Chapter 29

The first thing I was aware of was that Daryl and Aaron had returned and they had people with them.

"Rick?" One of the newcomers asked, taking a timid step forward. Executioner Rick looked up, his head cocked. HIs brow furrowed as a look of recognition came over him.

"Morgan?" That name sounded familiar but every nerve in my body was buzzing

I walked straight out of the court yard towards Daryl, leaning my back against the brick, the tears I had been holding back coming down my cheeks. He looked at me briefly before stepping out of view into the courtyard. Brian was with them. He was just watching me with sad eyes as I cried.

"C'mon Rick. Let's get ya outta here." Daryl corralled Rick out of the courtyard. Rick looked over at me then back down at his shoes, his jaw clenching. It was like there was something he wanted to say. I was trying hard to ignore the blood all over Rick, all over me. Another reason I needed to escape from view, my control over the wolf was slipping. Too much fresh blood.

"I'll take care of this." Abrahams voice was low as he spoke of the lifeless bodies that were at his feet. Aaron stayed behind to help Eric. Once we had started back, Rick and Morgan pulled ahead, walking in silence, Brian a few paces behind them. I stopped Daryl for a moment throwing my arms around him. He held me close in one of his "I wasn't sure if I'd see you again" hugs. Something rough happened out there.

"I missed ya." he said letting me go.

"I missed you too." I kissed his cheek resting my forehead against his for several seconds. He took my hand and continued to walk back to the house.

I went directly to the fridge pulling out some leftover casserole from earlier and five bowls and spoons. Rick just shook his head, so I put the one set back and heated enough for the three of us. Morgan took the bowl from me.

"So, you must be the Misses." He said, "Daryl said he had someone to get back to. Never seen a man so determined."

"Yep, name's Gwen." I shook his other hand, then he looked back at Brian.

"Wait, that means this is-?" Brian nodded.

"Mmhmm this is who I've been looking for. Who would have known we were looking for the same group." Rick had turned back around as well his interest piqued.

"You know me but I'm afraid I don't know you. Though you kind of look like my uncle Breeon." Just saying it out loud made something click, "Oh my god...Ephriam?" My cousin smiled softly at me.

"Seems you finally remembered."

"Why didn't you say something?" I felt tears in my eyes. Blast these hormones.

"Well you had um- you were really hurt, and you I didn't want you to start getting all anxious to be reunited with your estranged little brother."

"Whoa, whoa wait," Daryl put a hand out, "Yer her brother?"

"No, not really...we were pretty close when I was in highschool. He's Joel's nephew, Ephram McLaughlin." The look Daryl gave me was that he expected a full explanation later. Right now i wasn't really sure how to act around him, had he forgiven me for how we left things? Why was he looking for me? How could I tell him the truth of what had happened to me just after I saw him for the last time?

We sat at the island, Daryl and I sitting on the kitchen side, Morgan across from him, and Ephram beside me. He had handed the map he found in Gabriel's Church back outside of Atlanta, back to Rick. He looked at it, at the note he wrote on it.

"You were right." Morgan started, "It wasn't over." Rick nodded, setting down the map.

"We should talk more tomorrow." he walked over to us, "Listen...I don't take chances anymore." Morgan nodded in turn, looking up at Rick.

"And you shouldn't."

Michonne came home soon after, bearing news that Deanna wanted Morgan and Ephram to stay the night in the "holding cell". She was getting ready to escort them over there when I stopped them.

"Ephy…" He looked at me, "I'll come find you tomorrow, we can talk then okay? I'm glad your safe-" he pulled me into his arms resting his cheek on my head. I stiffened momentarily before relaxing, the memories of Summer in Kansas warming me like the sun on his farm.

"I've been waiting twelve years to see you again Big Sis." He whispered.

"I know Ephy." I rubbed his back, "It's been a long time…" They left then and i followed Daryl upstairs

"What's all this stuff?" he asked, walking over to the tarp that I had draped over the baby supplies. I smiled, glad for a distraction from thinking about Ephram.

"Well I went on a run while you were gone." he looked back at me with a 'i specifically told you not to go far' glare, "Oh don't give me that look, Miya came with me." He looked under the tarp, grabbing something and pulling it out. It was the tiny jean vest. He looked at it then back at me, chewing his lip. He pressed his fingers to his eyes, stemming some of his rising emotions.

He came over to me, his hands on either side of my face.

"Yer gonna be a daddy…" I whispered. He wrapped his arms around me, picking me up off the floor. I squealed in surprise. He let me down, pressing his lips to mine. He pulled back looking into my eyes, the depths of his feelings shimmering there. He was thinking for a while.

"I've been trying to remember when it could have happened," He continued to for several more moments, before he grinned, "It was after we found each other again." he pieced together. I nodded.

