rues-daya - Tumblr blog

rues-daya · 2 months ago

Text

no one and I mean NO ONE understands the absolute LOVE I have for this series! @damn-stark your writing is just so beautiful and I just absolutely love the way you write the reader + her dynamics with all the characters (especially her dad)!! cannot wait too see what you bring for season two!!

Chapter 8 In the meadow

Chapter 8 of Tragedy at the Miller’s

A/N- :) *screaming internally*

Warning- FLUFF, swearing, long chapter, and talks of death, birth, and babies

Pairing- Joel Miller x daughter!reader, OC x fem!reader

Episode- After season 1

(If you want to be tagged let me know!)

————

*4 YEARS BEFORE THE OUTBREAK*

And then, from the tension-filled silence, a sharp cry broke in the room, breaking that thick, fearful tension and bringing pure joy to everyone inside, especially him.

“Congratulations Mom and Dad, it's a healthy baby girl.”

Joel looks down at his partner on the bed and shares a wobbly grin before he presses a soft kiss on her forehead. “You did good, baby,” he whispers to the woman in a sweet voice.

The woman's grin brightens as she holds Joel’s gaze and takes a hold of his hand to hug it tightly.

“Do you have a name yet?” The nurse asks as she bundles you up in those scratchy hospital blankets without caring that you're still crying.

“Yes,” the woman on the bed says as she supervises the nurse handling you to make sure you aren’t hurt, and then after a moment, she announces your name.

The nurse meets the woman’s gaze and offers her a small smile while she begins walking to the bed. “That’s a beautiful name. Do you want to hold her before we take her?”

Without hesitation, the woman nods and reaches her arms out for you with tears filling her eyes. “Of course,” she agrees.

The nurse carefully places you in your mother's arms, making her gasp softly as you steal her breath away and cause the tears she’s holding in to begin rolling down her cheeks, while you calm down the moment you’re in your mother's arms as if you recognized her by scent alone.

“Hi,” she whispers to you as she brings you closer to her. “Hi,” she coos and carefully uses her finger to caress your cheek. “Look at you. You’re so perfect.” She sniffles and lifts her gaze to meet Joel’s eyes. “Look at her Joel, she’s so beautiful.”

Joel crouches and parts his lips to agree, but he finds himself speechless, so all he can do is slowly reach for your small little hand.

“That’s your daddy, Joel,” the woman tells you with a beaming smile. “Do you remember him? He’d sing for you?” She giggles softly and keeps watching you as she’s captivated by your face. “I’m your mama, Rue, and later you’ll meet your sister, Sarah. She’s excited to meet you.”

“That’s right,” Joel whispers as he watches her with a soft admiring smile on his face.

“Oh,” she cries softly. “You’re so beautiful. My precious girl.” She muses as she wipes away her tears and then looks over at Joel watching her from the side of the bed. “Here…hold her.” She says and turns slightly to carefully hand you to your dad.

“Hey,” he whispers as he fixes his stance with you in his arms. “Hey.” He says again and reaches for your hand with his finger. “Look at you,” he laughs softly. “You’re so beautiful, babygirl,” he coos and then glances at Rue with tears gleaming his eyes.

Albeit it’s while he’s distracted looking at his partner that you wrap your little hand around his finger with as much force as you can muster, stealing his attention and a soft breath; while also missing the way Rue’s face begins to contort with discomfort.

Joel doesn’t say anything, he just watches you hold his finger with a proud smile, and it’s as he’s watching you that you begin to flutter your eyes open, making him look at you with an awestruck look and tears breaking out of his eyes. While also making him miss the sound of Rue’s rising heartbeat as he’s captivated by the way you’re blinking.

“What pretty eyes you have,” he whispers to you while you watch him, or really leave your eyes on his face. “Do you wanna see your mom?” He asks and turns to show her, but at that exact moment, the monitor that showed her heartbeat begins to go off as her heart starts to race.

“What’s wrong?” He asks her with concern.

Rue liked to hide her pain, she didn’t like to bother others with her problems, so it’s no surprise why she hadn’t said she was hurting before, not until it was obvious to him and everyone in the room.

“I don’t know,” she mutters between slow labored breaths. “It’s hurting. It hurts…” she trails off.

Joel catches the sound of the nurses talking behind him, but he doesn’t comprehend what they say. It's all just a jumble that makes him more worried about his partner, his Rue.

“I,” she mumbles while her heartbeat keeps rising and he notices her grow more and more weaker. “I want to…see her.”

Joel watches her turn her head to look at you in his arms, but her gaze is distant. She tries to reach out, but her attempt is slow, and well, the nurses then blocks his way.

