Sitting on the bed, Rick looked around as the medical professionals buzzed around. "Mr. Grimes, you are free to go," Doctor Lewis spoke as he walked up.
"What about Beth and Judith?"
"Did you and Beth take the girl from her parents?"
He sat heavily on the bed. "She was my wife's daughter from an affair she had with my best friend."
"Good answer," he smiled. "Your daughter has the protean virus in her bloodstream, which means conception right after the plague hit. You and your wife do not have protean virus in your systems, meaning conception before the plague. Usually when I ask that question, people don't normally give that response."
"There was a question of her parentage early on."
"Well she is a beautiful healthy little girl. We always do blood panels and paternity tests on all young children. Congratulations, Judith is one hundred percent yours and Beth's."
"Thank you," Rick smiled and shook his hand.
"She was lucky to have your blood type, Beth's would've been lethal and she would have needed a transfusion after birth."
"Does that mean we can't have more children?" Rick asked, putting his jacket on as he rose.
"No, it means that when she becomes pregnant again, we will have to keep an eye on her for the first few months to make sure there's no rejection of the fetus. The fetus could have her blood type and be fine, but yours is a lot stronger with antibodies because of Beth's vegetarian diet. Talk to her about changing it; if she would consume just a little meat in any form, there wouldn't be the risk of this happening. You are healthy and lean; she's too lean, she could break a bone so easy."
"I told her she needed to watch that."
They walked to the women's side as a nurse came carrying Judith over. "We took a little blood and she got grumpy, but calmed down after her mom gave her the doll."
"Thanks," Rick smiled and took her from the nurse. "That's my girl."
"Over here," Dr. Lewis smiled. They walked through the pulled curtains to find Beth sitting on the bed. Rick walked over and sat beside her. "How are you feeling?"
"I feel fine; she's bitching about my anemia, which I was born with," Beth growled softly.
"All right, here are the vitamins for you to take and your birth control," Dr. Matthews spoke handing to her.
Beth took the vitamins and refused the other. "I don't take that."
"You do now," Dr. Matthews spoke sternly.
"Sorry, religious conflict," Beth replied sternly.
"Beth, you are 18 years old …"
"I am not 18! Damn it, I am 23 years old! Why does no one believe me?"
Doctor Matthews stood there, arms crossed. "Why don't I believe you? Why do I think you are lying about your age to stay with this man? You are a girl, you don't need to put your life on hold to raise his child."
"Husband and my child!" Beth snapped and showed her the wedding band.
"That can happen to anyone this day and time …"
"Look lady, he is my husband, has been for several years now. We lost another child, her brother, he was seven, so you can deal with it and shove those pills," Beth hissed as she hopped up and started walking off.
"She is something else," Dr. Lewis grinned.
"She is lying about her age," Dr. Matthews spoke.
"No ma'am, I was there for her sixteenth, eighteenth, and twenty-first birthdays," Rick smiled. "We've been together for a lot longer than two years."
"Meaning?" Dr. Lewis asked.
"Shotgun and her father," Rick admitted, slightly blushing. "Our son Carl died in Atlanta; he had just turned seven when he got bit."
"I am so sorry," Dr. Matthews spoke, laying a hand on his arm. "Tell Beth I apologize."
"I will, don't mind her … she doesn't adjust to new people easily," Rick smiled as he headed after her.
He walked through the beds and saw Beth standing in the hanger door. He walked over and slid his arm around you. "She wanted me to tell you she apologized."
"Good," Beth huffed. "I am not a child, no matter what anyone thinks."
"Yea, but you are starting to act like one," Rick whispered in her ear. "I know you don't like all these people poking into our lives before now."
"No, I just don't want them to find a reason to separate us."
"Well, according to them if you would start eating some meat in any form, your blood type wouldn't have an adverse reaction to the next baby we have."
She looked at him as he smiled at her. Leaning forward, he nuzzled her nose with his. "You are biologically her mother, according to these folks, and if you start eating some form of meat it would make it easier for us to give her a brother or sister."
She smiled at him then kissed him hard on the lips. "After we get settled, maybe we should start on that."
"Maybe we should," he smiled as he hugged her.
