THE THINGS THAT ARE CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN SEASON 7 OF THE WALKING DEAD are in my book called Vessel. That's the third book.
AUTHOR'S NOTE – You made it to Book 5 of the Many Hearts to Tread series! Wow! I am so excited about this one. It's kind of a breath of fresh air where Book 1-4 were kind of dark. 5 will have its moments but it'll be a lot different from the pace that you are used to from me. 6-10 will carry on in depressing story lines. But book 5 takes place during the two years where the communities rebuild and heal. Perhaps uneventful and maybe I could have skipped this portion and just started with New Beginning storyline.
Consider Book 5 (Heal) to be a giant epilogue to Books 1-4. There are moments that I could have glazed over and explained that they happened in the timeline with Book 6 being two years after the events of book 4. But I want to see my characters settle down a bit before being thrown into the fire again. I'm sure that my readers feels somewhat the same. Maybe some extra closure is needed. Either way, I would have written it anyways. So I may as well share it with you guys! Most of these chapters have already been written. I'm so happy to finally post them gradually! I love how the journey continues!
Chapter 1
December 23, 2013
It was a peaceful winter night in Hilltop as snow fell down upon an already white canvas. Christy surveyed the scene outside the window of the lone mansion to see people going about their business but most were already in their trailer homes and spending quality time with their families. The only people still doing their work was the blacksmith named Earl, the guards standing near the front entrance, and the workers tending to the livestock.
It had been a little more than seven months since their battle with Sanctuary. Oddly enough, Sanctuary was no longer their enemy and rather an ally. Under the leadership of Dwight, things were starting to smooth out as everyone mutually pitched in to make all four main communities thrive. The smaller districts that had pocketed the area also contributed in their own way. More importantly, if they were under siege from a walker herd, each community would respond and help.
She sighed out of contentment and then shuffled back to her spot on the couch that she had previously used to get some extra studying. Curled up underneath a blanket with a fire going, she glanced up to Rick before she got completely settled in her spot again. Rick sat down on an armchair next to her while he went through several notes about Alexandria. The leaders weren't scheduled to congregate for another week but everyone was going to be in Hilltop for separate reasons so they all decided to conduct business matters with them.
There was something so complaisant in Hilltop. Everyone was within a peaceful lull. Things that weren't necessarily life or death scenarios began to fill everyone's time. School was in session for all children from ages four to fifteen. Once they turned sixteen, they would seek apprenticeships from whatever career they wanted to help make their communities run effortlessly. People started making plans to grow abundant crops of every fruit and vegetable that could grow in the state of Virginia. Christy was training to become a nurse and wasn't the only one to do so. Supply runs didn't just consist of food as people found things to trade and would collect clothing items, music albums, or even art.
Some argued that they were getting too loose and cozy. Christy begged to differ. They weren't hiding in their safe places and avoiding the sad world around them. Instead they continued to clear roadways in between their communities from many herds that have rolled their way. Every time someone left the confines of their town walls, they were risking their lives still. Yet, their ability and freedom to scour the closest mall or shopping center was less risky as they continued to be organized and effective in their search for normalcy.
Christy lived a straightforward life in North Carolina. She was a teacher at an elementary school and got happily married at a very adolescent age. If she could compare her life to the way it was before, she would have to say that things were well on their way to becoming just like they used to be.
Rick noticed Christy's gaze and looked up with somewhat surprise. "What?" He asked as a smirk crept up on his face.
Christy grinned in reply but then picked up her book and opened it to the spot that she left off on before she went to look out the window for the umpteenth time. "Nothing," She said demurely.
"Uh-huh…" Rick said suspiciously and stared back down to the notes in hand. "You ready for your first procedure, Barbara?"
Christy looked down to her book and wished that she could absorb all the information that it provided her. However, she could have been called to help Doctor Carson within the next several minutes or the next hour depending on how long labor lasted. Whatever she already knew in her mind would have to be sufficient enough. "We have two other nurses in the same room. If something happens that I don't know…then I at least one of them will know what to do. Plus, I'm only there to assist." She responded logically.
