Cherokee Rose (Walking Dead fanfiction)

Help

  Daryl could feel someone stroking his hair and kissing his face...opening his heavy eyelids, he stared into the beautiful green eyes that made life worth living. Trying to sit up he felt the room tilt and his stomach churn...the old man had really walloped him one.

"Easy...easy sweetheart you've been out for awhile, just lay here for a minute" Raven said softly.

Daryl looked around the room and saw the faces of his tearful, worried children then the same look on Raven's. He sat up on his elbows and once everything was back into focus he sat all the way up looking at his crying family.

"I think I could use some hugs" he said trying to smile at them.

Instantly his arms were filled with the three of them and he had never felt anything so wonderful in his life. Kissing each of his children and finally finding Raven's mouth he kissed her desperately, never wanting to stop. He could feel a tiny hand pat his face while he kissed Raven and he had to laugh.

"Yes Cheri?" he grinned

Cheri smiled back

"I knew you would find us daddy! Mommy was really sad but I told her you would find us and you did! You told me in my dreams and I knew it was true" Cheri beamed.

Daryl cupped her face and kissed her little nose.

"You're right about one thing Cheri, every night I talked to you and mommy and told you I would find you and that I loved you...but I didn't find you sweetheart, your big brother did. He's the one that found the trail" Daryl said Kissing the top of Hunter's head.

Daryl's heart melted as he watched his little girl throw her arms around her brother's neck, kissing his cheek and saying

"Thank you D"

Daryl had to grin seeing Hunter's embarrassed reaction but knew he was proud that he had helped.

"Alright, let's get up off this cold floor" Daryl said and pulled slowly to his feet. He was still a little woozy but it was a lot better now than five minutes ago.

Sitting on the bed he pulled Raven in his lap, kissing her thoroughly. Placing his hand on her belly, looking deep into her eyes he asked.

"How's this little guy doing?"

Raven smiled and nodded through her tears kissing him again.

"He's fine, I haven't had any issues...Daryl how did you find us? Not that I'm doubting your skills but when they took us out of state I did have my doubts" she frowned.

Daryl kissed her softly again, he simply could not get enough of her. Finally he spoke.

"I wasn't kidding, Hunter found the trail. I didn't want to bring him but he insisted and said if I left him, he would come looking for me anyway and knowing how you are and how I am, I knew he would...I'm glad I did though. Without him I may have missed something. He really is becoming one of the best trackers I've ever seen" Daryl said as his chest swelled with pride.

Raven stared at her small son and smiled.

"He becomes more like you every day" she said softly.

Daryl laid down on the bed, pulling Raven with him, wrapping his arms around her waist. They lay there watching Cheri chatter non stop to Hunter as they both sat and colored. Daryl spoke softly in Raven's ear.

"So everything been OK here? Anybody try to hurt you or anything?"

Raven turned over wrapping her arms around him, hugging him close while shaking her head.

"No, he's kept us separate from everyone else, which I'm glad for. The kids are supposed to be in a different building but he let Cheri stay with me"

Daryl stared at her while running his fingers through her hair. He wanted to tell her who the man was, but he couldn't find his voice. Raven touched his face and said quietly.

"I know sweetheart, I know he's your dad and he knew who we were"

Daryl was stunned but finally finding his voice he asked

"How? Did he know you when he took you?" feeling his anger turn red hot again.
Raven shook her head

"No...he was on the bus with us. He kept walking by us and would stare at Cheri...I was really beginning to worry thinking he was a pervert or something and when he bent down and asked her name I was panicking and tried to keep her quiet but you know Cheri, not a shy bone in her body. She was happy and proud to announce her full name. "

Daryl grinned in spite of how concerned he was with everything... just picturing her telling his dad her name and would have probably been happy to tell him where to go if she was a little older. Raven continued.

"When Cheri told him, he looked like he had seen a ghost or something. He stayed away until we got here but when we did, there was a man...he was...he was planning on taking me for his own...your dad told him no and when the guy questioned why, he shot him"

Daryl nodded...that was his old man alright. He was glad he didn't let the guy take her but still...she wouldn't be here if he hadn't taken her in the first place. Raven continued.

