➳ "I stand before you today at the start of a new tomorrow," Ezekiel addressed everyone up on the balcony of the theater at the Kingdom. Beside him was a paper figure of the late and great, Shiva. "A tomorrow made possible by the sacrifices of many over the years."

When I heard this, I briefly closed my eyes in remembrance of all who we have lost so far. This included my twin brother, whom we recently lost. Paul should be here today, but he isn't, and it hurts so much to remember what could've been.

"Among them, a man whose mission was to build community and strengthen the bonds between us," Ezekiel continued to announce to everyone, as we remembered Rick in these tough times. "A man who had to destroy the thing which connected us... in order to save us." I remembered the day at the bridge when Rick rejected our help so he could save us — even if that meant he would parish with that horde of Walkers.

"It took us far too long to fulfill the promise of Rick Grimes and his son, Carl, envisioned — the same promise Paul Rovia, better known to most as Jesus, believed in what he brought us all together those many years ago."

I gulped down a huge lump after hearing Zeke say my brother's name aloud, along with Carl's, for everyone to acknowledge them on this day of all. Oh, dear, gosh... I missed them both so much. I have never wanted anyone back like I did them.

"We've always been bound to each other," Zeke continued on with his sermon, shining some love and positivity over the mention of our lost loved ones' names. "We always will be." Absolutely. "We fought our way back to each other. We have grown. The crossing over the river may be gone, rebuilt a bridge, nonetheless."

With that said, everyone started to applaud him and his well-spoken speech. "Today is proof that we can unite, not against a common enemy, but for the common good." Ezekiel smiled from up above and paused for this very moment.

And, in this very instant, the sun readjusted from afar, and it almost made me believe Paul was up above me right now. He was smiling, and I could almost hear his voice clearly say to me, "Tess, it's okay. No matter what, I will always be here for you — like I have repeatedly told you before. Nothing's actually changed. I'm still here, and I love you."

Instead of crying after hearing his voice again, I smiled as I gazed up to the light, nodding and knowing full and well my brother was still with me. No matter what, I will never be alone — thanks to him.

"So, eat, drink, trade, and be merry," Zeke started to conclude altogether with that same smile plastered across his face. "Because we got a lotta lost time to make up for."

I giggled to myself and happily nodded before taking a moment to turn my head back, seeing Tara hanging back behind everyone. She saw me, too, and nodded with a smile. I turned back around and noticed Jerry now standing there in front of the theatre, still down here with the rest of us.

"Let the First Annual Inter-Community Reunification Fair... begin!" Jerry announced all in one breath, nearly exhausted when he was finished with his arms up.

Laughter and applause erupted until I could hear Ezekiel call down to his friend, "Jerry, we changed that."

Jerry turned his head around and looked up at his old friend in question. "For reals? F.A.I.R. Fair?"

Quickly, Zeke countered, "It's too many— Ah, nevermind." Everyone slightly laughed, but he was quick to recover with his arms out wide and high. "Let The Fair of New Beginning begin!"

In one swift motion right after Zeke had breathed out begin, up-tempo folk music played along with cheers and applause with the doves being released from their cages. It was such a good moment to share with equally great people.

When I turned my head back around towards Tara, she furrowed her head for me to join her. So, I gracefully made my way through the crowd until I met up with her behind everyone, where she was off by herself.

"What's going on?" I asked before she could say anything. I just wanted this good feeling and sweet moment to last. Nothing is forever, though.

She started walking, and I stuck by her side while she began talking. "Daryl and Henry haven't arrived yet," she informed me, and this is when I looked up and saw where we were headed. Carol and Ezekiel, Kelly and Magna, were close to the main gates — waiting on them, too. "We might have to go out there and find them."

I didn't say anything when we regrouped with Carol and Ezekiel. I patted Zeke on the back and said, "Perfect speech, King." He smiled and nodded to that. "So, are we going to have to go look for them or what?"

Kelly chirped in, clearly annoyed with emotions, "Are we going or what? My sister's out there somewhere."

And, as soon as Kelly said this, Magna smiled and pointed to the gate. "No, she's not."

The front gates opened up and Dog came running inside first with Daryl's directions. The horses led them inside and I could very clearly see Henry in the back — along with... Lydia?

"Mom," I heard a very clear voice, and I glanced over my shoulder until Mollie came into view, who was standing right beside me. She had Tara Rose in her arms, carrying her on the left side of her body. "Lydia is with them."

