A/N: The first few paragraphs before the breaks are the future, and everything following is the past. Normally, I italicize it, but I didn't this time. I hope that's not confusing. But chapters 24 and 25 are flashback chapters, and 25 will end in the current time. It's weird, but it's how I decided to write these chapters. It felt right, if that makes any sense. Okay, enough of me, enjoy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
– – –
Rays of golden light streamed in through the slightly closed blinds, her small fingers twitching as she inhaled deeply, rousing from a fitful sleep. Her vision was blurry upon her eyelids parting, and she moaned, blinking to try and adjust her vision, and she pushed herself up, swallowing a yawn.
"Hey." It was a gentle sound, a whisper by the door.
She looked over at him and inhaled, turning her eyes back to the window. "Is it today?"
"Yeah." He nodded and remained in the doorway. "We're headin' out soon. I'd give it a minute or two."
She exhaled without a sound.
"It'll be a while," he continued, "so we ain't gonna come back tomorrow or the next day, so you don't gotta keep an eye out."
"Daryl..."
"I'll bring somethin' back," he reassured her, "for the kid."
She couldn't speak through the lump in her throat, but her grasp on the sheets tightened. She couldn't look at him, as he was a figure bathed in light, features hidden by shadows. She didn't want to think of him that way, if he didn't come back. She didn't want this to be the last image. Her mind would show it to her over and over instead of the laughing man on the bus who'd just given her a message, the kind man who had carried her back to shelter, the relentless searcher who tried to find her daughter. The messy hunter who wouldn't take a shower if his life depended on it yet had time to mock her... That was who she wanted to remember. Good or bad, that was the Daryl she always wanted in her heart.
"Be safe."
Nine lives, remember? She pressed her lips together tightly, tears prickling up in her eyes, and she broke her rule. She turned to look at him, but he had already gone. She shuddered and released the blanket to clasp her hand over her mouth.
–48 Hours Earlier–
"Do you think it'll be a girl or a boy?" Glenn inquired, packing a lunch for his family. They had a walker hunt to go on today, and he wasn't invited, but he knew his wife and...his daughter could take care of themselves. He knew he'd be scrubbing mud out of Maggie's hair come morning, and he'd be scolding Enid for being so reckless with her belongings. She was a mess teenager, believe it or not. She kept the valuables close, but the rest was scattered on the floor. He could only imagine what her backpack would look like when they headed out.
"Hmm...I'm bettin' on a boy." Maggie snapped the small first aid kit closed and placed it into her pack. "But I kinda hope it's a girl."
"Why do you say that?"
"'Cause I know how to take care of a baby girl." She remembered when Beth was a baby. "I...I know a boy ain't all that different, but I have experience with girls. Beth, Judith...hell, even the animals on the farm."
He smiled at how the quivering tone of anguish at the mention of Beth and the farm didn't cling to her words, simply danced in her eyes, and he reached over and grasped her hand affectionately. "Maybe we'll have a girl."
"Give you somethin' else to stress about." She chuckled and squeezed his hand, releasing it to nonchalantly brush her thumb under her eye. "You're gonna be a godfather to this baby."
"Yeah." He sucked in a breath. "I don't know how to feel about that. I mean, I'll give it my all. I'll make Tobin proud, but...I don't know. The things Tobin wanted me to teach this baby... I'm not sure I can."
"You can." She smiled at him. "Raise like you lead—by example."
"I don't think Carol wants me taking little baby it out into the world to raise by example."
"You know what I mean. You're a great leader, and this baby will benefit just from having you in its life." She zipped up her pack and strutted over to him, tucking hair behind his ear. "You have an air about you, and it's contagious. The baby will look at you, his or her godfather, and they'll see someone to aspire to be."
"Yeah, but I don't want the baby to try and be someone its not."
"Then you'll be there to lead them toward the person they're meant to be with the proper morals and skill to survive." She laced her fingers through his hands. "You'll do the same for our own kids."
