Family Matters

Daryl woke to the sound of laughter. He was groggy and still felt like he could sleep for another day, but he needed to get up and check on things. With the light filtering through the window he deemed it was close to sunset and he checked the clock in the room and confirmed it was late evening. He went to the restroom to relieve himself and then splashed some water on his face hoping it would make him feel a little more alert. Looking up from the sink he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and almost recoiled. His face looked hollow and his dark circles under his eyes were so pronounced it almost gave him the appearance of having two black eyes. "Dixon you can't keep doing this to yourself or you ain't gonna live to see those babies born." He told himself.

He padded out to the main room in the house and found the source of laughter. Jenna was in the kitchen and Anna was trying desperately to teach the girl how to make pasta. With Anna's arm out of commission there wasn't much she could do other than direct Jenna, and it was apparent that Jenna wasn't quite catching on.

"Its OK Jenna…Just roll out the dough and we will make manicotti instead." Anna told her much to Jenna's relief.

Anna saw Daryl standing in the kitchen and quickly ran to him so she could give him a sideways hug and kiss on his cheek. "Baby if you want to go back to bed it's quite alright, we've got everything under control. Rosita just left to go check on Andrew and Jenna is staying the night to help out." Anna informed her husband.

Daryl nodded quietly, still not fully awake. "Anyone stop by?" He asked.

"Joe came by to check on us, and let us know that Ghita, Nelson, and he were moving back in with Viv." Anna said, noticing that Jenna seemed to light up like a Christmas tree at the news. Daryl also noticed.

"Girl, don't get any funny ideas about it. Unless you want the wrath of Viv and Joe on you, you and Nelson best behave." Daryl told her.

Jenna blushed furiously and Daryl was pleased at her reaction. Both kids had a good head on their shoulders and he hoped teenage hormones wouldn't lead them astray. Daryl kept his expression firm, not letting Jenna know he wasn't worried.

"Daddy, momma said we get to help with the garden. I'm getting big now." She told him proudly.

"That's right pumpkin. All of us have to help out so momma can get her rest and her arm can get better and the babies in her tummy can grow strong too." Daryl said to his daughter.

"So they won't be like Michael?" Hunter asked innocently. Anna saw the sadness flash in Daryl's eyes, but he gave Hunter a warm smile.

"That's right Hunter. He didn't get to grow strong, but we have doctors here now that know what to do so that won't happen again to the babies your momma is carrying." He told her so she wouldn't worry.

"I'm glad Daddy. I wanna be a big sister like Judy." She said giving him a cute smile that would melt anyone's heart.

…

Angel had made her plea to be heard by Damien, and it had worked out well for her. She was now lying in his big soft bed wrapped only in a sheet. Damien attempted to fuck her, but the man couldn't even manage an erection. The frustration led to a violent outburst and now a mirror lay shattered across the room. Angel knew better than to say a word and instead offered him soft words of encouragement. Based on his age she suspected he was suffering from prostate issues, but didn't mention it. Instead she endured him groping her and attacking her breasts like they were his last meal. They were sore and bloody as he had gotten carried away with his teeth and tore at her nipples. It was a small price to pay for the luxury of being alive.

When they first brought Angel to Damien he had just found out that his brother was dead and that the other women at the hotel had been rescued and he was volatile and terrifying. Angel knew that it was actually in her favor that she had not been taken back to New Hope. If Dixon had found out that it was her that had sent his wife over the cliff then he would want blood…no questions asked. The last thing that Angel had seen before Damien's men had taken her was Anna's uncle going over the cliff after his niece. She had realized that it was probable that Anna had survived and that meant she would not be able to return. This wasn't the first time she had to find another way to survive, and most likely it wouldn't be the last.

Before Damien had taken her as his own, she had filled him in on all the details of New Hope, holding back the information about Daryl and the two children being immune. She would hold onto that information a little while longer, and use it if needed. That information in the right set of hands could set her up comfortably in this world, and for some reason, she didn't deem Damien as the individual that could take care of her like she deserved. She would bide her time and eventually she would take a chance and leave this dump, but for now, she would endure what she had too for survival.

