Chapter 74: New Beginnings
'No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.'
-Buddha
It was a busy Saturday morning as the town bustled with the citizens getting ready for the annual cookout. They thought about canceling it, but everyone voted and they decided to keep it going. It would boost morale and they should be able to celebrate. They wouldn't let the council control them and take their joy. It would only let them win.
They've buried their dead and burned the forgotten ones. The councils' bodies had been incinerated along with the rest of the bodies. They wouldn't have markers. They wouldn't be remembered. They would disappear into the past and the abyss of forgotten where they belonged.
The tunnels had been sealed off with everything in the rooms burned and destroyed. Becca made sure to keep all the documents and research, which was safely hidden and locked away never to see the light of day again.
She thought it was important for history. They could heal from the past, but it must never be repeated. Hopefully the next generation wouldn't fall prey to the same mistakes.
Becca decided to walk into town rather than ride a horse. It took her much longer to climb onto a horse without any assistance. She didn't mind the exercise. It also have her some time to think and reflect.
Ellie was off with Betsy and Maria decorating while Joel and Kevin were preparing the fireworks. The town appointed Kevin as their new sheriff. There was even talks of Maria becoming the Mayor. She thought that was a great idea.
Before the outbreak, Maria had been a lawyer. She would be a good and fair leader to Jackson. She would have their best interests at heart. Kevin was also a great addition as well. He was young, but earnest and really cared about the town.
There had been some rumblings about Joel becoming Sheriff, but he refused to listen to any of that talk. He just wanted to build things, be a farmer and take care of his family. He was a man who wanted the simpler things in life. He was through the drama of it all. She was too.
She carried her basket of flowers and lunch for Joel and the rest of the crew.
She waved and stopped to talk with a few people. She stopped by the hospital to check on patients. She was off, but she couldn't help but sneak in and give some flowers to the patients. She liked to always do something for them to brighten their day. It was bleak enough being in a hospital.
Becca made sure to pay her respects at the townhall. She left a bundle of flowers at the memorial for the fallen victims of the shooting. That had been a tragedy. One that will never be forgotten.
Joel planned to tear it down and build a memorial. She would plant the flowers in the garden. They would be honored.
She had been just five minutes shy of being there. She had just gotten to the hospital when the shots rang out. She had been scared to death, thinking Ellie, Betsy, Maria, Lizzie or Seb had been shot.
She was relieved her family didn't perish, but she was also sad for all the people killed. Women and children. Men young and old. She was glad the council hanged for their crimes. She only wished to relive it again.
She sighed as she walked away from the townhall and down towards the training yard. She smirked when she saw Joel and Kevin standing by the perimeter. They were huddled over at firework as Am intensely explained something to them.
Kevin actually seemed interested in what he had to say while Joel just looked eager to blow the damned thing. Her heart clenched in her chest when she realized Tommy wasn't with him. If he were alive, she knew he would be standing right alongside them. Just because he betrayed them doesn't mean his presence wasn't sorely missed.
She stuck two fingers in her mouth and whistler over to them. All three of them looked up. Joel had a smile on his face as he was used himself from the boys and jogged over to his wife.
He leaned over the fence and held her face in his gloved hands, kissing her lips. She smiled into his kiss. She loved how openly affectionate he was with her. He no longer was guarded and freely touched her and kissed her regardless of who was watching them. He just wanted to love her. He didn't care what anyone else thought.
He hummed softly as he pulled away from her and gripped the fence, his eyes searching her face,'Not that I'm complaining but what do I owe the pleasure, darlin?'
She grinned and held up a cooler,'I brought you boys lunch. I figured you were preoccupied with your new toy.'
Joel jerked back at Am and Kevin, smirking his ass off,'They're geeking out.' He shrugged,'I just wanna fire the damned thing. I ain't smart like that.'
'Yes you are.' She frowned,'You're smarter than you let on. I see the things you build and create out of nothing but a block of wood. You have such a beautiful mind. You also love to read, which is one of the things that made me fall in love with you.'
He laughed as he playfully tugged on her braids,'One of the countless things, huh?'
