Chapter Seventeen: The Harvest Festival

Rick puts on a clean pair of pants and a fresh shirt. He looks at himself in the mirror and is slightly taken with how normal he looks. It was a simple button down, something he would have still considered dressing up before the turn. He shaved and got a trim from Jessie. He could see his face clearer. He'd gone so long without mirrors that sometimes he overlooked them in their house. Now he was studying himself. His eyes seemed to be lighter than his youth; he wondered if he'd have his grandfather's gray eyes when he hit sixty. His eyes had lines from aging, the stubble slowly growing back was graying as well. Rick put his hand on his hip. He was aging; he had a chance to get old. He couldn't believe that was considered a nuisance in the past. Rick was pleased. As his family scattered around the house, getting ready for tonight, Rick was looking forward to the future. They would just need to secure it tonight to protect it.

"Daddy?" Rick looked to see Judith in the corner dressed in a frilly, pink dress. Maybe Rick wasn't as ready for the future as he thought. Judy was definitely growing too fast. Her pigtails were decorated with wildflowers. Rick knew by the end of the night they'd be lost to whatever activity Judith got into. "Cawl says that kids my age are comin'"

"Yeah, I'm sure there will be a couple."

"...do I have to share my toys? Can they get they own?"

Rick laughed. Judith had gone from a toddler who played with cups to a child who won't even consider handing over her Barbie. "If they share with you, share with them sweetie." In a way he was doing the same with Hilltop and the Kingdom. A lot of the food provided was coming from Hilltop. Rick even heard they were bringing beef. That alone made him want to get there early. The Monroes were coordinating everything. He knew Deanna would make sure there was enough food, drink, and music to last the night.

"Okay, I'll hide my toys." That was definitely not what Rick said, but he couldn't help that his daughter behaved that way. It was the exact thing he made Alexandria do when the Saviors invaded. She was a product of her environment, an adorable product of her environment.

Almost as soon as Judith left. Chenelle knocked on his door frame with Miles in her arms. Rick waved her in. "Are you done getting ready? He spit up all over my hair and dress." Rick was about to tell her it wasn't that bad when she turned around. It went from her left shoulder to the small of her back.

"I got him." He took Miles from her arms.

Chenelle rubbed Miles's hair and gave him a kiss. In Spanish she complained, "Why is it always mommy? Why do you never do these things to your poppa?"

"Do you think he could learn three languages?" Rick thought out loud.

"I can't see why not. But I'm biased. I think he can do anything."

"Me too." Chenelle smiled. "I have him, go get ready."

"Okay."

"You looked very pretty pre-vomit."

Chenelle rolled her eyes and shook her head. She would have to bring a jacket and keep her hair up if she wanted to be vomitless tonight. "Thanks." She left to get clean.

Rick looked down at his grandson. "Hey." Miles focused on him, "grandpa trimmed his beard. Your grandma likes me better this way. Don't feel bad that she's making you call her Mimi, grandpa accepts he's getting old. But your grandma-"

"What was that?" Michonne called from the bathroom.

"Noth'n." Rick placed Miles on the bed and laid beside him. After a while of moving around on the bed. Miles started grunting. Rick knew what this meant. Soon he'd need to be changed. No more than three minutes later there was a loud gurgle, and Miles started to cry.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Diaper."

"Oh, well I'm almost done so-"

"No, he has parents."

Michonne sighed. "It's just a diaper, Rick."

"Exactly, Carl!" Rick called. "Carl!"

"I know! I'm coming!" Carl replied, annoyed.

Rick rubbed Miles's back. "It's okay. Your poppa's comin' to change you. Carl!"

Carl walked in with Miles's bag. He grabbed a towel and placed Miles on it. Rick assumed Carl was being petty for changing Miles in the room with him, but since the dead walked Rick had been around worse things. Carl remembered to keep an extra diaper over Miles just in case he peed. After the first two accidents he no longer saw raising male and female babies the same. Miles fought Carl until his onesie was open. It was a blowout. "Come on Miles! Why do you do this with me and not Chenelle," Carl complained to his son. He wrapped him up in a towel and glared at his father. He knew Rick would have still made him change the diaper even if he still had two hands.

