» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» THE CALM BEFORE PT.1 «

First Time For Everything: Caramel Apple Edition

I could hear the chatter and joyful bustle of the Kingdom before I saw it, but eventually the gates opened to reveal the fair in all it's glory. There were rows upon rows of busy stalls, people crowding in excitement to see what they could barter their belongings for. Children playing with handmade toys and painting with scavenged brushes.

Kelly ran over first, practically leaping on her sister with pure relief. I watched Carol and Ezekiel scold Henry before bringing him into a hug, their stern expressions lifting as he introduced them to Lydia.

"Mommy!" A tiny voice giggled, the bouncing girl wrapping her arms around my legs as soon as she saw me. I scooped Heather up into my hold, squeezing her longingly. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too." I mumbled, my lips brushing her forehead fondly. She wriggled in my arms, her voice low in feigned mystery.

"Did you get all the bad guys?" She asked, her eyes wide with wonderment. I bit my lip with hesitation, a small crease between my eyebrows.

"Yep. They're all gone now." I reassured her, my eyes meeting Enid's as she stood not too far away. I walked over to her with a guilt ridden expression, an apology already on my lips.

"Don't apologise, you know I'm always happy to." She brushed it off, nudging me with her elbow. "Besides, we had a fun ride over, right?"

Heather nodded eagerly, wiggling out of my grasp and onto her feet. She quickly bounded over to Henry, the boy lifting her up with a smile as he stopped next to me.

"My dad wants to see you." He explained as my daughter fiddled with the collar of his jacket. "My mom, too. I think it's important."

I nodded a quick goodbye to Enid before following him to the throne room, seeing the circle of people on the stage already. Henry sat in the front seats with Lydia and Judith, Heather jumping on his knees as she took in the splendour of the building. With its string of lights and red velvet seats, this place was suddenly turned beautiful.

I noticed the assembling of people waiting were the specially chosen leaders of each community. Ezekiel and Carol for the Kingdom, Gabriel representing Alexandria by Michonne's side. Daryl sitting on the end of the stage reluctantly and Tara greeting me with a smile. A girl, slightly younger than me with heavy blue eyes, stood to the side and I recognised her as Rachel. She must've been there instead of Cyndie, making me wonder briefly why the older girl wasn't there.

"I know I haven't always seen eye-to-eye with everyone in this room." Michonne started, her tone full of acknowledgement and possibly regret. "But I never stopped caring about any of you. I was just trying to protect my family and do right by my people."

I couldn't blame her for that, because that's all any of us wanted. We each had responsibilities to others and ourselves, and felt a need to take care of those closest to us first.

"Alexandria's future is here. Together, with you." She continued. I couldn't help the grin that pulled my lips up, feeling so glad at her realisation.

Gabriel stepped forward. "I've taken an informal vote with the other council members at the fair and we all agree. Alexandria is willing to grant asylum to Lydia. She's one of us now."

I didn't miss the way Henry met the girl's eyes with such fondness and caring, his hand reaching out to link with hers.

"If her mother retaliates, it's gonna be against Hilltop, not Alexandria." Tara pointed out dejectedly.

"We've all been on the other side of those walls at some point or another." I protested, my arms folded sternly. There had been a time when Tara was with someone that destroyed my home, who killed the man I considered a friend and mentor when it mattered most. "We gave you a chance and it turned out to be the right call. You gotta trust me on this one, too."