The weeks passed by and everything was alright, but they still hadn't found a new home. It was getting really cold during the nights now. Rose and Beth were always sleeping close to Daryl, so he could warm them up. But also the days were already really cold. There was always a wind blowing, which made it even colder. Thank God they still had enough food, but the colder it will get, the more the animals will go away and so also their food.
After the first morning, where they all could have seen their breath in the form of a little cloud in front of their faces, everything had changed. Suddenly there were standing two men in the middle of their camp. Rick and Daryl were the only one, who were at the camp at this time.
One of the men was hurt by his leg and the other one was supporting him standing, while he explained to Rick and Daryl, who they were and what had happened. They said, that they were looking for food, when suddenly walkers came out of nowhere and attacked them. His friend Eric didn't get bit, he had hurt his leg, when they were running away from them and now they needed help to get back to their camp.
Daryl looked at Rick, when the man named Aaron said the word 'camp'. There was also a feeling inside Daryl's stomach he couldn't name. Maybe it was faith? But Daryl had to focus about the fact, that they didn't know the two strangers or their camp. Maybe this was all just a bad trap.
So Rick and Daryl searched them for their weapons or any sign about a trap. After they had told Aaron and Eric, that they could help them, but only if they won't try anything. The two men quickly said, that they didn't want them any harm, they know, that they were good people, because of course they had watched them for a few hours to make sure, that they could ask them for help.
Daryl brought Eric a chair, where he could sit down, till help will come, Aaron was always next to his side. Of course Daryl, and also Rick, knew who the only one was, who could help Eric.
Beth. She had got lessons during their prison time from Hershel and maybe already back at their farm and also in the hospital, where she was captured for such a long time.
When Daryl reached Beth at the river she quickly ran into his direction and asked worried what had happened. Beth already knew Daryl too good. He quickly explained to her what had happened and then he told everyone, that they had to go back to their camp, just in case. Then Rose also ran towards Daryl with a scared face. He took her up in his arms and told her, that she didn't have to worry, everything was okay.
Before they entered their camp Daryl gave Rose to Maggie, because he didn't want his little girl near the two strangers. First Rose wanted to come with them, but Daryl explained to her again, that everything was alright and that Beth and he were just a few feet away under the big tree. Then she was willing to go with her aunt.
While Aaron and Eric explained to Beth again what had happened, after they introduce themself, Rick gave Daryl a nod, before he left to the other. Daryl was always standing next to Beth, while she examined Eric. Aaron spoke all the time and often smiled to Beth and there was a feeling inside Daryl's belly again, but now it wasn't faith, he thought that this must be jealousy. Daryl never felt that before, but he already hated this feeling.
After some time Aaron looked up to Daryl and then back to Beth and his smile got even bigger. Daryl began to hate him. "The two of you are a very sweet couple." Aaron said more to Beth than to Daryl. Beth smiled back to him, before she was looking over her shoulder to Daryl. She was still smiling and somehow he began to fell better. Now Aaron knew that Beth was his girl. Beth said a sweet thank you to Aaron and started again to wrap Eric's hurt leg.
Suddenly Daryl heard light footsteps behind him and when he turned around he saw Rose running into his direction. Daryl picked her up in his arms and said "I told you to stay by your aunt baby girl." With a sorry look and her big eyes Rose said "I just wanted to be with you daddy." Daryl never could be mad at his little girl for more than three seconds. He kissed her tiny head and turned around to Beth, Eric and Aaron.
Aaron's smile got even wider, when he saw little Rose. "The two of you have such a sweet daughter. You can be so proud of her. What's your name little girl?" The man asked Rose curious, but she was just hiding her head by Daryl's neck and held tight his shirt. "Rose." Daryl simply answered. "What a fitting name for this beautiful, little lady. Eric and me always wanted a child too, I mean when everything was still normal, but now it's probably impossible." Daryl felt like a damn dork, because he was jealous about Aaron just a few minutes ago. Eric was obviously his boyfriend.
Soon they all got it, that the two strangers weren't dangerous and obviously Beth had already become friends with them, because they almost talked the whole day long. Of course, Daryl was still close and watched them closely, but he also had the feeling that these guys were alright.
