AN: Here's the next one, I am so sorry for the long wait. School got stressful but now that the semester is over I am beyond thrilled.
Disclaimer: It's not mine, though I'd love if Norman or Andy were, preferably both of them. But there's always my dreams right?
Enjoy and please Review! I love to hear what you think!
Deuteronomy 15:11
"There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.
Daryl nodded to Rick in agreement. He trusted himself, and he trusted Sadie, but he didn't know these other strangers and was hesitant to bring them back to the island. He and Sadie had a good thing there and he didn't want to ruin it by bringing these new people into the haven they had.
The group dispersed and scavenged other supplies from nearby businesses. When they met up Daryl led the way to the docks, with Rick and the rest of his group following, Sadie brought up the rear with her bow raised. They encountered a few walkers once they reached the ferry that they took care of quickly and quietly. Daryl was impressed and Sadie was too if the smile she shot him was any indication.
"Y'all come to the island, but you pull yer weight." Daryl told Rick as they worked together to load the supplies the combined group managed to find in the town, they hit the proverbial jackpot when they stumbled upon a small apothecary that was half hidden in the back of a bar: antibiotics, narcotics, Tylenol, first aid supplies they now had enough medicines to last a while.
"All we want is a chance; we've been running since Hershel's farm was overrun by a herd. We've lost people, good people on the road." Rick figured he had to offer some of his story to this man if he wanted to earn his trust.
"I woke up in a hospital from a coma when this all first started. My best friend took my wife and son with him trying to find safety. They met up with some others outside of Atlanta and when I managed to finally find them, my wife was sleeping with Shane and I don't know if that baby is mine or his." Daryl put down the bag of supplies and turned to stare at Rick. He really didn't know what to say to Rick.
Daryl cleared his throat awkwardly before giving Rick a half smile that probably looked like a grimace. "Well, I don' see yer wife or that rat now and tha' baby is gon' need you, take it from me biology ain't got nothin' ta do with being a good father or not." The two men shared a nod. Maybe this won't be so bad they both thought.
A few feet away, Sadie had stopped helping Carol organize the supplies to watch the two men bond. She was brought from her musings by Carol's laugh.
"Now I don't know Daryl, but that's the most Rick has talked at once since his wife died. You two are a godsend, I don't know how long we would've lasted if we hadn't ran into you today." Carol had a gracious smile on her face.
"Thank you, Daryl is a wonderful man, I see it and I'm glad someone else finally does too." Sadie liked these people but she wouldn't betray Daryl's confidence by giving away anything from his past that he wouldn't himself. The rest of the packing and organizing of the supplies was done quickly without much difficulty.
They all boarded the ferry and Rick began placing his gun and knife at Daryl's feet before urging the rest to do the same. Daryl took stock of the guns, knives, axes and other weapons at his feet though he made no move to touch them or to give them back, he just grunted and moved to start the ferry in the direction of the island.
During the journey back to the island, Sadie took the time to try to get to know her new house guests better. "So," she started somewhat hesitantly "what's your story?" she asked Maggie and Glenn who were seated across from her.
"I delivered pizzas in Atlanta when this all happened. I high tailed it out of there as soon as I could. I met Rick's wife and son, and Carol's family on the highway. When Atlanta was bombed we decided to get out of the area and made a camp at a quarry. We stayed there for a while before Walkers attacked and we lost a lot of people. Rick had found us by then and decided to try for the CDC, there was only one doctor left there. Jenner, he took blood samples and almost killed us when the generators ran out of fuel and the place self-destructed. He found out though, that we're all infected. When we die, we come back if our brain isn't destroyed." Sadie gasped and looked to Daryl who was staring back in horror at her.
"What d'you just say china-man?" Daryl demanded.
"I'm Korean" Glenn retorted but was unheard over Hershel's interjection.
"It's true, we've seen it. We've had to prevent it from happening." Rick's group looked glum as each thought of the horrible day when Lori went into labor while Rick, Glenn and Hershel were scouting out a safer place for them and Maggie, Beth, Carl and Carol were stuck delivering the baby.
"I shot my mom, after she had Judith. She didn't make it." Carl stated simply. Sadie looked at him in horror and pity while Daryl gazed at him with an understanding and kinship. The rest of the trip was silent. When they approached the island Rick looked on in awe and saw that his family did too.
"What is this place?" Beth, the youngest of Hershel's daughters asked in wonder.
"This is home." Sadie patted her arm reassuringly.
"Yeah," Rick muttered to himself softly, "yeah it is." Finally, he has finally found a safe place for his family, for his daughter. He just wishes he found it sooner for Lori. He watched silently as his people gathered supplies and followed Sadie off the ferry. The immediate area was surrounded by trees but the further inland they walked he could see that the forest gave way to a small village like place. He could see two finished homes ahead of them along with a few half-started ones. Sadie led them to the house furthers away.
