When the skyfalls

Chapter seventeen: It only takes a taste...of red wine

"Charlotte Sugg! It is BED TIME young lady, don't make me count to three!" Standing with her arms crossed at the door of her daughter's bedroom, Dianne taps her foot impatiently as she looks towards her husband for support as their child bounces round the hallway. Rolling his eyes lightly and offering a secret smile, Joe lunges forward, scooping the over-active creation into his arms and smothers her in his grasp, "Shush Lottie quick! Before Mama gets cross, let's get into bed and I'll tell you a special bedtime story but only if you pretend to sleep as we walk past her, got it??? Now shush, quick! Look Mama, Lottie is sleeping already, i'm going to give her a big huggle and put her in bed, night-night kiss?" Grinning up at the goofball she married, she pressed a gentle kiss to her baby's forehead, gently brushing the unruly curls off her face, "Goodnight my little Roo, sleep well and remember, Mama loves you and i'll see you in the morning baby."

With her heart full and a sense of contentment, Dianne leaves her husband to do the remainder of the bedtime routine with their now giggling child. Shaking her head silently as their crazy laughter fills the house, followed by Joseph frantically trying to silence their daughter and lull her into a peaceful sleep, she makes her way to the kitchen with the intention of preparing a glass of wine and some snacks for an adult evening, where she planned to delve back into the unknown world of Joseph Sugg's emotions. Completely lost in thought, she didn't even realise her husband sneak in behind her, wrapping his arms tightly round her small waist and dropping a kiss to her bare shoulder; "You're so beautiful...seeing you leaning over the breakfast bar like this...it brings me back to old memories, Dot, you've not changed. Itreminds me of just how much I love you...how lucky I am to have you." Coming back to reality, the warm hands on her hips and the soft kisses leave Dianne melting against the tall figure behind her, relishing in his gentle touch and the feeling of that new-found closeness which had been returned to their marriage following the previous night. "Hmmm, what memories Joey? I've got to say, I've missed this- just the two of us, randomly cuddling in the kitchen over a glass of wine but i'm getting old...can we move this cuddle to the sofa, my back Is aching!" she giggles lightly, spinning round in his arms and leading him towards the family sofa.

Settling on to the sofa, Joe lying down first, setting the wine glasses down and allowing Dianne to place herself carefully between his legs, her head resting in the gap between his shoulder and his chin, glancing up at him through her lashes, "God Joe, I feel like we are right back at the beginning of our relationship again...the strictly days. What memories were you talking about by the way? About the breakfast bar? I didn't think it was that important to us. I can't think of any specific memories attached to it?" Lost in the embrace of their significant other, the pair found themselves drifting back to the foundations of their relationship; those early strictly days.

*Flashback*

"Come on in Di, you've been here before, don't get shy on me now partner! If I can dance a Jive. a Charleston and now an American Smooth, which by the way is DEFINETLY a coffee...then you can record a ten minute video with me!" he teased, grabbing her hand lightly and pulling her through the glass doors, into the living area. In a way, he was right. Dianne HAD been here before but it looked completely different without the disco lights and the party in full swing, the people filing the empty spaces and for some reason, she found herself feeling more nervous than ever standing in her (very attractive) celebrity partners fancy apartment. "Joseph! The American Smooth is NOT a coffee, its a ballroom dance and you need to remember to keep that left shoulder down. But I guess you're right...the idea of filming just makes me...ya'know what, never mind. Can I set my stuff somewhere and maybe freshen up a bit? I need to look a bit better than this if i'm going on a camera mate!" Desperately trying to hide the nerves and sense of unease she felt, Dianne attempted to bring back their usual light-heartedness and banter between them. Seemingly lost in thought, Joe made no reaction to her question, choosing to stare at the dancer instead, fixated on her perfection, the way her hair sits and the way she plays with her seam when anxious..."Wait, sorry, did you say something? Yeah of course, the um...the um bathroom is right there, just leave your stuff wherever, anywhere is yeah..anyway is fine. I'm just going to run upstairs and get some filming equipment, shout if...come up and find me if you need me." Fumbling over his words, the now red-faced, floppy haired YouTuber bolted up the stairs whilst his red-haired companion tidied herself up and made her way to lean against the breakfast bar, in wait for the reappearance of her partner.