A/N- Last chapter, I can't believe it. It's been an awesome run, this series isn't over, no, this is just the beginning. So let's jump in, shall we?
I was standing by the window, Abby behind me with her arms around my waist, chin on my shoulder, my head tilted against hers. Night had fallen and the men weren't back yet. I was starting to worry, everyone was. I laced my fingers with Abby's to keep her from biting her nails, tensions were running high. They should have been back by now, right? I admit I was worried sick, I just knew I had to keep it all in and be strong for those around me.
The shot made me jump, it echoed through the dark. Abby and I both grab the guns holstered to our sides on instinct. Andrea wanted to go after them, I agreed. Lori asked that we stay, they may need us here. I knew she was right, but it didn't stop my instincts from wanting to go out and find them. This was killing us all. I holster one of my eagles, keeping the other gripped in my hand. I chew on my lip.
I never thought I would he so happy to hear a door open in all my life. As Daryl and Glenn walked in I felt a bit at ease, though worried still Rick and Shane weren't with them.
"Rick and Shane ain't back?" Daryl asked.
"No." Lori responded.
I walk next to Daryl, Abby gripping my hand. I had to stay calm for her; she needed me to be the older sister at the moment.
"We heard a shot." Daryl said.
"Maybe they found Randall." Lori said.
"We found him…." Daryl said softly.
"Is he back in the shed?" Patricia inquired.
"He's a walker." Daryl answered.
"Did you find the walker that bit him?" Hershel asked
"No, weird thing is he wasn't bit." Glenn piped in.
I bit my lip, how was that even possible. I felt a chill go up my spine; I squeeze Abby's hand as I feel her free arm wrap around my waist. She was terrified, hell I was too.
"His neck was broke." Daryl added.
"So he fought back?" Patricia questioned.
"The thing is Shane and Randall's tracks were right on top of each other. Now Shane ain't no tracker, so he didn't come up behind him. No, they were together." Daryl said.
We all looked confused. I look over my shoulder at Abby. Even she had a look in her eyes, Shane killed Randall. He had finally snapped completely. It was scary; he seemed like his old self this morning.
"Would you please get back out there and find Rick and Shane and find out what on earth's going on?" Lori asked Daryl.
"You got it." Daryl answered.
"Thank you." Lori said.
I hand Abby to Maggie as I look at Daryl, still gripping my eagle.
"I'm comin' with you." I tell Daryl.
"Come on." He said, realizing I wasn't going to take no for an answer.
Andrea and Glenn follow us onto the porch; we stop in our tracks at the sight before us. A herd of walkers coming over the hillside. I un-holster my other eagle as I stand in shock. I felt a chill go up my back. Hershel tells Patricia to kill the lights; we had to think fast if we were going to survive this. Abby walks up behind me, un-holstering her eagles as she did. We were both ready to fight. I knew we needed ammo. The bag was in the truck on the side of the house.
"We need ammo." I say. "Bag's in the truck, I can make a run for it." I add.
"The fuck? That's suicide, Murph!" Daryl growls.
"He's right." Abby adds.
"I got no choice. I'll stay low, in the shadows." I say.
"Maybe it'll just pass like the herd on the highway. Maybe we should just go inside." Glenn said.
"Unless there's a tunnel downstairs that I don' know about, a herd that size'll rip the house down." Daryl said.
"Then it's settled, I'm going." I say as Andrea goes to get the guns.
"Murph, this is crazy." Daryl said grabbing my arm.
"Murphy, listen to him." Abby added.
I kiss Abby's head, and then press my lips to Daryl's for a second. I tell them I love them before jumping over the railing, landing in the flower bed below. I move quickly through the darkness, staying pressed against the house as I did. My heart pounded, I felt like dinner was going to come back up, but I pressed on.
I crouched near Merle's bike, watching the hoard approach. I crawl towards the truck, arms shaking a bit. I build my courage, and quickly got to my feet just in time to see a walker approaching me. He growled and ran towards me, I scream, un-holstering my eagle and nailing it in the head. I jerk the truck door open, grabbing the bag of ammo as three more walkers spotted me.
I turn, shooting them as I ran back towards the house, but was cut off by more walkers. I started shooting what I could as I ran. Why the hell did the house seem so far away now? I bite my lip, making it bleed as I ran. Fuck, there were more, which made me change the direction I was heading in and head away from the house. I kept shooting as I heard the others scream. I prayed as I ran I was going to try and circle back around to the back of the house, but there were so many walkers.