"Daryl worked for the construction company that built these houses, but when the economy crashed, they pulled the funding and luckily enough when the world went to shit there were no people here, so no walkers." Sadie explained as she led them into the house and to the garage that she and Daryl kept a stockpile of their supplies.
"Y'all can put the bags here and we'll organize them as soon as I get y'all something hot to eat. There are three other bedrooms and an office that ya can bunk down at tonight and we'll see about maybe moving some of you into the other finished house soon." Sadie led them to the bathroom on the first floor.
"There should be everything you need in here, but if not look back into the garage and you should find plenty. There's another shower on the second floor and I can show y'all where you can sleep tonight."
"I am just thankful for a shower, I don't care if it's cold or with no soap" Sadie heard Carl mummer to his father.
"Conditioner, oh praise god, I never thought I'd be able to condition my hair again." Beth exclaimed excitedly.
Sadie continued to show the newcomers the house, pointing out spare bedrooms and the other bath.
They reached the end of the hall and Sadie gestured to a door "This is Daryl and mine's bedroom. I'll leave y'all to get settled while I go fix you up something to eat." Sadie smiled brightly to the group.
"Let us make dinner tonight, it's the least we can do for you and Daryl, you've been so kind to us." Carol offered.
Sadie smirked indulgently. "We appreciate that, but tonight, y'all will rest, tomorrow we'll worry about division of labor.
With that she left them to their own devices and went into the kitchen where Daryl was laying his fresh catches to make their new friends their first home cooked meal in over a year. Sadie walked up behind Daryl, hugging him with her chest to his back; her head nestled comfortably between his shoulder blades.
"I think we did a good thing today." Daryl heard Sadie whisper, he grunted and laid his knife down on the counter.
"I hope like hell, but what's keeping these folks from turning on us when our backs are turned or we're sleeping peacefully tonigh' huh, did ya think 'bout that Sadie, when yous was offerin' up a place ta stay?"
Sadie tightened her grip around his waist.
"These are good people Daryl, if they wanted us gone, we'd be gone. I know that you wouldn't have agreed to bring them here if you didn't trust them." Since that first night after Daryl rescued her on the I-95 she's never doubted him.
"Don't ya know, that I'd do anything for ya s'long as it was safe" Daryl said back softly. It wasn't often that he bared his emotions to her.
"I know, and I think that deep down you believe these people." Anything further was cut off by Carol entering the kitchen with the baby in her arms and a bag slung over her shoulder.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but I was just wondering if there was any way I could heat Judith's bottle up, give her some warm milk for a change." Carol asked quietly.
Sadie moved from Daryl. "Absolutely, we have a solar and water powered generator so the microwave works!"
"I never thought I'd be so happy for a microwave again." Carol smiled widely.
"Here, I can take her" Sadie offered and scooped Judith into her arms at Carol's nod.
"You're a natural"
"I was a nursing student when the dead rose. I was aiming towards neonatal actually. How about you, she seems awful comfortable in your arms."
Carol looked down from her spot in front of the microwave. "I had a daughter, Sophia."
"Oh, I am so sorry Carol, I shouldn't have.." Carol cut her off.
"Don't worry about it; we're just having a regular get to know you conversation. I know she's in a much better place now." The microwave dinged and Carol grabbed the bottle and took Judith to feed her. Sadie got up from her place at the bar and took the kills that Daryl had been silently cleaning to the stove.
"I hope y'all don't mind squirrel and fish, it's pretty much a staple here on the island" Sadie announced as she and Daryl brought the dishes to the dining room table.
"We are just thankful for a warm meal and your kindness." Hershel spoke up. "Would you mind greatly if I say grace before we eat?" He directed his question to Daryl who looked shocked but nodded quickly.
The group joined hands, Sadie watched as Daryl hesitantly placed his left hand in Carl's.
"Dear Lord, we thank you for Sadie and Daryl and for the great kindness and compassion they showed us today. We thank you for the safety You granted us and pray for the forming friendships blossoming at this table. In Jesus' name, amen."
"Amen" the group echoed.
"That was lovely Hershel, thank you" Sadie smiled brightly at the elder man who reminded her of her grandfather.
"This spread is amazing, are those carrots?" Beth was exuberant.
"Yes, we are blessed to have found a garden here and we added to it."
"What's in this lemonade, it's the best thing I've tasted in a long time." Carl greedily drank his glass as everyone laughed at the child's excitement.
"I sweetened it with honey and mint."
As the conversation continued Rick looked around the table at his family, laughing and smiling. They were finally safe.
"Are you okay Dad?" Rick looked at his son, his own eyes staring back at him in concern.
"Yeah, son, I'm alright." He placed his arm around his son, and for the first time in ages, he meant it.
They were alright.