Part 15: Proposal
As they got closer to the city to meet up with Leos group Johnny was sitting next to the trucks window as he checked his gun, "You think were going to get into trouble when we get there?" Ellie asked getting his attention.
"No I'm just checking to make sure its fine," Johnny said before putting the cartridge back into the gun.
"I think I saw your friend Darren checking his back when we were camping out," Joel said.
"He did tell us it was important to make sure they were in good condition," Ellie said before sitting back sighing, "But it was annoying when I took mine apart," she said.
"Luckily we had a book that showed the parts of it," Johnny said smiling a little at the memory.
"How are you feeling after the fight?" Joel asked.
"Alright, though it was annoying I got in the same spot as last time," Johnny said.
"You mean back at the university," Ellie said and Johnny nodded yes, "Well it's a good thing Bill took out the rest of those guys after you were done," she said.
Johnny then noticed they were getting close to the city. As they drove further into the city they noticed some of the roads been cleared up and as they got closer to the bridge they noticed people walking around.
"Hey over here," a familiar female voice said waving her arms at them from the side of the road.
"I think that's Luce," Tommy said from his motorbike next to the lead truck .
"Everyone stop," Johnny said speaking into his radio before the trucks stopped. Johnny stepped out as Luce and a few other people walked over.
"You all made it back, what happened in Boston ?" she asked.
"That's a long story," Tommy said.
"The important thing is that the good people there are safe," Johnny said, "They're also going to be working with us from now on," he said.
"Well that's good to hear, one of your people started to get worried when we didn't hear anything after a week," Luce said, "Hes working at the bridge with Leo now," he said.
"They started working on the bridge, would be nice if you didn't have to lift all of us across," Tommy said looking at Johnny.
"We have something but it would be better to work with metal," said Luce, "They should be going on break soon, so ill take you to them," she said before they headed towards the bridge. Tommy and everyone else driving slowly behind them.
When they reached the bridge they found most of the group working on the gap and placing a large wooden road on the bridge to get across, "Alright everyone break time," Leo said wiping his forehead.
"Leo, look who made it back," Luce said getting his attention.
Johnny waved at him while he looked surprised, "Johnny," another male voice said running over to him. Johnny smiled as one of Chris's men who had been wounded hugged him.
"Hey glad to see your okay," Johnny said laughing a little.
"What about you, I didn't think you all would be gone for a week," he said looking confused.
"Some of us were injured like you," another one of Chris's men said walking over as he hugged his friend.
"Leo the new person in charge in Boston is a man named Derek, hes going to work on helping making the roads more clear," Johnny said.
"They could also do with some supplies, the army had plenty but there was more people in the resistance," said Tommy.
"Alright, ill send some people there tomorrow with supplies," said Leo nodding.
"Hey I brought some lunch," a woman said walking over with a bag.
"She looks familiar," Johnny thought looking confused.
"Hey isn't that the nurse who was looking after you," Ellie said making one of Chris's men look embarrassed.
"Hey good for you man," his fellow group member said patting him on the shoulder.
"Stop that," he said looking annoyed, "Hey Johnny do you mind telling Chris I'm staying for a while, I want to help finish the bridge," he said rubbing the back of his head.
"No problem, should I tell him you'll be brining back someone with you?" Johnny asked smiling.
"Sure," he said before Johnny held out his hand. The two of them shook hands before Leo stepped forward.
"We started with wood so we would have something for you when you got back, will be working with metal in the next few days," Leo said.
"That's fine, ill lift us the rest of the way," Johnny said before he walked towards the bridge with everyone following him. When they reached the end of the repairs Johnny lifted everyone to the other side.
"Okay how did he do that," Jessie said looking surprised as he put them down.
"With practice," Ellie said as she opened the door for Johnny as he got back in.
After driving for another long time the gates to Jackson came into view and everyone who sitting in the back of the trucks cheered, "Open up their back," a voice said from the top of the gate.
"Looks like were finally home," Joel said.
