Thinking Out Loud

Chapter 14

"Zoe!" Dianne opened the door to see Joe's sister, laden with presents, Alfie just behind with a case. "Alfie!" She pulled Zoe into a hug, and stepped aside to let her in. Zoe passed her as Dianne went to hug Alfie. After they had both gone in, Dianne closed the door behind them and started up conversation.
"How are you guys?" She asked.
"We're good," Zoe said, "this house is amazing!"
"I keep forgetting you haven't seen it properly yet," she giggled, "Joe did very well to find it."
"He did," Alfie agreed, "speaking of Joe, where is the little shit?"
"Through there, just finishing off his vlog." Dianne pointed down the corridor to a half-open door. Alfie left his and Zoe's case by the wall before tiptoeing down the hallway, going into the office as quietly as he could.
"Ah, you loser!" The girls heard Joe shout before the two men started to laugh.
"Come on," Dianne said, "let's go have a catch-up." She led Zoe through into the kitchen and grabbed two mugs.
"Tea?"
"Please," she said, "so tell me. How's life being roughly seven months pregnant?" Dianne looked around from where she was pouring milk into the two mugs and pulled a face.
"So unbelievably tiring. I'm lucky if I make it past 9pm at the minute. Joe's probably getting fed up with me," she shrugged.
"He is not, he's whipped."
Dianne winked. "I know, got him wrapped round my little finger."
"Bless him." Dianne passed Zoe her tea, "thanks babes." Dianne picked up her tea, took one look at the bar stool next to Zoe's and shook her head.
"I'm not sitting on one of them. Come on, we'll go in the cosy room." Zoe chuckled and picked up her mug, following Dianne out of the kitchen, past the stairs and to the room next to Joe's office.
"This is cute!" Zoe said as she looked around. The room was decked out in fairy lights and the corner sofa was covered with festive throws and cushions. There was a Christmas tree in one corner, next to the tv and a wreath on the door.
"Joe hates it," Dianne grinned, "he thinks the cushions and throws make it look tacky."
Zoe rolled her eyes. "Clearly hasn't got the same taste in Christmas the boring sod."
"Nope," Dianne laughed as she sat down, her legs stretched out in front of her. "Tell you what, I'm so ready for this baby to just pop out. My backs been hurting since the summer and it's really doing my head in."
"Oh, that reminds me. No one actually knows the gender. You and my little brother haven't told anyone. I was going to buy loads of cute baby things, but I didn't know what gender. I did it anyways, so fingers crossed I'm right. But still! Can I know?"
"The nursery's all decorated for it, go and have a look if you like." Zoe put her mug on the coffee table and jumped up from the sofa. She rushed out of the room and Dianne smiled as she heard her telling Alfie that he needs to go with her. Seconds later, she heard footsteps running up the stairs before Joe poked his head round the door.
"What was all that about?" He asked, looking thoroughly confused.
"Zoe wanted to know the gender. I told her she can go look in the nursery."
"Oh right," Joe laughed, "we never said did we?"
"Nope."
"Oops."

•••

Joe woke up to a darkened room, the only noise being that of Dianne's soft breathing as she slept beside him. For some reason, Dianne had found it very difficult to fall asleep last night and Joe knew she needed to catch up on it so he didn't disturb her. Carefully and quietly, he slipped out of bed, grabbed his dressing gown from the back of the door and left the room, pulling the door to behind him. He padded down the stairs and into the kitchen to make himself a coffee and as he walked past the calendar on the wall, he glanced at the date only to realise it was Christmas Day. Joe smiled to himself.
"How did you forget it was Christmas?" He asked himself.
"I didn't?" A females voice said from behind him. Spinning round in shock, Joe laughed when he saw Zoe stood in the doorway, a confused expression on her face.
"Not you, me!" He laughed.
"Oh right. I'm disappointed that you forgot!"
Joe shrugged and held out his arms. "Merry Christmas Zo."
"Merry Christmas Broseph." They shared a hug before pulling apart, Joe going to make them both a drink, Zoe sitting on one of the bar stools.
"How come you're awake?" She asked as she took the steaming mug from his outstretched hands. "As if you're up before Dianne."
"She couldn't get to sleep last night. It was weird. She hasn't struggled that much in so long."
"Bless her," Zoe sighed. "It must be hard carrying a baby around with her all day and night."
"Yep," Joe agreed as he took a sip. "She cries quite a bit over it. I think she's just scared of what it'll be like having a newborn. She's terrified of labour, poor thing. I wish I could take away some of the stress, but uh well. I can't. I can only try and soothe her but as we all know, that's not my strong suit."
Zoe pouted. "I didn't realise it was upsetting her so much. I don't really blame her to be honest, I'd be just as bad." The siblings sat in silence for a minute or two, contemplating their individual thoughts. After swallowing the tea in her mouth, Zoe turned to Joe with a sisterly smile. "I'm very proud of you Joe," she said sincerely, "you've matured and grown so much in these last couple of years and you're a better person because of it."
"Thanks Zo," he smiled, "that means a lot."

"You awake?" Joe crept into their shared bedroom after an hour. Alfie had joined him and Zoe not long after they had gotten up but Dianne never came down. Joe had excused himself and left to see if she was awake.
"Just," a very groggy voice replied. "Merry Christmas Joey."
"Merry Christmas Di." Joe crossed the room and leant down over her body, kissing her lips gently. "How you feeling?"
"A bit crappy but I'll be okay."
"You sure?" As Dianne was getting further along in her pregnancy, Joe was starting to get more protective of her and was checking on her all the time. As much as Dianne appreciated it and found him cute, every now and then she began to feel slightly suffocated by his worrying nature.
"I'm fine Joe, I'm just tired." Sensing the change in her tone, Joe kissed her again and found her hand.
"Sorry," he whispered, "I don't mean to be so... protective. I just worry too much. You know what I'm like."
"I do, but you need to chill out a little bit. I'm absolutely fine. Except, you will need to help me up."
Joe rolled his eyes as Dianne giggled.
"You're enjoying this way too much."