“Shut it,” I grumbled, glaringly aware that my penguin walk only made their laughter more boisterous.

. I turned my attention back to Jared. “I don’t suppose you’ve thought about the little things.”

“Such as?”

“Bathrooms? Sleeping arrangements? Privacy?”

“All luxuries that won’t be readily accessible.”

“Pardon?” I said, my eyebrows shooting up two inches. “I’m heavily pregnant, and there’s no bathroom?”

Jared shifted nervously. “Yes.”

I sighed with relief, and looked to the ceiling. “Oh, thank God.”

“But...not like the facilities you’re used to.”

I peered over at him.

He shifted again. “It’s more like a...a...hole. In the ground. But there is running water below so it’s not as bad as it sounds.”

My face screwed into disgust. “You expect me to balance this,” I said, pointing to my belly, “over a hole?”

“You have Claire and Kim to help.”

I crossed my arms and faced the wall. “Not funny.”

“It can’t be helped.”

I relaxed, and covered my face. “I’m so sorry. I sound like a brat. It’s just…” Tears burned my eyes. “It’s not the way you imagine your pregnancy, you know. Not that I ever really imagined it, but living the last few weeks of my pregnancy in a moist, dark hole, with medieval accommodations and the birth,” I said with a faltering breath. “I’m scared to death. It’s going to be painful, and I trust you, but...not being in a hospital, or even have a midwife there. I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it.”

Jared wrapped his arms around me tight. “It is. But, Claire and I have researched it to death, talked to every medical professional we know, and brought every supply we’ll need.”

“I’m still scared,” I said. A tear fell down my cheek.

Jared rested his cheek on my hair, and his fingers pressed into my skin. “I’m going to love you through it.”

I nodded, and pressed my face into his chest.

Claire tapped Jared on the shoulder. “We need to ready the weapons and check the supplies.”

Jared nodded and released me. Everyone looked to him, and he gestured to everyone. “We have a lot of gear to hike through the city. The most important packages are weapons, med supplies, and rations. These will be carried by myself, Claire and Bex. Ryan, you’ll be extra eyes on the book, but stay close to Claire.”

Ryan nodded.

Jared continued, “Kim, stay close to Bex. If any one gets separated, hold your position and we’ll double back. Under no circumstances is anyone to go off alone. I don’t care if you’re in a panic, or you see a better way to go. Fracturing the group puts us all at risk, so we stay together. Got it?”

Everyone agreed.