Chapter 21-Mother Nature

She hated to be put in a position that required her to make life or death decisions. She glanced around her surroundings, in the dark, a team of 2 was what County considered safe. Nothing she couldn't handle herself, but under today's circumstances was unheard of. 2 people on an incident with no back up. She heard the whirring hum and she secured the newb safely in their vehicle. In the rear of their tactical van with all the modern conveniences, she hid. FUCK, FUCK, FUCK...this is not fair. She'd called for some sort of back up. She'd alerted the powers that be that she and Templeton were alone, had handled the Knowles Ave incident, but were now on code red for a nest. Short of blowing up the local mini mart for the second time, she felt trapped. She dialed Jay. She dialed Tavin. No one was coming. The whirring was ominous, sending tremors through her gut. She remained calm and cool for Templeton's sake, but inside she was terrified. Post-apocalypse, this would be a no brainer. She'd sit in her hiding spot, let that nest carry right on past her and all would be well till she located it in its hiding spot in the morning. But thanks to their Philadelphia interference, that was no longer protocol. 

"Get out your phone." She whispered, thinking her one and only salvation started his own business. She had fallen on her sober sword, getting the brass to extend Chess an olive branch. She needed him. She would never say that aloud, but her right hand was off being father of the year and making a name for himself with her back up. She felt alone and scared and ignored and purposefully singled out. She had Templeton. She wished at least for someone of Alex's caliber to be at her side. But Templeton was new and terrified. 

Templeton held his phone up. 

"Dial this number, please." She stated each number in the 800 number on that stupid magnet that Jayson had stuck on her fridge. To her surprise, he answered. 

"Chess? " She whimpered. 

"Julia?" He asked, sounding confused. 

"Fuck, I need help." She whispered. 

"Where are you?" No hesitation, no questions, no price quotes, nothing. A simple question requiring a simple answer. Templeton gave him an address. They both heard him moving, "Gimme ten, fifteen minutes at most. I'll be there. How about you two drive away?" 

"Who's helping you?" She asked under her breath.

"I got people." He sent out a page and within 10 minutes, the first response arrived, parking next to their tactical van. Chess arrived five minutes later. Their gear out geared her and Templeton's county supply. She was pissed. Chess took over at that moment, giving directives and orders, which she also followed. She needed a unit and she needed more hands. The 800 number was dialed out of necessity, to save their lives and the lives of Maverick/Oaks citizens. He had a man on the street in transit that located and then led the nest to a secure and predefined area. They then descended upon the nest and eradicated it. Together. 

"I know when I need help." She whispered at his side. 

"Anytime, Julia. I mean that." 

Chess only answered the call and he only answered to himself. He didn't break any laws. 

"This is like EMS calling a private ambulance company to answer its calls. What were you thinking?"  Her boss railed at her over the phone when he got around to answering her call. It was then she nearly quit and took her talents elsewhere. Instead, Chess took her cell and ripped the captain a new asshole. He could do that now that he was no longer a county employee. Financially, the county was strapped and barely making budget. She and Chess both understood that. Chess was well into the first quarter of his independent business and had the personnel that the county couldn't hire. He had the gear the county could not afford and he would, as of the next day, have the reputation that the county could not achieve even with her pretty face. He would waive his fee graciously and they'd have a joint presser. If not, he'd have his own. He made his phone calls post incident and he wrapped up his incident and would charge accordingly. The Manganelli's would retrieve these bodies. His security would secure the area and the scene and control any perimeter. His clean up crew would arrive as soon as the scene was clear and they'd be paid. But the extermination fees would be waived. They had to be. The county couldn't legally be charged whether he liked it or not. He could take it to court as his legal team had already done twice and won a healthy reward in full. 

This was the exposure his business needed and with her pretty fucking face at his side, then they'd only garner public support and for all intents and purposes, county support because they'd called him in the first place. Julia could spin this bullshit any way she chose, but he'd only take the win from being involved. It would appear they worked in tandem, making each other look good. 

"Offer still stands, pretty girl." Chess smiled. "You and Templeton would be safer with me." 

"What's the offer?" Templeton asked. 

"Stop by the office and see Jesslyn for an app. I'll sit with you and go over the package." Chess grasped his shoulder. "You're new and you need time. Don't let this get you down. You are working with the best. Tonight was not her night." 

Chess took her aside. "You're out here with a kid on orientation, Julia? Which means by any standards, you were alone. Where's Jay?"

"I called Jay. I called Tav." 

"I'll talk with them. You could've been killed out here with the newb." 

"He did a great job, old virus. Nest, he was not ready, Chess. I take responsibility for this."

"If you ever need help, you do the same fucking thing you did tonight. You call. I will never leave you hanging and I mean that. Even if I don't answer, my guys will. They got you like I do. I suggest you chat with Jay." 

"He's got the fucking flu, Chess. So does Tav." 

"If I had the flu, I'd drag my sick ass outta bed." 

"Just tell me you love me. Fuck." She growled at him.

"I do love you. And you could say the fucking same." 

"I love you too. Thanks." 

