It takes two

Chapter thirty

Dianne switched the coffee machine on, looking around the apartment. Six months ago, she had been in her apartment and hadn't expected any of what had happened to happen. She had been single and had no intention of getting close to anyone, scared they'd leave because of Emelia, scared they'd shy away from the responsibility that came with being in a relationship with someone who had a child. Even if she did end up with someone, she would have been reluctant to let them be a part of Emelia's life, worried they'd leave and break her little heart, the one that had been empty of a fatherly love for six years, despite the unconditional motherly love that Dianne had provided.

That was until she met Joe. When she met Joe, she knew. When she told him about Emelia, he was nothing but supportive, and that spoke volumes to the Australian about just how right he was for her, someone who was everything she had ever wanted and more. Going into the relationship, she prayed that he would at least take interest in Emelia, he would be different to other guys. He had exceeded all of her hopes and expectations, to the point where she trusted him with her child and saw him as the person who could potentially fill the father shaped piece in Emelia's heart, the piece that had been missing for six years.

She had been so in thought that she hadn't noticed him creep up behind her until she felt a kiss to her cheek, his soft lips sending a flush of magic over her slightly tan skin. "You okay, you seemed deep in thought."

"Yeah, I'm just thinking." Feeling his arms wrap around her from behind, she sighed into his embrace, turning around and putting her own two hands on his shoulders, tucking her head under his chin, which rested over hers gently. The two of them fit together perfectly, as though they were a puzzle, or a family pendant, the third piece in her room dreaming of when one direction would get back together.

"Penny for your thoughts?

"Just, everything." she started, finding the words for her thoughts. "You, you've shown me that we can't do things on our own." He nodded, wanting her to explain further.

"Like, before I met you, one of the main reasons I had avoided relationships was because I was scared that whoever it was wouldn't accept Emelia, and so I always told myself that if I did go into a relationship, I would be her sole go-to, I wouldn't let anyone else in."

Joe couldn't help the smile that broke out on his face, feeling his smile lines almost cut at the overwhelming feeling of happiness. What she had just said, made his heart flutter. In a sense it told him that she had let him in, and that she trusted him.

"But with you, you've really changed things. You've helped me overcome that lack of trust, and I trust you Joe, with me and with her, you..." She felt tears come down her cheeks, feeling him hold her tighter. "You are the only person I would trust her with like this."

He felt himself get a little heart while he held her close, kissing the top of her head. "I'm glad you trust me with her, I love her Di, as much as I love you, so much."

She sobbed, happy tears freely falling. "We both love you too. You've taught me so much, and taught her how to spell, which is great because there's no way I would be able to."

He laughed, hearing her laugh too. "I mean I think I'm decent but you should enroll her into lessons with Zoe, she's amazing at spelling." Dianne untucked her head, grinning up at Joe.

"I might give that a go actually."

"Yeah, I'll speak to her. And as for what you said before, you've taught me loads to, both of you." He started, clasping his hands behind her back. "You taught me to dance, obvious one." She chuckled, very obvious indeed. "And you've just taught me to love as well, truth is, I haven't felt like this about anyone."

She smiled, his words making her heart skip a beat like his sentimental words never failed to do. She looked into his deep blue eyes, nodding and encouraging him to continue.

"You've made me so much happier, happier than I've ever been. And as for Emelia, god, where do I begin." He glanced over at the door, hearing Dianne chuckle. "She's helped me grow up, mature and be more responsible. I mean, I'm still a big kid anyway, but she's brought out this side to me that I never thought I had. You've both made life a million times more special, and I love you both. Have I already said that?"

She chuckled, tucking her head under his chin again. "Maybe a few times, and we both love you too, so much. Life is so special with you, and Emelia. I couldn't imagine it with anyone else."

He kissed the top of her head again, feeling complete. "Me neither, just the three of us. Sounds quite nice, doesn't it?" He chuckled, seeing her untuck her head again and look up at him, softly smiling and clasping her hands around the back of his neck.

"It does. It sounds wonderful."

He smiled, the two of them leaning in and meeting in a smiling, romantic kiss.

Their lips began to move one another, all the overwhelming and fulfilling emotion from the last conversation conveyed in the kiss, the kiss that lingered for a few moments, and felt like a lifetime. A lifetime of love, before they slowly pulled apart, looking lovingly into each other's eyes with the look of love.

The same look of love they had back in week one, the look that hadn't changed but only grew stronger.

"I love you Joseph, to the moon and back again."

"I love you too." He pecked her lips, feeling her kiss back before he spoke again.

"Now, where is that little monkey anyway?"

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A/N: And that is it for this book! Honestly, I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of support this book has received, it truly means the world to me and I cannot thank you enough! So, I suppose I should settle the question on weather there's going to be a sequel, and...

YES!

I am so excited to be writing a second instalment as their story is far from over!

Once again, I am so thankful for all your support and can't wait to see you in the second book, which will be out hopefully tomorrow!

I love you all to the moon and back again,

See you in book two!

- Poppy x