“I’m sorry,” the nurse interjects quickly and doesn’t even ask before she begins to reach for you. “We’re going to ask you to step out of the room while we help your wife.”

The nurse tries to take you, but Joel secures his hold around you whilst his eyes remain on his partner. “No, I want to stay with her. What’s wrong with her? What’s wrong?”

“She’s suffering through a postpartum hemorrhage. The doctor is going to help her, but he needs room, okay?” She explains to him with her hands still on you. “We’re also going to take the baby, okay? She’ll be fine. You can go see her at the nursery.”

She then snatches you from his arms and you begin to cry out, adding to the panic in the room and heightening the worry spiking in Joel’s heart.

“I just,” he mutters as he watches the nurse place you in the cradle before he snaps his eyes back to Rue, noticing all the nurses that begin to surround her.

“Mr Miller, if you can please step out,” another nurse cuts in and touches his arms to begin leading Joel away.

“My wife,” Joel says. “Will she be okay?”

The nurse hesitates since he doesn’t know the definitive answer, but he does answer nonetheless. “We’re going to help her. We’ll let you know when she’s stable and when you can be with your baby again.”

Joel lets the nurse guide him out, but only because he sees them rolling you out. “My baby,” he then snaps out with concern even though he saw you breathing right, and hears you crying out for the comfort of your parents.

“Will she be okay?” He asks.

“Yes,” the nurse assures him. “They’re just doing a routine check-up.”

Joel watches you leave the room and then peers back at Rue again, but he can’t even see her, not a glimpse, there’s just nurses. “Rue,” he calls out for her, but he doesn’t hear her call back, he just hears the heart monitor. “Rue,” he calls out desperately and slows down before he can reach the door.

“Mr Miller please,” the nurse begs him as Joel waits for his partner to respond, and waits hoping he’ll see for himself that she’ll be okay, but he sees nothing.

——

*NOW. 3 YEARS AFTER SALT LAKE CITY*

“How does that saying go?” Mia asks as she walks up behind you. “Something old…”

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue,” Maria finishes for Mia as she joins her behind you too. “I got the something borrowed; the veil I used for my wedding.” She shares and then proceeds to try and drape the long white lace veil over your head, albeit she struggles to keep it from slipping without using anything to secure it.

Not like you minded, your head is too preoccupied with worry—What if you trip in front of everyone? What if the dress tears while you’re walking? What if…Apollo isn’t at the end of that aisle.

He wouldn’t do that, and you know you have your family to take care of it if he did, but it’s still a concern and a nightmare that plagues your head.

“Something new?” Mia asks and then walks around you to face you. “The earrings we found. Something old?”

“Tommy,” Ellie jokes, causing your lips to break into a smile as you let out a soft snort before you begin giggling for the first time all day today. When you look over at her sitting down by the door as she waits for Maria and Mia to finish getting you ready for the ceremony, she shoots you a small smile that actually gives you some ease.

“No, but really,” you interject after being silent for a long while as the women worked with you and around you. “The gold necklace Apollo’s dad gave me.” You mention and then tilt your head to the side to try and get a view of yourself in the long mirror beside you. Yet you’re too nervous to check yourself out so you avert your eyes and continue. “And something blue, my flower crown,” you point to your head before adding on. “And my bouquet.”

You look down at the bouquet you grip onto and stare off at the white daisies that are mixed inside. You then glance at the blue delphiniums that are mixed in the flower bouquet that were all picked from your own backyard so you can have Sarah with you in your own way since she can’t be here to help you get ready for your wedding…She can’t be here to stand behind you when you’re up in front of everyone and beside Apollo, the man you’re going to marry, and she can’t be here to calm you down as your nerves are eating you alive and overwhelming you, so you carry her with you in the wildflower bouquet.

“What is that for?” You catch Ellie asking the group. “Is it like some tradition or something?”

You glance at her but don’t answer because you hardly know the answer yourself.

“Yeah it’s exactly that,” Maria answers as she carefully straightens out the small invisible wrinkles on your ankle-length skirt. “People believe that when the bride carries or wears them the day of the wedding, they will have good and happy marriages. It’s up to the person if they choose to believe that or not, but it’s such a used tradition that I think for some it’s just something to look forward to.”

Ellie hums and you hum as well.

“Okay,” Maria changes the subject as she walks around you to face you too, causing you to look up to meet her softened gaze—“You’re ready,” she lets you know sweetly and grabs your arm to turn you around so you can finally look at yourself.

