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

Chapter 37

A/N: Having this song as the first track on the tape makes Joel's feelings toward Beth, pretty clear even back then. Even if Beth wasn't able to catch on to it (or maybe she did but didn't say anything, cause let's be honest, both were too shy to truly speak their feelings until the night of the party), Joel knew exactly what he was doing when he chose to have this track as the first one. Just wanted to share a brief back story because I wasn't able to implement it in this chapter. Also, this song is one of my favorites and it was definitely used for inspiration! ❤  Thanks for reading! I do truly appreciate every single person that has taken the time to read this story. Enjoy.  😊

The brief conversation Joel and Beth had earlier brought back so many good memories of the other conversations they'd had in the past. He could talk to her about anything and she'd never judge him or force her opinions on him. She was good like that. He had missed the sound of her voice and the sound of her laugh so much these past couple of months they hadn't been together. What he wouldn't give to have her here with him now. Have his arms wrapped around her while they both watched Sarah sleep. He found himself doing that ever since she came home from the hospital. She was so precious when she slept. He still couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that she was his. He'd do anything and everything to protect his baby girl. She was his everything and always would be. He had fallen asleep not long after Sarah had gotten fed. He awoke to the sound of the doorbell ringing. He sat up with a start. He looked at his clock and was shocked to see it was 7:30. He'd been asleep for almost two hours. He stood and went to answer the door.

His heart skipped a beat when he saw Beth standing on the other side of it, looking even more beautiful than she already was in a midnight blue dress. He was speechless and could not find a way to speak a coherent sentence.

"You want to know what I'm doing here?" she presumed.

Joel just nodded his head.

"Well, I figured if you couldn't come to prom, then I'd bring prom to you," she said holding up her boom box.

"Beth I...I don't know what to say," he said.

"Can I come in?" she asked.

He opened the door wider for her and she came in. He did a quick breath check and looked himself in the mirror. He wished he'd brushed it before answering. He followed her to the living room and leaned against the door frame. God how he'd missed her so. Beth went straight to Sarah's crib. She knelt down and watched her sleep.

"I was worried I'd wake her. That's why I only rang once. She's gotten so big," she said.

"Yeah. She has. Beth...I uh..." he started.

"Don't. Just...let's have a good time tonight okay?" she said standing up and going to him.

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

"Not yet," he said.

"Well, I'll be right back. I got us a pizza but wasn't sure if you'd already eaten or not so I left it in the car," she said.

She went to go get it. Joel used the time she was out to go and fix himself up. He combed his hair and changed into a more presentable shirt. When Beth came back, she was taken aback with how handsome Joel had just made himself. She smiled and went to place the pizza box on the table nearby.

"You know, you didn't have to get all dressed up for me, Joel," she said.

"Well, with the way you look, I couldn't help but feel just a little under-dressed," he said.

"You always look good, Joel," she said.

She quickly looked away and went over to Sarah's crib. She slept soundly and Beth couldn't help but smile.