"Then he brought us here. He would look in on us every now and then but didn't say anything, but then one day he came in and asked me who my husband was and said if I lied he would take it out on Cheri so I told him you. He already knew though...I think it was Cheri's eyes...he saw you in them"

Daryl shook his head

"Na, he didn't see me...he saw my mom" he said with a crack in his voice.

Raven pulled him closer looking into his eyes with wonder

"What do you mean?" she asked softly

Daryl continued

"When I was a kid, everybody always talked about how my eyes were identical to my mom's. Everybody said it...family, friends, neighbors...anyway, when she was alive the beatings weren't so bad...I mean Merle and I both got whooped...Merle more so than me...after she died though the beatings got a lot worse... I always told myself he beat me cuz I had my mom's eyes and he missed her too much. Truth is, he's just one colossal prick. He doesn't care who he hurts or why. I remember this one time I had to do this report for school and I decided to do it on the Cherokee Rose because I liked it, and my mom had liked the stories too...anyway so I'm working on my report and he comes up behind me, asking what I was doing...so I tell him and he goes off the deep end saying that story is for women and pussies and beats the shit out of me to make sure I would turn out a real man and not like stories meant for girls" Daryl gritted out bitterly.

Raven couldn't help the tears as they fell trying to hold him tight...she said the only thing she could say

"Baby I'm so sorry"

Daryl kissed her softly and shrugged saying "Like I said, ain't no two ways about it, he's just a giant prick"

Daryl turned as he felt a tug on his sleeve staring into his daughter's eyes.

"What do you want munchkin?" he said while picking her up, holding her above him airplane style as she squealed and laughed. Laying her between them she looked at them both smiling.

"I'm hungry daddy"

Raven and Daryl looked at each other and looked out the window at the evening sky. Raven was just about to tell her dinner would be soon when the door opened and a cart appeared with food being pushed by Lurlene. She had started to leave without looking up until something caught her eye. Staring at Hunter she whirled around then staring at Daryl.

"Daryl?" she asked

Daryl gave her a small smile while he sat up responding softly

"Hey Lurlene"

"Oh my gawwwwd" the tacky women gushed. "When I seen that lititle boy I said to myself, that looks like little Daryl Dixon standing there and then I turn and here you are!"

Daryl stood up feeling a bit awkward and gave her a small hug back when she ran and threw herself on him. Standing back she grabbed his arms and squeezing them up and down and began checking him out.

"Damn Daryl, I always said yins would growed up to be a handsome man, but good lawd did you ever...mmmm...mmmm.." she said trying to check out his backside.

Daryl turned to Raven to offer an apologetic look but she wasn't looking at him. She looked like she was ready to kick Lurlene's teeth in and Daryl had to stifle a laugh before realizing he better get control of the situation or Lurlene wouldn't know what hit her.

"Lurlene, this is my wife Raven, our little girl Cheri and this is my son Hunter"

Lurlene looked at all of them and nodded at Raven and Cheri.

"Yeah, I knowd them but he must a come in with you?" She said nodding her head at Hunter.
Daryl nodded "Yeah, we just got here a few hours ago". Daryl looked at her more closely, he could see a fresh bruise on her cheek and an old bruise over her eye

"I see my old man's handy work, why you still with him Lurlene?" he asked softly.

Lurlene looking a little embarrassed stared at the floor and then finally answered

"Where else am I gonna go Daryl? Besides, it aint always bad...he has good days too, and I don't have to please the other men or anything, he keeps me protected so it's fine really... listen, we'll catch up some more later. I better git before yer pa comes lookin' fer me".

Daryl nodded and gave her a small hug back as she gave him another squeeze. Daryl watched her slink out of the door and turned to Raven. She still looked a little miffed but more confused than anything. Giving her a kiss he whispered I'll explain later. Raven gave him a smile and nodded and began fixing her kids plates.

