Follow Your Heart

Chapter Eleven: Another View

     "Is she back yet?" "Nah.. haven't seen her even walk up the road yet." "You might want to double check that." Everyone went outside but I took my time not wanting to seem worried about her. "What is she holding?" Rick walked out to meet her. He looked worried but she was stone. Her long brown hair was out of the braid she kept it in. Her clothes barely had any blood on them. She walked through the gate and didn't even look at me. I followed her while everyone stayed outside talking.

     "What happened? Get what you went for?" "Yeah." "Is that a baby?" She nodded and laid it on her pillow. It giggled making Randy smile for the first time in a while. "What's its name?" "Sophia.. You think Carol will be ok with that?" "I think it's a great name." 

      Carol stood at the door looking at the girl. That's the first time I noticed it. Randy isn't just a killer, she's not just stone, she's a woman wanting a family. She didn't hold it like the girls in my old town did. She cared and you could tell. Damn woman is making me soft. Merle would kill me if he was here.

      "Daryl? Are you ok?" "Why wouldn't I be?" She shrugged and walked outside. Carol gave me a look saying she knew but I ignored her. She sat with the baby on the tailgate of her truck while she made a bottle. "Did she just have that laying around?" "No she got it on the run. She said we should stock up now for the baby." Everyone stared at Glenn and I walked away. "I'm going to hunt."

        Miranda

     "Need some help?" "No I got it. She's healthy even though she's premature." Lori smiled and sat down next to me. "Carol told us you named her Sophia. I can't even think of a name for the baby. I don't really want to bond in case I lose it."

     "No offense but that's not a good plan." She laughed and nodded. "I know. It really isn't. I'll be inside if you need anything." I laid Sophia down on a blanket and started digging through the baby stuff I got for Lori. I grabbed the bassinet and some formula. The bassinet easily fit next to the pull out couch so I would be close to her. "Carol can you watch her? I'm going for a shower." "Of course."

     I walked to the bathroom and turned on the hot water. It felt good to finally wash my hair. When I got out I couldn't help but look myself in the mirror. I had bruises and scars covering my body. Some old some new. "Shit.." I looked over and saw Daryl standing at the door. I went to grab my towel but fell in the shower instead. The shower curtain fell around me. I started laughing and Daryl held out a towel while trying not to look. "Daryl that would be helpful if you were holding that in the right direction." Glancing over I started to laugh. I took the towel and wrapped it around me.

     "Sorry." "It's fine. I was wonde-" I didn't have enough time to say anything else because Daryl smashed his lips on mine. I put my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. It all ended too quickly. Daryl broke away and took a step back. In a second he was out the door. 

     Carol stood at the door holding Sophia. "What happened?" "Daryl just shot out the door. He didn't say a word." "On foot?" "On his bike." Everything kind of stopped at once when I saw his crossbow still on the porch. I was about to run out when Carol grabbed my arm. "It's getting dark. You won't find him tonight."

I nodded and took Sophia. I laid her down in the bassinet and sat on my bed. "Damn it Daryl.."