In time for the presser in the morning, the scenes had been cleared. The incidents, both old and new virus, had been reported, documented and cleared. Chess and Julia stood alongside one another, apparently from 2 opposing teams, and joined their efforts for the news media. Both local and regional reported on their extermination of the threat with little to zero property damage. Chess and Julia both replied to endless questions about their tandem effort and Chess added his comments, polite and professional, showcasing that private and county could both work along each other's side and protect the citizens of their hometowns. Kelly took numerous phone calls for interviews regarding the incident and Chess accepted every single one. He acknowledged he waived fees for the county saving the county thousands. Unclear whether that would be extended in the future as he didn't work for the county, and he had quit the job just for 'reasons like this. Staffing is an issue. Safety is an issue." He paused during one interview and stole one of Jayson's humanity quotes, "Is there a price to be put on human life?" Or something like that, he felt like saying. He couldn't quote him verbatim, obviously. He hadn't been listening. Business picked up swiftly after that and all his interviews went swimmingly. He met with and hired Templeton, pairing him up with experienced and well-trained individuals who could afford him the time and the effort to train him properly. Julia was irate. She had liked the kid and wanted more time with him. But John Templeton jumped ship. He made more money part time with Chess' company than he would full time with the county. 

In the beginning, Chess whole life amounted to the business 24/7. Any phone call, any problem, any interview, any situation, he made himself available. His team made themselves available. They participated in local and county wide events. He and his team members consulted throughout the state and responded to any call they got. Their phones never stopped ringing; their pagers never stopped beeping. He was hiring and training and dealing with issues and problems and legal issues and reaping the rewards left and right. He had Tavin at his side full time by the end of the first quarter and divided up the responsibility. Despite Jesslyn being his partner, she could not step in and handle shit. Tavin worked a couple nights and as needed with county EMS, because he loved his job as a medic and a leader. He didn't want to lose his skills, so the part of his life he severed was school. Chess was pissed. "When am I supposed to fit that in?" Tavin yelled at him. There was not enough time in the day for any of them. 

When they felt overwhelmed, he wished he had Julia and Jay on board. He reached out to them monthly. They declined. 

Julia was the one who suffered the most. Her life amounted to a uniform. She was in her uniform 24/7. How had the County devolved into what amounted to a 2-person crew on each shift. She was on call 24/7. She managed to run a house, a marriage, raise Tia and take what little care of Alex he required, food shopping, laundry, homework, keeping her family happy and comfortable, taking care of Shy as needed and dealing with whatever else came up. She also took the cert courses and continued education courses for the guys in her life and that included Chess Morgan. She had no private life and no peace. She moved and lived with little to no rest and had the responsibility for everything resting solely on her shoulders. When Jay and Tav were sick with the flu, they got to rest and take the time off, but when she fell ill, she dragged herself on meds into work in a uniform with fever and cough. No one tended to her and if they did, they were shot down and rejected. Julia took the business of the dead seriously. She overextended herself in every aspect of her life until the spring when mother nature put her in her place. 

She was once again training new hires. She was the woman in charge and had a crew of 4 additional souls to manage, train, offer advice and keep track of. She was exhausted and she was overwhelmed, but she managed to carry her trainees through the local park and baseball field. The rain pounded them, but she kept them focused and exterminated the dead easily. The dead were not her issue that evening. Nature was. As the crew waited for the ME, the Manganelli's and an end to this spring, super soaker of a night, the late spring sky started rolling with thunder. Lightning strikes lit the night sky, giving ample light to the field in question. One of her trainees had spotted someone who had not been put down and she and the trainee went to the soul mid field in the rain and thunder and lightning. As her trainee put down the soul on the field, she thanked him for having a trained eye and keeping them safe. A good job. Mid-sentence, lightning struck and sent both her and her trainee off the ground and onto the field several feet away from where they stood. The rest of the team watched in awe as the team leader and their newbie coworker sprawled onto the grass 20 feet apart. Jayson, who'd been on the call with her, took the team into action, arriving at their fallen and starting resuscitation efforts. 911 had been called and was in transit. When a team member fell, it was treated as if an officer was down, especially if the cause was not related to the dead in their vicinity. There were protocols in place for an incident that got out of control. This was not in fact an incident out of control. Both team members received lifesaving efforts, and those efforts were successful for both Julia and the trainee. Both were taken via ambulance to the Mav general and treated. Julia was stabilized and since her burns were more extensive, she was prepped for transfer. Both survived. Both were admitted for their injuries sustained that night on duty and both were excused from duty pending their outcomes. Both had burns on their bodies. Both were assessed and had neurological deficits. Both had internal injury. Both were lucky to be alive. 

How many times had she been deemed by self or others lucky to be alive? As she lay conscious and in pain in a hospital ER, awaiting transfer to a regional hospital that was sufficient to treat her, she floated on a cloud of morphine and damn near died for a second time that night. She had too much morphine, dosed by two different ER staff in error to alleviate the pain from her burns. She was treated for overdose and the effects reversed, then she was switched to dilaudid altogether to treat her pain. They were at the time unsure whether morphine was a true allergy, or an error had occurred. Her trainee only suffered minor injuries, minor burns, and never had lost consciousness. Julia had taken the brunt of the lightning strike. Through her narcotic haze, she only asked whether her trainee was alive and well? Did he survive? Is he ok? She was insistent and rejected transfer till staff gave her an update on his condition. 

