I lay flat on my back a few hours later on the bed in my cell, staring at the gray concrete overhead while I contemplated everything that had happened over the past few years to bring me here. The tears dried up awhile ago, and now I was fondly recollecting when Daryl and I first met, down by that creek while I was in my underwear all those months ago.

A lot has happened to that girl, I mused. She was so brash, over-confident and full of sass. Nothing like the whimpering mess she is now.

I rolled my eyes at the ceiling and the stupid pity party I was throwing. A lot has happened since that day at the creek. My friend died, I was kidnapped and almost raped, I'd turned into a master sharp shooter. And I fell in love.

Somewhere along the way, I fell hopelessly in love with the most insecure, oblivious, adorable redneck this side of the Mississippi.

I sighed, crossing my arms over my stomach to hug myself. I wasn't fair to him; I realize that now. I put too much pressure on him, and pinned all my hopes and dreams to a man who was used to having about as many commitments as a bird. I'd tried to tether him to the ground, when all he wanted to do was fly.

I owed him an apology and an explanation. He'd never asked for all my shit to be dumped on him, he'd never asked to be responsible for my happiness, for my wellbeing. He'd never really asked me for anything at all.

I sighed again before rolling up to sit on the edge of my bed. I could hear the sounds of the group gathered, enjoying dinner in the common room. That meant Daryl was probably up in the tower on watch, if he was back into his routine. I stood and walked out of my cell, debating. I could head down and pick up food for both of us, or I could just go directly to the tower and apologize.

While my mind still weighed the options, my feet had already decided, and before long I found myself at the base of the tower. I climbed to the top, pushing open the door and inhaling the scent of stale cigarettes. My eyes scanned the room. Empty.

My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach as the enormity of everything that has happened suddenly made my footsteps falter. I realized with a sense of dread that I had absolutely no idea what I was going to say to this man who had accepted all my crap without batting an eye, and stayed behind because his heart was big enough to forgive and forget all the crap he'd already accepted from his brother, before returning yet again to another round of shit being dropped on his shoulders.

I wasn't good enough for him. He wouldn't see it that way, but it was true. Despite how much he thrived, this world was not good enough for a man like Daryl Dixon. He deserved the moon, and instead received round after round of shit on top of shit. I swallowed, resolute. I would never add to his burden anymore. Never again.

I walked with purpose out to the balcony, and everything I'd just promised myself flew straight out into the night as the world tilted on its axis.

There he was, kneeling with his back to the railing, cigarette hanging out of his mouth as he smiled wryly, holding up a tiny little box in his right hand. "Thought ya got lost for a second there."

I gaped like a fish, my mouth opening and closing as I struggled to process what was happening before me.

"Dar-"

"Wait," he cut in roughly, holding up his other hand to hold me off. "Just wait. Got somethin' to say, and I'm fixin' to say it," his voice softer this time, hinting at just a bit of timidness.

I could only nod, eyes flitting between the closed box cradled in his large palm and the depth of emotion showing in his bright blue eyes.

"I ain't never planned on leavin' ya. Didn't matter how long it was gonna take, I was comin' back. I just… I just wanted ya both. Ya get that, right? I wanted m'brother and m'girl, and didn't think I was choosin' by stayin' behind."

I started to interrupt again, but he glared menacingly and shook his head no, holding up his hand as he continued. "What I tell ya about lettin' me go first for once?"

I bit my lip sheepishly, smiling a bit as I nodded for him to continue.

"Well alright then." And for the first time, I heard a smile in his voice, too. "Now. Like I said, I didn't think I was choosin'. I see now, that to you looked like I was. And it looked like I wasn't choosing you, and I'm real sorry for that. M'so sorry, Luc." His voice wavered on my name, and I opened my mouth but shut it tight when he widened his eyes in annoyance at me for daring a third time to attempt to interrupt.

"ANYWAYS… I was thinkin' of what I could do or say that would make ya understand and forgive me. And I was thinkin' that maybe, if I made ya a promise, it just might work. So here goes. I promise to never leave ya again, and if I'm gone, I promise ya it wasn't by choice, and I'll fight till I'm dead to get back to ya. I promise to keep ya belly full and ya body warm every night, for as long as we have. I promise to give my life for ya a thousand times if that's what it takes for ya to see. And I promise to love ya with every beat of my heart, till long past I'm dead and gone, till the world stops turnin' and the stars stop shinin'. I'll love ya even after then, and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure ya know it every hour of every day, and past that." His voice was a soft gravelly rumble by the end, and I felt the tears streaming down my face as my heart fluttered uncontrollably in my chest.

