"Things can get better. We can make them better."

~Maggie Greene

The warm water hit his frigid skin, rinsing him of what he had been a part of. Glenn watched as the dark red liquid stained the pale, white porcelain, staring blankly as it went down the drain.

He massaged his scalp, cleansing his hair of the dirt and blood with the water. He embraced the peacefulness the shower brought, enjoying every drop that hit his body.

His fingers trailed the wounds he had received as he bathed. The indentation of barbed wire on his ribcage and leg.

The stench of blood and smoke overtook his thoughts from the wounds, causing him to scrub his skin harder. He wanted that smell out of his body; those stains, those wounds.

He laid his palm on the fogged, glass door, exhausted from the battle that had carried on for hours into the night. They had only recently returned to Alexandria since there were still the outposts to be taken care of.

Only when each outpost was left in ruins, could everyone return home to rest- unless they were severely injured like Glenn.

But he had refused to return, the adrenaline in his body allowing him to keep fighting.

Now, his body ached; the shower helped relieve his muscles very little. He did not want any medical attention; he believed those with worse injuries should be of priority.

He turned off the water, drying himself with a nearby towel. He changed into some fresh clothes, which were the color black as of late. His dirty, tattered clothes were in a heap by the door. There was no use in wearing them again, they were too far soiled.

To his surprise, he saw a meal and a glass of water by his bedside. He wondered who had been in his house, but quickly pushed the thought aside as his stomach growled.

After he had finished eating, he laid down across the bed, looking over at the empty bed space.  Each time he went to bed, he had expected and hoped Maggie would be lying there beside him. She would look up at him with her bright, green eyes, smiling that he had returned. He would pull her into his arms and tell her how much he had missed her. How much he loves her and that they could finally be together because no one would ever separate them again.

But she was not there, just like the time before that and the time before that. He was there alone, never to feel her again.

~

Rick knew he wouldn't be able to get much sleep tonight. He was too high on adrenaline to rest. The only thing he could do was walk around the city, thinking over everything.

He smiled, remembering Olivia's face when she saw them return. She broke down crying, believing they would not come back alive and it would be Negan instead at the gate.

Negan.

His smile twisted into one of pain and anguish as that name crossed his mind.

But his smile returned when he thought of seeing that man's body hanging from the factory, albeit more sadistic.

How ironic it was really. Negan's stuff now belonged to them! Rick wanted to laugh at the notion, finding it hilarious at how much this war had cost them and their reward was Negan's shit.

He walked around the freshly dug graves for Enid and Eugene. Carl, Rosita, and Rick had been the ones to deal with this heavy burden of burying them.

Rick glanced at the several graves littered across the grass. He made a note to make them look nicer; possibly planting trees or plants on the soil.

His thoughts went to Carl, wondering if his son would be okay after everything. Rick wasn't an idiot; he noticed the change within his son, his group. They were on the brink of insanity and had tapped into it just mere hours ago.

He sighed deeply, thinking he needed to do something about this. But before he could brainstorm, movement caught his eye.

It was Tara. She was walking with a plate in her hand towards Glenn's house. He watched as she slipped into his house quietly. Rick wanted to follow her in to check up on her and Glenn, but he decided against it.

He stood still, thinking deeply about what he should do until a voice called out to him.

"Rick?"

The man spun on his feel to face a curious Michonne approaching him.

"What are you doing up so late?" He asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," She smiled back. Her smile was contagious and he found himself smiling too.

"But I was on my way to pick up some meals for our two newest residents. Tara and Rosita are making dinner or breakfast, I guess, for different people," She continued. "And I've been delivering them. Would you like to help?" She wanted him to; she felt like that was what he needed. He needed to help his people in this moment of recovery.

"Okay," He responded, his voice barely above a whisper. They went into Rosita's house, which was filled with all sorts of delicious aromas.

She had buried herself in her cooking, not hearing them walk in.

"It smells good in here, Rosita. I think I'll have some for Carl and me," Rick's hand was already reaching out for the two plates set aside.

Rosita quickly moved the plates out of his grasp, playfully glaring at him. "These aren't for you! They're for Sherry and Dwight."

Michonne took the plates from Rosita, saying, "He knows. He actually came to help deliver them."

"Ah, okay. Don't worry, Rick. I'll make more for you and Carl," Rosita grinned.

