"You were in trouble. You were trapped. Glenn didn't know you, but he helped you. He put himself in danger for you. And that started it all. From Atlanta, to my daddy's farm, to the prison, to here, to this moment now. Not as strangers. As family. Because Glenn chose to be there for you that day a long time ago. That was the decision that changed everything.

It started with both of you, and it just grew. To all of us. To sacrifice for each other, to suffer and stand, to grieve, to give, to love, to live... To fight for each other."

~Maggie Greene-Rhee

https://youtu.be/GqmAe0QfkjU

"Hey. I'm sorry I haven't been here in a while. It's not that I didn't want to be- I-I," Glenn sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Was I really this awkward when we first met?"

"Yeah. I guess I still am if I can't even talk without stuttering," He chuckled. "It reminds me of when I first met you. I was left stuttering just from the sight of you."

"Well, since the last time I was here, I finally completed what I set out to do. I buried him. It was as hard as I imagined, going back there and seeing everything-" He cleared his throat. "I never thought I could do it. I wanted to give up halfway. But I buried each Savior's remains. At every outpost. It took all day and night to finish."

"The others wanted to help. Dwight especially. But I told him it was me who needed to do it." Glenn paused, lowering his head shamefully. "I still can't forgive Negan for what he did to you... I think it'll take the rest of my life. I guess that makes me a hypocrite. "

"Speaking of forgiveness... they left. Just like they said they would," Glenn sighed. "They were all I had known... They were some of the last people who have memories of you and-" He stopped, wiping his eyes as he thought of the list of names that ran through his head. "I know they were unable to cope- This place just caused them too much pain. It reminded them too much of what they lost."

"I thought about leaving too. Permanently. But you're here. Maiya's here. This was- This is where we made our home," Glenn murmured.

"And I plan to make it everyone's- anyone's home. Whoever steps through the gate will be welcomed. Sasha, Ezekiel, Carl, Dante, and Cindy all decided that they- we will give them shelter. Maiya and I already made the signs for each community: It was a long way forward to Alexandria, or whichever community. But it is in the people where we find shelter."

"That is what they want to do too. Michonne left for Georgia. Aaron and Eric departed north towards Canada. And Gabriel and Rosita went west. And Dwight and Sherry set out for Ohio. I plan to go with Tara and Cindy to rebuild Oceanside soon, so I'll be away for a while. But I'll be back. There's still so much I need to do. I've stopped wasting time on my tears," Glenn confessed softly.

"Though I wished they could have stayed, I know that wouldn't be possible. Or productive if we want to create a new world. I might never see them again... But I hold onto the hope that we will see each other again. Just like I hold onto the hope I'll see you again." Glenn placed his hand on the gravestone with a sad smile.

"Oh, before I forget to mention, Gabriel was able to fulfill one last duty as a priest. He married Sasha and Abraham," Glenn grinned as he reminisced about the wedding. "So that's another thing that recently happened."

"Do you like the new improvements? Carl thought the cemetery looked too empty, so Maiya suggested that it mirror the garden at The Castle. The trees and shrubs really do add beauty to it. Especially in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom. That should be happening any day now." Glenn glanced around at the flora in anticipation. "Morgan is almost finished with the memorial. Two hands; one reaching out to help the other. Around the hands, are various weapons to show that we won't raise our hand until we've first extended it."

"Some other art projects we got going around is that Olivia taught Maiya how to paint and it turns out she's really good at it. They decided to paint a mural on the Alexandria walls. They've already started and it's going to be of all the people we've lost- So you'll be up there. I only wished I still had a photo of you... Like the one of our child that's on the fridge."

"I'm surprised that Maiya decided to live here instead of The Castle. But I'm glad she did," Glenn beamed. "Dante knows what he's doing. We are already planning to restart manufacturing and repairing infrastructure, which is what I'll be doing after I'm done at Oceanside."

"But this-" Glenn placed a binder filled with papers and pictures at the foot of the grave. "This is what I'm proudest of. I've collected documents about everyone who is gone. I interviewed the people closest to them, I gathered any pictures of them, and I have piled together any notes or letters they have written. So we'll never forget them. So when I die, and all of this is stored in a museum the world will know who they were."

"Who you were."

"I will be the one to write our history and I will not leave out anything. I promise that it will be told as it happened even if it shows me as the villain," Glenn assured. "Which is why I couldn't throw those damned bats into the river. As much as I wanted to see them sink, they were a part of me. But not anymore."

"It's you, our child, my sisters, everyone who I have ever loved that are a part me. And it is only through me will people see that."

"Oh, but how can I when I can't even forgive myself? Our friends that left have the potential to forgive me. If we do see each other again, I hope- I want to be a better man. One that is deserving of their forgiveness," Glenn admitted distressingly.

"And Carl..." Glenn trailed off as he thought of the boy. "Morgan and he grew really close. But it still won't replace what I took from him-" He struggled to say as he started crying.

"But it's good enough," Carl suddenly came forth, kneeling beside the grave. "Jeffrey became a mentor for me and Judith. He became more than just my uncle. He became my older brother. And every day I look at him, I see my dad in him. Morgan has kept his promise. He became like a second dad to me. Because of them, they have helped me lead Alexandria to where it is today. Oh, and Judith is still growing. She really looks like my mom. I'll always remember how you welcomed her into this world. I wished I could have welcomed your child too. Thank you...Maggie."

Glenn continued crying, but instantly stopped when Carl said:

"You told me you would teach me how to play the guitar today. C'mon, let's go."

"Y-Yeah, that's right. I completely forgot." Glenn rose to his feet, placing the pocket-watch on the stone. He gave one last smile, whispering something as he put his fingers to his lips and then on the watch.

Carl took Glenn by the hand, surprising the latter. But he didn't let go or pull away. He just let Carl lead him past the cemetery; towards the setting sun.

"Wait just a little longer. I'll be there to see you."

~

There is a story where Glenn Rhee and Abraham Ford were killed one night in autumn; where Sasha sacrificed her life for her family.

That is not this story.

There is a story where everyone is suffering because evil has prevailed. Where Negan has essentially won. Where Carl is dead and Rick is grieving. Where there is no ending in sight because pain and sorrow have darkened the way.

That is not this story.

There is a story where Glenn Rhee is erased from history and thus forgotten.

That is not this story.

This is a story where vengeance took a man named Glenn Rhee down a violent and horrific path; a path littered with the bodies of those he's murdered.

This is a story that will forever be stained with tears and bloodshed and death.

Yet this is also a story where families are rediscovered, love is rekindled, and men can be redeemed.

This is a story where Glenn spends the rest of his 60 years tirelessly rebuilding communities, advising leaders, writing documents, mentoring youth, gathering supplies, constructing buildings, paving roads, working in factories, growing agriculture, raising livestock, and most of all,

Living his life not for himself, but for the people around him.

Deep down south, traces of this story's beginnings remain in what was known as Georgia. Soon it will all be gone, for nature will reclaim what was once its own.

But in the hearts and minds of those who have passed through, of those who existing decades later, will this story be remembered.

Where the hope of a possible cure overcame what was once something to fear.

A/N: And it's finished!!! I can't even believe this! It's been 2 years and it is over!

Stay tuned for my postface, in which I talk about my thoughts and acknowledgments.