Disclaimer:
Carol Peletier, Sophia Peletier, King Ezekiel, Henry, Jerry, Shiva, and any other recognizable character or plot of The Walking Dead belong to AMC Network and Skybound Entertainment, Image Comics and Robert Kirkman.
In no way is the author claiming ownage of any of the characters nor is there any economic/monetary gain at any time. The author is extremely respectful of the original creators and is willing to take down this work of fiction if requested.
No copyright infringement intended.
Original characters are the property of the author.
Chapter 18: Granted
"I try, Daddy! I try!"
Her daughter's excited exclamation reaches Carol to the kitchen where she's preparing some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. She grins as Ezekiel's laugh joins her little girl's. Those two are definitively up to something and she doesn't want to miss it. She hurriedly puts the top piece of bread over the sandwich before cutting it into four triangles, just the way Sophia likes it. It takes a little bit of a maneuver but she manages to balance two plates, two soda cans, and one sippy cup in her arms.
She makes her way back down the hallway towards the room that is now being called 'Princess Sophia's Quarters', all the while making sure not to step on Shiva who has followed her in an attempt to score some kind of treat. "Careful, Shiva." She lovingly admonishes as the tiger cub cuts in front of her before entering the bare room.
The efforts to empty the room had taken Ezekiel a day and a half. They'd rearranged his things all over the house before priming the room to be painted exactly as Sophia wanted it; a combination of pink and purple. They'd carefully applied the painters' tape so that the fixtures would be safe from their painting, then Ezekiel had applied it on the ceiling where clouds would be painted. He'd been steering the paint when she'd left the room but judging by Sophia's excitement they had already started the actual painting.
"Like this, Daddy?" She hears Sophia ask just as she crosses the threshold into the room.
"Perfect!" Ezekiel replies right away.
"What are you two up to?" Carol asks when she's finished putting down the food and finally sees the pair. Ezekiel stands tall with Sophia sitting on his shoulders, paint roller in hand.
"Painting, Mama," Sophia replies before she presses the roller on the wall, squishing some paint out, and begins to slowly slide it up, then down.
Just when Carol thinks that Sophia will have to go up again because she won't be able to reach, Ezekiel surprises her by bending his knees until the line Sophia has painted reaches the painter's tape that marks the division between the pink and the purple sides.
"Up! Up!" Sophia instructs to which Ezekiel quickly straightens so that she can start the process all over again.
"You are going to regret that by the time you are done with the room," Carol warns him.
Ezekiel simply gives a little shrug in reply. "If it makes her happy then who am I to deny her."
She shakes her head at his reply before standing on tiptoes and leaning forward to kiss his cheek. "She has you wrapped around her finger."
"Down, Zekey!" Sophia interrupts before Ezekiel can even attempt to deny her. Again, Ezekiel dips down so she can continue. "Look, Mama! I doing it!"
"You are!" She praises Sophia who gives a little wiggle like dance on Ezekiel's shoulders.
"It's time for lunch though. Think we can stop painting a little so you can get that belly filled?" She gently pokes the side of Sophia's belly which makes her daughter dissolve into giggles and swing lower the roller.
The moment it makes contact with Ezekiel's forehead, Sophia quickly pulls it back. "Sorry! Sorry!" She repeats over and over as she awkwardly leans over his head to see just how bad she got him. "Oh no! Zekey's is pink!"
"Come on, down you go." She reaches for her daughter to coax her down, being extra careful that she doesn't swing again and blinds Ezekiel with paint.
"Here, Daddy." Sophia hands the paint roller to Ezekiel before she leans down to caress the top of Shiva's head then rushes to the food Carol has prepared.
Knowing her daughter will help herself to her sandwich, Carol turns her attention to Ezekiel. He's taken the roller and placed it on the paint tray before turning to look at her. There's a splotch of baby pink paint on his forehead and half on his hair that contrasts with his skin. She grins and reaches forward to try and rub away the paint without much success. "She got you good." She notes.
Ezekiel simply grins, wraps an arm around her waist, and leans down to press a kiss to her lips. He's careful, still worried that he will hurt her healing chin, but even with his carefulness, Carol feels the sweetness and love in his kiss which she quickly returns by putting pressure behind her lips.
When he pulls back, he cups her chin and gently caresses the bruised skin. His eyes go a little dark for a second and she instantly knows that he's reliving what they went through. To distract him, to bring him back to her, she leans forward and catches his lips in another kiss. "I'm fine." She reminds him once she pulls back.
"I know." He whispers. He's already leaning down for another kiss when Sophia's voice makes them jump.
"No, Shiva!" Sophia giggles as she tries to admonish the tiger. A glance their way shows that Shiva has decided that the sandwiches that weren't being eaten were fair game and that helping herself to them was perfectly fine.
"No, no, Shiva," Ezekiel repeats as he moves to her and gently pulls her back. "Those aren't yours and they aren't good for you."
"I should have prepared something for her."
"She's shouldn't be hungry yet," he notes. Ezekiel is right, they still have hours before her next scheduled feeding. If there is one thing she has learned is that tigers work better with a schedule and that deviating from it could end with them dealing with a grumpy tiger cup later on. "She's just being a gourmand."
