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Chapter 4: Getting to Know You

"Hi Alexa!" Maggie grinned and opened the screen door for me. "Come on in, we are just serving up some spaghetti. Make you a plate?"

I smiled back at her as I walked into the dining room. "Sure. Yes, that would be great. Thanks!"

I looked around and saw everyone, including several new faces, sitting wherever they could fit. Looking very at ease and comfortable with each other. Lots of talking and bantering between people. I smiled as Maggie came back into the room holding a big bowl of fabulous smelling pasta and sauce.

"Thanks." I told her.

She smiled, "No problem. I saved you a spot over at the table by Rick and Aaron. Let's go sit and dig in. I'm starving!"

I sat in the open chair by Maggie. Directly across from me was Rick. He smiled as I sat down and I couldn't help but return it, feeling the fluttering in my stomach. "God" I thought, "His eyes can see right through me." To my right was Maggie and next to her Glen. Daryl was sitting next to Rick and on his other side, was little Judith. To my left was a man I hadn't met before and at the head of the table was Carl.

I glanced at Judith and let out a small chuckle watching her pile spaghetti in her hair. She was truly a bright spot in the world full of ugliness and uncertainty.

"She is a messy kid" Carl joked to me. Barely raising his head to look at me, I caught his eye watching me watch his little sister.

"She is!" I laughed, "And I cannot tell you how fantastic it is to watch her be messy. Such a gift."

Looking at Rick I said, " Thank you for asking me to come back with you and Daryl. I had no idea what to expect, and it sure wasn't this. Thanks." I felt myself blushing a little under his gaze.

"You're welcome. We are lucky to have you. Obviously you are strong, surviving on your own for any amount of time is hard. Plus, you're being a doctor isn't something you find often. We're glad you came back with us. You're going to be a great addition to us building this community."

Rick turning towards the man sitting next to me. "Alexa, this is Aaron. Our main recruiter for Alexandria. Aaron, this is Alexa that I was telling you about. She lost her group a while back and was on her own. She was a doctor before the turn."

I turned towards Aaron and saw his warm smile. "Hi Alexa. Rick has filled me in a little bit about you. It's good to have you here."

I smiled back and thanked him. They started talking amongst themselves while I ate. I was trying not to scarf the entire bowl down. It was the most delicious food I think I have ever eaten. Sitting there, with the steam coming off the sauce and hitting my nose, I was just in heaven for a moment. I caught snippets of conversations. A Hispanic girl in the corner was arguing with a huge, red headed man. Another guy sat near them watching the debate as if he was watching a tennis it or not, that guy had a mullet. I smiled thinking how my husband would have loved that. He loved people watching for mullets. A thin black woman sat on the couch, silently looking as if she was daydreaming. A small frown on her face, I could imagine it wasn't a pleasant daydream. As I was glancing around I caught the eye of another woman. She was watching me, studying me is probably more accurate of a description. She had dreadlocks and sat sitting back in her chair. Empty plate in front of her.

I smiled at her. Not sure what type of reaction she was looking for. She smiled back and moved into the seat Glen had been sitting in. I have no idea when he had even left the table.

"I'm Michonne. I wasn't here when Rick brought you in earlier. It's good to talk with you."

I felt a little intimidated by her. She carried an air of self assurance and I was instantly impressed by her.

"Hi" I smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you. So many people here, just in this room. I can't believe so many are in one place. I mean, in Alexandria. I'm still in disbelief about this entire day."

I was rambling, but I just didn't know when to turn it off. I was tired, meeting so many people, and feeling completely overwhelmed and out of my element.

The look she gave me in return was one of complete empathy. I sat there thinking, "I think it would be easy to be friends with her."

I turned back to my now empty bowl and started to pick it up to take it back to the kitchen. Carl shot up and said "Don't bother, I'll take for you."

"Oh. Well, thank you!" I was a little surprised since when I had first met him, his face told me that he didn't care one bit that I was there.

I watched him get up and wince slightly, and for just a slight moment, close his eye in pain. I really wanted to get a look at what was under that wrap. But knew I would have to be patient. I smiled and handed him the bowl and thanked him again. As I sat back in my chair all the way, I caught Rick watching me.

I decided it was time to speak up a little, "You know, Denise filled me in a little about your son. I just wanted to let you know, if you need anything to please let me know. My experience was in the field of his injury, but my offer stands. I know Denise did a fantastic job though."

I sat, waiting for his reply. He started at me for what seemed 5 minutes. In real time, it probably wasn't even 5 seconds.

"Thanks. I was thinking that maybe tomorrow, I would bring him to see you. I would like it looked at. He is doing so much better, just still getting headaches."

"I understand that. I'm more than happy to see him tomorrow. Denise asked for to come over there around lunch time and take over for her. So maybe then, so both she and I could be there?"

Rick gave a soft smile, "That would be great." and then he turned to Judith and started de-spaghettifying her.

By this time I could barely keep my eyes open, it had been a crazy day. A day that I was still in shock over and I was ready to go unconscious. I cleared my throat and scooted my chair back:

"Thank you so much for inviting me over and letting me join you all with your supper. I loved meeting you guys but I am going to say my good nights now. You all have a great night." I said to everyone as I walked slowly to the front door.

A chorus of "Good night's" met my ears and I couldn't help but smile at 'The Waltons' moment. As I started to turn to open the door, I heard someone say " Alexa, wait!"

I started to turn around to see who called out for me when Rick approached me. He opened the door and gestured for me to go ahead. I walked in front of him and he stepped out onto the porch with me.

"I just wanted to say good night and see if you needed me to walk you back to your place. You know the way okay?" Rick asked me, with an incredibly beautiful smile on his face.

I smiled back feeling the fluttering back and I swear my heart skipped a beat. "No, that's okay. I know the way back. You have your hands full with a girl who's hair strangely resembles spaghetti noodles. But thank you, I appreciate your asking."

He nodded his head, and gave a small chuckle. "Okay then, have a good night."

He leaned down and gave me a small, very friendly hug. I could smell soap and maybe a hint of pasta sauce on him.

I smiled once he stood straight and said a soft, "good night" and turned and walked down the steps and away from his house. I turned once at the end of the driveway and saw him leaning against the porch rail and he lifted one hand is a half wave. I returned it and turned around and started walking back to Carol's house.

What a night. The last time I had been around that many people, that were friendly, was at the beginning of the turn. Back when everyone still had some humanity left in them. If Rick and his family and friends knew the things that had happened to me and I had done, I really doubt they would be hugging me good night. I walked back to Carol's house with my thoughts tumbling around, wondering if this was truly real or if I was going to wake up and be back in a true nightmare.