The Secrets We Keep

Spaghetti

Present Day

"So, what's for dinner?" I asked Daryl.

"Spaghetti and for dessert..." He licked his lips. I blushed. "Wanna go to the store with me?" He was putting his jacket on. "We can grab the kids from school on the way back."

"Yes, please!" I need to pick up a few things for home anyway.

The air was getting chillier as the day went on. It felt like a storm was moving in. I wrapped my jacket around me tighter and moved closer to Daryl. We met eyes and one side of his mouth lifted. Reached down and grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. I wrapped my free hand around his arm and laid my head on his shoulder for a moment. "I could get used to this."

"Me too." He placed a soft kiss on the top of my head. I moved off his arm but kept our hands together. I saw Jerry across the street and waved. He smiled and said "About time, my dudes!" Daryl shook his head, but I felt his shoulders move when he chuckled a little.

"I kinda forgot other people could see us out here." He laughed again.

"Does it make you uncomfortable? We can be more-" I stopped him.

"No. I'm never uncomfortable with you." I squeezed his hand.

We did our grocery shopping like normal couples, and it felt natural. He grabbed a bottle of wine he knew I'd like and picked out some snacks for the kids. "Judith is gonna be so happy to see you. She really does miss you when you're gone."

"Then let's go get them." I tilted my head up at him and he kissed me softly. Right in the middle of the grocery store.

"You comin' er not?" He was already out the door.

While we waited for school to let out, we chatted about nothing. Avoiding the conversation of our upcoming trip. The disastrous meeting with Carol happened last month. We didn't talk about it for a week, then we turned to arguing about it. After three weeks, we began talking and compromising. He doesn't want me going out on my own anymore, I don't blame him. But when goes out by himself and comes back bruised and bloody, I think the same. He is stubborn and stands his ground and not accustomed to his decisions being questioned. We agreed on a plan. He's coming with me to meet Lita and her people to show him they can be trusted. Then we would re-evaluate after. We are leaving tomorrow.

I wrapped my arms under his jacket and pressed my head against his chest. He stiffened, then relaxed and returned the hug. He stayed like this for a few minutes, his hands rubbing my back. "Are you packed for tomorrow?" I jumped when he spoke.

I pulled back a little. "Yes. Are you?"

"Yes. I was thinkin' maybe ya just stay with me tonight. We can drop the kids at school, then head out." He pulled back to him. "Temperature's droppin'."

"Daryl Dixon, are you asking me to stay over on a school night, when the kids are home?" I looked up at him and smiled.

"Oh, get on with it. For the last month you've been there ta put 'em ta bed and yer there when they wake up." He rolled his eyes. "Ya might as well just stay the night."

I got all warm and fuzzy inside. I only went home because I thought that's what he wanted. We really need to communicate more about these kinds of things. I laughed. "Ok, I'll stay the night with you." I tugged him a closer to me.

"Down, girl." He smiled down at me.

We walked home behind the kids, holding hands. I couldn't believe how natural this all felt, and I really couldn't believe he felt comfortable. Or, how the kids didn't act weird seeing us close.