Meeting

A few weeks later, Dixie was walking around the courtyard, she was 25 weeks along. Zeke was walking with her, refusing to let her be alone. Beth was constantly at her side as well. Zeke had formally asked Beth to train to become a knight. Beth was excelling well in that. She was amazing actually.

The snow was beginning to melt, and it was safe to travel.

Rick helped Lori get into the truck, along with the others. He had become leader of Alexandria since Diana died. He was taking Merle, Hershel, Maggie, Glenn and Carl with him. He left Daryl in charge, he had really taken Daryl under his wing since the beginning, along with Hershel.

They arrived at Hilltop later that day. Rick told Daryl and Abe he would contact them everyday twice a day while he was away.

The knights where outside, watching. Beth was inside with Dixie.

Jerry and Iris met with them outside, and spoke with them. "They are in the throne room." Jerry smiled and lead them.

"Throne room?" Rick said looking at Lori confused. She just shook her head, Rick was looking around as they walked in.

"They are all dressed… in armor?" Hershel said seeing the soldiers.

"Pretty Weird." Merle frowned.

Maggie and Glenn didn't say anything.

Carl was smiling though, he though it was interesting.

King Ezekiel was sitting in his throne, while Dixie walked back from the bathroom into the throne room. "I just love that picture." She smiled sitting with him.

Zeke had a painter do a portrait of himself with Dixie, and Shiva. He was still working on it. She smiled and took her seat again. They planned on hanging it hanging in the main hall. Beth was in her knight gear, with Dixie, in a different painting also. She was off helping outside outback.

Zeke chuckled. "I really love it too." He leaned over and kissed her. Dixie smiled sitting back in her chair. She was in a blue maternity dress with heels and her hair done in a french braid bun with her feathers that Zeke gave her, and earrings, along with a swarovski crystal wedding headband that the decorations sat on the left side of her head. "You look radiant."

"Well, we are getting a painting done." She teased and smiled as he stroked her face.

"You look just as radiant in leggings and a t-shirt." He winked.

Dixie smiled and shook her head. "Wish I felt that way." She kissed him again and sat up more straight and back.

"Well you are." He chuckled lightly. The door opened and he glanced over seeing Jerry.

"Your Majesty… We have guests…"

"Wonderful." Ezekiel smiled big, he didn't tell Dixie they were coming. "Bring them in, let us meet."

"Yes, My king." He gave a nod, and walked back out the door.

Iris was waiting outside with them, and smiled. "Come on."

Jerry and Iris opened the door, and lead the group in.

"Oh Shiva." Dixie cooed, at the tiger, petting her head. "Good girl." The tiger was rubbing her head against Dixie's leg, she wasn't looking up yet.

Jerry cleared this throat, "King Ezekiel…." He smiled turning from the group to the couple. " - and his wife, Dixie."

Rick looked up at them, and back at Lori. "What the Hel- "

"Welcome." Ezekiel smiled, and got up. Dixie looked up at him, and smiled. She glanced down at the group and she swore her heart was going to burst. Zeke smiled at the painter. "You make take a break." He nodded to Ellis. She stood up but Shiva started growling and stood in front of her.

"Oh Shiva." She said sighing, and rubbed her head. "Shh, Ellis is a friend.." Ellis smiled and quickly left.

"A freaking tiger." Rick said looking at the animal, and then his daughter and the man she was claimed to be married to.

Shiva growled more. Zeke looked at her. "Shiva!" He said booming.

The tiger growled, and sat back down, resting her head on her front paws pouting.

Dixie sighed and smiled at Zeke, then at the pouting tiger. "Really protective of me lately."

"She loves you." Zeke smiled and shook his head. He took her hand. "I thought I'd surprise you.."

"I'm very… surprised." Dixie smiled, she was ecstatic. She looked at Iris. "Please get Beth." She slowly got down from the stage and tried to refrain from running, mainly because she didn't want to fall in her heels. She kind of half ran/walked, and hugged Rick, Lori, and Carl tightly in a very awkward hug. "I've missed you all." She smiled looking them over. "My god. You look amazing." She said to Lori. "Carl you are so freaking tall." She started laughing slightly. "Dad.." She saw the upset look. Lori was also but hiding it. Lori placed her hand on Dixie's stomach and smiled. Dixie did the same back.

"How...In the hell.." Rick said looking her over. He shook his head and looked up at Zeke. "Who the hell are you."

"Calm down, Daddy.." Dixie said hearing Shiva growling. "Shiva!." She said harshly. The tiger pouted again and laid her head down staring intently at Rick.

Zeke smiled slightly. "My name is King Ezekiel. I'm the leader here, welcome to my kingdom." He said sitting on the stage.

"Daddy, calm down." Dixie sighed, she saw Iris coming back with Beth.

"Dad!" Beth cried and smiled, sounding like a little girl again, she ran and hugged Maggie and Hershel tightly. Then she hugged Rick, Lori, Glenn and Carl. Dixie smiled and hugged, Maggie and Hershel, Glenn and even Merle. Beth smiled not having hugged Merle yet. "Hey." She smiled walking over and hugged him tightly. He was hesitant, smiled and hugged her back. Hershel just watched them hug, he glanced away and looked at Ezekiel.

Dixie let them go, and smiled. She sat on the edge of the stage with Ezekiel and rubbed Shiva's head. "Shhhh." She cooed to the tiger.

Dixie looked Iris and Jerry. "You may, go on break." She smiled warmly, she knew they were together. She looked at Zeke and smiled slightly.

He nodded. "Do what she says." He said looking at Jerry.

Jerry nodded. "Yes sir." He smiled slightly looking at Iris. "The guards are outside the room."

Zeke nodded and scooted closer to Dixie. Rick was just staring at them. Lori was talking to Beth, Carl was fascinated by Shiva.

"Come here Carl." Dixie smiled slightly. "She won't hurt you."

Carl smiled and walked over, he held his hand out and Shiva pressed her head against Carl's hand. Lori looked over and almost said something. Dixie looked up and smiled catching her before she said something. "This is amazing." Carl smiled. Lori watched worried, she wasn't sure about this.

"Isn't it." Zeke smiled warmly. He said getting up. "Shall we take this family get together - back to our room?" He looked at Dixie.

Dixie smiled. "Probably wouldn't hurt." She looked down seeing Shiva laying her head on her lap nuzzling her stomach. She rubbed Shiva's head. "Mama's tired, baby." She said softly to the tiger.

They all watched the tiger interact with Dixie. Shiva looked at her, and nuzzled her face, and Dixie smiled. "Good girl." She watched Zeke take the chain and put the tiger in its cage, and locked it. Dixie stood up and held onto the railing for a moment.

"You alright?" Rick asked walking over taking her hand.

Dixie nodded. "Just stood up to fast." She smiled slightly.

Rick nodded and watched Zeke as he lead the way.

They all followed.