Life of Illusion- Rick Grimes x reader

Gizzmo and the Cannibal

It had been about a month since the family had got the news about Rick. Shane and Elyse would say few words when seeing each other at the house, along with work. It was taking a toll on everyone.

Elyse made sure to visit Lori and Carl as often as she could, even with the stress of her divorce and trying to pull her weight at work with one officer down.

She would make lots of dinners (with the help of Emily) for Lori and Carl. It seemed to help keep Lori in a state of calmness, she wasn't sad or angry, just walking around as if she knew what would happen.

Elyse also made sure, that when she could, spare a moment to see Rick. He was no longer pale, his color had come back, but the doctor still said there was no sign of when he would come out of his coma.

Shane was pulling his weight as well, he would help keep up with lawn maintenance and stuff like that for Lori so she wouldn't have to do it. Emily was trying her best to bounce between her home life with her husband, Eren, and her friends who needed her. In any way she could help Lori, she would. If that meant getting the groceries or picking Carl up from school, she was there.

Elyse crouched over while the stove, making sure the casserole she was making was cooking properly. She had to admit, she loved Loris stove. It was perfect, and she added it to her list of what she wanted in a perfect house.

She was happy with how she made enough for everyone and a little extra, knowing Shane would want some more because he was burning a lot while mowing the lawn in the heat, while Emily looked after the plants in the flowerbed.

She smiled knowing that Lori looked well-rested and was helping Carl with his homework, something Elyse tried to do but gave up when she realized that they changed math.

A ding from a kitchen timer let everyone in the house know that dinner was ready.

"Carl, would you mind settin' the table?" Elyse called while making some lemonade.

He grabbed all the silverware and plates while Lori went outside to get Shane and Emily.

She stood there for a moment, watching him sweat as the hot sun came down. The sun-blocking the view, she tried covering her eyes to call out to him over the loud mower.

"Shane! Emily!" He stopped the mower, wiping his hands off on a rag, walking over to her.

"What's up?" Beads of sweat roll down his face.

"Elyse finished up with dinner, get inside and get something to drink." She says walking away. Shane turns to admire the work he did on the yard. Sure it's a small yard, but the mower is old. It takes a while for it to get going. Emily swatted the dirt from her hands and grabbed an earthworm.

"Shane!" She threw the worm and it landed on his shoulder. He jumped and then quickly shrugged it off as nothing happened.

They all find their way to the table and eat in a comfortable silence eating the food Elyse made. Carl clanks his fork on the table accidentally, making all eyes go on him.

"Sorry," he muttered. "Actually," he started "I was wondering when we would go get the dog we talked about, Elyse. Remember? You said we would."

Elyse couldn't help but feel bad for forgetting.

"I remember, Carl. But it's not up to me." She says looking at Shane, who just shrugs.

"I said before, it's fine." Carl smiled, and Lori smiled at her son.

"Can we do it tomorrow? Since it's a Saturday? You don't have work do you?"

"How convenient you ask the day before knowin' I don't work."