Summary: Betrayed by two people Daryl thought he could trust, he now stays with the group for Carol, Carl, Beth and Judith. When he befriends Allana a young woman whose life has been destroyed because of the Governor, he forms a strange bond with her over the grief of loosing loved ones at the hands of the ones they thought they could trust. Co – written with NadWri. Warning Character Death mentioned at beginning of chapter one.
No Rest For The Wicked
Chapter 25
They were both awoken early the next morning, when Carly came running into their room and jumped on the bed excitedly. "Mommy! Daddy! Mommy Rowan says its Christmas soon! Can we go find a tree?"
Daryl smiled at Carly as he pulled her towards him and Allana "Of course we can darling." He said as Lily cooed.
"Can I get her?" Carly asked quietly.
Allana smiled reassuringly at her. "Of course you can."
Carly beamed and gently picked up Lily as she brought her over to Allana so she could feed the hungry baby.
Lily latched onto her right nipple, making sucking noises.
"I have the best little sister in the world," Carly grinned up at them as Daryl ruffled her hair. "What can I get the others for Christmas?"
Allana grinned at her "We can make them home made presents sweetie." She said as they all got ready for breakfast, Allana put on a pair of thick black tights over her panties as she pulled on a dress and felt Daryl come up behind her.
He wrapped his arms around her waist as she tilted her head back and smiled. "Someone's in a cuddly mood this morning."
Daryl smiled "I'm just lucky to have ya and our girls Allana." He said kissing her hard on the mouth as his hands rested on her hips.
"We're lucky to have you too," she smiled back at him, running her hands up his chest before resting them on his muscled arms. "More than you know."
Daryl kissed her again before they went downstairs to join the others for breakfast when they saw it was snowing heavily outside with twelve inches of snow already there.
"Can we all go play outside?!" Ethan asked excitedly, looking at all the adults.
"Sure we can but wrap up warm." Rick said and the kids hurried off to put on their coats, scarves, hats and gloves on.
Once they were all ready, the kids took the adults outside. Carol stayed behind to watch after the little ones, worried that it might be too cold for them. Elle, Carly and Sarah began to make a snowman in the corner, as David yelled out the words that no one wanted to hear.
"SNOWBALL FIGHT!"
All hell broke loose with Caleb and Billy throwing snowballs at Rick, Rowan, Ethan and Carl while Daryl avoided being hit by Elle only to have a snowball thrown at him by Carly that hit him in the face.
Axel was hit by Duane, and Morgan had snow put down his shirt by Sarah. The kids were yelling with excitement.
Allana laughed as Daryl came walking towards her, grumbling, with wet hair, and an icicle running down his cheek.
"Ya laughing at me, woman?" Daryl teased and they started chasing each other before Daryl threw a snowball at her at her as they fell on the cold ground.
Daryl reached down to brush the snow from her cheek as her hair was fanned out against the snow. She smirked up at him, before kissing him quickly. "You're gonna have hell to pay for this later, Dixon."
He smirked at her. "I'm looking forward to it darlin'." He said as they all headed inside.
"I've made some soup to heat everyone up," Carol smiled, as she handed everyone their lunch. "And I thought we could decorate once we're all finished."
Everyone laughed in agreement as they ate their hot soup.
"Do you think Santa Claus will still find us this year? Do you think he's still alive?" Carly asked as she ate quietly.
Daryl smiled at her. "Course he will." He said softly as they gathered the plates.
Allana helped Carol and Maggie do the dishes, as Rowan brought out a bag of decorations she found in a cupboard that must have belonged to the previous owners. "Alright, let's see what we have in here..."
"We have baubles, tinsel, and holly." Rowan said looking through the bag and pulled out a lot of Santa hats.
"Shall we dress up to decorate?" Rowan asked with a smile.
"Hell no," Daryl snorted, rocking Lily gently back and forwards.
