We're The Ones Who Live | The Walking Dead (2)

Part 33 - Finally Home

"I can't believe you came back," CJ sighed happily. "How you been? How's Hershel?"

"Hershel's amazing," Maggie smiled. "He's grown up so much. I can't wait for you to see him when we get back."

"I can't wait to get back," CJ replied, Dog laying over her lap. "Been a long few weeks."

"Daryl told me about what happened," Maggie spoke softly. "The cave with those Whisperer people. How'd you get out?"

CJ gave a light shrug and a sad smile. "Most of its just one big blur. But I made it out... That's all I know."

"Hey," Daryl called as he walked into the room and stood behind his wife on the couch, his hands on her shoulders. "The herd's movin' outta the town and the fire's dyin'. We give it 'bout a day or so, then we should be good to grab the stuff from the pantry."

"So, we can't go home yet?" CJ asked. 

After the time she'd had with missing everybody, all she wanted to do was get to Alexandria and see all the people she thought she'd never see again. She wanted to go into her own house, take a shower, sleep in her own bed. She was sure she hadn't slept since she passed out when the Reapers took her from that shed.

"It's just one more day," Daryl promised, rubbing his hands up and down her upper arms. "We all wanna get back."

"I'll take over for Gabriel on watch," Maggie stood up. "The rest a' you should get some sleep, if you can. We'll head out soon as the herd is more scattered."

Daryl gave her a grateful nod as he muttered, "Thanks." Maggie smiled softly and tapped his arm as she walked past him and out of the room. 

CJ started scratching Dog behind his ears, and he lifted his head off of her lap and started licking her face. She quietly laughed, wrapping her arms around the mutt she loved so much as she stroked his soft fur. The feeling of warmth coming from Dog's body, plus the safety she felt of Daryl's hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her, made tears spring from her eyes which she struggled to hold back. 

When Daryl heard a muffled sniffle, he walked around the couch to kneel in front of his wife, his hands rested on her knees as he called out to her softly. She looked up at him, and he immediately felt like he could cry as he saw the redness of her teary, tired eyes. 

Dog moved to sit beside CJ on the couch as Daryl sat on her other side, pulling her into his arms. She cried into his chest, whilst he kissed the top of her head. It took everything in him not to break down with her, but he held himself together as best he could. 

"It's okay," Daryl whispered softly as CJ's cries turned into sniffles. 

"I never thought I'd see you again," she whimpered brokenly. She lifted her head to look into his eyes, and Daryl reached out to wipe her tears away from her cheeks. 

"Me neither," Daryl admitted. "I never stopped lookin' for ya. Never would have either."

"I'm sorry," CJ whispered. 

"Why?" Daryl frowned. "None a' this was your fault."

"I couldn't find home," she sniffled, wiping her nose with her sleeve. "I tried, I really did. But I... I couldn't."

"It's not your fault," Daryl repeated softly. "I shoulda' tried harder to find you. I shoulda' made sure you were out of there before climbin' out myself."

"Don't say that," CJ shook her head. "Neither of us knew what was gonna happen. Part of me still doesn't remember. Some parts are just... fuzzy."

"What parts do you remember?" Daryl asked, starting to play with her hair to calm her down.