Existing Hearts
Chapter 15
Hey guys! Well here we are! I hope you enjoy this episode, prepare for roughness and expletive language, as due to a few requests, Daryl's return to Layla is well... You will have to read to find out. Please enjoy...
Layla watches intently as Rick, Merle, and Daryl all enter the prison through the hole in the fence. Everyone has smiles plastered on their faces, clearly happy for Daryl's return. Carl pulls in Layla's arm excitedly.
''Look Layla, he's back!'' Carl exclaims.
Layla just smiles down at him and ruffles his hair before she leaves the group; she walks into the cell-block punching the gate upon her entry. That hurt, that really hurt, but she knew she had to walk away otherwise she would have run up to Daryl and embraced him. However, she knows she can't do that as the rage within in her was at its peak. She's ready to explode. She walks into an empty cell and drags her things from where Daryl had been keeping his bed. She pulls all of his things into the cell and neatly places everything on the bottom bunk. Just because she was angry at him didn't mean they weren't going to sleep in the same cell. She still loved him after all that feeling was never going to go away.
''Oh Layla you know Daryl isn't a patient man, he's not going to be happy with what you're about to do.'' She says to herself clenching her fists.
She walks out of her newly claimed cell and takes a short walk to where Judith is still sound asleep, Layla is surprised since the gunfire that had just gone off was pretty heavy. She leans over the barrier Judith firmly in her arms.
''Oh Judy, what your sister is about to do, I don't recommend it. But, men have to learn not to anger a Grimes woman, it will only end badly.'' She says and Judith gurgles.
Layla hears the doors to the cell-block open and she braces herself. ''Here we go Judy.'' She says.
''He's not coming in here!'' She hears her father boom.
''Why not?'' She hears Daryl protest.
''Not yet!'' Rick shouts in a clear domineering tone.
She watches as Daryl climbs the stairs, clearly coming towards her. Layla stiffens and pretends she hasn't noticed him by letting Judith cling onto one of her fingers.
''Where's my stuff?'' He asks Layla.
Layla brushes him off and enters Carol's cell to put Judith back in her box.
''Layla where's my stuff?'' Daryl asks her again, more force in his voice this time.
Layla smiles down at Judith and whispers soft words to her before she slips past Daryl, careful not to make any contact with him. She enters her cell, fully aware that Daryl is following her. Once Daryl is inside he looks around, Layla makes sure to keep her back to him. She wouldn't cave, she would make him fight for her, he wasn't just going to touch her and make her melt into his arms.
''Well I guess I'm living in a cell now.'' She hears Daryl grumble.
Keeping her head down Layla walks out of the cell and leans herself over the barrier watching as everyone breaks into conversation. Daryl comes to lean over next to her, he tries to say something to her, but Layla just walks away. She hears him curse and question her behavior as she walks away she clenches her fists together, holding back the urge to run back over to him and just touch him. She places herself next to Carol at the top of the stairs as her father begins to speak.
''We're not leaving.'' Rick says firmly, Layla crosses her arms over her chest. She can feel Daryl's eyes on her and she can feel the blush creeping up on her cheeks.
''We can't stay here!'' Hershel responds hardly.
''What if there's another sniper, a wood pellet won't stop one of those rounds.'' Maggie shouts.
''We can't even go outside.'' Beth points out.
''In the daylight.'' Carol continues.
''If Rick says we're not running, we're not running!'' Glenn says harshly backing up their leader.
''No better to live like rats.'' Layla hears Merle drawl from the other side of the gate.
''You got a better idea?'' Her father snaps.
Merle sighs. ''Yeah you should have slid out of here last night, live to fight another day. We lost that window didn't we? Am sure he's got scouts on every road around this place by now.'' He says.
''We ain't scared of that prick.'' Daryl says, his voice making Layla shiver.
''Ya'll should be. That truck through the fence thing, that's just him ringing the doorbell, you might have some thick walls to hide behind but he's got the guns and the numbers. If he takes the high ground around this place. Shoot. He could just starve us out if he wanted too.'' Merle says.
''Let's put him in the other cell-block.'' Maggie snaps.
''Agreed!'' Layla shouts causing Maggie to nod at her in appreciation.
