Existing hearts
Chapter 17
Hey guys sorry this is a little late I was busy yesterday afternoon so only had time to watch the episode! Please enjoy!
Layla and Daryl were lying in their cell just after sunrise tangled in each other's warm embrace. They were treasuring this moment, it was just the two of them, and no one was going to disturb that.
''I'm gonna miss ya today, please look after my dad.'' Layla sighs into Daryl's shoulder.
Daryl turns towards her with a straight expression on his face. ''You can always come along and ya know I have ya dads back.'' He says pulling Layla a little closer to him.
Layla begins to stroke her fingers across his tattoo on his chest. ''Nah, I've gotta stay to keep an eye on Carl, plus who's gonna keep Merle in line while your gone?'' She questions looking up at him with a risen eyebrow.
Daryl snorts. ''You?'' He asks.
Layla smiles. ''Yes me, I'll keep an eye on him don't you worry.'' She says.
''I wish I dint have to leave ya today, this whole meeting things seems weird.'' He says.
Layla sighs. ''I know, but that's the reason you and Hershel are going to make sure that if anything goes wrong with it you can take him down and whatever clowns he brings with him.'' She states.
Daryl lifts himself out of their bed and walks over to the pile of clothes that he and Layla had left their last night. Layla admires his body as he bends down to pick up his boxers. She couldn't believe he was all hers; she was so in love with a man who had learned to love again because of her. She couldn't help but feel special.
''I guess I had better get dressed as well huh?'' She asks.
Daryl turns towards her and smirks. ''You don't have too, quite like you lying their naked.'' He says.
Layla giggles. ''Well I'm not waiting all day for you to come back, I'm gonna get dressed.'' She says getting out of bed and pulling on her clothes quickly.
They leave their cell hand in hand and straight into the common area. Guns, ammo, and grenades now occupied the tables; they were ready for a war if the governor wanted one.
''We're heading out in fifteen minutes, be ready.'' Rick says coming into the common room with Judith in his arms. Daryl and Hershel both give with a nod.
Layla smiles softly at her dad. ''Be careful please daddy, this governor, he's bad news.'' Layla stutters.
Rick squeezes his daughter's shoulder whilst keeping Judith balanced along his other arm. ''I know baby, he's a dead man he could have killed you, I lost you once I ain't letting that happen again.'' He says kissing her forehead.
Layla wraps her arms around her father's waist. ''I love you daddy.'' She breathes.
''I love you to baby.'' He says handing Judith over to her.
''Hey Judy, come on let's go find your brother.'' Layla says smiling at her father one last time before walking back into the cell-block.
Layla walks into Carl's cell and see's her little brother still fast asleep in his bed. Layla bends down beside him and just stares at him waiting for him to react. He does moments later opening his eyes and jumping at the view of his sisters faces right in front of him.
''You promised mum you would stop doing that!'' Carl screams.
Layla laughs but then a pain in her chest stops her. ''Sorry brat.'' She whispers.
Carl looks up at his sister with sad eyes. ''Still miss her like crazy huh?'' He asks.
Layla sits down next to Carl. ''Like crazy, every time something happens and I realise I need her, I hear her in my head telling me the right answer. I just can't believe after the farm I'd never see her again.'' Layla chokes out.
Carl doesn't say anything he just wraps his arms around his sisters tightly making sure not to squish Judith. ''She died a little when we thought you were gone, we all did especially Daryl.'' Carl says.
Layla rubs his back lightly. ''I know, I died too.'' She says.
Carl pulls away from her. ''I love you Layla.'' He says and then looks down at Judith. ''I love you too Judith.'' He finishes.
Layla smiles. ''Come on let's go say goodbye to daddy.'' She says.
They walk out of Carl's cell holding hands while Layla balances Judith on her hip. They look at the three men gearing up with weapons and ammo; they really were ready if something was to go wrong. Layla smiles over at Daryl who nods at her while he preps the new crossbow Michonne had brought back for him from the place Layla used to call home. She was petrified that something would happen to him, she knew he was strong and was able to defend themselves against the walkers. However, he had been caught once before and had ended up in the governor's zombie arena with herself and Merle by his side. Daryl was strong, but he was not immortal, she could lose him at any moment and that applied to her father and Hershel also. They were all strong men but they could all lose their lives just as easily as anyone in the group could.
''Well we're all set, let's go see if this man has a plan.'' Rick says.
''You got the map?'' Michonne asks.
Rick taps his jeans pocket. ''Right here, Daryl, Hershel let's move.'' Rick orders walking out.
Everyone follows him out of the cell-block and into the courtyard. Layla let's go of Carl's hand and walks over to Daryl's bike where the man stands pulling on his winged vest.
