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 6: 5th Month
She should probably tell him to stop but she finds it endearing.
When Jerry had found out that she was pregnant he had become her personal bodyguard. Ezekiel hadn't put him up to it, he knew better than to do that, but Jerry had practically attached himself to her, throwing dirty looks at anyone who dared to cross her way, putting himself between her and whomever he thought was threatening her, and supplying her with what appeared to be endless chocolate bars.
It had irked her at first but she had learned to live with it.
The moment they found out that they were having a baby girl, Ezekiel had replaced Jerry.
Where she went, he went.
"I want you to know it's not because the baby is a girl." He had explained late one night, his head pillowed on her belly as he traced circles on her skin.
"I know."
"I just can't seem to keep away." He admits before pressing a kiss on her skin. "I see you and I just feel so much strength and pride. As if nothing could tear us down. I want everyone to know it's because of you two."
She can remember the happiness that had blossomed under her chest as she heard those words.
Now, as she walks through the Kingdom, her belly on full display and her husband trailing behind her with his chest puffed out, she can't remember why she had ever hidden her pregnancy.
"Good morning, majesties."
"Good morning young man!" Ezekiel greets the boy once he catches up to Carol.
"Is it true? What my mother said?" The boy asks excited. "That our Queen is having a little princess?"
To be referred to as a Queen was still very weird, even after constantly hearing it, still Carol smooths her hands over her belly, a smile on her lips. "It is true." She answers.
The boy's face breaks into a grin. "I knew it!" He exclaims. "I told my sister but she didn't believe me. She thinks it's a boy!"
"Well young man, it seems that you were correct." Ezekiel says. "What will you do with this very important knowledge?"
The boy stops to think for a second before grinning and rushing away without another word.
"Interesting." Carol notes as she watches him run off.
"Interesting?" Ezekiel asks as he turns to look at her with a raised eyebrow, his body adopting an incredulous stance. "You do know that it will be Kingdom news in minutes, right?"
Carol nods, her lips curling into a small smile. "I know."
"And it doesn't bother you?"
"No… not really." She admits. "Ezekiel I'm very obviously pregnant, not that I want to hide it anyway, not anymore. This baby… she has gone up against everything and she's still here. I know I wanted to hide her, I know I wasn't sure if we could do this, but she's still here. I want to knowledge it, celebrate it. Plus, it makes you happy, it gives you strength and maybe… as corny as it may sound, she gives hope to our people, she gives hope to… me. Why would other people knowing bother me?"
"You amaze me, milady." Ezekiel admits as he moves to place an arm around her. She leans slightly against him as she takes his other hand and places it on the swell of her belly, their daughter moving underneath their fingers.
She presses her forehead to his chin for a second before dipping her chin upward and giving him a small peck on the lips.
"Alright," she leans back, a teasing smirk on her lips and a new resolution in her eyes. "Chocolate… our daughter requests chocolate."
"Our daughter? Are you sure it's our daughter that has the sweet tooth?"
Carol playfully narrows her eyes before turning and continuing on her way. "Where is Jerry when you need him?"