It takes two

Chapter twenty five

"And this is the lovely Emelia, say hi angel." He looked down at her, who gave them all a small wave, not the most confident around new people. Dianne gave them all a sympathetic look.

"Sorry guys, she's a bit shy around new people." They all shook their heads, knowing how daunting it could be. "Once she adjusts she'll be jumping all over the place." They all smiled, all giving Emelia friendly looks.

"Joe?" She tugged on his hoodie a little, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Yes angel?" He turned to her, bending down slightly. Tracey had instantly picked up on how soft and delicate he was with her, using parent language and just overall an already great father figure to Emelia, it reminded her of how Graham was with Zoe, something that warmed her entire being.

"Why do they all sound like farmers?" Everyone chuckled, being from the West Country you would sound like a farmer to a five year old, it was natural for her to say that, they all found it really cute.

"We come from the West Country, lots of countryside." Tracey explained, seeing Emelia nod afterwards, understanding. "You looking forward to seeing mama and Joe perform?"

"Yes, I am really really really excited."

While they all performed, Tracey offered to look after Emelia, something that delighted Joe and Dianne. She knew that Joe and Di would last, because well, when you know you know, and they all knew.

She bounced Emelia on her lap, who was amused by Graham's jokes, much unlike Joe and Zoe at that age. "So Em, what do you want for Christmas, Christmas soon."

Emelia beamed. "A book of fairytales, like the proper big ones with all the stories in it."

Most kids would have wanted toys, or new clothes even, but Emelia had found a joy and happiness in books, something that fascinated all that had come to know her.

"That's nice, I'm sure if you tell Santa he could get it for you. You have to be good though, or you'll be put on the naughty list." Emelia nodded, playing with her fingers and doing 'it's bitsy spider.'

"I will be really good, really really good."

///

"Three tens! We! Got! Three! Tens!" Dianne shouted as they went down a corridor, just having danced a magnificent quickstep and now stood at the end of an empty corridor.

Joe sighed with relief, holding her close, feeling her return it with the same love. He buried his head into the crook of her neck, finally letting the emotion out, the tears he had been holding back since he finished the dance.

He had made Dianne proud, Emelia proud, his family proud. That's all he ever wanted. She felt tears on her shoulder, but not caring as he sobbed quietly, feeling him smile against her shoulder.

"I love you Dianne." He sobbed. "So much. I hope you know that." She smiled, running a hand through his hair while feeling a tear roll down her own cheek.

"I love you too, so much."

He removed his face from her shoulder, feeling her wipe some tears from his cheeks, which were now slightly red, his eyes slightly puffy. Seeing him emotional like this just again confirmed how much family meant to him, how much he would give to make those around him proud of him.

He sighed, looking into the honey pools of her eyes before capturing her lips in a magical kiss, feeling her lips on his for what felt like forever, one of his hands cupping the side of her face, the other side revealing a dimple that had taken a permanent residency on her cheek since he came into her life.