One Year
Disclaimer: They`re not mine. Not making any profit with them. Just having fun.
Notes: The finale has left me nothing but hurting. I know that it could have ended much worse and I am grateful that Ezekiel is still a major part of Carol`s life. This story is the first in a small mini series I hope I will manage. Something to deal with my feelings and thoughts. The way I imagine things could have gone for them in this one year that passed. I am not sure if I will be able to transport everything that`s currently running through my head, but I will give it a try. I need to settle this for my own peace of mind.
Morning of celebration (April)
The house is warm, a fire crackling in the huge open living room. The air is filled with the smell of freshly cooked food, the aroma of coffee still lingering here and there. It`s noisy, in a pleasant cozy way – the clattering of tableware, the shuffling of chairs, people chatting and laughing with each other. Many people. People who once were strangers, but who now are a family.
Leaning against the banister to the first floor, Ezekiel lets his eyes drift over the crowd, smiling. He has known most of these people for years, some not quite as long and some have just recently added to this group he considers his family. They are all important to him, some a little more than others, but he is glad for everyone who is still here after this last night. His eyes land on the one person in the room who means more to him than anyone else, the woman who has held a special place in his heart since the day he met her.
Carol sits at the table, laughing heartily, the sound reaching Ezekiel`s ears. It immediately fills him with joy, seeing her like this. He can`t remember when was the last time that he truly saw her laugh like that. He watches her, tries to commit this picture to memory. This moment of peace. Turning her head, Carol looks at him directly, instinctively feeling his gaze like an invisible caress. She smiles brightly at Ezekiel, his own smile getting broader in return.
They made it. They`re still here.
For some heartbeats, they hold eye contact, then someone at the table draws Carol`s attention. Ezekiel absentmindedly raises his glass to his lips, realizing that it is empty. He takes the few steps over to the large cooking island, intending to get himself a refill. The thick air hits him, making him change his mind. Putting his glass down on the counter, Ezekiel heads for the big sliding door that leads onto the patio instead.
Carol notices him leaving his spot by the stairs out of the corner of her eye, subconsciously following his movement, keeping track of him. It`s a behavior deeply ingrained in her, something she started doing when they headed into the war with the Saviors so many years ago, even before they admitted their feelings for each other. Her mind simply needed to know that he was alright, even in situations like these, with no danger threatening them. Some things just will never change.
Taking the last sip of her water, Carol pushes her chair back and gets up. She gently strokes Coco`s hair when she passes her, then walks over to the door, following Ezekiel outside. She finds him with his back leaning against the brick wall, arms crossed in front of his chest. There`s a peaceful expression on his face as his eyes roam over the scenery before him. The house their group has retreated to is located on a small hill, some part of the city splaying out right before them. In the distance there`s still some clouds of smoke to be seen from the explosion they initiated in order to save themselves and most of the Commonwealth`s citizens.
"Is everything alright?"
Ezekiel turns his head when he hears Carol`s voice, giving her a soft smile.
"Yeah, just needed some fresh air. Not quite used to drinking wine this early in the day."
Chuckling a bit, Carol steps closer. She leans her back against the balustrade, facing Ezekiel.
"Not quite used to drinking wine at all, you mean."
Another look passes between them, warm memories flickering in the depths of their eyes. It was true. Having a glass of wine together had been a rare occurrence during their marriage, but when they did, it was always enjoyed to the fullest. A night not so long ago drifts into Carol`s mind, a night spend in her early days apartment here at the Commonwealth after she committed herself to do everything in her power to save Ezekiel`s life. Even with the fear that his cancer brought to both of them lingering around them, and the shared memory of their lost son, it had been a good night.
"You were right, you know."
Shaken from his own memory, Ezekiel tilts his head a little, quizzically raising an eyebrow.
"I was?" He`s not quite sure what Carol is referring to.
"That this place was worth saving. I will always be grateful for what it gave to us. This – miracle."
Her voice is cracking just a tiny bit, giving away the emotions still swirling within her. Not quite trusting his own voice, Ezekiel settles for a nod of his head. Yeah, he was grateful, too. For the Commonwealth. But mostly, for her. Always for her. With the softest smile, Carol speaks on.
"And we will build everything back up again. Here. Alexandria. Hilltop." Her eyes drift through the glass door, to the people inside. "Together, this family can do anything."
Her gaze returns to Ezekiel, surprised to find him grinning at her. This boyish grin of his that always could make her heart jump a little in her chest. Gosh, it still does.
"Since when are you such an optimist?" His voice has dropped just a little bit, teasing her.
Her response comes without thinking, reacting to him naturally, "Well, I guess you rubbed off on me."
It`s supposed to be a playful accusation, but as soon as the words have left her mouth, Carol realizes the sexual innuendo lying beneath it. She can literally feel her cheeks turn pink in embarrassment, quickly averting her eyes. She didn`t mean for it to sound that way. Ezekiel stares at her, the double meaning not going unnoticed. His grin gets wider and then he bursts out laughing, not so much at her words, but at the fact that Carol was actually blushing.