Allana took one of the hats from Rowan and placed it on Daryl's head before he could do anything, smirking down at him. "I think you look cute."
Daryl smirked at her and put one on her as they all put on the hats; even the little ones had hats on.
Allana began putting up the lights while Maggie put up wreaths.
"It looks real Christmas-y in here with the fire on and everything," Axel smiled as he hung up some tinsel around a mirror.
"Better than last Christmas, that's for sure," Carol said quietly, remembering how they had spent it in a cold house, with Lori pregnant, little to eat, and barely anything to heat themselves with.
Axel hugged her as a happy Sarah came in holding decorations.
"I found some more," she smiled happily, emptying the bag in the middle of the floor, as all the kids rushed around to pick something to hang up.
Soon the house was decorated with Christmas decorations and laughter.
"It looks more like Christmas in here than it does in Santa's Grotto," Daryl chuckled quietly, and had somehow managed to end up with tinsel around his neck.
Rick laughed "I know right." He said as they moved the tree in the living room.
The kids decorated the tree in no time, before Carol had them into the kitchen for dinner. She had made a chicken dinner and baked cakes for afterwards, having decorated them to make them look more Christmas like.
Rick felt a sense of peace wash over him as he looked at his family with Rowan next to him.
He hadn't felt like a part of a family so much since he first met Lori and they had Carl together. Everything seemed to have gone downhill from there.
Allana stood up from the table with Lily, who was waving her arms around at the other children. "She's getting tired; I'm going to go put her down for a bit. I think all the excitement of the decorating wore her out."
They all nodded and said good bye to Lily as Allana took her upstairs to bed.
"Hey, my little sleepy girl," Allana said softly as she placed Lily in her crib and sat down beside her. "You want mommy to read you a story?" Allana smiled as she got up and walked over to her bag, pulling out one of the kids book she had gotten at the bookstore. She flicked through the pages looking for one Lily might enjoy.
She found one about fairies, "Once upon a time in a kingdom called Eros there was a fairy called Isobel."
"Isobel was kept locked up in a castle, by a giant, who wanted to use the fairies magic as his own."
"But a hunter named Dawson heard her singing in the meadow and became friends with her."
"One day, while the giant was away from his castle, they came up with a plan, where Dawson was going to help her escape from the evil giant."
"But a woman, who had heard them, told the giant who was enraged and attacked Dawson."
"Dawson managed to fire an arrow into the giant's chest and killed him, but Dawson had many injuries and he too was dying. Isobel used all the power that she had to try and save him."
"They fell in love and married and had children". She said softly.
"And they all lived happily ever after?" Daryl was smirking at her from the doorway.
"Pretty much, yeah," she smiled, as they looked down at their baby daughter who was now fast asleep in her crib. "Quite predictable, huh?"
Daryl chuckled. "We'll be alright."
"If only our lives were a fairytale," she said quietly, leaving the book down beside Lily's crib.
Daryl watched her, before looking down at Lily who was smiling in her sleep. "Close enough."
Allana smiled at Daryl. "Hold me?" She asked softly.
He walked over to her and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her tightly to him. He rested his hands at the bottom of her back, as she brushed her cheek against his. "That's better," she sighed happily.
Daryl sighed as he held her. "I love ya." He said softly.
"I love you too," she smiled up at him, running a hand through his shaggy brown hair. "My perfect man."
Daryl smiled at her. "My perfect woman." He said running a hand through her hair.
"And our perfect little girl," Allana smiled, looking over at Lily. She ran her hands up Daryl's arms as he leaned forward to place a kiss on her cheek. "You know... we haven't tried out the bath in here yet."
Daryl growled and picked her up as they headed into the bathroom and shut the door.
"Now, now, Mr Dixon, don't get ahead of yourself," she smiled innocently as he put her down. "I was just suggesting a simple bath, nothing else."
He smirked at her as she turned the water on. "I'll make ya change yer mind."