"Finally," Ellie said looking relieved while Johnny smiled. The gates opened revealing a large crowd as they all drove in. As Johnny and Ellie got out a lot of people cheered and some of them waved.
"Tommy," Maria said running to the front of the crowd before hugging her husband after he got off his motorbike.
"I'm alright, we all made it back," Tommy said looking at Johnny who smiled.
"Looks like it," she said before walking over and hugging Johnny and Ellie making them look surprised.
"You alright Maria," Ellie said.
"Thanks for making it back," she said sound relieved.
"Good to be back," Johnny said as he and Ellie smiled before a loud male voice yelled his name.
"JOHNNY," Chris, the leader of a group said walking over.
"Hey you're here," Johnny said remembering Tommy had called Maria earlier saying they werent far away.
"I told him you would be back soon and he wanted to check on his men," Maria said smiling before Chris shook Johnnys hand.
"One of them stayed behind in a city to help things there," said Johnny.
"He also met someone there," Ellie said smiling.
"Well as long as hes alright that's fine," said Chris. Johnny looked around and noticed Darren hugging a familiar woman who looked relieved to see him. "Care to give them the good news," Joel said walking over with Jessie.
Johnny looked at Maria who nodded. Everyone was then looking at him, he then took a deep breath before yelling, "WE DID IT,".
Everyone cheered and then two familiar people reached the front of the crowd. Steven and Rachel who looked relieved to see their team members and friends. The group of friends hugged with Dean and Lily joining them. They were home.
More time passed as they were able to communicate with Boston easier. Some of the people from Leos group decided to live in Jackson instead of staying in the city. Eventually Rachel gave birth to her and Stevens first child, a boy named Sam. The entire team was there at the doctors office that day. Including their new member Dean, Lilys boyfriend. Then one cold evening Johnny was sitting at the radio with Tommy and Maria.
"So theres been no moves yet," Maria said looking at the radio. They were on a call with Derrick and Leo seeing if they had heard anything new about the WLF.
"No nothing, we haven't even been able to pick up chatter on the radio," Derrick.
"They might be more focused on whats going on in the city," Leo said.
"What do you think Johnny," Tommy said looking at the team leader who sat back before sighing.
"I'm thinking we might have to make the first move," he said.
"Well in any case we should be ready," said Maria.
"Ill head to Jackson with some people and we can plan from there," Derrick said.
"Ill get some people ready to go too and we can join up with you when you reach us," Leo said.
"Alright sounds good," Tommy said.
"Ill call Chris and tell him to meet here too," Johnny said before Maria turned off the radio.
"Alright that's enough work for today, theres a celebration going on tonight so go enjoy it," she said smiling.
"Alright then, see you later," Tommy said looking at Johnny who nodded before getting up from his chair and headed outside. As he was walking towards the bar Bill walked over to him, "Hey," he said.
"Hey Bill, you heading to the celebration too?" Johnny asked.
"Yeah, by the way I noticed something missing from your girlfriends hand," Bill said calmly while Johnny looked down.
"I haven't had the time," Johnny said. Ever since they started working with the group from Boston things had gotten busier. Johnny was there for every meeting and still had to go out on missions. Ellie was also going out on missions when he had to go to meetings. But they still made time for each other and went out on a few missions together. But Ellie couldn't go on the last one because she wasn't feeling well.
"Sure, but you are at the age where you can get married," said Bill.
"Trust me your not the first person to mention that," Johnny said smiling. A few weeks back while out on a mission Lily had asked Ellie when they were going to get married.
"Some day," Ellie had told her looking embarrassed.
"Well good luck for when you do ask her," Bill said as they walked into the bar. There was music playing and people were on the dance floor.
Johnny looked around before finding Ellie sitting at a table with Joel and Jessie. The day after they got back from Boston they found out Joel and Jessie had moved in together. The two of them smiled when they found out Joel was the one who asked her. These days most of the time they went out on supply runs together. Other times it would be Tommy or himself and Ellie.
