Heres Jackson Part Two. Thanks for continuing to read!

Dina -

I finished collecting the last of the blooming tomatoes that have grown in the gardens. Carefully plucking them one by one and placing them into the basket, it was quite therapeutic. We have quite a variety here now. Tomatoes, Onions, potatoes and a lot of herbs. We always had this kinda thing here but since I took it up a few months back I've found I really do have a green finger and have found quite the knack for it. I spent most of my days working in the gardens and growing crops, it was like being back at the farm sometimes and made me feel at ease. I really missed our farm life, it was always a big dream of mine to do up a farm up and live that life. While we had it, it was amazing but now that feels like a lifetime ago.

I made the short walk to the farmers market that we just opened 'Handpicked' it was called. I wasn't a huge fan of the name but it was cute. I turned to push the door open using my shoulder while still holding the large basket of vegetables. I headed towards the counter where an older woman named Emma was busy sorting through orders. She had big bush or curly red hair and dressed in her usual outfit of blue dungarees, bright striped top and boots.

"Hey Emma" I smiled

"Dina hey!" She replied

"I've got another delivery for you" I placed the basket on the counter and lent up against it

Emma rummaged through, having a quick look before taking it and carrying it to the back of the shop.

"How have you been?" she asked when she reemerged

"Good thanks, it's nice being back and having something to do"

"Well you seem quite at home in the garden I must say! You practically keep this place going on your own" She spoke quite enthusiastically.

"Thanks" I replied a little awkwardly "Well I best get going, I need to call by Robin and Julies before i get home"

"Oh could you give them this?" Emma held out a paper bag "It's just a small order Julie placed yesterday"

"Sure no problem" I took the bag from her and headed out of the shop.

It was starting to get late and I needed to ask Robin if he could keep JJ for a couple more hours. Me and Ellie were going to meet Tommy tonight at the Tipsty Bardon. Tommys really been trying to make things right between him and Ellie. He's stopped drinking and has paid us a couple of visits over the last couple of weeks. I didn't want anything to do with him after what he had said to her but Ellie couldn't live with herself if she cut Tommy out, he's like her uncle. Joel's brother and Joel would want them to get along and be there for each other.

I walked toward the porch of Jesse's parents house and saw Robin sitting on the old rocking chair outside reading a book.

"Hey Robin" I waved

"Hey Dina, how are you? JJ is just helping Julie in the kitchen go in if you like" He spoke

"Great thanks" I climbed the stairs of the porch and lifted my had to push open the door when Robin spoke again

"Uhmm Dina" he looked a little sheepish

"Yeah" I paused and gave him a concerned look

"I just wanted to ask. Tell me if it isn't by business but I need to know" He took a breath before continuing "That woman Ellie went after. Abby?" He placed his book down and stood up moving closer to me "Did Ellie get her? Did she get my son's killer?" The last words he spoke were a mere whisper.

I was shocked at what I was hearing. Robin and Julie have never asked us questions about this before. They always wanted to keep out of it. But I guess he's only human and she did murder his son. A few minutes must have gone by as we stood there in silence.

"I'm sorry i shouldn't have asked" Robin broke the long silence

I shook my head "no. It's okay, you deserve to know the truth. Ellie didn't kill her"

Robin's face dropped and he looked at me with sad eyes "Ah okay" he turned back around and sat back in the chair picking up his book and continuing to read.

"I'm sorry" I spoke before pushing the door open and heading into the house.

"Mummy!" JJ shouted

"Hey, have you had a good day?" I bent down and stretched my arms out for him

"Yeah we have been baking!" His smile was from ear to ear, he still had some flower on his nose too

"Oh have you, I hope you saved some for me" I tickled him and he started to giggle

"Hey Dina" Julie was propped up in the doorway

"Hey Julie, I have your order from Emma here" I stood up and walked over to her handing her the brown paper bag i'd been clutching in my hand.

"Oh thank you!"

"I was going to ask, are you okay to have JJ a little later? Me and Ellie need to speak to Tommy later. He's trying to make things right between him and Ellie"

"Yes of course, no problem. Hey JJ you hear that? You can stay a little longer!"

"Yaaaay!" He shouted and punched his fist into the air. JJ had moved to sit over by the window playing with his toys. Making sounds as the man on the horse he was galloping in the air crashed into a stationary truck.

Julie let out a sigh "He's so like his father" her voice had a sad tone to it "He would have loved this so much"

"I know he would" I put my hand on her arm and smiled "He would have been a great dad"

"El, you ready?" I shouted up the stairs.

We really need to go.

