Chapter 32

As soon as the words left Daryl's mouth Maggie frantically turned towards the house and began banging on the door whilst calling for her sister, "BETHY?…BETHY?"

Daryl moved from where he was stood at the same time that Glenn lifted young Hershel into his arms. He had never seen his wife in such a state and he glanced briefly at Daryl who was briskly walking towards Maggie.

"What the hell ya think you're doin?" Daryl yelled as he grabbed Maggie's arm.

For a single moment she stopped to stare at him unsure of what to say when the door opened.

Beth had fallen asleep whilst sewing but awoke to a pounding noise. Jolting upright from her chair, she noticed Daryl was no longer seated at the table. Worrying something was wrong she quickly rushed to the front of the house where she thought she heard someone calling her. It was only when she heard Daryl's voice penetrate the heavy knocking that she reached out to twist the door handle, sucking in a breath when the lock clicked so she could pull it open.

"Daryl?" she questioned worriedly as her eyes sought out her husband. She was vaguely aware of other people stood on their porch but found herself only focussing on her husband, who displayed a look of confusion, anger and worry.

"Bethy? Is that really you?" a voice asked from beside her, pulling her gaze.

A woman with brown, chin length hair looked with hope and curiosity at her as she turned her head towards the voice. For a moment her eyebrows pulled together as she took in the woman in front of her; a woman that seemed somewhat familiar.

Daryl bristled when Beth made herself known and he dropped Maggie's arm the instant Beth called his name. It was only as he watched her appraise the newcomer that he stepped closer to her side.

"Beth, do y' know these people?" he questioned gently.

Looking past the woman in front of her, Beth noticed a dark haired man stood near the porch steps; a young boy in his arms. She didn't recognise him at all. Focusing back on the brown haired woman, Beth stepped forward as if to take a closer look.

She knew it was rude to crowd someone's space but she didn't know what else to do. It was only when she reached the woman's eyes that she noticed something that she hadn't initially seen. They were the same eyes as her grandfather.

"Maggie?"

The woman in front of her nodded and smiled, and Beth realised she had spoken the words out loud. Each of them stood silent as they took one another in. Maggie had to admit, Beth still looked the same. Of course, she no longer displayed the childhood freckles that had decorated her nose and her hair had become more golden than the white, and she definitely had the telltale signs that she had blossomed into a woman, but all Maggie could see was the small thirteen year old girl she had left behind so many years ago.

Before she could stop herself, Maggie reached forward and enveloped her sister in a hug. At first Beth went rigid in her arms before she relaxed in the warm familiar arms.

As they pulled apart Beth smiled, "it really is you, isn't it?" again Maggie nodded but was unsure if she would be able to speak due to the tight ball she felt in her throat.

A look of unease flashed over Beth's features, "I wasn't sure" she admitted, "you seem familiar but different at the same time" Beth's mind wandered back to the last time she had seen Maggie and tried to recall how she had looked. It was hard to remember but she recalled the same kind smile that she saw now.

"Beth?" Daryl prompted again from behind her, causing her to look over her shoulder and raise a hand for him to thread his own into. Although her sister stood in front of her, she knew that she needed Daryl's strength to comprehend it all.

As his fingers twisted around her own, she smiled at him before pulling him closer, "Daryl, this is Maggie"

Daryl grumbled and scoffed, "yeah, we already met" he told Beth as he glared at the woman in question. Beth giggled slightly before confirming, "she's my sister".

Both Daryl and Glenn, who had stepped closer to the conversation, gasped at the revelation causing Maggie to look over her shoulder towards her family and Beth to look at Daryl; who displayed a raised eyebrow.

Glenn stepped forward and shifted his son on his hip as he approached his wife. He threw a small smile towards the couple in front of them before looking at the parcel they had brought that was now laying on the porch floor.

"So all this time we've been bringing these parcels and your sister was just a few feet away" he mentioned, whilst sounding a little bemused at the whole thing.

At his words Maggie's face turned white and she looked back at Beth with a snap of her head, "you were the woman that was abducted? We've been worried about her…I mean you" she rambled.

"How did y' know what happened and where we live?" Daryl quizzed pulling Maggie's gaze from Beth.

"We moved into the store the night you brought her back. Irma filled me in" Maggie confirmed before looking to her sister, "I'm so glad you're okay" she told her honestly as she pushed a curl behind her sisters ear.

Each of them stood for a moment before Maggie realised she still clutched her father's pocket watch in her hand. Opening her fingers she held it out to Daryl, "I'm sorry, this belongs to you" she offered before dropping it in to his outstretched hand.

"Is Daddy here? Did he come to Westray with you?" Maggie asked as she bobbed around trying to look past the couple to see inside the house.

