Disclaimer: I do not own TWD.

A/N: Sorry for the wait guys. Thanks for all the awesome feedback and love you give this simple story. Your kind and amazing (and often hilarious words) make my days. Love you all!

…

CH 37- Safe and Sound

…

Charlie softly closed her eyes feeling the soft breeze dance through her hair just as her mother finished the song. She missed her father and wanted to cry at the thought of never seeing him again. Charlie knew Daryl had been preparing for their departure but she wasn't ready for it and neither did she expect it to be so soon. However, being with her mother filled Charlie with hope again. There was something so different about a mother's love. It was soft and endearing, comforting and strong at the same time. She had never known a love like it before. It was just as strong as her father's love, just different in other ways she couldn't quite pin point or thought possible.

Growing up, Daryl had been everything she ever knew. He was the only other person she socialized with until they came upon Dave and then Joe's group but that was different than interacting with their kin. Charlie knew what a true family was when they first came upon Rick, Carl and Michonne and then the others. She knew what it was like to have a friend and just be a child when she met Judith. She knew what it meant to build strong bonds with others when she met Maggie. And now she knew what it was like to have a mother. It was all still so new but Charlie never wanted to give it back. She wanted her mother and her father. But in such a world, she knew she couldn't have it all.

Charlie's eyes opened lazily, looking at the softening blue horizon of her grandfather's farm, wondering why her family could never be complete. But feeling Beth's arms around her midriff made her feel safe. It made her feel like things would be okay.

When she heard the voice in the distance calling her name, Charlie's blues fluttered open. She looked across the field where she saw him there. "Daddy?" She gasped and scrambled to her feet, "Daddy!"

Beth was alarmed when the girl jumped out of her arms and ran off.

Daryl stood transfixed for a moment, watching as his little girl ran down the slope. She almost seemed like a mirage that would disappear if he came too close to it. Little by little, Daryl picked up the pace and hurried across the field to the girl calling out the name he had earned the day she was born.

Daryl dropped his crossbow to the ground and fell to his knees just as the dirty, blood covered child came crashing against his chest, throwing her little arms around his neck. Daryl stumbled slightly; tears filled his eyes and the lump lodged in his throat made it hard to breathe. He wrapped his strong arms around the child and stood to his feet. Charlie smelled awful and her clothes were covered in walker blood. Her hair was tangled and dirty but she was still so beautiful to him. He wouldn't have her back any other way.

"Daddy." Charlie whimpered when she buried her face in his shoulder.

"Where the hell have ya been, girl?" He asked in a soft voice that was almost a whisper.

Beth slowly walked up to the scene of father and daughter hugging. She looked at the man holding her daughter and her heart skipped a beat. It was him. After so long, she was finally seeing him. The real him. Not just a figment of her imagination or the tricks of the mind during her restless slumber. Daryl Dixon stood only but a few feet away from her. She remained silent and still, unable to form any proper words. She just watched the emotion in Daryl's face as he hugged their daughter. She hadn't seen him cry since that day outside that crappy old cabin in where they proceeded to drink and burn the place down. How much had Beth yearned to return to those times.

Charlie pushed away from Daryl, placing her hands upon his shoulders. "Daddy?"

Daryl pulled back to meet those big blue eyes he had missed so much. He took his hand and with his thumb brushed a splotch of dirt from her cheek. "What is it, little girl?"

"I found 'er." She glanced back at Beth who stood there smiling at them.

Daryl's eyes went directly to her. His lips parted slightly. She too seemed like a mirage. A beautiful, blood covered mirage. She was older than he remembered. Of course, it had been so many years since he last saw her. She wasn't a girl but a young woman, strong and resilient, a little worn down but determined to endure anything that had come and would come her way. The years had suited her well. Even with the walker guts smeared on her clothing.

Beth smiled at him. That soft, almost innocent smile that could light up any room. That smile he remembered well into the night. "Did you miss me while I was gone, Daryl Dixon?"

