So, this is a story I have had in my head and it won't leave. Basically Rick and Lori divorced when Carl was two, because Lori had an affair, with Shane of course. He was introduced to his new partner's sister-in-law, Joslyn. She had a one year old daughter, named Ella. They married when Carl was five and Ella was three and two years later had a daughter named Mia. This story will predominantly be Joslyn's pov. It will start off around where season one does. This is my very first story and I'm so nervous please be nice and any recommendations you have let me know. Oh and I don't own anything of the walking dead. Just wanted to add a twist to an otherwise great story.
Joslyn Grimes
Chapter 1
It was just an ordinary day I had dropped Ella, my eight year old daughter, off at school then decided to drive to the store to pick up some of Carl's favorite snacks. It was our weekend and we were planning to camp in the backyard. Rick and Carl had came up with this plan to, in their words, "practice" for our big camping trip coming up next month. Rick had actually, miraculously, got Lori and Shane to agree for us to have Carl for two whole weeks this summer.
I pulled up to our local shopping center and parked my dark blue mini van near the buggy return station. I got out and grabbed my purse and carefully extracted the sleeping three year old from her car seat. I don't know why I bothered no matter what as soon as I got little Mia our of the car she always woke up. When I gat her seated in the child seat I hear a timid honk and glance towards the road and see my husband, Rick, and brother-in-law, John, pull up in their cruiser.
I smile and wave, to my surprise they pull in. I watch my husband of five years saunter, yes that's right saunter, up to me.
"Ma'am, I seen you from the road and told my partner I just had to stop and talk to the most beautiful ladies I ever seen," he says exaggerating his southern accent. He even tips his hat in my direction. His blue eyes are just sparkling, so full of life and love. Before I can even respond Mia does for me.
"Daddy!" she screeches in the only way a toddler can. Rick chuckles and reaches towards her already outstretched arms. While leaning in and kissing my temple. There's just something about that gesture that always makes my heart weak.
" So what are you two really up to," I question.
"Oh, I was speaking the truth," he grins while Mia gets all snuggled into his shoulder, "Do you really have to ask?" He nods his head towards the grocery store where I had failed to notice the huge sign that said "toothpaste buy one get one free."
I chuckle and mutter "of course" under my breath. My brother-in-law John was a bit of a prepper. He would buy a bunch of things to have a stalk pile. My sister, Jasmine, doesn't let him get too crazy. Although, she did allow him to buy this monstrous rv that's half powered by solar panels and the other half gas. I don't even want to think how much it cost, but Jasmine said he worked hard to save that money and she pitched in the last little bit for his birthday present.
John ambled over. He's a big guy. Around 6' some odd inches and had that build bodybuilders aim for. He's a sweetie, but only to those he loves. Anyone else can kiss his ass as far as he's concerned, or his boots depending on how much you pissed him off. He had sandy blonde hair he kept at a close shave and these piercing grey eyes that you swear could see through any bullshit. He had a very strong face, prominent cheek bones and that strong jaw. He was without a doubt a very handsome man, but in my humble opinion Rick won hands down. The first time I seen Rick in John and Jasmine's back yard barbeque I thought he was the most handsome man I had ever seen. Apparently, he thought the same of me and the rest, as they say, is history.
Rick and Mia are having a conversation, by this I mean Mia is rambling about something or another and Rick is nodding along like he knows exactly what she is saying. I only catch half her words something about a blue cow and Santa bringing her a bunny for a present. I have no idea, she's Rick's kid.
"I'm just gonna be real quick. Y'all stay out here and talk while I get this done. It won't take long," John throws over his shoulder while he walks into the automatic sliding glass doors. Rick and I just smile at each other and shake out heads.
"So, what have you two ladies got planned for today?"
"Oh, just picking up a few things for this weekend. Some snacks and maybe that superhero movie Carl has been wanting to see," I say twirling a strand of my curly chocolate color hair. It's the one trait I passed on to both my girls. Mia got her daddy's blue eyes, Ella got a paler green then mine. I'm just glad Ella looks more like me than her dad. She could almost pass as Rick and my kid. Mia on the other hand is all Rick. If you look at baby pictures of Carl and Mia side by side they almost look identical except Carl's hair is just a little darker and a whole lot straighter.
Rick eyes the movement of my hand and I quickly stop. I only twirl my hair when I'm extremely nervous or lying. And considering there's nothing to be nervous about I would have to say he knows I'm lying. He raises one perfect brow and waits.
"Ok, I may have a surprise for you, when you get home tonight," I reply.
"Oh? Does this have something to do with the speed in which we are going through ice cream buckets," he asks with a pleased little smirk on his face. I swear it's like when men find out that their little fish can swim they get cocky.
"Possibly," I reply. He just gets the biggest grin on his face.
"Well, I'm looking forward to that surprise then," he says. John is coming back now with his three bags full of toothpaste.
"Looks like we're gonna have a town full of bad breath. I think he wiped them out," I mutter to Rick he chuckles. He's still staring at me like I'm the best thing in the entire world. Let me just say, with that look in his eye, as he holds our squirming three year old, it's a site that just about stops my heart.
"Alright. All ready," John says as he chucks the bags in the trunk of the cruiser. Rick leans in and kisses me gently but passionately. So passionately that my toes curl.
"Come on, I left ya alone for a good ten minutes. Why didn't you do that when you weren't in my presence," John teases.
"Can't wait for that surprise."
"With a kiss like that you might get a couple surprises." He just smirks back. "Love you. You guys be careful," I say.
"Yeah, we need to be careful with all the dangerous criminals around," Rick teases. He hands Mia over to me. Thankfully she doesn't seem to be having a meltdown.
"Tell daddy bye and love you," I tell her.
"Bye daddy! I love you so much!" I chuckle it's her new thing. She "misses you so much" or "loves you so much" or "is hungry so much."
"I love you so much too," he says and kisses her forehead, "and I love you so much," he whispers in my ear kissing my temple.
"See you tonight," he says waving as he walks back to his cruiser.
See you tonight.
See you tonight.
See you tonight….
This keeps playing in my head over and over as I'm sitting in a room looking at my husband lying seemingly lifeless in a hospital bed. The only reassurance that he is alive is the beeping of the machines. Shot. How can this happen? He had just made a joke about how there weren't any criminals. I glance at the clock it's nearing midnight. John and Jasmine have the girls. We hadn't told them yet. Carl knows. God, he just fell into my arms. He's just ten. I put my elbows on my knees and put my face in my hands.
"Rick? I need you to pull through this. Not just for me but for the kids. Carl, Ella and Mia," I take a deep breathe, "and for this new baby," I stand up and kiss his forehead. "The nurse told me I should go home and rest at least for the babies sake. I don't want to, but I know you wouldn't want me to do anything to hurt the baby." I kiss him again. "I love you so much," I whisper to him.
When I'm lying in bed trying to sleep. I dream of him.
I love you so much.
See you tonight.