Shadows

19)Closure

With Daryl riding in front of her and Jordan in the truck by her side, Alicia could see the walls of hilltop. Her heart began to beat faster, nerves jumping in her chest.

They were safe. They were home.

Within a few minutes they were pulling up at the gate and after Daryl explained who they were, the gates opened.

Alicia rolled in and parked the truck, taking Jordan out and walking to stand beside Daryl. "I need to see her." She breathed.

He smiled. "Well good news cause she's right there." He said taking their daughter from her.

Alicia looked up and saw her. She was kneeling down, picking some vegetables from the garden. Slowly she walked towards her, still antsy with nerves.

When she was a few feet away she stopped and gently called her name. "Maggie."

She looked up and for a moment didn't seem to register what was happening. And then she was barreling into the other woman's arms, smiling broadly.

"Oh my God." She breathed. "Oh my God you're ok."

Alicia nodded, hugging her back just as tightly. "You're ok."

They pulled apart and looked at each other for a moment before Maggie furrowed her brows. "Where's Daryl? And Jordi?"

Alicia pointed behind her where Daryl Stood with his daughter, talking to Jesus. "I couldn't leave them there now could I?"

Maggie laughed, taking her hand and walking towards them. While Maggie spoke to Daryl, Alicia pulled Jesus into a hug.

"I'm glad you're ok." He told her, kissing her cheek.

"I'm glad we're back." She smiled. "I've missed you."

Jesus smiled back to her, nodding. "We've missed you too."

Alicia felt Maggie's hand on her shoulder, and she turned to see her. She was looking at her sadly, a pitying smile on her lips. "Do you want to see them?"

It took her a moment before she understood and nodded. Maggie led her and Daryl to a small patch of dirt, leaving Jordan with Jesus.

Alicia walked forward, standing between the two wooden crosses as she knelt to the ground, her eyes filling with tears.

"Which one..." She was cut off by a rising lump in her throat.

"Glenn is on the left. Abraham on the right." Maggie said softly. She looked down at the couple before walking away.

She looked at her brothers grave, trying to imagine his sleeping, peaceful, face instead of what she saw that night.

"I'm sorry." She suddenly choked out, tears now streaming down her face. "I should have done more. I should have tried harder."

Daryl knew he couldn't say anything, that she needed to get it off of her chest. So instead, he placed a hand on her back, rubbing comforting circles against her shirt.

"I'm sorry." She cried. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't... I couldn't let him kill Daryl. I didn't know he would kill you in his place. I couldn't... my baby needs her daddy, and I need him to. I hope to God you're not mad at me." She shook her head, a tear landing on the dirt below her. "Please don't be mad at me."

She reached into her pocket and took out a small knife. It was one she had borrowed from Abraham. "I forgot to give it back." She said placing it against the wooden cross.

From around her neck she took her shark tooth necklace. She placed it on Glenn's grave, smiling to herself. "You said you liked it... maybe you should keep it."

Daryl kissed the top of her head. "We can go whenever you're ready."

She nodded. "I'm ready." Looking back at their graves she tilted her head, letting the last of her tears fall. "I miss you. Both of you."

She stood up, taking Daryl's hand and letting out a sharp breath. "I needed that."

He nodded, brushing some hair out of her face. "I know, and it'll help you feel better."

She let him wrap his arms around her, sighing against his chest. "How do you know?"

His chin rest against the top of her head as he looked at the two graves. "When I asked you to give me a minute when we found Merle... I said goodbye to him. The closure helps."

She looked up at him. "Closures nice."

Their moment was interrupted as Jesus walked over to them, Jordan on his hip. "They're here."

"Who?"

He smiled. "Rick."