Sophia pauses mid-bite to turn to look at Ezekiel. "What dat?"
"Someone who always wants to be eating," Carol replies before sitting down crossed leg by her daughter.
Somehow Sophia has already smudged peanut butter and a bit of jelly on her cheeks but she looks far too adorable for Carol to say anything. Instead, she focused on placing Sophia's sippy cup in front of her, then reaching for half a sandwich for herself. Once Ezekiel has wrestled Shiva, he sits on the other side of Sophia, reaching for the other half of the treat.
"Hmmm," He mumbles as he takes his first taste. "I had forgotten how delicious these were."
"Yumm yumm." Sophia agrees as she rubs her belly with one hand, the other holding the half-eaten small triangle.
"You are very right, Princess." Ezekiel takes another bite of the sandwich, this time making sure that the ends of the bread touch his cheeks and beard. When he pulls back the half-eaten triangle there are smudges of jelly on him.
Sophia instantly bursts out laughing, toppling back with the strength of her reaction. She continues with a full belly laugh that is literal music to Carol's ears. Interested in what her playing companion is doing, Shiva jumps out of Ezekiel's lap and semi-tackles Sophia who simply laughs harder and rolls on the floor, completely forgetting the snack she was just having.
Grinning at the image of Sophia acting silly, Carol turns to look at Ezekiel who playfully pretends not to know what's going on. "I wonder what our Princess is laughing about." He declares before he scratches at his beard and makes a thoughtful expression. She knows he's avoiding touching the smudged jelly much to Sophia's delight who pauses her laughing, turns to look at him then rolls again with yet another laugh.
Carol smiles and rolls her eyes playfully. "You don't have any idea, silly man?"
Ezekiel's eyes sparkle brighter as he shakes his head and winks at her. "Not the faintest idea, my Queen."
The blush comes right away without her having any control over it. Her tummy flutters like that of a school girl looking at her crush unabashedly. She ducks her head slightly to hide behind the curtain of her hair but then decides to let him see it. She wants Ezekiel to know how much he affects her, how fast she's fallen in love with him, and how with him at their side, both Sophia and she have changed for the better.
"You silly!" Sophia tells him as she finally stops rolling. She hasn't let go of her tiny triangle of a snack which she bites into as soon as she sits back up. A hand raises to check if her last bite has left any residue of the sticky delicious syrup. When she finds it, Sophia grins right away. "Daddy is silly and Sophia is silly!"
"You both are silly and messy," Carol notes. "But I wouldn't have you any other way."
"Mama silly?" Sophia asks as she lets her eyes fall to the food that Carol is holding. "Yes?"
Carol follows her gaze until it lands on the half-eaten food. She knows what Sophia is asking and though she's not exactly keen on having a sticky face, she truly can't deny her the happiness it would bring her.
Instead of verbally answering, Carol takes a big bite out of her sandwich, scrunching up her nose as she feels the jelly adhere itself to her skin, then pulls back to quickly turn to look at Sophia.
Her daughter grins wide, showing off the pearly rows of teeth. "Mama silly!"
"Very silly. Now eat up before Shiva decides you've had enough and the rest is hers."
It doesn't take long for them to finish off their food and drinks and go back to painting. With music playing softly in the background, Ezekiel and Sophia continue painting the top pink color while Carol takes over the bottom purple side.
Surprisingly, the vision of the purple paint being rolled on the wall soothes Carol until she finds herself humming along with the song, smiling whenever Sophia finishes one piece and declares the need to move one step to the side. Carol makes a mental note to check that no rough spots are left behind since Sophia isn't an expert in painting, but she's not going to mention it at all until her daughter's little ears are far away.
She knows this is something her daughter needs to do to understand that even if she's never done something she shouldn't be afraid to try. Carol knows that's why Ezekiel is allowing her to paint, encouraging her to learn something new even if it/s just painting a room. She can't help the bubble of love that climbs up her chest and explodes into her heart at the sight of Ezekiel and Sophia doing something her daughter will always remember; preparing her new room. She can't help all the emotions that slam into her at seeing both of their smiles as Sophia paints and Ezekiel follows her directions, his face showing tiny drops of pink paint that have splattered with Sophia'd enthusiasm.
They finish with one side of the bedroom before Ezekiel decides that they need a dancing break. Before she knows it he has transferred Sophia into his arms and the volume of the radio has been turned on a little higher. The song has already started and Carol doesn't pretend to know what it is, but it has a good beat and that's all her daughter and Ezekiel need.
With her little legs wrapped around his waist and one of her hands holding on to his neck, Sophia bobs her head and other hand along with the sound of the beat. She looks at Ezekiel with wonder and happiness, her pigtails flying everywhere. Ezekiel bops his head a little more dramatically as he holds her safe in his arms before he does a quick 360 turn which absolutely delights Sophia.
"Again!" She half demands half begs and Ezekiel is all too eager to give her what she wants.
Knowing they are distracted, Carol quickly moves away from the pair, out of the room, and rushes to find the camera Ezekiel had used to photograph her scars. When she comes back with it, she tries to remain as quiet as possible to catch them completely oblivious. Plastering herself to the wall of the highway, she checks the count of the pictures taken before raising the viewfinder to her eyes. She has five shots left on the roll and she intends to use them wisely. She leaves her finger hovering over then button and waits for the perfect moment.
