Existing Hearts

Chapter 9

Hey guys! Well here we go! I hope I do this justice, bring on chapter 9, and as always enjoy!

Rick stared at the women in front of him, one was real, but the other one couldn't be. Layla had been dead a long time, she couldn't be alive, she just couldn't. He stared at them both for a long moment before Layla spoke again.

''Daddy, It's me Layla I'm here. I didn't die. Daddy I'm alive.'' Layla says whilst gripping onto the fence.

He examines both of the women, both of them are covered in guts and Rick can't help but smirk inwardly at their smartness. He looks down at whats in his daughters hand and sees the red crate full of big tins of formula.

Layla watches her father with desperation as he stares her and Michonne down. Layla watches around her father and that's when she sees him. Her little brat running towards their father. She can't control her excitement as there eyes meet.

''Layla?'' Carl breathes as he comes towards the entrance of the prison gate.

Rick realizes then that his eldest daughter is actually here. He then begins mumbling Layla under his breath as he storms towards the gate.

A walker then turns towards Layla and begins snapping. Both her and Michonne then spring into action taking out the walkers as fast as they can. Layla spots Michonne struggling so she steps in front of her.

''I have your back.'' Layla states causing Michonne to nod at her as she takes out another walker.

Layla then comes towards the gate and grips onto her brother's hand through the fence.

''Hello darling.'' She breathes letting the tears fall.

Carl smiles at his sister, but then his expression changes as he scream. ''Go help her!'' He exclaims pointing towards a fallen Michonne.

''Shit!'' Layla exclaims taking her hand out of Carl's as she runs to save her friends life.

She hears the gate squeak behind her and then Carl is by her side shooting walkers. Layla looks down at her brother with a smirk and ruffles his hair before using her knife to take out a few walkers of her own. When most of them are down, Carl goes to pick up the basket that Layla had carried here. Layla then spots Hershel and Beth coming towards them. She frowns down at Hershel's missing leg but brushes it off as she crouches down by Michonne with her father.

''Is she bit?'' Hershel asks.

''No an asshole shot her.'' Layla says.

Rick then looks directly at his daughter and grips her hand firmly.

''You are really here.'' He breathes.

Layla nods still letting the tears fall. ''Yeah daddy I'm here.'' She chokes.

Rick smiles at his daughter and then pulls Michonne onto his back. He kisses Layla on the forehead as Carl closes the gate behind him.

''My gorgeous baby girl.'' Rick whispers into her forehead.

As soon as the gate is closed Carl jumps into Layla's arms and Layla can't help let her tears fall full flow. Rick, Hershel and Beth watch the reuniting siblings with love in their eyes.

''Layla, my sister.'' Carl cries into her shoulder.

''Yeah Carl, you're big sister is home.'' Layla says running her hands through his hair. ''Hey no crying okay?'' She says whipping them away.

Carl just jumps into his sisters arms and squeezes her tight. ''I'm so glad you're home. I knew walkers wouldn't be able to kick your butt.'' He says smiling at her broadly.

Layla kisses his forehead. ''Too right. Now let's get Michonne inside.'' She says getting up.

Layla then walks forward and hugs Hershel.

''Good to see you alive honey.'' He says.

''You too Hershel, I see you have your own battle scar there.'' She says referring to his leg.

''That's right, shows how tough I am.'' He says laughing.

Layla laughs before she smiles coyly at Beth. Beth smiles the same way back the pair hug each other tightly.

''Finally you made it home.'' Beth says.

''Sorry the bus was late.'' Layla says shrugging and laughing.

Beth laughs at her friend and the pair hold hands going back up towards the prison. Rick keeps looking back at his daughter making sure she is actually here. They then begin to run into the prison block and they stop.

''Carl lay out a blanket. Beth water.'' Rick instructs.

''Here.'' Carl says as Rick lays Michonne down on the floor.

''She's not coming in the cell blocks.'' Rick says.

Layla frowns at her father. ''Why not?'' She asks.

''Baby we don't know if we can trust her, you may be able to but I don't.'' He says.

Layla nods in understanding and just stands watching feeling like a spare part. Her group had progressed a lot over the months she had not been there.

''Who is she?'' Rick asks Layla before Michonne goes for her sword.

''Michonne don't struggle he's just trying to help you.'' Layla instructs giving Michonne a look.

''I'm not going to hurt you, unless you do something stupid first.'' Rick says holding Michonne back.

