Rhiannon sat atop the makeshift doctor's examination table, swinging her legs impatiently. She was dying to go see Carl, to make sure he was ok. Hearing Rick's explanation on what had happened, Sam and Jessie getting devoured by walkers, Ron shooting Carl in the eye, it all seemed too horrific to be true.

She winced as Daryl pressed the towel harder against her shoulder to stop the flow of blood that had been steady since she'd ripped all of her stitches fighting the herd of walkers.

"Why didn't you get this checked out as soon as you popped your first stitch?" Daryl asked her, a hint of annoyance in his voice, though it was overshadowed by his concern.

"Well, there were hundreds of walkers at our gates and you were missing, so there were more pressing matters to focus on." She answered sassily, a wide smile growing when she saw him roll his eyes at her.

"Brat." He muttered under his breath. Rhiannon smirked and nudged him lightly. She was so relieved to have him back. Those couple of days without him felt like forever and she was more than ecstatic to have him back.

"Ok, what do we got here?"

Both Rhiannon and Daryl tensed as an unfamiliar woman approached them. Seeing the hesitant and untrusting expression on their faces, the woman blanched, her eyes going wide with nervousness as she stood before the intimidating couple.

"I'm Denise. I took over for Pete when he… well, you know." She said awkwardly, wincing at her own words.

Rhiannon eyed her curiously, a small smile on her face at the woman's nervousness. She found it endearing. It was rare to find a person in the end of the world who was so awkward and shy.

"This idiot pulled her stitches." Daryl explained, looking down at his wife with a half smile he was trying hard to hide, but was unable to with the way she looked up at him in amusement at his willingness to play around with her, especially in front of Denise, a stranger.

Denise laughed quietly, the couple's casual nature with each other putting her at ease. She quickly got to work, holding back a cringe as she pulled back the bloodied bandage on Rhiannon's shoulder.

"Yikes." She muttered. Her face dropped and she looked up at Rhiannon with wide eyes. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't-"

"Nah, 's ok, she needs some tough love. Probably the only way she's gonna learn not to be stubborn 'bout this kind'a shit." Daryl said.

Rhiannon rolled her eyes and slapped his chest half-heartedly.

"Don't listen to him." She waved him off.

They sat in silence as Denise began to work on repairing the stitches on Rhiannon's shoulder wound, Daryl's hand tightening in hers every time she winced or face twisted in pain as the needle pierced her skin.

"This will probably scar." Denise told her regretfully and Rhiannon's face dropped slightly, a dark look flashing in her eyes for only a second, before she schooled her emotions, putting up a blank facade, but Denise still saw.

"It's alright. I already got a few." Rhiannon mumbled.

An awkward silence fell over the three of them. Daryl squeezed Rhiannon's hand in his once again, giving his silent comfort. He knew what another scar would mean to her.

"How's Carl?" Rhiannon asked suddenly.

Denise sucked in a sharp breath at the memory of working on the teen.

"The bullet hit his eye. Thankfully, it didn't go any further, but he won't be able to see out of it. He'll have to wear a patch eventually."

Denise didn't notice how both Rhiannon and Daryl tensed at her words, a look of unease shared between the two of them. They hated who was instantly brought to mind at the mention of a patch.

"Alright, you're all set. Try not to rip these, ok?"

Rhiannon bit her lip to hold back a sarcastic smile and nodded.

"Thanks, Denise."

"Thanks, Doc."

Denise smiled warmly at the couple, surprised by how nice they were, despite how scary she once thought they were based on everything she'd seen and heard about the new group.

"Come on, you gotta get some rest." Daryl told her, gently helping her down from the table she was sat on. He kept his arm around her tightly, as if wondering how long it would take for her to lose her footing, leaving him to hold her up through her exhaustion.

"I need to check on Carl." She waved him off, immediately making her way towards the private back room where Carl was resting.

Daryl sighed, but he couldn't argue. He was dying to make sure the kid was ok just as much as she was. They both tentatively looked into the room, the sight of Carl with bandages wrapped around his head sending an enormous wave of hurt over them.

