My Best Friend's Girl

32. Happy First Birthday Esme

Four Months Later
Joe's POV

Today is Esme's first birthday and I couldn't believe it. I hear laughter from downstairs. Smiling, I head downstairs to see Dianne playing with Teddy and Esme.

Teddy is so protective of Esme it's the cutest thing ever.

"Daddy me up." Teddy says, lifting his arms up for me to pick him up.  "me fly." I chuckle as I throw him up into the air.
"You're getting too big for this now, bud." I groan as I place him back down.
"Or your getting too old." Dianne jokes.
"Rude." I gasp, as I laugh. "where's my little princess?"

"She's right here." Dianne smiles, as Esme crawls over to me.
"Hey birthday girl." I blow a kiss on her belly, causing her laugh to echo through the living room.

"Dada." She giggles excitedly.
"That's me munchkin." I chuckle.
"Hey Joe?" Dianne says, knocking me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah, babe?" I ask turning to face her.
"Um. How would you feel to having another baby?" She asks quietly.
"Oh," I start caught off guard. "I don't know really, do yo-" I pause.  "Di, are you?"

She nods placing her head down. I smile, as I lift her head up. I look her right in the eye. "Tell me," I say. "tell me you're pregnant," I smile. "say the words, Di."
"Joe I'm pregnant." She says cautiously.
"Oh. My. God." I say, not being able to register.
"Joe are you alright?" Dianne asks, worried.
"Sorry. I'm fine. It's just a shock," I say. "wow. We're having another baby." I smile.
"I know. It was a complete shock, but I'm well happy." Dianne smiles.
"Me too. Holy. Three kids Di. Three." I say.
"I know. And that's enough," She giggles.  "I'm certainly going back on the pill after baby number three is born."
"Do you know how far along you are?" I ask.

"The test says about 2 weeks." She says.
"Wow," I say as I rub her belly. "I've got super sperm." I chuckle.
"Joe!" Dianne giggles embarrassed, burying her head into my shoulder. "but yes you do." She whispers.

////
"Come on Es, walk to Mummy." Dianne encourages trying to get her to walk.
"That's it baby, you can do it." I say as she giggles.

"One more step, Es." Dianne smiles. Esme giggles, as she does it.

"Yay! Clever girl." I say, as I pick her up and spin her round. She laughs so loud.

"You are so clever." Dianne beams, as she films it.

Before the party started I dress Es into her outfit, she looked so cute.

My parents, Dianne's parents and brothers, Zoe, Alfie, Millie and Jack were all here.

Millie, we found out, had sadly miscarried about four months ago which was awful. But she was fine, was getting through it with the help of her family and Jack.

Zoe, however, had recently given birth to a little girl Charlotte Grace, who is adorable.

My mates and Dianne's had now arrived ready for Esme's birthday. She had well and truly been spoilt already.

My Mum had bought her a walker, which she loved so much, she wouldn't let go of it.

"Dada, wook." Esme spoke shocking everyone, as no one was expecting her to speak so well, especially not this early. For a premature baby, she had spoke at eight months, and started walking about the normal, average time for babies.
Esme came strolling over with her walker and rolled it over my foot.
"Ow," I say, which made her laugh. "hey, cheeky munchkin, don't laugh at Daddy." I start to tickle her, as everybody around us smiles.

"Bruh you're such a natural." Byron says, smiling.
"Isn't he? That's why I'm having another one with him," Dianne says then covers her mouth. "oops."
"Dianne." I laugh, as everyone gasps.
"Surprise." Dianne giggles.
"What. When. How?" Zoe asks.
"Dianne is pregnant with baby number three. We think she is 2 weeks. And do I need to say how Zoe?" I smirk.
"Joseph!" Dianne slaps my arm.
"Just sayin'." I chuckle.
"Was it planned?" Caspar asks.
"No. Definitely a surprise. But a great surprise," I say. "anyway, today is Esme's day. Let's concentrate on her." I smile.

////
"Who wants cake?" Dianne sings as I Esme is sat on my knee, just as she brings the cake in.
Esme was obsessed with Disney especially Minnie Mouse, so we asked Flavourtown Bakery to design her cake. And once again, they and gone to town on it. It was amazing.

I smile at my baby girl as she attempts to blow out the candles. Thinking about how amazing today has been.

I'm so incredibly grateful for my family right now. Dianne is an incredible Mum. She is selfless, and so, so beautiful inside and out.
I count my blessings everyday that I met Dianne. And that I have two, hopefully three, healthy children out of it.

Dianne is perfect, crazy, but so I am, for me. We have so many amazing memories and laughs together.

And I cannot wait to marry her soon.

I am one lucky guy.