"Can you think of a better time?" He shook his head. He put his hands on my cheeks again, kissing my forehead before pulling me to him again, his cheek resting on the top of my head.

"I want to thank Miya for helpin' ya, and for keepin' ya safe before."

"I bet it'll make her feel better." I craned my head to look at him, "I already told her I didn't blame her, but she was certain that if she brought me back dead, you were gonna kill her." He sighed like maybe he might have. I'm sure it would have probably been a knee jerk reaction, but i had a feeling he might have turned the gun on himself instead.

"Imma take a shower. Ya wanna join?" He asked, his voice low and gravely. Mmm the thought of me carrying his son was seriously doing it for him right now. Yes please. I nodded following him to the bathroom. He started to undo the buttons, as I pulled my shirt off. He had stopped and was staring at me as I stripped.

"Ya wanna watch?" He nodded. I slipped my finger under my bra strap, pulling it slowly down my shoulder, pulling the corner of my lip between my teeth, my fang puncturing the flesh a tiny dot of black blood coming to the surface. I passed my tongue over my lip as I pulled my other bra strap down. He had started to undo his buttons, eyes glued to me. I unclipped my bra letting it slide down my arms and onto the floor, I turned, my arms still over my chest. He huffed in frustration. I undid my pants, happy at this moment I had the foresight to remove my gun belt and holster before we went upstairs. I slid the waistband over my hips, hinging at the waist leaning forward as I pulled them down. When they were around my ankles, he growled and slapped my ass, pulling me up against his front. I could feel him through the material. I sucked in a breath standing up, his hand coming up to cup my breasts, his fingers working at my nipples.

"No fair, now I'm the only one naked." He nuzzled the curve of my neck, finally letting go of me long enough to pull his own clothes off finally. I stepped into the shower, flicking on the water, letting it fall on my face and head. He stepped in behind me stealing some of my water. I could feel him pressed against my butt, the flesh twitching. His mouth found it's favorite spot in the curve of my neck, sucking and biting there. It was on the opposite side of where I was bitten by the walker.

"Daryl, someone will see there." I moaned not wanting him to stop in the least.

"Let' em." he growled, nipping me there. He turned me around, pulling me to him. It was like if I held him tight enough we would merge. Daryl ran a hand down his face, then pushed his long hair back, and I almost came just watching the muscles in his arm and chest ripple.

"Yer drooling." he wiped a line of spit from my face. I coughed, and would have blushed if I wasn't already in this state.

"Probably because I think you are the sexiest thing on this damn planet."

"Stop." He complained. I immediately started to crack up.

"Here we are in the shower together, getting hot and bothered, and you still get embarrassed when I call you sexy. Are you real?" I put my hands on my hips squinting at him. He scoffed, the corner of his mouth lifting in a grin.

"Same could be said to you. Anyone complements ya and ya turn into a tomato. Then when we're together," he grabbed my ass with both hands pressing us closer for effect, "The wolf really comes out. Ya probably don't even know, but ya get this look in yer eyes…" He let out a shaky breath, "The hottest look I have ever seen. Gets me going every time." I was embarrassed, "See I know that made ya blush." I lightly punched his solar plex.

"Ow." He complained, I snorted, pulling his face to mine. He kissed me deeply, then pulled back, "I'm gonna manhandle ya." he stated.

"You better." I growled, pulling his lip between my teeth making sure I didn't nick him with my canines. He used his foot to push my feet slightly apart. He rubbed himself between my legs, enticing the sensitive nerves all around it. He pulled back again, his fingers taking its place. My knees buckled, panting as he rubbed my clit, his fingers rough and vigorous. I shuddered, pulling him away, sinking down to my knees. I held him up, taking him in my mouth. He moaned as I started to bob my head, my tongue working in tandem, swirling over the flesh. One hand gripped my hair right up against my head, exerting his own force against my head and the back of my throat. When I gagged, he let me go slightly, letting me move at my own pace for a while before the pleasure made him impatient. He grabbed my hair again, starting to move me faster. I took him deep in my throat, gagging several times before I pulled back.

He pulled himself from my mouth and helped me up, pressing me to the wall, his body over mine.

"Put your arms around my neck." he grunted. I did as I was told, and as soon as I had a hold, he pulled my legs out from under me, using the wall to keep me in place. I wrapped my legs around his waist, locking my ankles together. He's knees were slightly bent as he hovered below my entrance. He looked back up at me, recapturing my mouth, as he let me slide down slightly as he straightened his legs. My breath came in gasps as he filled me.

"Oh Gwen..." he growled in my ear, his breath on my skin making me shudder with pleasure. He took my earlobe between his teeth, and finally began to rock his hips. I dug my nails into his back, pink trails criss crossing his skin. He had one arm wrapped behind my butt the other hand found its way to my throat, squeezing my arteries. I moaned as my mind went blank, crashing down from the peak of pleasure. He had little left in him and followed soon after. He pulled himself out, letting me down. I leaned against the wall not confident that my feet would hold me.

