Epilogue

The ouster of Pamela Milton had been decisive. The unstoppable groundswell ignited by calls for a vote started quietly and then grew deafening with crowds gathered outside the administrative estate which was the residence of the sovereign leader. The people engaged in civil disobedience until their demands were met.

The choice between the status quo and a new kind of rule by council was a simple one; the latter won overwhelmingly.

Not three months after the night of Coco's third birthday, the regime changed.

Rejecting the offer of a peaceful coexistence, Pamela, her son and a handful of supporters instead chose sanctuary with her allies in a far flung state. The leadership council headed by a sound and fair-minded elder named Caleb, oversaw their departure. They were allowed to take most of what they demanded and left Commonwealth without incident.

Life would return to some semblance of normalcy while everyone busied themselves rebuilding a more just society. Daryl and Connie and the other survivors had made contact with Georgie's people, and the news was good. They were safe and thriving. Connie missed Kelly, had thought of her beautiful, fierce, loving younger sister everyday, and she looked forward to seeing her again soon.

Meanwhile the military had revived operations at the once defunct outposts in the event there was communication from the mysterious outsiders but all was quiet; no more secret missives, no further contact.

Until six months later.

The messages began to come through in the middle of the night, and were relayed directly to headquarters; the council was alerted and an emergency meeting called. News of revolutions and counter revolutions would emerge as they discussed the updates into the early morning hours.

The account of the powerful and mysterious collective named CRM and the almost mythical story of one man whom they'd rescued at death's door and who rose in their ranks and eventually proved to be a formidable adversary, fighting against those he answered to, who would auction off the cure to the highest bidders. He'd fought them and he'd won.

The most dramatic news was of the cure; the vaccine not only ended the sickness that caused the dead to rise and attack, but was now systematically being produced and disseminated throughout every corner of the globe. One community at a time.

Then came the message they'd been anxiously waiting for

OH - what is your number?

51, 366.

This time the response had been delivered with certainty and expectancy.

Message received.

The group gathered at the helipad wasn't large. There was half of the council, and military representatives including medical personnel, and then there was a family fifteen strong, with the youngest ones standing in the front clinging to Connie and Daryl, and to Aaron. They watched, mesmerized as the big mechanical wasp descended from the sky. This was the start of their mundi ultra and they welcomed it.

Daryl squeezed Connie's hand, and as she squeezed back it was like the first day of the rest of their lives. His heart felt full as he looked into the eyes of the fighter, the teacher, the mother, the lover, the friend; the woman who had been, would always be the love of his life. Connie moved her hand from where it rested on her baby bump and signed I love you, mouthing the words at the same time, as the helicopter touched down.

They watched the doors open, RJ was the first to call out 'Mama, mama!' he was almost nine now, hadn't seen his mother in over three years. Michonne had cut her thick locks and there was no katana slung across her shoulder, but she was recognizable as ever.

There was a nervous energy among the group. Judith put her hand on her brother's shoulder, signaling him to be patient as the passengers cleared the whirring blades overhead. A couple of officers jumped out carrying heavy cold chain cases. Those must be the vaccines.

Then a man stepped out of the chopper. He joined Michonne as they walked toward the group who were waving to them, Michonne was grinning through uncontrollable tears, her eyes on the kids as she almost ran to where they stood. 'Mom!' Judith waved as tears streamed down her face 'Mom!' RJ could hardly contain his excitement. The man was close behind Michonne, he strode with purpose, scanning the group till his eyes fixed on the two children, moving back and forth from Judith to RJ.

'Who is that?!' RJ turned to ask his sister. She burst into a half laugh-half cry, responding, 'I think that's the brave man...I think that's daddy!'

The End

I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing it. Like! ...Review! ...Tell me what you think :)