He couldn't help but grin. "You know I'll have more parenting experience with a newborn than you, right? I mean, we're raising Enid together, and granted it is only the godfather, but still a father to a newborn. You were just a kid with Beth, so it doesn't count."
"I know." She stomped her foot and pulled away to put some apples in the lunch Glenn was preparing. "I shouldn't be mad that Carol hasn't pick a godmom. I want her to be there to raise the baby, but man, I'm so jealous." She sent him a slight glare.
Glenn laughed. "I knew it."
"I'm gonna be there to help Carol raise this baby, godmother or not, but I'm just a peeved that I couldn't be the godmom."
"She hasn't even said anyone is the godmom. You still have a chance."
"That is true." She bit into an apple then lowered it. "I can make her pie." She swallowed. "Don't pack those." She hurried over to stop him. "She didn't make those cookies, right? I can use those ingredients to make a pie!"
He saw a sparkle in her eye and nodded at her, taken in by her enthusiasm. "I'm sure she'll love it."
"You think? I ain't the best cook." She looked at him and saw an endless sea of confidence. It warmed her heart, and she kissed him. "I have a teenager to collect, so if you'll excuse me." She bit into the apple again and marched out of the kitchen to find Enid upstairs.
Twenty minutes later Glenn was walking between his wife and adopted daughter, heading to the gate where Tara and Denise were talking, and he chuckled at how Tara played with the spear Denise had gotten from Hilltop. She was trying to look as badass as Michonne, but it was Tara. And a spear. And no grace whatsoever. It was hilarious.
"Jealous of my sweet moves?" Tara grasped the spear like a walking stick and squinted at the man.
"If that's what you want to call them," Glenn replied, repressing a snicker poorly.
"Don't make me kick your ass in front of your wife and kid." Tara winked at Enid, puffing up her chest. "I can take you."
"All right." Maggie stepped in. Joking or not, they had places to be, and this exchange was wasting daylight. "We have things to do today, remember?"
"We're wasting daylight." Denise set her hand over Tara's on the spear. "I have to go, so you're in charge of the clinic. I asked Carol to cover for me, and she's in the clinic now, but if she gets overwhelmed, take over."
"Yes, ma'am." She released the spear. "You guys be careful out there, all right?"
"We will be." Maggie hugged her goodbye and approached the gate Spencer was opening, holding her arm out toward Enid, who caught up to her and wrapped her arm around her waist, smiling at the squeeze Maggie gave to her shoulder. "We'll be back as soon as we can."
"It's not soon enough." Glenn walked over to the gate with Tara beside him, stopping a few feet away. "I'll see you when you get back. Listen to Maggie and Denise, okay, Enid?"
She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Of course."
"Don't roll your eyes at me." He was stern, but he sounded like his own father, and that felt peculiar. Like a tingle in the back of his throat, and he swallowed it.
"Okay. I'll listen." She turned her smirk into a smile. "You guys be careful here, take care of Carol."
"Of course." Tara mimicked her eye roll and smirk. "I'm the godmom, so yeah, I'm on it."
"Says who?" Maggie barked.
"Says me." Her smirk widened, and she turned to Denise. "I'll see you soon."
"Is that a question?" She squinted behind her glasses, a puff of white smoke chasing her words.
"No." She stepped back by Glenn and nodded to Spencer. "It never was."
They waved goodbye, the girls disappeared behind the gate and all too soon so did their shadows. Glenn and Tara stood there a moment, taking in the absences of the people—the women—they loved, and they nodded to themselves before getting to work.
"Not to ruin the mood, but my girlfriend looks more kick ass than your wife," Tara teased at Glenn on their walk to their individual jobs, which happen to be in the same direction.
"A spear in hand verses a sixteen-year-old under your arm—it's not hard to beat."
She nudged him. "Mama Maggie. It's cute."
He smiled at her. "So are you."
She rolled her eyes. "I don't know what you mean."
"You're settling down, and...you're happy." He nudged her back. "It's cute."
