The Dixons

There were rumors, talk met by a healthy degree of skepticism in the looks on the faces of the other people gathered around the picnic table. Only one of them with real history behind the initial doubt in Eugene's story. A cure? a vaccine?

After all this time, to have that sort of hope seemed almost frivolous. Daryl couldn't tell if Eugene was deliberately avoiding eye contact with him.

'He's right you know...I for one believe it' Stephanie chimed in, reaching across to offer Eugene her hand which he grasped; grateful for the vote of confidence.

Two and a half years in and in some ways Stephanie still thought of herself as the newest de facto addition to the group. Though she had no real reservations and had been graciously welcomed in, she was still at the stage in her new found family where she worried about what Daryl, Connie and the others thought of her, whether they felt they could trust her.

Princess and Mercer were technically newer considering she'd been in some way a part of Eugene's life before they came long, but they didn't seem to share her concerns.

'If it's true then what possible reason is there for the information not to be made public?' Aaron's tone was hushed; abruptly halting his speech as the kids at play scuttled by within earshot.

Judith was on her hands and knees with Socorro on her back clinging to her shirt and squealing with joy and terror as the horsey ride went faster; Gracie and RJ close on their heels as they all sped around the makeshift track.

Connie had unconsciously stood up, ready to bolt to where Judith and Coco were nearing the finish line. Daryl put his arm around her waist, playfully pulling her to sit on his lap 'Relax..they're fine' he laughed softly, kissing her on the cheek. Despite the seriousness of the topic they'd just been discussing, they were in good spirits. It was a beautiful sunny day, and a birthday party after all.

The adults had paused the conversation; their attention turned to the sport. A cheer erupted as the race ended. 'Everybody wins!' Princess cried, blowing on a colorful paper whistle. 'Evie body wins' echoed Coco clapping happily. Gracie picked up handfuls of colorful paper confetti throwing it up in the air, laughing with delight as it showered down. Negan couldn't help but chuckle as he and Yumi picked confetti out of each others hair.

The tiny patch of green behind the Dixon home had been transformed for the celebration; colorful streamers and tiny yellow light bulbs were strung back and forth from fence to wall. A section of an old cafeteria bench served as a picnic table and was covered with home made decoration just like the streamers, party hats and whistles. Connie had baked a cake and they shared a simple potluck lunch.

'Juanita sweetie, please pass me those plates ..' Mercer started to clear the table. 'Remind me again why you don't call Princess, Princess!' Stephanie had joined him to help. 'Oh, I do!' he said as the two of them got up to go inside

He grinned wickedly '...I just save that for baby making time' he whispered the last part conspiratorially. Stephanie's almond eyes grew wide behind her owl rim glasses, her cheeks were warm with mortification

'I heard that!' Princess swatted Mercer playfully

Her heart was filled with tenderness as she watched him maneuver around the kids at play. He balanced the stack of empty plates on one palm, classic waiter style. She smiled. The road to trust had been long but not hard. Mercer had loved her consistently and without question, and Juanita had come to know and love him as deeply in return.

It was late afternoon when Lydia poked her head through the back door, 'Hello Dixons; am I late?'

She emerged carrying a single inflated purple balloon tied at the end of a piece of string. 'We saved you some cake' Daryl replied.

She picked up Coco giving her a big kiss and went around to say hello and share hugs. 'Where'd you get it?' Judith asked excitedly. Lydia had surrendered the balloon, and the other two kids were bumping it around as Coco chased after it in an impromptu game of pickle in the middle.

'My friends and I work extra hours at the depot and some of the stuff we find we get to keep...' she replied

'That's so cool' Judith was in awe.