The first picture captures the moment Sophia decides Ezekiel has got a good hold of her and releases his neck to raise her hands over her head, eyes full of light and happiness, mouth wide open as a squeal erupts from deep within her.
The second picture catches Ezekiel holding Sophia's tiny hand in one of his own as he starts another turn. It's probably going to be blurry but she hopes at least she'll be able to catch the complete trust Sophia is showing despite the sudden movement.
The third picture shows Ezekiel dipping forward, a hand placed on Sophia's back as he secures her so that she won't fall backward as he holds her almost upside down, her pigtails dangling, eyes closed but her lips in a huge grin. Besides them, Shiva swats at the end of Sophia's hair.
The fourth and final photo that she snaps is somewhat tricky and she hopes that it will turn out good. She turns the camera, aligns it as best as she can, then dramatically but playfully rolls her eyes just as Sophia raises her hands over her head once more. Ezekiel is looking towards Carol, love shining in his eyes as he catches her shenanigans. Their first family picture.
"Come join us!" Ezekiel calls for her. Not wanting to refuse, Carol places the camera on a safe spot before she moves towards her two favorite people.
Ezekiel welcomes her by shifting Sophia on his hip, holding her with one arm then opening his other arm for Carol to walk into it. Safe in the half-circle their bodies create, Carol slowly starts bopping her head and foot but she quickly stops as self-consciousness takes over her.
"You two dance, I'll watch you." She tries to turn away, to give them space, but neither will have it.
"No, stay," Ezekiel begs. His hand slides down her arm and slips into her own, giving her a gentle squeeze.
"Dance, Mama!" Sophia urges as she starts rocking from side to side, fingers pretend playing an instrument only she can see. "Dance!"
It's been so long since she's danced.
From the moment she had become trapped by Ed, dance had been prohibited. She had brushed it off at first but ger dancing had always resulted in some form of punishment. It had started with him screaming at her until she'd stop, then he'd punch her to physically stop her, finally, he'd just gone to the root of her dancing and had broken her feet so many times it had been physically painful to try any form of ballet. The day that she had stopped trying to dance was the day Ed had won and he knew it.
Ed isn't here though; he is locked in a cell in county jail with no way to stoping her or reaching her. He is incapable of hurting her. What is stopping her from dancing?
"Pwease, Mama," Sophia begs while she starts giving her the pouty lips and the puppy eyes.
"Yes, my Queen," Ezekiel adds as he mimics Sophia's expression, batting his eyelashes to give it an even bigger effect.
Carol chuckles and playfully rolls her eyes. She can't say no to them and they are well aware of it. Taking in a deep breath, Carol closes her eyes to take in the music and to block any self-consciousness she may feel. The music is certainly not something she would do ballet with, but it's catchy and easy to match the beats with the movements of her body. She starts small, swaying from side to side. Her hips start moving as she licks her lips. They are followed by the hand Ezekiel isn't holding, then the hand he lets go of to give her space. Before she knows it her head has joined the movement and then her spirit takes over and she's dancing.
She's truly free-form dancing.
"Look at you, Mama!" Ezekiel cheers as Sophia starts clapping. Carol opens her eyes to catch sight of them before she gives a turn, one arm pointing downward and the other to the ceiling, her hands matching the positioning she had learned so long ago. She must look like the worst dancer in the world, she can practically hear her ballet teacher's loud voice as she corrects her, but at least she's finally dancing.
"Down! Down!" She hears Sophia's request. Carol gives another turn to find her daughter being gently placed on the floor. As soon as her little feet are on the ground Sophia is instantly copying her movements. "Mama is dancing!"
She has never felt as elated as she does at that moment. She's dancing, something she hadn't done in a very long time, and she is watching Sophia twirl with her hands held up in a semi-circle over her head while Ezekiel dances beside her. She's smiling so hard her cheeks are starting to hurt but she doesn't care if her inflamed muscles protest. She's happy and she deserves to be able to show it.
They don't stop until the music on the radio changes to a slower pace, the voice over the speaker announcing that someone out in the world has requested the slow song and is dedicating it to her one and only. Carol slowly stops until she stands silently, a huge grin on her face, her chest rising and falling from the exertion she'd just put herself through. She feels silly, excited, and giggly. It's a different kind of happiness that she hasn't felt in such a long time, happiness that leaves her drunk and aching to dance again.
Having lost interest in the music, Sophia turns to her forgotten sippy cup for a refreshment. Shiva moves with her like a shadow, ready to start the next adventure, whichever that may be.
"Come on, lets finish painting." Carol urges as she turns back to look at Ezekiel.
Half expecting him to be looking over at the shenanigans of their girls, Carol gasps when she finds him looking at her with nothing but love in his expression, a wicked little smile and his hand extended. "May I have this dance, my Queen?"
Carol hasn't been asked to slow dance in an eternity, probably before she'd even met Ed. All her dance partners had been classically trained dancers of the company going through choreographies they both knew by heart. Ed had never taken her dancing when they were dating much less when they were married. Now Ezekiel was asking her to slow dance with him in the middle of a half-painted bedroom and there is nothing else she wants more in the world.
Nothing is stopping her. Nothing at all.