"Hey, how are you holding up?" She asked Rick softly, prompting the man to finally look up and notice their presence. His red rimmed eyes and tear stained face had both Daryl and Rhiannon's stomachs twisting uncomfortably.

They didn't often see their fearless leader in this kind of state and it was always off-putting.

"F-fine. I'm fine." He mumbled.

"We're here for you, whatever you need." Daryl told him softly. Rick nodded in thanks, a new wave of tears stinging in his eyes.

"He'll be ok. He's a strong kid, stronger than any of us. He'll pull through." Rhiannon said, her voice strong with conviction.

Rick nodded again, unable to speak with the lump in his throat.

They left Rick to be alone with his son. As soon as they stepped out of the busy infirmary, Rhiannon cringed, the sight of the countless corpses that littered the ground making her stomach turn.

"Come on." Daryl grabbed her hand, guiding her through the maze of bodies to get to the house. The house was quiet, mostly everyone either in the infirmary to show support for Rick, get the all clear from the doctor, or they were already fast asleep.

The couple was silent as they tiredly made their way up the stairs, each step only making them more and more exhausted. Rhiannon leaned heavily on Daryl, letting him mostly carry the weight of the both of them as they made it to the bathroom.

Slowly, they undressed, throwing their blood stained clothes in the corner. It would be a miracle if they could be salvaged.

Stepping into the shower, they both let out sighs of relief as the hot water washed over them. Rhiannon, once again, leaned against Daryl's chest, letting her eyes fall closed. She moaned softly as she felt his first gentle touch on her back as he rubbed soap over her skin.

"Lean back." His raspy voice called out softly. Rhiannon, keeping her eyes closed, leaned her head back, allowing the stream of water to wet her hair.

She moaned again as his fingers ran through her hair, lathering her long locks with shampoo.

"You're spoiling me." She mumbled, feeling even closer to sleep at his soothing touch.

Daryl scoffed slightly in amusement. "You got low standards, Greene." He said with a smirk. "You know it was pretty stupid not to see Denise as soon as you got back. Rick told me you were in pain all day yesterday."

"I'm sorry." Rhiannon whispered. "I was just… I was so worried about you. You weren't back, Glenn was missing, there were walkers at our gates, I couldn't think of anything else."

"You gotta stop that shit. You gotta worry 'bout yourself, 'specially when I ain't there."

Daryl tightened his arms around her waist, holding her tightly against his body. Rhiannon stayed silent, taking in his words.

"Your turn." She said softly, gently turning them so Daryl was now under the spray of the shower. She reached for the soap, gently lathering it into his hair. This time, it was his turn to moan in pleasure at her touch, causing her to smile lightly.

"So what about those people you ran into? The ones that shot at you. You said they strung up bodies?" She asked, her mind unable to forget the story he'd told her as soon as he was back.

Daryl sighed heavily, leaning his forehead against her unwounded shoulder.

"Don't talk about that now. We can worry later." He told her, his arms running methodically up and down the length of her back, making her repress a shiver. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, wishing he had the energy for more.

The worry that coursed through him those days he was without her had his hunger for her reaching new heights when he'd finally seen her again. He so wished they had nothing to worry about, that could just indulge in each other for hours without any care.

It was so glaringly obvious they didn't, but he would take what he could get. Holding her wet, naked, tired body against his was all he could've wanted now.

"Just wanna be with you." He whispered, holding her tightly.


The cleanup was taking forever. Rhiannon, fully ignoring the aching in her newly stitched shoulder, was heaving for breath as she held up a walker by its ankles walking backwards as Merle took the arms, helping her carry it to the truck where they were hoarding the piles so Rick and Daryl could drive them out to dump them in the quarry.

"You ok there, Bambi? You're lookin' a little green around the gills."

"Are you telling me you don't feel sick around this smell?"

Merle just shrugged. "I'm used to it."

Rhiannon rolled her eyes at him. She gasped with exertion as they heaved the corpse up into the truck of the truck. She rolled her arm, wincing at the pull in her shoulder.

"You sure you should be working with that shoulder?" Merle asked with concern. "I'm surprised Darleena ain't stopped you yet."

"Where is he anyways? I haven't seen him all morning."

