Apocalypse

Time Heals

The day after construction was complete, he couldn't sleep. He had done his thinking and he knew what he wanted to do. Climbing down from his new loft, he went to Penny and his old tent. He crawled inside and found the two rings still on the ground. Finding a string, he tied the ring to it and went back to his loft. In it he wrote a letter. He left the ring wrapped in the letter outside Johnny and Eleanor's tent, where Becca was staying.

He knew Becca wouldn't sleep well and would go outside to look at the stars as she always did. So later that night, when she knew Eleanor and Johnny was asleep, she crept outside. Her eye caught a glint of metal in the moonlight and she picked up the note. It scared her to think what it was and what it meant, but she opened it anyway.

Becca, I'm sorry. I won't try to explain myself or give a reason for what I did. There's no excuse. I gave you a promise of a family, and before Brent and I even planned on coming to this camp, I found these in a matching pair. We were jumped by Justin and the cannibals' leader at a jewelry store. I don't expect you to ever forgive me, and I don't blame you if you don't. But this is yours, if you want it.

-Nathan

It hurt to read, but it meant a lot. She didn't know everything, but Brent had told her a lot. It didn't excuse his actions, but at least she understood a little of what he was going through. He had planned on marrying her, on giving her this ring before it all went down. She untied the ring and examined it in the light. It was nothing extravagant, a simple silver band with diamond and sapphire inlays. With a sad smile, Becca wiped a tear. She took the string that had kept the note wrapped up and pulled it out. It was long enough to make a short necklace. She slipped the ring onto it and tied it around her neck. Becca wasn't entirely certain how to feel towards him, but he was all that she had left. The rest of her family was dead and she was about to start a new one. The question was, would he be in it?

Weeks turned into months and with it came a whirlwind of new experiences. The group had easily survived winter and with the coming of spring fortified their walls around the camp, expanded their gardens, and built more permanent and secure homes.

July came around and the baby was ready to see the world. Becca hadn't found anyone else and her relationship with Nathan was practically nonexistent. But when the time came for the baby to be born, he was on edge. A small group waited outside the cabin where Kharim was with her prepping for the birth.

Grunts and screams of pain came from within the walls. Then a different sound. A soft little cry. Everyone outside cheered and stepped back as the door opened. Kharim peeked outside.

"Grandparents first." Johnny and Eleanor excitedly entered the cabin. After around 10 minutes, the group was even more anxious. The door opened and Kharim poked her head out yet again. "Nathan?" The group went quiet. Everyone stared at him. Nathan looked up, terrified. He slowly nodded and went inside.

Becca was laying on a mattress and looked up at him with her cool blue eyes. Not a trace of hatred was hidden in her gaze. Johnny and Eleanor stepped back to give space; they still loved Nathan regardless of what happened and were happy to see that Becca allowed him in. He crept closer to see in Becca's arms a beautiful baby girl with his green eyes.

Although he didn't want to show it, his face and heart melted at the sight. He shed a single tear as he stepped closer. Becca scooted over on her mattress.

"Do you want to hold her?" Her voice was soft and slightly apprehensive​, but still as kind as he had remembered. He nodded and sat on the edge of the bed.

"If... if it's okay..."

"You are the father." Becca held her out for him to take. He gently reached out and took the baby. She cooed at him and he smiled. A glance over at Becca showed that she was wearing the necklace with his ring on it. It hurt him to see it, and he started to silently cry.

Johnny nudged Eleanor and they quickly left. Kharim met Becca's eyes and Becca nodded. Shortly, Becca and Nathan were alone. She sat up a little more and put a hand on his back. He looked up at her.

"I'm sorry..."

"I forgive you." She met his eyes, there still was pain in hers, but yet a sparkle he'd known what seemed like a lifetime ago.

"D-does she have a name?"

"No. N-not yet. Do you want to..."

"I..." She paused and looked from their child to him. Their little girl was smiling up at him and cooing. It was beautiful. He deserved to be at least a father to her. "A father, yes. We will see about more."

"Alright..." There was hope, Nathan didn't have to hide behind walls to maybe see his daughter. Becca gave him a reassuring smile, slightly relieved that things were, hopefully, going to improve. Her hand went to her neck absentmindedly and fidgeted with the necklace. He saw her playing with it and looked down.

"What?"

"The... the ring." Becca looked down at it.

"I've worn it ever since you gave it to me." He held up his right hand, and where a promise ring would have been, there was her ring's pair. It made her smile sadly. Her gaze went from his hand to his eyes. Hesitantly​, she reached out and took his hand. He let her take it. The time without either of the two women Nathan once loved was difficult. It was almost as if he fell off the face of the earth. Becca holding his hand was a small but welcome change. She huffed as she slowly moved to sit next to him. In exhaustion, she laid her head on his arm to look down at their baby. She cooed happily.

"Riley?" Nathan suggested hesitantly. She remembered it was his sister's name.

"Riley Stacy..." She paused with a terrifying thought. Becca came around and slipped the baby out of his arms. He was sad to let her go, but unsure of what Becca was doing. On her own, Becca walked over to a cradle raided a few months prior then returned to sitting beside him. She reached behind her for her necklace then out for his hand. Closing her eyes, she thought it over before deciding. Becca took a deep breath before speaking again. "She needs a father. I need a husband. I trusted you once, I'm doing it again, please don't disappoint us." She took the ring off his right hand and held her hand out for his left. His eyes widened.

"You-you're sure?"

"No," she chuckled, "but for our daughter I know you'll step up."

"Y-yeah." He held out his hand for her. "Yes. I will." With shaking hands, she slid his ring on his ring finger. Shakily, Nathan took the ring from her and held out his hand. She gave him her left hand. He slowly put the ring on her finger, and took a moment before leaning in, hesitantly to say the least.

Becca looked into his eyes afraid, but she had missed him no matter how much it hurt. Penny had died nearly 9 months ago in the fights that brought them back together. She was trusting him again and hoped they could build a happy family, so to finish their little ceremony, she met his lips.

Nathan smiled weakly at first, but as his newly ringed hand cupped her cheek, he smiled wider. He was happy, better than what he could have claimed for the past few months. Becca began to cry tears of happiness, sadness, loss, everything she'd felt the past 9 months. He pulled away at what felt like too soon, and told her what he felt.

"I... I love you."

"I... love you too." Nathan set his forehead against hers. He would never make the same mistake again. That was a promise.

From then on, Nathan never left her side. He became the father he was meant to be. They had a more 'official' wedding ceremony officiated by Kharim. A place was made for them with room for more if they choose. A baby in the camp brought joy to everyone around and the group prospered. They took in outsiders and nursed them to health, giving them safety and comfort. A year or so passed when they announced another baby on the way. They got the family and the life they had always wanted. A home in the forest where they were safe to have children and had created a haven for all.

The End.