Thanks for reading this. It's got another chapter (Maybe 2 and an epilogue but I don't know yet)

And I've got an idea for a sequel but I'm not 100% sure if I want to do it just yet.

But enjoy it while it lasts. :)

Chapter 29: A Great Option

For the next few weeks I took the spray and did what I could around the caves. I noticed that I started to have cravings, I was having cravings for meat and dairy. It was a problem though because we couldn't get those kinds of things and I wish I could though. And I noticed my stomach was firmer and I had to use the restroom more.
I kept going back to that conversation that Britney and I had, I wanted life for the humans to flourish, for the humans I love in the caves and the kids that they could have. I just couldn't think of a way that what I wanted could happen.
Some nights Ian and I would talk about what we wanted, just putting it out. He would tell me about the dreams that he had for any future before the invasion. I didn't have any dreams of a future until I met Mel so I talked about things I'd thought about since I learned about it.

Once Doc estimated that I was safely out of my first trimester (First 3 months of the pregnancy) Jeb told me and Ian that we had to announce it. The morning we did it I was so nervous that I couldn't eat. Mel wouldn't let me not eat but I got dizzy when Jeb shushed everyone in the dining hall so I told Ian I couldn't do it.
Ian stood up next to Jeb once everyone had quieted down. "Listen up." Jeb said, "We have an announcement that we thought you ot' to know."
Jeb stepped to the side and all eyes fell on Ian. I grabbed his hand for support. "So you all will know that Wanda's been sick for a while." He took a breath, "Well it's morning sickness. She's pregnant."
There was a immediate amount of sound. Some sounds where ah-ha's others where I knew it's and then another one was groans.
"Quiet." Jeb said over it all.
Once the sound was a little bit quieter Ian spoke again, "She's ok she just doesn't want everyone to treat her different."
Mel grabbed my hand and squeezed.
"Alright. Now," Jeb said stepping forward "I know this is fun news but we have some work to do today."
I stayed seated as people went back to eating. A couple people stood up and came over to offer my congratulations. I got the feeling that a few of them were a little forced like when Andy came up with Paige, Paige seemed genuinely happy for me while Andy seemed like Paige had told him to say it.

Throughout the day I would get tons of questions and tones of advice, "Are you going to find out the gender?" "Have you guys thought of names?" "Are you having cravings?" "Be prepared to stay up all night" "At least you'll have no pain. When I had my kids I had to do it without pain meds."

Halfway through the day I was handing Ian a bottle of water when there was a commotion. Ian stepped in front of me while Britney and Brandon looked toward the on-comers. Nate came into the garden room with Burns. "Hey guys!" Nate said
I tried to wave from behind Ian. Burns was always nice to be and he even helped reunite Ian and I.
"Did you get it?" Britney said whoever she was speaking to must have answered because she spoke again, "Ok. Then I think we should go tell Jeb."

Ian was still staring at Burns as Britney reached around Ian and took my hand, "Come on Wanda, your coming too."
I let her pull me and I followed her, "Hello Wanderer." Burns said to me in greeting.
"Hello Burns." I said smiling at him.
"I would like to offer my congratulation. I hear that you are expecting."
I nodded and touched my stomach, "Yes, I am. Thank you."

As we entered the dining area where Jeb was I wondered what was going on. I really had no idea what was going on. Someone had gotten something and they had to talk to Jeb.
Jeb and Landon were deep in conversation while the last of the lunchtime crowd left to get back to work. Britney called to Jeb and they looked at us, "Jeb I gotta talk to you about something."
Jeb sighed, "What is it now?" He looked from Britney to Me to Burns and Nate. "Hey there Nate."
"Hey Jeb. I got you all a present." Nate said.
Jeb raised an eyebrow and turned toward us across the table. Ian had me sit next to Landon, across the table from Burns. I rolled my eyes at his antics.
Brandon sat down next to Jeb and looked at Britney.
Britney smiled, "So when I was a little girl I went to a weekend retreat. It was in the mountains and I got to share a small cabin with 6 other girls. They were separated so that the cabins got privacy but they were close enough so that if there was an emergency there would be someone close by. There's a bathroom in the middle of the cabins. They have a pool, a small western town, volleyball, soccer, fishing and a obstetrical course. Then it has two other places, It's got a big cabin where there's tones of space for playing games and spending time together. There's also a Hotel for those who didn't feel comfortable in cabins. But then there's a building with lunch tables and TONES of room." As she talked her eyes lite up with the memories of this place.
I tried to picture it. It sounded great, room, activities and it sounds like room to grow. I felt myself get excited about this place.
"I had talked with Wanda about how there isn't room for us humans to grow and really live. Well that night I had a dream about that place and I thought what if we could get that place. I didn't say anything till I talked to Burns." She turned to Burns and he stepped forward.
"When I received the call from Brit I went to check it out. I think it'd be perfect for a human settlement. I spoke with a soul and he said that he was willing to give me the whole property when I told him that I wanted to start up a camp. I am meeting with him again later this week to sign paperwork and then I will have the deed and I would be more than happy to give you the use of the property. If you would like."
"Really?" I said, I don't even remember giving my mouth permission. It was perfect. We could have a place to raise our baby. Raise our child in nature. And Ian. Ian could be there too. He wouldn't have to hide. None of us would. We could live a amazing life all together with no fear of being caught.

"Yes." Burns said. Plus it's very far out of the way so there won't be any souls driving through or by the property. There was a major mudslide just past the back of the property and that area has been deemed unsafe. So there is no reason for souls to be driving to private property."