…

The next morning Daryl woke up feeling more rested than he thought he would. Anna was nestled beside him lying on her uninjured side, and Hunter and Noel were wrapped around him on the other side, creating a Dixon sandwich. He couldn't control the smile that crossed his face as he relished in the fact that his family was safe-for now.

Today was going to be an emotional day. Rick, Joe, and Daryl were going back up the meeting grounds to retrieve Marty's body from the ravine, and Viv insisted on going with them. Carrie and Jenna wanted to go with Viv to offer their support, but Viv refused to allow it, telling the girls that it was going to be difficult enough for her to hold herself together. Both girls reluctantly agreed not to push the issue, but that didn't mean that they weren't worried about Viv.

Carefully, he moved the children and pulled himself out of bed. The last thing he wanted to do was to interrupt Anna's sleep. With her body working hard to both heal itself and with her carrying two tiny lives in her womb, she badly needed rest. He knew that if she were healthy she would be going with them to bring Marty up from the bottom of the ravine.

Daryl went to the basement and brought up a bag of climbing gear that he had found on a run many months earlier. He didn't know the first thing about climbing or rapelling but thought it couldn't be too difficult to learn. It wouldn't be the first time he learned on the go, and it most likely wouldn't be the last.

He met Rick, Joe, and Viv at the main house and they all piled into the Land Rover to make the trip up to the cliffs where they lost Marty. It had been three days since the tragedy and Daryl was praying that animals hadn't disturbed Marty's remains.

The parked the vehicle and Daryl and Rick headed straight to the ledge. The blue of Marty's shirt was still visible below and Daryl suggested to Viv that she might be better off not looking at her husband's body nearly eight hundred feet below them. She agreed to stay back until they brought the body up.

Rick then asked Daryl "Do you have any idea at all how all of this equipment works?"

"Nah, I reckon will figure it out as we go." Daryl said in a nonchalant manner.

"Daryl this isn't something to learn on the fly. A single mistake and either one or both of us could plummet to our deaths. I think we need to come up with a plan B." Rick said.

Daryl let out a sigh. He hated to admit it, but Rick was right.

"Joe-Is there a way to drive into the ravine?" Daryl asked.

"Not with a regular vehicle. You could do it with an ATV. It's seven miles and a lot of creek crossings. You gotta go through the old town we found Anna and Beth the other day." Joe told him.

"You think the Gator would make it?"

"It should. It may take a while, but it's doable. I think Gus made the trip a time or two back in the old days. I know folks used to hike in, but not that many since it was about fourteen miles round trip. It's the best bet and the safest option." Joe told them.

Daryl pondered what Joe told him for a moment, and then decided they really didn't have another option. He nodded in affirmation. For once in his life, Daryl Dixon was taking the safe route.

They drove back to the mountain and traded the Land Rover for the Gator and headed down to the entrance to the trail. Viv had been uncharacteristically quiet and Daryl was worried for her. He knew when they finally did get to Marty's body that it wasn't going to be a pretty picture. A hard fall of that distance would have left his body beaten and disfigured. He just hoped that what they found would give Viv the sense of closure she was seeking.

They meandered through the base of the mountains and over what he thought were many creeks. Joe informed him that it was actually just one creek that wound throughout the area. They passed by old cemeteries and Daryl noticed that several of the graves were marked 1916. He remembered vaguely that Bill Mocksley had mentioned a great flood in the area that had taken out a once thriving settlement and he assumed that these graves were a result of that tragedy.

