Author's Note: This story is mostly all planned, and I have some exciting things happening. This story won't be following the show once the group move on from the CDC as that part is quite important in setting the scene with Emily (my OC) and how she joins the group. Hope you enjoy!

TWO

Edwin Jenner was quiet as the group filed into the large and open plan foyer. As they came to stand in front of him, he moved towards the camera and pressed the button to close the large metal door that protected them from the world outside. He observed the survivors for a moment, noticing how dishevelled they all were. Their clothes were filthy and covered in dirt. They all looked tired, their skin pale and unhealthy. He glanced over at Emily who was staring at them, her eyes wandering over towards the child who clung to two women.

A man stepped forward, and Edwin took a step back. The man noticed his reaction and stopped. Emily watched the small interaction and furrowed her brow.

"Thank you," the man spoke, his voice a southern drawl. "For opening the doors, I can never thank you enough for that."

His eyes fluttered over to hers, and she took a deep breath. She waited for Jenner to speak, and when he remained silent, she stepped forward.

"The cost of admission is a blood test," she said, looking over at Jenner once more. The man nodded eagerly.

"Of course," he said.

"We have food for you all," she spoke, and she turned to the children. "We even have some chocolate which I'm sure you'll enjoy."

The man turned back to look at the boy clinging onto his mother. Emily watched the small exchange, noticing the quick change in the boy as he detangled himself from his mother and held her hand. Emily smiled and returned her gaze to the man whose eyes were back on hers.

"I'm Rick," he introduced himself. He went around the room and introduced the rest of his group, and Emily nodded at everyone and smiled.

"It's nice to meet you," Emily said. "I'm Emily. And this is Edwin Jenner."

Jenner offered his hand to Rick who shook it. "Blood tests are this way, if you'll follow me."

As the newest people followed after Jenner into a lift, Emily made her way into the cafeteria. She began to make dinner for them all, knowing they'd most likely be hungry. It had been a long day, and from the way they looked, and the way the children acted, she understood it was probably a tough day for them all.

An hour or so later, and the new survivors had made their way to the cafeteria after their blood tests. Food was ready for them to eat, and Jenner smiled at Emily as he made his way in after them. They all sat down at the table, grabbing the spare chairs that had been stacked up in the corner, and both Jenner and Emily sorted out everyone a plate. Conversation was rife as the survivors relaxed and made themselves comfortable with wine, beer and whisky.

Dinner was different again for Emily and Jenner. It was full of laughter, full of stories, and the conversation flowed well. Jenner watched the group interact, and he remembered a time when the cafeteria was full of conversation. He missed it. He missed interacting with his friends and colleagues. It seemed a long time ago since he'd last enjoyed a conversation as much as he'd enjoyed the ones with Emily and the new survivors.

He watched as Emily spoke with a woman and smiled. He was glad she pressed the button. It wasn't a decision he would've made himself but he was glad she still had a heart.

This world had begun to change him.

"The Quarry… destroyed," Carol said, her eyes watering. "We lost people there."

"I'm so sorry," Emily said, empathetically. "That must've been awful."

"It was," Carol said. "But we made it here. And we honestly cannot thank you both enough for opening those doors. We were beginning to lose hope, and then this light… so bright washed over us."

"I've been here a week now, I think. I can't imagine being out there. Not now," Emily whispered. "It makes you realise just how safe you are here. You're able to sleep."

Carol smiled, listening intently at what Emily had to say. She couldn't remember the last time she slept peacefully. She was always watchful over Sophia, always waking to make sure Sophia wasn't having a nightmare. Her daughter was her main priority and it scared her to think of her daughter being scared of a world that was supposed to be a place where she raised her own children.

"Sleep seems like a chore now," Carol nodded, taking a sip of water.

"I like your hair," Sophia said, her eyes staring at the auburn tresses of Emily's hair. Emily smiled and touched her hair.

"Thank you," Emily replied.

"I wish I had princess hair like yours," Sophia said. "My momma cuts my hair because of the walkers."

"Your momma is right," Emily whispered. "I should really cut mine."

"No! You can't!" Sophia exclaimed. "You can give it to me."

Emily smiled. "Okay… deal."

Nausea overwhelmed Emily in that moment, and she tenderly touched her stomach. She could feel a cold sweat begin to prickle at her skin. She took deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself down.

"Momma?" Sophia asked, to which Carol turned to look at Emily who had paled.

"Are you okay, Emily?" Carol asked urgently. Emily nodded faintly.

"I need to lie down."

Carol stood and helped Emily out of her chair. She excused them both from the table, and helped Emily back to her room. Sophia followed after them, worried for her new friend. As soon as they got back to the room, Carol helped her down on the bed where Emily sat. Carol watched her for a moment, noticing her lips beginning to lose colour.

