Reviews:

SeverusSnape'sLove: I know I really didn't want to kill her at all but if you are up to date with the series (which I'm assuming you are) you'll know that Sophia's death play's an extremely important role in Carol's character development and I was debating whether or not to kill Carol instead but.. I need her for later chapters as it turns out :) But I assure you if I hadn't desperately needed Carol to become a coldhearted bitch (to everyone but 'the group') I would have kept her! Thanks for your review! XX

DarylDixon'sLover: Thank you so much! Thanks for your review! XX

A/N: Hello my beautiful readers! So if you did read my previous author note which was a "chapter" which I deleted, I said that I would be updating this monster once a month. This is the first installment of that! So as far as October goes I'm done, depending on how my muse is feeling I may decide to update more per month but regardless of how many times you will get at least one chapter per month… Anyway I'm rambling… Enjoy and don't forget to R&R

Chapter Twenty

Daryl POV

It had only been four days since the birth of his little girl and he was already exhausted; the sleepless nights were taking their toll and on top of that, the runs that he'd had to make weren't getting any less. But he wouldn't change it for anything, they were his world, don't get it wrong the group was like his family but his girls, they were something else. Joelle and Artemis were still sleeping when he left the cell and decided to take a visit to see Carol.

There were no tears or sobs when he looked upon Carol's face; she just sat there, cold and unmoving. So unlike the warm, loving women he had come to know and he knew without a doubt that if it had been Artemis who died, he wouldn't be sitting there like that. How Carol was acting actually frightened him, when Andrea had lost Amy, she had been suicidal, when Joelle had lost her twin Justine she had been grief stricken and when Rick had lost Lori he had lost his mind, become angry. Those emotions seemed plausible and he knew how to deal with them but this, this cold unfeeling woman he was looking at, he had no idea how to approach her so instead he just watched.

He must have made a sound because a minute later he was staring into a pair of unfamiliar, unfeeling eyes. Daryl couldn't help the guilt that swam through him as he saw her, Sophia had been like a humanity focus for Carol, a reason of her own to care and now that she had been ripped selfishly from her mother's embrace, Daryl didn't know what this new person was capable of.

A flicker of recognition flashed through the cold gaze, "don't you dare blame yourself Daryl Dixon, there was nothing more you could have done for my little girl. You did all you could to save her, so don't you dare feel guilty about something you couldn't control." Her voice was firm and unlike her eyes, warm.

"I heard you had a girl, Artemis, the name suits her," He wasn't surprised that she knew even in her mourning. His child was all anyone had been talking about for days, Merle and Lucas the most.

"Yeah, she's… she's so small 'nd innocent, I love 'er ta bits," Daryl replied a proud little smile gracing his lips.

"I have to tell you something, Rick knows, it was me that killed Karen and David," Carol said softly.

Daryl shook his head, "I don't believe tha', you couldn't of."

"Why not? I had to protect her, protect us, this group was threatened and I had to stop it. It didn't help in the end though did it." She said it simply as if it were the most obvious answer in the world.

"Tha' ain't you, this ain't you," Daryl said back while shaking his head.

"This is me, who I've become in this world and if you don't like that I'm sorry but I can't change what I did."

"Ya know Ty is out for blood right? He will kill ya," he started pacing, this was all one big fucking mess.

"I know that's why I'm leaving tomorrow, to get out for a bit while Rick works out how to tell him. Besides Rick doesn't really want me here at the moment, I killed two of our own after all."

Daryl was about to respond when a cry filtered through to Carol's cell, Artemis' cry. Daryl immediately turned to walk back to his cell but stopped looking back at Carol, he was here for her right now, she smiled gently at him, "go I know you need to."

He didn't waste time he practically ran to his cell but by the time he got there the wails had disappeared and for that he was thankful. He walked in to find Joelle sitting up feeding Artemis, "Hello D, I take it you heard?" even though she was still exhausted she couldn't help smiling, she was blissfully happy and everyone knew it.

Joelle POV

As he stood in the doorway watching them, she used the time to get a good look at him and nearly gasped. He looked like he was about to keel over from exhaustion, she knew his schedule had barely been altered and the lack of sleep was obviously getting to him.

"Here, come burb Artemis, I need to pee," she handed him the calm infant who instantly snuggled into her father's warmth.

Joelle wasted no time gathering the council, minus Daryl, and sat them down to talk. "Daryl needs a week off every duty, and quite frankly I came here to tell you and not ask. He looks like he's asleep on his feet. All the runs and watch duty while caring for a newborn, it's running him ragged and I don't want him to make a mistake while he's out there because he hasn't had any sleep." She finished quietly and it was obvious that she was desperate for them to approve.

