78 • our little soldier

THE WALKING DEAD

TWO MONTHS LATER(37 weeks pregnant — 9 months)

The hot morning summer July sun beamed on me, casting a golden glow over Alexandria. The garden was thriving, with rows of vegetables and herbs stretching out under the clear blue sky. Everything in Alexandria– as well as the other communities– had been thriving and growing stronger day by day.

New construction had taken place in Alexandria, we had new buildings, a larger and more secure wall, bridges connecting different parts of the community, a windmill that helped provide us power, and a handy water purifier that connected to our beautiful lake. Our community had turned into a truly beautiful home for all the people of Alexandria.

Rick and I had been great at leading the people of Alexandria. We were partners in every sense of the world, balancing each other's strengths and weaknesses. Rick was the strong, steady hand guiding us through the tough challenges and battles we faced, and while I had also been involved in the tough decisions, I had mostly taken the nurturing role, tending to the emotional and physical needs of our people.

I glanced over at Maggie, who was kneeling beside me, carefully weeding the garden. She was about 20 weeks pregnant now and I was 37 weeks, both of us had decided to get more active due to my due date being any day or week now.

At the last check-up I had, Denise told me that my due date would most likely be in early August, but since it was now nearing the end of July, I was afraid I could give birth any day now.

The thought of giving birth scared me in many ways, simply from the fact that Lori had died when giving birth to Judith, but it wouldn't be the same thing, right?

I tried to push the thought out of my mind, but it lingered, a shadow over the bright day. Lori had been in a different situation–less medical care, less preparation. We had Denise, a more equipped clinic, and more medical supplies– though we unfortunately didn't carry epidurals.

I was also most cautious due to the fact that Rick had left early this morning to go on a supply run with Carl and Daryl for what was supposed to be a quick trip. They were searching for a few specific items we needed– mostly medical supplies– and while I knew it was important, the timing couldn't have been worse.

Rick had assured me that he'd be back by nightfall but as the hours ticked by, the nauseous swirling in my abdomen only grew stronger and more consistent. A small tightness was felt in my lower stomach as I moved, causing me to inhale sharply.

It's just another Braxton Hick.

"These tomatoes are lookin' good," Maggie said, breaking the comfortable silence between us.

I nodded, trying to focus on the conversation instead of the discomfort building in both my abdomen and mind. "Yeah, they're comin' along nicely. We should have a good harvest this season."

Maggie wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled. "It's gonna be nice to have fresh tomatoes. It finally feels like we're gettin' a handle on things around here."

I breathed out deeply, forcing a smile on my face. "Yup," I replied shortly, rubbing a hand over my large stomach.

The Rhee woman's smile dropped as she noticed my action as well as the distance in my tone. "How have you been holdin' up with everything? You doin' all right without Rick and Carl home?"

I snickered softly, wagging my head back and forth. "They've only been gone for three hours, so I think I'm fine. It's just me and my girl Judith for now until tonight."

"How is Judy? She still asleep?" Maggie questioned me.

I hummed in response, nodding my head with a small smile. "Yeah. Michonne's watchin' her, she told me I should come out here for a bit."

Maggie smiled warmly. "Well, it's good that you're gettin' some fresh air, especially after what happened at your wedding–"

I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions stir. "Yeah, yeah, that day was... a lot. Still one of the best days of my life, though."

The both of us let out soft laughs, our heads shaking back and forth as we glanced between each other and the colorful garden below us. But it was almost immediately my smile dropped, and a sharp pain in my lower abdomen took over the entirety of my body, causing me to freeze.

Well, this was a lot more different than a Braxton Hick.

Maggie's smile almost instantly dropped at the sight of my distress, her hand reaching out to gently grab my upper arm as I nearly stumbled on my feet. "Woah, Nola, you okay?"

I paused, a shaky breath escaping me as the agony in my lower stomach persisted before eventually fading away. "Y...Yeah. Uh, it was just another Braxton Hick contraction or somethin'."

"Another Braxton Hick contraction or something?" Maggie repeated in disbelief, her brows rising as she examined me closely. "That didn't look like just a Braxton Hick– are you sure you're okay?"

I forced a nod, trying to steady my breathing. "It's just a strong one. I'm fine."

Maggie leaned closer, her brows drawn together in worry as she looked at me intently. "Nola–"

"I'm fine, Mags. It's normal. Everythin' is fine. I'm not giving birth today, okay?" I told her firmly, though I was trying to convince myself more than her.

The Rhee woman flinched back in surprise, her hands raising in surrender at my sharp tone. "Okay, okay. Just... let me know if you feel anythin' weird, alright?"

"Right," I murmured in response, letting out a tired grunt as I moved forward, picking at the first tomato that reached my line of sight.

The both of us then returned to our gardening, but the sharp pain in my abdomen left me unsettled. I tried to focus on the task at hand, but the discomfort persisted, coming and going in waves. Maggie continued to work beside me, her worry palpable despite her attempts to keep the conversation light.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly as we worked, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different. The contractions became more frequent and intense, making it hard to ignore the growing sense of urgency. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm as I gripped the edge of the garden bed for support.