"Fix your face," Rick warned. Rick looked down to his son's waist. Like him, Carl was strapped. However Carl was a little more reckless than he was. "Don't do anythang foolish tonight."

"I'm not. It's just a precaution..."

"Not just that." Rick watched as Miles headbutted Carl's chest. "I'm talking about girls too. There's going to be more than Enid, Anna, and Chenelle tonight. Plus our girls will be looking their best. Think with your head. You already have one son and that's enough for a long time." Carl turned red and nodded.

"Nice speech," Michonne stepped out of their bathroom. Rick was stunned. She was wearing a simple turquoise maxi, but her looks were anything, but ordinary. Her locks were swept to the side and pinned into an intricate design and bun; and she had put on purple lipstick and smokey gray eyeshadow. Rick had never seen her in makeup before. He stared at her not knowing what to do or say. It was like he was looking at her for the first time again. Michonne walked over to him and embraced him. "There's going to be more than just our women tonight. Plus our women will be looking their best. Think with your head, Rick Grimes. You already have one son and that-" Rick cut her off and kissed her hungrily. Michonne moaned and let his hand explore, stopping only when he touched the back of the maxi, finding a way to take it off. She broke their kiss. Michonne felt her skin vibrate under his gaze of desire. "We have a full house and the door is open."

"We can close it."

Michonne gave a soft laugh. "I'll let you do an-y-thing you want after tonight if this goes well." Carl wasn't the only hotheaded one in the house.

His blue eyes darkened. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"Flatterer." She smoothed out his clothes and reminded herself to play it cool and enjoy herself. This was the calm before the storm. They were solidifying their alliances and appearing meek in front of their enemy.

Rick was thinking the same as her. "I might need a drink to get through it."

"There will be liquor at the party. Are the kids ready?"

"I'll check. Carl, Judith, Chenelle! Y'all ready?"

"Yeah." "Yes daddy!" "Almost!"

Michonne raised her eyebrow. "What?" Rick asked.

"I could have yelled."

"Sorry."

Michonne gave him a quick kiss. "It's fine."

Rick held her and swallowed the uneasiness in his stomach. He was even more nervous doing this than if he would have to fight. "Are you ready for this?"

"Yes. We got this."

"...then so am I."

The sun was setting on a pleasant Virginia day. The people of Alexandria had been busy setting up for the night's festival. It extended from the lake to the cul de sac in front of Rick's home. They had booths for crafts and games, tables for food, and areas designated for dance and play. There were beautiful lanterns decorating the street. Michonne's eyes widened at the sight. Deanna definitely outdid herself.

Surprisingly Ezekiel and the Kingdom were the first to arrive. King Ezekiel was hard to miss; he brought Shiva. Carl looked for any excuse to get closer to Shiva until Michonne put a stop to that. Then he gravitated toward Enid, Mikey, Ron, and the other teenagers. Chenelle and Rosita found themselves swarmed by neighbors and strangers to see their children. Rosita left to get three child sized masks. She knew this was going to happen throughout the night. Dominic, the older of Rosita and Abraham's kids, kept trying to take his and Chris's masks off. Rosita did what she could to distract their wandering hands, but the one year olds had other plans.

Michonne greeted her friend. "Need some help?"

"Four more arms would be nice. I swear if Abraham thinks he's just going to drink the night away while I'm stuck with the boys he's got another thing coming. I will make a scene."

Michonne nodded. "Yeah, after all we've been through out there it's baffling that the guys would think pullback and solely raise their kids."

"Tyreese wasn't like that. Damn, I miss him... He was great with the boys. I think he would have made a great teacher or could've run daycare. I know that sounds odd considering how big he was."

"No, you're right. Judith wouldn't have made it without him. He was always great with her before Rick arrived."

"He would have been a great father." Rosita got a little sad. "I might have had a small crush on him. He was my type, physically."

"Tyreese was fine. Don't let Rick know, but he was my type too."

"Yolanda was a lucky woman, he seemed like the type to eat chocha all night. I was so hung up on Abe, I wish I would've... I'm not happy with those people coming into our home, Michonne."

