These Awkward Moments

Chapter 13 The Picnic

** Hey readers, I had a little extra time yesterday, and was able to do some extra writing. So far the story has been flowing pretty easily, sort of telling itself. I hope you're enjoying so far. If you like what you're reading leave me a comment or click the little star at the bottom to vote. Here's an extra chapter for you!**

Delilah's POV
I woke up the next morning with a smile knowing that I would be spending most of the day with Daryl. I got myself ready for the day, then fed Mercy and got her ready too. I was glad to see that she was back to being her usual happy self, and the teething seemed to have eased for a few days. I put her in her sling, and went to check on Rick.

He was doing about the same. His leg was healing well, but he was still going through a bad case of cabin fever. Michonne had taken Mercy in to play with Judith while I was seeing Rick. I found them downstairs in the living room. Michonne was on the floor playing with the girls.

I smiled and joined them on the floor. Judith toddled around the room playing. Mercy watched her closely as if she was trying to learn all her moves. We giggled at Mercy's efforts to try to crawl.

Michonne glanced up at me sideways. "So... um... I know it's probably none of my business..."

I smirked. "Statements like that are usually followed by 'but' and a personal question."

She chuckled. "Yeah. I just couldn't help but notice... that there seems to be something going on between you and Daryl."

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I didn't think it would take too long for word ta start gettin' around in a place this small."

She smiled warmly. "Nah, it wasn't word getting around. I've been on patrol a couple of times at night and saw the two of you together. It may seem like no one else's business, but I love Daryl like a brother, and I've come to care about you a lot too. I just would hate to see either one of you get hurt."

I nodded. "I completely understand the family bond your group has. I've never seen it stronger, except maybe between Roe and I. We have the advantage of having been raised together though. It's a wonderfully unique thing to see it in people who started out as strangers. Daryl and I care about each other a lot. So much in fact that we are taking things frustratingly slowly because neither one of us wants to hurt the other. Relationships are hard enough in this new world."

Michonne nodded and smiled. "Yeah, Rick and I were close friends for a long time before we realized what had been sitting right in front of us all along. But I gotta tell you, Daryl isn't always the easiest guy in the world to get along with. Don't get me wrong, he's got a lot of great attributes. He's probably one of the most fiercely loyal people I've ever known in my life. He's overly protective of those he loves, a great provider, kind-hearted, and much smarter than he knows. But he's also stubborn as hell, and sometimes the overly protective thing can get taken to a dangerous extreme."

I smiled. "Sounds like the perfect partner for the apocalypse."

Michonne chuckled. "Yeah, I guess when you think of it like that..."

"Look Michonne, I know that y'all don't know me and my brother very well yet, and I probably look like some meek little bookworm who isn't cut out for all this. But trust me when I tell you that the only reason I survived out there wasn't just because Roe could whup Goliath's ass. I'm stronger than ya know. Not just mentally... physically and emotionally too. I get that Daryl may not quite be where I am emotionally, but I have an... almost... infinite supply of patience. I think we're good for each other that way."

She smiled and nodded. "I think you're right."

Mercy started to get fussy and rub her eyes. I picked her up and nursed her while Michonne and I talked about how parenting has changed.