For All Eternity

I'm So Sorry

"We get to see the Quackers today Mummy! Today!" Connie said excitedly into Dianne's ear the minute the hot Australian sun cracked through the curtains, the hand ticking at a rosy four in the morning on the clock at the head of the bed.

"Shh, its early," Joe mumbled, nuzzling his face into Dianne's neck more, ignoring how his daughter was kneeling on his back.

"Cool. I excited!"

"I know you are, can you sit and watch something whilst Daddy and Mummy sleep more?"

"It not battery."

"Can you use my phone?" He asked, unlocking it for her, face still buried into the lightly snoring red head. Their limbs were entangled and they were as close as possible because Connie had a habit of taking up as much of the bed as possible for a five year old.

"I want auntie Zoe."

"Right," Joe rolled over, holding Connie so she landed on his stomach, "which one? The one which I'm in? You haven't seen that vlogmas."

Connie nodded and soon she was laying on her Daddy's chest, watching him with her Auntie having fun and visiting the rest of her family. "Auntie Zoe said about me Daddy!"

"Did she?" Joe mumbled desperately trying to fall back asleep.

"She said vat I had a poorly tummy and vats why me and Mummy weren't vere, but she didn't say Mummy she said Dinan I mean Dianne." Connie said, speaking at full volume.

"Oh really. Shall we go downstairs Connie? So we don't wake Mummy and Buzz and Mel up," Joe said, sitting up when he felt Dianne stirring.

"Come on ven," Connie pulled on Joe's hand, Bunny in her other.

"Go on, go and wait outside whilst I tuck Mummy in. I'll be right along. Go on," Joe said, realising he was going to have to untangle his limbs from Dianne's. As Connie left, watching the video still, he kissed Dianne on the head and moved his legs.

"Where you going?"

"Somewhere missy can be loud and not wake the entire house up, she's excited about the Quokkers and that Auntie Zoe said her name in her video. You go back to sleep, save yourself," he said, stroking her hair softly.

"I'm way too awake. I'll come with you. She's too cute not to," Dianne said rolling over, seeing Connie peaking through the gap in the door.

"Hi Mummy," she said sweetly, creeping in.

"Hey little one, shall we go downstairs?" She asked, stood up and ready to go quicker than Joe who was still laying in bed.

"I'm glad I'm better Mummy," Connie said, holding her hand as they walked down the tiled stairs to the living room.

"Me too. How did you sleep? Good?" She asked, as Connie climbed onto the couch and Joe hugged her from behind, lips kissing below her ear, making her knees go weak. She elbowed him and stood up straighter listening to Connie's elaborate dream. Once she saw some she returned to watch the video, attention away from her parents.

"What are you playing at eh? She's right there," Dianne pointed out in a whisper that felt as sharp as a scalpel. She had turned to look at Joe and there was a stern look on her face.

"Just saying good morning properly," he shrugged, face turned up in a sweet smile, a less than innocent twinkle in his eyes. From the first day she had met him she had been held captive by his eyes. They held volumes of stories with every arc of green that swept through the pure azure of his eyes. And they could change like the sky depending on how his emotions were playing- today it was almost as though someone had lit a fire in their ocean. They twinkled with untold words. And pulled her in. "Butter wouldn't melt."