"C'mere." he said, pulling me to him, dumping some shampoo in my hair. He started to work it into a lather.

"Are you shampooing my hair, Mr. Dixon?" I squeezed my eyes shut as lather dripped down my face, still breathing hard.

"Yes, she's the mother of my child, the least I could do after ravaging her in the shower is wash her." I smiled letting him massage my scalp. I did him next, a satisfied grunt coming from him as I massaged his scalp. He let me rise off then came at me with the bar soap.

After he had cleaned me and conditioned my hair he looked at the bottle with disdain.

"What's this conditioner stuff? Some female shit?" My snort echoed in the bathroom.

"It makes your hair soft. Just give me." I put my hand out and he handed over the bottle. Putting a little in my fingers, I ran it through the ends of his hair. Rinsing his hair, when I rinsed mine, closely inspecting the follicles. He wasn't impressed until it started to dry about forty minutes later.

"Yer right, it's super soft." He was laying shirtless on the bed, a pair of black sweatpants around his hips, rubbing a few strands between his fingers. Then he rolled over running his fingers through my hair.

"I dunno 'bout you, but I need to sleep." I told him. He nodded, crawling over me, stopping to kiss me before reaching past and turning off the lamp on the side table. He moved off me, sliding under the covers and pulling me to his chest. Daryl squeezed me for a moment before relaxing.

"I love ya Gwen. And I'm gonna love him." he pressed his palm to my stomach. I put my hand over his.

"So will I. Because I love his father" he kissed me again before finally letting me sleep. And sleep I did, glorious dreamless sleep.

Daryl was awake when my eyes finally fluttered open around mid morning. He was lying on his stomach propped up on an elbow, tracing circles on my back with his other hand.

"Mmm that feels nice…" I mumbled.

"Well I see ya finally decided to wake up." he teased. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Well, if someone hadn't exhausted me last night…"

"Pfft, sure." He was blushing though, making my own face heat.

"So what happened out there?" I asked remembering suddenly his relief seeing me again last night, and the way held me like I was his life line. He flopped his face into his pillow letting out a groan.

"Some fucked up shit that's what." He sat up, and I rolled on my side to look at him, "We'd been following this man in a bright red poncho, so it was pretty easy to track him. At some point we lost him, and came across this food distribution place. Aaron wanted to give up and scavenge. After a bit he convinced me. There were all these semi trailers lined up and we opened one, only to find it filled with walkers. It triggered a trap that opened all the trailers, walkers pouring out."

"Someone set up a trap?" I furrowed my brow.

"Yeah. Rick, Carol and I saw a walker in the woods last week with a W carved in it's forehead. These also had them." What the hell could that be? "Aaron and I managed to get into a car, but it was lookin' grim. I was about to push out of the car and try and clear a path so that Aaron could escape. Morgan and Bria-Ephram showed up then; saved us. Then we came straight back here."

"These 'W' walkers, you think it's another group out there?" My instincts red flagging all of what he was telling me.

"It could be, but we didn't find any living people with those 'W's in the area." He looked back at me, "Can ya promise me this time, that ya won't go out there by yerself right now? Not until we get a little more info?"

"Fine, but now that ya know about the baby, I'm going to put my foot down about some things." He squinted.

"What things?"

"Ya can't sideline me just 'cause. I'm one of our best fighters, I want to be a part of protecting this place, just like the rest of you. I promise ya that I will not go out by myself." He chewed on my words for a minute.

"Fine, but if at all doubt yer overall health, I will sideline ya, no if's, ands or buts."

"Even butt's as cute as mine?" I asked him, he blushed.

"Yer a handful, ya know that?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Two, to be exact." I said, grinning like the cheshire cat. He groaned, suddenly pinning me to the bed and tickling my sides. Someone cleared their throat. It was Michonne. Daryl sat back looking at our friend. Michonne, that was a bold mood comin' in here without knocking. Maybe she was curious about all of our sexual ventures. Nope….weird.

"Hey." Daryl greeted her, sitting back. I sat up waving.

"Mornin'."

"Rick's gonna be heading out soon and I think he wanted to talk with you, Daryl." Then she turned to me, "Rick and I think it's fine if you want to escort Ephram around for today. Catch up. He's fine as long as you're with him." She seemed like she hadn't slept much after last night's events at the meeting.

I got dressed, leaving Daryl to work on the bike.

Ephram was sitting on the bed leaning against the wall, when I arrived. He stood up as soon as he saw me, his face suddenly flushed.

"They said that someone would come to show me around, I didn't think it'd be you." I walked over to him.

"Well Michonne knows that if you misbehave I can kick your ass. C'mon, you hungry?" He nodded following me out of the cell.

