Six months we'd been living with Alpha's rules. Six months since we found our people's heads on sticks. Six months since dad moved back into Alexandria. Six months since parents lost children, children lost parents, since Sophia lost Enid. For the first month, she'd barely talk. Barely eat. She'd be in bed all the time, but never sleeping. Dr Ackles had to put her on medication... The second month she was better. Throwing herself into training with her machetes and RJ's miniature lessons with a plastic sword. She was hyperactive, doing everything and anything. The third month was more normal. Sophia started to relax, deal with the grief a bit better. But, I knew she was still hiding the agony.

Mum and Ezekiel had basically broken up. Divorced. Whatever. The death of Jessie tore them apart. What happened to the Kingdom though? That made it worse. The Kingdom was falling apart structurally. It was too old. Past its time. It felt like just yesterday that Jesus was walking us through the walls. There was a massive snow storm coming in. It would devastate the Kingdom in a way that would force people to lose their lives. That's why Ezekiel and mum made the decision to lead their people away. Mama, Sophia, Carl and dad headed over to help. I had to stay back with RJ.

I was at Rosita and Gabriel's. They had one of the heaters on the table. They thought I was upstairs, constructing a crib for the baby. Which I was until I decided I was thirsty so I decided to head to the kitchen.

"It's dead." I heard Rosita say.

"Well-" Gabriel started, going behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. "We could keep each other warm."

Rosita laughed. "The peanut's listening."

"Yea, so am I." I told them, finally announcing myself. Gabriel took a step back and cleared his throat. "Thank you, that's not something I need to see. Like ever. You hear me, padre?" As I spoke, I got a cup from the cupboard and poured myself a glass of water.

"Loud and clear." Gabriel nodded while Rosita just smiled at me.

The door opened and in walked Eugene with RJ being carried on his hip. He put the boy down who instantly ran to me. I let him hug my legs as I just put my hand on the back of his head. Eugene started being Eugene. "I did the systems check on the state of the array, as requested, RJ was not much help though. The solar panels are no bueno. Best bet is to go old school to keep toasty. I'd advice initiating winter one ice storm protocol."

Gabriel nodded. "The meeting room, the Tanner's house and Barbara's have the largest working fire places. We'll divide into those. I'll get the word out."

"We'll gather up dry firewood, stock up, get cosy and ride it out." Rosita nodded.

"We can't leave Negan." Gabriel stated.

"Why not?" I asked.

"He'll freeze down there." Gabriel told me.

"Yea, I know. That's why I don't get why we're moving him." I responded.

"Ellie, we've been over this. We can't kill Negan." Gabriel sighed.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine."

I was sitting by the fireplace with RJ and Archie. Archie was Frankie's three year old son. I'd been taking care of him more lately because ever since his father found out about his wife's death? He's been a bit of a mess. Let's just say RJ's bunkbed has been coming in handy a lot lately. Gary would never hit his son, I would've killed him by now otherwise, sometimes he's just not fit to care for a child. Especially a toddler. Archie was a chubby boy, dimples formed on the baby fat of his face when he smiled, freckles covered him from head to toe, he had electric blue eyes and the reddest hair I'd ever seen.

"I swear to God, I have memorized every square inch of this room... And it still feels like a party!" Negan cheered, happily.

"A never ending party from Hell." I retorted, adjusting the blanket around the two children in an attempt to keep them warmer. Negan was handcuffed to a beam in the room, unfortunately I had to be in the group that was stuck with him. I was with Rosita, Siddiq, Eugene, Gabriel, RJ, Archie, Gary, and a few other people.

"I mean, sure, alright it smells like a Goddamn barn in here and you're all bored shitless-" Negan started.

"Language!" RJ yelled at him.

Negan raised his hands in defence. "Sorry, sorry, kiddo... But, I mean, we got ourselves this hot little love quadrangle here to entertain us. It's like Christmas to me."

"Well, maybe they're just as miserable at the Tanner's or at Barbara's." Siddiq offered up.

"I seriously doubt that." I pointed out.

"Gabe." Negan started. "Your girl's doc? Is also your girl's baby daddy, which kinda begs the question... Do you ever wonder what the hell is going on in there when she has her appointments?"

"You could try to be a little less predictable." Gabriel reminded him.

"Ah, that hurts, Gabe, truly." Negan feigned pain, putting his hand over his heart.

"You know, we're all grown ups here-" Gabriel started.

"Speak for yourself." I couldn't resist.

Gabriel sighed, before continuing. "And none of us would ever let that ruin the long standing friendships and mutual respect we have."

"You know what? You're right." Negan nodded. "That is a very mature attitude, father, not the father."

I couldn't help but laugh but stopped when Rosita, Siddiq and Gabriel shot me the "shut up" looks. I cleared my throat. "Sorry, sorry. You want me to punch his teeth out instead? Cause I can."

