Thank you for all the reviews you've given me, you folks had me either laughing or crying at the comments and it's so encouraging, it makes me want to write the next chapter immediately. So... here it is!

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Rick's head snapped to Enid. He wanted to ask her what the hell she was talking about, but Michonne had closed her eyes and he didn't want to stress her. He wanted to ask a million questions, but he was applying pressure to Michonne's wound and he couldn't get up and move. He turned pale and his head began to spin. He thought he might pass out.

When we do the C-section… we don't have anesthesia.

Rick closed his eyes and took a deep breath to keep himself from trembling. This was too much. Michonne had already been through too much. He looked at Enid who had an apologetic expression on her face. She looked like she wanted to say more, but neither of them wanted to tell Michonne yet. They wanted to let her get as much rest as she could.

He gave Enid a curt nod and stared down at the knife that was threatening the life of his wife and his baby.

Who did this to her?

Rick searched the room for the first time since he got back and was startled to see three bodies on the floor. He could tell from the injuries that Michonne had taken them all out. That's my girl.

He studied the body of the woman closest to Michonne. She was the only one without a mask on, and Rick immediately noticed she was still breathing. He quickly turned to Enid. "Who is that?" he whispered.

Enid who had gotten lost in her thoughts, turned to see who Rick was talking about.

"That is Alpha" Lydia responded, startling Rick and Enid who had forgotten about her.

"According to Omeg… Um, Tommy, that's what he goes by now, that's who stabbed her" Enid added.

"Here, press down" Rick ordered, motioning to Michonne's abdomen. Without another word Enid took over pressing on Michonne as Rick quickly got to his feet. He pulled his knife and kneeled down next to Alpha who had been stabbed in the abdomen and chest. Rick wished she was conscious so she could see the face of the person who finally ended her, but he'd have to settle. He quickly jammed his knife into her brain, killing her.

"Stupid bitch" he spat, full of venom for the woman who might possibly have killed his wife and baby and tried to put his other children in danger.

Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. Rick looked to Enid with a questioning expression and she mouthed 'Tommy'.

Lydia snuck to the window and looked out, seeing the small boy carrying a large bag that was half his size. She quickly opened the door and Tommy, out of breath, stumbled inside dropping the bag. Rick quickly hugged him, surprising the boy, but he didn't pull away.

"They're all dead" he said. Rick pulled back from Tommy and squinted his eyes so he could see him better. "Who?"

"Everyone in the infirmary. Dr. Carson, he's dead too"

Enid's mouth dropped open and she brought her hands to her face, momentarily forgetting about Michonne. Michonne let out a low moan as water began to drip from the wound again, and Enid quickly recovered, but Michonne woke up.

Rick went pale and glanced at Enid who looked like she was about to throw up. He quickly scooted over next to her and put his hands back on Michonne, allowing Enid to move her hands away.

I can't do this by myself. I don't know how. Oh my God I'm gonna kill Michonne and the baby. Carl will hate me. Rick will hate me. The whole family will hate me. I can't. I can't.

In normal circumstances, where there were teams of doctors and all the necessary medical equipment, this would be a difficult surgery. Michonne's organs could go into failure at any moment from lack of blood flow, plus, with the C-section she would be losing more blood and there was no way to replenish the blood she'd lose, making her blood pressure drop even faster. Also, the knife jutting from her body was full of bacteria and they only had basic antibiotics. She most likely would have an infection, and if the knife injured the baby, it would too. Enid also noticed the lack of blood coming from the knife wound. Although not bleeding helped to keep Michonne alive this long, once the pressure from the knife was removed, Enid may not be able to control the bleeding and she could bleed out on the kitchen table. And then there was the fact that this baby was a month premature. There was no guarantee that the baby would be able to breathe on its own, and without incubators or equipment, the baby may die regardless of what she did. To add insult to injury, Enid wasn't a doctor and had little experience with this type of surgery involving two patients.

The weight of all their problems suddenly weighed down on Enid. Before she could think about it she burst into tears, and she got up as quickly as she could with her injury and pregnancy to leave the room so as not to disturb Michonne. With Rick's eyes following her, she limped into the kitchen, startling Carl. Once inside the kitchen she sobbed, sliding down the wall until she was sitting on the floor.

Carl came immediately, plopping down on the floor next to her and resting her head against his chest. He began to cry too. They didn't say a word, both lost in their emotions and taking comfort in each other's presence.

"She may die" Enid sniffled. "She… she's probably gonna die… Dr. Carson is dead and I can't do this… Oh God… I'm so sorry" she said, crying into Carl's chest.

