Joel loved you to death, he did.

You were his pretty girl. The one he cared for. Loved in a world that was so harsh.

The people of Jackson were celebrating the fact that spring was now here. The harsh snow waning, making way for warmth and new life.

Of course, that meant there was a community party. People liked to celebrate a little in the apocalypse if they could.

Joel had left the house before you this morning to help set up the festivities, and he had been looking for you the entire time. Pushing through the crowd, until he bumped into someone.

And that someone happened to be you.

Wearing the cutest little dress he'd ever seen in his life. Joel gulped, his heart constricted just slightly.

"There you are." He huffed, trying to keep up the tough guy act. He quickly brought you away from the main crowd. Before sitting on a stump under a tree, pulling you to his lap.

"Wanted you to myself for a minute. Lookin' so pretty today, baby." He nuzzled his nose against the side of your head, his hand slotting against your lower stomach.

"I'm just so happy spring is here." You hummed, smiling over the attention you were getting.

"Yeah, and here soon maybe we can go past the wall, look at all the baby animals and whatnot." He was trying to suggest something for you to do together, his old man brain still not entirely sure what to do after having not dated in so long.

Joel just kept you sat on his knee, and you were content. The spring sun keeping you warm.

Even he was content.