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply through the pain. Maybe these Braxton Hick contractions were just worse since I was further along in my pregnancy? Maybe my body is just being dramatic– it can't be this painful, right?

All those thoughts flew out of my brain as I felt a small pop in my stomach, followed by a warm gush of liquid to expel from my body. I gasped in surprise, my hand reaching down to my thighs as liquid spewed down my legs.

Did I just piss myself?

I looked down in shock, my heart racing as I realized it wasn't a sudden loss of control of my bladder. My water had just broken. Panic surged through me, my breathing quickening as the reality of the situation settled in.

Maggie noticed my distress immediately, her hands moving to hold my shoulders as I bent down in both pain and shock. "Nola? Hey, what is it? What's wrong?"

I exhaled a shaky breath, my hands trembling as I moved to grip my stomach. "I uh, I think I either peed myself or... or my water broke,"

Her green eyes widened as she took in the sight, her worry escalating. "Oh my God, Nola. We– we gotta get you to Denise– you need to get to the clinic, like, right now."

I shook my head, backing away from the woman as shock continued to consume me. "No, no– we can't, I can't be givin' birth– Rick's not back yet–"

"It's alright, it's alright," Maggie shushed me, her hold on me loosening as she carefully placed a hand on my back, trying her hardest to lead me in the direction of the clinic. "I'll get someone to find him. We'll figure this out– but first, we need to get you to the clinic, okay?"

I swallowed visibly, tears making their way into my vision as I nodded my head in defeat, my hands gripping my stomach for dear life as it continued to have sharp pains. Each contraction became more intense as we walked down the sidewalk, Maggie's voice frantic yet calm as she tried to comfort me.

My quick breaths began to calm as I felt a small kick against my hand, reminding me of what was about to happen. In the next few hours, I would be giving birth to my child– my future son or daughter.

In a few hours, I would have everything I've ever wanted. In a few hours, Maggie would become an aunt. In a few hours, Rick would become a father for the third time. In a few hours, Carl would become a big brother for the second time. In a few hours, Judith would become a big sister.

Just in a few hours, I would be holding my child. My little soldier.

•••

  As soon as I arrived at the clinic, Denise and Maggie helped me to a private room that had all the equipment needed for the long painful hours I would be experiencing. Maggie stayed by my spot for a few minutes before running off, telling me she was going to try and find Rick.

In the quiet of the clinic, the rhythmic beeping of the monitors and the soft rustling of medical equipment created somewhat of an eerie backdrop to the chaos unfolding. Denise walked in to check on me, confirming that I was in fact in labor and about 5 cm dilated.

Thankfully, Michonne had heard the news and assured me that she and Carol would watch after Judith until Carl and Rick arrived, which I was relieved to hear. I didn't want to see Judith until after her sibling was born, knowing that I was in too much pain and agony to properly deal with the 12-month-old.

My hands trembled as I held a book in my hands, my eyes skimming over the words as I tried my hardest to read, though the constant pain distracted me. My heart raced in anxiety as I thought of giving birth while Rick was away because I knew I needed him by my side through this.

He needed to see his child be born.

I gritted my teeth together as a piercing pain overcame my lower body, my hands tightly gripping the bedsheets below me as I rumbled through the contraction that took over my whole being.

Distracted by the pain, I didn't even realize the soft thumps of footsteps entering the room, a very obvious presence awkwardly staring at me from the door frame. I blinked in surprise, noticing the familiar face that belonged to Glenn as he watched me from afar.

"What are you... oh, God," I paused, letting out a feral groan and scream as the throbbing only grew worse.

The contraction hit me like a train, and I let out a guttural cry, my body tensing as the pain only seemed to consume me. Glenn, still standing awkwardly at the door, took a hesitant step forward, his face full of concern and confusion.

"Uh, Hey," he stammered, shifting on one foot to the other. "Maggie sent me. And I, uh, I don't really know what to do here..."

As another wave of panic hit me, I let out a frustrated groan, glaring at Glenn as if he were the cause of my discomfort. "Oh, great. Just what I needed–Glenn lookin' like he's about to faint or barf. Come on in, Waterboy, join the miracle known as–"

A loud cry escaped me, causing Glenn to flinch back in surprise, his eyes wide in shock. "Childbirth!" I exclaimed in utter pain, moving to lay on my side.

Glenn quickly stepped into the room, approaching the bed with a bit of hesitance. "Sorry. Maggie told me to keep you company since she's going to Hilltop to try and find–"

"Interesting story, really, Glenn," I cut him off, my voice strained as I fought through another contraction. "But right now, I'd appreciate it if you could focus on not lookin' like a deer in headlights and instead sit down and try to distract me."

The shy man nodded quickly, his hands fumbling as he found a seat beside me. "Got it. I'll just, um, be here. If you need anything..."

I could see Glenn struggling to keep his composure, and I appreciated his effort, even if he seemed a bit overwhelmed. I rubbed my stomach as I breathed heavily, my tense body relaxing as the contraction finally passed. Glenn watched awkwardly, his foot shaking as he sat in silence.

An uncomfortable silence passed between the two of us as I closed my eyes, deeply breathing through the small bit of calm that washed over me. Glenn simply looked between me and the monitor that hung above me, keeping all of my vitals.

