Hi guys, thanks for the continued support on my stories. I would appear that Libby Putney will no longer be an issue for us Walking Dead writers which is a great relief.

Please enjoy this chapter :)

"Keep an eye on the girls. I'll try to be quick," Daryl nodded goodbye to Glenn before heading upstairs to tell Beth he was leaving. He knew that she hated him going without saying goodbye. The thought of him leaving without a good luck kiss was damn close to a sin in the eyes of that woman, and he'd be a fool to enrage his angel.

He found her perched on the edge of their bed with Maggie and Sophia. He could hear the shower running, and assumed that Grace was currently attempting to detangle the mud and dirt from her hair.

"Daryl! Come in. I've just been filling Maggie in. Isn't she great?" Beth's tone was hushed to prevent Grace from overhearing their gossiping, and her cheeks were flushed bright pink with excitement.

"She's alright, Beth. Can we have a moment, please?" He looked pointedly at Maggie, breathing a sigh of relief when she read his expression effortlessly and glided to the door muttering something about taking inventory of their tinned goods.

"What's wrong?" Beth's brow was furrowed adorably, and Daryl was having trouble resisting the urge to kiss it.

"Nothing's wrong. I just- I don't want you to get your hopes up with Grace, that's all. We still don't know her. We should give it some time before we make any decisions about letting her stay here permanently," he wrapped his arms around her as she stood, Sophia pressed between them warm and soft.

"I know. I'm sorry. I just- I can't help feeling excited. I shouldn't get carried away, but I really want this to work out with us," she apologized unnecessarily. Daryl shook his head as he placed alternate soft kisses between Sophia's forehead and Beth's lips.

"S' alright, baby. I just wanted to tell you that I'm going for a hunt. Won't be back for a good few hours."

"Oh, okay. I thought you didn't have plans for today?" she reached up her small hand to tangle itself around the hemline of his shirt as she blinked up at him.

"Wasn't gonna', but we need more food now. I'll be back before dark, I promise," he let his fingers run through her golden hair, marveling at its soft and silken texture coursing between his fingers.

"That's too bad. I was hoping we could just crawl back into bed and f-"

"Jesus Christ, woman. Watch your mouth, there's a baby present," he snarled at her very tempting suggestion. What he wouldn't give to spend an entire day in bed with this girl.

"So what? Sophia is too young to understand all of the things that Mommy wants to do to Daddy when he gets home tonight. It's too bad you've got to hunt. You'll probably be so exhausted," she was trying to mask the giggles that were bubbling in her throat.

"I'll always find energy for you, Greene," he smirked as he bent down to plant a final kiss against her mouth.

"Love you both," he finished as he heard the shower turn off. Somehow he managed to tear himself away from the beautiful girl holding their daughter in her arms.

Beth remained in the doorway to their room, bouncing Sophia who was in a decidedly giggly mood. Beth winced as her tiny fingers twisted insistently through her hair, knotting the strands and tugging painfully.

"Ouch, Sophia! Damn!" she breathed, trying desperately to free her hair and making a mental note to tie her hair up whenever she spend quality time with her handsy daughter.

She looked up just in time to see Grace emerging from the bathroom. She was carrying her dirty clothes in one hand and clasping a towel around her body with the other.

"Oh, Grace! How do you feel?" Beth called out, motioning for the woman to follow her into the bedroom to grab some clothes.

"Much better. God, haven't had a proper shower in longer than I care to think about. I forgot what my natural hair color was," she grinned, shaking out her damp vanilla-scented hair which was significantly lighter and fluffier now that it had been shampooed.

"I know the feeling. Here, there were some clothes left over in the wardrobe. Take your pick," she smiled apologetically as she rifled through the nightstand and found a pair of leggings and a t-shirt.

"Try these, they'll fit," she passed them to Grace who accepted them with a smile and turned her back towards Beth to change. As she lowered her towel, Beth couldn't prevent the gasp that escaped her as she noticed the small expanse of stretch marks that stood out against her pale skin.

If Grace noticed Beth's intake of air, she chose to ignore it.

"You're a mother, too?" Beth's voice cracked as she spoke before she had considered her words. Because Grace may be a mother, but there was no baby with her now. Surely that could only mean one thing.

"I used to be." Her reply was forced, and she kept her eyes focused intently on the floor. Beth could see the tears that threatened to spill, and was overcome with guilt at her inability to think before speaking.

"I'm sorry." Beth's voice trembled as she squeezed Sophia tightly to her side. The prospect of losing a child was too painful to even consider, and she felt a sharp stab of empathy straight through her heart.

"You must be exhausted. I'll make up the couch downstairs for you," Beth turned to ease Sophia down into her crib, tucking her in securely and cranking the mobile to entertain her while she drifted off to sleep.

"Thanks again, Beth. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate everything you guys have done for me," Grace whispered, a tear escaping her left eye and streaking down her cheek.

"Don't thank us. We're the only people left. We have to stick together." Beth ushered her down the hallway, giving her a quick tour of the funeral home as they went. Beth chattered nervously as she lay clean sheets down over the couch and plumped up the cushions. Grace wasted no time in sliding between the blanket and cushions, settling herself in for a long overdue nap.

"I'll turn out the lights. Help yourself to water if you get thirsty," Beth instinctively moved to tuck the blankets around Grace's body, as she would for Sophia.

"You're an angel, Beth." Grace smiled gratefully up at her.

"I'll come check on you in a few hours. Daryl should be back with more food by the time you wake up," Beth kicked out the doorstop that held the partition between the lounge and entry hallway open, the door sliding shut with a satisfying click.

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Lara xoxo