I cried out when I fell, I tripped in a ditch, my gun flying from my hand and I landed on the other one. I reach for my gun just as I feel something yank my hair. I struggle and scream as I knew a walker had me. It was yanking my head back, trying to draw me closer. I turn, swinging my legs around to kick it in the head. My heart was beating out of my chest as I crawled towards my gun. My hand was on fire as I tried to keep a grip on the other gun I had.
The walker was back on its feet, with two more in tow. I turned on my back, shooting one, but another had got me. I couldn't tell you what happened next because the next thing I knew both walkers were down and an arm yanked me from the ground. It slung me on the back of the bike, it was Daryl.
"You ok?" He asked.
"Fine, let's go." I say wrapping an arm around him.
We take off, my heart racing as I raised my arm, firing a few times at the walkers. Fuck they were everywhere. Where did they all come from? What drew them here? I knew we were going to have to flee; it was going to be the only option. Daryl was right, a herd this size would tear down everything. Daryl continues to ride thru the walkers, stopping momentarily to shoot a few himself. Abby was with T-Dogg, he drove while she was in the back of the truck nailing walker after walker. It was like the more we took down the more came at us.
The barn was ablaze, gunshots echoed, everything as so chaotic. As Daryl circled round I caught a glimpse of T-Dogg taking a sharp turn and Abby falling from the truck, landing hard on the ground in the middle of a group of walkers. I scream, yell for Daryl to turn around. He must have seen her fall as well because he turned around right as I yelled. Abby lays on the ground, trying to fight the walkers off, nailing some of them with a shot.
Once Daryl was close enough I jump off the bike, shooting walkers as I ran towards her. I run, lifting my boot, nailing the one that was on top of her in the head. He growls and she punches it in the side of the head, sending it rolling off her. I shoot it in the head and pull her to her feet as Daryl pulls up next to us.
"You alright?" he asked
"Fine, just bruised." Abby answers.
There was a hoard heading towards us, we couldn't stand here for too much longer. We all turn shooting a few walkers, Abby and I instinctively pressing our backs together.
"We need to get outta here." I say.
"Over there!" Abby said seeing T-Dogg heading towards us.
I look at Daryl; I needed to stay with Abby. I grab him, kissing him hard before looking him in the eyes.
"You need to go, we'll be ok." I say.
"I'm not leaving you, Murph." He yelled.
"I can't leave her, Daryl please…we'll find each other, I promise. I'll be fine." I pled.
He growled, knowing I was right, we needed to move. He kissed me once more, and then took off on his bike. Abby and I ran as fast as our legs could carry us. T-Dogg circled around and we hopped in the back of the truck. We were both running on pure adrenaline as we held onto the truck, shooting walkers with our free hands. My mind wasn't on anything more than the present, the here and now. I barely remember much, it was too chaotic, too jumbled. Abby and I duck in the back of the truck as T-Dogg runs thru a hoard, sending blood and guts everywhere.
Fuck, this wasn't working; we needed to get out of here. Abby and I duck as the truck comes to a stop. Andrea tells Lori and Beth to get in; she needed to go find Carol. Abby and I continue to shoot as T-Dogg takes off. We were running low on ammo. I look around, faintly hearing the roar of Daryl's bike, it reassured me things were going to be ok, they had to be right?
Abby and I fall back into the bed of the truck as T-Dogg drives. We had to save our ammo, or well that was left of it. I don't know how long we drove; I lay in the bed of the truck with Abby in my arms. We cried together, clinging to one another. We had to keep hope, keep telling ourselves and each other things would be fine even if it sounded blasphemous.
Everyone was separated now and it scared me. We were a family; we had grown to need each other. We had driven for so long I hadn't even realized it was daylight till now. I look over at Abby, her tired eyes mirroring my own. We were dirty and bloody, souls and hearts broken, cheeks tear stained.
"It has to be ok, right?" I ask softly.
"Yeah, it has to be." Abby sighed.
We both sit up and look around as T-Dogg drove.
"We'll find each other again." I sighed.
"I hope." Abby whispered.
"We will...we have to." I reassured.
Maybe I was trying to convince myself as well. Trying to keep myself from panicking. The sharp movement of the truck stopping threw Abby and I forward a bit. I hear T-Dogg saying we needed to keep going and that we couldn't reconnect with the others. Lori had tried to jump out of the truck. Abby and I stand up as I knock on the window.
"I'm with Lori, we'll go back. I'm not leaving my family." I say.
