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.


Keeper of My Heart Chapter 15: We are going home


Caught in the delicious state between being awake and asleep, Carol can feel both Sophia's sprawled out body in front of her and Ezekiel's body spooned up behind her. While her daughter's hand is haphazardly thrown over Carol's face, Ezekiel's is wrapped around her waist. She feels safe and warm with the two people she cares about the most, close to her. At least until Ezekiel turns, jumps slightly as if shocked, then rolls off the end of the bed to land with a whomp on the floor.

She's awake in an instant. "Ezekiel!"

"I am unharmed!" She hears him call out as she turns on the bed to find his spot completely empty. "My body has taken a hit but my spirit is merry."

She hears the chuckle in his voice and knows right away that he is all right. She scoots the short distance to the edge of the bed and peers over the mattress to find him laying on the floor, hand rubbing his head and a huge grin on his lips.

"Sorry," she whispers. Holding on to the edge of the bed, Carol rests her chin on her hand, crazy curls falling all over the place after having come loose during the night. "Our girls seem to like taking over the bed."

It's only after she's said this that she realizes what she's implied and half-hides her face against her hand. Calling Sophia and Shiva 'our' seems so domestic and familial, so meant to be, that she can't find the shame to feel bad about it, especially when it's effects are easily seen in Ezekiel's expression. She can see that he feels proud of her using 'our' instead of 'the'' the smile on his face grows brighter, his eyes become shinier, and Carol can't help but let out a tiny sigh of relief that they are in the same place.

For the past week and a half they've been growing as a unit. Their relationship, whatever they eventually decide to name it, seems to be growing exponentially. She feels like she belongs by his side and though at times they take big steps as a couple committed to exploring their feelings, she knows that Ezekiel is willing and able to take baby steps whenever she needs it.

That, in itself, gives her a deep sense of peace.

"I like it." Ezekiel's voice pulls her from her musings. "Referring to them as our girls. I like it."

Carol smiles against her hand before agreeing with him. "I like it too. It... it feels right."

Ezekiel turns on his side and raises a hand to push back a couple of her wayward curls so they are secured back by her ear. She can't help but instantly lean towards him, nuzzling against his palm as he cups her cheek. "Then they are our girls."

Sophia hasn't called him daddy since she sleepily mentioned it but Ezekiel doesn't seem bothered by it. They've talked and she is sure that Sophia is simply not quite ready to say it out loud but that eventually she will be saying it over and over and had even teased Ezekiel that when it happens he will be begging for her to be quiet. Ezekiel had chuckled but promised he'd never do such a thing. If Sophia wanted to call him daddy and shout it from the roof tops he would stand by proudly.

"Even if they take over three-fourths of the bed?" She can't help but let out her first tease of the day. "And push you out until you roll off the mattress?"

"Even then! It is an honor to be woken in such manner in the morn."

This time she can't help but giggle at his words. "Sure it is." She says as she reaches for one of the discarded pillows and dumps it over him.

Ezekiel laughs until they hear the rustling of the sheets. Both of them freeze thinking they've roused the girls but relax when Sophia only lets out a deep sigh and settles again.

"I have to admit, though," he starts after a second or two of silence. Taking the pillow he bunches it under his head and stares up at Carol. She can see a bit of uncertainty in his gaze as if he's worried that she will misunderstand what he's about to say. "That an idea has sprouted in my mind."

"What idea?" Carol asks right away, wanting to know what has created that glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes.

"At first I thought of simply purchasing a bigger bed." He admits. "But then I thought of ... perhaps... of giving Sophia her own space. I have the room I used to label as a study but which never really became much of anything other than for holding books and files. We could empty it, paint it her favorite color, get her a toddler bed or one of those that grows as she does, fill it will all the Princess stuff she could possibly desire. Make it her room. Somewhere she can call her own."

Carol stares at him for what feels like an eternity. Not only has this wonderful man opened his home to them to shelter them, not only has he showed them nothing but love and tenderness, but he is now willing to once again reorganize part of his life to give her little girl a room to call her own? What did she ever do to deserve him?

"You want to give her a room?" She can't help but raise an eyebrow as she questions him.

"It is a thought I have pondered upon." His voice trembles and the uncertainty in his eyes increases. "She deserves her own space, somewhere to grow."

"What if..." she stammers. "What if things don't work out?" She hates to even think about it, hates to even put it out into the universe, but she has to and by the soft look he gives her she knows Ezekiel is aware that she has to ask.

"Then you take all her things wherever you go. It will make the transition easier for both of you."

He is right. If for whatever reason they had to leave Ezekiel's, taking the things Sophia has grown used to would certainly help her settle in wherever they end up call home. Again, the whole thing reminds her how easy it is to love him when all he does is think about her and her daughter's well-being.

"If it is a bad idea then fear not, forget I ever spoke of it." She knows Ezekiel is only backtracking because he feels unsure. Unsure that she won't like the idea. Unsure that he is overstepping boundaries.

"I'm not saying no," she assures him with a soft smile. She reaches down to catch his hand, their fingers awkwardly interlacing. "Just... let me think about it."

She pulls at his hand to tell him to come back into the bed. Ezekiel follows her request and lets go of her hand in order to get up. Carol scoots backward, looking over her shoulder to make sure she's not bothering Sophia or Shiva, both of which are curled together, lost to the world. He slides into bed and she instantly nestles against him, his arm around her, her head against his chest and shoulder. She takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out as her hand catches hold of his shirt.

