CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
It was early in the morning. Three thirty. Michonne and I were loading stuff up in the back of Tyler's old car. Boxes of my stuff that I had packed. A little less than 24 hours ago, I was planning on staying. But now, I was running away to meet my lover. And I was thrilled.

We packed the last boxes in the back and left a note in the courtyard for Beth, telling her I would be back soon and I just needed to clear my head.

"You ready?" Michonne asked, opening her car door.

"Yeah, just... Give me a second." I walked over to all the graves. There was one, tiny little cross over one of them. I sat down beside it, knowing that a few feet below it, my baby was laying there, wrapped up in a blanket. What a shitty way to do that. I wanted to dig him/her up and hold it just one more time.

But, I'm sure that I would be able to have another kid one day. I didn't want to rush into it. I would probably wait years before I wanted another one. Because right now, all I wanted was that one.

I leaned up and kissed the cross, whispering my goodbyes. I stood up and dusted the dirt off my jeans. I had changed from my sweats to my old normal: jeans, my boots, a t-shirt, and a light jacket.

I walked back to the gate, giving her the thumbs up. She started the car, and eased it up the gate. I opened it and she pushed it past. I quickly closed the gate behind me, running and jumping in the passenger seat. I put my seat belt on and looked at her.

"Let's go," I told her, looking back at the little grave. Even if Daryl and I weren't separated, I would want to leave this place. I wouldn't be able to live just a few feet from his/her grave. I would never be able to get over losing it.

We passed trees and walkers and miles and miles of road. We eventually drove into town, stopping in a random parking lot.

"Daryl probably won't get here until mid afternoon, so you can get some rest if you'd like." she reclined her chair, laying down. She curled up in a ball, so I did the same.

But, I didn't go to sleep for awhile.I thought of how I was going to tell Daryl that his baby was dead. That I failed and had somehow done something wrong. Would he still love me? Would he blame me like I blame myself? I wanted to get out of the car and run away. Not towards the prison, but anywhere but here. Just keep running. I didn't want to confront Daryl.

I was still worried about wether or not he'd cry or just get pissed, or neither, when I finally fell asleep. I was emotionally exhausted, and I had just given birth to a four month baby. So, I had a pretty great excuse.

When I woke up, light was hitting my face. From outside, the sun was high in the sky, meaning that it was around noon. I stretched, looking over at Michonne who was still sleeping. I gently shook her.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked around. "Damn, I slept for a long time."

She pulled the chair back to it's normal position, and so did I. Michonne silently started the car and we were back on the road.

When we pulled up to the department store, Daryl's motorcycle was already parked in the front, and my heart started beating faster.

Michonne got out first, walking up to a stray Walker and cutting it's head off. I stayed in the seat, gripping my gun. The same gun Daryl gave me the first time I left the prison.

Daryl came out, wearing the same shirt he left in and I prayed that it had at least been washed. He aimed his how at a little pack of zombies and shot at them, one after the other.

He looked at Michonne and said something I couldn't hear. She said something back and his face shifted into confusion. I wondered why he couldn't see me, and remembered the tinted windows.

I unbuckled my seat belt and opened the door. His head snapped over at the sound, and I stepped out of the car.

"Kyra?" he asked, confused. He dropped the bow and I ran to him.

As soon as I was in his arms we were kissing. I jumped up, wrapping my legs around his waist. I couldn't believe I was able to touch him, able to kiss him. My hands were in his hair, pulling him to me. It was like neither one of us wanted to let go, so we didn't.

Eventually, we had to catch our breaths and I some how managed to untangle myself from him.

"Why are you here?" he asked, pulling me away, but not letting go of me.

"I couldn't stand being there anymore. So, Michonne and I left early this morning." I answered him, my hands on his arms. I missed his so damn much.

"What about the baby-"

"We need to talk," I interrupted, looking at Michonne then back to Daryl.

"Oh. Ok."

We went inside the store and Daryl put a shelf in front of the door. My stomach twisted at the thought of me having to tell him that it died.

"So, let's talk." he said, sitting down and patting the seat next to me. I sat down, facing him and sighed.

"A few nights ago, I woke up with this really bad pain, so I went to see Hershel about it. He said it could be nothing, or it could it could be signs of an early miscarriage-"

"But, it could still be nothing, right?" he asked, worry on his face. I wanted to cry all over again.

"Daryl, let me finish," I said quietly. "A few nights later, last night, I woke up to blood everywhere. And I had miscarried. Hershel tried, but by the time I got to him, it was too late." Tears were pricking around my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. It was his turn to mourn.

"So, the baby died?" he asked, sounding almost angry.

"Daryl," I reached for him, and he grabbed me, pulling me close to him.

"So, they buried it?" he whispered against my head. I nodded, unable to talk.

"It's ok, we can always try again, right?" He asked. Was that supposed to be comforting?

