2 Beginnings

"In the case of total nuclear destruction, you and your family will be safe! Hundreds of feet underground, in a safe and secure vault. Namely created by Vault Tech."

"Okay. Well are you sure you have enough spots for me, my wife, and my son?" He asked curiously.

"Yes. Indeed we do. All I need from you is some basic information, here. Fill this simple chart out and you will secure yourself a wonderful, bright future!" The man said smiling, he was definitely over selling this, but Walt didn't mind it. It was just a harmful chart.

"Okay." He filled out the chart quite quickly. With his age, full name, previous medical history, etc. It wasn't complicated at all, quite simple actually.

"There you go." Walt said smiling and handing the clipboard back to the man.

"Thank you for your cooperation, you are now 'Prepared for the future'." The man said as the door shut behind him.

Walt stood there for a moment before heading back into Shaun's bedroom. Evelyn was holding him close to her chest rocking him back and forth softly.

"Who was it?" Evelyn asked as Walt kissed her on the forehead.

"Some Vault Tech representative. Asking me to fill out some paperwork." He said kneeling beside her, placing his hand on her thigh.

"Oh, well that's good. I was worried your father had come by again." He rolled his eyes in response to her comment. Douglas Sullivan was a bitter and hateful man, refused to let his only son be happy. Walt never let him meet Shaun, and this enraged his father even more. Prompting him to stop by at random times, to harass the couple.

A couple peaceful moments passed, enjoying each other's company. Until the event that would change their whole lives happened.

"Mum! Dad! Come quick!" They heard the robotic butler say frantically.

Walt stood quickly rushing to the living room, Evelyn wasn't far behind. Holding the baby in her arms, he wasn't crabby anymore. Softly giggling to something happening in his own world.

Walt made it just in time to see the announcement on the television. The reporter told the whole world that the atomic war had started. A nuke was going to drop. At any moment.

He started thinking about what was happening, the life they would be leaving behind. He had barely even got adjusted to normal life again, domestic life. Evelyn had just gotten through college, earning her Masters degree in Law. She was going to be a lawyer. He was planning on staying home with Shaun. They only just moved into this house to settle down. Hell, there was still some boxes around the house unpacked. Why? Why did this have to happen now? Not 30- 40 years down the road?

Walt acted quickly grabbing Evelyn by the shoulder and leading her out of the house.

"Goodbye, Codsworth. Be safe, buddy." He said leaving the poor robot behind. He felt awful about it, but he was pretty sure the butler would be fine. Making it over less than a mile to Vault 111 was just a blur. The yelling of their neighbors, the people at the gate begging to be allowed in, telling the guy their names, and even being allowed in. All of it felt so surreal. But once all of the people who had been signed up stood on the platform, it happened. The atom dropped. Hit the ground as they started heading underground. He reached out for Evelyn, holding her hand that laid on Shaun's head.

"Are we going to be okay?" She asked, her voice shaking.

"I think so.. I don't know." He replied feeling his whole body feel guilt. All of those people, they all… Died. Did they suffer? Or die quickly?

He shook his head ignoring the dark thoughts that began to flood through his previously peaceful ones.

They reached the ground, it was cold. Colder than he thought it was going to be, but he didn't really think much of this. Didn't think that the simple form that he filled out was going to go anywhere. But… Here they were. In Vault 111, about to live out their lives. Underground.