Stumbling upon Alexandria, Reese recounts the events up until now. Meeting Rick's group at the prison, scavenging, sickness, and attacks while creating an attachment to the stoic Bowman.
“I don’t remember much after Be—” her voice creaks as she bites her lip hard, scolding herself as a tear drops from her lashes. “Fuck.” She sighs, quickly wiping her face. Maybe there were some tears left to shed for those we’ve lost. “We wondered, found a barn, Aaron found us, anddddddd... I think you know the rest.” Reese smiles, ending her tale.
“That must have been very hard for you to relive those moments.” She sympathizes.
“Try living them.” She shoots back.
“I can’t possibly imagine.” She sighs. “You must be exhausted seeing you have to care for two now.” She comments.
~.~
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“I brought you a burger.” Dawn lifts a plate and a glass of water. “It’s not beef, but it has your favorites.” Reese freezes at the sight of the meal.
“Is that mustard?” She breathes, holding her hand under her nose.
“Yes. Pickles, mustard, tomatoes, and onions, just how you like it.” Reese gags while talking to the farthest part of the room.
“Take it away.” Her face turns a pale green as she demands.
“So it is true.” Dawn gasps. “Whose the father?” she asks. Reese glares at her sister.
“What are you talking about?”
“We did some blood work, and they showed elevated levels of the hCG hormone.” Reese sighs, her breath shaky, as she takes a seat on the bed. Covering her face with her hands. Dawn exhales a breath of disappointment, resting her hands on her hips. “How could you be so careless?” She scolds. “With the way things are, how can you possibly raise a child in this?”
“I don’t know.” She mumbles, dropping her face into her hands. “What do I do?” she pleads. She looked at her sister like they were children, and she needed help with her algebra homework.
If only this problem had a simple answer.
“I’ll have Dr. Edwards see you in the morning...” She takes her hand. “...and get everything sorted out.” lips pressed together in a straight line. “You’re early enough so there will be minimal complications.” She informs. She was trembling from a sob, sniffling, and wiping her nose with the back of her sleeve. “I was right about Tomas, wasn’t I?” she retorts as Reese nods. “Then I’m right about this.”
~.~
Thankfully, it never came to that.
“Don’t worry, we’re all about doctor-patient confidentiality.” She assures. “We have medicine and a great doctor, whatever your decision may be.” She informs.
“Thanks for the heads-up.” She fakes a smile, tapping the arms of her seat as she gets up to leave. When she opens the door, she is swarmed by the group’s main muscle, Daryl, Rick, and Abraham. Hugging her too tight for comfort. “God, you dipshits almost made me piss myself.” She scolds, holding her pounding heart, making the three laugh, missing her foul mouth and humor.
“We were starting to worry,” Rick explains.
“Bitch took ya’ as soon as you woke up.” Daryl spat.
“What even is this place?” she asks, still a bit spotty on the details.
“We’re not even sure. C’mon, we got a house.” Rick leads.
“A house?” she gawks.
“Well, all of us got a house, but we’re sticking together for the time being.” The officer quickly explains. Everyone jumps up at the sound of the door opening and Reese walking in last, receiving another group hug.
“I need a bath.” She groans.
“They have running water!” Carl exclaims. “And it’s hot.” He grins.
“I call first!” she shouts, holding up her hand.
“You and Daryl are the only ones that need one.” Carol quips.
“Oh, well, C’mon bowman.” And she makes her way down the hall, with Daryl following.
“Not a word.” He growls at Rick’s amused face, which was clearly prepared to make a joke.
“Alright.” He holds his hands up.
~.~
Moaning at the feeling of hot water pelting her skin and washing off all the dirt, sweat, and grime that had built up for who knows how long. The water halted as she felt Daryl’s breath chilling her back, breaking out in goosebumps. His hands trail up the sides of her arms. His touch was as light as the water that rolled over her skin. His hands cupped her face, his thumbs rubbing away the dirt that had accumulated on her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.
Pulling her in close, he rests his forehead against hers.
“You scared the living sh!t outta me.” He drawls making her frown.
“I don’t remember much after the hospital.” She mumbles the images of the young girl she is holding.”You were in and out.” He starts.
“Sleepin’ mostly, couldn’t keep anything down, let alone walk by yourself.” He explains. “You can thank Abraham later.” He admits making her laugh. She knew how stubborn the archer before her could be. He would have walked himself to exhaustion if the group hadn’t coaxed him. “They said it was dysentery. Whatever the fuck that is.” He grumbles.
“Back up, you’re hogging the water.” While running her fingers through her hair, she teases him by pushing his chest.
~.~
In the middle of the night, Michonne wakes up knocking on the bathroom door and finds Reese curled up by the toilet bowl. Running cool water over a cloth, she dabs it along her forehead. “That feels nice.” She hums.
“Spill.” Michonne coaxes.
“I have dysentery, see.” She holds up her hand. “I’m in a band.” She defends herself by referring to the bright green twist tie.
“Yes, but I also know what morning sickness looks like.” She says. Reese rolls onto her back to look up at the lone samurai.
“What are you planning to do?” she asks delectably.
“I don’t know.” Reese swallows, grimacing at the aftertaste of stale saliva and vomit that lingered in her mouth.