Minutes passed before another contraction began to build up again, I clenched the sheets tightly, trying to focus on getting through the intense agony. Glenn, looking increasingly anxious, attempted to offer words of comfort.

"Just, um, breathe through it, Nola. Focus on your breathing. Deep breaths, in and out. It's going to be okay." he reassured me calmly, trying to mimic deep breathing.

I immediately brought up the palm of my hand, forcing him to quiet down as I tried my hardest to get through the sharp pain. Glenn shut his mouth, folding his lips in his mouth as he noticed the annoyance on my face.

I cried out in a guttural wail, my body arching as I fought through the pain. Glenn's face paled as he watched, his hands clenched together in a desperate attempt to stay composed. "You're doing great, Nola. Just keep breathing–"

"I am about to push a human life out of my vagina, Waterboy! Don't cross me!" I barked out viciously, my hand moving to grip Glenn's for dear life as my large belly rumbled in stabbing pains.

Glenn let out a gasp at the tight grip on his hand, his brown eyes widened in alarm. "Right, right. Not crossing you. Just here to help. Not crossing you!"

I managed a crooked grin through my exhaustion, a heavy sigh leaving me as I relaxed on the bed, my grip on Glenn's hand loosening. "Great,"

Denise suddenly appeared at the door, her expression a mix of urgency and relief. "How's it going in here?"

The anxious man turned to Denise, his shoulders slumping in relief as she approached, his eyes looking at her like she was a lifeline. "Nola's... um, going through it."

As soon as I opened my mouth to argue, ready to yell out 'No shit', but thankfully Denise quickly interjected by approaching the bed, her hands moving to adjust my legs. "Nola, how about I check and see how much you've progressed?"

I turned to Glenn, watching as he covered his eyes with his hands as Denise checked to see how dilated I was. "Good call, Waterboy. But don't forget, in a few months, Maggie will be the one in this bed."

I groaned as I tried to adjust on the bed, my face scrunching up in discomfort as Denise did her examination. Glenn, still covering his eyes, peeked through his fingers before quickly closing them again. The awkward tension was almost palpable, and it only heightened my irritation

"Why do you call him Waterboy?" Denise asked, her voice casual as if she were making small talk over coffee rather than checking how close I was to giving birth.

Glenn, despite his clear discomfort, couldn't resist joining in on the speculation. "Yeah, why do you call me Waterboy?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I tried to ignore the question. "It's not important," I muttered, waving off the question. My focus was on surviving the next contraction, not on explaining a nickname that had long lost its relevance.

But Glenn wasn't about to let it go, of course. "No, it is. Remember a few months ago? I asked you what it meant and in your words, you said, 'I'll tell you when I'm in a vulnerable position'— or something like that. And no offense— but I'd say you're in a vulnerable position right now..."

I shot him a look, my lips pulling into a tight line. The nerve. Of all times, he had to bring that up now? And the nerve to say, 'no offense'? The distraction almost worked, though, pulling me out of pain for just a moment.

I then turned to Denise, her eyebrows rising up in surprise as she looked at me."No offense. Did he really just say 'no offense'?" I muttered through my gritted teeth.

"I'm afraid he did..." Denise replied quietly, pulling the blanket over my legs as she finished her examination.

Glenn uncovered his eyes, looking at me with a curious expression. "Why Waterboy? Out of all nicknames, why Waterboy? What does it even mean?"

With a deep breath, I shook my head, refusing to answer. "Just drop it, Glenn."

Denise gave a small smile and an alarmed look over at Glenn, practically warning him. She finished her check-up and looked up at me with a reassuring nod. "Well, you're doing great, Dr. Grimes. Just a little longer. I'd say you're about 7 centimeters now. Let's hope Rick gets here in time."

As the news settled in, I could feel the tension rise again. 7 centimeters meant I was getting closer, but Rick still wasn't here. The anxiety clawed at me, even as Denise tried to comfort me with her calm demeanor.

I turned to Glenn, heavy tears brimming my blue eyes. He approached me quickly, offering me a nervous smile as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Hey, Rick's gonna make it, okay? He'll be here."

I nodded, though his words did little to ease the ache of anxiety and sadness that encased my pounding heart. Every minute felt like an hour, and with each contraction, I was reminded of how much I needed Rick by my side.

Denise stood up, checking the monitors one last time before heading to the door. "I'm gonna step out and check on a few things. Glenn, stay with her, and call me if anything changes."

Glenn gave a quick nod, his face a mix of determination and sheer terror. As Denise left the room, silence settled over the room, my hands gripping the edge of the bed as I whimpered through the minor contraction that pulsed through me.

The silence in the room was only broken by the sound of my ragged breathing and the occasional beep from the monitor. Glenn sat beside me, fidgeting with his hands and innocently glancing around the room, clearly uncomfortable but determined to be supportive. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on my breathing and the anxiety that gnawed at me as I feared that Rick wouldn't be here for the birth of his child.

After a few minutes of silence, Glenn cleared his throat, trying to break the tension. "So, um... about the nickname–"

"Are you kiddin' me?" I scoffed in annoyance as I turned my head to face him, my dark eyes narrowing at his curious eyes. "Really, Glenn? Now? This is what you wanna talk about?"

