Shadows

24) Memories

The next morning Alicia woke up, a content smile on her face. Daryl head was resting against her chest and all was right. In briefs moment like these she was about all of her problems.

Sighing she ran her hand through her husband's hair. "You're very handsome do you know that?" She asked his sleeping form.

"Yes." She didn't expect him to answer, assuming he was still asleep. Nevertheless she laughed, lacing his hand with hers.

"Good." She smiled, leaning down to kiss him as he lifted his head. He buried his head in her neck, letting out a peaceful sigh. "I love you."

She felt him smile against her skin. "I love you too, Darlin'."

She sat up straighter, looking down at him. "Do you know how long it's been since you called me that?" She asked.

He furrowed his brows, looking up at his wife. "Huh?"

"It's been weeks since you last called me darling." She mumbled. "I've missed it."

He sat up, brushing some hair from her face. "I didn't know it meant that much to you."

She smiled, meeting his eyes. "I remember the first time you said it."

Alicia looked to Rick. "I'd like to stay back to, if you don't mind."

Rick nodded, looking to Shane. "I don't see the problem. That way we can cover more ground."

"Alright." Shane agreed.

Daryl looked fo Alicia. "You sure?" He glanced over at Shane, raising his eyebrows.

She nodded. "I'll be alright."

He pulled her away, a few feet from the rest of the group. "If he tries anything... punch him in the nose."

She laughed. "We don't even know if our little theory about him and Lori is right." She chuckled. "I can handle myself. I promise."

"Alright." He sighed. "I'll see you back at the highway. Be careful Darlin'."

Darling

Alicia couldn't help the broad smile that spread across her face when he said it. She grinned, walking back over to Rick and Shane.

Daryl laughed, smiling fondly at his wife. "That feels like forever ago."

"Mhmm." She grinned. "Back when you had anger issues and shit haircut."

"A shit haircut?" He chuckled. "I thought you liked my hair better short."

She shook her head, taking a strand of his hair and playing with it. "If I preferred it short I'd cut it off. I love it long like this. Well..." she scrunched her nose up. "I do wish you'd get it out of your face."

He rolled his eyes, lying sideways across her legs. "I remember the first time I told you I love you." He said.

"Yeah, it was right after Lori had Judith." Alicia nodded.

Alicia walked back over to Daryl, baby in her arms. Daryl looked down at it, gently smiling as Alicia rocked it back and forth.

He cleared his throat, nervously putting a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, a few tears on her face.

"I..." he sighed, pulling her into a hug. "I love you."

She cried harder, holding the baby between them. She looked up, tears flowing freely down her face. She nodded. "I love you too."

Daryl sighed, shaking his head. "God, I was nervous."

Alicia laughed, looking down at her husband. She continued laughing until the point she was quite literally snorting.

"What is so funny?" Daryl asked, sitting up and beginning to laugh because of her laughter. He nudged her arm. "Ali, what is so damn funny?"

She shook her head, trying to calm herself. "The CDC." She said between laughs. "You kept hitting the door with that axe. You looked like a complete fucking idiot."

Daryl rolled his eyes. "I was a complete fucking idiot."

She sighed, resting her hand on his arm. "Oh my God." She chuckled, wiping tears of laughter from under her eyes. "I can't believe I married that."

He scoffed. "I can't believe I married a David Bowie fan."

Alicia furrowed her brows before remembering.

"You a Bowie fan?"

"Hell yeah."

"That was our first actual conversation." She laughed. "You told be I was stupid because my favorite Bowie song was starman."

"And I was right." He said matter of factly. "I haven't heard that song since that day but i remember enough to know it's stupid."

"You're stupid." She laughed, chucking a pillow at his face.

"Stupid."

They both turned to see their daughter at the foot of their bed, a huge smile on her face as she repeated the word her mother said.

They both laughed, Alicia crawling over to pick her up. "Did you get out of bed all by yourself?" She grinned, kissing Jordan on the cheek. Jordan nodded.

Daryl smiled, kissing her head as well. "When did you get to be such a big girl?"

She shrugged, cuddling up in between her parents. They both just smiled at her as she drifted off to sleep again.

For the moment everything was perfect.