Side-by-Side

Chapter 5

It was time to settle in for the night. With the speeds we were traveling at, we got a lot of distance covered. Hopefully within the next few days we will make it to my old home. We lost the herd after an hour of driving, but kept the same speed to cover more ground.

Dad, Daryl, Merle and Glenn went into the house to clear it. We've been waiting outside for 20 minutes now. The sun was going down and I was getting nervous. T came around and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"They'll all be fine. They always are." He said. I let out a breath, happy for the reassurance.

"Thank you." I said sincerely. He nodded his head and made his way back over to Carol. I gave her a small nod of reassurance and she smiled ever so slightly.

A few minutes later, the guys came out and singled it was okay for us to move in. We took a few things, and moved inside. I was carrying Judith as Daryl carried our things in. He placed them in the corner of the room, and turned towards me. He sat on the ground, his back pressed against the wall. I slowly lowered myself down to my knees and turned around slowly. My back was pressed against Daryl's chest.

I lifted Judith up from her laying position, and placed her sitting down on my bent knees. Her brown eyes looked past me and stared at Daryl. His wrapped arms moved from around me, and travelled up my arms to my hands. His hands gently moved over to Judith and he tickled her slowly. Her lips twitched up into a beautiful smile and her laugh was filled with joy. Daryl soon took her from in front of me and placed her on his now crossed legs. I, unfortunately, having my spot taken, scooted back a little and turned my body to stare at the hunter and infant.

Looking at Judith squeal with laughter as Daryl's calloused, yet soft gentle touched hands tickled her made me smile. It made me forget about the world being gone and almost all of humanity wiped away.

Looking at Daryl small ghost smile, it made me think of how great of a father he would've been. The baby could've looked exactly like him. His hair, his eyes, his face. The boy could've had Daryl's personality, the closed off Hunter, who attracts all the girls. The girl can have my personality. The strong, determined girl. She would look like her daddy, charming in every way. Having all the guys around her, only to be stopped my Daryl. She would be a daddy's girl.

Only, they wouldn't have to grow up being abused like Daryl and I were. They wouldn't have to worry whether or not we will kill them in their sleep. I wouldn't lay a hand on them. I would never purposely leave an inflected mark on them. I know Daryl wouldn't either. He seems so hard and so cold on the outside, but on the inside he is just a kind and gentle man.

"Carly?" Daryl's voice brought me out of my trance. I looked up at the hunter, waiting for him to speak.

"You zoned out a bit." He said, he gave me a look of concern, wondering if everything was okay. I nodded my head, telling him that everything was fine and turned around so my back was against his chest again.

I took a look around and everyone was being given a bowl of what I would think is squirrel. Judith was being fed by her bottle by Dad and Carl sat next to them. T-dog and Carol were handing out the food. Carol came up to Daryl and I with two bowls and handed one to both of us.

Merle came around and sat down beside Daryl, a bowl of his own in his hand. We are in silence. Well, Daryl, Merle and I did, everyone else held small conversations between them. I listened in on a few, but none of which I would intervene. As I finished the last of my food, I took Daryl's and Merle's and brought them to Carol.

Carol and I washed the dishes together, no conversation started. I have distanced off from everyone a little since my stupid stunt this afternoon. Dad still isn't very fond of my choice and Daryl... I believe he is still secretly upset with me.

As I finished my half of the dishes, Carol put her last one in the bag. She gave me a small nod of appreciation before turning around and walking over to Dad, who was engaged in a conversation with Hershel, Glenn, Maggie and Beth. I let out a sigh as I walked over to Daryl and searched through his bag for the pack of cigarettes. He came up behind me and placed his hands on my waist.

I handed him a smoke before taking the lighter and leaving the now empty carton on the table. We walked over to the front door and sat down on the chairs that were on the porch. I turned my body slightly, and lifted my legs onto Daryl's knees. His left hand, which was cigarette free, rubbed up and down my bare legs.

I inhaled,  the smoke from the cigarette filling my lungs and let out some air. I brushed some of my hair back with my hand, hoping for it to stay, but of course, it failed. I hugged in frustration as I placed the cigarette between my teeth and tied up my hair with the hair band around my wrist.

After my hair was placed up, I took a final drag of my cigarette and looked up at Daryl. He placed his arms around my waist and I leaned my head against his chest. He leaned down and pressed a soft and gentle kiss on top of my head. He guided me inside again, and we went to the small corner that held our things.

I pulled out a pair of shorts, a new tank top and a new pad from the bag and made my way down the hall to the bathroom. When I finished, I walked back to be living room, to hear Daryl and Merle whispering to themselves.

"You're going to have to go it soon baby brother." Merle said as he gently nudged Daryl as he sighed.

"I know. But how when we are always like this? We are always running and she pulls off the most stupidest stunts. Then she gets mad at me for getting mad." Daryl huffed.

"She's stubborn. That's why she would make a good Dixon." Merle said.

I never really thought about marriage. Not even before things went to shit. I was just a girl under the control of her father, unable to fight back. I never really communicated with people who I liked. Then when shit hit the fan, I thought that if there was any chance of me finding love was gone. But then Daryl came along.

He switched my whole world upside down. He showed me what it was to have someone who loved you. He showed me so many new feelings that I never knew I was able to feel.

"She would. I want to, but I don't know when." Daryl replied to Merle's previous statement.

"Whenever you are ready." Merle said as he placed a hand on Daryl's shoulder before moving away.

I didn't know when Daryl was going to ask Me but all I knew was the answer.

Hey guys. I am so sorry for the late update. I wasn't feeling goo for the past week and have so much work to catch
up on.

Hoping you guys understand.

Love you's