I woke the next morning earlier than usually wanting to get several things done before we left for good. I grabbed my bow and gun along with a couple of small bags to put herbs, and other medical plants into them and left a note for Matt to find. Plus he knew that if I wasn't in the Rv when he woke that he needed to feed and take care of his brothers until I got back from what I was doing. I had made him learn that rule earlier on when the dead started walking and i had to go out to search for supplies, so Matt had to watch Sam and Ethan while I was out.
I was picking herbs in the woods like lemon grass, mint, lavender, and some editable mushrooms that had started to grown when I ran into Daryl who was hunting for some squirrels. I nodded at him as I also got some tree bark and pine needles just in case. I was putting all that in my bag when I heard a moan to the right of my followed by several more. Daryl heard it to because he advance with his crossbow ready to shoot and I had drawn my bow and was ready to when we reach some trees before a small clearing we found Shane and Lori having sex on a what looked to be his jacket. I looked at Daryl and we gave each other the same look of disused and I backed out immediately but Daryl stayed for a second before retreating to.
We walked about 50 feet until they could see us because of a small hill and Daryl stepped on a stick making a loud 'pop' sound. It was funny because people like me and Daryl could tell that this noise wasn't one of a walker otherwise several other would have followed it but the others didn't know this so it was stop them red handed and make them wonder were the safe or not. I couldn't get what Lori told me a couple weeks ago about her husband and how she would do anything to have him back. Now she had what almost every wife could ever want or have her husband was back and she was cheating on him with his best friend of all people.
I would do almost anything for my sons to get to see their father again for him to meet Ethan who looked so much like both of us. He would be so proud of how Matt had stepped up to take of his brother in his absence. Matt would more like a father to Ethan than a brother and I knew that going into this that was a possibility and even though I would make sure they all knew about their real one it wasn't the same as he being here in person for them. I just hoped that we all made it out of this safe and alive. But I had a feeling that at some point I would most likely lose one or more of my boys and there was nothing I could do about it. I would do everything to keep them all safe, happy and alive but everything didn't always work out how you wanted it to.
I had made it back to camp now and I sat that Matt carrying Ethan and walking Sam who were both dressed and ready for the day over to the camp area to eat breakfast. When Matt saw me I nodded at him and he pointed me out to Sam which sent him running my way to give me a hug and kiss. I usually was always there when they got up and this morning I wasn't so that must have scared him. I picked him up and swung him around in a circle a couple times getting a loud giggle out of him before he was full on laughing until I put him down. I ran my hand through his hair before walking over to Matt to give him and Ethan their morning hug and kiss.
"Thanks Matt I got what I wanted and now I can make some creams to help with infection if we need them." I told him taking Ethan from him.
"Good we will need that with winter coming. I was thinking of only taking one bag into the CDC full of supplies besides Sam's entertainment bag and Ethan's diaper bag. We could then take your two military bags and put supplies in them mostly medicine and medical supplies. Maybe even some food and weapons since the military is supposed to be there." he told as we arrived at the camp fire.
"Matt that's a great idea do you thing if things got bad that you would be able to carry a full bad of supplies." I asked him.
"Yeah and if I can't I can take the smaller bags and Ethan so you could." He told me smiling.
"Good thinking now get something to eat and watch your brothers while I get water before he leave the Quarry for the CDC." I told him giving him Ethan back and walking them back over to the camp area so that they can get something to eat.
I grabbed the water jugs before heading to the lake to get the water. I notice that Daryl had followed me but kept his distance like a watch guard. I filled them buckets or jugs up with water before heading back up the hill. I think that Daryl liked that I didn't depend on other people to do anything for me I did it myself and was use to it being that way. With Michael away half the year or more I was left to take care of the kids alone. I usually talked to him several times a week through video chat and so did the kids. I had recored both Matt's and Sam's first everything for him to see he even got to see Matt take his first steps.