"If Sophia gets her own room..." Something tells her she is about to hit the head of the problem with her next words. She knows that his hesitation has a part to do with overstepping and part to do with the rearrangement of their little unit. "...and she decides to sleep in it. Where will I sleep?" She asks.

She feels Ezekiel stiffen beneath her. Jackpot!

"I was hoping you'd stay here." He admits as he covers her hand with his over his chest.

"And you?" She continues, unable to keep a slightly teasing tone from her words. "Where would you sleep?"

"If I am no longer welcomed at your side, then I would return to the sofa in the living room."

The ends of her lips curl upward. Of course, he'd offer to take the sofa which she knows has to be uncomfortable despite his insistence that it isn't. He is a gentleman after all.

Carol doesn't want him on the sofa though. Ever since the night where she'd bare her scars to him and he'd held her all through the night, they had yet to spend a night separated. She has quickly grown accustomed to his embrace, to his breathing against her hair, to the warmth he brings to her slumber. Despite it only being a week and a half, she's grown used to waking up by his side, sharing a sweet embrace or a laugh with him before going about their day. She finds herself craving his touch as much as she craves sleep after a full day of work and play with their girls. Even though she tells herself she shouldn't, she doesn't want to lose what they've comfortably settled on.

"What if..." She's about to put herself out there and it brings a shiver that runs through her body. Ezekiel is quick to chase away the goosebumps with his warm hand before pulling her a little bit closer. "What if I don't want you to go to the sofa? What if I want you to stay?"

She feels him pull back so she raises her head enough to look at him. Worry that she's said the wrong thing rushes through her though it quickly flies away when she sees his expression. He's sporting a look of relief and a tiny grin that she can tell he is trying to suppress with all of his might as to not let it take over his lips. "Then I'd stay right by your side, to guard your sleep and hold you through the night."

It is her turn to grin. Just knowing he'd stay at her side settles the worry that had grown in her soul. It seems to calm him as well, for she feels him finally relax and sees the hesitation and worry that had taken over his eyes disappear.

"I'll think about it. Talk about it with Sophia, see what she thinks." She promises.

Her hand releases her hold on his shirt, slides from under his hand and smooths over his chest, up to his neck to finally cup his cheek. Her thumb caresses his beard for a second or two before she tilts her head so that she's at the right angle. Slowly she guides his lips towards her own, smiling against them as they finally share a morning peck. When she pulls back enough to look at him once again, Carol doesn't move her hand away from his cheek.

"You are too much." She whispers to him before rubbing the tip of her nose against his cheek. Ed would have called her a loose woman for her actions, no doubt he would have hit her more than once. Ezekiel only hums and pulls her closer. "But I am so thankful for everything you do for us. For me."

He kisses the top of her head before burying his nose against her hair. "Sleep some more, my Queen. Our girls are still in Morpheus' arms. You deserve the rest as well."

His breathing slowly pulls her into a state of calmness, her muscles slowly releasing all the energy they have. The caress of his thumb on her skin makes her sleepy. She burrows against his side, her eyes closing slowly until they are only tiny slots through which she can only see a blurry mass. "Promise you'll... be here when... I wake up."

"Nothing would keep me away." She hears his promise. Before she knows it she has gone under, completely relaxed and safe in his arms.

The call comes midway through breakfast. It breaks the laughter the adults had been engaged in, laughter created by Sophia's jam smeared face. Carol knows right away it's not good news, she can feel it in her bones. They ache, they ache as hard as when Ed had pummeled her, as much as when he'd broken bone. She wearily turns to look at Ezekiel who has gotten up from the table and is already on his way to the phone.

"Mama?" Sophia asked a little unsure. She's reacting to the sudden change in the atmosphere around her so Carol quickly turns to look at her and gives her a smile. "Finish your peanut butter and jelly sandwich, baby." She urges.

She tries to focus on her sweet daughter as she hesitantly bites a piece of her breakfast but her eyes dance from Ezekiel to Sophia and back again.

"Hello?" Ezekiel asks as soon as he's gotten the phone against his hear. "Yes, she's here. Is something wrong, 'Chonne?"

"Stay here, Sophia." She instructs her daughters before pushing the little girl's plate of fruit closer to her. "Eat all your berries. Mama will be right back."

"Otay, Mama." She stays beside Sophia until her daughter is happily munching on a blueberry, her latest favorite, before ruffling her daughter's bed hair and moving towards Ezekiel.

"Is it Ed?" She whispers as she gets closer to Ezekiel.

Her breath gets caught in her throat and her hands become sweaty as soon as she sees him nod.

"Wait a second, she's right here." He says on the phone before offering her the receiver. "I'm right here." He promises in a whisper before pressing a kiss to her forehead and taking a step back.

"Ye... yes?" She nervously stutters on the phone.

"Carol?" She hears Michonne's hurried voice on the other end which only serves to worry her further.

Something tells her there is no time for pleasantries, none at all, so she answers straightforward. "Yes, what is it?"

"Ed and his lawyer want to meet with us." She hears Michonne explain. "Like right away. Can you have Ezekiel bring you to my office? Have him bring you to the back, park by my car. I'll be waiting for you outside so he can drop you off."

