Catching Up

A/N: Thank you so much for the great reviews! I love reading them so much! Hope you're enjoying reading as much as I am writing it.

"I… I have to go." Shiv said, turning around and rushing around the counter, heading through to the kitchen to leave through the back exit.

"Shiv." Punk tried to call her back, but she was gone in a flash.

He turned around to where Daryl was standing. It was an unbelievable yet so familiar sight to see him standing in this place again. His heart was beating rapidly.

"Dude, you're out!" Finn yelled happily, walking out from behind the counter and heading over to Daryl, giving him a brotherly hug as Daryl hugged him back.

"I took the bus here. It was an interesting experience." Daryl said whilst Punk came out from behind the counter.

"Hey, kid." Punk smiled.

"What's up, boss?" Daryl saluted him as Punk pulled him in for a hug, squeezing him tightly as Daryl chuckled.

"Damn, it's like you guys missed me or something." Daryl said.

"Why didn't you call? I would have picked you up. I didn't even know you were getting out today. I just knew it would be soon." Punk said.

"It all happened pretty quick. I didn't know I was getting out until last night. Had a meeting with my parole officer this morning and… that was it. Set free into the wild again." Daryl nodded, "I wanted to take the bus to clear my head."

"You look good. Little thin." Finn looked him up and down.

"Couple of pastries and I'll be fine." Daryl said.

"Come on. Sit down. I'll do us some coffee." Punk told him as Daryl nodded, dumping his bag by a table and sitting down.

"You didn't think to decorate or change things up in here?" Daryl asked, taking a look around the coffee shop which he loved and had missed so dearly, "It's the exact same."

"I don't like change." Punk said, heading over to the coffee machine and prepping some coffee for them.

"This is insane." Finn said, sitting down at the table with Daryl, "I can't believe you're out."

"And I can't believe you're still working here." Daryl said.

"I heard that." Punk called.

"I'm just saying… apparently, you're like a chef now." Daryl said, "Phil and April are always banging on about how good your food is."

"I like it here." Finn shrugged, "Gives me freedom to try things out, and if it doesn't work out then it's not a big deal. I'm not looking to work in a shitty kitchen with people pressuring me." He shook his head.

"You're too comfortable in this place. That's the problem." Daryl figured.

"Nothing wrong with being comfortable." Finn said, "Did you come straight here? You didn't go see your mom?"

"No, not yet. I… I found myself just stumbling in here first. Felt right." Daryl shrugged as Punk came over with the coffees, sitting them down before taking a seat, "So… I don't remember any of you mentioning Shiv worked here." He said, taking a sip of the coffee, "Shit, I forgot what good coffee taste like." He said to himself.

"You never talked or asked about her so… I didn't bring it up." Punk said.

"Why does she work here? Why isn't she over at The Brewberry?" Daryl asked.

"We needed the staff and it just… worked out that way." Punk said.

"She should be graduating soon, right?" Daryl said, "I'm surprised she's working in this town at all. Thought she'd be moved onto better things." He said as Punk just nodded awkwardly, turning to Finn who sipped his coffee and avoided eye contact with him.

"So, how do you feel?" Punk asked, changing the subject, "You good?"

"Honestly? It feels like a dream. It doesn't feel real yet." Daryl admitted, "I'm sure it'll hit me eventually."

"How does the parole thing work?" Finn asked.

"I gotta check in with some dude every week in the city. Gotta update him on my living status, my job status… boring shit." Daryl nodded, "And… I gotta behave. Don't think I can even get caught pissing in the street by a cop." He admitted.

"You'll be fine." Punk nodded, "It's easy to keep a low profile in this place."

"It was here I got into trouble in the first place." Daryl pointed out.

"Well, Phil is giving you your job back so that's one thing you can tick off your list." Finn said happily as Punk turned to Finn. He was going to approach the subject a bit more delicately, but Finn had jumped straight in.

"Appreciate it but… I don't think I can work here with Shiv." Daryl nodded, "In fact, I know I can't. I'll find something else." He told them.

"But you should be here." Finn whined.

"Finn." Punk shook his head as Daryl watched them, "You understand I can't just let Shiv go, right?" Punk asked Daryl, "She's been working here for almost two years now."

"That long, huh?" Daryl nodded, "Why can't she work at The Brewberry? Did they have some sort of friendship break up?" He scoffed as Punk thought about what to say next.

"Like I said… we needed the staff here and AJ suggested it. Shiv didn't seem to mind. Just sort of happened." Punk nodded.

"Shouldn't she be at college, though?" He asked with confusion.

"She doesn't go to college." Punk said, "She's here full-time."

"She dropped out?" Daryl asked.

For some reason, throughout his four years in prison, whenever he got visit from his friends or his mom, he couldn't bare to ask for an update on Shiv. It was easier to imagine her moving on and having a better life.

"Yeah. Not long after you went to prison." Punk said as Daryl rolled his eyes.

"Great. Another thing I'm responsible for." Daryl nodded, leaning back on the chair and running his hands through his hair.

