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When the car finally reached the gates of Alexandria, Rick let out a deep sigh. He was glad to be home. He glanced over at Michonne who had fallen asleep with Mhare pressed against her chest and her mouth hanging open. He thought she looked beautiful. He glanced back at his girls who were also sleeping soundly, Joy had her mouth hanging open too and Rick smiled as he realized who she got that trait from. Rick honked the horn once, and the gates opened with a creak. The horn woke Michonne up and she sleepily glanced around. "We're home honey" Rick said.

She smiled. "Finally" she mumbled.

As they pulled into the gates they were shocked to see the whole town outside and waiting for them. "Did something happen?" Michonne asked, shocked, but when she spotted the smile on Maggie's face she knew that they were waiting for them.

Maggie threw Michonne's door open before the car had fully stopped and reached in to hug her. Maggie then squealed when she caught sight of the baby. "O.M.G, he's precious!" she exclaimed. Michonne passed him to her, knowing she probably would have snatched him up anyway. "What's his name?" she asked. "Mhare" Michonne explained, "it means warrior." Maggie cuddled the baby as Glenn shook hands with Rick. Rick moved to help Michonne out of the car, as Tara, Sasha, and Carol crowded around Maggie to see the baby. They then hugged Judy and Joy and Rick. Daryl came over and almost smiled as he watched the tiny baby squirm at all the attention. As the baby was passed into the arms of various family members, Maggie went over to Michonne. "I know you might not be feeling up to it, and if you're not it's ok, but we wanted to have a baby shower for you and Rick. I know you weren't expectin' the baby so early, and we weren't gonna have one for a few weeks, but I know there's some stuff you need and we all got you presents. It's been a while since someone's had a baby and we're all excited."

Michonne smiled. She was hurting badly from sitting in the same position for so long, but she was grateful for what Maggie was doing for her. "Thanks Maggie, I'm down for a party." She said. Maggie smiled and yelled to everyone "Michonne's in! Let's do this!".

Immediately music started blasting from the center of town. Someone was playing a car stereo loudly. Someone else came out from the houses and started tying blue balloons to the trees.

"Rick, you get her to the veranda, and we'll take care of everything else" Maggie said, sprinting off in the direction of the town center.

Rick and Michonne glanced at each other with a look that said you ready?

They simultaneously smiled, and then Rick gently lifted her in his arms. He turned and called the girls who were talking to Glenn and Maggie's son, Hershel Jr. The girls followed them and they all headed off to the party.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The party was a great break from the craziness that had happened in the past week. Maggie and the others had prepared food and games. Michonne had laughed hysterically when Rick, Daryl, Glenn, Aaron, Eugene and three other men played a game where they had to stuff as many balloons under their shirts as possible and run a relay race. The first man to get to the finish line without popping the balloons won. She cheered as Rick made it across the line first, with Daryl on his heels, and she gave him a victory kiss that got slightly heated. "It's been a while" Rick whispered in her ear discreetly. "I'm up for it if you are" Michonne whispered back. "Let's get you checked out first by Winston" Rick said, and she nodded.

After the games it was presents time. Glenn and Maggie had given Rick and Michonne another crib, as the one that Judith had used had been passed around from community to community so many times it was in bad shape. It had been brought back when Joy was born, but then it was given out again. Daryl had found more cloth diapers which Michonne was eternally grateful for. Sasha had picked up baby clothes for a boy or a girl since they didn't know which the baby was. Rosita had given them bottles and a breast pump. Tara had gotten them one of the most helpful gifts, she had found a gag gift shop with a book of babysitting coupons and she pledged to babysit as long as a coupon was provided, no questions asked. Carol who had also traveled with Tara to the shop had gotten them cooking coupons, pledging to cook for them whenever they needed her to. She also snuck Michonne another present that she told her not to open until she got home. Michonne shot her a confused look, but knowing Carol, she knew it was probably something good. They received more presents, one from each person in attendance, and Michonne started to wonder where they'd put all of the stuff.