She was happy to wake up in his arms that morning, nestling into him snugly, indulging in his touch, his lips, and more, but as soon as they had to get serious and start the work around Alexandria, he had practically disappeared.

Merle seemed to hesitate, biting his lip nervously, immediately gaining her attention.

"I ain't wanna be the one to say somethin' or start speculation' or some shit, but he's been pretty attached to that broad he brought back." He explained, motioning over her shoulder.

Rhiannon turned, her gaze narrowing as she saw Daryl next to an unfamiliar woman, as they spoke to Michonne. The woman was tall, slim, tanned. Everything she wasn't.

"He tell you about her?"

"Vaguely. Just that she tied him up, some misunderstanding. She's running from some psychotic group."

Merle looked at curiously, a small smirk growing as he noticed her eyes glued to them intently. "How you feel 'bout him givin' a tour?"

Rhiannon looked to him, her face drawn with unamusement. "It's not like that. It definitely wasn't her bed he was waking up in this morning."

"It sure as hell wasn't her bed creaking this mornin' either."

Rhiannon's face flared with a deep blush. "Shut up, we're newlyweds." She muttered, unable to think of a better comeback with the embarrassment that flared within her.

Merle snorted out a laugh. "She's hot, wouldn't blame Darleena for strayin'."

Rhiannon's mouth dropped and she pushed Merle's chest. "Asshole."

Merle laughed loudly. He, of course, was kidding. Any person with a brain and eyes would know Daryl would never in a million years stray from Rhiannon.

"So, you gonna tell my brother who you were stuck with during the raid?"

"Not unless we want another fight to break out."

"Is he givin' you any more trouble?"

"No, I think he knows there's no possible way he could change my mind about him." Rhiannon explained, her eyes moving up to find Alex who was hauling dead walkers over his shoulder to dispose of them.

She quickly averted her gaze. Just the sight of him was enough to put her on edge.

It was quiet between the two of them as they made their way to the next body that needed to be taken care of. Rhiannon held back a groan as she picked up its weight, hoping it was enough that Merle wouldn't notice her discomfort.

She soon met his gaze and she was surprised to see concern in the stubborn redneck's eyes.

"What?"

"I heard 'bout Maggie and Glenn… havin' a little one." He said quietly, as if he were hesitant to bring it up with her.

Rhiannon stiffened slightly. She dreaded having these conversations, having everyone looking to her for the sadness they expected to see at the news.

"Yeah, isn't it great?"

Merle dropped the arms of the walker he was holding, making her stumble and drop the legs, making the body drop to the ground.

"What the hell?"

"Don't bullshit me, Bambi. This must be shit for you."

"It's not. My sister is having a baby and I'm happy for them. It's what they wanted."

"You sure?"

Rhiannon sighed. "Of course it hurts. I know what I lost, but that doesn't mean I can't be happy for my sister."

"Doesn't mean you can't have it either." Merle said quietly, sounding almost shy.

Rhiannon opened her mouth, but found herself unable to find words to respond. The idea of having a child sent butterflies in her stomach. The idea of bringing the idea up to Daryl was even more intimidating.

"Think about it. You and Daryl'd be good at it." Merle told her and quickly moved to pick up the walker again, motioning for her to follow suit. Rhiannon eyed him curiously, surprised that he was the one to give her this talk.

"You do?"

"Yeah. You two already go at it like rabbits, only a matter of time now."

Rhiannon scowled at him playfully and shook her head, forcing the thoughts from her mind. She'd drive herself crazy if she thought about it any longer and she moved, finally picking up the walker, helping Merle once again.

They only managed to drag five more bodies to the truck before Daryl was approaching with the strange woman, Michonne following behind them.

"Hey, you two got a minute?"

Rhiannon looked up, her heart racing suddenly as she saw the beautiful woman next to Daryl, Merle's words, no matter if they were teasing, echoed in her mind.

"Of course."

"This is Julia, the woman I told you 'bout yesterday."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Rhiannon." She smiled brightly, holding her hand out.

Julia looked at her in surprise and smiled shyly, reaching out to shake her hand. "I recognize you from your picture."