"Nervous?" Rick asked while trying to spur on more conversation with her.
Christy didn't have a lot of opportunity to chat with Rick. She occasionally watched Judith for him while Carol was still rehabilitating with her side injury that she had endured during their last battle. Every night he would pick the little toddler up from her house and bring her back home with him. They were both exhausted from the entire day with him organizing practically everything on his own and her studying and playing silly games with his daughter. It was rare that they had a sit-down exchange.
"Yes, more worried about everything that could happen. What if the baby has some complications or if 'momma' isn't getting enough oxygen…" Christy said while she shuddered. "I just hope that doesn't happen."
"It won't," Rick said optimally as he nearly propped up his book once more to indicate that the brief talk was over. Christy knew that complicated deliveries wasn't a foreign concept to Rick as he lost his late wife when she gave birth to Judith. She could see the withdrawn look on his face when she disclosed her trepidation. But then he glanced back up to Christy and gave a reassuring gaze. "You'll do great."
Christy felt some warmth at his attempt to make her nerves more at ease as she opened up her book once more. Ashlyn was going to give birth and had gone into labor earlier that morning. Terri thought it would be good training for both Yolanda and Christy to assist as they were both close friends to Ashlyn as well.
Out of the corner of her eye, Christy saw Megan and Maggie walking into the foyer as Maggie had her young baby in her arms. Megan circled the couch and sat beside Christy. "They aren't here yet?" She asked while sounding slightly worried. "They said that they were going to be here before midnight."
"They radioed in that there was a minor delay before they left," Rick clarified as Christy tilted her head in disbelief that he didn't say anything about it until then. Rick only shrugged and went back to his notes. "I thought I said something about that before."
"This is why women seem to take care of things a lot quicker," Maggie quipped as Rick rolled his eyes. "I bet it wasn't even Dwight that called to tell you about it. It was Sherry, wasn't it?"
Rick didn't have to say anything for them to know the answer as they all snickered at his lack of response. Maggie stayed standing up while rocking her two week old baby Hershel. Christy had a lot of time to hold him already during the day but was still watching Maggie with slight envy. Cuddling with babies was her favorite. She hoped for plenty of time with the newest baby that was going to make an appearance in the near future.
They heard some commotion outside and a horse whinnying as Christy and Megan exchanged looks of excitement. "Do you think it's them?" Christy asked as she looked to Rick optimistically.
Rick took time away from his paperwork then glanced at his watch and looked to the Christy with a nod and a brief smile that was quickly masked by his usual even face. Christy hastily placed her book down on the coffee table and walked to the front door with Megan following behind her. With a blanket over her shoulders and socks covering her feet, she reached the door and stared through the peephole to see if it was who she wanted it to be. "It's them!" She exclaimed. With that, she opened the door.
…
Sherry knocked on the door with Amber beside her as they both looked to each other with slight relief. Ultimately, Sherry was happy with the life that she had even though there were a couple of things that she could have lived without. Residing in Sanctuary was one of them. They weren't waiting long as the door quickly opened as she saw Megan and Christy greet them with great enthusiasm. Sherry caught a glimpse of inside the foyer to see a Christmas tree in the corner of the room and several other decorations that took over the space. The atmosphere was warm and very welcoming.
"Hello, Barb!" Sherry said delightedly as Christy's face immediately beamed from seeing an old friend. It had only been several weeks since they last saw each other but under the circumstances, they were all overjoyed to be together. It was the first time that Negan's "ex-wives" were all in one place since the longwinded battle with the Saviors. Sherry always made a point to visit either Hilltop or Alexandria once a week. Rick had always sought her help on some things going on in Alexandria but she really wanted to visit her friends and get out of Sanctuary. It was definitely a breath of fresh air to converse with her kindred souls for the next several days with no other cares.
