A/N Another filler so a bit slow, just trying to set the show the changing relationship.

Please R & R

Thanks for all the kind reviews. you are all wonderful.

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Chapter 43

A little while later they strolled back to the kitchen, side by side all disagreements obviously sorted. Rick smiled at Maggie as she sat opposite him.

"That was quick" he commented

"Sorry, what was?" she asked puzzled.

"Eleanor and Daryl had a big row here a little while ago. They don't usually sort it out this quick"

Maggie looked over her shoulder, grinning when she saw the two of them entering the room.

"You're right" she laughed "That was quick"

Rick gave up trying to work out why she found it so funny and left to spend some time with Judith.

Eleanor and Daryl were sitting at a table when a smiling Maggie wandered over to them. She sat next to Eleanor and reached for her hair, using her fingers to tease out the tangles there.

"Word of advice if you're gonna go at it like alley cats" she smiled "You gotta learn to be a bit quieter" She laughed out loud at their matching looks of horror and embarrassment. "Also check your shirts on the way out" They both glanced down and Eleanor realised the buttons on her shirt were done up all wrong.

"And" Maggie finished as she stood up to leave "If I were you, I'd put my hair in a braid or somethin', stop it getting' all tangled" She took a few steps away then turned back, taking pity on them.

"Don't worry, it was just me passin' by and I didn't know it was you two 'till you strolled in here, all happy and loved up lookin'. I'm not gonna tell anyone, 'cept maybe Glen 'cos he'll think it's real amusin'"

Eleanor managed to look at Maggie long enough to give a nod of thanks but Daryl couldn't bring himself to look at the smiling woman.

After Maggie had left them they sat silently for a while, neither sure what to say after their admissions to each other. Eventually they headed back to their room where they started to have a heartfelt discussion about their rapidly moving relationship. After a few minutes talking they got distracted by something far more interesting than conversation.

There were now several children in Terminus, ranging in age from Judith at 1 year old up to teenagers, like Carl and Jamie. More people were coming in all the time having seen the signs and following the tracks. At least now, Terminus really was a sanctuary for all and a safe place to stay.

It was decided that as the warmer weather was approaching Glenn, Daryl and Rick would take the pick-up and trailer and go on a run to a toy superstore they had seen on the edge of a nearby town. They wanted to try and find some things to keep the children amused, maybe even some outdoor playthings like swings and slides. It was felt that just because the normal way of life was over, it didn't mean that kids couldn't have fun.

The three men were preparing to go on the run, checking weapons and saying their goodbyes to family and loved ones. Daryl saw Rick hugging Judith tightly before handing her back to Beth and then giving Carl a quick embrace. Glenn was kissing Maggie like he wasn't going to see her for weeks. He saw Eleanor talking to Carol. She felt him staring and looked across the room at him, a soft smile on her lips. She said something else to Carol and the older woman glanced at him before smiling sweetly and walking away. Eleanor started towards him. He decided what he had to do and strode towards her before his nerve went.

She opened her mouth to speak but before she could utter a word his hand snaked behind her neck , pulling her close and kissing her. He released her and stepped back, an uncomfortable look on his face as she smiled at him in surprise

"Just wanted to give you a proper goodbye" he muttered, fiddling with his crossbow. She leant into his chest.

"Just make sure you stay safe, so you can give me a proper hello" she told him as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek. He nodded and turned away, heading for the door.

"We goin' today or what?" he called gruffly to the other men. Glenn hurried over, a grin on his face, about to say something but the look on the hunters face made him snap his mouth closed and keep his thoughts to himself. Rick caught up with them and they climbed into the truck and set off.

Eleanor found Maggie and Carol staring at her in astonishment.

"He must really care for you, he never does affection in public" Carol was grinning insanely at her.

Eleanor pulled out a chair and sat down "Told me he loved me yesterday" she confessed, waiting for the reaction.

The two woman both squealed with delight and pulled out chairs of their own demanding to be told the whole story.

Several hours later they were back with a trailer load of toys and equipment for the children. They had found swings, slides and a basketball hoop for outside as well as tennis racquets and various balls. They had found board games, toy cars, dolls and stuffed animals for inside. There was also several boxes of story books and pens, pencils and paper. The children were going wild with excitement at the sight of all the toys. Once the truck was unloaded the outdoor toys were taken into the yard to be assembled. Abraham and Eugene offered to help Rick and Daryl put them together. After an hour of arguing about the best way to do it and ignoring the instructions, Beth Maggie and Eleanor took things into their own hands. The men were sent away and within two hours everything was ready for the kids to use. There were screams and squeals of delight as the children raced around trying everything out. The adults had smiles on their faces and everyone was relaxed for the first time in a while.

The next morning Daryl found Glenn and Mitchel staring out into the yard.

"Whatcha doin'" he asked,

"We were just wondering if it was right to be thankful for the end of the world" Glenn replied quietly as he gazed across the yard

"Why you thinkin' that" Daryl followed his gaze and then he got it.

Beth was sitting on a blanket with Judith on her lap and some of the younger children sitting around her. She was reading aloud from a picture book and the youngsters were giggling as she used silly voices for the different characters. The sunlight was catching her blonde hair and her large blue eyes sparkled as she entertained the children. Maggie was on one of the swings, having a who can swing the highest competition with three little girls. Her head was thrown back and she was laughing in delight as she swung backwards and forwards. Lastly he saw Eleanor, she was wearing her shorts again as it was already getting hot. He watched as she charged around the yard playing soccer with some of the older kids. Carl and Jamie, who had shrugged off the toys as to young for them, were enthusiastically joining in.

Glenn spoke softly again "You really think we'd of found woman like these before the turn?" he asked, looking from one to the other. He grinned at Mitchel " Well you might 'cos you're young and good looking, got that whole high school quarter back thing goin' on" he joked.

Mitchel shook his head, "Had plenty of girlfriends back in the day" he told them "But none of them looked like Beth and they sure weren't as sweet and kind as she is"

"That's just what I mean" Glenn continued "I was a geeky pizza delivery boy back then. I'd never even dream of meeting a girl like Maggie and if I had met one like her, she wouldn't of even looked at me twice." He looked at Daryl "what about you, would you of met someone like Eleanor?"

Daryl thought back to his life before the world went to shit. He'd just drifted around with Merle not doing anything in particular, other than getting drunk and into trouble.

"Might of bumped into someone like her working in a bar or at an auto shop like she did but I'd of just been another redneck trouble maker, someone for her to avoid and even if she'd been interested, chances are her daddy would of chased me off with a shotgun. I weren't the sort any father would want near his daughter" The three of them watched their women again.

With a loud laugh Eleanor tried to tackle Jamie for the soccer ball, but somehow ended up falling over his feet instead, the two of them ending up on the ground. Carl then accidently fell over both of them and ended up on the floor as well. The three of them sat there, legs tangled, laughing.

"Hell no," Daryl exclaimed "Don't know much about soccer, but do know that's not in the rules" He shouldered his crossbow and strode into the yard to untangle his woman from two excitable teenaged boys, leaving Glenn and Mitchel laughing behind him.