Daryl slowly let Charlie back down on to her feet. His hand slipped out of hers and he took a few steps towards Beth, gently grabbing her hand to make sure she was real. Once he was sure she wouldn't disappear into thin air, he pulled her into his arms. He held her tight, his face buried in her blond hair. Beth was overcome by the strength of Daryl's arms but being there, in the safety of his embrace, it was better than she had ever thought. She was home. Her arms went around his back, hugging him in return and rested her cheek on his chest, listening to the fast beating of his strong heart. She gave out a soft, little chuckle; "I'll take that as a yes…"

Daryl didn't argue with her because he knew she was right.

It was then Beth pulled away and smacked his arm.

"Ow! The hell was that for?" Daryl asked rather offended at the sting on his arm.

"Charlie?" Beth asked, "Really?"

Daryl snorted. "Ya try speaking that mouthful of a name all the time."

Beth couldn't help but to smile and hugged him again. "I missed you too."

Charlie stood there watching her parents embrace. She smiled liking the way they looked together. As if they belonged somehow. They were both very different people with very different backgrounds who, in a normal world, would not run in the same circles. They wouldn't have ever had the grace of knowing each other. The apocalypse had brought them together. Without it, Charlie wouldn't be standing there in that moment. So in a way, those two very different people were glad for the end of the world.

Maggie was the second one to emerge from the trees. She looked across the field to Daryl holding a blond young woman. "Oh my God…"

"Aunt Maggie!" Maggie heard the little voice and turned her attention from the hugging couple to the child running her way. She pushed from the tree line and hurried to collect Charlie in her arms.

She picked her up, embracing her. The emotions were overwhelming. "Oh, my goodness." Maggie said when Charlie pushed away slightly. She brushed her bangs aside to get a better look at her face. Dirty and smelling like walker innards, she couldn't have been happier to see the little girl.

"Beth?"

Daryl forced himself to let go of Beth when he heard Maggie call her name. He stood aside and let the two sisters embrace each other. Charlie was still in Maggie's arms, joining the reunion of the Greene girls.

Maggie cried as she kissed Beth's forehead. "Its you, its really you."

She just couldn't believe it.

And neither could Daryl.

Michonne and Carol soon emerged from the trees and joined them. They welcomed Beth with hugs and kind words. Beth asked where the others were and Carol informed her of their evacuation to a neighboring farm. Carol was the first one to notice the setting sun and suggested they head into the house for safety. They hadn't scoped out the farm and couldn't know if any lingering walkers remained on the rest of the property.

Beth stood in front of the farmhouse she had grown up in, looking up at its chipped and faded paint. She knew her father would have a fit at the sight of those dirty gutters. Beth remembered how Hershel would make Shawn climb up there and clean them out. Beth smiled at the memory.

"Beth?" She heard Maggie's voice and looked to see her standing half way up the porch steps. She held Charlie in her arms, "Are you coming?"

"Yes." Beth said and followed after them.

…

That night, Maggie scrubbed Charlie's face clean with soap and warm water while she sat in dirty bath water. "I don't know why every time I find you, you're covered in walker blood."

"And guts!" Charlie cheered.

Maggie chuckled, "And guts." She sighed, "We have to stop meeting like this, you know."

"How else we gon' meet?"

Maggie chuckled and looked over her shoulder to Beth who stood in front of the sink and brushed her now clean and wet hair. "How in the world did you manage to make this one so precious?"

Beth laughed and glanced over to Charlie who put her hands on her head. "I have no idea."

"Well, whatever you did, I'm glad."

…

While the Greene sisters bathed Charlie, Daryl, Michonne and Carol lingered in the living room downstairs. They couldn't believe the journey they had been through. Beth had explained it all when they took shelter in the farmhouse with a little help from Charlie who explained certain things in great and colorful detail. She must have used the words "an' then" more than ten times.