Amber said a hello behind Sherry as they both hugged Christy while Megan joined in. "Where's Mark and Dwight?" Megan asked with her usual sweet voice. Megan chose to reside in Hilltop with Ashlyn but also to be near Takuya's burial site where Sherry had been told that she visited more than once a day. She was known by many other Hilltop residents to simply read beside Takuya's grave in silence. It still hurt Sherry to think that their relationship would forever be unexplored.
"They are putting the horses in the barn," Sherry explained as they walked inside the mansion with their things. "That was nice of Earl to think about making every community a sleigh to get around during the winter."
"He's already making more to add to it," Rick piped in as he limped towards Sherry to greet her. They both hugged tightly as old friends would. Sherry noticed that his crutch was absent and that he seemed to get by without it fairly well. Their reunion time was broken up soon as Rick broke apart and handed her some papers.
Sherry raised an eyebrow and looked to Rick while trying to hide a grin. "Uh-oh, what are these?" She asked hesitantly.
"Just a few more things to go over with crops and who is growing what," Rick clarified as she watched the other women walk towards the kitchen. They all knew that Sherry was a part of some business that happened in regards to organizing things on the Alexandrian and Sanctuary side alike. "I don't have a lot of time to dedicate to this and we're almost in season to prune the plants that we already have growing. I could use someone's help with this."
She sighed but gave it a glance over. "Carol can't help?" Sherry questioned and looked up to Rick with a somewhat demanding stare.
"Still healing and taking things slow," Rick justified on Carol's behalf as Sherry could understand since she took a while to heal from her gunshot wound herself. "She's not young like you are."
Sherry snorted at his attempt to patronize and just shook her head. "You know I'm just going to go down with the list of names with who is in Alexandria," Sherry teased but knew that everyone was already previously engaged with other work. Michonne moved to the Kingdom. Sasha was in charge of security and was already swamped. Aaron focused on road clearing. They all had jobs to do. Sherry could argue that running Sanctuary with Dwight wasn't an easy job in and of itself. However, Rick knew that Alexandria was almost a passion project to her. Whenever she stayed in Alexandria, she always resided at Deanna's house and would go over plans that were already in the works. It wasn't a secret that Sanctuary was wearing on both Dwight and Sherry with the daily problems that they faced. Sherry enjoyed working in Alexandria versus Sanctuary and visited often because of it.
"I'll think about it," Sherry answered and looked up to Rick confidently. "On the condition that no one touches those grapevines without my say-so."
"Grapevines are off limits then," Rick responded with a smile. "I heard you say that Dwight is in the barn?"
Sherry nodded. "I'm sure that you two will have a lot to talk about."
Rick looked to her immediately troubled by the news and her tone which bore some forewarning. "New setbacks?" He asked.
"No, just the same ones but more trouble added to it," Sherry said vaguely and started walking towards the kitchen once more. "Like I said, you two have a lot to discuss."
Sherry rejoined her friends as they were talking about this or that while Amber held young Hershel close to her with Maggie standing nearby. It didn't look like Amber was that experienced with holding a baby as Sherry and Maggie exchanged a look of slight worry but more humor. Sherry took her place beside Megan and leaned against the kitchen counter.
"How's Ashlyn doing?" Sherry asked Megan. That was the main reason why they were in Hilltop to show their support.
"Terri and Yolanda are with her now trying to help her breathe through it," Megan answered. They didn't have a lot of medicine to numb the pain of giving birth. "She's been in labor for almost sixteen hours."
"I can't even imagine," Sherry said while taking a deep breath. She didn't experience labor before and knew that she probably never would as it was difficult to get pregnant at all. Yet she heard stories that a non-drug labor was an excruciating ordeal.
"Was your trip long?" Christy asked them as Amber continued to coo at the young baby who started to fuss.
