A/N: hi! this book was supposed to just be a one-shot-the first chapter "she is love"-but I've been thinking of carl and zora lately and came up with this idea. i hope y'all like it! title from "here for you" by neil young.

The house was quiet today as the three children still in the home were at summer camp and Michonne took a girls' day with Connie, Maggie, Rosita, and Sasha. Rick took the time to sit on his favorite recliner and nurse a beer in his hand as he caught up on Skip & Shannon.

Due to his family's disdain for ESPN, and this show specifically, it's been a while since Rick's watched the sports anchors argue about Lebron James. It's entertaining. No matter what Michonne and the kids say.

Skip's and Shannon's debate on Lebron's hubris was interrupted by a brief knock on the front door followed by the key turning the latch, the door popping open to reveal Carl in the doorway.

"Hey, Dad," Carl smiled.

Rick's mouth dropped in surprise as he used the television remote to turn down the argument transpiring. He put down the foot elevation of his recliner and stood to meet his son in an embrace.

"Carl, what're you doing here, son?" Rick questioned. He let go of his son and offered him a beer. Carl declined and the two men sat.

"I texted you," Carl squinted. "You didn't see it?"

Rick glanced at his phone that sat on the coffee table in front of him, the screen lighting with a notification. Under that one was the text from his son.

"'Fraid not," Rick grimaced. "What do you need? Where's Zora?"

"Work. And she's actually why I came over," Carl responded. Rick tilted his head and squinted his blue eyes as he took in his son's demeanor.

The 25-year-old sat with his elbows propped onto his knees, his fingers interlaced with one another. He looked content, his matching azures making direct eye contact with Rick's own, a soft grin on his face, and Rick knew what this was.

He did it himself nearly 20 years ago.

"I'm going to ask Zora to marry me," Carl revealed.

Rick felt a surge of pride, proud of himself for knowing this day would come for the couple eventually.

"I see," Rick nodded. "Are you going to talk to Darius?"

"I'm gonna have to," Carl laughed, causing Rick to laugh in return. Darius O'Neil, Zora's father, was a progressive man but also a traditionalist in some respects, one of those being the behavior a man should extend towards the family he plans to marry into.

"Do you have the ring on you?" Rick questioned. There was no asking if Carl already had it. When he makes a decision, he goes through with making the steps to secure it. Rick knew his son wouldn't have waited for permission to buy the ring.

Carl answered by reaching into his hoodie's pocket-for some reason Rick didn't understand, Carl wore hoodies in 95 degree weather-to pull out a small velvet box. It opened to reveal a beautiful ring with a single azure blue stone in the center and smaller azure blue stones etched around the silver band.

"She always talks about my eyes," Carl sheepishly explained.

"It's beautiful, Carl," Rick grinned sincerely. He stood from his recliner and made his way to his son, who sat on the sofa. Carl stood to meet his father's height.

"You did good, son," Rick said, placing an affectionate pat on his son's shoulder. He kept his hand there. "And, you're not asking my permission but Zora's great for you. I couldn't think of a woman better for you."

"Yeah, dad. Me neither."

Now, Rick stood in the threshold of the groom's quarters watching as his oldest son paced back and forth, mumbling under his breath. Carl's hands wringed by his sides, the thumb of his right hand rubbing the middle finger of the same hand in anticipation.

Rick cleared his throat and Carl flinched, immediately halting in place, his eyes snapping up. He relaxed considerably when he saw it was his father. The tense present in his shoulders was still there, though.

Rick gestured to the small couch in the corner and stepped into the room, closing the door behind him as he did. He made his way to his son, sitting next to him as the 25-year-old continued mumbling under his breath.

Rick stayed quiet, knowing his son would eventually say what was on his mind.

"I'm scared," Carl said. "I want this. I want it so bad. But I'm scared."

Rick nodded, "It's nerve-wracking."

"But why?"

"I don't know, Carl," Rick replied honestly. Carl's eyes snapped to his own. "It's different for everyone. For me, I was scared it'd mess it up somehow. Lori… she took a toll on me when she left us.