Glenn hesitated, then nodded, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "I mean, if I'm staying in here with you until Rick gets here, we might as well start talking instead of sitting in silence. Plus, you promised me."

I rolled my eyes, my thumb and pointer finger rubbing my aching temples. "I didn't promise you a damn thing," I muttered through my teeth, a heavy sigh leaving me as I relaxed against the bed.

The Rhee man hummed in response, leaning further into the wooden chair. "'Waterboy' is kinda unique, right? I still don't get it. Why that one? What does it mean? How'd you come up with–"

"Oh my fu... okay, okay, I'll tell you!" I groaned, my voice laced with irritation as the baby in my stomach kicked harshly against my ribs. Along with the kick, I could feel another strong contraction building up, and I knew I didn't have the energy to keep this up much longer.

I was aware that I was being rude to Glenn, but in the pain I was in, could anyone blame me?

As Glenn leaned closer, I took a deep breath, trying to brace myself for both the pain and the stupid explanation. "It's 'cause of that time at the farm when... when you went down the water well that had that walker in it and nearly got killed– I thought... I thought it was funny. It just stuck."

Glenn looked puzzled for a moment, and his eyes widened in realization. "Wait, that's it? That's why you call me Waterboy?"

"Yes, Glenn! That is literally it! God, I think I'm gonna vomit," I practically shouted, followed by a whine, my voice strained by the exhaustion of having to explain this in the middle of labor. I groaned, my hands gripping the sheets as another contraction hit, my body tensing in response.

The brown-eyed man's brows were knitted together in both disbelief and confusion. "Okay, but, really? That's it? I always thought it was something deeper, you know, like–"

I shot up from the bed, my eyes glaring right into the 25-year-olds. "Glenn, I love you, but I swear, if you keep talkin', I'm gonna make you the next patient here!" I snapped, cutting him off. My body shook and my jaw shuttered with the intensity of the contraction, and I squeezed my eyes shut, focusing on anything but the pain that tore me apart internally.

Glenn immediately shut his mouth, his face pale as he realized just how close I was to losing it. He held his hands in surrender, his eyes wide in alarm. "Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

•••

The pain only seemed to grow worse as hours passed, but thankfully, I was able to fall asleep on and off for a few hours. Glenn quietly sat by my side, holding my hand when I needed it and listened to me rant about the pain.

Not once had I cried, though I could feel the build-up of tears in my eyes and chest. There seemed to be a heavy weight on my chest as I lay on my side, my eyes clenched closed as I gripped the edge of the bed.

It rarely began to truly dawn on me that soon I would be giving birth, and I wasn't sure if Rick was going to make it on time to see it.

Hours had passed, and Maggie, Rick, Daryl, and Carl still weren't here. The anxiety, anger, and sadness gnawed on me, making every minute feel like an eternity. The room was dimly lit, with only the warm orange glow of a lamp in the corner as the sun was setting. The silence was comforting yet also unbearable, broken only by my ragged, shuddering breathing and the occasional beeping of the monitor.

Denise had come in to check on me every few minutes, ensuring that I wasn't fully dilated, yet she also attempted to offer me comforting words, but it did little to ease the weight on my chest. I kept glancing at the door, hoping that any second Rick and Maggie would burst in, but they didn't.

Tears welled up in my eyes as a harsh contraction hit, my body tensed, and a low groan followed by a whimper left me. Glenn, who had been dozing off in the chair beside me, jolted awake. He leaned forward, taking my hand in his, his thumb gently rubbing the back of it soothingly.

As I closed my eyes, trying to get through the agony, I forced myself to envision that it was Rick by my side instead of Glenn, that his large, rough, yet warm hand was intertwined with mine, offering the comfort and strength that I needed and longed for. I could almost hear his voice, calm, and reassuring, telling me that everything would be alright.

But the reality was far different, and the absence of his presence made the pain even more unbearable.

The tears that had been threatening to fall finally spilled over, streaming down my cheeks as I squeezed Glenn's hand with all the strength I could muster. My voice trembled as I spoke, barely more than a whisper as a shuttering breath passed my lips. "He's not comin', is he? He's not gonna make it."

Glenn's expression softened with empathy, his eyes full of concern as he shook his head gently. "No, no, Nola. Hey, hey– I know it feels like that right now, but Rick's doing everything he can to get here. He wouldn't miss this for the world. You know that."

I wanted to believe him, but the crushing fear that Rick might not make it in time was suffocating. The uncertainty gnawed at me, making the pain and exhaustion even harder to bear. I tried to hold onto Glenn's words, but all I could feel was an overwhelming emptiness settling in my heart.

Another wave of pain hit me, sharper this time, and I couldn't help the sob that tore from my throat. My whole body tensed, the pain radiating through every nerve, and I felt like I was being ripped apart from the inside. Glenn held my hand tightly, his voice steady as he whispered words of encouragement, but all I could think about was how much I needed Rick.

"I... I can't do this without him," I choked out between gasps, my voice thick with despair as tears leaked down my cheeks. "I need him, Glenn. I don't... I don't know if I can do this."