''No he's got a point!'' Daryl says, glaring down at Maggie and then placing it towards Layla who glares back.
''This is all you, you started this!'' Maggie shouts pointing at Merle.
Beth then begins to walk towards the stairs. ''What's the difference between who's fault it is! What do we do?'' She asks directing her question towards Merle.
''I said we should leave. Now Axel's dead, we can't just sit here!'' Hershel points out, but Rick just walks away from him. ''Get back here!'' Hershel shouts, causing Rick to stop. ''You're slipping Rick we've all seen it. We understand and why but now is not the time, you once said this isn't a democracy, now you have to own up to that, I put my family's life in your hands! So get your head clear and do something!'' Hershel snaps and Rick continues to walk away.
Layla looks around at everyone and then walks back towards Judith. But is stopped by a firm hand gripping onto her arm, she looks up to meet Daryl's hard stare. She just stares at him coldly trying to shake her arm out of his grasp. No words are uttered between the pair; Layla can feel his grip getting tighter.
''Let go.'' She finally says through gritted teeth.
Daryl glares at her before he lets go of her, Layla shoves him and walks into their cell. She's about to sit down on the bed she feels herself being pushed into the wall.
''What's your problem!'' Daryl snaps at her, his eyes piercing into hers.
Layla glares at him. ''My problem? You left me Daryl! You expect me to just jump into your arms and welcome you back?'' She questions him, holding her ground as he keeps his hands firmly on her shoulders.
Daryl takes his hands from her shoulders, but keeps her backed into the corner. ''You're pissed at me.'' Daryl states.
Layla bites her lip, keeping her glare plastered on her face. ''Oh I'm more than pissed! Do you know how that felt? You leaving me again?'' She questions and Daryl just stares at her. ''I felt useless and neglected! You chose your piece of piss brother! The man who tried to kill me!'' Layla screams, certain that everyone within the cell-block must have heard her.
Daryl glares at her. ''You don't think I know that!'' He shouts. ''I came back though because I know where I belong now!'' He snaps.
''You still fucking left me! Left me to just curl up within myself and crash to the ground! You sent me down a fucking crazy streak! I actually thought you were lying next to me at one point because I could smell you!'' She snaps.
Daryl looks at her stunned. ''Layla you have to understand, that's my brother! Would you leave me if you were in my position?'' He asks her.
Layla pokes him hard in the chest. ''Don't you dare bring Carl into this! My brother has a heart of gold, whereas Merle's heart is black and he's a vile man!'' She screams.
Daryl scoffs. ''Your opinion of him has sure changed.'' He says bitterly.
Layla feels herself begin to shake with rage. ''That's what tends to happen when someone shoots at you!'' She growls.
''Damn it woman I don't have time for this!'' Daryl snaps as he begins to walk away.
Layla grabs him and grips his chin firmly with her hand. ''Look at me Daryl!'' She shouts. ''You leaving actually killed me inside, I didn't know what to do with myself. Do you not understand how much I love you? You leaving me made me feel like you didn't want me anymore, that you didn't love me anymore!'' Layla hisses watching as Daryl's eyes soften.
''Layla...'' He whispers reaching for her face.
Layla holds back the tears, but one slips. ''No save it, you made your choice now you have to live with it.'' She says walking away.
Daryl takes hold of her wrist firmly, but not hard enough to hurt her. ''What does this mean?'' He asks.
Layla scoffs. ''You're really asking me that question?'' She says.
Daryl shrugs. ''Yeah.'' He says gruffly.
Layla just shakes her head. ''It means fight for me; if you really love me show it! Show me that you love me! Because I'm not exactly feeling the love right now baby.'' Layla shouts pointing to her chest several times.
Daryl squirms. ''Damn woman.'' He whispers.
Layla glares at him. ''Why do you always say that? Every time we argue, you just say that! Why?'' She snaps.
Daryl sighs and looks at her with a solid face. ''I don't like fighting with you.'' He grumbles.
Layla scoffs. ''But shoving me into a corner is fine and confronting me about ignoring you isn't fighting?'' She snaps.
Daryl rubs the back of his neck. ''I understand why you're pissed, but I didn't expect this, I've never seen you like this before Layla.'' He says gruffly.