Neither of us spoke as we headed towards the house Carol was working in today prepping meals. Then I heard Ephram clear his throat uncomfortably..

"You look fantastic Gwen. Compared to when i found you last week." Mmmm starting with a complement, he was buttering me up.

"You forget, I was raised by Joel, I know all the McLaughlin tricks." I sneered at him before continuing, "What is it you want to know?" He laughed nervously before his face tightened.

"Everything...Everything that's happened since I saw you last." Letting out a strangled sigh, I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying desperately to make up my mind about how much I really should tell him. He already saw we come back from the dead.

"A lot has happened in twelve years Ephy…" I felt haunted by the memories of before i was like this, "Plus I'm kinda scared to ruin how you remember 'Big Sissy'." His face flushed, probably wishing I would forget that, "I'm so much different now than i was before." He snorted.

"Darlin', aren't we all?" I stopped and looked at him, just looking at him, maybe looking for the little boy I met that summer after Rehab. Or maybe the angry tween who she pushed away. He shifted under her gaze.

"Sorry...I just-" I chewed my lip, "Let's get some food first, huh?" He nodded and continued to follow after me just like he did when he was a kid.

I first met Ephram when he was ten. Right before I was done with rehab, Ephram's older sister died in a car accident, and the young boy was not taking it well. Ephram had also been in the wreck and had lived. Ephram's dad was Joel's little brother, the same brother who made Norah and Joel's rings. Norah was a sought after psychologist who worked closely with vets suffering from PTSD. Ephram had stopped talking to anyone, and sometimes wouldn't even eat.

At the time I hadn't even met Joel's family nor had I any idea my new parents were about to use me to help their nephew.

I had been waiting in the lobby of the center for about an hour when they finally arrived. They had to take care of some things in town and their flight had been delayed. Norah rushed in apologies flying every which way, Joel trying to get her to chill.

"Guys, it's okay. I was just drawing while I waited." I closed up the sketchbook on the little boy's face, I had no memory of. I had just started drawing him, and when i was done i realized i didn't recognize him. But how could that be possible? And I knew it wasn't just a composite of other peoples' faces because I saw his whole face while I drew like he was sitting for me. He looked so sad, and I had been confused about what possessed me to draw this melancholy kid.

Joel was loading my bags into a beat up silver pick up truck, with temporary plates.

"I thought we were just renting a car to get to the airport?" I asked them. Joel and Norah exchanged looks.

"Well instead of flying we thought maybe we can have a little road trip back, since you'll be starting school soon." Norah said, "Plus, we thought that maybe we should, get you a car…" My eyes went wide. A car? They trusted me enough to have a car?!

"You mean this is for me?!" This beat up old pickup was a chrome plated freedom machine. Joel and Norah grinned thrilled that I was excited. Of course Joel spent the first few hours just teaching me how to drive the stickshift. Then we were on our way.

Right into a trap. Joel had me pull off the main road down a little dirt lane.

"Joel I think this is private property. Won't we get in trouble?"

"Well at least you managed to find your sense of right and wrong in rehab." He teased, I glowered at him as Norah chuckled from the back. We were getting really close to the house now, I could see it from here.

"Joel what is this place?" When i saw the mailbox read 'McLaughlin'.

"This is my family's farm. We need to make a little pitstop." he explained. At that point I knew that they were up to something but I didn't press, just parking the truck next to a bright blue jeep that was badly mangled. Two tired looking adults came out of the door. Norah and Joel got out heading over to them hugging them close. I looked at the mangled mess beside me, my heart skipping when I saw a pretty girl sitting in what was left of the driver's seat. I blinked and she was gone.

"Shit...guess you learned your lesson on taking strange drugs, Gweneth." I shook my head and climbed out of the car. I still could shake that i was about to hear someone died in that car.

Sure enough when we got inside there was a memorial set up in the living room, apparently there had been a funeral a few days ago. The photo was of the girl I had just seen.

"And now you can see ghosts…" I whispered to myself as I looked at her portrait.

"Evie, Breeon, this is our foster daughter Gwen. The one I was telling you about." I turned at the sound of my name, "Gwen darlin', this is Joel's youngest brother and his wife." Norah introduced us.

"It's nice to meet ya. Um… and I'm sorry fer yer loss."

"'For'." Norah corrected. I was trying not to get angry every time she corrected my speech but it still made me prickly.

"I'm sorry for your loss." I corrected, then I saw another photo and my heart skipped again. The little boy I drew earlier, "Is this yer son?" I asked in a rush.

"Yes, that's out little Ephram." Evie sniffed.

"He was with her...wasn't he?" I asked. I looked over to see four sets of shocked eyes.

"Did you tell her already?" Breeon asked his brother.

"Tell me what? Yer all up to somethin' aint ya?"