She laughed and pulled off his shirt as he went to pull off her dress, touching the necklace as he did when Allana spoke.
"I got you a necklace with all of us in a photo."
"Really?" Daryl asked touched.
"Uh huh, I'll give it to you when we're out of here." She grinned widely and he pulled her against him, tilting her head to the side so he could kiss her deeply.
She gripped his dark brown hair as they kissed passionately.
Once the bathtub was full, he picked her up and gently set her in, before climbing in beside her and lying next to her in the hot water. She lifted a leg over his waist and felt his hardness pressing against her thigh. "Hmm... someone's getting excited," she smirked, running her hands up his chest.
Daryl growled as he ran his hands over her chest and took in her right breast in his mouth.
"Mmm," she moaned softly as he swirled his tongue over her nipple, his other hand coming up so he could pinch the other. He kissed his way up her chest and over her throat, before connecting his lips to hers again, his tongue licking at her lips, demanding access. "Daryl..." she panted into his mouth."I want you."
"Ya have me baby." Daryl said as he slid a finger in her wet core, tickling her nub.
"Oh, God..." she shivered underneath his touch, her body craving more as she rose her hips up to push into him.
Daryl kissed her hard on the mouth as he slid into her, his cock stretching her tight walls.
"Yes! Daryl..." she moaned his name against his lips, as he began to move, slowly at first, but soon picking up a pace, her hips meeting his as he held tightly onto her.
Daryl looked at Allana then and groaned low in his throat, her hair was wet and curled around her face.
"Mine." He growled slamming into her.
"I'm yours... yours forever," she said breathlessly as her hands squeezed his tightly.
"Let go for me girl," he whispered into her ear, as he ran a hand through her hair.
Allana felt herself let go and felt him spill inside her.
She held him tightly to her as they recovered, both of them breathing heavily as they came down from their high.
Daryl brushed her wet hair out of her eyes. "Told ya I'd make ya change yer mind."
She laughed as they stepped out of the shower to get dry and dressed for bed but went downstairs to talk to the others.
"Mommy, Martinez is going to take us sledging tomorrow," Carly said excitedly, running over to sit on Allana's lap.
Allana smiled at her, "Is he sweetie?" She asked.
"Yes mommy," she beamed happily. "Will you and daddy come and watch?"
"Of course we will." Allana said warmly as Daryl sat down next to them.
"You want to write yer letter to Santa?" Daryl asked Carly softly.
Carly smiled then "No daddy I don't need to because I have all of you." She said smiling as Daryl pulled her in for a hug.
Allana felt her heartstrings being pulled as she watched the two of them, and a wide smile spread across her face. "We're all right if we have you all too," she said softly,
As if sensing her emotions, Daryl pulled her and Carly into a hug as the cats came hurrying in.
"Hey Tinkerbelle," Carly smiled, bending down to scoop her up.
"Did something scare them?" Allana asked as she looked at the cats. "They came running in pretty fast."
"I don't know." Carly said then she saw that Patch was holding something in his mouth.
It was a mouse.
"EWW! GET IT OUT!" Carly screeched, jumping up from Daryl's lap and running to the other side of the room.
Daryl chuckled. "Hey look, he brought ya a present. He's early for Christmas."
Carly didn't find it as funny and looked at the cat disgusted. "DADDY! Get it out!"
Daryl looked amused then before any of them knew what was going on, Patch dropped the mouse and it ran through the cat flap. Carly grabbed him before he could chase the mouse.
"Bad Patch," Carly said, picking up the cat, and taking him through to the utility room where the cats' beds' were. "We don't eat mice."
Daryl laughed as he watched her go.
"Carly's giving Patch a right telling off." He said as Flynn sat at Daryl's feet wanting a stroke.
"Yeah, I don't think she's a fan of mice," Allana smiled, as Daryl leaned forward to stroke Flynn, running his hand through his fur, before scratching behind his ears.