"Not too long," Amber replied while quickly handing Hershel back to Maggie when his crying was more than she could handle. "It only started snowing for the last ten minutes of our trek." Amber then turned her full attention to Maggie while the young mother rocked her baby. He soon calmed down as he sensed he was back in the arms of someone familiar. "What is that building going up for that's next to the barn?" Amber inquired.
"We're making more living space for our people," Maggie said with pride. "Tobin is taking care of all the construction within Hilltop and Alexandria since they both have similar layouts. He's making small apartments for new group members that come to either community."
"And it looks like Hilltop is expanding their boundaries as well," Christy commented as she sat at a small table. "Alexandria is planning to do that within the next month."
"That's impressive!" Amber stated. "All we do is tell people to move to the different communities instead of…" She started to say but Sherry coughed loudly and shook her head. Amber stared at her with confusion but then saw her give a look of warning. Amber pursed her lips together and smiled awkwardly. The setbacks were definitely preventing them from welcoming any group in their walls. For their sake.
…
Dwight parked the sleigh beside the barn then proceeded to take the two horses inside the stable to feed them and make sure that they were comfortable. Mark quickly started complaining about the freezing temperature as Dwight dismissed him and took care of the rest by himself. He took a deep breath as he pulled on the horses' reins and led them inside the barn. It was going to be a nice change of pace to have a couple of days that consisted of nothing but being with family and friends.
As if on cue, a figure shuffled inside the barn while Dwight was putting each horse in their separate stable. "See you made it in one piece?" Rick asked.
"My nine toes nearly froze off but yeah, we made it," Dwight replied with a grin as they both patted each other on the back in greeting. "I see that you are getting around a little easier."
"I'm trying," Rick said while Dwight walked over to the bucket of grains to scoop a large amount for the horses. Rick made himself comfortable on a bench that lined the other side. "Terri still says that I'm pushing it and that I should continue to use a crutch or cane."
"Maybe you should listen to her," Dwight offered jokingly.
Instead of Rick responding to Dwight's mocking, he could sense Rick wanting to discuss something and knew that he was a man of business. "Did Sherry already tell you?" He asked with a smile while tending to the animals.
"She said that the same problems are occurring, yes," Rick told evenly as he folded his arms over his coat jacket. "How many men have you exiled from Sanctuary?"
"Couple dozen," Dwight answered regretfully. "Gotta weed out the ones who are still loyal to Negan… But the more I exile, the more numbers they have where they try and bring our fences down. They have attacked us twice this week. And they are bringing along walker herds with them too."
"Have they successfully torn the fences down?" Rick questioned as he leaned against the barn wall.
"Once on the side closest to the mill," Dwight admitted as he took a seat beside him.
Rick sighed in consternation that it was still happening. A setback to one community was a setback to all. It was less people to organize and more trouble to deal with. It meant that other communities had to pull Sanctuary's weight and fight their battles if it wasn't a surprise. Usually, the exiled Saviors attacked at night in covert. Dwight didn't have time to alert other groups for help as all hands needed to be on deck the minute bullets started flying or a fire began.
"You holding up?" Rick asked. "Who's watching over Sanctuary right now?"
"Miguel is taking care of everything while I'm gone," Dwight replied as he leaned his head back against the wooden planked wall. "I don't know… With us being attacked at least six times a month, it's doesn't leave a lot of time to organize much else. Plus, I fucking blew up our two buildings that had the best vantage points. At this rate, I don't know how much longer Sanctuary can hold out as a reliable community. The only thing that we can provide is road clearing and helping Eugene with making ammunition. Seeing as we are the community that needs it the most right now."
"That's something for now," Rick replied and looked to Dwight. "You doing alright? I noticed you've been joining Sherry when she makes her weekly visits to another community."
"Yeah, I don't really like staying in Sanctuary that much either," Dwight revealed with a huff. "I should pay more attention to Sanctuary but lately I've been fried with everything going on. I think I bit off more than I can chew."
"Have you killed anyone since seven months ago?" Rick questioned.
