After updating Lori and John on the makeshift surgery and expected prognosis for Carl, Sarah stepped out into the hallway with Hershel and the kids.
"So, Lori and John can sleep in the room with young Carl and I'll be just down the hall. You and your husband and kids can take the spare room upstairs, first door on the left," he told her as he smiled down at Olivia who was hugging Sarah's thigh.
Sarah's heart hammered in her chest as she reached down and stroked Olivia's hair and pulled Noah to her with her other hand, putting her arm around his shoulders. "No - Rick - hes'-he's not my husband. We're best friends and we've gotten closer in the midst of all this craziness..." Sarah drifted off, wondering why on earth she felt the need to discuss this with a complete and total stranger. Hershel smiled, looking suprised but didn't say anything. "But, thank you for your kindness. I do believe we will take you up on that."
"Absolutely. But you know…sometimes the worst of times brings out the best in us. If that's what it took to get you and Rick together, then at least something positive is coming from this...craziness...as you call it."
Sarah smiled, feeling relieved that he didn't think she was crazy for oversharing. "I hadn't thought of it that way." She felt warm all over at the thought of Rick. "And thank you...for helping me save Carl."
"You did most of the work, I just provided the space and the equipment..."
"Well, that was clutch. So thank you."
He nodded and gave her a fatherly smile. Maggie walked into the hall. "Daddy, Beth and I made some dinner for everyone tonight." She turned to Sarah and smiled. "Will the kids eat chicken? We also have green beans and mashed potatoes." Sarah chuckled as she heard both kids gasp.
"I love mashed taters!" Olivia exclaimed, stepping away from Sarah and moving toward Maggie.
"And I love green beans - yum!" Noah exclaimed, looking excited at the prospect of a good meal. Hershel laughed quietly. Sarah suddenly felt extremely grateful for the turn of events that placed them here with this family, despite the whole Carl situation, and the bad feeling in her stomach lessened.
"Well, we have a whole bunch! You can have as much as you want!" Maggie said, smiling at them as she got down the Olivia's level.
"Awesome!" Olivia shouted, pumping her fist in the air.
They all laughed as Rick stepped slowly into the hallway and closed the door behind him.
"Ricky! They have mashed taters!" Olivia said as she flung her arms around his legs.
Rick stumbled a little, still slightly weak from the double transfusion they took for Carl. Sarah gently guided her over-excited daughter back toward Maggie.
"Okay, silly girl. Rick is a very tired, so let's let him get some food and then rest, okay? Go with Maggie and we will be right behind you. You too Noah." Maggie smiled as she took each one by the hand and lead then toward the dinning room. Sarah yelled to them, "Mind your manners and listen to Ms Maggie!"
"Yes ma'am!" they hollered back.
Sarah turned back to Rick and Hershel. "Rick, you need to eat and go to bed," she said as she put her arm around his waist and he slid his arm over her shoulders. She leaned in to help support him.
"Thank you," he whispered to the both of them. "You saved my boy…one of the most important people in my life. I can't ever repay you." He leaned into Sarah and she could feel him trembling. She squeezed him closer and silently wished she could take away the grief and guilt she knew he was feeling.
"It was nothing," Hershel replied. "I'm so glad both myself and Ms Sarah were here - good timing for a bad situation." He reached out and squeezed Rick's shoulder. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get some mashed 'taters' before young miss Olivia eats them all." Sarah laughed as Hershel walked past them and squeezed her shoulder too. "I'll save y'all a seat."
Sarah turned toward Rick, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist as his arms wrapped around her shoulders. Her head laid against his chest as he rested his chin on top of her head and they held each other close. She sighed and wished she could just melt into him. She was tired and just wanted to lay wrapped in his arms and warmth for days. She pulled her head back and looked up at him.
"He's going to be fine. And Noah's back, so this has been quite a freaking day..." Tears came to her eyes as she thought about the most fortunate turn of events.
"I know. Carl will be okay and Noah is fine. It's crazy really," he replied, leaning down to rest his forehead against hers. "You're incredible. Do you know that?" He stared into her eyes, his blue eyes almost back to normal with that little sparkle.
She shook her head, feeing embarrassed and was about to tell him she wasn't anything special when his lips crashed into hers. Heat immediately pooled in her center as his tongue pushed past her lips and she opened her mouth, pulling him into a deep kiss. She moaned as he pulled her closer, her breasts pushed against his hard chest as his hands moved down to grab her hips and guide them to his. She moved her hands to his hair as one of his hands moved to her lower back, pulling her close to him, their kiss getting even hotter.