"Daryl, you don't understand. You weren't there." I pulled away from him so I could look at him face to face. "I had to give birth to a dead baby. A baby I knew would have no chance of me ever getting so open it's eyes or cry. I don't even know what gender it was! All I know is that I was four months pregnant, and I held my dead baby. I didn't even get to see what it looked like. It was wrapped up in a sheet!" I was crying now, pissed off. "I don't want to try again! I don't want that to happen to me again. I can't do it. I considered jumping off the top of the prison the first time. If I have to go through it again, I will kill myself!"

He shrank back from me, looking so confused and heart broken.

"I'm sorry, Kyra," was all he said.

I hated myself. I didn't mean to make him feel bad for me. I was supposed to be the one to comfort him when ever I told him. Instead, he was apologizing.

"Are you ok?" I asked, wiping my own tears away.

"I was wanting to name it Cade if it was a boy."

My heart broke in two. I put my hand on the side of his face and with the other hand moved his hair back.

"I wish there was something I could do, honestly. But there isn't. I was so scared, Daryl, and all I wanted was for you to be there holding my hand. And then I thought damn it, how am I going to tell Daryl I lost his child? I was more scared for you than for me. And I'm so so sorry, and in a few years, maybe even months, we can try again. But, I can't take another heart break for a long, long time, Daryl."

He nodded, looking up at the ceiling.

"I found a place for us to stay." He announced, looking back at me.

"Seriously?" I asked, excited we weren't on that topic anymore.

"Yeah. Its a cabin. But, there's other people there. A family of three. I told them I was alone. I'm not sure what they'll say to you being there-"

"Michonne's coming too, right?" I asked, looking over at her. She was looking at a rack of clothes and stuffing stuff in a bag.

"If she wants, of course. She's part of our family." he answered. Good answer. I smiled and leaned up to give him a quick peck. He responded by turning his cheek. I guess he was upset about the miscarriage. I was too. But it didn't stop me from being hurt. I just lost my baby. I didn't need to lose him.

"Well, if you have your stuff, we should go." he said, standing up.

"Wait," I grabbed him and pulled him back. He looked at the floor, not at me. That worried me really really bad.

"Twenty minutes ago you were all over me. Now, you won't even let me kiss you?" Damn it damn it damn it. No.

"Kyra, I can't right now, ok? I just- I don't know. I just don't want to be lovey and shit when I just found out my child died, and you actually had to give birth to it. That hurts me, ok? I want to blame someone, but there's no one to blame. And in all honesty, I know that if I'm not careful, I'll find myself blaming you. I don't want to do that, Kyra. So, just give me some time. Can you do that?" he was sarcastic. Mean. Rude. I wanted to cry. But I nodded.

"Yeah," I nearly whispered, walking over to Michonne and leaving him. I saw him kick a box out of the corner of my eye.

"You ready?" I asked, putting my hand on my hip.

"Yeah.. Are you ok?" she asked, looking back at Daryl. Who was now against a shelf, one leg bent up, one straight out, and his hands covering his face, head leaned back.

"Yeah. But, if he keeps this distance between us, I won't be."

"What'd you mean?" she asked, picking up a pair of jeans.

"He wants some distance right now. We just finished this fucking distance. The whole reason I left was so I could be with him, and he wants distance."

"Just give him some time. He's grieving. And you should be too. Not that I'm judging you for not being sad, I'm just saying that you're going to hold this in and sink into a depression. Those are damn hard to get out. So, grieve. It's normal. Nobody is expected to be strong all the time." She made it sound like being sad was a good thing.

"But I cry way too much already. You never cry, Daryl never cries, nobody cries. And I find myself crying all the time!"

She put her hand on my shoulder, smiling slightly. "Because when I'm upset, I go out and I rampage kill multiple walkers. Daryl blows his steam by having target practice and hitting stuff. Everyone has their own way of coping. You cry. It's normal."

I nodded looking over at him. If time is what he needed, time he'd receive.

"You guys ready?" Daryl asked, pulling himself together.

"Yeah," Michonne answered, grabbing her bag from the floor. "Where we headed?"

"I found a cabin about an hours drive from here. There's another family there. I'll introduce you two and see where it goes from there."

We walked outside. I debated on wether or not to jump in Michonne's car or get on the back of Daryl's bike. I looked at Michonne, who gave no hint. I stood in between the two, confused as hell.

"You coming?" Daryl asked, starting up his bike. He handed his jacket, and I took it, looking back at Michonne. She smiled and got in her car.

I shrugged the jacket on, it being way too big for me, and got on the back of his motorcycle. I pressed my face against his back as we drove, my arms around his waist. God, I missed this. I missed him.

I couldn't wait for us to be normal again. To be able to tease each other and share old stories. I wondered if it would ever be like that again, or if he would keep this emotionally distance thing going until we just fell apart. We survived nearly two months apart. Surely we can get through this. He's going to have to realize I'm grieving too, right?

