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 5: 4th Month

They'd been successful in hiding their baby for almost a month; Carol has worn looser clothing, any trips to Hilltop to check on the baby were disguised as trading meetings, and thankfully her nausea and morning sickness had ebbed away.

But now there was no hiding it.

"There is a distinct bump there." He informs her as she looks at herself in the mirror, trying to shuffle her clothing to extend the hiding period. "No hiding it anymore."

Carol finally sighs in defeat before turning to face Ezekiel. "Fine, you can tell Jerry and Henry, but only Jerry and Henry."

"Only Jerry and Henry." Ezekiel agrees.

Smirking, he moves to sit on the end of the bed before beckoning her to him. Carol shakes her head but eventually walks towards him.

"What are you thinking?"

Carol turns slightly then leans back against him. His arms go around her, his strong hand covering the bump she's developed.

"I'm afraid." She admits

"Of losing the baby? The doctor said it was healthy. He said you were healthy. We heard the heartbeat."

"No… yes…". She shakes her head and closes her eyes. "He said that as far as he could tell the baby was healthy, but there's not much he can tell. He's not a OBGYN or a pediatrician. There are so many things that a simple ultrasound cannot tell. I'm afraid…"

"… to be happy in case he's wrong." Ezekiel finishes for her.

Carol nods.

As much as she wants to keep a straight mind, to not let herself wish and dream of all of this turning out well in the end, she already loves her child. She wants nothing more than to celebrate its existence, to share with her family the good news, but she can't bare the thought of pity if everything turns south, of the looks and handholding everyone would try to do if she loses the baby.

If it was a secret, if their child was kept between their close family, if something went wrong, they would be able to mourn between them and only between them.

"Carol, we can thread lightly, we can keep it a secret as long as you wish to keep it a secret." He explains. "But he or she is here, right here, and at this moment it's not going anywhere. It's living. It's growing. Our baby is thriving."

She slides her hand over his, both resting over her belly, over their child. She's about ask for a little bit more time when she feels a light bubbling, so light she thinks at first that she has imagined it. "Did you feel that?" She whispers, her blue eyes wide and excited. "Did you feel…"

"I didn't feel anything."

"I think… I think it's moving."

Her look of wonder is reflected on Ezekiel's face as he presses his hand a little bit more against her belly, hopefully to feel what she's felt. "It might be too early for you to feel." She admits.

"That's alright, babe." He promises her. "It's not me the baby has to prove itself to. Mama needed to feel it this time."

Maybe telling everyone wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.