The months passed not completely without incident. There was a small herd of walkers that found their way to the gate. It held them but their groaning was attracting more of them and no one could sleep knowing the only thing keeping them out was a pad lock that needed replacing. The walkers were taken out one by one with knives to keep the noise down. Afterwards the men went out to sweep the woods and found a lot more headed their way. With some quick foot work and a few well-shot flares they managed to get the lame brains to go in the opposite direction of the church. For a while Rick pondered what was bringing them towards the church in the first place. But then again there was no real rhyme or reason to them. It probably started out as just two of them following some sound as more and more joined in and they followed one another like lemmings looking for a cliff. But instead of a cliff they found a gate and fresh meat behind it. It was decided that they needed a secondary fence. Preferably with barbed wire. The church's fence was made out of rod iron and was more than sturdy but the herd had gotten too close.
Peaches was pushing eight months – with Andrea following not too far behind at four months. It was discovered that she and T-dog were expecting their first child one night about two months ago. Daryl had found some wine in a long forgotten cellar below the church and they were passing it around the dinner table. When Andrea refused, she broke the news to everyone's surprise including T-dog. She was so skinny she looked further along than she actually was. Her condition didn't stop her from cleaning guns and keeping watch though. She was very much the same Andrea. Everyone pretty much knew how to deliver a baby thanks to the books. They raided every pharmacy, baby store and home improvement store within a ten mile radius.
They were doing okay until someone followed Glenn and Tyrese back to the church. The group of people admitted it when Rick asked where they were going. He couldn't help but notice there were three young children with them. They were all huddled between a teenaged girl and a frail looking guy as Rick spoke with another man and woman who were apparently their leaders. Rick was reluctant to let them in but he found himself sympathetic to the children. They looked dirty, emaciated and exhausted. He hesitated when he heard Peaches behind him.
"What the fuck!" She exclaimed. The woman's eyes went wide when she recognized Peaches.
"God damn it." She hissed. Peaches snatched Merle's gun and pointed it at her.
"I told you I'd blow your head off the next time I saw you. And if you don't get your ass as far away from here in the next five seconds I will." Peaches yelled.
"Wait—" Rick started.
"Five…"
"Peaches, who is that woman?" Sasha asked.
"Four…"
"You can't just shoot her! She's not bitten!" The man huddled with the children shouted.
"Three…" Peaches ignored them and clicked the safety off.
"Put it down, Peaches." The lead man said like he knew her.
"You're next, you rat bastard…two…" She growled. Merle grabbed the barrel and pointed it down before she could pull the trigger. "God damn it – you traitorous, pig fucking, inbred, cracker! Let go!"
"You watch your mouth, woman." Merle warned her before he gave her a light tap on the cheek. "Cool your boots and explain yourself."
"These fuckers ain't coming in here! They're the reason I was stranded at the VFW with no ammo, no food or medicine." She said. Everyone looked at them. "After I stopped them from 'mercy killing' a Sergeant they knocked me out and locked me in a closet. I only got out because of the man they were going to kill – played dead until they were done looting the hospital of everything and stealing my fucking car!"
"Peach…they have children with them." Rick tried to reason with her.
"They're scum." She spat like she had never met anyone more despicable in her life.
"We'd let you in if it was you and your child standing on the other side." The woman said before she glanced down at Peaches' stomach.
"You are such a lying little shit—AH!" Peaches gasped and stooped over a bit. Carl was by her in a flash so she could lean on him.
"Peach – this ain't good for junior." Daryl whispered to her.
"The longer we stand here shouting the sooner the walkers are going to get us." The frail man said. The children gasped and clung to each other. Peaches took a deep breath before she righted herself. She really couldn't deny the kids but the look in her eye when she looked at the other two – well if looks could kill they'd burst into flames and be struck by lightening before being drowned in their own piss.
