Forever and ever (sequel to the redneck has feelings?)

See how well you did with mom

Ricks pov

i woke up the next morning, stretching. My back was as sore as ever from that lumpy couch. It was better than nothing though. I looked around and noticed Carl walking around outside. I shook my head and sighed. My boy is too far gone, I don't think I'll ever be able to get him back. I can't let that happen with Judith though or the twins. Speaking of them I walked upstairs to check on em and make sure they were alright. I peaked Into a room and saw Judith asleep next to Beth. I smiled and walked into the next room that had the twins in it. Daryl needs to get back fast with or without kayla, the twins need him. I sighed and looked inside seeing both of them awake. Elaina was cowering in a corner with her knees brought up to her chest. Connor was facing the other way and just looking out the window. Both had red faces and bags under their eyes like they hadn't slept. I knocked on the door causing elaina to jump, but Connor hadn't moved or flinched. He was so much like daryl it was scary.

"Hey" I said in a silent calm voice.

normally both would run and hug me at just the sight of me, but they both stayed where they were. This worried me. I slowly walked into the room between the two. i looked at them and then bent down to elainas height. She had hid her face in her knees and I whispered,

"what's wrong sweetheart?"

she just shook her head, but I lifted her chin so she would look at me. Now she had tears falling down her cheek. I looked to Connor for a reaction, but he continued to face away and stare out the window. I looked back at elaina,

"what's bothering you?"

"mommy and daddy are dead" she whimpered.

my heart stopped and I immediately said,"no..no they're not"

"ya they are. They haven't come back yet" she whispered.

"I know they haven't but they will soon. Trust me sweetheart. You're dad is the toughest man I've ever met. He isn't going to leave you and neither will your mom" I gave her a reassuring smile.

i saw a small glint of hope return to her eyes only to be ruined when Connor said,

"why are you lyin to her?"

i looked at him immediately. He was still facing the window. I slowly got up and walked to his side, bendin down to his level. I saw the sadness in this broken boy. For a 5 year old he was strong, but how so easily could a boy who had so much faith and so much loyalty to his father immediately disappear. he still wouldn't look at me when I whispered,

"what are you talking about?"

he finally turned to me,"they're gone, they ain't comin back"

i rested a hand on his shoulder and he immediately shook it off. I starred in shock at the boy. He turned to me, eyes hard and it reminded me of Carl. No I would not let him become like that.

"There's no point in lyin to us grandpa! They are gone and never coming back! They left us and now they are both dead!"

i looked at him seriously,"you listen to me right now. You are wrong. You're dad would not leave you two and neither would your mom. Look I know you're scared and hurting, but this is your time you need to be brave Connor. You need to be brave for your sister. She needs you and looks up to you."

he starred over at elaina and then back to me.i saw a hint of the little boy I knew come back into his eyes.

"Where did this all come from?" I asked.

"uncle Carl" he whispered.

my body froze. I never have been so angry with my boy in my life. He needed to grow up and not act like this, especially with the twins. They were more vulnerable than ever now and I was tryin my hardest to fill a spot I knew I couldn't fill. I reached my hand out again and placed it on his tiny shoulder.this time he didn't shake it off,

"don't you listen to him alright?" I looked to elaina,"neither of you."

they both nodded and I kissed both on the forehead and exited the room. I was goin to have a talk with my son. I stormed outside to where I saw him last. When I got on the deck, I looked around for him. I saw him and started making my way across the deck when I kicked something. I looked down and saw a crumpled up piece of paper. Curiosity got the best of me and I bent down to pick it up. I even it out and my breathing hitched. It was a picture of me, kayla, and Carl she took that day by the garden. I looks at my daughters smiling face and felt my heart shatter. I knew the odds of her being alive were very slim. I took a deep breath, wiped the tear that about fell and stuck the picture in my back pocket. I continued down the stairs to the area by the house where Carl was. I came up behind him and said,

"hey"

he turned to see me approach him, grunted and turned away. I got next to him and said,

"you wanna tell me why you said those things to Connor and elaina?"

"they needed to hear the truth. Shouldn't be getting their hopes up for something that'll never happen" he said sternly.

i turned him to me,"you don't know that Carl. They could still be alive."

"they're dead dad and those kids deserved to know the truth" he said madly.

"you listen to me. They are 5 years old Carl, not grown up. They need to hold onto as much hope as they can. You can't go around telling them things like that. They'll believe everything you say! They look up to you!" I scolded.

"well they need to grow up. Don't live in a world that you are allowed to be a kid anymore! People break promises and leave and die! That's the world we live in now and they need to see that and get use to that!" He yelled.

"Thats what this is about huh! You think if kayla had the chance to be here right now that she would!" I yelled.

"she killed herself!" He yelled.

"to save her family! I know you don't understand right now and I don't expect you to! She did the same thing I would have done for you, Judith, or your mom!" I yelled.

"yea you see how well you did with mom" he grunted.

anger flew over me.i was about to completely explode when we heard a tree branch crack in the the woods. We both immediately aimed our guns. Out walked a teenage girl, red hair, freckles. She couldn't have been more than 16. She looked scared and was shaking as she stook her hand up in surrender.

"Who are you!" I yelled.

"Taylor" her voice shook.

i watched the girl carefully and scanned the trees behind her,"you alone?"

she said nothing, just starred at Both our guns frightened. Carl raised his voice,

"answer the question!"

i looked over over at him disapprovingly and he rolled his eyes. I looked back at the girl and she shook,"yes I'm alone"

I lowered my gun, but Carl kept his raised. I looked over to Carl,"put the gun down"

carl refused to look at me, keeping his gun aimed and glaring at the girl.

"Carl now" I raised my voice.

He glared at me and then back at the girl. He sighed and slowly lowered his gun. I turned back to the gun,

"are you alright?"

"ya just hungry" she whispered.

i nodded,"we don't have much food or a place to stay, I think it best of you be on your way" I started to turn away.

"wait are you Rick?" She quickly asked nervously.

i froze. How did she know my name? I turned and looked at her quizzingly. I looked at Carl who starred back at me with the same confusion I had on my face. We both looked back at the girl,

"ya I am. How do you know me?"

"I ran into this man, he told me to head towards the highway, that there would be his group. He told me to ask for a Rick." She stuttered.

a man? No way it couldn't be,"what was his name?"

a huge smile came to my face and I heard Carl's breathing hitch when she said,"daryl"