Going the Distance

Daryl kept his speed steady and tried to keep the Tahoe in the middle of the road. Driving with chained tires gave them traction in the snow. It was still snowing heavily and they were ploughing their way through slowly and steadily. The highway was empty except for an occasional abandoned car on the side of the road. Daryl checked the clock on the dash and saw that they had been traveling for four hours. Jesse had said that they could be there in less than an hour now. So if they could get the children and get started back there was an off chance that they could make it home tonight.

Jesse watched the clock. He had warned Bree and Greg that he wouldn't be back yesterday. They were barely teenagers and yet he knew he could trust them to stay with the plan. They would stay in the shelter that he had found and take care of the little ones. Jesse knew that it wasn't a great plan but it was the only one he could think of when they began to run out of gas in the middle of the mountains with nothing in sight. He had found a cabin off of a side road with firewood still piled on the porch. He left food and weapons with the two teens and had taken off by himself in the other vehicle and had gotten close to Adair before he ran out of gas. Jesse had walked the last ten miles to Emily's house in a cold pouring rain. He knew the mountain well enough to find his way in the dark and had been overjoyed to see lights from houses on the mountain as he walked through the gathering darkness. Finding Grandma Lydia, Emily and her family, and Temperance alive had stunned him. He decided to talk to Grandma Lydia about who to ask for help. They had sat in her house and made their plan. She thought that he should leave before daybreak and get Daryl and Morgan and that she would tell Emily and Temperance. Grandma said that she would tell them that he would not be back that day because she knew that they would worry less. She said, "Get back tomorrow before the snow turns to ice or you'll be stuck out there for a long time".

Jesse had first thought that he would ask Brian and John but he was glad that he had listened to Grandma Lydia. Daryl and Morgan were the kind of guys that always went the distance. Jesse had survived tours in Iraq and Afghanistan because he knew who would just put their head down and do what was required in the mission. You stuck close to those guys when the shit it the fan and you might find your way home. He smelled a fellow army brat in Morgan. Daryl was more of an enigma. He wasn't military but he was a warrior.

Daryl shifted in the seat and tried to stretch a little. He liked to stay loose and aware of his surroundings. The snow was still piling on but it was still relatively warm and the snow was almost slushy in the middle of the day. It would be Johnny bar the door when it got cold tonight. The slushy would be ice and not even the chains would pull them through. Jesse had told them that Grandma Lydia was going to tell everyone that they wouldn't be back until tomorrow, but that they needed to be back tonight.

Finally, Jesse pointed out the side road and Morgan drove the Tahoe a mile before they found the cabin with smoke coming out of the chimney. Jesse warned them, "Stay in here. They need to see me before they'll let you come any closer". Jesse stepped out of the car and moved out so that he could be seen. Greg stepped out on the porch, "Jesse, everything alright?

Jesse smiled; the boy knew the plan. Jesse said, "It is all copacetic here." That was their code to say that they could trust anyone who was with him. "We're going home today". Jesse turned and beckoned Daryl and Morgan to come on out.

Jesse hurried into the cabin to see the children. Daryl and Morgan went to the back of the Tahoe and grabbed some food and supplies that Carol had packed. Daryl saw a kid about Carl's age standing on the porch with a lowered rifle. The kid looked tired and Daryl figured that he had been up all night keeping watch. He knew that feeling.

Daryl blinked when he got in the cabin. It seemed filled with children at first glance. There was a teenage girl who seemed to be in charge of the children. Jesse was sitting on a chair and the children were clustered around him. The older boy was still on watch. Jesse's toddlers were hanging on to him. There were two little girls older than Alia and the little boy was just hanging at the back of the pack. Daryl knew how that felt.

Jesse introduced his flock. The two youngest were James and Cara. The little boy was Matthias. The two girls were Candace and Melody. The two teenagers were Bree and Greg. Daryl nodded, "My wife packed some stuff she thought you might need. Get something to eat, go to the bathroom and let's get going before it gets any worse."

