Chapter One: Meant To Live
Three days ago, Merle, Luke, and Glenn brought two bus loads of people to the prison. Fifteen adults, thirty minors. The Governor had abandoned his people, and Rick chose to take them in. We all did; since Rick decided to step down as leader we had formed a council. I was on it, so was Glenn. As well as Daryl, Maggie, Merle, Hershel, and Julie.
Like Sophia had told me before, most of the kids were orphans. She introduced me to Molly and Peter. Peter followed me around like a puppy; Rick thought it was funny and asked if I wanted to adopt him and his sister. Julie had adopted Sophia, Glenn and Maggie took in a little boy named Luke. I would have to talk it over with Daryl, because we still shared a cell. Which reminded me. I still had to talk to him about our confessions, and what we were going to do. Remain as we were, or start something new.
What I'd said to Glenn about Merle must've sunk in, because he really was trying to get along with the guy. Maybe he was trying to set an example for Luke. Having two Lukes around was a bit weird, and Carl, once he got over having his gun taken away, started calling them Lil' Luke and Big Luke. It stuck, but I still found it weird calling my baby brother 'Big Luke'. Although it did make things easier.
I let everyone know that karate and weapons training would begin as soon as everyone had settled into a routine. Julie would begin teaching the kids to read and write; just because the world we once knew had ended didn't mean we could become illiterate.
We had enough food to last a couple more months, thanks to the warehouse back in Woodbury. Merle still had a key when he'd escaped with us and led Rick and the others into town to get the food. I hadn't had root beer since we'd left Canada, and let me tell you... It was amazing. it was a bit flat, just the way I liked it.
Today we were having a birthday party for Belle, as well as a little boy named Tyson. He would be nine, and Belle, four. Another good thing happened this morning - I discovered I'm not pregnant. That was one thing I wouldn't be able to handle, not now. If I had been though, I would have... I don't know. Made it possible, maybe.
"Miss Andy, can I look at your knives again?" Peter asked, tapping my arm.
"Sure. Come on, then." I smiled and we walked to what Daryl had begun to call the training room. It held a majority of our weapons, several punching bags, targets to shoot at. Merle wanted to bring in weights and various exercising equipment so we wouldn't grow 'soft' during the winter. If he wanted to go on runs searching, he was welcome to it. "Where's your sister?"
"With Mika and Lizzie. They won't lemme play with them." Peter frowned, and I handed him a throwing knife.
"Oh, well. Girls do that sometimes. Hey, think you can hit the target?" I distracted him. If Hudson were still here, he'd be about the same age. They looked similar... I really needed to have that talk with Daryl, once he got back. He and Merle went out to check the traps for any animals; walkers had started to roam away from the cities and towns in search for fresh food.
"You mean you'll let me?!"
"Yeah. I don't see why not. You'll need to learn sooner or later. Here, I'll show you how." I picked up one of the knives, took aim, and threw it at one of the targets. It sliced through Daryl's arrow, and Peter gasped.
"Can you teach me how to do that? Please!" he pleaded and I gave in. We spent a good three hours working on his aim, how to throw properly, and technique.
"You know, I was about your age when I first started throwing. You're doing great, Peter." I said when he missed his target. "Come on, I think it's just about supper time."
"Yeah. I'm hungry." he watched as I put the knives away. "Do you think there'll be cake?"
"I don't know. Maybe. You go on ahead, I'll catch up." I said and watched him run to the cafeteria where the party was taking place. I needed a minute to myself, to think about what I wanted to do.
Yes, I had been looking after Peter and his sister. I was growing attached to them, and it had only been three days. From what Sophia had told me about them, I knew they needed an adult to rely on. They had a rough home life, with an alcoholic father and a drug addict for a mother. They were on their way to a foster home in Atlanta when the infection hit, and ended up stuck with the social worker for a week before she turned. They were saved by the Governor, but things didn't get better for them. The woman who took them in was cruel. She often withheld food, and hit them. Sophia said a man named Martinez took them after, but the damage had been donw.
Mom always said a wounded child made a wounded adult; Daryl was an excellent example of that. But he was healing, and maybe, just maybe, we could help those kids heal, too.
