Days Go Bye | Rick Grimes

Growing Stakes.

Chapter Thirteen

I had promised Carl that the next morning he could join the group in safeguarding the yard if he stuck with Maggie. I had been feeling anxious all day, but thankfully Carol was looking after Judith because I knew my mind had been elsewhere. That was when we heard Merle's voice coming from the floor above us. "Ain't no way."

"What?" Carol asked, and he shook his head.

"Nothing," he muttered before turning around to look down at us. "Hey, do we have any whiskey? I'd even drink vodka," he said, and I rolled my eyes.

"Go to hell, Merle," Carol said, and both Merle and I couldn't help but laugh. I admired Carol. She and I sat down to load magazines when she spoke again. "Are you with us?" she asked as he walked down the stairs.

"Sure," he said, and I could tell he didn't fully understand.

"I don't mean just sharing the same space. I mean, are you with us?" She pushed for an answer, and he hummed.

"I'm with my brother," he said, and I turned to look at him.

"Well, your brother is with us, his family, so?" I waved my hand at him. He stared at me because he didn't like that I said Daryl was part of our family.

"It's not time to do shots. It's time to pick a side," Carol said, and I nodded in agreement.

"You ain't like you were back at the camp—a little mouse scared of her shadow," he said, and I shook my head, listening to him.

"It wasn't my shadow, it was my husband's."

"You don't seem scared of anything anymore-"

"Yup," she grabbed a bag and got up.

"You're just a late bloomer," he said, and I hummed.

"Maybe you are too," she walked out of the room, leaving me with Merle.

"People change, Merle. Your brother has, Carol, me," I said, and he stared. I heard Jude fuss and start whining, so I got up and picked her up.

"Let her cry, it's good for her," he said, and I looked at him.

"Literally. Go to hell. Go find some meth or something," I said, and he frowned, then walked away after that. I took a walk with her, looking for Rick. I found myself in that hall between buildings that were gated, with a view outside. I looked out and saw Rick. He looked up at me before looking forward, rubbing his eyes and muttering.

"Rick!" I yelled, and he flinched before looking up and standing since he was crouching before. He looked confused before he started to smile. "Look, Jude, it's Daddy!" I turned her, and she giggled. He waved at us.

"Hi, honey, Hey baby!" he said, and I smiled down at him at his nickname.

"Rick, come inside, it's getting hot," I said, and he nodded at me before turning and heading inside, so I did too. I met him at the entrance, and he smiled upon seeing us. He leaned down and kissed my lips softly, and I kissed him back, smiling, and he leaned down to look at her.

"Hi, sweetheart." He took Jude before grabbing my hand, and we walked back together. "So I'm gonna tell everyone else my decision, and... I just hope everything works out," he said, and I nodded, walking with him and holding his hand.

"I think you're doing everything right, I'm by your side through it," I said as he nodded.

"What if... I put you in a car with Jude and Carl and told you to take them back to your house in our county. Just for a while until I come to get you," he said, and I bit my lip looking at him.