"Picture?" Her eyes slowly moved to Daryl hwo was ducking his head, a blush forming on his cheeks.

"Daryl showed me. It was... pretty much the only way I was able to believe he wasn't some masochist freak."

Rhiannon furrowed her brows slightly. She reminded herself to ask Daryl the full story later.

"Well, glad I could help, I guess."

"We're looking for a place for her to stay. She doesn't feel comfortable being alone just yet, we thought she could stay with Rob and Jenelle, you think they'd be ok with that?" Michonne asked her.

Rhiannon nodded eagerly. "Of course, they'd be happy to have you. Just be warned, Rob is a bit of a handful."

"Oh, is he Jenelle's son?"

"No, he's in his thirties. He can just be really inappropriate sometimes."

Julia laughed and nodded. "Got it. Thanks."

"I'll show you their house." Daryl offered. She nodded and sent a shy goodbye to Rhiannon and Merle. "I'll find you later." Daryl promised her, sending her a sly wink as he left her side.

Rhiannon smiled, finding his ability to leave her feeling so relaxed, yet so eager, an amazing thing.

She turned back to the corpse she was trying to haul away, but noticed Merle wasn't picking up his end. She looked up at him and sighed in annoyance when she saw his eyes following Julia, his gaze particularly locked onto her backside.

"Oh god." She mumbled and he finally looked back at her.

"What?"

"That poor woman has been through enough. She doesn't need you perving over her." Rhiannon scolded him.

"We'll see. There ain't been no woman that can resist the Dixon charm." He grinned cheekily.

Rhiannon rolled her eyes. "God help that woman." She muttered.


The house was buzzing with excitement. Carl had woken, Denise had given him the ok, and was finally coming home to rest comfortably.

Rhiannon was in the kitchen with Carol, helping her the best she could with her limited skills in cooking. She smiled happily when Daryl walked in, but it fell when she saw the nervous expression on his face.

"Hey, you think we got 'nough food to go around?"

"Yeah, I'd say so, why?"

"Well, with Rob and Jen comin', I was wonderin' if Julia could stop by for a bit, let her get to know everyone?" He offered slowly.

Rhiannon felt her stomach twist. She immediately wanted to slap some sense into herself, there was no need to get jealous over something so menial, but she couldn't help it.

"Uh, yeah, that's fine. We should have enough." Carol said, sparing a quick look over at Rhiannon before looking back to Daryl. "I'll go check with Rosita to make sure we'll have enough wine." She came up with an excuse and quickly scurried out of the kitchen.

"So… you two seem to be getting close." She mumbled, keeping her eyes on the cookie batter she was stirring instead of at him.

"Not really. I'm the only one she knows, just wanted to help her a little."

"You seem to be helping her a lot."

Daryl sighed, a hint of annoyance in his expression. "It ain't like that." He stepped towards her, wrapping his arm around her from behind and he began to press soft, teasing kisses to her neck.

Rhiannon bit her lip, stifling the soft whimper of pleasure that almost fell from her lips.

"You know there's only one person I got my eyes on and it sure as hell ain't her." He whispered hotly in her ear.

Rhiannon smiled, cursing herself for her body's immediate response to him. It was impossible to resist him.

"You got no reason to be jealous."

"Who said I was jealous?" She countered, steeling her expression to keep him from seeing right through her play, though it was probably useless. He could read her like a book.

Daryl smirked and leaned down, brushing his nose against hers as his lips laid just an inch from hers.

"You ain't exactly subtle, darlin'." He teased. Rhiannon snickered and leaned up, pressing her lips to his fervently, catching him by surprise at how easily she was able to turn the tables on him.

Daryl moaned against her lips, his arm wrapping around her waist tightly as his tongue tangled with hers, heating the kiss to levels she hadn't immediately intended, but wasn't complaining about.

She gently pressed her hips back, just barely adding pressure to his crotch that was already pressed against her. He groaned against her lips and tightened his grip on her hips as he kissed her heatedly.

"Oh god."

They both jumped apart at the sound of the overexaggerated groan. The couple blushed, Daryl taking a large step to the left to put distance in between him and Rhiannon, though the damage was already done.