Jayson stayed at her side the entire time. He transferred in the ambulance to the regional hospital in Lancaster. Soaking wet, he eventually dried out and refused to separate from her. They gave him a pair of scrubs at the hospital when they arrived. She remained awake and alert throughout even though she floated on a dilaudid high. He had to step out when they arrived in Lancaster and he made numerous phone calls and gave updates on her condition. Alive and talking but high, he texted to everyone. A crowd of family and friends arrived in Lancaster's hospital waiting room. Reporters arrived to the hospital grounds. Lurkers and fans and stalkers alike arrived to get up to date info and be nosy.  By sunrise, County and state officials held press conferences. They explained her injury as well as her trainee's injury though less severe. All were relieved to hear she'd survive this. That her trainee would also survive this injury. 

Once the narc wore off and Julia was treated and given a room to stay in, she waited for someone to sit aside her. That person was, of course, Jayson. She felt weird and she told him as much. For the first time since the Julia's had jumped her, she felt alone in her head. 

"You're high on dilaudid, babe." Jay said, taking hold of her hand. 

She accepted that excuse for the moment, but in her head she felt different. She felt alone. She heard nothing but her own thoughts. No intrusive voices heard. When Jay tired, head out for food and to get his stuff from his brother, Chess sat at her bedside. 

"Lightening." He stated. 

"Yep." She nodded. "I got hit here-" She pointed at her left side. "And it shot through my legs and into the ground." She showed him her bandaged legs. "My lungs-they're monitoring my lungs for burns like my legs, but I'm breathing ok. It's a little rough and it's hot to breathe in." She admitted. "They keep drawing blood gases and they keep sticking me." Tears welled in her eyes. "Listen, Jay doesn't believe me, but I'm alone, Chess." 

"No, we're all here. There's a crowd in the lobby, Jules." 

She whimpered. She pointed at her head. "In here. It's just me." 

"Me who?" Chess asked curiously.

"Your girlfriend. Julia Fry.  Not Julia Morgan...er, Keller, his wife and not old Julia. She's-they're silent. They're gone." 

"The lightening, you think? The electrical shock? It jolted them out?" 

"Maybe." She shrugged. "I'll give it some time and see if they come back." She shrugged, tears rolling over her cheeks. "Chess, what's this mean if it's just me?" 

"I don't know. We'll figure it out like we always do, ok." He answered. "Are you in pain?" 

"Yeah." She nodded. She took a deep breath and he could hear her wheezing. "Chess, get me a nurse, please. It's hot." She rubbed her chest and tried to stay calm. She took a deep breath and another. He was scared. He got up and went for the nurse like she had asked. 

"Please, she can't breathe." Chess alerted the staff at the desk. "She's in trouble." Staff had already started to mobilize as he approached the desk, her monitors already told them what she knew and what he announced. He left the ICU and head back to the lobby with the rest of his family, his broken table. Jay would take over from this point and even he was told to wait in the ICU lobby for any word. The mood went further south when he was asked to confirm her code level, the lengths that he would want them to go to in order to keep her alive. He was familiar with the questioning, and it wasn't their first time with the code determination chat. He sat alone and waited what seemed like an eternity. Suddenly he felt grateful they'd transferred her as the news was announced that her lungs needed rest and she had been intubated. Although there had been no fire, she had breathed in the heat and that could cause damage, scarring, additional complications that superseded the burns she sustained. The next 48 to 72 hours would tell the medical staff more and give them a more clear picture of the extent of her internal and external injuries. She had scans, tests to rule out blood clots, lab work. A central line was placed and they gave her meds to keep her sedated and also treated her with antibiotics to prevent infection taking place in the burns. Burns that would become wounds on her lower back and legs. It was too early to discuss skin grafts, but the docs cautioned him that may be a step in the healing process. As the family cleared out, Tavin was the only one who remained with him for him and not necessarily her. 

"She said something to me before Chess went in." Jay announced suddenly, breaking the unending silence in the waiting room.

"What's that?"

"She said they were gone." 

"They who?"

"The voices in her head. Julia and old Julia. It was just Fry in there. It's why I left her with Chess. I had to get out of there. When she said that, I felt like I was about to suffocate." 

Tavin stared at him oddly. "So-uh-we're sitting next to Fry's bed?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Don't get me wrong, I love the little one to death, but I just lost my girl. I just lost her all over again and it's selfish, but I'm really fucked up right now." 

"We all love little Julia." Tavin nodded. "Does he know?" 

"I don't know whether she broke that to him or not. I mean, I'll do right by her. I swear I will, but what's this mean if-"

"Jay, it's too soon to worry about it." 

"And it's too late for him."

"I like you better selfish, ok. For once." Tavin groaned. "Quit worrying about everyone else right now. This affects her and you. End of story. She's your fucking wife." 

"Where do you think she is right now?" Jay leaned back in his seat and stared at the ceiling. 

"Well, if what you say is true, then two of the three have met their maker. And she's fighting for her life in there for the time being." 

"Why's it gotta be so fucked up? I just want normal everyday life." 

"Well, brother, if you want normal, faithful, sweet, emotional, kind, caring, selfless, kinda dull company with pretty long hair and other special attributes I know nothing about, then there she fucking is." 

