All Out War

Chapter 18

After about an hour, Daryl walked in.

"How come you didn't wake me when you woke up?" he asked.

I turned and looked at him.

"You looked so comfortable with Judith in your arms. I didn't want to risk waking the both of you," I said going back to loading one of the rifles.

"Next time, wake me up. I don't need much sleep," he said wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Well you may not need much but I won't stand in the way of you getting a little. Where's Judith?" I asked.

"She still sleeping," he said.

"That's good. Did you just wake up?" I asked.

"Nah. I've been up for a bit. Helping move everything around. Getting ready," he said.

"Good. So Tara said we're taking off the minute it gets dark," I said loading the last rifle.

"I don't want you going," he said.

I turned to face him.

"I'm going with you guys," I said sternly.

"I don't want you to get hurt. I don't want our kid getting hurt," he said a little softer.

I sighed. I placed my hand on his cheek.

"I don't know how long I've been carrying our child with me but I'm sure it hasn't been too long. I can still fight. I will fight, Daryl. You can't deny me this. I have a brand new reason to keep fighting. As time goes on, I won't be able to as much. I'll have to slow down for him or her. But right now, I can still do it. I know I can. I'm not afraid of living. Our baby proves as much. Living now means you fight and I am fighting. I've been fighting right from the start. I can't stop. Especially now. I'll be extra careful but I will fight," I said.

"My wife, stubborn as hell. Ain't no telling her what she can and can't do," he said pressing our foreheads together gently.

"You do know me so well," I said.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

"Ain't no way I'm letting you fight without me by your side," I whispered.

He kissed my head.

"Okay. We fight. Together," he said rearing his head back.

"That's all I want," I said.

He leaned in slowly. I pulled him closer and kissed him.

"We leave once it's dark. Like Tara said," he said.

"Sounds good. We're still packing up?" I asked.

"Yup. We're almost ready though. Were you gonna take that bag of guns?" he asked pointing to the bag next to me.

"Yeah. Told Tara we should hide these near the sewers. Just in case," I said.

"It's a good idea. Should we go then?" he said.

I grabbed the bag and slung it over my shoulders. I grabbed a rifle and we took off. It had gotten dark a few hours later. More arrangements were being made but for the most part, we were ready. Carl had offered to take the guns down so I wouldn't have to strain myself so much. That was done.

"We're all ready?" I asked Daryl near the armory.

"Just about. You good?" he said.

"I just wish Rick was here. That way at least I'd know he was okay. I don't like him being out there on his own. And for this long," I said.