My Best Friend's Girl

24. She's Too Early

Joe's POV

I was finishing off the Nursery today. I made sure Dianne didn't come in when the paint was still wet because of the smell.

We didn't go for all pink in the room, making it  more neutral. We added a bit of grey into it.

''Hey Di, come here,'' I shout, she comes in from the bedroom. ''I've finished the Nursery.'' I say.

''Oh lets see then.'' She smiles.

I let her come in, she smiles.

''Aw Joe I love it.'' Dianne smiles.

''It's cute isn't it?'' I say.

''It is,'' She agrees. ''shit.'' I hear her whisper.

''Di are you alright?'' I ask, panic laced in my voice.

''J-joe.'' She looks at me with a worried look on her face.

''Di?'' I ask, looking at her. ''are you alright?''

''N-no,'' She breathes, looking to the floor. ''my waters have broken.'' 

''What!'' I say. ''Di, you're only six and a half months.'' I say.

''I know. Joe, she's too early.'' Dianne cries.

''Hey, hey,'' I rub her back, keeping her calm. ''just breathe. I'll phone Mark and drop Teddy off at theirs. We'll go to the hospital. Try and keep calm, baby.'' I say. Although I'm freaking out myself. I need to stay calm for Dianne.

////

Once we'd dropped Teddy off at Mark and Rina's we arrive at the hospital. 

I help Dianne in, going through to reception and explaining the situation. ''My Fiancee is in labour. But she is only six and a half months.'' 

''Alright, go through to this room here,'' She points. ''and I'll get your midwife and doctor.'' We nod, thank her and make our way through.

''Okay Dianne. You are definitely in labour.'' Jennifer, Dianne's midwife, spoke.

''But I'm too early.'' She panics.

''I know. And chances are your baby will be okay. But, we can't stop her, I'm afraid.'' We nod.

''Do you know how far I'm dilated?''  She asks.

''At the moment, currently,'' She looks at the monitor. ''you are four.''

We sigh. ''It's going to be a long day. Di, you get some rest. I'll phone Mum and Zoe. Then I'll let your Mum and Dad know how you are.'' She nods. I place a kiss on her lips, before heading out.

I head outside and phone Mum.

Hey, Mum. It's Joe.
Hey sweetheart, is everything okay? Mum asks, slightly taken a back. She knows I don't normally ring her with its me Joe.
No. Well, yes. Well kind of. Dianne is in labour. I say.
Oh, but she's too early, isn't she? Mum says, I can sense the concern in her voice. But also the calmness too.
She is, but we can't stop her. I chuckle. but, yeah, she's arriving early. I'm terrified Mum. What if we lose her? I broke down crying through the phone to my Mum. I'd been strong for Dianne but I couldn't hold it in any longer. I love her Mum, both of them. I can't lose my little girl I can't.
Joe listen to me, Mum speaks, I wipe my tears before she carries on. you need to stay strong. For Dianne and for your little girl, okay? Dianne needs you right now. Keep your chin up sweetheart, go in there. And be the strong, young man I know you are. Joe you're stronger than you think, I know you. I gave birth to you.  I chuckled. now go in there, hold Dianne's hand. And be with her. You can do this Joe. I'll phone Zoe and your Dad. I'm assuming Teddy is at Mark and Rina's, so  I'll phone them too, let them know how she is. Joe, I love you. Go and be with your family.

Thanks Mum. I'll keep you posted. I love you, too. And I hang up. I compose myself before heading back in.

Dianne was still asleep when I went back in. I just sat and watched her, in a non creepy way. Thinking about how strong of a woman she is. She's terrified I know she is, but, she's not showing it. Because she is staying strong for our baby girl.

////
The time was currently 2PM. Meaning Dianne had been in labour for six hours already, and still no sign of little jelly bean.
"Joe I'm fed up now." Dianne sighs.
"I know baby, you're doing so well though. I know you want her out. But we need to wait." I say, kissing her forehead.
"I don't want her out. Not yet. I wanted her to stay in a few more months. But now she has decided to come early, yes, I want her here. But Joe I'm scared." She starts to cry.

I rub her back, stroking her hair in the process. "I know Di, I know. I am, too. But we need to stay strong. For little jelly bean's sake." I say. She smiles a little, and nods.
"Do, do you think she'll be okay Joe?" Dianne stutters.
"Dianne. She will, hopefully be fine. She is a Sugg. We are all strong. I'm pretty sure she will take after her Mum though. She will be feisty, like you Miss. Buswell." I say whilst chuckling. "she's a strong one already, I can tell she will be fine."
"I really hope you are right, Joe." Dianne sighs.
"Hey, she will be. Okay? She takes after you, already." She nods.
"She does. You're right. Thanks Joe." She smiles as I kiss her forehead.

////
"Alright Dianne, it's time." Jennifer speaks.
"Joe."She looks at me, scared.
"It's alright, baby, I'm right here." I say, as I hold her hand.

"One more big push and she'll be out." Giving one final push, she was out.
But she wasn't crying. No. No. No. This is not good.
"Joe why isn't she crying? They're taking my baby off me." Dianne is in a right state, as I try to comfort her. She pushes me off of her and tries to get out of bed. "where is my baby?" Dianne screams.
I pull her back, "Joe get off me." She cries, but buries her head into my chest.
"Hey, hey. Its okay. Babe, they're just running some tests. She's fi-" A small cry interrupts me.  "see." I say as we both smile.
"Is she okay?" We both ask.
"For a premature baby she is fine. Obviously we'll want to keep her in for a while so we can monitor her. But she's fine. Tiny, but fine. Would you like to cut the cord, Dad?" I nod, wiping at my eyes as they bring her over and I cut the cord.

They then place her onto Dianne's chest. And my whole world stopped.
She was absolutely beautiful. Her gorgeous blue eyes. Her tiny, dot of a nose. Her tiny fingers and toes. My, she was perfect in every way possible. Tiny. But perfect.
"Joe I love her." Dianne cries, passing her to me.
"Me too." I whisper. "and I love you, you did amazing."

Welcome to our mad family Esme Rose Sugg.