Beth sucked in a breath and felt Daryl squeeze her hand reassuringly, "why don't y' girls go on in the house" he told her, "I'm sure y' got plenty t' catch up on and I gotta help Glenn here with the wagon anyhow" he finished as he inclined his head in Glenn's direction.

Beth merely nodded before facing Maggie with a grimace on her face. Maggie recognised the look instantly; Beth had never been able to keep secrets and she knew she likely had something to share.

"C'mon" Beth whispered as she reached for Maggie's hand, "I'll get some coffee on".

…

"You think they'll be okay?" Glenn asked as he looked up from the barn, where they were working on the wagon, to the house.

After the women had retreated into the house, Daryl had taken a brief look at the wagon before noticing a bolt was almost sheered off. He had instructed Glenn to move it down to the barn, so they could work on it closer to his tools and out of the cold.

Daryl looked over his shoulder at the house as he tugged to pull the new bolt tighter.

"Think they got a lot ta catch up on, but I know Beth will like havin' her sister around for sure".

Glenn nodded before taking a pack of food from the back of the wagon. Daryl watched as he moved towards the small boy that sat on a cushion of hay.

"What's his name?" Daryl questioned as Glenn took out a small slice of bread and offered it to his son.

Smiling Glenn stood up, dusting the crumbs from his hands, "Hershel" he replied before looking back towards his pride and joy.

Daryl wasn't sure what to feel when the man told him the young boys name but he knew the old man would have loved the honour of having his name passed down. He was unsure exactly what had gone on in the family, but he knew Hershel loved Beth with everything he had; so it would be unsurprising if he didn't hold a spot for Maggie too despite what may have gone on.

"Is their father close by?" Glenn enquired innocently.

Shaking his head, Daryl moved towards Glenn and gestured for them to step outside. Pulling his cigarettes from his pocket, he lit one before refocusing on the man next to him.

"He passed away" Daryl explained as he blew out a plume of smoke, "same man that took Beth killed him" he added.

Glenn sucked in a breath. After all of the stories Maggie had told him about her father, he had always hoped that one day he would be able to meet the man in the flesh.

…

Beth busied herself with preparing the cups and kettle. It was only when the kettle started whistling that Beth started to feel nervous about the conversation she knew was coming. Where did she start? How did she tell her sister that she was the reason their father had been killed?

Catching the end of her fingers on the hot kettle pulled Beth from her thoughts and she quickly picked up both cups before hurrying to the table.

Maggie sat waiting patiently for her sister to speak, but Beth continued to stir her drink repeatedly instead. Laying a hand on her sisters arm, Maggie watched as Beth's head snapped up; her eyes clouded with tears.

"What's goin' on Beth? I know something's bothering you, ya got that same look y' had back when you were this high" Maggie told her as she held a hand up indicating a height.

"Daddy's dead Maggie" Beth whispered unable to meet Maggie's gaze.

Immediately Maggie withdrew her hand in shock, her eyes flickering as she tried to think back to the last time she had seen him. God, she had been so angry with him and the way he was acting. But, over the years, as she had grown up, she had always hoped to get in touch and mend their rift. Now she would never get that opportunity.

Seeing Maggie withdraw had Beth reaching out to take her sisters hand. Although Beth had missed her sister when she had first left, she had adjusted quickly to it being just herself and her father. However, now that Maggie was back in her life, she realised just how much she had missed her in the years that they had been separated.

Feeling a familiar small, smooth hand grip her own pulled Maggie back to the present. "How?" she whispered, needing to know but unsure if she wanted it to become real. Maggie knew her father was slightly older than most when Beth had been brought into the world and vaguely wondered if his age was a factor in his death.

Sitting silent, Beth was unsure where to start so she took a deep breath and started at the beginning. Beth didn't miss the whimper from Maggie when she explained the night her father lost his leg or how he had quit drinking so soon following the incident. Beth was surprised that Maggie sat listening so intently, usually when they were younger Maggie always had things to say whether people wanted to hear them or not.

Beth felt Maggie's grip tighten on her hand when she explained about the Governor and how he had acted to herself and Hershel back in Woodbury, but loosened when Beth recalled the visit with Carol and Merle and how the wheels were set in motion for her to become a mail order bride.

"So you didn't even know him before coming here?" Maggie questioned in shock.

Beth giggled and shook her head at the look on her sisters face. She could imagine the thoughts running through Maggie's mind; little meek Elizabeth moving across the state to marry a stranger!

"Nope, hadn't even seen a picture of him neither" Beth confirmed with a large smile.

Maggie looked around the kitchen in which they sat before returning her gaze to Beth, "are y' happy here?" Maggie questioned before adding, "with him?"

