Killer ↠ 10K | Z Nation

32. The End

Tommy's POV

Four years have passed, and so many things have changed between the two of them.

Now three.

I loved Bexley the moment I laid eyes on her, when she opened her car door and ushered me into safety. A dishelved young girl like myself, mourning the loss of our only remaining parent. We only had each other, until the group. Then we had Warren, Doc, Addy and the others. Still, it felt like us against the world.

"Persephone, we don't put that in our mouth," Bex says, trying desperately to get our daughter to eat the food she brought on the picnic and not the ants crawling on the checkered blanket. Zona had done something to reverse the red hue of her skin, but her red hair is bright in the direct sunlight, something that our daughter also inherited.

"Giving mommy a hard time, huh?" I ask, picking up the almost two year old and tossing her the air a few times. She squeals, yelling daddy. I put her down, trying to coax her into eating her food. Of course, she listens to me, much to her mother's annoyance.

"Daddy's girl, much?" Bex grumbles, biting into her own sandwich. I cover a laugh by eating my own food.

We had adamantly decided to not have kids during the apocalypse, though I could see how much Citizen Z and Kaya's son had an effect on Bexley. Then, one day I came home to her crying and showing me an expired pregnancy test that read positive. Of course, neither of us could believe it and went to Sun Mei, who then further confirmed it with a blood test.

Now here we are, blessed with Persephone. Bexley came up with the name originally. She said it meant bringer of death, which a bit morbid for a child, seemed to fit our family perfectly.

"What are you thinking about?" Bex asks, staring into my soul.

"You," I reply. She turns red, looking away. Since the rise of NewMerica and Georgia St. Claire, things have been peaceful, especially with being able to mostly reverse the Zs.

"Aww, isn't this cute," a new voice pipes in, walking over to us. Addy leans down and picks up Persephone. "How's my favorite little ass kicking god-daughter?"

"Language," Bex reminds her, offering a sandwich.

"Please, wait until I tell her all the adventures her mommy and daddy had."

"There you guys are," Doc says, coming over to us. "Was just out gardening for a bit and lost track of time."

"Gardening?" I ask, grinning. "In a car or your RV?"

"I'll have you know it was a tent with others. Sharing is caring." Doc takes a sandwich, sitting down. He winks at Persephone who giggles. He's become somewhat of a hippie grandpa to our daughter, which we appreciate. The more love she can have around her, the better.

"And how's my grand-neice!"

"Aww fuck," Bex mutters.

"Language," I remind her.

"You didn't say that last night," she responds, wiping our daughter's face.

"Oh, is the golden couple squabbling," Murphy asks smirking, taking a sandwich out of the basket. We have both forgiven him over the years and after the loss of Lucy, he seemed to have a void that was only filled by Persephone. I try to remind Bexley that people can change but she's not the first one to easily forgive or forget.

"So," Addy starts, looking at Bex. "Did you accept the position with St. Claire?"

"Not yet."

"And why the hell not?" Murphy asks. "The people want you in it. You saved their asses while pregnant."

Addy covers Persephone's ears playfully.

"Because maybe I want a break?" she says, looking over at me for support.

I nod, but inside I want her to accept the position. She's so smart and we still have so much planning for the new world. Angles that haven't even been considered that I know she'd figure out.

"Maybe just consider it?" Doc asks carefully. "You could always step down later if it's too much."

She flips her hair over her shoulder. "Maybe."

***

We head to the town hall meeting a few weeks later, Kaya watching Persephone in her daycare.

"I'm stepping out of the running," Gregory says, looking at Bexley.

"As am I," Susan, an older woman with greying hair, adds. "It's time for us old folks to leave this to you younguns."

Georgia balks. "Then no one is running."

"Bexley," Addy pipes. "I nominate Bexley."

"As do I," Doc adds, then Murphy echoes him.

"Do we want to hold the vote now?" Georgia asks, looking around at the people present.

"Raise your hand if you're in favor of Bexley Rollins for Defense Strategy."

All hands go up, including my own.

"That settles it. Bexley Rollins is the new Defense Strategist."

They dismiss the townhall meeting and Bex marches over to Georgia, exchanging heated words. Warren steps in as I approach.

"Sometimes the mission takes precedence to your break," Roberta says, staring at her hard. "A break could mean death. You want your daughter to grow up in a safe world? Well, we need people like you to step up and make that happen."

Bex stares down for a moment before nodding. "I accept this position."

We head over to the daycare to get Persephone.

"Do you really think I'm up for this?" she asks me. I intertwine my hand into hers.

"Of course. There's no one better than you."

"I'm so exhausted, Tommy," she says turning to me. "My body wants to give up."

I stop, turning to her. "You have me to help carry whatever burdens you need me to." I pull her into a hug. "I've always been here but you were too damn stubborn to let me help."

She pulls back, smiling. "I thought I had to protect you."

"And I was protecting you."

"Not very killer of you," she replies, grinning.

"Make no mistake," I tell her seriously, lightly grabbing her chin. "I'd kill for you. I'd kill for Persephone."

She blushes. "I'd do the same."

"We were never killers, Bex. We were survivors. We still are. You aren't to blame for your mom, just as I'm not for my dad."

"I know," she says, looking away. "It made me feel tough, that we were ruthless, but we were just kids."

"We did pretty good as kids," I tell her. "You'll never be alone again. You have family now."

She pulls my lips in, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"One more thing," I say, pulling away.

"Anything."

"Will you marry me?"