The members all looked at each other before turning back to Joelle, "We were actually going to have a meeting soon concerning Daryl and even though you aren't 'asking' he will be removed from all duties for a week," Hershel said calmly.

The relief in Joelle face was obvious and she smiled widely before thanking them profusely. She ran back to her cell only to find Daryl and Artemis asleep, she smiled once more before closing the curtain and leaving the cellblock.

It was well into the afternoon when Daryl appeared carrying a fussing Artemis, who was clearly hungry.

"How long was I asleep?" he asked, his voice still husky from his nap.

She shivered at the sound of his voice, "a few hours its late afternoon."

"What?! Shit I have watch, why the hell didn't anyone wake me?" he turned around to walk off but Joelle's hand on his arm stopped him.

"The council has made the decision to remove you from all duties for a week so you can sleep and spend time with Artemis." She looked at him shyly, "I know you hate doing nothing but you need rest D, you're scaring me."

The look of annoyance that had been brewing quickly disappeared, Elle was right, he was exhausted and quite frankly in no shape to be on watch or go on runs.

"Thank ya for lookin' after me Angel, I love ya," he smiled before pulling her into a hug, careful not to squash Artemis.

"And I love you, now let's get this baby girl fed before she screams the prison down."

Daryl POV

He watched her as she walked Artemis back to their cell and couldn't help the small grin that graced his lips. Watching them together filled his heart with a joy he never thought himself capable of, a joy he never thought he deserved. He fingered the small velvet box in his pocket before pulling it out and opening the box. There nestled in a cushion of black velvet was a ring. It was white gold from what he could tell and was simple. A princess cut diamond with two smaller blue topaz stones each side. He had also found himself a stone-less white gold one so that they could match, that way everyone would know he was hers and she was his. His ring was thicker though and had some sort of Celtic pattern it was less delicate and manlier in his opinion. Daryl already felt as though they were husband and wife but he wanted everyone to acknowledge it officially.

Daryl had even gone so far as to ask Lucas for his approval as he was the oldest of the Grimes brothers. It had been nerve wrecking and a large challenge for the usually shy and closed lipped redneck but he had managed to ask Lucas. It had surprised Daryl with how readily Lucas agreed considering his big fuck up nine months ago, but he must have done something right since then. The Dixon and Grimes brothers were actually incredibly close, which the "original" group found hilarious considering how things had begun. Joelle was like the glue holding the two families together and it was only right that they make the bond official.

Carefully shutting the box and placing it back in his pocket he followed after his lover and child. Joelle was laying there on their bed, Artemis on her chest, Elle was humming a lullaby softly and even though she had only just had a nap Artemis' eye started to drift closed. It surprised him how calm she was, shouldn't babies be loud and annoying? Artemis was an angel, playful when she wanted but also calm and serene.

Daryl removed his shoes before climbing into bed with his two girls. Jo moved at his entrance laying herself on top of him with Artemis still on her chest. His hands went to her hair smoothing the soft waves and drawing patterns on her scalp.

"You keep that up and I'll fall asleep on you," her voice was low and calm, he could hear her smile.

"Woul'… woul' ya wanna be…" he trailed off, unsure how to proceed.

"Just tell me Love."

"Woul' ya wanna be my wife?" Daryl finally managed showing her the ring.

She stared mouth agape and eyes wide, she didn't say anything for a second and Daryl couldn't help but feel hurt, did she not feel the same? Had he been wrong?

"When did you? YES!" she nearly screamed as she came to her senses, she jumped up shifting Artemis who whined at the sudden movement. Daryl sagged in relief and smiled widely at her. He looked deep into her silver eyes as he slipped the ring onto her finger, she then did the same to him, their eyes screaming the love they held for each other. "I've always thought of myself as your wife, ever since I found out I was pregnant."

"Ya have?"

"Well we were having a kid and I'm not really into the whole wedding thing, so I just thought of myself as your wife," Elle said as she stroked his hair away from his eyes. "You're everything to me Daryl, you and this little one right here."

He grinned at her before placing a kiss on her and Artemis' foreheads, "I love ya Angel, more than anything."

"The ring is perfect, when did you find it?"

"On a run, saw it an' thought of ya, it was a while back though. I wanted to wait 'til the righ' time and it felt like now..." he said shyly and Joelle smiled at his thoughtfulness.

"Well I love it, just like I love you!" she gave him a kiss before moving off him and relaxing back down onto the bed.

It had been so long since they had just relaxed, not having to worry about anything. Together, with Artemis in between them, they fell asleep the love surrounding them, protecting them.

