Author's Note: This is a Christmas one-shot told in POV's from Grimes 2.0. This is dedicated to Respectthekatans from the Secret Santa Gift Exchange on Tell it to the Dead. I hope you enjoy, Respectthekatans. And HAPPY HOLIDAYS! :)

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A Christmas Story

Michonne's Point of View

"Christmas tree pancakes again?"

I look up and find Scrooge himself in the kitchen. I shake my head and return my attention to the griddle on the stove. He seems to take offense to this, coming up behind me with his hands on my waist, and he kisses the back of my neck.

"Is that your version of 'Merry Christmas'?" I ask as I smirk.

"It's as good as it gets."

"You need to get in the holiday spirit," I tell him. "You-know-who will be down any minute."

"How about I let you handle spreading the cheer? I'll be the one to scavenge the gifts."

"Oh, no you don't." I turn down the heat and use the spatula to transfer the pancakes to the waiting plates on the counter. "You're my partner in crime all the way 'til Wednesday morning."

"Yeah…about that…" Rick rubs his neck and looks away guiltily.

As I carry the plates to the breakfast table, I pick up on this, and so I call him on it. I say, "what about 'that'? Rick…"

"Abe's sick. He's dropped out. I'm taking his place."

"You can't," I gasp as I stop in my tracks. "Rick, Christmas."

"Michonne, baby, I know…but there's nobody else," says Rick in his low drawl. He moves toward me again, in a bid for amends.

I take a step back and sigh heavily. I reply, "when do you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Mommy! Daddy! You know what day it is!"

Rick and I change modes quickly, as the pigtailed six-year-old little girl appears in the kitchen entryway. She's in her jammies still, favorite stuffed elephant in her arms.

"Christmas Eve." I smile at Judith and giggle as she comes in for a hug around my thighs.

"Daddy, there's more presents under the tree," she says as he hoists her up in his arms. "Santa's visited again. And he ate the milk and cookies I left him!"

"He sure has," says Rick. His eyes flitter over to mine, and I shake my head and look away. "Listen, honey, today's our day—we're gonna play in the snow and eat cookies."

"Mhm!" She nods her head in approval.

"But tomorrow, sweetie…tomorrow, I'm going on a run. So, it's gonna be your day to spend with Mommy and Carl, alright?"

Her little face scrunches up, complete with a lip pout. She says, "daddy, no! Daddy, it's Christmas! You can't leave us…"

I raise my brows while I move about the kitchen, setting down forks and glasses. I know he sees my face, my expression of 'I told you so'. I hear him clear his throat.

"Sweetie, I don't have a choice. I'll make it up to you when I get back, alright?"

"Morning," Carl groggily yawns. He drags his feet to the breakfast table and plops in a chair.

"Morning," I reply.

Rick sets Judy back on her feet, and almost in distraction, he asks, "Judy, did you brush your teeth?"

The pout is still fresh on her face, and she shakes her head side-to-side. Rick holds out his hand for her to take.

"C'mon," he rasps.

I sit down across from Carl as he squirts syrup all over his Christmas tree-shaped pancakes. His sweet tooth is always unmatched, so watching him makes me smirk.

"Let me guess? You didn't have anything sugary before bed last night?"

He swallows his mouthful of pancakes, syrup and orange juice with a gulp. He says, "nope. Judy's found my secret candy stash—my Big Kats, Choco wafers, Lemonheads are all gone."

"Better find a new spot," I tease with an amused wink.

"Yeah, this'll be like the fifth or sixth time…" He chugs more orange juice, wipes his mouth with his arm and changes the subject. "Do we still have that dinner party tonight?"

I nod my response. Carl groans.

"What is up with the lack of Christmas cheer around here?" I ask, shocked.

He shrugs and says, "dunno…guess I'm too old for it."

"Well, I just might have to think up something new for us to do as a family," I say as I pick up my coffee mug for a drink. "Something to get you and your dad into the spirit."

"Good luck," Carl chuckles.

Fast forward many hours later, after the sun sets and our house fills with friends, Carl sits in the same chair in the kitchen. I fix tiny sandwiches onto a tray and ask him to carry them into the dining room. Even call him Grinch Jr. for extra effect.

A slight grin grows on his face. He says, "do I need to ask who the big Grinch is?"

"Oh, I'm sure you already know."

We share a laugh as Daryl wanders into the kitchen, eyes shifty under his sheets of hair.

"Whatchu got to eat? I'm starving. Those finger foods ain't doing nothing. Thinking 'bout heading outside and catching a squirrel."

He eyes the sandwich tray Carl carries out the room. I shoot him a warning glare that puts an end to that.