The man's grip on my hand tightened, his thumb brushing over my knuckles as if he were trying to transfer some of his strength to me. "You can do this, Nola," he said softly, his voice more firm than it was hours ago. "I know it hurts, and I know you're scared, but you're stronger than you think. Rick will be here, but until then, I'm not going anywhere. You're not alone in this."

The tears came faster now as another contraction ripped through me, their pace relentless and unstoppable. I buried my face in the sweaty pillow, muffling the screams and sobs that cracked through my chest.

"I can't... I can't do this," I sobbed, my voice broken with pain and fear. "I'm not strong enough."

"Yes, you are," Glenn whispered, leaning closer so I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. "You're the strongest woman I know... other than Maggie, but– you've been through so much, and you've come out stronger every time. You're not doing this alone, Nola. I'm here for you, I promise."

I shook my head, unable to speak as another wave of pain crashed over me. It felt like I was drowning, and no matter how much I tried to breathe, the pain just kept continuously pulling me under. Glenn's words were kind, but they did little to soothe both my aching mind and body at the moment.

Before I could open my mouth to reply, I heard a soft knock on the door, alerting both me and Glenn. I held my breath, my fuzzy vision immediately clearing up as I awaited for the person to present themselves, hoping it was Rick about to stumble through the door.

But once I noticed the familiar blonde hair and thick black glasses walk through the door, I crumbled further into the bed, the tears instantly returning in my eyes. Denise noticed my state, her movements quick as she moved my legs, checking to see how much longer I had.

"Uh... Nola, you're fully dilated," Denise said hesitantly, her voice calm. "That means it's time to push, okay?"

The words sent a shockwave through me. My swollen eyes widened in panic, a fresh wave of tears spilling over the brim. "Wha... No, no, it's not time. H-He's not here. Rick's not here!" My voice rose in desperation, my breathing becoming rapid and shallow. The thought of going through this without him was too much to bear.

Denise looked at me with a mixture of concern and reassurance. "Nola, I understand you're scared, but the baby's coming now, and we need to be ready. Rick is on his way, but we can't wait any longer. You need to focus on your breathing and prepare to push."

"He should be here– he needs to be here," I whimpered, my lips trembling. "He's supposed to be here with me. He's supposed to watch his child be born."

The blonde woman frowned at me, slowly slipping latex gloves on her hands as she moved in front of me again, preparing for the birth of my child which could be any moment now. "I know, I understand. But if we wait we could risk a lot–"

"Just wait a few minutes, Rick will be here! Please, Denise," I cried outwardly, my face digging further into the pillow as the woman helped me scoot to the edge of the bed.

Glenn stood afar, his eyes maintaining on my face as he held my mind, a small frown outlining on his lips as he gazed down at me. At this moment, he reminded me of Myles, just by the simple respect he offered me and with the small banter we shared.

The man didn't take any offense to my harsh words earlier, he understood the severe pain I was going through, and he didn't take it personally. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought about my late brother, causing more emotional tears to leak along with the ones of pain.

Denise sighed heavily, opening her mouth to respond, but before she could, a loud stampede of heavy footsteps was heard racing down the hallway. All three of us spun our heads to the door, sucking in a sharp breath as the wooden door swung open harshly, revealing the one person I had been aching to see.

"Lia, honey?"

A large breath of relief left me as soon as my eyes landed on the familiar ocean-blue ones, my body relaxing against the sweat-covered bed. Rick's eyes were wide and full of unshed tears of fear and concern, his curly brown hair was brushed back by his hand, and his clothes were disheveled as if he had run miles to get here.

"Rick," I sighed, fresh tears freely flowing down my face. The sight of him was like a lifeline, momentarily pulling me out of the suffocating pain and anxiety that had been consuming me for hours. "You're here. You're really here."

The ex-sheriff quickly crossed the room without thinking, his body pushing past Glenn as he reached me, his body bending down to wrap me in a tight embrace. His breath was warm and heavy as he kissed my temple, cheeks, nose, and finally my lips.

I noticed a small tear escape his eye, falling on the fabric of my nightgown as he pressed his lips against mine in relief and desperation as if I could disappear at any moment. As Rick pulled away, his rough hands gently moved to cup both my cheeks, his thumbs wiping the tears that escaped my puffy red-rimmed eyes.

He sniffled, taking in every inch of my drenched body. "You're okay? The baby's okay?"

My eyes briefly glanced at the door, seeing both Glenn and Maggie standing in the doorway, small smiles on their faces as they watched the two of us from afar. I noticed Glenn's hand resting on Maggie's bump, a look of knowing and determination behind his once shy and fear-stricken eyes.

I like to think I helped him prepare for the birth of his child.

"They're both fine," Denise interjected quickly, her blue eyes glancing between the two of us. "But Nola, it's about time you start pushing. We can't wait any longer. Are you ready?"

I visibly gulped in nervousness as I looked up at Denise, my eyes then turning to Rick who had now pulled away, his hand tightly holding mine. He met my gaze, his eyes softening as he noticed my hesitance, a small frown on his lips.

"I'm scared," I admitted in a whisper, a soft sob leaving me. "I'm so scared, Rick. I... I don't wanna die– 'cause if somethin' goes wrong then I might die, and it's gonna hurt like hell. I don't know if I can do this. I'm scared. I'm so scared."

