My Best Friend's Girl

29. This Is Your Safe Place

Joe's POV

Arriving at the hospital, they rushed Millie straight through as I paced the corridor back and forth. Dianne phoned my Dad, and Millie's Mum. Who baring in mind I'd never met, was on her way. As was my Dad.

"Joe, sweetheart, please sit down." Dianne rubs my shoulder, which always calms me down. I nod as I sit down, Dianne sitting next to me. I didnt speak. We just sat there in silence, as I didn't know what to say or do. My little sister's life was hanging on the line, and I was sat here, helpless.

////
"Joe?" I hear my name, I turn around to see who I'm assuming is Millie's Mum, stood in the corridor.
"Hi, you must be Millie's Mum?" I ask.
"Yes I am. Cathy." She says. "nice to meet you, I guess," She sighs. "what exactly happened?" She asks.
I explain what I'd seen, and what I read about him.
"I had no idea. He seemed so sweet and polite. It was all an act." Cathy said, as she broke down. I didnt know what to do, so I awkwardly hugged her. "and thank you Joe." She says, once she'd calmed herself down.
"What for?" I ask.
"For saving her." Cathy says.
"I didn't save her. At all. I didnt do enough." I say guiltily.
"Nonsense. Joe, if it wasn't for you helping her, and trying to protect her. It could have ended a lot worse." She stated. "you did what any big brother would do. You helped her get away from him. So thank you." She says.

I just nod. Just then a nurse comes through. "Who's here for Millicent Sugg?" We all stand up, including my Dad who had now arrived.
"When did she change her surname?" Cathy asks my Dad.
"When she met Joe and Zoe, she wanted to be a Sugg, so I let her." Cathy rolled her eyes.
"Guys," I snap, turning my attention to the nurse. "sorry, please go on." I say, wanting to  know how she is.
"Thank you," The nurse smiles. "I'm pleased to tell you that Millicent is fine. Luckily. No major damage. The bullet wasn't too far in, so we could remove it safely. She is very drosy at the moment but fine. She is asking for somebody called Joe?"
"I'm Joe." I say.
"Right okay. Joe, please follow me." I nod as I follow the nurse through to Millie's room.

"Hey squirt." I say as I sit down next to Millie's bed. "how ya holding up?"
"I've been better. Joe, I need to tell you something." Millie says. Going all quiet.
"It's alright Mil's, you can tell me." I say, taking her hand in mine.
"Joe I don't want you to get mad." She says.
"Millie what have you done?" I chuckle.
"Joe I'm pregnant." She whispers as she looks down.
"Millie. Look at me." I say softly. She doesn't. "Millicent. Look at me." I say again, but this time, firmly.
She grimaces as I use her full name.
"Joe I'm s-" I cut her off.
"Mil's. It's okay. I'm not mad. Well I'm a little disappointed, but I'm not mad. I'll support you in whatever you decide to do. Was it through?" I pause, not wanting to bring myself to say the word.
"Joe. It's not Noah's." She whispers.
"Excuse me?" I look at her, blinking a few times.
"It's not Noah's," She repeats. "I'm not proud of myself, but I cheated on Noah. With Jack."
"Jack who?" I ask.
"Jack Maynard." She says quietly.
"As in, my friend Jack Maynard?" I ask.
She nods. "Are you mad?"
"Surprisingly, no," I say. "I don't condone what you did. By no means. But, to be honest, I'm glad it's not Noah's." I say. "we'll help you through it, Mil's." I say.
"That's the reason I called you in here," Millie says. "can you get Dianne?" I nod, slightly confused but bring her in.

Millie then explains the situation to Dianne. "And Jack wants no part in this?" I ask.
"No he's not interested. And I'm not ready for a baby, so," Millie pauses.
"You want to put the baby up for adoption?" Dianne asks.
"Yes, but," She nods.
"But what?" I ask.
"I don't just want anyone to adopt them. I want you and Dianne to." We look at her, clearly shocked.
"Did I hear you right?" I ask. "you want us to adopt our niece or nephew?"
"That's the thing. Joe, Dianne. They won't be your niece or nephew. They will be your son or daughter. I'll be their auntie. I've seen how amazing you are with your two, and I know they'll be in great hands. And I can see them everyday." Dianne looks shocked.
"I don't know what to say," I say, as I turn to Dianne. "Di?"
"I don't know Joe. I mean, I want to, I really do. But, do we have enough room for one more. And can we cope with three kids?" Dianne stresses.

"Look let's go outside and talk about it." I say ushering Dianne outside.

////

"Will it not be strange?" I ask. Dianne and I had almost agreed to it, but we were still unsure.
"Look at it this way. I'll just be the surrogate. You'll be it's parents," Millie said. "it happens all the time. Lots of relatives become surrogates for their own families."
"Yeah but your little sister doesn't normally come up as one." I chuckle.
"Joe. I know you're scared. But I won't want them back once it's born. And I know you'll love them so much, and I know I can visit whenever I want." She says.
"She's right Joe." Dianne says, excitement in her voice.
"Okay, I guess we're doing this then." I say a little excited.
"Wow we're having another baby." Dianne smiles.
I smile, as I walk up to Millie, asking for permission, I whisper to her bump. "This is your safe place, little one." With tears in my eyes.

I guess we're doing this then. I guess we're having another baby.

A.N another shocker, eh?
Let me know if you are enjoying my fanfic :)