𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗫𝗢𝗡𝗦

𝑪𝑰𝑰. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒎 𝑩𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 (𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 1)

"All that matters is that you're here now. You're making up for the past little by little.".-
Taylor Wook
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-Chapter Summary:-
Everyone arrives at the trade fair as it begins, Taylor getting ready for her recital and making a major change as Daryl keeps Hailey's promise.
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-Chapter one hundred & two; The Calm Before Part 1-

•••

TAYLOR

TAYLOR HELD DARYL'S HAND IN
her's as the two walked alongside the carriage as it rolled up to the gates of The Kingdom up ahead, Dog trodding along ahead of them as Henry, Lydia, and Judith all smiled down at the furry creature.

With a nervous sigh, Taylor's hold on Daryl's hand tightened, "What if I mess up? My recital I mean.".

He looked down at her before back ahead at the road, "Ye won'.".

"...I haven't preformed for anyone since I played the guitar. I haven't picked one up in years..." She replied.

"Ye stopped playin'?" He asked, disappointment evident in his voice.

"After the bridge-...yeah...I stopped playing. Had a baby to prepare for...jobs to do..." She mumbled.

"Ye could always pick it back up again." He suggested.

She smiled, "Yeah...now that Hailey's getting older and starting to be more independent, I'll have more time. I guess I can. I mean, I'd have to trade Joel for one, though. He's the one salvaging the guitars left in the world.".

He cocked a brow, "Joel's fixin' 'em up?".

     She nodded, "Yeah, has been for awhile now. When the hell was the last time you visited Jackson?".

He shrugged, "Awhile now; few years maybe. After I-...after ye were gone, I traded wit' 'em for awhile. Over time...trips got shorter an' further apart, an' after awhile...I jus' kinda stopped. Got letters from Joel an' Tommy ever so often, but I never wrote back...".

     "You never wrote back to me either..." She mumbled under her breath, immediately regretting what she had said, "I-I'm sorry-".

     He interrupted her, "Don' be. Ye have every right te be mad at me fer that.".

     She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, "All that matters is that you're here now. You're making up for the past little by little.".

     Smiling, he squeezed her hand in return, "Thanks, babygirl.".

     As they came up to the front gate, one of the men shouted, "Open the gate!".

     A moment later, the gate opened and revealed the front of The Kingdom, Ezekiel, Carol, Lee, Hailey, Magna, Luke, Yumiko, Alden, Jordyn, and the twins standing near the gate, and they all turned to them as they rolled in.

Taylor smiled as Kelly rushed up and brought Connie into an embrace, and Taylor turned to Lee and Hailey who rushed up to her and embraced her.