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

Chapter 34

The due date: February 21st, 2003

Beth and Joel stayed in the waiting room the whole time Roxanne was in labor. Don, Kathy and Tommy were with them as well. Since they weren't romantically involved, Joel didn't like the idea of him being in the room with her. Roxanne had her Aunt Carmen at her side and that was enough. Joel paced back and forth from time to time and Beth would join him holding his hand, trying to ease his anxiety. It was just past one in the morning when Dr. Vega came out to them. Joel was quick to go to her and find out that his child was healthy.

"Everything went well, Mr. Miller. Would you two like to meet your daughter?" she asked.

"It's a girl?" Beth asked excitedly.

"A healthy, beautiful, baby girl," she said with a broad smile.

Joel seemed unable to move.

"Babe," Beth said nudging him.

He shook his head and looked at her then back at the doctor.

"Can we see her? The both of us?" he asked.

Dr. Vega nodded.

"Follow me," she said.

They both followed her to where Roxanne was being kept.

Roxanne's eye lit up when Joel came in but were quickly diminished when Beth walked in right after him.

"I'll leave you all alone for a bit," Carmen said and excused herself.

Joel didn't bother looking Roxanne's way. His eyes automatically went to the baby that was swaddled in a pink blanket in the bassinet next to Roxanne's bed. It's as if he was floating as he inched closer and closer to the baby. When he reached her, he felt as if he'd been walking forever. Her eyes were closed and he stood there memorizing every feature of her little face. How tiny her nose and ears were, and her little mouth. He smiled and felt his eyes get very misty.

"Go on and hold her, babe," Beth said right next to him.

He did as she said and gently lifted her out of her bassinet. He rocked her in his arms and was instantly taken with her. He couldn't believe that something so small could have such a hold on his heart at first glance.

"I haven't given her a name just yet. I'd love to hear if you have any suggestions," Roxanne said.

"Sarah...her name is Sarah," Joel said.

"I like it. Sarah Miller it is," she said.

Beth looked at Roxanne and gave a reassuring nod. She did the same but didn't mean it.

"Oh, baby girl...you're perfect," Joel whispered.

He kissed her cheek and smiled again at the realization that he'd never been as happy as he was in this moment. He looked over to the woman he loved and was overwhelmed at the fact that she was able to share this moment with him. He reached over and kissed her quickly before bringing his attention back to Sarah.

"I'd like to discuss ways in which we can both see her," Roxanne announced breaking the silence.

Beth looked at her with confusion.

"I thought you didn't want anything to do with her," she said.

"I thought I didn't. But looking at her now...there's no way I could stay away," she said smugly making sure Beth looked directly at her.

Joel looked over at Roxanne.

"What happened to you not ready to be a mother?" he asked.

"I thought I wasn't. But I've been reading all the books they suggested and I've learned a lot. I'm pretty confident I can handle it. Now to be honest, I don't think it would be fair to be having her go back and forth so, I suggest that we live together," she said.