Always & Forever (A 'The Last Of Us' Fanfic)

Chapter 20

Beth got off the plane and immediately scoured the area for her dad and Joel. She knew that she was going to have to get used to being away from them if she was going to work in New York. But right now, she just wanted to see them. Her eyes finally caught her father's and she smiled broadly as she began making her way over to him.

"Daddy!" she shouted once she was closer.

"Hey! There's my little girl!" he shouted as well.

He wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tightly. He had really missed having her around.

"I missed you," she said once they parted.

She looked over and saw Tommy.

"Tommy! Get over here," she said pulling him in for a hug.

"It's great to see you, Bethy," Tommy said once they parted.

"Where's Joel?" she asked.

"Something came up. He said that he'd meet you back at the house. At least that's what he told me to tell you," Tommy said.

"I hope everything is okay," she said.

"Don't worry about it. He probably wanted to get you something," Tommy said.

"I'm actually relived he's not here," she said.

"Are you two okay?" Don asked.

"Yes. We're good, dad. I just meant that I've been meaning to get him something. His birthday is coming up next month and I'd really like to get him something special. And with the money I got from covering the movie premiere, I can do just that," she said.

"Oh. What did you have in mind?" Tommy asked.

"Well there's a guitar that I've been eyeing for quite some time. The shop is not far from here. Could you take me dad?" she said.

"Of course sweetheart. Let's all go," Don said.

Tommy and Don were in on what Mrs. Miller was planning to do for Beth and on the ride over, the two of them were trying to figure out ways to keep Beth busy. Turns out they didn't need to think so hard. They left the airport and headed to the guitar shop.

"So. How'd the movie premiere go, Beth?" Tommy asked.

"Oh it went better than I had anticipated. I was terrified that something would go bad but was happy and relieved when it didn't. I got some really cool shots in. I had a lots of fun," she said.

"That's great to hear, sweetheart," Don said.

He patted her hand.

"I'm glad you're back," he said.

"I'm glad to be home," she said.

"So...what did you get me?" Tommy asked.

Don and Beth laughed together.

"You'll have to wait and see when I get home," she said.

"Dammit," Tommy whined.

"Dad, there it is," Beth pointed out.

Don took a left and they were in the parking lot of the guitar shop. Beth got out and hoped that the guitar that she had seen before she left was still there. When she got in, she looked at every single guitar they had on display. Her eyes lit up once she saw they exact same guitar she had seen all those months ago. There was a man who was opening up some boxes. She wasn't all that sure that he heard her walk in.

"Excuse me," Beth said.

The man stood up a bit startled.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't hear you walk in," he said.