The two of them sat in comfortable silence, as Rowan, Carol and the others put the kids to bed. Daryl pulled Allana in close to him, and she snuggled up into his body heat. "Someday, when we have some time alone," Daryl whispered softly, kissing down her cheek. "I wanna make love to ya in front of the fireplace."
Allana felt her body stir at Daryl's revelation and she pressed into him, "We can do that tomorrow." She said curling into him as she touched his leather jacket.
He stroked her soft hair as she cuddled into him, resting her hand in his own. "Can I ask you something?" she asked after a minute of silence.
"Sure ya can."
"Did you uh... did you have a girlfriend when all of this started? Were you dating, I mean?"
Daryl sighed quietly "Never met the right woman until I found ya." He said quietly.
She smiled up at him, and kissed him softly. "What about you?" He asked. "Were ya seein' anyone?"
Allana sighed "The guys I went out with didn't stay long after they found out who my brother was." She said softly.
Daryl watched her carefully for a moment, before leaning in and kissing her hard. "Good, 'cause yer mine now."
She kissed him back. "That's good because your mine now as well." She said as more snow started to fall down.
"I love the snow," she said softly, smiling as she looked out the window. "Dad, Dylan and I used to make lots of snowmen." She paused for a minute. "...then Sean would come and kick them down."
Daryl hugged her. "Merle, Lily and I would go sleighing down the hill and make snowmen." He said thinking of his dead siblings.
"I'm sure they're all here in spirit," she said softly, before yawning.
"Come on, let's get ya up to bed," Daryl said, standing and lifting her into his arms.
They said good night to the others and went into their room where Lily was sound asleep with Sam sitting underneath her cot protecting her.
"She looks so peaceful," Allana smiled, pulling back the covers so that she could climb into bed.
Daryl smiled as well "She's our angel." He said getting into the bed.
"She is." Allana agreed lovingly.
"Maybe we'll have another one soon," he said softly, rolling over and rubbing her flat stomach.
Allana smiled softly. "I'm looking forward to you making love to me in front of the fireplace." She said softly running her hands over his chest.
"I'm looking forward to it too," Daryl said with a wicked grin.
She kissed him softly on the cheek. "You better rest up then, big boy," she chuckled quietly. "Goodnight, Daryl."
Daryl watched her fall asleep and whispered.
"Goodnight sweetheart."
Carly came bouncing in the morning, waking up Allana and Daryl. "Mommy, Daddy! Are you ready to go sledging?"
"Course we are darlin'." Daryl said as Allana got up to feed Lily.
Allana looked at Daryl as she got Lily out of her crib. "You think she's ready for her first time out in the snow? I mean, we have plenty of winter clothes we could wrap her in."
Daryl looked at her and smiled. "Yeah, she'll be fine." He said smiling as they got dressed and headed downstairs.
Martinez had all of the kids swarming around him, desperate for him to finish breakfast so that they could get out in the snow. Finally, he gave in, and went with Sasha helping him to get the stuff ready.
Carol smiled at Lily, who was wrapped up like a Christmas present, with Allana worrying about her getting cold. "Is Lily getting her first outing in the snow?"
Daryl smiled. "Yeah, she's gonna help Daddy build a snowman."
Allana smirked at Daryl as they all headed outside to play in the snow cheering and laughing as the dogs ran out.
Allana stood and observed the snowman Daryl had made. "Very artistic, Daryl," she laughed, as he finished it off with a hat they had found in one of the cupboards.
Daryl chuckled at her and looked at the one Allana had made with Carly, Sarah and Caleb. It had on a pink scarf, matching gloves and a hat.
"Hey Lily, what'cha think?" Daryl asked, smiling at his daughter. "Our snowman kick's their snowman's ass."
Lily laughed and pointed at both of the snowmen as she started to play with the snow as Duke barked at the woods warningly.
"Is there someone out there?" Rick asked worriedly.
"I dunno, but my daughters out here," Daryl said, handing her over to Allana. "So we're gonna check it out."