"There you two are," Elise's voice called out. "Your car has been Alaska proofed, and no they didn't take anything. It seems as though my husband is interested in you working with him, Rick. He thinks you will make a great new asset to the team."
"I will let him know if a month or so. I am so tired and drained that we just need time to ourselves. I appreciate his offer and I am going to take him up on it, just not right now. We need time to grieve for those we lost."
"I have an idea, will you come with me?" Elise asked.
"Sure," Beth smiled.
Walking to the car, Beth pulled Judith's bunting out and wrapped her in it as they walked outside. They followed Elise across the airport to where a large group of people stood together. She stepped up and patted a woman on the shoulder. "Friends, I would like for you to welcome Rick and Beth, and their daughter Judith. They are survivors from Atlanta, and they need our help." Elise turned back to them. "This circle here is for prayer for the people we have lost or had to leave behind for whatever reason. We ask you to add those names to our circle."
A tear rolled down Rick's cheek as he stood there. He gripped Beth around the waist as he stared into the fire. "Lori, Shane, Carl …"
"Jack, Maggie, Glenn," Beth added. "Patricia, Annette, Shawn."
"Daryl, Carol, Tyreese, Michonne and Sasha," Rick paused as tears gently fell.
"Ethan," Beth spoke as her own tears began to flow.
"Dale and Andrea," Rick finished.
"We accept your names in our circle and our flame will float higher for them," a Native American man spoke. "We honor the world and offer humble prayers to whoever is listening to make it better for us."
"Amen," the circle spoke.
"Amen," Beth and Rick added.
"We offer this to you both," a Native American girl spoke as she walked over. She handed them a dream catcher and smiled. "Hang it over your bed and you will rest easier."
Elise handed Beth a smaller one. "This is for Judith."
"Thank you," she smiled.
"We ask you both to continue to join us until the pain has ended," the man spoke up. "Which was your child?"
"Carl," Beth whispered as Rick felt his resolve cracking.
"We will light another candle for him and craft for you a kachina to keep and never forget how special he was to you both."
"Thank you," Rick spoke as he covered his mouth.
"Thank you Chief." Everyone bowed as Elise walked them over to the garage. "It is a tradition they started all on their own without anyone to assist them."
"The sentiment is beautiful," Beth smiled as she placed Judith in the back. Tickling her cheeks, she stands and looks around. "Home." Walking over to Rick, she slipped her arms around him and kissed his neck. "Climb in and let me drive us home."
"Home," he smiled as he wiped his eyes. "I knew it would be hard, I didn't know it would be this hard."
"We made it though," she smiled as they climbed in.
Cranking the engine, they rolled out behind the Humvee carrying Elise and her family. They followed them back into town, then out to a small suburb. They drove into a housing area, then drifted through to the back of the development where older homes stood. They stopped behind as the family offloaded. The Humvee cranked and spun around, heading back to base. Elise walked over as Rick rolled the window down.
"The house in the cul-de-sac circle is yours," Elise pointed to a red brick home. "We'll be over later after you've had a chance to settle in."
"Thanks," Rick smiled as they rolled over to the house. He climbed out and raised the garage door so she could roll in.
Closing the door behind him, he blew on his hands to warm them. Beth climbed out and shivered momentarily. Closing the door, she pulled Judith out as they headed inside the house. Opening the door, they entered a small mud room with washer and dryer. Stepping into the kitchen, they found a potbelly wood stove with a crackling fire burning inside. Walking into the den, they found the large fireplace crackling as well.
"Oh you're here earlier than I thought," a woman's voice spoke. "I am Nancy, I am the head of the welcoming committee. You must be Rick and Beth, and this little lady must be Judith. We are so glad you made it up here."
"Thank you for getting the house warm for us," Rick smiled as he gazed around. "Not used to the dark paneling."
"Well, once the weather warms up you can change it however you want it to look. The master bedroom is on that end of the house, and the children's rooms are on this end of the house. I took the liberty to light the fireplace in the master as well."
"Thank you," Beth smiled genuinely. "How warm will she be down here?"
