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

Chapter 41 - It's Probably Me (Sting)

NATE

"Oh, God! Nate....I'm so sor..."

I cut Francine off immediately as Leo bounded in and draped his arms around her.

"Don't you dare apologise! As my hubby keeps reminding me....we have washing machines."

"You listen to her, toots"  Leo crooned comfortingly in her ear.

"I did it. And so did my little warrior princess her first time. First time killing a Walker, that is."

I poked my tongue out at him and Francine laughed shakily.

"Are you two always like this?"

"Yes"  Leo and I replied in sync.

Him, gleefully. Me? In resignation.

Rick had moved back to the road again with Deanna in tow. Morgan had already taken a dig at him, but idiot that I am?

Just can't help myself and blunder right on in.

"If you don't pull that head of yours out of your ass, Rick Grimes? I'm gonna shove it further in and turn you into a damn pretzel. You bloody...."  I whisper the threat furiously under my breath.

Follow it up with a stream of expletives  🤬

"You told them! Promised that we'll teach them....and show the way. When the hell are you going to start leading by example huh? You get what you give, Grimes...."

"And right now you're giving everyone the fucking finger!"

We glared at each other. Before he gave a disgusted flick of his head and stomped back to the sandbags he'd been filling. Acting as if the last five or so minutes of action had never even happened.

I huff out my breath in frustration, accompanied by quite a few more oaths. Until I realise that Deanna is still by my side. Gazing at me like she's....proud....almost?

"That's my girl!"  She whispered with a tiny smile, before rubbing my arm affectionately and walking off.

Leaving me standing here, gaping at her back. While my jaw takes a swan dive south  😲

*

We finished the remainder of the day's work in relative peace. Then our family headed back to their respective homes to clean up. Before coming over to our place for dinner.

Daryl advised them it'll be BYO....plates.

Rosie and I served up our creation and they all tucked in. At first, everyone was still a bit subdued by today's events....and the thought of tomorrow.

Our only dry run through the plan that we've put together. And for those of us left behind? Maggie and I are going to lead them through the evacuation drill for the first time.

But food along with Leo, Abraham and Tara quickly took care of the quiet atmosphere. Soon the joint was full of noise and laughter. Their joking and banter rubbed off on everyone else.

Everyone....but Rick and I.

I watched as he exited our front door and quietly closed it behind him. Then peeped through the spy-hole to see him hunched over on our porch steps.

Let him have ten minutes on his own before slipping out as well. Stood next to him, peering out over the silent street.

"Come here, you!"  Rick whispered, taking my hand and tugging me down until my bum was planted beside his.

He leaned back on the support post and pulled me into his arms.

"You sure have quite the fine vocabulary going on nowadays, my little spitfire. Never even heard some of those cusses before. And pretzel? Now that's  imaginative."