Home Is Your Heartbeat ('Home Is' Book Two - Daryl Dixon)

Chapter 39 - Crazy (Seal)

DARYL

The guys finished outlining the plans. And now we're just bouncin things around, getting it all bedded down in our heads.

"I'm going home, Babe....see you later"  Nate was up and out of my grasp before I could stop her.

She'd tensed up when Abraham told us about leadin the Walkers thirty or so miles past Alexandria. And never settled back after that.

"I'll ask Deanna to call a town meeting first thing tomorrow and then we'll get started"  Rick announced.

All the while, tactfully ignoring the background noise comin from our place.

"Rosita and Leo are already out at the quarry doing first watch. We'll only have one person from the morning onwards. Too much other work needs doing, can't spare the manpower"  Jorge advised us.

Rick tugged out Nate's written notes from this afternoon. Gave me a wink before passing them over to Abraham and Jorge. Their mouths dropped in shock as they scanned the pages.

"Well, fuck me sideways and call me a letterbox...."  Abraham gasped.

Aaron peeked over their shoulders. Started shaking his head at me with an embarrassed smile.

"Nate explained what we were up against. Gave the intel and then couldn't get a word in edgewise. We basically relegated her to taking minutes. Took us four guys over three hours. To come up with almost the same thing she already did....in a tenth of that time."

"She's a Dixon alright."

Yep, that she is. And just like a Dixon? She's at home right now....losin her shit. Spectacularly, by the sounds of it.

"Why does Nate call yer Blue?"  I asked Abraham curiously.

"Weird Aussie humour, they call all redheads that apparently. Now gentlemen and lady....I bid you a good night. Get some sleep, because we'll all be on short rations for the foreseeable future."

Everyone started to wander away. Leavin just me, Michonne and Rick.

"It's a big ask, Daryl. You Ok with that?"  Rick squeezed my shoulder in concern.

"Gotta be. The battle will be on yer, though. Convincing Deanna and her lot. Then gettin em to pitch in and help on the outside."

"I saw Nate's face. Think you might be having a bit of a battle yourself?"  Michonne sent me a sympathetic look as I trotted down their steps, headin towards home.

*

She was sitting in the dark at the dining table. Can just see her outline.

I leave the light off. Simply walk over, pull out a chair and sit opposite her.

"Don't panic, Dixon....you're safe. I went out back and had my shit-fit already. Might need to borrow some plates from Carol, though. If we ever decide to have a dinner party?"

"Nah, we'll be right. It was only the Royal Doulton. I hid the Wedgewood down in the cellar....just in case."

I scoot my chair beside hers now. Watchin her shoulders hitch as she tried not to laugh.

"Yer know it makes sense, Nate....my bit in the plan"  I lifted her chin with my finger until she was peering at me in the dim light.

"Oh, it makes perfect sense and I know you're going to do it. Need to accept....have accepted it. That doesn't fucking mean I have to like it"  She grumped.

Then quick as a snake, the missus cupped my face firmly in her hands.

"Daryl, whatever it takes....however long  it takes? You make sure that bloody bike of yours is tuned up to within an inch of its goddamn life. Because if you don't....then I'll....I'll...."