The next chapter is here! Enjoy :)
Kristin awoken sometime later to her infant daughter's soft whines.
She opened her eyes and looked over and up and saw Galen gently rocking her, trying to soothe her. It worked a little, but her whines have yet to die down.
"I think she's hungry, Galen." Kristin told him from where she lay.
His gaze shifted from their daughter to her, when he heard her voice and noted she was awake.
"I think you may be right." Galen replied.
Kristin slowly sat up. She was still a little tired, but much better than she was earlier and had some more energy now.
"How are you feeling?" Galen asks.
"Much better." She says, with a small smile.
Lily's whines started to become a little louder.
Kristin's eyes shifted to her their friends sitting across from them near the small fire.
"Hey, you two mind turning around for a few moments? I need to lift my shirt up and feed her." She said.
"We actually were going to go out and refill our waterskins. Would you like us to take yours and Galen's to refill?" Alan asked.
"Yeah, thanks." She replied.
Alan came over and then took both of their waterskins. He and Pete then left with them to go to a nearby strea to refill them and to give the family a little privacy.
Kristin then lifted up one side of her shirt. She pulled her arm through the left sleeve, then reached behind her to unclip her bra and pull it down just enough to release her left breast.
Once she was ready, she motioned for Galen to hand their daughter over.
He carefully handed the fussing infant over to her mother. Kristin brought her to her swollen breast and tried to get her to latch on. It took a few tries at first.
But then Lily was able to latch onto a nipple and started to suckle.
Kristin then felt something being draped over her shoulders. She noticed that Galen had draped a blanket over her shoulders and brought it around a little.
"To help give you a little privacy." He told her.
She nodded, then leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Thank you." She said.
Galen smiled then leaned in and pressed a small kiss to her forehead.
He scooted in closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. While Kristin leaned into his side. Galen tilted his head down and rested his cheek against the side of her head.
His gaze trailed down to his daughter, who was nestled against Kristin's breast, nursing from her. He reached up and lightly ran his fingertips over her soft, dark hair.
Galen pressed a small kiss to the side of Kristin's head.
He smiled when he felt her shift a little beneath him and press her lips to his cheek. Before she rested the side of her forehead against his cheek and muzzle once more.
"You did an amazing job earlier before." He said softly.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"I doubt I could've done it without you there with me." She replied.
"You were never going to be alone for the birth. I promised I'd be with you no matter what. It was quite an amazing experience if I do say so myself. My only regret was that I couldn't do more for you for your pain." He admitted.
"Being able to see her, the pain was more than worth it." Kristin told him, as her eye never strayed from their baby girl, who was still happily suckling her meal.
"Can't believe we're parents. It just feels so surreal and amazing." He told her, his eyes also on their infant daughter.
"Yeah. I know what you mean." Kristin says.
Even though Alan and Pete finished refilling the waterskins within five minutes, they decided to sit and wait outside of the cave to continue giving the family privacy while Kristin nursed her infant.
They figured they give her another fifteen minutes or so, before they ask if they can come back in.
Back inside the cave, the happy parents continued to quietly chat with each other while their baby nursed. They were thinking ahead, and thinking about raising their daughter in safety in a safe place away from those that were hunting them and trying to hurt them.
"I promise, Kristin. I will take good care of both you and Lily when we arrive back at Kaymac and settle in." Galen assured her.
"I believe you. But...what are we going to do as far as work goes and supporting ourselves?" She asked.
"Just remember, this isn't like your time. We don't have to trade currency here for goods. We all play a part in society. Besides...there was something else Barlow mentioned to me while we were back in the last village during that horse race." He told her.
"What? What else did he tell you?" She inquired.
Galen was silent for a moment, before speaking.
"During one of our talks, Barlow mentioned to me that he would like to take me on as an apprentice if we were to settle in Kaymac. And when he's ready to retire or step down, he...wants to make me the next prefect of Kaymac." Galen admitted.
