A Siblings Advice

Car boot sales and bonding

Tracey's POV:

For the first time in what feels like forever, I will have both of my children under my own roof and of course, they are bringing their beautiful partners with them for a family weekend of car booting and a long awaited catch up after all this coronavirus business. Both couples have faced their face share of issues during the extensive, yet necessary lockdown period in the UK; Zoe suffered multiple flu like bouts and having to celebrate her 30th birthday in isolation with just Alfie by her side whilst Joe was forced to postpone his UK tour and Dianne missed a chance to reunite with her parents in the UK for a few weeks before heading back to surprise them in July. Meanwhile, I've spent the last few months being an online mother-unable to hold my children close and truly getting dug in to crafts and gardening whilst I have the free time- so it will be nice to cuddle them close again...even though they are both adults, happily living in committed relationships. Fluffing the cushions for a final time, I sit gently in the chair by the front door, reaching out to tickle behind Hector's ears as I wait for my kids to return home.

"You ready Hector? I just know Dianne is going to spend the weekend spoiling you rotten and convincing our Joe to get her a dog...what do you think? Should they give me a fur grandbaby to begin with? A friend for you and little nala? Hm...yes...I think they should boy." Drawn from my mumblings by a door slamming, I glance out of the window and I'm met with the most heartwarming sight- Alfie, gracefully taking Zoe's hand as he leads her out of the car and towards the front door, hands swinging freely between them as they laugh and joke about something. "Hi Mum! God, I've missed you! I can't believe how long it has been! I think this is the longest I've been away from you like ever?! How've you been?" Wrapping her arms tightly around me, I can't help but grin as she continues chatting, pulling Alfie into the hug before long. Zoe and Alfie have always been a natural couple; From the very first day she brought him up in conversation, I knew they would go far. Zoe is so openly affectionate, she finds it easy to express her feelings and so the relationship blossomed from those very early days whereas Joe tends to find things like this more difficult. If i'm truly honest, I was beginning to think he might have given up on the idea of finding love, perhaps loosing hope due to our divorce but my god, it hit him hard when he did find it. Moving away from my eldest child, I notice that Joseph and his stunning girlfriend had slipped in, unnoticed until now and were standing whispering amongst themselves in the corner.

" Alright Mum, come 'ere you! I'm glad to be back in the good Wiltshire air, I tell you that. Dot, leave the bloody dog a minute and say 'ello." He teased, extending his arm out for the petite redhead to slip into his grip before she reached out to pull me into a tight squeeze. Glaring up at Joe, a hint of humour in her eyes, "That bloody dog has a name, it's Hector and we wouldn't have this issue if we could get a dog...Hi Tracey! How have you been? It's so good to see you again, well, not on facetime anyway, I've missed you!" Stepping back into Josephs arms, she smiles, the pair slotting together like puzzle pieces and I share a knowing look with my son as Dianne's attention turns quickly to Zoe and Alfie. This weekend is going to be monumental for more than one reason and only time would tell just how successful it would be...

After a detailed catch-up, we head our own ways for a while; tonight, I am leaving the house to the young couples and heading over to a small ladies gathering in town, making the most of the free dog-sitting service which comes in the form of children. As far as I know, Joe and Dianne have gone outside with Hector, making the most of the country air and some alone time while they can and Zoe and Alfie have gone to the sunroom- Zoe's favourite room in my house and the one she designed and decorated for me herself. Heading downstairs, I follow the sound of my daughters soft tone, not wanting to eavesdrop but unable to stop myself from listening into the conversation between them. "Just look at them Alf, he totally dotes on her and she clearly worships the ground he walks upon...Did we ever look that loved up? Did you ever think you would see the day Joe was brushing the hair out of his girlfriends face in mum's garden...did you ever think he would be this romantic?" She mutters, leaning against Alfie on the sofa as the gaze over the other young couple outside. Pressing a kiss to Zoe's hairline, the younger man pulls her closer to him as he speaks: " Honestly Zo, I always thought Joe would be the clown, it's weird seeing him all settled down. She really brings out the best of him doesn't she, he's a changed man since those strictly days." Oblivious to the way Alfie is looking at her, Zoe continues with her train of thought, " I bet they will be the next wedding we go to Alf- just look at the way he is with her, it's for life. I'd say with the way they are going, they'll be married with kids in no time..."

