Journey to You

The Beginning of the End

Journey to You

Chapter One

The Beginning of the End

"And she smells like lemongrass and sleep

She tastes like apple juice and peach

Oh, you would find her in a polaroid pictureAnd she means everything to me"

-She by Dodie

The sun felt warm against her skin, the skirt of her dress lazily moving in the breeze, as Calla watched her son fly across the ground, his small legs carrying him as fast as he could go, as he ran away from his grandfather, who followed closely behind him. The shrieks, and giggles of fun, filled her heart with warmth, only a small part of it feeling empty, as she thought about who was missing. Her husband hadn't been able to make the family trip, work not approving of the time off, and it was needed to pay the bills. Calla understood, but it didn't help the sensation of loss, as she determinedly decided that she would call him soon, knowing his lunch break was just a few measly minutes away.

"It's a shame that husband of yours couldn't make it," her mother said, a small smile on her face as if she could read her daughter's mind. "We'd love to see him more often."

"He'd prefer to be here I assure you," Calla laughed lightly. She twisted her wedding band around her finger as she imagined the disgruntled and annoyed look that he had worn the night he told her he wouldn't be able to come. "You'll get to see him Friday after work, his boss is letting him off early. His job just couldn't give him the week. Normally Jason wouldn't have a problem with the time off, but business has picked up and they had a few high-profile customers with a strict deadline, and they needed him. You know how those rich men can be about their cars."

Her mother reached over to pat Calla's hand gently as she sighed and nodded.

"I know, baby. I just hate seeing that something is obviously missing between you and Maverick. You both miss him. I love that your father and I get to see you for eight fantastic days, but I can tell it puts a strain on you. He's a wonderful man, and I can see how much he loves the two of you just by how you two react without him. It'll be good to have him here this weekend, even if it's only for a day before you've all got to go back."

"Maybe for the holidays, we can all stay here a little longer. They usually close the shop down for Christmas. If I have to, I'll soften up his boss with sweets."

"That man would move the world for the two of you," Brianna, her mother, said. "He'll do his best. Your father and I will patiently wait for any time we can get from the three of you. Maybe we'll come to see you this year. What do you think? We'd have more time; lord knows we don't do much of anything else since your father retired."

"I think I would like that, mama."

Glancing down at her phone Calla smiled at the time, excusing herself from the conversation with her mother, as she excitedly made to dial the number.

"Are yah already missin' me, girl?" drawled a deep southern voice that caused her to melt, and calm all at once.

"Always," she smiled, letting her happiness slip into her voice. "I'm missing you something awful, Daryl Dixon."

She heard a gruff voice ask who the hell he was talking to, to which Daryl grunted out a fuck off and announced he was leaving for his break. Calla bit her lip as she tried not to smile wider, wondering if it was physically possible, as it was already so wide it hurt her cheeks.