Rolling her eyes, she looks back at him, joining in the laughter. They really should have passed up on the wine. A breeze rustles through the trees in the garden behind them, sending a shiver up Carol`s spine. Raising her hands, she rubs her own upper arms against the cold. Even though it was near the end of April and spring was lying in the air, it was still chilly at times, and she was only wearing her plaid shirt.
"Come on, let`s get back inside."
She takes a step forward towards the warmth that`s awaiting them but is held back by Ezekiel`s hand on her wrist, gently stopping her.
"Carol."
The way he says her name, it always felt like the most intimate touch, like a caress to her soul. She turns to face him again. Ezekiel`s face suddenly carries such a tender expression, so different from the amusement just a moment ago.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
This tenderness in his eyes, it`s something Carol can feel deep in her body, warming her from the inside. It was this tenderness that she felt that first fateful night in the royal garden that made her accept Ezekiel`s offer of 'going and not going' when actually she wanted to run away. Staying at that little cottage probably was the best decision she ever made – up until then, of course.
"For believing in me."
"I will always believe in you." Her voice comes out as a soft whisper. He knows that, right?
Her body moves before her mind even catches up. One moment they are looking at each other and the next, her hands slide around his neck, holding him to her. How good it feels. The familiar weight of his dreads on her arms, touching her. The soft, tentative press of his hands on her back. The solid frame of his body against her, strong, protective, alive.
Ezekiel is a bit surprised by Carol`s embrace, but he cherishes it with all his heart. He`s been aching to hold her again, even if only for a short moment. When she pulls back, it`s too soon for him, but he releases her nevertheless. She`s not going very far, though. Her hands come to rest on his shoulders, her eyes meeting his. She smiles sweetly at him, and he can`t help but smile back, unspoken words passing between them.
Carol knows that she should let go of Ezekiel now, that they should just head back inside and continue their small celebration. Instead, she leans in to press a soft kiss to his lips. Innocent. And then instantly she forgets that she isn`t supposed to do this, that this isn`t who they are anymore. She forgets where they are and that there are people close by. Her lips return for another kiss, stronger, perfectly fitting against his, her fingers creeping up his neck, sliding through his beard.
For some precious moments they simply exist without any concept of time and space. They just are. Two souls that actually are one, their immortal love for each other surrounding them like a shield. The tentative touch of Ezekiel`s hands on Carol`s back gets more confident, tenderly pressing her against his body as he reciprocates her kiss. The soft scratch of his beard, the silky texture of his dreads falling around her face, the solid feel of his body against her – all this immediately evokes a feeling of pure bliss and safety within Carol, a feeling she only ever had within Ezekiel`s embrace.
It feels so good, their lips never losing contact with each other, as if afraid to break the spell if they did.
"Aunt Carol?"
Judith`s voice finally drives them apart. Carol turns around to face the girl, her cheeks bearing an adorable blush. She feels Ezekiel`s hands drop from her body, immediately missing his warmth. And then she realizes the look on Judith`s face, worry settling in her pit.
"What`s wrong?"
"Tia Rosita", is all Judith says, a single tear sliding down her still pale cheek.
Carol`s eyes drift inside again. The merry get-together of just a couple minutes ago has stopped. All she can see now are sad faces, her closest family gathered at one end of the big dining table. Carol knows right away what must have happened, a wave of infinite sadness welling up inside her. She looks over her shoulder briefly, seeing her own emotions reflected on Ezekiel`s face. His eyes connect with hers, one hand reaching out to give her a reassuring squeeze to her hip, gently nudging her forward. She gives him an almost imperceptible nod, then turns her attention back to Judith.
Wiping away another stray tear on the girl`s face, Carol gives her what she hopes is a somewhat encouraging smile. When she speaks, her voice is not quite as steady as she would like it to be.
"Come on. Let`s make some more memories."
The day that started with a celebration ends with a private funeral for those that were lost in this last fight for freedom – Rosita, Luke and Jules. Their lives may have ended, but their memory will live on in the hearts of their family. As it always has been for everyone who`ve been lost over the years, whether it was in battle or by different circumstances.
In the end, grief will fade, but the love will remain.
The next morning, Maggie, Aaron, Jerry and Daryl head back to Alexandria to check on their families and bring them back to the Commonwealth. Although it is common agreement that the communities will be build up again step by step, it was also decided that they would start here, at the Commonwealth.
All of them. Together.
TBC
Notes: I would have loved to see at least a small scene between Carol and Ezekiel near the end. Since we`ve been denied, this is my take. Hope you liked it a little bit. I`m not quite sure yet how many more chapters there will be to this series. I have bits and fragments in my head that I still need to sort out.
