safe

Chapter 22

I am about ten steps from Maggie's cell when Glenn finds me.

"Do you want to move in with me?" He asks excitedly.

"Um, isn't it a little soon?"

"No! The sooner the better!"

"Well, can you move in with Max and I because he is still too young to be alone."

"Of course, i'll go grab my stuff!"

"Cool! I'll tell Max."

"See you soon!" He says, kissing my cheek and running to his 'old' cell.

I change my direction and make my way out into the courtyard.

I immediately spot Max playing with some kids. I make my way over.

"Hey Max, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah, but make it quick!" he replies running over to where I am standing.

"Are you okay with Glenn moving into our cell?"

"Why?"

"Because he is my... boyfriend. I guess."

"Really?!" he asks excitedly.

"Yeah." I tell Max as he envelops me in a giant hug.

"Glenn is awesome, he gave me two chocolate bars last run."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and he sneaks me extra food during dinner! He is the best boyfriend you've had!"

"Haha, I'm glad you think so."

"Can I go play?"

"Sure!" i say and he promptly runs off.

I walk back into the prison and stop by the kitchen, picking myself up an energy bar on the way.

I walk up the stairs and into my room, Glenn is sitting on my bed surrounded by some boxes.

"Hey!" He says.

"Hi."

"Wanna help me unpack?" he asks.

"Sure, Max is ecstatic that you're moving in." i say, opening the spare draw at our desk.

"Really!?" glenn says as he fills the draw up with his stuff.

"Yeah, he really appreciates the food offerings."

"Haha, he is really cute." Glenn says whilst rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I haven't told him about the baby yet." I admit as I push his suitcase full of clothes under the bed.

"Okay, when will we tell him?"

"Um, before everyone knows?"

"What about tonight?"

"Um... okay."

"Cool!" Glenn says happily.

"Wanna go to dinner now?" I ask.

"Sure, it's like five o clock though..."

"I mean for Max, he eats dinner with the children."

"Oh yeah. C'mon then." he says, kissing me on the cheek and leading me to the hall.

When we get there Max is waiting for me at an empty table.

"Hey Max is it cool if Glenn eats with us?" i ask as I give him a hug.

"Yeah!" He says getting up and hugging Glenn.

"Woah buddy!" Glenn exclaims as he pretends to be knocked back.

"You're too strong, you nearly tackled me!"

Oh my god... I think to myself. My perfect little family...

"What's for dinner?" Max asks me.

"Um... stew I think, go ask Carol."

"Glenn will you come with me?"

"Sure buddy." Glenn says, shrugging playfully at me as he is lead away.

I start to pick at my nails when I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Rubes."

I turn around to see Alex.

"What are you doing here?" i ask bluntly.

"I want to apologise, for the other night. I was an ass... I hope there is no hard feelings?"

"What are you doing here?" I gear Glenn growl.

"I was just saying sorry, why do you care?"

"Don't talk to me or my family ever again." He replies angrily.

"Your family? Ruby is he kidding?"

"I am her boyfriend and you aren't. we are having a kid in around 9 months time. I suggest you leave, you definitely aren't welcome here."

I turn around and see that thankfully nobody heard, except Max.

"You're having a baby!?" He whisper-yells into my ear.

"Yes, we'll talk about it later." i reply just before Alex starts to speak again.

"She's fucking pregnant! she is like 17! I'm sorry Ruby but you are a whore. Seriously you are disgusting!" he yells

Before I can defend myself Glenn has reached across the circular table and grabbed Alex's collar.

"Don't you ever, EVER say that about Ruby you fucking asshole! She is beautiful, smart, hardworking and amazing and you can't handle the fact that she doesn't reciprocate your feelings! She didn't mean to get pregnant, it was my fault. But even if it was her fault it doesn't make her a bad person! She is the most brilliant woman I have ever met and I love her and if you say another bad word against her you will be sent away from the prison to defend yourself in the wild!" Glenn threatens menacingly. Alex us visibly terrified, there is sweat pouring down his ghost white face and his body is shaking like a leaf.

Glenn pushes his collar away and Alex rubs out the door. I throw my head in my hands and sigh. Glenn straightens up and puts his hand on my back.

I look up an Max is sitting quietly, eating his dinner.

"Are you okay?" Glenn says, leaning down to my height.

"Yeah..." I reply.

"I'm finished." Max calls from across the table.

"You wanna go to bed."

"Well I think we need to talk before bed, but sure." he replies.

He is so grown up... I think to myself.

"Give me your bowl, I will wash up." Glenn offers to Max.

Max passes his bowl over and runs to brush his teeth. I feel tired and by the time I manage to get to our room Max is already behind me.

"Come sit with me Max." I say as I sit back on my bed.

"So you're pregnant?" He asks, his face lighting up as he does.

"Yes, I am having a baby." I smile.

"Yes! I have always wanted a cousin!"

"Well now you will have one! But I just want to let you know that no matter what I love you and even though the baby will be mine you will always be equal to it in my eyes. Of course after I give birth there will be a couple of weeks where everyone will be like oh my god! there's a baby. But after that you will get all the attention you need. And if you need me, I will always be here for you." I tell him.

"Ruby you are my favourite person in the whole entire world and I know that you'll always love me lots."

I grab his little body and bring him in for a huge hug.

"You better go to bed, be ready for what the morning will bring."

"Night Rubes." he says, climbing onto his bed.

"Night." I say getting up an locking the door.

I walk to the dining hall, getting ready to talk to Glenn.

He loves me... He. Loves. Me.