'Do you think Connie and uncle Daryl will let me work when I turn thirteen?' Judith asked, sitting down on the grass next to Lydia

'Maybe...' Lydia responded thoughtfully. 'Most days, you'll probably be way too tired from training, so you'll be happy to have all the time off you can get'

Judith was thoughtful. 'Is it hard?' she asked

Lydia, wise beyond her nineteen years had gotten better at reading Judith's stoic exterior, and was careful about preserving the younger girl's sense of self reliance but still compassionate. Some things she'd learned from her adopted dad. 'You'll do great!' she said sincerely 'you're the smartest, fastest, toughest kid I know Judith Grimes'

They were talking about the one year of basic training; a kind of boot camp compulsory for kids once they turned thirteen which for Judith was just a few short months away. Pamela believed in starting them early, something Daryl and the others were not necessarily averse to. He just didn't understand why the kids needed to be boarded away from home, from their families so young, and for a year.

Daryl and Connie had talked over what they would do when the time came for Judith. Now with Coco just turned three they'd be required to put her in the day care program within their division. Another unsettling reminder of the cost of this new freedom and security they enjoyed.

In the years they'd been at Commonwealth Daryl had become something of a free agent. Very early on Pamela recognized there was something untamable in the quiet stranger. There was a deep loyalty and strength in his close knit circle of family that she'd not been able to penetrate even with Ezekiel and Aaron holding senior positions in her military. And if she had any objections to her Chief Officer being connected to the new comers by way of his love life, she'd kept them to herself for now.

For Daryl, whether with the military, or agriculture or wherever he was called, he performed his duties effectively and without a lot to say. Pamela had grown to like him in her own way and had become accustomed to seeking his insight on matters that required an 'unconventional' approach. Keep your friends close... Daryl figured. Not that Pamela was an enemy, but things continued to teeter dangerously on that thin line.

Because of this balance, Pamela had been willing to make concessions when it came to the Alexandrians, if it meant her authority would otherwise go unchallenged. Even so, Daryl had bluntly brought the matter of the children up with Pamela but she'd remained unmoved. She was either oblivious or unwilling to see that her autocratic regime did not sit well with him as a matter of right and wrong; it wasn't just about selfishly taking care of only his family.

Some nights as they sat together in the tiny living room of their home, Judith curled up on the couch next to Daryl, RJs head resting in Connie's lap where he often fell asleep; Daryl wondered if he'd made the right decision in bringing them to Commonwealth. Judith especially was becoming aware that the walls surrounding them were designed to be unbreachable not only from without, but from within as well.

Connie could read Daryl's concern where others might easily miss the slight tells. They had cultivated an intimate bond of understanding; they had no secrets and no insecurities, only absolute trust and openness with each other. On those nights, after the kids were tucked in bed, Connie would sit beside him and take his palm gently in her hands. As she traced out words of assurance, the tension visibly evaporated leaving only a deep feeling of love and gratitude which Daryl tenderly communicated back to her.

Their love was strong. No matter what happened it would overcome any challenge, would be there to nurture and protect the children and their extended family.

'You hungry kiddo?'

Lydia was well passed the age when she'd fought against being called a kid. Coming from Connie, or any of these folks who were her surrogate parents she reveled in the sense of warmth and belonging that accompanied the term of endearment.

'Yeah, a little' she responded. She'd opted into Connie's american sign language basics class soon after they'd arrived and Connie was proud of her student's achievements so far.

Connie had taken on a part-time teaching load when they'd first arrived. She had Negan to show her the ropes as he had gone back to his teaching roots and taken on the physical education assignments.

Lydia brought the plate of food Connie fixed her outside and sat on the grass.

While she ate, the younger kids gathered round plying her with questions about her days and the things she'd seen and done, to them it all sounded very grown-up and adventurous.

Night fell and the little light bulbs strung across the yard offered a pale yellow illumination over the place. The lights were a sacrifice Connie and Daryl had made out of their energy allowance. After all, they didn't get to host a party everyday.

Over where the group were gathered, the conversation returned to the earlier topic. Their tones had grown hushed and serious.

As they talked they hadn't notice someone come to the back gate quietly unlock it and noiselessly approach, until they slipped in beside Eugene on the bench, startling him, saying 'If I didn't know better I'd say you all were conspiring'