My Best Friend's Girl

36. Family Surprise

Joe's POV

We'd been back off our honeymoon for about five days now. We were having our first scan this morning then we were going to look at houses, because ours isn't big enough. So we're selling ours, and finding another one. Obviously we're keeping the Brighton one, as it's our holiday home but we need another London one.

I've also got a surprise for Dianne. She's been asking for one for a while. I'm buying us a dog.

I let Dianne have a lie in, as I take Teddy to nursery and I take Esme with me. Leaving a note for Dianne I put Esme in the car before making my way to the shelter.

Arriving at the dog shelter I was in awe. There were so many gorgeous dogs there. They ranged from puppies to dogs to elderly dogs, I has no idea what type to get.

I was greeted by an oldish lady, who showed us all the dogs.
"Do you have anything in particular that you wanted?" She asks.
"No. Not particularly. Just if I see the one then I'll know," I explain. "but they need to be good with kids and not too big."
"Well I have one in mind for you. Follow me." Nodding, I follow the lady, as we stop at a cage with the most gorgeous, tiny puppy sat inside it.
"It's gorgeous." I say.
"He's called Cookie." The lady says.
He was a dark brown colour, with the most cutest face I'd ever seen.
"What make is he?" I ask.
"He's an Irish poodle," She speaks. "and he's 12 weeks old."
"What do you think Es?" I turn to my daughter, as I bend down to Cookie's level.
The lady gets him out, he immediately takes a shine to us both. He licks Esme's face, which makes her laugh.
"Dog." She says.
"That's right, angel. Its a doggy. Do you like him?" I ask.
"Dog home." She says.
"I guess we're taking him home." I say.
"Fabulous, you can thake him now? He's ready to go." I nod.
"Sure. I'll take him now. I can get some things for him on the way home." I say.
"Well, he already comes with his bed, and he has a little bit of food for now, so he won't need much." She replies.
"Oh great. Thank you so much. How much?" I ask. She tells me the price as I pay, thank her again, and make my way back home.

////

I'd arrived back home. Dianne now awake. "Di, can you come here? I've got a surprise for you." I say as I hear her footsteps from the living room to the hallway.
"What is it?" She asks.
"Close your eyes," I say, she nods, as I lift Cookie out of his cage and place him into my arms. "and open."
Dianne opening her eyes, she gasps. "Oh my god. Joe, is he ours?" I nod.
"Surprise." I smile.
"Joe he's gorgeous. What make and his name?" Dianne rambles.
I chuckle. "He's an Irish poodle and he's called Cookie." I say as I put him down on the floor, and wrap him up.

"He's so cute," Dianne gushes. "he's perfect. Thank you." She smiles as she kisses me.

"My pleasure gorgeous," I say, as I wrap my arms around her waist. "are you ready for our scan?" She nods, as I take her hand and place Esme back into her car seat and make our way to hospital.

We'd made it to the hospital as I check Dianne in. Esme was sat snuggled into Dianne's chest, it was the cutest thing.

"Look at my two girls." I coo. I was incredibly lucky. Esme is Dianne's double.

"Dianne Sugg please?" We stand up and follow the midwife through. The same midwife we'd had for both pregnancies. "back again I see," She smiles. "and with a different surname."
"We are. And yes, we finally got married." Dianne giggles.
"Am I correct in thinking you don't want to find out the sex this time?" She asks.
"You are correct. Yes. We want the surprise. We have one of each so we really don't mind what baby 3 is." I say. Or as I refer to them, baby bean.
"Okay. So let's see," I take Esme from Dianne, which wasn't difficult as she is a total daddy's girl. "all is healthy. Baby is measuring exactly as they should be. The heartbeat is strong and they're very active," She giggles. "and if I turn the screen, you can see your baby." She turns the screen around for us to see.

"They're so small," Dianne smiles, as I rub my thumb over her hand. "well for baby number three they're big. But still so small."
Even after two children, you think I'd be used to scan photographs, and I wouldn't feel so emotional. Well I am. Everytime still feels like the first. I never get sick or tired of seeing my baby in the screen. It always feels like the first time. It's so emotional and such a happy time. I feel so privileged to have this life. My beautiful wife and three beautiful children. The five most important people in my life.

I couldn't believe how lucky I was. Dianne was such a warrior, a beautiful, strong warrior, carrying my three children.
I was so incredibly proud of her, I really was.

My wife is amazing. I have everything I ever need.

A.N. This book will be coming to an end shortly. There isn't many chapters left. I'm not sure how many, but I'll let you know when the final chapter is done.

And no, there won't be a sequel. But I will be working on my other books 😊😊
Thank you all so much for the votes, and the views on this story. It means so much.

Bye for now 👋 😘