Chapter 25: Nothing worth having comes easy
'We accept the love we think we deserve.'
-Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
It was Labor Day weekend and the town was in full swing getting ready for the festivities.The town planned a big cookout celebration. Tommy, Joel and some of the other men were gearing up for the fireworks display. Men will look for any reason to blow something up.
Becca was excited. It's been years since she's celebrated any holiday. David didn't condone celebrations of any kind. Unless it was one of the holy holidays. They weren't allowed to sing secular music. Just gospels and hymns.
It was a busy Saturday afternoon for her. She worked a few hours at the hospital before going to help Maria and some of the other women set up for the cookout. They decided to have the festivities outside the perimeters of the town. They wouldn't have to worry about clickers or bandits and smugglers. Clickers didn't venture outside of larger cities and no one was stupid enough to take anything from Jackson. Not while Tommy, Joel and the other men were around. They were capable men. They fought for their own.
Becca was carrying a basket filled with some vegetables for her garden. She smiled to herself when she saw Joel standing atop of a shed. He seemed to be rigging something on top of it. Sharon's husband, Richard was with him.
Ever since Sharon's birthday party, Richard and Joel have been spending a lot of time together. She knew Joel was interested in electrical engineering. She would find him reading books on the subject. His head would be buried in the book. He would be in his shed, tinkering around with mechanical parts.
He spent a lot of time under Richard's apprenticeship. When he wasn't working on the farm, him and Richard would be sitting in his kitchen as the older man quizzed him on certain subjects. In a way, she could see a father and son dynamic between them.
Sharon told her they lost their sons to the infection. She watched as her husband shot them both in the head. She couldn't imagine having to kill your own children. Even now, she suffered with the guilt of killing her parents. She's come to realize that she was saving them from a life of suffering. She didn't kill them. She euthanized them. It was the only way she could reconcile it in her head.
He turned his head and looked down at her. He tipped his cowboy hat to her and winked, a sly smirk on his face. She waved at him and nodded her head in greeting.
They've been so busy they barely got to spend any time together alone. The only time she saw him was when he picked her up from work. He started picking her up no matter what time of day she got off. She was surprised at first, but after two months she's become accustomed to it. It was something she looked forward to after a long day of work.
He would bring her back to his house and she would eat dinner with him and Ellie. She's looked forward to that. She finally felt like she had a family. A real family. She always felt as if she were playing house with Ben. They were high school sweethearts. He was the only man she had ever been with. She thought marrying him was the right thing to do.
The were only six months into their marriage before she saw the cracks. He was less affectionate. He would come home later and later each night. That's if he came home at all.
After the outbreak, he started drinking. He became bitter, angry and violent. He manipulated her, knowing she needed him for survival. She wanted to die most days. Sometimes she hoped an infected would finally bite her and put her out of her misery.
When David told her he died, she felt an immense sense of relief. Then she was forced to marry David. The cycle continued. When David discovered Ellie and Joel, she knew it was her opportunity to escape. It was the craziest yet best decision she's ever made. Meeting Ellie and Joel was the best thing that's ever happened to her.
Ellie used to be like a little sister to her, but the more time she's spent with her; she started to see her as a daughter. Ellie would come to her for advice about relationships. They would talk about things she didn't feel comfortable discussing with Joel. They became each other's confidants.
Joel. What could she say about him? They last two months went by effortlessly. They were working through their issues. Their communication was getting better. Joel was starting to open up to her more. While he didn't profess her love for her. She knew he cared about her. He showed it in the way he treated her. No man has ever treated her with so much respect and dignity. He valued her opinion. They were a good team.
They still haven't slept together. They've gotten intimate, but they've never gone that last step. Ironically, it wasn't her. She wanted him. He was the one holding back. He seemed afraid for some reason. Not because of the act itself. He had no problem with touching her. He just had a problem with her touching him.
She never went back to her place anymore. Ever since they reconciled, she's spent almost everyday at his house. Except for the times she worked a double shift at the hospital and would sleep on one of the cots between shifts.