"Daryl, it's not time for dinner yet. Patience."

"Ah, patience! Patience is a great virtue many men seek but few find," comes the booming voice of Ezekiel. Carol closely follows. "For patience is the willpower to wait for the opportune and the knowledge to know when it arrives."

"Ignore him," says Carol flatly. "He's had four beers."

"I just wanna eat," Daryl grunts. "Dunno whatchu talking 'bout with those fancy words."

"Tonight, I speak of happiness!" Ezekiel exclaims, slipping an arm around Carol. "It is Christmas Eve and I am in the presence of those I enjoy—and the woman I love!"

I can't help but snicker as I watch him plant a kiss on the silver-haired woman, who looks both exasperated but charmed. I give the three a couple seconds to loiter in the kitchen and then I shoo them out.

"Go on," I tell them with ushering arm movements. "Dinner's not ready yet."

"Mommy, mommy, mommy!"

It's not a minute since Daryl, Carol and Ezekiel have left that Judy skips into the kitchen.

"Yes, Judy?"

"What are you doing? I miss you!" she says sweetly.

"Aw, honey, I miss you too. But I'm very busy right now. Why don't you go outside and play with Hershel? Glenn and Maggie said he's over his cold."

Her nose bunches with distaste. She replies, "mommy, he's yucky still. Can I help you?"

"Okay," I agree and I flash her a smile. "You can be my little helper."

"Deal!" She bounces on her feet, bursting with excitement. "And mommy?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Can you make daddy stay tomorrow? From the run?"

"I'll do my best, honey. Now, can you grab me the tomatoes over there?"

She nods so fervently her golden-brown pigtails jiggle.

Not long after that dinner kicks off. Daryl scarfs down his plate so fast it's gone in a blink. Eric and Aaron show off their finest ugly Christmas sweaters. Rick and Glenn laugh about the time Daryl let Denise cut his hair. Carl and Enid sulk in their boredom together. Judy yawns and scampers off early for bed. Sasha fixes Abe a to-go plate to take him while he's sick in bed.

By the time I settle into bed hours later, and Rick enters the room with an exhausted sigh, the house is quiet and the clocks about to hit midnight.

"Judy and Carl?" I ask.

"Do you gotta ask? Judy's snoring again," he answers with a grin. He unbuttons his shirt and takes off his boots. "And Carl's up reading his comics."

"And tomorrow?"

Rick slips under the covers beside me and plants a soft kiss on my lips. He replies, "baby, I've gotta go. You understand, right?"

"I guess…" I breathe. "I wish something would change your mind."

"I know," he says. He kisses me again. "I love you."

"Love you too. Night," I whisper with my smile. I reach my hand out to the nightstand and it's lights out for the night.

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Carl's Point of View

I'm sleeping pretty good when I hear voices downstairs. I grab my pillow and shape it around my head like earphones.

What time is it? Why are we awake so early?

I'm thinking about all the sleep I can be getting as I realize it's too late and I'm too awake. I sigh and shove the covers off me, and I'm like a Walker as I make it to the door and down the steps. I'm rubbing my eye and yawning and my voice is groggy as I come into the living room.

Dad, Michonne and Judith are standing there. Nobody's dressed. They're all in their PJ's just like me.

"What's going on?" I mumble.

Judith's sniffling. "Carl, the presents are gone!"

My eyes go wide and I say, "what? What d'you mean gone?"

"Gone," my little sister says tearfully. She buries her face in dad's leg.

"Someone's hidden the gifts," explains Michonne with her hands on her hips.

"Who?"

"That's what I'm wondering," says dad. He looks between me and Michonne. "They don't just sprout legs and walk off…"

"Whoa…hey," I say with my hands up. "Don't look at me—I didn't care about Christmas."

"Could it have been someone at the party?" Michonne asks doubtfully.

"Nah, I walked everybody out myself," says dad. "'Cept Daryl, but what'd he want with our gifts?"

"It can't be one of us," I say, shrugging.

"But who then?" Judith asks. She lets go of dad's leg at last, her big brown eyes shiny. She sniffles again. "Daddy, mommy, can it be Santa? Does this mean we get coal?"

"Shhh…no, honey, it doesn't mean that." Michonne caresses her head softly. "Don't worry, we'll find the presents."

"Yeah, we definitely will…"

Michonne looks to my dad. She tells him, "guess this means your run's postponed."

Dad's face is blank as his eyes lower from Michonne's downward to Judith's. I can tell seeing Judith pink-faced and crying gets to him. He always falls for her tears. Me? Not so much. Guess it's not as 'cute' coming from a teenager. He sighs and nods.