''Hey baby.'' Layla says beginning to bounce Judith as she starts to fuss.
Daryl smiles at her; she was such a natural with her sister. ''Hey, we'll be back before you know it.'' He says.
Layla nods. ''I know, I just worry is all.'' She says.
Daryl ducks his head. ''I know.'' He says huskily.
Layla approaches him and places a soft kiss on his lips. ''You'll get more if you come back to me in one piece.'' She says seductively.
Daryl grumbles. ''Just make sure to stay here, no coming after us.'' He then starts his bike and follows after the SUV as Merle opens the gate. Oh, she really hoped he would come back to her the same way he left.
/
Everyone was now back inside the prison, Layla begins to prepare the guns with Carl, Glenn, Michonne, Beth, and Merle. Layla holds up a rifle and begins to load it while Merle watches her with a glare on his face.
''Carl come here.'' Glenn says directing Carl to come to him. ''Stash these in the loading dock all right?'' He says handing him some ammo and Carl nods his head. ''Beth put more up on the catwalk.'' He says handing her ammo also. ''If anyone gets pinned down we need to make sure they have plenty of ammo.'' He orders. ''I'll go work on the cage outside.'' He says beginning to walk away.
''What we should be doing is loading some of this firepower into a truck and paying a visit to the governor, we know where he is right now.'' Merle shouts out suddenly.
Glenn turns towards him. ''You're suggesting that we go in and kill him?'' He asks.
Merle just stares at him. ''Yeah I am.'' He says seriously.
Michonne looks at him. ''We told Rick and Daryl that we'd stay put!'' She spits.
''Yeah well I changed my mind sweetheart.'' He drawls. ''Being on the sideline with my brother out there ain't sitting right with me.'' He says, Layla had to agree, her stomach had been in nots since he'd left.
Layla smiles as Maggie walks into the room and begins to fiddle with bullets. ''Three of them are right in the middle of it, they will have no idea we are coming, they could get taken hostage or killed. A thousand things could go wrong'' Glenn states putting power into his voice beginning to walk away again.
''And they will.'' Merle shouts.
''My dad can take care of myself!'' Carl exclaims.
''I'm sorry son but your dads head could be on a pike very soon.'' Merle says and this catches Layla's attention as Carl walks away.
''Don't say that too him!'' Layla snaps and Merle just shrugs at her and Layla glares back.
Glenn looks at her. ''It's not the right move, not now! Can't take the risk of putting them in the crossfire! It's my decision, its final!'' Glenn exclaims finally leaving the cell-block.
Layla then turns towards Merle with a murderous look on her face. ''What the hell was that you just said to my brother! He watched our mum die you really think he wants an image of our dad dying in his head too? You're sick you know that!'' Layla snaps at him.
Merle just shrugs at her. ''Sorry honey, but it's true if we don't act now the governors gonna have all our heads on pikes.'' He says seriously.
Layla shakes her head. ''You don't think I know that? But, don't you dare say anything like that to him again! You mess with him, you mess with me!'' She shouts getting closer to him.
Merle laughs. ''What you gonna do about it? Get Daryl to beat me up?'' He patronizes a wicked smirk crossing his face.
Layla glares at him. ''No! If you say things like that to him, it also affects me because if you're not forgetting I'm his sister! I lost my mum too and I also don't need images of my dad dying running through my head! Work that brain of yours and think before you speak!'' She snaps.
Merle backs off then. ''Alright honey calm down, I struck a nerve I get it.'' He says.
Layla comes towards him then and leans up to press her face against his ear. ''You ain't proving to be such a good guy right now, I know it's your opinion but hurting people's feelings ain't gonna get you know where!'' She hisses before pulling away from him and walking into the cell block.
She hears footsteps behind her and see's Michonne following her. ''Lay you alright?'' She asks catching up to her on the stairs.
Layla smiles at her sitting on the stairs. ''Yeah, I just wish Merle would stop being such an ass.'' She says.
Michonne laughs. ''Sweetie he will always be an ass, just because you love his brother doesn't mean you have to like him.'' She says.
Layla sighs. ''I did used to think he was the funniest person, we got along great, but then he tried to you and me. I thought I could trust him.'' She whispers.
Michonne rubs her shoulder. ''Come on let's get back in there we have a lot of guns to load.'' She says.
Layla smiles and the two women walk back into the room only to see Merle packing a bag full of guns.
''Merle what are you doing?'' Layla asks.
Merle is about to respond but then Glenn comes back into the cell-block. ''Hey you're not going!'' Glenn exclaims.
''I don't need permission.'' He says beginning to pick up the bag.
''I can't let you.'' Glenn says.
''You can't stop me.'' Merle snaps back.