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After the party, Maggie took Judy and Joy home with her to visit for a little while since Hershel Jr. had missed the girls so much. In the meantime, Rick and Michonne went to the infirmary. Winston checked out Michonne's incisions and was impressed. "Enid did an amazing job, especially with the C-section" he mused.

"Yea, she's really quite the doctor now" Rick said.

"The wounds look good, they're healing, you just have to be careful not to irritate them and keep them clean and dry. I have some Tylenol that you can take if the pain gets bad." Winston said. "So that's it on my part, is there anything else I can do for you?"

Rick and Michonne looked at each other, and Michonne gave Rick a look that said "youask".

"Um… we were wondering… if it is too early to… get back into the swing of things…" Rick tried.

Winston looked confused. "Get into the swing of what?"

"Well is Michonne able to do… thangs?" Rick asked.

Winston stared at Rick and then looked at Michonne as if maybe she would be able to clarify. Michonne rolled her eyes and smiled a little at Rick's failed attempt to talk about sex.

"Can I have sex?" Michonne asked bluntly.

Winston burst out laughing before he controlled himself. "Sorry… sorry…" he laughed. "Um… well… that's up to the two of you. If you're up for it you can, sure. Just be careful not to pull any stitches, and don't try anything too adventurous. Any pressure on your belly is going to be painful, but you know that already."

Michonne nodded, and gestured for Rick to help her off the table. "Thanks Winston".

"You're welcome, I'm glad Enid could help you when you needed her… and have fun you guys" Winston called.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Rick helped Michonne home and into bed, and then went to pick up the kids from Glenn and Maggie's house. When he got back, he gave Mhare to Michonne so she could nurse him before his bedtime, and in the meantime Rick got Judith and Joy washed up and into their pajamas. As they both lay in Judy's bed, Rick asked "Ok, who gets to pick the story tonight?"

"I do!" Joy said. "Daddy can you read me a story this time?"

Rick tried to hide his relief. Reading a book would get them to sleep faster. He had plans with Michonne later, and he wanted the children to be fast asleep when he was carrying out those plans.

Rick picked up the nearest book, "Where the Wild Things Are".

Rick began to read the story, acting out each of the characters as Judy and Joy listened intently. A few minutes in, Rick noticed both of their eyes were drooping. By the time he got to the last page Judy had fallen asleep and Joy's eyes were half closed. Rick put the book down, turned the light off, and lifted Joy into his arms, carrying her into her own room. He laid her in her bed and covered her with her blanket, where she curled into a ball and promptly fell asleep.

He closed both of the girl's room doors and quietly made his way into his own bedroom. He was slightly disappointed to see Michonne had fallen asleep as well, with Mhare in her arms. Rick lifted the sleeping baby and lowered him into the crib that Rick had set up in their room. He then shut off the lights, kissed Michonne's forehead, and laid down next to her, the tightness in his groin preventing him from sleep.

Around midnight, Michonne woke up with a start. She had had a nightmare, the first she'd had in a long time. She couldn't remember all the details, but she did remember that at one point she had been impaled on a giant shish kebab stick. She looked over at Rick in the darkness and could see he was sleeping with one hand on her hip and the other on his crotch, which she noticed was quite prominent under his pajama pants. She remembered why they'd gone to get a check-up from Winston.

Shit. I left him hanging.

She smiled as she realized he didn't want to wake her up. How sweet. But she had no problem waking him up.

She wished her ability to move was a little better, but she still wasn't completely healed. She struggled to turn on to her side so that her body was angled towards him. She then slowly pushed herself down the bed so that her head was lined up with his belly. She leaned over, and slowly moving his hand out of the way she licked his cock through his pajama pants. The sensation sent a jolt through his body that woke him up immediately. His eyes popped open and he looked down. Ignoring him, Michonne licked him again and then grasped his length with her mouth, moving her mouth up and down his shaft, still not removing his pants. He moaned and she could feel his cock harden through the fabric of his pants.

