?????? ?? ???? | The Last of Us | Joel Miller

"Surprise."

Joel's hand closes around the plastic stick, the weight of it feeling like a boulder in his palm. He looks up at Sienna, her eyes searching his, fear and hope swirling in their depths. The wind picks up, sending a shiver down her spine, but she doesn't move, doesn't even flinch from his gaze.

"A baby," he whispers, the words feeling foreign and yet incredibly right. His mind races with thoughts of a future he never knew he could have—A future with Sienna, with their child. "Damn..."

Sienna nods, her eyes brimming with tears she's desperately trying to hold back. "I know it's a mess. I know it's complicated—But you deserve to know... Sarah actually convinced me to come tell you."

Joel's hand tightens around the test, his eyes never leaving hers. The gravity of the situation settles over them like a thick fog. "How long have you known?" he asks, his voice hoarse with emotion.

"I found out three weeks ago. I had to take off work so I could come here and tell you." Sienna's voice was barely audible. She couldn't bring herself to look at Joel, the fear of his reaction too great.

Joel's eyes widened, and he looked down at the test again, his mind racing with questions and fears. "Why now? Why didn't you call me?"

"Would you really have wanted to hear from me for the first time over the phone? Telling you I'm pregnant with your baby?" Sienna's voice is small, and Joel can see the doubt and fear in her eyes. He understands her hesitation; He's been carrying his own burden of guilt and regret since she left.

He takes a deep breath, letting the cool night air fill his lungs before exhaling slowly. "You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm in shock." Joel's hand shakes as he runs his fingers through his hair. "We've got a lot to talk about."

"I know." Sienna's voice is a mere whisper, the words sticking in her throat like a thorny vine. "But I need to know if you want to be a part of this. I can't do this alone, Joel—I just can't... I don't want to consider abortion, but—"

"No. I want this baby with you, Sienna... If you're okay with me bein' in your life."

"Why wouldn't I be? I—" she stops herself from saying those three words she's been thinking about for so long. "I really care about you."

"I care about you too, Peach. More than you'll ever know," Joel says, his voice thick with emotion.

The air between them is charged with a tension that feels both electrifying and suffocating. Sienna's heart races as she watches Joel, searching his face for any hint of regret or anger. Instead, she sees something she's missed so much—His love for her, raw and unfiltered.

"I want to be a part of this, Sienna. I wanna be there for you, for the baby...for whatever comes next," Joel says, his voice strong and sure.

Sienna's eyes search his, looking for any hint of doubt or hesitation. But all she sees is sincerity, and it's enough to make her lean into him, her body trembling as she wraps her arms around his neck. Joel pulls her closer, holding her tight, the warmth of his embrace a stark contrast to the cold night air.

"I'm sorry for everything, Peach. For not bein' there when you needed me. For lettin' my pride get in the way. For everything," Joel whispers into her hair, his voice filled with genuine remorse.

"It's not your fault," she whispers back. "I let my fear of everything run me off... And I didn't wanna upset Sarah and Tommy anymore than they already were."

Joel pulls back to look at her, his thumb brushing away a tear that has escaped down her cheek. "Come home with me?"

"What about—"