Tender Moments

Australia Trip - Uncle Joe

Joe opened his eyes, feeling as if he'd slept for an entire day. Sun poured through the window into Dianne's old bedroom and not to his surprise, she was gone from the bed. He grabbed his phone and checked the time. Almost 9:30, not too bad. Joe put a shirt and some joggers on to head downstairs to find Dianne. Walking toward the kitchen, he seemed to have found her.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty." She smiled. She was still in her pajamas and holding a mug of coffee in her hands. She walked up to Joe and greeted him with a sweet kiss. "Mom's made pancakes and they should still be pretty warm. We can sit outside while you eat, they're already out there." 

"Rina, these look fantastic." Joe called out to the woman sitting out on the porch.

"I gave her my recipe." Dianne piped in, causing Rina to laugh.

"Thank you Joseph. I hope you slept well."

"Like a baby." He smiled, taking his plate outside with Dianne in toe.

"Mia and Billy are coming over this afternoon. I thought we'd take them for the day - maybe get food and then go to a film in the park tonight." Dianne shared her plans.

Joe smiled, watching her face light up with excitement as she spoke. "That sounds great."

===

"Auntie Dot!" Mia exclaimed as she raced through the door to throw her arms around her aunt. Billy followed closely behind.

"Hello my beautiful girl!" Dot gave the young girl a squeeze. "And my best boy!" 

Billy turned to Joe looking a bit starstruck. "Hi Joe Sugg!" He laughed, speaking in a funny voice.

"Billy loves to watch your videos." Mia explained.

Dianne smiled. "Me too, Bill." She looked at her niece and nephew. "So we were thinking we would go get some cheeseburgers and chips and see a film in the park?"

The kids cheered, jumping around. "And we have to pack yummy treats." Mia stated matter-of-factly.

"I'm kind of hoping we can get...." Joe paused for dramatic effect, "ice cream?" Again, the kids cheered. 

"Only if you're on your best behaviour, Joseph." Dianne quipped. "Why don't you guys go play in the garden? Nana's out there and if you ask nicely she might let us take some cushions and blankets for the film." 

===

The two adults and two kids set out to a diner by the beach with cushions and blankets in the trunk for later. At the restaurant, Joe had taught Billy how to launch his straw wrapper off of his straw and how to use chips to look like a walrus. After they all finished eating, they went to a nearby ice cream stand.

Billy and Mia each held an ice cream cone, licking feverishly as the ice cream melted quickly in the heat, even in the evening. Joe got a tall orange flavoured cone with sprinkles, while Dainne opted for a vanilla cone. 

"Can I try a taste?" Dianne asked sweetly.

"Sure." He tilted his cone toward her. She leaned in but stopped suddenly. 

"Don't try anything funny." 

"Funny?" Joe questioned as she leaned in to take a bite. Just then, he smashed the cone up a bit, leaving ice cream around her mouth and nose.

"Joseph!" She hollered while laughing. Billy and Mia laughed at the scene in front of them. Joe reached out for Dianne who had lunged away from the attack.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. Here, let me help." He licked a bit off of her nose before offering some napkins. 

"Did I get it?"

Joe peeked over at Billy and Mia who were chatting with each other on a bench. He leaned over quickly to peck Dianne on the lips. "Oh, sticky." He noted in one of his many voices.

"Ew!" Billy pulled a face. "Did you two just kiss?" 

The two laughed, Joe turning a bright shade of red. "I'm gonna get revenge, you know?" Dianne warned, poking at his side.

"Ah!" Joe dodged away.

"Should we head to the beach? We have some time before the film." The kids hopped up from their spot.

"Billy, I bet we can beat the girls there." Joe offered. Billy took off running, Joe following.

"Don't get sick after all that ice cream!" Dianne warned as the ran off. Mia walked along side her, the boys stopping some distance down the way.

"Auntie Dot?" Mia's voice was slightly timid.

"Hmm?" Dianne peered down at her niece whom she adored.

"What should we call Joe? Is he like our uncle?"

Dianne paused, taken a bit by surprise.

"You can ask him, but I'm sure you can call him whatever you'd like. Whatever you're comfortable with."

"Okay." Mia shrugged, problem solved. Kids were so funny sometimes.

Dianne and Mia caught up to the boys who were already nearing the water.

"Don't get wet you guys, we don't have a change of clothes." Joe was always the voice of reason. It was one of many things Dianne loved about him.

"But we can dip our toes." Dianne said mischievously, stepping into the water lapping at her feet.

"Well..." Joe had a grin that looked like he was plotting something, "you might have to take a dip in the sea." He suddenly scooped Dianne up, tossing her over his shoulder.

"Joe!" Dianne pleaded, hitting his back but laughing at the same time.

"I thought you love the water?"

"I do but- Just put me down!" She shrieked, kicking her legs.

"1...2..."

"Joe! Stop!" She continued to laugh all the while. In one fowl swoop, Joe lowered her back to the sand. "What happened to the boy who wouldn't even let me near the sea?" She placed her hands on his chest. Out of the corner of her eye, Billy and Mia were skipping flat stones on the water.

"Well I was the one who was tossing you in, so it was okay." Joe shrugged.

"You're so annoying." Contradicting what she had said, she grinned. Not without giving him a playful shove, though.

Joe laughed, still grabbing onto her waist. Dianne had Mia snap a few pictures of her and Joe before getting a few pictures with her niece and nephew. They even managed a self-timer picture of the four of them, propping the phone against Dianne's bag.

"Joe, come skip rocks with us!" Billy called. Joe jogged over to meet him. Billy looked up at him. "What should we call you? Joe? Uncle Joe?" Dianne watched from a distance, sure that Billy and Mia had discussed this together.

She watched the wheels turn in Joe's head. "Well," He thought about what to say, "you can call me whatever you'd like...Within reason." He pointed a stern finger.

"Probably Uncle Slugg." Billy emphasised the last word with a funny face. "It sounds funny, Auntie Dot and Uncle Slugg." This made Dianne smile, her heart feeling all warm inside her chest.

===

The group of four settled onto the blanket they spread out, cushions surround them in comfort. The two kids sipped their drinks they chose from the store, holding tight to the treats they also chose. Joe was propped against a few cushions with Dianne sitting between his legs, leaning back against his chest. The movie was just starting and the sun was starting to set, turning the sky shades of gold and hot pink. Joe watched the two kids in front of him who he'd become so fond of in the short time he's known them. He looked at the beautiful girl sitting against him, the golden light illuminating her face. 

Dianne felt his gaze and turned toward him in his arms. "What?"

He smiled. "This is amazing. You are absolutely amazing."

She grinned, reaching her hand up to hold his face as she kissed his cheek.

"I've had the best day with you, Joseph."

"Likewise, darling." He squeezed her tighter, kissing her head.