"…Put them in the visitor's center." She finally said. Tyrese unlocked the gate and ushered the people in quickly. Sasha and T-dog showed them the way to the moderately sized building out front that used to say 'Visitor's Welcome' before the sign fell off. They had put a few old cots and blankets in there just incase of this very situation.
"Thank you." The man said to Rick as they filed in. Rick just shut the doors and locked them with a chain from outside. "What are you doing?"
"You're safe in there. Sit tight. We'll be back with food and water." Rick said before he walked off with everyone else.
"Your blood pressure is through the roof." Katherine said as she took the velcrow band off Peaches arm. She turned off the little automatic machine and pushed it aside.
"No shit." She fumed.
"Well either calm down or you and junior will pop." Glenn said as he handed her a bottle of water.
"At least try to." Andrea said as she rubbed her hand. "Remember…calm." They had started their own lamas classes even though all they had to go on was what they saw in movies and tv shows. It involved a lot of deep breathing and laughing at themselves when they admitted they didn't know what the hell they were doing. Peaches chuckled at Andrea and let out a sigh.
"Fine." She said as she took a few sips of water.
"What the hell was that?" Rick asked when he stormed in the room.
"Dad, don't stress her out!" Carl said sternly. Rick looked at him for a second. He had really taken to protecting the pregnant women. Rick had a feeling they were bribing him with chocolate or something.
"The pair…their names are Caleb Banks and Linda Reid. They used to work with me at VFW." Peaches said as she settled a little. "Everything I said was true. They left me and those old veterans to die with no remorse – before anything was really official. They were always wolves in sheep's clothing, they were just waiting for their opportunities.
"So they're assholes – we've encountered those before." Glenn said with a shrug. "And worse."
"So if those gangsters you owed money to came strolling up… you would just let them in – knowing they once broke your wrist over a thousand dollars." Peaches said as she eyed him.
"I'd…um…forgive and forget." Glenn stammered.
"You'd get me to break their wrists." Daryl said – matter of fact. Glenn shrugged.
"But then again there are the other people with them…and the children." T-dog spoke up.
"There's a bathroom and plenty of food in the welcome center. They don't leave until the baby is out and I'm back on my feet." Peaches said. "And even after, they're not sleeping in the rectory – at least not on the same level as us."
"That's a bit much. They don't even have weapons." Sasha said.
"Sounds about right to me." Michone said. "They could be looking for some and we have good ones, in spades." She touched the handle of her katana before she glanced at Daryl's crossbow. They still had quite a few guns and ammo, not to mention a plethora of knives and machetes. "Given their history, they can't be trusted." Rick looked around and it seemed everyone agreed.
"Fine. We need to reinstate the watch duty. The roof of the Welcome center is the perfect lookout – it has a ladder and you'll be able to hear what they're doing." Rick said.
"Someone needs to be in the halls up here too." Carl pointed out.
"Do we still have those yellow walkie-talkies?" Tyrese asked as he looked around the kitchen. T-dog found them in a drawer and they tested them out.
"Feel better?" Merle asked as he put his hand on Peaches' shoulder. Carl gave him a look and he stuck out his tongue at the kid. Peaches just grunted.
Peaches tried not to jump when Merle came up behind her and put his hand on her belly – his bare stump just sliding along the side. It felt good when he rubbed it slowly. Top, to the center to underneath and then back up again. "Hey mama." He whispered in her ear before he nuzzled behind it. He was quiet but the baby still kicked at the sound of his voice. Peaches knew it was mostly that her heart had speed up and the rush of blood had woken it up. Merle lifted her shirt so he could see it. After a moment her skin tented out near her navel. He pushed against it gently for a second until another bulge popped up on the other side. "He is all riled up."
"After everything today I'd be worried if it wasn't." She said. "You said he...You think it's a boy?"
"Your belly is perfectly round…looks like you're smuggling a basket ball under your shirt. Book says round belly equals boy. Now if your nose had gotten wide…er—" She tossed him a look over her shoulder. "It'd be a girl."
