A/N: This is a work of fan fiction. No infringement intended.
The Country Singer
By Leah Pensotti
Chapter 46
The large group from Alexandria made it to Hilltop early the next morning. Even though they were both exhausted, Melanie and Daryl got back to their little trailer and once he locked the door, they didn't even make it to the bed without tearing at each other's clothes.
The sex was different. It was sad, and a little desperate to feel something other than pain, soul-stirring and pure animal with want. They were at it for a long while on the couch, against the trailer wall and finally in the bed. Melanie felt Daryl's weight slump on top of her, his shaggy head finally coming to rest between her breasts. His breath tickled at her skin, and Melanie surmised he liked laying like this, because he could hear her heart beat for him.
Melanie knew that the jig was up. Negan knew where to find all of them and it was just a matter of time before it was time to pay the piper. The only consolation about all of this was that they were together and neither one was left wondering about the other.
She ran her fingers through his hair and listened to him trying to catch his breath. Melanie wished she could fast forward through the war, to a time when maybe they could build a life...a home together. If that was even possible. Even though she was doubtful, a secret place in her heart told her to keep believing.
Melanie had been devastated for Aaron when Daryl told her about Eric. She couldn't imagine how he felt...it was everything she had feared. She worried when this was all said and done...that many more members of her adoptive family might not survive.
She whispered to him lowly, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing return to normal, "Tell me what you are thinking right now."
Daryl chuckled, he must've remembered the times she had asked him this before, "Thinkin' about us. How I'm not gonna be completely happy until we get rid of Negan. Get ya home. Get a ring on that finger."
Melanie smiled, thinking it was odd that her life had come to this. Growing up all she wanted was to get her Mama out of the trailer...make music and money...she had tasted that. Now, at the end of civilization all she wanted was a quiet life...that house in Alexandria and to marry Daryl Dixon.
How things had changed.
Adam had always told her, she didn't have room for a relationship...because she was married to her music career. It was her first true love. She agreed with that...but now...she had to think...that without first love, she would've never been lead to the love of her life.
Part of her wondered if her Mama had ever felt the kind of love Melanie felt for Daryl, and in turn was as loved as Daryl loved Melanie. If anyone deserved that kind of love, it was Chayla McCall. In that moment, she wished she could talk to her mother one last time.
Melanie continued to stroke his hair, "Did you ever in a million years think we'd be talking about marriage?"
He shook his head, "Hell Nah. If the world hadn't ended I'm sure I'd turn into some ol' grumpy redneck. Livin' in a shack in Georgia and pickin' up roadkill."
"I was so focused on my career and music...I'd probably end up being some old lady in a fancy house with no real family."
Daryl shook his head again, "I think ya'd have married some pretty boy."
Melanie smiled, "No way. No how. Pretty boys are boring. Personally, I like to believe that I was always supposed to marry you."
Daryl sat up and looked at her, "There ain't no way a girl like you would look twice at a guy like me before all o' this."
Melanie thought his arms deserved at least three looks, but she didn't say it out loud, "I beg to differ...besides...none of that matters anyway. I'm all yours."
They only managed to sleep about three hours, when dawn came, they went to see Rick and Michonne at the mansion. Rick had the foresight to send Jesus to The Kingdom to help Ezekiel rally what was left of their troops. They hd returned smaller in number, but even more determined to see the war through.
Rick had decided to send a third of the people down to the small, abandoned town near the colony, in case Hilltop somehow fell. It was a fail safe, but necessary. He also asked Daryl and Michonne to find as many working cars as they could and park them at the perimeter. When they attacked, Rick wanted them to go and turn all of the lights on to blind Negan and his men.
While Melanie went to visit Dr. Carson with a now visibly pregnant Maggie, Daryl sneaked down to see Earl Sutton to ask him a favor. Earl had been tasked to make as many weapons as he could, anything to help fight Negan.
Daryl didn't want to bother him, but wanted him to make a pair of rings. He wanted to surprise Melanie with them on Christmas, if they both were still alive by then. Before he left their house in Alexandria, he grabbed a few pieces of the fine silver flatware that was left in the big, wooden box under the sink. It had probably been the former owners wedding gift...along with the bone china that neither one of them knew what to do with.
He could go scavenge for rings, but he didn't have the time and wanted them to be special. He thought she deserved something unique...something he had made for her, not taken or convenient. If all went like he wanted it to, he was going to take her to see Gabriel on Christmas. She loved Christmas...all the holidays. So why not make it special?
When Daryl walked up to the blacksmith's corral, Earl was hammering away at a blade and had a stack of weapons piled on the floor. He finished hammering and looked up to inspect his work, catching Daryl in his periphery.
"You're Jean's young man...Daryl, right?"
He nodded, "Yessir. I hate to bother ya, but I was hopin' ya might have the time to help me with a small project."
Earl looked interested, "Oh really? What do you have in mind?"
Daryl was suddenly overcome with his usual antisocial behavior, but managed to keep it at bay, "Well uh, after all this is over...I wanna ask M-, I mean, Jean to marry me. I was wonderin' If you'd make us a pair of rings? It doesn't have to be nothin' fancy. Just simple."
Earl smiled a toothy grin, "You kiddin' me? I'd be happy to. It will be nice to make something that is joyful. Something that can be celebrated."
Daryl opened his bag and took out the silver flatware (two forks and a spoon and a knife) and handed them to him, "It's real silver, that should work, right?"