They sat and ate their dinner and Daryl had to smile as Cheri chattered in between bites and Hunter complained about her chatter in between his. If it wasn't for this room they were in, it was just like they were at home. He had missed this so much and it made his heart glad to have just a little bit of normalcy in this huge mess.

Getting the kids ready for bed, Daryl sat on the end, leaning back against the wall as Raven read some story to them about a rabbit. After a few minutes they were both fast asleep in the small bed. Raven closed the book quietly and kissed each one on the forehead as did Daryl. Raven stood staring at them until Daryl softly grabbed her hand and pulled her to the other side of the room.

Daryl pulled her close and began kissing her softly, pressing his body into hers and she began to feel his arousal as a flame ignited between her thighs. Nervously she looked at her sleeping children.

"Daryl...I don't know, the kids are right over there..."

Daryl laughed huskily in her ear kissing her neck and sliding his hands over her rump pulling her even closer

"It's OK" he whispered "they're asleep... we'll just have to be quiet" he continued, easing her back on the bed. "that means no screaming my name when you've forgotten yours" he laughed sliding her pants off.

Raven playfully glared at him and said "You did not just say that..."

Daryl grinned at her whispering in her ear "Yes I did because you know you do..."

Planting kisses on her stomach the trailing up her breast and neck Raven thought of something else...

"So what's up with Lurlene?" she whispered grumpily

Daryl couldn't help but grin at her. Whispering back he said

"Do you really want to talk about some white trash waitress my father hooked up with when I was a boy or would you rather do this?" sliding himself between her legs.

Daryl smothered her mouth with his as a moan escaped her lips as his girth entered her inflamed sweetness. Raven clung to him as he entered her deeper, touching the very depths of her soul. His hands and mouth were everywhere and it was taking everything she had not to cry out in pleasure. Wrapping her legs around his waist he went deeper yet driving her to the brink of insanity. As waves of pleasure crashed over her, she had to stop herself from crying out his name. Still stroking inside her, Daryl stopped kissing her to look deep into her eyes watching them widen and then finally close as her body throbbed around him with her climax. Feeling his own burst forth he shuddered and buried his seed deep inside her.

They lay for awhile in each others arms with Raven's head on his chest while his hand stroked her spine.

"That was kind of difficult being quiet" she giggled.

Raven heard his deep laugh rumble in his chest

"Yeah it was" he said "although you weren't very quiet...I thought I was going to have to stuff a sock in your mouth or cover your face with a pillow" he teased

Raven quickly covered her mouth as laughter bubbled out. He kissed her sweetly looking into her eyes again.

"I love you so much" he whispered

"With all of my heart " Raven smiled.

They were again quiet for awhile not wanting to break the enchantment they had in each others arms but finally Raven spoke.

"So any idea what we do now?"

Daryl sighed..."I've been thinking about it, and I guess the first thing to try is to reason with him. Maybe since he knows you're my family he'll let me take you home. Maybe I'll ask him to visit sometimes and get to know his grandkids..."

Raven kissed his chest while he ran his fingers through her hair.

"And if that doesn't work?" she whispered

"I may have to kill him" Daryl whispered back.

Daryl and Raven slipped on their night clothes and finally fell asleep in each others arms. Raven woke several times in the night to check Hunter and Cheri and to make sure Daryl was really there and not a dream. As the sun began to stream through the window Raven woke listening for her little ones to stir. Kissing Daryl's sleeping mouth she closed her eyes laying her head back on his chest. As sleep fuzzied her thoughts they were all rudely awakened with a deep voice booming in the middle of the room.

"Well isn't this a pretty picture"

Daryl sat straight up blinking the sleep out of his eyes, while Raven pulled the covers around her tighter. Hunter and Cheri stared at the stranger and decided to make a bee-line for their mom and dad. Daryl caught Cheri and sat her on his lap while Hunter leaned on his leg. They felt safe with their dad but they still wouldn't take their eyes off the intruder. Daryl's dad strode over to the other bed and sat down staring at the kids.

"So who wants to come and see grandpa?" Daryl's dad said with outstretched arms.

The kids were quiet until Cheri spoke up.