Carl stood in the doorway, his face twisted with disgust.

"If I knew I'd be walking into that, I would've asked Denise to take out my other eye." He groaned.

Rhiannon gaped at him and shook her head.

"Damn, gallows humour, already? Thought we'd have to wait at least a few months to start cracking jokes." She teased, making him smirk lightly. She smiled and quickly made her way over to him, bringing him in for a tight hug.

"Ok, I can't breathe." Carl sputtered over dramatically.

"Deal with it." She waved him off and kept hugging him as tight as she was.

"How you feelin', Kid?" Daryl called out, approaching them and clapping a hand to his shoulder once Rhiannon finally pulled away from him.

"As good as I can be. Still trying to get used to this." He shrugged, pointing to the gauze over his eye.

"Chicks love a guy with battle scars. You'll be a hit." Daryl told him, making Rhiannon look over at him with narrowed eyes for his crass words.

"That's what Abraham told me...and Merle."

Rhiannon snorted at the disdain on Daryl's face at knowing he had made a comment in the likes with Abraham and Merle.

Carl suddenly smiled widely, a look of pure innocence on his face as he watched Rhiannon take a sip of the beer she was drinking.

"So… dad says I could have one tonight. You know, 'cause of everything I went through." He said with a sickly sweet voice, motioning to the six pack on the counter.

Rhiannon narrowed her eyes, sharing a quick look with Daryl who looked just as unconvinced. She was apprehensive, but with the look he was giving her, that damn puppy dog smile she was unable to resist since she met him, she gave in.

"If you're lying I'm throwing you under the bus." She told him, handing him an uncapped beer.

"I know." he replied, an easiness to his voice signalling he didn't care about the potential consequences and he took the drink happily.

The night went on without a hitch. Rhiannon was curled up next to Daryl on the couch, holding back a shiver each time his fingers gently traced patterns on her arm. She was able to talk to Julia more, getting to like the woman more and more. She was outgoing, a little shy, but easy to talk to.

She had already bonded well with Rob and Jenelle which made getting to know her even easier.

Rhiannon watched with a barely contained smile on her face as Jack engaged both Dixon brothers in an excited conversation about hunting. The toddler was absolutely enthralled by the Dixons and their knowledge on the outdoors.

Daryl and Merle were easily wrapped around his fingers, the both of them eagerly explaining how to gut a deer to him, much to Jenelle's dismay about the gory details.

She felt a fluttering in her stomach, a heat between her legs and a sadness in her heart as she watched her husband interact with the toddler.

Her head fell against his shoulder, wanting to be closer to him. He looked down at her, smirking lightly, before falling back into conversation with an eager Jack.

Beside her, Rick took a seat and leaned in close to her. "So do you know anything about the beer in my son's hands?"

Rhiannon blanched, her eyes widening with horror.

"That little shit." She hissed through gritted teeth.

"I knew it was you." Rick shook his head with a sigh.

"He said you knew about it!"

Rick's serious face suddenly cracked, a wide grin growing as he choked out a laugh, no longer able to hold his facade. Rhiannon eyed him with unamusement, slapping his chest as he continued to laugh at her.

"You asshole. I thought I corrupted your child."

"You have, just not tonight."

Rhiannon rolled her eyes, though there was a hint of a smirk gracing her lips. She couldn't deny that, not in the slightest. She looked over at Carl who was across the room, sitting with Michonne, and her face turned serious.

"How is he?"

Rick's face sobered and he stared into his drink contemplatively.

"He's… it'll take time. I can tell he feels self conscious about it. He's scared he won't be able to shoot again." He explained sadly.

Rhiannon bit her lip, sparing another look at Carl, but had to look away quickly before just the sight of him made her burst into tears.

"He's alive. That's all that matters."

Rick nodded in agreement, letting out a heavy breath before shaking his head and taking a much needed large swallow of his drink. Rhiannon was right. They couldn't focus on negatives. Rick had thought he'd lost his son forever that night, but he hadn't. He still had him by his side.

That was what mattered.

