He rubbed my back, kissing the side of my head. "I forgot." I said. "I know." He nodded. "About all of this.." I added. You could hear the shock in his breath.
"How...?" was all he said.
I smiled, knowing he was clueless.
"You." I said smiling at his non-bandaged eye. I rubbed my finger right under it to show him he did also. He parted his lips, moving his hand to where his bandage was supposed to be. "I forgot- when do I ever forget it-" He froze as I gave him a soft smile.
He shook his head with a smile as he went back inside to get it. He came back out with it on. I smiled at him for the hundredth time today.
"You guys ready?"
I looked up to see my Dad. We both nodded.
My dad, Rick, Carl, Michonne, and me were all going.
We heard a honk and Carl jumped up and turned to wait on me. I smiled as he watched me go beside him. His hand brushed by mine but I was scared.
What if Rick doesn't like us being together? I'll break to pieces. What if they figure out things about what we did? My dad and Rick will kill us both. What if-
"Maci come on." Carl snapped me out of it. We were at the camper and I sighed as I got in first and Carl followed behind me. Michonne was sitting next to Rick as my Dad started to drive.
Carl nudged me as soon as I sat down. I looked up at him. "Why didn't you want to hold my hand.." He asked quietly. I shook my head knowing I already let him down. "I-uh-" I stuttered.
He smiled softly already reading my mind. He then nodded and scooted closer just a tad. "Hey it's okay I'll talk to your dad and mine when we get back, alright?" He whispered, I nodded. "My Dad will love the thought of us.." I whispered.
He smiled and nodded with a slight blush.
The camper came to a stop and we got out. It was this huge abandoned super market.
"You guys know the routine. Stick to it and get out of there when you're done. This place is filled with walkers so be careful." My Dad said. We all nodded knowing what to do and all. "I'm going to open this front door and let them out then I'll run to the back and we will go in through that way." My Dad said.
"Please be careful." I sighed. He smiled and nodded as he hugged me and kissed my head. He ran to the front of the store. A gunshot went off (which was the signal) and we waited about 5 minutes. We then ran in the back with our guns out and ready for any walkers left behind.
After a quick check, we all grabbed whatever was useful and filled the backpacks. Carl stayed close even though we were all supposed to separate.
Eventually everyone was done and Carl and I were left. We started to head out and Carl stopped in his tracks and grabbed me. "Carl?" I chuckled as I pushed him off confused. I kept going anyways.
"Maci don't-"
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I dropped my opened backpack to the ground. Everything shattered. "Da-a-d?" I mumbled.
Blood was everywhere. Michonne sliced the last walker. "Where's my Dad?" I asked. Rick and Michonne moved to reveal his body on the ground. Blood was gushing out of his shoulder.
I covered my mouth as I felt arms turn me around. Carl pulled me close and hugged me tight. I pulled away and ran to sit by my Dad.
He smiled up at me with no words. "Dad I'm so sorry." I cried. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Rick lifted up his shirt to reveal an old bite mark on his chest right by his upper ribs.
"Dad..." I cried out. He shook his head with a soft smile. "I love you so much." He weakly mumbled. "Carl please.." I begged. He came rushing to my side and kneeled down beside him.
"Do it here..right now, okay?" I begged. He nodded quickly. "Can I please have your permission to ask your daughter out?" Carl asked, tears falling down his cheeks. My Dad smiled and I laughed a bit.
He then nodded and Carl smiled and wiped his own tears. "Please take good care of her." He whispered, getting weaker by the second. "I promise I will." Carl nodded. He held out his hand and I held it.
"Promise me something.." He asked. "Anything." I said. "Never gi-ve up. If something feels right then do it and if it do-esn't don't." He mumbled. "I promise." I nodded instantly. He smiled as he brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed it.
"I love you Maci." He mumbled finally at his last few breaths. "I love you Dad. Let Mom know I don't hate her, that I love her." I said. He nodded unable to speak now. He held out his pinkie just a tad and I wrapped mine around it.
I hugged him gently and moved away after a bit. His chest was no longer rising. I pulled away completely as Rick kneeled down by his head and looked at me. I nodded as we stood up and Carl wrapped his arms around me. A gunshot went off and I jumped and started to sob.
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* * *
I stood right up against Carl as Rick hammered in the cross good. Rick then backed up and Carl let go of my hand. I took off my necklace and kneeled down. I put it around the cross as I let it hang there. I then backed away and said nothing as I cuddled right back up to Carl.
"Hey Carl?" Rick said. Carl turned, still holding onto me. "You guys have my permission also." Rick nodded. Carl smiled as he kissed my head. "Thanks Dad." He nodded. Rick nodded and walked away a little after to leave us alone.
I started to walk off and breathed out. My hands started to shake and I couldn't catch my breath. Carl, of course, noticed. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and laid his head on my shoulder.
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I smiled a bit as he kissed my head and I turned around to fully hug him. "I'm scared." I mumbled as tears fell. "Of what?" He asked as he rubbed my back. "Loosing you." I said. He sighed and he hugged me tighter.
"You're all I have left again, Carl." I cried out.
