It was awfully quiet in the morning, but when I found out why it definitely daunted on me quickly. Someone killed Justin. Although I explicitly threatened him last night, it doesn't mean that I did it.
But that's not what some Saviours thought.
"Nah, my money's on garbage lady." A guy said pointing at Jadis, a crowd had formed.
"Leave her outta this!" I yelled and moved towards the middle.
"Revenge for Simon's play, sure." Regina said.
"No, it's him." the previous guy pointed to my dad. "Finishing what he started."
"Or the little one." Another accused. "Did you hear how she threatened him yesterday?"
One moved forwards and picked up an axe, Arat tried to stop him. "Hey, stop. It's gonna go too far."
"Nah, it won't." My dad replied and leveled his crossbow, I got my bow out too and quickly leveled it as well and stood next to him.
"Maybe it's both of 'em." A Saviour said. "Look at 'em, father fucking daughter duo."
As some Saviours started to move forwards, a horse neighed and Rick rode through the scene. He brandished his gun as he positioned his horse between us, dad lowered his crossbow.
"Everyone back off, right now." He demanded.
"Tell that to the two Robin Hood's over there." The Saviour said.
"Alright, we are not doing this." Laura argued. "Let it go."
"I'll talk to Rick." Alden offered. "I'll try and find a way to make everybody feel safe, alright?"
The Saviours started to back off and the crowd dispersed, Rick called after them. "Start the redirect. Pair off to work the grid."
I lost my dad in the commotion, but I saw Rick heading towards the trees so I went to catch up with him. "Uncle Rick!" He turned around.
"Who do you think did this?" I asked.
"I don't know." Rick replied. "The puncture was smaller than a bullet hole. It looked like...an arrow or a bolt." He said and stared back.
I was confused at first and waited for him to elaborate. Until the realisation hit me. Like a bowling ball had smacked me in the face. I tilted my head away from him and bit down my tongue.
"You think me or my dad did this." I stated.
"No, I'm not assuming anything Lia." He said back. "We just need to go through all the possibilities."
"You know my dad and I wouldn't risk all this, the trade, the peace, the community." I listed off.
"The Saviors think otherwise." He said.
"You're believing the Saviours now? Out of all people!" I say, starting to get more frustrated.
"Lilia you threatened his life. People said they heard you sayin' you'd put an arrow through his heart." Rick put his hands up. "I'm not sayin' you did this."
"Really? It kinda sounds like you are!" I raised my voice a bit.
"Lilia if we're goin' to work with these people we need honesty from-"
"Honesty?" I snapped back. "How about some loyalty!? I've known you since everything went to shit and you're believing Saviours?"
"Did you do it?"
"No!"
"Did your dad do it?"
"For fucks sake, no!" I yelled. "I wouldn't jeopardize any of this and neither would my dad, trust me when I say that I know that better than anyone. Including you."
It was silent for a while, nobody spoke. "I know, I don't think it was any of you. I'm sorry." Rick said.
I grunted in response. "Good, 'cause it wasn't. It wasn't my dad either. We ate dinner and then went to sleep. Trust me, if he went out to go murder someone I'd be able to hear him, he ain't that quiet."
"I believe you. I'm sorry, Lia." He said and I relaxed. "Come here." He brought me into a hug, and squeezed my tightly.
"I hate fightin'." I huffed and hugged him back, putting my head on his shoulder.
"Same. Now, where you off to?" He asked and let go after a while.
"Back home." I replied. "I need to see CJ."
He nodded. "Take my horse, it's at front."
"Thanks." I gave a small smile. "Later uncle." I bid my goodbyes to Enid while walking past the tent, and also to Aaron. "Bye Lia."
I reluctantly rode Rick's horse back home to Alexandria, while riding through the gates I noticed two small beings sitting on the steps. CJ was painting with Judith on some cardboard. As I went up to them, CJ saw me and grinned.
"Hey sweetie." I laughed, watching CJ shuffle towards me. I swept my son up into my arms with a smile. "You had a nice time?"
He giggled and wiped pink paint on my forehead. I groaned. "Lovely."
"enk!" He tried to say and I chuckled more. "Close enough."
"Pink!" Judith repeated. "Say Pink!"
"enk." He babbled again, Judith started to laugh and so did CJ.
Another laugh came from below, followed by a voice. "Well ain't that a sight for sore eyes."
"Be quiet, Negan." I ordered.
"I was just gonna say, your little sweetie and Judith have been real good company." Negan said from inside his cell. "It gets lonely down here."
"That sounds a bit weird don't ya' think? Talkin' to kids." I commented as CJ started babbling.
"You got me." He replied.
"Stop talking or I'll board up that window." I said.
"It's better than a TV." He continued.
"Didn't I just say to-"
"Shut up, yeah, don't worry." He chuckled. "But I just wanna say, despite being a kid yourself little Dixon, motherhood suits you."
"I ain't a kid no more Negan." I mentioned.
"Oh really?"
"I'm 18 now. I'm not a kid, and I hate that stupid nickname." I say and sat CJ next to Judith and they continued painting.
"Damm, should've told me. I would've gotten you a birthday card." He said. "Guess I gotta call you Big Dixon."
I ignored him in hope he would shut up. "Come on kids, who's hungry?" I asked and Judith raised her hand, CJ copied her.
"Spaghetti?" She asked excitedly.
"Spaghetti it is. You wanna help?" I ask.
She giggled. "Yeah!"
"Goodie, go on inside and I'll clean this up out here okay? She nodded and went inside with CJ who crawled after her, he was too heavy for her to pick up just yet.
I went down the steps to put the empty paint pots in the trash can, catching a glimpse of Negan looking through his window.
"What's the little fella's name?" He then asked and I responded by slamming the pots in the trash.
"Will you shut up if I tell you?" I looked at him, for the first time in ages which caught me off guard.
"Cross my heart." He held a hand up with a grin.
I sighed before speaking, "CJ...
Carl Junior."
His eyes widened and then softened. Before he could say anything else I left and went into the house to see Judith and CJ.
We spent the rest of the evening making Spaghetti and then spent time with each other well into the night until CJ fell asleep on my lap.
Later, Rick and Michonne came back to see me, CJ and Judith asleep on the couch. CJ laid on my belly while Judith was at the end of the sofa.
"I'll Radio to Daryl she's spending the night." Michonne told Rick. "She seems exhausted."
Rick agreed. "We all seem to be."
"It's gonna get easier towards the end."
Little did they know, it was only just the beginning.
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
next chapter is the last chapter :(