Chapter 25

"Leave us..." The Governor remarked to Milton, not taking his eyes off Naomi. "And take Merle with you..."

Merle smirked already knowing full well that he wasn't joining them for lunch but the fact that he was giving Milton the boot too made him happy. Like Milton though, he was just as intrigued that Naomi was clearly someone The Governor knew but he had no idea how.

Milton looked deflaited as he left and gave a forced smile to Naomi as he passed but her eyes were fixed on the Governor looking as surprised as he did as they stared at each other.

"I can't believe it's you..." The Governor remarked as he stepped closer. Naomi just stood there in silence as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

Reluctantly Naomi wrapped her arms around his waist for a moment, still in disbelief. She stepped back away from him as he released her from his embrace.

"You're the one they're calling the Governor?" She asked.

"Yes I am...just a nickname really but it stuck...I think it helps give the people someone to look up to." He replied.

"And you plan on being that person to them...that won't leave when things get rough?..." Naomi remarked still unsure of what to think.

The Governor sighed but gently grabbed her arm and led her to the kitchen. "You must be hungry...please let's talk for a bit...there's much catching up to do.."

Naomi followed him as he led her to the table and she sat down. "Having Merle find you is a miracle...but I'm hesitant to ask as to why he found you alone..." The Governor remarked as he poured her some tea.

Naomi bowed her head, she took a deep breath before she spoke. "David was murdered...by a man who had a vision of a town similar to this...but I suppose if anyone could create something like this it would be you..."

"Now Naomi...I know things were strained between us after Sarah died...but I loved your sister and we were happy together...seeing you, David and Caleb just reminded me of the family I lost and I couldn't deal with all of the feelings that brought and take care of Penny." The Governor stated.

"Caleb cried for weeks wanting to see Penny...I didn't have any answers for him...you just up and left, without a word..." Naomi replied.

"I know and I'm sorry..." The Governor cupped her hands in his as he knelt in front of her. "But this...you...here in Woodbury...it's like I'm slowly piecing my family back together...I'm so glad Merle found you."

"And Penny?" She asked.

A look of sorrow came across his face. "I lost her too...What about Caleb?..."

Tears filled her eyes and she looked up at the ceiling and took a deep breath."It's more complicated than that...I can only imagine how terrible of a mother you'll think I am..."

The Governor rose to his feet and sat in the chair across from her. "I won't judge you...tell me everything..."

"David and I became a part of a group...long story short the man who led the group was a monster...he only cared about his vision of how he wanted things and anyone who got in the way of that suffered. David questioned him and paid for it with his life...then the man threatened Caleb...in fact he planned to kill him. He had taken a man prisoner...he was good with Caleb...the prisoner I mean...he seemed like a good man...in my heart I believe he is but there was no other choice...I helped him escape one night as long as he promised to take Caleb far away from there...someplace safe...so I let him go..." Tears steadily streamed down her face as The Governor listened, his brow furrowed. "The last thing I ever wanted to do was give up my son but there was no time for anything else...the man promised he'd come back for me..."

"And he didn't..." There was a sense of anger in his voice.

"No...I mean...I don't know...we were over run...people all around me were dying, bit...I ran...as fast and as far as I could...after some time passed I tried to find my way back but couldn't. So he may have come back...I just don't know but I believe he tried...he said he would." She told him.

The Governor stood up with his hands on his hips. He turned his back towards her and walked over to the window staring out.

"Phillip you said you wouldn't judge me...I wake up everyday hating myself for what I did...wondering if he is ok...if he is hungry or hurt...I feel like my heart's been ripped out of my chest and I have to live with that every day. But I do know one thing...at least with him he has a fighting chance...I know I wouldn't have been able to protect him out there, I barely managed to stay alive myself. As much as I hate it...he's better off without me..." Naomi rested her head in her hands as she propped her elbows up on the table.

"Until now..." The Governor remarked as he stared out the window.

"What?" Naomi asked as she looked up at him.

