How It Came To Be// Two Become Three Book 2

shower

"I think it's so unfair I can't stay, it's my baby too," Joe said, as Zoe pushed him out of the flat.

"Its the rules! Go on, you need to make that thing with Dad anyway," Zoe laughed.

Joe's face went from smiling to serious far too quickly, as he remembered what he needed to say to Zoe- or rather what he needed to ask of her. "Zo," he closed the flat door, as he said this, he didn't want Louise to hear what he was about to say, "will you just look out of her, if she seems upset or uncomfortable. I know she keeps saying she's excited but I'm worried it's all a front still. Like she's acting the way society deems to be the correct way to act when you're expecting a baby. She won't say in front of her mum, just look out for her will you, don't let her get overwhelmed."

Zoe pulled him into a tight hug, arms wrapped tight around his torso, "I'll look after her, just go and have a few hours off worrying Joe, it's not good for you."

Living away from Joe had its downside for Zoe- she couldn't keep an eye on him anymore. Holding him tightly she could feel he had lost weight and could only imagine it was the stress of looking after Louise in all of her states that had caused it. He looked tired whenever she saw him and it caused her to wonder what he would be like when he had a baby AND Louise to look after. It was weird, he looked like Joe but also didn't quite. All she could hope for now is that when Baby Connie is born, Louise loves her and everything returns to normal- or a new normal anyway.

"Call me if anything happens okay?" Joe said, running a hand through his quiff a few times- obviously worried.

"Yep, now go on," she said, spinning him around, pushing him towards the stairs, "we've got her."

Once Joe was out of sight Zoe, sighed, beathing away her own worry, before she returned to the flat that was being decorated in pink and cream.

"Zo," Louise said, waving from the hall.

"Yeah," she said softly, getting the message that this was meant to be a secret or kept a hush.

"Could you help me get dressed I don't want to ask mum or Gi or Em?" She asked shyly, her face heating up.

"Course, come on," Zoe took her hand and walked to Louise's bedroom, where a flowy flowery dress, that Joe had helped her pick out, was laid over the edge of the cot.

"Are you still happy with having a baby shower? It's not too late to cancel you know," Zoe said, as she helped Louise step into the dress, steadying her with a hand.

"I'm looking forward to it, It'll be nice to see how many women this little girl is going to have to look up to," Louise said so truthfully, she really was excited about everything, nervous too, but very excited.

"I didn't even think if it that way, that's such a lovely sentiment. Joe left behind a blank notebook, he thought it might be cool for people to write you and her messages that you can look back on and read to her. Shall I set it up?" The older of the pair asked, as she zipped up the dress.

"That would be cool, yeah, thanks for helping, I can't do my own zip up anymore. Or see my feet," she joked, peering over her bump to see nothing but bump.

"Bless you, not long now though eh! A month!" Zoe said, hovering her hand over the bump, looking at her brother's best friend for permission.

"I know! Go ahead Zoe, she's kicking," Louise said, putting her hand over Zoe's pressing it to where she could feel the kicks happening. The two women grinned as the baby kicked away, "that's your niece."

"I'm crying, this is amazing Lou, she's going to be incredible!" Zoe said softly, kissing her cheek. 

~~~