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

Rick was both estatic and terrified at the thought of having a daughter. He knew would be a total pushover for her, but also knew he was going to be even more protective of her than he had been of Carl.

And if she resembled her mother in the slightest, then Rick was going to have to threaten all of her dates within an inch of their life.

Gerald and Sonja were thrilled with the news. Rick had the feeling that despite her over all thoughts on Rick still stood, but Sonja couldn't wait to be a doting grandmother to their little girl. Carl was disappointed in being outnumbered, but was ultimately happy to have another sibling.

At twenty-two weeks pregnant, Anna was faring well. They started moving around some of the furniture in the nursery, opting to keep the guest bed in there for awhile, but changing the color scheme and painting some of the furniture that existed, buying only a changing table, a rocking chair and a crib.

Rick liked the fact she was allowing herself to think ahead. Her worries had subsided a bit and she nested...even bounced idea names off one another. He also found it funny that she had something she called "baby brain"...his usually super attentive wife was having boughts of forgetfulness; the car keys, her phone, her wallet...you name it, she's lost it.

On Friday, Rick was leaving to drop off Carl to his mother and then have a drink with Daryl on the way home. Anna was on the couch eating her bleu cheese stuffed olives from the jar, and weeping while watching Sleepless in Seattle on Netflix. Her blonde hair was in a messy bun and her slippered feet were up.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay? I can rain check with Daryl."

Anna paused the movie and wiped her face with the back of her hand, "I'm fine. It's just a really beautiful movie. Would you bring me back some Ben and Jerry's though? Cinnamon Buns?"

Rick couldn't say no to her ever...and she was so stereotypically pregnant, it was amusing. He leaned down for a kiss and smiled, "Sure, Sweet Thing."

He called for Carl, and once his son had come down the stairs, they were off to the McDonald's in the middle. Fall was creeping in and there was a chill at night, but neither he or Carl were ready to break out the jackets just yet.

When they got to the McDonalds, Lori and Shane were inside waiting. He walked Carl in and made small talk. Shane always tried to be buddies with him, and it made Rick uncomfortable. Did he think that everything would get better now that Rick was married to Anna? That the hurt and resentment of the affair would somehow subside?

Because it wouldn't.

He actually ended up talking to Daryl about it over their beers. Daryl didn't talk too much unless he was asked a direct question...but he was always a good listener and sometimes offered gems of wisdom.

"He prolly didn't want to lose ya, in all of this. He prolly thinks ya'll are better friends than ya are. It's kinda sad, actually."

Rick nodded, Shane had never been the brightest. He hesitated to use the term "Meat head," but it was the best descriptive he had. Shane was all brawn, the stereotypical tough guy and high school jock.

"All that happened between the three of us...I can move past it...and I have for the most part. But I'll never be able to forget it. It almost broke me...and lord knows what it has done to Carl. It takes everything I have to be civil to him, let alone friendly."

Daryl just nodded and Rick sighed and switched gears, "So...when do you want to come stay the weekend with us? Maybe take Gwen out?"

His friend just shrugged. Rick knew he hadn't had much of a romantic past, and didn't really know how to go about navigating the murky waters of dating. It also didn't help that Gwen was a total firecracker and said whatever she was thinking. She was intimidating to poor, usually monosyllabic Daryl.

Rick shrugged in return, "Come let Anna cook for you. You can help paint the nursery. Then, one night...meet Gwen for drinks. It doesn't have to be a full on date with dinner or anything. Who knows, you might enjoy yourself."

"Alright. When ya thinkin'?"

He took a pull from his beer and smiled, "How about next weekend? You can just come back with me when I drop off Carl."

Daryl thought it over and nodded, "Alright. I will call Gwen tomorrow and tell her I'm coming to visit."

Rick knew Anna would be thrilled, "Good. Bring your appetite. Anna is going to spoil you rotten...but you'll probably get roped into some manual labor. Fair warning."

Anna spent Friday night on the couch in her pajamas while Rick had gone to take Carl to Lori and then have a drink with Daryl. Truvy was curled up at her hip...it seems like she only sought out Anna these days when Carl was gone for the weekend. She wasn't complaining though, she loved seeing Truvy and Carl being buddies.

When she finished Sleepless in Seattle, Anna scrolled through the movies with a remote and tried not to obsess over the ice cream Rick was supposed to be bringing home. The insane snacking and eating portion of the pregnancy had set in, and while she was enjoying it, she had to admit she felt like a cliché.

She liked sweets and salty foods...especially the spicy pickles and bleu cheese stuffed olives. Anna didn't think she had seen a non-pickled vegetable in a week, honestly.

Just as she had chosen Chocolat to queue up next, her cell phone rang. Anna reached for it and saw it was her father. Baby Girl Grimes, moved in her belly and she found herself resting a hand on her bump, waiting for more. She accepted the call, a smile in her voice, "Hey Daddy."

"Hi there, Pumpkin."

Gerald sounded pleasant, but not his normal self by a long shot. Anna immediately picked up on it and asked, "What's wrong?"

Her father sighed, "Anna honey, your mother and I have been putting off telling you something until we got all the information. We know you have a lot going on...getting married, having a baby..."

Anna didn't like where this was going. She didn't like hearing her normally jovial father sound so serious. He was using his courtroom voice.

"...but now we know and it's time to tell you. About a month ago, your Mother found a lump on her breast..."

She felt her heart sank into her stomach. She was a nurse. She knew what he was about to say and the tears came hard and fast

"...they did a biopsy and the results came back this week. It's cancer, honey."