"And there you go, turning this into an After School Special."
He laughed. "Don't you have a job to do?"
"Don't you?"
"It's where I'm going." He gestured forward towards construction.
"Same to me." She turned toward the clinic, waving to him over her shoulder before jogging back to have breakfast with the substitute doc.
– – –
Carl caught Judith and scooped her up before she fell over, smiling warmly at his sister, and he stroked her hair. "Good job, Judy!" She was just like him and their mom: a quick learner. She was already able to walk five feet, and she almost made it across the living room. He was so proud of her. He couldn't wait to be able to take her outside and hold her hand and walk slowly with her, but carpet before cut up knees.
"What 'good job'?" Michonne had heard the cheer from upstairs twice before and decided to come check it out.
"She's walking." He held her close, grinning. "She doesn't get very far yet, but she's getting better every try. Look."
Michonne watched him steady the girl, his eye in her eyes as he assured his baby sister without a whisper of a word that he was there and he'd be there to catch her should she lose her balance, and her heart nearly burst in her chest. She watched him keep her still as he back away and lowered himself down onto one knee then urged her to walk toward him. She jerked forward some, remembering teaching her own son to walk, as Judith put one small leg in front of the other until she was wrapping her arms around Carl, tugging his hat off his head.
"Impressive." She joined the pair, kneeling down.
"I know, right? I've only spent a couple hours teaching her. I bet Dad has too, which makes this a little less impressive, but still. It was a joint effort." Carl chuckled and picked up his hat. "Here, you wanna borrow it?"
"I don't think she's ready to be in the club just yet." Michonne swiped the hat and placed it back on his head. "But she is ready for a snack. It's about that time."
"She is getting fussy." He caught her little hand. "So, what'll it be today? Mashed peas? Or mashed bananas?"
"Surprise her."
"I think we might have some blueberries left." He lifted her up. "They're not sweet, but she hasn't had them before."
"I'll give you a hand." She set a hand on his shoulder. "Are these blueberries a reward for her walking?"
"No." He shook his head. "I already have her reward."
They entered the kitchen, Michonne prepared a snack for Judith, making sure it was evenly mashed, and Carl sat down at the island, his arms around Judith's little stomach. The girl watched Michonne's every move, reaching for her now and then, and Carl gave in to her reaching by lifting her up onto the counter. Michonne then moved the snack aside and pulled Judith to her, keeping her on the counter and making music to playfully dance with her. Judith enjoyed this, giggling at her and reaching for her even more. Michonne wasn't sure her heart could take raising this little girl, but there was also no chance in hell of her missing out on this.
"Okay." Michonne set Judith down in her brother's lap, spooning out the mashed blueberries. "What's her reward?"
"Stories. I'll tell them to her every night regardless, but it's still a reward." He kissed the top of her head.
"What kind of stories?" She fed Judith her snack, watching bemused pass her eyes then enjoyment. She was reaching out for more. The bit of sugar she added must have helped.
"Of my mom." He then amended, "Our mom."
She nodded.
"I had a picture—well, you know. You helped me get it, but I lost it. Now all I have are memories, and I want her to have them too. I want her to know our mom, even if it's just in stories." He peered down at his sister with regret in his eyes. "She won't know how kind Mom was or how soft her hands were or how painful but necessary her haircuts were. She won't know how beautiful she was or how bad a cook she was. She'll just hear about it, and it doesn't do her justice, but at least she'll know, you know?"
She nodded. "I think it's a great idea."
"You do?"
"She should know about Lori, and you're the best person to tell her." She reached out and pinched his chin teasingly, he pulled his chin back, and she laughed. "I bet she used to make the same face."
He smiled at the thought. "She did, only with a stronger jaw."
She laughed. "I saw the picture. She was beautiful, and I bet Judith will look just like her."
