Chapter begins, same day from Chapter 9 they are all getting in bed after the long day.

*DISCLAIMER DO NOT OWN The Walking Dead*

Chapter 10: My Promise to You

Liv had a lot to think about. Glenn had brought up a few good points; someone could come and attack them. The man, Chris, who held Glenn, Sasha, Tara, and Carl hostage, was still out there somewhere plotting against them, probably recruiting people to fight alongside him to bring down the community. For a moment, Liv thought it would be best to abort the fetus. She didn't want Carl and Judith to not have a mother figure around them. She decided she would get some rest and think about it more in the morning. For now, the baby was inside, alive and growing. She knew in the end she would make the right decision and knowing her friends and family would support her on whatever route she had decided to take.

Rick put Judith to bed and headed to bed himself. He wasn't feeling tired so he stared at the ceiling as his mind wandered. His mind took him to the moment when his now dead wife, Lori told him she was pregnant. He was angry with with her for trying to get rid of the baby then, yet here he was telling Liv to get rid of their baby now. Rick didn't bother telling Carl; he didn't want his son to worry. Plus, his son had yet to know about him being with Liv and he would rather tell Carl that first.

Rick didn't how he would act if Liv did end up dying in childbirth; he was fearful that he would not be in control of his action like last time. Rick didn't want to think about that, it just made him mad because she would truly be dying because of him and not because of the baby; this is something he would need to explain to Judith when she got older.

Daryl laid in bed all night, not being able to sleep while he poked holes in his blanket with a pocket knife. Feeling all the emotions he possibly could feel from anger to scared - he felt it all. He lost track of time till the sun crept through his window, hitting him in his eyes, making him get up and shut the curtains. He turned to walk to his closet pulling out a black pair of jeans with a black muscle shirt putting his vest that had angel wings on the back, reminding him of when Liv was younger she used to call him her 'guardian angel'. He smiled as he remembered the easier times.

Daryl walked out of his room, all he now had on this mind was food, so he made his way down to the communities kitchen.

Liv woke up. She stared at the ceiling rubbing her eyes before she immediately felt nauseous. She threw off her blankets that had covered her from head to toe, and ran to the bathroom that was in her room. She dropped on her knees in front of the toilet and began to throw up. This lasted for about five minutes. Once Liv felt a little better she slowly got up to reach over to the side of the toilet and flushed it. Afterwards she grabbed a hand towel, threw it on her shoulder and washed her teeth.

"Morning sickness," Liv said aloud to herself. She looked in the mirror and realized what she just had said. For the first time in the one month she had been pregnant she realized there was something in her growing. Though she already loved it; she finally felt it's present's inside. In this moment, Liv made up her mind on rather or not she was going to keep the baby.

She walked out of the hotel-like building that everyone slept and saw Carol talking with some of the women outside, having a cup of coffee.

Liv waved Carol over to her. "Carol, I think we should talk." Liv directed Carol to follow her and made their way to Liv's office. Liv closed the door and sat on the opposite side of her desk from Carol. "Carol, I need your help."

"Anything… I'll get it done." Carol sat up in her seat.

Liv shook her head a bit. "I'm going to keep my baby full term and deliver it in eight months time." Carol appeared to have an understanding expression. "I don't care if everybody disagrees with my decision and at this point I don't even care if Daryl disagrees, but I just need to know that you are okay with me having this baby?" Liv added.

Carol took a second to think before she spoke. "I wouldn't have given up my daughter, Sophia, for the world and I knew you wouldn't give your child up either."

Liv lifted her eyebrow in confusion. "So, you knew I would be against aborting it?" She questioned.

Carol tilted her head to the side. "Well no, but that's why I brought up that topic." She realized that Liv still wasn't understanding her, "If you were to think about it right when I offered the abortion, then I would know you wouldn't do your best at trying to deliver the baby, yet you shot that idea down faster than I could blink."

Liv nodded her head. "But last night I took it into consideration."

"But look at you now… and may I ask, why do you only just want my approval on you keeping this baby?"

A corner of Liv's mouth lifted. "Because I strongly believe you are the only one who can help me give birth."

Carol nodded her head in an understanding. "What about that one woman, Susan? Who helped her give birth?"

"I did. I'm the only one here who knew how to coach her through labor. I'm not so sure I can catch my baby when it comes out of me." Carol smiled wanting to laugh after envisioning what Liv just said.

"I'll help you, but I think Maggie can be a great help in preparing for this birth as well."

"She probably could." Liv took that into consideration. She didn't want to have too many people included in her labor plans. "I'll talk to her later then." Liv assured when Carol stood up from the seat nodding her head.

"You go eat, we need that baby nice and healthy!" Carol said in a motherly way.

-~My Promise to You~-

"Hey," Rick said sitting down at the outside tables next to Liv, who was eating at a table alone. He had a groggy voice, and Liv could tell he didn't get much sleep.