"What does... what does Ed want?"

"I don't know." She doesn't detect a hint of a lie in Michonne's words. Whatever it is that Ed wants it is obvious he's sprung this on Michonne as much as on her. "But it can't be anything good. He still has three days to reply to the court so I'm approaching this as highly suspicious. He probably wants to pressure you into going back to him or pressure you into accepting something less than what we ask. Whatever you do, don't let Ezekiel or Sophia get out of the car. Just you."

"O-okay."

"Don't worry Carol, whatever it is we aren't going to accept it. Trust me, I won't let him hurt you or Sophia."

"I know." She swears. "I know."

"All right, come as soon as you can. He's supposed to get here within the hour. I have to go to get some papers ready. See you soon." The line goes dead and Carol slowly lowers the receiver until it clicks in place.

Ezekiel waits until she has turned to look at him before asking what Michonne wanted. Carol's eyes move towards Sophia, who is still sitting on her high chair, dropping blueberries to Shiva who clumsily catches them halfway down. She's so innocent and pure, enjoying her food so much that she does a little dance on her chair. She's not sure what Ed wants but she'll be damned if he robs Sophia from the happiness she's found.

"Michonne wants to see me in her office. Ed wants something. She's not sure what but she wants me there."

Carol turns towards the bedroom, takes a couple of steps before turning back, this time going towards the kitchen. She can't keep her train of thought, a dozen different scenarios coming to her mind's eye. What if he wants to take Sophia away before the trail? What if he demands to see her sweet daughter? What if he threatens her? What if he completely disregards everything and everyone and hurts her? What if he sees Sophia and hurts her? What if he hurts Ezekiel?

She suddenly feels light head and stumbles but Ezekiel is there to quickly catch her and pull her back up. "Hey, hey it's okay, look at me Carol, it's okay."

"It's not, he is-"

"He is doing this so that you'll be caught off guard," Ezekiel explains. Carol knows he is right but she can't help but panic about it. She bites her lip as she tries to prevent her tears from falling. "Michonne won't be though. I bet she's going through every document right now, reviewing every picture and medical note. She probably already has security ready in case things go south. I know you weren't expecting to see him, love, but he can't see how he affects you or he'll think he has power over you."

Feeling like she might fall apart into a million pieces, Carol pushes herself against Ezekiel. She knows his arms will go around her, hold her together as only he seems to be able to do. He doesn't let her down and pulls her close to him the rest of the way, one arm going around her waist and the other tangling in her hair. His heartbeat, though slightly fast, calms her as it beats against her ear. She can still hear Sophia having her breakfast, completely oblivious as she starts singing a little song to herself. She needs to gather herself together and fast.

"Get ready. I'll get the girls ready to go."

"What if he sees her?"

"He won't. I won't let him, I swear." Ezekiel promises her. He gently pulls back, his hands raising to frame her face and brush away the wayward tears that have refused to stay put. "I promise Carol. Whatever happens, I won't let him get near Sophia. I won't let him even see her. Do you trust me to keep her safe?"

Carol turns slightly to look at her daughter who continues singing and dropping blueberries that Shiva frantically chases after. She then turns to look at Ezekiel, her blue eyes meeting his chocolate before she gives a sharp nod. "I trust you."

"Good, now go get ready. Don't worry about Sophia and Shiva. They will be ready."

She's not quite sure how she gets from the living room to the bedroom to grab her clothes or to the bathroom to change. It's all a blur of emotions, images, and thoughts that won't cease to exist. She gets ready mechanically, not even thinking from one step to the other. In half an hour she's gotten as prepared as she can, at least physically. Emotionally she is an absolute mess.

Her hand reaches for the doorknob but doesn't open the door. Instead, she presses her other hand to the cold wood and forces herself to take a deep breath. She needs to get it together; for Sophia, for herself. She needs to find the strength within herself, and fast. Ezekiel has said that she is a phoenix about to rise and she knows the time has come to prove to everyone that she can do it. She can go through with the divorce. She can completely sever ties with Ed. She can start the process that will hopefully result in him spending the rest of his life behind bars. She can do it. She has to do it.

The sound of her daughter's laughter coming from the living room gives her the push she needs. She quickly twists the doorknob and exits her hiding place.

She finds Sophia laughing as Ezekiel makes funny faces at her. Her daughter is dressed in a cute dress, with frilly socks and a shiny shoe. She has two pigtails, slightly crooked but holding on in place. Sophia turns quickly when she hears her come in and gives her a grin which shows all of her pearly teeth.

"Mama! Where we going?" She asks excited from her place on the coach. She has a leg up on Ezekiel's lap as he goes back to buckling her second shoe.

Carol doesn't want her to know about Ed. She doesn't want his presence anywhere near her sweet child. Thinking on her feet, Carol moves to kneel beside her, giving her daughter what she hopes is an encouraging smile. "Didn't Ezekiel tell you?" She asks Sophia in mock surprise. She knows she's about to spring this on Ezekiel without consulting him but she can only hope that what they had talked about earlier was still on the table and that he wouldn't be too shocked to not follow her lead.

"Well, Ezekiel and I talked and he came up with a wonderful idea." She explains to her daughter who looks at her with wide, shiny eyes. "How would you like to have your very own room? With your own bed and your clothes in the closet and your tiggy and your dolly for you to play with. We can even put the books Zeke has gotten you in a bookcase in there."