Kristin's eyes widened a little. While she knew Galen developed a friendship with the older chimp, she didn't have no idea that Barlow held Galen in that high of regard. Still, there were other challenges to consider.
"But...how can he? When he knows you're a fugitive on the run and trying to hide?" Kristin asked.
"A prefect isn't always decided or selected by the council. If there is an ape that the current prefect thinks are right for the role in the future, they are entitled to select the next prefect." Galen informed her.
"While that is great and all, the council would still know if a fugitive were selected to be the next prefect of a village would they not?" Kristin inquired.
"Perhaps, but it could be years before we even get there. And by then, we could have already made a difference by then." He said.
"I hope you're right." She says.
Galen tightens his grip around her.
"Either way, we'll be alright." He assured her.
"I believe you. But let's just focus on getting to Kaymac first." She reminded him.
"We will, soon enough." Galen replied.
After another few minutes, Lily's suckling became weaker as she started to fall asleep more than halfway through her meal. Five minutes later, she stopped completely, falling asleep.
Kristin gently pulled her away from her breast. Then placed her against her front and started rubbing the tiny infant's back, trying to get her to burp.
"Would...you like me to do that, while you adjust your shirt?" Galen offered.
She was silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Thanks." Kristin said.
Then she gently handed Lily back to her father.
Galen had a soft smile on his face as he took her and held her close. Then he placed the tiny baby against his front and started to gently but firmly rub her back.
A couple minutes later, he heard a very audible burp come from the small infant.
Afterwards, he continued to hold her close to him. Lily was still fast asleep as she curled into her father's chest for warmth and comfort. Galen leaned in and kissed the top pf her head as she slept.
By then, Kristin was able to fix her shirt. Then she realized something.
"Alan and Pete have been gone for a while." She pointed out.
Galen hadn't realized it at first until Kristin said it.
He looked to the entrance and called out to them.
"Pete? Alan?" He called out.
Thankfully, not a few moments later, the two men came back in.
"What took you two so long?" Kristin asked.
"Was just giving you two some privacy." Alan answered.
"Oh, thanks. We're done now." She told them.
The astronauts came and sat down across from the small family.
"How you feeling, Kristin?" Alan asks.
"Much better. Thanks." She replied.
They were all silent for a moment, before anyone said anything.
"What...happens now?" Kristin added.
The two men shared a look before turning back to her and Galen.
"Well, when you're feeling strong enough, we'd like to get you back to the cart and continue our ride to Kaymac." Alan says.
"Sounds like a good plan to me." Kristin says.
"Don't rush it though. Take all the time you need to rest and get your strength back." Galen told her, as he continued cradling Lily close to him.
Kristin didn't say anything, she just slowly started to stand up.
She was a little wobbly at first. Galen stood up to help. He held out his free hand, to grasp her arm. Kristin briefly glanced at him and nodded.
"I'm ok, Galen." Kristin assured him.
He was hesitant to let go of her arm. But he nodded, and slowly released her arm from his grip.
Kristin took a few steps. The first couple were a little wobbly. But the next few, were stronger and steadier. She took some more steps, each one stronger than the last.
"I think, I'm ready when you guys are." She said, shifting her gaze to her two friends.
"No rush, Kristin." Alan reminded her.
"Really, I'm fine guys. The sooner we get to Kaymac, the better. And I will feel much better once we get Lily there safe and sound." Kristin stated.
The two men gave her a look.
"Fair enough. When you're ready, we'll start walking back to the horse and cart." Pete said.
"But are you really strong enough to do so?" Galen asked, concerned.
Kristin shifted her gaze to Galen.
"Yeah, really, I feel fine now. I think we should get going. It's not even that far. Only about seven minutes at the most, right? I think I can handle a seven-minute walk there." She replied.
Galen knew well enough to argue with her, she was very stubborn, this much he knew from the start. She also seemed quite steady on her legs and wasn't shaky.