Carol gives a soft nod and slides her hand into his. She takes a step forward as Ezekiel guides their clasped hands to his chest, his other hand sliding around her waist and settling on her hip. She slides her other hand over his chest and shoulder where she lets it rest beneath the cover of his dreads. Slowly, as if he's waiting for her to change her mind and pull away, he guides her body forward until they are pressed together. He leans towards her just enough for his head to be pressed to hers as she leans hers against his shoulder and buries her face against his neck.
They move slowly, barely swaying as the melody takes over them. Pressed so tightly against him, Carol can feel his heart beating a mile and minute in his chest. She knows it has nothing to do with how they'd been dancing previously and everything to do with her being so close to him. Her own heart pumps with excitement and love.
The hand on her waist tightens it's hold on her, pulling her a little bit closer before his thumb moves up and down, gently caressing her waist through the shirt she is wearing. She almost wishes the shirt was a little higher so that she could feel his caress against her skin. Unable to stop herself, Carol brushes his neck with her nose before letting out a soft content sigh.
"I love you," Ezekiel whispers so softly she almost thinks she has imagined his words. She hadn't, though. She'd heard him and it had instantly sparked those butterflies in her belly into flight, those that told her she was in over her head and reminded her of the love already growing in her soul.
She pulls back, tilting her head back just enough so that she can see those sparkly eyes of his. She lets go of his hand to cup his cheek and guide his face to hers. Their foreheads touch, the tip of their noses smush against each other. "I love you, too." She admits before closing the distance between their lips and kissing him. It starts as one of the many kisses they have shared but soon moves into more, her lips quivering with desire and need as their tongues meet.
He tastes sweet; a combination of the soda they'd drank and the jelly from the sandwiches. Beneath the sweetness, Carol finds that taste that is all Ezekiel and that she quickly finds she craves more than anything. Her hand smooths to the back of his head then joins her other hand, locking them both on the nape of his neck. His other hand finds perch on her hip, pulling her as tight as he can against her. Carol goes with the movement, craving to feel his strong chest against hers, his warmth radiating through both of their clothing.
When the need to breathe is far too great for her to ignore, Carol pulls back with a smile on her lips. She takes a moment to savor the delicious kiss they've just shared before opening her eyes and leaning in for another tiny kiss, just the press of her lips against his. She pulls herself away before she finds herself deepening the kiss, and snuggles against him once more just as Ezekiel starts to gently hum the romantic song to her.
When the song ends, Carol sighs sadly, not quite ready to let go. That's when she hears the click of the camera she had left on the table followed by the sound of the film rewinding itself quickly. She opens her eyes to find Sophia holding the camera, a grin on her face. Instead of saying anything, Carol simply closes her eyes and enjoys the feel of still being in his arms. She probably would have remained there, cuddled against him, if she didn't feel the sudden tug at her cargo pants.
"Up, Mama?" Sophia requests as she holds her arms up. Carol smiles down at her and does as asked, securing her against her hip. Sophia's legs wrap around her waist as her little one looks from Ezekiel to her. "Kissy?" She asks.
"Of course!" Carol leans forward and presses a kiss to the tip of her daughter's nose.
Sophia giggles but shakes her head. One of her pigtails has somehow come loose so it flops around with her movement. "No, Mama." She says with a tiny roll of her eyes which only makes Ezekiel chuckle.
"She looks exactly like you when she does that." He notes near her ear.
Carol scrunches her nose as she turns to look at him, making a funny face at Ezekiel for all that it's worth.
"Kissy," Sophia repeats though this time she presses a finger to Carol's lips then points at Ezekiel's. "Kissy for Daddy."
Carol's cheeks turn bright pink at her daughter's words. Sophia is requesting for her to kiss the man that she's starting to see as a father. Somehow Sophia's acceptance of their blossoming relationship settles the nerves Carol had subconsciously felt. Her daughter isn't against her and Ezekiel, in fact, she seems to like seeing them together and enjoys seeing them hugging and holding hands.
"Kissy!" Apparently, Sophia also likes to see them kiss.
Deciding that there is nothing wrong in giving Sophia what she requests, Carol turns up to look at Ezekiel before standing on the tip of her toes and pressing her lips to his.
In her arms, Sophia lets out a delighted giggle before placing a hand on both her and Ezekiel's face. "More!"
"I am no one to deny the fairy princess what she requests." Ezekiel is the one to lean down this time and press his lips to her waiting ones. When he pulls away Carol almost follows him, not wanting to stop the sweet, delicious kisses he gives.
"Me!" This time Sophia requests a kiss from her mom which prompts Carol to once more press a kiss to her nose. Sophia scrunches her nose but quickly turns to Ezekiel before requesting the same. Ezekiel grins and presses a kiss to her forehead.
"Now Mama, Zekey!" She directs.
Ezekiel chuckles but he doesn't get a chance to initiate the kiss before Carol has pressed her lips to his playfully.
"You are too precious," Carol tells Sophia once she pulls back from the kiss, before burying her face in her daughter's neck and blowing a raspberry. Sophia bursts out laughing, wiggling against her to try and escape the raspberry monster.
