Walking Dead: What is Family

Chapter 1 of my new Walking Dead story, enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.

Chapter 1

To any outside viewer, the scene of the family at breakfast was normal. There were four family members, two adults, two teenagers. The male adult was in his forties, tall with short black hair, brown eyes and angular features, he had a complexion that was between pale and matte, a humped nose and slight wrinkles, mainly around his eyes. He was dressed in jeans, a white T-shirt under a brown coat and boots, his name was David Garcia, the father of the two teenagers and a former military man and as a result, quite stern and sometimes had anger issues.

The woman was significantly younger, being in her late twenties, she was tall with a round face, greenish eyes and long chestnut hair tied in a one-side braid, she was also pale and had full lips and turned up nose. She was dressed up in black pants, a beige T-shirt under a maroon red jacket and slip-ons. She was David's second wife and stepmother of both teenagers, Kate Garcia.

The older of the two teenagers was a seventeen year old boy, he was tall with pale albeit slightly tanned complexion brown eyes and dirty brown hair, he also had a long face and a simple straight nose. He wore a white T-shirt under a black jacket, black pants and a simple sneakers. His younger sister was thirteen, with an oval shaped face, matte complexion and was short, with the same straight nose, she also had wide lips, a mole on her left cheek, dark brown hair and a scar on her left eyebrow from a traffic accident some years ago. She wore jeans and a black T-shirt under a denim jacket and her own simple sneakers.

Their names were Gabriel Garcia and Mariana Garcia respectively, sometimes shortened to Gabe and Mari respectively.

It was the start of yet another day for the Garcia family, an outwardly normal family, but with issues under the surface.

As they ate, silence reigned between them, until finally, Kate broke it.

"So...you guys all ready for school today?" She asked, somewhat awkwardly.

Gabe and Mari shared a look before Mari replied. "Yeah, of course, when are we not?"

She smiled. Gabe just nodded, not speaking. David looked up and sighed.

"Now remember kids, I'll be late home today." He paused and then added to Gabe. "So try not to cause any trouble for Kate please."

"Yeah, sure dad." Gabe replied, quieter than usual.

Another thing that would be viewed improperly from the outside, they assumed Gabe didn't like Kate, likely due to her being his stepmother, when truthfully, he had his own issues and he didn't mean to lash out at Kate, but he was just afraid. For he was in fact carrying a heavy secret, one he didn't want to get out.

'Fuck, I just hope...stay calm.' He told himself. 'Mari knows but she's the only one and she won't tell anyone. Kate, Kate wouldn't understand and dad...dad can't ever know. If he did, I...urgh, I can't think what he'd do.'

Trying to suppress a shudder at that thought, he stood up after finishing breakfast. He shared a brief look with Mari, both noting that their father had said he'd be late, but didn't say why. But they couldn't be late and so, while Kate and David rushed around, getting ready for their days, Gabe and Mari grabbed their bags and left the house, ready to head for school. Gabe grimaced at that, school was another level of torment for him.

"Gabe, it'll be okay." Mari tried to calm him.

Gabe shook his head. "I wish it was that easy Mari."

For much the same reasons as at home, he didn't want his dad, or people at school to find out the truth, afraid of how they'd react, how they'd treat him, if they knew the truth about him. The truth being, quite simply, his sexuality.

Clementine Everett smiled to herself as she approached the door, dusting off her clothes, a black T-shirt under a black and red flannel shirt, jeans and white sneakers. Clementine was sixteen, somewhat short and thin with an oval-shaped face, prominent cheekbones and a matte complexion, she had caramel brown almond-shaped eyes, thin lips, large nostrils and dirty brown hair tied in a low bun.

'Here we go again, time to try and wake AJ up in time for school.' She thought to herself.

Preparing herself for the battle ahead, Clem knocked on the door and opened it.

"C'mon goofball, time to-" She began.

AJ replied at once. "Clem, you know I hate that."

Clem didn't respond, mainly as she was surprised, for AJ was in fact already awake, and dressed. AJ was five years old, a short African-American boy with black afro hair, big brown eyes, full lips and a round face. He was dressed simply in brown pants with a light brown T-shirt and black sneakers.

"AJ you…?" She stammered before laughing, leaning on the door frame. "Well, well, you actually got up on time, on your own for once, I'm impressed."

AJ laughed. "Yeah well, you and dad keep going on about it."

Still smiling at that Clem just nodded. "Okay well, c'mon, let's go and get breakfast."

AJ readily agreed and they headed downstairs. The two of them weren't actually related but they had both been adopted by the same man and were close enough to actually be siblings as far as they were concerned.

Entering the kitchen they found their adopted father, Lee Everett already there, breakfast for all of them ready. Lee was in his mid-forties, a tall African-American man with short black hair, brown eyes, a black beard, humped nose, full lips and some slight wrinkles. He was dressed smartly in brown slacks, a dark green button up shirt and loafers.

"So, how did it go?" Lee joked upon seeing them.

Clem laughed. "Actually dad, AJ was already up."

AJ grinned. "Yup."

"Wow, that's a first." Lee remarked before smiling. "Well, best eat up so none of us are late."

They both nodded and sat down, eating. Unlike the Garcia family, the silence that surrounded the Everett family was comfortable. After some thought, Clem decided to ask something, simply out of curiosity.

"So, how are things with you and Carley?"

Carley was a news reporter who Lee had been dating for quite some time.

"Funny you should ask that." Lee grinned. "But as you know, we're going on a date tonight...I was actually, planning to propose to her."

Clem gasped, eyes wide. "Wow, really."

Lee nodded and Clem and AJ both grinned as they realized what this meant and suddenly things were looking even brighten than ever for the family as Clem and AJ headed for school that day.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.