Albeit it’s hard to believe it’s you at first reflected in that mirror, wearing such a beautiful white dress that you spared no expense in as it was actually specially made for you by an older woman here in Jackson, since you wanted nothing more but a white lace gown inspired by, of course, Audrey Hepburn’s wedding dress in the movie ‘Funny Face’.

You didn’t think you would be able to have something done, but the woman said special days like these don’t come often now, so she said it was an honor to do what she once would do before.

Yet, your appearance is not why you’re taken aback. It’s not the fact that you’re all dolled up either because you’re used to the makeup when you use it for your plays, or when you use it just because when you can. You’re baffled by the fact that you never thought you’d wear a wedding dress.

No matter how much you’ve changed your mind about this stuff, you just never thought you’d be someone wearing white, and someone only minutes away from being married. It’s crazy. It’s just fucking crazy!

However, you still are over the moon seeing yourself with makeup and a pretty white gown. It helps bring some bliss that eases a bit of those nerves.

“You look so perfect,” Maria murmurs with a smile as she stands beside you to admire your reflection in the mirror, letting you notice the tears in her eyes.

“Look at you,” Mia points out with glee. “You’re so beautiful.” She muses and covers her mouth with her hands before she makes you smile gently as she actually begins to cry.

“You’re going to get married!” Mia exclaims and clutches onto your arm to begin shaking you, and as she does, as you’re radiated by her energy, that realization hits you full-on.

“I’m going to get married,” you murmur before your eyes widen and your lips form back to a smile. “I’m going to get married!”

Mia squeals, so you do too and hold onto her now to begin jumping together with excitement like a pair of teenage girls—or like the ones you see on TV anyway.

Regardless, thanks to Mia you’re riddled with bubbling excitement at the thought that was just scaring you only seconds ago.

“I can’t believe it,” you interject as you come to a slow stop with Mia still in your arms. “It’s crazy.”

“Hell yeah it is,” Mia agrees and pulls back to face you. “But enjoy it, okay? We don’t get promised tomorrow, so enjoy your new life, yeah?”

You nod and then let out a deep and shaky sigh. “Is it,” you pause as you hesitate to ask her your question. “Is it weird after?”

Mia shakes her head with no hesitation. “Nah,” she assures you. “Besides, he's your best friend. It makes it all easier and that bliss new weds feel is heightened a hundred percent. At least that’s what it feels like with me and my husband.” She chuckles.

You muster a faint grin and nod in comprehension. “Okay.”

“It will be good,” Maria cuts in as she notices your worry returning. “It’s all going to be okay. It’s like Mia said, just enjoy it.”

Mia lets you go to let Maria reach you again and grab your hands for a second before she cups your cheeks. “Deep breath in,” she instructs and does as she says. “Deep breath out.” She breathes out.

You do as she says and make her smile.

“It’s normal to feel this way,” she assures you. “You’ll be okay.”

She then caresses your cheek before she pulls away, adding one more thing. “It’s almost time I’ll see you out there, alright?”

You nod and watch Mia walk out with her whilst Ellie stays in the seat she had been in this whole time. You don’t question her actions though, or tell her to go wait for you outside, you let her stay. You want her to stay as you take another moment for yourself.

“Does my flower crown look crooked to you?” You ask her and face the mirror to look at your white and blue flower crown. “Be honest.”

“I always am,” she rebuttals.

You scoff in amusement and reach for the crown, but only let your hands hover over it since you’re actually still unsure.

“You know,” Ellie slowly cuts in from her chair. “We could still go to the moon.”

You blink in surprise and slowly turn your head to face her.

“We can find a spaceship and fly to a space station to live in,” she adds and averts her gaze. “Or we can, pft,” she blows out and then suddenly stands up. “Go somewhere else, just you and me. You can become some famous actress,” she adds with a small smile.

You slowly begin to grin and slowly let your hands fall back to your side as you watch her slowly approach you as she rambles on.

“You can be a movie star. I mean someone has to be right? That can be you. Just say the word and I’ll run away with you.”

You scoff softly and turn completely to face her while she stops a few inches away, letting you notice her frown and the upset look in her eyes.

“Sounds like a nice plan,” you tell her sweetly. “But you know we can still do all those things after I get married. Marriage is just a promise of forever between each other, a commitment. I’m not going to be locked away and be some housewife slave.” You assure her and close the gap between the both of you to fix her yellow Rue flower pinned to her shirt.

Ellie drops her gaze and swallows thickly. “Basically is,” she grumbles.

You giggle softly and shake your head. “You say that now, but you wait, someone will sweep you off your feet so hard that you will change your mind. I know that I did.”

Ellie scoffs and meets your gaze with curiosity. “Really?”