"Shit" he cursed silently. She pushed his pants down so she had full access to him, and she slowly wrapped her mouth around him, taking him all the way in. "Ohhhh…" he moaned, slowly thrusting into her mouth. "Mmmm…" she moaned. She missed his taste. It had been too long. She moved his cock in and out of her mouth, twirling her tongue around it, sucking on just the tip, and then swallowing the whole thing again. Rick lay on his back, his back arched and his eyes closed with his mouth wide open, moaning. It was a glorious sight. Suddenly she felt his hand in her hair.

"Wait, wait, wait" he said in a raspy voice, "I need to taste you". Michonne obliged, letting his cock slide from her mouth with a pop that made him twitch with need. But her needs were what was more important to him. "Don't move" he said, not wanting her to try to move upwards in the bed and possibly pull one of her stitches.

He slid down the bed to where she already was. Her legs were hanging off the end of the bed and he wasted no time bringing her legs over his shoulders and nestling himself between her legs. He kissed her inner thighs, causing her to moan and grab her breasts that were already full of milk. He purposely rubbed his stubble against her thighs and pussy, knowing that it drove her crazy, and he could feel her thighs clench around his face. He then dove in, greedily kissing and licking her pussy, sucking and pulling at her lips, nibbling her thighs, and then sucking her clitoris.

Her moans were becoming so loud he was afraid she'd wake the baby. He reached up and put a finger over her lips but was shocked when she put it into her mouth and sucked on it, causing his cock to harden even more. He let her suck his finger as he licked every inch of her pussy. He could feel her trembling and he put all his focus on her clit, clamping down on it with his tongue and not letting go. Her trembling increased and he could feel her thighs quaking. She grabbed his head and pushed it further against her, bucking against his face as she came violently. He licked up all the liquid that came from her as she laid back seemingly exhausted.

He started to crawl up the bed to lay next to her when she whispered "What are you doing?".

"I… I know you're tired…"

"Rick. You should know by now that I'm never too tired for you." She said, pulling his face down to hers and licking some of her wetness from his cheeks. "I want you inside of me".

He quickly obliged, positioning himself between her legs, but holding his full weight on his elbows and knees so that he wouldn't press down on her stomach. He entered her and the sensation felt wonderful for the both of them. As he thrusted, Michonne wrapped her arms around him, gently running her fingers up and down his back.

"Oh… I've missed this" she moaned.

"Me too" he replied, pushing himself into her harder.

"I love you Rick"

"Unh…. Uh… I love you Michonne"

"Rick?" she asked.

"Yes baby" he replied, feeling himself start to tighten up. He knew he would be done soon.

"I don't want to have another baby"

Her words totally threw Rick for a loop and he stilled inside her. She was staring into his eyes, trying to gage his reaction. He pulled up so he could see her face a little more.

"You don't want another baby?" he repeated.

"No" she said.

He went quiet, and then pulled out of her and rolled over with his back facing her.

"Rick?" she asked slightly hurt by his reaction.

"I… I understand why you don't" he said. "I get it. It's just… a little shocking to hear you say it out loud. To be honest, it makes me a little sad. I love our kids, and four is more than I ever expected. More than I ever hoped for. I just… I love having babies with you Michonne. I know it's selfish. Especially after what you've just been through. I just… I'm sorry, don't mind me. Whatever you want we'll do."

"Rick, look at me" Michonne said, resting an arm on his shoulder. He didn't move. "Rick please!" she begged, practically pulling him onto his back. He reluctantly turned towards her and she could see tears in his eyes.

"It's not about you. It's not that I don't want to have babies with you anymore. You know I do. It's just, I don't think I can handle more. My body can't, my brain can't… I told you before, when I had Andre, I was happy with just one. Now I have four, and I love them to death… but it's enough for me."

She took her thumb and ran it under Rick's eyes wiping away his tears.

"I know Michonne… I know. And I understand. I'm being selfish right now. It's just like… I feel a loss, knowing I'll never get to see another one of our beautiful children. I don't know why I feel like this… I'm not angry at you… I'm not disappointed at you… I'm just disappointed."

Michonne nodded. She understood the feeling. She leaned in and kissed Rick's lips and he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. "I probably should've waited until we were done… huh?" she asked.

