Previously

"Well you got us now," Maggie nodded pulling me into a hug tightly, stroking my hair softly "And I am going to do my damnedest to keep you safe and apart of this group."

"Thanks." I nodded, my tears wetting my shirt. This is the most loved I have felt since my parents and sister died, and I would be stupid if I didn't say it felt nice…

Grace's Pov

Weeks passed and things… settled down, we all fell into our own routine and I finally felt like I was part of their group sort of when I saw Daryl and Rick whispering at the kitchen bench late one night, I peered back to Carl who was passed out on our bed.

"What's that?" I asked peering over their shoulder at what looked to be a map

They both jumped and hung their heads guilty, I felt myself bristle at that, how dare they keep secrets from me in my own house.

"These are all the spot we have been," Rick said gesturing to different circles on the map "Now here, is where we ran into herds and had to turn back or go another way. We think herd 'B' will be coming through here soon… we were talking about possibly moving on."

"But they could have gone off the other highway," I frowned at a highway that came off another one "And if they do come through here they won't… or not many of them will come down into my street."

"Is that a risk you are willing to take?" Daryl asked frowning at me "And plus, they usually take the most direct route, they would have to turn to take that route. This is the straightest path, they will be coming here next."

"I have had hoards come though before," I admitted "… they don't become riled up unless they see someone or hear noises; I stayed quiet and waited it out."

"Do you have a backup plan if something went wrong?" Rick asked giving me a hard look, it was obvious that he thought I had it easy, I felt my anger spike again

"Yes," I growled "Don't think I am so thick, no idiot could have made it this far without making hard decisions or thinking ahead."

"We sleep on it,' Daryl grunted looking back and forth between Rick and I "And you show us your back up plan in the morning and we will tell the rest of the group and decided from there."

I noticed Carl beginning to move around at the lack of my presence in our bed, I stalked away from Daryl and Rick and lowered myself into the bed, surrendering myself into Carl's warm embrace. That was another that had changed recently, Carl and I were sort of together, I mean… we were sleeping in the same bed and cuddling and all that but it wasn't like we had kissed or anything. I huffed and allowed my body to go slack, contentment slipping through me at his arms wrapping round my middle… that was another thing, I always felt safe in his embrace, like he could shelter me from the crazy world outside these walls. I sighed and closed my eyes, steeling myself for the crazy day most likely tomorrow. As I lay in his arms I couldn't turn my mind off like I usually can, my thoughts swirling with what Rick and Daryl were discussing. If they decided to go… would I go with them? I mean it would be a cruel thing to have something this good, this safe just up and leave one day… not to mention I would miss them like crazy. I let out another sigh very well knowing my answer… I would go with them. What would I do here once they left, grow old and crazy on my own… or would I rather live out the rest of my days by Carl's side in his company? I could die out there… I knew that was a huge possibility and I was safe here but seriously what are the chances of them stumbling upon my place at pretty much the exact time I came home from checking my cattle? I refused to believe it was just coincidence; I have and always will believe that everything happens for a reason.

"What's bothering you?" Carl rasped, his voice still thick with sleep, he must have picked up on my tense body even in his sleeping state

"What's the go with us?" I blurted out "I mean… we are sleeping in the same bed and all that… do you like me?"

He jerked up in the bed, his body going rigid and his eyes scanning our surroundings in the moonlight "What's brought this on?" he asked all sleep gone from his body, his piercing eyes locked onto mine

"I mean…" I trailed of unsure what to say, I was embarrassed now

"I like you, I like you more than I care to admit," he whispered, eyes never breaking from mine "That day when I saw you I think I somehow knew you were it for me in this fucked up world… before all this happened we might not have been destined to be together but now… you are it for me."

I felt the weight of his word weigh against me and I knew, I knew exactly what me meant was the same for me too… I needed him now if I was to survive, not just physically but mentally.

"Do you like me too?" he asked gently, pulling a strand of hair that fell into my face to the side

I nodded, I had over the past few weeks made peace with the memory of David. He was gone and I knew he wasn't coming back… I couldn't keep waiting for someone who wasn't coming back. I needed to move on with my reality now and Carl was it, he was my new fate as far as I knew. After so long of waiting, wondering, wishing… I was ready to move on.

"I like you, Carl. I like you more than you know." I whispered pressing my forehead to his, taking a deep breath

"I don't know how things go in a zombie apocalypse but… I think I am supposed to ask you to be my girlfriend and take you out to dinner." He snorted, his eyes dancing in humor

"I will be your girlfriend," I chuckled "But I think I will take a rain-check on you taking me out to dinner… cuddling will do just fine instead."

"Alright then," he said flopping back down so he was laying down "One round of girlfriend and boyfriend cuddling coming right up."

"You're such a goof." I snorted but laid down anyway so he was spooning me, his breath tickling my hair and ear

"You know you love it." He smiled

And that's how we stayed for the rest of the night, wrapped in each other's embrace, reveling in the warmth and serenity that we shared. "Stop thinking and go to sleep, woman." Carl rasped again, on the verge of sleep himself. I snorted and then smirked at the soft snore that left his mouth, finally falling into sleep…

Okay, Chapter 10 is up! This was more of a 'filler' chapter so don't kill me if it hasn't been as good as the other chapters. Once again I don't own anything other than my own daydreams sadly. Please please please review, I need to know what readers like/don't so let me know in reviews and I will do my up most to fix it or make it better or keep it the same. Thanks, Paul is all mine ladies.