“What?” You retort. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ellie shrugs. “It’s just…you always seem to know what you want and well you’re the type to want all those pretty things.”

You hum and shake your head whilst you take a strand of her hair to roll it on your finger. “No, I was lost for a long time, but then I met Henry, and,” you pause and smile as you let her little curl go to leave it on her face. “He made me see things differently.”

Ellie hums and that sadness in her dark eyes still remains, letting you realize what this protest is really about.

She’s just afraid of losing you, but she shouldn’t be.

“Don’t worry,” you add and grab her shoulders now. “I’ll still be here in Jackson. I ain’t goin’ nowhere. I’m going to be just a few streets down from where you live. In that yellow house with the white fence around it. But,” you add in a whisper. “If you run, I run. It’s just after today, I’m going to have to bring someone else along.”

Ellie lets out a small breath and stays quiet as she just holds your gaze with a soft look. “But,” she adds bluntly. “If he does anything, I’ll stab him,” she threatens, making you chuckle and nod.

“I’m countin’ on it.”

Ellie shares a timid smile before she pulls away from you and glances at the door. You follow her line of gaze and remember all your worries, only now your heart is racing so everything feels much worse.

“Okay,” you whisper. “I'm ready. Tell ‘em to come in.”

Ellie nods and doesn’t falter, albeit she stops just before she can open the door. “So I stand behind you?”

You nod. “Yep. Maid of honor right behind the bride.”

“Alright,” she mutters before she opens the door and lets your father and Uncle Tommy know that it’s time…to leave this room and walk down that aisle.

Albeit you can’t leave your spot in front of the mirror, and you can’t stop looking at the scar on your neck that only reminds you of the burden and the secrets.

“Wow,” you hear your Uncle Tommy say before he lets out a long wolf whistle, making your eyes snap to the door and see him and your dad walking in slowly with their eyes on you.

“Look at you,” your Uncle Tommy adds with a soft smile and an awestruck look. “My little Sunny, you are lookin’ beautiful.”

You let out a nervous laugh and a few nervous tears that make him grow worried right away. “Why are you cryin’?”

You approach him and finally share what’s been plaguing you all day since you woke up. “I’m nervous.”

“Nervous?” He retorts and studies you once again. “You’re used to the crowd—”

“Not that,” you cut him off and sigh. “What if he ain’t there? What if I—I don’t know! Trip! Or-or—”

“Whoa, whoa,” your uncle cuts you off and cups your cheeks. “Calm down. Breathe.”

You draw in a deep breath and nod as you breathe out slowly.

“One, Apollo is out there waitin’ for you. Everyone is. Two, you aren’t fallin’,” he assures and offers you a grin. “‘Cause I got you.”

He caresses your cheek and shoots you a much brighter grin as tears cloud his eyes, but don’t fall, instead he carefully wipes yours off—“Now why didn’t you cover up this tattoo?” He points to the little penis tattoo that shows on your sleeveless arm.

You glance at it and smirk. “‘Cause I like it. And maybe it's my somethin’ old beside you.” You giggle and he scoffs.

“Why don’t you get on with it?” He counters, letting you pull back and now face your dad whose eyes are soft and riddled with tears that roll down his face and make his smile tremble.

“Please stop cryin’” your voice quivers whilst you begin to approach him. “Because I’ll cry more.”

He scoffs and shakes his head. “You’re not supposed to cry today,” he remarks.

“Well, I am, who’s gonna do somethin’ about it?” You quip with a teasing smile.

Your dad chuckles softly and then glances down to pull out the yellow rue flower from his shirt pocket before he tucks it in your flower crown. “There,” he says. “Now she’ll be with you too.”

You draw in a deep shaky breath and nod as more tears sting your eyes.

“You look,” he sighs softly. “Absolutely breathtakin’ baby girl.”

You gasp and then quickly throw your arms around him to cling onto him for comfort and as you do more tears stream down his eyes as he’s reminded of those times when you were a little girl and you’d greet him after he got home from a long day at work. He remembers when you’d cling onto him in the mornings, refusing to let him go because you were heavily attached to him, and he remembers nighttimes when you were fast asleep on his lap and he would take you to bed.

He remembered all that and held in his sob. He just clings onto you harder, hoping that he doesn’t have to let you go.

“You’ll stay,” you mewl out. “You’ll stay with me, right? You won’t leave?”

Your dad scoffs and takes offense to your question. “Of course not, I’m stayin’ and if you want to leave now all you gotta do is say the word and I’ll take you.”

You laugh and shake your head. “No, thank you, but I am glad I can count on all of you.” You say and pull back to wipe away your tears and then face the both of them with a small yet eager smile. “Okay. I'm ready.”

