From now on

Chapter eleven

Joe woke up at nine am that next day, having had a little lay in from the usual pre eight o clock start - often not by choice. Yesterday they had gotten back from the treehouses, at around eight pm, but didn't go to sleep until twelve as Dianne had to pack for Australia, she still had to do Emelia's stuff today, as they were leaving this evening.

The past few days had been so amazing: the final of Strictly, then the treehouses, yet at the flip of a switch they were going to be gone in the next 12 hours. He wouldn't have Dianne to cuddle up to at night, or Emelia's cute little ways filling his life up with love, both of them making him smile until his cheeks hurt and laugh until he could laugh no more, his heart almost burst. Sure, they were only a FaceTime call away, but it wasn't going to be the same. They had settled into a routine, only to be ripped apart. He of course was excited for them to see their family in Australia, but he really would miss them. Terribly, even if it was only for ten days.

As he walked into the kitchen to put the kettle on, and make Dianne her usual morning coffee, his heart sank at the sight of her case by the door, knowing that she'd be gone as well shortly. He shook his head, not wanting to get too sad just yet, he had only just woken up, and kept himself busy carrying out the usual morning routine.

He took his tea and Dianne's coffee into their room, smiling as he saw her start to wake up, the light streaming in through the small gap in the curtains, the room dimly lit.

Passing it to her, he slid back into bed, leaning against the headboard. "Morning, love."

"Morning, handsome." She tiredly smiled, sitting close to him and sipping on her coffee, bringing it to her lips but stopping when the factual thought came to mind: she and Emelia were leaving today.
Her smile dropped, taking a slow sip before putting it down. "Off to Australia today." She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder.

He nodded, closing his eyes for a second or two. "Yeah...I'm going to miss you." He kissed her head of hair. "A lot."

"I'm going to miss you too, we both are." She sighed quietly, feeling his arm wrap around her. "Couldn't Australia move to Europe or something?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I wish. But you're not going for no reason, you're going to see your family, who are all dying to see you both. It'll be good, and don't forget, I'm always on the end of the line." He tilted his head down towards her. "Alright?"

Today was going to be a rough day, they both knew it, and Joe just hoped and would do everything to make sure that he stayed strong for his girls, and look at the positive as much as possible.

She nodded, taking her coffee off the bedside table again. "Alright." She sighed, taking another sip. "And course, Emelia's going to have a swell time with her cousins, getting up to all sorts. And that reminds me, you won't be woken up at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day!" She giggled.

Realisation dawning on his face, he grinned down at her. "Oh yeah. I guess that's the brightside, I get a lie in."

She giggled, getting out of bed and wandering over to the door, wrapping a bath robe around her. "Right. I'm going to wake up little miss, that is if she's not already awake."

"Alright. I'll be out in a second."

Later on that day, while Joe was in his office doing some editing, Dianne was in Emelia's room packing the last of Emelia's things for Australia when Emelia reached into the back of the wardrobe, pulling out something that hadn't been touched in ages.

She held it out to Dianne. "Can I bring this too please?"

Dianne took it from her, smiling at it. It was the jukebox dancer contraption that Joe had noticed in the shop in Wiltshire, back before they dated. They had picked it out together, and it was then that she knew that Joe was special, he could be the one. She already had growing feelings for him, and he was already welcoming Emelia into his life.