It was around noon when they were finally able to spot the familiar cliffs above and Daryl knew they were close. He stopped the Gator and told Viv and Joe not to approach while they went to get the body. Daryl wasn't sure he was going to be able to handle what they would find, let alone Viv. Memories of when Daryl found Merle three years earlier after he had turned at the hands of the fucking Governor. The way that Daryl felt at that particular moment would live vividly inside of him for the rest of his life. It was as if the breath had been taken from his lungs, and for a brief moment he considered letting Merle have him. But that wasn't Daryl's nature, he was a survivor and as much as Merle's death hurt him, he knew he had to continue on with his life. It's what Merle would have wanted him to do. He often wondered what Merle would think if he saw Daryl's life now. Some how deep down Daryl knew Merle would have loved to be an uncle, and it saddened him to know that Merle would never get to know Anna or the children. That being said, being out from under Merle's influence is probably what led Daryl down the path that he was following now. Merle definitely wasn't a good influence.

Once on foot, it didn't take Rick and Daryl long to find Marty's corpse. Marty's right side, the side that he had landed on was crushed beyond recognition. Blood had pooled where they body lay and gave Marty a slightly purple hue. His legs were broken in so many places that they looked like gelatin, and the bones of his arms had broken through the skin. Brain matter was spattered on the ground around him, and Daryl had to look away to keep himself from getting physically sick. This was a man that he had loved and respected and he now lay in the dirt like a heap of goo. Ironically, Marty's left side was practically untouched by the fall, and from that angle Marty simply looked asleep.

Rick must have noticed Daryl's struggle because immediately he rushed to his friend's side when Daryl stumbled after assessing the condition of Marty's body. "Daryl, are you OK?"

Daryl didn't (or couldn't speak) for a moment, but after gulping in a few breaths of air was finally able to compose himself. Rick noticed Daryl's blue eyes were welling with tears, and for Daryl to show this kind of emotion in front of anyone else meant he was truly grieving. Finally Daryl spoke "Marty ain't never said a cruel or judgmental word to me. He always treated me like I was just as good as he was, and I can't say there were a lot of people that ever did that. All of Anna's family treated me like I mattered…no questions asked. You know I never had a family worth a fuck, but meeting Marty, Gus…and the rest of Anna's family made me believe that maybe I was more than just a dirty redneck. He didn't deserve to die like this." Daryl said as his voice began to betray him.

Rick placed a comforting hand on Daryl's shoulder and Daryl didn't pull away. "Daryl, we'll make sure that he is never forgotten. If it wasn't for his hard work and sacrifice I doubt that New Hope would even exist. I know you're hurting, you don't have to tell me in words, I can see it…but by keeping this town going we continue to honor Marty's memory."

Daryl nodded as he wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket. "We'll have a proper memorial for him in the next day or so…Rick I want you to speak on his behalf and remind folks of what you just said."

Rick gave Daryl a comforting smile "You don't have to ask Daryl. It will be my honor to speak about a man like Marty. He was good people."

Daryl got himself together and he and Rick carefully wrapped up Marty in the sheets that they had taken with them. The last thing Daryl did was take the band of gold on Marty's left hand and put it in his shirt pocket. He wanted Viv to have it and the memories that went with their thirty-five plus years of marriage. When they were done they gingerly lifted the body and carried it to the Gator where Joe and Viv were waiting.

The reality of seeing her husband wrapped in the sheet brought Viv to her knees. She wasn't used to showing all of this weakness in front of everyone, but she had lost so much. Marty was her soul mate, confidante, and best friend. Now he was gone and the only family she had left that she knew of was Joe and Anna, Daryl, and the children.

Once they had Marty secured on the back of the Gator, Daryl went to Viv to check on her. "You all right?" he asked gently.

"I will be." She said as Daryl wrapped her into a rare hug.

"We'll get through this as a family." Daryl told her in a soft voice, void of his usual gruffness.

"Thank you Daryl…for everything. I couldn't love you any more than if you were one of my own." She said giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Here." Daryl said to her as he handed her Marty's ring. Viv reached out and took it from him, tears spilling down her cheek, but words wouldn't form. She just wrapped her arms around Daryl a little tighter and he held her until she finally was able to compose herself.

"Let's head back I'm sure Anna is ready to have you back at home." Viv said, standing up in a strong manner as they all took their places on the Gator for the three-hour ride to take Marty back home.

