The grave stood a silent sentinel in the small grove of trees. Their feet crunched over old leaves as they made their way closer. He knew they'd end up here before going to the bunker, but he had hoped. Hoped that Ellie would choose some frivolous fun thing instead.
She still clung to the doll, its eyes dull from age now and most of the bright hair rubbed off long ago. His heart grew like lead in his breast when they were finally within a couple of feet. He wanted to run and drive away as fast as he could, forget and never think of it again. Never think of her again.
Ellie had dropped down in the bed of leaves in front of the cold, dark stone and he knew she was weeping. He was too and he believed himself far less emotional at that moment. His hands brushed old desiccated leaves off the top before he realised it was happening.
They stayed quietly by the grave, Larry trying to absorb as much of the good memories as possible. Ellie's hand had found his and clung as fiercely to him as she did the doll.
The doll, once much loved by the tiny hands of their daughter and until recently held with desperation by her mother, now rested against the cleared headstone. He had plucked out weeds and swept away debris, while Ellie spoke softly to the stone, sharing stories and secrets the little girl would have adored.
Eventually though, he had run out of things to do and had gone to quietly stand by her side. He had so much he wanted to say to their little one, but time had slipped away from them before he could share a tenth. It was time to go. Ellie kissed the doll and headstone, she looked expectantly back at him.
Barely able to stand under the weight of the grief he knelt and kissed the little angel figurine on the headstone, "Goodbye my Angel Girl."