Property Of Negan

Chapter Thirty One

To their surprise, Arat actually wanted to wear a dress. A bright yellow dress with a pink bow tied up in the back finished with pink sneakers and a yellow flower hairpin in her hair. She said something about, 'wanting to impress Carol with her looks'. What does a six year old know about impressing people with her looks? 

Anthony went for his usual black pants and button-up, a yellow shirt this time since Arat begged him to match her and he couldn't say no to his little sister. Carl simply had a red flannel and jeans while (Y,n) put on (your outfit) to match her husband. Everyone was more than excited to learn that Michonne had allowed people to join the fair, and with the highwaymen on their side escorting them along the way she wasn't too worried about what might happen. 

"I stand before you today at the start of a new tomorrow." Ezekiel stood at the top of his balcony so that all Alexandrians, Hiltopians, and his own people were able to see and hear him. "A tomorrow made possible by the sacrifices of many over the years. Among them, a man whose mission was to build community and strengthen the bonds between us." Carls hand lightly squeezed (Y,n), knowing he was talking about Rick. "A man who had to destroy the very thing that connected us in order to save us. It took us far too long to fulfill the promise of Rick Grimes and his son Carl envisioned, the same promise Paul Rovia better known as 'Jesus' believed in when he brought us all together those many years ago." 

This time, it was (Y,n) who squeezed her husband's hand at the mention of Jesus. She knew he would love to see Arat and Anthony dressed up. The first day they met it was like Jesus had made a vow to keep them in his life. "We've always been bound to each other, we always will be. We fought our way back to each other, we have grown, the crossing over the river may be gone but we have rebuilt a bridge nonetheless." The crowd clapped, feeling nothing but inspiration from The King. "Today is proof that we can unite, not against a common enemy but for the common good. So eat, drink, trade, and be merry... 'Cause we got a lot of lost time to make up for."

Jerry moved from the front of the crowd and stood on the steps with a wide smile, "Let the First Annual Inter-Community Reunification Fair begin!" 

"Jerry! We changed that." Ezekiel leaned over and called to him, 

"For reals? F.A.I.R spells fair though." 

"Nevermind." Ezekiel shook his head as everyone laughed at their little dispute. "Let The Fair of New Beginning, begin!" He shouted with his hands in the air as doves were released and upbeat folk music started having everyone clap along. 

But sadly, Carl and (Y,n) couldn't enjoy the fair at the beginning since Michonne wanted to have a meeting. They left Arat and Anthony with Alden and Enid who was soon joined by Angel, Jaxon, and Walter Jr.

As they all either sat or stood on the stage of the auditorium they waited for Michonne to start speaking. "I know I haven't always seen eye-to-eye with everyone in this room but I never stopped caring for any of you. I was just trying to protect my family and do right by my people," Michonne looked to Judith who sat beside Henry and Lydia down in the seats before (Y,n) and Carl. "Alexandria's future is here. Together, with you. And we lost sight of that for a while but... I'm here now, we're here now." Everyone knew this was a good thing. 

"I've taken an informal vote with the other council members at the fair, and we all agree," Gabriel spoke up, "Alexandria is willing to grant asylum to Lydia, she's one of us now." With those words, (Y,n) turned around her head to smile at Lydia who had her eyes on the woman with a similar smile on her face. 

"We hope the rest of you can join us in doing the same," Carl said, looking over his friends and family. 

"Thank you. I'll do whatever I can to help earn my keep and pay you back." Lydia told them, holding onto Henry's hand.