"Sorry" he whispered, looking down at his deflated dick. "It's ok. Until next time" she said, snuggling up to him. She rested her hands on his cheeks and he leaned his forehead against hers, and they fell asleep wrapped around each other.

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Michonne woke up twice during the night to feed Mhare and change his diaper. Rick offered to get up but she didn't see the point seeing as though he couldn't feed the baby, so she let him sleep. When Rick did wake up he went downstairs to make breakfast for the girls and then he brought some upstairs for Michonne. With Carl no longer living with them, Rick had become a much better cook, and his repertoire included scrambled eggs, pancakes, and omelettes.

Michonne was thankful for the food, but was shocked when Rick didn't stay to eat with her. He gave her the plate of food and quickly grabbed his boots as if he were leaving.

"Where are you going?" Michonne asked, confused.

"I just need to take a walk. I'll be back in a little bit." He said.

Michonne felt panic rise up in her. "Rick, are we… are you ok?"

"Yea" he said, glancing back at her but not reaching her eyes, and then he closed the door behind him.

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Michonne spent the rest of the morning in bed with her three children. She played Uno with Judy and Joy as Mhare slept on a blanket nearby. Michonne was actually surprised that Joy caught on to the game so quickly. Out of the 5 rounds that they played, Judy won two fair and square, Michonne won one, Michonne let Judy win one, and Judy and Michonne both let Joy win the final round. The girls soon got bored with Uno and Michonne let them go to their rooms to play. After they left her room, Michonne's thoughts wandered to Rick and where he'd gone. She knew he was still upset about her not wanting to have any more babies, but he said he understood. He said he was ok. What if he was lying? What if he hates me now?

Insecurities began to flood her brain. She thought back to when they first came to Alexandria and Rick took plenty of walks. She knew that during that time he was carrying out a secret relationship with Jessie. What if he is sneaking off with someone? What if he's hiding something?

Michonne had to consciously force those thoughts from her head. Rick loves you. He wouldn't do that. He's just disappointed, he said as much. When he gets home you'll talk and you'll solve this. Together.

Michonne jumped a little when she heard the front door open and close. She could tell from the footsteps that it was Rick. She could hear his boots go to the kitchen and the sink turn on. She then could hear him heading upstairs. Michonne sat on the bed staring at the bedroom door until she saw Rick enter the room carrying a bouquet of wildflowers in a vase with water. He paused when he saw her.

"Hi" he said. "Hi" she responded, looking at the flowers curiously.

"These, these are for you" he said, placing the vase down on the night table next to the bed.

"Thank you Rick, they're beautiful" she said, smiling at his thoughtfulness.

He sat down next to her on the bed, their thighs touching. Michonne could tell he wanted to say something, but she patiently waited until he was ready to talk.

"I'm sorry" he said, looking down at the floor. She was confused about why he was sorry, but she knew he would continue so she waited. "I went for a walk because I needed to think. I needed to know why I was feeling the way I did when you told me you didn't want any more children. Everything that you said made sense. We have four children already, its more than anyone could have hoped for. And it's hard enough raising one child in this world. You almost died bringing our last child into the world, you have every right not to want another. Yesterday I knew I was being selfish, and irrational, but I didn't understand why I was being that way."

He sighed and turned to her, taking his hand in hers. "I felt that way because… when you're pregnant…" he sighed again, as if he was ashamed to continue.

"What is it?" Michonne asked.

"When you're pregnant you need me. You need me to rub your feet, and wash your back, and tie your shoes. When you're pregnant I feel like I'm needed. And when you said you don't want to be pregnant again… It made me feel like I'll never be needed like that again. I… I know it's irrational, but that's why I reacted like that. I'm scared that you won't need me anymore."

Michonne stared at Rick, shocked by what he was telling her. Where did this come from? Why was he just saying this now?

"Rick! Of course I need you. I need you every day. I couldn't raise these children without you."

