Side-by-Side

Chapter 31

Walkers are still banging against the doors and windows that are covered by the debris that everyone put up while the rest of us are all sitting in the basement of the house we decided to camp in for a while. Guess it wasn't as safe as we thought it was going to be.

Judith was still sleeping soundlessly, to our fortune, and was recently handed over back to dad. Everyone took a seat around and huddled in small groups.

Dad, Michonne, Carl, Judith, and Carol were sitting a little ways from us.

Hershel,  Maggie, Beth, and Glenn were towards my left side.

Merle, and Daryl, were to my right, right beside me and Chase was cradled into Daryl's lap with his head resting against his stomach.

We were all keeping our chatter to a minimum and have been seated for at least half hour now. No one knew how big the herd was, nor did we know whether most of them have pasted or not.

It was dark and damp in the basement, and the stench of death was apparent. I don't know if it's because of all the walkers outside, or if it is because there was a walker in the basement when we first raided the house. I just know that whichever one it is, it's making me nauseous.

"Are you okay?" Daryl whispered to me, placing his left hand over my growing tummy as his right was running through Chase's hair.

"I'm a bit nauseous." I admit, swallowing.

"Merle, hand me that bucket."

Merle stood up and walked to the other side of the room to retrieve the bucket, bring it to us and setting it to the left of me. He ruffles my hair a bit before taking a seat in front of me.

"If you need to puke, you puke there." Merle laughed.

"Thanks Merle." I place my face in my hands and try to swallow back some of the saliva that is building up.

I didn't want to puke right now, not in front of everyone, but this morning sickness is killing me. Tears sprung into my eyes and I was already hunched over the bucket, heaving up the smallest particles that were in my stomach. Daryl was rubbing my back as I purged and Chase looked mortified. 

"Are you okay?" He asks quietly, his green eyes sparking in the little light that is provided from the small window. 

"Yes, hun. I am okay." 

"Are you sick?" He questions again, scooting closer to Daryl as if he didn't want to catch the cooties. 

"No. Girls who are pregnant tend to throw up because the baby doesn't like what they eat." 

Chase nodded his head and came closer to me. He leaned his head on my small bump and placed his hand over it. 

"Can she hear me?" 

"Maybe, but you know, it could be a baby boy too right?"

"Yes, I know. But I want a little sister." I stared down at Chase as he said that. 

He wants a little sister, I mouthed to Daryl and he nodded his head looking down at Chase too. He wants a little sister... A little sister... A  sister... 

Chase is old enough to know that Daryl and I are not his parents, and he is smart enough to know that we will never actually be his parents... But the fact that he thinks of us as his parents, (though spoken indirectly) brings joy to me. 

"Yeah, bud. I hope you get a little sister too. But don't be too disappointed if you get a brother." 

"I won't." 

Everything seemed to be falling into place. Everything seemed to be going good. I was happy, Chase, Daryl, Merle were happy. The group was happy. 

There was a huge bang upstairs, and by the time everyone was on their feet, the door to the basement was opened. 

"Is there anyone down there?"