When the skyfalls

Chapter two: I can't be...can I?

With Charlotte safely tucked in bed for the night, monsters scared away by dad and mama's kiss on her fairy's dimple, the couple could enjoy date night on their own. "Right me love, red wine with dinner?" the Wiltshire tones continued to slip out now and then, much to the Australian's amusement. Thinking, she shook her head lightly, " No thanks little one, maybe just some water or orange juice please." Unlike their usual date night, tonight Dianne had no desire for a glass of wine, or any alcohol in general, even the thought of it was turning her stomach again. Stifling a yawn, she placed a kiss on her husband's lips as he presented her dinner; Mama Buswell's shepherd's pie...just what his wife had been craving. They hadn't been able to fit in a trip to Oz this year, with Charlotte starting school, Joe's crazy work schedule and Dianne's new choreography job and lately, she had found herself missing home more and more everyday, longing for a cuddle with her mum and a good heart-to-heart with her dad. This was Joe's little way of reminder her that elements of her family were right here in the UK, once again, the little things taking precedent over words in their marriage. Sharing stories of work, funny comments Charlotte had made and other things that had slipped under the radar recently, the young couple enjoyed dinner, laughter and knowing smiles throughout their meal, reminiscing on the very early days of their relationship; the first dinner at Joe's after training for their Charleston, Joe's reaction when he discovered that she didn't like pasta and he had been cooking it for weeks, the shared take-aways.

With dinner finished and the dishes stacked, they made their way to the sofa, armed with chocolate, sweets and other treats that had followed them from the famous treat cupboard in London. "What do we want to watch? Any suggestions or can I pick, seen as you will probably be asleep in ten minutes time?" Joseph teases, wrapping his arm around Dianne and reaching for the remotes for the TV. Knowing how tired his wife has been lately, date night tonight was planned to be relaxing, a chance to de-stress and hopefully recover from this bloody bug she had been suffered with. "Anything but the little mermaid. If I have to sit through Ariel ONE MORE TIME, I think I will actually cry. And God knows I've been emotional enough." She chuckles, grabbing the cushion from beside her and cuddling it to her chest as she buries herself into the sofa, getting closer to Joe with every movement. Her statement made them both think back to their London days, the long nights spent on the corner sofa, cuddled up watching the little mermaid and singing loudly, a glass of wine in hand...oh how their lives changed since then. Settling on the new action movie Joe had wanted to see, Dianne quickly fell asleep and was none the wiser to the violence, swearing and boyish humour unfolding on their screen.

"Dotty, sweetheart? I've ran us a bath if you want to join? If not, I've left you clean Pjs out on the bed, it's up to you my love." Joe whispers, trying to wake his sleeping wife and encourage her to either bath with him or move to the bed where she would at least be uncomfortable. Blinking rapidly as she woke, she felt her back twinge as she sat up, gasping loudly and of course, panicking Joe. "Di? What's wrong? What hurts?" reaching out for her, scared to hurt her anymore. Laughing lightly, she smiles up to him, "I'm fine you panicky paul, My back has just been bothering me lately and clearly, sleeping on the sofa wasn't the best idea. I'd love to join you in the bath, maybe it'll ease my muscles. Just let me go and take my makeup off and sort my hair so it doesn't get wet. Give me a kiss please!" she demands, stepping into his open arms and stealing one anyway, before he could react. It was this kind of cheeky behaviour he loved the most about Dianne, it never failed to make him laugh and remind him just how much he loved his wife. Sticking his head in to check on their sleeping daughter, Joe headed upstairs shortly after, looking forward to a nice, relaxing bath with his wife, knowing their child was off in dreamland and unlikely to interrupt them anytime soon.

Sinking back into the tub, Joe waited patiently for Dianne to sort everything out and join him, closing his eyes and letting his brain unwind. Hearing the door close, he sat up, allowing space for her to join him, his eyes never leaving her beautiful body as she dropped her robe and made her way towards him. "Stop staring Joe! It's not like you haven't seen me before...we have a child for Christ sake" she laughs, pausing before the mirror and pulling at her skin. As she moved, he was mesmerised by her toned legs, smooth stomach and after six years together, he still had to pinch himself as she lowered her body into the water, filling the space between his legs and resting her back against his chest. Snaking his arms around her front, they rest on her abdomen almost protectively, similar to the way he held her with Charlotte, back when her pregnancy was completely new to them. Lost in thought, his thumb absent-mindedly rubbed her stomach as they both relaxed into the water, grateful for moment like this and everything they had together. Fidgeting slightly, moving to ease her back, Dianne drew Joe from his thoughts and back to the reality of the beautiful woman in front of him. Smirking to himself, he place a kiss on her exposed neck, proud when he heard her moan ever-so-softly under his touch. When she tilted her head, he took this as an opportunity to fully explore her neck, placing kiss after kiss, of varying pressure on the sensitive skin and along her jawline. Hypnotised by the quiet moans and pants of his wife, his hands joined the attack, massaging her soft stomach and tracing patterns along her thighs.

"Jo..Joe" panting lightly, lost for words, Dianne smiles, resting her body entirely against his. "Joe...this is how Charlotte was conceived...are you trying to tell me something?" she mumbles, in a teasing tone. Pausing his actions, he lies back too, remembering that night all too well. After spending the day lifting furniture and unpacking boxes, the excitement of moving had well and truly worn off, leaving the couple exhausted and achy and in desperate need of a bath. Their need for a relaxing bath and a wash was quickly overthrown by their desire for each other, deciding to christen their house instead. Nearly six weeks after that faithful night, Dianne had realised that she had skipped her period, something that hadn't happened since she was much younger and after a conversation with Amy and Zoe, had decided to take a pregnancy test while Joe was at work. Four years later, they couldn't be happier. Noticing the frown appearing on his wife's face, he sits the pair of them up a bit more, willingly her to say something. The words that came out were NOT what he was expecting by any means.

"Joe...i'm late. Like, really late. Later than last time."

Digesting the words carefully, he grins widely, pulling her tight again. "Dot...do you think you could be..." unwilling to say the words, to get his hopes up just yet, he allows her brain to fill in the blanks. Looking over her shoulder at him, a slight fear evident in her eyes, "I can't be...can I? We haven't... in weeks. Oh my god, that would explain the sickness, what if I am?" fear disappearing, rapidly replaced by excitement, she smiles back at me, standing up to go across to the mirror. "You'll have to work it out Joseph, my maths is never good and now my brain can't think of anything but babies. It was your birthday, when Zo took Lottie for the night." she mutters, running her hands over stomach, hoping to detect some evidence of a bump, no matter how small. Counting backwards, I reach my conclusion as I step towards her, kneeling down and kissing her tummy.

"8 weeks"