They followed her to the end of the hall and peered into the little pink nursery. "Since you have a small one, under the age of five that is, they do not restrict heat to the home. We put some space heaters in here in case the power goes out due to weather. My husband is outside cutting more firewood."
"I should go help him," Rick spoke as he turned.
"He has to contribute chopping wood … he almost turned this place into a bloodbath. He brought some people in that we didn't know. Come to find out they were cannibals, and we almost lost everything. The military and council said that his punishment was to cut wood for every home in use in Anchorage. He has to leave at 5a and return at 5p; if a new family arrives, he must have enough wood chopped for them for a week."
"It seems a bit harsh at the onset, but it is a sensible punishment," Rick commented.
"You were the leader, weren't you?" Nancy commented.
"No ma'am, I just helped keep everyone safe," Rick smiled thinly.
"Well whatever you were to them, you did a good job," Nancy smiled.
"I have about two days worth chopped, it's getting to late to see to chop more," the man spoke as he walked in.
"We appreciate it," Rick spoke, holding his hand out.
The man took Rick's hand and gripped it. "Ned."
"Rick. This Beth and Judith."
"Pleasure to meet you both. Where are you folks from?"
"Atlanta."
"Sweet mother of mercy, you survived Atlanta … and with a baby?" Nancy reached out and touched Judith's hair briefly.
"Yes we did," Beth smiled as Judith continued staring around the room.
"Wow, all right then," Nancy smiled. "The beds have fresh mattresses and linens; the towels are clean and the appliance have been cleaned out. Your food delivery starts tomorrow, his name is Joshua and he will be here around one or two in the afternoon. If he's not here by two thirty, contact me as soon as you can. If he ever misses a delivery, please let me know. He missed an entire street and come to find out he was stuck in the snow."
"We will let you know," Rick smiled.
"My number is on the pad by the phone. The phone works for inside Anchorage only. No need for area codes when you dial. I have a list of all numbers posted on the fridge. I hope I am not forgetting anything."
"Darling, they will let us know if we have. Shall we leave them alone?" Ned asked. "Make sure to stay warm. When the weather gets bad, we have intermitted power outages. I'll be back tomorrow evening on my way home and chop some more wood."
"Thank you folks for everything," Rick spoke as he escorted them to the front door.
"Please Rick, take time and rest. You have been through things we can only imagine. We're from Canada, we moved here to help out. We heard the reports about the deep south, so believe me when I say there was a divine hand in getting you here," Nancy smiled and grasped his hand.
"Thank you Nancy, I will remember that and I will get some rest."
He closed the door as he looked around. Running his hand over his face, he watched Beth come out of the nursery without Judith. She walked over and stood in front of him then threw her arms around his neck and laughed out loud. "This place is amazing!"
"How is she?"
"There is a mobile over the crib; I turned it on and she's laying there watching it and holding her doll. Shall we start unloading the car?"
"Sure." He grabbed hold of her as she tried to walk off. He bent her backwards and kissed her deeply. Running her hands through his hair, he stood her up and backed her against the couch as they continued kissing. "Okay, so maybe unloading the car is not on my mind quite at the moment but it is something we need to do."
"Think we have enough time before Elise and company arrive later?"
"That I doubt because I am afraid once I lay you down, I am not going to want to climb off or out of you till the sun comes up."
"You do know we are now living in the land of the midnight sun, where the sun doesn't come out for at least a month sometimes."
"Hot damn."
"I agree."
"Beth, you are driving me crazy rubbing up against me like that."
"Why honey, isn't that wives are supposed to do?"
"Yes but that is when we have time on our hands and not nosy neighbors that might come a'calling in a little while."
"Oh poor baby."
"Damn, just damn."
"Where do you want the tent and air mattresses?" Samuel asked.
"Put them down the hall in one of the spare bedrooms," Rick called out.
"Okay," Samuel smiled.
"Your gun is so awesome," Charles beamed as he looked at the gun on Beth's hip.
"Oh thank you, but it's not mine it's Rick. I forgot I still had it on," Beth giggled.
"What kind is it?" Samuel asked.
"Colt Python," Rick smiled, "and it's now hers."
"Why thank you honey," Beth smiled.
