The turnout for Nate's funeral was overwhelming; Brotherhood, Minuteman, and civilians alike crowded the hilltop. The grave they made for him was just like Nora's and Danse's with a stake in the ground and a horizontal plank reading 'General/Sentinel Nathaniel Walker'.
Maxson had promised to have three graves made from stone, so they would last through time, and each was given a loving phrase under their names. He kept his word and the stones were finished mere days after the funeral, and after they were put in place, the East Coast Brotherhood headed west for the Great Waste, leaving behind small bases throughout the Commonwealth.
Nate's holotags and sniper rifle were added to the collection of items he had stacked in Shaun's nursery in his prewar house, and the grounds were planned to be fenced in to keep people out of it so it would remain as he left it.
Hancock decided to remain in the house he and Nate had, and made plans to build Shaun a bedroom off of the back door so that no structural changes would be made to the building. He also wanted to get rid of one of his beds so that he only had the one.
Madelyn and Robert made plans to build a house on the foundation next to Hancock's metal home, so they were close. It would be finished before their child was born, and had three bedrooms, and an open concept kitchen-living room set up that Madelyn adored.
Life after Nate Walker proved to be just as it had before him, but all those who knew him felt the void that he left. He changed so much by doing what he thought was so little. He affected everyone he met, and most never got to tell him how much he meant to them. He died on a cold table in a pool of his own blood, missing his limbs, and the only company he had were all but strangers.
Madelyn didn't think she could ever forgive herself, just as she knew that Hancock wouldn't be able to either. But they moved on, after the pain was depression, and after that was acceptance.
By the time Madelyn was ready to give birth the pain of Nate's death had finally seemed to fade into sadness and longing. John and Robert were with her while she spent seven hours in the Brotherhood base at Cambridge Police Station, pushing out an eight-pound baby girl.
The medic handed over the girl and Robert slid his arm in behind Madelyn so that he could look at their baby. She screamed and cried, but Madelyn smiled at the miniature human in her arms. "She's perfect."
"Of course she is," John smiled and bent to look over at the baby. "What will you name her?"
"What was Nate's middle name?" she looked up at John, and he blinked.
"Uh, Eric," he breathed and she nodded, smiling.
"Erica MacCready," she tilted her head to confirm with Robert who nodded and kissed her damp hair. Madelyn held her baby and stared at her while John retrieved Duncan who sat in the bed beside her and stared at Erica with wide eyes.
"That's my little sister?" he asked and Madelyn nodded, smiling at him.
"Her name is Erica."
"Erica," he pronounced carefully and smiled up at Madelyn before gently reaching out to brush at the tuft of pale hair on her head. She quieted her cries then, and looked around, her eyes a steely-blue, like Maxson's, Madelyn noted, but she knew that could change as she grew.
"She'll need you to protect her, Duncan, you're her big brother," Robert said, tilting his head at the boy and he nodded, smiling eagerly. "
"Can I hold her?"
"In a little bit, let her and mommy rest," Robert got up and came around to pick up the boy. "We'll go get you something to eat."
When they left Madelyn looked at John. "Would you like to hold her?"
"Could I?" he whispered and stepped forward, gingerly taking the bundle from her mother. He smiled down at the baby girl and Madelyn thought she saw tears come to his eyes. "He would have loved to have met her, Maddy."
"I know…."
"He wouldn't have missed this for the world," he signed and shifted the baby gently to lay the softest kiss against her forehead.
"He would have been a great grandpa," she smiled at the ghoul. "Just as you will."
"Hah, never thought I'd hear that," he chuckled and cradled the child close as he swayed back and forth. "Just call me gramps," he said to the baby and Madelyn laughed lightly.
"Be careful, she'll remember that."
"I count on it," he smiled. "You should get some rest," he commented and she nodded.
"You'll watch her?"
"Of course, and MacCready'll want to hold her I'm sure," he smiled and bent down to kiss her hair. "Sleep, Maddy."
"Okay," she breathed and let her eyes drift closed. A calming sleep came over her, and Madelyn let a smile ghost across her lips as she drifted off.
And that's it! Thank you so much for reading! It means the world to me. I am sorry for anyone who is upset with how Nate died, but not everyone gets an ideal death, and I decided to give Nate a pretty shitty one. It killed me to write it. I will begin posting Reagan's side of this story and then her going to the Midwest with the Brotherhood here soon, so if you're interested, just check out my profile! Thank you so much for sticking with Nate and Madelyn through their journey! I love you all!