Merle woke the family up when he came charging in demanding that they share Artemis seeing as he hadn't held her all day and that was simply not on in Merle's book. He expertly cuddled her to his chest with his lone hand which easily handled her tiny frame. "Come on ya love birds, it's dinner time!"

He marched out with his little niece showing her off like she was his own, Joelle and Daryl didn't mind though, he was much different from the man they had known before shit hit the fan. Lucas was quick to steal Artemis from Merle when he noticed Merle struggling to eat at the same time.

They started to argue over her which had also become a regular occurrence in the prison household. Joelle excused herself from the middle of a conversation with Maggie, Glenn, Rick with Judith, and Daryl, "Excuse me folks I must now save my child from the abominations that are my brothers."

They laughed at her comment before watching her slap both Lucas and Merle over their heads, "She's not a trophy! Be nice or I won't let you come near her."

They pouted as she pulled her Little Hunter into her arms and carried her back to Daryl and the others.

"You best watch out or I'll steal her while y'all sleep!" Merle shouted.

"Thank you for the warning, I'll know where to look when I can't find her," the whole cafeteria laughed at that but Merle just smiled.

"Naw dang it firecracker didn't think of that," he whined at her.

"Well too bad! Consider me warned!" she went back to her meal, "Thank god you have your own daughter Rick, I don't think I could take you fighting over her too."

The table chuckled, "I think Judith is feeling a little put out what with Uncle Daryl fawning over another baby, she's a little jealous and needs my attention."

"Naw she'll always be Little Ass Kicker but Little Hunter here needs her Daddy, don't you sweetheart," Daryl cooed at his daughter and Elle practically melted at the sight, as did most of the women in the room.

"OMG! What is that doing on your ring finger!" Maggie had finally noticed the wedding ring on Joelle's finger and just to make sure she took a look at Daryl's hand too.

The women immediately got up and made their way over to the table in which the newly we couple sat trying to have a peaceful dinner.

"What! No wedding!" shouted Roxie who seemed put out at the idea of skipping such a wonderful event, especially seeing as it was an excuse to get drunk and celebrate.

Each woman yanked at Elle hand craning to get a look at the ring "oohing" and "aahing" as they did so.

"Your man has good tastes Jo, just look at that ring," Sasha complimented.

The guys were a little more subtle in their congratulations slapping Daryl on the back and shaking his hand instead.

"Finally got the balls huh Daryl?" Lucas laughed and a light blush stained Daryl's cheeks.

"Congratulations Brother, keep her safe," Rick said totally unsurprised as Lucas had told him of Daryl's plans. Rick had been pleasantly surprised at Daryl's respect and dedication towards his sister and family. He believed that if any man deserved his sister it would be the man who now had a ring to match Jo's on his left hand.

It took a while but eventually everyone settled back down to finish their meals, "Little brother seeing as you're now married, I guess I'll have to take little Missy for the night seeing as it's your honeymoon." Merle said smugly, he had thought of that before Lucas, take that, Merle 1 Lucas 0.

"Nah Merle, Little Hunter's stayin' with us, we don' need y'all in our business we can do tha' later when none of you are onto it." Daryl shut him down, always one to keep his business and personal life just that, personal. "'Sides we have ta wait six weeks remember? Don't want nothing to hurt ma Wife" Daryl said with conviction, Merle had actually forgotten about that part, the part where they couldn't have sex, oh well Merle still 1 Lucas still 0.

"Ahh man you're no fun," Merle pouted but understood Daryl's reluctance and reasoning, he didn't want anything to hurt his little sister.

Joelle smiled at her husband lovingly, his consideration for her was unbelievable. She turned back to her meal and finished it quickly before Artemis could start fussing. Daryl finished at the same time and together they said their goodnights as they made their way back to their cell.

They both undressed until they were naked, just because they couldn't have sex didn't mean they couldn't be close. Artemis who was just in her nappy started fussing obviously hungry; Jo shifted her so that she could latch on to her free nipple. Joelle smiled down at her daughter who was now greedily suckling at her breast, content. Daryl watched them both a happy smile on his face, there was something so beautiful and intimate watching them together like that. It was his wife and child. Wife. That word, that title had never crossed Daryl's mind until he'd met her, until he'd loved her and he was completely content with his life even if it was hell to survive with the dead walking.

A/N: There it is folks, hope you liked it! So it's been peaceful… but where's the Governor? Is he gone will be back? What will happen? You'll just have to wait like a month… maybe less :D So tell me your thoughts on this chapter don't forget to review! Thank you to the many people who have recently Followed and/or Favorited this story I love you! Mega super huge hug to the beautiful reviewers! You are angels and a love you too! Feel free to PM if you want to ask any questions or review! I'll answer both as soon as I can! Love you! XX Kiara