Michonne hadn't forgotten what the Saviors did. They took Tyreese, Reg, Regina, and Glenn. They'd poached their supplies for months and had them living in a constant state of fear. Because Negan had an obsession with their family, they considered telling him that Miles had been stillborn until they realized he would have stormed their home anyway. Judith was wise enough to hide, but a newborn wouldn't know when to stay quiet and when it was time to cry. Michonne remembered Judith doing the same when they were holed up in Gabriel's church. The Termites were nothing compared to the Saviors. They would play it safe. "Trust me. This festival, it's not what it looks like."

"I know. You don't have to tell me either. Just know that I'm ready whenever."

"Thank you Rosita."

"No problem. Keep your family safe."

"You too." Michonne felt revitalized after her conversation with Rosita. She smiled when she found Judith playing tag with Noah's twin brothers and two kids from the Kingdom. They were faster than her, but she wasn't giving up. Her pretty pink dress had grass stains on them. Michonne knew that would happen and continued to let her play. Carl was near the snack table talking to his friends. Chenelle was now chatting with Jessie rubbing Miles's back in his sling. Smythe was laying by her feet. Ignoring her fear, she signaled Chenelle. "You're not his only parent. If you want to dance, give him to me or Carl. He's only talking."

Chenelle squirmed awkwardly. "I'm fine, Michonne. I'd just be dancing by myself. And I'm with my friend." Jessie gave a small wave. "Jessie hasn't had much time with him."

"Okay, as long as you're having fun. This is a party. Dance, sing, hang out, pig out, just have fun, okay?"

Chenelle was about to argue when she realized how rare music was. She didn't like separating from Miles, but it had been months since she was able to dance to music. She took her sling off and gave Michonne the baby. Smythe was at her heels as she went to dance to the Beatles. Michonne looked around. Several of their people were armed. Sasha was in the tower, Maggie, Tara, and Carol were in booths with fully loaded arsenals. It was just a precaution. However she wished she had her sword.

Miles looked up at her and giggled. "There's my pumpkin. Mimi missed you. Mimi missed her baby so much. You can stay with me even if you have a stinkie. I'm not mean like your grandpa."

Meanwhile...

Enid looked at the festival suspiciously. This made no sense. Rick Grimes was the same man who took over Alexandria when he found out one of their own had been abused. He was the same guy who disappeared for months to bring back a doctor and team of nurses. Now she was expected to believe he was rolling over after having his hand chopped off and best friend taken? Enid wasn't born yesterday.

"This party is bullshit."

"Well good morning to you, Mary Sunshine," Mikey joked.

"What is your dad planning?"

Carl shrugged "I don't know. He didn't tell me."

"Well you did kind of take off rampage a little while ago. So... Yeah, I wouldn't tell you either." Ron quipped coldly. Despite Carl coming back his friendship with Ron was still strained.

"I guess we'll just have to trust him."

Enid nodded. She was about to scoot closer to Carl when she noticed Chenelle dancing with her dog and some woman from the kingdom. She looked at Carl's eyes watching her and stayed put. His mother was swarmed with people to see his baby. Enid couldn't believe Carl had a child. She wasn't the only one thinking that way. Anna also had a crush on Carl. He was from the outside, one of the most popular people in Alexandria, and always carried a gun. That made him irresistible in her eyes. Carl was the bad boy. "So you and Chenelle..."

Carl shook his head. "Yeah just once."

"Are you two together?" Anna didn't care regardless.

"No. We don't even get along. She's great with Miles though. She's been treating our family with respect which I know is difficult for her. It's weird, just weird."

"I just can't believe you would do something so stupid." Enid criticized.

"Thanks Mom," Carl replied sarcastically.

Mikey shrugged. "She's still hot though. ...you think she'd let me hit? You know if I start talking to her like you and stuff. It's been 6 weeks right?"

It got silent. It's one thing to say that about a random woman, but Chenelle had his son. His son that she'd just given birth to. Mikey must've wanted Carl's fist in his face. "What the hell did you just say?"

"..." Mikey realized the mistake he made.

"Are you going to hit him?" Anna asked. She could hardly contain her excitement. She envied Chenelle. Not only did she get to sleep with Carl Grimes, she potentially had guys fighting over her.

