Chapter 24

577 13 3
                                    

Joel made his way out onto his roof at 11:30. Nerves were suddenly getting the better of him but there was no way he'd back down. If he wanted to keep Beth in his life, he had to tell her everything that he'd held back. He then began to think of his unborn child. Was he really okay with Roxanne giving him or her up for adoption? He himself was not ready to be a father either but at the same time, the idea of him going on with his life without even getting the chance to get to know them just didn't sit right with him. He didn't know what to do. For the first time in his life, uncertainty hung heavier than it ever had. He shook his head and laid back with his hand behind his head. It was almost midnight when he looked at his watch. Maybe Beth wasn't coming after all. It would give him a little more time to think of the right way to put everything that he needed to say but at the same time, waiting would just make it worse. He needed her to be at his side right now. As if the universe heard him, he heard some rustling on the side of his house. He sat up and went over to the edge to look at what was the cause. Beth was slowly making her way up to him. Once she was closer, he held his hand out to her.

"I've got you," he said.

She reached up and grabbed hold of his hand. They both helped to get her to the top.

"Thanks," she said.

Beth moved close to him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I missed being this close to you," she whispered as she looked up at him.

Her beautiful eyes pierced Joel's very soul. As he gazed into them, he almost forgot the reason he had her up here. Before he could begin, Beth sat up and straddled him. She leaned down and started to kiss him passionately. Their breathing quickened seconds later and Joel had his hands all over her. He had missed her with every bone in his body. The need for her was too much for him to hold back. Joel's mind suddenly became clear and he reluctantly pulled away from her lips. She noticed it automatically and knew that there was something wrong. She took a few seconds to catch her breath and look at Joel.

"What is it?" she asked.

Joel sighed and looked back at her. She recognized the face he was giving her. There was something that he had to get off his chest so she went and got off of him. She sat next to him and gave her undivided attention over to him.

"Talk to me, Joel. What's on your mind?" she asked.

"So many things," he said as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, you can tell me anything. You know that, right?" she said, reaching over and taking his hand in hers.

"That's what I'm afraid of," he said.

"Which is what exactly?" she asked.

He looked back at her and rested his hand on her cheek.

"You know I love you, right?" he said.

"Okay. You're kind of freaking me out, Joel. What's going on?" she said.

Joel took in a deep breath.

"I didn't tell you what happened at the party," Joel said.

Beth cleared her throat.

"I saw what happened. But hey, that's in the past. I'm not bitter about it anymore. I have you now and nothing you could say will ruin that," she said moving closer to him.

"The truth is important, Beth. I have to tell you everything that happened," he said.

"Why? Why are you wanting to do this now? I've only been back for a few hours. Don't you want to enjoy the time we have right now?" she asked moving away and hugging her knees to her chest.

Always & Forever (A 'The Last Of Us' Fanfic)Where stories live. Discover now