“Okay,” your dad nods while your Uncle Tommy offers you his arm first, letting you carefully hook your arm around his and then follow your dad out to the hall where you can hear the traveling sound of chattering people outside waiting for you to walk out. You can feel the soft summer breeze sweep in through the open doors, and you can feel your own heart thump in your chest.

When you make it further out Maria catches a glimpse of the three of you now approaching the exit doors and gives the signal that you’re coming, making the chatter slowly come to a stop, and making the musicians slowly begin to play a sweet and slow tune.

“Now’s your chance kiddo,” your Uncle Tommy whispers as you walk to the door. “If you want to go, we can.”

Without hesitation, you shake your head softly and come to a stop under the door frame. “No, I want to do this. I’m ready.”

You let out a deep and nervous breath before you glance down at your father’s arm and hook your arm around his too.

There was no way you could choose between the two, they were both too important to you, so as to not have to choose, you asked the both of them to walk you down the aisle and they both happily obliged. Now they both hold onto you whilst you tightly grip onto their arms as you feel your racing nerves only run faster as you slowly begin to walk down the pink-petalled aisle. The music that plays tunes out because of the heavy thumps of your heart and your stare is averted as you fear seeing an empty spot at that other end.

However, it’s because you avert your gaze that you miss Apollo’s reaction when he sees you in your dress for the first time.

Albeit, when you reach that last wooden bench placed at the sides of the flower aisle, you finally look ahead of you and immediately, whatever fear that plagued your mind about him not being here, vanishes because there he is; in that black on black suit with the yellow Rue flower poking out his pocket, with his hair brushed to the side like he usually wears it, with his bright smile, and with a soft and awe-struck look.

There he stands waiting; your best friend, partner, and now future husband.

There he stands all beautiful under the yellow shining summer sun and now you’re filled with a blissful joy and heartwarming. When you finally stop before him your lips slowly pull to a beaming grin that matches his.

Your Uncle Tommy lets you go but you don’t notice because you’re captivated by Apollo. It’s not until you feel a kiss on the side of your head that you look at your uncle and catch something you hadn’t before; his watery gaze and the faint smile that accompanies it.

You don’t say anything even if you want to, you just press a kiss on his cheek and whisper, “Thank you.”

Your Uncle sniffles and he offers you a soft nod before he joins his family at the first bench, leaving you to turn to your dad who doesn’t want to let you go.

“It’s okay,” you assure him and cup his hand with your free one. “I’ll be okay.”

Your dad draws in a deep shaky breath and nods before leaning in and pressing a kiss on your forehead.

Your smile softens and he finally lets you go to give your hand to Apollo, who happily takes you away gently but with pleasure. After that, you watch your dad sit by your uncle and then glance over at Ellie to shoot her a small smirk before you look back at Apollo and shoot him a bright smile that he matches.

It’s then that the ceremony starts, beautiful words are spoken, vows are shared and cherished, but unlike when you hear them from other people or on TV, now they’re special because they’re yours and his. Now they’re a promise between each other, a promise of forever.

“Apollo Holloway, will you take this woman to be your wife? To live together in matrimony, to love her, cherish her, honor her, in sickness and in health; forsaking all others, be faithful to her for as long as you both shall live? If so, say, ‘I do’.”

Apollo’s smile softens and his eyes gleam brightly as he holds your watery gaze and looks at nothing else because the truth is no one else exists at this very moment. It’s just you and him in this vast world, it’s just him and you standing in the center of town basking in each other's never-ending love.

“Of course I do,” Apollo says, making you chuckle softly out of relief.

Your first and last name is spoken in the same serious tone before the same question is repeated to you. “Will you take this man to be your husband? To live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live? If so, say, ‘I do.’”

You grip onto his soft hands and nod. “I do,” you say back, causing Apollo to smile.

“With that said,” the officiant says, “I pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride.”

Without a second to spare, as if he’s never kissed you before, Apollo slides his hands up to your cheeks and pulls you in for a deep and passionate kiss that you melt into and deepen as you wrap your arms around his neck.

You probably would have taken longer since you’re so consumed by one another, but you’re both reminded of the people watching as they clap for the new couple, so you pull back first.

“I love you,” Apollo murmurs against your lips.

“And I love you,” you redirect with ease before pressing a gentle kiss on his lips and then completely pulling away to face the crowd that now stands up to celebrate. Yet even with the sea of people all celebrating you, the very first person your eyes land on is your dad. You offer him a happy smile and then look away, but he keeps looking at you.