"I thought I did something wrong to cause her to leave. It wasn't until I saw your mom walk down that aisle that I knew I was being silly. I had nothing to be afraid of. Lori made her choice and your mom was making her choice then.

"And if your mom chose me, I had nothing to fear."

Carl was silent as he digested his father's story. "I guess… I guess I'm afraid I'm tying Zora down? Like she could do better?"

"It's natural to think that," Rick conceded. "I thought it. I still do, but your mom's still with me, isn't she?"

Carl nodded.

"And Zora said yes, didn't she?"

Carl huffed a laugh, "She didn't even let me finish asking."

"Exactly, she wants this just as much as you do and she doesn't care if she could do better," Rick pat his son's back. "She already knows she has the best."

A pleasant smile appeared on Carl's face upon hearing his father's words, "She's better."

"Well, when you go down that aisle, you can tell her that."

"I will."

And Carl did.

His vows made the crowd tear up. Michonne sat next to Rick, clutching his hand as tears rolled down her face at hearing their son's words to his wife. RJ was shaking his head fondly, mumbling about his oldest brother being whipped while Maxine awed at her brother's words. On Rick's other side, Zora's parents-Darius and Megan-were much in the same position as he and Michonne. Darius nodded along with Carl, signaling his approval, his hand on his wife's knee as Megan held her hands to her heart.

Up at the altar on the groom's side, Duane-Carl's best man-smirked at his friend's words, Langston-Zora's older brother-nodded along like his father and Andre attempted to blink away tears that were gathering behind his eyes.

On the bride's side, Jasmine-Zora's maid of honor-cooed at the couple, Josephine-Zora's younger sister-discreetly wiped tears, and Judith looked on proudly.

The most beautiful sight to the words, however, was Zora herself. The 25-year-old woman was a sight in her simple, form-fitting gown. Veil-less, Zora wore a tiara on her head, her tight coils pronounced as they embraced the sunlight streaming through the church's stained glass. Her eyes were bright and full of love as she watched Carl, absorbing his vows to memory, tears streaming from her eyes and a megawatt smile on her face. Her fingers stayed interlaced in Carl's the entire time, her thumb stroking his palm, and her eyes never leaving his.

Currently, during the reception, the love in the newlyweds' eyes, which was always apparent, was in tenfold tonight, on display for all to see as they shared their first dance as husband and wife. Zora had her arms around Carl's shoulder, one of her hands raking through the nape of his hair, as Carl's arms were around his new wife's hips drifting closer to her behind without care for those around her, including her father.

The pair was nose to nose, foreheads pressed, and their eyes closed in content as they swayed in a circle. No words were spoken but it was clear they were just fine without them.

Rick kept an eye on the pair, overwhelmed at his son and his daughter-in-law. He didn't know when Carl's love for Zora got so deep. He always knew it was like this, but actually seeing it. His baby boy truly is all grown up.

Rick was snapped out of his trance when he felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around his right arm, a hand coming to meet his in his lap. He turned his head to be greeted with the sight of his lovely wife. She looked beautiful. Her dark skin glowed against the sky blue of her dress and her locs were curled to perfection. The most beautiful part of Michonne's appearance, however, was that same lovestruck smile she's had for him for 20 years.

"You okay?" Michonne asked. "You were somewhere else."

Rick squeezed his wife's hand and shook his head, "Just watching the kids." Referring to the newlyweds who were no longer children.

Michonne raised a brow and smirked, "It was a gorgeous service. Zora was breathtaking."

Michonne's eyes trailed back to the couple who were in their own world. Rick watched as she reached his same conclusion, a small gasp leaving her lips. It would've been undetected if Rick wasn't paying attention to her, but he always is.

"I know," Rick smiled. "They're gonna last."

Michonne turned back to her husband and her eyes flitted around his face before she gave him a loving kiss on the lips. "I love you, Rick."

Rick seized his wife in another kiss, "I love you more."