Most of her clothes were in the guest bedroom. Almost every night, Joel would knock on her door. He would seem out of sorts from a nightmare or a panic attack. She would hold him as he laid his head on her stomach. She would run her hands through his hair. He always left before he fell asleep. He was afraid to hurt her again.
She was patient with him though. She understood better than anybody what trauma did to people. It made you doubt yourself. It made you question what you really wanted out of life.
She was finally at a point in her life where she knew what she wanted. She just didn't know if he wanted the same things. They were slowly but surely getting on the same page.
Richard smirked when he saw the young man staring down at Becca,'Did you ask her to move in yet?'
He sighed and shook his head,'I haven't got the balls to ask her yet. She's been staying up at the house every night though.'
'You remind me a lot like me and Sharon when we first got together. She had been married once before. I never thought I would ever get married.' He laughed as Joel's eyes widened in surprise,'I wasn't always an old fogey. I was a lot like you. I liked being on my own. I thought marriage wasn't for me and I didn't need to be tied down. That was until I met Sharon. Everything changed for me after that.'
'I was married once.' He was surprised he admitted it to the old man. Only a handful of people he trusted knew that information, but he trusted Richard. He was a solid man. A good man.
Richard handed Joel a wrench as he fastened a cable wire to a post,'What happened?'
'I woke up one morning to a note and her rings. She didn't wanna be with me anymore. She said she felt neglected. I guess it was true, but I was working all the time. We got married young. We were only twenty years old.' He cleared his throat,'We had a daughter. Sarah. She was only a baby when she left. Sometimes I wonder if she's still out there. If she survived.'
'And if she did? Would it make a difference?'
Joel thought about his question for a moment and shook his head,'No, if anything I would fucking wanna know where the fuck she's been. Tommy introduced us.' He rolled his eyes,'I should a fucking known. I was…crazy about her, but after she left I realized it wasn't love. It was lust. I married her because I got her pregnant. We didn't have no business getting married. It never shoulda happened.'
Richard glanced down at Becca,'Would you get married again?'
'I'd be lying if I said I ain't thought about it.' He shrugged,'I'm only human.' He shook his head,'She would never marry again.'
'I wouldn't say that.' He smiled knowingly,'A woman's been known to change her mind. If given the right reasons.'
He swallowed harshly, feeling scrutinized under the older man's gaze. Sometimes, it felt like he could see right through him. He couldn't lie to the man. Him and Sharon were a lot alike in that regard.
'You're in love with her.' He didn't ask. He simply stated it as fact,'Don't you dare lie to me either. I'm old, but I'm not stupid.'
'She thinks I'm not.' There wasn't any use denying it. Not to a man like Richard. His secrets were safe with him,'I hate that she thinks I don't. I know it's killing her. She tells me she loves me and I just look at her like a fucking fool. I'm gonna lose her because of it. I can feel it.'
Richard sighed as he placed his hand on his shoulder,'Then you better get to it, son. A woman's love waits for no one.'
He watched her walk over to Maria and place her basket down. She picked Sebastian up out of his stroller and lifted him high up in the air, making the little boy laugh.
He smiled to himself. He imagined what she would look like pregnant. He would be lying if he said he didn't think about. Being married to her and having a family. In the grand scheme of things, it would be ideal. Before the outbreak, he would've wanted to give her that. He wanted it now.
Who the hell was he kidding though? He couldn't even tell her he loved her. How he could ask her to marry him? He would be dead before he ever got the chance.
Richard was right though. A woman doesn't wait forever. He was on borrowed time with her. Her patience would only go so far.
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Becca was exhausted by the time she reached the ranch. It was almost eight in the evening. She was finishing up the last touches on the decorations for the cookout. She was anxious to see Joel. She's only seen him in passing. They were busy all day. Someone always needed help with something.
They haven't been to the lake in weeks. She missed their special spot. They could be alone and just enjoy each other. She couldn't remember the last time they've done that.
She let herself in the house as she walked up the stairs to the guest bedroom. No one seemed to be home. The house was eerily quiet.
She frowned as she wondered where they went. Ellie was probably hanging out with Lizzie. The two girls were inseparable. They were in love. At least one relationship was blossoming while hers was at a standstill.
