Safe haven | Rick Grimes

061. I AM COMING WITH YOU

Chapter sixty one

"I am coming with you."

Things were slowly returning to normal in Alexandria, though not for Scarlett. She was finally starting to process the realization that she was pregnant.

She sat quietly at the edge of the bed, staring down at her hands. Rick crouched on the floor directly in front of her, looking up into her face with complete devotion.

"It's... it's not gonna be like last time," Rick promised, his voice low and fierce with certainty. "I'm not gonna die on you, Scarlett. We're okay. Me, you, Carl, Judith... this baby." He gently placed his hand over her stomach, letting the warmth of his palm settle against her. "We're gonna be okay."

Hearing the fierce conviction in his voice, the knot of fear in Scarlett's chest finally loosened. She leaned down, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, and kissed him deeply. Rick instantly kissed her back, holding her tight against him as they faced their future together.

Later that afternoon, Scarlett made lunch for the family. She, Rick, Carl, and Judith were all sitting around the kitchen table eating together when the front door to their house suddenly clicked open.

"Rick? Scarlett?" Abraham's booming voice called out.

Scarlett and Rick exchanged a look before turning toward the foyer. Abraham stepped into the doorway, his expression deeply grim. "We've got a problem that the youngin's don't need to hear."

Carl immediately pushed back his chair and stood up. "I got her," he said quietly, stepping over to take Judith gently from Scarlett's arms. He turned and carried his sister upstairs to give the adults space.

Scarlett and Rick both stood up, walking quickly toward Abraham.

"What happened?" Rick demanded, his posture instantly stiffening.

"That man Daryl met in the woods—Dwight," Abraham revealed, his jaw tight. "He and a few of his men ambushed us. They killed Denise. Eugene got injured in the crossfire."

Rick's jaw clenched, processing the sudden loss of their only doctor. He gave a sharp nod. "I'll meet you there."

Abraham nodded back, turning on his heel to head toward the infirmary. Left alone in the quiet foyer, Scarlett and Rick looked at each other, the fragile peace they had felt just hours earlier completely shattered by the reality of the threat outside their walls.

The next morning, the baby monitor sat quietly on the bedside table, showing Judith still fast asleep in her crib. Rick lay with his arms wrapped tightly around Scarlett. As they rested in the quiet room, Rick leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her neck.

Scarlett smiled, reaching her hand back to run her fingers through his hair. Rick kissed her neck again, pulling her closer.

"This is good," he whispered against her skin.

"Besides the fact that the Saviors know where we live," Scarlett reminded him gently, her gaze drifting toward the window. "And I heard Maggie asked Glenn and Michonne to put up more storage bins and lookout points."

Rick glanced over at the monitor, confirming that Judith hadn't stirred. He looked back at Scarlett, a shadow of a smile playing on his lips. "Judith isn't even awake yet. Which means the longer we stay in this bed..." He trailed off, pressing a trail of kisses down her jaw and shoulder.

"It stays good," Scarlett finished, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Mm-hmm," Rick murmured, the vibration of his voice humming against her. He leaned back up to meet her eyes, capturing her lips in a deep, reassuring kiss. Scarlett wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back.