"You're a prick!"

Daryl internally groaned. When was he going to learn that Cheri was at that age where she would repeat anything and everything they said.

"Cheri!" Raven said "Honey you shouldn't say that" she scolded

Cheri looked at her mother wide eyed but then stubbornly retorted "But daddy said..." Raven cut her off

"C'mon we need to get you ready for breakfast"

Hunter stared at the man as he stared back. Walking slowly across the room Hunter extended his hand to him, quietly saying

"Nice to meet you Sir"

Daryl's dad stared at him and then at his hand.

"Hmm" he said and then completely ignored him.

Standing up Daryl's father brushed past Hunter and Raven's heart completely shattered for her little boy. How could someone be so cold and unfeeling especially to a small child! Raven's blood was boiling and she could see Daryl's jaw clench. It was all he could do not to punch him in the face.

"Daryl" his father said "meet me outside in ten minutes. We have some things to discuss" and turned on his heel and left.

Daryl scooped up his little boy, hugging him close understanding the look of hurt and confusion on his son's face. He had the same look many times when he was that age.

"Son" Daryl spoke softly "he's just not a nice man. You didn't deserve that and he didn't deserve your handshake. You're a better man than him, never forget that". Hunter nodded and hugged his dad, still a little shaken by what had just happened.

Daryl dressed quickly as Raven sorted out breakfast for the kids. Squeezing her hand and giving her a soft kiss Daryl whispered

"I love you"

"I love you too Daryl" Raven said with a little bit of sadness and fear behind it.

Daryl couldn't help the enormous feeling of dread he had in the pit of his stomach having to go meet his old man. It was like he was 10 years old all over again. Daryl slammed the door open and stormed over to his dad ready for whatever he had planned. Daryl senior looked at his son and smiled a cold and calculating smile.

"Glad you could join us Daryl" he smiled as a few of his henchmen joined them. Daryl looked around not quite sure what was about to happen. Trying to go the reasoning route he asked him

"Please dad, can we just talk just the two of us for a minute?"

Daryl senior or "big D" laughed.

"No son, we can't. I already know what you're going to ask and you need to get that idea out of your head right now. You and your little family aren't going anywhere and if you try to leave, I'll slit that pretty little throat of that wife of yours. First of all you're going to do what I say, when I say. There will be no questions or that little boy of yours will get some of what you're going to get. Secondly, you give me problems and that loud mouth brat of a daughter will be thrown into the children's camp and your wife will go straight to the whore's tent. Got me?"

Daryl stared at his father, not batting an eye. Big D continued

"Thirdly, there's still a matter of you and me settling up from when you left with that stupid ass brother of yours abandoning me. Gents, string him up"

Daryl struggled against the two large men that chained each of his arms to two posts in the middle of the yard. Daryl felt the breeze on his back as his father ripped his shirt from it. Chuckling he heard his father say

"Let's see if we can add a few more scars to the ones you already have"

Daryl felt the leather belt bite into his flesh over and over again. He knew if he cried out it would just make it that much worse. He focused on the horizon and thought of his children, of Raven, of everything good in his life. Feeling the blood trickle down his back, he couldn't help it as his legs buckled and his head drooped forward. His body couldn't take much more and he was close to passing out. The whipping finally stopped and Daryl hung there with his back on fire, finding it hard to breathe. In his ear his father's voice sounded again.

"You and me...we're now square...we move forward from this point...but cross me Daryl or put one toe out of line and I promise you that little family of yours will pay the price. Now get yourself cleaned up...and just to show you I'm not a total prick, I'm gonna let you stay at night with your little family. I'll give you today to heal up, but be in the yard tomorrow at eight am. We're going on a run for...um..supplies" he said with a laugh and then gave the command to let Daryl down.

Once Daryl was free and on his knees again, he mercifully passed out.

Daryl came to as a rough and snarled hand touched his face. Looking up he looked into the weepy brown eyes of Lurlene. Groaning he tried to stand but could still feel his legs shake and threaten to collapse again.

