For Those You Love

Chapter 7

"Come on, We've got to go!" Lee bellowed up the stairs of his home. It had been eight years (and a bit) since that night. Now, he was rushing to and fro, gathering as much survival equipment as possible. "Clementine Hope Everett, get your skinny little butt down here now!"

"I'm coming, dad!" A voice called back. He rolled his eyes, seeing a small form appear on the landing. His daughter strolled down the stairs, her thick curly hair sticking out from underneath a purple and white cap he had bought her for her seventh birthday. A light yellow sundress had been pulled over her thin body and a pair of leggings covered her legs.

"About time." He muttered, smiling as she came to a halt beside him and tugged her hat on further, making it cover her eyes. "You got everything?"

"Yeah." She replied, gently tapping her rucksack and looking up at her father. Hazel orbs bore into his as she asked the question he dreaded. "Where's mom?"

He sighed, kneeling down in front of her and taking her small hands in his. He looked up, staring directly into her oh so beautiful eyes.

"I don't know, Clem. But she'll be okay. I promise." He smiled, standing once again and leading her out of the door. None of the… well… monsters were in sight. He thought he had been seeing things when a dead person (that's right a dead person!) walked up his drive and almost bit him. "Stay close to me."

Before he knew it, he was pulling out of their street and around the corner. He looked back one last time at the house that held so many memories. He and Carley had consummated their marriage in that house… Clementine learned how to walk, talk, and ride a bike in that driveway!

"Dad? Are you okay?" A voice called, snapping him from his thoughts. He nodded, pulling out his wallet and flipping it open, revealing a tatty old photograph.

A young woman stared up at him, emerald green orbs shining and her husband's arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder. In the woman's arms, a baby slept, clutching her father's green hospital robe.

He handed the picture over to the little girl on his right. She looked at it in confusion and he gestured for her to flip it over, revealing sloppy handwriting.

Lee Everett- Age 28

Carley Everett- Age 26

Clementine Hope Everett- Age 1 Hour

"That's you and mom?" She asked softly, looking up at her father. Boy, had he changed. A thick coat of stubble now adorned his face and wrinkles marked his forehead. Her mom, however, hadn't changed one bit! Even the scar on her right cheek remained the same.

He nodded, smiling at her softly. He gently reached over to take it back and slipped it back in his pocket. Slowly, he flicked the radio on, hoping to calm both of their nerves.

"…here at WABE: Atlanta, we wish you and your families all the best. We ourselves have lost numerous people and would like to thank them for their selfless sacrifice."

Clementine stiffened in her seat, her breathing getting faster. Lee patted her knee gently, soothing her to an extent. "She's fine, sweet-pea. I promise."

"Across Georgia, there are countless cities and areas that have been overrun. There are: Savannah, Atlanta, Marietta, Warner Robins and Columbus-"

Lee cut the reporter off, not wanting to know the outcome of his statement. He looked over to his right and saw Clementine sat curled in her seat, staring out at the night.

"It'll be okay, baby girl."

"But what about mom?" She replied through red rimmed eyes. Lee ran a shaky hand through his hair.

"She'll be fine."

Twenty Minutes Later

Arguing was never one of Lee's strong points. That was why he'd never won one with Carley. But, when It came to the welfare of children, he could win anyone over.

"NO. You don't touch that boy, you don't TOUCH anybody." He growled, standing up to the older (and much taller) man. He laughed slightly, only angering Lee more. "I've got a little girl I'm trying to protect in here too. You want to get violent you old fuck?! Well, COME ON. You better have a plan to kill me though, because it's ME before anyone else in here."

A scream filled their ears and Lee's head snapped around. Clementine had was by the toilet, her ankle being snapped at by a monster. He bolted over as fast as he could, nearly sending a woman who was emerging from the office flying in the process.

He pushed the walker away from them roughly, trying his best to restrain the growls and snarls when…

BLAM!

The monster went limp in his hands and fell to the ground. He looked over to see his saviour when he heard Clementine shriek once again, this time flinging herself into an awaiting hug.

"Mommy!" She sobbed, relaxing into Carley's maternal embrace and wrapping her little arms around her neck. Carley moved her hand in a circular motion, lifting Clementine off the floor and holding her close.

"I'm here, baby… Oh, I thought I'd lost you…"

Two Hours Later

"Are you sure you don't want to stay with us tonight, sweetheart?" Carley asked softly, smoothing her daughter's hair and sitting beside her bed. Lee stood at the foot of the bed and smiled, watching the exchange.

"I'm sure, mommy." She replied, her eyes already drooping at the soothing touch of her mother's fingers. Carley stood and pressed a soft kiss to the eight-year-olds forehead, walking over to the doorway that had been opened by her husband.

"Goodnight…" She whispered, walking away and closing the door behind them.

They strode across the parking lot and entered their room, seeing a double bed awaiting them. They closed their door and began to undress, stripping down to just their underclothes. Carley shivered as the cold air hit her skin (She didn't pack that morning, so she was in just her bra and panties). Lee noticed this, slipped his baggy, white undershirt off and handed it over. She looked at him sceptically, raising her eyebrows. When he didn't put it back on, she gently took it and pulled it over her head.

If the situation hadn't been so serious, he would have laughed, as it fell to way past her knees. He pulled back the covers and curled up. She copied his actions, cuddling into him with her face buried in his chest as he wrapped a protective arm around her.

"Lee?" He heard. He looked down and saw his wife staring at him through dark-rimmed eyes. He knew at once what she was going to say. "Are you okay? James and Christine… Brad… Jesus…"

"There's nothing to say…" He replied, his voice cracking slightly. She looked as if she were about to respond but dismissed it, hugging back into his chest.

A/N- Okay, so we have the apocalypse! I know there was a huge time-jump but I seriously wanted to write this down! I'll update as fast as I can! HPTwin OUT!