Sophia's legacy (short story)

[melinda]

Carol stopped to rest, when Tyreese saw a nice looking house in the background. Judith was starting to fuss, so Carol started to rock her, hoping to calm her down.

“I meant what I said back there, before all that went down,” Tyreese started.

Carol looked at him, surprised.

“We don't have to keep going. It won't be easy, I mean you've done things...we've both done things... but I got to tell you, Carol. I'm tired, I'm real tired. And I ain't the only one. Look at that baby. Can't be good for her to be on the run all the time. She needs a home, a real home. Right now we can be her...”

Carol shook her head. “We have to go on. She has a family. She has a father, and a brother, who I know are missing her something awful every single day. Every day they're away from her, every day they don't know she's alive...I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.”

“But Rick..you done told me how he threw you out, I don't know if I could be forgiving that if I were you.”

Carol said nothing. Instead she looked lovingly at baby Judith, who was now smiling at her.

“This has something to do with your little girl, don't it?” Tyresse asked.

Carol closed her eyes. “You don't know what it was like for me. Every day we looked for her, every day Daryl risked his life for her. Not knowing was the worst feeling. This isn't about me and Rick. I don't know if I'll ever see Daryl again, I don't. I know I'll never see my little girl again. But this little girl...she has a chance to be part of her family, and if this is the only way I can ever thank Daryl for doing all he did for Sophia....”

“You care about him, Daryl, don't you?” Tyreese smiled.

Carol just blushed. “Is it that obvious?”

“You two...I see the way you two look at each other. He likes you too, he's just shy. He's scared. Just ...you just gotta believe.”

“There's not much in this world left believing in anymore, wouldn't you say?” Carol sighed.

Tyreese gently touched Carol's arm. “You say Daryl went out every day looking for your daughter. Who's to say he's not doing the same thing for you at this very moment?”

Despite her fatigue, despite everything she'd been through with Mika and Lizzie, even Carol had to smile. It was a nice thought, if only just a thought.

“Come on, girl. We got to find Rick. We can't quit now, can we?”

“I thought you wanted to stay here.”

“That little girl needs her family. But until then, as far as I'm concerned, she's d**n lucky to have you in her life.”

Carol smiled, and then the three of them went on their way.

Terminus. Apparently that was where hope now lay. If Rick and Carl were there, then maybe Daryl might be, too. But right now, more important than anything else, was that Carol get Judith back to her family. Rick may have had his faults, but he was a father above all. She just couldn't see him going what she'd went through with Sophia a day longer, not if she could help it.

tbc

[Sanda]

Great start to your new Walking Dead story Melinda. I hope things work out for Carol and Daryl in your new Walking Dead story and Tyresse,Carol, and Judith are reunited with the rest of the group. I still don't like that Carol killed Mika and Lizzie to save Judith's life. :'(You write all of the different characters of the Walking Dead perfectly. Please update your new Walking Dead story again really soon.

[jessie]

Wonderful start to your story, I love it so far. I could see Carol wanting to find Rick, and Carl for Judith. I hope Carol can get Judith to Rick safely, and I hope she finds Daryl, and for once, I would love for them to confess just how much they mean to each other. Carol deserves to have some happiness in her life she has been through so much but she is strong, and I think if anyone can survive it would be Carol. I can't wait to see what will happen next.

[melinda]

ch 2

Carl and rick were outside of the house that the group had decided to claim for themselves. It was a good day- most of them had been found, and on that very morning, Glenn found Maggie. Just the sight of the two of them together was enough to melt even the hardest of hearts.

Carl and Rick were just out there, processing everything they'd been through. They were so happy that the group had found each other again, happy to have a place to call their own. What happened next, however, was something that not even Carl nor Rick was prepared for.

“What you see out there,” Rick sighed. “More walkers?”

“No, Dad. It's people. Look,” Carl sighed.

It was hard to see from the distance, but they were definitely not walkers. Rick strained his eyes...It was Tyrese, for sure. “Sasha...come here...” Rick beckoned.

“Is that...” Carl looked at his dad, hopefully.

Rick's eyes widened as he realized who the woman was that was walking along Tyreese. Sasha ran to embrace her brother, while his weary traveling companion continued on her journey.

“Dad...it's Carol!”

Rick looked down, in every direction, trying to process everything that had happened. Carol...the woman he'd banished from the group- she'd returned.

From a distance they could hear a strange but familiar noise. Now everyone had gathered around, and Rick's eyes started to fill with tears.

“What is it, Dad?” Carl asked. “Dad?”

But it was too late. Rick had taken off, and when he met up with Carol, he quickly saw that she was not alone.

He looked at Carol, then down at his daughter. Judith. She was alive! She was alive. Everything they'd been through...all of their losses...then this miracle happened.

Carol smiled then presented Judith to Rick. “I think this little one has missed her daddy,” she smiled.

“But how...you weren't even at the farm...” Rick questioned. “It doesn't matter. You have my little girl. You have my daughter! Carl...come, now!”

Now there was barely a dry eye as the Grimes family had finally reunited.

“Thank you,” Carl wrapped his arms around Carol. “You saved my sister!”

Carol hugged him back. “Don't thank me. Tyreese saved her. I just helped...a little.”

“Don't be modest,” Tyreese nodded at her. “If it wasn't for that woman there....”

“It's best we not talk about that,” Carol replied quietly. “All that matters is that this beautiful little girl has her daddy and her big brother back.”

Carl didn't want to let go of Carol, but Rick kind of urged him to let go of her.. “Come on, Carl. She's tired. She probably just wants a place to sit down, rest her feet.”

“You have no idea,” Carol sighed. She saw a log bench, and decided to rest for a minute.

“Hey,” a familiar voice approached her.

She looked up, and had never been so happy to see her friend in her life. “Daryl...” she could barely get out his name.

He pulled her close, and gently she began to sob against his chest.

He had no idea what she'd been through, but somehow, Daryl had a feeling that she was thinking of Sophia at that moment. No matter. They'd lost Carol once, and he would make sure that they would never lose her again.

tbc

[Sanda]

Great update Melinda. I am so happy that the group is reunited now. :)I am especially happy that Carol and Daryl are back in each others arms where they belong. I am also especially happy that Judith is reunited with her daddy Rick and her brother Carl even though I am not happy with Rick for banishing Carol from the group. I hope that everything works out for the group now that they are back together again . I also hope that the group will be able to forgive Carol for killing Lizzie and Mika. Please update this story again really soon.

[jessie]

Beautiful update, I love that Judith is with her Father, and Brother. I love that Carol and Daryl are reunited, I just hope they confess just how much they care for each other. I love this story, I can't wait to see what will happen next.