"I don't want you to overwork yourself though. You all need to rest," Rick warned.

"We will. But we have to do this first," Rosita went back to cooking. Michonne just chuckled at Rick's worried face.

"Rick, can you take some bottled water also?" Rosita looked over her shoulder.

"Yeah," He answered, picking up some bottles as Michonne grabbed the plates.

"Come back so you can take some more plates to the infirmary," Rosita called out as Rick and Michonne exited.

~

Sherry answered the door tiredly. She was about to go to bed when someone had knocked on the front door. To her bewilderment, Michonne and Rick were standing there offering her a hot meal and drinks.

"We wanted to welcome you to Alexandria," Michonne smiled at the sleepy woman.

"..Oh, thank you," Sherry took the plate and drink from them. "Sorry, I'm just really tired. I was actually about to go to sleep when you all arrived." Sherry suddenly felt self-conscious about her appearance. Her hair was wet, she was wearing a thin nightgown, and she imagined her eyes with dark circles underneath.

"There's no need to apologize. We should've come earlier," Rick stated. "But you should rest. It's been a hard night for all of us."

"Um, would you like to come in?" Sherry moved aside to let them enter. They obliged.

"How do you like your house?" Rick took in the minimal furniture in the house.

"It's...amazing. It reminds me so much of how things used to be. Dwight and I could hardly believe that we actually had a house again," Sherry placed her meal on the kitchen counter. "And an actual shower... It felt so good."

Rick and Michonne exchanged grins at this, remembering their awe at Alexandria's ingenuity.

"Well, if there's anything else you need, let us know," Michonne said warmly.

"Hm, maybe a mattress?" Sherry cast her eyes down. Michonne stayed silent at this, while Rick cleared his throat.

"The Saviors had taken most of ours...We're going to need to scavenge for more..." Rick muttered.  

"Whenever you go...I'd like to help," Sherry said firmly.

"Thank you," Michonne smiled softly. "We're going to need a lot of help rebuilding."

"We also brought a meal for Dwight," Rick interrupted, deciding he was too tired to think about the future right now. "Is he here?"

"No, he's at the infirmary. He's bruised all over, has a broken arm," Sherry sighed. "I could take the plate over to him. You're the ones who need to rest."

"We were on our way over there," Michonne replied. "There are more people who need food and we won't rest until everyone is taken care of."

Sherry could only remain motionless as Michonne's words rang in her ears. Never had she experienced a leader who put their people first, who worked for them and not the other way around.

"Well, have a good night, Sherry," Rick broke her train of thought as he and Michonne showed their way out.

Sherry could only eat her food in deafening silence, staring at the other plate across from her. She realized how much she had missed Dwight's company throughout those long months separated. She quickly stood up, snatching up his plate and water.

This was the start of a new life and she would not waste it alone.

~

Back at Rosita's house, Tara and Glenn were conversing instead of cooking.

"You could have at least waited. I wouldn't have minded, Tara," Glenn teased.

"I had to deliver other meals and help Rosita out! I couldn't just wait until you were done showering! Plus what if you were to come out naked?" Tara asked incredulously.

"If you're not going to help, then just leave! The door is wide open!" Rosita shouted before Glenn could respond. However, the pair just laughed at the irritated woman, which annoyed her even more.

"What's so funny?!" Rosita glared.

"You-You have a little sauce on your forehead," Tara couldn't stop laughing. Rosita wiped her head with her fingers, looking down at her hand confused. She indeed had sauce on her.

She wiped the rest of it off with a towel, throwing it angrily at Glenn before saying, "Get back to work."

Rick and Michonne entered the house again and to their surprise saw Glenn laughing and smiling, something he rarely did these days.

"Glenn, you look good," Michonne went up to him, putting her arms on him. "Certainly better than the rest of us."

"No, inside I feel terrible. But I couldn't just sit around and do nothing," He chuckled.

"Which is exactly what you're doing," Rosita handed him stacked plates. "I'm going with you all to the infirmary. Tara, will you keep cooking?"

"Yeah, of course," Tara went to Rosita and took the spatula from her hand.

"Thanks," Rosita smiled at the woman, before handing more plates to the others. Rosita herself lifted a box full of bottled waters.