"Mine?" She asks before she turns to look at Ezekiel for confirmation.

"All yours, princess."

Sophia quickly turns to look back at her mother with a wide grin on her lips, her pigtails flying as she does. "Purple?"

Carol can't help but chuckle as her daughter quickly tells her what color she wants her room to be, if possible.

"We can paint it purple if you want it that way, sweet pea." She assures her.

"We can even put your name on the door, so everyone knows it's your room." Ezekiel offers in order to entice her daughter even more though Carol is quite sure Sophia is on board with the idea.

"Yes!" Sophia declares loudly. "Yes, Mama! "Yes!"

"Then, today mommy has to go talk to her friend, Michonne. You remember her?" She waits for Sophia to nod before continuing. "While Mommy and Michonne talk, you and Ezekiel will go pick out the color of your room."

"We can pick out a bed for you too." Ezekiel makes eye contact with Carol before he gives her a little nod. He's fine with her springing this on him as long as it keeps Sophia occupied and away from the danger her father represents. As long as it helps keep her calm.

"Don't go overboard." She begs him even though she knows that whatever Sophia picks he will find a way to get to her. "Maybe get some ideas so that when Mommy and Ezekiel clear the room for you we can go back and get it."

"Otay!" Sophia declares as she pulls back her leg and slides off the couch. She stops dead in her tracks as she looks at Shiva who is already in her pen. "And tiggy?"

Carol had completely forgotten about Shiva in her panicked state. She stutters and looks at Ezekiel for guidance.

"We will drop her off at the zoo. She's due for some tests anyway. They can board her until we are back and then we can get her through the tests before we come home."

With her worry having been addressed, Sophia quickly reaches for the hand of both adults. "Come, Mama!" She hurries them. "Come Zekey! Let's go!"

She's a bundle of nerves all through the ride to Michonne's law office. She feels like her stomach is turning, like any second she's going to barf all over herself and make a mess in Ezekiel's car. Carol knows she has to get a grip of herself, push herself into that place where she remains as stoic as possible in front of him, but it almost feels impossible. She's not strong enough.

"We are almost there." Ezekiel squeezes her hand gently but doesn't say more.

They pull up behind a fancy building with too many windows to count. Not that she could have counted them in the state she is in. Michonne is there, just like she promised, waiting for them as she leans against her car. Ezekiel guides his van towards the empty parking space near it before bringing the car to a halt. "We'll just be a minute, little ones." He informs Sophia and Shiva before exiting the car.

While he moves to talk to Michonne, Carol turns to look at her daughter and gives her the best smile she can manage. "I want you to be a good girl for Ezekiel, okay?"

Sophia looks at her with wide eyes and gives a nod. "Otay, Mama."

"You hold his hand and you don't walk away from him. You behave at the store and stay in the cart, okay, sweet pea?"

"Yes, Mama," Sophia assures her with another nod.

Carol smiles at her. She aches to pull her baby into her arms but she can't risk opening Sophia's door and exposing her to Ed. She knows Ed is not around, that he can't hurt Sophia, but she's not going to risk it. Instead of pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead, Carol blows her a kiss. "I love you, Sophia. With all my heart."

Sophia tilts her head to the side, her eyes inquisitive. She studies her mother's face but Carol's expression doesn't betray her feelings. Sophia cannot know she feels like she's dying inside.

Probably deciding her mother is just being silly, Sophia blows her a kiss and replies nonchalantly. "Love ya too, Mama."

Gathering all her courage, Carol opens the car door and exits the van. Her trembling legs take her towards Michonne and Ezekiel, the walk feeling like a mile when it is in fact only a couple of steps.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to let her get hurt." She hears Michonne promise Ezekiel. "I already have a couple of guards at the ready and I discussed things with Ed's lawyer. He knows he is only being granted a reprieve of the order for the sake of the meeting and that he cannot reach for or touch Carol. The moment he does the guard will come in."

"He's not going to hurt me," Carol assures them even though she still trembles inside with fear. When Ezekiel and Michonne turn to look at her, both showing signs of being unsure, Carol elaborates. "He's never hurt me in front of others. It would break the image others have of him and he relies on that to get what he wants. He might say something but he wouldn't hurt me, not if we are with someone else."

"Carol-"

"I'll be fine," she interrupts Ezekiel while reaching for his hand. "I swear. I'll be okay."

"Will you wait for her in the car?" Michonne asks Ezekiel. "I can have a guard stand by the back door, just in case."

She knows Ezekiel wants to stay, she can see it in his eyes and feel it in the way he holds on to her hand. He's afraid of her getting hurt if he's not there. He's afraid that Ed will find a way to hurt her more than he already has. She wants to kiss him so much for showing so much concern for her but she holds back because she doesn't want Michonne to witness it.

"No, he's not staying." She ends up answering for him.

"Carol-"

"No, you can't. Remember? You have a little girl in the back of your van that is patiently waiting for you to take her to pick out the paint for her room." Carol instinctively turns to look towards the van where the most important thing in her life resides. If she's going to get through this she needs to know Sophia will be safe and as far away from Ed as she can possibly be. Turning back to Ezekiel, she adds. "And picking out her bed is very important for her. She's going to need your help to do that."

