Fire and Ice

Rivalry

"Merle, sweetheart" Jane said softly as Lexi and Daryl watched her quickly go to him and hug him tight. "We would have sent you an invitation but we had no idea where to send it"

"Hey mama" Merle said quietly, hugging her back.  "Yeah I know, I'm just a tumbleweed blowing in the wind" he grinned.

Watching them walk to the table, Lexi couldn't miss the animosity between this Merle guy and Jack.

"Dad" Merle nodded, narrowing his eyes.

"Merle" Jack said gruffy, looking at him and then at Jane.

Lexi couldn't believe how quiet everyone had become, it was like they were all waiting for a bomb to go off.  Watching Merle walk over and glance at Daryl, she got a funny feeling as his eyes settled on her as he stared at her peculiarly.

"Who's this?" Merle asked, looking again at Daryl

"My wife" Daryl shot back quickly

Lexi wanted to stare at Daryl in shock but something told her just to go along with it.

"Wife eh?" Merle grinned "I don't see no ring on her finger"

Lexi looked down at her hands and felt her cheeks turn pink, if she looked up she would give everything away.

"She took them off to cook, she made all the food" Daryl said quickly, covering up his misstep.

"hmmm" Merle hummed softly and stuck his pinky into one of the pans of food and licking it off. "Not bad, not bad at all little brother"

Lexi could tell Daryl was so mad he was ready to punch him.  Reaching over with her hand, she placed it on his and gave it a squeeze trying to ease his anger.

"Hey Doodlebug" Merle said softly, giving Luke a sweet smile.

"Hi Uncle Merle" Luke smiled broadly

Well at least he got along with SOMEONE here, Lexi thought.

"Here sweetie, I grabbed you a plate, come have a seat by me" Jane timidly smiled at Merle, hoping she could keep the peace.

"Alright mama" Merle sighed and walked with her to the other end of the table. 

Hearing conversations begin again, Lexi glanced at Daryl and couldn't help a frown seeing his face.  He still looked angry and so deep in thought she wasn't sure he would even know who she was if she tried to bring him back.  As if he had read her mind, Daryl looked at her and gave her a small smile.

"You okay?" she whispered

"Yeah" Daryl said softly "I'll tell you about it later"

Lexi nodded and squeezed his hand again, she hated that he was feeling like this.  Watching the teenagers that they had hired to help clean up grab empty plates, Lexi excused herself and began taking the almost empty pans of food back into the house.  Putting the leftovers into Tupperware bowls, Lexi smiled seeing that most of her food had been eaten.  Turning her head hearing the door open, Lexi smiled seeing Daryl walk in.

"Hey" he said softly, sliding his arms around her waist, giving her a hug.

"Hey yourself" Lexi smiled giving him a hug back.

"I love you" he whispered, kissing her softly

"I love you too" Lexi said but couldn't help but be concerned still seeing him out of sorts.

"I'm sorry for the whole wife thing, thanks for not freaking out on me" Daryl said seriously

"It's okay, I figured you had your reasons for telling him that....I take it you don't get along?" Lexi asked