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Forever Rising Phoenix	By : ImagineLayla131 Category: S through Z > The Walking Dead Views: 7147 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NOR HAVE ANY AFFILIATIONS WITH THE WALKING DEAD FRANCHISE. ALL PROPERTIES OWNED BY FRANK DARABONT, AMC, ROBERT KIRKMAN AND TONY MOORE. NO MONEY/PROFIT IS BEING MADE OFF OF THIS FANFICTION!

Chapter List
- 58
- 59
- 60
Hello world! What did we think of the premiere?! I know I spent the first five minutes screaming my head off, but I was crying by the end. Carol is a BADASS! Nobody messes with her! I also knew Mary was Gareth's mom, but I didn't know Alex was his brother! I have a feeling Gareth is still alive! This episode was intense, like Conan O'Brien said, they took it to a new level. Be prepared for things to take a dark turn in my story!
As I've mentioned before, Jennifer is a combination of blonde long haired Jennifer Lawrence and long haired Shailene Woodley. The part where she's jumping up and down was taken directly from Silver Lining's Playbook lol.
Thanks again to bluecrush611, Hey01ig, SilverSun09, RebornRose1992, texasbelle91, and Znon, you guys are the best! :) Check out Hey01ig's two awesome Walking Dead stories, she's a shining star! :)
Chapter Fifty Nine: The Masses
The Next Day, 9:35 am
The weekends were lazy days for Jellbany, the residents slept in until around 11, sometimes noon. Except this morning was different, and some were up much earlier than others.
Glenn, Maggie, Beth, Michonne, Carol, Daryl, Tara, Madison, Javier, Scott, and Avery were all sitting around one of the meeting tables. After the events that occurred the day before, Michonne suggested a sit down to discuss how to approach the situation. Rick and Delilah's breakup, the whole love triangle in general, was something that was heavily affecting all three groups, and there needed to be some kind of answer to it all.
"What are we going to do?" Madison asked. The cowgirl, known for her spunk, was particularly somber this cold October morning. While her heart was breaking for Delilah, she also felt for Rick. They had become pretty close the past couple months, and Madison hated to see him hurting.
Glenn spoke up. "I don't know. There's nothing that we can really do, it's between the three of them, but how can she go back to Billy after everything he did?"
"She'd be out of her mind." Maggie said, her fist clenched hand to her mouth. "I want to be mad at her, I really do, but I can't." She blinked, hot tears rolling down her cheeks out of pure frustration. Rick and Delilah were so great together, this was taking quite the toll. "Delilah risked her life for Rick and the kids, I know she loves him, but she hasn't been the same since Billy and Christine got here. If she broke up with Rick, it must be something really serious."
Glenn took her hand, trying to comfort his girl. "I know, this isn't something that any of us are happy about. I love Delilah, she's like a little sister to me, but I'm on Rick's side. He opened up and let somebody in for the first time since Lori died, and Delilah knew that."
Scott cleared his throat. "I know that we're feeling indebted to the people we've been with the longest. Madison and Javier have been with Delilah, Avery and I with Billy, and the rest of you with Rick. I've known Billy for the past year and a half. Even though it's hard to consider what I'm about to say because of all that he's done, I believe that Billy really is a good person that just made a terrible mistake. He's proven himself numerous times as a strong leader. With my prior medical expertise, the amount of anti-depressants he was on should have killed him, he's lucky to be alive. The pills had an exorbitant effect on him, he wasn't the same person Delilah knew, Billy was practically comatose. He tried to be cordial with Christine, but it was difficult with her constant cold demeanor. I think he will go above and beyond to get Delilah back."
"Please don't go there. After what happened, Delilah would be an idiot to go back with Billy. He fucked her sister and tried to kill her! What isn't anybody getting here?! Fuck love! Love went out the window the minute he agreed to go along with Christine's plan. Honestly, Delilah should have killed them on the spot. I'm Team Rick all the way." Avery folded her arms across her chest. While she had been cordial with Billy, she still wasn't speaking to him. Unlike Carol and supposedly Delilah, she wasn't as forgiving.
