After - The Society Fanfic.

2.

Becca and Eden were sleeping. She'd said that in one of the library books it had mentioned that when the baby sleeps, she sleeps. However, Sam didn't think anyone would argue with her sleeping at this moment in time. She'd just given birth. He still felt in shock. Staring at the beautiful baby in front of him, awe rises within him. Becca did that. Becca created that, created her. She's beautiful. Eden makes a soft noise. Sam imagines what it must sound like. Searching through every sound in his head he can think of and the one he settles on is a muffled pop of a lid. That'll do.

There are times where Sam misses his hearing. Most of the time now, he doesn't mind as much because he can tune people out, choose to ignore or mishear. Back before this happened, he could easily just avoid his parents' lectures or arguments with his brother Campbell. He frowns at the thought of him. He will not let him hurt his family. He will not be allowed near Eden.

Sam holds out his hand and, softly strokes her cheek. She's so warm, so fragile. He can't help but love her with all his heart. He'd do anything for her, anything. This world they live in is wild and chaotic, but he will do whatever it takes to give her sense in the senseless. Whatever the outcome of the election, he will protect this family, his family.

The doors to the ward open. He turns on his heels, trying to see who is about to wake the girls up. He holds a finger to his lips, glaring at Kelly and Gordie as they halt, whispering and signing apologies to him. Sam lowers his hand, a warm smile upon his face. The two huddle around the desk, sorting through the papers on the desk. Kelly starts writing in a notepad.

Gordie had been an obvious choice for a doctor in this town. He is smart and caring, the perfect combination needed. However, Sam had been surprised by this side of Kelly. He'd always thought she'd been a bit of a shallow person. He would never have thought of her as a mean girl, but he hadn't thought there was much substance there. Yet, she'd proven him wrong, happily so. Kelly and Gordie make the perfect healing team. Their friendship and trust in each other adds to the growing confidence the town has in them.

Sam shuffles his way over to them. Curious at what they're up to. Kelly glances up as he approaches, smiling, whilst Gordie purposefully avoids eye contact. He'd been hiding something since he came to talk to them about Allie and Lexie. Sam knew he'd been lying earlier, lying for Becca's sake. He is half grateful for that lie. Whatever the truth is, it would have made it difficult to settle Becca and right now, she needs to recuperate. "Hey, how are they doing?" Kelly speaks slowly, concentrating more on her signing than how she's saying them. It's been sweet that many of the town are starting to pick up on signs or learn them to communicate better with him, however, sometimes it can lead to a very stunted conversation. He still appreciates the effort.

"Good." Sam simply signs this as most people understand that sign. He gestures to the papers, notepads and files. Kelly glances around trying to piece together what Sam is asking, realisation pops into her eyes.

"Oh! These? Well, these are the files the hospital had on us and our families. Well, the latest hard copies they had. I imagine there are a few missing details but they do help us know everyone's health history." She gestures to the binders piled by Gordie. He's pouring over a blue one, reading through the pages taking notes. Squinting he can see it's Becca and her families folder. "These are our notes on any illnesses and health problems we've had since we got here. So when someone gets sick we can keep track of the type, how long it lasted, what medicine they took and so on. I'm trying to file them in good order so it's easier to refer back when necessary." She smiles, proud in her and Gordie's initiative and work. She should be proud. Whilst many have spent their time complaining and moaning about the harsh new realities, Kelly has found ways to enjoy this life in New Ham. "Oh, and these are the medical textbooks we have. There are a few research papers and medical notes in the offices from those who worked here before" There's a slight falter in her voice as she remembers the reality of everything, but she quickly pushes it aside continuing, "The pharmacy has like the bible of drugs in there. It's a bit heavy worded but it's helping us understand what can be used for what." There's an awkward pause as neither knows where the conversation can go from there. Sam is impressed with the work the two are putting into this place and to further their knowledge. It is nice Gordie now has someone to help with this side of his work. He already has his plate full trying to get us away home and investigating why we're here in the first place. Along with that, he needs to help with Allie's decision making. Having someone help with the hospital must feel like a weight is being lifted off his shoulders. Kelly pokes Sam in the stomach, trying to bring him back into the conversation. Sam sleepily blinks, waiting for her to continue. "Grizz is back." Sam's heart stops. He's awake now. "Everyone came back safely." She grabs Sam's hand, Gordie watches carefully from the side. "They found land, they found animals." Grizz. Grizz is back and he's safe. They found land. Grizz. He's back. Why isn't he here? Why hasn't he come to see them? "Sam?" He can't move. He's in shock again. Gordie has moved his way around the desk, anxiously studying Sam. Kelly pokes him with the end of her pen, trying to figure out what was said to make him freeze. "Sam?" Gordie is signing something to him. He's not even registering. His body is screaming at him to go see Grizz. To hug him, to welcome him home but his brain is reminding him of Eden and Becca. He can't leave his family suddenly. No, he didn't want to do that. He loves them. Why didn't Grizz come to see them? Has something happened? What happened out there?