"No, Mama! It tickles!" She exclaims as she pulls her little arms against her body for protection. She continues wiggling until she slides down her mother's body towards the floor. In a quick dash, Sophia moves behind Ezekiel's legs before peering over towards Carol.
"The raspberry monster is gonna get you!" Carol warns her as she pretends to reach her and tries to suppress her giggles at the same time.
Sophia lets out a squeal before she wraps her arms around Ezekiel's legs. "Daddy! Help, Daddy!"
"No monster shall lay a hand on my daughter." Ezekiel declares as he bends down to pick up Sophia.
His words stop Carol in her tracks. She turns to look towards him, her heart beating so hard she can feel her pulse point rising and falling in the base of her neck. He's oblivious to her look of surprise, to the way her mouth has open in complete astonishment. He's just called Sophia his daughter as if it's the most natural thing in the world, as if he had been there with her throughout her pregnancy and her delivery, as if he'd watch her grow from a tiny little ball that still thought she was in her mother's womb to this rambunctious toddler she was finally allowed to become.
And it feels right. It feels right for him to call her his daughter. It feels just as right as when Sophia calls him Daddy. Her lips curl into a grin, unable to stop the happiness that blossoms in her chest. They are forming a family, all three of them. Four if she counts the tiger cub that happily bounces behind Ezekiel as he and Sophia retreat from her rendition of the raspberry monster.
"Run daddy! Run!" She hears Sophia's happy voice retreating. "She's gonna get us!"
"Never!" Ezekiel replies as he, Sophia, and Shiva fully disappear down the hallway.
With a laugh, Carol follows behind them, ready to tickle and blow raspberries on Sophia, ready to tickle and kiss Ezekiel while she's at it.
Ed is the farthest thing on her mind.
"He can't hurt us. Daddy will be there. He can't hurt us."
Carol can't help but feel her heart constrict as she listens to her daughter's whispers in the car. They are on the way to the courthouse after having dropped off Shiva, ready for what can be a long fight for freedom, and it's obvious that Sophia is feeling anxious about it.
"Daddy will be there. He can't hurt us." Sophia repeats to herself.
"She's right, you know?" Ezekiel asks without taking his eyes from the road. "I have no doubt Ed will try to intimidate you, but he can't hurt you anymore. The guards won't allow it and I will certainly not allow him to get near you again."
The conviction behind Ezekiel's voice reassures her a little, but the anxiety gathering in her belly increases with each mile they draw closer to seeing Ed again. She just wants to be done with it, to skip to the end of the procedures so that she can be free of Ed, but she knows there is no way to fast forward time. Instead, she is going to be stuck with this pool of anxiety for however long Ed decides to fight the inevitable.
"I know." She says. Her voice shows how anxious she is by breaking halfway through her words, giving her away to Ezekiel who turns to look at her concerned. "I'm fine, I am. I'm nervous, and a tad bit scared, but I knew that was to be expected."
They'd spent the last day and a half preparing Sophia's little room and though they still had some work to do which Ezekiel insisted on finishing on his own, Carol can't help but wish she could be back in their home, as far away from all of these feelings that threaten to overwhelm her. She'd rather be back hoping to not find extra screws once they were finished building Sophia's bed -because they had counted before starting and had just enough- than to be driving towards the courthouse to face her ex-husband-to-be.
"He can't hurt us. Daddy will be there."
Carol hadn't wanted neither Sophia nor Ezekiel to be there today. A courthouse was not the place for her daughter to be and she didn't want to further expose Ezekiel to Ed's cruelty. They had talked about it as a family though and neither Ezekiel nor Sophia had wanted her to go alone. They were a unit, a tiny little family taking its first steps together, there was no way that they would send her to face Ed without standing behind her as reinforcements.
"You just say the word and I will get you out of there, somehow." Ezekiel offers. He's been holding her hand throughout the ride, giving it gentle squeezes and caresses with his thumb. Now, he raises her hand to his lips and gives it a gentle kiss, making sure to make eye contact with her at the same time.
"Thanks for the offer." She says with a tiny smirk.
She watches as Ezekiel smiles at her, his eyes once more turning back to the road to get them safely to the courthouse.
"I just want it done with." She admits. "I want to be heading to the zoo to pick up Shiva and then going back home instead of going towards the courthouse."
"You and me both, baby." Ezekiel agrees with her before giving her hand another squeeze.
They fall silent for the last couple of miles, the only sound in the car that of Sophia's reassurances that everything would be all right. As they pull up to the courthouse and they find a parking spot, the feeling of dread continues to grow within her, begging her to run as far away as she's able to. She swallows with difficulty and bites the soft inside part of her cheek before taking in a deep breath. She has to do this, she knows it. The time has come that she fights with all her might. If she can't do it for herself, she knows she has to do it for Sophia and Ezekiel, they deserve better than having a mother and a girlfriend that is scared of her own shadow.
The passenger door opens beside her, the dinging sound that alerts of an open door breaks through her thoughts. "Are you ready?" It's not Ezekiel's face that greets her but that of a very excited Michonne.
"Chonne." Ezekiel warns playfully. Last night he had told Carol how passionate Michonne could be in the courtroom to help her prepare a little for today. He hadn't been exaggerating. Truthfully, Carol loved to see Michonne in her element.
