TWD - Chapter 571: I'm Sorry About What Happened Before (Patreon)

Lori rested a hand on her belly, her face glowing with happiness. "I've been good. Lily says everything is normal."

Shane nodded. "That's good."

He stood awkwardly, unsure what to do with his hands. He slipped them into his pockets out of habit, then seemed to think that looked rude and promptly pulled them out again.

Jessie watched him fidget and couldn't hold back a laugh. Lori laughed too.

Shane flushed. "What are you ladies laughing at?"

"Nothing," Lori said with a smile. "It's just nice to see you like this."

Shane looked at her in surprise. Her gaze was calm and gentle, without any pretense or strain. After everything that had happened, she had truly managed to let go.

He was quiet for several seconds before a small smile touched his face. "Yeah. It's nice."

Then he added, "You seem to be doing well too."

Lori nodded. "We are. We're both doing well."

Somehow, those simple words unlocked a door that had long been closed in both their hearts.

Shane's shoulders relaxed. He leaned against a post outside the guardhouse and looked toward the distant fields where people were working.

"Oh, we've had news from Glenn," he said.

Lori brightened immediately. "What did you hear?"

"A report came in from the Great Smoky Mountains a couple of days ago. The geothermal project is moving along nicely. Glenn, Maggie, Carol, and the others are still there keeping an eye on things. Everyone's fine."

"How's Maggie?" Lori asked curiously. "Glenn can be so clingy. He hasn't driven her crazy, has he?"

Shane laughed. "Driven her crazy? He wouldn't dare! These days, whatever Maggie says, Glenn does."

He paused, then lowered his voice with a conspiratorial look. "And I hear he's preparing something in secret."

"Preparing what?"

Shane checked to make sure no one was close enough to overhear. Then he whispered, "He's going to propose."

Lori's eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Really." Shane nodded emphatically. "He made a ring himself. Found some scrap metal and polished it by hand. Maggie doesn't know a thing."

After a stunned moment, Lori broke into a delighted smile. "That boy. He's finally figured it out."

Shane shrugged. "He figured it out ages ago. He just didn't have the nerve until now."

"When's he planning to ask her?"

"No idea. Probably after the geothermal project wraps up and they get back."

Lori considered that. "I'll have to prepare something for them."

"Like what?" Shane asked.

Lori gave him a mischievous smile. "That's a secret between women."

Shane laughed along with her.

Jessie, who had been listening, suddenly asked, "And Carol? How's she doing?"

She'd once trimmed Carol's short hair and had taken a liking to the gentle woman with the gray-white haircut.

"She's fine," Shane replied. "Apparently she helped the construction crew sort out some trouble. Nobody said exactly what happened, but they all said she did an outstanding job."

Lori nodded. "I'd be more surprised if she hadn't."

"She's changed a lot," Shane said. "She used to be so timid and quiet. Now, when she walks into a place, you know she's there."

He paused, plainly impressed. "She's something else."

"Maybe she always had that strength inside her," Lori suggested. "It just took people a while to see it."

Shane said nothing, only nodded.

"What about Beth and Jimmy?" Lori asked. "I haven't seen them in ages."

"Beth's working in logistics at the industrial park, keeping the records and distributing supplies. Jimmy's with her. They're both in Deanna's Department of Civil Affairs now. I was there last week to hand in a report, and I caught Beth telling someone off. She was pretty commanding."

Lori smiled proudly. "That girl's finally grown up."

"She has. Back at the farm, she was always following Maggie around. Now she can handle things on her own.

"Otis is working with Hershel on the agricultural team, and Patricia's there too. They're out in the fields every day, completely focused on growing more food."

He chuckled. "Otis complained to me last time that walkers don't bother him anymore. It's bugs he's afraid of now, because they might eat the vegetables."

Lori and Jessie burst out laughing together.

"That's quite a change," Lori said.

"Hey, as long as you're alive, what's the difference what you do for a living?" Shane replied with a shrug.

The three talked for a little longer. Warm sunlight fell over them, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of soil and fresh grass.

Then Shane looked directly at Lori. "Lori."

She turned toward him. "Yes?"

He fell silent, searching for the words. At last he began, "About what happened before..."

Lori didn't interrupt. She simply waited.

Shane drew a deep breath and forced himself to continue. "I'm sorry. For everything that happened back then."

Something in his eyes eased as he finally said it.

Lori smiled gently. "Shane, that's all behind us. When the world first fell apart, none of us... none of us were in a good place."

Shane gave a knowing smile. "Right. We're still alive, and we're both doing all right now. That's enough."

He turned toward the fields. The sunlight softened the tense lines of his face, as if it were smoothing away the pain of the past as well.

"Shane," Lori called.

He looked back.

"Andrea is doing well. Be sure to treat her right."

Shane blinked, then smiled. "I know. You take care too. Rick's a good man."

Their eyes met for a moment.

Then Shane checked the time and waved goodbye. "I'd better get going. I've still got another round to patrol."

Lori nodded. "Stay safe out there."

Jessie watched him leave. "He seemed... different just now," she murmured.

"He did," Lori agreed.

Jessie glanced at her with curiosity. "Were you two ever...?"

Lori pressed her lips together for a moment. "That was a long time ago. It doesn't matter anymore."

Jessie didn't press her. She merely linked arms with Lori, and the two continued their slow walk.

The sun still shone brightly, the breeze remained gentle, and everything felt wonderfully peaceful.

That evening, Lily came by to examine Lori.

She placed a stethoscope gently against Lori's belly and listened carefully. After a while, her expression brightened. "Everything sounds good. The baby's heartbeat is strong."

Lori exhaled with relief.

Lily got to her feet. "I'll head back now. Don't forget to get some rest tonight."

"Thank you," Lori said gratefully.

Lily waved and left.

Alone in the cabin, Lori sat stroking her belly, her eyes tender and full of anticipation.

"Carl, your little brother or sister will be here soon. When the baby's born, you can take them out to play at Blackberry Ranch."

There was endless warmth in her smile, along with a faint ache of longing.

She missed Carl at the outpost. She missed Rick too, working so hard and always so dependable. But she knew they would soon be at her side again.

By her reckoning, their baby would be born in Knoxville's East District, a place that held the promise of a better future.