"I finished unloading all the baby stuff in the room beside her. That stroller is too cute," Elise smiled.
"Thanks, we found it on our last supply run in the States."
"Have you thought anymore about my offer, Rick?" Samuel asked.
"He said he wanted to wait a month to get settled, so leave him be," Elise scowled.
"I appreciate it, and I will probably take you up on it but I can't … not now anyway. Our son Carl was Charles' age … he died in Georgia. We haven't had a chance to have a proper funeral, burial, whatever people are doing now. I also buried my sister-in-law and brother, along with her mom and brother. We've lost so many people in a short span of time."
"Do you know how truly lucky the two of you are? The Deep South of the United States has been labeled as unlivable and hostile. Alabama, Georgia and Florida are all considered hot spots that would be surgical strike zones if we had a military to handle it. You lived almost three full years in the middle of lawless land, and were able to have a baby that survived. All three of you are miracles."
"Sometimes we don't feel that way," Beth commented.
"We had to do things and live a certain way that still makes us cringe," Rick spoke gently.
"When you both are ready, will you share your story with us? It doesn't have to be tomorrow or the next day, but whenever you can bring yourselves to talk about would you?" Samuel asked.
"Why?" Rick questioned.
"We have everyone deliver their story of survival during all this. Most people probably didn't go through a quarter of what you both did. You probably saw, or did, things you are not proud of but that is part of your survival story and it makes you who you are. Both of you are a living testament to the human spirit."
"Thank you," Rick smiled. "We appreciate it."
"I brought you a housewarming present." Samuel walked into the kitchen and pulled a bottle out. He walked over and handed it to Rick. "Hope you like it."
"That is what you brought them?" Elise questioned. "Samuel, you are hopeless!"
"Jack's Whiskey Sour," Rick smiled. "I love this stuff actually. I haven't seen any bottles around in a long time."
Drowning out their conversation, Beth began to hum to herself as she pulled a skillet out from the cabinet. Walking over, she opened the fridge and pulled out a large bag of freshly caught and shelled shrimp. She pulled out butter, garlic and some green snap peas; setting them on the counter, she turned and opened the freezer and pulled out the cubed caribou meat. Staring at it, she shrugged and sat it out.
Turning the burner on, she put the garlic and butter in the pan. Licking her fingers, she kept her eyes on Rick to see if he would start to smell it. With no reaction, she tossed in the caribou then snap peas and finally the shrimp. She kept stirring as the scents of the food started to cover the room.
Charles stood on his tiptoes and looked in. "What is it?"
"Caribou Shrimp Stir-Fry without rice," Beth smiled.
"It smells great," Charles smiled.
"You may have some when it's done."
"Thank you."
Elise had entered the conversation with them as Beth shook her head. Reaching into the fridge, she pulled a bottle of cola out and sat glasses on the counter. "Charles, would you please set the table for the five of us?"
"Yes ma'am," he smiled and started working.
"Charles, what are you doing?" Elise finally asked.
"Setting the table for dinner like Beth asked," Charles smiled.
"Dinner?" Samuel asked.
"What are you making?" Rick asked as he walked over.
"Caribou Shrimp Stir-Fry without the rice," Beth smiled as she tossed in carrots and cauliflower. "I am eating meat by the way."
"I noticed," he grinned as he hugged her. "Beth is a vegetarian."
"Was a vegetarian," she spoke up.
"Why change?" Elise asked.
"Well, I am anemic and have some brittle bone syndrome. The worst is the toxemia," Beth commented.
"So, it was either go meat or no kids," Elise chuckled. "I had the same problem, I was vegan for most of my life."
"Finally someone who gets it," Beth exclaimed.
"Oh believe me I get it," Elise chuckled. "Honey, if you want some horror stories I will love to swap with you."
"Deal," Beth smiled. "Is there anything I can do around here? Believe me, I'm not looking until Rick is ready but I would like to do something."
"We can enroll you two in mommy and me classes," Elise smiled. "We can enroll you in some sort of college courses. What was your field of study before all this happened?"
"The food is delicious by the way," Rick grinned.