Layla looks at him with shock. ''Yeah because you've never given me a reason to be mad at you like this! Back at the farm that wasn't your fault to leave me and everyone here including yourself has told me you wanted to go back. But this time you chose to leave me! You doing that felt like someone had reached into my chest, took hold of my heart, and squeezed it until blood started to seep onto their fingers. I wasn't myself for a while and as I started to come back, all the negative feelings I felt about myself turned into anger. To be honest baby I'm surprised I haven't punched you in the face!'' Layla snaps.
''I made you feel like that? Why?'' Daryl asks looking at Layla with complete amazement.
''Because I love you, you fucking squirrel eating redneck! You're telling me you didn't feel like that the whole eight months we were apart?'' She asks him.
Daryl glares at her but then his face softens as he sighs. ''It was more like a hollow feeling in my chest, but it isn't there anymore.'' He grumbles.
''Because we are together again you twat!'' She shouts.
Daryl snorts. ''Look at you all angry and shit.'' He says.
Layla glares at him. ''You think it's funny?'' She shouts her glare becoming deadly.
Daryl just smirks at her and moves past her to sit himself on the bottom bunk. Layla follows him and punches his arm as hard as she can. ''You are impossible.'' She grumbles.
''Sorry.'' He says looking straight into her eyes.
''Oh Daryl Dixon you will be the death of me.'' She whispers.
''You know I love you, come on the way I was with you when you came back, that didn't show you?'' He asks.
Layla sighs sitting herself at the bottom of the bed. ''Yes I know you love me, but when you left I just didn't know what to do, if my dad hadn't guided me into the car, I would have ran after you and wouldn't have taken no for an answer with me coming with you.'' She says.
Daryl nods. ''I know, it's a good thing I know you. When someone who loves you leaves, you shut down. It's what you do. I'm sorry I put you through that little lady but it had to be done. I'm back now that's all that matters.'' He says.
Layla nods her head. ''I know and I'm glad your back, but damn I was so angry at you.'' She smirks. ''I still am.'' She says.
Daryl smirks at her. ''Wouldn't expect anything less from you little lady.'' He says.
''He may be your brother Daryl, but he really isn't good for you.'' She says.
Daryl just glares at her and grunts.
''I mean look how far you've come without him, I may have missed eight months of it. But you are a completely different person to what you were when we met at the quarry.'' She says.
''Those were the days huh.'' He sighs.
''Yeah now we're stuck in this cage.'' She says looking around the cell.
''It's more like a tomb, we are just waiting for our deaths here.'' He says.
Layla looks at him raising an eyebrow. ''You think we should leave?'' She asks.
Daryl moves so he next to her. ''I think we should do what's best for the group.'' He says before he swings himself up off the bed and leaves their cell.
Layla lies down in the bed, smiling to herself. She did it, finally got everything out of her, aimed her rage at the right person and she'd won their fight. Times like this she was glad she was so stubborn. She thanks her mum internally for making her a strong woman and then she lifts herself up and goes into Carol's cell, where she finds the woman.
''You two went at it there.'' She says.
''He deserved it.'' Layla says looking down at Judith and smiling. ''He should know by now that us Grimes women aren't to be messed with.'' She says picking Judith up and then turns to Carol. ''Do well to remember that, you and my mum may have been best friends. But you and me are nowhere near that.'' She says coldly.
Carol just nods at her and watches as she takes Judith into her cell. Once Layla is inside her's and Daryl's cell she sits down and lifts her knees up, resting Judith on her thighs.
''I'm sorry you had to hear your sister shouting like that Judy.'' She whispers. ''But it was necessary, your big sister just had to drill some things into Uncle Daryl's head.'' She coos.
Layla watches with delight as Judith lets out a soft cry of happiness as Layla begins to rock her from side to side whilst she's resting on her thighs.
''Glenn seems to think Merle's a snake.'' Daryl says startling Layla.
She looks up at him and sees him leaning against their cell door. ''That's because he is.'' Layla says.
Daryl huffs. ''Don't start.'' He warns. ''How is she?'' He asks referring to Judith.
Layla smiles. ''Little Judy is just fine.'' She says.
