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 14: What Dat?


If anyone had told Carol that she'd one day see her daughter holding on to a leash attached to a tiger, she would have certainly told them they were crazy.

And yet, here they were.

They'd somehow managed to go through the short car ride without Sophia springing out the tiger cub from her pen. Ezekiel had parked the car near the end of the woods and quickly descended to secure Shiva in her harness while she quickly got Sophia out of her car seat. Sophia had patiently waited by her mother's side as Ezekiel reached for the basket that held their picnic snacks, but had quickly held on to the loose part of the leash soon after while declaring she was the one in charge even though Ezekiel was the one actually holding the cub secure.

While they walked and looked for a spot to settle on, Sophia and Ezekiel had started a game of 'What is that?' which had started with Sophia curiously asking what a random nut in their path was and had since evolved into asking for the name of every single thing they crossed paths with.

"What dat?" Her daughter's sing song voice reached her ears as she calls Ezekiel's attention some flowers.

"Those are wild flowers." Ezekiel explains.

"Oooh! Pretty flowers." Comes Sophia's reply.

A couple of steps are taken before Sophia's soft voice once more breaks the sounds of nature.

"And dat?"

"That is moss."

"Moss?"

"It's a plant that grows on the wood's floor." She hears Ezekiel explain. "Moss is extremely helpful if you are ever lost, dear Princess, for it always points North."

"North?" This time Sophia's voice shows her confusion which only makes Carol smile.

"It's something you'll learn of when you are older, Soph." She interjects before Ezekiel bends over backwards in an attempt explain geography to a toddler.

"Otay." Sophia shrugs nonchalantly as she continues with her walk, her hand holding tightly to the spot on Shiva's leash.

"Oooh! What daaaat?" She asks excited as she points to what appears to be a ring of mushroom.

"Now that is something special to behold!" Ezekiel redirects their walk to the patch of mushrooms. When he reaches them, Sophia by his side, he kneels to her level and looks at her in the eye as he gently caresses Shiva's fur. "That, my dear Princess, is a fairy ring."

"Ooooooooooh." Sophia's astonished tone of voice is lower than before, softer, as if she's afraid that the ring of mushrooms will suddenly disappear if she's too loud. "Fairies?" She asks to confirm her understanding.

"Fairies, sometimes even elves and pixies visit these magic rings." He elaborates.

"Where?"

It doesn't come as a surprise to Carol that Sophia wants to know where the mythical creatures are. Her daughter's sense of curiosity has increased exponentially ever since they've been living with Ezekiel which brings a sense of peace to Carol. To know that Ed's cruelty hadn't tarnished her daughter's life beyond repair took a huge weight off Carol's shoulders and pushed her even further in her quest to rid him of their lives. It even allows her to grin though she does so behind the cover of her hand so that neither Ezekiel or Sophia can witness it.

"They aren't here every day, sweetheart." Ezekiel explains with nothing short of fatherly love. "They have fairy kingdoms where they weave their magic daily. The rings are only for special nights when they come to dance and play."

"Dance? Like Mama?"

Ezekiel turns to look at Carol. He smiles at her, filling her belly with butterflies that immediately take flight. She hugs the picnic blanket she's been carrying closer to her and looks away, her cheeks tinged with red.

"Exactly like Mama." Ezekiel turns once more to look at Sophia who has decided to twirl around in her way of mimicking the dance in the video she'd seen of her mom and laughs at her antics. His laughter increases even more as Shiva joins the dance with tiny jumps and yaps before falling on her back and rolling around in the mossy bed.

"Come on you two." Carol tells them as she reaches to take the basket from Ezekiel and restarts their walk, this time walking in front of them.

It doesn't take long for Sophia to continue their game of questions. "What dat?"

Carol looks over her shoulder to catch a glimpse of what her daughter is pointing at. Her breath catches in her throat at the image she sees; Sophia isn't holding on to Shiva's leash anymore. Instead, her hand is snuggly held by Ezekiel as they walk side by side. Her daughter looks up at him with a cheeky expression on her face, one that not only shows she knows exactly what she's pointing at but that also conveys the absolute trust she has in Ezekiel.

This is exactly what Carol has always wanted; a family that loves each other, a father figure for her beautiful daughter and a child who's happiness is painted on her face for all to see. She hadn't ever envisioned a tiger with them, though a dog had sometimes been in the picture, but who is she to complain? Though she knows they are far from an actual family, the fact that they seem to be building a proper foundation for one, if they ever decide to go in that direction, means everything to her. Her daughter's happiness and well-being means the world to her. Even Ezekiel's smile meant more to her than she'd ever be able to understand.

It all seemed to be falling into place.

"That is a brook."

"Water?"

"Yes, a brook has water, and pebbles, and if it's not too deep, which I know it's not, one can even splash in it."

That catches her daughter's attention right away.

"Splash?" She asks with far more excitement than her body can contain. "Splash splash?"

"Yes, but first we must settle our picnic and fill our tummies."

