A Siblings Advice

Gift part 2: Learning to follow a sibling's advice

Zoe's POV:

"Alfie? Where's mum gone? We would need to head back to our seats before the show starts again and leave Joe and Dianne to get ready. Speaking of team Joanne, where have they got to as well? I swear everyone is disappearing!" I fret, tugging on Alfie's hand as I search the chaos for a familiar face. A soft hand is placed on my shoulder, causing me to jump out of my skin, " Hey Zoe isn't it? Joe was heading to his dressing room with Dianne and your mum, I just walked past and I'd say they will be here pretty soon. It's lovely to meet you though! I hope you enjoy the rest of the show." she smiles, rubbing my arm gently before dancing off to join the others. Honestly, everyone here is so genuine and kind, I can see why Dianne fits in so well here and why Joe loves it so much.

Appearing back into view, Joe and Dianne join the group again, hand in hand and smiling quietly at each other as Dianne plays with something round her neck, with mum slipping in behind them, attempting to go unnoticed. " Right Joseph, we are going to head back to our seats, grab a drink and get ready to see the last half of the show! But you two will join us for dinner after yes? Or even just a drink?" Mum gushes, wrapping her only boy in a smothering hug before dragging poor Dianne into her grip as well. Glancing up at Alfie, I smirk, remembering how mum used to do that with us and snuggling closer to his side, suddenly really grateful for the man he is. "It was so nice to meet you Dianne and lovely to see you again Joe. We will see you after the show!" Amanda joins as we make our way back to the arena, leaving the hustle and bustle of the backstage life behind us and preparing for the second half of the show.

As the dancers come and go, the comment are made and Joe takes the stage to wow the crowds once again, I can't help but realise just how much he has changed in the last 5months. The man in front of us, he is so confident, so strong and so openly happy with his life, with no trace of anxiety, no questioning doubt, just so...happy. The amount that Joe has grown up recently is astounding and honestly, I don't say it often enough but I am incredibly proud of how far he has come! Starting as a roof thatcher, who created a youtube channel for fun, to a muti-million subscribed youtuber and a strictly come dancing finalist.

I'm just so proud.

Gathering in a local bar nearby the venue, Amanda and mum have gone to order us some drinks while we wait for Joe and Di to join us, leaving Alfie and I in a rare moment alone today. " Little one? Are you alright? You've been quiet recently, is your anxiety playing up again?" Alfie murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss to my hairline and wrapping a strong arm around me, indulging in a shared public display of affection, allowing me to relax against him, just enjoying his warmth. Smiling up at his, I thank my lucky stars, "Yeah i'm fine love, a little tired but i'm just so proud of Joe! Not just for his dancing, which is brilliant, but In how confident he is now! Just look how he has changed around Di since our trip to the treehouse. I'm convinced something has happened between them today too, they seem extra...affectionate, which isn't like him at all. It's so nice seeing him this way...in love...after so long." I sigh, sitting up slightly as our mothers, return with Joe and Dianne following behind, looking absolutely shattered but as loved up as ever.

Bless them!

Dianne's POV

After another successful show, no accidents and our 20-something'th win on the live tour, we find ourselves strolling hand-in-hand towards the local bar to meet Joe's family. Fidgeting with the beautiful necklace he had given me earlier, I genuinely can't believe my luck, "My Joseph?", Pulling him back to me, stopping under a darkened streetlight and turning us slightly so he is now facing me. He looks confused and almost worried, such a cutie. "You alright princess? Is your back bothering you? We can just go back to the hotel if you're sore, my family will understand, it's my fault." He rambles, resting his hands on my waist as we stand on that midnight street, almost as if the rest of the world does not exist, our gaze never breaking as we soak in each other's facial expressions in this moment.