Lady C here
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I sat in the bottom of the tub as Maggie bathed me. I was to numb to fight about being bathed like a child. I closed my eyes as she washed and rinsed my hair. Maggie washed the bottom of my feet, so she could pull out pebbles and slivers from the softened skin; causing me to wince. She helped me to stand and climb out of the tub before wrapping me up with a towel.
Maggie sat and waited as I dressed in a pair of black pajama pants and a white tank top, before brushing out my hair and braiding it. Together we headed back down stairs to the living room, where I sat down on the couch. She offered to make me something to eat but I declined with a shake of my head. Daryl and I have had our fights before but nothing like this; so food wasn't on my mind or going into my stomach anytime soon.
Several people including Daryl had gone out to search for the little girl who was missing from their group, while I was locked in the bathroom; so I had yet to have seen my Uncle. That was one conversation I wasn't looking forward to.
As Hershel came in to take care of the bottom of my feet, I instantly felt ashamed. Looking at the old man who had taken me in so many months ago I whispered, "I'm sorry Hershel." looking down at my hands. It seems I was apologizing a lot today and it bugged me, apologizing was never easy for me.
"You have nothing to be sorry about Bells." he said applying cream to the bottom of my feet causing me to wince. "Your grief is raw. You have finally found the happiness and the safety you wanted and in a blink of an eye, you lost several people who were very important to you."
"Ya but I shouldn't have tried to kill myself nor provoke my Uncle like that. I didn't mean to air our dirty laundry for everyone to hear. A drunken man's words are a sober man's thoughts they always say."
"No that wasn't wise, but in one's moment of pure agony our actions are all we have." Hershel said putting socks on my feet before standing up, "You're going to be fine."
I gave him a small smile, my head still woozy from the moonshine, "Got a cure for a soon to be a massive hangover?" I ask holding my head, causing Hershel to laugh.
"Two aspirins and call me in the morning." he handed me the aspirin and a bottle of water before walking away. Shaking my head, I took the aspirin and took a long swig of water before I laid down and quickly drifted off to a dreamless sleep.
When I awoke again, my head was pounding and any form of light or sound hurt. I sat up and started heaving into a bucket someone had left next to the couch. I felt someone step up, grab my hair and pull it away from my face as I puked, rubbing my back.
"Shhh, you'll be fine, just get it all out of your system." the voice was feminine. I looked up into the eyes of Carol as she offered me a towel. I took the damp towel and wiped my mouth before taking the glass of water from her hand as I sat back, my stomach empty.
I take a long drink of water. "Thank you." I whisper.
Carol smiles and put a hand on my forehead, "Your Uncle gave you quite a shiner."
I suddenly feel uncomfortable, mainly because I didn't know who this lady was. "Do you feel up having a little something to eat?" she asked. My stomach clenches at the mention of food and I'm suddenly bent over the bucket once more, Carol holds my hair again laughing a little bit, "Maybe later..."
I nod, wiping my mouth again with the towel that she handed me earlier, "Sorry." I whisper.
"Don't be." Carol said patting my leg as she got up and headed toward the kitchen, "Yell if you need anything."
"I will and thank you." I said with a smile before rolling over, as I started falling back asleep I feel someone drape a blanket over me. "Thank you..." I mumbled snuggling into the blanket as sleep over took me.
The sudden clanking of a spoon on a pan next to my ear woke me out of a dead sleep, causing me to scream and fall off the couch as I sat up swinging. Landing hard on my ass, I yell "What the fuck!?' rubbing my backside. My head still pounding though not as bad.
A voice from the doorway drew my attention, "Teach you to pull that shit on me again, Girl." I look over to see my Uncle leaning against the kitchen door frame, a wooden spoon and a large pot in his hands. He looked amused as I sat on the floor. Several people stood in the kitchen, all looking uncomfortable, probably from our fight earlier.
"Thanks for the black eye, prick"
"Ya well I'm sorry for slapping you, but don't ever call me a bitch again." he said putting the spoon and pot down.
"Call em as I see em..." I snap shaking my head a little bit as I picked up the blanket that had fallen off the couch.