…

Daryl finally made it to the house around five in the evening and he was emotionally spent. Marty's death was hitting him hard, and he knew he had to keep it together for the sake of his family. They still had not told Hunter or Noel about Marty's passing, or even really discussed what had happened with the attack. With everything that had been going on and with Anna in a diminished state there just hadn't been time. Viv was planning on having a memorial service the next day at the Martinelli cemetery and Daryl had decided that they needed to talk to the children tonight.

When he walked into the house it was total chaos. Food was burning, Jenna was screaming at Noel and Hunter who couldn't stop laughing, and the house was a total wreck. To make matters worse Jenna started crying when she saw Daryl and told him that Anna had locked herself in the bedroom crying and had instructed her not to let anyone in but Daryl.

Old Daryl would have flown off the handle and launched into a tirade of profanities walking in on something like this, but everyone was safe and accounted for and his biggest concern was his wife at that moment.

He looked at the kids and their incessant laughing stopped immediately. They knew their torture of Jenna had just ended. "I am going to check on your momma and by the time I get back out here I expect this mess to be cleaned up. If Jenna so much as tells you to blink you better do it." He threatened. Both kids nodded in agreement and quickly started cleaning up the messes they had made.

Daryl took a deep breath and knocked on the door to the bedroom. He was relieved to find it hadn't actually been locked. "Anna baby, what's going on?" He asked in a soft voice.

"I can't dress myself." She said through tears as he found her lying on the bed clad only in her panties and wrapped in a sheet.

"Why didn't you get Jenna to help you?" He asked. Apparently that was the wrong thing to say because Anna began to wail.

"Jenna's been so busy chasing the kids around I didn't want to burden her. They have been two complete hellions and I'm at my wits end with them. Hunter even mouthed off to me when I told her that she needed to mind Jenna. She said since she was going to be a big sister she didn't have to listen to me anymore." Anna said crying even louder.

Daryl sucked at this and he knew it. Part of him wanted to laugh at Hunter's newly found rebellion, but he knew if they didn't get it under control quickly it was going to get worse. "I'll handle Hunter. How was Noel?"

"He was fine except he said that he didn't have to clean anything up since Jenna was here. He was spouting off that girls did the cooking and cleaning and men did the hunting, fishing, and building houses. What have I done wrong for them to act like this?" Anna said in a frustrated voice.

"You ain't done nothing wrong Anna. I'm not even sure where they were hearing all this bullshit, but I'm gonna put a stop to it right here and now. I will not allow my kids to disrespect their momma or anyone else like this. As soon as we are done in here I'm gonna have a talk with them. OK?" He said wiping a few tears off Anna's cheek.

"I don't know what I'd do without you Daryl Dixon. I love you so much. Will you help me get dressed?" She said, her voice returning to normal.

"I ain't gonna help ya unless you really need it, but I can show ya a few tricks on how to get dressed with one hand. As many times as my Pa busted my arm as a kid I learned a thing or too." He told her as he gathered up some clothes from the dresser and placed them on the bed.

"Stick to stretchy pants and tank tops" He instructed her. He handed her a pull-over sports bra that she wouldn't have to hook together and couldn't help but notice how much her breasts had grown in the past couple of months.

Anna managed to pull the clothes on, though the bra was a bit of a challenge and she informed him she would like a little more support if they were going out of the house. He agreed that he would help her get into a regular bra if they were leaving the house.

"Daryl, I'm going to need some maternity clothes sometime soon. I'm growing much faster than I did with Michael and I'm not even five months along. Do you know if there are any runs planned in the near future?" She asked.

"None that I know of, but I reckon Glenn and I could go into some of the nearby towns. Clothes are starting to become scarce and Rick's calling a special meeting tomorrow night. I'll bring it up. I know Page wanted us to get those looms working, but we just don't have the means to do it right now. I also know there are some Goodwill stores around here and that might be a good place to start. When this all started I doubt people thought to loot thrift stores. The Dumb asses were probably hitting up the High-end department stores instead. Wonder how many of those bastards made it." Daryl said, letting out a small laugh.