In fact, your dad can’t stop watching you, his eyes follow you around all day; when you run down the aisle, when the banquet starts, when you sit by the man you now call husband, and when you share glimpses with him as if sitting next to each other was not enough.

Your dad watches you laugh, he watches you talk with your uncle and his family, he watches you talk with your friends and Ellie, and he watches you cling onto Apollo as if somehow one of you is going to disappear. Lastly, he watches you dance happily under the soft rays of the sun that only brighten your face.

Your dad watches you and hopes that somehow that little girl that once wished to never let go of him came back to him so he can keep on holding you. He is happy for you, of course he is; you’re living your life and he wants nothing more but for you to know normalcy in this messed up world, but he still wishes that time could go back…

“Have you told him yet?” Apollo asks by your ear as you sway along to the music.

You smirk and shake your head. “Not yet. I’ve been waitin’ for the right moment.”

Apollo lets out a deep sigh. “You think he’ll be happy?” He queries.

You giggle and nod. “I think he will be ecstatic.” You reassure him and look away from your father to watch Ellie talking with some of her friends far away from your dad’s table.

Their distance washes your smile away and brings back that guilt. “What am I gonna do about Ellie?” You ask and feel thankful that you told Apollo the truth about Ellie’s immunity and what happened at that hospital, otherwise you probably would go crazy with so much kept in.

“I mean…” You trail off and sigh, making Apollo pull back to meet your gaze.

“There’s nothing you can do,” he fills the silence for you. “Their choices all fall to them now. You can’t force them to do anything. You made your choices and now all you can do is live with them.”

You scoff and avert your gaze. “I was expectin’ some solution.”

Apollo rolls his eyes and pulls you back against him. “That is a solution. An honest one. If I couldn’t be honest with you then we wouldn't be married or best friends.”

You let out a deep breath and drop your chin on his shoulder. “Yeah, you’re right.”

You look away from Ellie before you can be consumed by that guilt and this time you catch Atlas swaying and chugging the alcohol in his bottle.

“I’m glad that we chose to have people write down their toasts,” you say. “Atlas is drunk as hell, who knows what he would say if he could now.”

Apollo chuckles and looks back at his brother playing some drinking games with other drunk people. “No, I think you’re right, but either way,” he mutters with a teasing smile. “We should actually share ours right now.”

You snicker. “Oh, can we? Okay,” you give in and throw your arms around his neck. “Well, you’re my best friend for one. Someone who always knows how to make me laugh, someone who can always make me smile even in the darkest times. Someone who never gave up on me and who never left.” You sniffle and his own smirk fades to a smile.

“If I could choose to share my life with anyone, it will always be you, in every lifetime, and in every universe,” you finish saying, causing Apollo to let out a deep breath and not be able to muster a word for a few seconds. All he can do is look all flustered.

“Wow,” he interjects after a while. “Now I feel bad that I only wrote you a song.”

You stop dancing and look at him with a serious look. “Don’t mess with me,” you tell him as you slide your hands down to grab his hands. “Did you? A song? For me?” You ask and touch your chest.

Apollo nods. “Yeah, for you.”

You gasp and then squeal with excitement. “I want to hear it! I wanna hear it!”

Apollo gets all cocky now and retorts. “I need my guitar.”

“No,” you snap back, “if you get your guitar then everyone else will hear. I want to hear it all by myself first,” you let him know seriously.

“Okay,” he agrees. “Fine, come here.” He says and pulls you in so you can be pressed against him again as he continues to lead. Now, you may not dance to the beat of what’s playing, but you don’t care because you’re too captivated by his words murmured against your ear as he sings you the song he had written for you; a song that was only for you and no one else. A song so beautiful and meaningful that it makes you cry, and it makes you feel a dull ache on your cheek with how hard you’re smiling.

Once it’s over you’re only more enamored and feel a deeper desire to just leave the party with him.

Yet you have to hold on for a bit longer.

“I loved it,” you assure him. “I really fucking loved it!” You exclaim and then press your forehead against his. “Now how is it that you know me so well? I mean a song? I’ll never shut up about it.”

Apollo shrugs. “Oh well you know me, and you are only my best friend.”

You giggle and pull him in for a kiss that you Iinger in. When you do manage to pull away Apollo straightens up and begins to show off a playful smile.

You quirk your brow and shoot him a confused look.

“Now, my beautiful wife,” he says and puts one hand behind him whilst he stretches out the other to offer it to you.

“Yes, my love?” You play along.

“Would you give me this dance?”

You smile ear to ear and nod before you rest your hand on his, letting him grab onto you before he pulls you in and secures you against him with a hand around your waist.