Carol had packed venison sandwiches, dried fruit, jerky, and some cookies left over from the reception. There were diapers and some a couple of jars of homemade baby food that she had made for Judith and hadn't given it to Rick yet. Daryl grabbed some jerky and went out to put fuel in the jeep. Morgan went with him. Neither one could stand to watch the children eat. They were too obviously hungry. They had brought extra chains to put on the jeep and they put those on and filled it with gasoline giving the children time to eat and get ready. It wasn't long before Jesse brought the twins to the jeep and put them in their car seats in the back. Bree sat in the back between them and Greg got in with Jesse. Greg had driven the jeep most of the time as they traveled.

Morgan and Daryl had carried the other children to the Tahoe because they didn't want them to get wet in the snow. Morgan had picked up the two girls and Daryl had Matthias and their bags. They settled in to the back of the Tahoe with their dried fruit and some cookies. Morgan asked, "Did you go to the bathroom?" The girls chorused a "Yes" and Matthias nodded and Daryl could see that he was painfully shy.

Morgan let the way out. He followed the track that Daryl had created on the way in and Jesse followed him. There were trees down along the highway from the heavy snow but nothing had blocked the road. Daryl kept glancing around at the children; they were nibbling at the cookies slowly and he figured they were trying to make them last. They were dirty and thin and he knew Carol would itch to scrub them clean and feed them if she were here. The first hour they were quiet and by the second hour the two girls were talking to each other and asking questions. Matthias didn't say anything, but he was listening.

Jesse slid in a ditch and they used the Tahoe to pull him out. Bree stayed in the jeep with the babies and Greg picked up Candace and Daryl held Matthias and Melody. Morgan pulled the jeep out and they were soon on their way. Candace asked, "Where are we going to live?" Daryl hesitated with his answer. Jesse had told them this morning on the way that Grandma Lydia wanted the girls to go to Emily.

"Did Jesse ever tell you that he had a cousin named Emily? She and her husband have a big farm with cows, chickens, horses, pigs and all sorts of stuff. They have two children, but they would love to have more. You could live there. They are really nice and their house is really close to where Jesse is going to live." Daryl looked out the window at the white landscape. Those girls would be fine with Jesse but they would be better with Emily and Brian. Jesse had his hands full with James and Cara.

Candace ventured, "They have horses?"

Daryl hid his grin. "My little girl Alia loves to go to their house. John and Arya let her ride with them."

Melody asked, "You have a little girl?" Her tone was suspicious and Daryl could hear Morgan chuckle to himself.

Morgan said, "He does have a little girl named Alia and she is only five but smart as can be. Daryl has a wife named Carol and she is sweet as can be. Daryl is a lucky man".

Candace asked, "Do you have horses?" Daryl shook his head no and saw that not having horses was a definite deal breaker with these two girls.

Daryl turned to Matthias, "Do you like horses?" The boy nodded and for the first time made some eye contact with him. Matthias had big blue eyes and Daryl thought that he looked a little like Carol.

Morgan continued to chat with the girls and they told him that they had been with Jesse for a long time. They had lived in the mountains until James and Cara got big enough to travel. Jesse had found them in a car and had taken them in. Greg and Bree were already part of the group when they got there. Jesse had found Matthias not too long after that. Jesse had been out hunting when he found a remote cabin. There was a woman walker tied up outside and a little boy inside the house. Jesse brought Matthias back with him. Daryl figured that the mother had been bitten and had tied herself up so that she wouldn't hurt her boy.

The heavy snow had brought trees down on the road. They used the chain saw to clear the trees out. The kids were left in the vehicles because the noise of the saw would probably draw walkers. Greg helped and they were able to move on but it had taken time. They did let the kids out long enough to a take a bathroom break.

The snow was letting up and it looked a little brighter but that meant that it was clearing up to turn cold. Morgan increased his speed and hoped for the best. There were more houses along the highway now and there was a walker every once in a while. The sun was starting to peek out but there wasn't more than an hour or two of daylight left. Daryl dug some water bottles out of his bag and gave it to the children.

