"So what did you and Nan talk about?" Danni asked over the creaking of the porch swing and the raindrops slapping the leaves of the trees and plants surrounding the house.

"You want me to say we were talking about you, huh?"

"Well-"

"We did. Some. And your dad.'

"My dad?"

"Danni, back at the prison, I told him."

"Told him what?" She sat up moving from his embrace.

"About what happened to you. About the son of bitch hurting you."

She was silent. He looked at her sideways, squinting, waiting for her angry barrage of words. It didn't come. "Danni?" She was quiet, making Daryl nervous. "Hey? You okay?"

"Yeah."

"You pissed? I know you told me not to, but I had to. So lemme have it."

"It's okay."

"What?"

"What did he say?"

"Nothin', but he wasn't happy 'bout it. Did seem broken up, I'll give him that. Sure you don't wanna holler at me?"

"No. I'm glad you told him because I don't know if I would have. Or if I could have. I might never have said a thing Daryl. I'm so ashamed of him thinking of me like that. I mean, maybe him already knowing is the only way I can face him."

He encircled her shoulders and pulled her tightly to him. "Don't need to be ashamed."

"I'm not with you. But anybody else knowing it just makes me feel weak and vulnerable. You're the only one who gets it."

"Danni, It's behind us. I don't look back anymore."

"I know you don't." Danni traced the knife scar on his neck lightly with her fingertips. In response, he stroked the scar on her cheek.

"We face forward now, huh?" For years, Danni had spent every waking hour, trying her best to forget the past and erase it from her mind. However, she learned that remembering is what heals those scars. She had spent a lifetime trying to destroy the painful, shameful moments, but life had different plans for her. Nan had made sure of that. The worst thing that had ever happened to her bonded her to Daryl, giving her hell meaning. The universe had somehow heard her hidden cries for help and sent a guiding light, no, an angel to her, one to help her through all the darkness that surrounded her. There was nothing that she would have changed for what she had today. In the strangest way, happiness had found her and given her what she needed the most. Deep down she knew she was the same light for him. "I'm not afraid of what's behind me anymore. Physically." She smiled at him, or emotionally."

"They didn't break us. You said that to me. When you saw… my...them for the first time." He couldn't say scars. "After I found you in the woods, after the quarry. Remember?"

"Sure I remember Clyde."

He grunted. "Whole thing was nuts-"

"No, it wasn't." She corrected him sternly. Danni thought back to that night. She knew he had marks, she sensed it. Not just from the way he flinched at contact but the way he protected his back; it was the same way she protected her own. She remembered.

The sky was dark with storm clouds. Danni stared at the crystalline rain drops and realized that their biggest scars were on their backs, behind them as their past was behind them. She was proud that Daryl looked people in the eye and spoke his mind more. She was facing her abuse and her fears about motherhood. Any new scars they receive will be like the Governor's knife wound on her face; in front of them so they will face the injuries together whether they are physical or emotional. The front represents their future.

"They didn't win." She said with finality.

"One day someone is gonna hold you so tight all your broken pieces will stick back together." Daryl added.

"What?"

"Something my mom said to me once." His voice got lower. "One time, after my dad beat the shit outa both of us. We were sitting on the kitchen floor, the place was trashed, her face was one big black and blue punching bag and my arm was broke. I told her I was sorry." He ran his hand through his hair. "That's what she said to me and I always wondered why she said somebody. Somebody's gonna hold you not, I'm gonna hold you. Now I know why."

"Why?"

He looked hard at Danni and shook his head.

"Oh-" she whispered. I'm somebody.

Daryl leaned in and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her neck. She embraced him tightly squeezing him to her. His tongue probed her mouth and explored the well-known territory. Danni ran her own tongue over Daryl's the way he loved so much and he felt himself wanting more than just the kiss. His hand traveled down to her breast and he started kneading it over her t-shirt in his palm and rubbing her nipple with his thumb until Danni broke the kiss.

"You know, it's raining pretty hard." She slipped her hand between them and started playing with the buttons on his shirt.

"Mmm hmm, regular downpour." He said resting is chin on her head.