"Me too, we can't leave the others." Abby adds.
T-Dogg looks around, sighing. He knew we were right, knew we had to go back. I needed to find Daryl, I knew he wasn't dead, he couldn't be. Shane and Rick, Glenn, Maggie, Andrea and Carol, all of them had to be ok.
"You're all crazy." T-Dogg says as he turns around. "Should of left your asses." He adds, trying not to laugh.
We all sigh in relief. I move back to holding Abby as we sit, backs pressed to the back of the truck cab. Abby and I look up at the sky. I lay my head back and close my eyes as Abby lays her head on my shoulder. I finally allowed more tears to fall as we drove. The bad thoughts crept in. What if everyone else was gone? What if we lost them? How would we find them? The highway was the best place to start, but I admit I was scared of never seeing my family again.
I lift my head and have to smile; behind us was Glenn and Maggie. Abby waves and my heart was somewhat relieved. At least they were ok. Glenn pulls up next to the truck, he tells T-Dogg to head to the highway. T-Dogg nods and follows him down the road. I lace my fingers with Abby's, she squeezes my hand. I was trying to stay positive; Glenn and Maggie were a sign that the others had to be ok, right?
We slowly pull on to the highway, back to where our heartaches began. Back to where we lost Sophia, lost most of our hope. We make our way thru the graveyard of cars; in the distance I see Rick, Hershel and Carl. I say a silent prayer. I look around, Daryl….where was he? I tried not to panic, but my heart sank. I didn't see him, nor did I see Shane, Carol or Andrea.
My heart skipped when I heard Daryl's bike, then saw him pass by. I don't think T-Dogg had the truck completely stopped when I jumped out of the bed of it. Daryl had just stepped off his bike when I launch myself at him. He stumbles back into the station wagon behind him, wrapping his arms around me as I bury my face in the crook of his neck. He kisses the side of my neck as he holds me. He whispers it was ok as everyone hugs and cries, happy to see each other again. Glad we were back together, as it should be.
He lifts my chin, pressing his lips to mine for a moment. I guess the rush of everything made it so he didn't care about the others around. I hold on to him, afraid to let go for a moment. My heart was still racing, the fear of losing everyone was slowly fading, but it took a while for me to convince myself everyone was real, they were safe.
"God, I was so scared I lost you." I whisper.
"Well ya didn', its ok, Murph." He reassures me.
I smile as I feel a hand on my back; I turn to see Glenn and Maggie. I turn, hugging them both tightly as Rick shakes Daryl's hand. Once everyone was settled, we looked around. This highway was the start of so many tragic things. I look around, sighing softly as Carol hugged me. I kissed her cheek and hugged her tight, telling her I was glad she was ok.
"Where'd you find everyone?" Rick asked.
"Well this guy's taillights zigzagging all over the road, I figured he had to be Asian drivin' like that." Daryl joked.
"Good one." Glenn smirks.
"Where's the rest of us?" Daryl asked
"We're the only ones who made it so far." Rick answered.
"Shane?" Lori asked.
As Rick shook his head with a solemn look, I laced my fingers with Abby's as she stood next to me.
"Andrea?" Glenn asked.
"She saved me then I lost her." Carl said softly.
We all looked around; we all thought the worst even if no one wanted to say it.
"We saw her go down." T-Dogg said.
"Patricia?" Hershel asked.
"They got her too, took her right from me." Beth said in a cracked voice. "I was holding on to her." She cried.
Daryl puts his arm around me and Abby. I keep a grip on Abby's hand as she lays her head on Daryl's shoulder. Looks like the highway is bringing us more tragedy. I was almost afraid to stay any longer. Beth asks about Jimmy, Rick shakes his head. He was gone, the RV got over run.
"You definitely saw Andrea?" Carol asked.
"There were walkers everywhere..." Lori trailed off.
"Did you see her?" Carol asked again.
"Imma go back." Daryl said, walking towards his bike.
"No" Rick said.
I admit, Daryl made me proud, showing what kind of man he was in wanting to go back to save Andrea, but I admit I was selfish too. I didn't want him to go back; I didn't want to run the risk of losing him. I know that's selfish of me, but I can't lose any more of my family.
"We can't just leave her." Daryl says.
"We don't even know if she's there." Lori whispers.
"She isn't there….she isn't. She's somewhere else...or she's dead, there's no way to find her." Rick says solemnly.
"So we're not even gonna look for her?" Glenn asks.