Daryl didn't mind it. He was happy to have them back. The both of them. Seeing Beth again had stirred something with in him. It was as if her mere presence made him feel sane in a way. All those years looking for her, he felt like a wanderer, a nomad with no place to go, looking for something he would never find. But alas, he had found her and now there was no reason to wander. He had finally found his ground. But as Michonne and Carol relaxed and talked amongst each other, Daryl leaned against the wall, wondering how to go about things.

Beth was back. He no longer had to parent on his own but he didn't know how to go about it. He knew Beth wouldn't approve of many of the things he had taught Charlie. Cursing in front of her was one thing but teaching her successfully kill a living person was another thing. Daryl knew he had to. Sometimes the living were more dangerous than the dead. They had learned that from Joe's group. However, Daryl knew Beth must have done some difficult things to get their girl home alive and well.

Beth really had changed.

"Daryl?" Daryl snapped out of his over thinking mind to see Maggie at the bottom of the stairs. "Charlie's asking for you."

…

Charlie lay in Beth's bed, her head resting against the pillow. Beth sat at her side, her hand on Charlie's tummy. Daryl knocked before he entered the room. Beth glanced up to meet his eyes. "Hi."

"Hi."

There was a silence between them. Daryl closed the door behind him and walked to the side of the bed. He leaned over and brushed Charlie's bangs out of her face. "Hair's getting' long again."

Charlie pushed his hand away with a frown. "Daddy, no."

"You keep her hair short?" Beth asked. She had never really thought about it.

Daryl nodded. "Just to be safe."

Beth nodded, understanding this. He must have taken every precaution there was to keep Charlie alive and well. But by the looks of it, Charlie didn't like it very much.

Daryl took a seat opposite of Beth, facing Charlie. He was truly happy to have them both back. "Ya gave me the hell of a scare, little girl." He ruffled her hair.

"I'm sorry."

"S'okay. Just don't do it again." He warned her.

Charlie put her hand up to her forehead and gave him a salute. "Yessir."

Daryl chuckled and poked her tummy. "I missed ya, ya little smartass."

Beth smiled at the interaction between the two. It was clear they were both close and had a special bond. They were so familiar with one another. Of course, they had been each other's only company for six years. Beth didn't know where she would fit in the equation but she was more than ready to join her little family again.

"I'm going to get her some water before bed." Beth announced and exited the room.

When she was gone, Daryl turned to Charlie. He studied her face. She looked different in a way. "Ya like yer Mama?"

"Ahuh. Lots!" Charlie smiled. "We found 'er, Daddy."

"We sure did."

Charlie gave out a little giggle and buried herself against the pillow.

"Ey."

Charlie looked to him.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I like ya the best too." Daryl said with a small smile dancing along his lips.

Charlie's eyes widened in excitement. "Does that mean y'all wanna be friends?"

"Yeah." He said.

Charlie sat up and hugged him. Daryl hugged her back wanting to tell her how much he had missed her and how he didn't know how he had ever lived without her there. The thought alone was more than he could handle.

…

Beth was pouring water for Charlie in to a cup. The entire house was so strange yet so familiar to her. She remembered where everything was and was even surprised when she saw that it was still there. She only wished that her father were there too. She couldn't help but to think of him. His memory was all over the house. Her mother's too and Shawn's. They would have adored Charlie, she just knew it.

Maggie found Beth alone in the kitchen pouring water in to a small cup.

"Hey."

Beth turned around and smiled at her older sister. "Hey."

Maggie sighed, "Every time I look at you I can't help but feel like I'll see that little teenage girl again."

Beth smiled, turning her attention back to the cup. "Sometimes I feel like that little teenage girl again."

Maggie leaned against the counter. "Beth…"

Beth looked up to meet her sister's eyes.

"I'm happy you're here."

"I am too."

Maggie's eyes fell in means to cover her tears.

"Hey, enough of that." Beth hugged her, "Everything's alright. We're together again."

"You're right." Maggie wiped away her tears. "It's the way it should be."

"It is."

There was a pause. "So. Now that you're back…"

"Now that I'm back what?"

"You know?"

"I don't?"