''Listen to my dad Mich okay?'' Layla asks her.

Michonne nods at her and holds back. Layla smiles at her dad and he nods at her.

''Rick?'' She hears someone question and Layla smiles to herself. ''Who the hell are they?'' He asks.

Layla see's Rick smile at her before he kisses her forehead again and then whispers in her ear. ''Go get him.'' He says.

Layla then turns her head towards Daryl's voice and smiles at her man's shocked expression. ''Don't recognize the back of my head now.'' She says letting the tears fall again.

She then stands up and watches Daryl look her up and down and taking a step forward. Layla takes a step forward also mirroring his movements. Daryl then looks directly into his eyes and storms forward taking her face in his hands and begins rubbing his hands down it delicately.

''Layla?'' He questions.

Layla nods the tears falling even more. Daryl's next move takes her by surprise as he roughly connects his lips to hers, Layla grips onto his wrists responding instantly to his lips. Eight whole months without them, she had forgotten how his kisses would send her into another world. He pulls away and presses his forehead to hers rubbing his hands down her body.

He then looks deeply into her eyes. ''I thought I'd lost you.'' He breathes.

Layla laughs through the tears. ''I thought I'd lost you.'' She stutters.

Daryl rubs his hands across her collarbone. ''I never stopped loving you, you know that right?'' He asks.

Layla nods. ''I never stopped loving you either. Not for a moment.'' She stutters.

Daryl smirks at her and then picks her up in his arms and spins her around. Both of them laugh lightly before Daryl puts her down.

''Come on, there is someone in here you need to meet.'' He says dragging her into the cell block.

She follows Daryl into where a bad looking Carol is sat.

''Daryl I already know Carol.'' She says smiling at her weakly. ''Hey Carol.'' She breathes.

''How?'' She breathes.

''Just hug me.'' Layla says.

So Carol does, Layla can feel how awkward it is, but she doesn't care it looked like Carol had been through a lot. Rick then proceeds to hug her.

''Found the poor thing hiding in a cell, dehydrated.'' He says placing an arm around Layla.

Layla cuddles into Daryl's arm and then Hershel hugs Carol. Then Beth and Layla see's it then, the little bundle in her arms. Layla looks up at Daryl and he kisses her forehead smiling down at her.

''Is that my?'' She asks.

''Your little sister yes.'' He breathes.

Layla feels a single tear fall she then grips the baby's hand. ''Hello little one.'' She says smiling. She then looks up at Daryl confused. ''Wait, where's my mum?'' She asks to everyone.

Rick takes Layla's hand and squeezes it tightly. ''She died giving birth to your sister.'' He stutters.

''What?'' Layla questions looking at him in disbelief.

''Maggie cut her open, we knew she would have to have a c-section, with and Carl both being delivered that way.'' Rick stutters again.

''No, no, no, no. Mama no, no, no. Mama not my mama.'' She screams falling to the floor as her legs give way without warning bringing Daryl down with her. ''Not mama out of all the people why her!'' Layla screams.

Rick places himself in front of his daughter and lifts her chin up. ''Baby look at me, look at me.'' Rick orders and Layla responds. ''She's here okay, she's always here.'' He says pointing to her heart.

Layla takes hold of his hands. ''Where is she? Where's her body?'' She asks.

Rick looks away from his daughter. ''A walker got her.'' He croaks.

Layla shakes her head tears surrounding her face. ''You dug her a grave right? Daddy please tell me she has a resting place.'' Layla asks.

Rick nods his head. '' Wouldn't have it any other way baby.'' He says squeezing her hand.

Layla then gets up, swiping her dads keys off his belt and makes a run for the door.

''Layla!'' Daryl exclaims beginning to go after her but Rick stops him.

''Let her grieve.'' He says and Daryl nods at him.

Layla ignores him and gets out of the cell block ignoring Michonne completely as she unlocks the door and makes her way outside. She shuts the door behind her firmly, knowing her dad wouldn't be impressed if she let Michonne out. She looks around frantically until she spots three graves lying in the field. She runs for them and collapses in tears in front of her mothers.

''You said you would never leave me. That was our deal mama, you said you were never going to leave me.'' Layla sobs dragging her fingers through the dirt. She sobs for several moments before she hears something.

''Baby I'm never going to leave you I'll always be here.'' She hears her mother's voice say.