It was getting colder and the slush was icing up. Morgan was driving slower again and Daryl could feel the vehicle slip a little even with the chains. It was fully dark when they started up the mountain to home. The snow was frozen and the incline was so steep that Morgan was sliding all over the road. Daryl said, "Just stop at the next wide spot. We'll walk the rest of the way. No sense getting someone hurt." Morgan signaled to Jesse and they eased off the road.

Jesse carried James and a pack. Bree took Cara. Greg picked up Melody and Morgan had Candace. Daryl had opened the back door to the Tahoe and Matthias had went to him. Morgan and Daryl grabbed their run bags and Greg picked up a bag. Jesse laughed, "It's a good thing I know my way around here in the dark". The moon was waning but it cast its light on the icy road and they started up the mountain.

Daryl stepped carefully. Matthias clung to him and between the boy and the bag he was a little awkward on his feet. He had his knife unsheathed because you never knew what you might find out here. The children were silent and Daryl knew that they had been trained to be silent when they were out in the open like this. No one spoke, Jesse led the way and Bree and Greg were behind him. Daryl and Morgan brought up the rear and everyone listened for anything that could be out there.

Daryl had taken his arm out of his left coat sleeve and held Matthias in his left arm with the coat thrown over him like a blanket. He needed his right arm free in case they ran into trouble. It was a long slow walk but eventually they came to the driveway that would take them to Grandma Lydia's and Emily's house.

There was a light on in the house and Jesse opened the gate with a key. He called out, "It's Jesse." The door opened and Temperance stepped out, "Come on in." She held the door open and they all trooped into the house which was comfortably warm. Brian and John were inside.

Jesse put James down on the dining room table and Bree put Cara down beside him. Temperance moved to look at the children but didn't make eye contact with Jesse. Greg and Morgan put down the girls and Daryl shook off his coat but held onto Matthias.

"Where is Grandma?" Jesse felt his heart race at the thought of something happening to Lydia.

John shuffled his feet a bit. "Lydia moved to my house today. Emily and I have been trying to get her to move in with us since the turn. We have room for more children too. Emily has been moving things all day. We would like it very much if Melody and Candace could live with us. John is just a little older than you Greg and we have a daughter your age Bree and Emily and I want all of you."

Daryl found himself holding onto Matthias a little tighter, "What about this boy? Where does he go?"

Brian looked at Daryl and smiled, "Carol is waiting for you at home. I don't think you better go home unless you bring him with you. She asked Lydia this morning if you all could have Matthias."

Jesse frowned, "The children aren't going to be divvied up like pieces of candy. I love them and I have taken care of them for two years."

Melody asked, "You do have horses, right?" John smiled and picked her up, "I'll let you ride with me and Arya will let Candace ride with her. Have to wait until the snow melts though."

John turned to Greg. "Mom is letting us live in the basement. You'll have your own room and I have mine, but we can hang out together. If you don't like it then you can move back here."

Brian smiled at Bree, "I have horses."

She smiled back, "I love horses, but Jesse needs help with the children."

Temperance was stroking Cara's cheek and the little girl was smiling at her, "I am going to be helping Jesse with these two. Bree, I'll ask for your help when I need it. I don't know all that much about taking care of children but apparently Jesse does".

Jesse said, "Well, I guess our lives were decided while we were away. See how easy it is to let the women run things." He looked at Temperance and this time she met his eyes. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

Brian saw that smile, "Let's all go home now and get settled in. John and I will carry the girls and if you two could carry your stuff that would help. Emily has food and a hot shower waiting on you."

Daryl said to Matthias, "Will you go home with me, buddy?" He looked into those clear blue eyes that had been watching him for hours. Matthias looked at him steadily and nodded. Daryl hugged him for the first time. "Thank you".

Morgan grabbed the two run bags, "Sounds like a plan to me. I have a hot shower and Michonne waiting for me. Let's go Daddy Daryl and hit those mean streets that will take us home". He helped Daryl put his coat back on with Matthias covered up. The McKenzie family followed them out and the house emptied out in less than a minute.

Jesse said, "What happens now?" He really didn't have a clue what was going to happen.

Temperance laughed, "We give these two a warm bath and something to eat. Emily sent over some baby beds that she had. We put them to sleep and you'll take a shower and then we'll go to bed."