The Governor turned around and walked back to the table. "Until now...you may have struggled until this point but now you are safe...this is a place for Caleb to grow and flourish...return to a sense of normalcy...I'll do whatever I can to find him...but I can only pray you are right about the man you entrusted him to...honestly I'm not sure how I feel about that but there's no undoing it now."
.

Daryl laid on his side with his arm tucked under his head as he tried to sleep but couldn't. He could hear Caleb crying softly in his sleep so he got up and went over to where he was sleeping nearby.

"Caleb..." Daryl gently shook him as he whispered. "Wake up..."

Caleb rubbed his face as he struggled to open his eyes. "Is it time to get up?"

"No little man...you were havin' a bad dream or somethin'" Daryl told him.

Caleb sat up and thought for a moment. Daryl could tell by the expression on his face that he remembered what he was dreaming about. "Wanna tell me about it?"

Caleb just shook his head no as he fought back tears. "Can I sleep with you?"

Daryl stared at him for a moment before he answered. "Sure buddy...come on."

They both got up and walked back to Daryl's sleeping bag. He got in first and Caleb climbed in after tucking himself in close against Daryl. He awkwardly wrapped his arms around Caleb but soon relaxed when Caleb's breathing steadied. Daryl couldn't help but think of all the countless nights as a child that he cried himself to sleep but the fact that he was able to comfort Caleb somehow made him feel good.

"I wish my mom was here..." Caleb said softly. It was the first time in a long time that he had mentioned her.

"I know you do Caleb...I ain't gonna quit lookin' for her...you know that right?" Daryl asked.

He felt Caleb nod his head against his chest. Daryl wrapped his arms around him tighter and rested his cheek against the top of his head.

.

"Oh my word...is that not the sweetest thing ya ever seen?" Maggie whispered to Carol as she stood over Caleb nestled against Daryl as they both slept soundly.

"I know...I don't think I've ever known Daryl to sleep this soundly...usually I can't get this close to wake him up. He always hears me coming and is awake by the time I get to him." Carol rested her hand against her chest and smiled.

"Think we should let them sleep a little more? I mean Daryl never sleeps in one bit and Caleb...well poor Caleb..." Maggie said softly.

"I know...you're right, come on let's see what we can find for breakfast..." Carol added.

Carol and Maggie walked a short distance to where the others were around the fire.

"Daryl's still asleep? Did someone slip him one of Merle's blue pills?" T-Dog asked.

"Guess he really needs it but if he's not up soon I'll have to wake him. We need to get on the move again...there must be some place for us...some place safe..." Rick remarked.

Lori gently rested her hand on his knee but he pulled away from her.
Daryl woke up, propping himself up on his elbow causing Caleb to stir. He looked over and saw everyone else awake.

"Fuck!...I mean...sorry..." Daryl stated as Caleb sat up next to him, rubbing his eyes. "Come on boy...we over slept...I gotta go hunt, see if I can find us some food."

Daryl pushed the sleeping bag open and the blanket off them and quickly stood up as he grabbed his crossbow. He glanced over at the group again, somewhat embarrassed that he was the last one up.

"Can you teach me how to hunt?" Caleb asked.

"Reckon it wouldn't hurt..." Daryl told him. "Go check with Carol though...make sure she ain't got somethin' planned for ya."

Caleb smiled and ran towards Carol as she sat around the fire and Rick got up, heading over to Daryl.

"Sorry...don't know how that happened...nobody has ever beaten me up." Daryl said apologetically.

"No need...you deserve rest just as much as all of us." Rick told him.

"Gonna see if I can find us some grub...Caleb's comin' too." Daryl slung the crossbow over his shoulder.

"As soon as you get back I want to hit the road...I don't like us being out in the open like this..."Rick stated as Daryl nodded.

Caleb ran back towards him smiling. "She said I could..."

"Well come on then.." Daryl told him as he smacked him gently in the back of the head and they headed for the wood line.