Beth turned her head to look out of the window towards the barn as if she could see Daryl over the distance. Feeling a wide smile she turned back to her sister, "I am" she confirmed but saw a look of doubt cross her sisters face, "honestly Maggie, I don't think I've ever been happier"

Seemingly accepting Beth's words, Maggie gestured for Beth to continue the story. Both of them cried when Beth informed her sister of the circumstances surrounding their father's death before Beth explained that the same man had abducted her. Maggie didn't press her for details of what happened at the hands of the Governor and for that Beth was grateful.

Maggie tensed when Beth told her of the Governor taking Beth from her home. She didn't need the ins and outs, Irma Horvath had already shared plenty of information during her visits to the store since Beth had been found and brought back to town.

When Beth finished, both sisters sat in silence. Neither had any more tears left to cry so they just sat and stared at one another as if they were afraid that the other would just disappear right before their very eyes.

It was the sound of the back door opening that snapped them from their thoughts, before small footsteps ran across the floor in Maggie's direction.

"Hey you" Maggie cooed as she caught the small boy, "c'mere and meet your aunt Beth"

Beth gasped, "you're a momma?" she questioned as she recalled the man on her porch holding a child earlier.

Maggie smiled wide and kissed the top of the boys head before confirming, "I'm a momma".

"What's his name?" Beth asked gently without taking her eyes off him. Slowly she reached up and ran her finger softly down his cheek.

"Hershel" Maggie explained, "his name's Hershel, after daddy".

…

"You think we should head back?" Glenn asked in concern. They had fixed the wagon and were now both stood waiting.

Daryl moved to confirm they should when Rick pulled up with the children. Stepping over to the wagon, he reached up to take Judith from Carl allowing the boy to jump down on his own.

"Hey Daryl. Glenn" Rick greeted as he jumped down to tether the horses. Rick had already met Glenn and his family several times since they moved to town. After Bob had informed him that their breakfast pastries were to die for, he frequented the store often.

"Are Beth and Maggie inside?" Carl questioned as he moved to walk to the house.

Daryl offered a "mmhmm" before looking at Glenn. Rick glanced between the two men and frowned in confusion, "What? What is it?" he queried.

"Maggie and Beth" Glenn began before looking back at Daryl, "they're sisters" Daryl finished.

Rick's mouth was agape, he wasn't expecting that. He continued to look between the two men stood in front of him before clapping Daryl on the shoulder, "looks like your family's still growing Daryl" he told him as he gestured to Glenn.

Daryl looked confused at Rick's words, "if they're sisters" Rick clarified as he nodded in the direction of the house, "that makes you two brothers".

Both men looked wide eyed at one another. Glenn had only grown up with sisters and didn't often have a whole lot of close friends, but he had to admit that he'd enjoyed the short time he had spent with Daryl whilst fixing the wagon. Glenn had noticed that Daryl wasn't much of a talker, which suited him just fine as he could usually fill any silences; something he had learned from Maggie, but what connected them the most was the same sense of humour they both shared.

"Hey, is that your boy?" Rick asked, pulling Glenn from his thoughts as himself and Daryl turned to the direction Rick was pointed.

Sure enough, little Hershel was running across the grass towards the back door of the house.

…

When the men entered the kitchen, they instantly spotted Beth fussing over Hershel before she raised her glance to where they stood. Upon seeing Judith in Daryl's arms she instantly stood before rushing to claim her for herself; a smile lighting up her face. Daryl chuckled at his wife, he knew she loved the little girl plenty and he couldn't deny her spending time with the baby she had seen so little of since her return.

Maggie smiled at her sister, recalling how Beth always loved playing with dolls. Ever since Beth was old enough, the only thing she ever wanted was to be a mother; it seemed that some things never changed.

"You're a natural" Maggie offered from where she still sat at the table with Hershel in her lap, "I'm sure you'll be expecting one of your own before too long".

Beth glanced at Daryl before turning back to face her sister. She felt Daryl step up behind her and his arms come around to rest on her stomach and she knew he was giving her his agreement to share their news. Laying one hand over Daryl's she felt her baby kick against them, "we already are" Beth confirmed, "expecting I mean" she clarified.

Maggie deposited Hershel on his feet before rushing to embrace her sister. Maggie had been on her own all this time, yes it had been her choosing, but it finally felt that she was beginning to get her family back.

Everyone stayed until Glenn noticed the sky darkening with time. Once he made the fact known, everyone had moved to take their leave.

"Beth" Maggie asked as she helped tidy the room, "would ya mind if I stayed tonight?…I mean I just got you back and I'm afraid I'm gonna wake up and it's all jus' been a dream"

Beth looked over Maggie's shoulder and watched as Daryl offered her one curt nod in agreement. Bringing her eyes back to her sister she smiled wide and nodded.

Daryl walked Rick and the children back to the wagon, to see them off. Once Carl had climbed up and got seated with Judith, Daryl grabbed Rick's arm and pulled him off to the side wanting to ask him something he had been wondering about.

