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The sky was beginning to lighten, thick splodges of light raining down on the tired crew and their boat.
It was a few hours since Beth had been shot, spent mainly in shock and worry. Whilst Sophia manned the wheel, stone-faced, the rest of the small family had huddled around a crying Maggie whilst Hershel and Merle sat in a small room, operating on Beth's arm.
The clanking steps of the deep belly of the boat broke everyone out of the stupor.
"What..." Daryl trailed off, before looking at his brother who had just opened the door. His smile was clear as he rasped,
"She's fine."
A loud cheer swept through the group, hugs and kisses being shared out equally. Daryl looked for Sophia, before he noticed her sneaking off to the captain's room and returning.
"Hey guys! Anyone up for celebrating?" laughs filled the deck, wine and champagne being shared out to even Carl.
"There's some champagne on the poop deck," called out Glenn, to which Sophia sniggered. Daryl chuckled at her as they all settled down to feel the sun's rays beat down on their faces.
Rick grinned as the group settled down on the deck, watching the sun rise through the muggy cloud.
"I never thought we'd be able to make it out of Georgia, but here we are." Happy murmurs sought to agree with him. "But I have a pretty strong feeling we're all going to be very happy in Africa." His eyes were trained onto Sophia.
The person in question looked up from where she was grooming Edgar and smiled fiercely. "Judith and Carl will love it. There are streams that go on for miles, wild animals, territories and jungles to explore, and I don't doubt plenty of decent food and water."
"I remember Africa, "spoke Michonne, looking up from her swig of the wine. "The sun seemed to go on for miles."
"You lived in Africa?" Carl replied, astonished.
Michonne smiled slightly as she looked at him. "Yeah, with my grandmother and father. I came here when I was ten years old to live with my mother and escape the Rwandan Genocide. My family were part of the Tootsie clan. But it's thanks to my father that I have my wild Katana skills." Maggie looked up and grinned at Michonne.
"Back in China," Glenn started timidly, ""Me and my mother went to see this display the Government had put on for the Anniversary of Communism. It was amazing. We had our samurais wielding the swords and showing off awesome kung fu moves!"
"That's so cool!" Sophia spoke, eyes shining in wonder.
"When we lived in dear old England, the guards my grandmother employed were never allowed to move outside one of her houses. We had so many Yankees turn up and try to spook them, but they never did!"
Everyone laughed at Sophia's happy face, until Judith decided to grizzle from Carol's arms.
"Da! Da!"
"I think she wants' you, Rick."
Rick simply smiled and leaned back onto the boat.
"Wait for it, Carol."
"Da! Ol! Ol! Da-ol!"
Daryl grinned, showing off his sharp teeth, before taking 'Asskicker in his arms. The gentle squealing of Judith made everyone soften for the time being.
"Guys, "Maggie started to say nervously, "I have something I want to tell you. Seeing as we've had several near misses in the past few days...it made me realise life is a Now or Never choice. And, I want my life to be a Now. I'm...well, I'm pregnant. "
Shocked silence filled the deck of the boat, until a stray wave flopped heavily at the side of the vessel and brought everyone back to Earth. Glenn was the first to smile, his face a pure white.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me? This is brilliant!" he shouted happily, hugging Maggie till her face went a deep scarlet red. Happy muttering filled the deck, until the sound of a door opening made everyone jump. There stood Beth, her arm tightly bandaged and gauzed, being held slightly by the elbow by Hershel, his face frowning in worry.
"Maggie?" Hershel said, his eyes concentrated on her stomach.
A tension filled silence filled the deck, before Maggie yawned and grabbed Glenn by the hand.
"Well, I'm off to bed, goodnight Daddy. "She kissed Hershel on the cheek, before hugging Beth tightly and climbing down the small stairs.
"Yes, I think we all need to hop to bed. Who's sharing with whom?" Sophia asked, looking around the deck.
"I'm with Merle, Daddy." Beth and Hershel stared at each other for a few minutes before he nodded his ascension warily and the couple walked down the stairs.
Sophia hopped over to Daryl tiredly, blinking her large eyes. "Can I share with you?"
"Sure." The offhand remark was betrayed by the huge grin on Daryl's face, as they also joined the other couples for a date in slumber.
"Hey, Michonne?" Carl asked the woman as she picked up her sword.
"What's up, little one?"
"Can I share with you?"
"I'd love to, kiddo. Go grab that one room with the two single beds."
By the time Carol and Hershel had also departed, Rick stood by the helm of the boat, rocking Judith gently to sleep, the rolling waves under his feet soothing the tired babe. A woman in a white dress stood by them.
"You aren't there, you aren't there, you aren't there." Rick muttered. But, oh, god, how he wished she was. He would walk this earth with one bullet for a chance to see his evil betrayer of a wife.
twdtwd
It was in the middle of the afternoon when the group rose, desperate for food and water. Most of them hadn't eaten or slept for a few days, and it was important to keep their strength up on a journey as strenuous as theirs. As Rick began teaching Glenn, Merle, and Daryl how to drive the boat, Sophia and Edgar began to look over the compass and world atlas. Frowning, she called Rick over.
"You need to steer the boat north."
"North would send us to Greenland."
"Bloody hell, north from Georgia, East on the world atlas. We have enough cargo to last us for a week, if we make a pit stop to Spain. Then we go south and land in Tunisia. "
Rick was nodding as Sophia spoke, keeping his ice blue eyes trained on her.
"Sounds good. Maybe we can pick up some livestock around in Spain and bring it over?"
"Yah, I'm sure Daryl would know how to look after some cows."
"Huh. I wish Shane was here. He was pretty good at looking after a cow of mine."
Sophia looked at Rick, thinking about the groups' life before she gate crashed into their prison. She still felt lonely at night, knowing she had a long way to go before earning her place in the group.
"What was your wife like?"
"The most annoying and beautiful person I have had the misfortune to meet."
Daryl joined the pair, a frown hanging off his stocky face.
"The tiger is near 'Asskicker."
As Rick scrambled down to the bowls of the ship to grab Judith, Daryl sat down next to Sophia and pulled her on his lap, grunting as she laughed happily.
"What fun, Yankee!"
"Merle's stuck to Beth's side and I have nothing to do." Daryl ran his nose up Sophia's ear. "I'm bored."
"Well," Sophia purred, blinking her eyes at Daryl, "We'll have to correct that problem... care to play a game?"
As Daryl smirked his approval, Sophia leapt up and shouted "Tig!" at him, squealing when he gave chase.
Life was settling itself down at the boat, ready for the storm approaching.