Rick broke the kiss and Sarah's head fogged with lust as she tried to take in gulps of air. "Is it totally crazy that in spite of all that just happened, I want you so bad right now...?" Sarah asked, putting her arms around his waist and pulling him fully against her.
"Not at all," he whispered against her mouth as they continued to kiss and writhe against each other, his hands roving all over her body.
"So, it's not crazy at all, but we can't…" she moaned as he pushed his erection against her stomach, putting her hands around his neck to steady herself. "We can't...Not right now."
"It better be soon...I can't wait another minute to be back inside you," he whispered, his mouth devouring hers again in a searing kiss.
"Ahem," a voice came behind them. They separated like two teenagers caught dry humping in the hallway at school, Rick dropping one hand to her hip as Sarah let go of his neck and turned to see Glenn with Shane behind him.
Fuck, she thought to herself. She turned to stand next to Rick, his arm snaking its way around her waist, pulling her tightly to his side as she secured an arm around his waist as well.
Part of her wanted to laugh at Glenn's embarrassed red face but stayed quiet as she watched Shane's reaction.
"We ju-just wanted to check on Carl," Glenn stammered out, completely mortified.
"Yeah man. How's the boy?" Shane all but sneered at them. Sarah couldn't help but slightly flinch at his tone. Rick tightened his arm around her waist and squeezed her hip, reassuring her that it would be fine.
"He's out of the woods..." Rick replied, his tone authoritative and his eyes focused on Shane. "Sarah and Hershel saved his life. They both say he should be awake in a few days..."
"Great. We're so glad; we were all worried. Plus Noah is okay...it turned out to be okay today. Awesome. So...um...y'all coming to eat? There's an awesome spread in the kitchen..." Glenn rambled on as Shane's gaze turned to Sarah. She tilted her head up at him, silently daring him to speak, Rick's tight grip on her hip giving her confidence.
"We'll be there in just a minute," Rick replied, still staring Shane down.
"Great...we'll set a place for ya," Shane replied, giving them one last look before he turned on his heel and stalked away. Glenn waved awkwardly and skittered after Shane.
Rick stepped around and stood in front of her, placing a hand on her face. "To be continued..." he said, leaning in for a quick kiss.
She smiled as he grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction of the kitchen.
Sarah nuzzled her face against Rick's chest as they lay in bed later that night, her arm wrapped around his middle and her legs wrapped in his. His arm tightened around her, hugging her closer to him in his sleep subconsciously.
The soft moonlight streamed in from the open window as Sarah lay awake, staring at the ceiling and thinking about dinner that night. Shane's obvious disdain for what he had seen in the hallway was written on his face. He didn't speak to anyone and shot angry glances at them the entire meal. Rick seemed oblivious or else he didn't care, but Sarah had a bad feeling about the whole situation and she'd been thinking about it all night.
'Why am I worrying about this?,' she wondered to herself. 'Shane can be pissed all he wants - he has no say in what I do any longer - he's the reason I lived in fear for most of our marriage and the three years after. I have a right to be happy and to be with Rick, no matter what Shane thinks.'
So why did she have such a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach?
She sighed out loud.
"What's wrong sweet girl?" Rick asked sleepily. She lifted her head to look at him, resting her chin on his chest. He pulled her tightly to him as his beautiful blue eyes opened and looked at her.
"How did you know?" she whispered.
"Because I know you. You're worried about something. Is it Carl?"
"No," she laid her head down again, resting her cheek on his chest, "it's really nothing." She began tracing small circles on his chest, over his heart.
"Sweet girl, you know you can't lie to me. You never could." She smiled in spite of herself.
"It's because you're the deputy!" she quietly replied, playfully hitting him on the chest. "You have an unfair advantage - no one can lie to an officer of the law!"
"And don't you forget it," he joked. They both laughed quietly, knowing the kids were fast asleep on the pullout couch across the room. "Now tell me what's going on in that pretty head of yours." He kissed her forehead.
"Well," she sighed, "Rick, I know I shouldn't be worried..." she paused, "but Shane saw us tonight in the hallway and you know he's not going to just drop it. He kept glaring at us all night and I can't help it - I'm afraid of what he might do."
Rick reached down to grab her hand from his chest. He intertwined their fingers and she lifted her head again to look into his eyes.
"Sarah...please don't worry about Shane. We have more important things to worry about than him. He's just acting like a jealous ex-husband." He released her hand and grabbed her chin lightly, pulling her face closer to his. "You and I are finally together...and come on...it only took 20 years!" She laughed as he lightly brushed her hair off her face, tucked it behind her ear and grinned at her. "That's all that matters to me and I will do anything to protect you, the kids, Lori, John, your mom, the whole group for that matter, from what's going on out there...that's my only concern."