He had just home first his deployment after Matt had been born and had just set his bags down after walking through the door. I was in the kitchen icing his welcome home cake and putting dinner on the table when I heard the door open. I went to greet him with a smile on my face and Matt was playing with his toys on the floor. As soon as Matt heard his voice he stood up and toddled over to him before falling at his feet and used his arms to pull himself back up on to feet. I started laughing and ran over to Matt and picking him up twirling him around in the air. Michael was confused at first but when I told him that was his son first steps he burst out laughing and join me in praising Matt who loved the attention.
I was brought out of my thoughts when I reached camp and heard everyone packing their camp up. I went over to the water heater and started to fill it up. I ended up using both buckets with room for another since I had did showers, the washer, the dryer, and dishwasher last night getting caught up on every thing before we had to leave. I even filled up all the empty water bottles I have collected over the 2 months of being here. I would next fill up the 6 milk jugs that I had along with another couple buckets to store for in a couple weeks then I would be good to go. I help Sam get started on school work and fed Ethan.
I then put him in his bouncer along with some toys to play with while Matt and Sam did school work and I got another couple loads of water from the lake. I was getting the third round when T-Dog came over and carried them back up the hill for me. I thanked him. I gave him a cold water bottle to drink after getting two more buckets of water for me to finish filling everything up. i put three of milk jugs of water into the fridge and the other three went to storage to be used at a later date. I was packing up some of the lose hunting and fishing gear on the outside of the Rv when Shane came up behind me wanting to talk about riding arrangements.
"We were about to decide who was going to ride where." Rick told me coming to join Shane while finished loading up the last box of toys that would need to be stored down there for the drive.
"Okay well me and the kids will be in the Rv and I will follow you so what else needs to be talked about." i asked getting up from on the ground and locked the hatch.
"Well all the other cars are going to be full so we were hoping someone could ride with you to even out the load." Shane said not letting Rick.
"I'm sorry Rick but I don't trust anyone here enough not to go through my things or take anything so no plus all the seats that buckle will be full." I told him sadly stating mostly the truth.
"Okay but I'm going to need you to start helping the group out more some way other than watching you own kids." Rick told me.
"When I can trust my kids are safe around your people then sure I will help out more but right now your group can't even look after themselves right now more less three more kids.." I told him checking over the outside of the Rv making sure everything was in order to leave.
"Mom Ethan's ready for his bottle and needs a diaper change." Sam yelled as he opened the Rv door holding his nose.
"Okay buddy can you go grab a diaper out of diaper bag and the wipes for me." I asked him.
"Sure." he said before off he went leaving the Rv door open.
"Let me know when we are leaving I have a few things to get in order before we go." I told them going into the Rv.
I changed Ethan diaper before putting him in his bouncer to play for a bit. With him now being almost 6 months old he was growing like a weed and had lots of energy. I made the older boys go put up all their toys and books so that they wouldn't be rolling or moving around when we left. I was cleaning up all the extra junk that was laying around. I went to put the last of the dishes in the cabinet before sticking the drying rack into the cabinet under the skink. I then went to make sure the boys put up all their toys and books like I asked.
I was putting the last of the boxes of toys and books under the bunkbeds for Matt and Sam while they put the movies up in the living area. I tucked in the pillows in under the sheets so they would stay in place while I was driving. I then moved on to put the last of school books and coloring supplies of Sam's. I was now feeding Ethan one last time before we left when some on knocked on the Rv door signaling that we were about to leave. I open the door with one hand while Feeding Ethan with the other.
"Were about to leave after Rick talks to everyone." Glenn told me before leaving.
I put Ethan's carseat in one of the seats closet to Matt so he could take care of him while I drove today. I then got a couple different snacks and put them into a bag along with some water bottles before putting them in the seat between where Sam and Matt usually sat. The I put NCIS season 1 into the DVD player and put the remote in the seat to. I made sure the bouncer was secure in the closet so it wouldn't move around. I was putting the last load of laundry away. It was mostly towels and spare rags that I used to skin animals and cloths that I had bought to use as washable diapers for Ethan. I was trying to get ready to switch over since I was running out of diapers in a few months. Then I head over to where Rick and Shane are talking to everyone.
