After Daryl had eaten I washed up and went to bed as we were to set out early.
The alarm went off at 5 am and I dragged myself out of bed. Daryl didn't even flinch.
I had a quick shower and put my rollers in. I went downstairs let the dog out and made food for the journey. I packed some food for the dog and her bed.
I then went upstairs to wake up Daryl, whilst I sorted the kids out. They were both so excited and got ready quickly. They grabbed some toys and other bits for the journey and I left them eating breakfast at the table with Daryl and the dog.
I did my hair and makeup before getting dressed. Mercer arrived with the horses to take us to the edge of the commonwealth but he had a surprise for us, there would be a big truck for us to take on our Journey, so we could stay longer as it would be quicker than the horses.
We packed the cart and set off. It was still really early when we unpacked the cart and put it all in the truck.
We got to Hilltop in a couple of hours, and we hadn't prewarned them that we were coming. Lee one of the residents was on look out and I heard him shouting for everyone to come. We got to the gate and got out. A big grin came across lee's face as he called down to them that it was us.
They opened the gate and we pulled in. The kids had been fast a sleep but they were awake now. I saw Hershal running super fast across the grass towards the gate cheering.
I jumped out, picked him up in my arms and kissed him.
"Aunt Mia I have missed you so much" He said squeezing my face and looking at me all over before kissing me.
Loads of people came running over to us including Maggie. She hugged me and held me so tight.
"You do not understand how much I needed you guys today and you just turn up" she said looking tearful.
"what's up?" I asked.
"We will talk inside" she sighed.
The kids gave her a hug and the dog jumped up her licking her face. Negan came over from one of the construction sites. He grinned at me and gave me a hug.
"Here she is the first lady" he said bowing to me.
"Shut up" I laughed.
Judith gave him a hug and then walked off with him RJ and Hersh.
"Come and have some tea" Maggie said.
"We need to unpack" I said.
"Leave that I'll get Lee to sort that out and put it in your room" she said.
So Daryl and I followed Maggie holding each others hands.
"Its coming on nicely" Daryl said.
"Yeah we are getting there" she smiled.
"Have you been to Alex?" I asked.
"No but heard it's doing good" she replied.
"It's truly beautiful" I smiled.
We got to the main house, which had been repaired and looked even better than it did before.
Maggie showed us to her private quarters and started preparing drinks for us.
"So come on what's wrong?" I asked.
"So like 30 percent of the community want to come over to the commonwealth and that puts me down on how fast we can rebuild this place" she sighed.
"why do they want to, it's not all that. I can't wait to leave" I laughed.
"I don't know I have asked them to stay until we have finished the rebuild but they don't want to" she sighed.
"Well that is a bit fucked up when this has been their home for how long" I said.
"Exactly" Maggie said shaking her head.
"Well I will have a word with them" Daryl said,
"And say what?" Maggie asked.
"I will tell them that they won't be allowed to transfer until the work here is done. It's just that simple" he said sternly.
Maggie grinned and handed us our drinks.
"You guys are a sight for sore eyes" she smiled.
"We have missed you so much" I said rubbing her arm.
"How long are you staying for?" she asked.
"Till Saturday afternoon and then we are going to Alexandria until Monday" Daryl said.
"Oh good so you don't have to rush off in an hour" she grinned.
"No course not" I smiled.
"Set up a meet tomorrow and I will sort these lot out" Daryl added.
Maggie called in her assistant and told her that we will be having a big Dinner, with the kids and Negan that evening.
"Are you and Negan good again now then?" I asked.
"Yeah, as much as I hate him for what he has done he is a reformed character and Hershal loves him" she replied.
"Didn't he hold a gun to his head?" I asked.
"That was over a year ago, they've worked out their issues" Maggie said.
"And have you?" Daryl piped up.
"We are getting there" she sighed.
We chatted for a while and then went to find the kids. We eventually found them playing with Negan and Annie, which was Negan's new wife. She was now heavily pregnant and ready to burst. I had only met her a handful of times, but she had saved my life and seemed a nice person.
She came over and gave me a hug. "Look at you, you look stunning" I smiled.
"I don't feel it at all" she sighed
"Trust me you look amazing" I replied.
"How long left?" I asked.
"2 weeks and the house isn't even finished." she sighed.
"You're joking?" I said looking shocked.
"I know, the kitchen is almost ready, we just need to touch up the baby's room. I don't expect the kitchen to be done but it's hard to get the room ready on my own" she sighed.
"Why on your own?" I asked looking confused.
"Because Negan is still helping with the re build and so are most people" she replied.
"Come on show me and I will do it now" I said.
"No it's fine I will sort it" she smiled.
"Annie don't start come on" I said. I told Daryl where I was going and left him with the kids. We got to the house and I got to it straight away. I put up the curtains and some shelves before making up the crib and doing the light shades. By the time Daryl, Negan and the kids got back the room was finished.
They couldn't thank me enough and when the showed me to the kitchen I got mad.
"You can't live like this the baby could come any day now the dust is too much" I said angrily.
"Negan tomorrow you will be here and Daryl and we will get it finished." I snapped.
"I'm still working on the re build" he replied.
"Not tomorrow and that's an order" I frowned.
"Yes boss" he grinned.