Michonne was always a few yards behind us, and nothing seemed familiar. Soon everything blended together and I peeked over his shoulder to see that we were going over eighty miles an hour. One wrong turn and we'd end up in a tree somewhere. And I wasn't wearing a helmet. Like it would really help if we wrecked.

The ride passed by quickly, only because I didn't want it to. I wanted to be able to sit here, in Daryl's jacket, and hold him. I couldn't do that once we got there. Because then he'd want more distance between us that I wouldn't be able to take.

We turned on a gravel road and I felt incredibly uneasy on the sharp turns with his fast driving. There was always some major drop off a few feet away, and I'm sure with me being pressed against him, Daryl could feel my heart ready to pop out of my chest.

But soon the gravel road turned into a drive way with trees on either side and half a mile later, we were in front of a fence. He nodded his head and I got up, opening and closing the fence as Michonne and Daryl pulled in.

They turned off their vehicles, and Michonne slowly got out. Daryl walked up to her and they began whispering as I walked closer. She eventually angrily laid her sword down in the back of the car, cursing.

Daryl walked up to me and we three made our way to the porch when the door bursted open and out came a man.

He was sort of tall with dark hair and beady eyes. He was wearing a flannel shirt unbuttoned with a gray shirt underneath. His jeans fit him oddly and he had normal tennis shoes. But he looked off. Something about him gave me the creeps. I didn't like him.

"What the hell is this Daryl?" he asked, gesturing towards me and Michonne.

"Listen-" he held up his hands.

"No! You say you're going to get more food and you come back with two people! Strangers! I told you no guests!"

"But they're not strangers!" he pleaded.

"So, you know them?" the man asked, crossing his arms and looking Michonne up and down. "Who are they to you?"

"This is my wife, Kyra," my heart skipped a beat as he pulled me closer. Wife? "and this is Michonne, my sister. We're adopted." he added on the end when the guy looked at the obvious skin tone differences and crinkled his nose.

"I thought you said you were alone."

"I lied because I didn't know if I could trust you. But, I see that I can now. Please, don't send us packing. You're good people, Jack."

Jack. What a perfect name for such a creep. I didn't trust him. Daryl may, but I didn't like the looks of him.

"I don't know, Daryl. You've lied to me once-"

"To protect them! I swear, they won't use weapons until you can trust them, too. And you'll see that they're both loyal. I promise." he nearly begged.

Jack shifted from one foot to the other, his beady eyes looking back and forth from Michonne and me. His eyes resting more than once on parts they shouldn't be.

"Fine. But, I'll tell them like I told you, I will take you out if it comes to that."

He opened the door and we followed him inside. A woman and a little girl were playing a puzzle game in the floor when we walked in. The girl crawled in her moms lap when she saw us.

"This is Miriam, my wife, and our daughter Belle." he said curtly. "Guys, this is Kyra, Daryl's wife and..."

"Michonne," she answered for him, raising an eye brow and giving him that look.

"Michonne, his sister."

Miriam smiled, she seemed sweet. She was definitely pretty. She had short brown hair that barely reached her shoulders, brown doe eyes, and a wide, pretty smile. Was she with the creep out of desperation?

Belle was just as beautiful as her mother, having the same hair, except curly, and looking nothing like her father. She was absolutely adorable. It made my heart hurt a little.

"Kyra, you can sleep in Daryl's room with him, considering you're his wife I guess you'd want to, and Michonne, you can have the room by theirs. We can move Belle's stuff into our room upstairs. We have two beds up there, she she'll be fine."

We unpacked our things from the car and I put all my clothes next to Daryl's in the one chest that was in the tiny room.

The sun was already down by the time we were settled in and Daryl sat on the bed, pulling his shoes off.

"You ready for bed?" he asked, still not looking at me.

"Yeah, I'm just going to make sure Michonne's all right."

I left our room and knocked on Michonne's door, she opened it and led me into the small room. It was a little bigger than ours.

"You good?" I asked, standing by the doorway.

"Yeah, but between you, me, and the walls, Jack is a bit creepy."

"That's what I thought, too!" I announced, my eyes wide.

"Just, keep your knife handy. I know Daryl said no weapons, but I'm not going to walk around people I barely know and not at least have my pocket knife, you know?"

"Yeah, I get it. I'll have it on stand by if I need it. Night, Michonne."

"Night."

I closed the door behind me and quietly walked back to Daryl's room.

When I walked in, he was already in bed, his back to me. The covers were pulled up, but I could see he didn't have a shirt on.

I quickly took my boots off and replaced my jeans for sweat pants. I crawled in beside him, my back towards him. I wasn't sure how he'd react to me.

I closed my eyes, tried to go to sleep. Daryl shifted beside me, and turned. He pulled me close, putting one arm around me. I leaned back, smiling in the dark. I could deal with this for a little bit.

/

They big reunited scene! I think it could've been done a lot better, but I did the best I could. Thanks for all the followers and my precious, precious reviewers. You guys are simply amazing.