"Don't worry about Sophia. I will watch over her." Ezekiel raises her hand and presses a kiss to her knuckles. "Just... don't let him get to you. You are strong and you do not deserve his selfishness or his abuse."

She presses her lips tightly together before giving a nod. She can see in the way his eyes drop to her lips that Ezekiel wants to kiss her as well but holds back for her sake. Instead, he settles for a squeeze of her hand before finally letting go.

"Okay, now go. We have business to get to." Michonne dismisses him. "Be back in two hours. I don't think it will take longer than that. Stay in the car, no matter what. Ed cannot see you."

Ezekiel nods but doesn't look away from Carol. She wants nothing more than to embrace him, to get into that van and leave with him and their girls and forget about Ed all together. She has to do it though. For Sophia and for herself.

"Go," Michonne states once again before slightly pushing Ezekiel away. She wraps an arm around Carol and guides her into the building.

Michonne remains silent all the way to the elevator, during the ride, then all the way to the office where the meeting will no doubt take place. It makes Carol's nerves jump all over the place, her stomach rolling once again. Now that she doesn't have to pretend to be all right so that Sophia will not notice, she feels all her emotions coming forth. She feels the exact way she had felt that faithful day at the zoo when she had tried to hide her shame behind her sunglasses and tried not to wince too much as to not call attention to herself; she feels naked, alone, hurt and like she's about to fall down the biggest precipice she's ever encountered with absolutely no parachute.

"It's going to be all right," Michonne promises as she guides her to one of the chairs that face the door. "He's either here to sign or to demand something. We both know the chances of him signing are low which only leaves us with him being here to demand something. Whatever it is, the answer will be no. You won't even have to speak to him at all. Let me handle it."

Carol gives a tiny nod as she sits on the chair then withers into it. She feels like a small child being called into the principal's office, knowing she's about to be reprimanded and being unable to do anything about it. Except... maybe she can do something. She can throw her shoulders back, swallow the lump in her throat, and pretend she has everything in order. She can do this. She can be strong for two hours. Later, she will fall apart but for now, she has to be strong.

"Ready?" Michonne asks. She's found her place beside Carol, her notepad on one side and a thick folder on the other. When Carol nods, Michonne reaches for the phone resisting on the table and tells whoever is on the other side to let them in.

The first person to come in through the door is an older woman. She has a small machine in her hands in the shape of a square. Carol quickly recognizes her as a stenographer and returns the tiny smile that the older woman sends her way.

No sooner has the woman sat down that the door opens again. In comes a man in his sixties, dressed in pristine clothing and shiny shoes. He too has a folder which he holds under his arm. It only takes a couple of steps after he's come into the room before Carol feels her heart practically stop in her chest. He is there; Edward Peletier, her greatest nightmare. He walks into the room as if he owns the place, as if he is far superior to everyone in the room. She has no doubt that it is exactly what he is thinking though she knows, and he does as well, that he is no better than anyone in that room.

The moment he sees her his whole attitude changes. His face softens, his eyes fill with crocodile tears and he lets out a sigh.

"Carol!" He exclaims almost as if he is relieved to see her. He instantly reaches across the table to catch her hand but Carol quickly pulls back her hands, letting them land in her lap. "My love, please."

Once upon a time, she would have fallen for the act, she would have believed he'd been worried about her, that he cared. She isn't that naive young woman anymore though, that girl had been beaten out of her by the man in front of her. She knows better now and she's not going to let him walk all over her again.

"Hands to yourself, Mr. Peletier. If you can't do that then I will have to request one of my security guards to come here." Michonne's voice is as icy as she has ever heard it be. It's even colder than the first time they had met when she'd been trying to protect her friend from a woman taking advantage of him. "You wanted to talk to us, so talk."

Carol smiles inwardly but says absolutely nothing, not even when she sees Ed clench his jaw and pull his chair with a tiny bit more force than he should have used. He's not used to a woman telling him what to do and it shows.

Before Ed can start talking, his lawyer takes over and directs his attention to Carol. "Mrs. Peletier, my name is Vincent Biton and I'm representing your husband. We come here bearing no ill-will and wanting nothing more than to fix this rift in your marriage. My client simply wants to get his family back together, to see his little girl again and have all of you back in his home."

"That's not going to happen, Mr. Biton." Michonne is quick to reply. "Ms. Mason wants to divorce Mr. Peletier, the sooner the better."

"I am sure we can reach an agreement that will prevent a divorce." Biton continues. "Edward is aware that Carol had been feeling like he hadn't been paying attention to her, that she had felt displaced in this new city while he went to work. He's already made arrangements so that he can spend more time at home, more time with her and Sophia. He is willing to do everything in his power to keep their family together."

Carol frowns. She takes a moment to study Mr. Biton's face to try and see if he is hiding something or if he's trying to pretend that Ed is an outstanding member of society to get her to agree to stay. She finds nothing though. He seems like a good man with tired eyes, perhaps a little rough around the edges, so it makes absolutely no sense to her that he is representing Ed.

Edward must have lied to him, won his trust just like he had done with her all those years ago.