Crap. I really needed to talk to him.
"Shouldn't you be in there, with everyone else?" Daryl whispered from behind me, catching me off guard and making me jump.
"Yeah, but I wanted to think about something first. We really need to talk about things, Daryl."
"I know. But first, we have a party to go to." he gave me a small smile and took my hand, leading me into the cafeteria filled with hyper kids.
Carl, Sophia, and Lizzie were sitting in a corner eating with one of the Woodbury kids, a boy named Patrick. He seemed friendly enough. Beth was looking after Judith, with Molly and Mika helping her. Peter and Lil' Luke were playing tag with some of the other boys, Merle and Michonne were in the kitchen with Julie doing hell knows what. Rick was helping Scotty walk around one of the tables. He would be one soon.
Julie had Michonne help carry out a giant chocolate cake with pink icing and four candles for Belle on one side, and blue icing with nine candles on the other for Tyson.
"This isn't just a cake for Tyson and Belle. This is a cake for every child in this room, whose birthdays came and went unnoticed. Happy birthday to Belle. Happy birthday to Tyson. Happy birthday everyone!" Julie smiled tearfully and we all sang happy birthday. I faintly heard Daryl humming along and reached for his hand.
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"Y'know, I've never had a birthday before." Daryl told me that night once we were alone, snuggled in our bunks. I didn't know what to say, so I kept silent. "Never had a cake, or presents. Them kids're lucky."
"Well, when's your birthday?"
"March 25th."
"Happy late birthday. You should've told me. I would have gotten you something."
"No. You just being around was enough." he whispered, "You're blushin', ain't you."
"Maybe..." my face flushed red. I loved his bluntness. "Think we could have that talk now?"
"Guess so."
"We have two choices, pretty much. Remain as friends, or... I don't know, turn into Glenn and Maggie. Minus all that hanky panky every five seconds. What do you think?"
"I don't think I could just be friends with you. Don't really wanna be Glenn and Maggie."
"Then what?"
"We be us. You an' me. But, y'know. Together. I meant what I said that day."
"You'd better mean it." I smiled. "There's something else. It's about Peter and Molly. Rick's asked if I wanted to adopt them. I haven't given him an answer, or told them yet, because I wanted to talk to you about it first."
"It's really up to you. I mean, you've been lookin' out for them since they came."
"You do realize, though, that if I adopt them and we're .. together. That kind of makes you their father. I've seen you with Belle and the babies. You're great with kids, no matter what you think." I paused for a breath, "Just something to think about. If you're not up for it, it's ok."
"Let's do it." Daryl told me several minutes later. I thought he'd fallen asleep.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. It was gonna happen eventually, so why not."
"Yay! I'll tell Rick in the morning, and then-"
"Miss Andy!" Peter ran in and I jumped out of bed.
"What's wrong?" he hugged me, crying onto my shirt.
"Somethin's wrong with Molly. I think she's turnin'." Peter sniffled and we followed him to their cellblock. He refused to go in the cell, so I told Daryl to sit with him while I made sure Molly was ok. She was sweating and felt hot; she had a slight fever. I shook her, trying to wake her up. Finally she opened her blue-grey eyes. They were clear. She wasn't infected!
"Gotta throw up." she mumbled and I wuickly turned her on her side so she would hopefully vomit on the floor. I kept her hair out of her face, rubbing her back. Just like Mom had done for us when er were kids, like I'd done for Hudson. Luke and Julie, too.
Daryl carried her back to our cell. There was no way I'd let them stay here alone. Molly slept on the bottom bunk, only waking up twice more asking for something to drink. Daryl eventually fell asleep next to Peter; they were adorable snuggled up in the tiny bunk.
Peter was the first to wake and I helped him down. He was eight, but the size of a five year old. "Is she gonna be ok?"
"She'll be fine. I'm betting it's just some stomach bug. I want to ask you something important once those two sleepyheads wake up. But for now, I want you to find Sophia and get something for breakfast. Think you can do that?" I ruffled his black hair, smiling to myself as he ran to Beth and Sophia's cell. I checked on Daryl; he was still asleep. He was normally awake long before I even thought about opening my eyes. Then again, he had kept me company most of the night.
