Round and round, I won't run away this time. Can you show me what this life it's for?

Round and round, I'm not gonna let you change my mind. Can you show me what this life it's for?

-Round and Round, Imagine Dragons

December 24, 2024.

"Another one! Another one! Come on, Grandpa Sully! Pleaaaase?"

On this special day of December, even if they didn't knew it, it was Christmas. This day seemed to be as normal as other ones; Nate and Elena we're still out trying to find ressources in this rude winter, while Sully was keeping Ellie from doing-and having-trouble.

"Hold on kiddo, 'gotta try to remember. My memory's not good as it used to be y'know? Ok, let's go for another one."

"Yay!" Ellie exclamed as she sat back in front of Sully.

"So, imagine that: Your father, your mom and me; we we're in some kind of secrect room, we kinda, y'know, ended up there by surprise. But yeah, anyway, we we're in and there was a kind of trap and we wanted to go through it. So the three of us pushed it and then, I said: "Well, well, well." and your father was all like:"Haha, that's cute." but your mom didn't get it. Do you get it, Ellie?"

"Uhhhh... No Grandpa. What is it?" She was so exited by the story the old pal was telling her, she didn't even tried to think about it. She loved him to talk about things from before the apocalypse; she was curious about what was it like before, and hearing her grandfather talk about his jokes all along their fabulous travels was, indeed, one of the best moments-if not the one-of her days.

"C'mon kiddo, you didn't even thought about it, you just want me to talk all by myself." Sully noticed.

"No I swear I don't know I have no idea! C'mon Grandpa, now tell me!"

"It's because it's a well..."

"Oh! I get it now! Hahaha! It's the best!"

Ellie was laughing so much-for such a little thing-she could barely breath. At this moment, Nate and Elena entered in the room.

"We're back!"

"Daddy! Mommy!"

Ellie ran to her parents, hugging them both at once, and Nate after took her up in his arms.

"So, Sully. Did you had any problem with this little trouble maker today?"

"Nah. She's been such an angel. Almost. Did ya know the kid likes the stories of our adventures? 'Been asking for some the whole day."

"Really?" He looked at Ellie. "So you like our stories, huh?"

"Yes! They're funny!"

Sully interupted them:"The kid laughs at everything. I bet she doesn't even understands the jokes."

"Well, it depends of the jokes and the stories you tell her." Nate catched up with a suspicious look.

"I told her the ones that could fit up with her age, don't worry."

"Examples?"

"When you almost gave me an heart attack, back when Elena saved your ass from Eddy and how you'd never cross a bridge again with her, also how stubborn she was back then-and still is sometimes-"

He hear Elena chuckling besides Nate and when he looked at her, she had a smile on her face and was looking away. He continued:

"-some things that happened back in Yemen, including the story of the well."

"The well? Wait, what well? I'm having a blank."

"Y'know," Elena started, "back in 2011 when we were running away from Marlowe's guys in Yemen and randomly, I opened a door and the three of us went in it. Later, you, guys, discovered that this place was the secret place you were looking for. The room was empty, only a sort of trap, a giant one. To open it we needed to push that trap and after we did, Sully said:"Well, well, well." and you laughed. You said:"That's cute." You don't remember?"

"I think so but it's vague... I don't get it, by the way."

"It's because it's a well, daddy!" Ellie said, smiling.

It took few seconds for Nate to finally understand but when he did remembered the scene, he let a "ohhhhhh yes!" coming out and laughed with Ellie.

"Oh wow. That seems like centuries ago! Talking about things from the past, we got you a present, Ellie, and I think you deserve it for not have caused trouble around this time." Because, yes, Ellie was the kind of little girl that would go head first into any kind of trouble.

Surprised, she said, with exitement:"A gift? For me? What is it?"

Elena had an other bag with her. A green back pack that seemed, not military, but had the colors of it. The already was few pins on it and a little plush. Ellie ran to it and her mother put in on her back. She seemed the most happy little girl in the whole world

"There you go, Ellie."

"I love it! Thank you very much mommy." she said as she hugged Elena.

"Hey, what about me?" Nate asked. "It's me that found it! Don't I deserve a hug too?"

Ellie ran to her dad and gave him the hug she owned him.

"I love you, dad."

"I love you too, baby girl." He looked at Elena. "What are you waiting for? Come." So she joined them, smiling, and they had a big family hug.

They were happy. They wished this moment could last forever.

If only...

Autor's note: Sorry for the long update, got a lack of inspiration. I did finished other chapters, though. Ah, weird me and my inspiration.