Chapter 4...
I woke up at the crack of dawn, crawling out of bed so that I didn't wake up Maggie, I quickly got dressed in jean shorts, a maroon tank top, my high tops and my Dad's dog tags. I went into the kitchen and was greeted by Rick. He was a good looking man for having barely gotten any sleep.
"Good morning." he says giving me a small smile. "I'm sorry about Otis…"
I return his smile but I held up a finger, I grabbed a coffee cup and quickly poured me a cup before taking a long drink. "Oh that's nice." I groan taking another drink.
Rick laughed, "Not a morning person are ya?" he said taking a drink of his own coffee.
I couldn't help but laugh, "Nope." I said emphasizing on the P. "I'm Isabella, but everyone calls me Bella." I offered my hand.
"Rick Grimes." he said shaking my hand. "My wife Lori is upstairs with our son Carl."
"And thank you, Otis was a sweetie. Saved my life a few months back. As soon as I shot a deer while out hunting with him, he dubbed me little sister." I smiled at the memory and wiped the tear that slipped down my cheek.
"Nice to meet you." I stated taking a sip. I couldn't help checking him out over my coffee cup.
He's married girl! I can look just can't touch...
I put my cup down when T- Dog came into the kitchen followed by the Asian guy, "Morning boys." I said with a smile. "Coffee?" I ask moving to grab two more cups.
"Yes please." T- Dog said sitting down with a sigh. I handed him his cup with two aspirins. "Thanks Bella." He said popping them in his mouth and taking a drink of his coffee.
"Your welcome, figured you'd need em." I stated with a smile as I handed over the other cup of coffee. "I don't think we've met yet. I'm Bella."
"Thank you. Glenn." He said taking a long drink of his coffee.
I turned back to T-Dog as I walked back to the counter next to Rick, "I'll change your bandages after lunch T-Dog; it's only been a few hours so I don't want to change em to soon." I stated taking a drink of my own coffee.
"Hey no problem. Thanks for what you did." He smiled finishing his coffee.
I turned back to the sink, "If you want to go out on the porch, I'll rinse these out and show you around." I offered rinsing out my cup before taking theirs.
"I think I'll stay near the house in case something happens with Carl, but thank you." Rick said handing me his cup.
"Glenn? T- Dog? Up for a stroll?" I asked with a smile.
"Hey Bella, I need help cleaning out the horse's stall, will you help me?" Beth asked walking into the pulling her hair into a ponytail.
"Sorry Gents but looks like chores chumps stroll. Rain check?" I said pulling my own hair up into a bun.
"Sure!"
"Works for me."
"Have fun!"
I followed Beth out the front door and down the side steps that faced the stables.
A short time later…
"I swear Beth you did that on purpose!' I yelled as I stomped into the house dripping wet, clearly annoyed. I swear she was snickering behind me.
"I swear it was an accident." She said behind me.
'What happened to you?" Hershel asked from the living room, trying hard not to laugh.
"Beth decided I needed a dip in the horse's troth." I said pulling my hair out and shaking it out.
"I swear Dad it was an accident." Beth said stepping up from behind me, "I slipped and fell into her."
I turned and punched her in the shoulder, "Lier!"
"Ow!"
I turned on my heel and made my way up to my room. Once there I quickly changed into black shorts and a short sleeved t-shirt, before heading back down stairs. As I entered the kitchen I heard;
"I'm sorry Bella!"
I snickered as I yelled back, "Payback's a bitch!" before walking smack dab into the broad chest of Rick and nearly fell backwards had he not caught me around the waist.
"Careful Bella." He said with a laugh as he steadied me on my feet.
I laughed, "Thanks Rick! That would have not only sucked but also would've hurt like hell." I said my hands on his biceps, his arms still on my waist. I saw a glint in his eyes before I took a step back and adjusted my shirt. I smiled and stepped into the kitchen and moved over to the sink grabbing a glass of water and downing it in seconds, suddenly thirsty.
