It was rare for Joel to be this soft.

You and Ellie both noticed him feeling happier around the younger children of Jackson. Ever since Tommy and Maria had had a child a few months ago, Joel had been acting different. Softer. More willing to tolerate and watch kids.

Ellie found it funny, often quipping with her friends about it. You found it charming to know he was having baby fever. He just didn’t want to admit it. Because he knew he couldn’t bring a child into this hellish world. He’s old, but he has you and Ellie. That’s all he needs.

But now, as he lays with his head on your stomach, that feeling is stirring inside him again. He shifts, looking up at you. “Ya know, the name Carrie is cute for a little girl.” He smiled gruffly, as if just trying to play it off as a casual conversation.