A/N: this story uses the characters from my "Redemption" fic, but in an AU setting, so if you haven't read that fic, you can still read this one without missing anything. However, if you'd like to read it, it is complete! I only own Anna, the rest belongs to AMC and Robert Kirkman. No infringement intended.

Simple Twists of Fate

By Leah Pensotti

Once Rick was manning the grill and Anna had settled into her role as hostess, the reception was off and rolling. He felt happy as could be; beautiful wife, home, son...new baby on the way. Even Sonja Callahan seemed to be in good spirits, but it was mostly because anytime her glass was empty; Anna or Gwen or Gerald would bring her more champagne.

At one point he and Daryl were talking as he grilled, and Carl brought over his friend Enid. Rick understood immediately what Anna was saying when she had mentioned giving Carl "the talk." Enid, for being all of fifteen, looked like a model and on top of all of that was nice, friendly and very warm towards his son.

Rick made a mental note to talk to Lori sooner rather than later.

When Carl and Enid walked away to get lemonade, Rick shook his head, "Having a teenager is terrifying."

Daryl chuckled and handed Rick another beer, "Bein' one is pretty scary, too."

Rick turned the burgers over and shook his head, "Anna mentioned that I should probably give Carl 'The Talk'...and now I understand why. Girls didn't look at all like that when I was fourteen. My first girlfriend wore headgear and pigtails."

He caught Daryl looking over at Gwen, who was talking to Anna, Maria and Mary Jane, "Girls are always a problem. I never know what to say."

Rick smiled, "I have it on good athourity she's interested. Just don't think about it too much...or it'll get in your head. Maybe talk to Anna? She's pretty good at sussing things out."

He met eyes with his wife and motioned with his head for her to come over. She smiled and excused herself from the ladies and made her way to the grill, "Did you need me, husband?"

Rick smiled brightly; he didn't think it would every get old having Anna refer to him in that way. He kissed her temple and whispered, "Daryl needs help talking to Gwen."

Anna smiled and looked at Daryl, "Why don't you come in and help me...we can talk in there."

Daryl nodded and followed Anna inside. As Rick started filling up serving plates with hotdogs, burgers and chicken breasts; Gerald sidled up to him with a jolly smile.

"I'm just about pleased as punch that I'm able to call you son, officially now. I actually have something for you, but I can't let on to Sonja about it. Here."

Gerald reached out his hand, and Rick took the folded up piece of paper from him. Rick put down the spatula and looked down and saw that Gerald had written him and Anna a check for thirty thousand dollars.

Rick shook his head, completely gobsmacked, "This is really generous. But it's too much."

His father-in-law shook his head, "Not when we're talking about futures. Put it away and use it for Carl and the new baby. You are my kin now, Carl too. Welcome to the family."

Before Rick could argue any more, Gerald went back to attend to Sonja, who was out of champagne.

Anna walked in the kitchen with Daryl close behind her. She began to take the side dishes out of the refrigerator as Daryl looked on curiously.

"So...you like Gwen?"

Daryl shrugged, and she continued, "She's a really easy going girl. She's tired of the jerks she meets online. She wants someone in her life to have fun with and isn't going to mess her around. Does that interest you?"

Daryl shrugged, "I guess I don't see someone like her wantin' someone like me."

Anna stopped what she was doing and suddenly felt extremely maternal towards Daryl, even though he was a little older than her. She walked over and put her hands on his shoulders, "Hey. You're a good man. Any girl would be lucky to have you. Gwen is sarcastic and smart and loves motorcycles and drinking. I know you both have some of those things in common. Start there. Take her a drink. Ask her to dance."

Daryl shook his head, "I don't dance."

"Why?"

He shook his head, "I'll look stupid."

Anna smiled, "If you don't know how to dance I can teach you. Right now."

Daryl shook his head and Anna took him by the arm and pulled him into the living room. She turned on some music and took Daryl's left hand and put it on her right hip while she took other hand in her own. She smiled and looked down, "Don't mind the bump...it will be easier with Gwen. So...usually the man leads. We're talking slow dancing at a reception in a back yard...so you don't have to be Fred Astaire...literally just move in a circle."

Daryl moved around rigidly and looked unsure, "Depending on what kind of girl Gwen is...she might stay right here...or she could pull you closer and put her arms around your neck."

Anna poked him in the cheek good-naturedly, "Smile...or just don't look so...uncomfortable."

Daryl smirked, Anna laughed and she continued to try to get him to loosen up, "I promise it will be more fun when you're not dancing with your friend's pregnant wife..."

She actually saw him crack a wry smile and he loosened up a little. Suddenly Rick appeared in the living room doorway, an amused look on his face, "What's this?"

Anna smiled and looked to Rick, "Impromptu dance lesson. Trying to get this one to loosen up."

Rick laughed and just shook his head, "Dinner's ready if you all want to bring out the food. "

She nodded and gave Daryl a look, "Go take her a drink...beer, not one of the light ones. Make small talk. You got this."

Daryl nodded, "Okay...thanks Cupcake."

Anna smiled, realizing she had a nickname. As she heard Daryl go to the kitchen and open one of the coolers. Rick gave her a look that made her want to take him upstairs and have her way with him, "That only made me a little bit jealous."

She laughed, "Fiddlesticks, don't be silly. Good news is he isn't hopeless. Just intensely shy."

Rick took her by the hand and squeezed it, "I've got something to show you."