Carl scoffed. He was just told to use his head. Lust wasn't his problem though; it was wrath. "This is stupid."

Carl walked away. Enid glared at Mikey. "Way to go, genius." She followed Carl.

Anna didn't follow Carl and Enid. Knowing them, they'd climb over the wall to hang out. Anna assumed that they killed dead ones to let off steam. The Alexandrian teen thought about her actions and was disappointed in herself. She acted like a fool. She just liked Carl so much. Anna would even be content being the other woman if she could be with him. Carl wasn't like that though. He had honor. That's why he was helping raise a son by a girl he didn't like and wouldn't see her disrespected. She was mad at Mikey for thinking Carl would be okay with something like that. Chenelle was lucky. Enid was lucky. Anna folded her arms. "You're such a loser!" She went to the dancefloor; she had a friend to make.

"You're not going over the wall are you?" Usually Enid wanted to seem indifferent, but going outside the walls tonight would be dangerous. Walkers would be attracted to the massive group inside the walls. There would be more than usual out.

"No, I'm just going to it. Kill some at the fence."

"Fine."

Carl turned once he noticed Enid was still following him. "You don't have to come with me."

"I know. I want to."

The next to arrive was Hilltop. Many of them had stayed behind. Rick left a bad impression of them on his first visit. Jesus and Gregory arrived with twenty others. Among them was a familiar face. Rick's eyes narrowed as Father Gabriel walked inside of the walls of Alexandria. The last he'd seen of him he had a bottle pressed to his throat. Michonne asked if he had killed him, but they now had their answer. No, he didn't. Carl also told him to cool it so Miles could peacefully be with his other grandfather. Gabriel and his God with a funny sense of humor was tempting him though. "Rick."

"Gabriel."

"I know I left on bad terms, but there was something... someone I had to see." Rick's hand twitched. "Chenelle. I need to see her. Abraham said something to me once and then I hear that Carl had a son and I was wondering-"

Rick breathed. He was annoyed, but at least Gabriel wasn't there for Michonne. Rick wouldn't have made a scene, but killing him in secret would have been hard to do with one hand. "Yeah, she had my grandson."

"And mine too. I have to see her."

"Dancefloor probably. Go ahead. ...But Gabriel, the girl's stayin' in Alexandria. Don't even think about her or my grandson leavin' these walls."

Gabriel was about to say something, but let it die. This was pleasant for Rick. He wasn't going to 'look a gift horse in the mouth'. Jesus heard the tense conversation. "Is everything okay?"

"It's a long story."

Meanwhile...

Chenelle sat down, exhausted from dancing. She promised she'd find Michonne and Miles soon, but she needed to catch her breath. Anna handed her some lemonade. "Thank you. Could you find Michonne for me? It's time for Miles's dinner."

"I could bring him to you."

"Rick wouldn't like that." This was true, but partially a lie. Chenelle didn't want Anna around her or her child.

"...okay."

Chenelle drank her lemonade amazed with the taste. She choked when Ron and Mikey sat next to her. She coughed violently. Why were all these teenagers around her? Carl wasn't there and Miles was with Michonne.

"You okay?" Mikey asked. He checked her out a brief moment before focusing on her face. She was very cute tonight. They were too isolated for most of them to care about the foreign girls.

"Umm, y-yeah." She couldn't think of anything to say. She knew nothing about him and they've never spoken before. "I'm sorry, this is too weird for me. I know y'all're just being nice, but hanging out is awkward knowing how much Carl and Ron don't like me."

Ron was shocked. "I don't hate you."

"...You've never spoken to me. You're friendly with everyone except me."

"The first time I spoke to you, you rambled off in Spanish. You always seemed more interested in Smythe than any of us. Plus I thought it would be disrespectful to my girlfriend to get close to you." Ron avoided a girl he thought was attractive for his girlfriend; it was sad his girlfriend didn't extend the same courtesy.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Mikey glared at Ron. He went over for Chenelle to talk to him, not Ron.

"I'm not just sorry about that. Your mom took me in when I was pregnant. Your brother was nice to me. And after Miles was born I just- I'm sorry. ...you were the first to integrate the teens from outside the walls to your home. I know I was messed up back then and couldn't say much to you, but I still don't know what to say. I'm just really sorry."