I nodded and whispered back, "I noticed."

Suddenly, Tara Rose's face lit up when she screamed out, "Uncle Daryl!"

She quickly jumped down to her feet from Mollie's embrace and went sprinting across the road — through Yumiko and Magna — until Daryl actually caught her in time to pick her up under her arms and up in the air, spinning her around one good time before settling her in his arms.

Tara Rose hasn't felt like being around people, let alone all giggly like this since Paul's passing. Now with Daryl in view, she was suddenly back to her normal-self.

She squeezed her arms around his neck, and to my surprise, Daryl hugged her little body back and even smiled. My heart wept for this reunion, as Tara Rose just loved her Uncle Daryl to death. In her eyes, he would always be flawless.

I decided to walk across there and greet him, too, as Mollie tagged along behind me. Mollie and I gingerly approached Daryl — and it was mostly because, sometimes, we didn't know who he was at the moment. However, for this very second, he was himself again.

He readjusted his eyesight straight down to me when, for a split second, I didn't think he was going to speak. Then, when he licked his bottom lip and took a deep breath, he said to me, "I'm sorry."

I was actually speechless for once, confused and dazed. I didn't know why or for what he was referring to, but I was ready to hear the rest of his apology.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you and the girls when I should've been," he further confessed, showing real emotion behind his apology. This was all shocking the hell out of me. "Instead... I-I was searching for a ghost in the forest. My focus should've been on y'all instead — not out there."

It took me a moment, but when I briefly shut my eyes to store everything he just said inside of my mind, I took a deep breath and felt a huge weight be lifted off my shoulders.

Then, when I reopened my eyes and stared up at him, I smiled and slowly nodded. Without being able to control myself any further, I lunged forward and threw my arms around his body — only the left side since he held Tara Rose on his right. He threw his arm over me and squeezed back, as I allowed all my inner emotions to come loose.

It was such a bittersweet moment — one I didn't think I would ever be able to share with him again. It hasn't been this way with us in so long.

Then, after a moment, I quickly realized Mollie didn't join in when she just pursed her lips and stared at Daryl. He noticed and breathed out to her, "I'm sorry to you, too, Mollie. I... I shouldn't have said what I did to you other day. You were already really sad, and I just... I made it worse on you, and I'm sorry."

For a whole minute, I didn't actually think she was going to respond. To be frank, I thought she was going to turn away and leave. However, before I knew it, she lunged towards him and we all squeezed in this huge embrace together.

With tears in her eyes, Mollie quietly confessed, "I love you, Uncle Daryl. I don't want you to ever leave us again."

He smirked and breathed out, "I won't."

Then, I peeked through and saw someone new standing there — who had apparently came with Daryl's convoy. I took one huge step away from my family and towards her, smiling from ear to ear.

"Michonne?"

She cracked a smile and readjusted her vision to being right on me. I was so... shocked. Without asking any questions, I simply just stepped further and wrapped my arms around her neck while her arms went around my body. We embraced for a good second until I heard Ezekiel come up and talk to her.

I spun my body around and was faced by someone new again, being Henry. He smiled at me, and I quickly took him into an embrace and squeezed him nearly to death. It was another good moment.

When we separated, I kept him at arm's length when I found myself admitting to him, "Y'know what you told me after you found out my brother was gone?" His eyes became whole and he nodded. "You're right, kid. Nobody's truly dead when you think about them all the time. He's still here with me."

Henry grinned again and whispered back, "That's right, Tess. He is, and he's never going away, either. I'm glad you've found peace with his death."

Somehow, Henry was right. I had slowly — but surly — found peace with my brother's death. Of course, I wanted revenge and all of the skinheads' blood for their part in his death, but I could now say I will be alright. Somehow.

"Tess?"

I turned my head to the left and noticed who it was that had just squeaked out my name. Lydia stood there, quiet and much cleaner than the last time I had saw her. Underneath all that dead skin and dirt, she was an actual little girl with soft brown eyes with her own beautiful skin.

"Lydia," I breathed out her name in surprise, blinking a few times. "How are you?"

She slowly nodded and somewhat whispered out, "I'm better now. Thank you." She spoke so differently, too. It was an amazing change. She took another step forward and asked, "How are you?"

I slowly nodded and replied, "I'm... I'm better, too, Lydia. Thank you for asking."

She nervously scratched the back of her neck when she suddenly said to me, "I-I just wanted to thank you..."

"For what?"

