Apocalyptic Love

Chapter 24 Welcome to the World

The following morning, Rick woke up alone. At first, he was confused, then he remembered the events of the day before and sat up, “Carl,” He muttered.

Rick had to check on his son. He knew that Carl would be devastated over his mother's death, and he needed to check on his daughter. Rick quickly got dressed and went to Carl's cell. When Rick got there, he found Carl asleep, cuddled with Kagome and Kirara. Rick sighed; that explained why Kagome wasn't with him when he woke up.

As quietly as he could, Rick snuck away to find his daughter and see how she was doing; Rick went to the communal area and found Beth feeding his daughter while Sophia and Amy looked on. Beth looked at Rick and smiled, “How's she doing?” Rick asked.

“She's good. She has a healthy appetite,” Beth told him with a smile.

When the baby finished her bottle, Rick took her from Beth and patted her back until the baby burped. He cradled her in his arms and stared at her. She was a beautiful baby, and Rick's heart swelled with love for his little girl. He started rocking her until she fell asleep; once she was sleeping, Amy took the baby and put her in the makeshift crib they had for her.

Hershel walked towards Rick and put his hand on Rick's shoulder, “How are you holding up,” Hershel asked.

“I'm okay. I'm more worried about Carl, though.”

Hershel nodded, “Where is he?”

“He's still asleep with Kagome and Kirara,” Rick told the group.

“Can we trust that cat with him?” Daryl asked.

“Man, if it weren't for that cat, I'd have been bit yesterday,” T-Dog replied, “Besides, you remember the stories that Kagome told us about her. She's trustworthy.”

“What I want to know is, what is she doing here, and how did she find Kagome?” Dale asked.

“We'll probably never know,” Amy said, “But I'm glad she did.”

Everyone agreed. The group sat there in silence for a moment until Rick cleared his throat, “Do, do you know what happened to Lori's body?”

Hershel put his hand on Rick's shoulder, “You don't have to worry about that, Rick. We took care of her. She's buried in the field. We'll have a proper service for her when you and Carl are up to it.”

Rick nodded and sniffled. He may not have loved Lori, but she was still the mother of his children, and he knew that it was going to tear Carl up not to have his mother with him. Rick could only hope that Kagome could ease his son's grief.

Back in Carl's cell, Carl woke up to Kirara licking his tears away and Kagome's arms wrapped tightly around him. He cuddled with Kirara and buried his face in her fur, and cried. Carl cried not only for the loss of his mother but because of the guilt Carl felt about how he had treated her the last couple of months. Even though Carl was happy that his dad was with Kagome now, he still resented that Lori had cheated on his dad with Shane in the first place. Carl could have understood if it had happened after they thought Rick was dead, but to know that the affair was going on before his dad was shot was inexcusable. So, he acted out towards his mother, and now Carl would never take back how he treated her.

Carl sobbed into Kirara's coat when he thought of his mother. He suddenly felt Kagome's arms tighten around him, “Baby, your mom wasn't mad at you. She knows you were angry with her for what happened. Lori never took it to heart.”

Carl sniffled and turned around, “How do you know, Kagome?”

“Because we talked about it. Lori told me that she didn't blame you at all for feeling the way that you did, that it was only natural.”

Tears started running down Carl's face, “I never got a chance to apologize to her, Kagome. I never told her how much I loved her.”

“Oh, Carl, Lori knew you loved her. You didn't have to tell her. And she loved you with all of her heart.”

Carl smiled through his tears, “Thank you, Kagome.”

“Anytime, Baby. Now, do you want to sleep some more, or do you want to go see your sister?” Kagome asked as she wiped away Carl's tears.

“Can Kirara come?” Carl asked, looking down at the Neko.

Kirara looked up at the little boy and mewed, then licked his face.

“Of course she can,” Kagome told the little boy she considered her son.

Carl nodded, then untangled himself from Kagome. Kirara jumped down from the bed and waited for him to stand up. Once Carl was on his feet, Kirara jumped onto his shoulder. Carl held his hand out to Kagome and helped her off the bed. They walked hand in hand to the communal area where everyone was having breakfast. The group stopped eating when they heard the door open, and Carl, Kagome, and Kirara enter. Rick made a beeline for his son and brought him into a hug.

“How you doing, son?”

“I'm okay, Dad, sad, but I'm okay,” Carl mumbled into his dad's stomach.

They hugged for a little while, then Kagome came over and led Carl to the table where she served him some breakfast. He smiled up at her, and she ran her fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead. While Carl ate his breakfast, Kirara jumped down from his shoulder and began to eat the food that Kagome had set out for her as well. Kagome then served herself and Rick some food, and they sat down on either side of Carl and ate.

Once they were finished, Kagome asked Rick where the baby was, “She's asleep right now. Beth gave her a bottle and put her to bed.”

Kagome nodded, “When she wakes up, I'll examine her to see if she's in good health. And Carl would like to see his sister,” Kagome said and ran her fingers through Carl's hair.

The little boy looked up from his breakfast and smiled at Kagome. They sat in silence and ate their meal until Rick and Kagome heard the baby start to fuss. Rick went to the makeshift crib to pick up his daughter while Kagome went to grab her medical bag. Carl and Kirara followed Kagome, he had become a little clingy with Kagome, but that was understandable. After Kagome got her bag, she met Rick back in the communal area and took the baby from him. She smiled and cooed at the sight of the baby, “She's so beautiful. Carl, do me a favor and lay out the blanket on the table so I can examine her, please.”

Carl nodded and did what Kagome told him to do. Kagome laid the baby down and began to examine her. She checked her heart and lungs, the baby's tummy and reflexes, her eyes, mouth, and ears. Kagome also flared her aura to make sure that there was nothing else wrong with the baby that she couldn't detect with her examination. All she found was that the baby was happy and healthy despite her traumatic birth.

Rick and Carl stood by and waited anxiously for Kagome to finish, “Is she alright, Kagome?” Carl asked.

Kagome swaddled the baby and smiled at Carl, “She's right as rain, Carl, she perfectly healthy and happy. Would you like to hold your sister?”

Carl's blue eyes brightened, and he nodded. Kagome carefully handed the infant over to Carl, reminding him to support her head. Carl looked down at his sister and smiled, “She's so pretty, Dad.”

“Yeah, she is, Son.”

“What's her name?”

“You know, with everything that's happened, I haven't thought of one. Why don't you name her?”

Carl looked up at his dad with wide eyes, “Really?”

“Yes, of course,” Rick said with a smile.

Carl looked down at his baby sister and thought for a moment and then smiled, “How about Judith?”

Rick and Kagome looked at each other, “That's a beautiful name, Carl,” Kagome commented.

“Yeah, it is. Okay, then. We'll name her Judith,” Rick said.

Carl kissed his sister's forehead, “Welcome to the world, Judith Grimes.”