"Looks like I'm staying," he says. "Least 'til we figure this out."

"Who was up last?" asks Michonne.

"Mommy, I almost made it to the end of my bedtime story," mumbles Judy.

"Carl?" Dad looks my way.

I shrug. "I dunno…"

"What time did you go to sleep?"

My brain's a little fuzzy. I remember the dinner party ending. I remember brushing my teeth and listening to some music…reading a few comics…

"Dunno…guess sometime after midnight…"

"How do you not know?" Judy pouts.

Dad's brows push together. He says, "that's later than anybody."

"So?" I ask. My eyes move to their three faces and I'm kinda desperate to shift the blame off me. "Michonne, you're the one who didn't want dad leaving…I mean…"

Rick and Judy's heads snap to Michonne. She unfolds her arms in surprise and says, "what sense does that make? Why would I ruin Christmas?"

"To keep daddy here!" Judith gasps. "Mommy, is it true? Did ya?"

"Michonne, you did seem awfully determined to keep me from going," dad tells her slowly. "Looks like you're getting your wish."

"Yeah…" I pile on. "And you did say you'd find a new family activity for us."

"Christmas activity like caroling or making snowmen—not some high stakes Christmas heist," she scoffs.

"Likely story!" Judy squeaks.

The three of us pause in the middle of the missing presents talk and share a laugh. Judy's left clueless since she doesn't get we're laughing at her.

"Anyway," Michonne says seconds later, "if someone were going to ruin Christmas, it's Rick."

"Me?" Dad looks caught off guard, his head turning sideways. "How do you figure?"

"Okay, Scrooge, you know what I'm talking about," snickers Michonne.

"True…very true! Daddy is a scrooch!"

"Yeah," I add. "Dad, you do hate Christmas…like the Grinch."

"So, I'm gonna hide your gifts and then cancel my own run?" Rick asks. "What sense does that make?"

"Okay, so it's Judith," I say. "She's small and sneaky…she left dinner early. Did anybody come into the living room after dinner to see if the presents were still there?"

"Don't you blame me! I want my toys," Judith says as if she's insulted.

"What's that over there?" Michonne points toward the tree, where underneath there's an aluminum wrapper.

Dad walks over and snatches the wrapper off the floor. He says, "it's a gum wrapper."

"Gum wrapper!" Judy repeats.

"Carl, isn't that the kind you chew?" Michonne asks.

I can feel heat creeping up my neck. I take a step back. I know I look suspicious. I try my best to seem casual about it, but I'm a bad at this stuff…the more I'm accused, the more I seem guilty.

"So what?" I ask them at last.

"Sooooo….you chewed gum and you stole our gifts! Carl, where's my toys?" Judy demands.

"Alright, alright…let's all calm down," says dad in his accent. He pockets the gum wrapper. "We'll figure this out sooner than later."

"How about some hot chocolate?" Michonne offers with a smile.

"Yes…please…anything to stop talking about these missing presents," I breathe.

"Daddy, daddy, I'm your sidekick!" Judy jumps around in a circle, arms flailing. "It's me and you…Detectives Daddy and Judy on the case!"

Dad laughs. He gives a nod and replies, "alright…let's get to the bottom of this."

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Rick's Point of View

I can't turn Judy down. She's too damn adorable. But everybody's a suspect.

'Cept me, of course. I didn't do it.

Though I bet they think I did. Why would I want to ruin Christmas? Sure, I'm not a fan, but I didn't scavenge those presents for nothing. And I didn't want to cancel the run…

Now, the other three? I'm watching them closely.

Judy's by my side as we walk around the living room for other clues. She's wearing the Sheriff hat that used to be mine way back when. It became Carl's years ago, but she's borrowed it from his room.

I kneel by the tree, now empty underneath with the presents gone. I say, "whoever took 'em would've had to wait 'til nobody was 'round."

"Yeah…like everybody's asleep," says Judy. "Like…very late, right, daddy?"

"That's right, sweetie—or very early."

"Carl stayed up latest…"

"I checked on him last night before I went to bed and he was still up. That was 'round midnight."

"Who gets up first, daddy? You or mommy?"

"Mommy does, sweetie."

"Hmmmm…" she taps her tiny finger on her chin.

"Mommy is very quiet," I go on. "Sometimes I don't even know she's up when she is."

"Sunpicious…very sunpicious."

I grin to myself and resist a chuckle. Then I pet Judy's wavy hair in agreement.

Very suspicious, indeed.

We move on to the kitchen, more to observe than anything. Carl and Michonne are at the breakfast table and Judy joins them for some hot cocoa. Michonne offers me a mug too, and I take it…because…well, I like hot chocolate and I can multitask.

