Unbreakable threads

Chapter One hundred and Nineteen: Life at alexandria

A few months had passed since the chaotic battle with the herd, and Alexandria had slowly but surely started to rebuild itself. The wall was fortified once again, the watchtower reconstructed, and the streets no longer bore the scars of that terrifying night.

Deanna's death had been a blow to everyone, leaving Spencer as the only remaining member of her family.

Tara, on the other hand, had found happiness in her relationship with Denise, the trainee doctor. Alyssa teased Tara relentlessly about it, often poking fun at Denise's nerdy demeanor and glasses, but it was all in good spirits. Alyssa loved seeing Tara happy, and she knew how deeply Tara cared for Denise.

Rick had made a big change in their household, moving Michonne in with him, Carl, Judith, and Alyssa.

At first, Alyssa was a little suspicious. She was certain something was brewing between Rick and Michonne; the way they looked at each other didn't go unnoticed by her sharp eyes.

But both Rick and Michonne denied anything was going on, leaving Alyssa to raise an eyebrow and watch them quietly. Still, she didn't mind Michonne being around—she respected her and knew she'd do anything to protect their family.

Judith was now nearly 18 months old and had started to walk, her little footsteps bringing a new kind of life to the Grimes household. True to her word, Alyssa spent most of her time with Judith, doting on her little sister and ensuring she was safe and loved. She had become Judith's shadow, rarely leaving her side unless absolutely necessary.

Carl had fully recovered from his injuries and now wore a patch over his missing eye. The experience had brought him and Alyssa closer than ever, They leaned on each other through the hard times, their sibling relationship stronger than it had ever been.

The rest of the group had settled into Alexandria's rhythm, finding their places within the community. Carol remained as sharp and protective as ever, and Rosita, Eugene, and Abraham worked hard to keep Alexandria thriving.

while Maggie and Glenn had begun discussing plans for the future, their hopes for a family giving them a new purpose.

Daryl still lived with Carol, having transformed the basement into his own little space. Most nights, Alyssa found herself there, sitting with Daryl. Rick didn't care much anymore; his bond with Daryl had deepened, and the two men were like brothers now. Rick trusted Daryl, and by extension, he trusted Alyssa when she was with him.

Despite their closeness, Daryl and Alyssa kept their feelings for each other hidden from the rest of the group. Nothing had changed outwardly—they were still the same Daryl and Alyssa, bickering, joking, and watching each other's backs.

It hadn't gone unnoticed in Alexandria that Alyssa had shifted in ways that weren't immediately obvious. She was no longer as bold or openly flirtatious as she once had been. The days of her sneaking out of houses in the early morning, or making sly sexual innuendos, seemed to have come to an abrupt halt.

Alyssa and Daryl had always been close, inseparable since the early days, so their bond wasn't unusual. But now, there was something in the way they looked at each other—something unspoken, something more. Their connection seemed deeper, more intimate, even though it remained outwardly platonic.

Tara had been one of the most vocal about Alyssa's shift in behavior. Now that she was happily settled with Denise, she couldn't help but question Alyssa every now and then. "Why aren't you with anyone anymore?" Tara would ask, her tone playful but curious. "I mean, come on, Lyss. You used to have women lining up."

Alyssa would shrug casually, her response always the same. "I'm too busy," she'd say, brushing it off with a grin. "Got other things to focus on, Tara. You know how it is."