"Everything?" Michonne asks. Her movements are sharp and controlled as she opens her folder and pulls a stack of pictures from it. "Is he willing to stop hitting her? Is he willing to stop twisting her arms and hands until he breaks a bone? Is he willing to stop putting out cigarettes on her skin? Or testing his knives on her? Or punching her so hard she can't open her eye? How about willingly stop pushing her on furniture? How about not carving her skin? Is he willing to do all of that Mr. Biton?"

With each of her questions, Michonne has thrown a picture on the table. Carol catches glimpses of her face, of her skin and her scars, of the years of physical abuse she'd endured. She turns away from the table, her eyes focusing on the nearest window to stop her tears from falling. She hears the intake of breath from the lawyer but doesn't turn around.

"Because even if he's willing to do it all, we are still going to be pushing for that divorce. Neither Carol or Sophia will step into his place anymore and we will be fighting so that he has absolutely no access to her daughter." Michonne informs the lawyer.

"These are all a lie." Ed quickly interjects. "Lies. I never hit her. I never hurt her. I have given her everything she has wanted. She did that to herself."

Carol hears the rustling that signals that the pictures are being picked up. There's a moment of silence that makes her curious as to what is happening. Slowly she turns to look towards the lawyer who is staring at the pictures, the color completely gone from his face. He seems as pale as she feels.

"I dug a little while preparing for the divorce proceedings Mr. Biton.

As you know it is customary for a lawyer to investigate everything that can help her client. I know many things about you because of that. I know you work for the same place Ed does and I can even bet you were told to help him as a personal favor for Ed's boss. I can guarantee that Mr. Peletier spun a story about how his wife abandoned him and took their daughter, about how he had been a loving husband and father and couldn't understand why she'd left. It must have pulled a lot of heartstrings back at his work. I know you've been mostly working on the business side of the law but I also know that you spent a good chunk of your earlier career in family law which is probably why you were asked to help with this."

"What does any of this have to do with my wife and daughter coming back to where they belong?"

Michonne turns to look at Ed with ice in her eyes and a smirk that seems to tell him she's about to put an end to this meeting before it has truly begun. "I also happen to know why you quit family law, Mr. Biton, something I am sure you haven't shared with Mr. Peletier."

"What is she talking about Vincent?" Ed leans forward to ask his lawyer in a half-whisper.

"Do you want to tell him or should I?" Michonne asks, giving the lawyer time to answer though Biton continues to stare at the pictures Michonne has spread in front of him. "Fine, I'll tell him. You see, Mr. Peletier. The reason he quit family law was because of his last case. It was about a woman, a woman who was so severely beaten by her husband that he broke her jaw, shattered her cheekbones and killed her by breaking her neck, all in a fit of rage. He was so caught up in it he didn't even notice he had killed her and continued to hit and hit until there was absolutely no way to recognize her. Mr. Biton had been his lawyer. He had convinced that woman to withdraw the divorce and give her husband another chance. A week later she was dead. He swore he would never treat another case in family court and even volunteered at a woman shelter to make up for his part in her death and atone for his sins. He actually met his wife there."

Carol watches the color drain from Ed's face. He knows Michonne has just destroyed whatever facade he had built for Biton and his company. He knows he's not going to be walking out of here with her under his thumb and the promise that they would deal with it when they get home. Ed looks uncertain as he turns to look at his lawyer who is already pushing the pictures back towards Michonne, unable to stomach seeing them.

"I was very surprised to learn all of this and see that he was representing you. Then I understood he probably doesn't even know the kind of person he's agreed to help as a favor for his boss. His boss most likely doesn't know you abused your wife for years, am I right Edward? I wonder what they will think once they find out."

"Shut up!" Ed's fist connects to the table making Carol and his lawyer jump startled. "Shut up, you uppity bitch!"

"This meeting is over." Biton surprises Carol, and Ed, by quickly standing up and pushing away from the table. She watches as he turns to look at Ed with nothing but disgust in his eyes. "I will no longer be representing you, Mr. Peletier, in this or in any other matter. I will also be making a recommendation about your future employment status with the company."

"What the hell are you talking about? You are my lawyer! I pay you to do your work."

"You are wrong Mr, Peletier. The company pays me to maintain its integrity and future, not yours." Biton informs Ed as he makes his way towards the door which he quickly pulls open and disappears out through.

Ed angrily pushes the chairs out of the way before reaching the door where he throws word after word at the retreating lawyer without much effect. When he realizes his threats haven't stopped him, Ed falls quiet but remains blocking the door. Carol can see his chest rising and falling, his jaw clenching and his hand fisting. She can't help the feeling that bursts in the pit of her stomach, the one that tells her Ed is about to do something that will ultimately end with her curled up on the floor in pain. She pushes against it because she knows he wouldn't hurt her in front of Michonne, not when he knows guards are at the ready to protect them, but the feeling is still very much ingrained in her. She still feels the need to do something to calm him, to appease his obvious anger to save herself from the beating that usually follows an outburst.

When he finally turns to look at her, his face is bright red, his ears almost purple and his blue eyes are shot with anger. He is a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

Michonne stands up immediately, taking a step around the table and putting herself between Carol and Ed. Ed's eyes sweep over her face before cutting towards Carol. He raises a hand and points a finger at her with that menacing look of his that she is so used to by now. "This isn't the end. You are not going to get rid of me, Carol. You and Sophia will be back home soon and then you'll see."

