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Rick Finds Carl In The Midst Of A Huge Decision (season 9 time-jump, not canon)

Carl had a lot on his mind. He had so much on his mind that he couldn't seem to sit still, choosing to pace around the room as his thoughts bounced off each other rapidly.

'Will you- no. Annabelle Dixon, will you- that's bullshit. One knee or two knees? Shit, I don't even have a ring. Step one: find a ring-'

"You alright?" Carl startled at the sound of his father's voice, pausing his movements with a sigh. "I've heard you pacing for the past hour."

Carl slumped onto the couch, his stressful features never letting up. Rick frowned as he sat next to him, waiting to hear an explanation.

"How old were you when you married mom?" Carl muttered instead of answering the question, his fingers tangled together with nerves. "I mean-how did you know?"

Rick smiled widely, suddenly realising what this was about. However, he pushed down the giddy excitement when he took note of his son's panicked expression.

"I was a little younger than you, and we sure as hell didn't have a kid already." He replied, hinting at the granddaughter he loved so much. If it wasn't for her already existing, this probably would've been the proudest moment of his life. Watching his eldest child starting a family of his own, making the connections he had made in the past.

He could see the constant crease between Carl's eyebrows, the way his foot kept bouncing subconsciously. Rick had never seen him look so nervous, so worked up over something.

"Okay, I think you're ready." The older man heaved himself up from the couch, Carl's wide eyes following as he walked over to a drawer. He rummaged around for a moment, fingers digging deep into the corners until he found what he wanted. He returned to his seat, holding the precious object in his palm.

"I gave this to your mother a long time ago. And when she died, I think I just wanted something to hold on to." Rick sighed, a weight lifting from his heart when he pressed it into his son's hand. "But I've started a new life now, with Michonne and Judith and you. So I think it's about time I passed it on. This whole time I've been wondering why I kept it, and now I think I know."

Carl frowned thoughtfully at the glittering ring in his hand, his thumb smoothing over the surface as the light reflected off it. It was small and modest, nothing too much. He figured it suited Belle perfectly.

"Thanks, dad." He smiled, feeling his taut nerves relaxing slightly.

'Step one: complete.'

Rick placed a hand on Carl's shoulder, meeting his eyes sincerely. "I'm proud of you, Carl. I'm proud of both of you. I'm glad you found each other, you really do deserve it." He brought him close in an embrace, a calloused hand patting his back comfortingly. "So, what are you waiting for?"

Carl bit his lip hesitantly, shrugging his shoulders. "Getting married doesn't scare me, and kids don't scare me. But Daryl does, and I'm about to tell him I wanna marry his daughter."

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