My breath sped up, this was such a exciting idea.

"We could keep doing the big rades so we don't have to do it all that often." Britney said.

"And we could move people into the hotel for now and everyone could pitch in to help build better cabins for the families. There's quite a large amount of rooms in the hotel." Nate said. "I'd even bring some of my people down to help fix it up."

I found myself smiling widely, it was a amazing idea. Plus I got the feeling raising a child in a hotel would be a little better than it would be raising a child in caves in the desert.

When I looked to see if Ian, Jeb and Landon thought it was as amazing of an idea as I did I saw caution and reservations crossing their faces.

Landon was the first to speak. "It sounds like a nice idea in theory but if you say it's suppose to be used for a camp and then there's no buses letting people come in several times a year won't they be suspicious?"

I groaned internally, but he did have a small point. "That wouldn't be a problem." Burns said calmly. "I had thought about that as well and next time we speak I plan to tell him that it will be a live in camp. Where people come to live there. Quaint little cabins in a secluded area away from the hussle and bussle of regular life. Like a live in retreat. I'm sure that will take care of any suspicion."

My heart lifted again. That would take care of everything.

"You said there was plenty of room for everyone and that it was secluded but what about air traffic. Would we be hidden from seekers flying over head in either a helicopter or plains or something like that?" Ian asked.

Burns nodded, "It would be quite safe. There are lots of tree's and a luscious forest around the area. And as long as there's never any suspicions casted over the area there would be no reason for anyone to want to search the area."

Jeb started to run his hand through his hair and play with his beard. I knew he was thinking. But what's to think about? It was a perfect place.

"I don't know..." Jeb said slowly.

"What's there to not know?" I said a little frustrated. "It's a brilliant plan and I think we should do it. It would be perfect for everyone."

"Now Wanda..." Jeb said slowly.

I got up from the table, "Jeb it's amazing. Our little family could flurish. I mean Freedom has never even been outside. Probably never seen a green tree. Imagine how wonderful it would be if he and anyone else could climb a tree or be around green. And we wouldn't have to hide! We could flurish on this new property. I'm sure it's got ground that we could make a farm on."

"Wanda..." Ian said just as slowly.

"Ian think about it. Our baby could live amung nature. We could go out together, and show our child how amazing this world is. You and I could go out together. If we stay here I couldn't take out child out into the world. And if I did out child would always be in danger. But at this place we can be safe and we can build a happy life."

It was silent for a moment. It was a very heavy pause where I stared into Ian's eyes and he stared back. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Was he thinking it was a bad idea? Was he thinking that it was a trap? I had no way of knowing if his thoughts were good or bad.

"This is," Jeb started, "A very big decision. Moving so many people would be a very heavy thing to do and not raise suspicion."

"Plus didn't you say you don't have the deed yet Burns?" Landon asked.

"Yes." Burns said. "There is no hurry. I will be getting the deed in a few days time when we have our next meeting. I'd say after that we wait for a few days and then we can begin to do things on the property."

"We're not even sure we want to be part of this plan." Landon said.

"We have a great set up here." Ian added.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Ian?!" I said raising my voice in shock and maybe a little frustration.

"It's not set in stone." Nate said shrugging his shoulders, "It's not like you have to move in right away. But regardless of if you do or don't want to part of it, we'll still build some better places up there so if you do come around it'll be all set."

"Yea. We'd have to think about it. And talk it over with everyone else." Jeb said standing up. "But for now we've got stuff to do." He looked at Ian and Landon, "Boys. Lets go. We've got work to do."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Jeb we just dismissing this so easily. Plus Ian and Landon didn't like the idea. I had thought of anyone in this room Landon would be on my side. I crossed my arms and sat on one of the chairs at the bar. I crossed my legs and looked in the opposite direction from the three men I trust most.

"Wanda?" Ian said aproaching me.

"I'm not going." I said in a pout/matter-a-fact tone. "I'm staying here to talk to my m... Britney."

Ian didn't move. "Don't worry Ian." I heard Britney say, "Give her some time to cool down and it'll be ok."

I wasn't looking at him as he reluctantly left the room.

"I can't believe they don't see this for the brilliant idea it is." Brandon said.

"Just give them time. They need time to think about it. They have much more things to worry about than we do." Burns said. "But like Nate said. It's really not all that time restrictive. It'll be fine."

"But this could change everything." I said softly. My arms uncrossed and went to my little firm baby bump. "It could be wonderful."

I felt gentle hands on my shoulder. "Give them time sweetheart." Britney said softly, "The need time to process it."

"I'll go with them once they get the property and I'll build you and my grandbaby a nice house." Brandon said gently resting a hand on my knee. "Everything will be ok Wanda. Whatever happens you have you mom and I."

"Speaking of mom did I almost hear you call me you mom?" Britney said.

I turned to see her smiling face and I smiled back. "Yea. I've actually gotten really close to you, especially since..." I dropped off and gave my belly a little tap.

My mom gave me a hug and kissed my cheek. "I love you too sweetheart. And I promise you Wanda. My sweet angel of a daughter. We'll figure something out."

"But Ian-" I started to say

"Will come around." Brandon said. "I'll talk to him. As a man, and as a father." he smiled at me and kissed the top of my head, "It'll work out Wanda."

Thanks for reading. Please leave a review (I love them) and let me know if you'd be interested in a possible sequel.