Rosita shook her head, trying to fight off a smirk. "It's fine, Ellie."

I headed over to the window, and moved the curtain they'd put in front of it to keep the heat in. "Ellie, keep the curtain shut. You're letting out heat." Siddiq told me. 

I sighed, letting the cotton fall. "You still worried about Dog?" Eugene asked me.

I nodded. "Dad told me to take care of him while he helps the Kingdom move to Hilltop. I don't know where he is and it's freezing out there."

Eugene let out a breath. I knew he was fighting the urge to tell me the reality. "I'm sure... He'll be fine."

I let a small smile pull on my lips. "Your people skills are improving, Eugenius." I patted his shoulder as I walked past him to sit by the fireplace and the kids.

A few seconds passed before Negan spoke. "Does anybody else smell something?"

"Can you stop being such an asshole?" Siddiq requested.

"No, he's right." I furrowed my eyebrows. I looked to the toddlers. "Did one of you have an accident? It's okay if you did, I brought spare clothes." Both boys shook their heads. I knew they'd tell me if they had.

"Get away from there!" Eugene suddenly yelled to me and the boys, running over to us.

I didn't know why we had to get away, but I knew we had too. I trust Eugene with my life, especially his brain. I grabbed both kids and as soon as I'd ran two steps, fire exploded from the fireplace. Rosita wrapped her arms around the three of us, the fire died down and then went out. Leaving the room in darkness. I realised that if I hadn't grabbed the boys and moved, all three of us would be dead. Eugene saved our lives. I put down the toddlers before grabbing the scientist and wrapping him tightly in a hug. He hugged me back. The Eugene I first met six years ago? He wouldn't have been able to do that. He would've been too awkward.

Eugene had inspected the fireplace. "As I suspected. The chimney flue is completely funkified. What singed your nostrils earlier was no doubt a toxic mixture of creosote and H2O. Blizzard's done some tearing and blaring. And our chimney's ventilation capabilities are nil to none. It'd be unwise to spark another blaze lest we plan on ceasing all respiratory functions A.K.A smoking and choking."

"God, I missed you, Eugene." Negan let out.

"I can't say the same." Eugene retorted.

"I'm bored, aunt Ellie, can we play the egg game?" Archie asked.

"Not right now, bud." I smiled, pulling the blanket further around him and RJ who were now sat on a table next to a lantern. 

I walked over to Siddiq, Rosita and Gabriel as Siddiq began to quietly speak. "You know without a fire, we'll never get these people warm enough."

"Yea, we should leave before the temperature drops any lower." Rosita agreed. 

"Okay, folks-" Gabriel clapped his hands together. "Contingency plan. We're going to the Tanner's house. It'll be tight quarters, but we'll make it work."

I walked back over to the boys and got them to stand on the ground. I walked behind them and started heading to the door with everyone when I heard Negan speak. "Seriously? Not one of you assholes is gonna untie me?"

"We could tell Michonne it was an accident." Rosita stated.

"He just couldn't handle the cold." I added, pretending to practice what I'd say.

Unfortunately, we decided against leaving Negan chained. Gabriel had found a massive rope which we all had to hold onto. Gabriel was leading, then Rosita, then Siddiq who was carrying RJ, then Eugene who was carrying Archie. Gray was in one of his episodes where he couldn't handle a toddler. Then a bunch of people that to be honest, I didn't really know. Then Negan, and I was at the back. I wanted to be able to see him at all times. I didn't trust him. 

We started to leave the meeting room and into the blizzard. Even though I was tightly wrapped in a large coat, a big hat, a very fluffy scarf, gloves, leggings under my jeans, three pairs of socks including fluffy socks and the warmest boots I own... Holy hell was I cold.

We were walking for only a couple minutes when I started to hear barking. It was faint as the cold winds and snow hit my face like they had a grudge against me. I was at the back, nobody would notice. Well, Negan would, but what would he care? I dropped the rope and ran towards the sound of the barking Dog.

When I knew I could shout and the others wouldn't hear me, I did. "Dog! Dog! Come here, boy!" I shouted out in an attempt to locate my four legged friend. I'd been living in Alexandria since I was ten years old, but it was safe to say that I had literally no idea where I was. My vision was obstructed due to the thick snow that came down on us. My feet were in snow at least a foot deep which slowed me down significantly. I'd been out there for nearly ten minutes. I bet the guys from the group weren't even at the house yet because the snow slowed everyone down. "Dog!" I called out again. Finally, I felt two paws on my chest as he stood up on his back legs. "Hey, boy. Where you been?" I asked as I started tickling behind his ears. I could feel him shaking, so I didn't hesitate to take off my scarf and wrap it around his neck. The absent space where the wool used to be did take its toll, but I ignored it.

