Joe and Dianne: Life away from you

Remember when

Joe's POV:

"Alright.... yeah.... okay thanks Zo... Yeah I'll let her know and then we should be down in a couple of hours... Alright I'll see you soon. I love you."

As I heard the three monotonous beeps ring in my ears, I felt myself relax that little bit more. Last night had been horrible. The fact that Dev wasn't lying about giving up his spot on the show for Dianne and I seemed to make the entire ordeal a million times worse than if it were to have just happened by fate. But it didn't change the guilt that all three of us felt. Dev still felt responsible for keeping Dianne away from me, whilst her and I felt incredibly guilty for thinking that he had to give up the incredible opportunity that he had been given.

But what's done is done.

As I sat on one of the bar stools, resting my weight onto the kitchen Island, I allowed my mind to wander. Dianne and I were still in the state of the unknown. We had no idea if we would make it out of this rough patch - had no idea if we even wanted to keep trying - and more importantly had no idea if Dev's masterful plan would work. All we knew was that we wanted to get out of the apartment, and finally begin to spend the time that we had been granted, together.

"Joe?"

I felt my attention get diverted by the soft sound of my name being said from behind me. Spinning around to greet the sound I felt my heart melt at the sight before me. The petite frame of my girlfriend accentuated by my hoodie that seemed to envelope her entirely. Her messy red hair piled up onto her head and the soft glint of the morning light bouncing of her golden irises.

"You okay?" I questioned.

I watched as she raised a hand up to her face, wiping away the sleep from her eyes that had accumulated due to last nights final round of tears. Sighing deeply, Dianne made her way over to me. Settling herself gently onto my lap as she snuggled into my chest, her fist grabbing a handful of my dressing gown.

Pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head, I watched as a single tear began to make its way down the soft skin of her cheek. Using the soft pad of my thumb, I wiped it away - my heart breaking ever so slightly in the process.

This was a situation I never thought I would find myself in. Not only due to my years of being a single guy in the centre of London, but just the thought of having to comfort anyone after... well, anything, was something I never thought I'd really have to do.

Of course I knew that Di and I needed to talk about our relationship. I knew that deep down we weren't okay. But that wasn't important today. Today all that mattered was her. I knew that all I needed to do today was let her know that I was there. That I wasn't planning to go anywhere without her today, which I knew would be easy. Quite simply because it's true.

"Dot, I spoke to Zoe and she said that she's happy for us to go down to Brighton and spend the night there. Maybe go out for a roast this evening if you feel up to it." I said, hoping that it would take her mind off of the pain she was definitely feeling.

She gave no reply other than a gentle nod of her head - her hair rubbing against my dressing gown, causing the soft fabric to rub against my chest.

We continued to sit there for a few minutes. No words needed to be spoken. No confessions needed to be made. I just needed to be with my girl for a while. And hold her whilst her tears fell.

...

Narrator's POV:

The drive down to Brighton was mostly quiet. The only real sounds being the gentle rumble of the tyres on the tarmac, and the collection of soft songs that Joe played in the background from an old playlist of his. Soft, calming songs that he had hoped would relax his girlfriend. They were doing the right thing up until  the opening lines of 'rainbow connection' made there way through the speakers. The lyrics which usually brought joy to both of their hearts, now bringing nothing but the feelings of guilt and the memories of this past week, causing Dianne to shut the music off without a word being said.