Can you See me up here, in the Trees?

Chapter 9

When you woke up the next morning you almost didn't want to get up. You snuggled into the warmth before realizing the warmth was coming from Carl. You couldn't help but smile to yourself as his grip tightened around you. This was the best thing that had happened to you in awhile.

"Morning." His sleepy voice made you raise your head, smiling at him.

"Morning."

The two of you shared a gentle kiss before getting up, dressing, and meeting the others outside.

"Morning you two." Daryl said, a smirk on his face. "Ready to get to work?"

"I could ask you the same thing old man." You said, trying to ignore the light blush that had heated your cheeks.

"Show us the way to build up here then." Rick said, crossing his arms. You could tell he still didn't approve of the two of you, but that had to be put aside for now.

"We need to find places first, then we can gather the wood we need to make them." You said, looking at everyone. "Do you all want your own huts? Or can you bunk up with someone?"

"What does the timeline look like? For building in correlation with winter?" Maggie asked, pushing Rick's shoulder, trying to get him to lighten up.

"About a week per hut, and that's when I was on my own. With this many hands the time will be shortened. But we might not finish a hut for every single person in time. I can feel the change in the air, we have about a week before the first snow."

"We'll get as many done as we can, bunk up for the winter if needed." Rick said, everyone nodding in agreement.

You walked with everyone as you figured out which trees would be the best suited for holding a hut, marking them with blue chalk so you could remember. You could tell that Rick and Daryl were quietly arguing about something, every time you looked at them they would stop talking. Carl noticed it too and kept glaring at his dad.

Once the trees had been marked you showed them where the spare wood was and started to create a floor. It was midday and two floors were done, which you found to be a great success. It would have taken you longer to do by yourself.

"So far so good." You said, smiling at Carl.

"At this rate we'll have huts done for everyone. And I do mean everyone." Rick said, looking at Carl.

"Dad, stop." You could tell by Carl's voice, that this was the last warning he would give him.

Rick seemed to understand and backed off for the time being. You instructed them how to build the walls, making it easier than it sounded according to them. While they built the walls you started to work on the insulation, using tree branches and leaves to weave an extra layer of protection. Maggie helped as well, making the work go much faster.

However once they finished weaving and putting the insulation in, they found they only had enough wood for one roof.

"Couldn't have kept extra would around huh?" Rick said, his voice gruff.

"Well sorry, I wasn't really expecting to build so many huts in such a short time." You said in return.

He turned to look at you, "Watch your tone."

The two of you squared up, glaring at each other. Daryl rubbed his face in annoyance at the two of you.

"Maybe you should watch yours." You returned, Carl coming up behind you, putting his hands on your shoulders.

"I'm the leader of this group-"

"I get that, but you're up here. My trees, my territory. You would be lost up here if I wasn't here. We can get more wood, it just takes a little more time."