Amy walked up to Joe with Julian balanced on her hip, the little boy reaching out for his father. "Dada!"
The Sunnyvale residents, still tense from earlier, froze as they watched Joe's expression soften.
Grace toddled forward, arms outstretched.
"Dada," she said happily.
Joe smiled faintly, unbuckling the heavy vest strapped across his chest.
He set it aside, then scooped Grace up in one arm. She nestled into the crook of his neck, her small hand clutching his shirt.
Without another word, Joe reached for Amy's free hand and they walked off together, their children in their arms.
For the Sunnyvale survivors, it was the first time they saw the man behind the scars.
Not just a leader or a killer, but a human. A father.
Rick and Deanna moved quickly, corralling the newcomers toward her office for the intake interviews.
Afterward, they set the Sunnyvale group up in an empty house for the night.
Glenn and Kenny quietly collected their weapons, moving them into the fortified armory Joe had Reg and Noah design.
Steel walls, reinforced doors, and a guard on watch at all hours of the day.
The same system now protected the pantry and the infirmary's storage as well.
Joe's influence had reshaped Alexandria, and it showed.
…
Later that night, Joe sat at the table with Amy.
Grace refused to leave his lap, clinging to him even as he ate. He didn't mind one bit.
He kept one arm around her, his thumb absently rubbing her back.
Amy filled him in on the day's progress. Maggie and Beth had directed the farms through her and Andrea.
Daryl had corralled wild pigs and Lee had brought back cows from nearby farms.
Carl and Sophia had snuck out scavenging, returning with a trove of seeds.
Joe sighed, rubbing his temple. He'd have to speak with Rick.
He knew how much the man loved his son, how much he loved the group.
But Carl, Clem, and Sophia weren't kids anymore. They had more experience than most Alexandrians.
It was time to stop sheltering them.
Duck… Duck wasn't ready yet, but the others were.
His thoughts were cut short by a thud downstairs.
Joe eased Grace into Amy's arms and slipped from the room, silent as a shadow.
He crept down the stairs and found one of the Sunnyvale men in his house, knife in hand.
Joe didn't waste words. He struck fast, snapping the man's neck with a brutal twist.
He picked up the knife, dragged the body out into the street, and plunged the blade into its skull.
Then, with calm precision, he hauled the corpse to the Sunnyvale house and knocked on the door.
Another man opened it, whispering anxiously, "Jax, is it done?"
He froze when he saw Joe.
Joe's smile was devilish. "It is done."
The man stammered, trying to step back, but Joe grabbed his shirt and drove the knife into his gut.
The man screamed, drawing lights from every house around.
"Barry!" One of the Sunnyvale women cried.
Joe yanked the blade free and slid it into the man's skull, ending it.
Then he turned to the gathered crowd. Sunnyvale and Alexandrians alike.
His voice was calm, steady, dangerous.
"This is what happens to those who plot in the dark. Scheming will be met with deadly force. I brought you here to survive, not to get yourselves killed for no reason."
Alexandrian guards had rushed in, weapons trained on the house.
Joe walked down the steps past them, the devil's grin gone, his expression once again controlled and composed.
"Don't let this repeat itself," he said, and kept walking into the night.
...
Joe slipped back into the house, the night's work still fresh on his clothes. His hands were streaked in blood.
He went straight to the kitchen sink, letting the cold water run over his fingers, scrubbing in silence.
Behind him, the creak of the stairs.
Amy appeared in the doorway, a Glock in her trembling hands. When she saw him, she let out a shaky sigh of relief.
Her eyes dropped to his hands, his shirt. The blood.
Panic flared.
"Are you hurt?" she whispered.
Joe shook his head, calm as stone. "It's not mine. Don't worry."
Amy exhaled slowly, setting the pistol down on the counter.
She crossed to him, placing a hand on his shoulder before leaning up to kiss him gently. "Good."
Joe's lips curved faintly as he dried his hands.
He slipped his arm around her waist, steady and warm. "Come on," he murmured. "Let's go to bed."
They walked upstairs together, Amy leaning into him, the weight of the night pressing down but softened by his presence.
They paused outside the kids' room. Inside, Julian, Grace, Esther, Miracle, and Chloe slept soundly, their small breaths the only sound.
Joe lingered, watching them, before leading Amy into their own room. He slid into bed beside Emma, pulling Amy into his arms.
She hesitated, her voice quiet in the dark. "Joe… I think… I'm pregnant again."
Joe's smile spread slowly, genuine and warm. He kissed her forehead. "Well, you have been working hard trying for baby number two."
Amy blushed, swatting his chest lightly. "Don't tease me."
Joe chuckled softly, tightening his embrace. "I'm not. You've just made me very happy."
Amy nestled closer.
With her in his arms, and the house silent but full of life, Joe let his eyes close.
For tonight, at least, he could rest.
...
Joe woke up late the next morning.
The bed was empty, sheets already cool... his wives had gone about their day without waking him.
He swung his legs out of bed, stretching the stiffness from his shoulders, and started down the stairs.
A knock sounded at the door.
He opened it to find Jess standing there, bright smile on her lips, sunlight catching in her red hair.
"Morning," she said warmly.
