Disclaimer:

Carol Peletier, Sophia Peletier, King Ezekiel, Henry, Jerry, Shiva, and any other recognizable character 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.

Genevieve is property of the author.

Chapter 4: 3rd Month

There's no use in denying it any longer; what she had originally thought was a stomach bug hasn't gone away, her clothes don't fit her any more, her cycle hasn't showed up and for the love of God if she even gets a whiff of chocolate she just has to consume it.

There is also the fact that her body is changing.

She hasn't always been a very thin person, Ed had certainly pointed it out at every chance he got, but since the turn she has always been slim. She could continue to explain it away with the fact that they had a bountiful garden and they don't lack food, but the truth is that her waistline is not the only difference nowadays. Her breast are not only tender but fuller, her hips feel slightly wider, and her hair seems to have a life of its own.

It is finally time she admits what Ezekiel had mentioned mere weeks ago.

To his credit he hasn't mentioned the words "pregnancy" and "baby", but she knows he is aware of the changes as much as she is, and she knows that the sparkle in his eyes whenever he looks at her is not only because he loves her and would do anything for her, but because he is proud of becoming a father.

"Oh god." She groans to herself as she leans against the toilet seat.

She is pregnant.

She is pregnant.

She is going to have Ezekiel's baby.

How did this happened?

What are they going to do?

"Breathe." She suddenly hears behind her and she's tempted to turn to look at Ezekiel but she knows better; if she moves right now she will throw up.

She feels him kneel besides her, his hand making contact with her back to gently smooth circles back and forth. "You are panicking. I told you not to panic."

Carol can't help but let out a chuckle which she quickly covers with a dirty look she sends his way. "This is your fault."

"I take full blame." He promises her, already reaching for a rag to press to her forehead. "Are we accepting we are pregnant?"

She groans loudly.

"What are we going to do?" She asks him, her voice serious and laced with worry.

"We will go to Hilltop so you can get checked. Once we know that you and the baby are alright then we will go from there." He offers. "We will scout for what we need if we don't have it, prepare for what we can prepare, and… if you feel like it, enjoy the chance we have."

"Ezekiel it's not that easy."

She hates herself for seeming like she's always negative, always ready for the other shoe to drop, but it's what she needs to do to survive. "I am not young. Yes, this isn't my first pregnancy but even with Sophia, even back in a world where I had access to good healthcare, it was not easy. I also had miscarriages. There are a million and one things that could go wrong. I don't want… I don't want you to have… I don't want you to get your hopes up."

As soon as she says the words she knows it's already too late. Telling Ezekiel not to get his hopes up is like telling him not to breathe. He believes in positivity, in faking it until it becomes a reality. That sparkle that has been in his eyes holds his hopes and dreams about this child.

"Forget I said that." She backtracks. "Just… let's keep it between us for now."

Ezekiel's eyes lower to her belly. She has to refrain from covering the area with her own hand and she knows that as hard as it is for her to do so it is infinitive times harder for him to not rejoice in the knowledge of their child.

He eventually nods and only then does she move away from the toilet to lean into him. His hand instantly moves to her belly, even though there is nothing but some slight puffiness in the area. "We will keep it a secret."