"Let me look at you." Rina held her daughter's arms as she stood back and admired her. "You look incredible."
Dianne smiled. "Thanks, mum."
"And Joe. Thank you for doing this. I think we all needed to see one another. Thank you. For everything you do for all of us."
Dianne caught Joe's eye and smiled as Rina kissed his cheek and hugged him close.
"Right, I have no idea where your dad has got to with the cases." Rina looked around, trying to spot her husband in the busy airport terminal. Waving, she caught his attention as he walked towards them with a trolley full of luggage.
"That's a lot of stuff. How long are you planning on staying for, Dad?" Dianne asked, jokingly.
Mark smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Not that long, Dotty. But it is a little someone's birthday today. And then we've got another birthday, and then someone else is hopefully going to make an appearance at about the same time. Your mum has wrapped and packed all of the presents ready. That's what's in the big blue case. Just presents."
Dianne smiled at her mum, wrapping her arm around her. "I wouldn't expect anything less. Anyway, shall we get these to the car?"
///
"So, what's the plan?" Mark asked as the four of them- Mark, Rina, Joe and Dianne- sat around the kitchen table drinking coffee.
"Well, we thought we'd have a little meal out tonight for Emelia's birthday, if you're up to it. And then we're going to have a small party here on Saturday. She's invited some of her friends, and then family obviously, but we're keeping it low key. Just some games outside and party food. I'm too tired to do anything more exciting."
Rina smiled sympathetically at her daughter. "I can imagine. And did you say something about a concert?"
"Yes" Joe said. "Emelia's end of year concert. We've already had a mini solo version of the entire thing- you'll probably get a performance or two as well. Bless her, she's so excited about it. She can't wait for you guys to see it."
"Well, I'm looking forward to it as well" Mark said with a smile. "I'm so glad we could get out here to see you all and do these sorts of things."
Dianne nodded. "Definitely. Actually, we have something else arranged too. For next week. We know it might be a while before you get to meet your newest grandchild face to face, so we've booked in a 3D scan. We thought you might like to come along?"
Rina smiled at her daughter and Joe. "That sounds wonderful. Are you sure you want us there?"
"Mum, I want nothing more. We booked it specifically for you."
Once they had finished their coffees, Joe went outside to show Mark the progress he had made on the treehouse. He was determined to get it finished in time for Emelia's party, and Mark had offered to help as much as he could.
In the kitchen, Rina and Dianne sat at the table. "So, do you have a plan? For the birth?" Rina asked.
"We do. The hospital have been brilliant. Like I said to you on the phone, everything is looking good and I'm classed as low risk which is great. I'm not bothered about a water birth or anything like that. Just a comfortable, natural birth with Joe by my side and possibly an epidural if I decide I need it. Hopefully it'll be the same midwife we've been seeing. Lisa. She's lovely. We're going to try and avoid another episiotomy if we can because, as I'm sure you know, it bloody hurts."
Rina smiled. "You sound calm. Do you feel calm?"
Dianne nodded. "You know what? I really do. It's so different to last time, mum. I know I can do it. I know I'm not alone. I'm not scared. Not really."
"I'm so pleased. And I'm excited for you all. Do you have a name yet?"
"Not yet. We have a couple of ones we really like for a boy. We've got a longer list for if it's a girl, but I want it to tie in with Emelia's name somehow which makes it hard to decide. There are so many pretty names; I don't know."
Rina reached out and took Dianne's hand. "As soon as you meet them, you'll know."
///
"Hello, birthday girl!" Mark shouted as Emelia ran out of school, straight into his arms. "Oh, look how much you've grown!"
As Mark put her down, Emelia turned to her grandma, who gave her a huge kiss. "Happy birthday, princess. Did you have a good day?"
Emelia nodded. "Yep. I got a special sticker too, look." She pointed at the golden birthday sticker on her green summer dress.
"Very nice. Right, shall we get home? Grandpa and I have lots of presents for you."
Emelia chatted with her grandparents and Dianne all the way home, telling them about her day and asking about their flight. When they got through the door, Emelia grinned as she saw the huge pile of presents on the floor in the living room.
"Woah."
Dianne laughed. "Do you want to open them first, Peanut? Before homework?"
Emelia smiled at her mum. "I don't have homework today. And Miss Buttercross said I don't have to do my reading either because it's my birthday."
Joe winked at her. "You're a very lucky girl."
The four adults sat on the couches as Emelia settled on the floor next to the pile of gifts. Dianne couldn't quite work out how her parents had managed to get them into a suitcase and for them still to have arrived looking so pristine. It was Rina's magic touch, definitely.
That morning, Emelia had opened her presents from Joe and Dianne. They had included new football boots, a target to fit into her goal to practice shooting, a collection of new toys and a scooter. Her grandparents had added clothes, books, even more toys and craft supplies to the collection.
"What do you need to say, Peanut?" Dianne said once Emelia had unwrapped all of her gifts.
Emelia got up and walked over to her grandparents, holding out her arms to hug both of them at the same time.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Dianne smiled. "Good girl. You're so lucky!"
"And I might get more presents on Saturday" Emelia said with a grin. "Because then I'll see Nana Tracey and Auntie Zoe and Alfie. And my friends."
"Well. In that case, I think you might be the luckiest little girl in the world!"
///
"Right, sweetheart. Get those feet under the covers. That's it."
Mark sat by Emelia's bedside as she got comfortable. Laying on her pillow, she smiled.
"Happy birthday, gorgeous girl. I love you to the moon and back, and to the moon again. And back home again!."
