The Next World

Chapter 22

Jesus led us to two bathrooms. Maggie and Glenn went ahead and took the first one while Daryl and I took the second.

"I wanted to punch the lights out that asshole. Who the hell does he think he is coming off all high and mighty? And when he called me 'honey'. Ugh. The shivers that went down my spine," I began.

I was pacing back and forth.

"Babe," Daryl said stopping me in my tracks and making me look at him.

"Calm down. That asshole, is an asshole. I can tell that much. But we gotta play this right okay?" he said.

"Yeah. You're right. Okay. I just...this place could be good for us. We need a place like this," I said.

"I know. Don't go disappearing on me okay?" he said.

"I'd never do that to you again," I said.

"Good," he said wrapping his arms around me and pulling me closer.

"Let's get this shit over with," he whispered.

"Okay," I said.

We parted and washed up. We headed back downstairs and watched as Maggie went inside to talk to Gregory. I leaned against one of the drawers while Daryl began to pace back and forth. Abraham had joined us. Daryl went to look out the window.

"How long do you think Rick and Michonne been ugging bumplies?" Abraham asked.

"I don't know," Daryl said.

"It just happened. Last night. And honestly Abe, do you think about what you say before you say it or does it just spill out of you?" I said.

He chuckled.

"I'm a say what's on my mind kind of guy," he said.

"Don't lose that quality," I said smiling over at him.

"Yes ma'am," he said.

I chuckled.

"You two ever think about it?" he asked.

"About what?" I retorted.

"Settling down?" he continued.

I looked over at Daryl and he did the same.

"You think shit's settled?" Daryl said turning to look at Abraham.

"We actually have. The world with the way it is, there is no settling down. Not for us at least. But there is living. And that's what we intend to do," I said.

Abraham nodded.

"You thinking about it?" I asked him.

"Well, I didn't before. But now, maybe it's time to reconsider," Abraham said.

He then made his way outside.

"We living?" Daryl came up and asked me.

"That's the plan. Don't you agree?" I retorted.

"Yeah. But I thought you wanted to settle. Have a kid and all," he said.

"I love the idea of having a kid. I really do. And the idea of having yours in particular, I love even more. But you're enough for me right now. Like I said before, there's no rush in having a kid. Whatever time that may be, I want to make sure that it's what we both want. We're a team, you and I," I said turning around to look at him.

He half smiled.

"Yeah. We are," he said pulling me in and wrapping his arms around me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed our foreheads together. The both of us stayed like that for a while. With our eyes closed, listening to the sound of our breathing. Gregory's office door opening caused us to look in that direction. Maggie walked out looking frustrated.