She smiled as she leaned closer and kissed his soft lips again. "I'm going to start calling you Captain Calm..."
He chuckled. "I prefer 'Officer.' It sounds so kinky coming from those naughty lips of yours..." She laughed quietly and playfully slapped his chest as he shook with laughter and rolled over to face her, putting his hand on her hip. "Seriously..." he whispered, his expression changing to one of utter seriousness as he moved his head to her pillow, putting them face to face, "I have handcuffs in my bag..."
"Rick!" she whispered and laughed, gently pushing his chest away from her. "You're incorrigible!" His eyes crinkled as he laughed silently at her, pulling her closer to him.
"Yeah, but you love that about me..." he kissed her lips gently, squeezing her hip. "Now, turn off that beautiful mind and get some rest. We've had a long, awful day." He kissed her forehead.
"Yes we have. Hold me?"
"Thought you'd never ask." He chuckled and kissed the tip of her nose.
She smiled and rolled onto her other side, her back to his chest. Rick settled in behind her and wrapped his strong arms around her hugging her to him. She snuggled back into him, feeling as though she couldn't get close enough and drifted off to sleep in minutes.
The next morning, she woke up to the predawn light that was streaming through the window, softly illuminating the room as she blinked and yawned.
When she opened her eyes fully, she saw that Noah was sleeping with his arms around her neck, his head on her pillow, snoring lightly. She smiled and brushed a gentle hand over his unruly curls on his head.
She couldn't believe Daryl and Glenn had found her baby boy against all those odds. She was forever indebted to them, as she told Glenn over and over last night. He blushed and told her it was nothing. She still had to find Daryl to thank him as he wasn't at dinner last night.
She looked over her shoulder and saw her sweet daughter cuddled with Rick, his arm around her mid-section, his hand resting on Sarah's hip. Both Rick and Olivia were snoring in unison and Sarah couldn't help but let out a soft giggle.
Rick's eyes snapped open and he looked at her, squeezing her hip, his eyes questioning her. She smiled and put a finger to her lips, pointing in front of her at Noah and to Olivia between them.
"When did this happen?" he whispered, smiling at Olivia and lightly bushing her hair from her daughter's face.
"Who knows?" she whispered. "They always do that to me - 95% of mornings, I wake up with both of them in bed!"
He grinned. "They're so sweet. They definitely love their mom...we all do." She smiled at him, her heart fluttering. "I could get used to this..." he whispered, his blue eyes sparkling as he looked at her and put his hand back on her hip.
"Me too." She reached down and laced her fingers through his.
They lay for a few more minutes, both listening to the kids light snores, before they heard people moving about the house.
"Well, time to face reality," Rick said, gently moving Olivia's arm from his neck as he sat up on the edge of the bed.
She sighed. "I know." She rolled over, careful not to squish Olivia.
Rick walked over to the chair in the corner and started to get dressed. Sarah watched his lean, muscular back and arms as he pulled on his jeans and tshirt. She swallowed hard as she felt herself getting turned on. 'How the hell does watching him get dressed get me all flustered?' she wondered. She giggled at herself.
"What?" he whispered loudly as he sat down to pull his boots on.
"Nothing," she whispered, embarrassed by her thoughts and her laugh. He stopped and looked at her, bewildered. She smiled reassuringly as he stood and pulled on his gun belt. She looked away before she had more sexual thoughts about him.
He walked over and leaned down, kissing her lightly on the lips. "I'll go see what's going on out there. Let the kids sleep and you get some rest." She nodded as he rubbed his nose against hers and she grinned at him. He pressed another kiss to her lips and stood up, walking toward the door. She watched his ass in his snug jeans as he walked away and was mortified when he turned around and caught her.
He grinned and winked at her red face. "Later, sweet girl. Later." He walked out and she pulled the covers over her face like a giddy school girl, unable to stop the giggle that came out of her mouth.
Not much longer after Rick left, the kids woke her up. She got them dressed in shorts and t-shirts and changed herself into a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a 3/4 sleeve pink shirt, sticking her gun the waist of her shorts. Maggie and Beth had breakfast ready for everyone and after they ate, they went to check on Carl.
"He's still out," Hershel told her as she walked in. Olivia and Noah went to sit with Lori in the bay window. Sarah grabbed the stethoscope from the night stand and listened to his heart and lungs.
"Heart rate is strong, lungs sound good. He's doing well." She looked up and saw a very tired looking Christy walk into the room.
"Yeah, he had a good night," Christy said. "I think he'll be fine. His body is just healing, which is why he's in the coma," she said, trying to reassure a concerned looking Olivia and Noah.