She walked into the guest bedroom to get changed. She gasped when she saw the room had been changed. White lace curtains were hung up in the room. There was a rocking chair by the window. She recognized it to be one of Joel's creations. She admired it one day while he was working on it in the barn.
He remembered.
There was a bookcase that looked to be his own as well. Her books were all neatly lined up. The bedsheets were changed and there was a colorful blanket draped over it. Some of Ellie's drawings were on the walls.
'I thought you deserved to sleep in a room you would be comfortable in.'
She turned around and saw him standing in the doorway. His arms were crossed as he leaned against the doorframe. He was shirtless and barefoot. His hair wet from a shower. Rivulets of water were dripping down his skin. She always found herself mesmerized by him. His body was covered in scars, but he was in the best shape of his life. He wasn't abusing his body anymore with drugs and alcohol. She made sure he took his medicine. He ate well, worked out and took care of himself. He didn't see his body as tool anymore. He saw it as something that was of value. Not only to himself, but the people he cared about.
To her, he was the most beautiful man she's ever seen. Inside and out. He encompassed everything she wanted in a man. When she was a little girl, she would imagine what her man would look like. She envisioned a man who looked like Ben. It was only until she got older she realized Princes only existed in fairytales. If something seems too good to be true it usually is.
She didn't want another Ben. What she wanted was standing right in front of her. Whenever she looked at him, she wished she met him first. She never thought she would get married again. The thought disgusted her. She didn't want to be saddled down like that again.
Everything changed when she met him. He made her forget about all the bad ones. She wouldn't marry anyone else but him. She knew he would never ask her. She wasn't even sure if he loved her. They haven't moved from second base. He still wasn't comfortable sleeping in a bed with her. She thought she left those silly idyllic dreams behind years ago. He made her want things she shouldn't.
Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head in disbelief,'You did all this?'
'Not just me.' He nodded,'Ellie helped me too. For the past two months you've been here every night.'
'I'm sorry about that.' She frowned,'I just figured-'
He lifted a hand up to silence her.'I ain't mad about it, darlin.' He took a deep breath. He could do this. He remembered Richard's words. A woman's love waits for no one,'I prefer ya here. Ellie likes having ya here.' He shook his head,'I like having ya here. I'm…calmer when you're close to me. This is your home just as much as it's mine. I want to make a home with you.'
She smiled tearfully as she walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist,'You ever gonna actually sleep in a bed with me?'
He placed his hands on her ass as he pulled her against him,'I'm working on it. I don't want a repeat of what happened before.'
'Your nights have been getting better.' She sighed softly as he groped her ass,'You haven't had as many panic attacks.'
'That just ain't on me, ya know.' He bent his head down and rested his forehead against hers,'I ain't lying when I say you calm me. Just knowing you're close to me helps.'
He hated how it sounded. He could've been describing a fucking service animal. He knew she deserved more. He hated that she doubted him. She was supposed to be his woman. She shouldn't be sleeping in a guest bedroom. She should be in his bed. Even Ellie, a sixteen year old girl saw the disconnect.
She cupped the back of his neck and ran her hand through his hair,'You calm me too, Joel. You've always done that.'
'I wanna try tonight.' He sighed shakily,'I wanna lay in bed with you and…I don't wanna leave this time. I don't wanna sleep alone anymore. Not when I have you. I'll help you move your stuff in here. You can do whatever the hell you want to it.'
Whenever she doubted him, he always did something to surprise her. Each day that went by he was slowly peeling off the layers. He was letting himself become more open and vulnerable.
Sharon's words echoed in her head. Men like Joel and Richard took time and patience. There were like puzzles you slowly had to piece together. The time and effort were worth it. She refused to give up on him. Not after today. Not ever.
She nuzzled her nose against his, whispering,'You sit your sweet ass down on my bed. I'm gonna get washed up and then we'll go to bed.'
He smirked as he looked over her face,'I ain't tired.'
She hummed softly as she placed her hand on his chest,'You will be after I'm done with you.'
His eyes widened slightly as he saw the promising look on her face,'You didn't answer me. You gonna stay here for good?'