I had Ethan in my arms and Sam was traveling after me. I was standing on the outside of the circle with Ethan in my arms he was half a sleep. Sam was holding on to my leg not wanting to let go. He was going to be clingy today for some reason. After Michael died and didn't come home when he had a bad dream he got clingy which usually wasn't a problem but with the dead walking around I would have to break him of that habit because if I left him somewhere he couldn't just follow me because he wanted to be close to me. He could get hurt or killed that way. I waiting about 5 minuets for Rick to start talking because his wife was taking her sweet ass time putting a bag of clothes and tent into the car.
"Lori just put the bag in the damn car already." I yelled at her getting a couple smiles, laughs, and angry glares from her.
"Glenn here Put your hand here on his head and let him rest against you arm. Perfect don't move." I told him helping him hold Ethan right.
"Move." I told Lori shoving her out of the way and moving two other bags around to fit everything inside the back of the car with room left over.
"There your done." I told her rolling my eyes as I went and took Ethan back from Glenn who was talking to Sam about being a big brother.
"No dude your lucky I have an older and younger sister their a pain. I wished I had a brother and you have two." Glenn told him
"I would kill for a girl up until the dead started walking then I was thankful for just sons. Women in this world will be taken advantage of to easy especially young pretty ones." i told Glenn getting a harsh glare from Andrea and Lori at this comment.
"Okay everybody who has a CB were going to be on Channel 40 try and keep the chatter down, If you don't honk your horn once and we will all stop. Any questions." Shane asked everyone waiting on an reply.
"yeah I got one what order are we going in because their is now way in hell i'm being behind that piece of Shit and getting trapped when it quits working again plus i won't be first or last in line either." I told him pointing to Dale's Rv.
"No offence Dale but that thing has been working and quitting the whole time you've been here and the last thing I need is to be trapped between your not working Rv and a bunch of walkers." I explained getting shake of the head from Matt who came and got Sam to feed him breakfast in the Rv.
"So Rick I won't be first, last or behind Dale here so where am I'm going to be." I asked him.
"Well Dale was going to be in middle so how about second or third car behind mine and Lori." He told me.
"Are you the kind of driver that goes 5 miles an hour or the kind that goes 50." I asked him.
"I get your point do go 10 miles an hour if we can be going 15." he told me not finding my joke funny but Glenn and T-dog were laughing their asses off even Daryl and Shane were smiling.
"Okay then i will go behind you." I told him shifting sleeping Ethan in my arms.
"We're not going with you guys." Morales said step forward a little.
"Matt go get that spare survival bag that I packed." I had a feeling that their would be one or more people not coming with us so I packed a bag of older canned goods and stale chips that the boys wouldn't eat because they didn't like that kind. Plus I knew by the look on their face that we couldn't change their mind.
"We have family in Birmingham, We want to be with our people." He told the rest of the group.
"You won't have anyone to watch you back." Shane told him rubbing his hands together clearly not happy that they were leaving.
"We'll take the change, I have to do what's best for my family." Morales told him
"Your sure." Rick asked
"Were sure we talked about it as a family last night." He told them hugging his wife to his side.
"Alright Shane." Rick motion towards the gun and ammo bag.
"Yeah alight." Shane said obviously not happy but took out a box of ammo and handed it to Rick.
".357 half a box it's all we can spare." Rick told Morales handing him the ammo.
"Thank you all for everything." Morales told everyone.
"Matt the bag." I told him taking the small bag of food that would last them a couple days.
"I heard you guys talking about family a few weeks ago. This food is out of date but should still be good if you ration half a can each meal for each of you. It will last you a week." I told him handing him the bag of food before bending down in front of Louis
"I talked to Sam and we agreed that you could have two of those coloring books you like and the extra box of crayons I had stored in the Rv." I told motioning towards the bag before ruffling his hair which got a smile out of him.
"Thank you so much it's more than I could ask for." Mrs. Morales said almost in tears.
"I would do anything to see my parents or husband again and you have that chance. I would recommend stopping at the hunting store about 5 miles from here they have bow and arrows still learn how to use them they will be your best friend once bullets run out." I told her as I shook her hand passing her a sheet of paper also with the hiding spot of a weapons house the military used in it.