Quickly looking at their surroundings, Carol realizes that the spot they are at is as good as any. It's a flat area in one of the wood's clearings and it's near the brook. They could have lunch there, no doubt continue their game of questions, then Sophia and Shiva could enjoy some time splashing in the shallow part of the brook before Ezekiel took them to do some small climbing to strengthen Shiva further.

"We could settle here." She offers.

When both Ezekiel and Sophia give her a nod, Carol leans down to places the basket on the ground. She then unfolds the blanket and laughs when Sophia instantly goes towards it, a giggle springing from her.

"Here, let me provide aid." Ezekiel ties the end of the leash on his belt to secure it, then reaches for the other end of the blanket before taking a couple of steps back. Together they extend the blanket between them, little Sophia giggling as she rushes under it, arms extended and face tilted upward to try and reach it. They let it fall over her before raising it again only to once more let it drop.

They repeat the motion until Sophia falls in a fit of giggles on the floor, rolling around on the moss covered ground before getting up and moving to Shiva who has been trying to reach her. Taking the chance to finally place the blanket on the floor, Carol and Ezekiel work on smoothing it out before she places the blanket on top of it to secure it.

"Come on, little monkey." Carol catches Sophia and pulls her against her before tickling her sides. She's never heard Sophia laugh as much as she's been laughing today. It instantly lifts her spirits even more.

"No monkey!" Sophia insists as she cups her mother's cheeks in her tiny hands. "I tiggy."

"Oh sorry." Carol excuses herself. "Come here, little tiger."

After laughing and playfully tickling her sides with Sophia warning that she might have an accident if she continues, Carol turns towards a busy Ezekiel. "You didn't have to do that." She quickly says.

While she's been busy playing with her daughter, Ezekiel has taken it upon himself to prepare their spread. He's open the double flap of the basket and pulled out the paper plates which he has then filled with triangle sandwiches, grapes, strawberries and bananas, sliced pieces of ham and pepperoni, and bread buns. He's even prepared them two cups of orange juice, a sippy cup of apple juice for Sophia and a bowl of milk for Shiva.

"I know," he assures her. "I desired to do so."

His tone of voice makes it obvious to her that he's reassuring her everything is fine. He's not going to get mad if she doesn't instantly prepare their picnic, if she chooses to instead play with Sophia and the tiger cub. He's not the kind of man that would think some jobs are for women and some for men. Ezekiel is happy to take on whatever he can to make it easier for her.

As a way of saying thank you, Carol reaches over and catches his hand before giving it a tender squeeze. She wants him to know that she can see his efforts in breaking the programmed responses Ed has left behind, in erasing the fear of his cruelty. If they weren't so far apart she would even place a kiss on his cheek or lips to thank him.

"Alright!" She turns to look toward Sophia and Shiva before her eyes return to Ezekiel. "Who is hungry?"

"Splash? Mama, splash?" Sophia insists as she raises a leg and shakes her foot so that Carol will take off her tiny sneaker.

Carol playfully narrows her eyes at Sophia. "Do you promise to only stay on the edge? To not go into the deep part?" She asks the toddler.

Sophia nods quickly and shakes her foot again. She loses her balance and falls on her butt but instead of crying she simply grins, raises her leg and shakes her foot again. "Pwomise."

Carol shakes her head at her daughter's antics but starts working on the shoelaces. She's brought a second set of clothes just in case they were needed but Sophia doesn't know about them. Something tells her that eventually she will have to dig into her pack to bring them out and that the reason will be a very wet Sophia. As long as her daughter is having fun something as small as wet clothes will be of no inconvenience. Once her daughter's shoes are off, Sophia pulls at socks, discarding them behind her before quickly getting up.

"Wait! Wait!" She manages to catch Sophia before the toddler has run away and gives her a huge kiss on the cheek. "Let me raise your jeans."

Sophia waits patiently as her mother folds the end of her jeans upward so that they won't get wet, then scampers off in the direction of the brook where Ezekiel is already waiting with Shiva.

She takes a moment to observe them from far away. Ezekiel is so tender with Sophia, explaining to her even the smallest question she has. She can see how he keeps a watchful eye over her as Sophia dips her toes into the water, how he reminds her to stay on the edge, and how Sophia just clings to his helpful hand and his every word. Her daughter has always kept a safe distance from men, her father's violence having taught her to never trust, but that all seems to disappear whenever she's with Ezekiel. She trusts Ezekiel. Carol feels secure to even say that Sophia is starting to love the man and to see him as a father.

It is this very thought that elates and worries her at the same time.

She doesn't want her daughter to be hurt if whatever she has with Ezekiel turns out to be nothing. She doesn't want her to feel the pain of having to never again see the first man who has ever showed her kindness. Sophia would simply not understand and would no doubt be devastated.

She knows that Ezekiel has showed no evidence of being tired of them, no evidence of not wanting them to stick around and he has certainly showed no evidence that his feelings are anything but those of budding love. Still, she can't help but to have the thoughts and worries that this will all suddenly disappear and if it does, she and Sophia will have truly lost everything.

They are going to have to talk, Carol is sure of it. A talk that could very well be the beginning of a wonderful future or the beginning of the end.