Maggie glares at him. ''If you're gonna live here with us, it's gonna be on our terms.'' She says backing up her partner, but Merle just turns his back on her. ''If Michonne can do it why can't you?'' She snaps at him.
Merle turns towards her. ''Because that's my brother out there, that's why! What's the matter with ya'll?'' He shouts and Layla feels the nots in her stomach become tighter.
Merle then begins to climb up the steps towards the exit of the cell-block where Glenn is standing guard. ''I'm not gonna let you put them in danger!'' Glenn hisses.
''Not stopped me already boy, this guy cops a feel of your woman and pussy out like this, get out of my way.'' Merle hisses.
''No!'' Glenn snaps back standing his ground.
Suddenly Merle makes a grab for Glenn and they both fall down the stairs in a heap. Merle aims his knife towards Glenn so Maggie, Michonne, and Layla all storm forward trying to get the man from Glenn. Maggie puts him in a choke hold while Michonne and Layla pull on Merle's stump. Then a gun shot goes off and they all look towards it, Beth is holding her gun up in the air with a glare plastered across her face. Merle begins to let go but Layla and Maggie keep a firm hold on him.
''Let me go! Let me go!'' He snaps shoving the women from him.
Everything calms down then as Merle storms off and sits down on one of the picnic tables. Maggie and Glenn disappear on watch and Michonne leaves to walk into the cell block leaving Layla and Merle alone. Layla approaches him slowly and cautiously sits next to him.
''My stomachs been in nots since he left.'' She whispers.
Merle looks towards her with a glare on his face. ''So you think I'm right?'' He asks.
Layla shakes her head. ''No, he told us to stay put, we should listen to that order. My dad will give us our orders when they get back. It's not our business to interfere.'' She says.
Merle sighs. ''He's my brother.'' He states simply.
''Yeah and that's my dad and my boyfriend. We have to trust them, I know it's hard for you to just sit around, it's hard for me too. But if we are gonna win then we have to do as we are told.'' Layla says sternly.
Merle sighs again and shakes his head. ''Oh little lady, my brother really is lucky to have ya.'' He says.
Layla smiles at him and places her hand on top of his. ''I'm lucky to have him. We've both gone through thinking we'd lost him once. I just treasure having him around now, but my dad needs him right now he's his right hand man.'' Layla says.
Merle nods his head. ''And I'm the ass who's tried to kill at least half your group.'' He says.
Layla stands up but nods at him. ''You need to earn your place. Do that by doing as you're told.'' She says.
''This is becoming a habit of yours, giving me advice and all that.'' He says with a smirk
Layla sniggers. ''Someone has too and I might as well we are practically family.'' She says shrugging her shoulders.
Merle laughs. ''Guess you could say that little lady.'' He swoons.
Layla smiles at him before walking into the cell block to find her baby sister.
/
A couple of hours later Layla is on watch with Carl when they hear the engine of Daryl's motorcycle. Layla smiles at Carl and they both place themselves at the gate ready to open it. They open it and let Daryl in and close it behind the SUV. Once Daryl is off his bike Layla jumps into his arms and Daryl picks her up kissing her forcefully.
''I missed you.'' She says letting herself down.
Daryl smiles. ''I missed you too.'' He says.
They hug tightly again before Rick orders. ''Let's get inside.'' So they walk hand in hand back into the prison, Layla holding onto Daryl's hand a little tighter than she should.
Everyone then gathers in the cellblock all holding their weapons tightly. Layla stands next to Daryl keeping a hand in the back pocket of his jeans, while he drapes an arm around her shoulder.
''So I met this governor today.'' Her father starts. ''Sat with him for quite a while.'' He says.
''Just the two of you?'' Merle asks. Rick nods his head. ''Should have got him whole we had the chance bro.'' Merle says to Glenn walking past him.
''He wants the prison.'' Both Daryl and Layla shift in their spot, Layla moving a little closer to her love. ''He wants us gone, dead, he wants us dead, for what we did to Woodbury.'' Everyone is silent, Layla clings to Daryl's vest, and he leans down and places his chin on the top of her head. ''We're going to war.'' Rick finishes.
Everyone looks around at each other with straight expressions. Layla watches as Daryl nods towards Merle and he nods back. They know it's time to fight together.
''Come on Layla.'' Daryl says shoving her towards the stairs.
She looks up at him. ''What?'' She asks.
Daryl pulls her up the stairs. ''It's been a long day, I just need to be with you now.'' He says.
Layla smiles at him and pulls him into their cell. After all this could be the last time for a while that they would ever to be together. Just the two of them becoming one.
There you go guys! I hope you liked this chapter (: thank you all so much for the reviews, favourites and follows! Again sorry this is late, I love you all, love, Vmk-xx.