Chapter 26

When I woke up Daryl wasn't there. However next to me was a simple silver band. I smiled and put it on my finger. I went outside and put my knife in my boot and another at my side. As soon as started to walk towards the camp I got jumped my T-dog and Andrea.

"Hey married lady!"

I smiled and pushed them off.

"How's it feel?" Andrea asked.

I raised my eyebrow.

"Oh yeah that's right you don't feel. Okay well are you at least happy?" Andrea asked.

I smiled and laughed.

"Yes! Yes I'm happy." I said.

"Well at least one of you is. Can't say the same about your brother. He is feeling the party today." T-dog said.

"Oh great! My first day of married life and I have to clean up after him." I said.

"Actually I think Beth has that under control." Andrea said.

I raised my eyebrows and we walked towards the house. Hershel was letting us move into the house.

"You and Rick can take your things up to my room." Hershel said.

"No I couldn't do that." Lori said.

"I call the couch!" T-dog said.

"It wouldn't be right of me to let a pregnant woman sleep on the floor. And that couch is mine."

I laughed and then a pair of strong arms picked me up.

"Buenas Dias to you Daryl." I said.

He put me down and kissed me. When he pulled away he smiled at me.

"Ye wanna stay in our tent or move in here?" He asked.

"Maybe we should move in here." I said.

"You two can take my room. I can share with Patricia." Beth said.

"I wouldn't want to….."

"Thank ye little lady. Come on darlin'."

I looked at Beth and mouth thank you as Daryl pulled me into the house. Dale looked at us and gave me a hug.

"Congratulations. You take care of her Daryl. She has a place in my heart." Dale said.

I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"I'm in good hands Dale." I said.

He smiled and nodded. Lori too gave me a hug and wished us luck. Shane didn't look at us or at least me. I sighed and took my things up to Beth's room. As I was walking out I heard Hershel talking with Glenn.

"Take it….before I change my mind about you."

"Thank you sir."

As Glenn walked out of the room he saw me and smiled. I saw an old pocket watch in his hand. I smiled and hugged him.

"You take good care of Maggie." I said.

"I will. Thank Elena."

I pulled away and winked. I walked downstairs and found my new husband sitting at the table with Rick, Carl, Carol, Patricia and my brother. I walked over to Alex and smacked his head.

"OW! Come on Maria take it easy."

"I told you not to drink! Didn't you learn anything from your little CDC experience?" I asked.

He groaned and I rolled my eyes. I walked outside and looked over the land. My father would have loved it. He had grown up on a farm with horses and everything. He and my mother had been strong, but even with their strength they always held onto hope. And through everything they always made it through.

"I could never be who they were." I whispered.

"Who?"

I turned around and saw Andrea leaning up against the door. I looked away.

"My parents."

She walked forward and stood next to me. The wind blew in our faces.

"You know before all this started my dad gave me his gun and said protect your sister. Two girls ought to be able to defend themselves. He's the one who taught us how to fish. I always looked up to him. I don't know anything about your parents, but I know you."

I looked at her.

"You act like you feel nothing. And at first that was true. And even now you might not feel fear or pain….but you are not the same woman I met all those weeks ago. I've seen who you are. And so has everyone else. Especially Daryl."

"What do you mean?"

She smiled and looked away.

"He's changed. The way he looks at you, the way he acts. Your strength and courage and your loyalty to him and your brother…..it amazes all of us. This world went to hell and you still know what is right. And correct me if I'm wrong but I'm guessing those are the sort of people your parents were."

My eyes widened. She smiled and looked back at me.

"Your parents are still alive. Not in the way you would think, but they still live. They live in you. In what you do and what you say. You don't need to become what you already are. You taught me that." She said.

I smiled small and looked at the sky.

"You're right Andrea." I said.

"Of course I'm right. Now come on." She said.

I nodded and we walked back into the house. Unaware of what was going to happen next.