"Ellie!" I heard my name. I turned around and saw a man walking towards me in the snow. I knew Dog would follow me, so I followed the voice. As I got closer, I recognised Negan.

"The hell are you doing here?" I called over the sound of snow.

"To get your ass, you could die out here, Ellie Belly!" He reminded me.

I huffed. "Let's just get to the others!" I began walking away from him. Slowly. Very slowly.

It had been another ten minutes of us trying to find the Tanner's house. I was next to a house when my legs gave out on me. Dog and Negan were instantly by my side. "Ellie, what's wrong?" Negan asked me.

"My skin feels like its on fire, I got pins and needles everywhere, I'm freezing and I can barely feel Dog's head on my leg." I listed. I found it difficult to speak through my shivering though.

"You're pretty blue as well." Negan told me.

"Gee, thanks." I said sarcastically. I noticed blood on Negan's knee... And it kinda looked out of place. "What happened?"

"Bit of wood flew at me. I'm okay. You, however, probably have frostbite." Negan informed me. I couldn't form a response as my teeth were chattering together too much. Negan took off his coat and pulled me forward a bit before wrapping it around me. "Let's get you back, Ellie Belly." I didn't say anything as he picked me up bridal style and kept walking.

In the background I could hear my name being screamed by Rosita, Gabriel, Eugene, Siddiq, Ben and a few others. I didn't reply though. I couldn't keep my eyes open.

I could feel warmth all over my body. I could hear the cracking of a fire. I also... Felt poking on my cheek? "RJ, let her sleep. It's okay, she'll wake up soon." I heard Rosita comforting my younger brother.

I let out a small noise before flickering my eyes open. "Yay!" RJ smiled before placing a very wet and sloppy kiss on my cheek.

"Oh... Thanks." I smiled, subtly wiping off the grossness. 

"How are you feeling, Ellie?" Rosita asked as she helped me sit up. 

I looked over to Negan who was chained to a radiator. I couldn't hold his eye contact as I nodded. "I think I'm alright."

"Mr Negan saved your life." Archie smiled, while playing with a fire truck.

"Yea." I breathed out. "Guess he did."

"You're welcome, by the way." Negan smiled.

I nodded. "Thanks."

The snow had stopped attacking us by the next day's afternoon. We could finally enjoy the snow covered Alexandria instead of fearing for our lives. I was taking RJ and Dog for a walk in the snow. Gary was playing with Archie in the snow covered park. "I love snow." RJ stated, excitedly watching how his feet left footprints.

I laughed, before I noticed the front gate opening. I watched mama, mum, dad, Sophia, Carl, Finn, Charlie and Lydia walk through. "Look who it is." I smiled.

"Mama!" RJ shouted and ran to mama.

"Oh, hi, baby boy." She smiled, meeting him half way and picking him up. She kissed my forehead as she pulled me into a hug with the other arm.

"What happened?" She asked when I pulled back, noticing the red tint to my cheeks.

"Ellie had fostbit." RJ stated, proudly.

"It's actually pronounced frostbite." I corrected him.

"You had what?" Dad asked, panicked, grabbing my arm.

"I'm fine." I laughed. "Actually, Negan saved me."

"He did?" Mum asked.

I hummed. "Everyone from Kingdom safe?"

"They're all at Hilltop, but we're all staying here at Alexandria." Finn told me.

I smiled at him. "Good... That's good. You know, there's actually room in the house next to ours."

"There's also room in a house on the other side of Alexandria which is where Finn and Charlie will be staying." Dad stayed, glaring at Finn.

I sighed, before I watched RJ throw a snowball at mama. She gasped dramatically. "RJ Grimes, what did you just do?"

"Ellie taught me!" RJ defended.

"Snitch." I laughed, making a snow ball and throwing it at my father as I backed towards RJ. Sophia and Carl joined me and RJ. "Round 2, seven years later, what do you say, dad? Mum? Ready to lose again?"

"Oh, you're on." Mum laughed, squatting down to make a snowball.

"At least we have shoes on this time." Carl laughed, throwing a snowball directly at my dad's head while he was squatted down.

"Oh, you're gonna regret that, boy." Dad laughed as he went feral and started making those snowballs like his life depended on it. He didn't care that RJ was barely three, he made sure that we all got pelted with those snowballs. Every single one of us got hit with those white balls of cold. Me, Sophia and Carl did get in quite a few good hits on Finn, Charlie, dad, mama, mum and Lydia. I don't think the teaming was quite fair. It got easier when Ben joined our team and Finn swapped sides. My dad's team was absolutely winning but my team refused to give in.

Mama finally called a truce when she had to fish snow out of a laughing Sophia's eye. We were all laughing, freezing, but happy. Then, we built a snowman. "Fredrickson, the second." Mum said, wrapping her arms around mine and Sophia's shoulders.