"Isabella..." he warned
"Dude shut up." I smirked
"You had no right to do what you did."
"How in the hell did you expect me to react? You told me my father was dead and then I find out that Rick left him handcuffed to a pipe!" I demanded standing up, swaying slightly. "So I pulled a Merle and got shit faced." I shrugged, "You don't know half the shit I've been through the last few months."
"No excuse Itsy." he said shaking his head. "You tried to kill yourself!"
"Screw you." I snapped, "I'm an adult I don't need my Uncle protecting me. I can take care of myself."
"I call bullshit on that one..." he snapped his anger seeping into his voice once more. I knew he had a temper, him slapping me was evident of that but mine was just as bad, drunk or sober. "Let me ask you this, Itsy - if you can take such good care of yourself ... where's Anna?" the minute those words were out of his mouth, his eyes grew wide as he knew he had crossed the line, just like I had done earlier. "Shit, I didn't mean..." he stood up straight and started walking towards me. I watched as the people in the kitchen stopped and stared, afraid to see how I would react.
I grabbed the closest thing to me which was a small round glass paper weight in the shape of a baseball and threw it at him. I watched as Daryl moved his head just as it shattered against the wall, spraying him with glass shards. "How fucking dare you! You, you, you Mac Soith!" I yelled in Irish. I wanted to hit him, but instead I turned and punched the wall, leaving a hole the size of my fist. I groaned as a throbbing pain shot threw my hand. Shaking my hand, I felt a hand on my shoulder, I pushed the hand away without looking at whomever it was. I walked out on to the porch my hand starting to swell, but I ignored it and made my way to the side of the porch that faced the horse stables.
Sitting down on the bench that I had claimed as my own private space whenever I had gotten depressed over the past few months. I pulled my legs up and laid my forehead on them, closing my eyes. I took several deep breaths to try and calm my anger as the tears silently fell. To have Anna's death thrown in my face was like a stab to my heart. I felt someone sit down next to me, looking through the corner of my eyes I saw Hershel looking out on his farm.
With a sigh, I leaned my head on his shoulder wiping away my tears, "I owe you a new paper weight."
"This has truly been quite a few days for you." he said not looking at me.
"Your telling me. It can only go up right?" I said, I lifted my swollen hand, "I also may have left a hole in your living room wall."
Hershel chuckled and shook his head, "We may have to keep you locked up in your room or you're going to destroy the house anytime you lose that temper of yours." he teased checking my hand. Bending over he picked up his bag and pulled out an ace bandage, "Good news, it ain't broken, but you did sprain it pretty good. Just keep it wrapped up and don't punch anymore walls." Hershel wrapped my hand and wrist.
I smirked, "Yes doctor."
"Get some rest Bella." Hershel patted my shoulder before he went to stand up.
"Thank you Hershel."
"For what? I just wrapped your hand..."
"For being like a father to me." I looked up at him, "My Mama's parents didn't want me. I may have had my stepdad but that was for such a short time and Merle but he came later in life besides he was to focused on his next fix then me. As for Daryl, I love my Uncle but our relationship is more brother/sister than father/daughter. You saved my life, you could have left me on the side of the road that day to bleed out or become walker food. You gave me back my hope to survive. Over the last six months I've come to respect you and love you in that manner." I said it all in one breath, tears spilling down my cheeks again as I looked at Hershel.
Hershel wrapped me in a hug as I cried in his arms, "I meant what I said when I called you my daughter. I love you as if you were my own." Hershel kissed the top of my head before he got up and headed into the house.
I sat there for a bit longer, staring out into the night. Slowly I stood up and made my way into the house, my stomach growling. Walking into the kitchen I found Carol at the table crying, she spotted me in the doorway and quickly wiped her cheeks. "Evening Bella." she said smiling as she stood up.
I suddenly had the urge to hug the women, "I'm sorry about Sophia. I know my Uncle, he'll find her." I whispered hugging her close. "She's a very lucky girl to have so many people looking for her."
Carol hugged me back, "Thank you Bella." she pulled back just as my stomach growled. "Hungry?" she asked laughing.
I laughed, "Starving actually."