"Mama! Come!" Sophia calls out to her with excitement in her voice. "Fishies!"

By the time Carol has removed her shoes and joined them, Sophia is already squatting to get a better view of them and Shiva is attempting her best to swat at the fishes she's found. Ezekiel smirks at the cubs failed attempts but doesn't stop her. It is, after all, refining her abilities to find her own food.

"See, mama?" Sophia asks as she turns to look at her mother while pointing at the fish.

"I see, baby." Carol walks into the edge of the brook, her own feet getting wet, before she follows her daughter's posture and squats besides her. "What are they?"

"Probably some species of trout. Baby trout by the look of them." Ezekiel chimes in.

"Baby tout."

"Trout, with an r." Carol corrects her with a smile.

"Trout." Sophia repeats, this time sounding the r. "Baby fishies."

"That works as well." Ezekiel agrees with her.

Besides them, Shiva remains perfectly still for a second or two before rearing on her back legs and jumping into the water, splashing them in her attempts to catch the fish. Sophia instantly lets out a belly laugh before getting up and joining her furry friend in splashing. She kicks and laughs, jumps and puts her hands into the water only to raise them and create a shower of bright droplets that fall all over them. Before Carol knows it, Sophia is drenched, Shiva looks like a drowned cat and Ezekiel has fallen on his butt as Sophia, who has decided to attack him with water, climbs all over him to get him as soaked as she can.

"Alright! Enough water for today!" Carol declares amidst her laughs. She reaches for Sophia and pulls her up from poor Ezekiel who continues to get wet as Shiva climbs all over him.

"Got him, Mama!" Sophia declares enthusiastically.

"You did, sweet pea."

For a fraction of a second Carol worries that Ezekiel will be pissed. Her worry is quickly dissipated by the sound of the man behind her, his boisterous laugh carrying all around them. "The Princess and her tiger carried out a well planned attack!" He says proudly. "Swift and accurate."

"I got him!"

Carol grins as she puts Sophia on the blanket. To avoid her little one from getting sick, Carol quickly strips her from the wet clothes. The blanket's edge serves as a towel and once dried, she changes her into the second set of clothes.

"Would you happen to have an extra set of pants in there?" Ezekiel jokes as he attempts to get rid of the water that had absorbed into his clothes.

"Sorry," Carol replies with a shake of her head. "Nothing that would fit you, unfortunately." She turns to look up at him only to grin, her eyes narrowed as she battles against the sun.

"Oh well," Ezekiel replies. "Air drying it shall have to be."

"Here, hand her over." Carol instructs as she raises her hands so that Ezekiel can transfer the wet tiger. Shiva squirms in his hold but eventually gets passed over into the blanket. While Ezekiel finishes getting rid of as much water as he can, she quickly works on getting Shiva's fur as dry as it can be.

Shiva goes from looking like a drowned cat to a fluffy ball of fur in a manner of minutes which absolutely delights Sophia. "She's puffy."

"She kinda is, isn't she?" Carol agrees.

When Ezekiel plops down besides Carol, she turns and smiles at him. His eyes sparkle with happiness as he matches her smile. "If it's not too forward of me, would my Queen allow me the honor of a kiss?"

"I think that can be arranged." She replies. She bumps his shoulder with hers before leaning back and puckering her lips playfully. Ezekiel wastes no time and leans forward, closing the distance between them and catching her lips in a sweet kiss.

She feels so carefree amidst their laughs, so free in the playfulness that's has surrounded them, that she almost forgets she's running away from her violent husband and amid a divorce and completely forgets that the man she's kissing has only been in her life for a short period.

They are definitively going to have to talk, sooner rather than later.

When she pulls back she does so with a smile on her lips and only because of the strange movement she feels to her left side. A quick look has her shaking her head at the girls' antics. Both Shiva and Sophia are laying on the dried end of the blanket, on their backs. Shiva is furiously attempting to get the last of the water out of her fur by rubbing her back against the cloth, belly bared for the world to see as she twists around. Sophia, for her part, is doing her absolute best to imitate her even though she's completely dry, only the end of her braids slightly moisten.

"Remember how I said you'd more than likely have to carry Sophia back?" She asks Ezekiel as she naturally leans against him. His arm goes around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him so Carol lets him guide her until she settles against his side.

"I believe I do."

"I think I was wrong." She admits. "She's... they are far too excited to relax long enough for sleep to claim them."

Ezekiel gives a tiny grunt. He raises a hand to scratch his beard then gives her arm a small squeeze. "I have an idea. Let us pack our belongings and go for a walk."

"Back to the car?" She asks.

"With a climbing detour here and there. Shiva has shown to be well behaved on the leash, perhaps it is time we let her explore off the path."

"Sophia will follow her wherever she goes. If Shiva climbs, Sophia will as well."

"And tire themselves they will."

After gathering their belongings and putting everything back into the basket and Carol's pack, Ezekiel released Shiva from her harness. Instead of rushing away, Shiva simply looks up at them, her ears twisting as she waits to see what comes next.

It is Sophia who encouraged her to take her first free steps in the wild. "Come girl." She called out to her. "Come tiggy."

