Chapter 39- A Home and A Family

- Clementine's POV

I woke up, head hurting and leg aching. I felt the soft pillow on my head, my body resting on the mattress. And I felt my hand...being held? My eyebrows narrowed a bit as I squinted open my eyes, seeing someone familiar next to the bed. I couldn't help but smile at Louis, even though he couldn't see me. His fingers were intertwined with mine as his head lay on the mattress. He must've been asleep, as I now noticed the moonlight peering inside. I didn't dare try and get up, knowing I'd probably do something wrong. But I could try and wake up Louis. "Louis?" I whispered, now squeezing his hand a little harder, noticing how cold my own fingers were. "Lou!" I whispered, shaking him slightly and watching as the boy shifted. He suddenly bolted upright, face full of surprise and joy. "Clem!" He smiled, nearly crushing me as he hugged me tightly. I hugged back, closing my tired eyes as he backed into the chair previously used. "I'm so glad you're okay, Clem. I was afraid that..." He trailed off, a hint of guilt lacing his words. "Don't think about that, okay? I'm here now and that's what matters." I smiled tiredly as he still held my hand.

"Well I'm glad. That you're here." Louis said as he moved onto the bed, sitting next to me. "Me too. You uhh...chopped my leg, didn't you?" He smiled sheepishly, almost in a 'I'm sorry' looking way. "Well...yeah. It was my attempt of not letting you die." I nodded with a small smile. Had he not thought quickly like he did...I'd be dead. Or worse, a walker. "Well thank you. But...you said something to me that we need to talk about." His face fell hearing my words, cheeks turning a bit red. He knew what I was talking about. "Look--" he started, probably going to defend himself. Or apologize. "Did you mean it?" I interrupted as his eyes widened a little. "Did I..." He trailed off. My stomach tightened. Maybe he was just afraid to admit it? I hoped. "Did you mean what you said?" I repeated as he fiddled with his hands. "Well...yeah."

Louis looked down in embarrassment, not wanting to look me in the eyes. I sighed, smiling to myself as I thought of what to do. I sat up fully now, grabbing the boy's shoulders and pushing him down. "Clem, what're you doing?" He asked in surprise as I somewhat got up, now laying beside and almost on top of him. "Well you meant it when you told me you loved me. And I meant it too." I smiled as he wrapped his arm around me, still confused watching me place my hand on the mattress underneath him. He blushed a deep red hearing my words, watching intently as I leant down, kissing him on the lips. Immediately calm washed over me as my muscles relaxed, deepening the kiss further. I didn't feel like myself anymore. I didn't feel like...anything. The only thing I felt was happy in that moment. Happy as I let my arm go, now half laying on top of the boy. He didn't mind though, I could tell all he cared about was feeling me with him. And not for the last time.

"Clem?" A small voice echoed around the room. My head immediately shot up as I spotted AJ at the entrance. It didn't help that my cheeks were burning red. "AJ!" I smiled as he ran to me, hugging me tightly and not hesitating to jump up into the bed with Louis and me. "I'm so glad you're okay! I even drew pictures for you, Sophie taught me how to draw better!" The little kid beamed as I patted his head, now laying back where I previously was. "That's great, AJ! You'll have to show me in the morning." I smiled, watching as Louis stood up and began to walk to the door. "Lou?" I asked as he turned to face me again. "Yeah?" He smiled slightly in the cold. "Come stay. There's enough room here for three." I patted the space next to me. AJ had taken the inside, as usual, and now I'd be stuck in the middle. Not that I minded though.

Louis sat down awkwardly, taking off his coat and laying next to me in his green shirt. "You don't mind?" He asked as I shook my head. I watched as he relaxed a little, his arm around me as mine was around AJ. I closed my eyes, now feeling safe. And protected. And mostly...loved. "Goodnight, you two." I said as I cuddled into the taller boy, who nuzzled his head into mine in response. "Goodnight." Both hummed quietly. From this moment on I knew I'd be okay, one way or another. Because now, I had a home. And a family.

The End.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who read this. Everyone who stuck around long enough to see this chapter be released. I'll admit it's really sad ending this story. At the same time though...it's a nice close. No, I'm not leaving this fandom. No, I never will. Yes, I'll keep this book up so you can read, even now that it's finished. Really though, we hit 15k...somehow. Thank you all so, so much from the bottom of my heart. I'm so glad to have been able to write all this for you all. Love you, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed ❤️😘💕