A/N: Hi everyone! This was inspired by a song posted by wontlasttwodays on Tumblr- "To Build a Home" by the Cinematic Orchestra. I've been replaying Rick's last episode over in my head and figured I would come up with my own spin of how the story should play out. I hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think.

Just a heads up- this first chapter is super angsty but I promise there will be some fluff in the story.

She didn't know how she ended up back in Alexandria, back in their house. She felt numb, the memory of the explosion playing over and over again in her head, each time more painful than the last. It felt more like a dream than a reality like she was standing on the outside looking in.

This couldn't be happening. This wasn't real.

There is a house built out of stone

Wooden floors, walls and window sills

She remembered hearing a gut-wrenching scream, one so racked with pain and sorrow that she wanted to fall onto her knees.

It wasn't until she felt the ground beneath her that she finally realized that the scream was coming from her.

Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust

Maggie and Carol sat her on the edge of her bed, their own tears streaming down their faces as they tried to comfort her the best way they could. Both women were at a loss for words so they used their actions instead. Maggie hugged her tightly, knowing all too well the pain of losing her husband right in front of her. Carol rubbed her arm lovingly, knowing all too well the pain of losing a loved one in front of her.

This is a place where I don't feel alone

This is a place where I feel at home

"He- he was right there," Michonne sputtered, her voice shaking with her each word. She felt her chest tighten as she gasped for air, the weight of it all convulsing through her veins.

He was gone. Rick was gone. How would she go on?

Her reason came in the form of a certain four-year-old little girl who ran into the room with concern etched on her face after hearing her mother's cries. Nora was behind her, attempting to usher her out of the room and give Michonne some space to grieve, but Michonne requested that she stay.

How would she tell her daughter another one of her family members was gone? She had already lost her brother.

Just the thought of both of her boys being gone nearly tore her apart again, but she held it together for Judith, careful not to scare her.

After Maggie and Carol left out with Nora, Michonne pulled Judith into her arms. Thinking it was just a casual hug, Judith pulled back after a few seconds. Her eyebrows furrowed as she searched her mother's face, sensing something was wrong but unable to piece everything together.

"Mommy is sad?" she asked.

Michonne nodded, sniffling as a new batch of tears fell from her puffy eyes. "Yes, Mommy is sad."

Judith placed her hand on her mother's cheek, her small fingers wiping away the tears. She placed her other hand on Michonne's other cheek and held them there for a few seconds. Michonne's heart broke as she closed her eyes, the realization hitting her hard in her aching chest.

This was Rick's way of comforting Judith. Whenever she would cry or wake up from a bad dream, he would take her face in his hands and it would instantly soothe her, knowing that she was surrounded by love and protected by her father's strong presence.

She pulled Judith back to her, embracing her tightly. Judith was too young to understand what was going on, but she would have to be told eventually. Until then, Michonne wanted her to feel safe, to feel protected. To know that she would do anything to protect her at all costs.

She was all she had left now.

And I built a home

For you

For me

They held each other for a long time, finding solace in the other's arms. The sun had now set and darkness surrounded them in the house that was once filled with so much love and laughter. They had rebuilt this community- their lives- after the war with Negan. They did it for Carl because that's what he would have wanted.

Now, they would find to find a way to rebuild their lives again, this time without Rick. It's what he would have wanted.

Until it disappeared

From me

From you

She was not sure how they were going to make it, but she would try. She had someone depending on her. Well, two, if her suspicions were right.

Her hand automatically reached for her belly.

And now it's time to leave and turn to dust

Lyrics used: "To Build a Home" by the Cinematic Orchestra.