TWD - Chapter 570: How Have You Been Lately? (Patreon)

Lori's home stood on the eastern side of Blackberry Ranch, in a wooden cabin.

It was called a cabin, but it was hardly cramped. There were two cozy bedrooms, a roomy living room, a bathroom, and even a small study.

The bedroom window overlooked the ranch. Each morning, Lori could open it to a view of green fields and the rolling Great Smoky Mountains in the distance.

Gwendolyn had chosen the place especially for her.

"Pregnant women need sunshine, fresh air, and living things to look at," she'd said. "Whether you see walkers doesn't matter. But you ought to see those other things every day."

Lori had laughed then. These days, she really did get that view every morning.

The weather was particularly beautiful today.

More than seven months pregnant now, Lori lounged in a rocking chair outside her door. In her hands was a book on prenatal care that Dale had found in the library. The cover was worn, but the print inside was still clear.

She read a few pages before looking up without thinking. A familiar figure was coming slowly down the path.

The woman was tall and slender, with striking blonde hair, fair skin, and a remarkably pretty face. She carried a bulging cloth bag.

It was Jessie.

Since the survivors from Alexandria had arrived at Rock Fortress, everyone had quickly been assigned work suited to their skills.

Jessie was an accomplished hairdresser, and her pleasant personality was every bit as appealing as her looks.

Doctors weren't nearly as scarce at Rock Fortress as they had been in Alexandria. Pete, in particular, was far from indispensable.

Jessie had become more popular than her husband by winning people over with her warmth. She was constantly traveling between the settlements for work.

She had cut Lori's hair once before. As they talked, the two women had discovered to their delight that Lori's son Carl and Jessie's older boy were about the same age. From their children, the conversation had wandered to the small details of everyday life, and they got along as if they'd been friends for years.

Ever since, Jessie had made time to visit whenever she came to Blackberry Ranch.

Lori's face lit up. She put aside her book, rose carefully with a hand supporting her belly, and waved. "Jessie!"

Jessie spotted her from a distance and waved back just as enthusiastically.

As Jessie approached, Lori glanced at her bulging bag and teased, "What treats have you brought this time?"

"No treats today. Just my tools." Smiling, Jessie set the bag on the porch table and opened it.

Inside, a set of hairdressing equipment lay neatly arranged: sharp scissors, shining clippers, a fine comb, and a clean cutting cape.

"I'm here to give the ranch workers haircuts, so I figured I'd come see you too."

"You really do keep busy," Lori said fondly.

Jessie shrugged. "The busier I am, the more I earn. Can't complain."

She sat in the chair beside Lori and glanced at her rounded belly. "You've grown quite a bit since last time."

Lori stroked her stomach, smiling happily. "Seven months now. Just two more until this little one arrives."

"Will your husband and son be back for the birth?" Jessie asked.

Lori's expression softened. "Rick says they will. He's bringing Carl with him."

Jessie's eyes brightened. "Last time you said Carl was nearly up to your shoulder. Has he grown any taller?"

"A little more since then! Rick told me over the radio that he's become so responsible. He's been helping out at the prison outpost, and everyone keeps praising him."

"What a good kid. It's a shame I still haven't met him."

"Sometimes he's so grown-up it makes my heart ache," Lori admitted. "When he comes, we'll have him spend time with your two children. They're all around the same age."

Jessie went still, her eyes suddenly glistening.

"Jessie? What's wrong?" Lori asked.

Jessie shook her head. Her voice caught slightly. "Nothing. I just... never imagined."

Lori knew what she meant.

In a world crawling with walkers, who would have imagined that people could still live well enough to welcome a new baby?

The next generation was a light of hope amid the apocalypse.

And Jessie could never have imagined what life at Rock Fortress would do for her own family. The man who used to hit her, insult her, and leave her constantly frightened now worked quietly as a doctor. Pete no longer dared to raise a hand against her.

Lori reached out and took Jessie's slightly cold hand. "Jessie."

Jessie looked up.

"He doesn't dare anymore," Lori said firmly. "And if he ever tries anything like that again, the people here won't let him get away with it."

Jessie smiled, relief shining in her eyes. "I know. He's really been better since Deanna gave him that talking-to."

The two shared a smile, then rose and started walking slowly along the raised path between the fields.

Jessie kept a careful arm around Lori, worried she might stumble.

Lori laughed and insisted she was fine, but Jessie refused to let go. "If anything happened to that precious little one you're carrying, Rick would eat me alive. And he hasn't even met me yet!"

Lori burst out laughing. "Rick isn't that frightening. You'll understand when you meet him."

Jessie tilted her head thoughtfully. "The way you describe him, he sounds pretty intimidating. A sheriff, leader of all those people, and a formidable fighter too."

Lori's gaze turned distant with memory. "That's how he is with outsiders. He's actually very gentle with the people he loves."

Seeing Lori's blissful smile, Jessie couldn't help feeling a little envious.

The husband she'd always wanted was a man like the one Lori described: someone who cherished his family and was strong enough to protect and support them.

But then she thought of Pete. He no longer dared to strike or scream at her and the children, and his behavior lately had been decent enough. She decided not to dwell on it.

They continued at an easy pace until a guard post came into view.

There were several such posts along the perimeter of Blackberry Ranch, with patrols keeping watch around the clock.

Defense Force soldiers rotated through the shifts. Four were stationed on duty by day, with another two added at night.

At the entrance to the post stood a man in a neat Defense Force uniform. A gleaming pistol hung at his hip, and he held a water bottle in one hand.

It was Shane.

He froze briefly when he saw Lori and Jessie. Then he set down the bottle and came toward them at a brisk pace.

His eyes went first to Lori's face, then drifted downward almost involuntarily, resting for an instant on her swollen belly.

It was such a fleeting glance that Jessie missed it completely. Lori, however, noticed at once.

Shane hurriedly looked away, nodded to Jessie, and greeted them. "Lori. Jessie."

"Shane," Lori replied with a smile. "On patrol?"

"Yeah. I've got this section today."

He hesitated. His eyes flicked to Lori's belly again before he cleared his throat and forced himself to look out across the distant fields.

"How have you been lately?"