"Okay, let's go," Rosita stated. "We have a lot to do." The others nodded in response, walking out together.

~

"Now what's this?" Abraham sat up, his shoulder bandaged. He immediately regretted moving because pain shot through his upper chest. He groaned; his hand placed on the white bandaging.

"You know better than to be moving around," Sasha furrowed her eyebrows. She had remained at his bedside since they had arrived. She had wanted to be at Hilltop, but Jesus had assured her that Hilltop would be okay for now. Her place was with Abraham.

"I know, but when I see food, I get excited," He winced. Sasha shook her head while chuckling.

"I will just take this plate back and eat it myself if you injure yourself more," Rosita said as she placed his meal on his lap.

"Nah, don't do that," Abraham pleaded. "I'm already in too much pain." Rosita looked at him sadly, before giving Sasha her own plate.

"Here you go, Sasha. You must be starving."

"Yeah, I am," Sasha started eating. "Thank you... Rosita, for all of this."

"Take care of him. He's really going to need it right now," Rosita felt the weight of Eugene's death upon her. Her eyes began to well up, remembering how much he had contributed for their cause and victory.

"You will too. We all will. We're a family now, we will have to take care of each other," Sasha grasped Rosita's hand, exchanging smiles with one another.

Abraham had stopped eating and watched the women grief-stricken. Throughout the past 12 hours, all he could think about was Eugene. He had temporarily forgotten about him once he arrived at the infirmary, but his shoulder wasn't the only thing aching. His heart felt heavy and each time he blinked he felt as if tears would spill out.

"You better not expect me to spoon-feed you," Sasha cocked an eyebrow, wanting to change the somber mood.

"Well, now that you mention it..." Abraham grinned, causing Rosita to roll her eyes jokingly and leave the pair.

In the next bed over, Sherry was helping Dwight with his food.

"You're really going to like the house," She said as she cut his food for him. "When do you think  you'll be able to come home?"

"The nurse said I was free to go tomorrow," He said in between chews.

"Oh, thank goodness. I thought you were in more critical condition," Sherry rubbed his leg.

"...I'm just glad you're here with me," Dwight looked at her intensely. "And I don't know if I've said this before, but I love you, Sherry. I should have said that more times and I want to make sure I say it enough."

"You really are sick," She leaned into him, placing her mouth on his. "I think you'll need to stay here longer." They kissed passionately, sharing in this intimate moment.

Glenn watched awkwardly from the side, not wanting to interrupt. He had wanted to talk to the couple, but they were engaged in something private.

Dwight took notice of Glenn and grudgingly broke the kiss. He had been craving this for so long and he didn't want to stop.

"Yeah, sorry, but are you two feeling okay?" Glenn scratched his neck.

"I've never been better," Dwight answered. "How are you doing? You're the one who had to fight him..."

"Have you even gotten any medicine?" Sherry asked concerned.

"No, I'm fine. These patients need the medicine more than I do. Don't waste it on me," Glenn answered. Before Sherry could call the one medical worker over to them, Glenn had already walked away. However, Rick had noticed his friend's agitation and stopped him.

"Glenn, I've been feeling like we need to get the group to find themselves again. To take their minds off everything that happened, even if it's for a few hours. But I have no idea how."

"...Maybe a picnic or something? I don't know. This isn't like you, Rick. You've never been one to plan family nights."

At the utterance of these words, Rick is taken back to the night that devastated them. The fantasy of what the new world could have been is replayed back in his mind just as it was then.

"I know..." Rick swallowed his near emotional outburst down. "What about a family dinner?"

Glenn blinked a few times before answering. "I-I don't think I'll be-" But Rick cut him off.

"When that night happened, I envisioned us... all of us... Maggie, Daryl, Carol, Enid, Eugene, your child..." Rick paused. "I envisioned that we would rebuild this world and we would have birthdays and family dinners and Christmas. For a while, it wasn't possible. But now I know it is. I want to make sure we do the things we're supposed to before it's too late."

"Then yes, let's have that family dinner," Glenn smiled through his streaming tears. 

Rick smiled back, but not before getting onto him about seeking medical attention.

"You're not even breathing normally. You're taking these shallow breaths like you're in pain."

"I am in pain, but I'll manage."

"It might be something more serious, Glenn. Let Irene do a check up on you."

"Irene?"

