Daddy Issues- Joseph Quinn

Alice in wonderland

Mabel found herself enjoying every moment with Joseph's parents. She had longed for a sense of family for a long time and she didn't really notice it until being thrown into the deep end.

After lunch Joe's mum suggested a barbecue and cocktails on the decking for dinner. Something easy and fun. Joe was worried his parents were suffocating Mabel and explained that they didn't have to spend the entire evening with them and that they could go out.
Mabel refused and insisted that she didn't want to keep Joe away from his family, when really she just didn't quite want the quality time to end for the day.

The pair were sat out on the terrace passing time before dinner. Joe was lightly strumming his guitar and Mabel had finished her book she brought with her sighing while placing it on the table. Joe looked at the girl with amazement.

"You can't possibly be done that book already darling?"

"Well I have and I didn't even think to take another with me" she laughed. Joes mind flickered back to earlier when he dad suggested Mabel take a selection of books home with her.

He excused himself and ran into the annex grabbing the perfect book.

He appeared moments later, Mabel extremely confused. He handed her the book with a smile.

Mabel's eyes looked to the book.

"I remember you said Alice in wonderland was a favourite as a child" he smiled softly. Mabel's heart grew with admiration at joes ability to simple focus so easily.

Joe sat beside her and she grabbed his face and placed a kiss on his lips.

"Thank you Joe" she stated glancing to his eyes then the book.

"It's first edition, and has been sat in my library for years never touched so I thought you'd appreciate it more than I ever did"

"I couldn't possibly keep it Joe" she shook her head. "I'll read it and put it back" she smiled.

"Actually dad said you could have a few, he says they're wasting away here." He explained.

Mabel smiled at the thought of his dad being so generous with her.

"Now read before it's time for dinner" he rolled his eyes pushing her away lightly.

Joe grabbed his guitar and returned to lightly strumming. He began singing along to the tune.

"Do you ever wonder if the stars shine out for you"

"Wouldn't have pegged you for a Ed Sheeran guy" Mabel laughed admiring his voice.

Joe continued singing softly, Mabel enjoying every moment. She found herself thinking of the future with Joe. Would they stay simple? It's only been a week so she was sure they were just in the honeymoon phase. At this point she definitely was not paying attention to the book in front of her, instead she was lost in thoughts about how they quickly went from seething with anger at each other to completely fine and dating. Mabel knew the toxic behaviour was her fault but it's all she's ever known.

The pair were so focused on their thoughts they didn't notice Joe's mum standing right behind them. She watched the pair seem so relaxed and comfortable in each other's presence that she felt bad for being the one to interrupt.

"Hello love birds, time for dinner" she called causing the pair to snap their heads round.

Mabel jumped up from her seat excitedly skipping into the annex placing the book on the table. Joe watched her following from behind admiring how much joy she could bring to a room. He stopped at him mum and smiled.