"Sit down and I'll make you something to eat." Carol guided me to the table before she turned and walked into the pantry before I could get a word in edge wise. Shaking my head, I sat down at the table. I started humming to myself as Carol came back in to the kitchen and started cooking.
"What was your life before this Bella?" she asked a few minutes later setting down a sandwich with a bowl of soup and a bottle of water.
"Thank you Carol," I took a large bite of my sandwich, "I was a bartender slash struggling singer in northern Georgia. You?"
"Wife and mother." she said sitting down next to me. "All I had left was Sophie and now she may be gone now too."
"I wouldn't think like that." I took a drink of my water before I went on, "Despite what had I said earlier, I'm glad that my Uncle and I found each other. I don't know what I would do without him, even if he pisses me off." I reach over and grasp Carol's hand, "Family has a way of coming out of the woodwork. We'll find her."
"I think we need to talk, Itsy."
Both Carol and I jumped at the sound of his voice, we looked behind us to see Daryl standing in the doorway, a look of regret in his eyes. He looked at Carol and nodded before turning and heading outside. I felt Carol squeeze my hand before I pushed myself away from the table and followed my Uncle outside. I prayed that this conversation didn't turn into another screaming match.
"Look before this turns into another possible screaming match and I damage my other hand, let's just call it even. We both said somethings we didn't mean and hurt each other's feelings today." I said the moment he turned to look at me. "I didn't mean to throw our past in your face, let alone in front of everyone. I guess I still have some issues to work through." I took a deep breath, "As for wishing you never showed up, I didn't mean it. I was devastated when I thought you were dead." I waited for him to say something.
"I didn't sacrifice you and Annamarie for Merle and if that's how you felt then I am... sorry." Daryl sat his cross bow down and leaned against the railing as I sat in one of the rocking chairs. "And as for leaving you, we did come back for you. All we found was a couple of dead walkers and a lot of blood. Broke our hearts when we thought you were dead."
"I guess Anna was right, we are alike." I said smiling slightly, "Cut from the same cloth she use to say. Spiorad Ceanna... same spirit." I felt the tears start to fall as the memories came flooding back. "I miss her so much, Uncle. We went through so much already and to have her taken from me like that, I feel like I failed her." I cried putting my face in my hands.
Daryl knelt in front of me and placed both hands on my face, forcing me to look at him. "I miss her too. You did all you could. You kept her safe when Merle and I couldn't. You didn't fail her." he said softly.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder, "I just want my family back. Even Merle. I'm still that lost little girl who needs her daddy."
"I know Itsy." He said holding me tight, "I can never replace Merle, but can you settle for an Uncle who will fight through Hell to find you no matter what?" he asked pulling away and looking in my eyes.
I nodded and hugged him even tighter, "It's you and me Uncle. Us against a world full of walkers." I whisper. Nobody knew Daryl like I did, he had a side to him that only I saw while he hid it behind a hard wall to everyone else.
A few days later...
It's late afternoon and I'm outside with Rick, Glenn, T-Dog and Shane, we're going over a map of places to search for Sophie. After Carol took care of me during my hangover, I wanted to help in any way I could in the search. Andrea was on top of the RV, bitching to Dale about me having a gun and not her.
Finally, frustrated with her bellyaching I stomped over to the RV and yelled up to her, "If you're so keen on having a gun, why don't you come down here and say that shit to my face. If you have the balls then I'll give you my guns personally, if not then shut the hell up!" I wait a few minutes for her to come down, but she doesn't move. "Figures all talk and no action."
The guys smirked as I walked back. "Now I'm not as good as my Uncle but I can track pretty good, I figure T-dog and I can go to the house that Daryl found and work our way out." I suggest pointing to the area on the map. "Where did the old man go anyways?" I asked looking around scratching the that hand was still wrapped in the ace bandage.
"Took one of the horses at dawn to cover a ridge south of here." Rick explained running his finger along a crease on the map.
"Ok, explains why he didn't have coffee with me." I said looking back at the map. "Come on T-Dog lets get moving." T-Dog nods and grabs my other gun that I had given him to use, since I could only use one hand at the moment.