He sighs, "Alright. But I want you to stay close to us, just in case you lose your footing and fall or get tired."
Kristin walked back to Galen and sat down next to him and their newborn.
"I know you worry. But I'll be fine. Really, I feel much better now. And as I said before, I just want us to get to Kaymac at this point as soon as possible." She told him.
Galen understood, he knew it was their best option for being safe. His gaze shifted to Lily in his arms, who was currently fast asleep after her meal, back to Kristin.
"Alright. If you're ready, we'll go." He replied.
"Ok, let's pack up our stiff then." Pete said.
The group did just that. Though, all they really had to pack up was a couple of blankets. Then the two men put out the small fire they made earlier.
"Alright, if we're ready, let's head out." Alan instructed.
Galen wrapped his free arm around Kristin's shoulders and held her in close to his side. While he held baby Lily in his other arm. Then he walked them out behind their two friends through the woods and back to the horse drawn cart.
As she stated, Kristin did well and kept up with everyone as they made their way through the brush and to the cart.
After a few minutes, they made it back to the cart. Alan got into the driver's seat once more. While Galen, Kristin, and Pete got into the cart with baby Lily.
Galen gently handed their daughter to Kristin to hold.
He sat back against the inner wall of the small cart. Kristin sat with baby Lily and leaned into Galen, who wrapped his arms around them. While Pete sat across from them.
Alan asked if everyone was situated and ready to go.
They all said yes, and Alan whipped the reins to get the horse going. He turned the cart around and headed back to the main road. It took several minutes, but he was able to get them there.
Then he resumed their journey.
The horse began a light trot down the dirt road. While the inhabitants relaxed in the back. The baby woke a little to the slight bumpiness of the ride. But Kristin and Galen just gently rocked her back to sleep.
At least for the most part, Lily was quite the heavy sleeper. Like her father. She settled into the rhythm of the drive and started to sleep through it as she slept against her mother's chest.
"Looks like she may be a heavy sleeper like you." Kristin teased.
Galen rolled his eyes.
"I'm not that heavy a sleeper. You just tend to exaggerate." Galen reminded her.
Kristin rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, sure. And I sleep like a rock, most days." She retorted.
Galen smirked in amusement, "Hardly, since you're a rather light sleeper."
"Don't remind me." Kristin muttered.
The chimp chuckled lightly at that.
The banter lasted for quite some time between them. Pete and Alan just found it amusing, since they really do banter like an old married couple. Something that was rather entertaining for them.
If anything, they were all just glad that the most challenging part of this journey was behind them. Now that baby Lily had been born.
Now, all they had left, was to just complete the journey back to Kaymac. With a little luck, they should be there in no time. As long as they don't hit any trouble on the road, they should be fine.
They haven't encountered anyone else on this vacant road yet. Hopefully, it stays that way until they arrive at their destination.
Galen and Kristin for the most part, kept their gaze on their child. Making sure she was comfortable during the journey. Kristin tried her best to wrap one of her absorbent cloths that Zantes gave to her around her newborn's bottom to catch any piss or shit.
Then made sure, Lily was swaddled properly. Though the blanket was rather loose around her. Seeing as it was very warm out.
Kristin would like to get Lily into some comfy clothes as soon as she can though when she arrives at the village. While Galen would like to write out a letter to send right away to his parents, informing them of their daughter's birth.
He knows, once they learn about it, they will be visiting Kaymac shortly, to see their granddaughter.
Galen now only hopes there will be a place for them to stay once they get there. Because the journey would sadly feel like it is for nothing if they don't have a home to call their own.
But for that to happen, their hopes lied with prefect Barlow himself.
If he is truly expecting Galen to return one day though, then he should at least have a place Galen and Kristin could stay with their infant daughter. Galen had to remind confident for all their sake, that there was even the minute chance of a vacant hut waiting for them all back in Kaymac.
Until Next Time ;)