From now on

Chapter three

"Still nutters." Emelia gasped, staring up at the ceiling. Trent couldn't help but chuckle at the three of them, all sprawled out across the studio floor, a trio of nutters. She stood up and grinned, seeing them both do the same.

Joe sighed deeply, still out of breath. "Dot, I don't think I'll be able to dance after that. I'm knackered."

"You'll be fine." She said, a little out of breath herself. Joe shrugged. "Right, Shall we teach you that dance then?" She grinned. With that, Emelia plonked herself on the floor at the side with her coat, excited as ever for another evening of watching mama and Joe rehearse, before eventually falling asleep not long after six pm rolled around, snug as a bug in her coat.

As they finished up another run, at six thirty, the music faded out and they both finished, before standing and taking a moment to regain composure. Joe looked over to the girl, wondering why she had been so quiet and not expecting to find her sound asleep.

"Dot, shes asleep." He whispered, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. She span around and smiled, seeing the child so content. She looked so adorable. She rested her head on his shoulder. "Bless her."

"I know, I reckon it's that tickle fight that sent her to dreamland." Dianne said, continuing to look fondly at her. Joe rested his head on hers, his eyes also on Emelia fondly. "What time is it?"

"Six thirty. Why?"

"Mm, Maybe another half an hour and then we'll call it a night, get her to bed, and us to bed too, sound good?"

"Absolutely." He said, relieved. "I've never been more grateful for an early night in my life." They both chuckled before going to their starting positions, Dianne also turning the music down a touch for Emelia's sake.

///

"So next week we have to do three dances?" Joe asked, the two having been talking about Strictly, and it had only just dawned on him what was to come if they made it. After putting Emelia to bed, the two had eaten dinner, washed up, and now were getting ready for bed.

Joe had jumped out of the shower, put on a towel and was now rummaging through the drawers for some nightwear. Dianne, meanwhile, was already in bed as she had showered first, and was browsing through her phone. She nodded. "Yep. But two we already know, so it's not as daunting as you'd expect."

"Suppose." He took out some joggers, but also grinned when he also found one of Dianne's blouses in there somehow. He held it up, not that he was annoyed, but rather enjoying the domestic situation, even over something little. Since they had began staying there, more and more little things had been put in place, and she had made her mark, they both had. ones he really wanted to be permanent. "Found your blouse you were looking for earlier."

"Oh." She giggled. "That's where that went, I was looking for that." He shook his head, folding it back up and just putting it back. "Thanks."

"It's alright. And there's probably things of mine you've got." He said, chuckling when he realised that she was in fact wearing one of his tops, nodding to her knowingly. She grinned innocently. "Things that I may not get back."

"Ah, well. What's yours is mine, right?" She sighed as he climbed in next to him. She leant her head on his shoulder.

"Right." He replied. He kissed her hairline before putting his phone aside, all the thoughts in his mind coming together, ready to be put into words. It had never been easy for Joe, putting his emotions into words, but these emotions were too strong to not be voiced.

He tapped his lip. "Dot?"

"Joseph?"

"I've been thinking, you see. What if..." He started, seeing her nod. This was it. He tilted his head slightly downward towards her. "What would you say to moving in with me?" He asked, letting the words hang in the air for a brief moment. "Obviously I'll have to speak to Byron, and we'd have to ask Emelia, and things would take a while, and plus there's strictly, and new year, and Christmas, but let's just say after tour..."