'Oh yes.' She batted her eyes and grinned,'Be still my beating heart.' She sighed as she stroked his scruffy cheek,'You've been keeping busy. You need a vacation.'
He saw her bite back a smirk and nodded,'I hear Arrowhead's nice this time of year. Why don't we take the weekend to say hello again, hmm?'
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest at the gravely tone in his voice. He bit his bottom lip as his eyes roved over her. She loved how desirable he made her feel while pregnant. She struggled with some body image issues the further along she progressed. He was nothing but supportive. He made her feel sexy even when she was puking in the early morning hours. He never stopped his hands from appreciating her body. She felt cherished whole heartedly with him.
She nodded and smiled softly,'I would like that.' She looked over his face and frowned,'You doing okay with everything?' She sighed,'I know you still miss him.'
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, slowly nodding his head,'I do.' He scratched the side of his mouth,'He was still my brother. I loved him. I always will. I just can't believe be would do something like that to us.' He shrugged,'It doesn't seem real. I spent so long trying to find him. Only for it to end up like this.'
'I'm sorry.' She leaned on closer to him, wishing the fence wasn't in between them. It would be easier without her belly in the way.
Joel frowned as he noticed her struggling,'You gonna ask for help or make me work for it?'
She looked up at him and chuckled,'What's the difference?'
He snorted and easily lifted her up and over to fence. He carefully set her down on her feet and caged her against the fence with his arms,'This is better.' He stared down into her cleavage and licked his lips, whispering,'You're right. I don't see a difference. Either way is worth the view.'
Her eyes widened as she looked over his face,'Careful now.' She nodded over towards Kevin and Am,'The kids are watching.'
'So what?' He shrugged.'They ain't stupid. We're married. We ain't livin in sin.'
'Not anymore.' She smirked.
He nodded and returned her smirk,'Not anymore.' He leaned in close to her, whispering,'Married or not I was still making ya come.'
'Hmm.' She hummed softly as she leaned her elbows back against the fence,'Still are.'
His eyes slowly raked all over her and he sighed, shaking his head in disbelief,' I haven't been doing too good a job of that lately.' He frowned,'I plan to rectify that.'
She shook her head and smiled softly,'No need, sweetheart. We were too busy fighting off the big bad.'
Joel frowned as he cocked his head to the side,'Did you just quote Buffy?'
Becca's eyes widened and she shook her head,'You knew Buffy?' Her heart dropped to her stomach in realization,'Your teenage daughter. Right. Sarah.' She sighed,'Fuck, I'm sorry, Joel.'
'It's alright.' He smiled sadly,'I don't mind talking about her. It keeps her memory alive.' He nodded,'It was her favorite Tv show. She would make me watch it with her all the time.'
Becca nodded and smiled,'That was my favorite show growing up too. She would've been around thirty five about now right?'
'Just about.' He nodded sadly,'She would turn thirty five on September twenty eighth of this year.' His eyes looked over her face,'You're not too much older than what she would've been.' He snorted,'You're old enough to be my daughter.'
She rolled her eyes and sighed,'Not this again. Or do you forget this conversation in your old age?' She laughed as he scowled at her,'You make it weird. I never once think about your age when we're together. I just see you. Unless you just like me because I'm young. Then that's a different problem altogether.'
'It ain't about that.' He growled,'I usually dated women around my age. It just took me by surprise is all.' His gaze softened as he stroked her cheek,'I don't think about it either.' He shrugged,'Just difficult to think about what Sarah would've become if she survived. If she had a future. She would probably be a doctor or lawyer by now. She was way smarter and more level headed than me that's for damned sure.'
'Probably more level headed. I'll give you that.'She ducked underneath his arms to escape, laughing as he playfully tugged on her skirt,'You're smart for marrying me.'
Joel stared at her as she placed the cooler down in front of him,'Make sure to share with the boys.' She smiled and waved,'See you at the festival, Mr. Miller?'
He tipped his hat and winked at her,'See ya at the fairgrounds Mrs. Miller.'
She noticed the way he put an emphasis on her name. This is what she missed with him. The playful banter. The distraction.