Daryl kneels down next to the pair and smiles. ''You're amazing with her beautiful.'' He says flashing Layla and Judith a small smile.
Layla laughs a little. ''I've heard you are too.'' She says.
She watches Daryl squirm a little clearly embarrassed. ''Gotta do what you gotta do she's our little ass kicker.'' He says as Judith looks at him.
Layla moves forward away from the bed frame. ''Come on sit behind me.'' She says.
Daryl hesitates but he slips in behind her, resting his chest on Layla's back. He leans his head against hers and smiles as she begins to rock Judith back and forth. They sit there for a long time just watching little Judith fall to sleep as Layla softly hums to the baby. But the calm atmosphere is short lived as Carl storms into the cell-block.
''Andrea's here!'' He shouts.
Layla and Daryl both look at each other confused but Daryl is out of the cell quickly grabbing Judith's box, taking her from Layla, and placing her inside it. Layla grabs her belt, which is hanging off the top bunk next to Daryl's crossbow. She wraps it around her shoulder, pulling out her pistol to make sure, it's loaded, and then she checks to see if her knife is still sharp. Her and Daryl nod at each other and they storm out the prison. Armed and ready.
They run out in formation, Layla behind Daryl, but in front of Michonne. They quickly hide behind a car.
''Go!'' Rick calls to Merle.
Merle aims his riffle and looks around quickly scanning the area. ''Clear.'' He says.
Layla points her pistol towards Andrea's head watching her closely as she stands next to Daryl.
''Are you alone?'' She hears her father demand.
''Open the gate.'' Andrea begs.
''Are you alone?'' Rick demands again.
''Rick!'' Andrea shouts clearly horrified about her treatment by her former group.
Layla watches as Daryl leaves her side to open the gate to let Andrea in. Once she is inside Rick shoves her against the fence thoroughly searching her.
''Get down on the floor, I have to know you're alone.'' Rick says pushing Andrea down on the floor.
''I am.'' She says.
She looks around at everyone then, every single one with their weapon pointed towards her. She looks horrified and Layla can't help but take satisfaction from that.
''Welcome home, now get up.'' Rick says coldly.
Everyone then walks back into the prison. Layla taking a place behind Carl, rapping her arms tightly around his shoulders. They all watch as Andrea walks in and goes to embrace Carol.
''After you saved me, we thought you were dead.'' Carol says hugging her tightly.
Andrea pulls away and looks at Hershel with shock. ''My god Hershel.'' She whispers looking at his missing leg. ''I can't believe this... Where's Shane?'' She asks and Rick ducks his head. ''And Lori?'' Rick's head goes down and Layla feels her grip on Carl tighten. He looks up at her and rests his hand on top of hers.
''She had a girl, Lori didn't survive.'' Hershel states plainly.
''Neither did T-dog.'' Maggie adds.
Andrea looks around at everyone then. ''I'm so sorry.'' She says and then her eyes land on Carl and Layla. ''Carl, Layla.'' She says sympathetically, the siblings just cling to each other tighter.
''My God... You all live here?'' She asks looking around with complete shock all over her face.
''Right in this cell-block.'' Glenn says pointing at it with his machete.
''In there? Well can I go in?'' She asks beginning to walk forward.
Rick stops her. ''Don't bother.'' He growls.
Andrea looks at him horrified. ''I'm not an enemy Rick.'' She says.
''We had that field and a courtyard before your boyfriend tore through the fence and shot us up.'' Rick says.
Andrea looks at him with disbelief. ''He said you fired first.'' She says and Layla holds back a scoff.
''He's lying.'' Rick states plainly.
''He killed one of the inmates that survived in here.'' Hershel says.
''We liked him he was one of us.'' Daryl states glaring at Andrea.
Andrea looks at him. ''I didn't know anything about that.'' She stammers. ''I came as soon as I could. I didn't even know you were in Woodbury until after the shootout.'' She says.
''That was days ago.'' Glenn snaps.
''I told you I came as soon as I good.'' Andrea says trying to defend herself. ''What have you told them?'' She snaps at Michonne and Layla.
''Nothing.'' They both hiss.
