Better Days

Chapter 297

Author's note: Sorry, it's been a while. I've been in crisis with my depression and have barley managed to work for more then three days in two weeks. None of the Anderson's will survive. I kept watching Sam and all I could think of was, can Mitch slap him? So, let's get on with the story right? Please review.

Lexi, Beth and Sasha's POV:

Lexi went and hugged Sasha as she came through the house. "I didn't think you were going to make it," she said.

Sasha kissed the top of Lexi's head. "We have to try right?"

"You're just here so you can take a watch on the tower, aren't you?" Lexi asked.

"Lex, it's more than that. You need this place, so I'm here for you," Sasha told her.

"You need this place too, Sash. Can't you just admit it?" Lexi asked.

Sasha sighed. "Lex, I'm not Tyreese, alright? I'm doing the best I can here alright? I'm here, I'm doing the best I can."

Lexi nodded. "I never asked you to be Ty, I'm just asking you to be Sasha," she said as she walked away.

"Lex, come back here," Sasha said as she went to follow her.

"Give her a few minutes to calm down, Sasha," Beth said as she came over. She hugged the older woman.

"Ty made this seem so easy, he'd know exactly what to do," Sasha told her.

"You don't have to be Ty, you just have to be Sasha," Beth told her. "When Shawn died, Maggie and I didn't know how to be just sisters, not without Shawn being in the middle, playing the peace keeper. You always had Ty to help you watch out for Lexi, but now he isn't here, and you've got to figure out how to be her big sister without Ty. I know you're grieving because of Bob, because of Ty, but she is too. We're all grieving, we're all trying to process this, all of this," she continued. "But Lexi is dealing with growing up. Carl kissed her right before you came in," she told her. "She's got all of us to talk with but we aren't you, we aren't her big sister. Only you can be that. At Grady, I didn't have Maggie, Glenn, Daryl, Axel or any of you to help me, I had to figure it out. But the whole time I was figuring it out, all I could think of was what would happen to Maggie if I died. We just lost daddy, we didn't get to grieve together, we didn't get to say goodbye to him. I was worried about how she would handle my death. I was trying to remember the last thing we said to each other, did I say I loved her? Did I hug her? I thought about everything wrong we ever said to each other, did I say sorry for them? Did she? I know what it's like being the one left behind, to think you'll never see anyone again, to be on your own with all the doubts. Tomorrow is never promised Sasha. Daddy used to say never leave things unsaid, or go to bed angry because you never know if you'll open your eyes in the morning. You're the only blood relative Lex has left, she's the only one that you have left. Don't let her go home tonight without talking to her, without making her understand, letting her know you love her," Beth said as she patted her shoulder. "We're all here to help you, you know?"

"No one can do anything. I don't know how you all can act like the people we lost, didn't exist," Sasha said.

"Is that what you're thinking we're doing Sasha?" Beth asked. "It isn't. Everyone we've lost, they are right in here," she said as she placed her hand over her heart. "Every time I see Judith, I see more of Lori in her. It makes me smile," she told her. "She's got Shane's stare down to a pat. I remember how Andrea tried to fight for us at the prison, the first time the Governor attacked, or how much Merle changed before he died. I remember daddy, how he told us we all had jobs to do. Or how Bob could make anyone smile, or how Tyreese was always so kind and so helpful. I remember how Riley gave up her life at the hospital for me. I remember Lizzie, Molly and the other children. They live threw me, threw all of us. They aren't forgotten, Sasha. They are loved because they are here with us. Every single on of them, people you knew before you joined us, they are with you. Each and everyone of them had a hand in bringing us together, getting us here, good or bad," she told her.

Deanna approached them. "I'm not interrupting, am I? Hello Sasha," she greeted.

"We were almost done with our conversation. I better go start rounding up kids, Mika was falling asleep on the couch," Beth said as she nodded at Sasha.

"Sasha, come join us, all you have to do is listen. I promise," Deanna told her.

Sasha took a breath as she met Lexi's eyes. "Alright," she said.

Jewel and Rick's POV:

Jewel kissed Rick's shoulder as she joined him at the window. "Summer knows we've got something planned. She needed reassurance that everything was going to be alright if something happened."

Rick kissed her. "She's just like her mother, smart and observant. I'll talk to her when we get home, or in the morning. Let me take Hope from you. Mommy's hogging you," she said as he took Hope.

"Mommy has the milk supply," Jewel reminded him as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"It's good to feel safe, isn't it? Being able to look outside, without the fear of running?" Quinn asked as they turned around. "I had to rescue this one from getting her little cheeks pinched, she was becoming a pinch cushion," she said as she carried Judith over. "This is Gus, and my daughter Brianna. Chloe went home with Phoebe and Liam, she's still not comfortable being around others."

Gus extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you both. I've heard a lot about both of you from Quinn, and believe me it takes a lot to impress her."

"It does not," Quinn told him.

"Yeah, it actually does," Brianna told her. "Um…I know your not comfortable with anyone holding Hope, but can I see her? I promise I won't touch her," the brown haired girl promised.

Jewel smiled softly. "It's alright Brianna, if you sit down, you can hold her."

Rick smiled. "Well there you go, momma bear gave her word on the matter," he said as Brianna grinned and sat down taking hold of her.

"You just made her day," Gus told them. "Quinn had to take Judith out of her arms when she started wiggling to much. I wouldn't be surprised if she asked to move in with you, just so she could see those babies everyday. I think Quinn might too," he told them as Rick came back over.

"Carl, Summer, Judith, Hope and Jewel, that's why I'm still here," Rick told them as he kissed Jewel's cheek.

"You'd still be here without me," Jewel told him. "But I'm glad we're both still around."

"You're going to make good additions to this place," Gus told them.

"I think Liam was a bit disappointed that Mitch didn't stay. He was hoping to get to know him a bit better," Quinn told them.

"He may not be a Dixon by birth, but he's picked up on all the traits, good and bad. He gave it a shot, but being around everyone after being on the road so long, was making him jumpy. Daryl didn't come for the same reason," Jewel answered.

"But you came, and Summer," Quinn pointed out.

Jewel smiled. "I couldn't let Rick come alone with all these women looking at him like eye candy, could I?" she asked with a laugh.

"You have nothing to worry about, I only have eyes for one woman," Rick told her as he kissed her.

Jewel smiled. "And Summer, she takes her job as big sister seriously. She wanted to make sure all the kids were comfortable."

Judith started to fuss in Quinn's arms. "I think someone is getting tired," Quinn told them.

Jewel went to take her. "I think we better start gathering the kids together."

"That means you have to hand Hope back to Mr. Grimes, Brianna," Gus told her.

"Rick's fine, and since you have momma bear's approval, you can come over anytime. I know Lexi and Mika would appreciate it. If that's alright with your parents, of course," Rick told her as he took Hope.

Bri smiled at them. "I'd like that."

Author's Note: Short chapter, but it's been a week. I wanted to give you guys something. It should be one or two more chapters at the party.