From now on

Chapter nineteen

"Morning, Dot."

Dianne yawned as she, earlier than usual, made her way into the kitchen. Everyone else was still asleep, including Emelia who was knocked out flat. Dianne hadnt had the best nights sleep as what Mia had said had stuck in her mind like glue. The thought of Joe in the future officially becoming Emelia's dad made her heart go all fluttery every time, and it was one thing she wanted desperately. But she knew that they'd have to have many talks about it before it happened, starting with the first one. Emelia and Joe had already formed such a special bond, but it was the fact that she had never had this journey with anyone that made her a little nervous.

She smiled over at her mum. "Morning mum. Good sleep?"

"Great sleep. I think I needed it, last night I was out like a light. Hey, that rhymed!" Both women laughed. "How was your sleep, Dot?"

Dianne shrugged. "It was alright. Had a lot on my mind," she glanced towards the floor before going to get a glass of water for herself. "But it was okay."

She and Rina both sat down on the chairs outside, both with glasses of water and overlooking the fabulous garden that her parents worked hard on. The Australian sun was rising on her last day down under, although she wished she could stay so much longer.

Rina studied her daughter closely and quickly picked up on how something seemed to be on her mind. "What was on your mind, Dot? Anything in particular?"

"Oh." Dianne took a long sip of her water before gulping audibly. "Mia, she asked last night about, Joe. You know, becoming Emelia's dad in the long run. I guess it just sort of overwhelmed me a little. It's the first time I've been someone this serious, you know."

Rina nodded, taking it all in. "I understand, committment is a huge thing. But I must say, Mia didn't bring it up for no reason, she's not blind."

Dianne chuckled, thinking deeply. "She's not. Joe's...he's really amazing, surprises me more and more everyday. Ma?"

"Yes Dot?"

"Do you think I should talk to him about it soon? Or, do you reckon I should leave it until more signs appear? Like, should I wait?"

Rina paused before speaking. "You should talk to him sooner rather than later. Communication is so important, so you might as well bite the bullet. Later on today we're all going to the beach aren't we?"

Dianne nodded. "Yeah."

"Why don't you have a chat with him about it then?"

///

Like Rina prompted, at four pm that day the entire family were at the beach. Anna, Brendan and Billy were all playing piggy in the middle on the sand, meanwhile Emelia and Mia were building sandcastles close to where Rina and Mark were chilling. Joe and Dianne were filming bits and pieces and dotting around, some for family videos and some for the vlogs.

Emelia carefully manuvered the bucket off the sandcastle that she had made. She grinned. "Ta da! I made a sandcastle!"

"You did." Mark praised. "Why don't you put a mote around it? Or add in some pebbles for decoration?"

Emelia nodded, getting back to work. Around five minutes later, she had done as Mark suggested, and was now bouncing rapidly over to Joe and Dianne, who were both now reviewing the photos and videos.