"Maggie won't be happy" Annie said.
"And I will tell her as well" I said.
Daryl and I headed back to the main house with the kids so we could get washed up for dinner.
"You are wonderful, did you know?" Daryl asked, as he watched me do my make up.
"what are you even on a bout?" I asked.
"Just how you handled it back at Negan's" he laughed.
"Well poor woman is about to give birth and she was struggling on her own" I said frowning.
"You're a bit moody today" he said.
"Oh don't start, I'm tired, I'm due on and I just can't take people's shit" I snapped.
"Come here, you mad woman" he said grabbing me and hugging me.
I got emotional and teary eyed.
"Hey don't cry it's not that serious" he replied.
"It is I don't want people to be left like that, especially when she's ready to drop."
"I know and we will sort it. But babe you can't single handedly save everyone" he sighed.
"I don't want to I just think no we have all this everyone should have even the basics especially when you could go into labour any day now" I said.
Daryl gave me a long passionate kiss. "I do love you" he said pulling away.
"And I love you" I said smiling at him.
We headed downstairs at 7 to find everyone there. Judith felt fancy as I put her in her pretty dress and did her hair nice.
We sat down and chatted whilst we waited for our food. Annie told Maggie how I had done all her baby room and that I had agreed to help with the kitchen. Maggie didn't look happy at the fact I had made Negan leave the re build for the day. But she didn't say a word.
The kids were laughing and joking with Daryl and I felt happy in that very moment. The food was amazing and everyone was merry on wine. I didn't fancy drinking as I felt bloated and uncomfortable as it would be my first period since stopping the pill, plus I wanted to get over and help finish the kitchen early and not with a hang over.
We sat and chatted well into the night and before long RJ had passed out in front of the fire.
"we need to get these to bed" I said.
"Okay, I'mn tired too. It has been a lovely evening" she smiled.
"yeah it's been good for the kids too" I replied.
Daryl was going to carry RJ but I wouldn't let him as he had been drinking. Negan offered but he was more intoxicated than Daryl. I carried him myself and put him on the bed. I removed his shoes and trousers before helping Judith get ready. As I was folding her clothes I could feel her looking at me from the corner of my eye.
She put her arm around my neck and kissed my cheek.
"what's that for?" I asked.
"because you are the best not Mummy I could ask for" she smiled. "and if my Mummy doesn't ever come back, yeah I will be sad but I will always have you" she said hugging me. I began to cry as I held her.
"I didn't mean to upset you" she said.
"you haven't you have made me the happiest woman on this earth and I will never ever let anyone hurt you or RJ" I said.
She got into bed and I tucked her in. She wiped my tears away and snuggled down.
I got washed and changed in to my Pjs and went to get in bed with Daryl. He spooned me and started kissing my neck.
"I'm not in the mood" I snapped.
"I can't kiss my wife for no reason?" he asked.
"Sorry I'm just tired hormonal and feel like a fat whale" I sighed.
"You will never be a fat whale you silly woman" he giggled.
"I feel all bloated and fat" I said. He pulled me onto my back and looked down at me.
"You look bloody beautiful" he said kissing me. We ended up having sex, he knew how to get me out of my funks and I always gave in.
we snuggled into each other and I fell asleep. RJ woke us early and I had a quick wash and got ready. I still felt fat and disgusting and I was praying for my period just to come now, my boobs hurt like crazy and I was very irritable. I tried to be happy but I kept being nasty to Daryl for no reason. We got the kitchen at Negans done for the afternoon and whilst Daryl spoke to the people about transferring to TCW I cleaned the kitchen like my life depended on it.
Annie and Negan invited us back round on the evening for a little cook out just for us and them two to say thank you.
We went back to the main house and I had a long soak in the bath, which felt amazing. I felt one million percent better after relaxing. I got dressed in a nice floaty dress as It was a warm evening. We sat outside in the last of the sunshine, eating chicken and steak, with salad and corn.
The kids were having a whale of a time and I felt the closest to normality I had ever felt.
"So how did the residents take it?" I asked Daryl
"They weren't happy but I told them that they can't expect to reap the benefits of having a nice and safe place to live and as soon as something happens to it they want to bail and leave everyone to deal with it." Daryl replied.
"And what did they have to say to that?" I laughed.
"I don't think that many will be coming over now" he smirked.
We had a lovely time and I had a beer, but it left me bloated so I didn't have any more.
It was pretty late by the time we got back to the big house. We were as quiet as possible but when I went down to get a glass of water, Maggie was sat at the table.
"Sorry did we wake you?" I asked.
"No I was lay awake anyway" she sighed.
"How come?" he I asked.
"I don't know, I'm just stressed with all the rebuild and people not wanting to stay with us any more" she said.
"I think you are over thinking things, I know Carol and Zeek want to come back for good, which means Jerry and the kids. Plus Daryl and I will eventually move back to Alexandria so we will be closer" I said sitting down next to her.
"I just think maybe it's just time to give it up" she replied.
"No way you have made this place amazing and I know it's been shit recently, but you are nearly back and even better than before" I smiled.
"I think I just need to see how I feel once the works done and then I will know" she said.
"I think if you left here it would be a huge mistake for you and Hersh" I said.
