Thanks for being so patient. Here's the next chapter. I've only got a few more to wrap everything up and we're done with this story at least.

Thanks to everyone who has been reading and everyone who has followed and favorited.

Chapter 30: A New Home

I walked to our room and for the first time in my life with Ian, I didn't want him to be there. It was strange. I wanted him to be there, of course I did. I love Ian. But for some reason I just didn't want him to be there, I wanted to have time alone to think of ways that I could convince him, Jeb and Landon into going to this place and giving our small community the opportunity to grow and prosper.

By the time I got to the doors I was exhausted. I recognized that my body needed a nap so I decided that thinking could wait. I walked in closing the door behind me and laid down on our mattress. I couldn't get comfortable for a little while but then after deciding on laying on my side I was finally able to drift off to sleep.

I woke up to the sound of the doors being opened. I groaned, I must have fallen into a relatively deep nap because I was more tired waking up than I was falling asleep. "Ian?" I asked the relative disoriented darkness.

"It's me" he said closing the door and crawling into bed with me.

I couldn't see much in the slight darkness but I decided to close my eyes. I was still a bit mad at him.

"Wanda. Do you want to talk about it now or later?"

I rolled over on my other side, it was a little less comfortable.

"Wanda?"

I groaned. I really didn't want to talk about it. Mostly because I knew I'd cry but I spoke anyway. "Think about the baby Ian." I said in a broken 'just work up' voice. "The baby, our family would have a greater chance to flourish there."

He didn't say anything for the moment.

"We could raise our child together. And maybe even have more than one. And we're not to only ones. Mel and Jared, Andy and Paige, maybe even Doc and Sharon could have a family. And everyone would be safe away from souls in a secluded private area in a forest."

"I see all your points Wanda. I do. I'm just worried that things may not be nearly as amazing as they predict or as safe as it needs to be."

I decided to look at him, I rolled over and looked at him, "What makes you think I would ever let something happen to our child. I've done everything I can since I met humans to save you all. To preserve your lives and if anything happened I would do everything I could to sustain your lives." He looked away from me, "Ian." He didn't look up. "Ian. I don't want to fight with you. But I know in my heart that this is the right course of action. For all of us." I put my hand on our baby, "But mostly for my family."

Ian looked at me then, "Wanda. I want to take this slow. Make sure that every step we take, is going to be the best and safest course of action."

I nodded. I could do slow, as long as we were moving.

** Three Weeks Later**

"This is not what I meant by slow." Ian said uncomfortably swashed between boxes of food, belongings and 5 other men from the caves, not including Landon and Jared who were in the front seat with Mel and Jamie. We were going to Utah, where Burns and several other men were living in the camp area and had started to build houses.

Brandon and Britney had reluctantly but quickly left a week before. I'd promised them I would be along in another week though it took me packing my stuff and threatening to leave without him that had made Ian say he'd go.

Mel and Jared were pretty much like Ian and I at this point. Mel, who had seen way more of the souls world than any human should and was totally excited the moment she heard Britney's plan. She'd even confessed to me that she was planning to stop using birth control when everyone was settled in this new place. Of course Mel had resulted to... less dramatic means of convincing Jared to come along. Jared was there to help and plan, and he was going to report back to Jeb on wither he thought it was a solid plan and if it would do to move everyone bit by bit.

Most people said it was a great idea, as long as it was safe from souls. To be honest I think they all just wanted out of the desert where they didn't have to fight the souls and the sun.

I was happy with the way things were going. "Well... this is the way it is." I said in a matter-a-fact tone.

"And when do you do anything slow?" Mel said with a small laugh.

We'd packed food and I'd brought all my belongings with me. Ian had seen me do it and did the same. I wasn't planning on leaving there in less it was somehow not safe.

I pulled out the piece of paper that Burns had given me when he'd come back to collect Britney and Brandon.

"This will help you get there when you come up yourself. I've included the gate code and directions." He's told me.

