A Second Chance

Chapter 4

Three Days Later

Lying next to Carley's sleeping form, my mind drifted back to that afternoon. Lilly had walked in on our 'private time'. It was only our third time. She had wasted no time letting everyone know. Sure, it was a running joke within the group that Carley and I spent a LOT of time together. The only person who knew that we were together was Katjaa. She looked after Clem when we had one of our 'dates'. Looking at the small woman in my arms, I thought about how lucky I was. It was a Zombie Apocalypse, yet, I had my Girlfriend and my little girl. I knew Clementine wasn't family, although, I classed her as my daughter. I loved both of them dearly.

"Lee…" I heard a small voice call. I turned over, onto my back, without waking Carley. It was Clementine. It looked like she'd been crying.

"Hey sweet-pea." I cooed, untangling my arm from under Carley. "Whats wrong?"

"I- I had a bad dream." She muttered, embarrassed.

"Aww, come here honey." I whispered, feeling Carley stir beside me.

"Lee? What's happening?" I heard her murmur, her voice thick with sleep.

"Clem had a nightmare." I said, embracing the small girl in my arms.

"Can-can I come in here with you?" She asked, wrapping her thin arms around my neck. I looked at Carley, silently asking her permission. Earning a smile and nod, I lifted Clementine onto the bed. She rested between us, curling into a little ball.

"How's that?" I asked, giving her my share of the blanked and tucking her in.

"Good. Thanks Dad." She muttered, drifting off to sleep. Carley and I shared a very significant look. My entire being was shaken.

She considered me as her Dad?

I slowly followed Clementine into sleep, allowing darkness to take over.

Seven Hours Later

"Lee!" I heard. I immediately bolted upright, grabbing my gun off the rickety bedside table and pointing it at the source of the noise.

"Woah!" Carley shouted, raising her hands into a surrender.

"Sorry." I apologised, putting the gun down and rubbing my eyes. I looked around, noticing the missing weight to my left. "Where's Clem?"

"She went to get her rations. She's with Duck." Carley replied, shuffling over to me and rubbing my shoulders. I slumped them slightly, relishing the touch of her hands.

"Does that feel good?" She asked, kissing my neck softly.

"Oh yeah." I grunted, turning my head to look at her. Capturing her lips with mine, I allowed my hands to roam up her torso. Earning a satisfied moan, I slowly moved my hands further up her body, gliding my fingertips over her smooth, pale skin.

"I. Love. You. Lee. Everett." She said, punctuating each word with a kiss. I groaned as I allowed myself to become lost in our lovemaking.

"I love you too, Carley Palmer." I replied, rolling us onto the lumpy mattress. All of a sudden, one of the springs gave way, springing through the fabric. I snapped my head up at the noise, jumping away from Carley at the same time.

"Well…" She said, leaning up on her elbows. "Mood killer, much."

"Sorry." I apologised, deciding against what we were about to do. I slowly pulled my jeans over my boxers and left my blue shirt on the floor.

"Where are you going?" She asked, cocking her head slightly.

"Um… I need to pee." I replied, watching her get up, throwing her vest over herself.

"Okay. I love you." She said, smiling to me as I shuffled to the door.

"Love you too." I laughed, walking outside. Immediately, the brisk coldness hit my bare arms. I wished that I put my shirt on. At least I would have been warm.

"Lee!" Kenny greeted, waving from atop the RV.

"Hey pal!" I cheered back, raising my hand slightly.

"How's the missus?" He chortled, wiping away sleep from his eyes.

"She's good. A little tired, though." I replied, chuckling at his expression.

"You're a dirty bastard, you know that." He mumbled, shaking his head and going back to his duty. I walked for a solid two minutes, finally arriving at my destination: the men's room. Striding inside, I unzipped my pants and allowed myself to relax. Looking around, I swore to myself, noticing that there was no Toilet Paper.

"Shit!" I spoke softly. I scanned the room again in case I missed some. Not. A. Chance. Randomly, the bin came into my focus. A heap of unused paper was stuffed in there. Reaching in, I grabbed a few pieces. I went to grab more when my hand bumped against something long and thin.

"What the…" I wondered, picking it up in my large hands. The long, white rod shook in my hands. Nobody needed to tell me what that was. How the… Well…I knew how. The question was:

Who?

"Who the hell would keep this from us?! It's not Katjaa. Kenny's on the night watch. It's not Lilly. That means…"

"Carley!" I bolted from the bathroom, placing the test in my back pocket. I saw that everyone was gathered under the RV's awning, eating their breakfasts. I decided to put it off 'til later.

"Hey Lee!" Clementine greeted, running up to me and grabbing my hand.

"Hey sweet-pea. Sleep well?" I asked while she was leading me over to my seat next to her (and Carley).

"Yeah. Sorry for waking you up." She apologised, handing me a lump of cheese.

"Thanks hon. It's okay, I wasn't asleep anyway." I replied, feeling Carley's stare on the back of my neck.

"Are you feeling okay, Lee? I have some sleeping pills if you need them." Katjaa asked, creasing her eyebrows in concern.

"No thanks. I'm fine. I just had a lot on my mind." I replied, smiling at her thoughtfulness.

"Are you sure, baby? You were kinda funny this morning." Carley asked, feeling my forehead. I immediately snapped my head away from her touch.

"Yes! I'm fine! Just back off!" I snapped, immediately feeling guilty afterwards. I said it angrier than I had meant to.

"Well, I'm only concerned." She snapped back, allowing her eyes to well up with tears.

"Car…" I started, only to be cut off.

"Forget it. I'm going to my look-out post." She said, allowing a few tears to fall. I had made another woman cry. I fucking hated myself.

"Right. I'm off." I muttered, stuffing the rest of my cheese into my mouth and standing, brushing the back of my jeans.

"Where to?" Kenny asked, stretching his back.

"Just out." I replied. I needed to think.

"I'll come with you." He replied, going to stand.

"No. I just…want some time alone." I replied.

"Okay pal. Whatever you say. If you need help, just holler."

"Yeah. Will do." I replied, heading to mine, Carley's and Clem's room. Walking in, I saw my red shirt hung over the chair and my leather jacket thrown on the floor. I dressed slowly, allowing myself more time to think. Once dressed appropriately, I walked outside, turning my collar up.

"Hey! Has anyone seen my gun?!" I called, noticing the faint buzz of conversation.

"Yeah. Your girlfriend can give you one." Lilly teased, glaring.

"Hey Car. Can you pass me your Glock?" I asked, earning a glare and a thunk to the head. I picked up the gun, all the while rubbing my head. Checking I had ammo, I walked out of the Motor-inn gates, relishing the alone time.