Astronaut

After the event in TLOU2, Ellie went back to Jackson. On a quest to grovel and beg Dina for forgiveness. Much to Ellie's disappointed Dina didn't seem to be budging. However she had given in and started letting Ellie spend a couple of hour a week with JJ. Which Ellie was extremely greatful for. Of course she wanted them both back. But JJ was better than none.

Ellie wokes up and instantly smiles. Saturday, which means its an Ellie and JJ day. She pulls herself out of the bed and quickly gets ready for the day.

She had spent the last week getting all the supplies they would need to do some baking. Ellie wasn't sure if JJ had ever baked anything before. Getting all the right supplies for that sort of thing is pretty expensive in a post-apocalyptic world. It took her a couple of weeks and alot of scavenging for cake tins ect. But she was sure that the memories would make it all worthwhile.

Once washed and dressed Ellie leaves her home. "Morning" Ellie smiles at Maria who is walking past her place. Probably going to the stables.

"Haven't you got JJ today?" Maria asks confused.

"Now going to pick him up"

"Have fun" Maria waves goodbye.

Ellie makes her way to Dina and JJ's place. Things were still a little awkward between her and Dina. Maybe they always would be. Ellie didn't care, what mattered was she got to spend time with the boy that she loved more than anything. Ellie takes a deep breath stood at Dina's front door. She lifts her hand and knocks on the old wood three times.

"Hey" Dina gives Ellie a small smile, after she opens the door.

"Hi, is he ready?"

"Almost, come in" Dina moves to the side to allow Ellie inside.

"Mummy" JJ giggles running over to Ellie.

Ellie awkwardly rubs her neck and bends down. "Hey buddy, it's Ellie. Remember ? "

"It's okay" Dina sighs. "I mean if he wants to call you that... I mean you are his mom... If it's what you wa-" she rambles before Ellie interrups.

"Of course it's what I want" Ellie grins, she pulls the little boy into her arms. "My little potato" she whispers into his hair. "You could always spend the day with us" Ellie asks looking up to Dina.

"I'm busy" Dina replies. Although she didn't know why because Ellie knew that was a lie the second it left Dina's lips.

Ellie nods. "Well you know where to find us if you change your mind" Ellie picks up JJs coat. "Here my little monster" she puts his coat on him. "Tell mama goodbye"

"Bye bye mama" JJ runs over to Dina.

Dina picks JJ up. She places a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I love you, have fun with mummy okay?" Dina says, making Ellie melt into a thousand pieces. JJ nods and kisses his mum cheek.

Dina hands JJ to Ellie, they all wave goodbye as Ellie walks to her place with JJ in her arms.

"I missed you buddy"

"I miss you two, mama miss you swell" JJ looks at Ellie. "Mama cry"

Ellie frowns. "What do you mean JJ, why does mama cry" Ellie opens her front door and walks inside.

"Mama cry for you, she miss you. Dark time I hear mama cry" JJ tells Ellie. "I make mama happy gain"

Ellie sighs and kisses JJ's nose, if only he could understand. "You make mama the happiest, bud"
Ellie sits on the sofa with JJ in her lap. "One day you'll understand all of this bud. But just know I love your mama okay"

JJ nods. "Mama love you too, she tell me!"

"I know she does bud" Ellie kisses his head. "How about we make some cakes ?" Ellie smiles trying to change the topic of conversation. Ellie removes JJ's jacket. Then gets out all of the cake ingredients.

"Here bud" Ellie hands JJ a bowl of flour. "Pour it in their" she points to the box mixing bowl. JJ pours it in. "Good job" Ellie high fives the boy making him giggle. Ellie hands JJ all the ingredients to put into the bowl. Then she passed him a spoon. "Mix it up"

JJ mixes the ingredients a little too rough and ends causing a flour cloud. Ellie and JJ both burst out in laughter as flour covers their faces. "A little slower bud... Yeah you got it" Ellie smiles watching her boy.

The two of them successfully bake 12 cupcakes and eat 11 of them. JJ insisted that the one with a special pink heart on the top was for his mama. Ellie loved the boys caring nature.

"We best get you back to mama" Ellie sighs. Watching JJ play on the ground with her astronaut figure.

JJ looks at the figure in his hand and pouts. "Noo"

Ellie sits down beside JJ. "You like that huh?" She smiles taking the figure. JJ nods. "Someone very special gave this to me" Ellie smiles thinking about Joel. "I think he would be happy if I gave it to you" she hands JJ the figure back.

His face lights up. "I keep it?" He asks.

Ellie nods. "You need to take good care of it, it means alot to me"

"I promise I look after him, forever" JJ grins hugging the figure close to his chest.