"'Aren't you', and maybe." Norah answered, "But I'm a bit shocked that you have puzzled it out yourself." Me too, friend. Me too.

"Marcy was driving Ephram home from music class, and it was raining. An oncoming car swerved into their lane. Marcy always had a bad habit of not wearing her seat belt, but this one time it was for the best. She was able to completely shield Ephram and they were hit head on. Marcy died instantly, Ephram walked away with only a broken arm." Breeon told me.

"But he hasn't spoken a word since it happened. It's been three weeks." Evie was crying again.

"What does this have to do with me?" Sure it was a really sad story but I wasn't sure how i could help, "Norah's the psychologist." Breeon grinned.

"She reminds me of him, you know." Norah's gaze darkened.

"She's exactly like him." Joel responded.

"Stop talking about him." My foster mother barked at the two McLaughlin men. So far I had learnt that she didn't like speaking of her dead son. Marcous had died almost ten years ago, and being someone who had never had a family, I wasn't very sure how one dealt with the death of a loved one. I didn't pretend to know what Norah still felt, even after these years.

"I don't care if I'm a monkey's arse!" I wanted to pull the tension off Norah for a moment, even if that was scolding me.

"Gweneth!" and did she scold. Once I was done being reamed, Norah sat back down with a huff. I did catch her knowing glance though.

"Well, when you were admitted to Grady, I also oversaw all those kids that you were taking care of." Hy heart squeezed thinking about those kids. They had all found good homes. Joel had worked closely with the social worker. Maybe to try and impress me, which it did, "None of them would speak to us until they saw you racing down the hallway to them, security trying to catch you, tubes flying everywhere." Joel was chuckling at the memory, "Once i explained the situation, they let you in to see the children. Only while you sat with them did they finally speak to us."

"That's an entirely different thing than this." I argued, "I was the only one they had, I cared for them like they were my own siblings." Norah was just looking at me, I had answered my own question, "Oh…"

"Marcy and Ephram were inseparable even with their ten year age gap, and even though Marcy was not my daughter." Evie explained, "Ephram...he's a very special boy, and he gets teased. Now that she's gone, I fear it has gotten worse." I sighed and looked back at the door, Marcy's ghost just staring at me with sad eyes. We held our gaze for a long time. Her eyes were pleading with me to help her brother, her soul crying out. I had to hastily wipe away tears after feeling her residual sadness.

"Fine. Can I meet him now?" They looked at each other like they thought it was going to be really hard to convince me. I had a hard time saying no to helping kids, in the first place. Now I had the ghost of my cousin looking over my shoulder. Also I was having a very strange sense of deja vu, this whole situation just feeling all too familiar.

Ephram was rather small for ten, and skinny. His sandy hair was shoulder length and waved gently, his features soft with the slightest femine hint. Even though he was a very handsome little boy I knew just by looking at him that he was being bullied.

"Ephram honey, I brought a friend who wants to meet you." She opened the door, revealing the young boy sitting in the window just staring blankly out of it. He wouldn't look, he just continued to stare.

"Can I have a few minutes with him?" she nodded and left me there. Crossing the room, I sat across from him.

"So... a really good friend of mine, she recently told me that she has this cute little brother, who just loves to sing." I said softly, also gazing out the window, Marcy staring up at us from the yard, "But no matter how hard she tries he can't hear her. Can't hear her tell him how much she loves him. You can see her too can't you?" He looked at me then with little moon eyes, then back at Marcy in the yard.

"My name is Gwen, I'm yer new cousin I guess." I set a hand on top of his head, patting it slightly. He visibly relaxed, but continued to stare at Marcy, "Joel and Norah, yer aunt and uncle took me in. We were taking a road trip and thought we would stop by to see y'all. Ephram," he looked at me again, my hand resting on his shoulder, "I'm real sorry about yer Big Sis. And I know that I will never be able to replace'r but if it's easier… you can think of me as yer Big Sissy. Can you do that?" I saw Marcy again, now in the room.

Ephy…

"From now on, I'll be yer Big Sis, alright Ephy?" His eyes began to water, then he pitched forward throwing his good arm around me. We sat there for a long while while he sobbed loudly into my chest. Breeon and Evie were standing just outside the room both of them crying as well, their son finally finding his voice again, even if it was just his heart wrenching cries.

I spent the next two weeks solely with Ephram. After three days he began to speak softly just to me, usually to talk about Marcy or to ask me questions about where I came from, or what I liked to do. Then on the tenth day he agreed to his first session with Norah, but only if I was there.

We spent most of our time playing or creating or just being in each other's company, something soothing about being around someone who just seemed to get me. Even as young as he was he knew that I had a hard life, and he spent most of that time teaching me what family felt like. Two loney kids finding solace in each other's company, his breathing slow and even as he dreamed the summer away.

"Gwen honey?" I was in the hay loft Ephram with his head on my lap.