'I thought that was established already.' She rolled her eyes playfully,'I've been sleeping in this room almost daily for two and a half years. Keep up, Joel.'
She stepped back from him as she slowly slid her hand off his chest,'Sit tight. I won't be long.'
His eyes followed her as she walked out of the room. He sighed as he sat down on the edge of the bed. He ran shake hands through his hair. She scared the shit out of sometimes. She was probably wondering why they haven't had sex yet. He's touched her plenty of times. He's made her come with his hands and mouth, but he's never given her the freedom to touch him.
He wanted her too. God, he craved it sometimes. He wished he could tell her what he wanted. How he thought about pounding her into the mattress. The way her tits would bounce as she rode him. Her hot mouth wrapped around his cock. He's jerked off to it so many times. He drove himself crazy thinking about it when he could have the real thing.
He didn't want to hurt her. Tess said he was too intense sometimes. Even for her. She couldn't handle him. He never even gave Becca the chance to try. Every time he thought he was ready, he remembered the night he almost choked her to death. The way she weakly grasped at his arms as the light drained out of her eyes. It still haunted him to this day.
If something ever happened to her because of him, he would finally finish the job. He would make sure the bullet didn't miss his head this time. He would place the barrel inside his mouth. He wouldn't be able to live with himself. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her. It wasn't an option for him.
She walked back into her room. She sighed in relief when she saw him sitting on the edge of her bed. He didn't run away from her. He stayed put just like she asked him.
He raised his head to look up at her. His eyes widened. She was only wearing a towel. Her wet hair clung to her shoulders. She looked like a fucking Goddess come to life. Nothing else mattered when he looked at her. She was the goddamned moon and the sun. She was the first thing he wanted to see in the morning and the last he saw before he went to bed.
She was absolutely everything to him. He fell in love with her. Not even realizing it was happening. It slapped him in the face one day. He resisted it at every turn. He fought against it, but she pushed right back. She never gave up on him. Even when he gave up on himself. She stuck by him through his heart attack and his addictions. She supported him. She was a true friend to him. She was his best friend.
She walked over to him and he immediately spread his legs, letting her stand in between them. His eyes raked over her body as his heart hammered against his rib cage. Sometimes he wondered if she was testing his levels of self control. She was playing with fire. Joel has always been a dangerous game to play. He didn't want to hurt her, but he wanted to ruin her for other men. He wanted to make her his in every way. He was teetering on the edge. It was only a matter of time.
He grasped the edge of her towel and gently tugged on it. He watched as it fell off her and onto the floor. He let his eyes take his full of her in all her glory. She had a beautiful body. A steady diet and healthy living fleshed out her body. Gone was the skinny, starved and battered woman he met in Silver Lake. In its place was a happy, healthy and vibrant woman. If he was honest with himself, he's loved her as soon as he saw her.
When he pulled her out of that burning building and looked into her eyes, he knew she was going have a monumental impact on his life. He didn't know how, but he knew. There wasn't anything getting over Rebecca Bennett. She saw through his facade and didn't let him give up. She fought for Ellie when he couldn't. He love her for that until his dying day.
He placed his hands on her thighs as he slowly slid them up her body reverently. Her skin was so smooth his hands glided over her body. Like him, she had visible scars on her body, but the people that caused them harm didn't matter anymore. Here in this room all that mattered was the two of them.
She sighed softly as he wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his head against her stomach. She tangled her hand in his thick dark hair as he nuzzled into her stomach. She cherished these quiet moments. They were few and far between, but she relished in being alone with him. It was more than comfort. It was the solace in knowing you weren't alone in this world. You had someone who was fighting for you. Above all else, they would always fight for each other.
He stared up at her, his eyes wide open and bare. So raw it brought tears to her eyes,'I do, baby.' His voice shook with emotion,'I know I don't always show it and I ain't said the words, but I do. Ya gotta know I do.'
She nodded and smiled tearfully,'I know, Joel.' She held his face in her hands and leaned down, pressing her lips against his.