"Is that a threat, Mr. Peletier?" Before Michonne can even finish her question, Ed is already turning away. He doesn't say anything else on his way out but he does slam his fist on the door, making both Carol and the stenographer jump.

The room is silent. Carol stares wide-eyed at the empty space her husband has left behind before turning to look at Michonne who seems to be breathing as hard as she is. Fast footsteps approach, the sound of clicking heels against pristine floors become louder until finally a young woman with blond straight hair appears at the door.

"Is everyone all right?"

"Yes, Amy," Michonne reassures her quickly. "We are fine."

"I sent the guard after that man. Was that... was that all right?"

"It was perfect, Amy. Tell them not to let him back into the building."

Amy gives a nod and rushes away just as Michonne circles the table and approaches the stenographer. Carol half expects her to be trembling as much as she is, but ends up surprised when instead she gives a Michonne a nod and starts gathering her things.

"She's used to things like this. It happens all the time in divorce proceedings." Michonne explains. "And now thanks to Ed's little outburst we have an official account of a threat, word by word. That's going to be hard for him, or whoever ends up being his new lawyer, to disprove."

Carol isn't quite sure what just happened nor does she want to ask. The fact that Michonne knew so much about the lawyer and used it so expertly to shut down the surprise meeting left her in awe. Ezekiel hadn't been kidding when he said she would do everything to help them, nor did he lie about her being creative in her use of the law.

"Are you all right?"

Michonne's tender touch on her shoulder is enough to snap her out of her thoughts. She jumps in her place and gives her a sharp nod as she wraps her arms around her belly. Slowly she leans forward until her forehead is pressed against the table with a soft thud. She feels her breath hit the surface and fan back over her face but her shaking body will not allow her to pull herself back.

"Carol? Are you okay?" Michonne asks again. She presses a hand to Carol's back and gently runs it in circles over her back. "Should I... should I try and get in touch with Ezekiel? I'm sure he will still be at the zoo."

"No, no." She says with a shake of her head against the cold surface of the table. "I just need a moment, that's... that's all. He has... we promised Sophia she... would get to choose the color for her room and maybe a bed... they need to do that. I'll be fine. I swear."

"Want me to bring you some water? Will it help you calm down?"

Finally pulling back, Carol leans her whole body against the chair, her head resting against the backrest. She nods then lets her eyes slip close. "Yes please."

"All right, I'll get it for you," Michonne promises. "Just... just breathe ok. The last thing we need is Ezekiel getting all protective over you and trying to find Ed. I swear that man will do anything for you and that little girl and the last thing I need is to be on his blacklist. He is a zookeeper and I'm pretty sure a tiger whisperer so I don't want to cross him."

She knows by the small chuckle that Michonne gives that she doesn't really think Ezekiel will be mad at her. She's simply trying to calm her down and make her laugh. She's extremely thankful to her for it, she truly is, even though she is sure Michonne has no idea what she's just done.

For the first time since she agreed to Michonne's help, Carol feels a glimmer of hope blossom within her that this time the law will be at her side. Maybe, just maybe, they have a shot of winning this. She'll be able to keep her daughter safe, she won't have to disappear from Ezekiel's life to keep him safe from Ed's wrath and she will finally be free while Ed spends his days in jail.

She invisibly grasps at that hope, holds it within her with the utmost care and protection. She needs to nurture it, needs to mix it with the hope that Ezekiel gives her of a new life, with the immense love she feels for him and with the strength that Sophia's laughter and well being brings her. She just has to keep strong, she has to keep nurturing that hope and she has to keep trusting Michonne.

She has to. There simply is no other option.

Michonne waits with her until Ezekiel makes it back almost two hours later.

At first, they talked about the case, making the list of her injuries and matching them to the pictures they'd taken, but once that had been done and Carol had relaxed from the meeting with Ed, the conversation had turned to Sophia. With the conversation well underway, the topic had them switched to Carl and Judith. Time had flowed easily and before she knew it they were receiving a call from the zoo to tell them they were on their way and then Michonne was walking her down to the back door.

"Thank you," Carol turns abruptly to tell Michonne as they wait by the door. "I'll be honest and say that until today I thought this was all for nothing. Ezekiel said you were great and you could help but I always thought it would be impossible. Today I saw that he was right. So... thank you."

"No need to thank," Michonne assures her. "I've always hated abusive men who think women need to worship the ground they walk on."

"I know, but still, thank you," Carol repeats. "Even if we don't win, even if he gets away with it. Thank you for helping us."

Michonne gives her a smile big enough for her to see a few her teeth and her lips curling upward. She can't help but think the woman is beautiful, with or without a smile, and finds herself wishing she could have her confidence and beauty. She doesn't get to dwell on it long though because no sooner has Michonne finished smiling that the sound of a car horn signals that Ezekiel is outside. Michonne leans on the door handle and opens it, the slightly chilly air hitting Carol in the face and blowing her wayward curls backward. Winter is definitively about to roll in judging by the chill Carol feels in the air. She shivers, her hands going to her arms to try and warm them before she steps fully outside.

The sound of a car door closing and Ezekiel's smiling face is all she registers before her world turns on its axis.

She feels a hand clutch her arm, pulling at her and dragging her hard. Her world becomes a blur of colors as she is turned quickly, while a voice she's all too familiar with reminds her what Ed claims she is. She struggles, the sound of Ezekiel's steps draw closer, Michonne's voice shouting for a guard to help. It's all a cacophony that she can't quite make out between her panic and the sounds that jumble together.

