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Promise
The Next Morning
The sound of an engine roaring outside, drew Natalie out of the house.
She pleasantly surprised to see Rick, Glenn, and Herschel pull up.
Her face broke into a soft smile-- everything was going to be okay now.
The rest of the group blew past her, some rushing into the arms of their loved ones.
Natalie sighed gently. She used to have that-- a loved one who's arms she could run into after a long time apart. She didn't anymore. That time in her life was gone and over.
"Hey, buddy," Rick said gently to Nat, trying to gauge how she was feeling.
"Hey, Ricky. You had us all worried," Natalie sighed.
"Who the hell is that?" T-Dog asked loudly.
Natalie whipped around to see what T-Dog was looking at.
"Richard?" Natalie sighed angrily, looking at Rick with raised eyebrows, a deathly glare in her eyes.
"This is Randall," Rick said, acknowledging the blindfolded boy in the backseat.
"Why is he here?" Natalie asked, trying to be calm about it.
"He needs surgery," Rick sighed.
"Shane's not gonna like this," Natalie sighed, shaking her head.
"He doesn't have to like it," Rick sighed angrily.
Natalie nodded slowly.
"Anything I can do?" Natalie asked kindly.
"Look after Carl for me today. You don't have to smother him for me, but I know he had a rough day yesterday and I--" Rick rambled.
"I got it, Ricky. Don't worry about him," Natalie said with a soft chuckle.
"I'm always gonna worry about him-- I worry about all of you guys," Rick sighed.
A half smile slipped onto Natalie's face.
"You don't have to worry about me, Ricky. I'm okay-- I'm always just fine," Natalie sighed.
"No you're not-- and you don't have to be. It's not your job to be strong all the time," Rick said firmly.
"It's not yours either," Natalie said, raising one eyebrow.