"We should probably stay until it stops, head back home when it's clear." A stronger kiss confirmed their decision. Daryl's eyes said everything Danni needed to know. It was another of their moments when they were locked in their own world, forgetting everyone and everything else around them. No words were needed, his stare had so much warmth and understanding, passion and lust, and something else that Danni couldn't describe. She saw a mirror image of her emotions in Daryl's eyes. She read herself better when he was the page she was printed on. He raised his hands holding her face between them. She connected their lips again for a deeper kiss not wanting to talk anymore. Danni locked her arms tightly around his neck anchoring herself. Wanting all his broken pieces to be mended with the strength of crazy glue. Suddenly, a shot of straight-line winds blew in a sheet of rain, soaking them to the bone. Running inside the house, they both started to shiver.

"Oh goodness!" Maeve cried out giggling.

"You two better get out of those wet clothes," Ava said grinning.

"Yes, yes you'll catch your death." Maeve winked at Ava, who nodded shuffling them to Danni's old bedroom a sly smile on her face. She shut the door behind them and started singing as she walked away.

"You know your family's damn pushy." Daryl complained shaking water from his shaggy hair.

"Oh, I know." Danni smiled and peeled her wet shirt off over her head. "Finally, some like time alone," she whispered, tangling her fingers in his hair. "And a real bed."

Daryl couldn't argue. He felt her heart beating in her chest while he held her breasts gently massaging both with his thumbs. She removed her bra giving him full access. Using both hands, he pulled her wet hair from in front of her eyes and allowed it to lie against her back.

Cupping her face, Daryl tilted her head back and traced the outline of her lips with his thumbs, wiping away drops of rain from her face. He could smell the honeysuckle as breathed in her bouquet. Danni closed her eyes and parted her lips slightly. She could feel his warm breath against her cold cheeks as Daryl's lips touched hers. They were warm and soft, just like the way she remembered her first kiss with him. Daryl moved his hands down to her jeans, popped the snap holding them closed then pulled the zipper down. He pushed them over her thighs and stopped. Danni could feel her jeans sliding down legs, glistening from the rain. He reached for her boots one at a time pulling them slowly from her feet. Starting at the top of her socks, he rolled each one down from her delicate toes. Carefully he pulled her jeans off. With fingers in the waistband of her nylon panties, he lowered them down past her thighs. At last, she raised her feet one at a time and the last bastion of her clothing was removed from her body. She stood naked before him; her wet hair laying across her back. Daryl took a step back, burning the image into his mind, as he ran his eyes up and down her petite frame. Her belly did look a little swollen.

"Danni, you're beautiful." He knew he didn't say it enough. He wanted her to hear it out loud for a change.

To reciprocate, she began working on Daryl's pants as she already pulled his soaking shirt off. She lowered herself to her knees and continued to pull his pants down. She untied his boots and removed the Redwings one at a time each one dropping with a muffled thud. All this contact was having an effect on Daryl. He was erect and aching for her already. Little by little she pulled his boxers off, releasing him. Standing beside him again, she reached down, and stroked his hard length slowly between her fingers, her eyes closing as she laid her head against his solid, warm chest. Daryl ran his fingers down her spine, and rested his hands on her butt and squeezed her gently. She could feel the raindrops warmed by his body run down his spine and gather along her fingertips, forming into small pools. Daryl ran his hands over her breasts and started to rub her nipples between his fingers, feeling them grow larger as he continued. Out of nowhere, a flash of bright white light followed instantly by a crack of thunder making her jump. Daryl walked her backwards, laid her down on the bed and sat next to her. He ran his fingers along her long legs just stopping short of her crotch. Lightning flashes from the storm raging outside reflected in her green eyes. The hammering sounds of the thunder pounded against the side of the house. He examined her body, inch-by-inch, as he moved his hands along her soft skin, exploring in the dim light, taking in tactile signals from his fingers. From her long wet hair to the end of her slender toes, Daryl touched and felt every inch of her. A burst of lightning illuminated the room to give him a snapshot of her naked form. Finally he bent down and took one of her breasts into his mouth and began to softly run his tongue around a nipple. Running his teeth across it caused Danni to moan and twist against him and sigh softly as he continued to caress her in the semi -darkness. Daryl ran his fingers down her torso from her breasts and when Danni felt his hand between her legs, and she spread herself open to him. He went lower and began to massage her clit but after a minute, Danni gently grasped his wrist.

