After The Fall

Finding Comfort In The Little Things

"Look," Felix gasps, pointing out a house in the distance.

Ken nods, "If we clear it, we can stay and rest. Maybe even stay if it proves well enough."

"As long as I can get off my feet," Stephanie chuckles tiredly, "I don't care what we do."

Mark smiles lightly at her, "I agree."

She smiles back and Jack smiles, too, "Sounds like a plan."

Ken nods, adjusting his hold on Nate's still unconscious body. They change their course towards the house in the distance. They all hold out hope that it's better off than the last one they had found a few days ago the night Tyler died. That house was picked clean, nothing salvageable left. Mark hopes they have better luck here, he knows they need it after everything that's happened.

They finally get to the house just before sunset and as usual, Ken hands Nate off to Jack, and he and Felix make their way into the house. Mark helps Jack support Nate, looking around wearily for any straggling Infected. He looks relieved to find none too close by. He just hopes if this place isn't ideal, that they can get somewhere else to rest fast. They've been walking for so long, and it's obvious Stephanie's having problems keeping up. They fear the strenuous constant journey will put her in labor early.

"Mark?" Stephanie touches his shoulder, the poor woman is exhausted. Mark looks at her and smiles, "You okay, Steph?"

"Can you help me sit down?" She asks.

Jack nods at Mark, fully supporting Nate again. Mark nods at Stephanie, taking her arm and supporting her as he gently guides her into a sitting position. She smiles back at him, sighing in content as she stretches her arms over her head. Mark kneels lightly beside her, careful of agitating his still healing ankle, "How are you feeling anyway?"

"Really tired, but I can't complain." She replies.

Mark nods, "And.. The baby? How's everything feel with that?"

Mary-Jane sits next to Stephanie, patting her back with a smile on her little, tired face. She yawns and Stephanie smiles at her, patting her head in return before she responds to Mark's question, "The baby's still moving and kicking, so I'm pretty sure she's fine."

"She?" Mark chuckles, "Didn't you say you didn't know the baby's gender?"

"You're having a girl baby?!" Mary-Jane claps excitedly.

Stephanie chuckles, "I don't know, I'm just guessing. Just kinda feels like it could be a girl."

"Could be," Jack lies Nate down on the grass, "But what if it's a boy?"

"Yeah, do you have names picked out?" Mark asks.

"I do," Stephanie nods, smiling fondly with a hint of tears in her eyes.

"Can I hear the names?" Mary-Jane asks, "Can I pick some?"

Stephanie smiles back at the young child, "I've already decided on the names. Would you still like to hear them?"

Mary-Jane nods quickly, looking giddy, her eyes bright. Stephanie laughs softly at Mary-Jane's energy, "If it's a boy, Oliver, and if it's a girl, Elizabeth."

"Wow!" Mary-Jane giggles, "They're so pretty, Stephanie!"

Stephanie chuckles, "Glad you think so."

Mark and Jack smile at the exchange between the girls. A few moments later Ken and Felix return. Jack stands and he helps Felix lift Nate. Ken speaks to the others, "The house is clear of Infected, and it looks pretty safe and the house itself seems strong."

"Good enough for me," Stephanie grunts softly, trying to stand.

Mark quickly stands and helps her, with Mary-Jane helping as well. They all go into the house and Ken locks up as the others settle in for the night, all feeling much safer now that they aren't out in the open anymore. Felix lies Nate down on a couch and sighs, stretching as he looks around. Jack walks with him and Felix looks back at him and smiles softly. Jack smiles back, but no words are shared between them, they don't feel there needs to be.

Mark sits on another couch with Stephanie and Mary-Jane follows Ken around. Ken smiles down at her, "How are you doing, kiddo?"

She smiles back at him, rubbing one of her eyes. She yawns, her voice soft, "I'm okay, but I'm really tired, Daddy."

They both stop and Mary-Jane looks upset. She covers her face, "S-sorry, Ken!"

Ken sighs and kneels, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Look at me, Mary-Jane."

She peeks at him through her fingers, trembling lightly as she fights back tears. Ken gives her a reassuring smile, "You don't have to be upset. I'm not mad at you, and I know I'm never going to replace your father. But that doesn't mean I don't care about you, okay? If you want to call me dad, I'm okay with that, as long as you are."

She drops her hands, her bottom lip quivers. She tackles Ken with a hug, crying. Ken sighs, wrapping his arms around the small girl. He closes his eyes, "You'll be okay.."

Later that night, Ken returns to the living room with the others after putting Mary-Jane to bed. He smiles at his friends and takes the last open seat, "Munchkin's finally asleep."

Jack smiles and Felix tilts his head, "No offense, but I'm curious."

Ken raises an eyebrow as Felix continues, "Are you officially adopting that little girl? Cause I'm all for that, obviously, I just want to know if you've got a plan for her."

Ken leans back in his seat, scratching at his beard thoughtfully, "Well, I'm pretty sure her parents are dead, and I'm not going to send her back to where I found her, she'd never survive."

He looks at Felix and nods, "So, yes, I am adopting her."

Felix chuckles, "Thought so. I just didn't want to assume."

Stephanie yawns and pushes herself off the couch, "It's been nice, but I'm going to turn in for the night."

"Goodnight," Felix and Jack say in unison. Mark gets up and helps Stephanie to her room. Jack stands and stretches, smiling at his friends, "I'm going to go to bed, too."

Felix and Ken wave as Jack waves back and walks off in search of an empty bedroom. Felix stretches out on the couch, "You can go ahead and head off, too, Ken. I'll keep watch."

Ken chuckles, "Looks more like you're getting ready for bed to me."

Felix grins, "I can do both."

Ken chuckles and shakes his head, "You've been on watch the last few days, it's my turn."

Felix nods and gets up. He waves and bunks with Jack. Ken sighs and rubs his eyes as he leans back again. After a few minutes, he figures Mark went to bed as well and he sits up a little straighter, dropping his hand from his face. He listens to the silent house, feeling much better, and much safer than he has in quite awhile. He's startled however, when Nate suddenly gasps, waking and trying to sit up. Ken gets up and crosses the room, kneeling by Nate. He shushes him, gently pushing Nate back to lie down.

Ken whispers, "Calm down, it's okay. You're still with us, you're safe. You're safe."