-- One Year Later --

Peace was finally theirs.

After years of fighting and suffering and more fighting, the world seemed to have taken a big break on anything horrific.

The communities bloomed, life coming back.

The crops grew, overcrowding the greenhouses. And the water supply was filled to the brim with fresh water. The solar panels worked wonders in making electricity and the people were now living instead of surviving.

Families grew too, pregnant bellies now a familiar sight. Babies, toddlers, kids, teens. They all branched out and had their fun. The school thrived and more teachers were hired.

A church, a library, a pharmacy, a doctor's office.

A mechanic, a trading shop.

Homes.

Buildings of all kinds.

Carl ran Alexandria like his father. With kindness and authority. He was the name around town when needing help but so was his husband, Hedley.

Hedley ran the gardens and was the gentle giant of the community.

He was famous for saving the people from the war on the Whisperers but he wasn't one to gloat or become prideful. He was kind and was always either getting kids involved in the gardens, going out hunting with his Dad, helping his sister Lydia with her reading or seen hand in hand with Carl and Judith while walking down the street.

But right now, he was in his garden with his family. Carl, Judith, Michonne, Lydia and Connie.

Judith was now seven and had her own sword that matched Michonne's - the only difference was the length. Michonne was giving her a lesson and the little girl was getting good at her stances.

Connie watched them from the side, her back against a tree with a book in her hands.

Hedley was helping Lydia and Carl gather the tomatoes. Lydia was holding the basket, liking to keep the tomatoes in a neat stack. Carl took the fruit of the stem and gave it to her where she'd stim happily before placing it in its correct spot. Hedley was guiding Carl on which to pick as the older Grimes had the habit of picking not ready to be picked fruit.

"I told you that gardening just isn't for me!" He'd whine when grabbing a tomato that was still green - only to have Hedley bat the hand away.

Lydia chuckled but Hedley's face was frozen in somewhat distress.

Carl went to him, "What's wrong, love?"

Hedley signed, non-verbal due to the stress he'd been experiencing for the last few weeks. 'My Dad. It's now been a month since he went out.'

"I know you're worried, Hedley." Carl said, a small frown on his face, "But he's Daryl. He's a survivor."

'What if he's in trouble?'

"Don't worry, Hedley." Lydia voiced, "Dad will be home any day now, you'll see."

Hedley sighed a big breath, frown deepening.

"Hedley! Look!" Judith called and Hedley turned to see Judith with her sword. She then did a move with Michonne and got a round of applause from the three.

Maggie then came up running with a now four year old Hershel on her hip. "Hey! Come on!" She sounded excited and out of breath.

"What's going on?" Carl asked.

"Daryl's back!" She explained, "And he's not alone!"

They all dashed along with her, Hedley excited to see his dad after so long.

They made it to the gate and it opened up, the metal clunking rattling the air.

Soon Dog and Daryl came into view.

And beside Daryl Dixon was... Rick Grimes.

Seeing the man they thought was dead, everyone froze for a second.

Daryl, Dog and Rick went inside the walls, the gate closing behind them.

"R-Rick?" Michonne spoke, tears falling as she shook.

Rick cleared his throat, "I'm sorry I've been gone for so long."

That triggered Carl into running.

Rick watched his son and his mind went back to the little ten year old running to his arms all those years ago.

"Dad! Dad!" Carl yelled, colliding into Rick. Rick held onto him tightly, crying into his shoulder as Carl broke down into sobs. "I knew it! I knew you weren't dead! I knew it!"

Michonne joined the hug, Carl refusing to let go. Rick looked at his wife and cupped her cheek. They shared a kiss, their tears mixing. The three held onto each other.

Judith looked up at Hedley. He smiled at her.

"Is that really Daddy?"

Hedley nodded.

"I've been dreaming about him for so long. Sometimes I thought he wasn't real." She whispered.

"Judith?" Rick called.

Judith looked at him and went forward. She then jumped up and Rick caught her. "Daddy!"

The four held each other so tightly. Hedley just watched, stimming happily. He flapped his hands and wiggled his toes and rocked back and forth.

Lydia was stimming too beside Hedley.

Daryl walked up to them and brought his kids into a hug too. "I'm sorry I took so long."

The two held onto their dad, having missed him.

Connie came up, giving Daryl a kiss, signing a conversation which Daryl signed back even with his kids still wrapped in his chest. Lydia was stroking Dog's fur, the canine having squeezed in between her legs. Connie soon joined the hug.

Leaving the two families complete.

And the bliss was cut with Rick's voice, "Spider Monkey? Is that you?"

Hedley ran to him, getting his own hug by the man.

"Woah! You got tall!" Rick chuckled and looked at Carl, "You two still together or-"

"More so." Carl said, showing his dad the ring on his finger.

Rick's eyes widened then looked at Daryl who was holding Connie's hand while Lydia shyly hugged at his side. Michonne was still hugging his own side, Judith on his hip while Carl and Hedley stayed close.

"And who's this?"

"Rick, this is Connie-"

"The wife you told me about?! This her?!" Rick gawked then smiled at Connie, "So you finally got Daryl to settle down? You must be one patient woman!"

Connie smiled at that.

Daryl then rubbed Lydia's arm, getting her a little more relaxed, "And this is our daughter Lydia."

"Hello." She waved, rocking back and forth.

"You're a proper family man now, Dixon!" Rick exclaimed, "Damn. When you told me about them I couldn't quite believe it but now- whoa!"

Connie chuckled, signing something.

Daryl translated for him, "She said that it was nice to have a face to the stories we tell."

"Stories?"

"Lots of stories, Daddy!" Judith cheered.

Maggie and Hershel came up and gave Rick their own hug.

"It's good to have you back, Rick." Maggie said, pulling back.

Rick smiled, looking around at his family.

"It's good to be home."

****

That night, the entire town celebrated.

A big party filled with music, drinks, dancing and family.

Everyone seemed to be on the dance floor.

Maggie had Hershel balanced on her feet, making him giggle as she made him dance.

Gabriel, Eugene, Rosita were showing their moves in a circle, a glass of wine in their hands.

Jerry, his kids and Nabila were huddled together, laughing their heads off.

Ezekiel was slow dancing with Carol and she smiled brightly when he twirled her around.

Magna and Yumiko were close together, forehead against forehead, sharing an intimate moment of peace.

Aaron was spinning his daughter Gracie around, making her laugh.

Luke and Kelly were showing Lydia - who had the noise cancelling headphones Hedley used to wear on as she stimmed - how to do the robot. She was laughing at the pair and just kept stimming with glee.

Connie actually got Daryl to dance and because she couldn't hear, he led and to everyone's amazement, was actually a good dancer.

Rick and Michonne danced with Judith. She was wiggling and holding her parent's hands as she spun around.

And Hedley and Carl were in their own little bubble of happiness. Carl rested his head against Hedley's chest, his arms resting up to hold onto Hedley's biceps. Hedley leaned his own head on top of Carl's, his arms wrapped around the smaller man's waist as they rocked from side to side. Hedley's own earbuds were in but he could still somewhat hear the music and the feeling of the base thundered his blood.

After dancing, everyone ate the massive feast that was prepared.

And as everyone finished their meals, Rick stood up with a glass in hand. "I'd like to propose a toast."

Everyone quietened down and watch their returned leader. They lifted their own glasses.

Rick held his high and said with strength, "To family!"

And with that everyone cheered back, "To family!"

That was the beginning of true freedom.

(( Notes: I wished Rick came back like this in the series :()) 

(( Ps - The next chapter will be the last chapter of this book! :3 ))