5. The Steeple

o n e h u nd r e d n i n e t y n i n e

Theo sent out an emergency meeting in the main hall with everyone important to her the following day.

Daryl Dixon.

Maggie Rhee

Gabriel Stokes

Eugene Porter

Aaron Raleigh

Carol Peletier

Negan Smith

Eziekel Sutton

Yumiko Okumura

Magna Okumura

Princess

Connie and Kelly

They sat around the room, questioning why it was only them in this meeting with everyone.

Theo decided not to bring the kids to the meeting. She wanted to tell them herself in private so she could explain better after telling everyone else.

Theo stood at the room's height, looking over everyone she loved.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming" She smiled as everyone gathered, silence falling over the room.

"I understand that the last few days have been tough for everyone, and I know you all want to go home and grieve and be with those you care most about, but I needed to speak to you all personally", Theo began "When I look around this room I see a group of strong, amazing people...But I also see everyone we lost."

Amy.

Jim

Jacquie

Sophie

Dale

Lori

Andrea

T-Dog

Merle

Hershel

Bob

Beth

Tyreese

Noah

Glenn

Abraham

Jesus

Enid

Carl

Tara

Siddiq

Alden

Luke

Rosita.

And Rick Grimes, her father.

"We have all lost a lot in the last decade. We have fought and survived with costs unimaginable." Theo looked around the room.

"But as we all know, there is no cure for this loss; it's inevitable; you get scratched, bitten or die in any way imaginable; your fate is to become a walker. So, I have to admit something. The day we took control of the Commonwealth was when I got bit..." She announced as everyone looked at her, confused. "And as we know, that was three days ago" She looked at Negan, who finally released a breath he had been holding, concerned and confused as to why she was still alive. "But as you can see, I'm still alive." She shrugged. "I don't know why, I don't know why I am here when there are more worthy people who deserve to be alive, but the bite has healed itself, and it's not causing any pain or fever, nothing. No sign of infection" She finally lifted her shirt to reveal the bit on her side, making a few people stand.

"I don't understand..." Maggie looked at her, worried.

"I told Rosita yesterday, and she told me of a rumour she heard a few years ago, a rumour she had heard from you, Eugene. I need you to confirm with me right now if it is true," she asked as Eugene stood.

"Is there a magical island in France full of the world's smartest doctors alive still?" She hoped his response was the one she wanted to hear.

"Affirmative, boss. I know I lied about Washington, DC, many years ago, but this is no foul play. I'll be honest and tell you I have no idea where in France it is, but I can show you the quickest way to France." Eugene nodded, and Theo took a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Eugene" She smiled as he sat returning one. "So, Daryl and I will be setting off to France tonight..." Theo smiled as everyone looked at her, waiting for her to give them her final orders.

"I honestly have no idea if this bite is just waiting to kill me at any given moment; I don't know if I will ever come home. So I want to give you all your final orders" She smiled as tears finally fell from her eyes. "Maggie. Hilltop belongs to you, and I want you to go back there and lead that place back to life; I want you to take care of Lydia and make sure she is safe there for me?" Theo asked as Maggie smiled, nodding at her, "Negan, wherever you want your home to be, you will be fully supported to start your family in a safe place you can call home."

"Thank you, doll." He smiled at her, sadly scared that he would never see her again.

"Carol, I want you to have the Commonwealth, you are a strong woman who can turn this place around, and Eziekel, I was hoping you would help with that?" She smiled and looked at the two, who nodded proudly, looking at one another. "And I was hoping you could watch over Judith and RJ while we are gone; they love this place too much to leave it."

"Of course." They both smiled, and Carol had tears in her eyes.

"Connie and Kelly, I want to make sure you keep up the work with articles and journalism, creating a way of leaving this process for the people who will be here after us," Theo signed as Connie returned a smile and a thank you.

"Eugene, you are truly the smartest man I have ever met, and if anyone is going to keep this place technically up to date, it is you; you are the head of communications around here and between the other communities. I never want us to go without speaking to one another ever again; we are all family, and we deserve to be able to check in whenever we want to without having to travel miles for a simple few hours; we can always talk and communicate" Theo looked around the room as everyone agreed.

"It would be my honour" Eugene looked at her proudly

"Gabriel, Aaron. I need someone to care for Alexandria while Daryl and I are gone. Can you do that for us?" She smiled as they laughed, looking at one another and Theo with a supportive yes.

"Yumiko and Magna, wherever you decide to live, can you care for Libbie and CJ? They love you both so much, and it would mean a lot if you could care for them until we return?" Theo looked at them hopeful as they both looked deeply at one another, first at Theo and then at Daryl.

"We will take care of them; you know we will," Magna tried, holding her tears back. Theo smiled sadly at her before looking back at Daryl, who reached for her hand.

"Just so you are all aware, the kids don't know about Theo yet, and until we bring our kids to you later, we would really appreciate you guys not saying anything to them. They deserve to hear from us that we are leaving. Magna and Yumiko, we have a photo of Theo and me we would like you to keep, just in case we are gone longer than we want," Daryl explained as they nodded, taking the photo off of Theo. 

"I'll see you all soon"