Maggie sighed heavily. "You and Daryl."

Beth frowned lightly. "What about me and Daryl?"

"You have a child together. Children don't just appear out of thin air, you know."

Beth's cheeks flushed. "Maggie!"

"He told me what happened. I'm not mad and count yourself lucky I'm not holding a shotgun to his back to marry you."

Beth shook her head at the ridiculousness coming out of her sister's mouth. "You said you weren't mad!"

"I'm not. What I'm trying to say is that Charlie needs her parents. The both of them. You and Daryl need to work as a team to keep raising her. You see where I'm getting at?"

"Daryl and I did fine before. I'm sure we can handle it now."

"Parenting an infant is far different than parenting a child."

Beth sighed. "I know."

Maggie smiled and rubbed Beth's arm. "Don't worry. It'll all work out."

…

When Beth returned to her old room, Charlie was already asleep. She set the cup down on her vanity and looked around her room. It all felt like some kind of strange dream. Like she would wake up at any moment. Daryl watched her from his spot on the bed. He sat against the bedframe, his arm around a sleeping Charlie. His eyes followed Beth around the room as she ran her hand along her things.

"It feels so weird to be back here again…" She said.

Daryl remained quiet but she knew he was listening.

"I didn't think I'd ever see any of this again."

"We all thought we had lost things."

Maggie turned to meet his deep, serious gaze. Till that day, Beth wished she knew what Daryl Dixon was thinking. She nodded. "You're right."

She went to Charlie's other side and sat down on the bed. "She's so grown up."

Daryl nodded.

Beth looked at him and then at Charlie. "I told you she had your nose."

"Hmph." Daryl said.

Beth laughed lightly at his response. He hadn't changed much. "Your attitude too."

"I ain't that bad." He said.

"No, Daryl Dixon, you aren't half bad at all."

Daryl felt his face go warm and cleared his throat. "She handle herself alright out there?"

"Oh, very much so." Beth reached over and caressed Charlie's cheek, running her thumb over the little white scar. "She told me a man hit her. That's how she got her scar." Her blues flashed up to meet Daryl's, "What happened?"

Daryl cleared his throat, trying not to let the memory anger him. "Charlie and I were on our own for a long time. Last year, before winter started we came upon some men. They weren't good men. They were bad but they welcomed us. Their leader did anyway…" Daryl remembered Joe and his men, "One day, while Charlie and I were huntin' two of the men followed us. They attacked me and Charlie tried to help. Stabbed on of 'em with a knife right in the leg."

Beth put her mouth to her hand to suppress back a gasp. Charlie had never told her how exactly she had gotten the scar. Just that a man hit her.

"Fucker hit 'er…" Beth noticed his hands go into tight fists. "Killed that sum'bitch and his friend. We ran. I got wounded. Was out for a few days." He glanced down at Charlie, "She managed to keep herself alive till I was well again. She's somethin' else, this one here."

Beth smiled and reached over to Daryl, placing her hand over his. "Thank you for keeping her alive."

"Promised, didn't I?"

"You did."

Daryl nodded once. His heart raced at the feeling of Beth's hand against his. When she pulled away, he felt cold. She crossed her feet beneath her and smiled in that way she always did. "Tell me, what was she like as a toddler?"

This brought a small, barely visible smile to his lips. "A pain in the ass. Still is."

Beth smacked his knee. "Daryl!"

He smiled a little wider this time and looked down to a still sleeping Charlie. Beth did too. "She's such a heavy sleeper for a little girl who grew up with walkers around." The said.

"She walks 'round like nothin's ever wrong. Don't think anythin' really bothers her." He glanced at Beth, stealing a peak at her while she cherished their little girl. "She was a happy toddler most days…won't lie. Picky with her food. Barely cried when she got hurt. One hell of an attitude."

Beth grinned and for the greater part of the night listened to Daryl fill her in on everything she had missed about their little Charlotte Dixon. She hoped God was listening and thanked him for finding her family after so long. Beth Greene was truly blessed.