Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, ect., are the property of their respective owners.  The original character and plot are the property of the author.  The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.  No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: When the world ended the only thing Birdie Grimes wanted to do was to get home to her family.  When she finds her sister-in-law and best friend on the outskirts of Atlanta, will she finally get the chance to tell him how she really feels?  Will love blossom?  *No evil Shane* 

Warning:  This fan-fiction is rated Mature for Language, Gore and Adult Situations.  Readers under the age of 18 are strongly discouraged from reading.

Pairing: Shane Walsh x Birdie Grimes

Chapter Twenty-Two

 

Opening the rec-room door, Carl, Sophia and I found Trusty already waiting for us, happily wagging his tale. 

“Well, Jenner said we can’t turn on any of the gaming systems but there are plenty of books and board games here.  Have at it.” 

Both of them smiled brightly at me and took off like a shot, Trusty bumbling on behind them goofily. 

We played a game of Mouse Trap for about thirty minutes before they were both yawning loudly into their fists and looking at me with droopy eyes. 

“Alright guys, how about a bedtime story, your choice.” 

Sophia looked truly excited by this and it made me wonder if Ed’s controlling nature was also messing with her development.  For some reason I just didn’t see Ed as the type of man who would let Carol out of her “chores” to even read a bedtime story to their daughter.  That man was a fuckin’ pig. 

Admittedly, I was a little proud when Carl let Sophia pick the book she wanted me to read.  It was sweet and in that moment he reminded me even more of my brother; always giving. 

Sophia came back with one of my favorite children’s book The Giving Tree.  It was oddly fitting for the situation we found ourselves in these days. 

“Aunt Birdie,” Carl asked over Sophia’s loud yawn.  “Will you ask Mom and Carol if Sophia and I can stay in here tonight?” 

I smiled ruefully to myself, having already planned for him to ask me that.  From what I had witnessed in the dining hall, neither Lori nor Carol was gonna mind Carl and Sophia out of their hair for the night and that really fit in with my plans. 

“Well,” I smiled sweetly.  “On one condition.”

Carl beamed, perking up.  “Anything!”

“Will you guys babysit Trusty for me tonight?”  I pleaded, trying to seem as serious as I could asking my nephew to dog sit so I could wiggle hips with my best friend of thirty years.  Yeah, my cheeks were on fire. 

Both Carl and Sophia nodded, looking even happier to have the group’s furry, four-legged creature stay with them for the night.  Uh-oh, I suddenly remembered the things Ricky, Shane and I used to do to the family dog during sleep overs.  Thank God they didn’t have access to Aqua-net hairspray and nail polish. 

Trusty, don’t hate me in the morning, I thought to myself. 

“Alright then, do we have a deal?”  I asked, sticking out my hand for the customary spit-on-it handshake—sans spit. 

Both of them shook my hand with vigor and started off for Rick and Lori’s room to find extra blankets to make a fort, with me right behind them.  Dear Lord, Ricky and Lori were gonna kill me in the morning, but it would so be worth it…well, that is if Shane doesn’t pass out soon, then this would all be for nothing. 

Hmmm, I had better go find him soon.

“Aunt Birdie?”  Carl asked nervously.  I turned to face him and yes, he was ringing his hands and staring at the floor.  Oh boy.

“Yeah, what is it, buddy?” 

“Are you gonna be in Uncle Shane’s room?”  My eyes widened sharply and my face had to have taken on the color of a beet root, because Carl looked up at me and his blue eyes went wide as well, blushing just as madly as me.  “I-I mean…in case…in case Trusty gets scared?” 

Yeah, nice save little Grimes.  Not!

Clearing my throat awkwardly, I nodded.  “Yeah, I’ll be in bed with Uncle Shane.” 

Carl suddenly smiled, his cute pearly whites showing.  “Cool.  I always wanted you and Uncle Shane to get married, but Dad always said you and Uncle Shane didn’t love each other like that.  Was he wrong?” 

“Carl!”  Lori exclaimed, as always, conveniently showing up to overhear on of the most embarrassing conversations of my life. 

Carl winced and Sophia giggled.  I had to admit, I was fighting off a smile myself.  My goofy nephew was just too much sometimes. 

Shanking off my smile, I looked at Lori whose eyebrows had disappeared into her hairline.  “Hey Lori, did you need somethin’?”

She shook her head distractedly.  “I was just coming to check on these two.”

I nodded in understanding.  “Yes, well these two want to make a fort in the rec-room with Trusty as their shining steed.”  I said with a giggle.  “What do ya think?”

She smiled slyly at me and nodded.  “I think we could work that out,” she started, then leaning over, she whispered.  “T-dog and Jacqui just had to carry Carol back to her bedroom.” 

“Really?” I snorted. 

“Oh yeah.”  She laughed, “It was good to see her loosen up for a change.  I’ll make sure I leave a note under her door or something so she doesn’t worry when she wakes up.” 

“Sounds like a plan, man.” 

“So,” Lori said, her voice turning all sly and knowing again.  “From what I caught of this conversation and what I saw in the dining hall, I gather you’ll be bunking with Shane this evening?”

“Shut-up, Lori,” I told her with a playful shove.  “Go back to the table and let Ricky hump your leg some more.” 

“Just admitted it,” she said, swatted my shoulder and ignoring my jab at her sex life.  “I was right about the whole thing?” 

Blushing, I conceded.  “Yeah, you were right.” 

Lori laughed and threw her arm around my shoulder, squeezing me tightly.  “Did he finally tell you?” 

Again I nodded.  “Is he still in the mess hall?” 

Lori nodded.  “Last I saw, he was trying to get your brother to go to bed, doubt it worked though, Daryl’s been cheering him on most of the night.” 

I groaned, feeling a true since of pity for Lori. Rick would be a handful in the morning.  “Is Daryl still being all flirty and cheeky?” 

Lori snorted and laughed hard.  “Oh Birdie, you blind fool.” 

“What?” 

“Daryl hasn’t been flirty or…cheeky with anybody but you.  Rick said he was asking a lot of questions about you when they went to find Merle.” 

“Great, I’m sure Shane will just love that.”

We walked in silence back to the rec-room and started setting up the fort for Sophia and Carl.  When we were through, and mostly sure it would hold throughout the night.  I threw down some newspaper for Trusty in the adjoining bathroom and warned the kids not to forget it was there or they’d have a hell of wake up when then stepped in something unpleasant.

Finally, I stood ready to make my departure, but Carl’s hand tugging on my shirt stilled me. 

Swatting down on my haunches, I waited for my goodnight kiss, but it never came.  Instead Carl regarded me seriously before asking.  “You never finished earlier.  Was Dad wrong?”  

I laughed, totally amused by my nephews determination.  “Yes Carl, he was wrong.  I love your Uncle Shane very much.” 

His face lit up with a smile as he fist pumped the air.  “Awesome, Dad owes me five dollars!” 

My eyes widened for a moment and then, I laughed, kissing his cheek and telling him and Sophia goodnight. 

“Has anyone in this family not made a bet on my love life?”  I grumbled to Lori as I passed, leaving her with the children as I went on a search for my Italian Sherriff. 

Lori just laughed.