» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» THE OBLIGED «

I'm A Mother, Not A Fighter (Who Says I Can't Be Both)

"Can you say it again?" I grinned widely, my hands gently holding Heather's as she stumbled. "Can you say 'Ma'? Say 'Ma', come on."

She let out a few gurgles and other happy noises, but none of them resembled the single syllable word. I didn't mind it, though. With each mile stone she reached it made me realise she was growing up so fast, something I was beginning to dread. As soon as she was old enough, she would have to start learning how to survive. I knew the Hilltop was a safe place but you could never be too careful. There was just a part of me that wanted to keep her from it all.

"How about 'Da'? You said it before, you can say it again." I encouraged, but all I got was a delighted squeal in return as she tumbled into my open arms.

My eyes drifted to the busy community, watching the people bustle around and animals roam the field. My gaze landed on Maggie, not too far away under a small shelter. She held a bag in her hand, a crowbar shoved inside it. I frowned as I got to my feet, my daughter resting on my hip as she chewed her fingers absentmindedly.

"Hershel's upstairs, I just came to get Heather." Angie held her arms out as she rounded the door, a smile on her face as she gestured to take her. I snapped out my concerned daze, passing her over without a second thought. Angie had always been a reliable babysitter, especially when I was too busy to juggle work and babies. I nodded a quick thanks, taking off as soon as she was out of my sight.

"You heading out?" I questioned when I reached Maggie, my arms crossed in suspicion.

She bit her cheek in consideration before speaking. "I'm going to make things right. You heard what Cyndie said, and I think it's about time, don't you?"

"You don't have to." I surprised even myself when I blurted that out, my hand grabbing Maggie's wrist before she could leave. "You don't need to kill Negan. You can stay here, you never have to see him again, just...don't. Him being there, alive, doesn't have to mean anything, but killing him will mean everything. Just not in the way you want it to."

Her eyes were soft as she thought my words over, hesitation in her step. I thought she might need an extra push as my mouth opened again. "You gotta think about what Glenn would've wanted." This should've worked. Glenn was a notoriously kind person, always looking for a way that worked for everyone. I assumed Maggie would've understood that.

She held a glare in her eyes as she stared at me, her lips set in a straight and furious line. "Glenn would've wanted to see his baby boy grow up."

I bit my tongue to stop the stinging in my eyes, gulping down my fear and following her as she stormed away. "I can't stop you from going, so at least let me come with you. I won't help, I just want you to be safe." That was mostly true, but I also considered the long journey as the perfect time to talk. Just me and her and nothing between us.

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My horse was a reliable one, even if I had no idea how to ride the damn thing. It was like she knew this, steering the way for me as I trotted beside Maggie. She had the same stony expression since we left the Hilltop, clearly focused on the mission.

"You know, for a long time all I ever wanted was revenge. For Denise, Olivia, Abraham. I wanted Glenn's death to mean something." I started, my tone far away. "I wanted to tell my daughter all about the war and the Saviors and how it all happened so long ago. And I can, because of Rick and...Carl."

Maggie sighed, her frustration evident. "Just because it's what Carl wanted doesn't mean it's what's best for the rest of us."

I could barely contain myself from snapping at her, my eyes narrowing as she turned to look at me. There was an apology in her lips and a sadness in her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Belle. I didn't mean that." Her voice was full of regret and I knew she wished she could take it back. She sighed quietly, her gaze in front. "If there was someone to blame for Carl's death, if someone killed him like Negan killed Glenn, would you want them dead?"

I blinked, apparently stunned. "I don't know. I thought I did, but it doesn't matter now. I'm moving on as best as I can." My fingers fumbled around the reins of my horse. "That's kinda why I wanted to come with you. I think it's time I saw Carl again."

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Good news, I've already started my new story

It's called 'Time In A Bottle' and it's gonna have more stories about Belle as well as things like outfit pics and extra info that I haven't included here

So far I've planned out two chapters, one of them about Belle and Enid and them looking after baby Heather. The second, which I've already written about half of, is an AU about what would've happened if Belle went to the Sanctuary instead of Carl in 'Sing Me A Song' and honestly I kinda like it so I hope you will too

I'll probably publish it when I've finished, so maybe within a week (idk which chapter I should start off with, should it be the Negan one or should I start off with a cute one with Carl or Glenn or Daryl?)