The Baker and the Butcher

Chapter 21

Beth ran to Glenn hugging him and squishing his face.
" look at you! I never thought I'd see you again!"
She smiled tearfully moving over so Daryl could grab Glenn's hand.
Glenn smiled softly at the couple
" I know quite a few people who are gunna be real happy to see you two."
Abraham spoke up from the corner
"Reckon we should get them back now then? You think there Gunna be mad we didn't bring back any squirrel, cuz I think we could get away with it..." He rambled on.
Leading the way Glenn took them to what appeared to be an old prison, wrought iron fence and all.
Beth had been quiet the whole way there taking in everything Glenn was telling her. Daryl leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"Seems safe enough. Knew you could do it Greene, led us straight on home."
She looked up at him, tears lining her eyes.
"We did it. Together. I wouldn't be nowhere near Where I am without you. I get to see maggie . And my judy. And you, you get to see Merle and Rick. "
He smiled. Merle was gunna give him such a hard time about bein' out there so long. And Rick damn man was gunna cry he just knew it.
Suddenly the gates opened and his family stood inside them turning at the sound of the Gate.
Maggie dropped to her knees at the sight of her baby sister.
Rick who was holding Judith teared up and started walking toward the small group.
Merle laughed out loud "well god damn"
The rest of the group broke out in excited chatter that all stopped when the elderly man walked out of the prison.
Laying eyes on both Daryl and Beth he limped his way over to the two.
He eyed both of them up and down before swiftly grabbing the two into his embrace.
"We been waiting for you two." He whispered into there ears.
Everyone broke into excited laughter and cheers.
It was later that night , after everyone had successfully caught up that they were all gathered around the campfire.
Everyone was laughing and the energy was contagious.
Everyone except Beth who had fallen asleep on Merle's shoulder surprising everyone.
Merle laughed gently lifting the little blonde and moving to take her inside when Daryl stood up quick to take her from him.
Merle shook his head laughing
"I got this brother, you go on inside yourself and get some sleep, god knows what y'all have been through, don't wanna risk wakin' her."
Daryl was hesitant but sleepily followed walking into the cell next to Beth's.
As Merle gently placed Beth in her bed, she stirred waking up and grabbing his arm.
Merle startled smiled down softly
"Sorry little bit, didn't mean to wake you, you go on back to sleep."
She groggily shook her head smilin at him
"You're my brother too right Merle? I had a brother once. Took care a me, watched out for me, real good man. Just like you." She fell asleep immediately after her sentence.
Merle walked out of the cell and leaned against the wall. No one had ever called Merle a good man and he definitely never had anyone volunteer to be his sister. He would do it right this time. For his sister and his brother he thought gazing into his sleeping younger brothers room.
It was time to be a man and he was ready.
The next morning found Daryl on the floor by Beth's bed fixing a bow from his supply.
Beth squeaked when her hand came to touch his head.
He fell back at the sound bumping his head on the table.
He sat up rubbing his head
"Sorry! I'm sorry! I just .. Yknow.. I woke up and you weren't there and I got nervous."
She smiled softly leaning over the edge of the bed to kiss his cheek gently.
"Good mornin' bubba."
He smiled relieved and tugged on her messy braid hanging from the bedframe.
They walked with each other to the area were everyone was sitting together eating what they had for breakfast, Hershel stood at the head table next to Rick and Merle signaling Daryl to come Stand with them.
Daryl looked to Beth questioningly before she nodded and squeezed his hand going over to maggie.
Everyone watched the exchange with interested eyes. When Daryl got to the front Hershel adressed the group.
" alright folks as you know we have been waiting for the lat two members of our group to show up before we move on, and now that we have everyone here. I can let you in on my plan." He began
"Losing our market was hard, incredibly hard. But now we have to move on. Follow gods plan and start a better life for all of us. As you may know I am a very wealthy man, I have decided to open a new market up in Dallas Texas. I would like you all to come with me. I won't change a thing, everything will be better , more sturdy. If you are with me I would like to leave as soon as possible." He rushed out his sentence nervously unsure how everyone would react.
His words were met with silence until.....

The tremendous uproar of happy tears and laughter was enough for him to know they were all in.
Daryl caught Beth's eye in the back of the room.
Both of them shared a knowing look
It would be different this time.

This time They had a few more things to believe in.