"Were on Channel 40 if you change your mind." Rick said stepping in.
"Matt go get Sam settled into his seat for me and here take Ethan put him in his carseat. O and make sure you and Sam use the bathroom." I told him handing him a sleeping Ethan.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME." shane practically yells at me stepping my way but is stop by Rick and T-Dog.
"What the matter with you." Lori also screech at me putting her hands on her hip.
"What you're just pissed that they got the food that you were going to get." I told her not impressed at all.
"Yeah I been trying to get you to share food with the group for months now and you won't but you share with them why." Shane demanded.
"That reason right there you never ask for anything you demand and expect it." I told him walking back over to my Rv.
In the RV I saw that Ethan was awake and whining while Matt got his pacifier for him. Ethan just ate about ah hour ago and still had a couple before he ate again. Sam had just finished going to the bathroom so I got him seated in his seat and buckled in pressing play on the DvD player to keep him happy. I then went to the bathroom myself. Matt was grabbing a book from his box of books before putting the box back under the bed for the drive. He then went and got in his seat. I went to the bathroom and then got a water out of the fridge and got in the driver seat starting the Rv and pulled it up to behind Rick's car since i would be following him.
It was almost 10;00 before we finally got on the road. we drove for about three hours before I had to Radio the group to stop. Ethan had been crying for the past 20 minuets and Matt couldn't get him to stop nothing was working. So I got up and went to see what was going on and found that he was gassy and needed a diaper change. i changed his diaper before burping him twice to get him to settle down enough for Matt to feed him. We started driving again. I let Matt change out the NCIS DVD for the second disk in season one while we were on an even patch of Road and was mostly safe for him to do so.
We stopped about 1;00 because Dale's RV broke down which I knew it would but didn't say that. I gave the boys a can of fruit and small bag of crackers to tide them over until we stopped for supper. It was more than the rest of the group was getting so they couldn't complain. I told Matt to watch his brothers while I got out to see what the problem was. Of course it was the radiator hose which never got replaced like it was supposed to since the group never came back to camp with the moving truck. I watch as they covered the hole in the hose with a duck tape and acted like it would last a while. I gave it maybe a day tops before it gave out if they were lucky day and half.
It was decided to leave Jim behind per his request so we did. We arrived at the CDC about 5:30 it was starting to get dark by then. I had Matt go to the gun cabinet and get some extra ammo as we were pulling up once I saw all the dead bodies laying around. I ended up backing the Rv up so we could do a quick get away if needed while the group argued at the door of the CDC trying to get the guy to let us in. i out Ethan's sling on and put him in as I grabbed his diaper bag and put Sam's coloring book in it along with Matt's book and closed it up. i grabbed our duffle bag that had all our clothes in it.
i hade this bag made up after the talk me and Matt had. I grabbed the two empty military bags and passed them to Matt to carry. I handed Matt his bow and gun, and knife to put on while I did the same with my weapons. I turned everything off and locked everything up nice and tight.I got Sam up and ready I got his jacket and shoes on before tell him to stick to my side like glue and if we get separated go for Matt, Rick, or Daryl to protect him and get to the Rv if he could the ladder on the side was there if he could get to it. I exited the Rv first then came Sam and lastly Matt.
We both had our bows raised and ready to fire. I closed the Rv door and locked it before putting the key in my pocket. I moved us over to the group that was moving back towards the Opening in the CDC of white light. Daryl appeared at my side grabbing Sam and picking him up as we ran for the door as the walkers closed in on us. I took Sam from Daryl so he could kill the walkers getting to close for comfort. I had to put Sam down half way because I couldn't run with both the bags, Ethan and him and still be able to kill walkers if I needed to. Matt grabbed his brother's arm and pushed him towards Rick who had an arm out stretched for him.
"Samuel" I screamed as he fell over a walker and didn't immediately get back up.
I tried to go back for him but Shane grabbed my arm and held me there and I tried to fight him but when I saw why i nodded at him. Daryl and went to his rescue and helped him up before walking him over to me. I killed the last walker that was behind Daryl as he hurried into the elevator of the CDC.