From now on

Chapter ten

Joe scoffed. "Yeah, whatever."

Zoe grinned over at Joe, leaning into Alfie as she sat opposite her brother and his girlfriend, it still felt weird for her to think that - Joe has a girlfriend now. Not only that, but an adorable little girl to complete the set, all tied up in a beautiful red ribbon.

He remembered something, sitting up a little straighter. "Then again, you were the one who made me do all those home videos, and wear makeup, and you did my hair..."

"Oh yeah." She giggled, reminiscing over their childhood in the West Country together. "I loved doing that. Especially when I got to put the bows and things in, that was fun."

"I bet it was." He said, lightheartedly. Dianne chuckled next to him, a few thoughts entering her mind. As if reading said mind and thoughts, he turned his head towards her, chuckling. "And don't you go giving Emelia any ideas either."

"Damn." She muttered, Alfie and Zoe laughing at the exchange. "It's as if you read my mind."

He chuckled, looking towards the TV and watching the Christmas film that was playing in the background. Sitting there cuddled up with Dianne, Zoe and Alfie just a few feet away, all in their comfy clothes in the treehouse, it felt nice to just relax in what seemed like forever, the past few months the most intense, fun, but intense months of his life. It was calm, and it was very, very lovely. He would occasionally kiss her temple, often without realising, and even those little gestures didn't go unoticed by Zoe who felt complete at the sight of her brother so content.

Zoe tapped Alfie's leg gently, him engrossed in the film but then glancing over at her smiley face. She glanced over at Joe and Dianne, cuddled up on the verge of sleep.

She whispered, afraid to disturb the peace. "Look at them."

"I know, they're so...cute." Alfie said, earning a quiet giggle from Zoe. "But it's true."

"Very true." She rested her head on his shoulder, turning her attention back to the film. All was quiet in the treehouse, and it was just the way Zoe liked it. Twenty minutes later, around half seven, she had looked over to see them both asleep, content.

A few minutes after that, she heard footsteps from one of the bedrooms, soon to be greeted by the small child with a small wave, who looked adorable in her dress that she decided to wear out for dinner at the hotel.

She smiled, signalling her over. "Hey Emelia, you Alright?"

"Yeah, just a bit tired. I was wondering where everyone was." Zoe pouted, Emelia wandering over to the living area, spotting the couple sleeping. She looked at them both. "Are they asleep?"

"Yeah, exhausted from all the dancing. They'll probably wake up soon, but it's best to leave them to rest." Emelia nodded, sitting next to Zoe. Alfie was still awake, and had his eyes glued to the TV, slightly leaning towards it even. "Have you been on the iPad?"

"Yeah, playing games." She nodded. Seeing Alfie so engaged in the film, she stood up and walked around to stand by the TV, hands on her hips, Zoe slightly confused. "You'll get square eyes."

Zoe tried not to burst out laughing, only letting out a quiet giggle. Alfie blinked twice, chuckling as quietly as he could, Emelia also giggling.

She nudged Alfie gently. "Yeah Alf, you'll get square eyes. Where'd you hear that one, Em?"

"Joe." She shrugged, coming back to sit next to Zoe. "He always says it. Apparently if you look at a screen for too long your eyes go square and stuff."

"Oh, right." She giggled, checking if either of them had work up yet, which they hadn't thankfully. She checked the time, twenty five to eight. She wasn't sure of when bedtime was, but suspected it would be soon. "We're just watching a Christmas film, miracle on 34th street. Have you seen that one?"