"She is kinda sweet."

"In an innocent way." He shrugged. 

"And I did kinda fall for her on Stef's flipside, you know." 

"Aware." Tavin nodded. 'So is she, aware of that fact. Went both ways if you tell the story right." 

"Damn." Jay mumbled. "What are we even talking about? Gonna bring her home like a puppy?"

"Jayson." Tavin said sharply. "Why don't you talk to her when she's awake and make a decision on life when she can add to it? What the fuck does she want? It's her fucking choice, Jayson. She has to feel comfortable in our home, with us and the life we created that is not the life she participated in. Everything should rightfully change because of who she is, not because of who her adopted family is. Just like Jody. She deserves the respect and the freedom to make independent choices and live with the consequences. We have to guide her, encourage her, correct when needed and let her live the life of her choice. She's not bound to us by any connection that I know of. They're different women in just about every aspect other than the physical one I'd assume."

"Oh, well, that-"

"I don't want to know, Jayson."

Jay sat silent.

"I hate to say this out loud, but take a page out of Chess' book and keep your fucking private, private. He was insistent and radical about it. Copy and paste, Jay. Respect the woman. Try something fucking different. We all could use a little of that. And since our girl has moved on, at least temporarily, jump county ship and join us please." Tavin calmed and stared at the same drop ceiling as his brother. "That's all I'll say about that."

"We'll wait till she's awake." Jay said less than enthusiastically.

"We have no choice. As Jo would say, where's the loyalty lie? We'll all find out." 

Chapter 20- Are You Gonna Go My Way?

As soon as Thanksgiving weekend ended, Chess made sure to drop by the Bond residence and chat with Mr. and Mrs. Bond. Hayley answered the door with Shy on her hip. Unsure why he'd arrived, she let him inside the house and let him take Shy off her. He doted on her and loved her and cooed at her just like her dad would. "Thanks for the visit, why are you here, Chess?" 

"Here to see your parents." He answered as she led him to their kitchen. She made him a cup of coffee, he'd smelled it upon entrance. Since his drug and alcohol days had abruptly ended, he accepted it gratefully as she took Shy off his chest. 

"Why?" 

"Jay said something about Zombie proofing." Chess answered, sipping the coffee. 

"I got a 9 mill." She shrugged. "We'll be ok." 

"Do they?" He asked. 

While he waited for the parents to arrive home from work, he made small talk with Hayley. He thought long and hard over the weekend and realized he needed someone smart with an education in business management and health administration to assist him with his start up. The family business was in its infancy in his brain and wanted to pick someone's college educated brain for ideas or direction. He needed guidance and since Julia wasn't handing over any binder or plan, then he thought he'd get in bed with the enemy, so to speak. Hayley may be off limits to Jay outside the realm of Shy, but she was not off limits to him. Every time he laid eyes on Hayley, he was painfully reminded of their betrayal years ago, her and Jay, but he remained calm cool and collected in her presence. God damn, she was pretty and still out of his league. She knew that and blew him off as soon as her dad got home from work. Mom followed shortly afterward, and they conducted tour of the house. He didn't need a tour, not much had changed since his last visit to the Bond home. He sat with both mom and dad Bond post tour and offered tips and pointers. They wanted action not tips and pointers. Dad showed him all the gadgets he'd purchased from the infomercials on zombie proofing and zombie deterrents. He had no idea any of that nonsense existed. He advised him to throw it all away, which frightened him. Hay's mom was much more sensible about the matter. Simple and easy ways to monitor and prevent entrance. She had been doing research of her own and she was on point with the zombie proofing. Chess advised him to listen to his wife, excluding himself from the picture altogether. Mr. Bond didn't want to hear that, so Chess wrote down everything plus a few extra tips that Mrs. Bond hadn't mentioned. 24/7 monitoring inside and outside the home that would send alerts to all linked monitoring devices. An alarm or two that would loudly alert them to not only living but dead intruders on the property. All the safety devices that monitored living could be utilized or enhanced to monitor the dead. A safe room, pending a call to authorities like Julia or Jayson, that was reinforced and had necessities for all the family members. Needn't have bars or over done zombie proofing, they couldn't turn knobs or handles. 

"What about the nests?" Her dad asked nervously. 

"Nests by nature would descend on people outside, not inside. As long as you're dark, the house is dark and you're well-armed, then you should be alright." 

"Well armed." Mrs. Bond repeated.

"In this day and age, I'd advise anyone who's legally and mentally competent to have a firearm at their disposal. There are safety courses and firearm training, and safety courses recommended." Chess nodded. "Unless you plan on jumping the dead with a short kitchen knife and risking your life and everyone around you." 

"Mom, I have a firearm, so as long as I'm home, we'll be safe." Hayley told her. 

"What if you're not and we're home with the baby?" 

"Then you have a safety plan in place and make a phone call. It's simple really." 

"When can you get all this done?" Mr. Bond asked Chess, averting his attention from Hayley. 

"By the end of the week I can have a written plan and have the necessities. The firearms and training, you'll need to accomplish in your spare time." 