"We're up here Norah." I called down ever so softly. She poked her head up and saw him asleep, her face spreading into a grin, "We were playing red riding hood and the wolf. He was Red." I pushed the hair off his forehead, "He's such a pure soul, Norah. The idea of boys things or girl things, they don't apply to him. He just does what he likes, regardless." Sometimes he liked action figures other times he liked barbies. He also loved ponies, those were his favorite, "He's also very intelligent. Like sometimes in a spooky way." Norah looked at me and amused look on her face

"Well you're one to talk." She said, pinching my cheek, "Maybe I just didn't notice it before because you weren't home for long before we sent you to rehab, but you are a very different person. But I like her, not that I didn't like you before." She chuckled, "Then when you already knew about things we hadn't told you, that drawing you showed me of Ephram. Two peas in a pod. It's all that native blood in him." She reached forward and petted the top of his head, "You better wake him up, dinner will be ready soon.

At the end of our stay Ephram was talking to his parents again. He had sat with me in the parlor for an hour mouthing the words over and over until his parents came in from the fields. When the pair had come in the door, he jumped off the couch and stomped over to them. He planted himself before them, my kin looking at their son with piqued interest.

"I-I love you, and I'm sad that M-m-marcy is g-g-gone. B-b-but i h-have to b-be strong. S-she would have w-w-wanted that…" Evie broke down falling to her knees hugging her son, sobbing into his poncho. Breeon placed a hand on Ephram's head, the tears rimming his eyes but never fell.

"I'm g-gonna w-w-write to you every d-day Big Sissy." He said hugging me as tight as he could with one arm still in a partial cast.

"You better little scamp."

I spent the next two summers there, leaving as soon as I was done with school for the year. The last time I saw him was the night of my seventeenth birthday, I was drunk and said things I regretted. He stopped writing to me after that.

Now here he was, a man, trying to understand what had happened to me just a little over a year later. A single tear rolled down his cheek, and he scrubbed his face, then looked at me taking a shaky breath.

"I knew some of what happened to you, but Joel never revealed what really happened to you in India." Ephram rubbed the stubble on his chin, his eyes looking at something only he could see, "When we heard that you have been kidnapped-all I could think was how I let that stupid argument at your birthday drive me away. Now you were gone and I may never see you again. That you might die thinking i hated you…"

"You were young, you could have never known I was lying." I brushed it off trying to divert him from the truth of the situation.

"'Yer just some snot nosed brat who clug to me because his sister died.'" He recounted, I felt sick just hearing it, "Those guys, they were bad news huh?" The guys who had gotten me drunk, then took advantage of me. Maybe I knew that if I didn't get him away then he would have to see that or worse, be assaulted right along with me.

"They were, but I was angry you were there, I think, angry that you saw me in that state, angry that you knew I shouldn't have been there, yet I was. If i was going to shatter your image of me i was going to break the mirror so that you would never want to look back." We were sitting side by side in the Gazebo, and when i was done speaking, Ephram sighed and laid his head on my lap like he used to, looking up with his golden brown eyes.

"Gwen, you know, you and I are more alike than you know. Of course I knew what you were doing but I let it upset me anyway. Then the next summer you went to Asia." Correction: I spent that summer in the Bahamas for my birthday, then I left for Asia. It was a little white lie Joel had told for me.

"When you were kidnapped I spent every day working to raise money to bring you home." My heart squeezed painfully, "Norah always said she didn't need it, but I had to do something, and that was the only thing I could think of. I even taught a self defense class for the girls in my grade." Oh, I bet they lined up for that. He rolled over facing away from me.

"When I heard that you finally were home, I wanted to fly out to see you, but my dad said that I couldn't because you weren't ready to see people. So I waited. Then, I saw some of your artwork on social media. You were really popular on SCAD's page." Social media, School, normal life. How long had it been since I had thought about it, instead of surviving? "So I decided to fly out to see you. Spend a summer with you like we had when we were kids." I set my hand on his head, touching that silky hair that had darkened with age, "I was in New Orleans about to make a connecting flight to Atlanta when everything fell apart. My reckless ass wouldn't be stopped. I was going to find you.

"I got to Grady a week after you left. I ran into one of their patrols, and as soon as they heard my name they asked me if I knew Joel. They weren't sure if i was faking when i told them he was my uncle. So they asked me the name of his daughter. I told them he had a foster daughter named Gwen. They were convinced, and I didn't realize it was because they had just met you until we were already on our way. Big and Burly fella, I think his name was Licorice? Land Rover?"

"Licari." I chuckled, "Man hits like a damn truck." I rubbed my jaw remembering.

"Anyway. Joel almost didn't let me leave but I told him I had to find you."

"How did you find us?" He sat up with a smirk.

"An elephant told me." I glowered at him.

"You're mocking me." He snorted.