"No. It's not your fault. She made the decision." Punk said, "It was best for her at the time." He nodded as Daryl just rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Your mom will kill you for coming here first." Finn smiled.

"Yeah, I probably won't tell her I came here first." Daryl nodded, "Wouldn't make a great start to my return for her." He smiled a little.

"How's the leg?" Punk asked him.

"Just the same. Fucked." Daryl nodded, "But… I can still walk and it's not chopped off yet so… I suppose it's fine." He shrugged, "Hey, where's your kids?" He asked Punk.

"Pre-k." Punk nodded.

"Can't wait to meet them." Daryl smiled, "You ever talk to them about me?" He wondered.

"Of course. They just know you as daddy's friend, Daryl. Who works in the city." Punk said as Daryl nodded, "They're gonna love you."

"I mean… they're little shits." Finn said as Punk turned to him, "They are. They bully me." He defended as Daryl chuckled.

"Not hard to bully you, buddy." Daryl smiled.

"They can be a little… honest." Punk admitted as Daryl nodded, "I'll show you a recent picture." He said.

He'd kept Daryl updated throughout the years on the twins, showing him pictures and videos of them whenever he visited him in prison, but it was still surreal to think he hadn't actually met them.

"They're cute as hell." Daryl nodded, looking at the picture which Punk showed him. The one which AJ took on Saturday before Becca's party, "You guys going to a party here or something?" He asked.

"Yeah actually. It was on Saturday. Becca was having a new house party." Punk nodded.

"Really? Where is she moving to?" Daryl asked.

"Nowhere. Mister Eckles is moving out and giving her and Patrick the farmhouse to themselves." Punk said, "So… Becca being Becca, threw a party to celebrate having the house she's been living in for four years already." He said as Daryl just chuckled.

"Classic Becca." Daryl nodded, not surprised, "Her and Patrick still going strong?"

"Yeah, they're good. Everyone is good." Punk nodded.

"You planning on staying with your mom?" Finn asked.

"For the time being." Daryl nodded, "Until I can get a place of my own. Which is hard to come by in this town."

"I got a spare room at my place." Finn said, "I did have a roommate, but he left about four months ago. Left me in the shit to pay the full rent." He rolled his eyes.

"You serious?" Daryl asked with a smile.

"It's all yours." Finn nodded.

"Remember when you two hated each other?" Punk smiled fondly, his heart bursting at this reunion.

"Yeah, and you locked us in a fridge." Daryl remembered, "Are you sure, man?" He turned to Finn, "I… I don't know when I'll be able to start paying full rent. Might take me a while to get a job around here."

"I think I can let you off." Finn nodded, "I was gonna be looking for a roommate anyway. You came at the right time."

"You're a life saver." Daryl nodded.

"Hey, if it's not too overwhelming, why don't we have a little get together tonight at this place once we close? You can meet the twins and see the girls." Punk said, "Finn can whip up something to eat for us. If you feel up to it, of course." He said.

"Yeah, ok." Daryl nodded, "About 7? Gives me the rest of the day to see my mom and sister."

"Sounds good." Punk smiled, patting Daryl's shoulder.

Having spent several years as a lawyer, he'd learned how to read people very well. He knew he could see Daryl with a smile on his face, but the fidgeting of his hands, the constant sipping at his coffee, his lack of eye contact… he knew this was incredibly challenging for him.

"He's really here? You saw him?" AJ shook her head with amazement, later that night as Punk and Finn headed over to The Brewberry to tell the girls of the news once they'd closed their shops for the night.

"Yeah, we saw him." Punk smiled, "Still feels surreal. Couldn't believe he was really there, in the coffee shop."

"Wait… was Shiv there when he got there?" Becca asked, "Jesus, what happened?"

"She dropped a tray of coffee and ran out." Punk nodded.

"Shit." Lyla cringed, "Did she come back?"

"No. I don't know where she is. Probably at her place with Brianna. One of us should probably go check on her." Punk nodded, "Daryl was so confused as to why she was working with me."

"He's the one that never asked or mentioned anything about her this whole time." Lyla said, "It's like he pretended she didn't exist."

"I think he thought she would have moved on. I don't think he expected to see her here." Finn nodded, "He looked as pale as a ghost when he saw her today."

"I had to tell him she'd dropped out of college. Which he did not seem happy about." Punk said, "He's gonna find out about Brianna sooner rather than later at this point."

"What I don't understand is… why did his own mother not tell him about Brianna." Becca said, "Carol is a good woman. Surely she knew keeping it from him was completely wrong."

"She probably did but… I don't think it was up to any of us to tell him about Brianna. It should be Shiv." Punk nodded.

"She's got no choice now." AJ said, sweeping the floors, sweeping around Punk's feet which he lifted one by one for her.

"We're having a little get together at my shop at 7pm. Figured you girls would want to see him. And I'd like the twins to finally meet him. What do you think?" Punk asked AJ.

"Of course." AJ nodded immediately, "I'll text my aunt."

"That sounds great." Lyla nodded.

"How is he? Does he look weird?" Becca asked as they all turned to her.

