Bindie, yeah I was trying to go for something a little different from what I've read on here so far. Most stories I find stick with the series timeline and I kind of do the same but my story is of a future when they move on from the prison. Anyways thank you for the review:) and trust me there is a lot more action to come!
The sun has dawned by the time I finish my shower. I pull on a pair of jeans, a flowing, teal colored shirt, and my old riding boots, grabbing my jacket as I walk out the door. I meet Maggie and Glenn on my way down the stairs, giving both of them a good morning and a smile, feeling rejuvenated from the hot shower.
"Did you ever get anymore sleep?" Glenn calls from behind me.
"I'll get plenty of sleep when I'm dead." I reply, glancing over my shoulder giving them a wink, which sparks a laugh out of both of them.
Before I even make it down the last stair case, I smell something delicious cooking. I pop into the kitchen to see Beth and Carol plating up eggs and bacon with homemade biscuits. My mouth starts watering as I realize how hungry I was, but I know that Chenoa and Raven will start getting restless if I leave them in the barn any longer. So with a woeful glance at the hot food, I turn for the door,
"I'll be back for breakfast, make sure they save some for me!" I call out as I open the door, walking right into Rick. I yelp and jump back, "I'm so sorry," I say breathlessly, "I wasn't even paying attention."
He laughs easily, putting a hand on my shoulder to steady me, "It's alright, you already ate?"
"Not yet," I reply quickly, "I have to go let the horses out before they break my barn down."
"I'll go with you," he says, releasing his grip on my shoulder, "I needed to talk to you about last night anyways." He adds with tension lacing his voice.
-What does he mean talk to me about last night? Because I took over for Glenn or because I didn't tell him? Not like it matters what he does or doesn't know, its my farm after all. I muse with uncertainty.
We walk in comfortable silence to the barn, as he opens the door I wandered where Daryl had went off to, maybe I just missed him at the house.
"I talked to Glenn this morning," Rick starts, "and I wanted to apologize for not saying anything about the night watches, I know it's not my place to just do these things without your permission anymore." He continues with sincere sorrow in his voice, "I hope we didn't offend."
"No, of course not." I say, "it just surprised me that's all."
"Glenn also said you took my watch, and I'm very appreciative of that, but it wasn't your responsibility." He says with guilt in his eyes.
I stop moving, grab his arms and look at him, "You needed the rest Rick," I say seriously, looking deep in his eyes, "you have your responsibilities to your group, and you can't take care of them if you don't get some more sleep." He just looks down at me with those sky blue eyes and nods, accepting that what I'm saying is the truth and I did it for the best of the group, which he couldn't argue.
We get back to the house just in time to get our own plates and sit down at the big table. I take a seat between Rick and Carl and eat slowly, simply enjoying all the conversation going around. I look around to see Beth holding Judith in her arms trying with all her might to get the infant to take a bottle but Judith was having no part of it.
Just as I see defeat in Beth's eyes, I give her a smile as I stand and make my way over to her.
"May I?" I ask politely, holding out open arms.
Beth seems to sag in relief as I gently take the fussy baby into my arms. She hands me the warm bottle as I make my way back to my seat, cooing at Judith the whole way. I sit down to offer her the bottle again, she refuses at first but with a little more baby talk, I have her convinced that it's really not so bad and she begins to gulp down her breakfast.
This earns me a warm laugh from Rick, I look at him only to notice a glow about him I had yet to see before now. I take it in a moment longer before looking back to the rest of the table. Everyone is smiling and in high spirits this morning, I even see Daryl talking with Carol, a smile coming to her lips every now and then. Maybe it's from the new found safety of being on the farm or just the faint sense of a normal life coming back to them, there is no real way to know.
-They're.. happy. You helped them find a sliver a happiness in all the tragedy that had become their lives. I can't help but to smile at that little detail, for it makes me feel a surge of happiness too.
No matter what the source of their happiness is, whether it's come from myself or something else, they deserve every second of it.
And for the first time, in a very long time, I feel hope.
Sorry guys! I know this one was pretty short, but work beckons me:( Promise I'll post again tonight! Don't forget to leave more reviews! ;D