A/N: this is a work of fan fiction and not meant to infringe upon the properties of Kirkman/Moore/Aldard/AMC/Image Comics.
Now that I have caught up with the show, I am taking the lead from the comics. I am hoping to skew it in just the right way that no one will be truly spoiled :). If you'd like to listen to the Redemption Playlist, you can find it by searching for Leah Pensotti on YouTube :) it features songs and artists mentioned in the story as well as chapter titles :) it was last updated on 5/28/15.
Redemption (The Road to Alexandria)
By Leah Pensotti
Chapter 37: Three More Days
Carl had been gone for three days. Either the Wolves took him, or he had followed. Rick went out everyday looking for him with Michonne. Anna tried to stay busy in the garden, trying to produce new foods to help aid the ridiculous "tribute" Negan required.
When Rick left, tired and angry in the morning, she would go into the back yard of her old house with Judy. As she worked, Judith sat nearby on a blanket.
Luckily, the morning sickness had lessened and she managed work without waves and waves of nausea interrupting her gardening. Anna missed Rick, she had to force him to eat when he got home and he'd lay comfortably in her arms until morning and he was gone again.
She worried about Carl, he was headstrong and impulsive...and a teenager. Poor Enid kept coming to their door every night to see if he had returned. Every night when she would knock on the door, Anna would invite her in and she would have dinner with Anna and Judith. They didn't talk much, but there was so much Anna wanted to ask Enid...about her family, if she was lonely...how she had managed to survive so long on ther own as a loner.
After dinner, they would sit on the couch and read until Rick would come home, without Carl. Three nights and mornings of the same, and Anna was hoping that when Rick came home that night, that Carl would be with him...that they could settle into some peace before the Wolves came crawling again.
The third night when Rick came home, he barely ate and seemed lost in his thoughts. Anna played with Judith on the floor, and not even her happy smiles or claps seemed to break him of his reverie. Anna stood up and walked to where Rick sat and sat in his lap.
"I know you are hashing out a plan. What is it?"
Rick placed his hand on her lower back and shook his head, "I am hoping Jesus will return soon. I sent him to follow Negan. If he could lead me there, I will go after Carl myself."
Anna wrapped her arms around his neck, "I hate Negan. For all he has done. I want Carl back. The house is empty without him...and without you. Judy and I miss you both...and poor Enid."
"How long does she stay? Before I come home...how long is she here?"
Anna shrugged, "Three or four hours. I'm really emotional these days and I feel very protective of her. She is so alone. She might have seen and done a lot, but she is just a kid. Do you think...we could take her in? We have an extra room. I think she could benefit with having a family..."
Rick smiled gently, she knew this was a lot to put on him, but it was something she felt strongly about. After pressing a warm kiss to Anna's lips, Rick sighed, "She would have to understand that we're going to have rules. No running about. Carl is going to get the same talk when I find him. There will be no more of this."
Anna felt her heart flutter that Rick had just given his blessing to bring Enid in and kissed him happily in return.
"Looks like we're gonna have a full house."
Inside, though Anna was worried about Carl and Rick, she thought about their little rag-tag family: She, Rick, Carl, Judith, Enid and the new baby. A house full of kids to love.
It was an embarassment of riches in the new world, and everything she wanted in the old one. She couldn't wait to ask Enid the next day.
Rick placed his hand on her stomach, "Have you been ok? I should take better care of you."
Anna nodded, "Morning sickness is still around, but it is getting better. I feel better. In a few days. We'll be at ten weeks...two more until the second trimester...three more until..."
She stopped short and he raised an eyebrow, "Until what?"
Anna looked down and sighed, "Until where I was when I lost my first baby."
Rick took her face in his hands, "That won't happen again, Anna. I won't allow it. Once Carl is back home, we can settle down a bit and only worry when the Wolves come to collect. I'm going to take better care of you. Only a little over a week in and I've been an absentee husband."
"You're not. It's your son we're talking about here. I want you to find him safe. I want him home with us...maybe with Enid here...he won't want to stray so much?"
"Maybe. I don't know what I'd do without you, Sweet Thing. You've got such a good heart."
The next morning, the routine started again, Rick left early but took time to to hug both Anna and Judith goodbye. Then they went and worked in the garden. Tomatoes and peppers were plentiful, and some radishes and turnips began to sprout. Snap peas began flourish...but it still wasn't enough to feed them and the Wolves. She planted more seeds...pumpkins and gourds and fall foods to harvest.
Hours later she took Judith in to eat and cleaned both of them up. She put Judith down for a nap and there was a knock on the door. Anna felt a rush of excitement, thinking that it was Enid. But when she opened the door, Spencer stood on the door step.
She touched the hilt of her gun in it's holster, and tried to not look taken aback, "Oh hey."
Spencer looked nervous, unsure. His hair had grown long, and he had grown a beard. He was carrying a box of books and gave her a small wave, "Hey. I brought some of my mom and dad's books...is Rick around? I'd like to talk to him about some things?"