Joe nodded and stepped aside. Jess slipped past him, moving like she already knew her way around.
She went straight to the kitchen and began pulling out bowls and ingredients.
Joe sat at the counter, resting his forearms on the wood. "What's this about?"
Jess didn't look at him at first. She cracked eggs, whisked, and poured flour.
Her hands steady even as her voice caught. "I already spoke to your wives," she said quietly. "I… told them how I feel about you. They gave their blessing."
Joe's eyes narrowed slightly, studying her back as she mixed the batter. After a beat, he stood and crossed the room.
His hands settled firmly at her waist. Jess froze, her breath hitching.
Slowly, she turned her head, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
Joe kissed her.
It was brief, decisive, the kind of kiss that answered without words.
He sat back down and waited for Jess to finish cooking. He finished his breakfast and the two of them stepped outside together.
They walked the streets side by side, the morning alive with the sound of hammers and saws.
People shouting instructions, the smell of cut wood and earth drifting through the air.
The farms were finally taking shape.
Freshly tilled rows stretched across the cleared plots, young green shoots already poking through the dirt.
A new section of fencing penned in half a dozen squealing pigs, their snouts rooting through the mud.
A few cows grazed lazily in a paddock nearby, their heavy shapes a promise of milk and meat for the months ahead.
Chickens clucked from a coop near the wall, scratching for bugs in the dirt.
Joe's gaze moved over it all, the work of his family and his people.
Alexandria wasn't the same place he'd walked into months ago.
It was stronger. Sharper. Ready for anything.
Jess slipped her hand into his as they walked. Joe didn't look at her, but he didn't let go.
...
Joe eventually split off from Jess when her shift came up... she was guarding the pantry today.
This was one of the most crucial posts, only trusted members were allowed the role.
With her gone, he decided to check in on Rick, but was told he'd gone out with Daryl to search farms for more seeds.
With nothing else pressing, Joe decided it was time for a different kind of conversation.
He headed across Alexandria toward the kids' usual hangout.
Sure enough, he found them easily.
Carl, Clem, and Sophia sitting in a circle, books and comics scattered around.
Enid sat with them, though it was plain from the stiff shoulders and the way Clem and Sophia avoided her gaze that she wasn't exactly welcomed in.
Joe walked up, his boots crunching the gravel lightly. "Afternoon, kids."
Carl looked up, startled. "Joe? Uh... what's up?"
Joe crossed his arms, studying them. "Wanted to talk with you three. About something."
Carl's brow furrowed. "What is it?"
Joe's voice was serious. "Scavenging missions. I think it's time you stopped being cooped up in here and started going outside with the others."
Carl's face split into a grin. "Finally."
Clem and Sophia exchanged a look before both breaking into eager smiles of their own.
Sophia leaned forward, "Really? You mean it?"
Joe nodded once. "I mean it. You've all survived more than most grown men here. It's time that counts for something."
Enid, who had been quiet until now, lifted her chin. "I want to go too."
Joe met her eyes, seeing the steel there, and gave a small nod. "I thought you'd say that. But it's not just up to me. You'll need to convince Rick and Deanna."
The kids were already on their feet, buzzing with anticipation.
Carl stuffed his comic into his bag, Sophia tugged Clem up by the wrist, and Enid followed after.
Joe called after them, "Rick's not here. Start with Deanna."
They waved back, already heading down the street in a hurry.
Joe smirked faintly, watching them go. For once, they weren't just the kids anymore.
...
The four of them made their way across Alexandria, nervous energy written all over their faces.
Carl led the charge, Sophia and Clem whispering back and forth while Enid trailed with her arms folded.
They reached Deanna's house and knocked.
After a moment, the door opened and she appeared, looking pleasantly surprised to see them all together.
"Carl? Clementine, Sophia… Enid. What can I do for you?"
Carl stepped forward, trying to keep his voice steady. "We want to go on scavenging missions. With the others. We're more than ready."
Deanna blinked, studying their faces in turn.
She didn't answer right away, and the silence made Clem fidget and Sophia clutch her book tighter.
Finally, Deanna sighed softly.
"I knew this day would come," she admitted. "I've watched you three since you got here. You're not like the other kids… you've lived through things no one should have to. And Enid..." her gaze softened on her, "You survived on your own longer than most grown adults could manage."
The kids straightened at the acknowledgment, but Deanna raised a hand before they got too excited.
"That said… Alexandria is different. It's not the wild out there, and inside these walls, children should be able to be children. If I say yes to this, it's not because I think you're ready... it's because you've already proven you are."
Her voice firmed. "But you'll do it under rules. You don't argue with whoever leads the run. You don't stray from the group. And if you disobey even once, you're done. Do you all understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Carl said quickly, the others nodding along.
Deanna let a small smile break through. "Good. Then I'll speak with Rick when he gets back. Until then, consider this… provisional."
Sophia and Clem glanced at each other, stifling grins.
Enid gave the faintest smirk, though she crossed her arms tighter to hide it.
Carl, meanwhile, looked like he could burst from excitement.
Deanna leaned against the doorframe, watching them leave. A flicker of concern clouded her expression, but also pride.
They weren't just kids anymore, they were assets.