Beautiful Mistakes~ A Rick Grimes Love Story

*| 29 |*

After Daryl had returned, we learned what happened to Carol and Beth. We spent our time working to secure the church. We took and used what we could, but I know Gabriel didn't like the idea of destroying his church. It was for a good reason, but I know how much that church meant to him.

Rick and I worked on boarding up the shutters with wood. "They want to go to Atlanta." Rick says.

"What do you think?" I ask him.

"Funny, I was just about to ask you the same." he says, smiling.

"I think they should stay, and help take care of Judith. We need to go to Atlanta. And we need them here. I trust them, here. Hell, I would trust them there if we didn't need them here. Unless you want me to stay, too...." I say, hoping he would want me to go with him.

"No, you're right. They can hold it down here, just like we taught them. I need you in Atlanta, with us." he says.

Maybe apart of me didn't want to go back to Atlanta. That's where my old life was... where the old Luna was. I thought I was putting all of that behind me... but now I was about to walk right back into it. Although, Rick was right. As much as I hated my old life, I knew that city like the back of my hand.

"What's wrong? You've got that look again." he says.

"It's just... I didn't plan on going back to Atlanta. There's so many memories there... bad ones." I say.

"Well, then stay. I'll handle it with the others." he says.

"No. I owe it to Carol. And Beth. I'm going... I'm just going to need you." I say.

"I owe Carol even more. I'll be right be your side, or never too far from it." he says. "Now come on, let's go see our girl."

He holds Judith in his arms. I could tell he didn't wanna leave her. I didn't either, honestly. Rick kisses the top of her head, before handing her to me. I hold her closely, kissing her on the top of the head a few times. I had her over to Michonne and Riley, who would be staying behind.

Rick and I both hug Sage and Carl. "We'll be back soon." Rick says.
"I know." Sage says. Rick smiles at her.
"Take care of each other." I say.
Carl says, "We will, I promise."

"They are in good hands." Riley says. I laugh.
"Yeah, okay." I say, before hugging him good bye. He whispers in my ear, "Remember what I told you. I love you, sis." I nod before grabbing our bags and walking out of the church. I turn around to look at them all one more time, before shutting the door.

I'm not even a step away from the door. Rick and I can hear Judith crying for us. Rick must see the pain in my eyes. "She's with family. She will be okay." he says, assuring me or trying to.

Rick drives us to Atlanta. I sit passenger to him. Daryl, Noah, Tyreese, and Sasha also join us.

"You've been quiet today." Rick says on our drive.

"Yeah, just tired is all." I say, looking out of the window.

"You sure that's it? You can tell me." he says, looking at me.

I turn to face him. "Yeah, I'm sure. I'll feel even better once we have them back with us."

"Me too." he says, taking his free hand and placing it in my thigh. I wasn't really expecting him to do that, so it made me jump. He kept his hand there for the rest of the drive, rubbing his hand back and forth. It was so soothing and calming, I could have went to sleep right there.

We make our way to Atlanta. I look at the buildings of the city I once lived. They were worn down. They were dirty, nearly falling apart. Most of the windows had been blown out... it was disturbing. It broke my heart to see a place that was once my home in this condition. The streets were littered with trash and walkers. I pass by the place I used to work. Then, I spot a tanker. Rick had told me about the one he got in to escape the walkers, and Glenn helped him out. That's how Rick met the group and made his way back to Carl.