He carefully watched her walk away from him. His eyes focused on her ass. He appreciated her new curves. He wished he had the opportunity to know what they felt like against him. Preferably without clothes on and without the threat of danger.
There wasn't any chaos anymore. At least he hoped not. The threat was taken care of.
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The cookout had just begun as everyone ran around finish last minute preparations. There was excitement but also a somber mood as well. A lot of people were gone. Some wives, husbands and children. Entire families wiped away. They couldn't help but feel pain, but they joined along as best they could.
Ellie was helping Becca with the display as Joel carefully watched on. He's been a mother hen with the two of them lately. They understood it, but it was intense sometimes.
Ellie finished painting the letters as Becca walked over to Joel, wrapping an arm around his waist,'You all set and ready to go?'
'With the fireworks?' She nodded as he shrugged sheepishly,'If you say so.'
Becca looked up at him and frowned,'I don't like the sound of that.'
'Ironically enough Kevin does have an engineering degree.' He rolled his eyes and put up air quotations,'From MIT.' He sighed exasperatingly,'Kid couldn't even understand the mechanics behind a firework.'
Becca looked up at him and frowned,'Tommy was good at wiring wasn't he?'
Joel nodded and smiled wryly,'He sure was.' He looked over at Maria, who was smiling as she talked with Betsy and a few other women. They were all doting on Seb. She seemed more at ease and relaxed. Maybe a seemingly happy marriage isn't as joyous as it appears. No one knows what happens behind closed doors. Maria would never tell.
Dead men tell no tales.
Becca followed his line of sight and smiled softly,'She seems happier. I don't know why but she does.'
'Maybe cause she is.' Joel shook his head and sighed,'Tommy could be controlling sometimes. He was needy for attention. Maria seems like the dominant type too. They seemed to butt heads a lot. El told me she would hear them fighting sometimes.'
Becca crossed her arms over her chest and sighed,'I figured something was going on, but I didn't want to pry.' She snorted and shook her head,'And they said we weren't going to last and doomed to fail.'
Joel draped an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head,'Look at us. We haven't died.'
She smiled at his dry sense of humor and leaned into his shoulder,'I'm glad you haven't died.'
He stared down at her as his eyes burned with unshed tears,'I'm glad you haven't died either.'
Ellie gagged and rolled her eyes off to the side,'Child present.' She pointed to Becca's belly,'That kid is gonna be scarred for life.'
Joel playfully glared at her as he ruffled her hair,'Pain in my ass.'
He looked over at Becca and they shared a proud moment together. They were so proud of their daughter. She was so brave, strong and courageous. She survived a good fight. She was so young and endured so much. Yet, she didn't let her grief consume her and swallow her whole.
Becca grabbed her hand and pulled her close.'Let's get a good spot for the fireworks. This pregnant lady can't walk uphill to far. I'll just roll down.'
Ellie nodded and smirked,'Like a turtle?'
Becca's eyes widened as she feigned a look of offense,'I guess so, smart ass.'
Joel snorted bedside her and nudged her shoulder,'I saved ya a seat on top of the hill.'
'Aren't you going to light the fireworks?' She frowned,'You've been practicing.'
'I just wanted to light it up once.' He shrugged.'It stopped being fun after the second time.' He smirked as she laughed,Besides.' He cleared his throat,'We didn't get a chance to enjoy them proper last year. With…you know who and all.'
'Yes.' She sighed,'Damn that seems like such a lifetime ago.'
'She was a kook.' Ellie twirled her hand over her head,'I always thought she was a nice lady. Never thought she woulda done that. Ya think you know somebody.'
Joel snorted and nodded,'Ain't that the truth.'
Becca had to agree. They knew it better than anybody. People can't be trusted at face value. Not anymore. Questions needed to be answered. Roles needed to be considered and shared equally. Relationships were also partnerships. They were a team.
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They ate and listened to some live music. Becca teased Joel about playing, but he said only his family was his audience. She hasn't heard him play for a long time. She needed to encourage him to play more. She loved listening to him play. It would be soothing for the baby too.