Chess sat at the Bond's kitchen table and chatted about life, Layla, Jesslyn, how his parents were doing, work or the lack thereof, the weather, the marine Corp life...Mr. Bond asked for a price for his time and knowledge and Chess answered honestly, free of charge. In fact, Jayson, as a county rep, should have redirected Mr. Bond and then assisted where needed. They didn't need Chess Morgan in the least. In fact, their daughter could have resolved their issues. "You will incur costs, but it'll be with the cable company for the surveillance and-" He would make the calls for them but told them they could call themselves. 

Chess reassured them he'd stop by and give the house another follow up tour and ensure they were safe and covered. He gave both of them his number and they could call for any questions or concerns after the fact, including tips and guidance on firearms. He said he'd want someone to treat his parents similarly if need be. But his parents were different. His parents could fire weapons without regard for taking the life of the dead. His parents lived with Ray who had already proven himself despite his mental illness. He had faith in his small family at home to take care of their own and without hesitation and that included Jesslyn. If left to her own devices, Jesslyn could and would protect Layla and herself and the family. She wouldn't appreciate it or want to, but she would step up. They'd had this conversation over the course of the few weeks since Layla had made her entrance into the world. They had a plan for the home and the family home should the need arise. 

"I think our insurance will cover most of this." Mrs. Bond said quietly as Mr. Bond started adding up the financial aspects in his head.

"Excuse me, what did you say?" Chess asked softly. 

"Our insurance company reached out after Philadelphia. We pay extra on our premium to safeguard our home and we can also-" Mrs. Bond explained the insurance aspect to him. It seemed that the insurance companies saw a need and stepped in to reap the benefits of that undead need. He felt a heat rise up in him. He could charge insurance companies for incidents taking place within the home and if homeowners took necessary steps to safeguard their homes, then they would pay to meet insurance company requirements. Cha-fucking-ching...Chess thought. He could provide a service and invoice customers for doing so. He felt charged with excitement momentarily but he also felt dumb as hell because he had no idea what to do. No business acumen to think of, no education other than his experience to go on. That's where Hayley stepped in. Long after Mr. and Mrs. Bond had ended the conversation, sated with his solutions and his zero fee, Hayley started running her mouth and for once, Chess listened. They sat down with pen and paper while amusing Shy and came up with the business plan. Thanks to Kevin for paying for that degree of hers, he left the Bond home with Hayley's updated numbers in his phone, miniscule tasks to be completed by the end of the week he had hired Hayley, given her the first job out of college. He didn't respect her as a girlfriend, but if that brain of hers was correct in any way shape or form, then they were in business. Where's the need right now? She asked him. Their hometown had their own crew and plan in place with the county. "Where's the need? Where are people suffering? How can we alleviate that suffering?" 

1. Certifications

2. Firearm certifications.

3. Was there the need for background checks? There were laws that they couldn't get around and hiring ex-felons or those with criminal backgrounds would be a hindrance. 

3. The business plan that focused on all the gross stuff no one wanted to deal with. Branches of the business that dealt with expert and swift clean up, security post incident to alleviate the pressure on local PD's, volunteer fire departments. Consulting and guidance within the guidelines of the insurance company requirements, insurance itself and someone licensed to sell it and deal with all the paperwork that accompanied it. He and Hayley sat at her kitchen table and on a notebook, they scribed every plausible and conceivable aspect of the business, including that 800 number that Jayson wanted since forever. There was no law that said a private citizen could not report an incident within the home or outside the home to a private company with certified operators. As long as the certifications were all in place and the paperwork was in order and ready to show to any authority who demanded it, all should be legal to proceed. That's where the Manganelli's entered the chat. They had a lawyer that could advise him and keep the business legit, which was what Chess wanted. 

4. Staff. He had an office secretary in Jesslyn. He had a PR chick in Kelly who would handle anything that involved public statements and inquiries to the business. He'd put out feelers for operators, if not full time, then on call for situations that would arise. Chess wanted new faces that he could train to speak just like him and sound just like him. A blank slate meant less autonomy. 

5. A social worker, someone to reach out to the public and provide counseling and direction. Grief counseling, anxiety related counseling and not only for the public, but for the staff as well. He didn't want his people scarred or losing their minds. The human psyche was fragile and once broken, hard to piece back together. 

Chess went home and told Jess about everything. Jess gave him more ideas and by the time Layla went to sleep he added more suggestions in his notebook. By the time Layla roused from slumber, half that notebook was filled and he knew what needed to be done. He started making phone calls. He put feelers out. He took the information that Hayley provided and the ideas that Jess had given and created the dream. It was a risk and he'd need to run the money part, how much would he need to start up?  Did he have enough money to front this operation even if it meant he was penniless at the end and starting over from scratch? 

"You have the money, Chess." Jesslyn said, tucking him into the spot on the sofa. She covered him with a blanket. 

"I only got so much, Jesslyn."

"I just liquidated a porn estate. I'll be your partner and secretary." She smiled. She ran her hand through his hair as he drifted off to sleep at the completion of his night shift. He wasn't sure he'd heard her right.

