Sophia Peletier hid in the dark attic, away from prying eyes, her mum and dad were at it again, one day he would kill her, why her mum ever stayed with the bastard was beyond her. At 16 years old, with blue eyes, and shaggy blonde hair, she kept tied back from her face, she could not wait to flee to better things, this had been going on for years, the same name kept cropping up a man named Dixon. When her dad mentioned his name her mum would pale, her eyes drifting as if she was remembering. Sophia never asked, for some reason that man's name set her dad off even further. She looked around the attic, it was full of boxes, and crap,that her parents had never thought to throw out. From the way they were going at each other it could be awhile, pulling a box from the far corner, she opened it up. It looked like old clothes, well a leather vest to be precise, with angel wings on the back, now she was damn sure her dad would never were that, it was too out there. She rooted further in, her hand coming across what felt like a book, pulling it out, it was a diary from the year, she was born. Flicking the page open, it was her mum's writing, so why was it hidden up here.? Should she read it? It was personal and had been hidden up here for a reason..Well books are meant to be read according to her mum, and this was a book. Settling down in the seat near the window, that was hidden by the box she opened it up.

January 1st- Can't wait to see him tonight, he is younger than me, always says age is a number, not bothered about it. I love him so much, with his sexy look, that has me aching for him, each time we meet. I don't think a day hasn't gone passed since we have been together, that we have not had sex, made love, fucked, He has me ….. "Eww mum I so didn't need to read that" Sophia said aloud, serves her right she supposed, nah she will skip that bit what about February there had to be a decent piece in there. Flicking through, she saw a long written piece, sitting back she read.

"Cannot believe we have been together since he was 18, 4 years now and I still feel like a cradle snatcher. Merle laughs when I say that, keeps telling me I am the best thing that happened to his brother, I must, he asked me tonight and I said yes. We will wait, for a while, he is just coming into himself at work, he decided to go into the family business with his dad and brother. They have pooled together and brought the auto shop. I do not like the guy who has loaned them the money, don't trust him, he gives me the creeps, the way his eyes roam me up and down as if I am a piece of meat for him to be eaten, if Daryl knew he would kill him. Think his name is Ed Peletier or something?, that man is just evil, the good side it is wonderful to see them opening the shop, see how happy Daryl is. We lay in his bed this morning, as he held me tight, talking about family, would we have boys or girls. He wants three says it's a nice number, he would make a great dad, he is so patient and kind, rough on the outside, but all heat on the inside. I love him so much, he tells me every day how beautiful I am, how much he loves me. How lucky am I?"

Sophia put the diary down, her mum had been in love with Daryl Dixon the man her parents fought over. If she was so in love? How the hell did she end up marrying a man that she couldn't stand. Had her dad done something?

"Sophia honey are you ok?" she heard her mum shout, quickly hiding the diary, she went to the attic stairs. And peered down to her.

"Yes I was messing in the attic"

"Be careful there is a lot of rubbish up there I don't know why we don't throw it all away" her head lowered. Sophia wasn't stupid she knew he had hit her again, she could see the bruising already appearing

"Where is he?"

"Oh you know your dad gone for a drink with his mates, best for him, you know how stressed he gets" she turned away, beaten and alone.

"Mum, who is Daryl?" Carol stopped, her heart raced, the blood rushed through her veins, she turned back, her voice trembling

"Someone we don't talk about, don't let your father hear you mention him please" Sophia could see the tears falling down her face, she could have kicked herself, she hadn't meant to pull up bad memories, especially not for her mum

"Mum why do you stay with dad?" Carol had asked herself this question for the last 16 years, she had done it out of love, made sure that the Dixon's kept the auto shop, and Daryl got to raise his son. Her arms wrapped around her waist as she thought about it, doubling over in grief, she could no longer stand it all. Two arms came around her, holding her tight

"I am sorry mum I should never have asked" Carol patted her hand as if to say it is ok

"I stayed because I had no choice" looking up into her daughters face, she saw the confusion behind the blue eyes, eyes that were so much like her father's. Reaching out she brushed Sophia's hair a the front, even her bangs fell like his. She couldn't go there, she was with Ed, she had made a decision and paid the price.