After that, Shiva and Sophia had rush around, always within distance of the walking adults. They climbed as had been predicted, gone under logs and played in moss patches. Sophia even danced once again in the middle of the fairy circle with Shiva running around her, occasionally limping but quickly forgetting as they rushed to the next adventure.

All the while, Carol and Ezekiel followed, guiding the young child and the tiger in the right direction with the point of a finger or the tip of their head. They talked softly between them, mostly about the activities of the two young ones, chuckling as Sophia would call for Shiva and the cub would run after her at full speed. It was endearing how much they both loved each other.

With the blanket tucked under her left arm and kept in place by her pack, her right hand had been free to move around. More than once it had brushed with his hand, the touch sending tingles from her arm and straight into her heart. Too shy to do anything about it, Carol continued on their walk simply smiling and enjoying the moment.

"You are happy." Ezekiel notes just as Shiva and Sophia rush past them, having doubled back as they chased a small blue butterfly.

"I am." She admits. "It's been a beautiful day."

"I will aim for every day to be as happy as today."

Carol turns to look at him. She believes that he will try, no doubt bend backwards so that she and Sophia are happy, though she's not completely sure that is fair to him. "You don't have to." She quickly replies. "Not every day can be as perfect as today has been. Makes it... I don't know, feel-"

"Special." He finishes.

Her hand accidently brushes against his once more. Again she feels the sparks and smiles at the feeling that overwhelms her heart. "Yes, special."

"Then I will make sure to provide opportunities for special days."

"Ezekiel, you do that already." Carol stops her walk and turns to look at him, her whole body facing his directly. Her blue eyes connect with his chocolate ones, hoping that he can see the happiness radiating on them. The light that has somehow creeped back into her eyes, aided by him and him alone. "Every day you've done that. From the day you met us until today all you've done is make us happy. It... it's means a lot to me. It really does."

"I feel like I've hardly done anything other than facilitate your freedom and provide you with a safe place." He explains. He reaches over and taps her fingers before pulling back. She knows he is nervous because she feels the same way, the kind of happy nervous energy that could explode at any second.

"You've done more than that. You've no idea how happy it makes me to see Sophia running around, laughing, and just being a little girl. How happy I feel when she leans on you and looks for you to explain things to her. She's never, and I mean never done that before with Ed."

Ezekiel dips his head slightly, his dreads curtaining on either side of his face before he tilts his head back and gives her a dazzling smile.

"You have no idea, truly no idea, what it feels like to wake up every day in peace, to not be pushed around or be punched because I've made a mistake or because I don't have dinner ready. To know I can just be a mom to Sophia and somewhat of a teacher to Shiva." She continues. This time she is the one that reaches for his hand. Instead of tapping it though, she intertwines their fingers and pulls him closer. "You have no idea how happy it makes me to feel what I'm feeling for you. It scares me a little because it's sudden and I can't fully understand it but it makes me so happy."

"It makes me happy as well, my Queen." He gives her hand a little squeeze then pulls her fingers closer so that he can lay a kiss on them. "Extremely happy."

She grins and leans forward to place a peck on his lips. When she pulls back she only does it to remind him of the root of her happiness. "All of that is because of you, Ezekiel. It's not today but every single day, every single moment. It... it makes it easier to fight, easier to... forget the past... easier to be me. It's all thanks to you. You are helping me mend myself where Ed had left cracks I thought would never heal."

"It is my honor."

Before they can continue talking, Carol feels a gentle tug on her pant leg. She quickly looks down to find Sophia staring up at her, eyes wide with excitement.

"What is it, sweat pea?"

"Found itty bitty babies." She explains with a raised hand, her fingers showing just how tiny said babies were by holding her thumb and index finger almost together.

Itty bitty babies? That size?

Carol doesn't have a chance to ask Sophia what she means before her daughter quickly moves away from them, no doubt to show them the babies she had found. Without letting go of Ezekiel's hand, Carol follows the little girl and drags him behind her though he offers absolutely no resistance.

Shiva seems to be curiously peaking down at a nest of some sort which lays wedged between a tree and a trunk that had long been laying against it. Moss covers most of the area but the bright green nest is still visible because of the different textures created by the leaves and twigs used. Sophia reaches Shiva just as the cub gathers the courage to push her head in and burrow around.

"No, tiggy!" Sophia declares as her arms go around Shiva's neck and pulls her back.

"Gentle Sophia." Carol reminds her daughter. Shiva is a cub, a curious one at that, but she's still far stronger than her daughter is. The last thing they need is for Shiva to react instinctively and for Sophia to get hurt. Instead of continuing her search, Shiva goes along with Sophia, stepping back and allowing the adults to see what they've found.

In the nest, burrowed deep and protected from the elements, are two tiny pink bundles. They are small though not as small as Sophia had made them out to be.

"What dat?" Her inquisitive daughter quickly asks, her head turning quickly to look at Ezekiel.

"I believe those are baby squirrels." He replies.

"Squirrels?" Her daughter's tone is soft as she verifies with Ezekiel. Carol can't help but smile at the gentleness her daughter is showing.

