Side-by-Side

Epilogue

It's been nearly 8 months since the group has joined the community of "Salvation" as Matt likes to call it.

It's also been 3 months when Ty has been born. September 6, 2018.

There's a lady here who had a clock that told the date and the year on it, as well as the time. They keep the clock up in the hall for everyone to see. It's currently the December 31, in the of 2018. The time is clicking down, and there is only 1 minute left. Everyone starts the count down.

"50!"

I look around the room to see Dad and Michonne, holding hands. They had introduced their relationship to the group just a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn't be happier.

"45!" Carol has seemed to get close to a few of the cooks of the community. They have been sharing recipes for the last couple of weeks.

"40!" Carl is holding a glass of champagne in his hand, his hair has grown so long it covers his eyes. He brushes it back quickly and I get a glimpse of his bright blue eyes before he laughs at something his friend, Conner, says. This is the first time he will try alcohol since the CDC all those years ago.

"35!" Merle is behind me, his at around some new chicks shoulder, his hand grouping her boob. She laughs at the gesture and kisses him on the cheek.

"30!" Beth is in the lap of her new boyfriend Peter. A sweet young man who has offered to walk her home one night she got lost in the community when we first arrived months ago.

"25!" Hershel smiled at his daughters, both in love. If if weren't for Hershel back on the farm, I wouldn't be here. Neither would a lot of us. Hershel is the true definition of a hero.

"20!" Judith is nearly 2 years old, as told to us by a paediatrician. She is smart for her age. Despite growing up in a weird circle of people, and always with moving around, she hit all her important growth milestones, and she is running around every chance she gets, and she is lifting many spirits up.

"15!" Turns out, Matt and Gordon are actually lovers. They have come out about their sexualities and feels for each other  couple of months after we arrived. Matt thought that I would've looked at him differently, but it's great knowing that my best friend is back, and it doesn't matter who he likes. On the plus side, we can both fantasize about our dream guys together.

"10!" Maggie and Glenn are holding each other close, her arms around Glenn's neck and their faces so close, you'd think they were kissing already. Glenn's hand was on her waist and around was against her stomach. The new pregnancy was announced only days ago.

"5!" Chase is over Daryl's shoulders. He has grown so much since we took over his guardianship, and his head is nearly touching the ceiling for the height of both he and Daryl. Daryl has decided to trim his beard, get a hair cut and for once is dirt free. He smiles down at me as I am holding Ty.

"4!" One more year gone, one more to come.

"3!" I am a 28 year old, married mother, with a husband who is absolutely amazing and two amazing children who I get to call mine.

"2!" My eyes are closed.

"1!" I can feel Daryl's hand on my cheek.

"Happy New Years!"

His lips are pressed to mine, glasses are clinking together in cheers. Daryl pulls away from the kiss and looks around the room, everyone happy and wishing everyone to have a good new year.

It's been 8 months since the group got here. It's been a hard 8 months to adapt to everyone and thing. Yet it's was all worth it.