.・゜-: ✧☾　☽✧ :-゜・.

Everyone had gathered in Gabriell's office to say their goodbyes to Bob. Levi was awful with goodbyes. He could barely think of anything to say. However, Stella seemed to know exactly what to say and do. She gave the most beautiful speech about how Bob always made everyone smile.

It didn't take long after everyone left that Bob took his last breath and Tyrese was left with the job of taking the man's life once and for all. Stella helped Sasha put Bob's grave together. She walked along with Ellie picking flowers that grew along the road.

Ellie's eyes were puffy from the crying the night prior. The news of Bob didn't exactly help and after hearing about Carol and Daryl the girl was too drained to even shed a tear. Stella could see how tired the girl was. Tired of all this sorrow. Which was why Stella dreaded telling her that she was going to have to leave with Abraham and the rest.

Ellie bent down to pick up the even more slumped and colorless flower than the one before.

"These look awful." She said examining the flowers in her hand.

Stella agreed. The flowers looked dull and lifeless. There were no nice flowers in the area. "The saddest looking flowers I've ever seen."

The two girls exhaled deeply. They kept their hopes up as they continued to walk down the road. Stella then exhaled and stopped bringing Ellie to a halt. The younger girl turned around staring at her in confusion.

"What's wrong?"

Stella tore her gaze from the ground. "Ellie. There's something I have to tell you."

Ellie instantly picked up on the seriousness of her tone and stepped closer.

"Last night, Lev and I agreed to something." Stella breathed out. "We're gonna go with Abraham to DC."

Stella watched as her words hit Ellie stealing the smile off her face. "What?"

"They're taking Eugene to DC and we're coming with them," Stella said.

"You're leaving? What about... what about the rest of us?" Ellie's voice had lowered to a faint whisper.

"You'll stay and wait for Daryl and Carol to return."

"No. I'll go with you." Ellie stepped forward.

"Ellie, no. You'll be much safer here." Stella saw the girl open her mouth to argue but she got before her. "No. It's not up for discussion. It's not safe out there. Trust me, if I could, I'd stay too but we'll see each other soon again."

Ellie's lower lip trembled slightly as tears burned behind her eyes. "How soon?"

Stella brushed some of Ellie's hair behind her ear, sending her a warm smile. "Sooner than you think."

The younger girl shook her head. "If you die out there, I'll kill you."

Stella chuckled and the two continued their hunt for flowers. "Yeah, well, I'll do my best."

Ellie turned to her. "I'm serious."

Stella sent her a smile. She didn't want to leave. It would mean leaving her family behind and maybe never seeing them again. She didn't want to think like that but she couldn't help it.

Suddenly, Ellie gasped and Stella's eyes flashed off the ground. The girl before her drowned out any worried thoughts. Ellie squealed and rushed forward.

"Wow," Stella breathed. It was a whole field of daisies.

"This is our route to DC," Abraham informed, handing the map to Rick. The man hesitated for a moment before finally grabbing hold of it as if he desperately tried to procrastinate his daughter from leaving.

"We'll stick to it as long as we're able. If not, well, you got our destination." Abraham told him. "Once Eugene gets the big brains left us there things are gonna bounce back. This group should be there for it. You should be there for it."

"They will be," Stella spoke up.

Michonne smiled at the blonde girl. "We will."

Rick turned around, staring at his daughter for a moment as his heart ached. He didn't want to leave her. Not now. Not ever. But he knew that what she said the night before was true. About her being old enough to make this decision on her own and a part of him even felt proud. Proud of the woman that she was turning into. As much as it terrified him, he couldn't help but admire her courage.

"We will." He finally said, smiling at her. The girl smiled back.

Abraham nodded and grinned. "Let's go!"

Stella stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her father tightly. The thought of being separated from him nearly scared her to death. Rick squeezed her gently, praying that it wouldn't be the last time.

"Bye, sweetheart." He whispered as they unraveled from the hug.

"Bye, Dad."

A pair of arms wrapped around her waist. The girl looked down, almost releasing a tear at the sight of her brother. She embraced the boy, caressing his head with her hand as she buried her face in his shoulder to disguise the tear that rolled down her cheek.
"I'll see you soon, baby brother." She gave the boy one last squeeze before ruffling his hair and standing up.

Carl sent her a sad smile and nodded.

"There's someone else who wants to say goodbye." A voice said behind her. Stella turned around seeing Judith reaching for her in Ellie's arms. Stella was quick to wipe the tear off her cheek before lifting her baby sister into her arms. She cradled her while placing scattered kisses on her head.

Stella exhaled deeply, attempting to gather herself. She gave Judith one last kiss on her nose making the baby giggle. The sound warmed Stella's heart and she never wanted to let go. "I love you, baby Jude. We'll see each other soon."

"Do you promise?" Ellie said, stealing Stella's attention from Judith to her. The oldest Grimes sister looked down at her with a smile.

"I promise."

"You can't know for sure." Ellie shook her head.

"I'll do whatever it takes to find my way back to you guys. That's a promise." Stella opened her arms allowing Ellie to slip into the embrace. "I love you, Ells."

Stella handed Judith back to Ellie but it didn't take long for the baby to start reaching out for her sister. Stella's heart shattered at the sight and she placed a millionth and last kiss on her head. She said goodbye to the rest of the group before turning to the school bus. Levi stood leaned against the side of it, draping his arm around Stella as she approached him.

"It'll be fine." He whispered to her, his thumb caressing her arm. She glanced up at him with a smile, eternally grateful to have him. The boy jumped up onto the bus before assisting her inside. They sat down by the window with Glenn and Maggie behind them. The two pairs smiled and waved goodbye to their group that stood lined up outside the church. Carl lifted Judith's arm up making her wave at her sister who giggled as she waved back before Abraham began driving, leaving the group to stare at the cloud of dust that they left behind.

_____ ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ _____
𝟏𝟏𝟗𝟓 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬
_____ ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚ _____

𝐀/𝐍
the daisies!!!!