In the morning, they gathered for breakfast at one of the larger homes they had chosen as their temporary residence while planning their next steps.
The room was filled with laughter and enjoyment as everyone ate together.
But all Theo could think about was the bit on her stomach.
Why was it healing
Why wasn't she dead yet
Why her?
Everyone talked among themselves when Rosita stood from where she previously sat, gathering everyone's attention around the room.
"I need to come clean about something" She laughed through the tears as Gabriel looked down sadly.
"Please don't say it", Theo interrupted as everyone looked between the two. Rosita smiled sadly at her.
"I got bit yesterday" " she announced before pulling her sleeve down on her shoulder as the room fell silent.
"But I want to thank you all. For making my last day alive so special. I love everyone in this room with all my heart..." she cried before looking at Theo. "But I want to thank you personally, Theo. On behalf of the last however many years it's been since you entered my life, you have kept us safe, and you've made those hard decisions, but no one is more deserving than you. I love you, Theo," Rosita cried as Theo struggled to hold her tears.
Theo stood before walking to Rosita, hugging her tightly before asking to speak to her privately. Dragging her away from the others
"I'm sorry; I just thought you should know." Rosita apologised as Theo shook her head
"I was bitten yesterday, too," Theo cried as she revealed her bite
"What?" Rosita looked at her, confused. "It's healed?" she questioned, unsure of what was going on
"I don't know why" She cried
"And it isn't fair that you got a bit too and aren't healing from it", Theo cried as Rosita smiled at her.
"It's okay. This means you will figure this out and potentially make the world safer. Safer for my daughter and your children, too" She wiped the tears from her face.
"It's selfish."
"It's a miracle" Rosita shook her head at her, making Theo burst into tears.
"You know when we met and we were heading to Washington because Eugene had the cure", she laughed as Theo rolled her eyes. "Now we might have the cure. But I don't think Washington was the right place. The other place Eugene spoke of was France; he said that he had heard people talk of land in France where this Island held some of the most intelligent doctors; go there," Rosita cried. "It's my dying wish that you go there, in case it's a real place" Rosita held her hands tightly as Theo nodded.
"Okay" Theo nodded at her with tears falling down her face
"I love you, T" Rosita smiled
"I love you too, Rosita" Theo hugged her tightly as Gabriel knocked on the door with a smile.
"Don't tell anyone else today" Rosita nodded as Theo agreed
"I'll see you soon" Theo smiled sadly as she said goodbye before leaving.
She headed outside to be alone momentarily as everyone said their goodbyes to Rosita.
She burst into tears as she saw everyone leave her room; she was gone.
"Hey, you okay?" Daryl sat beside her as she shook her head.
"No. Why am I the so-called lucky one when so many people, so, so many people died because of this, and I didn't?" she cried through the guilt she felt.
Daryl didn't know what to say; what could he say?
"I have to go to France; Rosita told me there was this island of doctors; it's a rumour. But if it's real, they might have answers, which could save the world; my blood could carry a cure."
"Well, you know there is only one way to find out, but are you prepared to go and leave the kids? While we search for this island in France?" Daryl questioned her
"I can't make you come with me" she shook her head,
"You're right, you can't make me, so when do we go?" Daryl questioned her as she laughed.
"Tomorrow. We spend the rest of the day with the kids, and then we will go searching. We tell everyone tomorrow morning and go in the evening," Theo told Daryl as he agreed.
"Okay," Daryl kissed her head as he hugged her tightly into his side.
"For our future and everyone else's, I hope this island is real", Theo sniffed as she cleared her tears.
"It won't matter, as long as I have you, as long as our forever is, I'll be selfish to say I don't care about anyone else", Daryl laughed, as did Theo.
"You guys want some wine?" Maggie asked from behind them.
"Isn't it like 10 am?" Daryl raised a brow at her
"Yeah...?" She looked at them, confused
"Sure", Theo smiled as they both headed back inside.
The rest of the day, they drank and spent time with family.
Celebrating the life of Rosita as well as everyone else they had lost.
They both knew that tomorrow would be hard to say goodbye to those they loved to say goodbye to their families. Still, tomorrow was the start of their new adventure, and they would take as long as they needed to ensure they would come home safe and hopefully with a way to beat their world.
YOU ARE READING
5. The Steeple
FanfictionThe fifth and final book. Theodora has come a long way since the world ended, but she is challenged with new problems that have a whole new reason for her to live. Daryl and Theodora are stronger than ever, but is what to come going to weaken that?