"No, just fuck me. Please. I need to feel you. Inside."

He nodded and moved on top of her noticing her satisfied sigh as he did so.

His muscles were taut as he held himself above her with his arms, and gently pushed himself inside. Danni moaned and felt complete. As he filled her, her eyes lost focus and rolled back in her head and she shuddered with pleasure. She forgot the storm raging outside and became completely occupied with the storm of emotion raging inside her as Daryl slowly stroked his cock in and out. When he leaned back onto his thighs, Danni reached up and secured her arms around his waist, holding him as tightly as she could. She writhed against him, creating an agonizingly sweet friction while he continued to move inside hitting her most sensitive spot. The combination sent her over the edge immediately. She needed this and her climax overtook her quickly. The ache swelled and relief washed over her as their beating hearts seemed to merge into one. Daryl could feel her contractions and lost his control giving in to his release. He bucked and moaned with every pump, pushing deeper inside. As they both held each other in their arms, lightning flashes threw their shadows up against the wall. The thunder sounded like breaking timber. As he grew limp, Danni continued to hold him and she spoke softly, "Please keep it in me for a bit longer." She whispered again into his ear as they continued to be locked together, their bodies intertwined as one. "This is the way I always want to feel." As they relaxed he pulled out slowly and rolled on his back so she could lay with her head on his chest. Daryl played with her hair, now dry, by draping it down across her breasts teasing her nipples with her locks. She started speaking and he smiled.

"I was stuck. Hard. My life was a hamster wheel I was trying to jump off without getting killed. I was lost. The wild spirit I once had was slowly killed off. Figuring out my story saved me, my story included you."

There she goes, talking like a damn poem again, Daryl thought feeling comforted.

Daryl, I'm not perfect. I'm fucked up. I'm raw, I'm honest and I feel everything. There are moments where I feel like I'm getting punched in the face and moments when I feel held up and supported and like I'm sailing on top of everything. But anything I've learned from what we've been through, even misadventures, is that trusting you pulled it all together."

The storm had moved through the area, and yet lightning was still flashing across the sky throwing shadows upon the walls. Turning his head, Daryl moved his lips to her neck, just under her ear and heard her say "Daryl I love you so much. And I want this baby, I really want this baby."

He swallowed hard and looked at her. He'd told her about her father. He didn't want to add what her Nan had said about children. Not yet. Besides maybe she was wrong. He didn't want Danni worrying about something that might be just fine. Just fine.

"Me too." He murmured into her neck.

Daryl glanced back at Danni sleeping soundly on the bed as he slipped out of the room. He entered the kitchen hoping to find Brigid. The older woman was at the counter making a package of herbs and flowers for Danni to take back with her. The kitchen was quiet, it's lighting warm with candles flickering and glowing, cinnamon incense was burning and the parakeet cage was covered for the night.

"Is she asleep?" She asked, sensing only Daryl standing behind her.

"Yeah."

"Then, tell me what is it lad?"

"Does the stuff you say always come true?"

Brigid thought he sounded like a little boy. "Now what stuff is it you're thinking on in particular?" She turned toward him.

"About kids, no more kids."

"Do you want more children?" Daryl shrugged, but when she raised an eyebrow at him he nodded.

'You are a good father, I must say."

"Danni's pregnant. What you said about no more kids means… shit…you know what that means." He chewed on the knuckle of his forefinger. "So is it always true, stuff you see?'

"No." Brigid answered. "Nothing in this world is an always. Danni's had some dreams that haven't become reality, right?"

"So it could be okay?" His drawl was husky and slightly hopeful.

"Could be. Son, you and Danni have decisions to make and paths to take. All that plays into this. Be warned though that you can do everything right and still be thwarted by others' decisions and actions."

He looked hopeful but slightly confused. "I don't want to tell her. Worrying's no good for the baby. Right?"

"Right. It's okay Daryl, you do what you think is best." She finished wrapping the magical bundle and added "You've done quite a job taking care of her. I know it's not easy, she's not one to lie down and roll over." Brigid laughed "But you stopped her from running. All that girl did was run away, like a horse from a gunshot. Until you."