One time Daryl also joined them and Aaron asked quickly "I know I'm damn curious, but I really want to know how the two of you got together. I mean you look so different, but obviously you are made each other." Beth looked at Daryl and took his hand, while she explained the men, how they fell in love. Of course, she didn't tell them everything, but in the end Aaron meant, that he had never heard a better love story than this before.
In the evening they were all sitting around the campfire eating their dinner together. Of course, they all were still having an eye on Aaron and Eric, but the situation wasn't so tensed any more. Beth and Daryl were sitting next to the two men and Beth talked with them about the time they had spent in the prison. Even Rose was more opened to Aaron and Eric now, she even said a few words to them.
Daryl offered, that he will take the watch tonight, because he wanted to be the one, who had an eye on Aaron and Eric and he wanted to ask them something. After dinner Daryl had taken Rose into their tent, gave her a good night kiss and he also said good night to Beth and kissed her gently, then he went back to the campfire.
Everyone was already in their tent, just Eric and Aaron were left. Daryl gave them two blankets and lowered himself next to them. First the three men were just looking into fire, but then Daryl asked "You talked about a camp, your camp. Is it safe there?" "Yes. It's about three hours away from here. We have walls, solar plants, water, food, medicine, doctors..." Aaron said with a smile.
Daryl couldn't believe his ears. He stopped following his words after doctors. Obviously Aaron had noticed Daryl's shocked face and quickly he said "I know you want a safe place for your girls, I can see it in your eyes. And Daryl this place is real. You can have this too. We are still looking for inhabitants." Daryl needed a few moments to process the things Aaron had just told him. Yea, he was looking for a safe place, but he had never thought, that they would find a place like this. But there was still the fear, that this all was just a trap and not true.
Daryl asked Aaron how this all was even possible. The two talked the whole night long, while Eric was sleeping next to them. And in the end Daryl could tell, that everything what Aaron had explained to him was working. He will talk about it with the other tomorrow. Aaron also said to Daryl, that he and Eric were outsiders in Alexandria, the name from the little town they were living. And somehow Daryl also began to like Aaron. Daryl even told him a little about his past and his brother. And in the end Aaron told him again how happy Daryl could be about Beth and Rose. Daryl said, how glad he was to have the two of them and that he couldn't live without them. He would do anything for them.
The next day Daryl talked first about his idea with Beth before he went to the other. Of course Beth was with him, because she liked and trusted Aaron and Eric since the first second and she also believed in Alexandria. Beth helped Daryl speaking with the other and finally they were all for his idea, to go to Alexandria. They wanted to drive there tomorrow, so Eric could rest his leg one more day.
Daryl had his head on Beth's chest, while they were laying in their tent. Rose fell already asleep minutes ago and Beth gently stroked his back with one hand and his head with the other. Daryl was damn tired, because he hadn't slept on minute last night, but his thoughts just didn't let him fall asleep.
Beth whipped gently the hair away, which covered almost his whole face, and asked "What do you worry about baby?" "Do you think it's safe? Safe enough?" "It's a chance Daryl. Everything will be good." "I hope so much sweetheart. I want a safe place for you and Rose." Beth stroked lovingly Daryl's cheek and smiled down to him. Her eyes were looking even bigger, since she had heard about Alexandria and they were sparkling even more. It was hope, that was it in her eyes. And Daryl wanted to have it too. Hope. For his girls.
Finally he said "I know you will be right sweetheart. Like always." Beth leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on his cheek. "You should get some rest. You will need it tomorrow." Yes, she was always right. So Daryl slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep, while Beth was still stroking his head.
Next day they started driving as soon as they had packed everything. Daryl leaded the group with his car, because Aaron and Eric were sitting in the back seat, while Beth was sitting next to Daryl on the passenger seat, with Rose on her lap.
At the beginning they were talking much, even Daryl followed their conversation and said some words sometimes, but the closer they got to Alexandria the more quiet it got in the car. Daryl really had hope, but at the same time he was so damn nervous. When they drove around a curve they finally saw the big doors of the town. Daryl clutched the steering wheel even more and he held back his breath, but Beth took her hand on top of his and gently stroked her thumb over the back of his hand. He looked over to her and Beth gave him a big smile, so he could see the sparkle in her eyes again.