Carl, startled by the news, just stared. "Dr. Carson is… he's dead?"

Enid nodded her head and started sobbing again. Carl felt himself begin to panic, but looking down at his wife a sudden calm came over him. She can do this. I know she can.

"Enid" Carl said calmly. She didn't look up. Carl gently cupped her chin and pulled her tear streaked face up to meet his. "Enid" he said again, forcing her eyes to meet his. "You can do this. I know, because I've seen what you can do. You saved that woman who had a spear in her arm. You've saved countless other people who've come back injured from runs. You are a doctor and an amazing one at that, and now you're the only doctor this town has. And you're my wife, and that makes you even more awesome" Carl said, causing Enid to give a half smile. "No matter what happens, we will always love you. I will always love you. We will never blame you. This, all of this, isn't your fault. If she lives, if the baby lives, it's because of you. If she dies, it's because of them. Don't ever worry about disappointing me 'cuz it's not gonna happen."

Tears of relief ran down Enid's face. Carl told her exactly what she need to hear. That he wouldn't hate her if Michonne and the baby didn't make it. That was what she feared the most.

She wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand and took a breath. "Ok. I'll try my best" she said. Carl got up and pulled her to her feet, noticing for the first time the blood running down her leg.

"You're hurt" he said. Enid looked down at her thigh. "Yea, one of them slashed me".

"Sit" Carl commanded, pushing a chair behind Enid.

"I have to start the surgery…" Enid started.

"Not until you're taken care of" Carl said, cutting her off. "We don't know how long it will take and I'm not gonna have you bleeding to death while you're trying to save her."

Enid nodded and Carl took out a knife, cutting a slit all the way up Enid's jeans so that he could get to the thigh wound. Just then, Judy came in carrying the alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. "Thanks Judy" Carl said, taking the bottles from her and dabbing some peroxide onto Enid's leg.

"Judy, go into the bag that Tommy brought back and bring some bandages. They should be in the left front pocket" Enid said. Judy left to do what she asked. When Judy left, Carl bent down to kiss Enid. "During the surgery I'll stay in the bedroom with Judy, Joy and… Tommy is it? But if you need me for anything… anything… even if you just need a hug, I'll be there. Ok? I love you."

Enid nodded, and when Judy came back with the bandages Enid watched as Carl gently wrapped up her leg.

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Rick looked down at his wife who was now awake again. Her beautiful brown eyes were staring into his, and as usual, they were talking without using words. The look that the two of them were giving each other was simple.

I love you.

A single tear fell from Rick's eyes.

"Dr. Carson is dead" Michonne said simply.

Rick nodded his head.

Michonne closed her eyes. She knew what this meant for her, but her baby could have a chance.

"Rick… save the baby… it's easiest for Enid to just cut it out… don't worry about me."

"No. How can you say that?" Rick asked.

"Our baby… please… if it died because Enid was trying to save me…" tears started to pour out of Michonne's eyes. "I would die… on the inside"

Rick began to cry. "I'm not sacrificing you… I need you… the family needs you"

"Just… if it comes down to one of us… please pick the baby Rick"

Rick nodded his head and then tried to mentally prepare himself for what he was going to say next.

"Michonne… we don't have anesthesia."

She was quiet and her eyes looked up at the ceiling. She took two deep breaths and more tears began to fall from her eyes. "Ok" she said, her voice shaking.

Rick leaned over her as best he could, keeping his hands on her belly, as he kissed her lips gently. He could feel her trembling.

"It's ok" he whispered. "I know you're scared. It's ok. You don't have to be brave in front of me." His words penetrated her tough exterior and she began to sob uncontrollably. Rick nuzzled his cheek against hers as she cried, letting out all the pain and fear that she'd been holding on to since walkers were spotted outside of their trailer hours earlier.

"I know baby, I know" he said into her ear as she cried. "I'll be there with you the whole time. Just look in my eyes. I'll do whatever you need me to do."

She cried until her sobs turned into whimpers. He had never seen her this way, so vulnerable and helpless. He leaned back and looked into her eyes, seeing such sadness there. He kissed her forehead and cheeks.

"I… want… to see… my babies" she hiccupped out.

"Ok" he said, and she raised her hand to wipe her eyes.

Rick called the kids out one by one so Michonne could talk to them, and in the meantime Carl and Enid got to work preparing the kitchen to be an operating room.