Daryl had the urge to shift uncomfortably but instead he stood a little taller pushed his chest out a bit and nodded with confidence.

"Now she's given you some hard moments, some scares."

Daryl grunted in agreement.

"But you've given her a few in return. Daryl she has fixed you, you are whole now." He felt a chill and thought of his mother's words about broken pieces.

"Never give up on her."

He nodded.

"Promise me. Say it."

"I promise, yeah."

.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .

Danni held the bundle of herbs and flowers tightly to her chest as she and Daryl approached the prison. They hadn't talked much on the way back. Both seemed to be processing the experience. Carl saw them first and pulled back the gate to let them in. He was looking more like a pre-teen every day, getting lanky, his hair growing out looking a bit unruly under Rick's sheriff's hat. At that moment, a Walker threw itself against the fence snarling. Daryl went for his knife, but Carl waved him off and plunged his own into the rotting skull. Daryl nodded at him with approval.

Crossing the courtyard and entering the cell block Danni scanned for Kieran but he seemed to be absent. Daryl had his arm around her waist as they walked. He'd never done that before. She noticed Rick watching them from the fields. Inside they greeted Herschel and Beth.

"Danni I was watching the babies, but Merle wanted a turn." She sounded amused.

"That's fine Beth. He's something with them isn't he?"

Herschel interjected. "With innocents you can't get away with a thing. They hold a person to a certain standard."

They were halfway up the steps when Merle's voice could be heard, in a jovial story-telling mode.

"So, the guy won't let up and I tell him if you ain't gonna listen, what ya need those for and I tore his earlobe right off with my teeth. Yes, I did. Now the guy was screaming, but his buddies didn't dare make a move on me 'cause they said I was too crazy! See kids that's what you gotta do. Gain control of the situation. Even if it means biting somebody's ear of in bar fight. Well, then I says..."

Danni and Daryl heard the tail end of Merle's story and saw his audience was only the twins both staring up at their uncle from the playpen. They were on their backs looking quite content, waving their tiny limbs, gurgling and even smiling.

"Jesus Merle what are you telling them? They can't be hearing stuff like that!" Daryl admonished him.

"What? " He asked annoyed. "They can't understand me, sides I'm sick of them story books. Showed 'em how to clean a gun too. Figured I'd teach 'em something useful. You guys were done gone so long almost took 'em out hunting." Merle chuckled and Danni laughed with him. Daryl was the one upset by Merles' babysitting skills.

"Daryl its fine, they're only five months old. The can't-"

"Six." Daryl corrected her. "Six months old." Danni nodded and caught Merle's smile out of the corner of her eye.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..

Finally, that night after dinner, Danni knew she had to face Kieran. She hadn't seen her father in a couple of days. Daryl had Ryder and Scout settled for story time and sleep, so she had no excuse. She walked through the darkened courtyard listening to the growling and hissing of the ever-present Walkers at the fences mingling with the crickets. Pulling her hoodie tighter against the autumn chill she knew Samhain was close. She looked at the moon, the only witness to their handfasting last year. Their anniversary was close. A year. Danni couldn't believe what they'd gone through in a year. She never saw herself married with kids. Never. She had to smile when she realized how happy she was. She looked around. She was living in an abandoned prison, Walkers at every barricade, the world more dangerous than ever, but she was happy. Things could change but for now, for today, she was happy. She had her family, it was going to grow and now she had the chance to set things right with her dad.

She entered cell block D. feeling better about talking with Kieran. Walking had cleared her head. When she reached his personal cell and saw him packing, she drew in a sharp breath and swallowed a quick wave of nausea.

"What are you doing?"

He didn't answer.

"Kieran. Um, dad?'" Danni walked into his cell. "Looks like you're packing. But that's silly, right? You just got here. Why would you be packing up to leave?"

Kieran heard her mother's tone in Danni's voice. It was a bit sarcastic a bit accusing and full of pain. He turned.

"When you catch the light you look like your ma. It crushes me some. Just right from the side. Especially with your hair so long now."

"Don't change the subject. And don't talk about my mother." Danni crossed her arms over her chest. "Well?"