Rick's ocean-blue eyes softened as he listened to me, his body slowly leaning closer to mine as he inspected and gazed at my trembling figure. "Hey," he called out gently, wiping my eyes. "You can do anythin', I know you can. You're not alone, honey. I am right here by your side, forever and always,"

The ex-sheriff's gaze remained steady and soft as he continued speaking, his voice a calming balm against the storm of pain and fear I was experiencing.

"I know it hurts, and I wish I could take it away," he said carefully, his thumb continuously wiping the tears that pooled in my eyes. "But you're stronger than you realize, and you've already proven that more times than I can count."

He then carefully climbed onto the bed with me, his warm hands carefully moving my aching body as he positioned himself behind me so that my back was resting against his chest. I immediately relaxed against his chest, my head moving to rest against his shoulder as I moved my legs in the proper position as well.

Rick's hands found their way to my abdomen, his touch tender as he placed them over the swollen curve that pulsed with contractions. "You are unstoppable, Magnolia Rose," he breathed in my ear, his breath warm and soothing. "Now, let's have a baby, okay?"

I let out a shuddering breath and nodded my head, finally finding some strength in his words and embrace. The reality of the situation was still very overwhelming, but with Rick by my side, it made everything a lot less daunting.

Denise's voice cut through the haze, steady and friendly yet still professional. "Nola, when you're ready, I need you to start pushing. Focus on your breathing and listen to your body, okay?"

I could feel Rick gently combing back my hair, his other rubbing my bump. I squeezed his hand as a small contraction hit me, a loud groan mixed with a whimper leaving me as I clenched my eyes closed.

From afar in the corner of my vision, I watched Glenn walk out of the room, closing the door behind him. Maggie stayed in the room, her feet slowly shuffling to stand beside Denise, both ensuring I would give birth safely.

I took a deep breath, focusing on Rick's warm and calming presence as the contraction only intensified. His touch was a steady anchor, guiding me through the unbearable pain I was just about to experience. I could feel his strong heartbeat against my back, a rhythmic reminder I wasn't alone.

"Okay, let's do this," Denise breathed out, shaking her hands. "Remember to breathe deeply and push when you feel–"

"I know what to do," I interjected through my teeth, a concealed screech escaping me as I clenched my jaw and gritted my shiny teeth. "Just... let me know if I'm doin' good or bad, 'kay Denise?"

The woman gulped nervously, nodding her head. "Of course," she replied, glancing over at Maggie who simply smirked.

As I prepared for the first push, I focused on Rick's steady presence. With each contraction, I leaned into his embrace which he gracefully allowed, his hand rubbing my shoulder, my stomach, or combing back my messy hair. My teeth chattered together as I gripped his hand, my fingernails digging into his skin, but he didn't at all mind.

I inhaled deeply, trying to gather all my emotions as I prepared to push for the very first time. Rick's hand stayed firmly in mine, his face pressed against mine as he looked between me and what was happening below. I could feel his breath against my neck, his southern accent soothing the storm that grew within me. "You're doin' great, honey. Keep goin', you can do this."

The pressure was intense, almost unbearable, but with Rick's encouraging words, I felt above all the intensity and unbearable agony. So I pushed with all I could for as long as I could muster, a guttural scream leaving me as I finished my second push, my body falling against Rick's with heavy breaths.

Rick's calm and raspy voice never wavered his warm breath a constant comfort against my ear. "You're doin' amazing, Lia. Just a little more, okay? We're getting closer to meetin' our baby, honey."

I managed a weak nod with a soft 'okay', my gaze flickering to Denise and Maggie, who were both focused and determined, their eyes never leaving the task at hand. Maggie kept a hand on my leg, helping it up, and even held my hand at times, a smile on her face.

With each contraction, I couldn't focus on anything around me, every word breezing right past my ears as I tried my hardest to push with all my might. I felt weak but determined to meet my baby, knowing they were the reason I had gotten this far in life.

Through everything I had been through, they have been there and somehow survived. When I was nearly crushed by the shelf with Bob by my side, when I almost died from the illness that infected the prison, when the Governor attacked the prison, and everything after that.

My baby had survived when I almost couldn't, when it felt impossible to. They were a little soldier. They were my little soldier.

With that thought on my mind, I closed my eyes tightly, summoning every ounce of strength I had. I felt the strain on my body as I pushed, every muscle working together in synchronized effort. Rick's hand tightened around mine, his voice distant, though I could hear the encouragements that came from his mouth.

Another wave of pain surged through me, and I pushed again with all my might. I could feel the tension and pressure build, which alarmed me at first, but I continued, a loud yell leaving me.

Suddenly, the pain began to shift, and Denise's voice grew more urgent. "Nola, I need one more big push, okay? One more."

I took a momentary breather before nodding, my body crunching up as I squeezed Rick's hands with all my might, my eyes clenching closed as I took the biggest push I ever had. I could hear the distant murmur of Rick's voice, along with the monitor that beeped, but the one noise that caught my attention was the screaming and crying of a newborn baby.

My eyes immediately snapped open, my body relaxing as all the pain and agony was replaced by euphoria and adrenaline. Tears brimmed my eyes as I suddenly felt a small, squirming presence placed on my chest, the sound of a newborn's cries filling the room.