Ron shrugged. "You didn't really do anything to me. We're okay. Just visit Sam from time-to-time. It made him sad that you left. I wasn't surprised to see you go. They always take what they want."

Chenelle knew who they were. "You have no idea. Would you like to meet him, my son?"

"Sure."

Smythe followed Chenelle as she walked. Ron and Chenelle walked side by side and found Michonne and Anna. Michonne gave the sling to Chenelle. "How was he?"

"Quiet considering all that's going on around him. Are you going home?"

"Yeah, I'm going to feed him and put him down for the night."

Michonne noticed Ron hovering around the new mother, but he didn't look at her lustfully. Michonne was happy Chenelle was making friends her age. Remembering Rosita from earlier, she said, "make sure Carl knows. You two can take shifts." She saw Gregory and went to speak before he could creep on Chenelle or ask to hold Miles.

Chenelle took Miles and showed him to Ron. "Do you want to hold him?"

"No, he's too small. I haven't held a baby since Sam." Ron searched Miles for signs of his father. Even though he knew why she lived with him, the rumor of her being his father's rape victim plagued him. He was relieved to see this wasn't his little brother. Miles was definitely a Grimes. He heard that he looked like Carl, but Ron thought he looked like Rick. Knowing Chenelle slept with Carl made him a little sad. What was it with that guy that the girls lost their minds for? Maybe if she told him it would make Enid's obvious betrayal a little easier. "Why Carl? What is it about that guy?"

Chenelle sighed. "We knew each other before Alexandria. I thought I loved him and he understood me. ...Why Enid? She never deserved you."

"She's cool, pretty, and smart. She can be very funny."

"That's it?"

"Yeah." Ron shrugged. "I liked her."

Chenelle nodded. "Hold on to that past tense. Carl and I made out a couple of times because with Miles we seem like a little family, but look where he is. Don't trust them. They deserve each other." Miles grew fussy. "I'm sorry baby; I shouldn't have said those things about your poppa."

"What's that mean?"

She didn't answer. Her eyes had focused on what seemed like a phantom. She held Miles in her sling and took off running. She fell in Gabriel's arms. "Father!"

Gabriel started sobbing. He was hurting for months. There was never a moment Chenelle wasn't on his mind. "My girl, my sweet girl. Thank you God! Thank you Lord!" He kissed Chenelle on her cheek and forehead. They sobbed in each other's arms until Miles joined in.

Chenelle wiped her eyes. "Father, this is my son, Miles Stokes."

Gabriel choked on tears. "Stokes?"

Chenelle gave a sly smile. "I'm not married." Then her smile crumbled. "I see why I should've been. He loves our son, but not me."

"Well, I love you." Gabriel affirmed. "There can be blessings even through sin. Look at you Chenelle, you're growing up so fast. And look at this miracle. You survived the one of the hardest things a woman can go through. I am proud of you just like I've always been."

Chenelle started crying again.

Later...

Right when they thought the festival would just be with the satellite nations, the sound of motorcycles ripped through the party. Michonne grabbed Judith and headed to their home. Chenelle ran off too. Daryl puffed up his chest defensively, ready to strike if things went to shit. Carl glared at the newcomers. A horde of walkers followed the sound of motorcycles. Before they opened the gates the Saviors dealt with the mass. They had so much skill Carl was almost sorry that they were enemies. Humanity needed to band together, not war. The Saviors would still die though. Carl's remorse died with the Monroes.

Carl watched as the gates of Alexandria opened. Around forty Saviors entered with their leader Negan. They were clad in some form of leather or jean with the exception of the female behind Negan. She was dressed in a slinky white and black polka dotted evening dress. She would have stood out without the formal wear. She was stunning.

"Rick Motherfucking Grimes! Sorry I didn't bring anything," Negan said facetiously. "It just didn't make any sense since you fuckers are my suppliers." If looks could kill, Rick's eyes would have done it. They burned with hatred. "Easy there sheriff. I'm just fucking with you. I didn't come empty handed. This pretty little pussy here is my wife Kiki. She's the best fucking singer in this goddamned world!"