Weeks passed. The financials were all sorted out. The feelers resulted in a skeleton crew of former vets and some newbies that would need training. He had, over the course of a month, dissolved his entire life and created an entire new existence. The season transitioned from Turkey to Santa and his table meeting was coming up on him quickly. He reached out a few days before Christmas and had everyone agree to a time and location. He didn't have to come up with the speech of a lifetime as the plan was written by him and two females that he would have never guessed would be as involved as he'd allowed. He had no qualms about working with females, he wanted them smart and strong in physicality and mentality. Jody had opted out and traveled back to parts unknown with the fine ass Antonia strong physically and mentally in her own right. He evidently preferred to be her #2 as opposed to his #2. Chess understood the choice. He had no way to prove he was who he was and could not operate under the same conditions here as he did there. He missed his friend tremendously but replaced him with Tavin Keller. Jesslyn was correct about Tavin's role in his life and his work. When there was no Jo, Tavin filled his shoes just fine.  He did not need Jay or Julia and formulated this plan with the idea of excluding the couple whether they chose differently or not. The general public would prefer her face, but he was equally as well reputed. His name not necessarily his face would get them through the first quarter, during which they had to prove themselves and garner the public trust and admiration. He would have to push the envelope where that was concerned only he was unsure how to accomplish that thus far. 

They met as a group on Christmas Eve. He and Jess had Candace and Ray watch Layla while they went to Tavin's house. Jess had put Layla down for sleep and they knew they couldn't be gone too long because Lay had yet to start sleeping through the night. She would sleep longer intervals, but not entirely through the night. They were both tired and drawn from double duty as business creators-partners and parents. Once everyone was seated, they waited at the table for the last visitors. 

"We're all here." Julia said, taking a seat beside Jayson. 

"Not yet." Chess replied, looking at his cell. "We're waiting on two more people." He smiled at Jess, knowing full well these last persons would not be considered part of the table under previous circumstances. These persons would possibly set Julia off, thus the lack of information on their last bodies to sit in the empty chairs. Hayley's job at this table was merely to sit quietly and listen, add if only asked to do so. Similarly, Kelly was to keep her mouth shut and only reply to business related questions, not personal. Hayley was picking up Kelly and they were en route. 

Since Alex sat aside Jay, the group knew that Jody wouldn't be making an appearance. They all wanted that, but the universe didn't align for it. He'd been invited but declined at Thanksgiving. Having everyone released from familial obligations on Thanksgiving gave Chess the freedom not to consider anyone's feelings in the decisions or plan he made. They could simply opt in or out and then adjust to the decisions made. 

The ladies appeared a few minutes later, welcoming themselves through Tavin Keller's front door. Hayley and Kelly sat in the empty chairs, said hello and then muted as Chess had asked of them. Jess also sat on mute, but more from intimidation than any other reason. He asked they keep this short and sweet and advised them that Layla still doesn't sleep through the night. There would be no family occasion other than the one he'd requested. They all had children and responsibilities. Where do the loyalties lie? Jody would ask if present. Was loyalty even a thing among them anymore? 

"There is one man missing." Chess stated looking around the table. Jody's absence was felt by all. "He's indicated his choice. Royal pussy always wins." 

"Understood." Tavin said, the rest nodded in agreement that Jody chose to leave with Antonia and strive for greatness elsewhere. 

"Alex, as soon as you're of age, you have the choice to join either team and that will be your decision." Chess advised him.

"Understood." Alex nodded. "Thanks for letting me sit."

"You've been an invaluable part of this family and table. Either team would be happy to have you on board. If you choose otherwise, so be it. We'll all make do and understand."

"Ok." 

Chess dropped his folder on the table, and he listed out the entire business plan for them. Top to bottom, services that would be rendered and the details that it would take to complete it. He indicated where in part this money was coming from, including grants, loans and his own personal portfolio as well as that of his partner, Jesslyn. The shock written on their faces when Jesslyn's liquidated estate was put on the table didn't go unnoticed. Due to time constraints, any questions about her father and his business dealings and estate could be answered at a later time. All their curiosity had peaked on that statement. "The money that she made from this liquidated estate did not in any way, shape or form amount to anything near what she's owed from that motherfucker."

"Agreed." Julia said loudly. 

"So, my partner and office secretary-Jesslyn." Chess motioned to his right. "My other secretary and PR chick, Kelly." He pointed to her next. "My public health administrator/expert, Hayley. Fresh graduate from Temple University." He pointed at her next. "There's me, I'm in charge." He said, looking around the table. "Tavin?" 

"So let me get this straight," Tavin said, looking directly at Kelly. "You plan on taking the current table to Pittsburgh Metro and surrounding counties and along with her my son, three hours away." 

"Actually," Chess said, leaning against the table and folding his hands in front of him. "Actually, not at all. That's the part of the plan that the three of us have changed for all those concerned." Chess admitted, referring to Hayley and Jesslyn. "I admit I was selfish at first and wanted to relocate this table to an entirely different area. But what I have planned here can be done anywhere and expand out. So, no. I will not be in the business or mindset to separate parents from children or grandparents from grandchildren. Spouses from spouses, ex spouses, etc..." 

"I accept." Tavin nodded, leaning back in his seat. "I can arrange my schedule at work initially to work around this and as it picks up, I can transition." 

"Glad you said that because I may need a pretty face and since I cannot have hers, then I will have to use yours. I'll have to appeal to a certain clientele and since Jo took his pretty self to parts unknown, then you're gonna have to step up." 