"How far along are you?" Carol's voice caused Emily to look up at her.

"You can tell, huh?" Emily asked, a faint smile on her face.

"I was there once," Carol said.

"I'm three months," Emily smiled. "Tomorrow."

"That's amazing," Carol smiled, remembering a time when Sophia was growing in her stomach. It seemed so long ago.

"Are you okay?" Sophia asked worriedly.

"She's fine," Carol reassured her daughter. "She just needed some time away from the group, that's all."

Sophia nodded, and sat next to Emily. The little girl took Emily's hand in her own and offered a big smile. Emily returned the smile and took a deep breath, before returning her gaze to Carol.

"I always wondered if this would happen," Emily began. "My boyfriend and I… we tried for a baby for years. Nothing happened and we'd given up hope of it ever happening. We tried treatment, and still nothing. Then the world ends and here I am, with a baby growing inside me and I wonder if it's a cruel joke."

"It's a blessing at its finest," Carol reassured her.

"The test is negative," the doctor said. "I'm so sorry."

Emily stared at the floor for what felt like eternity. She wasn't aware of the hand reaching for hers, or the reassuring squeeze he gave her. Her eyes began to burn with tears as emotion overwhelmed her slowly, like water slowly taking down a small ship. She should've known that this would be outcome again. It had been that way for so long that she forgot what it was like to not have such a weight over her, or the sadness clutching at her heart each time her fears were confirmed. She looked over at her boyfriend and bit her lip as tears began to cascade down her cheeks.

"It's okay, honey," he whispered.

She didn't answer. She glanced at her doctor who was watching her. "Is there anything else we can do?"

"There is fertility treatment," the doctor said. "However, it's expensive and doesn't mean it will work first time. We can test you both, see if there's something that's preventing you from conceiving that we can try and help with."

"If one of us has something wrong with us, would that give us a clear idea of our next step?" her boyfriend asked, finding the words for her. She was grateful to have him by her side, and picking her up when she fell.

"Most definitely," the doctor said. "I can go and get some leaflets for you so that you can decide what you'd like to do next."

"Thank you," he said as the doctor got up to leave. Once the door was shut, he turned to her.

"Hey, honey," he whispered. "We'll get this sorted. I promise."

"What if it never happens?" Emily asked, sadly.

"It will. It's you and me against the world, honey," he said. "Negan and Emily. The way it's always been."

As Emily re-joined the group an hour later, she noticed that small groups had formed. The women were playing board games with the children. A blonde woman and an older man were sat talking quietly. The men were talking and drinking, their voices becoming loud in moments. Emily looked around at them all and smiled. She'd not seen so much life in a room since a long time ago, and it felt good to see people doing their own thing.

Carol motioned for her to join them in a game of Monopoly. As she moved towards them, a man stepped in front of her. He was tall and scruffy. A checked shirt with ripped arms hung off his body. The aroma of whisky filled her senses and she felt nauseous at the smell.

"Ya look familiar," he said. "Ya didn't bust my brother out of jail, did ya?"

"I don't think so," Emily said. "Not me."

"Huh. Ya face is familiar," he said. "Ya want some?"

He offered her a full glass of whisky. She smirked at the fullness of the glass and shook her head.

"I'm good thanks," she said, politely. "You enjoy it."

"I most definitely will," he slurred as he took a large gulp. She watched him for a moment and chuckled. He moved out of her way and sat back down with the group he was with. Emily went over to the women and children. The game of Monopoly had changed to a game of snap, and both children squealed with delight as the game became fast paced and exciting.

Emily watched as they battled against each other, with both of them on tenterhooks waiting for their same card to come up and for them to strike.

"Are you okay?" Carol whispered. Emily nodded.

"Yeah. I'm feeling much better now, thank you."

"It gets better, I promise," Carol reassured her.

As the night deepened, it was soon time for bed for the children. Carol went to put the children in bed as she turned in herself. Emily remained with the group, her eyes just scanning the new faces enjoying a drink without the fear of the dead being a threat.

She was aware of someone staring at her. The heat of their stare burned at her, and she searched to see who it was from. It wasn't long before she found the culprit. The man who had stopped her earlier was staring at her with such intensity that she was sure he was going to burn a hole into her if he continued. She remained for a couple of minutes before she feigned a yawn and left the room, making her way back to her room.

Emily slipped into bed and stared up at the ceiling.

She felt a small flutter in her stomach. She smiled and placed her hand tenderly upon her bump. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone reading this. I hope you're enjoying it. Leave me a review as I'd love to hear what you think!