Anna thought she was going to throw up. This year had been too much. First Gerald's heart attack...now Sonja's cancer. The word laid heavily on her brain and she felt so sick.

"The good news is, they caught it relatively early. We've been referred to the best oncologist in Savannah, and we see him this week."

Anna couldn't speak, she was just weeping into her hand but somehow managed, "Why didn't she tell me? Why are you telling me?"

Gerald laughed a little, "You know your Mama. Hard-headed and proud. She wants to bypass the touchy-feely stuff and kick it in the ass. Plus...she knows you worry. She doesn't want that. She wants you and our grandbaby to be healthy. That granddaughter of ours is making her bound and determined to be healthy and see her grow up. Besides, it will make a wonderful charity event some day...you know ol' Sonja."

She did know her, and knew all of this to be true. As much as she butted heads with her mother, Anna loved her deeply. She only wanted the best for Anna, even though they had different definitions about what that was. Anna straightened up a little and wiped at her tears with her hand, "Are you okay, Daddy?"

"I'm scared as hell, but trying to be strong for my sweetheart. Now I know how she felt back in the spring when I went down...but we're gonna fight this together. If anyone can do it, it's Sonja Callahan."

Anna nodded, "Will you send me the name of the oncologist so I can do some background on him? Do you need me to come down for the appointment? I can help with the medical jargon."

"Let me talk to your Mama. But we'd like it if you came down once she starts treatment and visit."

Anna agreed, "Absolutley. I love you, Daddy. Tell Mom I love her, too and that I will call her in a few days once I get my emotions together."

Gerald chuckled lowly, "We love you, Anna Leigh. Take care of our grandbaby and keep those boys of yours out of trouble. I will keep you posted."

She ended the call with her father and and picked Truvy up to cuddle her. She couldn't believe everything her parents have been through that year. She couldn't believe that her mother had found a lump and didn't tell her because of the wedding or the pregnancy. Anna appreciated her mother's concern, but she'd have rather her told her than have her father do it.

Anna heard the front door unlock and Rick entered, "Hey baby, I'm home. I bought enough ice cream to last all weekend. I got some more olives, too."

He walked the snacks into the kitchen, and she heard him open the refrigerator. As he walked into the living room he said, "Good news, Daryl is spending next weekend with us...help us with the nursery and he's going to call Gwen..."

Rick must've finally saw the look on her face and knew she wasn't crying over a chick flick, "You okay?"

She shook her head and he sat down beside her. Anna put Truvy down and turned to look at her husband, "Daddy just called. Mom found a lump on her breast last month. It's cancer."

Rick's blue eyes went wide and he reached out for her. Anna sunk into the comfort of his arms and the tears came again. Rick stroked her hair and sighed, "I'm so sorry, Sweet Thing."

"She made Daddy call me. She couldn't do it herself. She also didn't want me to know before the biopsy came back because of stress and the pregnancy. I would've gone to be with her if I knew."

Rick kissed her temple, "I think it's nice she is concerned about you and the baby. She could've made if far more dramatic."

Sonja did have a flair for histrionics, but Anna knew that her mother was being serious and protective of her emotions and of her daughter, "Daddy said they caught it pretty early and have an appointment with an oncologist to talk about treatment. I may have to go visit soon, once the treatment is decided. I want to be there for her, maybe keep her spirits up some how."

Rick nodded, "I'll come with you. So I can keep your spirits up. It's going to be tough, Anna. But there is no doubt in my mind that everything is going to be okay. Maybe this will bring everybody closer."

Anna thought it might, too. She would love it if when the baby came, everyone could be tight knit. Maybe all of this would give her mother perspective, maybe they could be friends as well as mother and daughter?

Her husband leaned in to kiss her, and Anna realized how hard this would be without him. Maybe everything did happen for a reason; maybe he wasn't just there to help her make a family...maybe fate had him ask her for drinks, knowing it would be a testing time with her parents health?

Rick leaned over and took the remote from her, "No more movies that make you cry tonight. Comedy, action...or, I'd be happy to take you upstairs and show you a good time."

Anna couldn't help but smile at the latter, how could she say no to his handsomeness taking her mind off of things. She leaned in and kissed him seductively, "Yes please."

Rick smirked and stood up, offering her his hand.

A/N: hi loves! I'm so sorry it's been so long. I've been on a tear with my other two stories and I like to "strike while the iron's hot." I hope everyone enjoyed the finale, even though it seriously played with my emotions and also took away some stress knowing I have til October to keep writing in my "zone."

Next Up: a weekend with Daryl. more Gwen. Anna talks to her mom.

I'd love it if you'd drop me a line and let me know how I am doing! You guys are the best, thank you for all the love :). And if you are so inclined check out "Wallflower" my Rick/Daryl/OC triangle or "The Redhead and The Redneck" which I've been spending a lot of time on. It's the AU of my Daryl/OC story. I'm also working very roughly on a male OC story so stay tuned!

Super special shout outs to: (man, I'm sorry to hear about the drama! I hope you can get back to writing and reading soon! My new Mellie/Daryl story has been distracting me from a lot. I love writing them!), Angie B (I LOVE GERALDINE! You know baby girl is going to make Rick a pushover! Well, it's Sonja's health...hopefully Team Grimes will band together! I posted a fab chapter for Mellie and Daryl...I hope you read it ;), Angelicedg (The distressing news belongs to Sonja, so here's hoping she reels it in a bit ;), and CLTex (Lol! "The Talk" is embarrassing for all ages! You know Carl, gets shot in the eye, gives zero f***s lol!)

Thanks and Love!

Leah P!

xoxo