"Stop it Daryl…no one knew what this was going to turn into. Who knew Daryl Dixon's clothing style would become the fashion trend of the Apocalypse." She teased.

"Hey…don't knock it woman." He said as he kissed her. "I'm going to round up the hellions, radio Nelson and have him come pick up Jenna, and then we're gonna have a chat with the rug rats. We need to tell them about Marty." Daryl informed Anna and she nodded in agreement.

"How did it go today?" She asked suddenly feeling guilty for not asking sooner.

"It was hard to see. I'm glad you weren't there. I kept Viv and Joe away from the body until we got him wrapped up, it wasn't for the faint of heart or weak of stomach." Daryl said so quiet that Anna barely caught it.

"Thank you for doing this Daryl. Where is Marty now?" Anna asked.

"They've got him in the make-shift morgue at the clinic. I was afraid if I left the body with Joe or Viv they would give into temptation and pull back that sheet, and Viv doesn't need to see Marty looking like that. I didn't want it to be her last memory of him."

"Baby you are such a good and caring man. I can't stop thanking God for bringing you into my life." Anna said as the water works started back up.

"Feelings mutual darling. Now dry up them tears and I'll be in here with the kids in a little bit." He said giving her a kiss as he left the room to deal with Hunter and Noel.

…

Nelson came to the house in Marty's old pick up truck. Marty had kept it here in the mountains since the day they had purchased the vacation home twenty plus years earlier. Without the need for licenses to drive the kids were taught early how to drive the vehicles. Jenna struggled though with coordination and Nelson was more than glad to come to her rescue. Jenna was a sweet girl willing to do anything to help anyone, but when it came to things like cooking and driving the poor girl struggled. The good news was she was living with Viv and Viv would be sure that Jenna got a good schooling on how to cook, clean, and survive in general. He couldn't wait until the time came for Viv to show her how to butcher animals. Next to Daryl, Viv was the best butcher around these parts. Even the Mocksley's couldn't take care of their kill as well as Viv could.

Daryl started helping the kids pick up their messes while keeping them focused on their tasks. With Hunter being not quite four years old her attention span had a tendency to wander, and she would pull Noel in another direction while her thoughts would distract her from her chores. It was becoming more and more obvious to Daryl that Hunter was definitely the leader of the two children, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that. He didn't want Hunter to turn into a spoiled bossy child and made a mental note to pay more attention on how she acted with other children.

While the kids were picking up the last of their toys Daryl pulled out left overs from dinner from a couple of nights before and put them on the stove to warm up. It was rabbit stew and he always thought it tasted better after a couple of days anyhow. He cleaned up the burnt toast from the sandwiches Jenna had been making and threw it into the trash. Nelson was going to need a lot of intervention from the good Lord above if he and Jenna ever married.

"OK you two your mom and I wanna talk to you." Daryl said once he had handled getting the house back in order.

"Are we in trouble?" Hunter asked as her lip began to quiver knowing she had misbehaved badly today.

"Depends on how you act when we talk to you. Now come into our room now." Daryl said pointing to the master bedroom.

Daryl helped Anna sit up and then instructed Noel and Hunter to sit in the love seat opposite the bed while Daryl stood at Anna's side. He figured it would be a bit more imposing if he stood over them while they were trying to make a point with the two kids. He was so out of his element here…this is where Anna always did much better than he did. However he was learning that parenting was teamwork, and they needed to get through this together.

Daryl didn't know where to start, so Anna started for them. "First of all your daddy and I are very disappointed in your behavior today. The next time you see Jenna you will both apologize to her for giving her such a hard time." Anna told the kids and already Hunter started to sniffle.

Daryl wasn't going to allow her to get away with it though. "Hunter I don't want you crying. I heard what you said to your momma today, and just because you are a big sister don't mean you get to act like a brat. When the babies are born you have to be a good example to your brothers or sisters and that means you do what grown ups tell you. Do you understand me?" Daryl said raising his voice slightly.