"Thank you honey. To answer your question, I was trying to get my degree as an ER MedTech, is that still possible?"
"Where were you studying?"
"I was getting ready to start at the University of Georgia when the initial wave hit, so I never truly got started."
"And me a proud husband working as a Deputy Sheriff to make ends meet," Rick grinned.
"I knew there was some type of law enforcement or military training in you," Samuel beamed. "I know exactly what we can do together and it will be fun."
"First, they are going to take some time honey. Let me do some checking for you. I know the medical group needs people in the hospital, but I think you might be better suited to help out on base. Who knows, you might become the new Doctor Matthews or Doctor Lewis. Let me work on the particulars."
"Thanks Elise."
An hour later, the food was done and the dishes were cleaned. The guests had departed as soft snow began to fall. Both fires crackled as Beth leaned her head against Rick's shoulder. She sipped a cup of warm apple cider as Rick swished the whiskey in his glass.
"You like that?"
"It's pretty good, want some?"
She took the offered glass and took a sip. She stared at him before she started coughing hard. "Damn that's strong." She coughed and took a second sip. She returned the glass to him as she took a drink of the cider. "Hmm, not bad."
"What? Mixing the whiskey and cider?"
"I could drink that."
"Bet you could."
She rose and went down the hall; peering in, she saw Judith asleep on her back clutching the new doll in her arms. She leaned over and turned the small heater to medium before backing out the door. She walked back in and sat beside him. "Sound asleep."
"Hard to believe she's still sleepy after all that she did on the way here."
"Babies need their rest."
He swirled the glass until he drained the rest of the contents. He rose from the couch and walked into the kitchen. He sat the glass down and looked at the bottle. Beth looked at it too, almost half of it was gone … and that had been in the past hour. "Go ahead, I don't mind."
He stared at her. "I keep waiting."
"I know I do too. Part of me hates that we unloaded everything."
"Yea me too." He ran his hand over the bottle. "I'm on edge."
"I know I can tell. I keep wanting to check on Judith."
Walking over, he leaned down and stoked the fire in the cook stove then walked into the living room. He punched the burning wood as he threw another log on it. He sat down and looked around the house. "I should be on guard duty."
"How? We can't do anything here, we're newcomers."
"I know, it's just how I feel."
"I have an idea." She rose and walked over to him. She took hold of his hand as she flipped the light off. They walked to the end of the hall and pushed the door open. Pulling him in behind her, she closed the door and turned to him.
"Make love to me."
He smiled as he stared at her. "What's wrong? I thought you had enough on your birthday. I didn't think you were interested in doing that after the scare."
"That was a scare and my father was on patrol for us afterwards. This is freedom, me and you, and our new lives together. We took a chance leaving everyone and everything, and look where we are. We have a home of our own now, we are the proud parents of a beautiful daughter … and it would be nice to add a second or third."
She planted her mouth over his as she pushed him to the bed. He fell onto the bed, hands on her waist as their lips remained locked. She pulled her shirt off then began unbuttoning his. She threw it on the floor as his hands came up her back and unlatched her bra. He tossed it to the floor as he gripped her hip and flipped her over.
Their hungry mouths played back and forth with one another. He rose up and looked down at her. He smiled as he pulled his belt free. He lowered himself back atop her, pinning her to the bed with his weight as he began to place gentle soft kisses on her cheeks and lips. He traced his mouth across hers and down her neck.
"I am not in the mood to rush things, I want to do this right. I want this to be the start of something new for us."
"Thought we did it right on my birthday."
"No, that was rushed."
"So how do you want to change that?"
He smiled and kissed her nose. "Let me lay you down and love you."
His mouth trails down her neck and around, licking the sensitive skin below her ears. Her body responds as one hand comes up to grasp one breast as tease the hard and sensitive nipple. His mouth continues its journey as he reaches her breasts. Fingers gently pinch and tug one while he licks and sucks at the other. Leaning over, he does the same to the other as her breathing becomes deeper.
His hands slide between them as he unfastens her jeans and starts pulling them down. His fingers run across the lace band of her panties as they snag them and pull. He drops her clothes to the floor as her naked body lies under his.