The sensation of the tiny, warm body against my skin was overwhelming. I couldn't stop the flood of tears as I gazed down at my baby, their wrinkled face and tiny fists flying in the air.

I could feel a warm wetness on my shoulder Rick's face looked over, his eyes filled with awe, relief, and overwhelming love as he peered down at our small creation. Our baby wailed against my chest, my hand holding their back, gently shushing them as they began to calm. I then turned to Rick, pressing a snotty yet tender kiss to his cheek as he openly sobbed.

Rick reached over, his shaky fingers brushing against the baby's tiny head, their head full of dark hair. His voice was a low murmur, filled with adoration. "Hey there, little one," he said softly. "I love you so so much."

I looked down at our baby, their cries softening as they settled against my chest. I could barely believe the tiny, perfect human we had brought into this world. Every bit of pain, and every ounce of fear seemed to melt away in the presence of our child. Rick's hand was gentle on the baby's head, his touch tender as he traced the small features in awe.

Denise approached the two of us, taking a moment to clean and check on the baby before letting them continue to rest on my chest and placing a small blanket over their body. She gave me a knowing smile, her teeth biting her lower lip in excitement. "Congratulations, you two, it's a girl," she said cheerfully.

Rick's face lit up with a radiant smile, his blue eyes glistening with a mixture of knowing, excitement, and surprise. He leaned closer, his fingers gently brushing the baby's cheek as he gazed at her. "A girl," he repeated, a sense of disbelief and elation in his voice. "She's perfect."

I hummed, a crooked, tired smile forming on my chapped lips. "She's my little soldier."

•••

I didn't at all sleep although 5 hours had passed and it was now midnight, and I couldn't do anything but stare at my beautiful newborn daughter, no matter how exhausted I was.

Rick was still in the bed with me but in a different position, his arm being wrapped around my shoulders as he lay beside me, watching over both me and his daughter.

After Denise and Maggie helped stitch me and clean me up they left to go tell the others that the baby was born and that we needed space, though all I wanted to do was brag about birthing my baby. I wanted Carl and Judith here to meet their new sibling, but I knew it would be best if it were just me and Rick to be alone with her for a while.

My finger gently traced through her dark brown hair, causing the newborn to wiggle and tiredly sigh against my touch. I let out a soft laugh, my tired eyes crinkling in pure happiness at the sight.

Rick, who had been watching with a soft smile, broke the silence, his voice soft. "Y'know, we still haven't chosen a name for her."

I looked up at him, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten as I considered the significance of choosing a name for our daughter. "You're right," I hummed, my voice raspy. "She's currently nameless."

Rick smiled, his eyes still fixed on our daughter. "We did talk about names a bit before, but never really talked about it again since. And I knew you want her to have a name that has a meanin' to it, so, I was wonderin' what you think."

"What are you thinkin' of?" I asked, tilting my head to the side as I glanced between him and the newborn in my arms.

Rick pondered for a moment, his eyes still filled with admiration as he gazed down at the baby I held, a slight shy smile forming on his face. "Well," he began slowly. "I know you said you wanted it to have a special meanin', and uhm, this doesn't have to be her first name but I was thinkin' maybe Elizabeth, after Beth,"

I felt a small layer of tears enter my vision as I absorbed the name Rick had suggested, a rush of emotions surging through me all at once. Elizabeth, meaning, God's Promise, though it also was a bittersweet reminder and honor for Beth.

I took a deep, shuddering breath, clearing my throat as I tried to steady myself. "Elizabeth," I repeated softly. "It's beautiful, it really is, and I love you for suggestin' it... but, I think that should be her middle name."

The ex-sheriff's gaze softened further as he took in my emotional response, his hand gently brushing a stray tear from my cheek as he smiled. "Elizabeth it is, then, for her middle name," he said gently.

I nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. It was right, and it was like Beth was still with us in some way, living on in our daughter's name. I gently traced the baby's cheek with my finger, feeling the softness of her skin and thinking of how beautiful the tiny life we created was.

Rick's voice broke the comfortable silence again, his tone thoughtful. "You know..." he started softly, glancing up at me. "For a first name I was thinkin' she could match with you, like uhm, somethin' floral like Magnolia. So, I was thinkin' maybe Daisy?"

I blinked, the name echoing in my mind as I imagined our daughter growing up with the name Daisy. It was a lovely name, full of life and light, but it didn't quite fit with what I felt deep inside. I was then reminded of how my middle name was Rose, and how she could easily have two middle names with meaning.

I smiled softly, trying to put my thoughts into words. "Daisy's beautiful," I said, my voice gentle. "But... I don't know, something's tellin' me that it isn't her name. But, I do think it'll fit as a second middle name, where we can kinda match,"

The ocean-eyed man nodded, his eyes full of understanding. "Daisy as a second middle name," Rick agreed, his voice warm and reassuring. "She'll have a piece of you with her, just like Beth."

A breathy laugh escaped me as Rick leaned over, pressing a wet kiss to my cheek, his stubble scratching my skin. I smiled down at our baby girl, feeling the warmth spread through me as I looked down at her tiny face. It was amazing how coming up with her name was making everything so much real, but all she needed was a strong, beautiful first name.

