Quinn, Commonwealth

Same day

I was standing face to face with Carol with a couple of steps between us.

"When was the last time you got your period?" she asked.

I gasped for air as the realization hit me.

"You think…?"

Carol nodded yes.

"Am I?" I asked completely speechless. "But… I don't have morning sickness."

"Not everyone has that. When was the last time you were on your period?"

"Before we came here… at least two months ago…" I said calculating as I started pacing. "Am I pregnant?"

"I would say pretty much yes, but we have to make sure. You have to go to the doctor," Carol said with happy sparkling eyes.

"I mean… we were together many times… so it's not really surprising but still I feel shocked," I said thinking out loud.

"Of course, you do, honey. I'll get an appointment for you, okay?" she suggested as she stepped closer and grabbed my hands happily.

"Okay, thanks…. but… uhm… could this stay between us? I'd like to tell the others. When it's 100% sure," I asked her.

"Of course."

"Not even Daryl."

"Nobody," said Carol smiling.

"Don't look so happy, we can't be sure just yet…" I said as I glanced at her.

"If this happens I'm going to be soooo happy for you," she said smiling. I chuckled. For the first time in a while.

"Carol?"

"Yeah?"

"Does pregnancy make you feel horny?" I asked unsurely, feeling my cheeks going hot. Carol made a grimace.

"I think yes… but too much information," she said smiling at me.

"Yeah, sorry," I said as I chuckled. "It just makes sense."

"I'm getting an appointment for you!" she stated and left in a hurry. I chuckled at her reaction. Then my smile faded away. I placed my hand on my belly. Could I really be pregnant? I let out a sigh, then I got distracted by the loud rock music coming from next door. My smile appeared again and I headed to check it out. As I stepped into the living room I saw the kids rocking out to the music with Daryl, all of them headbanging. He was really wearing a uniform. I couldn't help but laugh. I laughed heartily. Daryl noticed me and stopped with a huge smile on his face.

"Hey," he said loudly, to overcome the music. I looked him up and down.

"You became a sci-fi soldier!" I said smiling.

"Yeah," he said smiling.

"What's going on?" I asked chuckling.

"Oh, I'm showing them the music I liked when I was young," he explained.

"I think they like it," I said as I looked at the kids again. Daryl looked at them too, one by one.

"Yeah, seems so," he said. Then he looked down at himself. "Judith said I look official. I feel like a bunch of crap," he said.

"Well, it's unusual, but you look good in everything," I said without thinking. When I realized what I said I burst into laughter again. Daryl just pushed my shoulder playfully. My eyes met with Henry's and he waved hi then continued headbanging. Judith and RJ were jumping up and down on the couch. I kept giggling. Is this going to wait for me eventually too? My smile faded away slowly then I got distracted when the music ended and Judith came to Daryl. She hugged him. They were so cute my eyes teared up.

"Again!" said Judith as she backed away, making Daryl laugh again. I quickly wiped my eyes. No one noticed. Mood swings.

Daryl turned on the music again and the headbanging started again. I headed back to my apartment but Daryl noticed me sneaking off and came after me to the corridor.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure," I smiled at him. He returned the smile and headed back to the kids and I closed the door behind me.

…

I couldn't wait to tell Negan, but first I wanted to make sure. Carol got me the appointment, it was due next week. They took pregnancy seriously in the Commonwealth. They knew there were more dead than living at this point, so children were treasure. So pregnant women were an urgent matter on the list.

…

November 8, Tuesday

6 days later

I was trying so hard to hide my excitement in front of Negan. Today was the doctor's appointment. I didn't want to tell Negan until it was 100% confirmed. But he managed to distract my thoughts anyway while we were having breakfast.

"Hey, uhm," he said then stopped to clear his throat, avoiding my eyes. "Would you… would you go on a date with me?" he asked finally looking me in the eye. He asked that like a teenage boy when he asks this question for the first time. I straightened my back and looked him in the eyes.

"A date?" I asked smiling. "Do you really think I would say no?" I asked.

"Well… after what went down last week with the almost cheating business… I'm not entirely sure," he admitted.

"That's in the past. I'm trying to forget it. So of course it's a yes! It's not even a question," I said. "When and where?"

He chuckled at my answer.