"We gotta keep movin'. There've been walkers crawlin' all over here." Rick said firmly.
"I say head east." T-Dogg added.
"Stay off the main roads, bigger the road, the more walkers, the more assholes like this one…" Daryl says, motioning towards a walker as he lifted his bow. "I got em." He said.
We all look around, agreeing we had to keep moving. Abby clung to me, begged me not to leave her. I look at Daryl; he kisses my forehead and tells me to go ahead. I nod, and then go to climb into the back of the suburban Rick drove. The ride was quiet; no one really knew what to say. We all just hugged each other, glad to at least have one another. My body was wearing down, I was hungry, thirsty, tired, but knew I couldn't sleep yet. Knew we had miles to go before we could rest.
I must have passed out at some point because I am jostled awake by Rick growling as we stopped. I look up and around, Abby still asleep next to me. When we stop I gently shake her, telling her to wake up. She groans softly as she opens her sleep eyes to look up at me.
"Huh? What Murph?" She whispers.
"I think somethin's wrong." I say.
Abby pokes her head up, looking around before we follow Rick's lead and climb out of the suburban. We were stopped on a long patch of road, running thru the woods. I yawn and scratch my head as Abby and I walk towards Daryl and Carol. Carol wraps an arm around Abby, rubbing her side as she asked her how she felt. Daryl looks at me, brushing a few loose hairs from my face. I knew he could see how tired I was; he had the same look I had. He kisses my hair as I lay my head on his shoulder for a moment.
"You out?" Daryl asked Rick.
"Runnin' on fumes." Rick said.
"We can't stay here." Maggie said.
"We can't all fit in one car." Glenn added.
"We'll have to make a run for gas in the mornin'." Rick said.
"Spend the night here?" Carol asked.
Soon everyone was piping in, voicing their concern. I just stayed quiet, I didn't have the energy to debate, wasn't in the mood to have a big discussion. I was one of the few on Rick's side. I was one of the few that gave him every ounce of my trust because I knew he would do what he thought was right for the good of the group. I look at Daryl, he way staying silent as well. I knew he thought like I did. I didn't even have to look at Abby to know she was thinking the same as Daryl and I.
"Everyone stop panicking and listen to Rick." Hershel said.
"Alright, we setup a perimeter, in the mornin' we'll find gas and some supplies. We'll keep pushin' on." Rick said.
"Glenn and I can go make a run now and try to scrounge up some gas." Maggie suggested.
"No, we stay together, God forbid something happens and people get stranded without a car." Rick says.
We all look around, some questioning his actions, his motives. He looks at me; I simply nod, showing my support silently.
"I know it looks bad, we've all been thru hell and worse, but at least we're together, keep it that way. We'll find shelter somewhere, there's got to be a place." Rick says sternly.
"Rick, look around, ok, there's walkers everywhere, their migrating or something." Glenn says.
"There's gotta be a place, not…not just where we hold up, but we fortify, hunker down, pull ourselves together, build a life for each other. I know it's out there, we just have to find it!" Rick says, a bit of force in his voice.
"Even if we do find a place, we think it's safe, we can never be sure for how long. Look what happened with the farm." Maggie piped in.
It was true, we fooled ourselves into thinking we were safe, we got comfortable. I sigh to myself, biting my lip, lost in my own thoughts. This new world was scary, confusing….hopeless. I admit slowly my hope and faith were fading. At one time I thought maybe, just maybe if we survived, if we could hold out, help would come. That one day, this nightmare would end, one day things would be fixed. I guess I was a fool. There was no escaping this world, ever. There was no normal life, no hope for anything more than death and destruction around every turn.
"We'll make camp tonight" Rick's voice drew me from my thoughts as he pointed to a stone fort in the woods. "Over there, get on the road at the break of day." He added.
"You know I found Randall, right? He'd turned, but he wasn't bit." Daryl said. "Shane killed Randall, just like he always wanted to." He added.
"And then the herd got him?" Lori asked.
We all stayed silent, I hugged Abby as she cried. I felt so bad for her. She and Shane finally put back together their friendship; we honestly thought he was slowly going back to being that man we met at the CDC. It wasn't all that shocking though. I held tight to my girl, kissing her hair as she hugged me.
"We're all infected…." Rick said softly.
We all stood in shock, like someone had just slapped us across the face.
"What?" Daryl asked.
"At the CDC, Jenner told me, whatever it is, we all carry it." He said.