But what?

As I held her, the words I whispered during labor and the words that Rick had said to me previous weeks ago: 'My little soldier.'. For a moment, I was confused about what that phrase could mean, my mind twisting and turning as I tried to figure out the importance of that silly phrase.

That is until I lose myself in my memories, and I'm all the way back to Hatlin's bar years ago, sitting on the ground with Myles by my side. He held a thick book in his hands, his feet swinging back and forth as he spun on the spinny chair.

"Do you know what your name means, Lia?" Myles asked me, his brown eyes peeking over the thick rusty book.

I sighed, placing my hands on my hips as I narrowed my eyes. "No. And it's my time to spin in the spinny chair!" I exclaimed, followed by a small humph and pout of my lips.

Myles rolled his eyes and stood up from the chair with a groan, keeping the large book steady in his hands despite its heavy weight. "Well, your name means 'Of Great Excellence'... whatever that means... Oh, and it's a flower!"

A loud scoff escaped me as I spun in the chair. "Well, duh, doofus," I murmured under my breath.

My older brother tried to act like he didn't hear me as he continued to pace in circles, his eyes squinted as he read the small letters on the page. "Where is it... where is my– oh, there it is! Finally!"

"What?" I asked, slowly perking up from my seat.

"My name," Myles replied, a grin on his face as he pointed his finger at the page. "In the book, it says my name means, 'Soldier', cool! And... wait, what?!"

My eyebrows raised at the shock and slight disgust behind his tone, a large scowl on his face as he looked down at the page. I jumped up from the chair, racing over to see what he was reading. "What? What does it say?"

He let out another dramatic groan, lowering the book to my eye level. "There's a girl's name here," he said, his tone dripping with mock disgust. "Look, it's the same thing! They can't both mean 'Soldier'! Gross. Why didn't Magnolia have a boy name or something–"

As the memory faded, I was brought back to the present, holding my newborn daughter in my arms. My brother's voice echoed in my mind, and I suddenly realized the importance of that moment– of how much it meant to me. Myles had a feminine name that caused my dear brother mock irritation but held so much meaning, and it now felt like the perfect way to honor him.

"Myla," I whispered aloud, and the name rolled off my tongue, I immediately felt a connection to it. "It's the feminine version of Myles. It means Soldier. And she... she's our little soldier."

Rick's eyes widened slightly as he processed the name. A look of realization and admiration crossed his face. "Myla," he repeated softly, letting the name sink in. "It's perfect for her. I love it."

I nodded with a content sigh, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction crash over me as I grinned down at our newly named baby girl. "Yes," I said, my voice slightly trembling with emotion. "Myla Daisy Elizabeth Grimes. Whatta mouthful."

The both of us fell into a small swoop of laughter at my comment, our heads resting against each other as we tried to stifle our noises. Myla shifted on my chest, her little eyes blinking before closing, her breaths falling even as she fell into a deep sleep again.

As we fell into a comfortable silence, Rick leaned further into me, his eyes never moving from the child who slept against my chest peacefully. He had a permanent grin on his face, his eyes crinkling as he peered down at us softly.

I then turned to Rick, clearing my throat. "By the way, I forgot to ask, why the hell did it take y'all to get back? What were you on a run for?"

The ex-sheriff bit his bottom lip before chuckling softly, his eyes fixed on Myla as he began to explain. "Well, I remember a few months ago, you said how you miss takin' pictures... and Glenn said–"

"--Said he would try and find a Polaroid camera on the next run," I finished for him, my mouth open in shock. "Did you..."

Rick held up a finger, causing me to trail my words off as he slowly bent down, picking up a delicate item from the ground before laying back down in his original position. I inhaled sharply at the sight of the old-timey Polaroid camera in his hands, my mouth open in surprise.

"I did," he concluded with a snicker, he then brought the camera to his eye, his finger moving to rest on the button. "Now, smile."

Surprised by the camera, I tried to hide my face, glancing down at the child who rested in my arms. Rick let out another breathy laugh as a small click was heard and the photo was released. He took the photo, waving it as it developed.

"Myla Daisy's first photo," Rick said lowly, a soft tone to his voice as he grinned at the two of us. "Our little soldier's first photo."

__________

WORD COUNT: 8600+

hooray! you FINALLY know the gender and the name of rick and nola's baby!

i actually saw someone comment and guess the name i had picked out and i was like wtf? how did they figure it out? but i think it was easy to figure out tbh.... you know who you are if you got it right!

but on sad ends... this is the FINAL chapter of OOTW :(

next there will be an epilogue, which may be short, i'm not sure.

but maybe... just maybe... i have a little something extra? hmmm... idk!

but thank you all SO much for reading this book, it means so much to me, it was so much fun to write and it was fun to see everyone interact with it and how they reacted with certain things i wrote!

i will miss you all dearly :( and i will miss nola & rick <\3

but, if you want more from me, don't forget i also have another rick fanfic called BLAZE that i will start after OOTW is completely finished, so you can read that!

i have a prologue and first chapter for it, so if you want a sneak peek then id suggest reading that :)

again, thank u all, i will see you soon!

tpwk,

- L x

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