"Couldn't sleep, huh?"

Rick suddenly yawn, leading to a smile he and Liv shared. "Yeah, is it that noticeable?" He joked.

"Just a bit." Liv smiled once more. Rick took in that beautiful smile of her's, not knowing the next time he will see the genuine smile again.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as his soft southern accent flowed through each word.

"Good, I think I'm finally getting morning sickness, which is good." she quickly added, "Let's me know our baby is healthy… and alive." Liv needed to make Rick comfortable with the fact that she is keeping the baby, as she slide in a smile.

Rick looked away from Liv and to the people near them. "Don't make me choose between you and this baby." He finished turning back to Liv, staring into her eyes.

Liv shook her head. Though it was hard, she knew where Rick was coming from. "It's not a choice, in the end you will have both of us, but if it is only one of us you can save there is still no choice, because you will need to choose the baby… you hear me?" Liv said grabbing Rick's cheek with her hand.

"I know and I promise you that. I should be supporting you… I did with Lori, but maybe now is different because I know how the last one ended." Liv moved her hand down to Rick's chest.

"Not everything has to end in tragedy. Even if I don't make it, it won't be a tragedy because you will have received a beautiful gift." Rick just nodded his head as Liv continued. "The best thing about this gift is that it is me and you, joined in one small human." Rick smiled. The passion Liv carried made him worry less and actually made him excited to be a father again, though Judith was still very small.

"I'm lucky, I really am." Rick stated, noticing Liv's expression that consisted of an eyebrow raised and a small smile. "What?" Rick asked, not knowing if he had missed something.

"Hmm, just that I remember the time when I told you that you could resist me and you but you tried to deny it." She said in an 'I told you so' voice.

Rick's mouth hung open in shock, he didn't think she would bring something up that far in the past. "What! I can resist you!" He testified.

"Okay, then do tell me how I ended up pregnant; you know, since you can resist me and all." Liv teased.

"I can resist you, it's just that I didn't want to in that moment." Rick played along scooting closer to Liv.

"Okay, lover boy." She sarcastically replied, and was completely caught off guard when Rick planted his lips on hers where others could see, though she let it slide as the kiss was short lived when the two heard a bump on the table they sat at.

The two broke apart when there eyes landed on a very confused boy. "How and when?" Were the only two words that came out of Carl's mouth as he sat on the other side of the table, facing the two.

Rick looked down from his son, lifted an eyebrow trying to find the right words as he slowly scooted a few inches way from Liv. While Liv on the other hand looked straight at Carl as he stared at her back. The only thing Liv and Rick shared in common at this point were the lost for words.

"Carl." Liv began hoping Rick would assist her, yet for the first time ever Rick didn't bother to step in and take over to explain. "Your father and I-"

"Stop right there." Carl said cutting her off while putting his hand up assuring Liv to stop speaking. Liv nodded her head once, yet was intrigued as to what Carl was going to say. He was smart and at times Liv thought he was too smart for his own good. "I really don't need to hear an explanation; me and Michonne had a bet that you two would end up together back at the prison."

Liv's mouth hung open; this time she was in shock, remembering the times when Michonne would talk to her about Rick. "No wonder..." Liv muttered to herself, though the two boys could still hear her.

Rick took his gaze off of Liv and focused it on Carl. "You and Michonne made a bet on us." He spoke for Liv and himself.

"Yeah. You guys were making it hard though because you two are both so stubborn." Carl acted like a young adult and all those who were close to him never looked to him as a child. Carl noticed that the look the two gave one another, like there was more to the story than them just being together. "What? Do you guys want me to sign something that says I approve?" He questioned after he stopped eating the food from the tray he had slapped down on the table earlier.

"That would be easier." Liv said a bit weary, biting down on her bottom lip.

"Easier? Easier for what?" Carl looked back and forth from the two. "What is it, dad?" Carl looked at Rick, knowing his father could probably explain whatever it was better than Liv.

Rick hated to see his son worry about things kids his age shouldn't be worried about. "Liv is pregnant." Rick forcefully let out a small smile to show his son there was nothing to be worried about.

Carl looked at Liv with the smallest of smiles, though his eyes showed sadness. He breathed heavily before speaking. "I always thought I'd be an only child, yet here I am receiving all these new siblings." He stated, though he didn't show the slightest amusement at his own joke.

Carl knew these serious situations all too well and at this point was very skilled in handling them. The woman he loved almost like a mother was going to become a mother. Carl took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I want you to have a comfortable pregnancy… I'll help out more with Judith-"

Liv cut Carl off from speaking any further. "No. You don't need to put more on your plate." As Rick nodded his head in agreement.