"Alright, who needs a refill?" Tara stood, interrupting their deep conversation, offering a new bottle of red wine. Rhiannon held out her glass, earning a chuckle from the woman who filled her glass to the brim, almost overflowing it.

"Damn." she muttered and Tara just shrugged.

"I serve my loved ones well."

She filled up Daryl and Merle next and then turned to Maggie.

"You want some?" Tara offered and Maggie shook her head, a soft blush blooming on her cheeks.

She'd been able to slyly give Glenn her wine when no one was looking, but she knew the double servings of alcohol were starting to hit him by the spacy look in his eye and the goofy smile on his face.

"No, I shouldn't." She declined, earning a look from Tara.

The room went quiet, noticing her unusual refusal.

"Well, I guess this is as good a time as any." She spoke quietly. "As some of you already know. Glenn and I…" she paused, taking in a deep, nervous breath as a wide smile came to her face. "I'm pregnant."

The room erupted into raucous cheers at the news. Michonne quickly got to her feet, giving Maggie a slightly drunkenly tight hug.

Rhiannon got up, wanting to finally congratulate Glenn who she hadn't been able to when she had first found out. She gave the drunk man a hug, giggling at his hiccuping laughs.

"I'm so happy for you, but also pissed that you didn't tell me."

"I'm sorry. Maggie made me promise." He explained with a shy smile.

"Didn't know you had it in you, Rhee. Congrats, man." Merle cheered, patting Glenn heavily on the back.

"Congratulations, Little Greene. That's amazing!" Rob cried out, taking Maggie into his arms for a hug.

Rhiannon took her seat back next to Daryl who was sitting quietly. He reached out, placing his hand over Maggie's.

"'M happy for you." He told her with a soft, barely there smile.

Maggie grinned widely, a gleam in her eyes at his words. "Thank you." She said, her voice practically a whisper.

She knew exactly what emotions he was feeling. She'd already had this moment with Rhiannon and she knew it would be hitting Daryl just the same.

The gathering continued, but it was obvious the energy had shifted. While almost everyone was celebrating Maggie and Glenn happily, there was an obvious dark aura surrounding Daryl. Rhiannon looked over at him, but it was clear he was in no mood to talk.

He sat rigidly, his eyes cast downwards, his body language closed off. He'd even removed his arm that had been around her shoulders.

Rhiannon tried hard not to dwell on it, not to think about why he was suddenly feeling upset. She knew, but she couldn't think about it, not yet. Not without breaking down and that was not something she was willing to do in front of everyone.

Swallowing down every emotion that was threatening to bubble over the surface, she turned to Rick and Rob, starting a meaningless conversation with them to get her mind off of what plagued both her and Daryl and their relationship.

As each second passed, it was getting harder and harder to ignore the pit in her stomach.


Rhiannon huffed in annoyance, turning yet again on her side, facing Daryl's empty side of the bed. Once the party had died down and the family had all started to make their way to bed, Daryl had waved off her offering hand to bring him up the stairs to their room together, telling her he'd be in later.

It had been at least an hour and she was getting tired of tossing and turning without him.

She knew the conversation they needed to have. It wasn't one she could put off any longer.

"Goddamnit." She whispered to herself and threw the covers off her body. Making her way down the stairs as quietly as she could, she peeked into the kitchen, frowning when she saw he wasn't there where she had left him.

She looked around the dark room and soon noticed a cloud of smoke from outside the window. Of course, he was on the porch.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped outside to meet him. He didn't look up as she came outside or even when she took a seat next to him on the porch swing.

"I thought you said you were coming to bed."

Daryl just shrugged in response, taking a long drag from his cigarette.

"Are you gonna stay out here all night?"

"Nah, was plannin' on comin' up soon." He mumbled and Rhiannon doubted the truth of his words.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" She asked quietly, not bothering to beat around the bush about what was clearly bothering him.

Daryl sighed heavily and stayed silent. He didn't, not really, but he didn't exactly have a choice. The conversation of having children had plagued them for months, it left an enormous, aching hole in both of them since her miscarriage.

"How long have you known?" He finally asked.

"Only a few days, the day Rick and I got back from dealing with the herd."

Daryl nodded, taking another drag of his smoke.

