulled up into their apartment buildings' car park. Joe parked the car and turned off the engine, stretching his arms above his head.
"It is. Let's get inside and out of the cold."

Joe pushed open the door to their apartment and stood aside to let Dianne in. He carried the flowers in his arms into the kitchen and left them on the counter before going back and locking the door. Dianne was making them both cups of tea and was hunting for some biscuits, her stomach grumbling in hunger.
"Happy Birthday." Dianne turned around to see Joe with his arms open wide and a soft smile playing on his lips. She walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck. It felt good to be back in his arms. He had quickly become Dianne's safe place and being back was the best feeling. For both of them. They broke apart and shared a long and lingering kiss.

Dianne climbed into bed after Joe and slithered across the crisp sheets to be right next to him. Joe turned onto his front and leant forwards until their lips met in a slow and loving kiss that conveyed three words:
I love you

Joe woke up to the light pouring into the room through the cracks in the curtains. Looking to the side, he saw Dianne still asleep, a soft smile on her face. He got out of bed and made his way downstairs quietly. Once he was in the kitchen, Joe set about making Dianne a coffee- he'd do food later. Coffee in hand, Joe went back upstairs and woke Dianne up gently. Her eyes fluttered open to see the steaming mug in his hands. With a wide smile, she thanked him and took the mug, sipping on the bitter liquid slowly.
"You're the best."

"There's one more present." Dianne looked up at Joe in confusion.
"You got me another one?!"
"Yup. Come on, it's in the back." Joe held his hands out for Dianne to take, which she did and led her through the apartment to his office. Letting her open the door, he moved to the side and had his phone ready to film her reaction.
"I knew it" she cried as the blankets he had used to cover it up fell off, revealing a powder blue bike with a woven basket on the front and a shining silver bell on the handle bars. "How good am I?!"