"She's from the Oceanside Community. She volunteered to come to Alexandria since we didn't have a doctor."

"I don't want to bother her; she's busy with more important things," Glenn explained. "I can just get some aspirin and I'll be okay," Glenn stalked off towards the medicine cabinet and pulled out two caplets of aspirin. He noticed how there were very little left. He felt bad, but swallowed them nonetheless.

"Do you need something?" A woman asked from behind. He startled and quickly turned around to see who he guessed was Irene.

"Uh, I already got what I needed. Just some aspirin."

"Oh, so you're not the one named Glenn who was hit with a barbed wire bat?"

"How do know my name? And the fact I was hit with a bat?" Glenn took a few steps back from the woman.

"Sherry told me. She said I should come see you."

Glenn glared across the room at Sherry, who was not paying any attention to him purposely.

"Where were you hit?" Irene questioned.

"On the side of my ribs and leg," He replied, touching his right side.

"Have you noticed any swelling or bruising?"

"I've noticed bruising. I'm not sure about swelling."

"What about any protrusions or dentations?" She continued asking.

"No, I haven't noticed any of that."

"Do you mind if I check?"

"Yeah, kinda. It hurts to breathe, but I don't think my ribs are broken."

"Well, let me give you some ice...er...snow to soothe it," Irene smiled, taking a cloth and exiting the infirmary.

Glenn stood around awkwardly, waiting for her to come back. After a few minutes, she returned with a cloth packed with the snow.

"Just press this onto the bruise and make sure to get plenty of rest. Would you like me to disinfect your leg?" 

"Oh, go ahead," Glenn rolled up his pant leg. The woman prepared a cotton ball with alcohol before lowering herself. He gritted his teeth as the fluid burned his cut, impatiently waiting for her to finish. Once she had finished bandaging the wound, he thanked her and left.

He had pressed the snowpack under his jacket and shirt, wanting to find solitude back at his dark house. Being around others only reminded him of what he had lost and what could never be found again.

Once he arrived home, he sank to his knees and let himself drown in his sorrow. He didn't even remember going upstairs to his bedroom and opening the closet, wrapping himself in Maggie's clothes. He took in her scent that was left behind in the fabric, crying out her name over and over again.

He cried until he could cry no longer, eventually falling asleep tangled in her clothes.

~

In the days that had passed, many things had been accomplished. Several people were at liberty to go on runs without fear of Negan or any Savior running into them.

They had recovered the ever-so-needed medicinal supplies for the wounded.

Rick had organized a group consisted of Dwight, Sherry, Aaron, Michonne, Carl, and Gabriel to retrieve new mattresses for the ones that had been stolen and burnt. The Saviors' trucks had been a great aid in this.

Some of The Oceanside women had moved to Alexandria to fill the vacant houses, including Irene, Netanya, and Cindy.

Rick, Sasha, and Ezekiel had met several times to work out a trading system between the communities.

However, Glenn had not been present for any of this. He practically locked himself in his house. The only time he would go out was to get food. He had shed the title of being the errand boy.

Many people had been worried about him, expecting Glenn to have taken part in their newfound joy. They expected their ray of sunshine to return since this was finally over.

Then, one warm day, which was unusual for this time of year, Glenn's doorbell rang.

Glenn figured it was only a matter of time before everyone started coming to his house to check up on him. They just could never understand the toll these last months had taken on him.

He hated to think this, but he had been one of the few who had thrived in the apocalypse. How many of them could say the same thing?

He was glad they were able to rebuild Alexandria and their lives; they deserved the peace they fought so desperately for.

But he felt no need in rebuilding what was taken from him. He had all of that with Maggie; peace, love, happiness, courage, selflessness, and hope.

He slowly approached the door, the sun outside blinding him once he opened it.

Carl stood on the grass with a soccer ball under his foot.

"I thought you'd want to play!"

"No thanks," Glenn started to close the door before Carl kicked the ball to him.

"C'mon! We're having a soccer match before we feast! It's like Thanksgiving at my house."

The memory of Rick wanting to have a family dinner came back to his mind and this gave him a moment to pause.

"I don't have a family anymore, Carl...It's just me," Glenn kicked the ball back.