"What? I just want to help Carol gain her freedom. The faster the better." She tells him with a little shrug and a sly smile.
With Sophia safe in Ezekiel's arms, Carol walks beside Michonne towards the courthouse. Her legs feel like jelly and she's using every ounce of focus she has in putting one foot in front of the other. Her focus is such that she almost misses what Michonne tells her about the court proceedings.
"The judge sees various couples throughout the day so you won't be the only couple in there. He'll call us up and we will take our places. Ed will be sitting beside us but he won't be near you. His lawyer and I will be sitting between you two. We will present our case and mention that the only thing needing dispute is Sophia's custody, then Ed and his lawyer will present their side-"
"Michonne," Carol interrupts her as they reach the bottom of the courthouse's entry steps. "I trust you to look after us, I just… I need to know if he'll drag this on."
Michonne turns to look at her with something of a sad smile. Her expression is enough answer for Carol though she still listens to what Michonne explains. "I wish I could tell you that you'll be free by the end of this session, but the fact that they didn't send a single thing for me to review before today and the fact that he hasn't signed the divorce papers… it all points to Ed wanting to prolong this, Carol."
She nods softly. That is all she needs to hear to gather her courage, square her shoulders, squash down her anxiety, and enter the courthouse with her chin held high. If Ed wants to fight his way tooth and nail through the divorce, Carol is ready to give as much as he is, if not more. He will not hold her hostage via marriage any longer and he will definitively not win Sophia's custody.
Just like Michonne had said, the courtroom has a couple of people scattered around in the pews. There is a couple already in front of the judge, arguing about a stipulation in their divorce papers but she quickly tunes them out. With nothing else to do until it's their turn, Carol follows Michonne towards a nearby pew and sits down. Ezekiel sits beside her, placing Sophia on his lap but her daughter quickly crawls over his legs and onto her lap where she cuddles close, her tiger plush tucked against her chest.
"Is he here?" Sophia whispers as she turns up to look at Carol.
"Not yet, sweet pea," Carol promises her. She wraps her arms around her daughter to help her feel safe before placing a kiss to the top of her head and breathing in the scent of her baby shampoo.
"Otay," Sophia whispers though she quickly adds. "He can't hurt us."
"No, he can't." Carol agrees. "Even if he could, Mama is not going to let him get anywhere near you, sweetheart."
"Otay, Mama." Sophia's hand slowly raises, her thumb going straight into her mouth while she clutches her tiger tighter against her.
"He's never going to hurt us again, Soph."
"He's mean," Sophia mumbles around her thumb. "He makes Mama sad. Makes mama cry."
A quick look down at her daughter's face shows her that Sophia has shifted her attention towards Ezekiel, who offers her an encouraging smile. "Not anymore. Your mother is far too strong for him to ever hurt again."
The couple who had been in front of the judge is now walking out, still arguing in a much softer voice though loud enough for them to hear when the man warn his ex-wife that he is keeping the kids. "You'll never see them again, you understand? I'm going to take them far away from you."
Carol feels the change in her daughter's body instantly. While Sophia had been a little nervous, she had been self-soothing and calm, that is until that very moment. Her little back instantly straightens, her thumb drops from her lips, her eyes wide and she turns to look at Carol with the utmost fear reflected on her face.
"I stay Mama!" She declares, her voice a little louder than was probably acceptable, tears instantly springing forth. "Pwease? I stay! With you and Zekey! And Shiva! I be good."
Carol quickly pulls her against her, her arms holding her tight as Sophia buries herself against her chest. "Oh, Soph! Sweetheart, you aren't going anywhere. Mama is not going to let anyone take you. You are staying with us because we love you."
Concerned at the little girls fear, Ezekiel quickly reaches over Carol's shoulder and brushes away the tears that spill from her tiny daughter's face. He's at an awkward angle but he doesn't seem to care, smiling encouragingly at Sophia, ready to pull down the stars and the moon if it made their little girl happy. "Little Princess, you aren't going anywhere. Mama won't let it happen and neither will I."
Michonne, who had kept quiet up until now, agrees with both of them right away, leaning over so that Sophia can see her. "You aren't going to your father, Sophia. No matter what anyone says. The three of us will do everything we can to prevent that."
Sophia pulls back enough so that Carol can look down at her face, her tiny body still trembling. She turns to look at Ezekiel, then at Michonne, the corner of her lips curling downward as another set of tears fall. "Pwomise?" She asks her.
Sophia is already stretching out her arm, her little finger curled for a pinky promise. Carol knows the strength and faith her daughter puts on a pinky promise and tries to beg Michonne to not break her little girl's heart over what may seem to some as something frivolous. Michonne doesn't look at her but she does smile at Sophia and quickly reaches over to make a pinky promise with her.
"Pinky promise." She tells her in a tone that lets Sophia, and Carol know that she intends to keep her promise.
"Thank you," she mouths towards Michonne who catches the movement of her lips and gives her a little nod. Once more, Carol feels truly blessed to have her on her side, fighting for her daughter and feels a wave of shame that she'd once been so hesitant to trust her. She makes a mental note to somehow make it up to her.
"Peletier vs. Peletier." The guard on the other side of the wooden banister calls out.
"That's us." Michonne lets go of Sophia's finger and stands up before gathering her briefcase.
