Regrets | Rick Grimes

chapter 15

ELLANY'S POV

I stood there, pure shock written over my face. Rick had the same expression. Martinez stood in front of us, holding a blonde, blue-eyed baby girl... Flynn.

I didn't hesitate to take off in a full sprint toward them. I shoved past Rick and stole my baby from Marty's arms. I looked up at him. He smiled, and I asked, "Did you fight with that guy to get her back?"

He shook his head. "I simply explained the whole situation, and he didn't hesitate to give her back."

I bit my lip with joy, and grinned at him. "Thank you, for everything."

He nodded in response, and looked behind me at Rick. He sensed the awkward atmosphere and decided to go inside, taking Flynn with him for me.

Rick spoke, "Is that why Carol asked me to come out?"

My whole body froze at that, and I began holding my breath as I turned to him. "No, she did that so I could talk to you, so we can clear some things up."

He seemed confused, but continued to listen anyway. I sighed, and began the speech I had mentally prepared.

"Rick... I am so sorry about freaking out the other day. And I'm sorry that I didn't kiss you back at Woodbury, or the other day. I'm sorry I fucked up your relationship with Carl, and I'm sorry I stressed you out so much. The thing is, after losing my mom, I never liked to get attached to people. I always end up getting hurt when they're gone. My dad, mom, Flynn, Phillip, even you for that brief amount of time when we weren't speaking. And then on the way back from Woodbury that first time, when we kept looking at each other through the car mirror, I began feeling things. I wouldn't allow it for so long, up until just recently when I realized..."

Rick was now right in front of me, raising an eyebrow. "Realized what?"

"I-" I was interrupted by a crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning going off at the same time. Then rain began to pour immediately after.

"Shit, let's go inside!" Rick shrieked, a small grin tearing across his face. He was one who enjoyed rain, and I could tell.

Thunder continuously rolled out, and I shouted over it. "No, it's fine. We can stand out in the rain. I know you want to."

Rick's grin grew even larger.

CAROL'S POV

I watched as Martinez walked into the prison, holding a baby. Flynn. And I smiled, happy to know that Ellany had something good in her life again.

That happiness didn't last long when I saw in one of the large windows, a bolt of lightning flew out, followed by rain and thunder. And I then remembered that I just sent Rick out, and Ellany too. Someone was gonna get hurt out there with that lightning. There was a ton of metal out there near where they'd probably be, and I couldn't help but worry. But I knew Rick would want to sit in the rain, and Ellany was too determined to come in. I needed back up.

"Daryl, Merle, Carl, Michonne, we gotta go get Ellany and Rick. They're out I'm the storm." I yelled at a moderate volume.

Before I knew it, Carl was next to me. "What's going on?"

"Ellany is gonna tell your father the truth, Carl. She's gonna make things better."

He didn't pout or stomp off like I expected. He grinned instead, clapping his hands in an excited way. "Yay!"

There wasn't time to question, they could seriously get hurt, and I also wanted to witness this. Soon enough, Michonne, Daryl, and Merle all appeared, and we all ran through the prison hallways, out to where the door to the outside was. I creaked it open slowly, seeing Rick and Ellany standing, soaked already, smiling.

"No, it's fine. We can stand out in the rain. I know you want to." I heard her say.

I fully opened the door, allowing everyone to view the situation. Carl had never smiled brighter. I made sure that they stayed silent, and tuned into their conversation.

ELLANY'S POV

In the corner of my eye, I could see Carol, Daryl, Merle, Michonne, and Carl standing at the door, watching us. I quickly looked back at Rick so he wouldn't look to see where I was looking. "What is it, Ellany?"

"Stop calling me Ellany. We're friends, Rick." I said, and pure disappointment took over his face. "Yea, friends." He looked at his feet. My lips turned into a grin.

"More than friends, Rick."

He looked up, only for me to press my lips onto his, and smile. My arms wrapped around his neck, and I felt him kiss back as I pulled him closer. I could feel him bite onto my bottom lip, a sweet gesture that most likely meant that he didn't want me to move my lips off of his. Sadly, though, I had to. His child was watching.

I pulled away, slowly opening my eyes. He did the same at the exact same time, except he seemed to be a little shocked. We just stared at each other for a moment, myself waiting for him to say something. He soon began smiling.

"I love you."

It didn't shock me, I was hoping to hear those words. And I hoped he meant them, because I did. "I love you too."

Instantly, Carl ran out of the doorway toward us. He first hugged his father, which I assumed he'd do, but then he wrapped his arms around me.

"Thank you." He mumbled into my abdomen.

"For what?" I asked.

"For making him happy, and me." The words trailed out of his mouth.

I smiled, "I'm just happy that you're happy."

Carl didn't release me. "And El?"

"Yea?"

"I'm okay with it if you wanna be my mother."

Is it too soon? If Rick would propose right now, would we be judged, would it be too soon? I'd say yes. I definitely would love to marry him. But is that really right right now?

"Ellany?" I heard Rick ask behind me. I turned, and looked down to see him on one knee, knelt in front of me, holding that damn ring. Wait, when did I take it off?

"It fell off a few minutes ago, E." Rick whispered. I couldn't believe that he was actually doing this, the same day that we admitted to love. It's not rushed, I swear I've had feelings for so long and never realized it until now.

"Marry me, Ellany

You'll never have to be alone

I love you, and that's all I really know

I talked to Michonne, you'll pick out a white dress

It's a love story Baby just say yes."

I realized, he knew the words. He heard me say them. And he re-made the words and put in my name and Michonne's name. I looked at him with the biggest smile on my face.

"Yes."

He stood, grinning. He slid the ring on my finger and swooped me into a kiss as everyone ran outside. The rain stopped slowly, and I refused to let anything ruin this moment.

"Ellany," Rick muttered against my lips, "Your father called it first."

I giggled. "He did."

*

(3 MONTHS LATER)

~Dear Diary, Rick and I were officially married. Hershel married us, and no one minded any of it. I had found a dress on a run, and someone found Rick a suit. It was simple, and perfect.

Flynn is almost 4 months old now, Judith around the same. It's like they're twins, so we don't really have to worry much about the birthdays.

It wasn't fast paced. We loved each other, and it's that simple. Nothing needs to change. Even though we all lost people, even though we've killed, injured, and were injured, society is still like a book, always being judged by its cover. That will never ever change.

I already said it before, I Regret a lot. But I'll never Regret what happened since I found my real family.

Ellany Mallory Grimes~