Carl nodded his head when his mind was filled with images of his mother on the day she died. "My mom." He started when Rick shot his head up at Carl who stared at Liv while continuing to talk, "She said I was the only thing she did right in this world... but she was wrong, because she also did Judith. I don't remember my life before Judith - well I do, but it's not as important compared to having her and though my mom is gone now I still have the happy memories of her and I think that's all I need for her to still live on in my heart and one day hopefully in Judith's heart."

Rick sat there looking at his son in amazement. He couldn't believe how grown up and mature his son was, and knowing his son still had happy memories made Rick's eyes watery. This was also the first time Rick heard Carl talk about Lori since her death. "I'm proud of you, Carl." Carl nodded as they both turned to Liv.

"The ladies weren't lying when they said pregnancy makes you emotional." She said as she wiped away some tears that escaped her eyes.

The two boys smiled at Liv's comment and their grins got even bigger when they seen Michonne walking over to them holding Judith, taking a seat on the other side of Liv. "All squeaky clean!" Michonne said looking at Judith before picking up her head to look at the others. "I just gave her a bath."

"Oh, you lucky little bug!" Liv said, lightly tickling Judith which made the baby laugh uncontrollably before Liv added, "I wish someone could take me bath." The moment the words came out of her mouth she knew it sounded wrong as Michonne and Carl shot there widened eyes at each other while Rick raised his eyebrow to Liv when she turned to him. "I mean because I'm pregnant; I get tired faster!" She explained while the three broke into laughter. Liv just sat there shaking her head.

Once the three simmered down, Michonne focused more on Judith while Rick ate the rest of Carl's food that the boy didn't eat. Carl looked at Liv with a 'we need to talk' face, as he got up. "Um, I'm gonna go by the pond, I can take Judith." He offered reaching out for the baby as Michonne handed her over the table.

"I'm heading that way, I'll walk with." Liv said turning to Rick kissing him on the top of his head. "Where you headed, Michonne?" Liv turned a little to face her friend.

"I think I'm gonna go talk to Abraham and Marco about a run." She answered.

"I'll go with then." Rick got up from the seat and looked to Carl. "You behave and keep your sister safe."

"Always am, always do." Carl assured as he, Judith, and Liv headed in the direction of the pond, when Rick and Michonne took the opposite direction and headed towards the front gate.

"What's on your mind Carl?" Liv questioned in a serious tone, not knowing why he didn't want to say whatever he was going to tell her, in front of Rick and Michonne.

"I didn't know you were pregnant before I made this but," Carl began switching Judith to the other side of him as he reached into his front pocket and pulled out a heart shaped locket that was as big as his palm. "Sorry it's so big, Glenn said that was the only way we can fit a Polaroid picture in there without having to cut most of the picture." He hand it to Liv, who was speechless.

The metal heart shaped locket was now in Liv's hand. She studied the outside of it before opening the locket. Inside held a picture of Carl kissing Judith on the cheek with Daryl standing next to them looking all tough. Liv smiled at the picture before closing the locket. "Thank you, Carl. This means a lot to me. I think I'll keep it over my heart." She finally spoke up trying fight back some tears as she slipped the locket into her left breast pocket of her dark blue button down shirt she wore.

"I'm glad you like it, it's my promise to you that no matter what I'll always be your family, and so will Judith, and of course Daryl." He looked up to Liv; it wouldn't be long till he met eye level with her.

Liv smile and nodded her head. "I love you, and you too, Jude!" Liv said rubbing Judith's cheek while they continued down the path to the pond, the baby let out a few giggles.

Carl nodded his head, kissing Judith on her head. "Now I have another promise for you." He said noticing the head tilt from Liv in the corner of his eye. "I wanna help with the labor. I was there for my mother but now I know I'll be more prepared. I wanna keep you alive and I'll find away to." He said with determination.

Liv nodded her head. She knew he would be less worried if he had some part of responsibility. "I'm gonna need you by my side. You are after all the baby's big brother… and the only one who doesn't want it to be aborted."

Carl felt sick hearing that someone would suggest an idea like that, making him hug Judith tighter. "No. That's wrong. How does one suggest killing a baby that hasn't even lived yet?" Liv could see the anger on his face.

"Carl, I don't know… I'm not gonna fail you but if I do die, I'll be leaving this world knowing that I left you to care for it."

Carl nodded his head to assure Liv he'll watch over it, like he does Judith.

"So I guess you're apart of the team!" Liv announced to him.

Carl shook his head. "What team?"

"My labor team; Carol and Maggie are already on it." She went into further detail.

"Oh, you have a pretty cool then." Carl smiled to Liv as she nodded her head.

They reached the pond when Liv took Judith and sat on the grass with her, while Carl played soccer with one of his newer friends. Liv played with Judith and during this time she took a moment and looked down at her lower abdomen and noticed her small yet growing baby bump was coming in. This made her smile. She was going to keep this angel and promised protect the two she already had.

Hope you enjoyed, Liv is keeping the baby! As always:

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-~Until Next Time~-