Forever Mine (Joe & Ella 2)

“I think everyone’s just assumed your mega rich fiancé is keeping you at home all to himself and in the manner to which you’ve become accustomed.” He teased, “Plus it’s none of their business anyway.”

I agreed, but I knew it wouldn’t stop them gossiping.

We pushed our way through the doors into reception where Kim jumped up from behind her desk and threw herself at me kissing my cheek and squeezing me tight.

“We’ve missed you Ella, it’s dead boring around here without you.” She groaned.

“Thanks a lot Hun!” Chris snipped back at her.

“I’ve missed you too Kimbo, any gossip I’ve missed out on?”

“Only that some new guy started in accounts last week and he is hot as hell. Apart from that it’s the same old same old. Colin is a dweeb, Chris is in love and I’m forever hopeful.” She smiled and caught sight of the man mountain behind me then blushed.

“Kim this is Sam, he’s a friend of Joe’s who wanted to come along with me today. I think he’s looking for a hot single receptionist.” I whispered so he wouldn’t over hear. “Sam this is Kim, she’s adorable isn’t she.”

He almost let his guard slip but he was a tricky one to read, so he completely ignored my sly effort to try and get him to open up and show he was somewhat human. Instead, he put his hand out to shake Kim’s and from the colour of her cheeks I knew she was affected just from a hand shake.

“Wow are those muscles real?” She said sounding completely daft and using the opportunity to stroke along his arms.

“Of course they’re real Kim, what you think he wears padded clothes?” Chris rolled his eyes at her then hooked his arm through mine.

“Come on chick let’s get you a cuppa and a slice of cake before the greedy gang in there scoff the lot.”

“Cake yes, cuppa no. I’m completely off tea and coffee. Just the thought of it makes me want to throw up” It felt good to be able to admit that this time. Then I remembered Kim was with us. I panicked and turned round ready to come up with some crazy explanation as to why tea and coffee was a no go, but I needn’t have bothered, she was too engrossed in eyeing up Sam to hear what I’d said.

“She’d put two and two together and come up with five.” Chris said cruelly. “Don’t worry she’s total oblivious that one.”

When I walked into the office I felt incredibly humbled that all the guys had gone to so much trouble for me. There were flowers, balloons and presents, a massive buffet set up in the board room and everyone had come from their desks to wish me a goodbye and see you soon. Frank insisted on the ‘see you soon’ because he said he didn’t want to think about the possibility I might not come back.

As I glanced around me I realised how far I had come since joining them after leaving Adam. These were good people, and I’d miss the banter and camaraderie we had shared. Oh I knew I’d never lose Chris, he was my brother from another mother, but still it felt sad to be leaving. It was the end of an era for me. Even nerdy Colin looked out of sorts standing in the corner picking over his slice of cake and keeping his head down.

About an hour after we’d arrived our usual delivery guy walked into the office carrying the biggest bouquet of red roses. I knew who sent them, he was always so thoughtful. I took them from his arms and thanked him as he slinked back out of the office looking relieved that he’d avoided Kim’s wrath.

When I opened the envelope my heart gave a little victory dance.

To My Beautiful Wife (to be)

I don’t tell you I love you out of habit or because I want you to say it back. I tell you I love you because I want to remind you that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I’m thankful every day that I met you.

You are the best part of my life.

Forever yours

Joe x

How did I manage to get so lucky? Everything was pretty much perfect and I couldn’t wait to get home and wrap myself around him and show him how much I loved him and what my favourite parts of my life were, or rather my favourite parts of him.

I spent the rest of the afternoon with a goofy smile on my face but as time wore on I started to feel tired. It didn’t take a lot these days, most evenings I was usually drooling on my pillow with Joe shaking me awake to get my attention. I think it was par for the course at this stage of the pregnancy, or so the websites told me.

I turned to Sam and asked him if he wouldn’t mind putting the flowers, presents and other gifts into the car ready for when we left. Chris agreed to help him and the two got to work ferrying the bags and boxes up and down the lifts. I went out to the reception area to try and find Kim, and Colin followed me.

“We’ll all really miss you Ella.” His admission took me back, I didn’t even think he’d noticed I’d gone.

“Thanks Colin, I’ll miss you too.” I smiled kindly, he wasn’t so bad after all, a little strange but harmless.

“Oh I forgot I still have one of your leaving presents in the back of my car, I meant to bring it up this morning but in the rain and all the rush I completely forgot. Do you mind coming down to the car park with me to get it? It’ll only take two minutes.”