"Here sugar, lemme help get you back to your room" Lurlene whispered

"No...no!" Daryl cried desperately "They can't see me like this Lurlene...they can't..."
Lurlene nodded her head

"Alright Daryl, c'mon I'll take ya to the infirmary...nobody uses it, if someone gets sick around here they just shoot them, so it's private and I can put some salve on yer back"

Daryl nodded and let Lurlene help him up and to the hospital wing. Sitting on a hospital bed Daryl couldn't help but wince as her rough hand slathered on the salve.

"I had almost forgotten what this felt like" he said softly

Lurlene nodded "I wish you still didn't remember Daryl, I really do. But it's over now, things will be OK. You'll see...just don't give him no reason to get mad and hurt that pretty family of yours..."

Daryl turned and stared at her.

"You know better then that Lurlene. You know I've never been able to make him not mad a day in my life. He will make sure I fail and he will kill them, and he'll do it right in front of me. He'll torture them first of course and then beat me some more, but in the end you know he can't stand that someone loves me and thinks I'm good" Daryl's voice cracked with a whisper.

Lurlene nodded as big fat tears rolled down her cheeks. Daryl continued

"I have to get them out of here Lurlene...I have to. I just don't know how...that hedge wall, is there a fence there? Can we crawl under it?"

Lurlene shook her head.

"You could try but he has bear traps set under there...even if you get past them, he has lookouts stationed all around there. You'd never make it past them"

Daryl's shoulders slumped in defeat. Lurlene continued

"But I think there's another way...I've thought of using it myself, but I just never got the courage up..."

Daryl stared at her waiting for her to continue.

"Here" she said throwing him a loose fitting T-shirt "put that on and follow me".

Daryl winced again as the fabric hit his raw back. Shaking it off he knew he would put up with anything if he knew he could get them out safely. Following Lurlene they ended up in a room next to the sick bay, Daryl looked around,

"This a morgue or something?" he asked seeing a large cabinet type drawers meant for humans.

Lurlene nodded "Yeah, they musta brought the patients here who died back in the day.". Walking over to a brick wall, Lurlene clicked a hidden button and Daryl watched as the brick wall whispered open. Daryl stared at her in shock. Looking in the blackened hallway he turned to her and asked

"Where does this lead to?"

"Come...follow me and I'll show you" she said

Daryl and Lurlene stepped inside with Lurlene producing a small flashlight. Watching her click a button the door swooshed closed and she began walking down a ramp, explaining quietly.
"It's a good size walk, but thankfully there's only one passage. The walls are pretty wide and with the ramp I think they used this to push the bodies through to take them to the cemetery. This ends up inside some old building but nothin' is in there. Doors aren't locked or anything so you can git through it. It takes you past all the guards too. He doesn't have them stationed out this far."

After about a 10 minute walk, Daryl and Lurlene came to another ramp. Walking up it, she opened the door to and old abandoned building. Daryl's heart pounded...this could work. Daryl quietly walked through the room and looked out the doors that were slightly ajar. Trying to get his bearings and sense of direction back, he looked around for the road. He could see the intersection of the road and long drive he and Hunter had turned down. That meant his bike was close! Putting a hand up he motioned for Lurlene to stay as he slipped out the doors. Moving through the trees, trying to make sure he didn't so much disturb a leaf, he breathed a sigh of relief spying the spot where he hid his bike. Lifting the shrubs he pulled it out and walked it back to the mausoleum pushing it inside.

Daryl and Lurlene walked back quietly with Daryl planning everything out in his head. Reaching the brick wall Lurlene showed him where the buttons were to push to open and close it. Staring at her, he couldn't help but give her a big hug.

"Come with us Lurlene, we can all get out together" he implored.

Lurlene smiled sadly and shook her head

"You're gonna have a hard enough time getting everyone on that bike already, just get your family out Daryl, don't worry about me, I'll be alright...I'm just glad I could help"

Daryl gave her another hug and kissed her on the cheek whispering

"Thank you...I'll never forget this"

Lurlene smiled tearfully and nodded her head watching him disappear back out the door, heading for his room.