"Yeah one sec!" She called back

It's been a few months since Ellie opened up to me about her immunity and I'm so glad she did. She's been speaking to me about her feelings a lot more recently and I feel like we are stronger than ever. She has also been talking alot about Joel and Jesse, something she would never do back on the farm. She seems Lighter and happier now. I think she was holding onto this big secret and she felt so ashamed by it that it was eating her up inside. I can't say I wasn't shocked by it all but I genuinely am glad Joel did what he did. I would do it for her without question. I don't care if it's selfish. Nobody is taking her away from me, not again.

She came thudding down the stairs still buttoning up her flannel.

"About time"

"Hey it takes time to look this good" She winked at me and gave me a cheeky smile.

I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into me "uhmm, you do clean up pretty good" I lent in and kissed her lips. "So are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, I'm actually excited to spend some time with Tommy. I know he was a class A dick but he's really trying to make things right"

"I know he is and I'm glad"

We walked over to the Tipsy Barden, It was pretty lively and there was a buzz around the place when you walked in. We headed straight for the bar and ordered a couple of whiskeys for old time sake.

"Ellie!" a voice from the crowded dance floor called. It was Kieren. He made his way over to us and bare hugged Ellie picking her up off the ground. She looked a little confused by the interaction. He put her down and hung his arm around her shoulders leaning into her. "Dina hey" he pushed his hand out offering me to shake it. As if they were the couple and I was the third wheel.

I felt my eyebrows push together as I frowned at them in front of me. "Hey" I took his hand and reciprocated the gesture. Kieren was quite a tall guy, very good looking and athletic. He was a few years younger than us but had definitely matured over the past year or so.

He kept his arm around Ellies shoulders leaning into her more, chatting away and smiling. I know she's not into guys and I totally trust her but at this moment I can't help but feeling a little jealous. Watching this young attractive man draped over my girl, smiling at her with those perfect teeth of his. I move forward and grab Ellies hand and place it around my waist.

"Really nice to see you Kieren but we need to find a table, we are meeting Tommy" I start to walk away pulling Ellie with me through the crowd of people.

"Oh yeah sure, no sweat! Good to see you both!" He called in the distance.

Ellie looked at me with a stupid grin on her face and I knew what was coming.

"Were you just a little jealous back there babe?"

"No, we just needed to grab a table it's busy in here" I huffed

"Ha, yeah sure. You were jealous" She laughs

"No I wasn't" I shook my head "Ah there" I pulled Ellie towards a free booth at the back of the pub. Her face still wearing that stupid grin of hers.

What have I started?

"Hey, it's okay if you were, I totally get it. I know i'm irresistible" she gave me a little shoulder nudge

I rolled my eyes and took a sip of my drink not wanting to bite and give her what she wants

"Don't worry" She starts leaning in closer "I've only got eyes for you" she plants a kiss on my cheek and I felt them flush "Knew it" she laughs. "Anyway Kierens cool, we go hunting quite alot and dont worry hes not into me" She winked

I held my hands up "okay, okay"

Since the day she came back from the solo patrol mission with the bite mark on her leg and I told her I didn't want her to go back anymore she hasn't. Thank god. She decided to take up hunting. She still gets out of Jackson but she isn't in as much danger so that was fine with me. I guess now I just have to put up with her new little admirer. I don't blame the guy in a way, she's beautiful and probably the most amazing person in Jackson.

"Hey guys!" Tommy greeted "Sorry if i'm late, I've been busy down at the Damn, y'all havent been waiting too long have ya?"

"Hey Tommy, no that's fine we have only just got here, sit down" Ellie replied

He sat down opposite us in the booth with a glass of water in hand. He was looking better. Much like his old self again. His hair had been cut and was tied into a neat bun and his beard had been trimmed down to look more tame so you could see his face again.

We spent the rest of the night chatting and discussing everything that had been going on. Tommy told us he had started working at the damn again and was feeling much more productive. He'd kicked the alcohol too and he and Maria had started seeing each other again. He seemed happy and he was finally moving on with his life. It was great to see him like this. Ellie updated him on her new position and what happened at the factory. He wasn't too impressed when she told him what had happened and why I wanted her to come off patrol duty. We also spoke about him coming over to the house to see JJ again.

"It's been really good seeing you Tommy" I gave him a hug as we got up from the table to leave

"You guys too"

"So, I was going to ask" Ellie started nervously "It's your birthday next month right?"

"Urm yeah" He looked shocked at the question

"Would you like to come over and spend it with us? Maria can come too obviously"

"Oh yeah, sure kiddo that would be great" He spoke with a small smile appearing on his face

"Great" Ellie smiled back at him

Thanks once again for reading! Please leave a comment or follow this story for more! I will be uploading in the next couple of days.