"Where am I?" Molly whispered and rubbed her eyes. "I feel awful."
"Don't worry. You were sick last night, remember? Peter came and got me. Daryl carrid you here." I explained, feeling her face with the back of my hand. No fever, which was great.
"Where's Peter?" she looked around anxiously.
"He went with Sophia to get food." this seemed to calm her down, and she fell asleep. Fighting back a yawn, I pulled myself onto the top bunk and was sleeping in no time.
Someone was poking at my face. I swatted at them and told them to go away, but they kept at it. So I opened my eyes to see who it was. Daryl was holding Belle, and they laughed when I pouted grumpily. It was past noon; lunch had already been served. I told Daryl to get Rick and Peter, that now was the time to make my decision.
Molly sat up and I asked her how she felt. "Not as bad as I did earlier. Still poopy though. Did we do something wrong?"
"No, why? What makes you think..." She'd heard me telling Daryl to get Rick and Peter. "You mean why did I want Rick and Peter?" she nodded. "Don'y worry about that."
"So you've decided?" Rick asked and I stood to face him. Peter sat next to his sister and gave her a hug.
"Yes. Daryl told you what happened last night? That's when I knoew. I haven't told them yet." Molly and Peter were staring at us, knowing something big was going to happen.
"And you're absolutely sure?" Daryl told him yes, we were beyone sure, and Rick pulled a stool next to the bed. "Could I have a minute alone with them?"
"We'll be in the yard." Daryl nodded and I grabbed his poncho, pulling it over my head as we walked out of our cell block and stepped outside.
"Scared?" I asked him.
"Shitless." he breathed and the minutes passed slowly. "I wonder what's takin' so long."
"With Molly, who knows." I shrugged, glancing over to the door. It flew open, and Peter ran out, followed by his sister.
"You're my new mom! I told Molly you would be, but she never listened!" Peter grinned and hugged me. "So that means Daryl's my... dad?"
"Duh. Of course it does." Molly rolled her eyes. She was still sick and we hurried inside before the cold air gave her the chills. Peter and Daryl went to pack what few belongings they had. The cell next to ours was empty, and would now belong to Molly and Peter. "I have one thing to tell you. If you... Don't screw this up. You have one chance, that's all I can give you." There was a certain hardness in her voice that I knew all too well.
"Molly, I swear to you. I won't hurt you, or your brother. You can trust me. You can be a kid. I'm here to take care of you, protect you. Daryl, too. I know he seems scary, but he's not. You're safe now." I finished making their beds and we left for the cafeteria. I knew it would take longer for her to trust again, but that wasn't something I worried about. She went off to sit with Mika, Lizzie, and their father, leaving me by myself.
"Heard you made me an uncle." Merle grinned.
"Yep, three hours ago. Congrats. Oh, I think we're gonna need to go on a run soon. I have a feeling this winter will be a cold one." We grabbed our trays of food and went off in seperate directions. Merle had been spending alot of time with Michonne and I wndered if they had something going on between them. The same could be said about Julie and Rick, as well.
I sat with Carl, Sophia, and Patrick, telling them karate would begin after the first snowfall.
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"Are you and Daryl gonna get married?" Peter asked me as I tucked him into bed.
"I don't know. You'll have to ask him that."
"If you have babies, will you still want us?" Boy he was curious tonight.
"Don't ask stupid questions, Peter. Go to sleep." Molly scowled at her brother.
"No, I'll always want you. Now sleep." I kissed his forehead and blew out the lantern. "Goodnight, you two."
"Married, huh?" Daryl grinned at me, "Let's go to Vegas and elope."
"You might have to kidnap me first." I stuck out my tongue.
"Can't kidnap the willin', sorry."
|Chapters will generally become longer; I have nearly a year before the start of season 4. Hopefully by the time I can get the 4th season on DVD I'll be finished with that. Maybe.
I have a kill off list in the works. It will be fun.
What do you think about Peter? And Molly? Let me know!
Review, Favourite, Enjoy! :)
I mean it. Review. Or I'll send the MacManus brothers after you.
