Sorry for the delay in updating. But I (finally) bring to you the last chapter of this story. Because what better way to bring it to an end, right? (Sorry if it's kinda sappy, too.)

"We saw a cloud of black smoke a few months back. Thought it might have been you. But when we finally got there, we couldn't find anything but some charred bodies and walkers," Rick explained. He still held Judith in his arms as Carl walked beside him. The sight of a man who'd be damned if he was ever letting his children get separated from him again.

"We were there though. The house that caught fire," Carl admitted. He nodded to the new guy. "I saw that guy back in some town."

"Sergeant Abraham Ford," the man spoke. "And this here's my companion, Rosita." He nodded his head toward the brunette pigtails as her lips slowly curved upward into a small smile.

Daryl rolled his eyes. He couldn't help but wonder how Rick stumbled across them. Or how they managed to team up.

"So, we must have been pretty close to finding each other all along then," Rosita mused, scratching at her chin.

"I was there with Abraham..." Rick looked to his son. "Why didn't you guys say something?"

"I was by myself and... I couldn't see very well from where I was. Didn't want to risk it."

"You were by yourself?" Rick appeared floored.

"Daryl had been shot and the wound became infected," Maggie briefly explained.

Carl quickly added, "I offered. It was the only thing we could do. And I'm fine."

Rick vaguely shook his head, trying to piece everything together. He obviously had a lot to catch up on. "...What?"

By the time they'd come to a wall with a black iron looking gate in sight, Maggie and Carl had told most of what had happened while they'd been separated. The setup reminded Daryl of Mark's place that he had: a subdivision blocked off, protected. And without anyone saying a word, the gate opened.

First, there was a flash of blonde hair that poked out from around the gate. It didn't take long for Daryl to recognize Beth, nor did it take long for her to realize her returning group had grown in size. She ran from behind the safety of the walls, ponytail swinging and streaks of tears already running down her face.

"Maggie!"

If it weren't for Miles cradled in Maggie's arms, Beth would have probably knocked her to the ground in excitement. Instead, she still wrapped her arms around her. Just a bit more careful.

Maggie was already teary-eyed again at the sight of her sister, unharmed. She freed one arm to hug her back. She was speechless.

Daryl didn't miss the look on Beth's face when she took in Miles. She lit up like a Christmas tree, grinning ear to ear. And he certainly didn't miss the way her smile slightly faltered when she must have realized the baby was Glenn's. Because she looked to him then back to Miles, then Maggie.

Michonne was standing next to the gate, leaning against the wall. She had her arms crossed and a smile tugging at her lips as Daryl locked eyes with her. He nodded in recognition. Smiled a little himself.

The whole trek back, Daryl thought Glenn would have said more. Instead, he had been staring all googly-eyed at Maggie and Miles since they were reunited. Like he didn't know what to say.

Daryl walked ahead of them with Rick and Abraham not too far behind. They all made their way inside the gates before continuing onward with the reunion.

"Glad to see some familiar faces," Michonne commented.

Carl and Judith hugged Michonne as she laughed, having almost been knocked over by the two practically tackling her. And just like that, everyone already flung to their little cliques. Maggie huddled with Glenn and Beth while Carl and Judith clung to Michonne.

Daryl took a quick sweep around at the houses. There were at least ten, some single stories, others two stories. It looked pretty clean and put together. Fences all along the neighborhood to keep walkers out. It was obvious they had been working on it for a while, though it could still use some touching up.

There were a few other people who started to emerge from a couple different houses, but Daryl didn't recognize them. He turned back to Rick. "The others?"

Rick rested his hands on his hips as he averted his stare to the ground with a shake of his head. "Glenn saw Andrea go down. By the time we got out of there, if it wasn't the gunshots, it was the walkers… We couldn't ever find Carol or Tyreese."

Daryl vaguely nodded in understanding. Carol and Tyreese most likely didn't make it then. But it didn't mean they were dead either. They could still be out there.