Andrea huffs. ''I don't get it. I was in Atlanta with you guys and now I'm the odd one out.'' She says looking at everyone.
''He nearly killed Michonne. Nearly killed us.'' Glenn snaps.
She then points to Merle. ''With his finger on the trigger, wasn't he the one who kidnapped you?'' Andrea asks. ''Who beat you?'' She continues. ''I can't explain or excuse what Phillip has done; I'm just trying to bring everyone together. We have to work this out'' She says.
''There's nothing to work out.'' Rick states. ''We're gonna kill him, I don't know how, when, but we will.'' He says.
''We have to settle this, there is room for, for all of you at Woodbury.'' She says looking around the room.
Merle snorts. ''You know better than that.'' He says looking at her with a smirk.
''What makes you think that this man want's to negotiate? Did he say that?'' Hershel asks.
''No.'' Andrea says.
''Then why did you come here?'' Rick asks.
''Because he's gearing up for war, the people are terrified, they see you as killers, they're training to attack.'' Andrea says.
''Tell you what, next time you see Phillip tell him I'm gonna take his other eye out.'' Daryl warns.
'' We've taken so much shit for so long, he wants a war he's got one.'' Glenn hisses.
''Right, if you guys don't sit down and plan this out, I don't know whats going to happen, he has a whole town, look at you, you've lost so much already, you can't stand alone anymore.'' Andrea says.
''Can you get us inside?'' He asks.
''No there are innocent people.'' Is Andrea's reply.
Andrea then walks out and Michonne follows. Layla nearly follows but Daryl holds her back. Layla places a hand on his chest and smiles when he takes her hand.
''Well done.'' He says.
Layla looks up at him confused. ''For what?'' She asks.
''For not killing her.'' He says.
''Good thing you stopped me. But I'm sure Michonne is laying into her right now.'' She says.
''She's really pissed you off ahh Layla.'' He says.
''She shouldn't have been so blind, she still is the crazy bitch. She saw all three of us in the pit, saw Merle punch you in the face, saw the walkers come piling in, saw how you got your face cut.'' She says stroking her hand across the small cut that still lies on Daryl's cheek.
''You saw it all too.'' He says roughly.
''Yeah but I'm not blind.'' She says smiling up at him.
Daryl just shakes his head and nervously kisses the top of her head. A few moments pass and everyone evacuates outside to see off Andrea. Layla stands next to Daryl as she watches her father hand her, her gun and knife. The car they were giving her was low on gas so it was really no use to them. Layla sees Andrea take one last look in the wing-mirror before she pulls off after Merle tells her to go. Merle then shuts the gate firmly behind her and everyone walks back into the prison.
Nightfall comes soon after and Layla sits herself next to Beth around a circle of candles and lanterns. Beth then begins to sing and Layla smiles at her friend, joining in. They take hands and look around at everyone, Layla's eyes meet with Daryl's, and she smiles. Everyone soon turns in, Layla and Daryl climbing the stairs with Daryl's arm firmly wrapped around Layla's waist. They walk into their cell and Layla sighs.
''No cuddles.'' She whispers.
Daryl glares down at her. ''What?'' He asks.
''We aren't both going to fit on the bottom bunk. I haven't slept in the same bed as you for so long, I was hoping to actually lie next to you.'' She says.
Daryl snorts. ''You moved my stuff in here woman.'' He says.
Layla looks around the cell. ''I have an idea.'' She says.
She walks fully into the cell and pulls the mattress off the top bunk and slams it onto the floor, next she pulls the mattress from the bottom bunk and lies it next the other mattress. Then the blankets and pillow are laid down and all their stuff is placed on the now empty bed frames.
''There perfect.'' Layla says.
Daryl just shakes his head at her and kicks off his boots, Layla does the same, and the two of them climb under the blankets. They lie next to one another for a moment before Layla rolls over and rests her head of Daryl's chest. He wraps his arm tightly around her and they fall asleep to the sound of each other's breathing. Both happy to finally be able to sleep in each other's arms again.
Well there you go my lovely readers! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Plus I hope I got it right with how Layla reacts to Daryl's return, thank you all so much for the reviews, follows, and favourites! They mean so much to me and are my motivation so please keep them coming! Love you all, Vmk-xx.