Save Me

78. Not There

Molly and Negan deal with Lydia's departure from Alexandria while Daryl and Connie take their relationship to the next level.

Last night I got the best night's sleep of my entire life.

I had needed it more than I thought because nothing could've woke me other than Negan's voice.

'Molly' he said gently as he rocked me with his hand.

I groaned as I rolled over to face him.

I opened my eyes slowly and saw him dressed and standing worriedly as he hovered over me.

'What?' I said sleepily as I stroked his arm.

'Lydia's left. I went downstairs and her stuff is gone, her bed was empty' he said worriedly as he raked a hand through his hair.

I jolted myself out of bed and sat up.

'What?! Are you sure?' I said frantically as I got dressed and rushed to her room.

Empty.

Her wardrobe.

Empty.

'Oh my god' I said tearfully to Negan as he wrapped an arm around me.

'I-I'll check the compound, she must be somewhere' I said as I ran downstairs.

'Molly...' Negan said softly as he tried to tell me what I already feared.

'No, she wouldn't leave' I replied sternly as I paced around the compound for hours and held my locket tightly in my hand.

~flashback~

I sat in the living room as I stroked my baby bump and smiled.

I took off my locket from around my neck and placed it onto the kitchen counter.

I smiled as I opened it to reveal a picture of Tara and I and on the other side, Negan and I.

I remembered the note I had written for Lydia and wanted to do the same for my second child.

I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and wrote:

Sweetheart,

Remember that the bond of sisters can never be broken. I love you.

Forever and always,
Mom

I folded up the piece of paper and placed it inside my locket.

I wanted our children to have the locket's that Tara and I had growing up.

They always kept us close, even when we were separated.

Present Day...

Negan followed after me and just looked around sadly.

'We can't blame her Molly' he said slowly.

I turned around and scowled as I asked 'what do you mean?'.

'We killed her mother, she didn't love her but that doesn't change the fact' he said seriously.

'So we should just let her go? I'm her mom! She's our family!' I yelled.

'I know that, I love the kid too! But forcing Lydia to stay here when she doesn't want to...it's not right Mol' he replied.

'She's out there alone' I cried.

'If she doesn't want to stay here, you'd be okay with that?' Negan asked me as he walked closer.

'As long as I know she's happy. I just have to know' I said as I cried into his arms.

'Then we go, both of us' he said as he held me close and stroked the baby bump.

'I thought you'd tell me I shouldn't go in my condition?' I mocked.

He shook his head.

'I could never stop you before, what makes you think I could now? Lydia's our daughter, so we go after her no matter what. I'll protect you, but we need others with us too just in case. I'll ask Daryl' he said.

I looked up sceptically, asking 'since when were you and Daryl friends?'.

He chuckled replying 'we're not, but he tolerates me now we have a baby'.

I rolled my eyes just as I saw two figures heading this way in this distance.

'Molly!' Carol said as she came running over as Aaron followed her.

'What is it?' I asked worriedly.

'It's Lydia, we were searching the border just in case and Lydia escaped past us' Carol said breathlessly.

'Did she say where she was going?' I asked frantically.

'No, she just told us to let her go. She wanted to be alone' Aaron said.

I worked it out and eventually it hit me.

'The bridge!' I said suddenly.

'She would've gone to the bridge, that's where we first found her. It's the nearest point past the border' I said frantically.

I looked at Negan, 'I need to know' I said to him softly.

He nodded and told Carol and Aaron the plan.

Daryl and Michonne heard the commotion and came running.

We caught them up to speed and Daryl started to pack a bag immediately without question.

'What we waitin' for? C'mon' he said as he led Negan and I out the front gate.

I swung on my jacket and picked up my bow and arrow from the watch tower at the gate.

I hesitated for a moment and held my locket to my lips.

'We'll find her, don't worry' Negan said as he noticed my worry.

I nodded and smiled slightly.

Carol walked after us and said 'I'm coming'.

Daryl stopped her and said 'you need to rest'.

'I'm fine' she said as her hand shook.

Daryl noticed and said 'you're not, you should go with Ezekiel back to Oceanside. You need peace now' as he hugged her.

She tried to argue but eventually nodded in agreement.

'Be safe, the hoard is still out there' Michonne said to me as she hugged me goodbye.

'Always am' I said as I held her hand.

She nodded to Negan to protect me and he saluted her jokingly.

Carol and Aaron said bye to all of us before we headed out.

The gates started to open and I heard rapid footsteps on the pavement.

We turned around and saw Connie sprinting to Daryl and she suddenly flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Daryl awkwardly hesitated before he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Carol and I stood there smiling as we freaked out inside.

Negan nudged my arm and said chuckling 'whew yeah'.

I chuckled at him and we turned around as we gave them some degree of privacy.

My heart was soaring, I'd never seen Daryl in love and it warmed my heart.

He kissed her goodbye and I had a massive smirk on my face.

'Stop' he said turning bright red as he strode off ahead, smiling to himself.

My smile faded as worry set back into my mind.

But I was put at ease when Negan came to walk next to me and took my hand in his as we intertwined our fingers together.

I looked down and smiled slightly at the comfort he gave me and the ring that sparkled on my finger which gave me hope for our family.