My Damaged Protector

Chapter Forty-Eight ~ The Next World

The days coming after the wall of Alexandria fell were tough for everyone. Carl had finally woken up, spending a few days at the infirmary before being allowed to come back to our house with strict instructions that his bandage had to be changed every few hours. I had opted to staying inside the house for those few days. My arms were beginning to heal as well as I helped Carl get better with his change in vision. We would play catch with a soft ball for him to learn his change in depth perception while I worked to keep him, Jasper, and Judith entertained.

Judith had started walking, taking her first few real steps towards Rick when he stopped in for lunch the day Carl was allowed back home. He was over the moon that he was able to witness it, the brightest smile crossing his face when she fell into his arms with a loud laugh.

Maggie had announced to me that she was now expecting her first baby and I was so excited for her. She and Glenn told us with bright smiles, both seemingly glued to each other's side after the announcement.

Daryl seemed to be healing just fine as well. He and Aaron were going on runs nearly everyday to surrounding stores. He was even dragging Merle out with him when Aaron claimed it was too early or that he was tired. I had tried asking both Merle and Aaron about what Daryl was so hell bent on finding, but neither gave me an answer, even Jasper would just walk away with a smirk on his face wen I questioned him about it.

Today, Rick and Daryl were going out on a planned run for some much-needed supplies. We had run out of a few things, toothpaste, for one. Michonne had been borrowing everyone's because she had used hers up fairly quickly. I had asked them to keep an eye out for anything useful for the kids as well as batteries and bandages.

"Skye!" Daryl yelled up the stairs as I brushed my wet hair. "You comin'?"

"Yeah!" I tossed the brush on the counter of our bathroom and half ran out of the room and down the stairs. I linked my hand with his and we walked out of the house towards the main gate. Daryl had a list made on white paper from Denise for things she needed. "Hey!" He called as we spotted her.

"Yeah?" Denise asked, stopping beside us.

"This thing at the bottom, you're talking about the drink, right?" Daryl showed her the list.

"I am, but-" She stopped herself.

I smiled softly. "It's not medical." We had tried to keep our run lists as short as possible, so whoever was going out wouldn't be getting anything unnecessary.

"No." She shook her head, her eyes widening a bit. "I drew a line between the important stuff and that. I just figured...if you saw it."

"Alright." Daryl nodded and squeezed my hand gently.

"Anything remotely medical is a priority. And food, maybe even food before medicine, and gas or batteries or books for the kids or clothes is just, if you see it, if it just happens to, you know. Be right there." Denise rambled on.

"You like it, right?" Daryl asked, trying to clarify why she was asking for it.

"No. I don't drink pop." She shot down.

"The hell's "pop"?" Daryl squinted his eyes at her.

"Oh, I'm originally from Ohio." That explained her lack of accent that most of us had.

"Why you want it?"

"Tara was talking about it in her sleep, I think." Her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink and I smiled. "Either she likes it, or she doesn't, but if she likes it, it'd be a really nice surprise. I'm not good with that kind of stuff, and she and Heath are going on that two-week run. I just thought it'd be a nice going-away present. Just, uh, don't go out of your way." Daryl waved his hand around to show he wouldn't. "And if it gives you any trouble..." She continued rambling.