Earl turned them over in his hand and nodded, "I'll make something special for you guys. Jeannie is a sweet girl. She deserves something pretty."
He felt the corner of his mouth pull into a smile, "She does. I really appreciate it."
"I can have them done tonight, if there isn't an attack."
Daryl nodded in thanks and felt excitement rise in his belly. He, Daryl Dixon from nowhere special, would be asking someone to marry him. If only Merle could see him now. He'd probably say something gross and inappropriate, but really he'd probably be proud. Melanie was going to be his wife, a word he didn't think he'd have much use for.
He wondered if she'd call herself Dixon? Melanie Dixon...but she kinda seemed like the type that would keep her own name. He was okay with that...after all, there wasn't any legal papers or courthouses that would keep record.
Just as long as she was his, that's all that mattered.
Melanie had become quite accustomed to following Maggie to her appointments. Since returning to Hilltop, she had moved into the mansion and also set up shop for Carol, Michonne, Rick and his family there. She offered a room for Melanie and Daryl, but she found comfort in their own little autonomous space.
She sat in Dr. Carson's office and spun circles on her favorite stool. When she looked out the window, she saw Daryl talking to Earl Sutton and she smiled. Maggie must've recognized the look on her face and she commented to Dr. Carson, "Ten bucks she sees Daryl."
Melanie tuned her head and smiled, "You should bet him something more valuable. Like the last known Twix bar."
Maggie laughed, "Very true."
Dr. Carson finished writing a note on his legal pad and told Maggie to get dressed. He looked concerned and she asked him if something is wrong.
"Your blood pressure is a bit high. And I'd like you to be about five pounds heavier. I know you've done a stellar job leading in Gregory's stead, but you need to be aware of what it is doing to your body."
Her friend nodded, "I know...I'm hoping that once this is all over, I can rest. Let my body do what it is supposed to do."
The doctor sighed, "You may have to make the decision...bring a healthy baby in the world, or be a leader. Come back daily and I will check your blood pressure."
Maggie looked deflated and nodded. As she dressed, Dr. Carson walked over to Melanie and gave her a look she couldn't discern.
"What?"
Dr. Carson laughed, "It feels weird to ask this, but given our current circumstances...are you and Daryl wanting to have kids?"
Melanie shook her head, "Not right now. I have one of the implants. Still got over two years left on the sucker."
The doctor laughed again at her frankness, "I'll just put this out there...if you'd like me to remove it, I can at anytime."
Melanie shook her head, "No. We're cool. I know the feeling in the room is 'go forth and multiply," but I am totally cool. Don't really want to worry about it unless I have to and I don't think that is going to change in two years."
Dr. Carson nodded, "I understand. There's no pressure. Just wanting you to know I am available to help if you change your mind."
As they were leaving, Maggie took Melanie by the arm and laughed. The first time she had heard that laugh since Glenn died. Melanie raised an eyebrow and Maggie laughed again, "You looked like Bambi and Dr. Carson was the hunter that was going to shoot you."
Melanie shrugged, "No offense to present company, but I don't think being in the family way is the best decision for Daryl and I. I think I can be a mom, I just...am going to take advantage of not having to worry about it, and I am going to ride out the next few years child-free."
Maggie nodded, "I get it. I'm scared shitless, but it is a part of Glenn. I still have a part of him."
She tried to switch gears, "Any names?"
Her friend looked sad, but resolute, "Hershel for a boy. Beth for a girl."
Daryl spent most of the day rounding up cars with Michonne as Rick asked them to. He was anxious to go back to see Earl Sutton and see what he had made. They walked up to the gates of Hilltop, exhausted and the cold was setting in, as he saw Melanie, Carol and Maggie all sitting together at the dining area. He watched her talk with their friends, a smile on her pretty face.
He was a total goner for her.
She saw him and Michonne walking up, so she waved to them to come and sit. He wanted to grab her and kiss her infront of everyone, but he still couldn't cross that bridge yet. A lot of things had changed for him...public displays of affection had not.
"Hey Stranger."
The words from her lips immediately made him think about the song she had written for him, the handwritten words he kept in his pocket. He couldn't help but respond tenderly, "Hey Red."
He and Michonne went and got some food and soon they were joined by Rick, Carl and Judith. They all sat at a picnic table and talked like it was just another day. As the sky darkened and he bonfire burned, they heard Kal sound the alarm just before a thunderous crash and one of the walls came down.
Negan had arrived.
A/N: hello my loves! Up next, the Attack on Hilltop. You guys will be interested to know, I've already started an AU version of Mellie and Daryl's story, much like I did with my Rick-Fic.
I was also challenged by a reader to make an OC/Daryl/Rick triangle Fic...I love a good challenge and now the first chapter is up. It's called "Wallflower." I hope you all check it out!
As always, you all are the best and I am so humbled by the response to this story. Please drop me a line. I love hearing from you all.
Super special shout outs go to: TheFaceOfAlison (aw! That is so sweet! I'm always nervous when the show starts again. I live in my head so much that I forget I'm not in control of how it goes lol!), galwidanatitud (they are rather awesome aren't they?), Angie B (you are right...Abraham would be proud, lol "Dolphin Smooth"), Gillyflower34 (I know, I loved writing for Eric. Negan and Mellie will show down, but he and Rick will be the end game), and AbbieRoseUk (I'm so glad you like it! I am definitely continuing with an AU Mellie and Daryl story so stay tuned!)
Thanks and Love!
Leah P
xoxox