Dwight took a moment to answer but shook his head. "No," Dwight lied. There was one strict rule that each community was supposed to abide by since their war against the Saviors. They would be no killing. Dwight had his reasons behind each kill as it limited the control that the exiled Saviors had on the outside. It was definitely a conversation that he needed to have with Rick. But then wasn't the time.
…
"Dwight!" Someone said happily when he walked in the foyer from outside. He sat his one bag down as Yolanda rushed over to him from sitting beside the Christmas tree in the far corner of the large room. She put her arms around him in a tight embrace as he did so in return. He smiled down at her as they broke apart as they walked further into the room to sit down.
"Where are the kiddos and Kevin?" Dwight asked as he looked around the somewhat crowded living space. He settled down on the couch that was parallel to the fireplace as Yolanda sat on an armchair beside him.
"Jenna and Terri's kids are asleep!" Yolanda said as she pointed outside. "It's midnight, Dwight! And Kevin went to bed as well. He offered to help with the livestock early in the morning because most of us are staying up so late for Ashlyn."
"How is she doing?" Dwight inquired as he saw Sherry sitting beside the Christmas tree along with her friends as they talked to each other with animated excitement. Dwight smirked at the sight before him as it was good to see Sherry so happy and alive.
"Ashlyn is getting a little tired from the contractions but Terri and Carson are still up with her," Yolanda relayed. "Carson is taking the responsibility as awaiting father very seriously."
Not that many people knew that Carson wasn't the real father but both Yolanda and Dwight gave each other a knowing gaze for a brief second. Carson offered to help conceal the baby's origin from the general public to protect Ashlyn's future child. Negan was still alive but incarcerated. If he knew that he even had offspring, it wouldn't go over well with him or the exiled Saviors that were already knocking on Sanctuary's door. Carson's offer delved into a deeper level as over the last seven months, Ashlyn and Carson began a relationship with each other. He was glad that Carson was happy and that they both had seemingly moved on from their brutal past.
"No Christmas trees yet in Sanctuary?" Yolanda asked Dwight as he looked around the room and took a sigh of complete relaxation. He saw as Sherry and her friends talked to each other beside the tree and saw her laugh at something Maggie said. He enjoyed seeing her smile. As her boyfriend, it hurt to see her dislike the surroundings that were their home; or what was supposed to be their home. They had lived in Sanctuary for three years and yet it still felt like a hollow place to endure the hardships in life. Every corner and every turn reminded both of them of a time that they wished to forget. Negan's old house, the front of the court house, inside the court house altogether, even Dwight's house became a place of mental turmoil.
It was a burning idea in Dwight's mind that they both needed to get away from Sanctuary permanently. However, every time he entertained the thought of saying a final goodbye to the terrible community, he was reminded of the overwhelming obligations that he had to the people who still resided in Sanctuary. The people in Sanctuary generally weren't the best in regards to their moral character. When Negan left, some men thought it was a free for all with the codes of human decency that were firmly placed. Men with families left for the safety of their wives and children. Dwight wasn't left with a lot of decent souls because of it. Sanctuary was more than a fixer upper. He considered it more of a lost cause.
Dwight had made his visits to other towns more frequent in the last several months and would often go wherever Sherry felt she was needed. She mostly spent time in Alexandria with Terri and Yolanda. Dwight would feign that he had business to attend to but he really only wanted to get away just as much as she did. Dwight wasn't a moron. He could tell that Sherry was much happier outside of Sanctuary. The contrast was black and white with her demeanor and the way that she carried herself. Sherry was her old self in Alexandria and took on a lot of responsibilities in leadership. Sherry was a shell in Sanctuary and was dying a slow death in a prison cell that threatened to eat her alive. Dwight considered Sherry to be a part of his family. They weren't married but as her significant other, he took it upon himself to keep Sherry full of life to reach her full potential. To him, it took more precedence than keeping a failing city from crashing down. Above all, he made a promise to her that he would make her life better. It was important to him to keep that promise.