Michonne slid closer to Rick on the bed and held his face in her hands. "I need you to hear me Rick Grimes. I need you, always. I love you always. If you want to rub my feet and tie my shoes when I'm not pregnant, be my guest. I won't complain. But don't you ever believe that I don't need you in my life. The strength that I have comes from the knowledge that you love me, and I have a family that loves me. You and the kids, you're who I fight for. You're who I live for. For this family, I would take on three warriors while pregnant, and have the baby ripped from my body, just so you don't have to lose a child. So my babies don't have to lose a sibling. I'd do anything for you. You should know that by now. But that doesn't mean I don't need you."

Rick nodded. "I know this. I know. I think this comes from Lori and Shane. I always felt like I wasn't good enough. Like she didn't need me if she had Shane to protect her. And you, you survived so long by yourself, you really didn't need anyone. And I keep thinking, why is this wonderful, strong, fearless woman with me? Why did she settle for me? Why did she agree to have babies with me? It's an insecurity that I've had for a long time, but this just brought it up, and I'm sorry. If we never have another baby, I'll still be happy with you. I love you Michonne, maybe even too much. So much that sometimes I have to remember that you're a human being and not a goddess."

Michonne cracked a smile at that last comment. "Well, you can call me your goddess if you really want to…" she mumbled softly, looking at his lips.

Rick chuckled and leaned in to kiss Michonne. "I love you my goddess" he whispered against her lips.

Out of nowhere, Michonne pulled away from him. "Oh! I forgot to open that gift Carol got us!" she quickly got up and reached into the top drawer of her dresser where she'd stashed the gift to open later. She unwrapped the present, and looked inside, pulling out a box of 30 condoms, KY jelly, and a bottle of spermicide, with a note that said:

I don't know if I'm out of line, but I thought you might want these things. If not, you can return it to me, I can definitely put it to use elsewhere. Congratulations on the new baby! Carol

Michonne turned to Rick in disbelief. "Sometimes I think that woman can read minds".

Rick chuckled. "Well, if anything, the condoms can get some use"

"We can save them for now" Michonne said, "I hear breastfeeding is a natural contraceptive".

"Reeeaaally" Rick said, slyly sidling his way behind Michonne. "A natural contraceptive you say? I'd like to test that theory" he said, nibbling on her neck and making her giggle. Rick's hand slid underneath her shirt and bra and wandered up to her full breasts, palming and squeezing them as he licked her neck and sucked on her earlobe. Rick pinched Michonne's nipples causing her to jump in surprise.

"Hey!" she said.

"Sorry" he murmured, kissing the back of her neck.

"No you're not" she responded, slamming her butt into his dick hard enough to make him gasp.

"Sorry" she said in the same tone he used.

He laughed and grinded himself up against her butt. "So you wanna be a bad girl?" he whispered in her ear in a voice that turned her on immensely. "Always" she growled, and his dick jumped at her tone. He walked her backwards over to the bed and pushed her into a sitting position.

"I like it when you're bad" he whispered, removing his shirt and pulling hers up over her head. He kissed her roughly and she nipped at his lips and then bit his bottom lip hard.

"Shit" he moaned as he pushed her backwards into the bed. She quickly removed her bra and threw it on the floor and he took the opportunity to lick her breasts that tasted sweet because of the milk that was in them. "Mmmm" he moaned, resisting the urge to suck them.

He moved his hand between her legs and could feel her panties were soaked through.

"Let's finish what we started yesterday" she urged, bringing her legs upwards and sliding them past his dick, checking how hard he was. She could feel his dick, fully erect, pressing against her leg.

"Yes ma'am" he responded, pulling down his pants and boxers in one tug, and quickly removing her of her panties.

He propped himself up again so that he wasn't resting his weight on her and he thrusted into her quickly, causing her to cry out in surprise. He immediately stopped. "Did I hurt you?" he asked, concerned.

"No" she said, "keep going"

He continued to thrust into her and she wrapped her legs around his hips to give him better access. She moaned at every thrust, enjoying everything he was giving her. Her moans were setting him on fire and he leaned down to kiss her passionately as he jabbed in and out of her.