"You alright?" Rick asked in concern.

Daryl shrugged, "yeah man, it's nothin' like that…I was jus' wonderin'…do ya know what happened to him?" he asked, before clarifying, "Hershel I mean…do ya know what happened to his body?"

Rick looked back towards the porch where he could see Maggie saying her goodbyes to Glenn and her son. Turning back to Daryl he nodded, "yeah, from what I hear his body is still down in Hilltop. It's been a while but that Marshal from up North wanted the body kept for evidence."

Daryl cleared his throat, "wondered if ya might be able to pull some strings, find out for sure"

Rick looked him over in concern, he would do anything for the man in front of him that he considered a brother, "what y' thinkin?" he questioned.

"Wanted t' bring Hershel home to his girls" Daryl confirmed. He had thought about it since they had found Beth and brought her home but it wasn't until Maggie had arrived on their porch that he had given it more thought.

Rick smiled and clapped his hand on Daryl's shoulder, "leave it with me and I'll see what I can do".

…

"God, I cannot wait to get into my bed" Andrea groaned as she turned to the woman that walked along beside her.

Andrea had been staying at her sisters for the last four months and whilst she enjoyed the time she spent with her sister and niece she was glad to be home. Walking under the moonlight, her pace quickened as she approached her front door.

The journey had been longer than expected due to the train making an unexpected extended stop just over halfway into their journey. Now rather than arriving to the warm afternoon sunshine, she was arriving in the middle of the night.

Unlocking the front door, she pushed it open before ushering her friend in ahead of her, "after you Michonne".

Andrea had met Michonne whilst visiting her sister and they had become firm friends. When the decision had been made for Andrea to return home, Michonne jumped at the chance when Andrea offered her an invitation.

Stepping in through the door Michonne stopped to allow Andrea to pass her. It was after all the woman's home. Andrea dropped her bag before turning to face her kitchen. Immediately she frowned at the mess that covered every inch of the room, before she quickly moved to the parlour opposite; this room was just as bad.

As she turned back to Michonne she saw the woman point above their heads to where they heard bed springs creak.

Andrea nodded and reached behind a book case that lined one wall in the parlour to retrieve a shotgun she kept there. The two women silently spoke and came to an agreement in the darkness before Andrea took the first step.

Having lived in the cottage that she rented from Rick for several years, Andrea knew where each creaky floorboard was. Michonne mimicked the movements she saw and together they climbed the stairs.

Taking a deep breath, Andrea pushed open her bedroom door and noticed a figure under the covers. Nodding once and indicating a presence to Michonne, Andrea crept forward before she stood at the side of the bed.

Cocking the gun as silently as possible, Andrea grimaced when the click reverberated throughout the room. She could see Michonne out of the corner of her eye, a look of worry on her face.

Shane had downed every drop of alcohol that he could get his hands on before passing out in bed. He knew he should be trying to attend work and checking in with everyone, but each time he tried he saw Beth laying on the floor covered in cuts and bruises. The more he saw her in his mind, the more her face was replaced with his sisters.

"Hands up asshole" Andrea stated with as much authority as she could muster.

She watched as the man groaned but simply gripped the covers before turning over; completely ignoring her.

Looking back to Michonne, she noticed the woman holding up a large liquor bottle before she looked around the room spotting several. Quickly walking to Michonne, she thrust the shotgun into her hands before leaving the room.

The gun felt heavy in Michonne's hands but she kept it trained on the drunk man that lay in Andrea's bed. As quickly as Andrea had left, she returned with a large bowl of frigid water, which she swapped with the gun Michonne had just been holding.

Seeing where her friend was going, Michonne stepped to the side of the bed at the same time Andrea gripped the gun against her shoulder. When she was ready, Andrea gave a nod to Michonne who proceeded to pour the cold water over the man.

"What the?" Shane spat as he sat up coughing and spluttering, only to come face to face with the end of a shotgun.

Glancing up from the barrel he noticed a beautiful blonde. He was so busy looking at her face he didn't notice her moving the gun back towards her.

"Who are you and why are you in my house?" she demanded.

Ahhh, this was Andrea he thought. Rick had told him when he allowed him to stay in the house who it belonged to. However, he had assumed she was some old woman, not the young beauty that stood in front of him.

"I'm Shane" he explained as if it made perfect sense, but realized it didn't when he heard another voice scoff from next to him. Looking to the side he noticed another woman, who still held a bowl in her hands; well that explained the water he thought.

Turning his gaze back, he didn't have a chance to move when he saw Andrea bring down the butt of her gun hard against his head.

His body slumped back on the wet sheets as Michonne stepped forward to check him.

"You knocked him out!?" she stated but was unsure if it was a question or a statement as she turned back to her friend who was looking unsure.