"Dwight?" Yolanda questioned as Dwight was brought back to the present.
"I'm sorry, Yolie. What did you ask?" He inquired but still felt drawn towards his girlfriend who just appeared in better spirits away from what was considered their home.
"Don't worry about it," Yolanda responded and patted Dwight's back. "I can tell that your mind is on something else." She had a slight teasing in her voice when she said it as Dwight knew he had been caught not paying attention. "How is she doing? How is she really doing?" Yolanda inquired as Dwight guessed that she probably sensed his worries before he even voiced them aloud.
Dwight felt the duty of both his jobs at a standoff when she asked him that. There was Sanctuary and there was Sherry. As he looked at Sherry and Maggie talk to each other, Maggie gestured down to her son and glanced up to Sherry in question. Sherry gazed at both Hershel then Maggie and appeared as if she was going to protest but Maggie insisted as she carefully placed Hershel in Sherry's arms. Sherry's face could be read as awe as she looked at all her friends to see the small moment that she was having. They all admired the scene in adoration as they continued to talk amongst themselves.
"She's doing okay," Dwight finally responded. "There are times where I think I can be doing better to make her life easier. I don't know, I think she needs to get out of Sanctuary permanently." Dwight then confessed in earnest.
"She won't leave you behind, Dwight," Yolanda divulged. "She loves you too much to abandon you."
Just then, Sherry spotted Dwight as they locked eyes on each other from across the room. She continued to hold Hershel as they both exchanged looks of simply joy with a mix of exhaustion. Dwight only regretted that their vacation couldn't last a little bit longer to hold onto what they had in that moment.
…
"It'll be nice when we have the building finished for our guests and new members," Maggie commented as she guided both Dwight and Sherry upstairs. Dwight carried both of their bags while they trailed behind Maggie as she walked through the upstairs hallway and towards the furthest room. "This room used to belong to Gregory. However, since I took over his job, he has stated numerous times that he feels uncomfortable in this house. I think he was just trying to prove a point though."
Dwight and Sherry looked to each other as Dwight stared at her with some apprehension. As a couple, they were taking things dramatically slow. Dwight didn't blame her for wanting to take things at a gradual pace and he never once tried to push her along to satisfy his own needs. Yet from the looks of where Maggie was taking them, it looked like they were going to be bunking in the same space. Which hadn't happened since they arrived in Sanctuary. Sherry was too nice to say anything or inconvenience Maggie by asking for another room so she stayed silent and just smiled in a friendly manner.
"Oh, well, we don't need something really big or elaborate," Dwight started to say as Maggie opened the door to their room. Dwight looked at the room and saw one bed and even their personal bathroom. It was nice and in any other setting, it would have been really romantic in a way. However, he still worried about Sherry and how she would react to the situation.
"This is honestly the only room available at the time. We have a lot of guests coming in for our Christmas dinner in a couple of days," Maggie explained. "Don't worry about it! You aren't putting us out for being in here."
Sherry looked specifically at the one bed then glanced at Dwight as her face reddened. "This room is very nice," Dwight stammered out but looked to Maggie with regret. "Where's Daryl bunking? I could…"
"It's perfect," Sherry managed to say over Dwight and she looked to Maggie with reassurance. "Thanks for letting us stay here."
"Anytime," Maggie said kindly as she could hear Hershel start crying in the foyer. "He's a clingy baby that one is. Let me go save Rick." With that, she walked out of the room and left the two of them alone.
Dwight smiled awkwardly at Sherry and walked over to the nightstand to feign casualness and like their room wasn't a big deal or out of the ordinary. She just watched him with a small smile as he tended to act very awkward in situations where Sherry could potentially be uncomfortable. There was an angel figurine that stood on the surface of the nightstand. Dwight appeared suddenly very interested in the art piece to avoid eye contact but unfortunately broke the angel's arm off when he touched it at first contact. It plummeted to the ground as Dwight fidgeted in his spot unsure of what to do or say next but then looked who tried to keep herself from laughing at his blunder.