Rick nodded in understanding and they went into the part of the woods that Duke had barked at to get a shock.
It was Eliza and Louis, Morales and Miranda's children.
"Eliza? Louis?" Rick asked shocked. The two kids looked at him worried, and started to back away. He held up his hands. "It's alright, kids. It's me. Rick Grimes? We were friends with your mother and father at the quarry."
Louis stepped forward and recognition flashed over his face. "Sheriff Grimes? Carl's dad?"
Rick nodded. "That's right. Where are your mom and dad?"
At the mention of their parents, Louis began to cry as Eliza said tearfully "The Governor and this other group killed them when they tried to get away with us." She said shakily.
"Oh, sweetheart, why don't you both come back with us?" Rick asked kindly. "We have a home; can get you some food and clothes. Carl is there."
Louis and Eliza nodded and followed Rick and Daryl to where the house was when Daryl noticed Eliza was wincing whenever she moved her legs.
He crouched down next to her. "Ya ok sweetheart?" He asked gently.
Eliza blinked. "No, Mr Dixon I don't feel well." She said before collapsing.
"Fuck, get Hershel!" Daryl called out as he scooped her up into his arms, and carrying her up into a spare bedroom.
Carol came rushing in behind him. "What happened to her?"
Daryl shook his head. "Don't know but their parents are dead. Where's Allana?" He asked as Allana came up with Lily.
"Is she OK?" Allana asked worriedly, noticing the young girl lying on the bed. "Do you know them?"
Daryl nodded. "They were with us when we were in the quarry." He said as Hershel came out looking upset.
"Louis is fine, Maggie, Sasha and Beth are taking care of him but Eliza is very ill... There are signs of sexual abuse." He said disgust in his voice at the men who had hurt Eliza.
"Oh God," Allana said quietly, sitting down beside the young girl, feeling physically sick. She knew all to well what she had gone through. She reached out to stroke Eliza's hair softly as she looked back at Hershel. "Is she going to survive?"
Hershel sighed. "I don't know to be honest, we have the medicine and it all depends if her fever drops." He said sadly as Rick came in.
"Louis told us about a group that done this to him and his sister," he said quietly, sitting on a chair. "From how he described... I think it was the same group that was after us. Louis and Eliza managed to escape, and have been alone in the woods for quite some time now."
Daryl looked away. "Fuckin' bastards." He spat reaching out for Allana and she walked over to him as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I ain't ever gonna let anyone touch ya or Lily," he whispered into her hair.
She pulled back to stroke his cheek softly. "I know baby, I know."
Rick looked at them all then. "No one leaves the house unless they are with someone and we go with the kids when they wanna feed the horses." He said firmly and everyone nodded.
"Alright let's all get ready for bed." He said and walked away when Daryl spoke.
"Meet me at the fireplace." He said kissing her.
She gave him a quick smile, before she went back to her and Daryl's room to put Lily to bed. She laid her in her crib, and pulled the blanket up so that she was nice and warm. "Goodnight, sweetheart," she said softly, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. "I love you."
Lily cooed at her as she pulled on a black nightgown with lace detailing on the front, she pulled on a black kimono with silver roses on it as she walked downstairs to the living room where Daryl was waiting for her.
Daryl had built up the fire, so the flames were burning nicely, as she walked over towards him and wrapped her arms around him. "Hey baby, she said softly, leaning up to kiss him on the lips
Daryl kissed her hard but softly on the lips as they fell onto the blankets, he propped himself on top of her as he sucked at her neck.
"Let's just hope no one needs to come back downstairs for anything," she smiled up at him.
Daryl got up off her, and walked over towards the door, locking it. "Problem solved." He smirked down at her as he sat next to her on the ground, slipping his hands into her kimono and sliding it off, kissing her bare shoulders once they were exposed.