Whilst signing, Sam finally speaks, "Is he okay?" For a split second, he sees the two exchange a look. Sam knows that look, he understands that look, Grizz is not okay. "What is wrong with him? What's happened? If he isn't okay, he should be here!" The look on their faces suggests his voice may have come out a little louder than expected. He turns to see that both Eden and Becca were, thankfully, still asleep. His signing becomes more jagged and rushes, he's stopped with the effort of speaking. Kelly is now looking confused at Gordie listening as he does his best to translate. He's not as perfect at ASL as Becca but he'll do. He's not worrying her right now. Eventually, Gordie holds out his hands, stopping Sam.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay! Sam, we didn't want to stress you." Kelly shakes her head as Gordie speaks but he gives her an exasperated expression. They all know secrets don't last long around here. Especially if it's affecting everyone. "Lexie and Harry are co-mayors right now." Sam shrugs. That's not his concern right now. What does this have to do with Grizz? Kelly raises her eyebrows, clearly not the reaction they expected. "Um, well, okay. She and Harry arrested Allie and Will." What? Why? Sam presses his hands against the back of his head, fear running through his veins for his cousin and Will. What the fuck has happened overnight? "Grizz and the others came back as they were pretty much parading them outside the church. Grizz didn't seem to take it that well." What does that mean? Sam urges them to continue. Kelly takes over.

"I think he was panicking and worrying. I think he got overwhelmed? I'm not sure but the exhaustion was taking its toll. He wanted to come to see you guys, literally, we really had to insist he did. I thought he was going to push me out the way but-"

"Why?" Sam interrupts. Kelly and Gordie wait for him to expand. What is he questioning, which part of the story? "Why wouldn't you let him visit?" Kelly and Gordie exchange another one of their looks. Same didn't think he was being very subtly right now but quite frankly, Grizz was in distress and he wanted to show him that they were okay. It was okay, they were going to make it okay.

"Becca just had a baby. You both haven't slept in a long time. Plus, we wanted the first few days with the baby to be stress-free." Sam's frustration, worry and anger subside for a moment. His friends were just concerned, trying to make these days special for his family. He places a hand on both of their shoulders, squeezing slightly, trying to show his appreciation. "Thank you" and he means it. They were right not to tell them straight away, however, he was desperate to see Grizz. "But next time, allow the visitors. Just ask them to lie if necessary. It would have been nice to see friends." The two of them nod but Sam has a feeling that they still believed their decision had been the better one. As their conversation comes to an end, Kelly gazes past Sam towards the bed behind him. Becca was holding a crying Eden, a grumpy expression on her face. Sam smiles.

The three of them go to Becca. Still half asleep, she sways slightly, soothingly hushing Eden. Sam watches them endearingly, only catching the bits of conversation which Becca was signing. Something about milk and food. Sam's just about to join back in the conversation when Becca whips her boob out. Both he and Gordie turn away. Kelly rolls her eyes.

Kelly had read parenting books and pregnancy books from the library and understood that there were different positions for breastfeeding the baby. They'd been giving little bits of formula but understanding that it might be a finite source, they want to at least try breastfeeding. Gordie and Sam leave them to the task as it turns out not to be as simple as sticking the nipple in the babies crying mouth. Sam takes this opportunity to assess how bad it is out there.

"Gordie. Level with me, how much trouble are we in?" Gordie's expression radiates tiredness. This boy just wants to sleep. He just wants to rest for a moment.

"A lot." Sam stares across at Becca. Eden seems to be content feeding. Becca has a few tears rolling down her face, overwhelmed by the connection between the two of them. Her emotions have been slightly wild recently, but this moment is the calmest she's been in a while. She deserves this time of peace. They need to hold onto it because Sam has a sinking feeling that it's going to be a battle from here.