He sat up straight and held the back of bed head as he quickly deepened the kiss. He swiped his tongue over the seam of her lips, silently begging for entrance. She obliged as her tongue tangled with his. He groaned into her mouth, his cock throbbing and leaking with precum. He was hard just thinking about her in the shower, the water running over her bare body.
He went to pull her down into his lap, but she slid down onto her knees before he got the chance. Her eyes locked on his as she reached her hands into the waistband of his jogging pants. His eyes looked over her face and he shook his head confusingly, wondering what she was doing.
She pulled his sweatpants down to his thighs as his cock sprung free. She looked over his cock carefully. The thought suddenly occurred to her she's never seen his cock before. She's taken care of him clinically. She's touched him over his jeans and rubbed up against him, but she's never seen him aroused. His cock was average length, but thick. He was bigger than Ben and David. It would hurt to take him, but she would revel in it. It's all she could think about sometimes.
The tip of his cock was red and leaking. She could tell it was painful for him. Is this what he looked like underneath his jeans? With his mouth and hands on her while he neglected his own needs? It was a fucking crime to her. It was selfish of her too.
He bit his bottom lip as she slid her hands along his upper thighs. He jerked slightly at her touch as he stared down at her,'You don't have to, darlin. I can take care of myself.'
'I know.' She shook her head as she looked over his cock,'It's a damn shame though, Joel. You've been hiding this from me. How much you want me. It's not fair to me.'
'What isn't?' He was shocked at his breathless he sounded. And needy.
'That you can touch and see me all you want.' She frowned,'You can make me feel so fucking good, but I can't do the same for you. That's not fair to me. You're my man, Joel. I want to make you feel good too. You deserve to know how much you're wanted too. Will you let me make you feel good?'
He had to laugh at that. Let her? He was almost begging for it. He's thought about this so many times. He's jerked off to it. He laid awake at night thinking about her in this very bed. How many nights had he laid awake thinking about this? It was too many to count. He had difficulty grasping this was reality.
Joel stroked her hair as he swallowed the lump on his throat, whispering,'Please, honey girl.' His voice was pleading and desperate. He wouldn't hide how much he wanted her. Not when she was begging for it. He would never let her beg for anything,'I want it so bad.'
He was big enough to where she had to use both hands to grip his cock. She knew what she wanted to do to him. She just wanted to make sure they were on the same page.
He hissed as she slowly slid her hands up and down his cock. He swallowed harshly as he watched her hands work his cock. His heart was pounding so loudly he could hear it thumping in his ears. All the blood rushed to his cock. His mind blank with nothing but her. He could come like so easily, with her small hands moving on his cock. She was the first woman who could make him come so quickly.
'You have to tell me, Joel.' She squeezed the base of his cock as he let out a choked sound.
She licked her lips when she saw the precum dribbling from his cock. She swiped her thumb over the head of his sensitive cock, smearing his precum around his tip. She wanted to taste him. She never liked doing this for Ben or David. It always felt like a chore with Ben, who never returned the favor. With David, it was a means of survival and self preservation.
It didn't feel like that with Joel. He wasn't a selfish lover. He always made sure she came before he found his own pleasure. Most of them time she didn't even touch him. She wasn't going to let him get away with that tonight. This was solely for him.
He ran his hand through her hair as his other hand slid down her arm,'Put your mouth on me, baby girl.' His voice was drenched with need,'I need it so bad. Please.'
He didn't have to beg her. She kept her eyes locked on his as she wrapped her mouth around his cock. She kept her hands at the base of him, keeping his cock steady as she slid her mouth down on him. She felt him hit the back of her throat and relaxed her muscles, taking him all the way in.
She looked up at him, wanting to watch him. His eyes were half lidded as he stared down at her. He was biting hard on his bottom lip. His hand gently cradled the back of her head. He was always so gentle with her. While she loved it, she wondered what it would be like for him to lose control. He always told her no woman could handle him in bed. She wanted to ask him what that meant. She wanted to know. She wanted to feel it.
