A Matter of Perspective

Chapter 3 - Tracey

"They're here!" Tracey chirped as she let the curtain fall back across the window she had been peering out of for the last ten minutes or so, as she saw a car pull into the drive and slow to a stop. "Joe and Dianne are here!"

She bustled over to the front door, eager to help the pair, but slowed as she watched Joe run around to the side of the car and open the door for his girlfriend, leaning in to give her a soft kiss and whispering a few hushed words. She watched as Dianne took a deep breath, smiling nervously, before leaning in and pecking his lips again. Tracey felt her heart swell at the vision in front of her - Joe had never brought a girl home before - and she had certainly never witnessed him showing this amount of attentiveness, ever.

Realizing she was still stood behind the door, she took her chance to swing it open, trying to appear as if she hadn't just watched the couple's cute interaction, announcing her presence with a cheery, "Hello!"

Joe looked up and grinned, jogging toward her slowly and enveloping her in a big hug, "Ello, Mum. How are you?"

"I'm good darling, how are you? Recovered from Christmas at your fathers?" Tracey teased, knowing Joe and Graham usually spent the Christmas holiday puttering around outside and grumbling together like two old men.

"Yeah, it was good," Joe laughed. "Nobody does a roast like Dad...I mean, except you, of course."

Tracey rolled her eyes playfully, before pulling back and noticing Dianne standing a few feet away, looking extremely nervous.

"Hello, dear!" Tracey cooed, moving away from her son and approaching Dianne with her arms outstretched. She watched as Dianne's face relaxed for a split second as she was pulled into a giant hug. "It's so good to see you again. I'm so, so glad you're both here."

As she pulled back, she watched as Dianne's cheeks blushed pink, and she could see out of the corner of her eye that Joe was practically beaming at the interaction happening in front of him. Dianne smiled before replying, "I'm so happy to be here...Mrs..um..."

"Tracey. Call me Tracey."

Dianne smiled again, wider this time, as Tracey wrapped an arm around her shoulders and began to lead her toward the house. "Come on Joseph, it's freezing out here."

---

"Make yourself at home, Dianne," Tracey announced a while later after they'd all said their hellos to Joe's grandparents who were relaxing in the sitting room, having decided to come visit once they heard their grandson was going to be popping in with his new girlfriend. She watched as Dianne sat on the edge of the sofa, already engrossed in a conversation with her mother who was twittering on about Strictly. Tracey's father, affectionately known as Chippy, was leaned back in his reclining chair, focusing on a program on the telly, but occasionally chiming in to the conversation.

Feeling confident that their special guest was settled, Tracey pulled Joe's elbow and forced him to follow her into the kitchen to help her make some tea. As the door swung shut behind her, she pulled her son into a massive hug.

"I'm so proud of you," Tracey beamed, pulling back and placing her hands on Joe's shoulders. "You've just accomplished so much the last few months."

Joe grinned at his mother's showering of affection - it was something he had gotten used to when he lived in Wiltshire, but hadn't realized how much he missed it now that he lived a few hours away. "Thanks, Mum. It's been a crazy few months, that's for sure."

"Finalist on Strictly, presenting New Year's for the BBC, the upcoming tour...not to mention Dianne..." Tracey trailed off, winking as her son blushed bright red. "I'd say you've done quite well for yourself, Joseph."