"Stop struggling!" Ed exclaims and digs his fingers against the soft part of her arm. She has no doubt that he has broken skin but she has little time to think about it.

"Let me go!"

"No bitch! You are coming home!" Ed sneers at her. "I'm done with your little act!"

"Ed! Let go! You are hurting me!" She begs him as she pulls at her own arm and tries to push his fingers by forcing them back to try and let herself free. When it doesn't work she reaches forward, her hand in a claw-like shape which she brings to his face. Her fingernails dig at his skin and finally, he releases her. She hadn't realized how far he had dragged her until that moment. She's so far away from the van, from Ezekiel and her daughter. Michonne has stopped Ezekiel from coming closer, begging him to not get involved but she can see it's taking all her strength to pull him back.

"You bitch!" She turns to look at Ed to see that she has left three lines down his cheek from where she had clawed at him.

"You fucking bitch!" Ed repeats. In a second he goes from holding his bloodied cheek to looming over her, fist raised. He brings it down hard, his fist making contact with her chin, then her cheek, and sends her down.

The shouting becomes even louder but she is too dazed to understand it. She closes her eyes and curls into herself on the floor, a defense mechanism for what she knows comes next. It never comes though. She doesn't feel the hard end of his boot slam against her ribs. She doesn't feel his fist pummeling into her over and over. She doesn't get spit on, doesn't get her hair pulled, or arms twisted.

Instead, all she feels is a gentle touch.

She recognizes Ezekiel's touch in an instant. Her eyes open to see him hovering over her, his eyes wide with fear. "Carol? Carol, can you hear me?" He asks fearfully.

Carol nods, her chin quivering even through the pain. Ezekiel quickly embraces her and holds her against him, picking her up and moving her away from the man writhing on the floor. She's not sure how it happened but she can hear Ed's shouts of pain as electricity courses through him courtesy of the guard's stun gun.

"I've got you." He whispers to her tenderly.

"I'll get the door!" Michonne declares and the next thing Carol hears is the latch of the passenger door giving way.

Ezekiel gently places her on the seat. Once she's secure, his hands move to cup her face so that he can look into her eyes. Her eyes connect with his only to see the worry that she has caused him. She can't help but feel guilty even though she knows this isn't her fault. Ed had jumped on her, Ed had tried to take her away and had hit her when she fought back, and yet she felt guilty for Ezekiel's worry. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." She whispers over and over.

"Mama? Mama, you otay?" Sophia's fearful voice cuts through the air like a knife.

"Shit! Sophia is here." Michonne remembers with an explicative she certainly shouldn't have used in front of the child. "Ezekiel get them out of here. Just... just get them out of here."

"I'm going to kill him," Zeke says under his breath just as he gets the seatbelt to click in place.

"No! Don't!" She reacts without thinking, her hand clutching Ezekiel's arms as she opens her eyes and looks at him with more panic than she's ever felt before. No matter what happens, Carol cannot let Ezekiel get his hands dirty. He's a good man, a man who doesn't deserve any of this. The least she can do is make sure that by the end of this he has done nothing he could regret. "Please."

"You bitch! Is he... is he the one... you've been fuckiaaghhh!" She can't be sure but Carol is almost positive that Ed has been shocked again.

"Take them home! Now!" Michonne barks her order as she pushes Ezekiel out of the way and closes the door behind her. Their voices become muffled but Carol can make out that Michonne will take care of things and that he needs to get them home and wait there for the cops to go pick up a statement.

Behind her, Sophia starts crying. Her daughter doesn't understand what's happening and Carol can't blame her reaction. All she can see is her dazed mother and all she hears is Ezekiel and Michonne's raised voices and her father, her tormentor's voice, shouting that he is going to find them and bring them home.

"It's... it's okay Soph." She mumbles. "It's okay, you are safe, baby."

"Dad?"

"He's not... going to hurt you. I promise."

She wants nothing more than to reach for her baby and calm her fears but she's not going to risk putting her in a position where Ed might see her. Sophia's cries tear her heart open, especially when Ezekiel opens the door and Ed's voice filters through prompting Sophia to cry even harder.

"We are going home," Ezekiel promises as he climbs into the van. He's obviously pissed off, anger coursing through him and fighting the need to protect them. Carol curls tighter into herself not because she fears he will hurt them but because she's ashamed she's put him in such position.

Sophia continues crying as the car pulls away. Carol silently joins her, her whole body shaking in pain and fear as she realizes what has happened. Ed had almost taken her and she has no doubts that he would have killed her if he'd had the chance. She would have never seen her baby again, never seen Ezekiel or told either of them how much she loves them. Worst still, Ed saw Ezekiel which puts the man she's falling in love with in terrible danger. He'd seen the car he drove, he'd seen Ezekiel's face, knew he was the one helping her. It wouldn't be long before he found them, before he disrupted the beautiful life they were creating. She had put everyone in danger.

She lets her eyes slip close once again, her chin wobbling as she realizes she's going to have to flee, going to have to leave everything behind. She's about to go into a full panic attack when she suddenly feels Ezekiel's hand against her leg. His touch is steady, unwavering and full of love.

"Don't worry, my loves. I've got you both. We are going home."