From now on

Chapter fifteen

After many tour rehearsals, as well as moving the last of Dianne and Emelia's things into the apartment and redecorating, it was almost time for Joe and Dianne to head off for tour with the Strictly cast. Unfortunately, bringing Emelia wasn't possible but thankfully Zoe had been kind enough to step in, and offered to take care of Emelia, something which Dianne was over the moon about. As for school, she would do work that her teacher had been kind enough to send through to Zoe via email, and had been very accommodating through it all. But for Emelia, that did mean saying goodbye to Joe and Dianne for a few weeks. It had been tough to take in at first, but they both had reassured her that there's always FaceTime, and they'll call every day, and Zoe and Alfie had booked tickets to the London Finale, along with Tracey who was also coming.

Emelia climbed onto the sofa, snuggling into Dianne's side as the two watched Corrie. "Why can't I come with you guys." She pouted.

She sighed. "Because, I'm afraid, the producers have put their feet down, and it would have been very stressful. Plus, you're getting to see Zoe for a couple of weeks, and see Brighton, right?"

She solemnly nodded and focused on the TV, feeling her eyes droop already. "Suppose. Have you got any more tours after that?"

Dianne sighed again, wishing that sometimes dance wasn't so demanding. She and Joe had spoken about what would happen afterwards, Joe taking care of Emelia full time, something that he admitted was out of his comfort zone but was keen to do, and was up for it. It wasn't really babysitting, it was parenting, but he was ready for the job and in Dianne's eyes the only person she would trust Emelia with like that besides herself on those kind of terms.

"Yeah, but let's take it one tour at a time, eh? But you'll still see me, and I'll always be here, and so will Joe." She squeezed his hand affectionately, he smiled at her. She felt so happy to say that, it meant that she wasn't alone anymore. They were in this together, and in it for the long run. "We're gonna miss you though, it's not going to be the same."

"It isn't." Joe echoed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. She leaned his head on his shoulder. He checked the time on his phone, half an hour until Zoe would be here. "Have you got all your things together? Teddy, headphones, notebook?"

Emelia nodded. "Yeah."

"Good good."

"What dances are you doing on tour?" She asked, moving to sit on Dianne's lap, curling up adorably on her. "Are you doing the farmer one?"

"The Charleston?" Joe asked, Emelia nodded. "Yep. We're doing that, the showdance and a couple of group numbers."

"Oh. I like those ones." She said quietly before jumping back down, wandering back into her room, where she would lol around for a little while before Zoe arrived.

It was only a matter of time before Zoe arrived at the door, chipper as usual, greeting her brother. "Broseph." She said happily, giving him a quick hug before they entered, joining Dianne on the sofas. "You alright?"

"Yeah, all good. How's Alf?" Zoe and Dianne also embraced, fondly. "And alan."

"Who's alan?" Dianne asked, Joe chuckling. It took her a second to clock on, then giggling herself. "Ah. Nala."

"They're both great, Alf is just editing and stuff back home. He's so excited to have Em over, we both are." She smiled.

"Em is exactly the same." Dianne smiled back. She raised her voice. "Emelia! Zoe is here!" Within three seconds, the small child was racing down the stairs, leaping over towards Zoe who welcomed her with open arms. Dianne giggled. "She's been talking all about you all day."