Madeline spent the weeks leading up to the wedding getting her memory back. When the day of the wedding finally came she was glad to be feeling mostly normal. Maggie and Andrea had gone into the city in and were able to find Madeline a white sundress to wear. "I thought of you the second I saw it!" Andrea had said with a big smile. The dress was perfect. It wasn't over the top and flashy but a simple dress. "It will make all your natural beauties stand out." Lori said as she fixed Madeline's hair. Lori smiled looking at her daughter. Even thought they had the significant differences she was still happy to see her daughter make it to this day. Regardless her choice of groom was less than desirable in Lori's eyes. She wanted Madeline to marry a doctor or something not a cop…especially not Shane Walsh. However, Lori knew she had no say in the matter and decided to put her disdain at ease. "Girl I don't know where you got this curly hair." Lori said as she delicately stroked her daughter's hair. Madeline looked up carefully, "Grandma Grimes. Her hair used to be curlier than mine. Nana had showed me pictures last time we were there." Lori nodded as Rick walked in.
His eyes looked happy and sad at the same time. Rick had enough sense to know that he would have to let her go one day but he didn't expect that day to come when she was 18 years old. Madeline smiled at Rick as he sat down on the bed. "Well what do you think?" She asked as Lori sprayed her hair with hairspray. Rick smiled, "You look perfect." He looked even sadder when she stood up. Lori was right the sundress made her look even more beautiful. "Well I am going to give you two some alone time. Come on girls." Lori said with a smile as she shooed Andrea, Maggie, and Jenny from the room. Madeline walked over and sat by Rick. "What's wrong daddy?" She asked with a gentle smile as Rick squeezed her hand. "Just never thought this day would get here. I still see you as my little girl." Madeline smiled laying her head on Rick's shoulder, "I'll always be your little girl dad. It's not like Shane and I are moving away to another state." Rick laughed. He, like his wife, never thought she would marry Shane. Hell, Rick never expected Shane to marry anyone! "You helped me win." Rick stated with a grin. Madeline frowned obviously confused, "Come again?" Rick smiled standing up looking down at Madeline, "When your mother and I got married Shane said he would never get married and it turned into a bet. Only problem is we never decided what to bet on." Madeline laughed pushing a loose curl behind her ear, "Bragging right?" Rick nodded as Maggie stepped in, "We are ready for you now." She smiled real big before racing down the stairs. Madeline looked back at Rick whose smiled had faded a little as he reached for her arm, "Well let's go give you away."
Madeline didn't know why she felt nervous. She had been replaying this moment in her mind every since Shane proposed to her that night on the highway. "You got your gun dad?" Rick frowned, "You going to kill him already?" Madeline laughed rolling her eyes. Rick always had a way to make her feel better. "I was just thinking in case any unwanted guests decide to show up." Rick knew she was talking about walkers. He smiled kissing her forehead, "We got it under control." Madeline nodded as Rick pushed the door open.
Madeline closed her eyes for a moment than opened to see Shane standing a few feet away down the make shift aisle. He smiled immediately when he saw her. She really did look like an angel. Rick leaned over to Madeline, "Here's your chance to run." Madeline laughed giving her father a big grin, "Not happening daddy." Rick slowly led her down the aisle. Madeline gave Jenny, Andrea, and Maggie a grin before looking at Lori who was sobbing like a baby. Madeline than turned her eyes on Shane. He looked amazing!
Once she got to Shane, Madeline turned to look at Rick with a sweet smile. He looked like he could cry at any moment as he kissed her forehead than went to stand beside Lori. Shane smiled taking Madeline's hands as Herschel looked at them carefully, "I haven't done this in awhile you so work with me." He turned to Shane first. Madeline tried to ignore the look of displeasure in Herschel's kind eyes. "Do you Shane, take this woman to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part?" Shane gave Madeline a smile. "I do." His eyes were smoldering giving Madeline chill bumps down her spine. Herschel turned to her giving her his usual smile. "Do you Madeline, take this man to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part?" Madeline smiled feeling like her heart was about to leap out of her chest. "I do." Herschel took another deep breath, "I pronounce you husband and wife. Kiss your bride." Shane smiled pulling Madeline into his arms. "I love you." He whispered pressing his lips to hers. Madeline smiled feeling finally complete. Nothing could take him from her now. He was hers forever. This was the wedding Madeline had wanted since she was a girl.
As they walked down the aisle she cast a glance at Lori who looked like she as about to pass out. Rick shot her a smile before looking at Lori rolling his eyes. As Rick watched Madeline he couldn't help but feel his heart break a little more. He felt as though he had lost part of him. She wouldn't need him anymore. Now she would depend on Shane for everything. Rick sighed trying to hold all the raw emotions he was feeling in.
Madeline and Shane were able to have a few weeks of peace. Everyone was actually getting along now. However, all of that changed one morning around 7 am when someone started knocking on Madeline and Shane's door. Shane groaned getting out of bed. This had been pretty damn important to wake him up. As he opened the door he could tell by the look on Glenn's face something was defiantly wrong. "Shane can you come with me? We got a HUGE problem in the barn."