I looked at it fondly. Britney had told me that to help others feel more secure Burns and Nate had gotten a gate that some souls had helped to install shortly after the papers where signed. That had helped influence Jared, Ian and Jeb to think maybe it was a good idea.

Landon had totally changed sides after hearing about the gate. He and Mel were some of my more avid supporters for the move. Landon had also promised Jeb that he'd look out for me, like Ian wasn't doing that already.

I looked at Ian, he didn't have much leg room or shoulder space. With 5 men and a pregnant woman in the back of the van. I was sat on the pile of blankets, pillows and rolled up mattresses right behind the driver. Ian and Landon had insisted I be in the softest, most comfortable spot in the back of the van when I said I didn't want to be up front because of the air bags. Though with all the soft stuff around me I might as well be in one anyways.

"We'll stop at a rest stop when we get to the border of Utah and then we'll continue." Landon said. "Wanda make sure that you let me know which way I need to go once we get into Utah."

I nodded, "Sure thing."

"Don't worry Wanda." Mel said softly to me, "I'll trade you spots once we get to the rest stop."

I smiled and silently thanked her through our way.

I spent the next few hours thinking about the baby and ways I'd be able to help even when I started to get bigger with the baby.

Ian would permeate my thoughts with asking me how I was feeling, and talking to the other guys about how excited he was to be out of the caves.

When we got to Utah I realized my life was about to drastically change. The area we were going to be living in was lush with trees and wildlife. It had tall trees and little rocky creeks. It had animals like squirrels, chipmunks and we even saw some deer from the windows.

Jamie and I were so excited to be out in the fresh air and around other living things.

Once we got close I guided Landon with the directions I was given and he let Jamie and I roll down a window. The cool air felt so great against my skin, but the roads were a nightmare for my motion sickness that I got on the way up. Landon had to stop and let me throw up on the side of the road for a minute before we were able to continue.

Once we got to the gate I punched in the code and we were on our way. When the gate closed shut behind us everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

It was another few minutes before we got to the actual site. There was some construction equipment and pallets of construction supplies.

When we pulled up Britney and Brandon came out of a large golden wooden lodge. They instructed us to park over where hotel was. And when we parked they came over to us.

"Wanda!" Britney said, "Oh we're so glad you're here. I was so excited when Burns said you'd be arriving today."

"Yea." I said going to open the doors at the back of the van, "And I brought you some help."

The men and Mel climbed out of the back of the van and started stretching.

"Well we're all having a late lunch if you guys want some and then we can show you around and show you the progress we're making."

The progress was amazing. Already after a week and a half of work they had one house outlined, and from what Brandon told me he know how to put a roof on so they were going to do that tomorrow before it rained in two days. Then they had two other houses planned. They had already poured the foundation for the second house. After the first one had insolation and plumbing installed they were going to have one of Nate's crew a guy they called Jim do electrical and wiring. They were going to be like any other house with electricity and plumbing.

As we were looking at the plan for the first house I noticed it was pretty big. 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom a good sized living area and kitchen area. Then there was a smaller apartment in the basement a simple 1 bed one bath.

"So is two families will be sharing this house?" I asked Britney.

"Actually just one family but we're going to be separate to give you some space." She said. I wasn't quite understanding so she explained. "I drew this for Burns when I got the idea to move up here. This is going to be your house Wanda, yours and Ian's. I gave you some room to grow in case you want more than the one kid. And that one bedroom apartment is for me and Brandon. So we'll be close by if you need us but you and Ian have your own space."

My eyes started to sting and tear up. She was still a mother, wanting to be close to her baby but recognized the need I had for space.

"It's perfect." Ian said from beside me also looking at the plans.

"You don't know how lucky you are to have me here Ian." She said smiling at me, "Brandon wanted to have another door leading from our apartment into your house. But I vetoed the idea and made sure he didn't sneak it in after."

Ian and I laughed, "I appreciate that Britney thanks." He said.

"You know…." Britney said as we were walking to see the house after looking at the plans, "Ian, you might as well call me mom too. Since you're with my daughter and not going anywhere."