Now, the air shifted and I know I should walk away and stop snooping on the conversation but I know marriage and babies has always been a tender point for Zoe- Alfie not feeling ready for that lifestyle due to his age but Zoe stressing over the invisible biological clock ticking over. "Zo- look at me. Look here. I'm serious about you, you know that right? I know I can be childish and I buy pointless shit...I'm not always showing how serious I truly a about us but I want to promise you this now. One day, not too far away, WE will be married and start our own family, I promise you that. I want it with you. I love you Zozo, i'll give you whatever you could wish of. I promise." Shocked by the bold statement, I take this moment to move away from the doorframe, leaving them to their own discussion as what is left to say is none of my business but as I walk into the kitchen, my heart warms at the idea of my only daughter settling down with her own family and the sight of my son and his girlfriend cuddled up outside only adds to that feeling.

This is what my family has become- Zoe, Alfie, Joe and Dianne.

This weekend is going to brilliant.

Zoe's POV:

As the sunsets, mum headed off to her ladies night or whatever it is and Alf and I haven't moved off the sofa in the sunroom. Earlier, we had a bit of a moment about our future and I can't lie, it has really shocked me that he has admitted that marriage and kids might be closer than I had thought. My "Plan-by-30" has completely gone out the window and I had accepted that; I was just happy to be where we are- owning a house together and Nala of course but the hope of a child and a wedding has been my dream. Since his brave declaration, we haven't moved from each others arms- my head resting against his chest as he just holds me- we don't need words right now, we are just contented in our own little bubble but as time goes by, I realise we have left Joe and Dianne on their own the entire day- practically ignoring them and we are well due a catch up. Shuffling up a little, "Alf, can we go outside and join Joe and Di? I think they've lit the firepit and it could be quite nice to have a little chat with them." Nodding, leaning in for a kiss and he pulls me to my feet as we head out to join the others.

"Look at you two! All cuddled up by the fire with a dog- a glimpse to the future maybe? Can we join you?" Pulling their attention from each other, Joe just smiles as we sit across from them, shifting Dianne's weight so they are both slightly more upright that before but the tiredness is still evident in Dianne's face. "Shut up Zo! Don't encourage her- she hasn't shut up about a bloody dog since we got in the car to come up here! Last thing we need is a dog, I can't even keep my plants alive." He rolls his eyes, squeezing her waist slightly to affirm the fact that he was only teasing. It's the little things that just prove the fact that my little brother is truly in love- he has found the one who has tamed the wild bachelor that was my brother. As the sun fades, we share laughter and jokes, stories from lockdown and our little relationship bickering which comes along with being isolated with your significant other and as the night progresses, Di's eyes grow heavier and heavier and before long, she was out for the count against Joe, hands wrapped around his neck and her legs draped over his body. "Look at you Broseph, with a gorgous girl asleep on you, content and in touch with your own emotions, as well as hers! Where has the class clown gone? Has he finally grown up? Actually no...I watched you two chase each other with that dog slingshot earlier...you two are as weird as each other but its perfect! You two are perfect...do you...do you think you'll marry her? Is she "the one"?"

Turning a furious shade of red, an embarrassed smile takes over his face as he checks the sleeping woman on him is definitely asleep before he speaks. "She is Zo...and get this, i'm not even scared about it anymore. I know I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I've already chatted to mum about it...this weekend is about more than just car-boot sales and bonding. This is the weekend where I prove just how much Miss Buswell means to me." Kissing her head, he looks content and that alone fills me with joy as I settle against Alfie for the night...

This weekend is so much more than car-boot sales and bonding...for all of us.

Hey guys! I'm back!!!!! I can't lie, I have been struggling with writing for a while, after finishing my last book but I will try to update where I can. I hope you enjoy this one and feel free to send me any requests!

Stay safe everyone

FB x