She took a deep breath before she tried to fight the fresh tears in her eyes, occasionally glancing from myself to all around her. "It's just... You were so nice to me when nobody else was. Even after you had just lost your brother." Her voice was cracking as her eyes finally landed on mine. "I just hope you can forgive me, too, because I am sorry for his death."

I didn't know why, on God's green Earth, but I quickly lunged right at her and immediately took her in my arms. She wrapped hers around me as I squeezed her body back. She was just a scared little girl underneath all that muck and guts.

And, ever since I first saw Alpha slap her that day, I wanted to take Lydia in my arms and hold her there for as long as I could. She cried on my shoulder as I just softly rubbed her back, but didn't let her go — not even for a second.

However, Tara's voice suddenly broke out when he deadpanned, "The plan was to bring Henry. Just Henry."

I slightly let go of Lydia when I saw Tara staring us down while we embraced. She just couldn't let it go, and to some degree, I couldn't blame her. Still, I knew who the real enemy was — and it was Alpha and the rest of the Whisperers. Not Lydia.

After Michonne whispered to Zeke and Carol about gathering the leaders up, they started to walk away. This is when I let loose of Lydia. She grinned before taking Henry's arm and walking away, too.

Then, I finally saw the little one, who I wanted to see all along. I smiled down at little Judith and said, "Hey, sweet pea. Glad you could make it this year."

She smiled from underneath her hat — the same one which once belonged to Carl — when she squealed back in her sweet voice, "I'm glad we could, too, Aunt Tess. Where's Little T? I've missed her, too."

I quickly glanced around our surroundings before replying back, "She's around here somewhere, probably with Mollie. Let's go take a look around, eh?"

With that said, Judith and I started walking together towards the actual fair. Then, on the way, I felt her hand wrap around my own as I just smiled, thanking God for little moments like these.

- - -

➳ LATER, after Judith found Tara Rose and Mollie, they ran off to play games together — as Mollie, being the oldest, agreed to supervise the kids. I walked around by myself for a while until I came upon Earl's tent.

They didn't see me when I came around the front to behind it, where they were. Their backs were turned, focusing on the baby in Tammy's arms. I smiled as I came up on them, slightly frightening them.

Earl laughed when Tammy rolled her eyes and cursed, "Dammit, girl." This only made myself and Earl laugh even more. "One day, I'm gonna teach you some manners — just like this little one here, too."

I grinned and asked, "Oh, yeah? Well, what's this little one's name? Thought 'bout that yet, ma'am?"

She nodded, pursing her lips, and playfully snapped back, "Yes, ma'am, I have. Thank you." I just smiled and waited for her ultimate answer. "His name is... Adam."

With that said, I leaned forward and played with his little toes. He didn't react, as most babies don't at this age, but I kept the smile on my face. "I like it, Tammy."

She smiled, too, when she reached out her left arm to me and quickly took me into her. My jawline settled on her shoulder when she confessed to me, "I love you, girl."

I squeezed her back as much as I could and whispered back, "I love you more, Tammy Rose."

We separated, but she kept me at arm's length by holding onto my upper arm for another moment. "You've made me very proud. Just know that, sweetheart?" I nodded and tried not to become too emotional, but whenever Tammy spoke like this, it was hard not to be. "And, you've also made your brother very proud, too. He will always be with us, honey. With you, especially."

I nodded and temporary shut my eyes when a few tears slipped out without meaning to. Dammit. "I just... miss him so much."

She took me by the shoulder and made me come right to her when she placed her forehead to mine. "I know you do — just like I miss my Ken every single day. We will be with them again someday." She quickly pecked my forehead when she pat my shoulder and let loose of me. "I love you, honey. Go enjoy the rest of the day with your girls. We'll be here whenever you need us."

I nodded and sniffled, wiping away the tears from my eyes and cheeks. "Thank you," I simply said; as if, the weight of it felt so good. "I love y'all, too. More than you will ever know."

With that said, I turned away from them and started walking away. However, something told me to take a moment and look back at them, so I did. And, what I saw was Tammy and Earl with their new baby, Adam. They played and laughed with him, and I just grinned from afar.

I took the highlighted moment in and praised God for them still being in my life, too.

—

– MOLLIE ROVIA –

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➳ I had watched Henry and Lydia together nearly all day today — like some kind of stalker. I wasn't proud of myself for this, but I just didn't know how to approach them, either.