Sarah nodded and walked toward Lori, putting her hand on her shoulder. Lori smiled sadly at her. "He's going to make it." Lori nodded. Sarah gathered the kids and headed outside to the rest of the group, who had set up a camp under the cluster of trees near the horse barn. She saw Rick, John, Glenn, and TDog standing by an old pickup truck, and Carol and her mom hanging a line for clothes by the RV.
"Mommy, can we pet those horses?" Olivia asked.
"I don't know baby," she replied. "We have to ask Mr Hershel."
"Sure they can," she heard a voice behind her. She turned and saw Maggie walking up. "I can take them if you want."
"If it's no trouble," she replied, putting her hands on Noah's shoulder as Olivia beamed up at the pretty brunette.
"Not at all," she smiled. She gathered them both by their hands and headed to the barn.
"Be careful!" she hollered to them. "Listen to Ms Maggie and don't wander off!"
They both yelled, "Yes ma'am!" and Sarah smiled as she turned around to walk toward Carol and Lisa.
"Morning, Sarah," Lisa said as she kissed her daughter on the cheek.
"Morning, Mom. How did you sleep?"
"Great actually. I stayed on the RV with Dale and Carol." Carol smiled as she walked to the wash tub they had set up to gather clothes to hang. "You, Rick and the kids sleep okay?"
"We did," she replied, turning her face toward the sun, soaking up the warm rays.
"So…you and Rick are official?" her mom asked, smiling at her daughter with a twinkle in her green eyes that Sarah inherited.
Her face turned red. "Yeah, I guess we are. We haven't really had that discussion, per se...but we sure kiss like we are..."
Her mom clapped her hands together and laughed. "Good! All I can say is that it's about dang time!" her mom said, laughing and giving her a quick hug. "But...Shane didn't look too happy last night..."
"Yeah, I know...he kind of walked in on Rick and I...in a heated moment." Her mom looked at her and let out a barking laugh. "What?"
"Nothing. I just love hearing that...you know I've always approved of Rick...Your dad really loved him too." Sarah shook her head and grinned, thinking about her father and how much he loved Rick when he was alive. "And as far as Shane goes...Fuck him," her mom replied. Sarah looked surprised at her mother. "Seriously, Sarah. He took you away from us for a long time and I hate him. He's a horrible man. He has no right to make you feel bad about being with the man you were meant to be with..." Her face was red with her anger.
"Mom...You never say fuck," Sarah laughed as her mom smiled, calming down.
"Well that's being nice," Lisa replied. "You know, he shared a tent with Andrea last night. Dale was pissed."
"What?" she replied, shocked by the news.
"Dale tried to tell her about your history, but she - "
"How does Dale know?" Sarah asked, cutting her off.
"I told him," her mom replied. Sarah opened her mouth to tell her mom it wasn't her place. "He knew something was up with the way you all act, and how protective Rick is of you. I just filled in the blanks." Sarah shook her head, her anger fading. "Maybe you should talk to Andrea. She didn't want to listen. She's being reckless since losing her sister. If she's looking for love and affection, she's barking up the wrong tree. Shane may be hot, but he's dangerous."
"Mom, first of all - don't ever say 'hot' to me about a man again." She shuddered. "Gross." Her mom laughed. "And second, it's not my place to speak to Andrea - I don't know her at all. And what Shane does - or who he does - is none of my concern. Maybe he's changed when it comes to women. We don't know."
"Doubtful," Lisa replied. "Men like that don't change."
Sarah looked over and saw Shane and Andrea walking out of the woods, Shane tucking his shirt into his pants and Andrea fixing her hair. She reached out to grab his hand and he pulled away, shaking his head at her. Her face fell as Shane stalked away from her toward the guys by the truck.
"See? He's the same Shane...Only takes what he wants and has no regard for anyone's feelings. I love that Rick is the polar opposite...and he's hotter than Shane, too..." Lisa said as she rubbed Sarah's back and turned to go help Carol hang a sleeping bag across the clothes line.
Sarah rolled her eyes and called after her, "Come on Mom!" They both laughed.
Sarah shook her head and turned toward the rest of the farm.
Rick looked over at Sarah and smiled, his blue eyes flashing with something akin to love in them. Her face grew warm as she smiled back and threw him a wave. She looked over at the barn and saw the kids petting the horses with Maggie, the farm land glistening with morning dew, the sun touching everything and relaxed slightly.
'Maybe this is our refuge...our chance to rebuild our lives...' she thought.
She glanced over and saw Shane staring at her. She stared back until he scowled and looked away.
'Or maybe not...' she thought again.
Author's note:
I realize that Rick and Sarah seem to make out like teenagers - HA! - but they have been fighting this since they were teenagers, so they have a LOT of catching up to do...