Anna shook her head, "He'll be back later. Want me to tell him you stopped by?"
He shrugged, "Sure. Um...hey I heard about...the wedding. Congratulations."
Anna nodded, "Thanks."
Enid appeared behind Spencer and he excused himself quietly. Anna picked up the box and waved Enid in.
"Any sign of Carl?"
Anna locked the door behind her and shook her head, "Nothing yet. Wanna go through these books with me? And I will make dinner?"
Enid shrugged and they sat in the living room and rummaged through about twenty books including "The Lord of the Rings", "Wuthering Heights," "Once and Future King", "The Scarlet Pimpernel," and "Great Expectations."
Anna was shaken by Spencer's visit, but happy for the new books. She made a plain Jane spaghetti dinner while Enid sat quietly at the table. She thought about how to tell Enid about her and Rick's offer.
"Do you think Negan killed Carl?"
Anna felt her heart drop straight to her stomach, "God, no. "
She placed the plates on the table and they dug in quietly. Anna looked up at Enid, her long, dark hair and sullen face.
"I've always wanted to ask you something...how long has it been...since you were with your family?"
Enid shrugged, "A year or so."
"Rick and I have been talking...and we'd really like it...I mean, if you'd like to you could...live with us. We have another room."
Enid's mouth formed a surprise "o."
"I can take care of myself. I'm not a charity case."
Anna nodded, "I know...and this isn't charity. I'd like for you to stay here...be apart of our family. If you want to. You're a good kid, Enid. You deserve a family."
"So you and Rick...you want to be my mom and dad?"
"It doesn't have to be like that, we can just be good friends that take care of each other. I like reading with you. I can teach you to garden...I don't want you to be alone anymore."
Enid looked at her hands and shrugged, "I'd like to try, I suppose."
Anna felt herself smiling broadly and she teared up a bit, "Do you want to go get your stuff? I can make up your bed."
Rick came home exhausted and angry for the fourth night in a row. When Anna let him in, she told him Enid was upstairs...setting up her new room. She also told him that Spencer had come by and wanted to talk to him.
He didn't have time for Spencer...and to be honest, he didn't want to speak to him at all.
Jesus had not returned and he felt like he could not rest until he found Carl. He felt like he was neglecting Anna and the town. All he wanted to do was be with his family. Take care of the town. Watch Judith grow. Be there for his pregnant wife and help her usher their child into the world.
Every night, he sought solace in Anna's arms. When they had first gone to Hilltop and saw the trade opportunities, the doctors...he had felt hopeful. Then came Negan, all the bloodshed, friends lost...and now Carl.
Rick just wanted to be home with his family. He wanted to live and not just survive. Not just fight.
While they laid in bed, Rick looked at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
"You should drink some bourbon." Anna's voice came quietly in the dark.
He rolled over and came face to face with her sleepy eyes, "I would. But Negan took all of it."
"Motherfucker."
Rick laughed, for some reason, Anna's swearing was attractive. She plainly hated Negan. Mostly for his comeons and propostions and believing he deserved every thing everyone had, and his non-existent regard for human life.
Anna stroked his cheek and pulled him close, "Why didn't you tell me about sending Jesus to follow Negan?"
Rick shrugged, "I needed everyone to be compliant, scared. If Negan got a whiff of dissent, who knows what he would do. It's been humiliating to be his little servant. But if we are going to beat him, we have got to learn about him. So I sent Jesus."
She nodded, "I understand. But I am glad to know you had a plan all along. Sort of like Carol when we got here."
Rick leaned in and kissed her, and began to trail kisses down her neck. She sighed I pleasure and just when she had taken off her t-shirt...a loud, urgent knock came upon the front door. Rick grabbed his gun and made his way downstairs as Anna put her shirt back on.
It was Jesus. Speak of the devil.
Rick ushered him in quickly and locked the door. Both Anna and Enid appeared with wild hair and sleepy eyes and they went to the kitchen, where Anna put on the tea kettle.
Jesus looked wild-eyed, "I found them. They are holed up in a warehouse with booby traps made with walkers."
Rick felt the connection wash over him, the same place where Aaron and Daryl had met Morgan. They should have known all along.
"It's quite a set up, Rick. That scarred asshole Dwight took me in with some of his men. I managed to escape, hotwired a car just outside D.C."
Rick took a sip of his tea, "I need you to take me there at first light. Carl is missing. I think the Wolves have him."
"Christ. I didn't see him, but then again I didn't hang around. What are you gonna do?"
"I'm taking Michonne and Daryl with us. I'm getting my son back. I'm gonna knock on the door of that madman's domain."
A/N: hi my loves! Sorry for the delay, I have been under the weather, but I am back and ready to write! Next up: The Sanctuary and the hunt for Carl.
Shout outs to May85, Katarzyna88gb and Guest!
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