However, when I saw them sitting on a bench together and she got up to leave, I took this as my opportunity to swoop in. This was my chance to finally clear the air with him — even if my heart was still aching.

"Hey," I breathed out, and he quickly spun his head around to look me up from feet to head. He nearly broke his neck when he heard my voice. "Can we talk?"

"S-Sure," he mumbled out, gulping and blinking. He motioned to the empty seat next to him, so I sat. "What's up?"

"I-I just wanted to say...," I briefly paused, trying to think of how to say the next word, "thanks."

He furrowed his eyebrows together when he innocently asked, "For what?"

I shrugged and quietly claimed, "You've just done a lot of good around here, and although we will never be like we were before, I'm still... glad Lydia is one of us now."

He managed to finally smile when he breathed back into my face, "I'm glad you feel that way. Maybe y'all will become really good friends. Eventually."

I felt silly about this whole thing, but I just grinned and innocently shrugged. "Maybe, but I don't see us having sleepovers, either."

Henry laughed and so did, I. And, suddenly, it was like we were clueless children again. For that split moment, when watching him laugh, I saw his childlike face again. I missed this.

"Still, you two could probably be good friends," he claimed before he shrugged. "I think. She's just like us, y'know."

I nodded and said, "Yeah, I know."

Abruptly, I heard Tara Rose call out for me from afar, "MoMo!" I looked up and she was waving me over to her and Judith. I held up my finger before standing up.

"Hey, where you going?"

I glanced back at Henry and claimed, "I'm gonna head out now. I'm babysitting Jude and Little T."

He nodded before asking, "Well... Sit with me and Lydia at the movie?"

I smiled over my shoulder and said, "Sure. I'll save you guys a seat. See ya, Henry."

He kept grinning when he saw me off and replied, "See ya, Mollie."

I stood up and walked away from Henry, somewhat feeling better about the overall situation. Things would never be the same, I knew this, but I could at least try to be mature and grow from it.

I started making my way towards Judith and Tara Rose when I glanced up, stopping dead in my tracks. Not far from my sister and Jude, stood Gage and his two friends, Addy and Rodney.

They were laughing about something, until Gage looked over and noticed me standing there. His two friends kept laughing, not paying any mind to myself or when Gage stopped laughing along with them.

Gage dipped his head to the side, as if for me to follow him, and started walking away from his friends. I glanced over to the two little girls who I was supposed to be watching when I suddenly spotted Enid and Alden stop and talk to them. They would be okay with them until I'm done with... this.

I tried not to make it obvious that I was slowly following behind Gage, who snuck into one of the small alleyways around here. I slipped in, too, and stood in front of him.

Honestly, as much as I hated to admit it, I haven't really stopped thinking about him since the other night. Unfortunately, he said this much before we kissed. He was a total jerk, and I hated his stupid face; but, there was something about him that draws me in.

"Hey," he greeted with a calm smile. So far, so good. He had his hands tucked into his front pants-pockets. "So, what's the day looking like for you?"

I watched him for another moment before I would answer. I couldn't tell what his angle was right now, and it was driving me crazy.

I shrugged and mumbled out, "Nothing much. I have to watch after my sister and Judith." For whatever reason, I wanted to tuck my hands away, too.

"How 'bout hanging out with me and my friends today?" Gage asked, very nonchalant. I couldn't believe how normal he was being right now. It's disgusting. "Or... Just me?"

I hitched up an eyebrow up at him and quickly gulped. I was trying to swallow my fear and regret all at the same time. I hate how I feel about him.

I took a deep breath and stuttered out, "I-I can't. I have to watch my sister and—"

Gage turned his head and interrupted, "Looks like Enid and Alden are taking care of them now." He turned back towards me and smirked, lifting his shoulders up. "You can sneak away for a few minutes, can't you, beautiful?"

A part of me wanted to throw up, but the other part of me – the worst part of my lower stomach with those butterflies or whatever they were – started pressing down on my bladder.

Then, Gage took out his right hand and reached out for me. "C'mon. Let me go show you this secret spot."

Although I didn't know why, I extended my own hand towards him and entangled my hand with his as he led me away.

—

– TESS ROVIA –

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➳ DARYL reported to me about a possible attack, and he and some others were going to go check it out. I decided to go with them against my better judgment rather than to spend time with my girls.

I ended up kissing Tara Rose goodbye when she hugged me around the neck and quickly ran away again to be with Judith in the games. However, Mollie came out of nowhere when she said to me, "I'm going with you."

