The Walsh's (UNDER EDITING)

Season 2 ~ Chapter 15

Dale's burial was the next morning and for all that I was still angry at Rick, his speech was beautiful. Hunter was struggling to cope without Dale and it was his birthday...

I walked back towards camp, Jason on my hip and Shane's fingers interlocked with my own. I looked over to Daryl, Cody and the kids. Hunter's head was hanging low but I could still see his tear stained cheeks. My heart broke into a thousand tiny pieces with every tear that fell to the ground or every quiet sniffle I heard. Shane's squeezed my hand reassuringly and I looked at him. "Hunter's heartbroken. It hurts me." I stated quietly, my eyes still trained on my eldest son. Shane kissed my cheek, "Hunter and Dale were close. The kid is gonna take a hard blow but I know someone who could cheer him up." he replied, smirking at me. I smiled and kissed him slowly on the lips. "I'll be back soon." I said before jogging to catch up with Daryl.

As soon as I caught up, Hunter latched himself to my side and cried silently, breaking my heart further. I felt my own tears sting my eyes but I quickly erased them, I had to be strong for him. Cody looked at me sadly, taking Ryder from Daryl and continuing towards the house. I watched him tell Dixon to go get Jason and Shane, the dog happily obliging and running off. I enveloped my arms around Hunter, holding him close and making circles in his back. I looked up to meet the sad gaze of Daryl's baby blues, a single tear trickled down his cheek as he placed one hand on Hunter's head. "It's my fault momma... It's my fault Dale died..." cried Hunter, tightening his grip around my waist. Now I was confused and so was Daryl, we both gave each other a look before I knelt down to Hunter's height.

"What do you mean sweetie? Dale was killed by a walker." I said but Hunter shook his head frantically. "Yesterday. I saw Carl wander off into the woods, so I followed him and Ryder and Jason followed me. I found him throwing rocks at walker and it fell out the mud and it was the same walker that killed Dale... I could've killed it but I didn't..." Hunter explained, more tears flooding down his cheeks. I looked up at Daryl, who knelt down as well and placed a hand tenderly on Hunter's shoulder. "It's not yer fault son." he replied and Hunter nodded. I sighed and hugged him tightly.

Cody took Hunter back to the house to let him calm down. I took Daryl around the back of Hershel's home and looked into his eyes. I could see the worry for Hunter sparkle in his ocean blues, I pecked his cheek and snaked my arms about his waist. "I'm gonna tell Shane tonight," I announced.

"Tell him what Kat?" Daryl asked with a look of confusion. I sighed and rested a hand on Daryl's heart, calming at the steady beating. "That Hunter and Ryder are my kids," I replied taking a shaky breath. Daryl merely nodded which was his subtle way of telling me that now was the right time. We headed back to help everyone move into Hershel's house, everyone trying to take it easy on me and Lori as they knew of the pregnancy. I watched Dixon barked playfully at Jason waiting patiently for my son to throw the stick he was wielding.

I felt someone take my hand and glanced over to see Shane. He flashed me his smile and I leaned over and pecked his cheek. I could instantly tell something was festering in his mind, something he was dying to tell me but he couldn't. I knew that feeling all too well but I was saving my news for a better time. "You okay babe?" I asked unsure of the answer I would receive. At first he did not answer, he instead looking at the dirt path we were walking on before glancing back to me. "We're back to square one Kat. Rick wants to set Randal free but he's taking Daryl with him this time."

I tensed. I knew Rick and Daryl were still on rough ground due to me but were no where near as bad as Shane and Rick. "Oh," I replied almost speechless. He pulled me close, rubbing up and down my forearm gently as he exhaled his anger. "Hey as long as you're safe Shane. I'm happy."

He smiled at me. "Thanks Kit-Kat."

I hugged Shane tightly, burying my face in his chest and took in his scent. I felt his arm wrap around my waist and his free hand cradle the back of my head as he held me close to him. God, I wanted to tell him so badly about Hunter and Ryder but I knew now wasn't the right time. I'd just have to wait...