"You're wrong, Glenn," Carl picked up the ball, walking over to the front door. "One time...Enid told me that you convinced her to live on. You told her that we're not supposed to let this world die. How you honor the dead by going on or some stuff like that. What about all those quotes you used to say how we're your family? How the people who died made you who were?!" Carl got in the man's face. "Do we not mean anything to you then?! I guess that would make sense then! You didn't cry over Enid! You got her killed! She died for you! She loved you!"

Glenn could only watch at the teenager seething in front of him. The guilt and anguish suffocating him at each word that came out of Carl's mouth.

"I said all that before Maggie died. Before my child died. Before Carol, Daryl, Enid, and Eugene died. If I would have known...I would have never said that."

"Maggie wouldn't have let this world die...If it would have been you that night...She would have rebuilt this world in your memory...Don't let her die twice, Glenn."

Carl watched somberly at the broken man in front of him. His friend had died...what stood in front of him was the phantom of Glenn.

"If none of this affects you...then your heart is already too far gone..." Carl turned around, walking off sadly towards his house.

~

"He's not coming," Carl responded to his dad's question of where Glenn was. "Whatever. We can still have fun without him," He tried convincing himself, kicking the ball to his dad. Rick told his son that they would play after they ate.

Rosita and Michonne were setting the tables set outside on the lawn, while the other Alexandrians were coming over with different dishes. Everyone greeted each other happily, laughing and chatting away. There were drinks passed around and finger foods to keep everyone satisfied.

Around the main table sat Rick, Carl, Abraham, Michonne, Rosita, Aaron, Eric, Gabriel, Judith, Tara, Olivia, Dwight, and Sherry. There was an empty chair for Glenn, which was very conspicuous.

"Well, looks like everyone is here," Rick stated glumly.

"Not everyone..." Sherry whispered, causing Dwight to wrap an arm around her.

Everyone stared at their plates, not wanting to touch their food.

"I'm disappointed in you all," a voice said out of nowhere. "How could none of you prepare dessert?"

The group gasped and nearly cried out as they saw Glenn holding a dish of cookies, approaching them quickly.

They all jumped out their seats, embracing him and chuckling at his jest.

"I knew you'd make it," Abraham proclaimed before getting him in a bear hug.

"Sit here, at the head of the table," Rick pointed, moving towards the opposite end.

Glenn took his seat, partaking in the feast that was presented in front of him.

"Rick, did you forget about us?" Morgan called out, with Gabriel, Jesus, Sasha, Ezekiel and Shiva following behind him.

"Of course not!" Rick exclaimed, unable to believe his eyes.

Sasha kissed Abraham before pulling up a chair at the table. Abraham passed Glenn a beer who politely refused whilst laughing.

Rick held Judith who was giggling at everything in front of them. Carl tickled her, which caused her to laugh more.

Shiva was by the side of the house, eating a whole turkey. Ezekiel pointed this out to everyone, which caused everyone to look at her with amusement tinged with fear.

Sherry and Dwight took in the spectacle in front of them with surprise and excitement. They found themselves actually laughing for once.

Carl asked his dad if he could have some beer, which the obvious answer was a resounding no.

Everyone agreed that the food and drinks had never tasted better. The time it took to finish everything proved this true.

Once everyone had finished, Carl challenged his dad to a soccer match. It was Rick, Rosita, Glenn vs. Carl, Michonne, Jesus. By the end of it, they were covered in grass stains and sweat.

Carl's team had won, causing Michonne and Jesus to lift him up in victory. He yelled and cheered and no one could be mad at him for unsportsmanlike conduct.

When the sun had begun to set, people were barely cleaning up and going home. The citizens had told Rick they wanted to do this more often. Rick promised they would.

"What made you decide to come?" Rick went over to Glenn, meeting his eyes softly.

"I accomplished my mission with Negan. He took so much away from my life. He couldn't have my future too. If there was one thing he was right about, is that we have to rebuild civilization," Glenn responded, turning his head towards the darkening sky. "Your son told me something wise today. Don't let Maggie die twice. If we rebuild this world, I can make sure she lives on." Glenn looked back at Rick, whose blue eyes turned even bluer with the tears that formed.

"I can make sure you all live on. We can be the true saviors of the new world."

A/N: Thank you to all who have voted and commented. Feedback is always appreciated!

I hope this fluffy chapter was satisfactory after the roller coaster the last chapter was.