"Now, Mollie—"

"Mom, I'm going with you," she stated, quickly cutting me off and taking a brave step forward. "Remember when Jocelyn and those kids took me and the other kids from Alexandria?" Oh, boy, did I... "You told me that... You would always find me — which, in my eyes, you do all the time. It's time for you to finally start treating me like an adult. The very least, a young adult. I want to go with you guys and learn more — and even more — from y'all. Please, Mom?"

I smirked, and feeling like I didn't have much of a choice, I just shrugged. "Fine," I replied, and she excitedly smiled. "Go get your things. We'll wait for you here."

She spun around and started running away until she accidently bumped into Tara's shoulder when she was coming our way. Mollie quickly apologized, "Oh! I'm sorry, Aunt Tara!"

Without further or due, Mollie kept running away, and Tara just smiled and shook her head. Then, Tara walked right up to me while eyeing Mollie, who was far enough away by now. "That girl of yours," she laughed before turning her head completely to face me again. "So, you heading out with them?"

I nodded and added, "Yeah, and so is Mollie, too. But, I'll be back in time to get Little T before it's dark."

She smirked and shook her head. "Nah, I got her."

I furrowed my eyebrows together in the middle with confusion and asked for reassurance, "Really?"

"Yeah," she smiled in return, nodding. "You take the night off from being 'Mother of the Year.' I got her. She can just stay with me tonight, and whenever we see you tomorrow, you can take her back."

I giggled and quickly brought her into a small embrace. "Thank you, T," I whispered and swayed with her. "One of these days, you'll need your own night off from being 'Aunt of the Year' or, should I say, of the decade?"

She laughed on my shoulder until we separated, and for that split moment, nobody else was around — but just us. Her smile started to fade — as mine was, too — when she glanced from my eyes down to my lips.

Quickly, Tara leaned forward and started to shut her eyes. Her lips met mine when she kissed me. For a split second, it took my actual breath away; as if she had sucked my breath out with the kiss.

Normally, it would be quick — like the last time she kissed me — but, this time, it wasn't so much. Alas, after a few seconds, I finally started to kiss her back. It seemed to take her back, but she didn't stop when we both now had our eyes shut and enjoyed the moment.

Alas, she stopped right when I did and pulled away. Her eyes said it all — she was as surprised as I was. "Damn," she cursed, just getting around to touching her lips. "I've actually wanted to do that ever since you came back to Hilltop."

I smiled and slowly nodded, softly touching my own lips, too. "So have I, too... I think."

"I don't think that I tell you this enough, but, uh...," she started to confess. "You're my very best friend in the whole world, Tess. I can't picture my life without you and those girls now. I feel like a big change is coming, and I just wanted you to know, no matter what, I'll always have your back."

I found her hand down below and intertwined our fingers together, giving her hand a tight squeeze. "You're my best friend, and I will always have your back, too. I love you, Tara."

"Nope! I love you more and more, Tess," she replied, squeezing my hand back. "TNT forever?"

I chuckled and nodded. "Forever and ever. Even in the afterlife, we'll still be blowing shit up."

She laughed, too. "I know. I just wanted to hear you say it."

The gates started to open, and this is when I heard Daryl call back to me, "Tess! Vamos!"

I shook my head before quickly embracing Tara again, and as much as I didn't want to leave, I knew it was for the best. About that time, Mollie ran up with her backpack before quickly hugging Tara, too.

"Bye, Aunt Tara," Mollie said to her before placing a quick peck on her cheek. "I love you and I'll see you soon!"

Tara smiled and called to her, "I love you more, Mollie! See you soon, sweetheart!"

Mollie had already piled into the back of the convoy after throwing her backpack in, so I said to Tara as our hands started to leave each other's, "See you later, alligator!"

She grinned and called back, "After while, crocodile! I already miss you so much!"

I giggled and shook my head. "Don't be so dramatic!"

She shrugged and claimed, "That's the only way to be..." She paused before finally adding, "I love you, Tess."

I waved goodbye while walking backward and calling back, "I love you more, Tara!"

She shook her head and declared, "Yeah, totally not possible!"

Alas, I took one final look at my best friend and cherished the moment of love in the air. For once, we didn't fight or fuss. We embraced, kissed, and confessed our love for one another.

She was my everything, and without her... I wouldn't have anything. There wouldn't be a reason to draw any breath without her.

In final, I laughed before finally turning my whole body around and whispered to myself, "Totally possible..."