Emelia grinned. "You used to say that every night."
Dianne leaned against the door watching the two of them. "He used to say it to me, too." She walked into the bedroom, and kissed Emelia's head gently.
"Are you ready to sleep?"
Emelia nodded. "I think so. I don't want to read any of my book."
Dianne stroked her head. "Well, then. Goodnight, my beautiful eight-year-old daughter. I love you so much."
Mark smiled at the two of them. Moving closer, he kissed Emelia's head. "Love you, sweetheart. See you tomorrow. Sweet dreams."
The two of them walked to the door and watched as Emelia closed her eyes. Mark rubbed Dianne's back and smiled as they made their way downstairs.
"Can you believe it's been eight years?" Dianne said as the two of them walked into the living room to re-join Joe and Rina.
"It makes me feel old" Rina said. "I remember it like it was yesterday."
"Me too" Mark said. "I remember you calling me at work to say Dot was about to have the baby. I don't think I've ever driven so fast!"
Dianne laughed.
"When I walked into the room, Emelia was screaming her little lungs out, all pink and wrinkly. And she had that huge shock of black hair."
"She was so loud" Rina said.
Dianne nodded. "She still is."
Joe laughed. "Bless her."
"Oh, Joe, she was gorgeous. I knew from the moment I held her that she was going to get her own way. She's always had those bright little eyes, you know? I can't say no" Rina said.
Dianne looked at Joe. "Sounds like someone else I know."
Joe nodded. "I'm not going to argue. And now, it's even harder because she's learned that look off you. The one that makes me fear for my life. I just have to do what I'm told."
Mark patted Joe's shoulder, pointing at Rina. "It's in the genes, mate. Dianne learned it from her own mum. And I'm sure she learned it from Dot's Nonna. It puts the fear of God into you, right?"
"Definitely."
They all laughed. Dianne took a deep breath, rubbing over her bump.
"You ok?" Joe asked, suddenly concerned.
Dianne nodded, pulling herself up. "Yep. I'm fine. I just can't sit still for long. Jellybean is restless and I'm getting a good kicking."
Rina smiled at her daughter. "Can I feel?"
Dianne took her mum's hand and placed it on the side of her bump. Rina leaned in.
"Hi, little one. It's your grandma. Are you going to say hi?"
Dianne looked down, feeling the baby moving around inside her. She took Rina's hand and moved it slightly higher.
"Wow" Rina said, looking up at Dianne. "You weren't joking about the strong legs!"
///
"OK, Peanut. Come and blow out your candles."
Joe carefully carried a birthday cake- a two-tier, Chelsea FC-themed chocolate cake- into the garden as everyone sang 'Happy Birthday'.
Emelia grinned as the cake was placed in front of her, in time for her to blow out the 8 football-shaped candles Dianne had lit.
"That cake is amazing!" Zoe said to Dianne as she handed out slices.
Dianne smiled. "She's Chelsea crazy at the moment, bless her. She's already found a Chelsea sleep suit for the baby."
Zoe watched Emelia as she tickled Angus, who was sat on Tracey's lap. "I should ask Alfie if he'd take her to a Brighton game with his mates. He's got a season ticket. I'm sure she'd love it. And he'd love it, too. Plus, it might give you a little break once the baby comes."
"Definitely. That sounds good, thank you."
Rina walked over to the table, grabbing two slices of cake. "I'll get Tracey hers as well. Joe's called that corner of the garden our 'grandma club'."
Zoe laughed. "Bless you. Are you both OK? Sorry if we've lumped you with the kids."
Rina patted her shoulder. "It's what grandmas are for. Anyway, we get to cuddle with a cute baby and have a lovely little natter. Plus, it could be worse. I could have been roped into a penalty shoot-out like those two big kids over there."
Rina pointed at Alfie and Mark, who were taking turns in goal, and letting small football-crazy children take shots at them.
Zoe grinned, and turned to Dianne. "I've got an amazing idea for a game. Do you think Joe has any water balloons lying around anywhere?"
"It's Joe. Of course he does."
Dianne stopped herself, remembering that a) she was speaking to Joe's sister and b) this was a children's birthday party before she added an entirely inappropriate 'he's also got a load of condoms in his bedside drawer that aren't currently going to a lot of use.'
Zoe nodded. "Perfect. I think our penalty shoot-out might be about to get a bit more interesting."
Joe popped up between the two women as they chatted, a hand on each of their shoulders.
"I can see you plotting something from all the way over there. What's going on and can I join in?"
Zoe explained their idea and Joe nodded. "It's good, but it's entry-level. I reckon we fill most of them with water, and then add either custard powder or shaving foam or something to a few. Just to spice things up. Plus, we could launch a few from the treehouse as well."
Dianne shook her head. "You just can't help yourself, can you? You're such an evil prankster, Joseph."
"I know. Just you wait- I'm going to teach Emelia and the baby everything I know." Leaning closer to Dianne, he kissed her forehead. "You're going to have to watch your back for the next 18 years."
"Only 18? Are you only sticking around until this one moves out?" Dianne rubbed her bump as she spoke.
"Let me rephrase. You're going to need to be on your toes for the next 50 years, or however long it takes before I either lose my marbles or am too arthritic and old to get out of my chair." Joe paused and smiled. "Actually, I'll definitely still prank you then. I guess you'll just have to accept that this is forever."
Dianne squeezed Joe's hand as she spoke teasingly. "Forever with you? I'm not sure I'm up for that." She winked and walked into the house, Joe following hot on her heels to find the water balloons and shaving foam.