Daughter of the Fallen

A New Beginning Part 4

I sat and watched as Siddiq readied the ultrasound machine as well as the fetal doppler, my hands sweaty for no apparent reason.

"Siddiq," I said. "I appreciate you wanting to do this, but I really don't think it's necessary."

"Bree, I promise it is," he countered. "I need to make sure your baby is healthy. I know you want that, too."

I took a deep breath and quit protesting.

"Okay, we're going to find the heartbeat first," he told me. "That is the most important indication of the baby's health. I just have to put some cold gel on you, okay?"

I nodded and he applied the gel before pressing the probe against my stomach, crazy static immediately ensuing.

Throughout his search, my mind let drifting off to all of the more important things I could be doing. This really wasn't needed.

Then all of a sudden, boom boom boom boom.

My entire body snapped to attention as the sound hit my ears.

"Is that it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Siddiq smiled and nodded. "That's your baby."

My breathing became labored as I felt a slightly familiar feeling rush through my whole body. Typically, I only felt it when I was with Judith or Hershel. I wasn't quite sure what to name it, but it was a warm yet intense wave that flooded my body and, almost uncontrollably, I smiled.

All I wanted to do for the rest of my life was hear that heartbeat.

Siddiq smiled. "Are you ready to see your child, Bree? We can find out the gender."

Tears glistening in my eyes, I nodded, only wishing Carl could be here with me.

———

I walked out of the trailer into the setting sun, a golden light cast on the ground. Looking around, I made eye contact with Enid from her spot at the gate. We exchanged a lingering smile before I turned away.

My gaze next settled on Maggie, who was sitting out on the deck of the Big House. Knowing how she must be feeling right now, I walked towards her.

I walked out onto the deck to see her tightly holding Hershel.

"Maggie?" I voiced, not wanting to startle her.

She turned towards me, tears glistening in her eyes, and sniffled.

"Hey," she greeted sadly, standing up. She handed Hershel to me and I bounced him softly, trying to imagine doing this with my child.

"How did the checkup go?" she asked, leaning against the railing.

I sighed, stroking Hershel's hair. "The baby's healthy. Siddiq is having me switch my prenatals though."

"He had me switch a couple times, too," she commented, a slight smile on her face.

We sat down and watched as the sun slowly began its descent.

"How did your talk with Earl and Tammy go?" I asked, a bit nervous to hear her answer.

She shrugged, seeming like she was fighting tears. "About as well as you'd expect. They're not letting me arrange or attend Ken's funeral. They think it's my fault."

"They're just lost," I breathed. "They're looking for someone to blame and you're the easiest target. We told Ken not to go back for the horse. That was his choice."

Maggie kept her gaze on her boots. "Tammy said that Gregory might be a better leader than me."

My gaze snapped to hers. "Maggie, don't tell me you believe that. Gregory is a mindless, selfish coward. He doesn't care about Hilltop, he cares about himself. He was the one who ratted Hilltop out to Negan. You are the best leader for Hilltop, and I don't want you thinking anything different."