Daryl leaned his forehead against Nikki's and squeezed her hand. The last weeks had been emotionally exhausting and both of them were physically tired.
"No matter what the verdict is, you gotta know that I am so damn proud of you. Be proud of yourself, baby girl. You were so brave and so strong. You're my hero."
"I couldn't have done this without you, baby. You're what kept me going and what held me up when I needed it. I love you so much, Daryl."
"I love you, sweetheart." He pressed a sweet kiss on her lips and smiled. "C'mon. Let's go see that bastard get put away."
When Nikki heard the words guilty on all counts, the world tilted and took on a haze of gray momentarily.
Hornsby asked the judge for immediate sentencing, which was expected according to Yumiko. She said it was so they could move into the appeals phase.
The jury recommended life without parole. Beau was the worst kind of monster and didn't deserve any sort of leniency. The judge wholeheartedly agreed.
"Did you hear that, darlin'?" Daryl grabbed her face and kissed her hard. "You did it, sweetheart! You did it!"
Nikki's brain was still clouded over when they walked out of the courthouse. There were so many emotions swirling around, as well as disbelief. Was she dreaming? Would she wake up to find that none of this had really happened yet?
"You with me?" Daryl laughed, waving a hand in front of her face.
"Huh? Oh! Sorry, I'm..." Nikki shook away the ghost of lingering thoughts and smiled at her wonderful man. "What were you saying?"
"That restaurant you and Meesh went to? We're all going there to celebrate if you're up for it."
"That sounds perfect! I think I need a drink or two to settle my mind."
"God, I'm so proud of you." Daryl stared at her in awe. Awe of the strength it took to dredge up memories that broke her heart all over again. Awe of the courage it took to face the man who had hurt her in the most unimaginable ways. Daryl wasn't sure he'd be able to do what Nikki had done.
Rick headed over and picked Nikki up swinging her round
"You did it munchkin you did it" he smiled at her
"We're heading to the restaurant meesh and I went too, your coming aren't you"
"Try and stop me" Rick smiled
Daryl then came up behind her
" Ya head to the restaurant with meesh and Rick ok I need to chat to yumiko I'll see you there ok he whispered to her
"I don't mind waiting" Nikki whispered back
"Nah go and celebrate I'll see you soon"
Nikki gave him the most deepest passionate kiss imaginable and headed off with Rick and michonne to the restaurant
A hour had passed and Nikki was having a great time with her friends and family then yumiko entered and headed over
"Well done knew we could do it , now what are you drinking" she asked
"Um Rick has champagne, where's um Daryl"
"I presumed he was with you" yumiko replied
"After the case he came and saw you didn't he"
"No never saw him"
Nikki felt sick to her stomach , Daryl wouldn't just leave her , she knew something was seriously wrong .
