Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This
Chapter 72
Author's Note: Poor Summer…I knew I was going to replace her with Maggie for Judith's birth but writing this…get hankies ready! Summer is definitely not as cool in an emergency situation as her mother. She's 16 dang it! Remember Rick isn't losing grip on reality (really hated that) poor Summer will a bit not much. Review please! Even if I make you cry!
Summer walked down the corridor looking right and left as Lori and Carl was in front of them. "Lori?" she asked as the very pregnant woman leaned against the wall.
"Mom?" Carl asked as he went over to her.
"Are you bit?" Summer asked as she went over to the woman.
"Something's not right…" Lori said as she clutched her stomach. "I think the baby's coming."
Summer looked at her. "Well tell it this isn't the best time!" she told her.
Lori had to smile. It was easy to forget that the young woman in front of her was only sixteen. "I'm afraid that it isn't how it works, sweetheart. Babies decide when they want to be born, and not the other way around," she told the young woman.
Summer turned at the sound of walkers as Carl held up his gun to shoot them. "No, we need to get your mom somewhere safe," she said as she helped her.
Carl finds a door. "I'll make sure it's clear," he said as Summer helped Lori stand.
"I'll go get mom, or Mar, or Carol…when we get you settled," Summer told her. "It'll be alright."
"Clear," Carl said as he helped her in.
Summer looked up at the sound of alarms. "Oh come on," she murmured.
"What is that?" Lori asked.
Summer took a breath. "Help me lay your mom down," she told her as she tried to remain calm. "Then I'm going to go back to the cell block and get help."
Lori shook her head. "You can't risk goin' out there Summer," she said as she took her hand. "Look at me."
Summer looked at her and shook her head. "Lori, I can't deliver this baby."
"Yes you can and you will. You are strong and you are brave and you can do this, Summer. Do you understand me?" Lori asked.
Summer glanced at Carl. "Shouldn't we be givin' you the pep talk Lori?" she asked. "Carl, you are going to need to help me with your baby brother or sister."
Carl nodded as he kneeled down. "Our brother or sister right mom?" he asked.
"Yeah that's right, sweet boy," Lori answered as she started to breath.
"Do you know how to do this?" Carl asked. "Can't she breath?"
"I think that's normal," Summer said as she took a breath. "We got to take off your pants, Lori," she said as she looked at Carl. "I can't lie to you Carl, I don't know anything about this. I should have learned….but I figured that we had enough people around. Lori I got to go get help. I can't do this."
Carl took a breath. "We can do this Summer…" he told her as he squeezed her shoulder.
Summer took a breath. "Go support your momma's shoulders," she said as she took a breath. "I read a few birthing books back at the library…." she said as she checked the woman. "Lori…." she said as she pulled out her hands. "I…don't think this is normal…" the teen said as her face got white. "I'm going to go get help!" she said as she started to stand up.
Lori grabbed her hand. "Summer…I know what this means. I'm not losin' this baby, you're going to have to cut me open. I'm sorry sweetheart, if there was any other way," she told the young woman.
"No! I can't….I won't….I'll go get help…" Summer said as she started to fight back the tears.
Carl looked at his mother "I'll go," he told her.
"No, both of you listen to me, this baby has to survive," Lori told them as she took a breath and raised her shirt. "See the scar Summer? You're going to have to use your knife and follow that scar."
"Lori…you're askin' me to kill you! I can't! I won't," Summer said as she let the tears come.
"I'm asking you to save this baby," Lori said. "You are one of the bravest most beautiful young women I have ever seen, ever met. I am so glad that I've had the privilege of meeting you, of knowing you. I am so glad that Carl and this baby has you as a big sister. I wish I could be around when you meet your first love," she said as she touched the teens face. "While your mom, Rick and Uncle Daryl were threatening him, I'd sit with you and we'd laugh…." Lori said as she took a breath. "Carl…baby I don't want you to be scared alright? This is what I want, this is what is right. Now you…protect your baby sister or brother, watch out for Summer…and your dad. Respect Jewel…" Lori said.
"You don't have to do this," Carl begged.
"You're going to be fine, both of you. Carl you are going to beat this world, you are so strong, and you are so brave," Lori told him. "I love you."
Carl held her hand. "I love you too," he said as he cried.
"I love you too Summer. You have to do this," Lori begged.
Summer gripped her knife as she cried. "I love you too Lori."
"You promise me you'll do what's right baby. It's so easy to do the wrong thing in this world," she said as she started crying. "So don't…if it feels wrong don't do it all right? If it feels easy don't do it. Don't let this world spoil you. You are so good! I've done a lot of things wrong in this world, but you are my sweet boy. I love you," she said as she looked at Summer. "Summer, after this is done, you're gonna have to…."
Summer wiped her eyes. "I will…I promise."
"It can't be Rick or your mom….you understand?" Lori asked.
"Yes," Summer whispered.
"You love this baby as your own brother or sister. Promise me, take care of him or her. Make sure he or she is safe…" Lori begged.
"I will, I swear," Summer said as she took a breath and started cutting her. "I'm so sorry…" she whispered as Lori screamed.
"What are you doing to her?" Carl asked as he watched Lori close her eyes and die.
"I need to get…the baby out. God…Carl give me your hands. I need you to hold this open…keep this clean. I'm going to have to…" Summer said as she cried.
Carl moves to help her as Summer gets the baby out.
Summer took a breath as the baby didn't move or cry. "No no, come on little one, you are a fighter," she said as she taps the baby to get it to breath. Summer took a breath as the baby cried. "It's a girl…" she said as she held her to her chest. Carl took off his vest and handed it to her as he was still crying. "We got to go…" Summer whispered.
"We can't leave her, she'll turn," Carl told the older teen.
Summer went for her gun as she held the baby.
"No…" Carl said as he showed her his gun.
"Carl…." Summer said as she held the baby.
"She's my mom, I have to do it. If it was Jewel…wouldn't you want to do it?" Carl asked her.
Summer nodded as she turned and went outside. "Shh….it's alright lady bug," Summer whispered to the baby. "My Uncle Merle used to call me ladybug….I don't mind passing it down to you, sweet girl," she said as she cried. "I am so sorry baby, I just hope…you don't hate me as you grow up," she said as she jumped as she heard the gun shot and Carl walked out of the room not saying a word.
Group POV:
Jewel ran back to where Hershel, Beth, Maggie and Mitch were standing. "They didn't come back here?" she asked.
"You didn't find them?" Beth asked.
"We thought maybe they'd find there way here," Mar said as she rubbed Jewel's arm.
"T? Carol?" Hershel asked.
"They didn't make it," Daryl said.
"That doesn't mean the other's didn't," Rick said. "Glenn, Daryl you're with me," he started to say as a baby crying interrupted his thoughts.
Everyone turned and looked. Summer held on to the baby tight not able to say a word, crying. "Summer…" Jewel said as she ran over to her.
"Lori where is she?" Rick asked as he took a step forward.
Carl held his head down as Mar took a breath as she looked at Daryl. Summer shook her head. "I….I tried….I'm…." she tried to speak.
"Shh…hey….it's alright….shh…" Jewel comforted her daughter.
"No.." Rick said as he hugged Carl then Summer. "The baby?"
"Girl…" Carl answered.
"She's in shock," Jewel said as she touched Summer's cheek, it being clammy to her touch.
Mar took the baby. "Hello little one," she said as she touched the babies cheek.
The group all stood in silence as Summer went to her knees and started crying.
(Emotional or what?)