She bobbed her head up and down on his cock, her mouth sliding up and down on him. He tangled his hand in her hair, spreading his legs wider for her. He moaned lowly as one of her hands slid down to his balls to tug on them. His eyes rolled in pleasure and he threw his head back. She was so good at this. He wanted to thank and punch the daylights outta the man who taught her how to do this.
It's been years since he's had this. Almost twenty three years to be exact. He never let Tess touch him like this. It felt too intimate for him. He never took his time with her or anyone for that matter. He liked taking his time with Becca. He was in a point in his life where he could finally take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Such as a beautiful woman sucking his cock.
He leaned his body over hers and ran his hand down her back. His eyes never left hers as he gently tugged on her hair. Her cheeks were hollowed out as she jerked his cock. He chokingly moaned as her tongue flicked against the vein along the underside of his cock. She knew his body so well already. She knew what made him tick and what he liked. What got him off.
His arched his hips up slightly, bringing his cock deeper into her mouth. She took him in easily. He was curious about her gag reflex. It made his mind start racing. She slowly slid her tongue up the length of his cock as she sucked on his tip. She smirked around his cock when his hips jerked. Her pouty lips were wrapped tightly around his cock. Her long red hair covered his legs. Her blue eyes were staring up at him.he stared at her tits as they bounced with her movements.
Fuck, she was sexy.
He was breathing raggedly as he felt the tightening in his balls. He whimpered her name as he arched his hips up against her. He gently tried to push her away. He didn't know if she would let him come in her mouth.
She answered his question by placing her hands on his chest. She gently pushed him back onto the bed. He fell back onto his elbows as he stared up at her dazedly. Ge cried out as he came. His come spurred into her mouth as his hips jerked erratically. His hand tightened in her hair and he pulled on it harder than he intended, but she didn't seem to mind.
She moaned around his cock as she sucked every last drop from him. She slowly pumped him as she licked up the base of his cock, swirling her tongue around his head. She licked him clean as he weakly pulled away from her. His cock was too sensitive. He couldn't take anymore.
She released his cock from her mouth with a dirty 'pop.' She watched as he slumped back against the bed, sighing deeply.
He took his hand out of her hair as he ran his hands through his sweaty hair. His entire body was shaking and buzzing with one of the mort intense orgasms he's ever had. He's never come that hard before. Especially not from a blowjob. It's been awhile since he's been laid, but he knew it was much more than that. It wasn't just the act itself. It was the implicit trust she had in him.
He stared up at the ceiling dazedly, trying to catch his breath. He really fucked loved this woman. She made him happy. He didn't think it was possible for a miserable son of a bitch like him. Her light brought him out from the darkness. She made him realize all he's never realized he needed.
She crawled up onto the bed and laid her body over his. He kicked off his sweatpants the rest of the way. He just wanted to lay with nothing between them. Bare as the day they were born.
She tangled her legs with his as she rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms tightly around her as they laid over the blankets, letting the open windows cool their heated skin.
He kissed the top of her head, whispering,'What about you?'
She nuzzled into his chest and laughed softly,'What about me?'
'I didn't let you come.' He frowned,'That ain't fair to you.'
She wrapped her arm around his midsection and smiled up at him,'No one's keeping score, Joel. It doesn't always have to be about me. This was for you because you deserve it. I wanted to make you feel good. It can be about you too.'
He closed his eyes and sighed. Maybe she was right. He deserved to be a little selfish. He's paid his dues to society. He wouldn't let himself feel ashamed for being happy.
When Sarah died he thought happiness was lost to him forever. He shut himself off from everyone and everything. He didn't let himself feel anything but rage. Tess reintroduced him to humanity. Ellie taught him acceptance and loyalty. He loved her like a daughter. Becca taught him what it was like to love someone. You should never settle when you love someone. She kickstarted his heart again. She made him want the things he lost.
As he laid here in this bed with her he knew sleep would come easily tonight. There wouldn't be any nightmares or ghosts haunting him. Not when she was here. She brought good into his world. For the first time in years he could finally breathe again.
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Becca was awoken by the rooster cawing loudly. She groaned into the pillow, knowing the sun was just about to rise. If Ellie didn't love that fucking bird she would shoot it. She thought it was a cliche when Joel brought the rooster to the ranch, but the happiness on Ellie's face was enough to shut her up.