Turning back to Sophia, Carol tilts her daughter's face so that Sophia will look into her eyes. She waits until Sophia brushes away the remains of her tears before leaning forward and giving her an Eskimo kiss. "Sweet pea, Mama has to go up there but Daddy is going to stay here with you."
She half expects Sophia to wrap her arms around her neck and hold tight, refusing to be separated from her. It had been the reaction her daughter had had every time they'd had to face Ed. Instead, Sophia surprises her by giving her a nod and taking in a deep breath. "Otay, Mama."
"Remember, Ed isn't going to hurt you, or me. Even if he looks at you or says mean words to me, he's not going to hurt you."
"Daddy protects me?" Sophia asks with a tone that seems to be more of a reassurance that an actual question.
Carol turns to look at Ezekiel who quickly nods and opens his arms for Sophia. "Of course."
Sophia crawls back to Ezekiel and settles against him. Once again, the toddler surprises her by not burying herself in Ezekiel's chest but by settling with her back to his chest, her chin held high as her eyes take everything in. Her brave little girl is facing the man that had helped create her, in the best way she knows how to, supported by the strength of the man she's chosen to love as her daddy.
Ezekiel wraps his arms around Sophia, settling his locked hands on her lap, over her stuffed tiger. Carol knows that is his way of showing his protectiveness towards the little girl, his way of telling Ed that he's not getting anywhere near her. Sophia lets out another sigh and rests her hands over Ezekiel's, settling in comfortably, her little nose and the corner of her eyes still slightly red from her tears. He places a quick kiss to the back of Sophia's head before turning to look at Carol. His nod is almost imperceptible but his eyes show her all the love and support he has for both of them.
If they weren't in the middle of the courthouse, Carol would have embraced both of them, holding them tightly and telling them how much she loves them. If they weren't in the middle of her divorce procedures, Carol would have kissed Ezekiel senseless then proclaimed to the rest of the world that this was her little family, that Ezekiel was Sophia's daddy and the love of her life.
"Peletier vs. Peletier." She hears the guard repeats once more.
"Go," Ezekiel urges her just as Michonne places a hand on her back to guide her over.
Carol gives him a nod before turning to look at Michonne. Together they walk through the now open banister and take their seat. On the other side of the corridor a man seats by himself. He looks flustered, out of his element. He tugs at his tie and shuffles some papers before tugging once again nervously. Something tells her that his nervousness has something to do with the fact that Ed is nowhere to be seen.
Leaning towards Michonne, Carol can't help but ask. "Where is he?"
Michonne seems unsure, her eyes narrowing at the nearby door where Carol assumes those that are in county jail come through. "I don't know. Something is going on."
Carol swallows against the quickly forming knot in her throat and gives a quick glance at Ezekiel. He seems to have caught up to their uncertainty and holds Sophia a little tighter as if to tell her that nothing will hurt Sophia no matter what happens.
"Did he post bail?" She asks without looking away from Sophia, who caresses her tiger plush softly, slowly. She knows right away her daughter is using the texture of its fur to ground herself so she doesn't get scared.
"Not that I know of," Michonne whispers back. Carol turns to look at her just in time to see her zero in on the young lawyer who is apparently representing Ed.
"Let's get this started."
The judge's booming voice prevents Carol from asking anything more. Her hands tremble as she turns to face the man who can ultimately set her free. He looks like a good man and from what she recalls Michonne had said, he didn't look kindly to wife-beaters. She can only hope Michonne was correct when she said that. Feeling a rush of fear, Carol quickly intertwines her fingers to stop herself from nervously picking at her clothing.
"Peletier vs Peletier." The judge reads from the papers in front of him before looking up at them, his glasses sliding to the tip of his nose as he looks over the metal rim. "Who is representing the petitioner?"
Michonne stands up as soon as the judge stops talking. "Michonne Hawthorn, your honor. I'm representing Ms. Carol Peletier."
The judge gives a nod of acknowledgment before turning his gaze to the other party. The lawyer instantly stands, the back of his knees hitting the edge of his chair which scrapes against the wooden floor of the courtroom. "Clarence Williams, representing Mr. Edward Peletier, your honor."
"And where, may I ask, is Mr. Peletier?" It's obvious that the judge is not happy to see that Ed is nowhere to be found. Even the way that he takes off his glasses and folds them before pointing towards the empty seat beside Mr. Williams shows his displeasure. "Because he's certainly not in my courtroom."
"He..." The nervous attorney stammers. He shifts a couple of papers in front of him before he leans on the edge of the desk and sighs defeated. "He refused to come in, your honor."
"He what?" The judge's voice raises in disbelief at what he is hearing. Carol stares at the attorney, her mouth hanging open as she tries to understand what is happening. "He refused to come in?"
"Yes, your honor. He is being held in county jail over a matter unrelated to the divorce-"
"Unrelated?" Michonne interrupts swiftly to correct him. "He is being held with no bail because he attacked my client while breaking a court-mandated order."
Carol realizes as the attorney shuffles his papers again, that he's drowning. He's probably been given this case at the last minute and hasn't had a chance to prepare. Even if he did have time, knowing Ed, Carol knows that he's sprung the whole refusal to attend on him last minute.