I heard Glenn say something, but I didn't know what, my head was spinning. Pretty much we were all already dead. I felt my breath hitch, knees weakened as I sat on the guardrail on the side of the road. I kept a stone face, even if on the inside I was confused and crying out. This further damaged my faith of this nightmare ever being over. This further cemented the fact none of us were going to ever get out of this nightmare. I wipe my eyes, blocking out the bickering voices. Abby's head rests on my shoulder; I had to be strong for her. She whispered she had me, and it was ok to cry. I shake my head, wondering if maybe I should have opted out with Jenner. It was weakness, but then at least I would be at peace.
"And you didn't say anything?" Carol asked.
"Would it of made a difference?" Rick asked.
I listen to Glenn and Rick bicker a bit. I look at Daryl, he could tell by the look in my eyes I was scared, worried. Maybe that's why he told Abby we would be back, leaving her with Carol as he took my hand, leading us into the woods. I look curious; we walked until we were out of sight from the others. I gently tug his hand, getting him to stop walking.
"What are ya doing, Daryl?" I ask curiously.
"Jus' needed to get away." He says softly.
"I know the feeling." I say, rubbing my arms.
Daryl nods, I motion for us to gather fire wood. He nods once more as we begin to walk, gathering large twigs and such.
"So, Shane really killed Randall?" I ask softly.
"Yea, me an Glenn, we found him." He nodded.
"It's just shocking. After everything he told me and Abby. After apologizing and sayin' he wanted to change." I sigh.
"Shane was a good manipulator." He says as he leans down to pick up a log.
"I know, but it was so believable. I could have almost sworn he meant what he said." I sigh.
Daryl nods as we continue to gather small logs and large twigs. Disappointment was written all over my face, mixed with sadness and worry. I bite my lip; I really didn't even notice Daryl watching me till he cleared his throat.
"Talk to me." He said softly.
"Just thinking about what Rick said, we're all already dead." I say in a nervous voice.
"Can't let that stop ya now." He does his best to reassure me.
"I know, just still gets me is all. I mean, I see his reason, he didn't wanna cause panic. But still…" I trail off.
"Rick's a good man. He's done right by us." He said softly.
"I know." I answer.
We walk back toward camp; everyone had started to settle in, even if tension was thick in the air. Daryl and I pile the wood we collected and everyone was slowly gathering around. It was getting dark; we were going to have to be on high alert. I sit down next to Abby, kissing her head as Daryl helped build the fire. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, letting her head rest on my shoulder.
"How ya holding up?" I ask softly.
"In shock, so much to process in one fuckin' day." She sighs.
"I know baby girl, I know, we still got each other." I say, kissing her hair.
"I know, I'm grateful. I just can't believe Shane." She sighs, letting a few tears fall.
"Hey, it's ok. He….he was sick near the end. It wasn't your fault. He's in a better place." I say, holding her tight.
"I know, just still hard." She whispers.
"It's ok, I got ya." I say softly.
Abby and I sit huddled together, it was getting cold. Night had fallen, we found ourselves jumping at every noise, fearing another herd coming down on us. I hear Carol whispering to Daryl, I couldn't make it out, but then I wasn't really paying attention. I could just tell by the tone of her voice she wasn't happy. I hear a few others whispering as well, we were split. I for one, had faith in Rick; I knew he made the hard decisions so the rest of us didn't have too.
A noise made us all jump to our feet. On instinct Abby and I press our backs together as we draw our eagles from the holsters on our sides and look around. Daryl readies his bow and Maggie lifts her shot gun.
"What was that?" Beth asks.
"Could be anything, a raccoon, a possum…." Daryl says.
"A walker." Glenn adds.
"We need to leave; I mean what are we waitin' for?" Carol asks.
"Which way?" Glenn pipes in.
Rick silences everyone, Abby and I still gripped our guns, ready to take aim should there be any surprises.
"The last thing we need is for everyone to be running off in the dark. We don't have the vehicles; no one's traveling on foot." Rick says sternly.
Maggie speaks up, Abby and I both look at her. I sigh, as she questions Rick.
"No one is going anywhere." Rick speaks harshly.
"Do something." Carol says as another noise is heard.
"I am doing something. I'm keeping this group together, alive. I've been doing that all along. No matter what, I didn't ask for this!" Rick growled. "I killed my best friend for you people for Christ's sakes!" He added.
We all stood stunned, Abby and I staring a bit wide eyed. Shane must have gotten really dangerous in the end; we couldn't believe Rick would just kill him in cold blood. I bit my lip as Maggie questions Rick. I loved Maggie, but she needed to learn when to shut up, this was one of those times.