Stopping in front of the gates, Aaron got out of the car and told his people on the guard tower, that they should open the gates, because he had found new inhabitants. When the door was finally opened, Daryl slowly drove in and parked the car next to the wall. The first thing Daryl heard, after he got out of the car, were the birds singing their songs, the flow of water, people talking in the distance and children laughing. He looked over to Beth, she also got already out of the car, and Daryl saw her big, bright smile. Finally Beth looked over to him, smiled encouraging and nodded to him. Yes, she was right again. This will work. This place had to work.
Aaron told them, that they will first go to Deanna, the leader of Alexandria. She always wanted to make an interview with every new member. Daryl never left Beth's and Rose's side, while they were all going to Deanna's house. Just in chase.
The older woman was already waiting for them, Daryl had to admit, that Deanna looked kind. After welcome them in Alexandria, she leaded them in her big living room and finally she said "I want to make an interview with each of you. To get you all to know and hear about your stories. I think I will start with the leader." Deanna pointed to Daryl. "No, I'm ain't the leader. It's Rick." Daryl said and looked in his friends direction. "Oh, okay. I just thought.. Don't matter. Let us start Rick." The man and Deanna left the room and the rest of them were alone now. Some were just looking around the room, like they couldn't believe what was happening, some were looking at the books in the shelves and some were looking out of the big window. But Daryl had just eyes for Beth and Rose. He still thought, that there will come danger in seconds and he had to protect his girls.
When the door finally opened again, Daryl almost jumped up and put his knife out, but it was just Rick. "Deanna wants to speak with you next Daryl." He looked down to Beth, but she just nodded her head and pushed him up. Daryl didn't want to leave his girls, but he also knew, that the other were still here, so Beth and Rose won't be alone. So Daryl carefully went into the room, in which Deanna was sitting on a comfortable couch, a chair opposite from her.
Daryl slowly sat down on the chair and only then he noticed, that there was a camera pointed to his direction. Daryl couldn't remember the last time he had seen a camera. "So you are Daryl. Daryl Dixon." "Yes, ma'am" "You don't have to say ma'am to me. I'm Deanna. And I really hope, that you will like it here in Alexandria." She said with a smile in her face. Daryl just nodded and looked around again. This was all so unreal.
"So Daryl, just tell me your story." "There isn't much to tell about." Daryl simply said, not willing to tell about his past. "I don't want to know every detail, I just want to get to know you a little. I mean, we are neighbours now." Deanna said smiling at him. Daryl didn't tell her about his past before the apocalypse, he just quickly told her how Merle and he had found Rick's group, about the farm, the prison and the governor. "And when did the blond girl and you fell in love?" Daryl looked at Deanna with a shocked, confused look. How did she know, that Beth and he were together. He had never said one word about that.
After a few moments Deanna began to laugh. "Don't worry Daryl. I have seen the two of you getting out of the car. When you came to my house and you always made sure, that she was alright. The way you look at her. You always protect her, even in my safe living room." Deanna was damn right. Daryl could feel how his cheeks were getting hot. "You don't have to feel like that Daryl. It's okay. I'm also 10 years younger than my husband. That doesn't say anything. The most important thing is, that the two of you are happy and I can tell that you are." Daryl nodded.
"And you can be so proud of your daughter. She is such a cute, little girl." Daryl could feel how his cheeks were blushing even more. But Deanna began to laugh again and she said with an amused voice "You just can't deny her Daryl. She looks so much like you. So.. How did the blond girl and you fell in love?" After Daryl breathed in a few times and he finally felt, that his cheeks weren't that hot anymore, he began with his story.
"When the prison felt, we got out together, Beth and me. First I was just hopeless and sad, but she showed me, that there was still hope left in this world and finally she was right. We didn't fall in love since the very first day, we just cared for each other, but finally I noticed that I couldn't live without her any more. That it wouldn't be the same losing her, like losing the people back at the prison. I need her. I never felt that way for someone in my life before. It took some time, but finally we got together. We found a house, which was safe enough to stay, but one night I just opened the door without thinking and there was a horde of walkers outside. I told Beth, that she should break a window and get her way outside, that I will meet her on the road. But when I finally came there she was gone. Two men with a black car and a white cross on it had kidnapped her.."
