Incendiary: Carl Grimes Love Story

Chapter Forty Five: Conquer

Maya's pov

" Who lives in a pineapple under the sea ?"

I looked up from the dishes hearing Judith laugh from her high chair at the tv playing Spongebob Squarepants. Mandy had a VCR and when Michonne asked me to babysit Judith while Carl went to speak with his Dad, I didn't hesitate to take out the tape for her to watch.

" Pants !" She repeated over and over again. Michonne had told me the day of the warehouse accident, Judith had said her first word and slowly has been increasing her sentences.

" Good girl." I cheered placing the last dish away and taking her out of the high chair.

" My..My.."

" Yes, Judy. All you're missing is the A." I laughed. I heard the stairs creak with every step and smiled at Mandy wearing one of her heavy coats and scarfs." They're still going through with it ?"

" Deanna wants answers." She replied.

Ever since Rick had gone off on everyone, they placed him in a cell for the night and mid-morning. Deanna was furious with our group finding Glenn and Daryl got in a fight with Aiden and Nicholas, Glenn and I returned without Aiden, I beat up Nicholas, and Rick stole a gun and tried to kill Pete Anderson. She was holding a meeting in her backyard to determine among the others if Rick should be kicked out or not.

I balanced Judith on my hip nervous," What Rick said was true." I spoke looking up to Mandy," This place is lucky to be still standing. Everyone plays it like the end didn't come."

" I know, but was it necessary for Rick to have gun ?" She pointed out.

I shrugged my shoulders," Maybe. Maybe not." I argued looking outside the window to see the sun was beginning to set." We just can't leave this place as friendly as it might appeal."

I watched her walk closer to me with a sad look," I know. Being out there is a lot."

I shook my head," Being out there isn't the problem. We did it for three weeks. Right now for me, it's Daryl. He's out there on a run and I don't wanna leave and then lose him. Believe me, he's a pain in the ass, but I'm also his pain in the ass." I said before turning to her," And what about you. I just got you back in my life and it's just like before. Better then before."

Mandy nodded her head slowly before reaching out to place a piece of loose hair behind my ear," I do miss picking you up from 2nd grade and taking you to some ice cream place." She said, but I noticed the tears at the brim of her eyes," I miss tying your shoes and if we're gonna be fighting your mom for hurting you."

" You really did have hands for a sixteen year old." I laughed

" Age should of never stopped me. I should of tried to adopt you when I turned seventeen and take you with me to college."

" It doesn't matter now." I argued," Like I said before, you're here now and it's better then anything."

I heard a knock on the door and walked over seeing Carl staring down at his feet until I opened the door. He glanced up and gave a small smile.

" Hi Maya."

" Hi." I said noticing how awkward we both were. It was a first and I hated it. We never were awkward around each other when it came to anything. I turned grabbing Judith's baby bag from the floor and handing it over along with the little girl." Are you guys okay with Rick gone ?"