"You ok?" Rick asked from behind me. He walked up and leaned against the counter.
"Ya, why do you ask?" I asked rinsing my cup and putting it back.
"Well I kind of saw your swan dive into the horse troth." He teased a grin on his face.
I groaned which caused him to chuckle. "I'm gonna kill her."
Rick shook his head and crossed his arms across his chest, "Careful young lady, I'm a cop. That sounds like a threat."
I grinned, "You damn right it was." I said putting up my hands, "Wanna cuff me now or later?"
Rick laughed and shook his head, "I'll let you off with a warning this time." He said with a wink.
"Damn and I was hoping for a good time." I said with a smirk.
"Sorry not this time." Rick grinned.
I shook my head, "Promises, promises." I teased laughing which caused Rick to start laughing.
I jumped at the sound of multiple cars arriving at the farm. I turned when Lori suddenly appeared at the door. "Their here." she said before going out on the porch with Rick fast on her heels. I glared at Shane as he walked by dressed in a pair of Otis' overalls, he was followed by Glenn and T-Dog. I could hear people talking on the porch and decided to follow Maggie and Beth outside as they walked passed the kitchen.
I stopped at the top of the stairs behind Hershel as he introduces us all to the group suddenly shy, I noticed he called me his daughter causing me to grin and earning a wink from Beth. I smiled as I felt Maggie squeeze my hand. I stepped out from behind Hershel to say hello and looked out among the new arrivals, they looked tired and worn down.
"Itsy?" a voice called out.
I jumped at the sound of his voice, only one person ever called me that. I gasped, my hand over my mouth, as my eyes came across a set of dark blue eyes that matched my own, full of shock and tears. Tears filled my eyes as I let out a scream and bolted down the front steps.
"Itsy?" he repeated in shock dropping his crossbow as I threw myself into his arms.
"Uncle Daryl..." I said as he hugs me tighter. I felt tears on my shoulder as his shoulders started to shake. I heard several gasps from those closes to us.
"Oh my God Itsy!" he exclaimed stepping back, "I thought we lost you."
"I'm a Dixon, nothing can take me down, except the devil himself." I grinned hugging him around the chest. He grins and hugs me back. I step back and look at the group, "Merle? Daryl, where's Merle? Where's my Dad?" I look around but I don't see him and no one will look me in the eye. "Dad? Daryl where is my father?" I nearly scream turning on my Uncle, my breathing becoming faster; my hand on my chest.
Shit I haven't had an asthma attack in almost a year.
"Itsy, are you having an asthma attack?" Daryl asked suddenly worried.
"Duh…" I gasp
"Where's your inhaler?"
"Lost it." I gasp breathing getting difficult.
Daryl looked at an older gentleman, "Dale watch her. I think her spare one is in one of the saddlebags."
I feel hands on my arms as I feel a tingling in my fingers, I slowly sink to the ground, "Not good..." I whispered before something was suddenly shoved in my mouth.
"Deep breath Itsy." I hear him whisper as I take a deep breath, "One more, big one. Good girl." I struggle to stand up, my face red from embarrassment as all eyes were now on me.
"Daryl please, what happened to Merle?" I beg grabbing the front of his shirt; trying to fight the dizziness that came over me, laying my forehead on his chest.
"I'm sorry Itsy. I'm so sorry." he says over and over his cheek on the top of my head before he glares over my head towards who I believe is Rick, who was standing at the bottom of the front steps when I had bolted for Daryl.
I step back and suddenly start hitting him in the chest tears streaming down my face, my voice raspy from the asthma attack. "You lied! You son of a bitch! YOU said everything would be ok! I lose Anna now Merle! I hate you!" I scream at him not caring anymore that others where starring at us. I slowly sink to the ground, dragging Daryl down with me. I cry harder against his arm. I hear him whispering but I can't understand him through my grief.
Slowly I slip into nothingness my grief over coming my already weak system from the asthma attack.
"Holy shit, I think she's Merle's daughter..."
"Thank you Captain Obvious..."
"What?"