She wasn't surprised to find herself alone in bed. Joel usually got up at four in the morning. He would get a head start on the chores on the farm before working with Tommy. She would usually help on the ranch before going to work.
She would milk the cows and feed the sheep. Joel was going to teach her to corral them. Although, she thought he needed some teaching himself. It always amused her and Ellie to watch him chase the sheep around the farm.
She got dressed and went downstairs to get sone coffee. Ellie was awake, looking grumpy as she ate her oatmeal. She wasn't a morning person and hated getting up so early, but the farm was just as much hers as it was Joel's. This was their dream.
Becca ruffled her hair was she poured herself a cup of coffee,'Morning, sunshine.'
Ellie downed her coffee as she rolled her eyes up at her,'Joel was unusually happy this morning. I'm guessing he asked you to move in and he finally got laid.'
She took a sip of her coffee as she sat down next to her,'He asked me to move in, but he didn't get laid.'
She did give him a blowjob and they fell asleep naked in bed together. Although, she didn't actually know if he stayed the whole night. She was too afraid to ask.
Ellie tapped her foot nervously on the floor as she peeked up at her,'So…are you gonna move in?'
She nodded and smiled softly, leaning over to stroke her cheek,'Of course I am.'
Ellie looked as if she were trying to contain her happiness. She was always so reserved. She was a lot like Joel in that regard. The teenager was perceptive. She understood why they slept in separate rooms. She knew of Joel's nightmares and about the night he choked her. They never lied to Ellie about anything. They were always very open and honest with each other. They knew what it was like to be deceived and manipulated by others. There would be none of that between them.
Ellie surprised her by reaching over and taking her hand,'I wanna thank you, Becca. For helping me and Joel. I've never thanked you for any of it.' She nodded as she looked up at her uneasily,'You…you make Joel happy. You make me happy too. I think you're cool as shit and I'm glad it's you.'
Becca poured as tears filled her eyes. She held her face in her hands and stroked her cheeks,'You both make me happy too, Ellie. When I saw you in Silver Lake, I knew that you were the one who was gonna burn it all down to the fucking ground. I owe all of this to you. I wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for you.'
'We helped each other.' Tears filled Ellie's eyes as she stared at her with determination,'No one will ever hurt us again. We'll kill anyone who tries to take this away from us.'
Becca smiled as she kissed the top of her head,'You're damn right.' She smirked as she heard a bang and Joel cursing loudly,'We should help him before he breaks something.'
Ellie sighed as she lifted her hands up,'I told him he shoulda been a singer.'
Becca stared at her and shook her head, wondering what in the hell she was talking about. She would have to ask Joel about it later.
After all the chores were done and the work in town was finished, everyone gathered at Tommy's ranch for a cookout. Joel was manning the grill with a few other guys while Becca was placing the food on the table.
She brought a lemonade over to Joel as she rested her head on his arm,'You grill too?' She placed a hand over her heart,'I'm in need of a fainting couch for all this testosterone.'
He smirked as she handed him the lemonade,'You wanna stand here and sweat your butt off, smart ass?'
He downed the lemonade in one gulp. She laughed as she leaned up and kissed his cheek,'I wouldn't dare. You look too good doing it.'
He playfully tugged on the edge of her sundress as she scurried away from him. He shook his head, laughing to himself. All he had was lemonade, but she made him feel drunk.
Everyone was happy as they ate and danced. She was surprised when Joel took her hand and led her out onto the floor to dance. She laughed as he twirled her around in his arms. He laughed with her. She's never seen him smile so much. The smile lit up his face and went all the way to his eyes. Happiness looked good on him.
Once it got dark, he stepped away from her to help Richard with the fireworks. The two men worked hard making them for about a month. Joel studied tirelessly, pouring over books and following Richard's instructions closely. Her man was intelligent. No one could tell her otherwise.
She was sitting on a blanket next to Ellie and Lizzie.