Her fingers snake through his hair as his tongue licks and his mouth nip at her belly button. His knee parts her legs as he continues down her body with her mouth. Her back arches as electricity shoots through her as his mouth consumes her between her legs. The breath is taken from her body as she looks down at him.
He licks and nips, his tongue touches places she didn't know existed before as she lays there. She tries to squirm underneath him because his mouth and fingers are driving her crazy. She hears the soft rip of his zipper then the thud of his clothes onto the floor with hers. His mouth begins to trace its way back up her body as his hands pull the covers back.
Lifting her hips, he releases the cover below them before covering their bodies with it. His mouth returns to feast upon both her nipples as she moans softly. His hand holds her hips steady as he presses slowly and steadily until he's fully sheathed inside her. The warmth, the constriction, robs him of words and a good portion of his air, and he hangs suspended over her for an eternity, not moving. Just feeling. Then they move together, sliding and rubbing and pressing against all the right places, a little clumsy and absolutely perfect. He can't stop the flow of words that spills from his lips as he presses his mouth against his ear, breathing out just how perfect and wonderful and amazing she is and how damn lucky he is that she chose him.
She kisses him, partly to shut him up, he thinks, but neither of them is complaining. Then his mouth moves lower, finding one of her nipples, and she shatters beneath him. She sighs his name as she comes, and his own hoarse, wordless exhalation answers her. He stiffens, straining between her legs for a long, flawless moment before collapsing beside her on the bed.
"That was," she breathed, "amazing."
"That is what I meant by taking our time."
"Damn. I guess we did rush it a little on my birthday." She laid there, her tired body throbbing from his gentle touching. "Whenever you want, we can do that again."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that. Can we do it like that all the time, unless not taking our time is preferable."
"We can do that."
He stared into the flickering fire, memories ebbing and flowing through his brain as sleep evaded him. He wiped his eyes as he sits there, consumed in the memories of the past and the ones left behind … Lori, Shane … Carl. Tears flowed again as he wiped them away, telling himself that he is still able to feel, able to love, able to care.
She strolled into the living room, a blanket wrapped around her still nude from. He is seated on the couch, watching the fire. She walks over and sits atop him, pulling the blanket around their bodies. She leans over and starts kissing him and running her fingers over his chest. She straddles him as she lowers herself down onto his hardened manhood. His hands grasps her hips as they start moving in rhythm. Their mouths drag apart as he leans over and claims the left, then right, nipple; he suckles them, nips them and tugs them. His mouth nuzzles the sensitive skin below her ears as she runs her fingers through his hair. She clings to him as her body explodes atop him, followed by his own explosion within her. She leans her forehead against his.
"You weren't there when I woke up. I got worried."
"Sorry. I didn't want to bother you."
"Hope I'm not bothering you now."
"Just thinking and remembering."
"I'll leave you be."
She goes to move as his arm goes around her back as he rises, her still astride his manhood. She stares into his eyes as he carries her back to the bedroom and presses her back down into the bed. His mouth starts roaming over her as he holds her legs apart with his hands. His thrusts are slow to start, and which each moan from her, he thrusts a little faster and harder.
She gasps as he grips her knees, thrusting hard and deep within her. His tongue sizzles across her skin as she moans desperately for him to continue. She explodes hard as he continues, barely giving her a moment to recover. Her back arches as her inner muscles latch hold of him. His body seizes and his own mind-blowing orgasm hits. He falls atop her, kissing her lips as he lays there.
"What was that all about?"
"Just thought I would introduce you to a 'harder' version."
"Damn." She looked at him and grins. "I like it."
"There are so many different … ways … to enjoy ourselves."
"No feathers, no handcuffs and no strange gadgets."
"Anything else?"
"I prefer to look you in the face when we're like this because it drives me that much crazier seeing how much you are enjoying yourself."
"Okay, I can handle that. Now, I want to sleep."
"Me too."
Sliding his arm around her, he rolls onto his back and pulls her with him. He lays his head back, listening to the soft crackling of the fire across from them. He looks at her, her eyes closed now as she slept in his arms. He smiled and kissed her forehead as his eyes began to drift off to sleep in the warmth of her love.