Dark Days

Oh Baby

©JRF2016

Martha came in the back door with a bucket of water that she had just boiled for us to drink. "Has anyone seen Doc?" Jenny asks as she walks in behind her. Reid looks back at Darrick and they drop their heads. Reid starts toward the girls when Darrick stops him and sighs, "I got this. You go take care of Rachel." He walks outside with Chi, Martha, Cathy, and Jenny while Reid hangs his head and sits down beside Rachel. Everyone else left in that shack knew it was bad news and they wait in silence. When the cries from the girls rang out they still weren't prepared and everyone jumped at the shrill sound. Everyone had grown so fond of the old man, he was their family. Darrick comes back in with Cathy in his arms. His heart was aching for her and there was nothing he could do to fix it. Reid and Darrick stood there debating on telling their people about the new place they had found or waiting until they had some grieving time. They decided to go ahead and fill everyone is as they somberly told everyone about the place and silently they all packed their stuff.

The walk to this new home was hard on Rachel. She never complained though. She knew this had to be done and she would have plenty of time to rest when they got there. She was so scared that she was going to lose this baby but yesterday she could feel it moving around inside her, a lot. She let out a little giggle and Reid runs to her side, "What's wrong? Are you okay? We can stop for a few minutes if you need to rest." She put the first two fingers of her left hand on his lips to hush him and with her right took his hand and placed it on her belly. Reid's concern disappears and is replaced with a smile. "Hey, I wanna feel!" Charlie says as he stands there watching the two of them. "Me too!" Grace squeals as Jenny sets her down and she runs to Reid.

By the time we reach the gate I am feeling so tired and weak. I was getting more and more worried. "Dad," Charlie says nudging Reid, "You get Rachel up to your room, I'll help Darrick lock everything up tonight and I'll take your watch." Reid smiles at him and ruffles his hair.

"Thanks Charlie. You're a good man." Charlie's face beams and his chest swells with pride as he returns his father's smile. Reid slides his arm around Rachel's waist and whispers in her ear, "Let's get you to bed little mama."

"Not so little anymore, Chief." She tells him while rubbing her belly. Reid kisses her lightly on the lips and leads her to the room he picked out for them. Inside she walks immediately over to the bed and lays herself down. Reid drops the bags and stares at her lying on that bed, rubbing her huge belly. He walks over and slips into the bed beside her placing his hand on top of hers, "I love you Rachel." He kisses her lips and then lays his head on top of her belly whispering, "I love you too, little one." He kisses her belly and then straightens back out staring into her eyes as he laces their fingers together on top of her belly. "I feel so guilty right now," Rachel whispers without looking up at Reid, "Doc's gone and Martha, Cathy and Jenny are devastated. All I keep thinking is what I'm going to do without him here to deliver this baby. I fell so selfish."

"He was teaching that stuff to Cathy and Martha, don't worry about that. They will be okay and they would not consider you selfish at all." She smiles as her eyes slowly start to close and she can get some much needed sleep.

I seem to get weaker and weaker as the days drag on. The baby will be coming any day now and I worry now more than ever. Martha, Cathy and Jenny were coping but still saddened at the horrific death of their Doc, and I could tell they were worried about delivering this baby. This place had a stone wall around it and big iron gate that we fortified with spikes and barb wire for those stray walkers. That was a plus, at least they were few in number. The men had dug pits, a trick from Tony that deemed itself very useful, for any excess walkers. The men were out scavenging and hunting most days, trying to keep us going. Martha and Cathy were keeping a close watch on the kids and me, who they kept in the bed as much as possible. That was the hardest part, for me and them, because I just wanted to help.