Rick's Story: 11 years ago

"I was sitting outside on my porch working on some work for the police academy when Lori came up to me crying.

I asked her what was wrong and she replied that she was pregnant with Shane and that if she told her dad that he would get mad and either have Shane arrested or kill him.

See, Lori is a year younger than us and in her final year of high school. She had fallen for Shane in his senior year. We had all admitted after Shane and I graduated that we had feelings for one another but Shane and Lori were afraid to go against the norm so I just let it drop.

"I'm sorry Lori" I said letting her cry on my shoulder. "But, really there's nothing left to do but be honest and just hope things work out".

Lori looked at me and said that she and Shane talked and that they thought it best my dad thought it was my baby since he likes me a lot and trusted me to take care of her and that way no one gets hurt.

Except me, I thought to myself. But being the nice person I was I agreed to it. Lori wrapped her arms around me and after getting her father's blessing and my parents, she moved into my house while she finished school.

After Carl was born I became a babysitter and an ATM. Shane worked at the station but he always asked me for money and Lori decided to stay home with the baby was the best like her mother did and so she was always asking for money.

Neither of them ever thanked me or showed any affection out of fear they might be labeled as different.

People knew or should I say thought Shane and I were best friends so the fact that he started living at our place when he somehow couldn't afford him anymore didn't surprise anyone. Though what they didn't know was that it was me sleeping in the guest room and not Shane.

Ricks Story: Two years ago

We went on like that until almost two years ago now. Carl knew the truth but always treated me like I was his dad as well.

Shane and I were out on patrol together when we got a call about escaped convicts. The dispatcher told us the wrong number of suspects and I ended up getting shot and fell into a coma.

When I finally woke up and found everyone Carl told me about how neither Shane or Lori cared about me and just took off when they heard the news.

After rescuing a terrified Sophia and almost dying, I met the man who would make me feel complete again. I also learned that Shane and Lori had decided not to search for me after being picked up.

The Old Farmhouse

And that's my tale" Rick said holding onto Negan and fighting off the tears that were forming.

The silence was full of feelings and thoughts. It was surprisingly Negan who spoke first. Turning to Rick he said "I know they've hurt you badly but for you and Carl's sake it's time to let it go and try to be cordial with each other".

No one looked more shocked at this but Lori and Shane. Rick nodded and so did Lori and Shane. "I am so sorry we did that to you Rick. The fact that we fucked up badly because of a fear of being different will haunt us forever" Lori said hugging Rick and too her surprise he hugged her back and said "I would love to meet that beautiful baby daughter of yours". "I would love for you to meet Judith and I would love too meet your girls, '' Lori said through tears.

Shane looked at the ground as he headed over. "Rick I'm sorry for what happened and I will always kick myself for not making you part of the family out of fear of being shamed by others. I wish I could go back and change what happened" Shane said as Rick pulled him in for a hug. "Maybe we can work something out" Rick whispered softly into his ear making Shane's whole body shake with want and without thinking he pulled Rick in for a deep kiss causing a loud gasp from the onlookers.

Suddenly Rick felt himself being pulled backward, twirled around, and then he was in the deepest most passionate kiss with Negan who was looking over Rick's Head into the jealous eyes of Shane.

Finally, he let Rick go and said with a smirk, " I think we all need a good nights sleep and tomorrow we shall get the ball moving on the future".

He wrapped his arm around Rick so his hand landed on his ass making Shane make a Low growl inside his chest.

Laughing, Lucille headed off with Maggie and Jeremy while everyone else took off in their respective directions.

"You didn't have to act like a jealous lover out there Negan. Nothing will ever make me leave you" Rick said kissing him on the cheek.

"Ah, it was just two alpha's fighting for dominance over what they want. I know what you whispered in his ear and I'm all down for it as soon as we figure out this whole share and share alike thing" Negan said nipping at Rick's ear playfully and they headed home to The Sanctuary.

Six months later

Negan sat on the floor with Ada, Evelyn and Judith. He was helping them place their shapes in a shape cube on the floor. Lori sat and watched smiling. Shane was showing Carl and Sophia the right way to pitch a softball.

Lori was glad that Shane and Negan had cleared up the whole stupid Alpha matter and they were a family. It was probably for the best because Michonne was a much better choice for a leader than Shane.

She couldn't wait for the get-together after the snow melted to meet Maggie's little one Hershel and Aarons's little one, Gracie.

She thought about how the wall had been finished before the snow and how the coming together of the communities has been a god sent.

Rick came through the door and with him he had a young girl, an older teenager and a middle-age man.

Negan stood between the kids on the floor and the new people. Shane did the same by stepping in front of Carl and Sophia.

"It's alright everyone, this is Lydia, she is ten, and her guardians Mary who is about twenty-five, and Dante who's about the same age as Mary. They took Lydia away from her abusive mother and needed shelter" Rick said pleading with his eyes.

Negan, Lori and Shane looked at each other and knew Rick wasn't going to let it go so they agreed.

"Welcome to The Commonwealth" Negan said with a smile.

One Year Later

The chattering in the small room was a welcomed sound. Though it stopped when Dr. June Dorie came out and said "I would like to let you know that Mary is doing great. She and Alden delivered a healthy, handsome baby boy whom they've named Adam. You can come and see her now".

Everyone headed back to congratulate the new mother except for Rick. Instead, he went to the window and looked out trying to find the cause of the buzzing noise only he seemed to hear.

He was shocked when he saw a helicopter go by with three rings on it. "What shit is coming our way now" Rick said to himself as he headed back to see the new mother.