A Second Chance

Chapter 5

"Fuck!" I shouted, hitting a nearby tree. My Glock was in the back of my pants. So was Carley's pregnancy test. "How the fuck could this happen?! They spent months at a fucking pharmacy!"

I suddenly heard the sound of twigs snapping. My head snapped around as I raised my gun. A rabbit streaked past, allowing me to calm down.

"Get a grip, Lee." I scolded, keeping the handgun out. I began walking fast. Hours passed, walking in no particular direction. I then realized where I was. I had reached the crash site. The police cruiser still laid there, virtually untouched. I decided to check it out. Shuffling over, I saw that it was empty. I silently opened the door and searched through my belongings. Suddenly, my hand came into contact with something papery.

"Probably the divorce papers." I muttered, opening it up. I was wrong. It was mine and my ex-wife's wedding rings. I poured the contents into my hand, running a thumb over the trinkets. I felt warm tears flow, stinging my cold cheeks. How could she do that to me? We had been married for so long. I had loved her. She had loved me. It was all a lie.

"Come on, motherfucker. Stop this bullshit." I chastised, stuffing the rings in my pocket. I stood and continued walking. I began running, one thing on my mind.

Carley's POV

I looked up to see if Kenny saw anything. He had offered to take the rest of my shift because I had run to be sick. I subconsciously ran a hand gently over my stomach. Then it hit me. What had I done? I had let my baby's father go into that damned forest without company. I was such a bad girlfriend. I was going to be a bad mother. He had been gone for hours. Probably to hunt or take his anger out on something. I don't know how it had gotten to this. He probably hated me.

"Hey! Carley!" I heard Kenny shout, waving down from atop the RV. My eyes snapped up to be greeted by a smile. "He' s back."

"Lee!" Clementine shouted, obviously overhearing what Kenny said.

"Clementine! Don't leave the-" I said, only to have her run to meet him. "Inn."

Lee's POV

"Lee!" Clementine shouted, running into my open arms.

"Hey sweet-pea. How's everyone?" I greeted, picking up the rucksack I had with me.

"Everyone's good! I drew you a picture when you were gone!" She buzzed, dragging me along behind her.

"Woah! Slow down!" I laughed, letting her hand go to shift the dumpster back into place.

"Hey, Pal!" I heard Kenny shout.

"Yeah buddy!" I acknowledged, looking up slightly and wiping my brow of sweat.

"You're in trouble with the missus." He chuckled, flicking his head to the left. I looked over and saw Carley sitting in her lawn chair, a hand resting on her abdomen. I inwardly winced, knowing that my child, our child, was currently residing there.

"Got it." I replied, chuckling slightly. I saw everyone staring at my rucksack with confused looks on their faces.

"What's in there Lee?" Clementine asked, cocking her head slightly to the side.

"Well, it's a surprise for you; for your birthday." I replied, chuckling at her facial expression.

"How'd you know it's coming up?" She asked excitedly.

"That's for me to know and you to find out." I chuckled, tapping her nose lightly. I noticed that she had a piece of paper clutched in her tiny hands, hidden behind her back. "What's that you got there?"

"It's for you." She replied, looking slightly embarrassed. She held it out to me, opening it up.

"Aw, Clem. I love it." I praised, bringing her in for a hug. Truly, I did love it. It was of Clementine, Carley and I. The cartoon Clementine was perched on top of my shoulders with Carley holding my hand. We all had huge smiles on our faces. We stood in front of a square, yellow house and watched as the bees flew around.

"Really? It doesn't look dumb?" She asked, biting her lip gently.

"Heck no! I'll keep it right here forever. Okay?" I assured, folding it and putting it in the top pocket of my shirt.

"Thanks Lee!" She said, running away to play with Duck. I watched them for a while, just thinking about how good my life was. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Carley walk into our bedroom. Slowly, I followed her. Opening the door, I was met with a heart-breaking sight. Carley was curled up on the bed, crying silently. I sat down gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"When were you going to tell me?" I asked softly, feeling her tense.

"I… I was scared. I was going to take the morning after pill. I just couldn't. How do you know?" She replied, looking at me through red-rimmed eyes.

"I found your test in the bathroom." I said softly, grabbing it from my pocket. I held it up for her, showing her it.

"How could you have? It was hidden underneath paper. Unless you decided to root about for a while." She replied, confusion etched across her face.

"You kinda used all of the toilet paper to cover it. I saw it was clean and got some." I explained, removing my hand as she sat up.

"Well…What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be running scared?" She asked sarcastically, evidently hurt by the way I had acted that morning.

"I'm here because I love you. You are carrying my baby. I couldn't think of anywhere better to be right now." I sighed, coming clean to her. "I'm sorry about this morning. I was scared as shit."

"Hey, I overreacted. I'm sorry for not telling you." She sniffed, wiping her eyes gently.

"Oh baby, it's fine. I actually have something to give you." I said, producing the envelope from my pocket.

"Um…why would I need an envelope?" She asked, chuckling slightly.

"It's what's in the envelope." I said, urging her to open it. "Go on."

"Oh, Lee!" She said, watching the rings tumble into her hand. A diamond engagement ring, a woman's wedding ring and my wedding ring. "Where did you get these?"

"I went back to the crash I was in. I searched through my old stuff, hence the rucksack. That envelope was in my old jacket. I went to Clem's old house, too. I got her birthday present." I replied, taking my ring in my hand.

"These were yours?" She asked, examining them in awe.

"Well, this one was," I said, holding up my ring. It was slightly thicker than the others and was made of gold. It was worn in, owing to the fact that I never took it off. I then gestured to the ones in her hands. "Those, however, belonged to my lovely wife."

"Lee, you don't have to do this, you know?" She stated, obviously picking up on my sarcasm.

"I know. I want to. It's more of a promise, really. That's why I want you to wear the band. I'll wear mine." I explained, taking her hands into mine.

"Oh, Lee. Of course I will." She replied, kissing me forcefully.

"I love you." I said, hugging her close.

"I love you too. Now, am I going to have to put this ring on myself?" She asked, chuckling slightly.

"Of course not, smalls." I replied, slipping it on her slender finger and chuckling at her mock-angry face.

"Don't call me small, Everett." She warned, slipping mine on. I grabbed her and kissed her as passionately as I could.