Don't Let Go: Deleted scenes & Extra's

It's Not About Blood

A/N: A late Fathers Day special, taking place just weeks before Joel proposes (in the main fic)

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Jackson was that small slice of heaven that looked at the desolate world it existed in and yearned to bring back the return of old traditions that had been long forgotten. Huge Christmas's with a chime of golden bells, shimmering tinsel and a kiss beneath the mistletoe. Easters that came along with extravagant family dinners, egg hunts and a version of sweet chocolate. Annual birthdays that were celebrated with large parties and an abundance of cake whilst surrounded by loved ones but it wasn't just the big festivities that received attention in this secluded corner of paradise, no. Jackson also strived to deliver remembrance to those smaller, more nurturing holidays. A day for those who had brought new life into the world, a day for those women who had birthed and raised and then also a day for those men who worked tirelessly to protect and provide for their families, a day to appreciate the sacrifices taken to ensure their safety and upbringing... The third Sunday of every June; Fathers Day...

It was closing in on that particular date; the Wednesday before in fact, when Ellie had found herself walking through the towns centre shoulder to shoulder with Dina. A gentle warm breeze delicately brushing past them as the summery scent of pollen and lake water swirled into their nostrils. She hadn't taken part in the celebrations the year before, she hadn't felt that it would be appropriate... he wasn't technically her father after all... She had made no plans to this year either... but as they passed by the multi-faith space and took note of the faded bunting that fluttered from its beams, she couldn't help but notice how Dina took an interest.

"That's this Sunday, isn't it?" Dina queried, her focus fixed on the building that advertised the day, along with the various activities that would take place on the day and the ones leading up.

Ellie shrugged, toes kicking at the dusty gravel beneath her boots whilst playing clueless to her friends observation, "What is?"

"Y'know... Father's Day."

"Oh right. Uh, yeah... Maybe."

With her long ebony braid whipping round and a bright eye after spotting the activity for the next day, Dina's attention landed back onto her less than enthusiastic friend, "Look! They've got a card crafting thingy on tomorrow afternoon. I know you're out shadowing with Tommy in the morning but we can go after? It could be fun?"

It wasn't quite a sigh but a deep inhalation was sucked in through Ellie's nostrils as an incredulous scowl formed across her expression. How would that be fun for her? "Orphan... remember?"

"Oh shit... Sorry, I didn't think..." The other girls tone more than apologetic before her brows knitted together in thought, "I mean... What about Joel?"

"What about him?"

"For Fathers Day?"

Ellie narrowed her eyes, "You do realise that he's not actually my Dad, right? I swear I've told you this..."

"I know he's not your actual Dad, pissy pants... Chill..." Dina waited for Ellie's shoulders to sag back to a more neutral tension before continuing, "but the dude literally kept your ass alive whilst travelling across the country. Like who does that these days?"

"Hey. I kept his ass alive on more than one occasion as well!"

"You know what I mean. Everything he's done for you... that's gotta mean something, right? Shit, you guys fooled the whole town last year into believing that he was your actual dad!"

It was a short lived smirk that tugged on Ellie's lip at the memory. Those few months were she couldn't afford to slip up and call him by his name when outside the protection of their home. It felt weird as hell having to call him 'Dad'... It didn't matter how she saw him, it just felt unnatural. He was always just 'Joel.' Then there was the whole situation where Joel was just simply weird about that stuff anyway, as a result of Sarah. She was surprised he even went along with the planned façade in the first place... especially after he had made it so very clear in late November 2023 that she was not his daughter; the flash backs of that fight coming to mind. He never outright apologised to her... but she noticed the subtle changes after that night. How he'd watch her that bit more carefully, how he'd engage in more conversation and became more open in general. Yeah, she knew he cared about her... He'd even said that he now sees her as family... but never specifically as a daughter... Would he get freaked out if she forced that upon him? Of course, just to make matters even more complex- there was also the additional situation in that his and Ava's son was supposed to be due this month... the eagerly awaited baby that had been lost just a few months ago... "Joel gets weird about this sort of shit. He'd probably lose his head... especially now with the losing another one of his actual kids and all. It's just not a good idea..."