"Not that there's much competition," she quipped. A pageant smile was plastered on her face.

Rick looked at Kiki. She was average height, about an inch or two shorter than Michonne. She was slender, naturally thin, and not muscular. She had beautiful chocolate skin, and a bright smile that didn't reach her eyes. She had long natural hair braided into a bun. This must have been the black wife he boasted of previously. Kiki had a beautiful smile and sweet voice, but her spouse made her his enemy. She wouldn't be spared.

Negan noticed Rick looking at Kiki. "Amazing ain't she? Look at that ass, these tits, those lips!" Negan grabbed each part as he spoke. Kiki didn't flinch. It didn't bother her, but Rick was disgusted by the objectification of Negan's wife. Rick didn't reach his limit until Negan said, "Almost like your Michonne huh?"

The Saviors laughed. Kiki winced. Rick glared. "What the fuck did you just say?"

"Shit." Carl saw his father's demeanor change. He flew down the ladder to help his dad keep his cool.

"Watch how you talk about my wife."

"Hey, no disrespect. This is a party right? Lighten the fuck up." Carl joined them. "Well if it isn't the killer kid. Shit not a kid anymore, you're someone's daddy. Where is the little shit? Bring him to his Uncle Negan."

Carl and Rick looked at each other. Carl didn't like this. They were able to delay Negan from seeing Miles last month by reminding him that Miles was a newborn and shouldn't be around many people. Now that he was about two months old, that excuse wasn't going to fly again. The Grimes men didn't want Negan anywhere near their home, women, and baby. Carl also didn't want Kiki around his son. He remembered her from his stint at the Sanctuary. He remembered Kiki being a vain, materialistic woman who played spades and gossiped all day with Negan's auburn-haired wife, Francesca. She was a little more spoiled than Negan's wives because she had talent in addition to her good looks. Because of this Kiki got whatever she wanted. Carl didn't want her to get the same parental whim Negan caught. If she asked for Judith or Miles, Negan would take them; he would try. Miles wasn't leaving the walls. If they thought he was crazy for what he did to avenge his father, they weren't ready for what he'd do to protect his son.

"Only you two," Rick said begrudgingly.

"Excellent! See this is what I'm talking about." Negan turned to his men. "You fuckers have a good time." Like roaches caught in the light, they scattered. Negan looked around the community as they walked to the Grimes's home. He whistled. "This shit is gorgeous."

"Yes, you have a lovely community. It even has electricity. Negan, baby, can I have some music?"

"You gon suck my dick?" Kiki was about to respond when Negan kissed her. It was a peck at first, but then he returned to deepen the kiss. She moaned wantonly. He grabbed the back of her neck. "You know I'm dicking around about you sucking my dick right? I can't damage the pipes of my favorite girl."

"But I want to." Kiki gave him a small pout.

Negan grabbed her face. He made her look at him. "Behave." Kiki nodded and became disinterested in their little journey. Her feet hurt from walking in heels. As long as she got her music she didn't mind humoring Negan on his trip to the Grimes home. She didn't want to see the baby. She didn't want to see the girl. She especially didn't want to see this Michonne. "Why weren't your women at the party? I expected to see Michonne at the gate like last fucking time."

"They were where they wanted to be."

"At home? Damn, I like this bastard even more. Not the best idea leaving your women unguarded though."

"You don't know Chenelle. And you sure as hell don't know mom."

"...That's amazing. All of this is fucking amazing: community, the alliance, your family. I took your fucking hand and you're still the luckiest guy in the world. These people love you. They're watching out for you. That old broad selling cookies and still has her hand on a concealed weapon. I've never seen that old fuck, Ezekiel leave the Kingdom. How the fuck did you talk to that basket case? Then your family. Your woman is so fucking hot, a fucking samurai. She's not intimidated by nothing. Your boy is strong, a damn good shot, plus he's got the biggest balls known to man; his baby mama has trained dogs, so a motherfucker would get mauled even trying to touch that little fuck. You've even got a grandson. You probably don't even know how incredible that is. Most of the world is dead and you're holding your third generation. You don't have just a lineage. You have a legacy. That's true immortality." So this was the source of Negan's fascination.

