What's Next

Chapter Twenty Two 🦋

Daryl's POV:

"By the next day, Shane and I had gotten into a massive argument. One of our worse ones yet. Little did I know it was going to be the first of many..."

"Shane had beaten me so badly, I struggled to move. I thought it was over, that was until he pulled a knife out."

"I still don't understand what triggered him to be like that, let alone slice me so deep across my ribs that I had to go into surgery." Val sighed, with sadness written in her voice. She was holding back the tears so that if Rick was ever to see her right now he wouldn't question it. I tensed up hearing her say those words. I couldn't stand it. Anyone that would dare hurt a woman, let alone Val. Of all people, he beaten his best friend's sister. I could never do that to her.

I still remember watching some of the abuse he inflicted on her back in Atlanta. Each time I threatened him, and yet he never listened. Each time he learnt to do it when I wasn't, always the times I left to go hunt. And each time I'd come back she would have a new bruise. "Dare?"

"Sorry sunshine, I was just thinking." I apologised, realising I hadn't said a word. "That's okay." She muttered softly.

"I'm just worried that maybe I'm not meant to be a mom."

"Don't say that sunshine, yer gonna be the best mom to ever exist." I reassured her. I was the one that should've been worrying. I just hope that I don't end up like my so called father once this baby is here. "Are you still worried?" She asked me with curiosity in her soft voice. "What'd ye mean?"

"The baby. Are you still worried?"

"Yeah I'm still worried sunshine."

"Why?"

"I just don' wanna turn out like my old man that's all."

"Just because your dad beat you, doesn't mean you're going to be like that with our baby. You're already 1000 times better than him and 10,000 times more of a man."

"Ha maybe I should listen to myself." She giggled.

"Yeah maybe ye should." I chuckled.

**

Val's POV:

It was time to leave. Taking the journey to the community Aaron had been trying his hardest to convince us all about. Now we were actually heading there. Taking a completely different route than what we should have, cause Rick still being Rick still had to be paranoid. It was quiet and calm, that's what made it all seem too surreal. We weren't too far behind the others in the car. It happened all so quick. There were walkers all over the road. We were driving smoothly, until suddenly I watched the car my brother was in come to a squealing stop as the clashed head on with the dead.

We were lucky to make, almost crashing into them. We found an opening going straight for it. I hoped Rick would be okay, but I knew he would want the rest of us safe, considering Carl and Judith are with me. We came across another man, who saved us by leading the way to safety, only he became injured in the process.

The main thing was we found a safe place to hold up while we waited for Rick and the others.

I held my stomach as I sat trying to catch my breath. And for the first time I truly felt movement. I lit up with joy, as I held my hand there feeling my baby kick. "Daryl!" I exclaimed, excitedly. Causing everyone to become frantic, as they were all on edge. Daryl moved quickly to me, worry written on his face.

He knelt down in front of me, wondering what it could be that I needed him for. "Dare, give me your hand." I said with a smile.

"Why?"

"Just give me your hand." He did so with hesitance. I rested his hand in place I had mine and waited for another kick. I knew he felt what I did only moments earlier, when his eyes widened. "You feel that?" I asked, he nodded his head unsure what to say. "Dare, that's our baby." I stated with a wide smile. His eyes softened, keeping his hand on my bump.

I felt like the luckiest girl in the world, I never thought I would ever get the chance to feel the baby move. But I did. We both did. I was surprised more than anything. Since if I was as far as I believed myself to be, I should have felt baby Dixon move months ago.

**

After that small moment, Daryl had switched back to keeping watch. I hoped that Rick, Michonne and Glenn would reunite with us soon. The man Eric, I discovered was the other person with Aaron. The one he said he was with. I was tending to him. He had broken his ankle on the way here.

"Aunt Val c'mon," Carl instructed, getting my attention. I instantly followed after him as I knew it would mean that they found us.

I ran outside, well more like waddled my way to my brother. Rick meeting me majority of the way, cutting down the distance between us. Carl by his side, as he brought me in for a hug. I was worried sick about him. I was just glad he was alive and here right now. I already had good news I wanted to tell him.

Aaron became frantic. "Eric? Eric?" He called out repeatedly, clearly becoming more worried. Easing once Eric had called back "In here!" from there Aaron took off inside. Rick wasn't happy about this. He ran in straight after Aaron, I soon followed after to stop Rick. I connected the dots, with the way Eric was talking about Aaron. Who they were to each other.

**

"Excuse me. Excuse me. Everyone." Aaron said, grabbing our attention. I stood beside Daryl, as we waited to hear what Aaron had to say to us. "Thank you." He muttered.

"You saved Eric. I owe you. All of you."

"And I will make sure that debt is paid in full when we get to our community. When we get to Alexandria."

"Now, I'm not sure about you, but I'd rather not do anymore driving tonight. Maybe we can hit the road tomorrow morning."

"That sounds fine." Rick replied, taking us all by surprise. I guess spotting only Eric, made Rick realise Aaron had been truthful with us, unless it had been something else. "But if we're staying here tonight, you're sleeping over there." Rick stated, pointing in the direction. 'and we're back' I thought to myself. "You really think we gotta do that?" Maggie questioned.

"She's not wrong Rick." I added, looking my brother dead in the eyes. Something I used to do when we were kids, it was my way of saying he was being ridiculous without needing to say it out loud. "It's the safe play. We don't know you."

"the only way you're gonna stop me from being with him right now is by shooting." Aaron huffed. Daryl and I looked at each other for a brief second before turning our attention back to everyone else. If that was me or Daryl right now we'd be saying that exact thing, if either had been injured and are being forced to be separated. "Rick. Come on. Don't be like this." I pleaded softly.

I could tell he was thinking, calculating the possibilities of everything that could happen. "Alright."

**