Lizzie was sitting between Ellie's legs as her arms were wrapped around her. She smiled at the two of them. They were young, but they loved each other. Lizzie was born after the outbreak. She didn't know the world any other way. She was envious of Ellie and Lizzie. They didn't know what the world was like before all this. They never knew the beauty. They couldn't miss what they've never known. There was bliss in ignorance.
She saw Joel walking over to them and smiled softly. He sat down behind her as she laid back against his chest, sitting between his legs. She draped her arms over his legs as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
She loved that he was becoming openly affectionate with her. He didn't care who was watching them. He didn't care what anyone had to say. They were together. For two and a half years they've always been together. They just didn't acknowledge it until now.
He nuzzled against the back of her neck, whispering in her ear,'Wait until ya see it. We've been working on this for a long time.'
She smiled as she heard the pride in his voice. He was proud of his work. Good. He should be.
She was excited for the fireworks. It's been years since she's seen them. It was going to be beautiful. The fact she got to spend it with the people she loved made it even more special.
The fireworks were about to start as Joel took a deep breath to gather his nerves. He was afraid, but he knew what he wanted to say. He's planned it in his head all day long.
He kissed the back of her head as he breathed her in,'We've known each other for a long time. We…we fought tooth and nail. You're a pain in my ass, but I don't know what I would do without ya.' He licked his dry lips and took a deep breath,'I ain't said this to anyone in a long time. But I…'
He frowned when he saw Tommy making his way towards him. He had a frantic look on his face. Of fucking course he would.
Tommy came running through the crowd. He weaved his way through the people sitting on blankets as he made his way towards Joel.
He crouched down behind him, whispering,'I'm sorry, but you gotta come with me. We…got a situation. You're not gonna believe this.'
Becca's heart sank as she heard Tommy's words. Of course something was about to to go wrong. It seemed as if when everything was going right, something always went to shit.
Joel narrowed his eyes as he looked down at Becca,'Anything you gotta show me you can show her. I ain't hiding anything from her.'
Tommy nodded as he stared at Becca warily,'Alright then. Come with me.'
Becca pulled herself up from the ground. She shared a look with Ellie and slowly nodded her head, giving her a small smile. She had no idea what was going on, but she didn't want the girl to worry about anything. She wanted her to enjoy herself.
The fireworks started exploding in the sky and she looked up at them, shaking her head. Why are all the beautiful moments in her life interrupted by bullshit?
Joel tightly onto her hand as they followed Tommy. She could feel the tension rolling off him in waves. He was scared too.
They followed Tommy to his barn as Joel glared at his back,'What the fuck's going on?'
Tommy sighed and shook his head,'I don't know what the fuck's going on, but I need some explanations.'
Tommy pushed opened his barn doors. The explosions of the fireworks boomed in the sky, making her stomach jolt.
The barn doors opened, revealing Tess and another man standing next to her. Joel's face went pale as he looked at her. He dropped his hand out of Becca's.
Becca seemed to disappear in the background as Joel stepped closer to Tess. She looked just as she expected her to. She had long blonde hair and green eyes. She was tall and athletically built. She was strong. She looked like she could break her in half. She was everything she expected for Joel to want in partner. She was nothing like her.
Joel stepped forward as he stared at Tess, shaking his head in disbelief,'You died. You…you got bit. You told me you got bit.'
Tess had tears in her eyes as she looked over his face,'We have a lot to talk about. I have a lot to explain. I came alone. The fireflies are gone. I have so much to tell you. So much to be sorry for.' She placed her hand on her cheek as she shook her head,'I've missed you so much. You look so good.'
Tess cried as she tightly wrapped her arms around him. He slowly put his arms around her waist. He still looked to be in a state of shock.
Becca stood in the background as she watched the two of them. She felt the despair setting in. She put her head down as she felt Tommy's eyes on her, looking at her with pity.
She thought a hour walking away, but she wouldn't be a coward. She wouldn't run away from her problems. She knew Tess was going to be a problem. The woman was supposed to be dead, but she was very much alive.
How the fuck was she alive?
(I've been planning this twist for awhile now. I'll explain how she's still alive as the story progresses. I'm obviously going to change some stuff around to make sense. Stay tuned!)