"No," Julia shook her head. 

"I won't try to convince you two." Chess looked at Julia and Jay. "I think he'd agree, if you-" Chess quieted. "Understood. So, we're all agreed on our decisions?" 

"If I what?" 

Chess shrugged. "Like I said, we're firm on our decisions?" 

"There's still time to think about it." Alex said, looking to Julia and Jay. 

"It's not worth undoing everything for 5 grand pay difference." Julia said.

"Someone else would step in and handle that for you." 

"So, I am replaceable."

"We all are." Chess nodded. He paused, "Jules, I think we all want the same thing. Doesn't matter where who does it. I think that having a liaison here would be great. Only difference is I am independent and you're county. You don't have to mend fences with the Manganelli's, because they're now independent as well. Their prices are going up. Any calls I get, we get a cut of that. They're good people only you never saw them that way." 

"They gave you your job back." She hissed at him. 

"I don't want it back and I am clean as evidenced by the last 2 piss screens I gave them." 

"Then why can't you-"

"Money." He tapped the book in front of him. "A fuck ton of money. I shoulda done this here before the county ever got involved. Your county now has competition." 

"I have this on lock, Chess. We do." She motioned to Jayson. "We all do. These people are cooperating and-"

"I'll keep you in mind for special assignments." 

"Ok." She shrugged. "Whatever that means." 

"Jay, are you sure?" Tavin asked. 

"I'll do something prn and maybe some outreach stuff, whatever you need." Jay shrugged. "You got part of me, not all of me. That's the best I can do." Jay smiled. "He's not the only one with a pretty face, you know." 

He opened his folder and he slid a magnet down the table to Jayson. He caught it. Jay smiled. "That's our 800 number, brother." 

"Fucking right." He grinned. 

Chess looked at Julia. "You got one? An 800 number?" 

She smirked, "It's called 911, Chess." 

"Ok, well, if anyone wants a good Christmas dinner, mommy's cooking. You're all welcome, if you don't have plans." He offered before the table dispersed to their vehicles and went home. 

Chess and Jess let Ray and Candace roll out after a discussion about the meeting. Ray was offended he was left out, but Chess convinced him he had a special assignment for the family. Chess admitted he had plans for the everyone in the future. If the business took off like the projections showed, he would be able to purchase land, build on it and include dwellings for his entire family and their significant others. That would be paramount if the time came that the dead overran them, then the compound idea would flourish. If not, then they could come and go freely till the shit hit the fan. 

They checked on Layla, sleeping soundly in her crib for a change, then returned to the master bedroom to change into pajamas and lay down with the monitor on as loudly as possible. As if Layla's squawking cries would not be heard by either of them over any monitor available on the market. 

"Chess," Jess whispered aside him in bed. The darkness of the room enveloped them. The door ajar to hear the baby despite the monitor. 

"What's up?" he asked, squeezing her body closer to his beneath the blankets.

"I stopped bleeding." She stated, wiggling her ass against his firm erection. "Want another blow job or do you wanna fuck?" 

She needn't ask as he lowered the pajama bottoms and went to work. It was a quick job as he hadn't been laid properly since well before Layla's birth. He gave her embarrassingly the best 60 seconds he could offer before coming hard inside her warm snatch. "Gimme a few minutes and we'll properly fuck, babe." He said, leaving his soft dick inside her. He thought if he could do a couple lines, he would fuck her all night. But, no. They waited in the dark, in the silence, kissing and fondling till his dick grew inside her. He made love to her for near an hour, letting Jess enjoy herself. It's been weeks since they'd indulged in each other. A couple weeks early, believing she'd healed and the bleeding had ceased. They'd quick'ied in the shower a couple times, but nothing that was enjoyable other than him coming in a record speed. 

"I love you, Chess." She repeated as his solid 8 inches embedded inside her. "I love you, Chess." 

"I love you, Jess." 

Two weeks later, at her OB-GYN appointment, she complained of feeling tired and sick. She was nauseated at the appointment and her breasts felt more full than usual. The doc initially said not to worry about it, but then asked if she had been sexually active prior to the appointment. When Jess answered honestly, the doc ran labs.  Jess got a phone call the next afternoon informing her that her pregnancy test was positive. She was pregnant and expecting their second baby. 

She looked to Chess after that phone call with tears in her eyes. She was nervous about telling him. The entire world was upside down at the moment. "Chess, the GYN called." She trembled a little. 

"OK, so." 

"I'm pregnant."

His reaction was as overwhelmingly positive as her pregnancy test. "Shit, Kyra is on the way." Chess gasped. 

"What?" She asked in his tight embrace, confused by his excitement and happiness. 

"I know this isn't the greatest time." He said. "We need to pack an overnight bag and take a drive up to Rochester. There's a story I need to tell you. There's something you need to see." 