"Is this true, Mr. Williams?" The judge asks him.
"Uhmm... I wouldn't... I was appointed as Mr. Peletier's attorney last minute and haven't had a chance to review all of the paperwork." He stammers. "All I am aware of is that Mr. Peletier refused to leave his cell this morning, he had an altercation with one of the police officers and was placed in solitary confinement. They tried to bring him but-"
Once again Michonne jumps in, taking advantage of the fact that he isn't prepared and that Ed has refused to be present to continue fighting for her.
"I can catch you up, Mr. Williams." She assures the attorney though she turns her body towards the judge making it quite obvious that she's addressing him and not Williams. "After years of countless physical and mental abuse, my client filed for divorce from Mr. Peletier and requested a restraining order so that he wouldn't be able to go anywhere near her daughter or her. After presenting evidence that clearly showed how Mr. Peletier treated my client over the years, the court granted the restraining order, halting any claim that Mr. Peletier had made to secure custody of his daughter, Sophia Peletier. My client went into hiding to protect her daughter and herself and has had no contact with Mr. Peletier until a couple of days ago when Mr. Peletier's previous attorney contacted us for a meeting."
"Was this meeting conducted in your offices?" The judge asks.
"Yes, your honor. We had a court-certified stenographer who was present during the meeting. It was in that meeting that Mr. Peletier and his attorney tried to convince my client to go back to him and where, upon learning the truth of his client, Mr. Peletier was dropped by his attorney. He proceeded to wait until my client was coming out of the office then attacked her, attempting to kidnap her and take her back to her life of abuse. We can provide images of my clients' wounds after his attack but as your honor can see Mrs. Peletier still bears the marks."
Despite the scrutiny she feels as the judge puts back his glasses to see her better, Carol remains with her head held high, breathing slowly and remaining calm. A flash of Ed's face as he tried to pull her away rushes through her mind's eye but she quickly pushes it away, closing her eyes only for a second before forcing herself to not shy away.
"He was arrested and taken to county jail. My client filed charges, which are still pending. Mr. Peletier's stint of not appearing in court today is simply a tactic to delay these court proceedings and keep her under his thumb, preventing her from enjoying the freedom she deserves."
"I don't think-" Carol pities the poor attorney the moment Michonne turns to look at him, her eyes full of fire. She's on a roll and he can't stop her. Defeated he sits down on his chair and leans back, giving up all pretense of a fight.
"That's right, Mr. Williams, you don't think because you don't know." Michonne reaches for a folder that is familiar to Carol and swiftly moves towards the judge. Carol knows what the folder contains, knows what the judge is about to see in the pictures held within it. Instead of the usual shame she is used to feeling, Carol feels empowered; the pictures show the evidence of Ed's violence that her body has held secret for years and that deserve to see the light of day so that someone, anyone, will know the monster that Ed actually is.
"What you are now seeing, your honor, is what Edward Peletier has done to his wife for years. He hit her, cut her, burned her, broke her bones as much as he broke her strength. What you can't see is how he belittled her and emotionally terrorized her through their years of marriage. My client has finally said enough but Mr. Peletier continues to attempt to hold on to her, to deny her the divorce that would set her free from him."
Carol watches as the judge looks through the pictures, his face growing white with each picture he sees. She knows he is not someone who can put Ed behind bars for how he treated her, knows that's a whole other fight she will have to face and go through with, but seeing his reaction gives her the validation she didn't know she needed from someone who has the authority to help her. She can only pray that he helps.
The judge once more reaches for his glasses, takes them off, and places them on top of the pictures he'd just seen. He remains quiet, his face leaned downwards. He seems to be in deep thought, taking his time to process everything.
"What would you have me do, Ms. Hawthorne?" He finally asks. He turns to look up at Michonne with a pointed look that is practically begging her to finish her request, to make it official so that he can rule on it.
"If your honor pleases, and based on the imminent danger that my client is in every day she remains married to Mr. Peletier as well as the obvious stalling tactic Mr. Peletier tried to use today, I request your honor grants a default judgment granting Mrs. Peletier the divorce she requested."
"Did Mr. Peletier reply in writing to the initial divorce decree?"
Michonne shakes her head at the judge's question. "No, your honor."
"Is Mrs. Peletier requesting to retain any marital property?"
"No, your honor." Michonne quickly replies.
"Alimony? Child support?"
"My client wants nothing to do with Mr. Peletier or his money. She just wants to put this nightmare behind her, your honor, and hopes to build a future with her daughter as far away from him as possible."
The judge almost seems to be moving in slow motion as he turns to make eye contact with Carol. Her heart hammers in her chest, her throat constrict painfully as her ears start ringing. She's hyper-focused on the judge's sorrowful face while everything around her appears to move at a pace she can't comprehend. Carol finds herself barely able to breathe, much less move, a prayer stuck in her mind on repeat.
Please. Please.
"Request granted. In the matter of Peletier vs Peletier, this court dissolves the marriage between both parties and grants full custody of Sophia Peletier to Ms. Carol Peletier."
The sound of wood hitting wood as the gavel slams down shocks Carol. She jumps in her chair, momentarily surprised as she tries to understand what just happened.
She's no longer Ed Peletier's wife.
She's finally a divorcee.
She is free.