Rather than leading you in a slow dance like before though, regardless of the tempo, Apollo begins to lead you around the dance floor really fast, maneuvering past other dancing bodies, and making you laugh the entire time. When he stops it’s to grab your forearm, and it’s an action you don’t question, instead, you choose to grab his arm to then dance around some more. You then switch sides quickly and spin around again with giddy smiles on your faces.

There comes a point where you let go of each other but continue to dance together all wildly without caring about the others, letting those who didn’t know already that you in fact are best friends, two kindred souls.

When the song reaches its end Apollo grabs your hand and you spin into him, managing to secure yourself by grabbing onto his shoulders while he grabs your hips to then dip you down for the big finish.

“Swept off your feet?” He probes teasingly in between heavy breaths.

You shrug and let him pull you back up. “Eh, I think there’s been better dance partners.”

Apollo scoffs. “Has there? Who may I ask?”

You smirk and shrug. “A lady cannot tell,” you joke.

Apollo leans in. “I’ll make you,” he whispers before he cups your cheeks and smashes his lips against yours. You giggle between the kisses and he keeps repeating “Tell me,” but you instead kiss him right back repeatedly. It’s almost like a never-ending loop until you hear footsteps approach and stop by you. When you both pull away and look, you see your dad standing there awkwardly.

“Sorry,” he says. “I just wanted to dance with my daughter, if I may.”

Apollo lets you go and nods. “Of course.”

You watch your husband walk off before facing your dad and grabbing his hands. “You want to dance again? Well, ain’t that a surprise?”

He scoffs and holds onto you tightly to begin swaying you to the music, letting you slide your hands to his neck.

“I dance,” he argues. “I liked dancin’ with your mom…Well, she dragged me to dance all the time and I let her.”

You grin. “That’s nice to hear.”

“And I danced with you all the time when you were a little girl,” he adds.

“Yeah when I was a little girl,” you counter. “That was a long time ago.”

“Well I'm not as young as I was then,” he says, making you laugh.

“It’s diaper time isn’t it?” You tease, making him chuckle and nod.

“I’m gonna need a cane too.”

You chuckle louder and add on. “You’re gonna be those cranky old men who are like ‘Get off my lawn you heathens!!” You mock his deep voice. “And,” you laugh. “You’re gonna keep their toys that they throw over the fence.”

Your dad narrows his gaze on you with a serious look, but he can’t help but break into a laugh. “Exactly,” he plays along.

You hum and hold his gaze with adoration.

“You havin’ fun?” He asks.

You nod. “I am. I'm lovin’ today. It’s perfect.”

He nods and sighs softly. “That’s good, I’m glad.”

“You,” you point out. “You havin’ fun? Met anyone yet?”

Your dad lets out a soft scoff. “As long as you're enjoyin’ yourself I’m happy.” He says and avoids your second question.

You would press on what you asked, but you let it go and instead press yourself closer to him to rest your head on his shoulder, reminding him of simpler times again.

That’s why he hangs onto you for as long he can, and it’s why he secures his hold around you because he doesn't want you to go. If he could he’d keep you in his arms forever, but alas, he can’t so he lets go, but before he can let go of your hands, he stops you.

“I need to give you somethin’,” he says and then digs in his suit coat pocket.

You watch him with anticipation and only grow intensely more curious when you see that it’s a folded-up paper.

“It’s the toast that I turned into a letter since, well, I’m not so good with sharin’ what I feel,” he continues and hands you the letter.

When you take it you want to take a peek, but he pushes your hands down. “Somewhere quiet,” he lets you know.

“Okay,” you breathe out and swallow thickly as you feel even more curiosity fill your mind. “Okay. Uh, I’m goin’ now I can’t wait.”

He lets out a breathless chuckle and nods. “Yeah, I know you couldn’t. Go on.” He points his head to the side, so while the party rages on, you find an escape under a tall birch tree decorated with lights around the trunk providing a perfect light to read the letter that was itching your curiosity.

To you, my youngest daughter.

You said to write a toast so I took advantage of this moment and wrote you a letter of all I have to say.

First, I want to say that I’m sorry. There will never be an end to my apologies for what I did to you. No matter how dark my time felt, that wasn’t your fault and I shouldn’t have hurt you because of it, I’m sorry, and thank you for forgiving me even if I didn’t deserve it.

Second, one time you told me the things that reminded you of Sarah, now I get to tell you the one thing that reminds me of you when we were apart and when we’re together. The sun, the way it shines so bright reminds me of you, of your bright smile that never ceases to make me happy even on the worst days when life throws me down. The sun reminds me of your kindness, the same one that would greet me every day after a long day at work, and the same one that you haven’t lost even now—

You let out a soft scoff and sniffle to avoid crying and staining the paper.

