#v;27

[stillsiing]

It was early evening, just around dinner time, Beth hadn’t realized when she’d fallen sleep on the couch in the living room of the Grimes’ home in Alexandria.  Judith had fallen asleep beside her, the two of them snuggled comfortably together under a thin blanket.  Normally, she would’ve gone home to the house that she shared with Carol — which was now just Beth’s house because Carol was at the Kingdom with the King lately.

Since everything that had happened from the time on her father’s farm, to the prison, and even at Grady Memorial Hospital, and now with Alexandria and Hilltop, Beth tried hard to stay close to the people she considered her family.

Her days in Alexandria were usually busy spent with Judith and the other kids, she was like Alexandria’s most trusted babysitter.  And while she didn’t mind the title, Beth did want to head back to Hilltop for Maggie’s sake, to be with her sister.  As far as she knew, Maggie was still mad at Rick for letting Negan live.  Beth understood her sister’s pain.  The man killed her husband — even if Beth herself still didn’t have a love as true and fairytale like as her older sister had found.  That was one of life’s real blessings.

Beth stirred on the couch, her eyes gazing around the darkened room, the sun setting in the distance.  Judith was still asleep on her lap and the house was quiet.  Swallowing, Beth cradled Judith in her arms as she started to stand from the couch.

There on the table was a note from Carl. He’d scribbled in chicken scratch hand that he was going to hang out with Enid and he wouldn’t be back for dinner.  Beth put the note down and carried the young girl up the stairs to her bedroom, trying to be quite and careful with the sweet toddler in her arms.

(( @stuffandthangsandangelwings

[stillsiing]

Since finding this place, the group has prospered, and Alexandria had become more than just a safe haven for them, it was their home.  A place her Daddy would’ve wanted for them would’ve loved to see them grow in.  It was all they could’ve asked for, and they kept it safe, even if some of them had gone their separate ways — also if some of them had been lost along the way.  Her heart ached at the thought of Noah and Glenn, even Carl… Beth took in a steady breath as she tried not to become too emotional.

One thing about this place was that most of them had each other.  It was nice living with Carol all these years, the widow was kind enough to offer the young woman a place to lay her head at night, and Beth helped her with the chores, and even cooked her meals from time to time.  The blonde considered Carol as a mother figure in her life, but with Carol leaving, Beth had the house to herself, and she did all she could not be alone too much.  As Beth walked with Judith holding onto her hand, two young girls walked by laughing, talking about boys, and Beth realized they looked like siblings.  Her thoughts shifted to her sister at that moment.

While Maggie hadn’t been around much after everything that’s happened, Beth knew she couldn’t go to Hilltop, she couldn’t leave Judith, not yet.  She cared too much for the little girl, she cared too much for all of them.  Surely Maggie had to understand that.  At least, Beth hoped she did.

“Yer Daddy’s gonna make ‘ya dinner,” Beth whispered as they walked down the block. Judith smiled up at Beth as the two ascended steps to the Grimes home, their walk shorter than usual today as Beth knocked on the door.  Judith was growing up so fast, hell some even thought of them as mother and daughter -- but Beth would never want to take the place of Lori.  

When there was no answer, Beth reached for the knob and entered the house, shutting it softly behind her.

“We’re back!” She called, looking around before she let go of the young girl’s hand and watched as Judith climbed the stairs to head to the second floor of the home.

{{ @protectxthem​

[stillsiing]

ever had a peaceful sleep with no bad dreams? it’s been a while but...i’m okay now.

[stillsiing]

hilltop is so different from alexandria.  maggie is a good leader, daddy would be prouda her.  i am.  but i just, i miss everyone so much.

she’ll be mad at me if i go visit them....if i go see rick and carl and judy.

but...i really wanna.

[stillsiing]

i’m wonderin’ what it’s like livin’ at alexandria these days.  i love hilltop and i love maggie, but i just miss everyone, so damn much. i miss judith and carl...and rick...