At the cusp of dawn, just a few hours later, Lori woke up before Rick did. He was asleep on his back, she as on her side, her head on his shoulder and her body almost covering his body. Her crotch was throbbing and still sticky from the previous day and activity in the steaming hot shower. She was never so happy. The bridge she thought was burned was rebuilt, and she never felt more loved or in love.

xxxxx

The Grimes went to the kitchen, hand in hand and smiling, and joined Daryl and Beth. Rick and Daryl looked embarrassed, Lori and Beth smiled. The four sat at the same table, the elephant in the room was simmering just under the surface.

When Beth stood up to get some more juice, Lori followed her and pulled her aside.

"So...you and Daryl."

"Yep...oh yes..." Beth said with a smile. "I'm really happy to see you and Rick back together." Desperate to change the subject.

"Me too. You can't waste time in this world. He forgave me, I forgave him. We're back to normal. Or as normal as you can get these days."

"Good. About the shower..."

"Beth, I'm not telling anyone. In this world you have to hold onto happiness while you can."

"Okay. Um, it was just embarrassing."

"Yep. But funny. It didn't stop us. It shouldn't stop you."

"Daryl's gonna talk to daddy later. He wants his okay to date me."

"Ah, dating...is that what you're calling it these days?"

Beth blushed, Lori chuckled and gave her a hug. They both got back to their spots at the table, both Rick and Daryl asking their other halves if everything is okay. Lori nodded, and Rick put his arm around her, kissing her forehead.

Daryl wanted to show affection towards Beth, but Hershel had joined them at the table. Others joined, one by one, and the group...the family was sitting together, enjoying a nice breakfast.

Beth suddenly excused herself and quickly walked to the bathroom, vomiting up all of her breakfast. Lori followed her to the bathroom and heard the girl's heaves. Beth flushed her breakfast away and she walked out of the stall and went to the sink.

Lori rubbed her back as Beth splashed water on her face, then gripped onto the sink and started to cry.

"You okay, honey?"

"Yea, I think I'm coming down with something. Some stomach bug."

Lori knew the signs. "Beth, how long have you and Daryl been intimate?"

"A couple months. We try to be quiet, but like last night, that was the first time we got caught."

"Do you guys use condoms?"

"No, I'm allergic to latex."

"When was the last time you had your period?"

"I'm scared, Lori." She said, flatly.

Lori pulled the blonde into her arms for a tight embrace, rubbing her back and saying that everything will be okay. Beth buried her head in Lori's shoulder and started crying.

"I'm scared, Lori." Beth repeated, through sobs.

The brunette saw a motion from the corner of her eye as Rick walked into the room, saying he was concerned about the two women.

Lori looked at her husband and said "She's okay...just a little embarrassed about the shower last night. I'm gonna take her back to her room."

xxxxx

Beth sat on her bunk while Lori pulled over the privacy curtain. The younger woman was crying and shaking, afraid of what her father would say.

"We don't have to tell him now. We don't even know. Maybe the guys can do a supply run and pick up a test just to make sure. Do you want to tell Daryl?"

Beth nodded her head, but begged Lori not to say anything. Lori gave Beth a kiss on the forehead and left the cell, being very nonchalant. She helped clean up after breakfast and pulled Daryl aside when nobody was looking.

"Lori, if this is about the shower, I'm sorry. It was the middle of the night..."

Lori shook her head, not needing an explanation. "Don't worry about that. Rick and I thought it was funny. Please go talk to Beth. She's in her cell."

"She alright?" Daryl asked, his face lighting up with concern.

"She's fine. Just tired."

The redneck's face sank with worry and concern, and he ran out of the kitchen area and back to the cells.

xxxxx

Lori watched him go, thinking of how concerned he was, and her eyes got misty, thinking of what could have been if she didn't fuck things up. If only.