"Yes, sorry. Joel told me that you were taking someone back to Virginia, and I ran into Morgan on the way. He was headed the same way, found a map in a church in the forest with Rick's name on it, and that he was headed to DC. He and I were separated for about three days before I found you and that absolutely stunning woman in the forest."

"Miya, that's her name." He grinned, "Not sure she bats for your team though." I wiggled my eyebrows at him, his face falling, "But she also had a hot threesome with Daryl and I so who knows." He just deadpanned at me.

"Are you sure we aren't related by blood?" I snorted in response.

"Gwen!" I heard Miya call me.

"What remarkable timing." Ephram's cheeks reddened when he saw what I meant.

"Oh god, I'm not ready to see her yet. I haven't prepared a speech." He made a terrible face, shaking me. I beckended her over, much to his misery. He quickly righted himself scratching at his stubble. I smacked his hand a way.

"Hey Miya, how are you feeling?" She shrugged before beaming.

"You look radiant today, Gwen. Gettin' your prenatal glow on." Shit, I knew I forgot something.

"Whoa, whoa, wait, you're pregnant?" Ephram hissed, "But you died, I felt your heart start again. How did you not have a miscarrage?"

"Sorry….I uhh-forgot to mention that...I don't know, so I just caulk it up to the fact that I'm not normal." Miya sensing my need to be saved interjected.

"Sorry, I never introduced myself, I was a bit of a mess." Miya extended her hand to Ephram. He took it, shaking it, "Miya Underwood. And thank you… for helping Gwen I out there." I wrapped my arm around her hips bumping her side with my head.

"Stop beating yerself up, Miya. I'm fine now, the baby's fine." She petted my head.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." I watched Ephram's face change as he looked at her, but her eyes were glued on me again.

"Well I better be off, gotta get some stuff from the pantry for dinner tonight." She gave me one last squeeze then sauntered off.

"Damn she has it bad for you doesn't she?" he asked once she was out of hearing range.

"I know. And i feel really bad about it. But she knows I have rules." He looked disheartened, "Instead of focusing on whether or not she likes guys, maybe just try to befriend her first." I offered.

"God it really is like old times. Instead this is no Stacey Renfield." Stacey Renfield had been Ephram's childhood crush the first full summer I stayed there. I had told him something similar then.

"Well you followed my advice then didn't you?" He cracked up.

"Yeah and found out that her pretty blonde head was empty." I joined him, remembering the little sassy tart that would always make Ephram feel bad for being sensitive. I was glad when I didn't have to see her face again the next summer.

When I caught my breath again I remembered that I had a prior engagement.

"Shit Ephy I totally spaced that I have a commission I'm supposed to do today."

"You still draw!" I nodded, "Can I come with?" I thought about it, not really seeing why it wouldn't be okay.

"Okay, but you have to promise to behave."

"Why wouldn't I?" He asked a playful look in his eyes.

"Mmmm, something just tells me that you tend to get yourself into rather...sticky situations." He squinted.

"I guess you'll have to find out dear cousin. I can't say no to a pretty face."

"Ugh, come on."

I was doing another pet commission for another bored housewife. I walked up to the door Ephram waiting at the bottom of the steps out of caution. The door opened revealing a thin woman in her mid forties.

"Gwen, so good of you to stop by!"

"Sorry, Rick asked me to show Ephram, one of the new arrivals around. He's my cousin actually, reunited after twelve years." I rushed through the last bit, not really caring to get into it, "Do you mind if he sits while I sketch,``I looked down at the note I had scrawled on my hand of the animal's name, "'Monsieur Fluffy Briefs'? Don't worry he's house broken." i joked. She looked around me at him, her mouth twisting into a grin.

"Honey, he is most welcome, come on in." I went in first, Ephram following close behind.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Moncerie." He took her hand bowing, placing a kiss on her hand. Then he said something along the lines of your ass is fat and tits wrinkled, in french. The woman who luckily knew zero french was pretending he was whispering sweet nothings. I dramatically gagged at him and headed in to start drawing.

She sat on the couch next to him as I drew her poodle, almost on top of him. She was talking to me but looking at Ephram. I had to hand it to him, he was rather charming, and even when she said shit that made my brain cells die painful deaths, he would just laugh or make her feel like what she said was fantastic. Then I realized why I knew he was going to be up to no good.

"Mrs. Ashby. You know this is a beautiful house. Would you be willing to give me a tour? I bet the bedrooms are huge." She was on that, like bees on honey cakes.

"But of course, but I bet they dwarf in comparison to other things." They stood, Ephram threading his arm through hers and gave me a wink. Then she led him off towards the stairs. It was maybe five minutes later when I heard the sound of springs.

"What a dog." I told Monsieur Fluffy briefs. They were still going at it when Mr. Ashby arrived.