"WALKER!" Andrea yells from the RV.
"Don't do anything, Hershel wants to take care of the walkers..." Rick yells
"I can take it out from here!" came her reply
"Shit!" Rick yelled grabbing his revolver and running out to the field with Shane, T-Dog and Glenn on his heels.
"Dammit Andrea listen to Rick!" I yell taking off after Rick. I reach the group just as Rick pulls his gun. I push my way to the front only to stop dead in my tracks, my hand at my mouth and tears blurring my vision. "Uncle? Oh God please no." I begged.
He stands before us, covered in blood, dirt and what looks to be a necklace of ears around his neck. "Third time you pulled a gun on me." He states before looking at me, "Itsy..." he suddenly collapsed as a shot echoed through the area, causing my heart to drop even more.
"Daryl!" I screamed running to his side, "O thank god! He's still breathing!" I exclaim checking his head, "It just grazed him! We need to get him to Hershel NOW!" I demanded as Glenn and Shane grabbed Daryl under the arms, "Rick grab the necklace, Hershel doesn't need to see it." Rick nods and rips the necklace off before they rush him to the house. Andrea and Dale came running up.
"YOU FUCKING SHOT MY UNCLE!" I screamed getting in her face, "Gunna dur soith sasta!"
"The sun was in my eyes; I didn't mean to. What's it to you anyways? You tried to kill yourself! Now you suddenly care... what the hell did you just say to me?!"" She exclaimed hands on her hips.
I bawled up my good hand and punched her across the face, her nose spurting blood. "I called you a 'stupid gun happy bitch!' Maybe you should listen to those who know what the hell they are doing! Besides I was trying to kill myself not anyone else! I lost my father, my best friend and a man who saved my life! Who in the hell did you lose besides a fucking NAIL!?"
Suddenly she slapped me across the face. "I had to shoot my sister!" Andrea yelled tears in her eyes as she put a hand on her nose as I step back to knock her out.
"Hey now!" Shane said stepping between the two of us. "Bella go in the house and be with your Uncle. Andrea go clean up and stay away from the fucking guns!"
I don't move my chest heaving as she away, I glare at her back wanting to punch her face in. "Easy Bella." Shane whispers putting both his hands on my shoulders to calm me down.
I look at him square in the eye as I say, "I need to let off some serious steam or I'm gonna fucking take her head off. Wish Hershel would give me back my shotgun..." I mumbled before turning around and heading into the house ignoring the fact that Shane was staring at my ass. I walked upstairs and found Lori sitting on the floor next to the bedroom that held my uncle.
"You ok?" she asked looking up as I sat down across from her. "Rick told me about the other day."
I groaned, "Ya I'm ok, just trying to keep from taking Andrea's head off. Oh and I'm in desperate need of a decent fuck or a cigarette." I say bluntly brushing my bangs back. "Whichever comes first, I'll be happy." I say shaking out my hand before opening and closing it. I wiped the splatter of blood off my knuckles with my shirt.
When I used to get this angry or I was fighting with Merle while he was on one of his binges, I'd call on Roger to help me blow off steam. We'd go out mudding, shooting, drinking or his place for a more personal interaction. But he died shortly before we had left for Atlanta. I think I really loved him. God I missed him...
Lori laughed, "Ya I could understand that." she said. We both stood up as the bedroom door opened. Rick hugged Lori before turning to me, "He's gonna be ok Bella." he said patting me on the shoulder.
"Rick, I'm sorry for hitting you the other day." I say turning to him and Lori, "I never apologized for my actions." I looked down in regret, much like Rick did when he informed me of Merle.
"It's all good." he said before walking away with his arm around Lori's shoulders; I was suddenly envious of them as I began to realize how alone I really was.
I turn and walked into the bedroom just as Hershel is walking out, he quickly hugs me before leaving the room. I see that Daryl was asleep, so I sat on the chair at the end of the bed, put my feet up on the bed, tucking a light blanket around my legs and waited for him to wake. I slowly drifted off to sleep, my head in my hand.
A/N:
I do not own
TWD
Just my lil Bella!