Chapter 1 - Home
He sat unmoving for so long she was sure his legs must be cramping beneath him. Knelt like he was when Negan brutal executed Glenn and in an almost catatonic state even after returning to their home in the Alexandria Safe Zone.
It was anything but safe now, she thought, her eyes fixed on Rick and she held Judith tighter and closer than usual, nuzzling the soft wisps of hair atop the toddler's head.
Carl had immediately clung to Michonne when they returned home. For hours, he lay with his head in her lap on the sofa, much like he had the night after the Claimers had attacked them. Comforting Carl had the odd affect of giving her some comfort, too. Then they collected Judith from Father Gabriel and Carl was now showering before bed.
Michonne thought it might be a good idea for them all to sleep in one room tonight, but Judith had other ideas as she had already fallen asleep in her arms.
She took the few steps to the little angel's room and placed her in bed where she softly moaned at the temporary loss of warmth before Michonne lifted her blanket around her and kissed her forehead. With that, Judith drifted back to her peaceful slumber and Michonne watched in wonder, her grief over the day's horrific events lifting ever so slightly with each moment around the miracle that was Judith and in the comfort of home.
Rick needed her now, and she needed him to help her heal fully, but holding the kids had given her a small boost and she wanted to share it with him. She wanted to hold him and be held by him, knowing just that simple act would help them both get through the night.
Walking back to their room, she watched him from the doorway, still seated across the room near the window. There with the moonlight casting an aura around him. It was almost ethereal.
'You really love him, don't you?' Carl said in a voice so low she barely heard him. He was dressed in clean clothes now, though his hair was wet.
She simply nodded in response, Carl knew her better than anyone.
'I'm glad. Because it looks like he needs you,' Carl said, staring over at his father. 'I need to go check on Enid and Maggie.'
A look of concern washed over her as she turned to him. 'No Carl, you need to…'
'I need to see Enid,' he cut her off.
Michonne understood. And despite being uneasy about him leaving even to go just a few houses down, she knew she would have to let him go.
Enid and Maggie were at the infirmary Rosita, Aaron, Eric, and Spencer. Michonne had wished they could all have stayed together when they returned to town, but Rick's feet brought him home, so she and Carl followed.