"Oh Gwen, have you seen my wife?" he asked, coming into the room. I wasn't sure how to handle this situation. I was about to make up some shit story when Mrs. Ashby came down the stairs in a flutter, hastily dressed in a bathrobe.

"Jenny? What's going on up there?" She grabbed his hand and pulled him up the stairs.

"No time to explain, but you have to come." The bed springs started up again. I just sat there with my mouth open.

"No, I take it back, that man is an artist." I corrected my statement to the bored poodle.

I was finishing up about an hour later when the three of them descended the stairs laughing and talking happily.

"All done?" He asked, I nodded.

"All done?" I returned. He smirked at me.

"Here is this, for your trouble." Mrs. Ashby handed us over a basket full of baked goods and other food items.

"Feel free to come back whenever, Ephram." the husband said.

Once we were outside I rounded on him.

"What in holy hell was that?" Which just made my cousin about burst a seam with laughter.

"Uh… well it's what I'm good at."

"Seducing house wives and their husbands?" I was trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. He shook his head.

"No-well yes-but no." I gave him a look that said, 'well I'm waiting', "I was a sex therapist before the world ended. It would start as counseling, then if I decided that the root of their problems was something more psychological they were referred to my partner." His eyes darkened momentarily, "If there problems stemmed directly from sex, then I would help them. The situation varied from couple to couple, and because I've always been good at reading people, I saved several marriages. You would be surprised what expanding a couple's sexual borders will do for them." He was referring to the look on Daryl's face as we rounded the corner. The need in it gave me shivers, every nerve on my body prickling.

"My point exactly." Ephram said when he saw my own look, "But I mean damn, who wouldn't look at him like that." He wiped his brow dramatically.

"C'mon." I pushed him gently towards the house. Daryl rose from where he knelt working on the bike. I walked straight to him wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing a lingering kiss on his lips.

"Well hello to you too." He said, his voice low and gravely. I gave him another peck and let go.

"Damn can I have some ice over here?" Ephram was fanning himself, his cheeks flushing. I snorted, pinching his cheeks.

"Oh little Ephy we really are the same ain't we? You stick to bored housewives alright?"

"What the hell are ya talkin' bout?" Daryl brows were knitted in confusion.

"Oh, nothing, other than I've come to find out that my little brother was a sex theripist." Daryl immediately blushed.

"Shut up. That's not a thing?" Daryl told Ephram.

"Why don't you go ask the Ashby's?" Ephram and I started to die, my hand pressed to my side, tears leaking out of my eyes.

"I'm sorry, babe….it's not you…" Daryl just shook his head as he watched the two of us calm down.

"Pair'a idiots, the two of ya." He scoffed.

"Is Rick back yet?" I asked him, once I had regained my facilities.

"Nah but he should be soon."

"Let's wait inside yeah?"

I was laying my head in Daryl's lap, my feet on Ephram's. He had begun to rub the soles of my feet, and I unconsciously let out a moan, cause damn who doesn't love a foot massage? Even with my eyes closed I could see the looks on their faces. Ephram was smug, and Daryl, jealous. I whacked Daryl's chest lightly.

"Stop that." Then I pointed to Ephram, my eyes still closed, "Don't make it weird Ephy. Family zoned, and I know it's just because yer lusting after Daryl."

"Eep! I've been found out!" I chuckled softly, then I remembered something Ephram said on the way back here.

"Ephy, you said you had a partner. Was it business or pleasure?" I opened one eye to look at him, when his hands stopped, "Sorry we don't have to talk about it."

"No, you told me everything, I might as well." His hands gently rested on my ankles, "Her name was Savannah. She-she was coming with m-me to meet you...we w-w-were engaged. She's the one who pushed me to rec-c-connect." He sighed, the stutter returning with his emotions high. He got up, walking over to the window seat, "She was the one, and while w-we were escaping New Orleans, she was b-b-bitten. B-b-b-begged me to k-kill her while she was st-t-till her. So I d-did." he gritted his teeth for several moments, letting out a deep breath, "I'm not sure I could ever love someone like I loved her. So d-damn smart, all the thoughts in her head." A tear snuck out of his eye and he hastily wiped it away, "God, it's b-been over a year s-since then. I was with another group for a little, but they all d-died." He paused scoffing a bit, "Mmm, cheery thought."

"When I thought Gwen was dead…" Daryl started, "I felt hollow, like the piece of me capable of love died with her."

"I dunno Ephram, just wait till ya get to know Miya, you might be fallin' hard and fast once more." I gave him a knowing smile, trying to brighten his mood.

"Oh yes, my goddess Miya." His smile was small but there was just a hint of excitement door flew open and Rick stormed in Morgan on his heels. I sat up looking at them.

"What's goin' on?" Daryl asked. Morgan and Ephram acknowledged the other by nodding, steely expressions on their faces.

"We have a serious problem."