Rick called Joy first and she came and kneeled next to Michonne. "Mommy?" Joy asked, seeing how upset Michonne was. Michonne reached up and ran her fingers through Joy's curly hair and looked into her blue eyes. "I love you Joyjoy…you know that right?"

Joy nodded her head. "I love you too Mommy". Michonne swallowed to hold back her tears. "You are so special to me. You make me so happy. Your middle name, Andrea, you were named after two people who I loved so much. And I…" Michonne took a deep breath. "And you'll always give me joy. I know you were holding my hand a little while ago, and I'm so proud of you. And I know you'll grow up to be a strong, beautiful woman. You take care of your little brother or sister ok?"

Joy looked down at Michonne in confusion. "I will, but you'll be there to take care of him too, right Mommy?". Michonne let out a little laugh at Joy calling the baby a him.

"Yea" she said, but it wasn't very convincing.

"She will" Rick said. "Ok honey, tell Judy to come in here and then go back into Enid's room, you're gonna have to stay there a while".

"Ok daddy" Joy said, but she knew something serious was about to happen. She leaned down and kissed Michonne's forehead, and then went to find Judy.

Rick looked down at Michonne and saw her lip was trembling. He leaned over and kissed her cheek to give her strength.

Judy came in from the kitchen and kneeled down in front of them. "Hi baby girl" Michonne said. "Mommy, are you gonna be ok?" Judy asked. Michonne looked up at the ceiling again to compose herself. "I don't know Judy. But no matter what I'll always be with you. I just wanted to thank you. You saved my life today. You were so smart to push down on me. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have made it this far. And I saw how you tried to take care of your sister. I'm so proud… so proud of you."

Judy began to cry. "Mommy, I don't want you to die. Please don't die"

Rick and Michonne both began to cry too. "I don't want to either. I'll try not to ok? I'll fight as long as I can. You know I'll fight. I love you so much Judy. My big girl."

Judy reached down and kissed Michonne's cheek and Michonne kissed Judy's. Unable to speak, Michonne nodded at Rick and he said "Ok, go to the room Judy, keep Joy company". Judy turned and left, and Michonne nodded at Tommy who was watching all of this from the living room.

Rick motioned for him to come over with his head, and Tommy seemed shocked that they wanted to talk to him, but he came over and knelt like Joy and Judy had done.

"Ome… Tommy. Thank you. You saved me and my girls at least three times today. You stopped Alpha from hurting me again, you stopped those others from turning, and you brought back that bag. Thank you so much… if you want to be, you're our son too. We love you, and you always have a home with us and our family."

Tommy's eyes got wide. He nodded quickly.

Rick smiled. He didn't know all the things that Tommy had done for his family. "Thank you" he said again, looking into Tommy's eyes.

A tear fell down Tommy's cheek and Michonne wiped it away. "Ok, go ahead into the room son" Rick said. Tommy smiled and then went to follow the girls.

Lydia watched the scene from the door where she had been standing watch since she entered the house. She was amazed and fascinated by these people. Although she was saddened by the fact that three of the people she'd formerly lived with were now lying dead in the living room, she was impressed that a pregnant woman, and the boy who was considered the weakest one in the group had taken them out. She witnessed how they had adopted Omega and cared for him, even though he wasn't their own, and how he cared for them too. She only hoped that they'd accept her the same way.

Rick called for Enid and Carl together. The two of them came out of the kitchen together, holding hands. Carl had tears falling down his face, and Enid was visibly upset. Michonne reached out to Carl and he took her hand.

"Remember when Negan took me, and I promised you I'd be ok?" Michonne asked.

Carl nodded. "No matter what happens. I'll be ok. I know that you and your dad will take care of this family. You have been taking care of this family since you were a little boy. I am so proud of the man you've become. I love you always Carl, and I know you'll be such a great dad" she added, looking at Enid. "The both of you…" her voice broke and she took a moment to compose herself again. "The both of you will be great parents, because the love that you have for each other will make everything ok."

"I love you mom" Carl said.

She then turned to Enid. "Enid, I trust you with my life. I know you'll do the best you can for me and my baby. No matter what happens, it's not your fault. If you weren't here, my baby and I wouldn't even have a chance, so thank you. I love you Enid, you're my daughter and I love you". Enid burst into tears and bent down to kiss Michonne's forehead.

"I love you too… I'm so sorry for everything that's happened to you… I'll do my best, I promise".

To Lydia's shock, Carl called her over to join them. Lydia slowly walked over feeling completely awkward and out of place.