Within 24 hours, he'd run some errands while she packed their overnight bags. They loaded themselves and Layla into the truck and took the drive north to Rochester, NY. They stopped only once at a rest stop to relieve themselves and tend to Layla. A 90-minute delay gave him enough time to book a room at the same place he'd stayed with Fry on Julia's exit from the planet. An entirely different room, but the same circumstances led them there. He and Jess carried the infant car seat to the memorial. He told her the entire story, start to finish, on the ride while Layla slept. "You could have told me this at home." Jess remarked in the January frigidity of Rochester at an elementary school. They returned to the truck and he drove them to a cemetery. He told her she could stay in the truck as dusk fell across the land, but she got out, leaving Layla in her car seat asleep in the truck. They visited side by side graves of Layla and Kyra Morgan, leaving flowers and his tears. The day had been overwhelming for him again. Jess, true to form, stepped in and comforted him. He'd taken their lives, but his girls would live on and create a different future for their family. 

Later, in the motel room, he watched as Jess fed Layla. He admired her across the room. He watched his daughter suckle the tit in her mouth. Jess watched TV and was oblivious that Chess watched them. She lay Layla in her bed provided by the motel. He put himself against his woman's chest. He took her nipple in his mouth, suckled as did his daughter, tasting his girl briefly. He lay against her, then reached in his pocket, withdrawing a ring that he had chosen on his errands before they left Maverick. He asked her to marry him and showed her the ring from his pocket. A modest 2 carat round cut diamond ring. He received a positive response from his request. Tears and surprise and happiness and joy. He chose to wife her and she accepted. Once she replied in the affirmative, the clothes came off easily. They made love and fell asleep against each other till Layla roused them from slumber after sleeping through the night for the very first time. 

The weekend after New Year's they had a party and anyone who wanted to join them could do so. He sent out invitations to everyone he knew that he'd feel comfortable having in his home he shared with Jesslyn. He knew it was cramped and there was no where to hang out, a small 2 bedroom row home was big enough for Jess and her mom, but the growing family of soon to be 4, they'd need to relocate. So the party was at Mommy's house. Normally his parents were low key, but the New Year meant new beginnings and positive, responsible, legit changes. He wasn't sure if everyone would show up or if no one would show up. As optimistic as Chess tried to be for the first time in his life, he was nervous as hell. He had to beg and cajole one more party out of his mom before she could return to her normal state of affairs. 

A small crowd formed and the people he wanted to show up, showed up. If only to show their face momentarily, then so be it. Shelby made her way through the door and everyone knew who she was, but they wondered why she was there. Cookie at her side and a handful of the vets from his team. Ben was last through the door. He needed people, his people. If they were still enlisted or ever wanted to quit, he wanted them to know where to go after the fact. 

Chess found Tavin on the deck and gave him his directive, double checking that he was single and available to possibly take one for the team. "I thought we didn't like her, man."

"I would do it, but I got my chastity belt on here." 

"This is where my pretty face comes into play." 

"If things don't go to plan, maybe." He shrugged. "It's not your face I'm interested in anyway." 

They finished a smoke and head back inside. Jesslyn and Hayley greeted everyone with kids attached to them. Drinks were passed around and the cards came out. While they played cards and had a night of it, small talk was made. A handful of fresh faces arrived an hour or so into the gathering, his new employees were welcomed inside and offered food and drinks, get to know each other on a personal level. The newbs saw faces they had only heard about or seen on TV. They got to hear stories and gossip and memories and hopefully, Chess thought, they'd hear all of it and want to create those moments for themselves one day. He made key points that they could all be faced with some shit at anytime and all stood ready and willing to break up the gathering and take care of business. Above all, the evening was fun. Jesslyn a made friends with Cook, Cook obliged him asking the favor of a lifetime and promising to never bother her again for any favors. He and Shelby had a chat and he had to humble himself, make excuses and seek some sort of forgiveness or come to some sort of truce, because he had favors to ask of her as well. She'd heard all about his business venture and his outlook on getting involved changed. He dropped his ego, said what he hoped were the right things and asked she call for any zombie related bullshit that she needed help with. She'd get a bonus for the recommendation, but the fees would be pricy. She agreed and suggested he'd be on a trial basis initially and if she liked his work, then she would reach out. 

"So you think that was all her? Gotcha." Chess shrugged. "I'll agree if you agree." Numbers were exchanged. Handshakes exchanged. 

Tavin moved in to chat with her for the 3rd time and she shut him down. "I like what you came up with here." She smiled, taking a sip of her beer. "If I was straight, I'd be on it, fellas. If you're trying to get me laid though, I prefer the blond over there." She pointed out Hayley. 

"She's bougie and selfish." Chess mumbled, taking her arm and leading her to Hayley.

"Yeah, you'd have a better time with me." Tavin laughed. 

 "Hay, have you met Shelby yet?" He scooped Shy off her hip and moved on with Tavin away from them. 

"Where the hell is her dad?" Chess asked, thinking he had his own baby to tend to. Nonetheless he mingled with Shy on his hip drooling till Jay arrived and took her off his hands. Chess filled him in as they watched Shelby and Hayley talk and flirt. "Where's Jules?"

"She said, and I quote, fuck you." He shrugged. "I brought Alex though." He paused, "So, are we drumming up business, boss?" 

"Mending fences and drumming up business, yeah. I got with each of them, extended an offer, even if it is as needed." 

"You got experience here for sure." 

"Possibly some of the most legally dangerous people on the eastern seaboard." 

They literally stood on the safest street in all of Lancaster County. The damage that could be done among the individuals in that room was indescribable.