King ☞ r. grimes

15

She and Herschel went to clean off the baby.

"Are you okay Katie? You've been through a lot today," Herschel said gently.

"I should be asking you that question," Katie said.

"Katie," Herschel urged.

"I'm going to be okay. I've lost people before. I can do it again," Katie said.

"Who did you lose?" Herschel asked.

"My son and probably my ex husband, a woman named Jacqui, a little girl named Sophia, Dale, Carol, T-Dog, so many more," Katie said, her voice fading as she went down the list.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you had a boy," Herschel said.

"I lost him before this whole thing started. Cancer," Katie said.

"I'm sorry. I know the pain you're suffering," Herschel said.

"I'm sorry that you have to feel it. I hope no one else here ever feels it again," Katie said.

The baby was finally clean, but Katie knew she was dying. She needed formula and soon.

Herschel went to find Glenn, who was digging graves for their fallen family members.

Katie tried to rock the baby to sleep in their cell block.

Daryl and Maggie ran into the room with a bottle of formula.

"Take a break, mama," Daryl whispered gently, taking the infant out of her tired arms.

Katie glared at him for suggesting she was this child's mother, but also thanked him for giving her a break.

She wasn't this baby's mother. She was never going to be able to fill the void that Lori left.

Katie vowed to take care of these kids the best she could while Rick was in mourning.

They needed a mother-figure. She couldn't be their mother but she could at least offer them maternal love and protect them like they were her own.

Daryl held the baby in his arms.

He looked awkwardly hilarious holding a thing that small in his large arms and hands.

"She have a name yet?" Daryl asked.

"No. Not yet. I was thinking, maybe Sophia, and then there's Carol and Andrea and Jaqcui and Amy and Patricia and even Lori," Carl said.

Katie walked behind Carl and put her arms around his shoulders.

"Those are all fine names, Carl. Why don't you rest and think about it later," Katie said with a small smile.

She started to lead him back to his cell, her arm still around his shoulder.

"You like that, huh, you like that little ass kicker. That's a good name, right?" Daryl asked, a smile playing on his lips.

Katie turned around, a small giggle escaping her mouth.

The group laughed.

Even Carl chuckled softly.

Katie led him back to the cell and he laid down on the bunk bed.

"It's been a long day. You should rest," Katie said softly.

"Can you stay in here? I don't think I can be alone. Don't tell my dad. He told me that there's no more kid stuff," Carl said.

"Of course I'll stay. Let me go grab your sister and then I'll be right back. I promise," Katie said.

She walked back into the main area of the cell block.