"Will ya have me? Will ya call me yer husband and allow me to call ya mine every day for the rest of time?" His voice shook as he carefully opened up the top of the box, and the dazzling solitaire nestled in crushed black velvet sparkled with the moonlight.

Time stopped as I stood there staring at that ring, tears flowing freely down my cheeks as the words he'd spoken sank into my heart. Good Lord, for a man who is usually so uncomfortable speaking, he'd delivered the most beautiful speech I'd heard in my entire life.

"Well? Will ya?" He was a bit nervous now, starting to squirm.

"Of course, you idiot," I grin like a fool through the tears as I tackle him to the ground, throwing my arms around his neck as I crush my body to his and hug him tightly. He chuckles and wraps his arms around me, burying his face in my neck and inhaling deep.

"I mean it. Every word," he mumbles into my hair before pulling back to wipe the tears from my face with the pads of his thumbs.

I'm smiling broadly as I nod up at him. I chuckle suddenly and duck my head shyly to brush my forehead against his broad shoulder. "What?" He asks me warmly, running a hand through my hair before sliding it down to my chin to tug it up to look at him.

"I was coming up here to apologize for making you feel stuck and for smothering you," I huffed as I look up at him, hesitation creeping into my voice.

He smirks before sitting back and pulling me to straddle his lap. "Well, g'on then," he says broadly, tipping his head back against the rail.

I giggle and then take his hands in mine. "Daryl Dixon," I begin softly. "I am so sorry for how I've treated you. I'm sorry for losing my way and forcing you to pick up the slack. I'm sorry for pushing you away. I'm sorry for making you choose. But mostly, I'm sorry for not telling you every day how much you mean to me, how much I love and appreciate you, how much I thank God every day that he sent you. You're the reason I wake up smiling each morning, the reason I go to bed happy each night. And each day I have with you, whether it's fifty or five thousand, each day for the rest of our lives, I promise to try to make you feel half as loved and cherished as you should. Because you should. You deserve it." Tears are clouding my eyes again, and his voice is husky as he grunts at me.

He leans down to press a soft kiss to my lips, and the depth of emotion rolling in me and rolling off of him is enough to make my breath catch and my heart pound clear out of my chest. He pulls back slowly before brushing the tip of my nose with his. "Don't ya wanna see what I got ya?" He smirks at me, but I hear the nervousness in his voice and smile wide.

I hold my left hand out in front, and he slips the ring onto my finger. It is so beautiful I can scarcely breathe- a large square-cut solitaire in a white-gold band. "D'ya like it?" He is shy, and in that moment looks twenty years younger as he nervously watches my face for approval.

"I love it, so so much," my voice breaks at the end, and I throw my arms around his neck to kiss him soundly.

"What, did you and Merle rob a jewelry store on your way back?" I ask him teasingly, tilting my head back to look into his eyes.

He snorted, shaking his head. "Somethin' like that." He's being deliberately vague, and I poke a finger into his ribs.

"C'mon, husband," I tease, testing out the word on my tongue and deciding that I will never get tired of saying it. "Spill."

"Alright, wife," he drawls exaggeratedly, and I can see by the twinkle in his eyes that he feels the same. "When me'n Merle were fixin' t'leave, he was ribbin' me 'bout havin' a girl waitin' on me an' shit. An' so I told him a bit about you, and punched the shit outta him once or twice. An' while we was walkin' back, he passed this town with a jewelry shop, an' he joked that we should stop in an getcha a ring to make up for takin' so long to come back. So… I did."

I'm smiling so wide my cheeks start to hurt, and I bring my lips to tenderly press against each of his cheeks, his forehead, and finally the tip of his nose. "I'm going to love you so hard it hurts, for the rest of your life and beyond, Mr. Dixon," I whisper lovingly, eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

"Right back a'cha, Mrs. Dixon," he whispers back, eyes shining into mine.

And for the first time in a long time, I feel home.