"Yes Rick, yes Rick!" she called, pressing one hand against his chest, and grabbing his butt with the other. She then playfully smacked his butt, taking him by surprise. He looked down at her and she whispered with a smile "you said you liked it when I'm bad".

He laughed and held both of her hands above her head so she couldn't smack his ass again. He then leaned down and kissed a trail down her belly, purposely avoiding her scars. He then licked back up to her mouth and kissed her again as he continued to thrust into her. She could feel herself unraveling in pleasure and she closed her eyes to feel the sensation of her husband inside of her.

Rick looked down and watched his beautiful wife, with her eyes closed, moaning and writhing underneath him. He could feel her muscles start to stiffen and he knew she was close to an orgasm. He wanted more than anything to please her, to bring her body to ecstasy after the hell that it had been through.

"Come on baby, cum for me, that's it, that's it" he whispered in her ear. The deep raspy voice in which he spoke to her was so sexy her body clenched when she heard it. Within seconds she was shaking underneath him, her muscles clenching. The spasms in her belly hurt her knife wound, but she didn't care as waves of pleasure washed through her body. Rick came soon after, and when he was done he rolled over next to her, exhausted. When he finally caught his breath he glanced back over at her. She was lying flat on the bed with her arms thrown over her head and her legs stretched out slightly parted, and her eyes closed tight.

"Baby? How do you feel?" Rick asked.

"Like a goddess" she replied with a smirk.

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Four months later

Carl, Enid, and Tommy had finally arrived from Hilltop due to Enid's rapidly approaching due date. It was risky for Hilltop's only doctor to leave the town, but she had to take care of herself and her baby. In her absence, she had trained her nurse's assistant Amy to handle minor cases, the occasional cut or bruise, or a wound that needed bandaging.

Glenn and Maggie had an empty room in their house, so Carl and Enid were staying with the couple, and Tommy was sharing a room with Hershel Jr. They had been at Alexandria for a week so far, and Enid was too ready to give birth.

One night, the whole extended family was sitting together at Glenn and Maggie's dinner table sharing a meal. The night before, Maggie and Michonne had thrown a baby shower for Enid, and there was so much food left over that Maggie had invited everyone to finish it at her house the next day. As they munched on corn on the cob, and venison chili, Michonne looked around the table in contentment.

Rick and Glenn were sharing stories with Carl about the best way to be a supportive husband during childbirth, and Glenn was telling Carl to just "shut up, hold her hand, and don't touch her unless she tells you to". Rick nodded in agreement, bouncing Mhare on his lap, as Michonne laughed. Enid was talking to Maggie about how she couldn't wait to wear regular jeans again, as her one pair of stretch pants were so stretched from her growing belly that she'd probably never be able to wear them again. Judy and Tommy were excitedly discussing the pictures in one of Carl's comic books. Carl had read the book so many times that he'd given it to Judy, and Judy and Tommy had tried to read it together when he had finally arrived from Hilltop, but the words were so advanced that they settled for staring at the pictures. Hershel Jr and Joy, who were only a few months apart, had snuck away from the conversations at the table long ago after they had devoured their food, and they were playfully running around throwing stuffed animals at each other in the living room.

Michonne knew that she would have to get up and stop their boisterous behavior at some point before they broke something, but she took the moment to enjoy the normality of everything. The fact that her children could just be children warmed her heart. She smirked to herself and slid her hand under the table to hold Rick's hand. Distracted from his conversation, he turned to her and she gave him a smile. He leaned over and gave her a peck on the lips, and then continued his conversation.

Maggie asked Enid to pass her the bowl that had the corn on the cob so that Maggie could start washing the dishes. Enid couldn't reach it, and before anyone could stop her she stood up to get a better reach on the bowl when the sound of water pouring on the floor made everyone pause. Michonne thought Enid had knocked a glass over, and stood to get a towel when Enid looked down in surprise at the puddle on the floor.

"I think… my water just broke" Enid said, her voice trembling.

Carl popped out of his chair in a panic. "Um… ok… we… we've gotta get her to Winston… Where's Tommy? Tommy! Go get her bag from our room. Let's go! Why is everyone just standing there?"