When Madeline woke up everyone was outside. She walked out slowly but was instantly alarmed when she saw Rick and Herschel holding two walkers on leashes. Madeline quickly walked to Andrea who looked angry, "What's going on?" She whispered. Andréa looked at her squeezing her hand. "Herschel has a collection of walkers in the barn." Madeline looked around for Shane instantly spotting him talking angrily to Rick before walking in front of Herschel. His face showed nothing but furry as he started to yell, "Really? These things aren't sick! They aren't even living! Their dead! These are the things that killed Amy and did you know? Well you better not have! How irresponsible can you be to let these things around us? Rick your children and grandchild sleep here! They could have been killed and that blood would have been on you! Shane stormed to Madeline putting a gun in her hand, "Turn the safety off darlin." Madeline gave him a frightened expression as she did what she was told. Rick looked at his daughter than at Shane, "Shane stop please." His voice was pleading. Shane rolled his eyes walking in front of the walker Herschel was holding, "Herschel let me ask you man would a living person survive this?" He fired two shots into the female walker's abdomen. "No one could walk from that!" He fired more rounds into the walker who kept trying to get him. "Why the hell is it still coming? I can answer that it's not alive!" Shane yelled at Herschel who looked devastated. Rick stepped forward yelling at Shane to stop, "Shane that's enough!" Shane rolled his eyes walking forward, "Your right man that is enough." He fired the gun again this time into the walker's head killing it.
Madeline didn't dare to say anything. She looked at Andrea than at Jenny who looked horrified. However, they both had their guns ready to go at command. Shane turned to the barn with an axe tearing the door opened before walking back to his wife. "Get your gun ready Maddy." He said harshly. Madeline took a few deep breaths as moments of silence passed before walkers began to stagger out. "Holy shit!" Jenny said as everyone started to fire killing as many as possible. Rick and Herschel didn't move.
Soon hoards of dead walkers littered the ground. Madeline looked around sadly as Shane's arm went around her waist. "Oh my god…" She whispered but the sound of wheezing from the barn got all their attention. Madeline's eyes rolled up to see the sight she had feared. Zombie Sophia walked out. She looked around before starting to head toward them. Carol was screaming in Daryl's arms. Madeline stepped back further against Shane who said nothing. Rick meanwhile, stepped forward. He raised his revolver and fired into Sophia's head. Her small body fell hard against the dirt. Madeline whimpered as Shane spun her around pressing her face into his chest. "Don't look darlin. You see Rick I told you the girl was dead! I told you we were wastin our time! Here's the god damn proof! Rick looked back at Shane not saying a word. His eyes looked horrified at the sight before him.
Herschel meanwhile, stood glaring right at Shane, "I want you gone by morning. I've had it with you! Your wife and little girl can stay but you are gone!" Shane looked coldly at Herschel before turning and storming off to the house. His temper had officially hit a new level. This was truly the biggest waste of time!
Rick looked at Madeline whose expression of disgust mirrored Shane's. "Baby doll." Rick whispered holding out his hand. Madeline slowly backed away shaking her head, "Wow." She whispered before walking off after Shane. He had been right the whole time. She had hoped for Sophia to be alive somewhere. However, as the time passed she knew the chance of finding her alive was slim.
Once she walked into the house Shane was loading the suv. "Are you comin with me or stayin with these nutcases?" Madeline rolled her eyes, "With you of course." She said as he went in gathered up her and Emily's things. Her father had let her down. He was supposed to keep her safe from these monsters yet a whole heard of them was feet away waiting to be set loose. She picked Emily up out of the crib and settled her into a car seat. "Come one baby we are getting out of here."
"MADELINE! SHANE!" They both turned to see rick quickly walking their way. "You two can't leave!" Shane turned looking at Rick like he was a stranger not his best friend, "You heard the old man. Besides this place is to damn risky. I've put Madeline and Emily in enough danger here. Like I said before Rick your decision making is going to get us all killed." Rick look hurt realizing they were really leaving. He looked at Shane sadly. This wasn't the man he had always known. Shane was now in survivalist mode and wouldn't listen to a word he said. Rick stood silently as Shane put Emily in the car. "Please Shane! I'll talk to Herschel. Please stay!" Shane turned, "Talk all you want man. We aren't stayin." Shane turned walking to the driver side and getting in.
Rick quickly walked to Madeline's side and knocked on the window. "Madeline please don't go! Talk some sense into Shane! You all will be in so much danger." Madeline sighed looking into her father's sad eyes, "I agree with Shane. It's more dangerous here. I'm sorry dad." Rick looked down sadly as Shane started the car and drove away. "I knew you would take her from me." He whispered sadly. Rick felt his heart tearing in pieces. He wasn't angry at Shane but hurt. How could his best friend do this to him? Rick had been thankful that he found his family alive but now he lost part of them all over again…(to be continued)