"Yes, they don't appear to be newborns."

"I touch?" Sophia half asks, half begs as she quickly employs the best puppy eyes Carol has ever seen her use. She knows that Ezekiel will be unable to say no to that expression and is using it to her full advantage.

Sure enough, Ezekiel falls right into it. He lets go of Carol's hand to put down the basket and dig through it until he finds one of the cloth napkins they used to wrap up their fruit. With the outmost care, he reaches into the nest and pulls out the tiniest baby squirrels Carol has ever seen. They squirm in the napkin until Ezekiel pulls them against his chest, wrapping them as he goes to keep them warm.

"We have to be gentle." He reminds Sophia who is practically dancing on her spot, nodding as she promises that she will. He proceeds to kneel besides her so that the squirrels are at her eye level then guides her tiny hand towards them.

The moment her finger makes contact with the pink, wrinkly skin, Sophia giggles nervously and pulls back her hand. "They warm." She informs them.

"That is correct. They have to stay warm which is why Mama Squirrel made that nest for them."

Sophia frowns and looks around to try and find the mother. When she finds no other squirrels, she turns to look at Ezekiel. She's deeply concerned.

"Where's Mama?"

"She's around." He promises. "She's always around her babies. She's probably looking for food to keep herself and these two healthy."

Sophia reaches to touch the babies again, oowing and awwing as they move. Even Shiva seems to lean closer to catch a glimpse of the tiny creatures. Carol can't help but notice how Ezekiel makes sure to have a hand ready to keep Shiva away, in case her curiosity got the better of her. She was, after all, a meat eater and while they'd made sure she had her fill during their picnic, one could never be too cautious. The last thing they needed was Shiva unintentionally teaching Sophia all about the animal food chain.

"Look, I think that's the mom." Carol quickly points towards the standing tree as a fat squirrel hesitantly moves down. She's trying to judge if they are a danger to her and her babies. Judging by the way she's staring at them, Carol isn't sure if they've been cleared or not. "I think it's best if we put the babies back in their nest."

"Awww okay," Sophia agrees though she quickly caresses each tiny body before sending them their way. "Bye baby squirrels! Bye!"

As gently as he had picked them up, Ezekiel puts them back in again. Once the babies are in their nest he pulls back and reaches for Shiva before she can notice the bigger squirrel and go off chasing her.

"They are tiny, Mama," Sophia explains to Carol as she reaches for her hand. "You see?"

"I saw them." Carol promises.

"So, so tiny. Itty bitty tiny." Sophia continues, once again showing her with her thumb and index finger. "And pink!"

"Because they don't have fur yet." Carol explains. "Once their fur starts to grow they'll be brown and reddish, like their Mama."

Once they are at a safe distance, Ezekiel kneels once again and let's Shiva on the ground. He makes quick work of her harness and attaches her leash before standing up. He's about to declare they can continue with their trip when Sophia tugs at his leg.

"Zekey? I tired." She declares, one hand moving up to rub her eyes.

It seems that in an instant all the energy Sophia seemed to have had been drained from her tiny body. Her daughter lets out a full body yawn before smacking her lips together and looking up at Ezekiel through half closed eyes.

"Up?" She asks next, both of her arms pushed high so that he can see she wants him to carry her.

"Hand me the leash." Carol says as she quickly opens and closes her fingers against her palm. "And the basket."

"But..?"

"It's fine. I got this. You are going to need both hands to pick her up."

After the transfer of the items has been made, Ezekiel picks up Sophia and settles her on his hip. Sophia instantly wraps her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck and hair. She lets out another yawn, which forces her eyes close, before pressing her head against his shoulder and settling in.

"I told you that you'd end there." Carol teases once they start walking again. Thankfully, at least from what she can remember, they aren't far away from the start of the trail.

"She barely weighs but a thing," Ezekiel assures her. "Plus, it is an honor to know she feels secure enough to fall asleep in my arms."

Carol gives him a cheeky grin, remembering the conversation they'd had not to long ago. "I told you."

"I believe you did."

They walk the rest of the way in comfortable silence. By the time they reach the car, Sophia is fast asleep in Ezekiel's arms and Shiva has started to nod off, her tiny head occasionally loling in her exhaustion. It's easy to put the girls into their respective places since they are far to exhausted to protest whatever the adults want to do. Once she's gotten Shiva into her pen, Carol turns to look to the other side of the car where Ezekiel has finished securing her sleeping daughter. She watches as he tenderly leans her head back so that she will not have a stiff neck when she wakes up, then leans down to press a kiss to Sophia's forehead. Love bubbles within her as she witnesses the outmost care Ezekiel places in her daughter's well-being. Far more care and love that Ed had ever given her.

The ride back to his house is again spent in silence, with Carol sitting inwardly to watch over her daughter and Shiva's sleep. The car motions and the comfortable sound of Sophia's deep breathing pulls her into somewhat of a sleepy state. She feels heavy and tired from the day they've enjoyed. All of that, however, is dashed the moment they pull up into his drive way and she sees the car she recognizes as Michonne's. She had forgotten all about the morning phone call and the visit the lawyer had told them she'd made.

