A Survivor's Diary of the Apocalypse (TWD/Daryl Dixon)

S9Pt27 - Starting Over

I picked up Kell's lifeless body and carried her out of the room. All my memories flooded back to me as I carried her down the stairs and outside. By this time the entire group has seen her and everyone watched at I carried her to the graveyard. I laid her body down next to Glenn's grave, and decided I'd give her a spot under the tree here.
I cried as I dug, reliving all my past moments with her. Thinking back to the beginning when I met her. Thinking about lately, and how much time I've lost with her. I couldn't help but cry. It's the only thing I knew to do in times like this. I've lost almost everything that mattered to me in this world. Except for Lee. And Georgia and Judith. I'd carry on strong, for them.
"You forgot this." A quiet voice said behind me.
It was Rosita, and she had a white sheet to put over Kell.
"Thanks." I said, put down the shovel, and proceeded to cover Kell.
Just then, my three kids walked over and stared at their mother's lifeless body. They were still crying, and I couldn't blame them. The grief of her death will take ages to heal from. She was such a good person, she was so strong, and she was everything to us and to this group.
"Daddy." Lee then said.
"Yeah buddy?" I said.
"Can I help you dig?" He asked.
A single tear slid down my cheek as I nodded at Lee. I handed him a small shovel, and he hopped in the hole and started helping me dig.
"Just let me know when you want to stop." I said.
"I don't. I can't." Lee said in between sobs.
"I know son..." I said and wiped away some tears.
Daryl?" I heard Judith say.
"Yeah?" I said.
"Me and GG loved to braid mommy's hair... can we do it one more time?" She asked.
I just sighed as I set down my shovel and walked over to them. I knelt down my Kell's head and put my hand on the sheet.
"Are you sure you want to see her like this? I don't know if she would want you to..." I said.
"I'm sure." Judith said and GG nodded in agreement.
"I'll love her anyways." GG said.
"Me too my little girl." I said.
I then removed the sheet and the kids all looked at Kell's grey face. Again, there was no life, only skin and bones now.
GG then took her hand and caressed Kell's face, just like Kell used to do to her.
"I miss you mommy." She whispered, then leaned over and gave her a hug.
I pat her back and she began to cry. Judith did the same thing, so I pat both of their back as they let out their tears. I looked behind me and saw Lee still digging. He didn't want to see his mom like this. And again, I can't blame him.
"Okay girls, come on." I said and pat them one last time.
Judith then lifted her head and handed a hair tie to GG. She lifted Kell's head gently to move all her hair to the side and began braiding.
"I'll go get some flowers." Judith said and got up.
Georgia was done braiding Kell's hair by the time Judith got back with a handful of flowers. They placed them all in her hair and braid, and Kell started to look beautiful again.
"Daddy, your turn." GG said.
"Here Daryl." Judith said and handed me a white flower.
I hesitantly took the flower, but I did. I gently lifted up Kell's hair and stuck the flower in the braid. I set the braid back down and just stared at her.
"Lee." I said. "Come here."
I then got another flower from Judith and handed it to Lee.
"I know it's hard... but say goodbye to your mom, son." I told him.
Lee had tears in his eyes and just shook his head. I then turned around on my knees, held Lee's shoulders, and looked him in the eyes. He was crying even more, and I wiped away his tears.
"Listen. Mommy loved you so much. She loved all of us. It's up to us to show her that same love when she needs it. Now's the time son."
"Okay." Lee whispered and nodded his head at me.
He then knelt down and held the flower. He stared at his mom and then put the flowers gently in her hair.
"I love you mommy." Lee said quietly, then hugged her body.
"Good job son." I said and pat his back.
I then looked at Kell and she looked so peaceful now. I crossed her arms over her chest and sighed deeply. I couldn't help but lean over and give her one last hug. I then kissed the top of her forehead gently and I felt a tear leave my eye.
"I love you. Everyday and all the time." I whispered.
I then picked up her body. I faced the hole, and before putting her in the ground, I kissed her one more time. The last time I would feel her lips. I put her in the ground and slowly covered her face with the sheet. I grabbed my shovel and started to throw the dirt back in the hole. Soon she was covered and I tossed the shovel to the side. Thankfully Michonne brought me a few rocks to put by her head, and I felt the rocks.
This would always be her spot. No matter where we went, she would always be here.

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"Are you sure you want to do this?" Maggie asked.
"Yeah." I said and nodded. "It's what Kell would've wanted."
I then got in the car and looked at the kids in the backseat.
"Ready for a trip?" I asked.
They nodded their heads and I nodded mine. "Good."
We drove out of Hilltop and begun our long journey to our new home, Westwood, where Kell made a life for her and the kids. I thought it was best to take them back. Away from the wars, away from the death, away from everything. It was time to start new. Move on, and make Kell proud.
It was a long way to Maryland with many stops for gas, but we finally made it. I pulled the car up to the gate and was met with a couple guns pointed at the car.
"Get out of the car, slowly!" One man called out, who I think was Montgomery.
"Stay in the car." I told the kids, and they nodded.
I slowly opened the door and pushed it open with my foot.
"Keep your hands up." Montgomery said.
I did was he was told and then I heard him say.
"Holy shit." He said. "It's you. Hold on."
The other guy, who I assumed was Roman, opened the gate and they both walked out.
"I came back with the kids." I said.
"Where's Kelley?" They asked.
I was quiet as I bowed my head and shook it. "She didn't make it."
Another man then ran over and joined us. "Who's this?" He asked.
"Hans, this is Kelley's husband. He says she's... dead?" Roman said, still not believing it himself.
"What?" Hans said. "But— she was just fine when she left. You said you'd protect her.. what happened?!" Hans said, getting more upset by the second.
"I know... I'm sorry."
The kids then got out of the car and ran up to us.
"Monte!" The girls called out.
"Hans!" Lee said and ran up to him and gave him a hug.
The girls tackled Monte and he couldn't help but laugh. Hans squeezed Lee and pat his back. I felt out of place here, but hopefully I could fit in soon enough.
"I brought us here hoping you'd take us in." I said. "Kell would want us here, not back there. Here it's safe."
The men looked at each other for a long second until Montgomery nodded, and the rest did too.
"Yeah you guys are welcomed. It's what Kelley would've wanted." Montgomery said. "Come on in."
And with that, our new lives were to start. The kids were safe here, and here is where I was going to become a better father. I wasn't leaving, I wasn't going to run away when things get hard. I'm going to stay right here with my children until my last breath.

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THE END!!!