Heartless ➳ TWD² [COMPLETED]

Chapter X ➳ Wrath

➳ This could very well be the last morning for most of all. Even for myself, it could be.

I wanted to make sure that I let every single person here know how I feel about them, starting with Rick Grimes, himself. I knocked on his opened door and he glanced over his shoulder at me, slightly nodding, with Judith in his arms.

I took a few steps inside, so that I could be face-to-face with him. "Rick," I whispered out, "I just wanted to say that, um... This could either be the beginning for us or the end. I just wanted to personally thank you for taking me in all those months ago — which, in reality, seems like so long ago. If you guys hadn't showed up when you did... I actually don't know where I would be today. Thank you, Rick Grimes. I owe you my life."

He shook his head, almost like he wouldn't accept that, and somewhat readjusted Judith in his arms. "No, you don't," he countered, speaking very softly. "You don't owe me anything, Tess. All I want from you today is to go out there and give it your all, before you come back later and walk right through those gates." I felt the tears in my eyes, but refused to cry. Just as I sucked it back up, Rick started to look for my eyes again and they connected with his. "We're family now, Tess."

And, for whatever reason, that was enough ammunition for me to suck up all my tears and fears before going out there today and giving it my absolute all. We are going to win and I am going to keep telling myself that until it's over.

Suddenly, Judith started to whine just as I looked up and saw that she actually wanted to come to me. This is something that has never happened before. I have barely ever held her, especially since Carl has been gone.

Rick looked to me and asked, "Do you mind?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Absolutely not," I whispered back and held my arms out for her. He handed her over and wrapped my arms around her. She was getting so big, and I haven't even realized it until now.

I slowly shook her in my arms to keep her calm, since I slightly feared that she would start crying in my arms. I placed my head against hers, taking in the scent of her hair, which actually smelt really good. Maybe it was watermelons or cucumbers, but it didn't really matter.

She was a direct bloodline to Carl and, when she is older, she will have all the advantages of being Rick's daughter and Carl's baby sister. She doesn't know it quite yet, but she is going to blossom into a beautiful and perfect warrior.

Today isn't about us. It's all about her because she is our future after this war.