Deanna's look changed from happy to worried.
"I ran the whole night long to get her back. But finally there was a crossing and I didn't know in which direction they had driven. I tried.." Daryl could feel how the tears were building up in his eyes just thinking about that again and he quickly blinked them away. "Finally I found Rick and the other again, no, they have found me. I searched for Beth every day, every second, but I couldn't find her. That was the hardest time in my whole life. A few weeks ago we have heard a little girl screaming for her mother and we found the girl in the middle of nowhere. We took her back to our camp and finally it turned out that this little girl is Beth's and my little girl. Rose. I didn't know, that Beth was pregnant, when she got kidnapped, nether did she. Thankfully two days later we also found Beth. Thank God she was okay. Since that day we are together. Since that day my life has a reason again. Even two reasons. But we just had a camp in the middle of the woods, which wasn't safe enough for Beth and Rose. This place here has to work for my girls."
Deanna began to smile again "It will Daryl. I promise you that." Deanna questioned him a few more things, till she finally said that it was enough and he should bring Beth and Rose next to her. Daryl went back to the living room and he saw Beth and Rose sitting on a coach talking to Aaron. Daryl stopped in front of them and said, that Deanna wanted to see them next. Daryl took Beth's hand in his and leaded them to the older woman. Before Beth went with Rose in her arms inside the room, Daryl whispered to her "I will wait for you right here." Beth nodded and placed a quick kiss on his mouth.
Before Daryl closed the door behind them, he could hear how Beth said to Deanna that her name was Beth Dixon and the little girl in her arms was Rose Dixon. This warmed up Daryl's heart so much, he almost began to cry then. Beth took his name. Daryl had never thought, that one day a woman will take the name Dixon voluntary. His back pressed against the cool wall next to the door and his head in his hands, Daryl waited for Beth and Rose to finish. He could hear what they were talking, not because of that he was sitting here. No, Daryl already knew Beth's story, but he wanted to be close to her and Rose. Just in chase.
When they were finish Beth, Daryl and Rose were going back together to the other. Daryl took Rose in his arms and kissed softly her forehead. When Deanna was finish with her interviews she came back to them and explained, that there were some jobs, which they should do, if they wanted to live here. But for today it was enough and they need some rest and something to eat. Rick told Deanna, that they will all stay at the same room for this night. Deanna nodded understanding and leaded them out of her house.
Now Daryl noticed a few things outside on the streets of Alexandria, while they were going. In the middle of the town there was a big lake and a playing ground. The buildings were looking all very new. The people, whom were going around, were looking very clean and they were wearing nice clothes. Not like Daryl. Deanna explained to them some buildings, when they passed them by. There was a school and a nursery school, a doctor's house, a storehouse, an armoury and even a prison.
Finally they stopped in front of a big house and Deanna told them, that this was their house for tonight. She also said, that she will come back soon to bring them something to eat. The house was as clean as Deanna's and the first thing that made them all damn happy was, that they got clean water from the water facets, it was even warm. The second thing was, that they had electricity.
Before they all could get used to these things Deanna, Aaron and a few other people from Alexandria were standing on the porch with plates of food in their hands. Deanna joined them during the dinner, while Aaron went back to Eric.
Finally they all made themself comfortable in the big living room. No one wanted to get upstairs into the beds, they all wanted to stay together. Even if he probably didn't have to, Daryl took watch. He couldn't sleep anyway. He placed himself next to the window. Beth's body next to his feet, little Rose in his arms. Daryl leaned down to his daughter and whispered into her ear "Do you like it here sweetheart?" She looked up at him with her big eyes and nodded "Thank you daddy."
Daryl wanted to say, that it wasn't himself, who had found this place, but when Rose laid her head relieved against his chest, he could see Beth watching them and she nodded her head too and whispered 'thank you' to him. This made Daryl smiling proudly. Maybe this will really work.
He took watch the whole night long. Looking out of the window, but nothing bad happened. He held Rose close to his chest and stroked Beth's head next to his feet. Maybe this place was really safe enough for his girls.