As soon as the car is parked, Carol feels Ezekiel's hand rest over her own. "It's going to be alright. She's not going to stay long, I will insist on it."

"It's fine," she says with a deep breath. "Just... help me get Sophia inside?"

Ezekiel gives her a nod and exists the car. Carol takes the opportunity to close her eyes and breathe in and out for a couple of seconds. She can hear him moving around the back of the van, untying Sophia from her car seat and telling Shiva he will be right back to get her. She knows he will keep his promise and ask Michonne to quickly move through whatever legality she has to get through, but she also knows that Michonne is only there to help her. She feels terrible that Ezekiel feels he needs to hurry his friend.

Her eyes slip open as soon as she hears the tiny cub let out a yowl. She can see her through the slots of the carrier, stretching as best as her tiny furry body can let her. Knowing they need to get both babies inside, Carol opens her door and slides out of the car to join him.

"Come here, Princess." Ezekiel coos at Sophia as he gently picks her up.

In her sleep, Sophia once again opens and closes her tiny mouth as if she were swallowing. Her eyes slide open, just tiny half moons, but she doesn't react badly to waking up. She's tired, Carol can see it plain as day, but she hasn't committed to waking up or to having a meltdown from her tiredness.

"I sleepy, daddy." Sophia gives a tiny whimper then curls herself against Ezekiel where she closes her eyes and quickly falls asleep.

Ezekiel turns to look at Carol with a look of surprise and... is it fear that she can see painted in his expression? Is he afraid of what It means for Sophia to call him daddy? Is he afraid to be her father? Carol stomach drops slightly and she feels nauseous. After the wonderful day they've had, is the other shoe finally dropping?

"I swear on my life I did not put her up to say that." He defends himself right away.

It takes Carol hearing those words for her to realize that the fear she saw in Ezekiel's eyes wasn't at the prospect of Sophia considering him her daddy, but of her thinking he had pushed her daughter to say the term of endearment.

"I know," she promises, giving him a soft, serene smile in the process. "Don't worry. Sophia loves you, I know she does."

Ezekiel seems to visibly relax at her words. He cradles Sophia close to him and moves towards the front door of his home. "Can you bring Shiva in?"

"I got her!" Carol calls out. She quickly opens the door of the pen and grins when a sleepy Shiva stumbles out. She can barely walk in a straight line, stumbling to the side before deciding not to try again. Shiva is far more exhausted than she thought she'd be.

"Come here, sweetheart." As she cradles the sleepy tiger to her chest, Carol hears Michonne's steps approaching them. She forces her body to relax, reminding herself that Michonne is not at fault that anything regarding Ed automatically puts her on edge.

"Hey, Carol." Michonne's tone of voice sounds elated, possibly even excited, and it helps Carol relax even further. "Did Sophia get a little furry?" She jokes.

Carol chuckles as she turns to look at the lawyer. Michonne is smiling at her even as she reaches out to tap Shiva's nose. The cub moves her head away, her ears twisting before rubbing her face against Carol's chest and letting out a bit of that chuffing sound Carol has learned to love

"Just a little." Carol answers before reaching for her pack and closing the van's door behind her. "Ezekiel said you were dropping by. Sorry if we made you wait so long."

"It's okay. I got caught up with a couple of cases while I waited."

"Let's go inside, gotta put this one to bed."

She guides Michonne inside the house before making a beeline to the little den that had been created for the cub. It doesn't take a lot of insistence for Shiva to stumble her way into her bed. Again she lets out a yawn with a little yelp that Carol finds absolutely cute. "Sweet dreams, baby Shiva." She says before ruffling her ears.

"I'm actually only here to drop some papers. The kids are going to drop by tonight and I don't want to be too late." It surprises Carol to learn that Michonne has children of her own. She wants to ask her about them but she doesn't want to keep her longer than needed, not when her kids are waiting for her and they've already made her wait. "I've missed too many tea parties with Judith and Carl wants to watch a movie tonight."

"I didn't know you had children."

Michonne smiles at her as she moves towards the table where she places her briefcase and quickly opens it. "I don't, technically. They are my boyfriend's kids."

"Oh."

"Alright, I have a couple of papers to give to you," Michonne explains as she starts pulling out packages of prestine white pages. "And a couple I need you to sign for me."

Carol approaches the table just as Ezekiel makes a reappearance. He's holding back, no doubt letting her see that she has the strength to do this on her own while showing her he is right there for her should she need him. She gives him a brief smile and mouths 'thank you' before turning her full attention to Michonne.

"This right here is the restraining order we've brought up for one Edward Peletier. Now I know you've said many times that he will not care whether or not you have a restraining order but this gives us the legal backing to get him thrown in jail the second he comes anywhere closer than 200 feet of you. Do you understand?"

Carol knows it is a lost point to repeat what Michonne already knows so she lets her continue her explanation. "If you see him anywhere, and I mean anywhere; the store, the street and specially here or the zoo, you are to go to a safe place and call the police immediately. Then you call me. Do I make myself clear, Ezekiel?" The last of Michonne's words are delivered with a sharp look to her friend.

