Breakfast was amazing. Her dad always made the best eggs and bacon-something she had craved for four years- and she was on cloud nine just seeing him again. Clementine giggled when she noticed everything was shaped to be a smiley face. This was paradise. God, if this was a dream she hoped she never woke up.

Ed looks up from the paper he's reading and smiles. The last time she saw him, he was a rotting walker in the streets, his arm having been mostly chewed up. Both her parents were healthy, happy, and alive. "You usually complain when I make the smiley eggs. Y'know, that you're not a little kid anymore."

"I just…" Clementine began, fighting back tears again. She didn't need to look like a weirdo to her parents. "I just love you guys so much."

"We love you too, Clem," he replies, his brows raising. "Damn, who took over your body? You've never acted like this before."

"I don't know," Diana says as she sits down beside her husband with her own breakfast. "But, I like them."

Clementine ravenously took another bite of her bacon. It had been so long since she ate real food. Not that processed canned shit, but real, honest to God food. "I love the smiley eggs," she said in between swallows before taking a large sip of orange juice. She missed orange juice the most. You never know what you appreciate until it's gone and it was these little moments Clementine missed the most. "And I love you, daddy."

Ed's eyes widen before turning to Diana. "Are we sure she wasn't abducted by aliens or something?"

"No, silly!" Clementine laughed.

"Alright, because the last time we talked you were complaining about not going out with Becca on Friday." He bit into his muffin and dipped a bit of into his coffee. He was so weird like that, but it was one of those little moments, and Clementine chuckled.

"I think I'd rather spend the weekend with you guys, anyway," she replied, watching her parents stare at each other in shock.

"Is she running a fever?" Diana whispered. "Clementine, are you alright?"

"Yep," she said as she walked over to the sink and washed her dishes off. "So, when are we going to the store? I'm excited for today!"

Her parents were still awe-struck as Clementine raced upstairs to get changed. It had been so long since she had been to the store besides Howes-if you could even count that as a store at the point- and she was thrilled to see everything again. This was more exciting than Disney World! She changed out of her pajamas into something more fashionable: shorts, a slightly too big t-shirt (having that cute Jason or whoever on it) that were tied up in the front, sneakers that looked pretty expensive, and her hat. Clementine couldn't help but grin and check herself out when she got a good look of herself in the mirror while she was brushing her teeth. God, she looked so cool. Like one of the teenagers in those shows she used to watch on Disney Channel with Sandra.

"Clementine!" She can hear her mother cry downstairs ten minutes later. "Clementine, are you coming or what?"

She washed her mouth and traced her tongue over her pearly whites. Dental hygiene had been hard during the apocalypse and it was a miracle when she could actually brush her teeth. Her teeth always had a yellow tint to them, not like she was worried about that when she was caring for a newborn and running from walkers, but it was nice to keep your appearance up. When you're clean, you feel good about yourself. And boy did she feel good about herself right now. "Yeah," she called, "I'm coming down right now!"

She beat her mother out the door, running to the familiar, black SUV she drove. It had been forever since she saw that car- back when Lee had first found her- and by then, it was covered in dirt, grime, and walker guts. But now it looked like it was from straight from the assembly line. Her mom had always made sure it was clean at all times. Clementine jumped into the front seat and quickly put on her seatbelt. Feeling the leather and smelling it, she leaned back and closed her eyes, sighing. This couldn't have been a dream… This had to be real.

Diana started up the car and chuckled when she noticed her daughter's euphoria. "I have never seen anyone so happy to go to the grocery store before." Clementine beamed and snuggled further into the seat, causing the older woman to laugh harder. "You are a strange child, Clementine."

"Yeah, but I'm your strange child."

"Yes, yes you are."

The radio was on- playing some song about the hills having eyes or something- and Clementine bobbed her head along to it. The beat, the singing, everything about it was amazing and she realized how long it had been since she even heard the Top 40 hits. Four years of music she missed. Damn, the biggest song she remembered was something about Diamonds in the Sky. The next song was about a group of friends who were heathens- which made Clementine think about her old groups with a chuckle- and she turned it up. This was her favorite by far and she was never going to get it out of her head.

