Trespassing (Daryl Dixon x OC)

Let Me

"And if you let me be your man, then I'll take care of you for the rest of my life, for the rest of yours, for the rest of ours."

Daryl and Aaron had finally begun scouting together. Daryl said that it's not as easy as it sounds. I also didn't realize that sometimes they'd be out for days at a time. Many of my friends had to deal with a hysterical Belle the first time he didn't come home at night.

They've been going out together for a few weeks now. Although, there have been several times where I would catch Aaron back in Alexandria without Daryl. He'd tell me that Daryl said he had to do something and had to do it alone. Daryl always came home safe so I didn't really know how to confront him about it.

There was a soft knock at my front door. My head darted towards the noise, furrowing my brow as I stood up. I hadn't seen Daryl since this morning, but this was our house. If it was him, he wouldn't knock.

I opened the door and saw Carl standing on my front porch. He looked a bit antsy, like he knew something I didn't.

"Hey, Squirt, what's up?" I greeted.

"I need you to come with me," he said, "and I need you to wear a dress."

I looked at him confused but with a playful smile. "Aren't I still a bit too old for you?"

He chuckled. "I'm just the messenger. Come on, it's important."

I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "Fine. Come in, I'll be back in two minutes."

I only had one dress so changing wouldn't be an issue. It was the one from Deanna's party a while back, the yellow one. I still found it ironic that she gave me that one considering my name is Belle. That was definitely planned. Fanning out the skirt, I quickly looked in the mirror with a sigh before going back downstairs.

Carl stood up from his place on the couch and smiled.

"You look great," he complimented. "Come on, let's go."

He was eager to get to where we needed to be. I was excited but nervous. What was so important that I had to look nice?

"Okay," he said as we took our final steps off the porch stairs, "stand in front of me." I gave a skeptical look before complying. Carl was a bit taller than me, the top of my head reached about his cheek. He placed his hands over my eyes.

"Carl Grimes, you are not doing this," I threatened.

"Come on, trust me. I'll guide you. It'll be worth it, I promise," he pleaded. With a huff, I remained quiet.

We walked through the streets of Alexandria, I not knowing where we were going while Carl guided me to our destination. There were small bouts of giggles between the two of us.

"You ready?" he asked.

"Yes."

Carl peeled his hands away from my eyes and my jaw dropped. Everyone was in and around a gazebo. Rick, Glenn, Maggie, and Michonne stood in the center forming a half circle around Daryl, the rest of the group taking their stances on the stairs or surrounding area. Daryl looked nervous while everyone watched with smiles. I turned back to look at Carl.

"Go on," he said, nudging my back.

I slowly bid my feet to move as I made my way to the gazebo. Daryl and I kept our gazes locked. My heart was beating loud in my ears. I had an idea of what was going on but there were so many thoughts running around my head I couldn't figure it out.

"Hi," Daryl muttered nervously as I stood in front of him.

"Hi," I replied with a shy smile.

Daryl took in a shaky breath. "I'm not good with these type of things," he began, "but I'm gonna try." I nodded, silently telling him to continue.

"For as long as I can remember, you've been a part of my life. If not, the biggest part of my life. Every time I remember happy days, you're always a part of them. I've always wanted to keep you safe and to make you happy. I know I don't show it all the time, but whenever I'm with you, I'm the happiest I've ever been.

"You've never given up on me even though I've given you plenty of times where you should have. You don't let my past get in the way of you an' me. You've always been the one to pick me up on my darkest days." He took my hand in his. "I never thought someone would love me the way you do. I never thought I deserved to be loved. You've changed my life in ways I never thought were possible.

"I love you, Belle. I love you more than I've ever loved anyone in my whole life. And now I'm kind of just rambling and I don't really know what I'm doing."

I giggled at his words, tears pricking my eyes. Everything he's said has been absolutely beautiful. I didn't care if he didn't know what he was doing, he was doing a great job. I never asked for perfection. Right now, however, was absolutely perfect to me.

Rick cleared his throat from beside us, causing us to both look at him. He quickly tilted his head down slightly, taking a quick glance at the ground. Oh, my god.

Daryl looked back at me, and I at him. A couple tears have slipped from my eyes.

"I don't ever want to lose you. You've been the better part of me ever since we met. You make me feel things I didn't know I could feel."

Daryl sunk down to one knee and my free hand instantly flew up to my mouth. Oh, my god.

"You've always been my something to hold on to, and I don't ever want to let go. So, Belle Matthers, will you marry me?"

More tears inevitably fell from my eyes, softly gliding down my cheeks. I didn't even think twice before nodding.

"Yes," I choked out. "My god, yes."

Daryl stood, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist as I fell into his chest. I buried my face in his neck as the happiest tears fell from my eyes. I felt on top of the world. Infinite. I never thought that I could feel like this in the midst of the apocalypse. After everything we've been through--since we met and to now--this was our highest moment. Our friends cheered and clapped around us. Our friends who were strangers just years ago who happened to become our family.

Daryl and I shared a loving kiss--the most loving I think we ever have. As we pulled apart, we separated only slightly. An arm's distance apart. Daryl pulled out a ring from his pocket and slid it onto my finger. Jesus Christ, it was beautiful.

"This where you been sneakin' off to?" I asked with a sniffle and small laugh.

Daryl chuckled and nodded. "Been tryna find the perfect one for months."

I couldn't help but smile. Everything about this just felt perfect.

"I love you," I said with a small shake of my head.

"I love you, too."

"To Belle and Daryl," Glenn shouted from beside us.

The group around us repeated his words. I turned to find not only our group but a number of Alexandrians surrounding us as well.

I felt on top of the world. Everything about this moment felt right. Despite every shit storm the world threw at us, Daryl and I have always made it out. He's been my best friend my entire life, and now he always will be.

There was a soft wind the blew through the air. I felt something hit lightly against my foot. Looking down, there was a flower at my feet. I picked it up and my heart swelled. A Cherokee rose. My father's favorite.

He always told me that they made him happy. He never told me why, probably because I was too young to understand. He would then go on to tell me that whenever I saw one to know that he was happy. Despite his mixed feelings about Daryl, I knew my father was happy. He was happy for me.