—but most importantly the sun reminds me of simpler times. Times that I sometimes wish we could go back to so I can live forever with you and Sarah, so we can eat breakfast all together again, watch TV, and eat all the junk food you want.

Or maybe the truth is that I don’t want you gettin any older, I want to hold onto you forever and keep you safe in my own way. But if time didn’t pass then we wouldn’t have Ellie, I wouldn’t get to see this amazing, strong, and beautiful woman that I am so proud of—

You can’t hold back your tears anymore so you draw in a shaky breath to cry out softly in your hand.

—and even if hearing you talk about getting married, even if seeing you in that wedding dress will make me cry and want to turn back the time, I couldn't be happier that you are livin your life, baby girl. Because that’s all I want, that’s all I ask and wish for, that you and Ellie get to live your lives the way you want them to be.

And yes, I know that it’s hard in these times. I know it’s hard loving, opening up, and being vulnerable to someone because of all the horrors outside, but if you ever want to listen to me about something, it’s this; live. Live in the present, don’t think about what might happen tomorrow, next week, or next year, live now, cherish today, laugh, smile, or cry, just live.

Just know that no matter what happens with the rest of your life, you will always be my girl, my baby girl, and my daughter. And you will always have a place in my heart, so if that guy you’re marrying ever makes you cry just know that I’ll be there for you with my arms open. I love you.

Love, Dad.

You beam brightly at the paper and watch as those tears that you refused to let stain the paper, fall on the delicate surface.

He’s right he’s never been one to just express what he feels with so much ease, so reading what he holds in his heart makes your heart swoon, and makes this day that much more special. His vulnerability is also why you cherish his words and keep them close to your heart.

After your face doesn’t hold any evidence that you were just sobbing you get up and try to join the wedding feast again before they come looking. Yet just as you stand on your given height on the ground you hear heavy footsteps approaching. When you peer back you see none other than your dad stopping just past the birch tree when he sees that you spotted him.

“Daddy,” you greet with that same smile and then push yourself to your feet to run over and throw your arms around him. “Thank you,” you whisper and feel your heart flutter.

“I’m glad you liked it,” he says as he secures his hold around you.

You hum softly. “I loved it,” you let him know and then pull back to face him, feeling suddenly unable to hold in what you’ve been hiding all day because of the whirlwind of happy emotions. Thus after a deep breath, you change the subject. “I have somethin’ I need to tell you.”

“You’re seperatin’?” He jokes.

You giggle and shake your head. “No.”

You proceed to grab his hands as you hold his gaze with a bright smile and start before anyone can interrupt you. “It’s about me, well Apollo and I. And besides the two of us, you’re the first person to know. I mean I wanted to tell you first.”

Your dad begins to narrow his gaze on you as you prolong the news and leave him waiting.

“I,” you sigh softly. “I’m havin’ a baby.”

Your dad stiffens and his breath catches, making you quickly worry that he didn’t like the news. Yet you don’t ask for reassurance, you hold onto his hands and watch him. You watch as he slowly breathes out and his eyes gleam with tears. You watch his lips slowly pull to a wobbly but bright grin before wraps you in a sudden hug that takes you by surprise.

“Congratulations, baby,” he whispers softly, letting you sigh with relief and melt into his arms.

“You like the news?” You probe regardless of his comfort.

Your dad lets out a chuckle and nods. “Of course,” he assures you. “Of course, I do. It’s the best news I’ve heard. I’m so happy for you,” he says with tears rolling down his cheeks and a happy smile on his face.

A/N- What? Joel is getting everything he wants out of his new life? YAY!

Tagged- @slut-f0r-u @star-wars-lover @maplecohen @givemylovetoall @itzagothamcitysiren @sammy-13 @beloved-reblogger @emiriia @rues-daya @sunfairyy @littleshadow17 @mcu-starwars @bigtuffswordboy @riaqiax @dheet @queenofthekill @joliettes @d4rno @hardbeingcasual @rana030 @pedropascalluvr41 @ahoyyharrington @beaniebeensbaby201 @maeneedsabreak @maelartasch @adristyles @daughterofthequeen @alastorhazbin @sunsumonner @khaylin27 @hypatia93 @hummusxx @v4mpyk1tten @1donoow @your-shifting-gurl @g4ns3y @izzzzy-the-amazing @aphr0d1teh @lovelyygirl8 @ivy-taylorsversion @mmkkzz

#rues-daya recs

227 notes · View notes