"What?" Punk shook his head.

"You know… is he acting all sketchy and ex-prisoner like?" Becca asked, "He's been living with shitty people for four years. What if he's turned insane?"

"You're insane." Punk concluded, "He's fine. Well… he's not fine. He's probably terrified and anxious but… he looks the same as he did when he left. And he was chatty with us which is a good sign. Normally when we visited him, he wouldn't really say much." Punk said.

"If he was overly chatty then that sounds like he's going loopy." Becca nodded.

"Oh, Becca. Stop." AJ shook her head.

"What?" Becca said defensively, "You guys think I'm joking but this is the perfect time for him to have a mental breakdown. He's probably had to act the tough guy for four years. His emotions will be all over the place."

"She actually has a point." Lyla nodded.

"We'll keep an eye on him. Make sure he's talking and taking care of himself. He's gonna live with Finn." Punk said as Finn nodded happily.

"Oh, yeah. You were looking for a roommate." AJ said, "That's great." She said, continuing to sweep the floor around them all.

"Yeah, I'll keep my eyes on him." Finn promised, "Just a shame he can't work with us again."

"Why can't he?" Lyla asked.

"He said he won't be able to work with us if Shiv is there." Punk said.

"He actually said that?" AJ asked, "Why does it feel like they dislike each other? I don't get it." She shook her head.

"They got a lot to work through, that's for sure." Lyla nodded.

"Alright. 7pm, my place?" He asked them all as they nodded.

"Should you be going out this soon?" Carol asked, watching Daryl put his jacket on, getting ready to head to Punk's shop to see his friends again.

"Mom, I'll be fine." Daryl assured her, "I want to see my friends. And I gotta meet Rudy and Thomas." He said.

He'd spent most of the day with his mom and sister, talking and hugging, crying and laughing together with endless coffee and catching up stories. It was very surreal for all of them. He especially couldn't believe how much growing up his sister had done. Although she visited him in prison, it didn't compare to being out and seeing her at home, realising she was a fully blown teenager now.

"You'll love those kids." Carol smiled, "Sweet little angels they are."

"Yeah, I've been told." Daryl said, "It'll only be a few hours. I'll come back and stay here tonight."

"Won't you just stay here for a little while? You can move in with Finn next month, or the month after." Carol said, walking with him to their front door.

"Mom, c'mon. I'm twenty-three. I can't live here. I'll be two minutes away. It's probably better for me that I stay with Finn." Daryl told her.

"I know I just… I've missed you being in this house so much." Carol sighed, getting teary again, "I'm so happy you're here." She said as Daryl smiled.

"Me too." Daryl nodded, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her tightly.

"Ok, go see your friends." Carol smiled, wiping her tears and pulling back from the hug as Daryl opened up the door, walking down the few steps and pausing when he saw Shiv walking up the pathway, holding the hand of a small child.

Shiv stopped in her tracks, looking across at him, swallowing the lump in her throat. She'd spent the rest of the day in her apartment, convincing herself to either pack up and run away, or face things head on. She knew if she didn't do this now, she'd end up running away.

"Look, I'm going over to Phil's shop. We can talk there." Daryl nodded to her calmly. He didn't pay much attention to the child. He couldn't rationalise that she was anything but a distant relative of Shiv's. Maybe a little cousin or something.

"Daryl." Carol sighed, shaking her head to him.

"No. We have to talk now." Shiv said with a shaky voice.

"Then let's talk on the way there." Daryl shook his head, looking at Shiv and noticing how terrified she looked, "Jesus, you don't have to look so scared of me." He shook his head.

"Mommy, can I go to granny?" Brianna looked up at Shiv, not understanding why they were just standing there.

Daryl looked at the little girl, hearing exactly what she had said, staring at the child with confusion. There was no way. He couldn't rationalise the thought of it.

"Yeah." Shiv swallowed the lump in her throat, "Yeah, baby. You go to granny." She nodded as Brianna ran towards Carol, running up the steps as Carol picked her up into her arms.

Daryl turned around to his mother who was looking at him with guilt and more tears, holding onto the little girl who was hugging her tightly. The little girl with his hair colour and eye colour. The little girl who looked the same age as the length of time he was gone.

"You…" Daryl turned back to Shiv who'd walked a few steps forward towards him, "You can't be serious." He shook his head, laughing a little out of nerves and fear.

"Can we go inside?" Shiv asked.

"No. I… I have to go." Daryl shook his head, "I'm… I'm meeting everyone." He said, turning back to his mother, watching the little girl turn her face and look at him. He felt his chest tighten as he locked his eyes with her innocent brown ones. This could not be happening.

"I think this is a little more important." Shiv said as Daryl turned back to her.

"She's my daughter?" Daryl asked her as Shiv nodded.

"Brianna." Shiv whispered, "I… named her after your father." She nodded as Daryl just shook his head with teary eyes.

Today had already been an emotional whirlwind. Overwhelming to say the least. But this was way too much for him to handle.

"I'm going to be late." Daryl shook his head, walking by Shiv and heading out onto the street, not looking back.