"I was thinking about that restaurant…"

"A restaurant? Going fancy?" I asked enjoying the situation.

"Well… You did look good in that gown," he said and I saw a little bit of redness on his cheek.

"I never even saw you wear a shirt before, now that I'm thinking about it," I said. "Not to mention a suit."

"One more reason to do it," he smiled.

"Hell yeah," I replied. He chuckled. I felt like I was taking on his way of using words. Maybe we were taking on each other's habits.

"Okay so, what about this Saturday?" he asked.

"Alright."

"I'll reserve a table," he said.

"Thank you," I said.

"No problem," he smiled then he finished his breakfast. I did the same. Then he got ready and was about to leave.

"Don't cheat on me," I said.

"Don't even remind me… I checked the schedule and I'm trying my best to avoid her. I'm going on different routes and hiding in the gym. It's embarrassing," he exhaled sharply but still in a good mood.

"I appreciate your effort," I said smiling.

"You better do," he replied with a smile. As I was watching him putting on his shoes I continued chitchatting:

"Carol wants to celebrate Christmas," I said.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I thought maybe we could stay for that and then leave. Or maybe at the end of the winter. If you can manage till then," I suggested.

"I'll try. But didn't you want to leave as soon as possible?" he asked surprised. I got scared I might get busted with the assumed pregnancy.

"Yeah, but I'd like to spend Christmas here. I mean when was the last time you saw a Christmas tree? Or lights?" I asked. I didn't need to come up with an excuse because this was true.

"You're right," he said as he finished with his shoes and straightened up. "Okay, I'll try to get by. And don't worry. I'm not attracted to her in the slightest."

"I'm trying not to worry. Also trying to keep myself from murdering her."

"You don't want to spend Christmas in jail," he smiled at me gently then pecked my lips.

"Right," I agreed. We said goodbye and he left for work.

I told Negan earlier that I had to go to the office later today, so he won't speculate why I'm staying home this morning. The appointment was in the afternoon but I took this day off anyway because I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything else. I started pacing and when I got tired of that I lay down on the couch, staring at the ceiling, thinking, waiting.

…

When the time came I put my shoes on and left. Carol waited for me at the square she was allowed to leave work for the appointment to accompany me. After that, she has to go back to work. But still… I was grateful she was coming with me. My heart was pounding heavily.

"Ready?" she greeted me with a huge smile. I exhaled sharply.

"I'm nervous," I admitted.

"That's okay. Come on, let's go," she said excitedly and we headed to the hospital. With each and every step I felt like I'm going to faint from being so nervous. This stage of not knowing drove me crazy. But honestly… I knew. I felt it.

They called my name, I lay on the table, they put the gel on my stomach. They did an ultrasound. I was breathing heavily the entire time till those magic words hit my ears:

"You are expecting a baby. Congratulations!"

I felt like I could finally breathe again. Carol was out of her mind. Smiling and hugging me strongly.

"You are going to have a baby!" she said excitedly. I was speechless.

"I don't even know what to say," I admitted chuckling quickly wiping a tear from my eye.

"You are going to be a mommy and I'm gonna be an auntie once again!" Carol was chirping excitedly.

…

On the way back home Carol was babbling nonstop about the baby and I was smiling happily. Getting ready, what to eat, what to do, what not to do. After a while, she ran out of advice and kept quiet for a while. When we reached the square she turned to face me.

"So… when will you tell him?" she asked.

"He asked me on a date. It's this Saturday. I think I'll tell him that night," I said.

"And what about uncle Daryl?" she asked smiling.

"I'll have to tell him too… I don't know. But definitely Negan has to know first. Except for you," I smiled at her.

"I won't tell anyone. You tell whoever you want," she said gently.

"Thank you," I smiled at her. We embraced for a little while then she said goodbye as she had to go back to work. I headed home.

I still felt stunned. Like I was hit on the head. It was so surreal. Me? Having a baby? No way… and yet… here we are. I let out a sigh as I sat on the couch. I lay down and slipped my hand on my belly. I just can't believe it.

…

Author's notes: (The song Daryl showed Judith on the show and which they are rocking out to at the beginning of the chapter is "Eat the rich" by Motorhead.)

For Quinn listen to "Capri" by Colbie Caillat. ❤

Thank You for reading! ❤