"Mm hmm…" She hummed as he continued to gently rub her. She swayed a bit and leaned her head back on his shoulder. Enjoying the feel of his breath on her neck. She shifted one hand up the back of his neck and into the soft curls on the back of his head. Her revelry was broken when he gently bit her ear and moved his hand up to her breast.
"What are you doing?" She asked as she moved away from him.
"What?" he asked.
"You want to screw around? While I'm like this?" she asked as she gestured at her protruding bump. Merle looked down at it before glancing up at her breasts.
"Hell yeah." He answered. "Those puppies have gone up at least three sizes." She looked down at them too before she glanced at him. "Are you lactating yet?" he asked. She lifted an eyebrow.
"A neo-nazi, racist redneck who likes black pussy, feet and…pregnant women." She said – smiling a little at the contradiction that was Merle Dixon.
"No, I'm far more specific than that. I like your black pussy. Your feet. You – pregnant." He said as he pulled his shirt over his head. "And my neck is only red cause I got a sun burn." They got situated on the bed and he grabbed her legs and pulled her onto her back away from the pillows. She gasped when he brought her knees up and to his sides.
"We can't be as rough as we usually are." She said – already breathing heavy from the anticipation. Merle always had a way of surprising her and shattering her expectations.
"Okay." He said as he ran his hand down her thigh. He took a few seconds to gently rub her belly before moving up to her breasts. "Oh shit, they don't even fit in my hand anymore." He was almost giddy.
"Merle, they've never been able to fit in your hand." She pointed out as she squirmed a little. She hoped he remembered her lesson about 'the larger they were, the more sensitive they were'.
"I know but now. Woo!" He said. He bucked into her when her ass grazed over his crotch. He pulled her dress off and made quick work of her bra. She let out a sigh of relief when he did – the damn thing didn't really fit right anymore. Her panties were also discarded. "God damn." He had only seen her naked a handful of times since she started showing and all those had been fleeting. Now he got a good look at her. She was still shaped the same – all tits and hips and ass but now she had this almost perfectly round belly. Her navel had already popped out and she had a few dark stretch marks but her skin was still nice and smooth. "God damn it." He cursed as he got off the bed quickly. She was worried for a second until she saw he was only aggravated that his clothes were still on. He quickly undressed and took his place between her legs again. Just the skin on skin contact had Peaches moaning. She had been so irritable for the last few weeks. And she tried not to laugh about the fact it was because of something so simple. Their days were full of planning and their nights – well most of the time when Merle got back to their room she was already asleep. This combined with all the other shit that happened over the last few days added up to four months without sex.
"You're nipples are huge!" he blurted out.
"Thanks." She said flatly. She tried not to moan when he pressed his index finger into one.
"They are like awesome little 'suck me' targets." He said before he leaned over her and closed his lips around one.
"Oh…" she melted into the mattress. Tingles and fire running through her as Merle licked over one breast then the other. He was balanced on his stump, his abdomen barely grazing her stomach. He eased back – his mouth making a slight smacking sound as he let go of her breast. "Merle."
"Yeah babe?" He looked up at her and moved closer when she pulled him into a kiss. He cupped her face and devoured her mouth. The kiss lasted longer than usual but he knew he wouldn't be able to reach her mouth once he was inside. "Mm…I'll kiss you all you want when we're done – right now I'm dying to—
"Me too." She pushed him up and he settled between her legs. "Ah!" she gasped when he pushed in – slow and not stopping until he was flush against her. She couldn't see what he was doing around her belly but it felt amazing.
"Shit…you better loosen up if you wanna get a baby through this." He joked as he bucked a little. She could feel his hand trembling on her knee – hear the wavering in his voice. He was overwhelmed. She just arched a little and moaned. When he started his rhythm she gripped the sheets and keened. She wasn't expecting it to be so good. She knew their sex was always good but the months had really gotten her wound up. She was reminded of the first time they were together. What it felt like to be filled so completely. Forgetting about everything as Merle sent her higher and higher. Since he couldn't reach her breasts he rubbed over her clit with his thumb.