Anna felt the fire light in her belly and she raised an eyebrow, "Do you think we have time? We could run upstairs..."

He laughed and shook his head, "Nothing like that...but I like where your head's at. No, look..."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded up piece of paper. When she opened it, it was a check from her father. Anna smiled, knowing that Rick was thinking it was exorbitant.

"He said to use it for Carl or the new baby."

Anna nodded, thinking it was the best thing to do, "We could start college funds for them. Fifteen grand a peice."

"It's a lot of money. I feel weird taking it."

She smiled. She truly loved him for that, "I should probably tell you...I have a trust fund. This sort of thing is Daddy's M.O. He wants to treat Carl like his own...and of course the new baby."

Rick looked shocked, "A trust fund?"

Anna just laughed, "Rick...it's really not shocking right? Savannah Society...Old Money. I just choose not to live that way, but it still exists. He probably wants to help Carl more, but knows Lori wouldn't like it. This is his way of doing that. If it makes you uncomfortable, we can keep it in an account til they are old enough. I use my own money for things...but the trust is helpful if I ever need it. This is all this has to be, too."

Rick nodded, "It's just...that's just about as much as I made my first year as a Sherriff's Deputy."

Anna pulled him to her and kissed him, thinking he was just about the most adorable thing she's seen, "We should probably get that food out there, huh? We have guests to entertain...a wedding to celebrate."

When dinner was done, Anna and Rick cut the cake. He was nice and didn't shove it in her face, but he couldn't say the same for her. She just laughed and helped him clean himself up, but not before kissing him deeply. Gwen lead the toast and soon, they were dancing their first dance as husband and wife in their backyard under twinkling lights and paper lanterns.

She picked the George Straight song they first danced to at the cowboy bar...which was the same night their baby had been conceived.

It was fitting.

Rick Grimes could not have been any happier in that moment, with Anna's arms around his neck , her pregnant belly against him and her pretty face looking at him with pure love. He wouldn't have thought it possible a year ago. He would never have dreamed something this happy for himself.

When the song was over, other couples joined them...Sonja and Gerald, Bob and Maria, Carl and Enid. He had to give it to his son, he made it look effortless...which was more than he could say for poor Daryl Dixon, who was drinking a beer and looking at Gwen as she talked to Dawn. He whispered to Anna and they decided on a plan...he would dance with Gwen, and she would coax Daryl out of his shell...and then they would switch.

He and Anna parted with a kiss and he walked over to Gwen and stretched out his hand, which she accepted with a raised eyebrow. As they took their turn on the make shift dance floor, Rick smiled and said, "You've got to give that poor man a break."

Gwen's eyes went wide, "I don't know what you mean."

Rick smiled and motioned over to Anna and Daryl dancing, "He just learned to dance about an hour ago. Anna was giving him a crash course in the living room. He's a lot of good things, but he's also shy. So maybe you could take the upper hand sometimes?"

Gwen looked over at Daryl, "He's brought me a beer like every half our."

Rick laughed, "Anna told him to. He's trying real hard I think."

"We barely talk, Rick. You telling me he's actually interested?"

Rick spun her around and nodded, "Yep. I do. I'll tell ya...I think he's scared of you. So go easy on him?"

Gwen just about cracked up laughing, "Scared of me? That's rich."

"Pretty women can be terrifying. Even to the toughest of guys."

She looked at Anna dancing with Daryl and then back to him, "Then Anna must've had you quaking in your boots."

Rick agreed, remembering taking Anna out to that first dinner. When she opened the door and he saw just how far out of his league she was, "You kidding me? I still think she's finally going to realize what a bum I am and kick me to the curb. She could be married to some investment banker...but no, she by some miracle chose me."

Gwen shook her head, "Anna is totally crazy about you. Has been since day one. You should've seen her getting ready to meet you at Greene's that first time. Alright. I'll make a move..."

The song ended and Rick smiled. Anna pulled him away and Gwen and Daryl were left standing infront of each other on the dance floor. They heard her ask quietly, "Like to dance?"

Daryl just nodded and after a few awkward attempts at hand placement, they finally started swaying together. Anna shook her head and smiled up at Rick, "Well done, sir."

a/n: hello loves! Next up: boy or girl? And Carl gets "the talk". I hope everyone enjoys this chapter! I've started a new AU story based on my Daryl/OC fic...it's called "The Redhead and The Redneck" which is two chapters in and also, a Rick/OC/Daryl love triangle fic called "Wallflower." I hope you will check them both out!

Thank you to all who have read and continue to favorite, follow and review! It means so much to me.

Super Special Shout Outs to: Natalie Laukas (Sonja behaved herself, thanks to alcohol. But I think she will be back soon to her old ways), Ruth Ashley 55 (I'm so glad you enjoyed! Much more to come), CLTex (more Daryl and Gwen to come ;), ChibiAiko1987 (I didn't even know you could do that! Thanks for the heads up ;), Angelicedg (I wanted the movement to be special. So glad you liked :), Angie B (Sonja will be back in full force. She's a "nice drunk". Working on the third chappie for Daryl and Mellie, then more Wallflower! So much writing-but it's getting so good I can't stop, lol!), CloudyTruth (duly noted) and Guest (I think of Anna as a mash-up of Abbie Cornish and Megan Hilty...but buxom).

Thanks and Love!

Leah P!

xoxo