"They never play this song anymore," Diana says, "which is a damn shame because it's one of the only good ones that came out this year."

The teenager gasps when the beat drops. This was an awakening. "I love it!" She whispered. "This is the best song I've ever heard."

"But, you're cheating on your future husband!" Her mother puts a hand to her chest, feigning horror as Clementine's eyes widen. "What would Jason think?"

She shrugged. "I don't know nor do I care," she said as her mother's fake horror turned real. "All I know is that I got to listen to these guys in concert-" She stopped when they entered the town, her jaw dropping.

It's weird seeing the streets so lively and clean. Before, litter, corpses, and grass barely beginning to grow covered the sidewalks. The shops were open- some more busy than others- but, there was life. She saw an old woman walking her dog, cops putting tickets on cars that were parked in the fire lanes, and people hanging out at the Starbucks and various other coffee shops. Clementine puts her hands on the window and stared like a child in a candy store, her eyes lighting up. There's so much going on that it seemed eery that the last time she was here everything was still. Someone passes by them blaring rap and she examines each and every bumper sticker on the car in front of them when they stop. Some show off their family with little stick figures, others have their pets, and other have their political orientation. One large, red truck, which she swears she's seen before, has a fishing pole rack in the back, holding about three poles. Her eyes narrow when she sees the license plate… Fort Lauderdale. That's Kenny's truck! Oh my God!

Diana smiles and turns to her. "We're behind Kenny, how funny is that!"

"You know him?" Clementine asked.

"Clementine, him and his family moved into the neighborhood four years ago! Of course, I know him!" She taps on the horn to get the Floridian's attention. "Let's see if he knows we're here."

She can see Kenny turn his head back to them angrily, probably thinking it's some jackass beeping him before he relaxes. Clementine can't see his face but she knows he's smiling, and he waves to them. Clementine beams and waves back before the light turns green and he drives off, making a left and entering the supermarket parking lot. "Would you look at that!" Diana said. "What a coincidence, huh?"

Clementine nods and grins like a mad man when they turn into the somewhat crowded lot, pulling into a space right next to his truck. Kenny's already out and making his way towards them by the time they stop the car. He's not as unkempt as he was the last time she saw him on the playground- he's got the old mustache which is nearly gray, he's wearing a white t-shirt, jeans, and boots, and his eye is no longer damaged- he tips his hat to her and smiles. "Well, if it isn't the lovely Diana Marsh and Clementine-" He can barely finish before the teenager runs to hug him. She buries her face into his shirt and smiles when the scent of nicotine and fish guts greets her nostril. He must have just gotten back from a fishing trip. "Someone's happy to see me!"

"Clementine!" Diana frowns as she pulls away, smiling up at the older man.

"Your beard!" Clementine said and pointed at his chin. "It's gone!"

Kenny laughed and rubbed his now clean-shaven chin. "Yep," he began, "Katjaa gave me an ultimatum. Either I shave the beard or sleep on the couch!" He crossed his arms and Clementine giggled. "It's fine if I have it to be her work's annual Santa Claus, but only then. I kinda liked it, too."

"How is Katjaa?" Diana asked. "I heard they're moving her office to this plaza."

"Yeah, she's not too happy about it either, but they'll have more room now." Kenny shrugged. "Besides, she'll be closer to home so Duck won't have to worry about being late to his baseball practice." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "Did I tell you my boy won the championship for his team? Huge home run! It went out right of the park!" Clementine blinked when he took out a picture of a freckled teenage boy standing beside both Katjaa and Kenny in a red and white baseball uniform holding a bat. No way was that Duck! Duck was small and skinny, but in the photo, he nearly towered over Kenny and the muscles in his arms were defined. She wouldn't have been able to recognize him if it wasn't for that goofy grin plastered on his face. Even his hair, which had been in a buzz cut, was grown out.

"Oh, Kenny," Diana says, "he's getting so big."