"I can just stay in Daryl's room." Dwight finally said. "Seriously, Sher, I don't have to be in here if you don't want me to."
Sherry took a deep breath but looked to Dwight semi-confidently. "It's fine, Dwight. I think I can handle it."
Dwight was surprised at her answer and gawked at her. "Really?" He asked.
"Yeah, it's been a while since…stuff happened so I think it's about time to test where I stand with some things," Sherry reasoned more for herself. "Don't you think?"
Dwight tried not to get his hopes up but smiled at her anyways. He was glad that she always tried to make an effort but didn't want her to overexert herself when she wasn't emotionally prepared to take on several things. He stepped over to her and put a hand on the side of her face. She lifted her head up to look him in the eyes as he kissed her gently. Dwight wasn't incredibly selfish, but if Sherry wanted to test some things, he would gladly volunteer to spend time with her in any way possible.
…
Sherry started gagging as she raced towards the toilet in their private bathroom. She then threw up and started to cry as she put her hands to her forehead and propped her head up with her elbows. She sat on the bathroom floor and felt another wave of nausea as she got into position to puke once more. Tears of embarrassment escaped as she felt Dwight carefully gather her hair and hold it behind her shoulders.
He got down on his knees behind her and rubbed her back with a worry and guilt taking over him. Testing the waters was something that Sherry wanted to do. But he wondered if he took it too far. It was honestly the furthest that they have ever gotten in a sexual aspect since they last slept together two years ago. Some items of clothing were removed as Sherry started to hyperventilate out of nowhere. Sherry immediately tensed up and they ended up in the bathroom.
He was the cause of her pain. At least he felt like he was. He knew that a life after what Negan did to her wasn't going to be an easy recovery but he felt that he wasn't helping the situation one bit. He had no idea how to ease Sherry's healing process.
She finished and sat back with tears in her eyes as she looked at him apologetically. "I'm sorry," she said weakly.
"What did I do?" Dwight asked while wanting to know if he could do something different then what he did. "If I did something wrong…"
"No!" Sherry said swiftly cutting him off. "You didn't do anything." She didn't know what to say. She felt inadequate when it came to being with Dwight the way that he wanted to. She felt a guilt sink in as she realized the sad truth that she was probably ruined forever because of the events that transpired for the last several years.
Everything in her environment triggered her to panic. It was living in Sanctuary. Even though it was different and under new management, every place reminded her of things that she wanted to forget. When the events were happening, she was able to continually live in a funk. But as she started getting out of her depression, the places in Sanctuary and even simple tasks outside of it would haunt her and pull her back in.
She looked to Dwight as she sniffled. "I wish I could tell you that I would never act like this every time we tried doing anything like a real couple but I can't promise you that." She said but then emotion settled in as she put her hands to her face and started crying uncontrollably from the heartache that she felt. "I don't think it's fair to you to be with me."
Dwight couldn't believe his ears as he heard her say that they shouldn't be together anymore. They had already been through too much for him to even throw in the towel. "Sherry, that's never going to be an option." He said assuredly but then worry sunk. "…Unless you want me to leave. Do you?"
She shook her head. "I just can't do this to you, Dwight," She said sadly.
Dwight sat in thought and wondered where the happy middle would be for them at this point in their relationship. He wanted to help her and be with her every minute of the day. He brain stormed as she stood up, washed her face in the sink, and then leaned against the bathroom countertop.
She folded her arms and looked at him while trying to read his thoughts. "What are you thinking?" Sherry finally asked.
Dwight twiddled his thumbs and looked at her. "I'm just thinking of a better alternative then calling it quits. I don't want that to happen and neither do you. So that's not gonna happen. We'll try and fix whatever before that happens." He said. "Are we on the same page with that?"
Sherry took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Yes…" She said but didn't finish.