"Merle!" She tossed her head back and tried not to squeeze her legs too tight around him. He leaned on his stump and put his hand on her belly. "Ah!" She couldn't believe how much he loved it. For some reason she thought it might turn him off but he seemed to be reveling in being able to have sex with her while she was pregnant. It made a little sense – it might be the only chance he got. And he had said that it didn't matter as long as it was her. "Merle I love you!" She gasped when she felt him kiss her stomach. He looked up at her, smiling despite his desire to grit his teeth in pleasure.
"Love you too, Peach." Merle said as he went back to rubbing her clit. "Come for me and show me how much you love big Merle."
"Ah fuck!" She screamed. He ran his tongue over his teeth when he felt her convulse around him.
"So damn good…baby's never gonna get out this tight…wet…pussy—oh shit yes!" he groaned and went still as he came. His high started to subside and he pulled out a little quick when he realized what he had done. "Oh shit, oh shit." He cursed as he looked down at her a little lost. She just put her hand on top of his.
"It's okay." She calmed him. "Remember, it's like the baby is in a different 'room' – that won't hurt him, or get on him or anything else." Merle sighed and enjoyed the rest of his high as he laid down next to her. Turns out he was still a little ignorant on the 'technical specs' of pregnancy. He had been exposed to a lot of old wives tales in his youth that still worried him today.
"Still a little weird." He said as he patted her stomach gently. He smirked when he got a half hearted kick from the baby – like he wanted to get one out before he drifted off to sleep. "Takes some getting used to." She nuzzled his neck to distract him. "Got you feeling good though huh?"
"Mm-hmm." She moaned as she cupped his jaw. As promised he kissed her – they pretty much made out like teenagers. He played with her, stroking his fingers inside her slowly – not to get her off just to let her feel it. He settled in so she could sleep on her back while resting her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her loosely – idly stroking the side of her stomach with his thumb. "What do you think of Henry?"
"Who's he? The squirrelly guy in the new group?" He asked. She chuckled.
"As a name. For the baby." She specified.
"Oh!" He thought about it. "It's fine. You think it's a boy?"
"You want a girl?" She answered his question with another question.
"I want a baby with all it's fingers and toes, no deformities or brain problems that'll make it an easy target for walkers when it's older." He said. She glanced up at him. "But I was thinking…Emma Jay was a good combination." He looked at her for a second. "What's your middle name?" She tried not laugh – they had gotten this far without even learning each other's full names.
"Nicole." She answered. He let out a chuckle.
"So your name was Peaches Nicole Garner?" He asked. "Was your mom high or something?"
"Probably. She really liked Bob Marley." She answered. She took the dog tags in her hand and looked at it. "So I'm guessing the J. actually stands for 'Jay'. Merle Jay Dixon?"
"Right." He said. "Merle Jay and Daryl Lee – can you tell we were trailer trash?" They were silent for a second. "I like Jameson for a boy."
"Jameson Jay?"
"Jameson Garner – J. Garner Dixon. Sounds like a writer."
"Or an actor." Peaches joked. "Y'know Garner isn't my maiden name."
"Doesn't matter – it's how I know you." He shrugged.
"So either Emma Jay or Jameson Garner." She yawned and turned her head more towards his chest. He looked down when he heard her snoring. He kissed the top of her head and let his mind drift. He remembered sitting in the hospital room with his mother, curled in the bed beside her as they both looked down at a rosy cheeked, blue eyed new born. She had asked him what they should name him. Merle, being only twelve blurted out 'Kawasaki!'. He was a little disappointed when his mother named him after one of her favorite singers. Back then he had not been a fan of Hall and Oates.