Johnny walked over noticing Jessie was patting Ellie on the back, "Its going to be alright," she said before noticing Johnny walking over.
"Hey Ellie, how are you feeling," he said standing next to her.
"Hey Johnny, I'm fine," she said before leaning up and kissing him.
"Might be best to take her home early," Joel said before Lily walked over with Dean.
"Hey you made it, you want a drink?" She asked.
"No I'm good," Johnny said.
"I'm fine with water," Ellie said smiling while holding up her glass.
"Hey Johnny," Philip said walking over with his wife who had a hand on her stomach. She was a few months pregnant.
"We saw you go into a meeting, everything okay?" She asked.
"Everything's fine, theres just a meeting between the other groups coming up," Johnny said before Lily interrupted him before he could say anything else.
"Hey this is a celebration we cant talk about work," she said.
"Shes right, just sit back and relax," Jessie said smiling.
"Sounds good to me," Ellie said smiling at Johnny who smiled back before thinking of something.
"Maybe now is the time," he thought knowing the ring was in his pocket. He thought it best not to hide it in his and Ellies home. So he kept it in his pocket most of the time but out on missions he kept it in his backpack.
"Hey Ellie you okay to stand," Johnny said holding out his hand.
"Uh yeah sure, whats up," Ellie said looking confused before Johnny lead her to the dance floor.
"Excuse me, can I get everyones attention," Johnny said getting everyone to stop.
"You heard him," Tommy said getting everyone to be quiet. Tommy nodded at him and Johnny smiled at him before speaking up.
"A long time ago I almost lost everything I cared about, I became focused on finishing a mission and nothing else," he said before looking at Ellie. "But then I met Joel and Ellie who helped me get there and showed me there was still people out there who cared about me," he said.
"Its thanks to you I got to be happy again," he said and Ellie smiled while brushing her hair back.
"Well I was really happy that I got to meet you," she said, "But why say this in front of everyone," she said.
"Because I wanted to show much I love you and if I remember right," he said before getting down on one knee and taking out the box, "You did ask for a ring," he said. Ellie looked surprised as he pulled back the lid revealing the ring. Some of the people cheering.
"So what do you say Ellie, will you marry me," he said.
Ellie put a hand over her mouth before nodding, "Yes," she said before everyone cheered. Johnny felt tears in his eyes before putting the ring on her finger and then he looked up to see her crying as well. She pulled his face to hers kissing him and he kissed her back while holding her close. After she stayed hugging him Johnny noticed Bill giving him a thumbs up.
"Congratulations," Lily said walking over to them and hugging Ellie.
"Thanks," Ellie said while Johnny and Dean hugged as well. Then Joel walked over with Jessie who hugged Ellie before the two of them looked at Joel who looked calm.
"Looks like me and Johnny are getting married Joel," she said smiling before the man hugged her.
"Congratulations Ellie," he said smiling before Ellie hugged him back. Then Joel pulled Johnny into the hug as well.
"Make sure you two look out for each other," Joel said.
"Don't need to tell us that," Johnny said smiling.
"We already are and not going anywhere," Ellie said as the three of them smiled.
Tommy and Maria were the next ones to congratulate them. After being congratulated Johnny and Ellie headed home early. The next morning the two of them woke up to someone knocking at the door.
"Hey Johnny you up, were suppose to get your haircut," Philip said as Johnny sat up rubbing his eyes.
"I'm coming," he said before looking at Ellie who was waking up as well, "Sorry I almost forgot that was happening today," he said.
"Its fine, I do like you with your short hair," she said smiling before giving him a quick kiss. After getting dressed Johnny walked outside where he met up with Philip and Jesse before they left to get his haircut.
"Uh," Ellie said sitting up and holding her stomach, "Whats going on with me," she thought still not feeling fully better. She then looked down as she realized something, "Wait can that be it," she thought looking surprised. She had remembered it had been good while since her last period.