Oh hi there. Welcome to Mary's Song.

This is my second Walking Dead fic, the first one is called Surviving Today, if you're interested.

This was just a random idea I had as I was listening to Taylor Swift's Mary's Song (Oh My My My). So, if you want to get a general idea... Go ahead and give it a listen!

Obviously, this is a Rick/OC fic. So, what about Carl and Lori? Well, Lori's married to Shane and Carl is their son. Bam.

I don't own anything. Enjoy!

Prologue

Maryanne Grimes woke to find the other side of the bed cold and empty. It didn't surprise her, she had a habit of sleeping in when she didn't have to open her restaurant, and since that was a day her husband had to work, she always woke to this.

All alone in her house, since she had no children or pets, she showered and went down the stairs, her feet bare. She sat down at her computer, making online orders for her restaurant and looking at the accounts.

When her cell phone rang, she immediately picked it up and answered, expecting it to be a company she'd contacted.

"Maryanne Grimes."

"So formal?"

Maryanne laughed at her husband's remark, holding the phone between her ear and shoulder to continue typing. "Sorry, darlin', I thought you were someone else."

"And who did you think I was?"

Maryanne rolled her eyes. "My secret lover."

She heard Rick laugh, and she did too. She, then, caught sight of the clock, which read 12:45. Rick would be heading out for his lunch break right about now, if he hadn't already. Maryanne sighed and cursed. She'd meant to bring him something.

"Somethin' wrong?"

"Ah, I'm just an idiot."

"Forget to do somethin'?"

"You know me too well," Maryanne said with a smile on her face. "How's everythin' goin'?"

"Nothin' interestin' so far, Shane and I are headin' out to get somethin' to eat."

"Well, I take comfort in knowin' somethin' ain't goin' wrong. I've gotta get back to focusin' on this, I'll talk to you soon."

"Love you."

"Love you too, Rick."

They hung up, and Maryanne couldn't deny the sudden feeling of dread.

Orders and finances done, Maryanne flicked on her radio and started to make dinner. Her sister-in-law, Lori, always joked how she was a 1950's housewife whenever she was home. Maryanne always rolled her eyes, but in truth, she knew she was. Maryanne didn't mind.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts, and she dried her hands before turning off the radio. She opened the door.

"Shane!" she said, smiling at her older brother. He returned the smile, but not like he normally did.

"Come on in," she said, and he did. Maryanne shut the door behind him.

"You hungry? I don't have anythin' now, but-"

"Nah, it's okay, Mary. I can't stay."

Maryanne looked back at her older brother, and frowned. He wasn't his normal self.

"What's wrong, Shane? You and Lori get into it again?"

Shane shook his head. "Nah... we're fine... it's uh... well, it's Rick."

Maryanne stared at him for a moment, her heart sinking. She had expected this – he was a Sheriff.

"Is he dead?" she asked quietly. Shane shook his head.

"We got a call. Two guys stole a car. We didn't see the third... he's in a coma."

Maryanne sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter, running her hands through her hair – a tick both her and her brother possessed.

"Mary... you want me to stay?"

"No... no, I'll be fine. Go on home, I'll be fine, Shane."

"You're sure?"

Maryanne nodded, accepted the embrace from her brother, and watched him leave.

She felt so numb.

Well... there's that.

Let me know what you think in a review, I'd love to hear it. If I get a good response, I'll post the first chapter either later tonight or tomorrow. Most likely, later tonight.

I hope you all enjoyed and have a lovely Sunday. Thanks for reading!

-SparrowEyedGirl