"Me too." His heart throbbed at the mention of his mom, but it was an old wound. Well, that wasn't the right word. It wasn't old. Losing a parent, someone who brought you into this world, loved you unconditionally, did what they had to do for your best chance...wasn't something that could become an old wound. It would never truly heal, and a wound seemed like a small cut. Losing his mom as he had was a gaping hole in his heart, one Judith and Michonne and his family could only just cover. If he looked at it hard enough, they weren't covering it or filling it; it was still there. Her unconscious face, her blood soaking the floor, her agonized screams in his ear, it was all still there.
"Hey." Michonne grasped his chin again. "Don't go there."
He swallowed and nodded slowly.
"You have a story to tell," she reminded him. "A painful haircut?"
His smile returned as did the memory of that day at the quarry. "Yeah, it started out with me and Sophia playing with Violet and the others, and Mom called to me. She'd gotten tired of my hair in my eyes. So she called me over..."
Rick stood just outside the kitchen as Carl told Michonne and Judy about the haircut Lori had given him, his ring finger twitched, and he smiled to himself. Lori would be proud of the young man he was becoming. A little peeved at how hotheaded he could be, how impulsive and blindly brave he was, but proud. He was damn proud of him too. He only wished Lori could be here to see them both. It was an odd request that did odd things to his heart, and he didn't know if God was real or if Heaven existed, but it wasn't enough. Believing, or trying to believe, she was watching over them wasn't enough. It simply wasn't.
––
The clinic was empty, Tara was collecting all the exam papers Denise and Enid had left behind, and Carol sat outside on the steps, the cool breeze ruffling her blouse and sending goosebumps across her flesh. The wind kissed her lower stomach, and she shuddered, but not from the cold. She knew what it was, and she rubbed her arms, closing her eyes. She couldn't pretend it didn't happen. She couldn't sweep this under a rug. It would come to light on its own. It would show its unwanted face and destroy everything.
Unwanted? Was that the word to use here? She didn't want it right now, not when she was fighting and struggling and losing her grip on herself and reality. She didn't want it when she was so distraught and undeserving. She couldn't be what he needed or wanted, and she knew he couldn't be want she wanted or needed, because she couldn't piece together what the hell it was she wanted. Or even needed beyond space and time.
You took a big step, telling Carol you love her. That was what Michonne had said to Daryl. Telling Carol you love her. It wasn't the type of sentence that could mean two types of love. Carol already knew Daryl loved her, but Michonne was saying in love, not simply love. It wasn't like the love she knew he felt for her already, this new love he felt. It was romantic. It was likely sexual, but it wasn't familial. It wasn't friendly. Telling Carol you love her. That wasn't something to congratulation a man for unless it was love love. I'm happy for you. Whatever the results, I'm with you.
I'm with you, she'd said. Whatever the results. It was simple for her to assume Daryl had told Carol his feelings, but not that Carol had reciprocated them. She could asses the situation of them in bed together, of Daryl looking frumpy as proof of his confession, but...not as proof of Carol returning his affection? Was she so cold that not even Michonne could break through and see her for who she truly was? She should be happy. That was the goal, after all—to hide, to remain hidden under walls of bullshit so deep no one could even see a peek of who she was, of how badly she was hurting, of how she was drowning! The weight of killing people—Karen and David—of killing a child—Lizzie—was far too great for her to bear, and yet her walls were high enough, thick enough to keep out her family. She should be happy. That was the point of walls, was it not?
She pulled her legs in as the wind picked up its pace, rustling through her short hairs, and she closed her eyes. Believing without confirmation that you were hidden among strangers and confirmation that you were hidden among them and even among those closest to you were two vastly different things. They ignited two varying emotions inside of her, and she wasn't fond of either. They were pounding against her chest and screaming in her veins, and there was no way to still them. She couldn't close her eyes and plug her ears to them, and her mask was crumbling at the intensity of them. How long before it slipped clean off? Again?
She buried her face in her palms, the pressure of them boiling over inside of her.