Layla looks up and see's the faded figure of her mother in front of her. ''I never got to say goodbye to you.'' She breathes.

''Say it now.'' Her mother says.

Layla takes a deep breathe not letting the tears beat her voice. ''I know I treated you like shit sometimes mama and I lost my temper with you and called you a whore. But, I love you, my love for you never stopped and it never will. You're my beautiful mum, my hot mama.'' Layla laughs to herself. ''Why did that bitch in there survive and not you? You are so much stronger than that useless thing.'' Layla sighs.

Layla hears Lori tut at her. ''No baby, not now. Now you listen to me. I knew you were alive; a mother never stops believing her child is alive. You fight this world okay. You fight it and you win! Because that's the daughter, I know and love, she never gives up because you are strong honey! No Grime's woman is weak! This world is no match for you, you go out there and blow these motherfuckers to hell where they belong all right?'' She asks her.

Layla nods at her mothers words. ''I will mama, I promise.'' She breathes.

Lori smiles at her. ''That's my girl. Be the woman I raised you too be, you are my brave girl. Now I have to go now. Be strong my beautiful little girl. Baby I will always love you and never give up. Look after you daddy, brother and baby sister for me. I love you.'' And then the faded figure is gone.

This causes Layla to cry even more. ''I love you mama.'' She whispers.

Layla then cries to herself just staring at the cross in front of her. Then a person sits behind her and begins rubbing her shoulders. She knows its Daryl; he's the only one to ever touch her like this. He places his head in the crook of her neck and sighs wrapping his arms around her causing Layla to sink into his touch.

''I see you still have my shirt.'' He says.

Layla sighs and nods her head. ''I never took it off.'' She breathes.

''Michonne told us everything about the place you were at. We're going to get Glenn and Maggie. She said you wanted to make yourself known to them.'' He says.

''Yeah she had to hold me back. I wanted them to see me so much.'' She says.

Daryl squeezes her closer to him. ''Yeah she said, she said they got taken by the same asshole that shot her.'' He says.

Layla lets out a solid breath. ''Yeah, he's an asshole took me out with him and three idiots thinking I'd side with him. Dumb fucker.'' She says choosing not to say it was Merle, knowing what it would do to Daryl.

''Man I've missed you.'' He says taking off Layla's shirt, leaving her in her under shirt.

He begins to kiss her everywhere. '' I've missed your body.'' He breathes kissing her neck, causing Layla's breath to hitch.

Daryl then comes around to the front, kisses up her left thigh until he reaches her face, and kisses her passionately.

''Not in front of the dead.'' Layla says.

Daryl laughs. ''Come on your coming with me.'' He says picking her up off the ground.

''Where?'' She asks.

''To get Maggie and Glenn, you and the other woman know the way, might as well have two pairs of eyes instead of one.'' He says taking Layla's hand.

'' You've softened.'' She states.

''What?'' He asks glaring at her.

''You're more affectionate.'' She says causing Daryl to smirk at her. ''I like it, makes me love you even more.'' She says.

Daryl pulls her into his arms and they walk up towards the group with Daryl's arms wrapped around her. ''Plus I'm not leaving you when you're like this.'' He says. ''Not having you shut down on me.'' He says.

Layla chuckles. ''I have you to help me. Plus walkers better watch out, Layla Grimes is back.'' She says.

Daryl spins her around and kisses her firmly on the lips. ''Come on let's get Glenn and Maggie back.'' He says.

''Yes lets.'' Layla says as they come up to the car.

Rick approaches the two of them and Layla wraps her arms around her father. Rick kisses her forehead for the third time. ''That's my strong little girl.'' He says.

Layla smiles up at him. ''I'm gonna go and say goodbye to my sister.'' She says.

''Judith.'' Rick says.

Layla smiles. ''I'm going to say goodbye to Judith.'' She says walking over to Carol.

''May I?'' She asks.

''Of course Layla she's your sister.'' Carol says handing her Judith.

Layla smiles down at the bundle. ''Hello baby, I'm your sister Layla.'' The baby gurgles ''Yeah that's right your big sister Layla and I'm going to take care of you. No one is going to get anywhere near you, you hear me? No walker is going to get near you because your big brother and sister are going to protect you. Your daddy too and our whole group.'' She looks around her and Daryl approaches waving to the baby and kissing Layla's forehead.

''It's time to go beautiful.'' He breathes.

