A/N: I've had this idea for a while now; if I owned TWD, it would play out something like this hehehe. This is set sometime in the future in the sanctuary of a Safe-Zone. Rick is still alive, Carl is in his late 20s, Judith is a teenager and Michonne, well, let's find out where Michonne is, shall we?

Enjoy.

And somehow I've learned how to listen for a sound like the breeze dying down...*

Carl thought the cool change would never come. The Georgian heat was unbearable sometimes. A gentle breeze was like a welcome caress dancing across the young man's sun-kissed skin. He had finished his work early that afternoon because he was needed over at his father's place to help with some maintenance of the back fences. While walkers rarely found their way into the Safe-Zone, Rick Grimes remained vigilant and sought to protect his family to the highest degree. The whole Safe-Zone was roughly three blocks by four blocks of secured streets of a metropolitan area forty miles west of Atlanta, Georgia. Rick and his group of survivors had come across it a number of years ago when Carl was still a child; they cleared it and built a place where people could live, not only survive, but live and makes lives for themselves. Surviving from one day to the next seemed like so long ago. The uncertainty and weariness of being out in the world that was full of danger at every turn seemed like it had happened in another life. And for some of the people living in that community, it was something that they had never truly known.

Carl worked as a Law Keeper through the days, ensuring that law and order were upheld in the Safe-Zone. He had turned out like his father much more than he would readily like to admit.

"Hey Jude, where's dad?" Carl asked his younger sister as he entered the kitchen of their father's home. It was an eggshell coloured room, nothing too fancy, pretty homely and was always clean and tidy.

"I don't know, Carl. Can't you see I'm a little busy here?" the teenage girl replied, trying desperately to clean up the mess that she seemed to have made. There were bowls, plates, cups and ingredients everywhere. There was also something that smelled to be burning in a pot on top of the gas stove.

"Where's Renny? She should be helping you. Everyone knows you don't know what you're doing," said Carl.

"Ha ha very funny, Carl! I'm trying my best here. Oh and Renny's being a total bitch again. It's like I'm the only female in this house capable of cooking and cleaning," said Judith; the pretty brunette blew several strands of hair from her face and frowned in the same way that their father did, squinting her deep blue eyes.

"Ha! And you're not even capable," Carl said in a teasing manner that was completely wasted on Judith at that moment as she rushed to turn off the stove.

"Oh and Judy, don't let dad hear you callin' Renny a bitch," said Carl as he walked out to the backyard.

"That breeze is dyin' down," Rick said in his southern drawl. Looking to the sky then back to his son. "Might be in for some rain later."

He, with help from Carl, had mended and fortified the back fence that enclosed his home. They were both happy with the life that they had settled into; the paths that they had taken together that had enabled them to live this way; to simply live. They rarely had time alone together anymore, so both cherished these quiet moments. Carl nodded in agreement and the two Grimes men walked toward the small two-story house.

"What happened, sweetie?" asked Rick as he saw Judith hunched over the kitchen bench, tears rolling down her chubby cheeks.

"I messed it up, daddy. I'm sorry. I have to do everything on my own. I can't get any help around here. God! Renny's such a bitch!" she wailed.

"Hey now..."Rick started to say in a calm way.

"Daddy you always take her side! It's not fair! I have to do everything and she's...she's...she's just plain lazy!" Judith spat.

"Aw come here, my baby girl," Rick opened his arms to his daughter and motioned for her to step closer. "It's okay, we can fix all o' this."

Judith hesitated, then made her way over to her father and fell into his arms. Carl thought she was being a little dramatic and Rick was babying her, but he had to admit she was right about one thing; lately Renny Grimes did not lift a finger to help Judith, but there was a reason for that. If Michonne were here, he thought sadly, things would be different.

"I miss her," Carl said quietly at dinner time, as they ate Judith's stew that, surprisingly, was not completely ruined.

"I miss her too," said Judith, her pretty features fixed in a dejected expression as she looked at her older brother.

Rick regarded the sad expressions on his children's faces and felt a heaviness in his chest. They loved Michonne as she loved them. This world did not always allow good and beautiful things into a person's life; but for Rick Grimes and his children, Michonne had been that. A breath of fresh air; a cool breeze; a companion; a friend...Family.

"Yeah," said Rick, almost in a whisper. "I know how you feel. I miss her every damn day."

Renny, taking in every word that they spoke, stared blankly at the wall, placed her spoon down and excused herself from the table. She ran up the stairs, visibly upset, and they all heard the door slam shut.

Rick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Shit," he let out, feeling deflated. "What can I do? Nothing I do ever seems right...good enough."

Silence enveloped them all as they sat quietly around the dining room table. Judith offered her father a pained smile as Carl shook his head.

"I can't be something I'm not...I can't give Renny what she wants and needs right now," Rick said sombrely.

"I'm at a loss," he admitted as Carl stood and walked over to where his father sat.

"Dad," he began. "It's gonna take some time. Renny will understand. It will all be okay."

Rick let a weak smile cross his weary face. He felt reassurance in the fact that his children maintained a knowing, a sense of understanding in these troubled times.

"Thank you," he said to Carl. "I'm glad you're here with me. Glad you've taken the time to come 'round."

Carl placed a comforting hand on Rick's shoulder, all too aware of the gravity of the situation that his family was presented with.

"It won't be too much longer now, dad," the younger of the Grimes men said. "It'll all be alright."

Rick Grimes forced himself up the staircase, feeling heavier than he had in a long time. He was finding it increasingly difficult to reassure Renny that everything would be okay; that everything would work out in the end; that the way she was feeling right now would pass. He felt like his words to her were betraying what was really going on. Like every word he spoke was a lie. The last thing he ever wanted to do was lie to her. To give her a false sense of hope when he knew exactly what this world had in store.

"Hey," he started. "Baby? Can I come in?" said Rick, speaking to her through the closed door.

Silence…No answer…Maybe she had fallen asleep.

Rick turned the door knob slowly, patiently. He bravely peered around the slightly ajar door. Darkness. His eyes adjusted, moonlight streaming through the window. Rick entered the dimly lit room and felt his way across the floor. He sat down on the firm bed, just inches away from where Renny Grimes was sprawled out, face down in a pool of tears.

"Are you awake?" he asked softly. No answer. Nothing. Silence. Painful, empty silence.

"I know you're hurtin'," he whispered. "I know nothin' I say or do can help you...can bring you comfort. But you must know that we love you..." he breathed deeply. "I love you."

She lifted her face from the pillow. She turned her head to face Rick Grimes. He smiled sadly and reached for her hand. Their hands met and Rick felt a strong sense of relief come over him.

"I just want her to come home," said Renny through a rush of tears.

"I know, baby," replied Rick. "I know."

Serenity sat up and looked at her father through the darkness. Her deep blue eyes strained to see his face.

"I just miss her so much. I just want her to be here with us," she cried. Rick held his daughter close and rocked her gently, not knowing if her mother, Michonne, would be returning any time soon.

* Song for the Life - Alan Jackson

A/N: Thanks for reading. Did anyone catch the homage to Firefly?