Things were better, especially 9 months later. The defeat of Negan meant that things had changed drastically. Even how people treated Lilia.

After she told her dad and Rick that she was pregnant, people started to talk to her more. Asking if she needed anything, if she as okay and how she was coping. Residents found it quite a shock to see a, now 17 year old, the size of a balloon and they immediately wanted to help and make sure the young girl was comfortable in her pregnancy.

Daryl found it quite a shock when Lilia told him about her pregnancy. He wasn't mad, annoyed, angry, just shocked at first. But eventually he warmed up to it, and promised to look after Lilia and his grandchild when it was born, despite being so young Lilia was still stronger than ever and didn't let anything stand in her way.

Rick found it the same way, but everytime he saw Lilia he greeted her with a smile. He was happy for her, and was glad she was happy too now this has all settled down.

She continued to help with the Sanctuary, under eyes of her father who said he didn't want her anywhere near the past Saviours due to her state. She continued to help others and lift them onto their feet in the wake of Negan's demise. Alexandrians and Kingdom forces could finally return home.

She stayed with Rick and Michonne while her dad went out, she got tired pretty quickly being 8, almost 9 months pregnant. She liked to spend time with Judith too, creating pictures or her family or playing games.

Lilia had visited Siddiq many times too, to check up on the baby. She didn't want to know the gender as she wanted it to be a surprise. And she couldn't wait.

Judith and Lilia were sitting down on the porch, she was colouring and Lilia was observing. She trailed her fingers across the decking, reaching two blue handprints. One from Carl and a cute smaller one from Judith.

"Hand!" Judith put her hand in her smaller blue one stained on the deck.

"That's right. Who does that one belong to?" Lilia pointed to the bigger one beside it.

"Carl's hand!" She said.

"That's right." Lilia nodded with a smile, looking back to the stained image.

She sat down cross legged next to Judith, when she felt something wet pool between her legs. She looked down in shock. "What the..?"

Judith looked over and pointed to the puddle with a giggle. "Peepee?"

"No Judy." Lilia replied, trying to be as calm as possible. "Can you run inside and get someone?"

"Yah!" Judith replied and got to her feet, Rick and Michonne arriving two seconds later.

"I can't tell if I've pissed myself or my water has broke?!"

"Don't stain the deck." Rick said, not really paying attention to what Lilia was saying.

Michonne smacked his arm. "Her water broke, you idiot. The baby is coming!"

Rick's eyes widened. "Shit. What do we do?"

"I should be asking you guys that!" Lilia let out a groan. "Shit..."

"Help her to the infirmary." Michonne said lifting her up to take her to Siddiq.

•

Without going into drastic details, the birth of Lilia's baby was smooth. While dealing with contractions for a few more hours, Siddiq then thankfully informed her she could push. In that time, Lilia didn't hesitate. Michonne was there the whole time, Rick outside waiting for Daryl.

Lilia swore she had never felt pain like this, after previous near death experiences this was the most shocking and excruciating.

She clutched Michonne's hand, who tried to ignore the fact that she might be walking out with a few broken fingers.

"You weren't kidding when you said this was painfu-" Lilia groaned as she pushed again.

Finally after a dreading few more minutes, Siddiq stepped back with the baby in his arms, the tiny screams from the small child could be heard from a mile away.

He held the baby gently, in a towel with a smile.

"It's a boy." He smiled while holding the baby. "He looks healthy."

"L-Let me see h-him.." Lilia whispered.

Siddiq carefully carried the baby over to Lilia, showing her how to properly hold the baby boy. Lilia cradled her baby boy close to her chest, this was the first time she had ever held a baby, noticing his blue eyes like his father's.

He was covered in afterbirth, so Lilia used to blanket to clean him carefully as he cooed. His screaming quietened as he was held in his mother's embrace, and Lilia and Michonne smiled.

"He's beautiful." Michonne said quietly. "Just like his mommy and daddy."

Lilia looked up at Michonne. "Say hi to your grandbaby." Michonne smiled widely, tears glossing her eyes.

"Hey little peanut.."

"Is my dad here yet? Rick?" Lilia asked.

"I think they're outside.." Michonne looked and they were waiting.

"Can you call them in..?"

Daryl and Rick walked into the room. They both saw Lilia lying on the bed with the baby in her arms, smiles broke out on both their faces.

"How are you feeling?" Daryl asked.

"In pain." She shrugged. "But it was all worth it.."

"It's a boy by the way.."

Rick smiled and looked down at the baby. "He's got Carl's eyes."

"Got your hair that's for sure." Daryl chuckled.

"He's got so much. I never expected that." Lilia commented and chuckled. "Dad..?"

"Yea Lia?"

"Do you wanna hold him?" Lilia asked and he nodded.

At first he was worried he would almost drop him, it had been so long since he held a small child. He thought he'd disturb the baby but after no sign of him stirring he gently managed to rock the baby to sleep.

He was so small and fragile, it was like if you moved to quick he would easily break.

He had Lilia's dark brown hair, Daryl could see that. Ocean blue eyes like Carl's.

He stirred in his arms, tiny hands breaking free of the blankets as his face contorted slightly, as if more screams were about to come.

"Hey.." He whispered softly. "You're okay, I gotcha. I'm you're favourite grandpa Daryl."

"Careful, Rick is right next to you." Michonne said, Lilia chuckled at Rick's mesmerised face at his grandson, who looked almost exactly like his son.

"You gonna tell us the name?" Michonne asked, as Daryl handed his grandson back over to the mother.

"Hmm, I don't know about that.." Lilia fake pondered

"Come on!" She proded my arm.

"Okay fine!" She said and rocked him in her arms. "Carl would never shut up about it, if it was a boy he'd have a specific name for him. I liked it too." Rick and Michonne smiled sadly. "When we were talking about it one time, a while ago. He just blurted out it randomly. The same in his letter. And the same when I made the decision to keep this little guy."

"That's sweet." Rick said.

I nodded. "So, family, I'd like you to meet CJ. Carl Junior."

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

if you're happy and you know it clap your hands

y'all like the name?

ACT THREE IS NEXT!!