He touched her shoulders softly as the fire illuminate her soft, creamy ivory skin as she kissed him with all the love she had. Daryl wrapped an arm around her waist as she wrapped her legs around his muscled waist.
She slowly unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it away from him, as her fingers fumbled with the buckle on his belt, helping him out of the jeans. He looked down at her face, her beautiful eyes sparkling from the light of the fire. "This is better than I imagined it was going to be," he said softly, leaning down to kiss down her throat and chest.
Allana moaned. "Anything with you is perfect." She said as he kissed her throat with rough kisses when he was done there, he kissed her collarbone, his tongue lightly licking at her gently causing her to get wetter as she rubbed her inner thighs to get some friction. Daryl's body glowed from the fire and his scars seemed very primal making him look all the more appealing.
He was hers, her husband, lover, best friend and the father of their daughter.
"I love you," she breathed out as his hands ran over her skin, aching with need for him.
Daryl looked at her with primal need. "I love ya too, let me touch ya Allana." He said kissing her breasts with his rough tongue.
Allana tilted her head back. "Daryl!" She moaned softly, her red curls flying around.
"I'm here, darlin'," he whispered huskily, as his teeth scraped against her nipple, making her body shudder in pleasure underneath him.
She ran her hands down his back, and his sides, as she looked up into his eyes. "I want to feel every part of you beside me, baby."
Daryl looked at her intently. "Alright." He said softly as he lowered his head to her hot, wet core and slid a finger inside her as he flicked her clit.
Allana grabbed a fistful of blankets as Daryl touched her core, her legs shook.
He used his other hand to steady her thighs, lightly applying pressure to keep her still. His tongue continued to work on her, making her squirm underneath him.
He looked up and smirked at her as he licked his lips. "Good?"
She nodded. "Wonderful." She replied as he slid inside her and grasped her right hand where her wedding ring was as she slowly rocked her hips in time with his rough thrusts.
"MINE!" He growled near her right ear as his thrusts got harder as she wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, her arms wrapping around his neck.
"All yours, baby," she panted out, as her nails dug into his back, her arms tightening around him. She attempted to pull him even closer with her hands pressing into his back, so he was completely pressed into her. "I need you so much, Daryl."
Daryl growled as he pressed her further into his body, "I need ya too, baby." He said breathless as he kept on pounding into her harshly, their hips slapping against each other when he spoke.
"Turn around Allana." He rasped roughly as he turned her around so her back was facing him.
He gripped her hands and stretched them above her head, as he slid into her from behind. She let out a loud moan as he hit even deeper from this position. He leaned forward to kiss the back of her neck, his teeth nipping lightly at the skin, as he picked up a pace again.
"Oh... Daryl." she moaned his name, her words muffled into the blankets as she squeezed his hand tightly.
Daryl pounded her hard as he wrapped his right arm around her stomach and left trails of kisses up her spine causing her to shudder when he spoke huskily.
"I wanna see ya pregnant with my baby, Allana and Christ I just wanna touch ya." He confessed as his cock slammed into her tight walls.
Allana tilted her head back so that she rested against Daryl's right shoulder, "I want that too."
"And we'll have it," he said softly, as her hands gripped his even tighter, feeling herself near the edge. He kissed the skin behind her ear, his tongue darting out to lick a trail down the back of her neck. "Cum for me, sweetheart."
She clenched around and moaned his name softly as she came on his cock, her body shaking as he spilt his seed into her warm womb and collapsed on top of her, groaning her name.
Her hands pressed into his waist tightly as he pulled her into him, his body still shaking from the intensity of his orgasm. "That was amazing, Daryl," she whispered softly.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, and Daryl groaned in response, already feeling himself becoming hard again. "Ya got no fuckin' clue how insane ya drive me."
Allana smiled at him gently "Come on let's get in bed." She said softly as Daryl put out the fire and they got into their sleep clothes as they went upstairs.
She smiled down at Lily when they got to their room. "I still can't believe how perfect she is," Allana said softy, pulling back the covers on the bed so that they could climb under them.