"You saw what he was like. How he pushed me. How he compromised us. How he threatened us." Rick growled.
I hated to agree, but Rick was right. Shane had been becoming more dangerous, maybe we were fools to believe he wanted to change. I realize now that his little speech was all lies just showing how good of a manipulator he really was.
"He staged the whole Randall thing, led me out to put a bullet in my back. He gave me no choice. He was my friend, but he came after me!" Rick growled once more. "My hands are clean!" He added.
Rick looked around; no one dared make eye contact except Lori and Daryl. Abby and I look at each other. It was heartbreaking, but we knew it had to be done. Shane could never lead the group like Rick did, even if at the moment most questioned him. I really don't know why I didn't. Maybe it was because I knew on some level he was right.
"Maybe you people are better off without me. Go ahead. I say there's a place for us, but maybe it's just another pipe dream. Maybe….maybe I'm fooling myself." Rick said. "Why don't you go find out yourselves. Send me a post card." He added. "Go on, there's the door. You think you can do better, let's see how far you get!" He growled.
Rick looks around once more.
"I'm stayin'…." Abby whispered.
"I'm with Rick." I add.
No one else spoke, just hung their heads. Rick nodded and spoke again.
"No takers? Fine, but get one thing straight, you're staying….this isn't a democracy anymore." He said sternly.
No one spoke. Lori held Carl, Carol backed away, T-Dogg stood watch. Abby climbed up and sat on the wall next to him, offering to help keep watch. I sigh, holstering my eagles and hug myself. I feel Daryl's hand on my back soon and turn to look at him. He takes me by the hand, leading me to the other side of the stone wall. I look at him curiously as he looks down at his feet and he takes my hand.
"Daryl, what're ya doing?" I ask softly.
"Been thinkin'." He answers.
He turns, letting go of my hand for a moment. He slings his bow over his shoulder then cups my face and kisses me. It was a long, slow, I need you type kiss. One that told me of his own fear, his own worry. I wrap my arms around him, returning the kiss with just as much need. The kiss breaks slowly and I look up at him. I could see it in his eyes, something else was on his mind. I lift my hand to stroke his cheek as I watch him.
"What is it?" I ask softly.
"Jus' been thinkin'." He says, biting his lip. "An' when Rick talked 'bout makin' a life for each other, jus' kinda cemented my thoughts." He said looking down into my eyes.
"Thoughts?" I ask softly. "And what thoughts are those?" I add.
I watch him reach into his pocket, I could see he was nervous, which was odd, I had never really seen Daryl nervous. I watch as he pulls out a small silver ring. It looked like it came off one of the saddle bags on Merle's bike or maybe from the strap on his bow; never the less he takes my left hand, gripping it gently as he looks down at me.
"I want what Rick was talkin' 'bout, I want a life with ya Murph. I want to find that place and continue my life with ya, if you'll have me." He says softly.
"Daryl…are you…are you askin' what I think you are?" I ask, a bit teary.
"I am. I want ya to be my wife. I know I can't give ya much, can't give ya a fancy wedding, but I can do my best every day to make ya happy." He says, holding the ring in front of my left ring finger. "Will ya be my wife?" He adds softly.
I nod, letting him slip the ring on my finger. To some, it may not be perfect, some wouldn't even count it as a real ring, but to me, it was perfect. I didn't need material things to show my love for Daryl. To me, it was perfect, it would be my most prized possession because it is and will forever be a reminder than I belong to Daryl Dixon. He is mine and I am his.
I wrap my arms around him, kissing him deeply, letting his arms wrap around me. I mumble "yes" over and over against his lips as I kiss him with every ounce of love I had for him. I feel him smirk against my lips before the kiss breaks. He looks down at me as he speaks.
"I love you….Dixon." He says.
"I love you too….Dixon." I say.
He kisses me again, keeping me wrapped safely in his arms, where I belonged. Together, we could face anything. Daryl restored my faith and hope, gave me a reason to want to continue on. I knew now I had to fight, fight for me, my family, but most of all fight for a life with the man I love.
My name is Murphy Dixon and my life is just beginning.
A/N- Thanks so much for everything. All the reviews, alerts and favorites only made me want to write more for you guys. I hope you all come along on the next ride with me. Just wait till you see what I have in store! Side note, chapter 11 is fixed, I didn't realize a paragraph was missing!