For All Eternity

Relax

"You're already stressed," Dianne pointed out, as Joe ran his fingers through his hair for what seemed to be the millionth time that morning. She was sat in bed with a cup of coffee, slowly waking up for once, feeling the complete opposite of how, she assumed, Joe was feeling.

"I'm about to take my five year old Daughter, who has bounds of energy because she's feeling better, on a 20 hour flight, well 2 flights now because of the bloody airline to Australia 5 days before Christmas. And its already gone wrong because they've messed the flight up. Don't get me wrong I'm so excited for Australia and seeing your family and everything but I'm just apprehensive to get there," Joe rambled, picking up his list to add something else. Dianne sighed and peered at what he was writing- research heat stroke treatment and prevention- which she felt was entirely unnecessary but didn't decide to argue.

"Joseph, can you just sit for a second and relax, Connie's still asleep, your tea is going cold and I want our last morning in our bed to be relaxing and peaceful. 10 minutes please?" She batted her eyelashes at him and pouted.

He huffed but complied- he couldn't say no to that face- sitting down on his side of the bed. Dianne smiled and snuggled into his side, wiggling her head under his arm so he was sort of holding her. "I love you Little one," she said in a sing song voice.

"I love you too," she felt him relax from his bolt upright position ever so slightly.

"Can I fix your list so it says 'things we have to do'?" Dianne asked, after a little bit of silence, where she had tangled and untangled their fingers, as Joe tried to gulp as much of his tea down as possible.

"Don't you have to get your hair done?" He pointed to the point marked seven; 'drop Dianne off at salon'.

"Not until eleven and I can get myself there, and take the monkey if you need the peace, get her energy out. And I'll be done by one at the latest, I'm not getting it coloured, I did it last night," she said, tipping her head so he could see her no longer visible roots. She felt his fingers tease her scalp, before he lurched forward and violently sneezed.

"Bless you, you alright?" She asked, pulling his head down onto her chest, stroking his hair back. She let her hand rest on his forehead and gasped, "Joseph Sugg."

"What?" He said sheepishly, sitting up straight, trying to put his arm around her. Dianne wasn't having any of it though, she pushed him back and put her hand on his forehead, frowning. "I'm fine Dot."

"Bullshit, you're not well. Your head is absolutely blistering and that's the twentieth time you've sneezed. Have you had any medicine? There's some cold and flu stuff in my drawer, here bubba," Dianne fussed, passing him the half used packet.

"Di, I've got a cold, I'm not that poorly. I will take some medicine but I'm okay," he said, taking the tablets from her.

"Okay, but I'm taking Connie with me to the hairdressers. And you rest. Because the stress will make you sicker and we can't have a really poorly Joseph on holiday in Australia can we?" She kissed his cheek, surprised how easily he had accepted the medicine.

"You're annoying you know. But I'm sure I'd have been sicker earlier if I didn't have you. So thank you. Now can I get up and get ticking things off?"

"Its not even been five minutes Joe," Dianne sighed, relaxing back again.

"I'm just going to- honey stop looking at me like that. I'm fine, I'm stuffed up, but I have a list and I feel pretty decent. This will make me feel better because it will make out holiday better. I love you. See you later." And with that he disappeared, list clutched in his arm.