Disclaimer:

Carol Peletier, Sophia Peletier, King Ezekiel, Henry, Jerry, Shiva, and any other recognizable character, part of script or plot of The Walking Dead belong to AMC Network and Skybound Entertainment, Image Comics and Robert Kirkman.

In no way is the author claiming ownage of any of the characters nor is there any economical/monetary gain at any time. The author is extremely respectful of the original creators and is willing to take down this work of fiction if requested.

No copyright infringement intended.

Original characters are property of the author.

Chapter 9: Eight Month

They have organized a festival in honor of their daughter, complete with mock tournament.

It is a Kingdom wide affair, very much akin to a baby shower but at a larger scale. The Kingdom doesn't do anything in halves.

They have decorated, they have prepared enormous amounts of foods, and they had organized a massive get-together of all their communities. For the first time in a long time, Carol is surrounded by her new and old family, and they are all there to celebrate her daughter.

"Have you guys chosen a name?" Michonne asks Carol who is seated on Ezekiel's throne. They had brought out the heavy seat and covered it with fluffy pillows so she would be comfortable. She has no doubt that it was all Henry and Jerry's idea.

"The Princess has no name yet!" Jerry declares.

"Not for lack of trying." Carol admits. "Ezekiel keeps coming up with the weirdest names. He got a baby name book and he's diligently combing through it."

"And my Queen keeps vetoing them." Ezekiel reminds her as he hands her a glass of water.

"I don't think we'll find a name until she's born." Carol gives a little shrug then a wince as her daughter kicks her.

The baby was running out of space and they were running out of time to prepare for her arrival. Ezekiel had made sure that they, and Hilltop, had everything they could possibly need medically. At least everything they could find. The nursery, and the area in their bedroom where their baby would live her first months of life, were in dire need of some loving dedication though.

Judging by the amount of gifts that the communities had gathered, Carol knew that she would have everything she could possibly need and then some. It was just a matter of putting things were they belonged.

"How many more weeks?" Young Enid asked as she tries to get Judith's hair back in order.

"If she goes full term…"

"Which she will." Ezekiel interrupts.

"… then we have six more weeks to go." Carol concludes with a roll of her eyes.

"I bet you wish she was here already." Maggie adds. "I know I felt that way when I was pregnant with little Hershell."

"Yes and no." Carol admits with a slight blush. "I want nothing more than to hold her but I also want her to stay in there."

"So that she's fully cooked!" Jerry adds with a grin.

"Jerry." Ezekiel gives him a warning tone.

Carol shakes her head, already used to the banter.

Within her the baby turns, or at least attempts to, which distorts her belly beneath the summer dress she is wearing. She had protested all the time she shimmied into it but she knew that it was all she could wear in the state that she was.

"That's insane!" It's Rosita's turn to comment, her eyes trained on the movement.

"Oh!" Carol blushes. "You should see what she does when Ezekiel starts reading to her. It feels like she shifts my whole belly to whichever side he is on."

Ezekiel beams. He is proud of the connection he has fostered with his daughter. He had insisted on reading to her old literature, squeezing in Shakespeare whenever he could only to tease Carol, and that, coupled with their nightly flashlight games, had ensured that his daughter could recognize the sound of his voice.

"Can we please open gifts now?" Judith's sweet voice filters through the sound of chatter that has settled over the party

Unable to deny the little one anything, Carol nods before opening her arms to her. "Want to help me open them?"

—

The festival has been a success and though it continues well into the night, Carol and Ezekiel have retired to their bedroom.

It is only then that Carol finds a very special gift.

"What..?"

"It is a gift from the three communities." Ezekiel starts to explain.

Before her rests a beautiful mahogany crib, dark brown. It wasn't new, had obviously been loved by a child long ago, but it was clean and in great condition. "The crib comes from Hilltop. Maggie had it cleaned and restored. The bedding comes from Alexandria. Michonne had one of the older residents make it specifically for our little one."

Carol couldn't help but gently sweep a hand over the soft sheets, already imaging her daughter nestled between them, sleeping the nights away.

When her fingers brush against the heavy piece of metal she can't help but raise an eyebrow as she turns to look at Ezekiel. "And then Jerry found a silver baby rattle. Don't ask me how he did or where he looked but he presented it to me as a gift from all of Kingdom."

As much as she loved every single thing that was included in the community gift, she can't help but reach for the last item which had been placed on the corner of the bedding.

It was a very soft, pale orange and white, baby sized tiger. She didn't need to ask to know who this present was from. Cradling it close to her face she took a wiff if it and hums. "It smells like you."

"I had it hidden in my pack for some time." He admits, tilting his head down, almost as if he blushing.

"It's perfect. She's gonna love her little Shiva." Carol promises him.

Ezekiel looks up at her, his eyes watering. He gives a small sniffle before adding. "I wish Shiva could have been here. She would have loved our Princess. Would have protected her with her own life."

Carol moves closer to him, his arms wrapping around her, little Shiva caught between them. She nuzzles his cheek with her nose, her eyes fluttering close. In her belly their daughter moves, pressing against the front of her belly, as if she was snuggling close to her father as well.

"I am sure our daughter would have loved her."