The sun started to set and everyone took their seats. Ellie sat at the end of Becca's legs, while she rested her back against Joel's chest. She sat between his knees with Betsy and Maria on both sides of him. Seb was situated on her lap and he couldn't help but think how much he looked like Tommy.
He was a Miller through and through.
The sky darkened and everyone got silent as they looked up to the sky. Becca stared up in wide eyed anticipation as the first firework went off. She jumped slightly at the loud sound as Joel tightened his arms around her.
She was enraptured as the fireworks began exploding in the sky, every colors of the rainbow. Tears filled her eyes at the beauty of something she hasn't experienced in over twenty five years.
She couldn't enjoy it last year. Not while Tess was milling about. She took away her joy. For a moment, she almost let her take it all. She wasn't about to let that happen again.
Joel watched as Becca and Lizzie enjoyed the fireworks. He wasn't excited about them. He was already half deaf to begin with. He loved watching the pure joy on Ellie's face.
Just a year ago, Ellie had sat at this very spot sitting as he and Becca were now. They were enjoying the fireworks. Before Tess came and shot it all to hell.
Becca, much like himself lost her entire family. All they had were each other. Most marriages wouldn't survive past the first week, but they were both stubborn and hard headed. They weren't going anywhere. They were over the kid games. The bullshit.
He stared at his girl and smiled softly. She looked beautiful. The way the colors flashed across her face, Illuminating her face. He would always want this woman. Even when his brain fails him he will always remember her.
Whenever he looked at them, he knew what true beauty looked like. For nothing was more beautiful than a woman free.
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It's been a month since the events. Still fresh, but everyone seemed to get over the hump. The wounds were healing and everyone was trying to get back to normal again. Whatever the hell that means.
Joel helped rebuild and repair the buildings along with patching the damage up on the farm. It's suffice to say they never did make it to arrowhead. Maybe next summer.
Becca was sitting on the porch fanning herself off. It was particularly hot day in the middle of June. Joel was in town repairing the church. She would tease him about that later.
Ellie was out on the farm feeding the sheep. Becca did some light chores, but her lower back was hurting her more than ever. It kept her up all night, tossing and turning.
She shrugged it off as being Braxton Hicks, but she knew it was more than that. She had pain radiating down to her thighs. She felt pressure against her lower back, like she had to force something out.
Her eyes widened as she felt another wave of pain. They were far apart, but she recognized the signs. She was in labor. She was a few weeks early, but she was be concerned until she had to be.
Becca slowly pushed herself up from the chair and took a deep breath to calm herself. She wouldn't freak out,'Ellie!' She shouted out to her in the fields,'I'm in labor! Get your father, Maria and Betsy! Now!'
Becca was sharp and to the point. Ellie's eyes widened and she nodded. She ran into the tables and grabbed a horse. She didn't even saddle it as she hopped on and rode into town.
Becca winced as another contraction radiated throughout her entire body. She sat back down on the chair and placed her hands over her stomach, rubbing it soothingly.
'Seems like I just found out I was pregnant, kiddo.' She sighed shakily and laughed,'I guess someone has to be excited for this world.'
Ellie rode as fast as the horse could take her into town. She sped down to the church and called out Joel's name. He was standing on the steeple of the church with another foreman.
Joel's eyes widened down at Ellie waving frantically at him. He slowly climbed down the ladder onto the ground.
He hopped off the ladder and over to Ellie, grasping her shoulders,'What's the matter? Is it mama?'
Ellie nodded and swallowed as she gulped for breath,'Labor.' She took a deep breath,'Becca's in labor. Mama said come get you.'
Joel's heart started to pounded as he nodded, a small smile forming on his face,'Get Betsy and Maria. I'll meet ya back home.'
Ellie nodded as she quickly ran off to follow her marching orders.
Joel looked up at his Forman and called out,'Gotta cut out! Sorry, Larry!' He smirked,'I'm having a baby.'
Larry gave him a thumbs up and nodded,'Hell yeah. Cigars on me.'
Joel stood proud as he walked over to his horse and climbed on it. He rode with careful stride, wanting to make it him in one piece. His beautiful wife was going to have a baby.