Over hot cocoa, Judy asks Michonne what they'll do for the day.

"We can still enjoy the day," Michonne answers brightly. "How about we make snow angels?"

Judy's entire face lights up. "Okay, mommy, that'll be fun!"

"It sure will."

"How about a snowball fight?" Carl suggests. He gets up to grab seconds on breakfast. "I call team captain."

"Rick?" Michonne looks to me for my input.

I lower my mug from my lips and answer, "I'm up for whatever you want…now that I'm home for the day."

Michonne smirks and rolls her eyes. She says, "maybe we should forget about the presents."

My eyes narrow. That's a lot of indifference coming from her. Why does she seem so nonchalant about finding the presents?

Judy's little voice squeaking 'sunpicious' replays in my head.

"Carl, bring me some toast, please," Michonne goes on to ask.

"Sure thing," Carl says. He grabs a couple crispy slices and puts them on a plate before he turns to head back over to the table. But not before he bumps into the kitchen island. He blushes and mutters, "sorry…kinda clumsy."

He is clumsy sometimes. Maybe too clumsy to sneak the presents without waking anybody?

I drain the last of my hot chocolate as my mind works over everything so far.

Judy seems to notice this, because she hops off her chair and comes up to me. She tugs on the hem of my shirt and when I look down, she smiles up at me.

"Daddy, have you figured it out yet?" she asks innocently.

"No, sweetie…I'm thinking."

"Maybe if I put out more milk and cookies, Santa will come again."

Michonne smiles. "Santa does love his milk and cookies."

I set down the empty mug and take a look at the other three. They're almost done themselves eating and drinking.

"Let's head outside," I say. "Play in the snow for a while."

We each go upstairs to change into some winter clothes and snow boots. Outside, the tufts of snow are like tiny little diamonds the way they sparkle in the daylight. We run into a couple others like Tara, Daryl and Rosita, and they join us for a snowball fight. Carl insists on being team captain and Tara's the other.

I've gotta admit it's fun. I've forgotten all about the run I was supposed to go on, but in the back of mind, I'm still thinking about the culprit. After the first snowball fight, I'm panting and I tell everybody I'm headed inside for water.

I'm walking to the kitchen when a thought comes to mind. I stop as I cross the living room and my eyes shoot to the five-foot tall dresser against the wall. One of the bottom drawers is slightly ajar. I walk over and pull it all the way open.

Lo and behold…the drawer's got a couple wrapped gifts inside.

I open the rest of the drawers one by one, but soon realize there's only presents in the bottom ones. I'm thinking again and I pull out the gum wrapper to feel its crinkly material between my fingers. I've got an idea what's going on.

It's not 'til dinnertime, as the four of us are gathered around the table, I tell them I've solved the case.

"Daddy, you didn't tell me!" Judy gasps, eyes the size of Quarters. She drops her squeaky voice to a whisper. "Quick, you can tell me. Who is it?"

I grin at her and tousle her hair as I stand up and start pacing around the table.

Michonne and Carl look at each other then to me, almost as if they're expecting me to reveal it was myself. Like it's all been some big charade.

"After spending the day investigating, there's no doubt whoever took the presents is in this room," I tell them. "The thief was very clever…he or she managed to creep into the living room unnoticed and hide the presents."

"Rick," Michonne laughs. "Just tell us who it was?"

"Mommy, daddy's explaining," Judy says. "Go on, daddy."

"Thank you, Judy. Now, who did it you ask?" I pause as I pull out the only tangible evidence to identify the culprit, the gum wrapper itself. "There's only one person who scavenges Bazooka gum in this house. The same person who was up the latest and who prolly dislikes Christmas as much as I do."

Michonne and Judith turn their heads in Carl's direction. Carl's face is going red.

"Was it Carl, though?" I go on. "Or was it his younger sister, my loving daughter, Judith?"

Judy jumps in her seat and releases a pipsqueak.

"She was first to bed and she's the only one who wanted me to stay behind more than mommy," I say slowly. "Which, speaking of, brings me to mommy…A.K.A Michonne. Prolly the only one quick and quiet enough to hide the presents without anybody noticing—also mentioned wanting us to do a family activity together. I'd say this whole day counts?"

"Umm…food's getting cold," Carl says.

Michonne and Judy snicker.

"Then there's me…who it's definitely not." I let out a scoff as I dismiss the idea with a wave of my hand. "I mean…I had my run to go on. It wasn't me."

"Or, you never wanted to go and this is all reverse psychology," Michonne says smartly.

"Dun, dun, dun!" Carl adds for dramatic effect.

