Querencia

Part 2

The Doc, who I had learned was named Hershel, had ordered me to bed rest for a whole twenty-four hours. He said that it was to monitor how the mother and the baby were doing. Fortunately, I had some company to entertain me.

Beth had been by my side for most of the day. She had been tasked with taking care of Edmund. Throughout the day she and I had gotten well acquainted with each other. I found out that she was seventeen. Also, she used to babysit.

I told her how I had gone to college to become a teacher. I mentioned that I ended up dropping out because I didn't have enough money. Beth told me that before the world ended, she hadn't fully decided whether she wanted to go or not. Then I told her about how I met Derek and how he died. She had squeezed my shoulder.

"Do ya miss him?" Beth suddenly let out.

"Yes. He was my first love, but I've had some time and I'm over it."

"What do ya mean?" Beth's lifted her eyes to meet mine. She had her brows furrowed and a small frown on her lips.

"I was out there, alone, for a long time. The time let me think and as the days passed, I came to terms with his death. It also made me think about how I would die. I always figured it'd be in childbirth, but thanks to Daryl, not only do I get to live, but my child does too." A small smile formed on my lips.

I watched as Beth slipped into her mind. There was a long pause as she thought over something. Suddenly, she came out of her thoughts.

"I don't know what I'd do if my boyfriend were to die."

I frowned. What could she mean? It's been a while since the world ended and communication has been down just as long. How could she possibly know if her boyfriend was alive?

"How do you know if he's alive?"

She giggled a little, "He's here on the farm. It was the third day after the world ended and he came rushing into the farm. I was overjoyed to see that he was still alive. He had come to the farm to see if I was too."

"That makes a lot more sense." After a moment we both started to giggle. Man, it felt good to have a lighthearted moment again.

After our talk, Beth eventually had to go to sleep. Edmund had been put to bed sometime during our talk. With goodnights exchanged, Beth was out the door heading to her room.

~~~~~~

It was the next morning. I got up and walked to the old crib Edmund was in laying in. Hershel was kind enough to lend me the crib they had used for Beth. I picked up my son and sat down in the chair next to it. I began feeding Edmund.

Suddenly Beth appeared. "Daddy said that you're able to go outside now," Beth announced as she leaned on the door frame.

"Okay, thanks, Beth." The girl walked off and I focused on the task at hand.

After Edmund was full, I had burped him. Soon after, I got both of us dressed. Someone yesterday must have gone out and grabbed a few baby clothes. Since there was a box full of clothes.

There were several onesies and each of them had their own pattern. I soon found my favorite, as I pulled out one with little pirate ships spread across the fabric. Along with the onesies, there were a few t-shirts and baby jeans for when Edmund got older. I was surprised that someone had thought that far in advance.

I made my way out with Edmund in my arms. The door shut behind me and I surveyed the area outside. When my eyes landed on the camp, I noticed that it was further from where I thought it was.

Examining further, Daryl's group had built their camp around a small fire pit. The fire pit had several chairs around it and behind the chairs were everyone's tents.