Daryl smiled softly "She's beautiful, just like her mama." He said as they got under the sheets, he wrapped his arms around Allana tightly.
"She has some of her daddy in her too though," Allana smiled, as she stroked his arm softly. "I wondered... What could we make her for her first Christmas?"
He looked at her. "I was thinking about carving her a wooden horse." He said shyly as he looked at Allana who had a warm smile on her face.
"I think she'd love that," Allana said softly, placing a kiss on his cheek. "Where did you learn to do all that kind of stuff?"
Daryl looked at her. "I always like carving stuff and after I got my crossbow, I started making things out of wood." He said thinking back on his childhood.
Allana smiled softly, as her fingertips brushed over his skin. "She's lucky she has such a talented daddy."
Daryl grinned back. "I can't wait until I can teach her all sorts of things when she's older."
"Like hunt, kill walkers and be brave." She said tenderly as she lay on Daryl's chest as her eyes fluttered.
"Just like her parents," Daryl said softly as he kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams sweetheart. I love ya."
"Sweet dreams Daryl, I love you too." She said tenderly kissing him and fell asleep.
The next morning Rowan went to check on Eliza only to realise with horror that she wasn't breathing.
She tried CPR but it wasn't working. "C'mon Eliza, c'mon." She pleaded giving her mouth to mouth but she still didn't breathe.
Rowan began to sob then, crumpling on the floor as she sobbed over Eliza's death.
Allana, who had been awake feeding Lily heard the noise, and came running into the room. "What's happened?!" she asked alarmed, crouching on the floor next to Rowan.
"She's dead," Rowan choked out, gripping onto Allana's hand. Allana felt her own eyes burn with tears, before one slowly fell down her cheek. "How do we tell her brother?!"
"I don't know Ro but we'll tell Louis soon but we have to deal with Eliza, she going to turn." She said as Rick, Daryl and Hershel came in.
"What's wrong?" Daryl asked worried crouching down next to Allana.
"She's dead Daryl," Allana said softly, allowing him to help her to her feet. "Eliza's dead. And someone's going to have to make sure that she doesn't turn."
Daryl felt his heart ache as he looked into the bedroom to see Eliza lying limply on the bed, her skin deathly pale against the sheets.
He hugged her. "Its ok, it ok darlin'."
Rick took a breath. "I'll do it." He said pain in his voice.
Daryl pulled her head against his chest as Martinez helped Rick carry the body out of the house, so Rick could end her pain for good.
A worried looking Carly came up to Allana and Daryl in the hallway. "Mommy, Daddy... what's wrong with that girl?"
Allana and Daryl took Carly into their room. "I'm sorry sweetie but she died during the night and is now in heaven." Allana said softly stroking Carly's dark brown wavy curls.
Carly sniffled. "Daddy Rick put her to sleep so she won't turn, that's why she's outside?" She asked her adoptive parents.
Daryl nodded. "That's why, sweetheart."
Carly snuggled into them both, feeling safer when she was beside them. "Who did that stuff to her?"
"Bad men that took ya sister." Daryl said softly as Carly fell asleep.
Allana sighed. "That poor girl and her poor brother." She said sadly.
"Has anyone told him yet?" Daryl asked quietly.
Allana shook her head. "Rick said he was still asleep, but I don't know how he's going to take it when he wakes up. Losing his parents and his sister... all the family that he had."
Daryl knew this had to bring painful memories back for Allana "It's ok, ya get some sleep." He told her softly hugging her tightly.
Allana kissed his stubbled right cheek, "I love you." She said falling asleep.
She woke an hour or so later, feeling her stomach churn. She broke out of Daryl's grasp and headed straight for the bathroom, emptying up her breakfast into the toilet, and wiping the back of her mouth. "Damn," she mumbled, feeling even more tired than an hour ago.
"Ya OK?" Daryl asked as she re-emerged from the bathroom.