"How do you feel?" He asked, taking her by surprise.

"I'm better. I was a bit of a mess when I first heard, but… it's Maggie and Glenn, how could I not be happy for them?" She explained honestly. "I'm sad, but I know it's just because I'll never get back what I thought I would have."

Daryl stubbed out his cigarette and slowly turned to face her, biting his lip nervously, his heart racing wildly within his chest.

"You really think it'll never happen?"

Rhiannon's mouth dropped open, his question throwing her for a loop. Soon, she was just as nervous as he was.

"Uhh, well, I guess… it's not something we ever talked about before it happened and I just figured… after… you didn't want to-"

"No, I do." He interrupted, his gaze cast downwards, avoiding her eyes. "I want that with you." He spoke softly, almost nervously.

"You do?"

Daryl finally looked up at her, his lips twitching slightly in the barest hint of a smile. "I'd be the luckiest son of a bitch to have that with you."

Rhiannon smiled and reached out, taking his hand in hers and intertwining their fingers.

"So what now? I mean, I can go see Denise, get my implant out and we can start trying." She said quietly, excited butterflies bursting within her stomach at the prospect of having a baby with him. This was the most they'd ever talked about the possibility and it had her reeling with excitement.

But her face suddenly fell when she saw Daryl's expression shift. He looked scared, hesitant, worried. Not excited at all, like she felt.

"What is it?"

Daryl paused, gnawing on his lip anxiously.

"I want a kid with you, but I don't think it's somethin' we can do."

In barely a second, Rhiannon's heart shattered and felt as though it had dropped right out of her body.

"W-what? I thought you-"

"Look what happened last time. The virus, the Governor… our kid never stood a chance." He said, his voice barely above a whisper, shaky with emotion. "I can't go through that and I sure as hell don't want you goin' through that again. I can watch you-" He stopped abruptly, running a hand over his tired face and pinching the bridge of his nose.

He breathed deeply, forcing his growing emotions back beneath the surface. He felt he needed to be strong for her, that he couldn't have his time to break down, not yet, and not when he'd stupidly gotten her so excited over nothing.

"But we both want it." She whispered, her voice breaking slightly, causing something within him to break simultaneously.

"Look at the world we live in, Rhi. It's dangerous, there's always somethin' to knock us down. I can't bring a kid into this. I can't constantly worry 'bout them. I can't lose another one. Or if…" He paused, taking a moment to clear his throat before his own voice broke. "If I lost you, like… like Lori. I don't think- I can't- I wouldn't survive that."

Rhiannon's face was stricken with sadness. She knew he was right and hearing just how much the prospect of something going wrong made him upset only solidified it.

But it broke her heart.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, his face twisted with nerves, worried that he'd ruined everything between them.

Rhiannon shook her head, squeezing tightly to his hand that was still locked with hers.

"Don't be. You're right, there's too many risks."

Daryl was biting his lip nervously. He knew she was upset, but he also knew she understood where he was coming from, how there was no possible way for him to even fathom the possibility of losing her. He would give anything to avoid going through that, even avoid allowing them something they both desperately wanted.

"I guess we can compromise." He said softly, making her look up at him questioningly. "We can be the cool aunt and uncle."

Rhiannon smiled and let out a small laugh. "Yeah, I guess so."

Daryl sighed heavily. He felt like it wasn't enough, like she needed more, but he didn't know what to give her.

"I love you." He whispered to her, his eyes boring down into hers intently.

Rhiannon felt her stomach flutter. She could see in his blue depths just how much he meant it, just how much he truly cared for and loved her. It sent shivers down her spine, even after all this time.

She leaned in closer to his side, her hand gently reaching up to cup his cheek. Leaning in slowly, their lips met softly. Daryl's arm slithered around the curve of her hip, bringing her in closer, practically onto his lap.

He kissed her eagerly, like he needed to show her through his touch, through his kiss, just how much he truly meant his words, just how much he truly loved her more than anything in this world.

Rhiannon pulled away slightly, letting her forehead fall to rest against his.

"I love you." She echoed.

She loved him. She did, more than anything.

But she didn't want to compromise.