Ezekiel chuckles but nods. "Fear not my friend, I shall refrain myself from pummeling him to the ground."

"Thank you," Michonne turns once more to the papers she holds and pulls out a package that has little colored tabs on them. "Now these... these are the divorce papers."

Carol feels her heart thunder when she sees them. She's been waiting for this moment since the day she fled from him. No, she's been waiting for this moment from the first time he put his hand on her until today. It is finally happening. She is finally going to be fully rid of Ed's physical presence in her life.

"I'm going to need you to read this and sign it as soon as you can. I will file them and a copy of it will be sent to Mr. Peletier for him to sign and send back."

"What if he doesn't sign it?" She asks, her voice trembling. This is one of her biggest fear at the moment; that Ed will not sign it and she will be forced to stay married to him by law. "What if he ignores the papers?"

"Well," Michonne turns to look at her as she replies. She wants her to listen to her carefully so Carol squares her shoulders and pays close attention. "He has two weeks to reply. If he ignores the papers or refuses to sign them, I am prepared to support our grounds for divorce in court. I am confident the judge will grant the divorce, especially if he sees the pictures you guys are taking."

"Oh!" Ezekiel exclaims. He must have remembered the reels of photographs for he quickly rushes and disappears down the hallway.

"We already took them." Carol explains as Michonne looks after Ezekiel's retreating form with a confused look on her face "They need to be developed."

"I'll take care of that." The dark skinned woman reassures her "He might ask you to testify that day but don't worry, we will prepare for that as well."

"And the child custody? Is he still asking for full custody of Sophia?"

Michonne grimaces before nodding. "I am afraid so. Remember though, the child custody case can not move forward as long as there is a domestic abuse case, which I've already gotten started on. I don't plan him to EVER get near Sophia again. By the time I'm done with his sorry ass in the domestic abuse case he will be in handcuffs. We have our first court date in three weeks. I've already solicited all the hospitals in the Georgia area near your old place as well as within 50 miles radius for any information they might have on one Carol Mason or Carol Peletier. Once those arrive I'll match them with the pictures but I am going to need for you to make me a list of what each picture shows. We are gonna try and match the injuries as best as we can. Think you are up for that?"

Carol nods right away. She will do anything she can to help make her case. Everything short of putting Sophia on the stand

"Good. Other than that..." Michonne drags out the last work as she looks around to try and find what she is missing. When she finds nothing she turns and grins at Carol. "I'm only going to need you to sign the papers and get them back to me as fast as you can. Read them, be sure of this and sign them.

"Do you have a pen?" As soon as the pen is placed on her hand, Carol dives into signing the papers. There is no going back, no chance whatsoever that she will change her mind.

"You aren't going to read them?" Michonne asks her astonished.

"I trust you." Truth is that she doesn't want Ed's proverbial shadow looming over them any longer. She trusts Michonne to look out for her and Sophia's best interest. Most of all she trust Ezekiel not to have friends who would hurt other people.

With one final deep breath, Carol signs on the last line and quickly lets the air out. With a tiny tentative smile, Carol hands the pen and papers back to Michonne.

"Alright!" Michonne exclaims and quickly gathers the paperwork. By the time she's done gathering everything Ezekiel has returned with two rolls of negatives which he promptly hands to Michonne.

"I don't expect to need you guys for two weeks but keep your ear out for the phone, just in case Edward surprises us and actually signs the papers without a fuzz." Michonne gathers her briefcase and the rolls of negatives and walks fast towards the door. "I'd stay around and talk to you more but-"

"The kids are waiting." Carol interrupts with an understanding look in her eyes. "Don't keep them waiting."

"Right." Michonne grins and it catches Carol off-guard for a second. This is the first time she's seen the dark skinned woman smile and have that smile reach her eyes. She obviously loves Rick and his children. It's plain to see in the smile she holds.

Ezekiel accompanies her to the door while Carol plops down on the sofa. She's suddenly as exhausted as Sophia had been when she'd requested for Ezekiel to pick her up. Carol doesn't think that he'd take it as lightly if she requested to be picked up, and she can't help but chuckle at the thought. Leaning her head back, she closes her eyes and relaxes as best as she can.

"You seem as exhausted as I feel, my Queen."

She cracks one eye open to catch him staring at her as he leans on the door frame. He has a flirty, yet exhausted, look in his eyes. There's something else in there too that she can't quite place right away but which she quickly identifies as uncertainty. He feels as drained as she does though he is obviously holding back, keeping his distance from her in case she doesn't want him near.

"I know you didn't ask Sophia to call you daddy, Ezekiel."

She knows this is why he's uncertain and why he's keeping away. He's afraid she's mad even though she's already told him she is not. Carol doesn't mind reassuring him and explaining to him why the term her daughter has bestowed on him is so important.

"Come here." She closes her eye and taps on the sofa, right on the space besides where she is sitting. She keeps her eyes close until she feels the sofa mattress dip with his weight. A gentle roll of her head to the side has her facing him. "I really am not mad, but I can tell her to not call you that if it makes you feel uncomfortable."