Allana nodded "I'm fine." She assured him as they got ready and headed downstairs to talk with the others while the kids played.
"Has Louis woken up yet?" Rowan asked softly, her eyes red from crying.
Carol nodded. "Rick and Hershel told him, it was horrible but he doesn't blame you sweetie. He knows you tried." She said hugging her as Rick came in.
"How is he?" Daryl asked.
"About as good as can be expected," Rick replied softly. "Carl is still with him now, they were pretty good friends back at the quarry."
Daryl nodded "At least he's got people who care about him." He said as they all sat down.
"What do we do Rick?" Morgan asked Rick quietly.
Rick sighed. "Honestly I don't know." He said tiredly.
"We'll be behind you, whatever you decide," Glenn said softly, and everyone else nodded in agreement.
"I want to kill the bastards who did this," Rick admitted honestly. "But I can't... I won't put us all in danger again."
They all nodded in agreement as they remembered the Governor and went their separate ways with Rowan going outside for some air as she rocked Callum.
"I love you so much Callum." She said softly before a gun was pressed to the back of her head.
"Put down the baby and come with us bitch." A menacing voice said harshly.
Rowan felt the fear flood through her body as she swallowed hard. "Alright... just please don't hurt my baby."
She laid down Callum in the snow, hoping to God someone would find him before a walker did, or he froze to death, before turning to the man with a gun to her head.
The man moved his gun to her stomach as he dragged her to the road were a black SUV was and shoved her in the boot, tying up her arms and ankles.
"Don't worry baby I'll take good care of you." The man drawled cruelly as he headed to the front of the car and drove off just as Rowan dropped her ring on the floor so someone would see.
Meanwhile Callum began to cry.
"Do you hear something?" Maggie asked sitting in the kitchen.
"It's probably just an animal," Glenn said softly, pulling her in closely to him.
"No, it's not. I'm going to check it out."
Maggie stood up and headed towards the back door and opened it to her shock and alarm to see Callum crying on the floor in his blankets and onsie, Rowan no where in sight.
Something was wrong; Rowan would never leave Callum alone.
She picked up Callum and ran back inside the house calling for Rick.
"RICK, RICK, DARYL!" She yelled frantically.
Both of the men came rushing in, and Rick immediately panicked when he seen Maggie holding onto Callum. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"It's Callum... he was outside on his own," Maggie spluttered out, trying to warm him up with an extra blanket.
"What do ya mean? He was with Rowan," Daryl said, rushing over to check that his little nephew was alright, and hadn't been injured.
Maggie shook her head frantically. "She wasn't there."
Rick felt his stomach heave. "You mean she's gone?" He asked hurrying outside as Daryl followed him to where they saw foot prints.
Maggie nodded her head. "There was no sign of her anywhere; Callum was just lying in the snow."
Rick felt sick with worry. "There's footprints here that don't belong to Rowan."
Daryl looked up ahead. "Tire tracks too. Should be pretty easy ta following them, with the snow an' everythin'." He paused for a minute, and crouched down, picking something up to show to Rick. It was a ring. "This hers?"
Rick nodded "Yeah it's hers, she's had since she was twelve." He said as they went back inside to tell the others.
Everyone looked up, as the three of them re-entered, their faces sad, as Maggie held onto Callum tightly.
"Is everything OK?" Hershel asked, sensing something was off.
Rick shook his head, Maggie sat beside Glenn and Daryl took Allana's hand. "Rowan's been taken."
"By who?" Beth asked worried as Allana stood up then looking at all of them with hard eyes. "I'm coming with you guys." She said determination in her voice as she pulled on her leather jacket.
"Ya should rest here," Daryl said softly. "Ya were sick this mornin'. And Lily needs one of us around if something happens to the other."
"Please Daryl," she pleaded. "Rowan's one of my closest friends."
Daryl finally gave in. "Fine but ya stay with me alright." He said as they got into the car.