Daryl Dixon was well-known in the town, well him and his family. They ran the auto shop like clockwork, the client base became larger and larger. His hands enjoyed fiddling with the bikes, nothing could beat being his own boss, taking time off when he needed it, either to take time out with his son, or just mess around with his brother. His wife, Lori, and him had been married 16 years almost to the day. It would be Carl's birthday soon, he couldn't believe how much he had grown, yet for some reason they were never close., he seemed to relate more to their friend Rick, then he did him. At times when he was down, he often looked at them together then wondered if.., no he was the dad. His hand went to his pocket, and he slid the photo out, he always wondered what would have been if they had managed to stay together.? He wondered where she was now? Was she happy, married?. His eyes looked out towards the hills, seeing the sun starting to set, it was getting late and he needed to head home, Lori would be waiting food on the table. Hearing the screech of brakes he came out of this thoughts.

"Yo Merle, what ya trying to do wake the neighbourhood up?" he shield his eyes with his hand from the evening sun.

"Carl has had an accident, ya need to get down to the hospital" Daryl's heart stopped, how?. What?, When?

"What happened?"

"Got shot in the damn woods, went out playing with that stupid gang you let him hang with. Shane Walsh's kid was with them" Fuck had he not told him time and time again not to go near the woods, especially in shooting season. Locking the door he grabbed his bike, at times he wished he still had his leather vest with the wings, always kept the wind off his back. Following Merle he headed towards the hospital, hoping his son was going to be ok


Carol had calmed down, and sorted tea, it was getting late in the evening so she knew that Ed would not be home tonight, which was a relief in itself. She would be safe, would be able to sleep without him pawing at her, forcing her, hurting her. Sophia had taken to the attic again, well if she was happy that was ok with her. Fixing a coffee, she turned the lights out downstairs and headed up to bed. A wonderful peaceful night, walking towards the steps to the attic she called up

"Sophia honey, not long up there, you have things to do tomorrow"

"Ok mum can I have half an hour more?"

"Yes sweetie, I am heading to bed, don't forget to say goodnight before you go to sleep"

"Won't do love you mum"

"Love you to sweetie" more than you ever know she thought to herself, as she got changed for bed.

Sophia couldn't wait to see what had happened between her mum and this Daryl man, she flicked through the pages moving towards May she could always go back if needed later. Sitting down she opened it up.

"I cannot wait to tell Daryl, he will be so excited, ok we didn't plan this, but we are getting married. Oh god what if he walks? Is it too soon, he was just kicked off with the business what if he?...

No I can't think like that, shit he is home, oh well here goes guess I will just put the pregnancy test in front of him, he can be a little thick-headed.

Thank god, I had to write it down, he is as ecstatic as me, we're going to be parents, can our lives get any better?. He's coming towards me so I need to put this down for now. We are so happy"

Sophia closed the book, tears running down her face, she had no need to read anymore, she could add up the dates she wasn't some stupid hick. Walking down the steps, she placed the leather vest over her shoulders, it had a faint aroma, of what she was unsure. Heading towards her mums room, she got herself under control

"Came to say goodnight" Carol looked over a smile on her face, then it dropped, her face paled, as she got herself under control

"What are you wearing?" she had not seen that vest for years, how she missed the person it belonged to, how he wore it so well.

"If I am not mistaken I think it belongs to my dad, Daryl Dixon"


Daryl arrived at the hospital twenty minutes later, both Merle and himself rushed in to emergency, seeing Maggie on reception

"Hi guys you ok?"

"Not so good, sweetheart, Carl got rushed in..." before she could answer, Lori came through the door, sobbing in Rick's arms. Daryl walked over, pushing the other man away, he placed his arms around his wife.

"How is he?" she shook within his warm embrace, her eyes glancing at Rick then back at Daryl, unbeknown to both Merle had caught the exchange.

"Wanna tell me what the hell is going on between you two before ya tell Daryl about his son?" both looked up red-faced, Rick placed his hands up as if to ward off anything about to attack him.

"Nothing Merle, our son has been shot and all you can do is throw false accusations"

Merle felt like he had kept his mouth shut for too fucking long, it was time to acknowledge the elephant in the room. "That maybe honey, but whose son are we referring to here Daryl's or Rick's?"