Cowboy

66) Daryl

Three weeks. It had been three long weeks since Alicia had seen or heard from anyone in her group. Aaron had been out everyday looking for them, but yesterday he had come back with good news.

He had found them, and today he was gonna try and bring them back. The only problem was that it was late and night, and it was storming.

Alicia was pacing the house they had given her. It was only for the time being since she didn't know if Rick would decide to stay or not.

She was practically pulling her hair out as the thunder boomed overhead. Eric was staying with her, both of them nervous for their loved ones.

"You need to sit down." Eric chuckled. "Pacing won't make them come back any sooner."

She sighed. "I know but I just can't help it. It's like... he's right there and I just can't see him yet you know."

Eric nodded. "I know exactly how you feel. The only difference is you have a daughter you're worried about to. I only have to worry about Aaron."

Alicia gave in, sitting down on the couch beside him. "What do I even say to him when he comes back? Hi how are you my arms missing and I practically left you and our newborn child."

He sighed, shaking his head. "You don't have to say anything. He'll know when he sees you."

"Know what?" She asked.

"He'll know everything you want to say to him. He'll see it."

"How do you know that?" She scoffed.

"Because men are like that. We see things even if you think we don't. Especially when we love you." He smiled.

They sat like they for most of the night, sharing stories of Daryl and Aaron. For a while Alicia was able to calm down, focusing on the fact that she would see him soon.

The next morning a heavy knocking on the door woke Alicia and Eric up. They had both fallen asleep on the couch. Alicia sat up straight, grabbing his hand and pulling him to the door.

Denise, a woman who had been to regularly check in on Alicia was at the door, a bright smile on her face. "They're here."

Alicia ran to her room down the hall, pulling in her boots and Daryl's leather jacket, rolling up the left sleeve so it didn't hang loose where part of her arm was missing.

"You're sure it's them?" She asked, running back to Denise.

The woman nodded. "Scruffy man with long black hair and a beard who looks ready to kill everybody?"

Alicia smiled. "They're here." She breathed.

She didn't wait for Denise or Eric to follow her, taking off in a sprint towards the front gate. As she neared she could hear talking.

"Before we take this any further I need you all to turn over your weapons."

"I'm ain't giving you shit until I see her."

Her heart pounded. It was Daryl's voice. As she ran around her a curve she caught a glimpse of Rick's old hat. She knew it was Carl.

Finally she reached them, skidding to a halt as she almost cried from relief. There they all stood. After three weeks of not knowing Alicia felt like she could collapse.

"Daryl." Her voice broke. Her husband turned his head to the sound of his name. His face softened as his eyes met hers, dripping his bow. "Oh my God."

She ran towards him, practically jumping into his arms. He caught her, holding her right against himself. "I love you." She cried into his neck. "I love you, I love you."

He set her back onto her own feet, not pulling away. "I love you too." He said.

The stood like that for a moment, locked in each others arms. Beth's cough, drew Alicia out of their little moment, remembering who else was here to see her.

She pulled away, turning to Beth. "Jordan." She breathed, she reached out to grab her daughter but Daryl stopped her, grabbing her left arm.

"What the fuck?" He stared at the fabric from the cloth that was wrapped around the nub. His face was hard as he stared at it. "What happened?"

She put her hand over his. "I was being stupid." She sighed. "Really really stupid. I went off into the woods to look for you myself... I got bit." She turned to smile at Aaron. "He saved me."

Daryl turned to look at him too, furrowing his brows. He sent Aaron a small nod, his way of saying thank you.

Alicia turned back to Beth, taking Jordan from her. The baby looked up at her mother, smiling. She realized that tomorrow her daughter would be a month old.

"Hi baby." She grinned. She leaned down to kiss her forehead, smiling when Jordan giggled. "I've missed you."

She turned back to Daryl, her daughter firmly clutched in her arms. She let him wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her close to his side. Alicia looked up, smiling as Daryl leaned down to kiss her.

Deanna was watching from afar, smiling to herself. She could tell Alicia and Daryl were good people. She had plans for them.