– – –
Maggie stepped over a branch miles away from Alexandria, Enid was talking to Denise, going over the muscle system, and Denise only had to correct her about ten times. It was impressive, given how large the muscle system was, and the different sections. Maggie had helped Enid study them after dinner last night, and Glenn had helped her with them this morning at breakfast. She'd been working on it for longer than two days, it was obvious, just like her dedication. It was awesome.
"So, how far are we going out?" Maggie turned to Denise. "I packed enough food for us to be good for a couple days, but I'd like to know exactly how far and how long we'll be out here."
"I'd say a day and a half. With the hospital run so soon, I don't want to push it." They had made plans in case they didn't come back on time, but Denise hoped to be there. If they didn't find their walker, they'd come back another day. They were other subjects she could teach Enid in the meantime.
She nodded. "Well, it's pretty quiet here. I'd say we'd have to go further out. We should have brought a car."
"There's car outside of town we can use." Enid caught up to Maggie. "I found it when I was wandering. It was before you guys came. It has gas, and it runs decently. I can't drive, otherwise I would have... I don't know, brought it back."
Maggie frowned at the other use for the car. "Well, lead the way then."
Enid lowered her eyes and changed their route. They walked in silence for a good mile, Denise didn't want overhear any conversation the two would have, so she took point. Maggie and Enid were about five feet behind her, their pace equal, and Enid tightened her grip on her backpack straps. She studied Maggie whose eyes were trained ahead, alert.
"Maggie," Enid started in a low tone, "I wasn't going to use it to leave."
She didn't say anything.
"I honestly just found it. I was curious, and it did start. That's all I did with it. I'm not stupid enough to leave a good home."
She barely nodded, her eyes scanning the area.
"Maggie, I wasn't—"
"Shh." Maggie stopped walking, Denise heard her tone and stopped too, and Enid searched the treeline where Maggie was staring. "Get behind me."
"I can take care of myself."
"I know." Maggie grabbed her shirt and pulled her back behind her. "Just stay behind me."
"Maggie," Enid complained under her breath.
"Stay there, Denise." She had seen movement in the trees, but she didn't hear anything. She didn't hear moans, and the movement had stopped. Walkers weren't that aware. They didn't hide, and they were never quiet for long. It had to be a person. They were being stalked, and Maggie didn't like that. She wouldn't let this fucker get any closer or follow them any longer.
There. She saw a flash of color in the woods, her grip on Enid's sleeve tightened, and Enid followed Maggie's gaze, trying to see what had her attention. She didn't see anything, though her view was blocked by Maggie's back, but still there was nothing she could hear. It was silent. She knew Maggie wasn't seeing things and fighting with her would only distract them from a possible threat, so she stayed closed and stayed still. It was all she could. That, and take out her knife, which she'd already done about two minutes ago.
Suddenly whatever it was jumped out from the trees, Maggie instantly pushed Enid back and shielded her with her body, and Denise readied her spear, but there was no need. It was just a dog. A big yet cute Akita dog. It didn't growl at them as the last dogs they'd seen—and eaten—had, but Maggie was cautious. She didn't let Enid go, and she didn't near the dog.
The dog limped toward them, a collar on her next, and she whimpered, and they were able to see blood—fresh blood—on her coat. She had been attacked by walkers, just barely gotten out, and she collapsed before them, whining once again.
"Oh, no." Enid ran over to the dog, breaking free of Maggie's grip, and she dropped down to its side.
"Enid." Maggie ran after her.
"We can't leave her like this." Enid set a hand on her head, the dog closed its eyes, seeming to melt into the affection. "We can't."
Maggie lowered herself down beside the dog on the opposite side and noticed her belly. She reached out and inspected it, her throat drying out, and she bowed her head. "She's pregnant."
Enid met her eyes. "How do you know?"
"My daddy was a vet." She scratched under her nose and sighed, reaching for her gun.
"No!" Enid wrapped her arms around the dog, her head blocking the dog's head. "We can't do that!"
"Enid, the puppies won't last without her. They need her milk, and we don't have enough food for ourselves, let alone however many puppies we manage to save."
