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“Yep, that is one helluva mess,” Juan agreed. “Loca would be proud. ”

Calhoun suddenly shoved his way past them, his entourage of mutts following him. He looked one way, then the other surveying the carnage.

“We did it, Calhoun,” Travis said proudly.

“We did a damn good job. The clones are not much more than chopped liver now,” Nerit said to the old guy.

Calhoun nodded solemnly, turning to look at them. “I ain’t cleaning it up,” he said firmly then strode away, his satellite dish hat wobbling on his head with his dogs trailing behind.

The laughter that erupted was glorious and heartfelt. People started crying all over again. Katie was laughing so hard her sides hurt. Below them, the big bulldozers were coming out to clear the area and eliminate any of the zombies that might be immobilized, but still a threat. The fire traps went off again, refreshing the fire line to chase away any stragglers.

Travis, Juan, Eric and Kevin were all talking so fast and over each other, joyful expressions on their faces, that Katie barely understood what they were saying. The first tremor rippling over her stomach shocked her then she felt a warm gush of water flowing down her legs.

“Oh, God,” she exclaimed. She looked up at Travis with a startled expression on her face. “My water just broke!”

Then a whole new kind of chaos broke out as everyone tried to help her back to the hotel.

Below the walls, the bulldozers crushed the zombie bodies into mulch and swept away the debris of the battle. Snipers took out a few remaining zombies staggering along the side streets. In the distance, the zombie hordes began to vanish from view.

The war was over.

2. The New Beginning

Katie stared down at the little face tucked into the pink blanket and felt as though she would never stop smiling. It was a mushed up, funny little face, but she could see shades of Travis in the shape of her daughter’s nose and eyebrows coupled with her own mouth and eyes. The tiny little feet that had pushed against her bladder at the worst times were now kicking slightly under the blanket. The tiny little hands that had made funny little bumps under her skin now clutched her fingers. Tears slipped down her nose and turned the pink blanket rose in tiny spots.

Beside her, Travis was in silent awe. He kept touching their little girl, then Katie. His kisses adorned his wife’s check and neck. He was overwhelmed and so was she.

The word from the outside world was that the zombie hordes were miles away now. The cleanup crews were continuing to clear out any last vestiges of the undead from the outer walls. They had won and the fort was secure. It was a wonderful world to bring their daughter into.

“I see you so clearly in her face,” Travis murmured in Katie’s ear.

“I see you,” Katie softly whispered back.

Her husband kissed her neck again. “I love you so much. ”

Katie giggled. “Good, because you’re a Daddy now and I’m not diaper changing alone!”

“I know! It’s amazing. We’re parents!” He reached over her to touch the tiny little pink fist again. “What are we naming her, Mommy?”

Katie returned her gaze to her daughter. She was beaming with happiness despite her exhaustion. “Bryce Jennily Kiel-Buchanan. ”

“Bruce, Jenni, and Lydia. It’s perfect. ” Travis bent over and kissed the baby. “You’re the first, Bryce. The first baby of our little fort. And soon you’ll have other children joining you. You’re gonna be the first generation of our new world. ”

Katie looked up at Travis curiously. “Other children?”

“Stacey told Eric right after they dragged you in here that she’s next. She’s about three mo

nths along. ”

Katie grinned as she burst into tears again. “We did something amazing today, didn’t we?”

Travis nodded as he nuzzled her cheek. “Yes, we did. ”

Together, they gazed down at their newborn daughter in awe. Bryce’s tiny little mouth yawned as she dozed off.

“It’s a new world,” Katie said softly.

Travis laid a soft, but passionate kiss on his wife’s lips, then answered, “Yes, it is. A new beautiful world. ”