Dwight could hear her sentence float as he prodded her to say more. "But?" He asked.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Dwight, I am broken right now. I don't know when I'll be able to function like a normal person. I feel like a jerk dragging you down with me when I don't know how long I'll be like this. I want to be with you but I don't want to ask you to be with me when it's going to be this difficult. I want to give you a way out." She explained.
He got up from his spot on the bathroom floor and stood in front of her. "You don't have to ask me to do anything. I am already committed and invested in our relationship. I will always be there when you need me." He reaffirmed.
"So what do we do?" Sherry gazed at him with pleading eyes as she was unsure how to pick up the pieces of their lives before.
Dwight looked around deep in thought but then thought of something quickly that had the potential to work. "Let's take time off of being a couple... Only with some things. I'm just talking about the physical aspects. It's necessary eventually but for right now we need to build a relationship on trust. Right now, you don't need a physical partner. You just need a friend to talk to. And I get that." Dwight said.
Sherry looked to him. "I can't ask you to go without sex, Dwight. That's still not fair to you." She said.
Dwight folded his arms and smiled. "I have gone without sex for a good two and a half years now. What's a little more time going to do?" He asked and winked.
Sherry put her forehead on his chest feeling defeat sink in. "I'm so sorry." She said in defeat.
"Don't be sorry. I signed up for this. And look at it this way. You have given me a way out and I refused to take it. I'm with you, Sher." Dwight said. "The idea of seeing other people just doesn't sound right. I couldn't do that to myself when I know the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with is hurting."
Sherry groaned as she started crying again. "Why are you so good to me?" She said as she buried her head into his shirt.
"You make it easy," He said and gave her a gentle hug.
"I love you." Sherry said as she looked up to him with tears falling down her cheeks.
He took a thumb to her face and wiped a tear away. "I love you too." He replied and looked into her eyes with sincerity. Just then, they both heard a knock at the door as Dwight gave her a small kiss then went to go answer it. He felt he was decent enough with just boxer and an undershirt and knew Sherry needed more time to collect herself before speaking to someone else.
When he opened the door, it was Yolanda who looked slightly frazzled. "Hey, Yolie. What's up?" Dwight asked as he noticed her mood.
"It's Ashlyn," Yolanda stated on high alert. "She's ten centimeters dilated and Doctor Carson just broke her water. It's time."
Dwight looked behind the door to see if Sherry heard what she said as Sherry immediately started getting her sweatshirt and jeans back on to be there for her friend. It was something that they had long awaited. Ashlyn was finally going to give birth.
AUTHOR'S NOTES, TRIVIA, & FACTS –
#1 – I'll admit, whenever I write for Sherry speaking with her friends (Megan, Amber, Ashlyn, and Christy), I listen to Little Women or Pride & Prejudice for inspiration of that close friendship amongst sisters. I still maintain that is pretty much what they became in their mutual trauma. At one point, they are all each other had to uplift, to imagine, and to forget.
#2 – We all know Alexandria is the kind of group that likes to celebrate. Holidays aren't any different. I think that their hopes to keep traditions alive would spread. But as you can tell, Sanctuary does have some other things to deal with than decorations. Otherwise, I'm sure that they would be onboard with the ideas to liven up everyone's mood. But alas, Sanctuary is still a dark and dreary place. And the evils within their walls cannot be easily set aside. (Dang, that sentence sounded very Lord of the Rings, didn't it?)
#3 – No, Dwight and Sherry didn't just break up! I call bullshit on whoever says that you HAVE to have sex to have an intimate relationship. That doesn't mean that they will go celibate forever either… or will they? No, what happened to Sherry is a lot of emotional layers to peel away at. There are a lot of things that she has to sort through before jumping into another relationship. Love is careful and patient. I think Dwight & Sherry both understand that and don't want to take things too fast to destroy the special connection that they have. They also know that time can be taken away from them. But that's not a reason to jump into something that you aren't mentally ready for. Baby steps.
#4 -