"It doesn't." Ezekiel quickly replies.

As exhausted as he seems, Ezekiel raises an arm and lets it rest on her shoulder before pulling her against him. She lets him pull her close, her head quickly pillowing on his chest. Carol can't help but let out a sigh of contentment. She feels like she fits right into his side, like they were meant to lay like this every chance they get.

"She's never called Ed by that name. Not voluntarily." She explains. She needs him to know how much the term means so that he can make the choice whether or not he wants it. "She would call him daddy whenever he had people over, but it was always so tiny, so unsure and it was always because he would make her. He would give her a look and Sophia would just shrivel away."

She can feel him tensing right away. She knows Ezekiel is not a violent in any way but Ed is not his favorite person. Slowly, Carol raises a hand and places it over his heart, her thumb sweeping back and forth to try and release his tension. The effect is immediate and Ezekiel relaxes under her.

"Sophia, she has always been so shy around men, because of Ed no doubt." She continues explaining with regret laced in her voice. If only she had been stronger perhaps Sophia wouldn't have felt defenseless all her life. Yet again, if she'd left Ed sooner they would have never met Ezekiel and they wouldn't be forming this unique relationship. "She was shy with you that first day but since then... since then she's been... so different. That's not because of me but because of you. She feels safe with you and she loves you. She's finally getting everything she never had with Ed; love, support, protection... everything a real father gives his children."

"Which is why she called me daddy." Ezekiel concludes.

"Because she's getting it from you, the one she loves, trust and who she knows will always have her back. That's why he called you daddy and not anyone else."

"Then it is an honor to hear her say it," he declares as he gives her body a tiny squeeze. She chuckles and pretend hides her face against his chest.

"Good because it's probably going to slip out again eventually." She pulls back just slightly so that she can rest her chin on his chest, her eyes catching his. "So when she calls you daddy again, just... go with it. Don't get startled, don't get panicked or she will see it and think she's done something wrong. Believe me, she sees everything."

He chuckles but quickly replies. "Understood."

Knowing this is the perfect opportunity to start the conversation she knows they need to have, Carol uses the fact they've been taking about Sophia and her term of endearment to ease into the conversation.

"Ezekiel?"

He gives a soft hum that makes his chest grumble and vibrate under her chin. Knowing she won't have the guts to say it while looking directly at him, Carol presses her cheek once again against his chest, though her hand slides down until she catches his to bring up their clasped hands and clutch them against her.

"I... I know we've talked about the feelings... we've been feeling." She tightens her hold on his hand, needing to feel his strength to not stutter and freeze. "About how... perhaps in the future, once things have slowed down and Ed is out of the picture, if we still feel those feelings we might... act on them?"

She waits for an answer from him but his answer is nonverbal. Instead of speaking he pulls her slightly closer and squeezes her hand.

"I... those feelings have kept growing. They are there and they are strong and... every time I see you with Sophia, every time you hold me, and especially when you kiss me or you do something to make Sophia grin like she's never grinned before, I..." Her breathing increases in rhythm though she does everything in her power to control it. "I wonder... what if? What if we didn't hold back? What if we didn't wait? What if we are meant to be?"

"I would be lying if I didn't say that I have felt that very way as well. I didn't want to push you though." He explains. Ezekiel's fingers gently smooth over her clothed arm and back. It calms her. Soothes her so that she's not struggling as much.

"We... we can still stop all of this and remain friends. I can tell Sophia not to call you daddy, show her eventually we will leave." She offers just in case she's pushing him to think he has no other choice. "I can search for another job once this nightmare with Ed is over and just... leave you be... if... if that's what you want."

"To change course with time on our side."

"Exactly." She agrees. "Or... we can simply see where this takes us. I'm not saying it will be easy. I'm not saying I won't mess things up or that it will be perfect. There's still many hurdles I have to go through, many things I have to fix within myself..."

She knows she's rambling. She knows she's probably lost track of the conversation and made things far more complicated that they should be. She has to push thru though, she has to be clear.

"What I'm trying to say is... if you still want to give this a try, then so do I."

His fingers release hers but only to gently tilt her face by pressing to her chin and cheek so that he can see her. When he speaks he does so without his usual bravado. He is simply a man speaking to the woman who has stolen his heart.

"I still want to." He whispers. "I had accepted my life was meant to be spent alone. Just a keeper with a sense of grandeur and the animals at the zoo. Then one day you and our Princess appeared and... everything fell into place. From that moment on there has never been any doubt in my mind and my heart that I love you and that I would want, above all else, to give us the chance to be whatever we are meant to be."

She grins. The love she feels bubbles to the surface, bringing happy tears to her eyes which slide down her cheek before he quickly brushes them away. "So we give it a try. We-"

"Commit?" He offers with a lopsided smile. "You, Sophia and this zoo keeper."

She gives a tiny nod before she chuckles and rests her head against his chest yet again, their hands finding their way back to each other. "We commit." She agrees wholeheartedly though she quickly corrects him. "Sophia, myself and the keeper of my heart."