Sniff Sniff…Hunter was close to having a break down, but Daryl's instructions not to cry kept her in check. "Yes sir, I'm sorry." She said it so sweetly that Daryl suddenly found himself wishing he didn't have to have this conversation. He then realized he couldn't let her manipulate him like this. If he let up on her she wouldn't learn a lesson.

Noel was smiling, thinking he was getting off without any reprimand when Daryl addressed the boy "Noel, why did you tell Jenna you didn't have to help out around here with cleaning? We all pull our weight in this house."

"But Daddy…you don't hardly ever clean around here. You go out and hunt and do man stuff. Mommy does the cleaning and cooking so that means that Hunter and Jenna have to do the cooking and cleaning." Noel said innocently.

"No boy, that ain't true. First of all when was the last time you went out hunting or fishing or even building something that wasn't made out of Legos?" Daryl asked sternly.

"But…" Noel said in retort.

"No son, if your momma asks you to help with ANYTHING around here you do it, no questions asked. Did you not see me cooking dinner and cleaning up the messes that you two made tonight? We all help out around here. I don't ever want you saying something isn't you're job just because you are a boy. Do you understand me?" Daryl told the boy.

"Yes sir. I didn't mean too make you mad." He conceded.

Anna then spoke "So are we all going to behave going forward? Jenna is going to be helping out until the babies are born. The doctor said I have to take it easy since there are two of them in my tummy and my body is working hard so they will grow. That means you do what she says. Will there be any more problems?"

Both children responded in unison "No" and then Anna opened up her arms giving them the signal to come and give her a hug. Daryl sat down on the bed beside Anna and then they both explained to the kids what had happened with Marty. When Hunter finally realized that she wouldn't be seeing Uncle Marty anymore, just like she didn't see Aunt Izzy, she started to cry and it broke Daryl's heart to see his daughter so distraught. He pulled her little body into his lap and held her close to his chest as she cried heartbreaking tears. A part of Daryl wished he could do the same thing as he knew he was going to miss Marty tremendously, as well, but he had to be strong for his family right now. So for now, Daryl allowed Hunter to grieve for her uncle while He, Anna, and even Noel tried to console her. Eventually she fell asleep in Daryl's arms and he carefully took her to her bed so she could sleep. Once he got her settled in he went back and helped Anna get out of bed and she, Noel, and Daryl at dinner together quietly as they reflected on the days events.

Daryl got Noel to take a bath and had him in bed by nine and then made his way to the couch to relax with Anna.

"You did a good job Mr. Dixon. You are a natural when it comes to this parenting stuff." She teased.

"I just think about what my father would do, and then do the opposite." He joked with her.

"You are definitely not your father. You were perfect…ouch," She said as she grabbed her belly.

"What is it? A cramp? Do I need to get the Doc?" Daryl said alarmed.

"No, put your hand right here. The babies are kicking." She said as she placed his hand on the part of her belly where she could feel the movement. He felt her warm skin beneath his finger tips, and then he began to feel the little pushes against his hand. His little Dixons were kicking away in his wife's belly, and he relished the feeling of his children moving around. They were alive and from the feel of things, they were healthy too. That was all he could ask in this day an age and he would be lying if he said he couldn't wait to meet the little munchkins. There little moment ended when they heard a knock on the door. Daryl looked at the clock again and was wondering who would be coming by so late, unless it was Rosita and maybe she had forgotten her key.

Daryl opened the door and was surprised to see Eugene standing on the porch. "We need you down at the clinic right away. There's been an accident."

Hello my peeps- I hope everyone is reacquainting themselves with this story and most importantly...enjoying it. I am Soooo having TWD withdrawals. S7 premier will be something to behold, without a doubt.

So as usual- I hope each of you will consider leaving a review to let me know what you think. As the story has progressed I have softened Daryl's character (As he has softened on the show...for now, I think Feral Daryl will be making an appearance next season). I've also left you with a bit of a cliff hanger (no pun intended after this chapter dealt with the Cliffs LOL).

As usual, please enjoy and I hope to hear from you. I love PM's so feel free to drop me a note if you wish.

Hugs and Kisses-

Missy

XXOO