"Maybe," I concede. I'm rounding the table again, hands on my waist as I walk. "But that's not the case. I'm not the culprit."

"Who is, daddy? Tell us!" Judy's smile spread onto her face.

"Yeah…please, tell us," Carl says with half the enthusiasm.

"The culprit chews Bazooka gum and dropped their wrapper under the tree…prolly as they moved the presents. They then went on to hide the gifts in the dresser drawer. Whoever it was likely did it in the middle of the night—when no one was around," I explain slowly. "There's only one person who was looking for a reason to keep me home, swipes candy and even sheriff hats without asking, who's been getting up every night for Santa's milk and cookies, and who isn't tall enough to hide the presents in any drawer higher than the bottom row. And that person is…Judith."

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Judith's Point of View

It was me.

But…wait…let me explain!

I had good reasons, I swear.

Okay, maybe not…but I really, really wanted daddy home for Christmas. And I really, really wanted to help mommy come up with a new thing for us to do for Christmas. And, um, I also really, really wanted to stop Carl from being so bored.

So I took the presents and I hid them best I could.

It didn't start that way. After the dinner party, I went upstairs and mommy read me a bedtime story and I tried to stay up 'til the end, but my eyes were so heavy. Then I fell asleep with my night light and I woke up 'cuz I wanted to catch Santa.

I snuck downstairs and all I was gonna do was put out the milk and cookies. I was in the living room with the plate of chocolate chip cookies and I got kind of hungry. So I ate a couple cookies and drank some milk and then I kinda thought about how daddy said he was leaving. That made me sad.

Um, so I thought maybe if I could stop him and also have some fun with mommy and Carl, I could make Christmas one of the bestest ever. But I'm too small and I couldn't carry the gifts far. I stuck them in the only drawer I could reach. The bottom one.

I just knew daddy would be looking for who did it. That's why I used the last candy I took from Carl's stash and left the wrapper. I thought I was pretty smart.

Daddy announcing me at the dinner table makes my eyes go big and wide. I can see the surprise on mommy and Carl's faces. Everybody's waiting for me to say something.

"I'm sorry," I say softly. I pout too. Oh, and sniffle.

"Crocodile tears," Carl says, laughing.

"Judith, why would you take the presents?" mommy asks.

I shrug a little and tell her, "mommy, I'm your little helper, remember? You said you were gonna find a way for daddy to stay…so I helped you."

Mommy smiles wide. She reaches over and pulls me into a hug. She says, "honey, hiding the presents wasn't what I had in mind."

"Yeah, and framing me," Carl says. "Thanks, Judy."

"You're welcome!"

"I was kidding," he says and rolls his eyes. "Sarcasm, you know?"

"Alright, alright," says daddy. He waits for mommy to stop hugging me, and I look up at him and I'm hoping he's gonna let me off the hook. I blink up at him like I always do, looking like his little angel. "Judy, remember what we've always taught you—taking things that belong to others is wrong, right?"

"Yes, daddy."

He kneels so we're face to face, and he takes my hands in his way bigger hands. "But I know I was the one who was wrong at the end of the day."

"What?" Carl says. "What are you talking about?"

"I shouldn't've ever agreed to leave for a run on Christmas," daddy explains. He hugs me then kisses my forehead. He stands up and moves to hug and kiss mommy and Carl too. "Family's too important to leave on a day like this. I should've known better. This is our time to spend just the four of us. The run can wait."

"Yes, thank you! Now you get it," mommy says happily. She gets up too and puts her arms around daddy's neck.

"I guess today was kinda fun," Carl admits. "We've never had a Christmas mystery before. Thanks, Judith."

"I told you you're welcome."

The other three laugh, and I have no clue why they're laughing at me. But I go along with it and giggle myself.

Daddy scoops me up into his arms and tells everybody, "let's go open presents by the tree. I'll get the fireplace going. Carl, put on some Christmas music. Michonne—"

"—hot chocolate and cookies coming right up," says mommy.

We all sit on the floor by the tree and the big pile of presents, and we take turns unwrapping each one. Carl and I munch on some cookies and we tease mommy and daddy every time they smooch. I can't stop smiling because this is the Christmas I really wanted all along. We're all together and we stay up kinda late just laughing and eating and having fun.

Plus, I got all the toys I asked Santa for.

How can I complain about that?

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Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed! Believe it or not, this was loosely based on a memory from one of my favorite Christmas's as a kid. Someone in my house unwrapped the presents early and my dad went all Sherlock Holmes trying to figure out who the culprit was, lol. Anyway, thanks to anyone reading! Please leave me a review if you can. :)