Walking Dead: Unexpected Return

Chapter 17 of my Walking Dead story, enjoy.

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Boris Yeltsin: Oh yes indeed :)
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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.

Chapter 17

Sophia smiled to herself as she knocked on the door of the Grimes home, it had taken a week but finally, after revealing the truth to Carl about what had happened to her after she went missing, or rather, as much of it as she could bear to remember, she found the courage to go around to the Grimes home. She had gotten acquainted with Michonne and Judith, finally saw first hand the changes to Carl's family life.

'Not something I ever imagined happening, but I guess, I guess the signs were always there.' She thought to herself.

She pushed the thoughts aside quickly however, smiling as the door opened, answered by Michonne.

"Ah, hello Sophia, how are you?"

"I'm okay, thanks." She replied. "Um, is Carl in, I...I wanna talk to him."

Michonne nodded. "Sure, he's up in his room just now."

She then stepped back to let Sophia in, once inside Sophia took off her shoes and her smile grew as she passed the living room and saw Judith watching a kids show on the TV. That reminded her of something else and she turned back to Michonne.

"How's the baby?"

Michonne smiled, resting a hand on her stomach. "He's doing well, it's almost time."

Sophia grinned at that, glad to hear it. Seeing the look on her face however Michonne laughed and nodded, which finally gave Sophia the push she needed to return to heading upstairs to Carl's room.

Reaching the door she bit her lip, trying to steady her nerves. She had come here for a reason, something else she needed to tell Carl.

She swallowed and raised her hand. 'I can do this, c'mon...it's gonna be okay.'

She remembered the words of encouragement Enid had been giving her and used them to bolster her confidence and finally she knocked on Carl's door.

"Come in."

She entered and Carl immediately sat up, smiling. "Hey Sophia.

"Hi. Um, you busy?"

"No, it's fine. Just finished." He explained.

He gestured to what he had been working on, homework that Sophia herself had also recently finished much to her relief. Most students hated homework and Sophia understood why, but for her, it was tolerable, particularly as it represented part of the return to normal in her eyes.

"So, what's up?" He asked casually.

Sophia was reminded of her mission, her reason for being here and quickly cleared her throat and sat down on the bed next to Carl. That was something Carl had noticed lately, something that gave him hope. Sophia was getting more comfortable now being close to people. It had been one of the main concerns they had regarding school, as she'd be in close contact with a lot of people and she admitted that she simply tolerated it at first, but now she seemed okay and had little to no issue. He quickly focused however as Sophia clearly was here for a reason. He noted the expression on her face and his curiosity grew.

Sophia took a moment to study Carl as he sat, waiting for her to begin. Again she was struck by the difference in his eyes, the real one and the glass one and briefly wondered if the difference really was as subtle as he claimed, if people who didn't know him well genuinely couldn't tell the difference. But she quickly pushed the thought away and focused on what she was really here for.

"Well, um, Carl, I...I need to talk to you. I...I've got something I wanna say." She began, already hating how nervous she sounded.

Sure enough Carl was instantly worried. "Are okay, is there something else about what happened to you, I-?"

"No Carl, no." She said quickly. "I just...I don't know where to begin with this, I'm so…"

Carl moved a little closer and spoke gently. "Okay, don't force yourself, just remember, calm, deep breaths and relax."

She nodded, doing as he said and managing to ease herself, now ready.

"Okay Carl, the, the truth is...something I've wanted to say ever since mom told me you visited me at the hospital." She explained. "I just, I feel like...I think I…"

Carl bit his lip, noting the way Sophia was acting and suddenly being overcome with a sense of irony as he considered his own feelings.

'Oh man, I can't believe it, surely not…' He thought, hope building inside him.

He quickly pushed it down however, not wanting to seem too eager.

He could see Sophia fidgeting, grasping for the words and decided to try and gently coax her into saying what she was trying to say.

"Sophia, are you, trying to tell me that you. That you have feelings for me?" He asked warily.

Sophia looked up at him, startled but then grinned. "I...yes, that's exactly what I was, trying to say."

She blushed and bit her lip, but it was clear what she meant and Carl couldn't help but grin.

"Sophia, that's. I…" He laughed softly, his own blush creeping up his face. "I feel the same way. I have for a while...it's why I never gave up on you, I was always hoping…"

Sophia, seeing her chance, moved even closer, feelings of joy and hope bubbling up inside her, as well as in Carl as his breathing hitched, noticing her movements and wondering, was she really going to.

"Well, I think that hope's been answered." She said.

The answer turned out to be yes. For in that very moment, their lips met as they finally shared their first kiss, marking the start of their relationship.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.