Layla kisses him lightly and hands Judith back to Carol. ''Look after her.'' She orders to Carol who nods.

Layla then sees Carl stood alone a sad look on his face. She presses her hand into Daryl's chest, walks over to Carl, and crouches in front of him.

''Me and dad will come back alright.''

''I know you will, it's just I just got you back.'' He says.

Layla puts a hand on his face. ''I'm coming back because right now we need each other more than anything. Mum would want that.'' She says.

Carl nods and then hugs his sister tight. They hug for a few moments before Layla pulls away. She approaches Daryl, kisses him quickly and then climbs into Shane's car.

When they set off Layla states the obvious. ''So we've lost Patricia, Jimmy, Shane, T-dog and Mum since I've been gone.'' She says.

Daryl frowns at her; she's in the middle of him and Oscar while Michonne and Rick sit in the front. ''Yeah Patricia and Jimmy in the heard at the farm, ya dad killed Shane before he could kill him. Lost T-dog the same time as your mum. He got torn to shreds by walkers.'' Daryl then explains the Layla everything she's missed and Layla listens to him with interest. She had missed so much that she almost felt bad that she was unable to help them through the struggle.

''I'm sorry I wasn't here.'' She says.

Daryl laughs. ''Not your fault you and Andrea got lost.'' He says.

'' Andrea's there.'' She says.

''Where?'' Daryl asks

''At Woodbury. She was getting pretty tight to the governor.'' Layla says with a smirk.

Daryl smirks at her knowing exactly what she means. ''You get tight with anyone?'' He teases.

Layla glares at him. ''No! Why would I when all I want is right here.'' She says.

Daryl kisses her quickly before Rick begins to pull up on the side of the road. They all climb out and Layla glares at the tall man who was sat next to her and Daryl in the car.

''I don't think we've met, I'm Layla.'' She says stretching out her hand.

Oscar smiles at her. ''Nice to meet you honey, I'm Oscar.'' He says.

Layla smiles. ''Nice to meet you too.'' She says.

''They have patrols. Better off on foot.'' Michonne says.

''Good call Mich.'' Layla says.

''How far?'' Rick asks.

''A mile, maybe two.'' Michonne confirms.

Layla takes her place next to Michonne so they can show, Oscar, her dad and Daryl where to go. They walk along a path keeping their eyes out for trouble. Then trouble finds them as walkers come out of nowhere.

''Rick.'' Daryl whispers.

''Down!'' Rick orders.

They all start coming and Layla gets out her knife.

''Keep formation, no bullets.'' Rick orders and everyone begins to take down the walkers.

Suddenly more and more come out of the trees so everyone runs until they see a cabin and they all run into it quickly.

''Man it stinks.'' Layla says holding her hand over her nose.

Walkers begin to bang on the door and Daryl pulls her away from it.

''Don't choose now to get stupid!'' He hisses at her.

Layla just glares at him and walks behind him, making sure nothing is going to jump out on her. She flashes her light on a dead dog and she pulls a disgusted face at it hiding her face in Daryl's chest. Her and Daryl then flash there lights on a bump underneath a bed sheet. Daryl signals everyone over and they pull it off revealing a man who looks at them all shocked. Daryl instantly shoves Layla behind him as the man goes loopy before Michonne kills him with her katana.

Rick looks at everyone and Layla knows he's getting an idea as the walkers continue to bang on the door.

''Daryl help me with the door.'' He says.

Layla looks at him wide eyed. ''You gotta be kidding me!'' She exclaims.

''Only way we are getting out of here baby.'' Rick says.

Layla turns away and walks with Oscar towards the back door to make sure it's secure. When they know it is everyone makes a run for it, the noise of the walkers ripping into the crazy man dimming as they run along.

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They now walk along a car, watching men patrol the now darkened streets. Layla sticks close to Daryl as they watch the men carefully. Layla then takes Daryl's hand and kisses it.

''I love you.'' She whispers.

Daryl smiles at her, thankful to have her back in his life, his one and only. ''And I love you, let's take these fuckers down.''

BOOM, BOOM AND BOOM! HURRAHS ! There you go my lovely readers! I hope I did a good job with this! Layla and Daryl are finally together again and it's staying that way! Thank you all so much for the response I had on the previous chapter it really made my week! Love you all so much so keep the reviews, follows and favourites coming, as they are my motivation! Much love and cuddles, Vmk-xx.