"No!" Was all Enid would say.
Maggie huffed and turned to Denise for support, but she could see the woman was in agreement with the teenager. She didn't like this, and she didn't want to do this, but she had no choice. There wasn't anything they could do. She was dying, and without her, the pups wouldn't last very long. They would have to find a pet store and find food for the ones that lived. Their mission didn't involve a pet store, and they weren't prepared for a trip like that. It had to be done. For the dog's sake, and for theirs.
"Enid, I'm sorry." She twisted on her silencer.
"Please, Maggie, don't." Enid's eyes pooled with tears as she tried to think of some way to save the puppies, to save the dog in her arms, but she couldn't think of anything. She could only watch as Maggie began to take aim. "Please!"
Maggie jolted at the pleading in her voice, and she lowered her gun. "Enid—"
"We have to try. I know she's not a person, but we have to try." She blinked the tears back. "You said your dad was a vet, so help her! He must have done C-sections before. You lived on a farm too, so you have to know how to do it! You can't just kill her without trying! It might be meaningless, and we might not be able to save the puppies, but it's not right to kill her without trying!"
Maggie searched her green eyes and remembered the last time she had to do this. She swallowed against the lump in her throat and set her gun down, reaching for her knife. She wet her lips and steadied her hand, drawing on the memories she had at the farm. This wasn't like Lori. This wasn't just one baby. It was several, and she had to be careful.
Her eyes met the brown teary ones of the white and honey-colored Akita. "I'm sorry." She made the incision, the dog howled, and Enid shushed her, apologizing against her fur and holding her. Maggie worked as deftly and as carefully as she could, praying she was doing this right. She didn't want to put this dog in more pain in its final moments just for its babies to die too. They might, but...she prayed not.
Denise stood at a distance, keeping her guard up for any walkers who might have heard the dog's whimpers and howls, and she watched as Maggie worked, feeling rather than seeing her determination to keep those puppies alive. She had heard the story of what happened to Lori through Michonne. She had wanted to help Carl in case Carol's pregnancy provoked any foul memories, and she knew what Maggie had done back then. She suspected she looked and moved just like this. She hoped it wasn't for nothing. It might just be in the end, but Enid was right. They had to try. It was all they could do anymore.
After Maggie had finished cutting, the sacks were revealed, but unfortunately they were too late. Maggie still tried nevertheless, Enid could feel the dog passing, and she tried to tell Maggie when suddenly she gasped and reached inside her womb.
"What is it?" Enid sat up.
"I need a blanket. Or—or a shirt. Now!"
Enid shrugged out of her hoodie, pulling off her t-shirt and leaving her in a tank top. She handed it over to Maggie who wrapped the puppy in it and whipped it, and Enid stared, not sure what Maggie was doing. She trusted she knew best, as she was the vet's daughter, and she hurriedly put her hoodie back on, the cold air licking her exposed skin.
Maggie sat back and moved away the shirt to reveal a small puppy wriggling in her lap. She was adorable, the same white as her mom but with white and brown shaping her upper body and face. She was so tiny, and she would get hungry soon. Without her mom's milk...with those nutrients, she wouldn't last long. They needed to find a pet store.
"She's okay?" Enid crawled over to Maggie. "She's moving."
"Yeah." Maggie smiled at the girl, offering the shirt wrapped pup. "Easy."
"You did it." Enid grasped Maggie's hand, ignoring the blood and fluid there. "You saved her."
Maggie's eyes fell to her siblings, she felt Enid's forehead knock against her chin, and she smiled, turning her head back to the newborn pup. She saw the mom watching them, a haze in her eyes, and Maggie reached for her gun, but there was little point. She was fading, and the last thing she saw was one of her babies wriggling in Enid's arms, the arms of someone who had just fought for her, someone she could trust would fight for her child too. It was a beautiful last sight.
"There's a pet store a couple miles out of town," Denise spoke up. "I...I know the way."