Maggie, who was holding on to Enid, put a hand on Carl's shoulders. "Take a breath Carl, we still have some time. Enid, do you feel any contractions?"

Enid shook her head. "No… not yet… I just want to take a warm shower before I go to the infirmary. I think it'll help start the contractions, the infirmary is just down the block."

Maggie nodded. "I'll help you. We'll get you a quick shower and then we'll head down the block. Carl, you get her stuff ready, and someone should warn Winston she's coming."

"I'll help too" Michonne said, and each of the women grabbed one of Enid's arms. Enid looked at the panicked expression that was still plastered to Carl's face.

"Hold it together sport" she joked, repeating the words she said to him the first time they met, when he first came to Alexandria and almost had a panic attack when meeting teens his age.

A smile crept across his face and he leaned in to give her a kiss. "I'll get everything ready" he said as she was escorted off by Maggie and Michonne.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Seven hours later, Enid was in active labor, but making great progress. The head was visible, and Carl was by her side, holding her hand and keeping quiet except to give her words of encouragement, just like Glenn had suggested. Michonne and Maggie were each holding one of Enid's legs as she was exhausted by this time and could barely keep her legs up. Winston was waiting for the baby that was slowly making its debut.

"Ok Enid, just a few more pushes and baby Grimes will be here" he said excitedly.

"Ok… ok…" Enid said, trying to psych herself up to finish the arduous labor.

"You got this honey" Carl whispered in her ear, "almost done"

Enid pushed with all she had, squeezing Carl's hand and gripping the side of the exam bed. Carl studied her face and could see all the effort and pain she was going through to bring their child into the world. "Great job Enid, c'mon, keep pushing" he encouraged, and she pushed again, her face turning red from the effort.

She took a break to get some oxygen, and Carl wiped her forehead with a cloth. "Is it coming out? Is it almost here?" she asked hopefully. Carl moved around to the other side of her and saw his baby's face peeking out. He promptly burst into tears and held Enid's hand again.

"Yes honey, one more push and our baby's here". Enid nodded and gathered up her energy to push again. Maggie and Michonne encouraged her as the new grandmas leaned over to watch the little baby make its way into Winston's arms.

A loud cry announced the baby's arrival. "Is that… is that the baby?" Enid asked in shock.

"Yes, that's our baby" Carl cried.

"And it's a little girl!" Winston said happily, holding up the crying baby in front of Enid.

Enid reached out for the little girl and held her daughter for the first time while Carl cried hysterically next to her, stroking his little girl's curly hair.

"Oh my God, she's so beautiful" Carl cried, leaning down to kiss Enid's cheek and then the baby's.

Enid couldn't take her eyes off the squirming baby in her arms. "Hi baby!" she cooed "I'm your mom, and this is your dad". She looked up at Maggie and Michonne who were both crying but had stepped away to give the couple time to bond with their daughter. "And those are your grandmas, who will probably spoil you rotten" Enid joked. Both women chuckled. "And where's the grandpas? They can come in now."

Michonne went to get Rick and Glenn who had been pacing in front of the door for hours. When Michonne opened the door, both men froze and looked at her with wide eyes. "You can come in now" she said with a smile. Both men walked through the door with nervous looks on their faces, but when Rick heard the baby's cry he burst into tears. He looked at Carl who was also crying, and clapped him on the back, not needing to say anything. Glenn smiled at Enid, and went to hold Maggie who was also crying.

"I can't believe I have a little girl" Carl said in a daze. Enid smiled and looked up at him "Yea, little Carla will have you wrapped around her finger."

Carl's eyes got wide. "I was just joking when I said that, we don't have to…"

"I like it" Enid said "It grew on me. Carla Lori Grimes."

"Really?" Carl said.

"Really" Enid responded.

Carl leaned down and kissed his wife, never loving her more than this moment. As he gazed at his new family, he was never more optimistic about his future.

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Author's note: This is the last chapter of this story, I hope you've enjoyed it, I have enjoyed writing it. Please leave me a review! Until next time...