This shocked me and Ian. It was a minute before she added, "Just something to think about."

I'd never thought much about marriage. It didn't seem necessary. It was a luxury that the souls had that didn't really impact us. No one looked down on a couple who were 'together' that were being intimate and weren't married. But I guess Ian and I would have to talk about it now that things were changing and my body's mother, my mother, had brought it up.

I got tired pretty quick after getting back from looking at the houses. Ian took me to our room on the second floor of the hotel room 24. The first floor I'd come to find out was being used for storage at the moment. Tools, some non-perishables and some other non-food items were being stored in the rooms of the first floor. All the beds and furniture of the first floor rooms were being stored in one of the bigger rooms.

Our room was small but comfortable. It had a bed and a dresser as well as a closet and a small bathroom. It was small but not as small as our cave back at Jeb's. So we had a little more room.

Burns had said he expected to be done with our house and have the furnishings in by the time the baby comes. He even said we'd have to go on a raid to get the baby's things as soon as the house was done with the inside walls, shortly after electrical is done.

I took a nap with Ian in our need bed for the next 6ish months. He laid behind me resting his arm around my middle putting his hand on mine which was testing on the baby. I was so lucky.

Over the next few weeks I got use to our new routine. I would help with breakfast which everyone ate in the 'Rec Hall' as everyone called it. It was the golden wooden building that seemed to be the main hall. It had a large industrial sized kitchen that could feed probably a hundred people.

Then after breakfast everyone went to work on the houses. While I would help a few of the other women with preparing for lunch. Usually I'd get kicked out of the kitchen to take the workers water bottles and I'd see their progress.

Burns had gotten four four-wheelers which were used for getting around faster. I learned to drive one and actually enjoyed using one though it freaked out almost everyone else when I rode one. But I was always careful and made sure I drove it safely.

Then after lunch it was preparing for dinner and everyone back to work. After dinner work was done and they had some time to relax.

Ian and I had taken to going for a short walk, cause I get tired easy and he's been working all day, and talk. We talk about a lot of things, mostly the baby. We're not sure what we're having but we've been thinking about names for both. For a boy I'd been thinking about either naming it Walter or Wes. For the two members of my family why had died. Ian doesn't mind those names though he's thrown in some other names like Connor or Josh or even Sean as ideas. For a girl were at a little more of a loss. I like the name Lily. And I'm sure Lily would love it. I had also been thinking of the name Sophie or Stephanie. Ian mentioned Carla or Carrie which were family names, he even mentioned maybe we name a girl Jodi, Kyle would love that.

What I really want is for Ian to be there when I find out the sex of our baby. But I know that's out of the question.

I brought it up to Landon and he gave me a look that plainly said "I'm sorry but you know that's out of the question" I did. But when I mentioned that to Mel and Britney, Britney gave me a great suggestion. "Why don't you have them write it down on a piece of paper and put that and the picture in an envelope? Then you can bring the envelope back and we can have a gender reveal party?" Mel got excited, "And that way both of you will find out at the same time." She finished.

I nodded, "That's a great idea mom thanks."

"Wanda…." Mel said shaking with excitement, "Can I…."

I nodded, "Yes Mel you can plan the party. I'll give you the envelope."

She jumped up and screamed with excitement then ran to tell Jared while I rode a four-wheeler to tell Ian.

Ian worked on our house every day. One day I asked him why he didn't help with the other house.

"Well," he said putting his hand on my belly "It's something special for me to be working on the home we'll be living in. It's for our baby and our family."

I was so touched that I kissed him so passionately that we couldn't help but let it progress.

After about two weeks of living here Jared and Landon went on two separate raids. Landon with me to get my baby checked out at a new healer specializing in birthing to make sure the baby is healthy and to get the sex. And Jared to get some supplies to Jen and the people in the caves and to let Jen know this was actually a great idea. And maybe you bring some more people back.

Please leave a review. I love your feedback.

Also leave your idea in a review, Should Wanda have a baby girl or a baby boy?