"I know," he replies with a frown, "he's eating me out of house and home. The kid just turned fifteen and he's still not done growing, God help me. At least he's calmed down for the most part."

Clementine's still examining the picture when Kenny puts it back. "Yeah, he's a good looking kid, I know." She blushes when he hears that and lowers her hat over her face. Maybe she was dreaming because she would never be caught dead thinking Duck of all people was cute. Well, she was technically dead… Kenny snickers at her embarrassment and pats her on the shoulder. "I'm just kidding, Clementine!"

"Well, we'll let you go, Kenny," The older woman smiles and puts a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

He nodded. "Alright," he paused and looked down at Clementine. "You know, Duck's having a game on Saturday. Now, I don't know what you crazy teenage girls do on the weekend, but I would really appreciate it if you went. He hasn't seen you in forever and I think it would mean the world for him-"

"Of course," she interrupts, ignoring her mother fighting back a smirk. "I mean… I'd love to go, yeah."

"Great!" Kenny cried, beaming. "It starts around noon at Macon Field. Katjaa and I can pick you up and maybe afterward we can go explore the town. How's that sound?"

Macon. The last time she and Kenny were down in Macon, they had been staying in the old Motor Inn with the group… the original group. The Everett Pharmacy was there as well and that meant his parents and brother were alive. He was alive. They were all alive. She could see them all again. Clementine took a shaky breath and nodded, grinning. "Yes! That's-yes!"

"Well, okay then, little lady," he chuckled, tipping his hat. "I guess I'll see you there." And with that, he walked over to get his cart and made his way to the mart's large automatic doors.

Diana's brows furrowed and she stared at the other with a puzzled expression. "You haven't hung out with Duck in years," she said as they began to venture to the front of the store. She grabbed a cart and became more troubled when Clementine began to play with the automatic door. It was if it was if the girl was a toddler again. "W-What's with this sudden change in attitude?" She watched as her daughter gaped as they entered, racing to the produce aisle like a mad woman and staring at every fruit and vegetable with a look of wonder. "I mean I don't mind it," she began as Clementine picked up a perfect, Red Delicious apple. "It's just… well, you're usually complaining the entire time we're here."

Clementine held the fruit to her chest and closed her eyes, sighing dreamily. She hadn't eaten an apple since Lee gave her one on the St. John's farm and it was her favorite fruit. "Yes, Clementine, that's an apple." She heard her mother mumble. "You're causing a scene. Everyone's staring at us."

She opened her eyes and looked up at Diana, beaming.

"Clementine, you're hugging an apple!" Diana hissed, cringing when she noticed the shoppers gawking at them. "I'll get you the apple if you stop, Jesus Christ. Just stop." She took the fruit from Clementine's hands and put it in a bag. "Good lord, what's wrong with you, child?"

The other shrugged dreamily before wandering to the cereal aisle. Most of the cereal before was dust by now or full of flies. There were so many to choose from and Clementine's mouth turned into an 'o' shape as she examined the boxes. There was Coco Bat Balls! Oh, and Lucky Charms! She loved Lucky Charms! On the other side of the aisle were snack cakes and cookies! She gasped and picked up a box full of Yummy Cupcakes. They usually went stale a week after you bought them! It had been years since she last took a bite and got to taste their creamy, chocolate filling. She hugged the box and ran off to the next aisle, eager to explore more.

After scaring the workers in the bakery, watching the lobsters swim around the tank near the sushi for a good five minutes, and crying when she saw ice cream, Clementine was sure her mother was probably going to have a heart attack. She used to when she would wander off. Then again, she was a teenager now. Clementine had more freedom, responsibilities, and what not, but the whole time she was busy just trying to survive. It was as if the normal world continued on without her. Surely, there was someone else who remembered.

She met up with her mother at the front of the store by the cash registers. Diana was paying for the almost insane amount of groceries- though considering she was close to starving for four years- this whole place seemed insane. There was so, so much food in the card and on the small conveyor belt. Diana smirked and rolled her eyes when she saw the Yummy Cupcakes before taking it out of her hand and handing it to the clerk. He was tall- towering over the two women- and so gangly. His light brown hair was shaggy, his chin was adorned with stubble in a sad attempt to grow a beard, and he wore a college hoodie over his uniform. Clementine had to do a double-take when she saw him.