"You do?" Enid stood up, hugging the puppy in her arms. "We have to go there. I know the whole point of this was for me to learn the muscle system, but we can still do that too. This is just...a side task. We can't let her die. We can't. Besides there aren't any walkers here. Useful ones, anyway."
"And we won't." Maggie wiped her hands on her jeans. "We'll go get that car and go find her food. We'll need puppy chow and actual dog food, bowls, a collar. I just hope they have the formula we'll need for her."
"They should," Denise replied.
"Then let's get goin'. She's gonna need food soon." Maggie slipped her knife back into its sheath and removed the silencer, her eyes falling on the deceased dog. She looked at Enid and Denise. "I'll catch up to you guys in a bit, okay?"
"What are you going to do?"
"I can't leave her like this. Not for walkers to find."
"We don't have a shovel."
"I know." Maggie turned away from them, knowing she had a lighter in her pack. "Just go on ahead. I'll catch up."
"Maggie." Enid stepped forward.
"Hey, we have to get food for this one." Denise pointed to the pup. "We need to get to that car, so why don't you show me the way? Hmm?"
Enid glanced from Denise to Maggie and back, stepping towards Denise, and she turned to her, walking beside her without looking back. She kept her eyes on the little bundle in her arms, feeling Denise wrap an arm around her shoulders, and she steeled herself. They had a long way to go, for the puppy and for Enid herself, so no tears. No thinking back to how alike she and this puppy were. Just keep moving forward, because that was all there was.
––
Carol walked the street that afternoon, Carl and Rosita were on the porch with Judith, and she could smell cooking. She was hungry. She had just eaten a snack and yet she felt like she hadn't eaten anything in the past year. She hoped whatever was cooking was good. She couldn't make out all the smells, but it was damn near heavenly.
"That's cheating." Carl slapped his cards down.
"Nope, that's poker." She smirked. "You'll learn it one day."
He pursed his lips. "It's cheating."
She laughed and collected the cards, seeing Judith playing in the yard. "You might want to get a pin for that one." She hopped up to collect the little girl.
Carl finished gathering the cards, Rosita caught Judith in the street and held her hands, turning her back towards the house, and she was smiling at how confused the little girl was. She didn't know why she wasn't moving, even though she was walking. Rosita still held her hands. It was so cute.
"Hey." Spencer walked over to her and Judith.
Her smile fell. "What do you want?"
"To talk. Just for a moment."
"I have to help Rick with Judith right now, so talk fast."
Carol sat down on the porch as Carl shuffled the cards back into their box, he offered her a smile and hopped up to check on lunch for her. She hadn't even asked or said she was hungry, he simply did it to do it, and she smiled a little. She heaved a sigh and watched Rosita and Spencer bicker as Judith stared off toward the pond. It was a shame it was contaminated with gasoline. It'd be a nice place to swim in the summer.
A jacket dropped onto her shoulders, she looked up as Rick sat down beside her, and she tugged it closer to her. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He leaned back on his palms. "They're leaving the morning after next."
"I heard." She peeked at him. "Why are you bringing it up?"
"I just...want you to know I'm here for you." He met her eyes. "Whatever you need, I'm here. You can lean on me. I don't mind."
"I think Michonne might."
"Then feel free to lean on her too." He smirked at her, and she almost returned it. "When Daryl and Glenn leave town, for however long they'll be gone, you have us. You can come to us with anythin', and we'll be there for you." He softened his smirk to a fond smile. "Okay?"
She nodded. "Okay."
He reached out and squeezed her shoulder compassionately before rising. His attention rapidly fell on Rosita and Spencer, who were now bickering in the street loudly. Rosita had her arms folded across her chest, going off on him for being pushy, and Spencer was trying to get a word—any word—in. Rick shook his head at the pair and heard Michonne call to him. "Lunch is about done."
Carol didn't hear him as she noticed Judith had vanished from between Rosita and Spencer. She shot up and off the porch, her heart racing in her throat at the ripples that danced on the pond's surface.
