But I always thought I'd see you again...

They stopped counting the days. Winter had passed. Months went on. Rick thought about the baby he and Lori would have had together. He or she would have been born by now.

He closed his eyes tightly as they walked down the dark road. Thinking of the happy times made it worse. Thinking of the way he treated his own wife during that ugly time when he thought she kissed Shane made him want to eat a bullet. Thinking about the "what ifs?" was something he didn't want to do.

He was used to shooting his gun with his left hand. Not that he had a choice, but that was his lot in life.

After days on foot, everyone was tired and hungry. Michael would kill a squirrel or wild rabbit and give most of the meat to Beth, eating just a few bites for himself before passing it around.

They finally found a house, Pete and Michael cleared it, while Rick stayed outside with Heath and a very pregnant w Beth. They found some stale food and old bottled water, and talked about what to do. They decided to stay for a few days before they left, maybe try to find others. The only thing that could be a viable option would be a World Health Organization facility or a hospital. Going by the address on the mail scatter on the counter of the house's kitchen, they were in Cusseta, Georgia. Pete went into the home's garage and looked through the glove box of the vehicle. Fort Benning was half an hour away. They found two backpacks and filled them with a change of clothes, some knives, food and water, planned on leaving the next morning, taking the car, and trying their luck at the military base.

He didn't tell anyone, but Rick planned to "opt-out" if Fort Benning didn't work out.

As the sun was setting, there was a knock on the door. He said his name was Aaron. He seemed harmless, and obeyed Rick when he demanded that he and his backpack be searched. He had a knife and a gun, some water and a change of clothes in his pack. He said he was from Fort Benning, and his job was to scout for new people.

Pete and Rick walked to the other room to discuss the situation, and Rick said he didn't care anymore. He didn't have anything to live for, and nothing to fill the void that was left when his family disappeared.

"So you're okay with going?" Pete asked.

Rick didn't respond, just nodded as he walked away and towards Aaron.

They drove through the gates, Pete driving the car that they took from the house, and Rick rode with Aaron.

He said that per policy, the first step was to go to the hospital. They'll be able to shower and get into clean clothes, get a medical checkup, and fresh food and clean water.

Rick, Pete, Heath and Michael were escorted to one washroom, while Beth was taken to another. As he felt the hot envelope his body, he felt more at ease. He looked at his feet and saw almost nine months' worth of dirt, sweat, blood and shit fall out of his hair. He did his best to wash himself with one hand.

After the showers, the men were taken to the barber and given a shave and a haircut. Lastly, they each had a doctor examine them thoroughly. Beth was given her first pre-natal checkup, and Rick was treated for his hand, although there wasn't much to do. The stump was cleaned, and his IV was doubled up with the antibiotics.

Doctor Stevens asked Rick about what happened over the past seven months.

As soon as Rick mentioned the prison, the physician asked Rick what his last name was.

"Grimes?"

"That's right." Rick said, not knowing what the man was talking about.

"Is your wife named Lori? Long black hair?"

"Oh my God."

The doctor mumbled something to the nurse, who smiled and ran out of the room.

"How'd you know about my wife? My family?"

"Well, first, congratulations…you have another boy. Lori's here. Lots of people who came from a prison are here."

Rick jumped up from his bed. "I need to get to my wife." He swayed and grabbed onto the mattress when he got lightheaded.

Doctor Stevens took him by the shoulders and placed him back on the bed. "The nurse went to get her."

"My kids…Carl, Judith, Julia?"

"And Michael. Michael Richard Grimes."

Rick put his face in his hand and started sobbing.

"They're all here. They're all safe and healthy." Stevens said, as he put his hand on Rick's shoulder.

The sound of Rick's sobs echoed throughout the room, and were silenced only when the two men heard sounds of footsteps running down the hallway.

The door flew open, and for the first time in almost seven months, Rick's baby blue eyes lock onto Lori's brown orbs. Her feet barely hit the floor as she raced across the room and jumped into Rick's arms.