Her mom takes the now bagged groceries and puts them in the cart. "How's school going for you, Ben? I heard you're almost done."

"Y-Yeah," his voice cracks slightly and Clementine fights back a laugh. Yep, this was Ben all right. Unlike Duck, he seemed to not age a day. "I'm graduating next year and then I'm hoping to get picked up by Doug's company."

"Wow, that didn't take long!" Diana replies. "When I graduated college, it took me forever to find a job."

Ben nodded and blushed when he noticed the teenage girl grinning at him. "Well, Doug's always been talking about convincing his boss to pick me up after I'm done. He's the reason why I'm studying computer science and graphic design."

Doug was okay, too. That was good to know. She didn't remember him well, Lee had saved Carley instead, but he seemed like a nice guy.

"A-Anyway," he stammered, looking down at Clementine awkwardly, "you excited for the eight grade?"

"I guess," she shrugged. The last time I was in school, I was in the third grade. Or was it the second? Shit, I can't remember, she thought. "It'll be nice to go back."

"That was my favorite year!" Ben smiled as Diana finished paying. "You get to go on a lot of cool field trips and stuff. Like, we went to New York City and Washington D.C."

Clementine had never been to New York City. She and AJ were going to make an attempt to go to Washington before… well… you know. There had been a large community, Alexandria, that had been taking in survivors. "I've always wanted to go to New York City," she said.

"It's so much fun up there, but it's kinda claustrophobic," Ben began, "and it smells sometimes…" He began to go off about how he stepped in dog shit in Central Park with Travis and his ex-girlfriend, Jenny Pitcher. Diana glanced at Clementine and motioned towards the door. Yep, it was time to go.

"Bye, Ben!"

"Oh, and don't take a picture with Elmo!" They heard him yell as they walk out. "You see Elmo, you run! Don't make the same mistake I made unless you want to get your ass beat by Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster, and Spongebob!"

"That was certainly eventful, huh?" Diana started up the car and put on her seatbelt. Clementine pulled out her apple and munched on it greedily. God, it tasted so good. The teenager exhaled loudly before turning to her mother, nodding. "Should have gotten one for myself," the older woman smiled.

"It is noon."

"Yeah," she huffed, tapping on the leather steering wheel. "Damn, I guess I'll stop at McDonald's or something."

Clementine smirked.

"Yeah, lunch of champions, I know," Diana smirked, rolling her eyes.

"Could I get something, too?" Clementine asked. It had been forever since she had a Big Mac.

"Sure," she said, suddenly going through her purse. "Oh, I nearly forgot! Your father asked if we could stop at Howes real quick."

Clementine's eyes widened and she froze mid bite.

"I know, I know, I hate that place, too," Diana laughed. "But, your dad's looking for a valve to the pool. He wants to get it up and running this week. After that, we can go get McDonald's."

"O-Oh, okay," Clementine said weakly. She wouldn't dare disobey her mother and weird her out even more. Besides, it would be fun to swim in her old pool again. When was the last time she had gotten to swim? Well, the lake but… yeah. Hopefully, her mom would be fast. That place brought back bad memories.

A/N: I love little slice of life moments, especially for a character who has been through so much like Clementine. I can see her appreciating all the little things- those little moments, or wonders (yes this chapter and whole fic was inspired by Little Wonders by Rob Thomas). A trip to the grocery store may seem so dull, menial, or routine to us, but to Clementine, it's thrilling. I know some fics have the characters dying and living happily, but I wanted to show Clementine's joy. How every little thing (like an apple and going out with her mom) is a treasure because you don't know when it'll be gone. She's not letting go anymore.

On a funny note, yes Ben was beat up by Sesame Street characters and Spongebob in Times Square. That's such a Ben thing and considering Travis runs his mouth, it was bound to happen. Will he go into detail? Maybe.