"Mom, Enid, this is who saved me from the Walker People. If it weren't for Lydia I wouldn't be here. She got me away from them and she helped me get back here."

Michonne smiled, and Enid got up and hugged Lydia. Lydia had not been hugged by anyone in years, and she was taken aback by the affection, but seeing the grateful smile on Enid's face put her at ease. "Thank you Lydia, for bringing back my husband" Enid said. "We owe you".

Michonne smiled at Lydia and whispered "thank you".

Lydia, feeling completely overwhelmed by the kindness simply nodded her head and backed away.

Enid knelt back down and then looked at Rick, her eyes asking him if he had told her the problem with the surgery yet. He nodded.

Michonne, reading both of their body language nodded. "I know…" she said.

"I'm sorry Michonne" Enid said. "I… I hope it'll be quick… before you pass out"

Michonne nodded.

"Ok, we have to move her to the kitchen table and it's gonna take all hands on deck. We need to do this carefully, we don't want to move the knife too much. Rick take her upper body, Carl take her legs, I'll keep pressure on her, and Lydia, you support her back". Lydia was surprised to be included once again, but she nodded and stepped forward.

Everyone got into position around Michonne and on a count of three they lifted her together. The sudden movement caused Michonne to cry out in pain, and the fluid started to leak once again. Enid tried to press down quickly to stop the flow, but it wasn't working without Michonne laying on a flat surface.

"Hurry!" Enid yelled, and they shuffled to move her to the table as quickly as possible. Once she was laying flat again, Rick applied pressure to the wound.

"Ok, Carl you have to go now. Everyone else needs to wash their hands."

Carl leaned down and kissed Michonne's forehead telling her "You'll be ok mom." He then reluctantly left the kitchen. Enid and Lydia washed their hands thoroughly in the sink, and then Lydia took Rick's place as Rick washed his hands. Enid pulled out gloves and masks for everyone, and then she put on a smock for herself. The surgical instruments had been boiled to kill any bacteria off of them, and a fresh towel was ready to wrap the baby in, as well as an aspirator to clear any fluid from the baby's mouth and nose.

When Enid had gone through the bag, she was shocked to see that Tommy had thrown in other useful devices that originally weren't inside. A resuscitation pump and mask would be useful if Michonne stopped breathing which was a real possibility, and he also threw in a portable defibrillator kit which had to be extremely heavy for him to carry. This kid was a genius.

Enid just had to focus. Once Michonne passed out she'd have to put a sheet over the top half of her body. It was too distracting to see her mother-in-law in front of her. She just had to focus on the safest way to get this baby out without killing Michonne. Enid poured alcohol onto Michonne's skin to sterilize it as much as possible, causing Michonne to shiver as the cool liquid quickly evaporated.

Enid took the stethoscope and finally checked on the baby's heart. She could hear Michonne's heart beat which was weaker than she'd like. Enid closed her eyes to listen carefully, trying to drown out Michonne's heart. Listening for another, weaker beat. Nothing. Enid moved the stethoscope to another position on Michonne's belly and waited. Nothing. Enid looked up at Rick who was watching her every move. She opened her mouth to tell him she didn't hear a heartbeat when she heard it. It was faint, but there was another heartbeat. A smile slid across her face and Rick released a sigh of relief. He looked down at Michonne who couldn't see Enid with her large belly in the way.

"The baby's alive" he said, smiling. Michonne let out a cry of relief. "Ok, if it's alive I can do this. I can do this" she said.

"Rick, Lydia, you're gonna have to hold her down" Enid said.

Lydia grabbed hold of Michonne's legs, and Rick held her upper body, turning himself to face her. "Just look into my eyes" he said. "You tell us when you're ready".

Michonne closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened them again and stared deeply into Rick's eyes. "Ok" she said.

Enid took the scalpel and cut deeply into Michonne's abdomen causing her to scream loudly and arch her body up off the table. Rick and Lydia quickly tried to hold her down and prevent her from moving as Michonne's leg muscles began to spasm from the pain. Enid, trying her best to ignore the mayhem around her kept cutting as Michonne closed her eyes and screamed louder.

"It's ok baby, it's ok" Rick tried to comfort her while resting his whole weight down on her to stop her from bucking off the table. Lydia was trying her best to hold Michonne's legs that were shaking wildly.

"Oh God, please pass out" Enid mumbled while trying to hold back tears, but she had to cut deeper.

Once Enid made the initial cut to open Michonne, she had to cut the uterus to get the baby out. As she stretched the incision to make it wider, Michonne let out one last scream and mercifully fainted.