"I know how lucky I am. Everythin' you said is why I took the deal."

"Smart move, honestly your only move. We would have leveled this place." It took everything Rick had not to take the bait. Chenelle told him poisons took patience. To be successful he would have to humble himself and be unassuming. Constantly reminding Negan he would kill him wouldn't lower his guard. Rick took a deep breath and stopped in front of his home. He opened the door. Daryl was at the top of the stairs. He had his crossbow around his shoulder. Kiki got closer to Negan. She was feeling set up. She didn't want to die. Negan grinned. "Sup" Daryl was silent. "How about you do something useful and go get the family."

Carl shook his head. "I'll get them." Carl stomped up the steps and wasn't surprised to see his family in the same room together.

"Mommy?" Judith was scared. Something was going on, but she didn't understand what. "I wanna go to bed."

"I know, baby. We're just going to say hello to someone first. Don't be mean. He says bad words."

"Is he a bad man?"

"...yes baby, he's a bad man."

Judith started crying. Miles joined soon after. Chenelle looked Carl in his eyes. "Protect him."

"You know I will."

Chenelle nodded and placed a pocket knife in the sleeve of her ivory sweater. She held her baby close to her and got up from the rocking chair. Smythe followed her movements. Negan was elated to see them. Chenelle walked up to him and showed him their baby. "That is definitely the serial killer's kid. Aww don't cry little fuck. Uncle Negan's a good guy." He took Miles from Chenelle's arms. Smythe growled and barked menacingly. Negan supported Miles with one hand and drew his gun.

"No!" Chenelle screamed.

It fell on deaf ears. Negan pulled the trigger. Smythe whimpered before becoming silent. Chenelle passed out. Carl drew his weapon. "Careful boy, I have your whole fucking future in my hands."

Carl's heart rate increased. His breathing became shallow. "Give him back. Give me my kid and get out. I'm not doing this!"

Rick drew his weapon on Kiki. "Put Miles on the couch and get out. I swear I will blow her goddamn brains out if you don't."

"Always making demands. Do you not realize what this is?" Michonne told Judith to hide and raced downstairs. She quickly surveyed the scene. Negan shot Chenelle's dog. The girl was coming to her senses only to give a mournful moan seeing her baby in that monster's hands. Michonne wanted to puke. Her nightmare was coming true. Why did they do this? They should have lied, said they both died in childbirth and hidden them away. It was selfish and stupid to have Miles so close to them during their war. "There she is, the voice of reason. Kiki, go meet Michonne. Kiki!"

Kiki stared at Michonne. Confusion marred her face before realization. A lifetime flashed before her eyes: hugs, kisses, birthdays, laughter, yelling, fighting, trips, baby showers, births, deaths, and reunions. "Michonne? Michonne?! Ma sœur, il est moi! Michonne il est moi!"

Michonne snapped to the thin woman beside Negan. She dropped her sword. The stress must have been too much. She was seeing phantoms again. This wasn't real. "No. No. Stop!" This wasn't happening.

"Michonne what's going on?"

Kiki burst into tears. "Kiki what the fuck?"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry" She said between sobs. "I know I look ugly crying like this. ...that's my sister."

Rick and Carl looked at Kiki and Michonne. "This isn't real."

"Andre! Auntie Kia is here. It's okay Andre, everything's okay. I promise my husband will never hurt you. Come down! I want to see you!"

Michonne eased her way toward Kianga. Rick lowered his weapon, but analyzed Negan's grasp of Miles. There had to be a way to get him safe. Michonne touched her face. It was almost as if she didn't age. "Kianga?" It was her sister, her baby sister. "Oh Kianga." Her little sister was Negan's wife. They were enemies. "Kianga no."

Negan gave Rick a dark smile. He rocked Miles in his arms and grew pleased with the scene.

"I guess we're family."

(A/N) I've never updated like this before. :) So at least you have two chapters just in case I take 2 months to update again. If you're wondering why Kianga never caught on that her sister lived in Alexandria, she had the same assumption as Negan. When she heard about Carl's mother, she expected a white woman.

Next Chapter: While Kianga and Michonne reunite, the plan to kill the Saviors does not change.