"That works for me but let's feed them first. Then the bath and then we'll take a shower together and then we'll go to bed." Jesse was glad to see that there were two high chairs in the kitchen. There was something being kept warm on the stove and he was suddenly hungry.

Daryl and Morgan hurried the rest of the way home. It had been a long day but they could see the lights from the houses now. The snow was cleared from the deck and they could see that everyone was waiting inside. Carol came to the door and opened it and let them in, "Where is Matthias?"

Daryl turned to her, "Good to know who rates a welcome around here." He pushed his coat back and they could see Matthias hanging on to him.

Carol kissed him, "I am glad to see you." She slowly reached her hand out and touched the his

Alia demanded a hug and Daryl stood there with a child in each arm and Michonne had to blink back tears. Carol bustled around getting dinner finished not even bothering to do more than wipe her tears. Daryl sat down on the couch and Matthias sat beside him.

Alia sat beside of Matthias and talked to him, "We have your bed all made. You and I are going to share a room. My name is Alia and you are going to be my brother. Now you need to go wash your hands because we are going to eat dinner." She stood up and held out her hand and Matthias put his hand in hers and they went toward her room.

Michonne helped Carol in the kitchen, "Damn, girl. You keep this up and I am recruiting another mommy and daddy to help out. He is a sweetheart and he looks just like you."

"I think he looks like Daryl." Carol looked at the two exhausted men, "Go take a quick shower and we'll eat dinner."

"You white people all look alike to me", Michonne grumbled.

Carol leaned on her, "This time next year, we'll have your baby to spoil." Michonne leaned back, "That one and counting the five more you will collect this year will make eight. That should be enough."

Carol was glad to see that Matthias was comfortable enough to eat everything on his plate at dinner. She had made chocolate pudding and he devoured that leaving a good deal on his face. Michonne and Eugene did the dishes together while she gave Alia and Matthias a bath together. Alia decided to continue her commentary to Matthias, "You have a penis. That is because you are a boy. Michael has one too, but I don't because I am a girl. I have a vagina instead." Sarah had explained the difference to her.

Carol hid her grin, "Alia scoot on over to your daddy. I need to wash your hair, Matthias. Is that all right." He gave her his trademark nod and she began it wet his hair down.

"Daddy, you must have a penis because you are a boy, right?" Alia looked at Daryl who blushed scarlet. Carol looked at Daryl, "Just wash her hair and she'll get on a new subject in another minute". She was careful with Matthias and he emerged from his shampoo with clean hair and no tears.

She and Daryl toweled their children dry and dressed them in pajamas. They all went back to the great room where the others were. Alia sat on Daryl's lap and somehow Matthias got the courage to curl up on Carol's lap while they all talked. Carol gently rubbed his back and his eyes were beginning to close.

Eugene spoke to Carol, "He doesn't look like the same boy who came in here a couple of hours ago. Lucky boy to have you for a mother and Daryl for a father. "

Carol shook her head, "Lucky us to have been gifted with these children and maybe more to come".

Matthias was a little shaky at bedtime. Daryl held him until he went to sleep while Carol cuddled Alia and they talked until Alia went to sleep.

Carol told him that Michonne was pregnant when they settled into their own bed, "Good, we need more children in this house." He rubbed her back, "Are you tired?"

Carol had been wound up all day and wasn't sleepy right now. "Well, you must have a penis because you are a boy, right?" She chuckled remembering how red Daryl had turned when Alia had asked him that question.

Daryl snorted and let his fingers slide between her legs, "You are a girl and you sure do have a vagina. Seems my having a penis and you having a vagina might allow me to slide right inside you. How about that?" He kissed her and smiled thinking about Elijah and Rule number one. Daryl decided he should take his time. He wanted this to be really good for Carol and he was prepared to go the distance to make it really good.

Carol relaxed into his embrace. "I love you, Daryl. Did your make any resolutions this year?"

"Just to show you that I love you".

AN

I know it's fluffy, but I wanted to add a boy to the family. Carol and Daryl deserve some happy times.

Let's face it, girls do love horses. Melody and Candace are just honest.

A review would be appreciated.