"What's going on?" A different brunette woman slowly approached. Her hair was pulled back into a short ponytail, a stray strand hanging in her face. Another woman and little girl accompanied her. "Is this them?"

Rick perked up a bit with a nod. "This is them. Daryl, Maggie. My son, Carl, and my daughter, Judith." He pointed everyone out as he went along with a short introduction. "This is Tara, Lilly, and Meghan. We found them along the way."

Tara extended a hand as she tucked the stray hair behind an ear. "Nice to meet you. We've heard a lot about you."

Daryl shook her hand. He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Rick was pretty determined to find you guys," Lilly spoke up. "If it wasn't for him… Well, we wouldn't be where we are today."

"And same goes for us," Rosita butt in. Abraham muttered something under his breath and she jabbed her elbow into his side.

"Rick's good like that," Daryl admitted, stealing a glance at him. They each shared in a smirk.

After a moment's time, Rick offered, "How about we get you acquainted with the place?"

There was a knock on the door later that night once things began to calm down. Surprised, still not used to being reunited, much less having a house, Daryl answered it. He assumed that maybe it was Glenn. Maybe even Rick. So when he saw Maggie, he was shocked.

"You know... This doesn't change anything," she started. Smiled. "And if you don't mind, Miles and I would like to take up residence with you."

Daryl couldn't even find the words before Maggie stepped forward and planted her lips on his. When they broke apart, he noticed Rick wavering in the background, smiling himself. Daryl felt his face grow warm as he cleared his throat and allowed Maggie to slip passed him into the house.

"What's up?" Daryl inquired. It suddenly felt like old times, seeing Rick Grimes before him.

"I never thanked you. For everything you did," he paused. "So, thank you. I can't begin to tell you how much it all means."

"'M not one to break promises."

"I know." Rick nodded. He partially laughed. "Judith and Carl have proposed to have sleepovers. That is, if you're up for it."

Daryl smirked. "Somethin' you'd never think to hear." He nodded in return. "Yeah. Sleepover's good."

Rick lingered in the doorway a moment in silence. His eyes kept flicking passed Daryl into the house then back. He cleared his throat and Daryl felt his face flush again before Rick could get the words out. "We can catch up some other time. Just... Just know that I can't thank you enough."

Daryl extended his hand and Rick took it with a smile, pulling him into a one armed hug. When they broke apart, they shared in a nod of recognition before Rick retreated back toward his house.

Daryl shut the door. It felt so unusual to be in a house, to be reunited with everyone, and all be living in a small gated neighborhood. It was odd but it truly felt good.

There was a slight creak in the floor from somewhere behind him as he whipped around. Maggie crossed her arms in front of her chest, leaning against the wall half way down the hall. She smiled slightly.

"You take a tour of our new house yet?"

Daryl shook his head. "Not really." He paused, a bit of a smirk crossing his lips. "Our house, huh?"

Maggie closed the gap between them and playfully smacked his arm. "I told you. Finding the others, it doesn't change anything. I'm not leaving you."

"...Where's Miles?"

"With Beth and Glenn." Maggie's smile grew wider. "My sister's pregnant."

Daryl furrowed his brow. "Beth? With Glenn?"

Maggie partially laughed as she nodded her head. "My sister with my ex. But I'm happy for them. They look happy. My sister looks like she's glowing. And Glenn deserves it."

Daryl wanted to question that statement, but he was almost afraid to. Maggie wouldn't just say all of that to say it. She wouldn't lie. She actually wanted to stay with him and she was okay with her sister being with Glenn. Of course, Beth and Glenn being together, especially Beth being pregnant, was a big enough surprise on its own.

"Well... Since they have Miles for the time being, you wanna explore a little?" Maggie grinned. "I was thinking we could start with the bedroom. Get settled in."

Daryl scoffed. He mirrored her stance, crossing his own arms. If he didn't know any better, he'd think he was dreaming. Everything seemed too good to be true. He couldn't even find a smartass remark to make in return before she continued, quoting Daryl on his choice of words from previously:

"Now that we have a safe little community, maybe we can have a 'lovechild' of our own."