"I'm sorry, Avery, but I have to agree with him. When I heard everything that Billy's gone through, I felt for him. He was manipulated by Christine the same way I was by The Governor. We really bonded and he poured his heart out to me, I really saw into his soul. I know it's only been a week, but I can tell that he has been consumed by guilt and regret and that he will do whatever it takes for Delilah to be with him again." Tara added. Billy considered Tara his best friend at Jellbany, she was one of the only people there willing to speak to him. She didn't hold the past against him, rather she sat with him, talking long into the night, and encouraging Billy to talk to Delilah and tell her everything.
Beth gripped Scott's hand. "Billy's a nice guy, you're right about that, but bottom line, he hasn't fully redeemed himself yet. Rick doesn't have anything he has to prove to Delilah, they were both vulnerable. I know that when you care about somebody, hurt is part of the package, but what she did is all wrong. If she wasn't over Billy, she shouldn't have started up with Rick." Even Beth was surprised with how brutally honest she was, but she couldn't hold back. Rick was her family, Delilah wasn't. No matter what happened, she would always take Rick's side.
"Rick may be angry now, but he just needs a bit to let it settle. Like I told Carl yesterday, it was the right thing to do, because it wouldn't be fair for Delilah to be with Rick if she still has feelings for Billy. Is that something we can all agree on? Isn't it better that they take a break than to run the risk of ruining what they have by doing something stupid? " Michonne asked. Only a few heads nodded in silence.
Carol heavily sighed. "I'm kind of neutral. I'm close with both Rick and Billy, and I've taken a liking to Delilah. I respect her strength and authority, she's a gladiator. When Mac and I saw her with Billy last night-"
"Delilah was with Billy last night?" Glenn asked, everybody else seemed surprised as well.
"Y-yes, she was. They were going to get something to eat." Carol wasn't sure if she should have spilled the beans on the two of them together, but she was feeling a bit reluctant to be honest with the group. "I want all three of them to be happy, but I know it isn't always possible." Despite how Ed had broken her in every way imaginable, a small glimmer of a hopeless romantic would always be within Carol, even though happy endings weren't obtainable all the time.
"Spoiled Princess Bitch is a cock hopper."
"Daryl!" Carol scolded, to which the modern day Robin Hood shrugged.
"What? She is. She goes from Rick to her ex, I'm sure they've hit the sheets already, I wouldn't doubt it, and then she'll probably go back to Rick. She'll fuck them both for a week and then freak out because she was wasting time boning them instead of deciding who she wants to be with. Rick's my boy, he's my brother, and he's hurtin' cuz of her."
"Excuse me, Daryl, but I don't think that's the case." Madison piped up. "Javier and I have been with Delilah for a year and a half. In that time, we've seen her cry herself to sleep about Billy, taking the blame for what happened. I don't think she ever got over him. When she's with Rick, their love is evident, but it hasn't been as affectionate lately. Things have been on edge, and I could sense something going on with Billy yesterday. As crazy as this sounds, I think she's truly in love with both of them."
"This ain't Utah, honey! She can't have ten guys, she has to pick one or none!" Daryl slammed his fist on the table, startling everybody. Madison was quick to retaliate.
"Don't snap at me! It's her choice, not ours! I know we're all mad and at odds, but we have to think of Delilah and her feelings, too. I don't think she was trying to fuck with anybody's head or toy with their hearts, Delilah is not a cold and devious monster like her sister. She wouldn't even talk to anybody yesterday, I could hear her wailing through the door. This wasn't an easy decision for her, I'm sure." Madison wasn't about to go Laguna Beach on everybody's asses, even though Daryl had pissed her off just now. All she cared about was Delilah's state of mind, it was part of her job as best friend.
Javier joined in. "I'm with Mads, you guys. A picture's worth a thousand words, and I've seen Delilah's photo albums. They were insanely in love, it's only natural that all the feelings of their relationship are creeping up on her. I mean, if it was Lori that came back over Billy, we'd be weighing out her and Delilah. Nobody can decide this verdict but Delilah, we have to respect that no matter who we think is best suited. As her friends and neighbors, we have to make sure she's ok. Maybe now she'll be ready to confide in somebody, one of us should go talk to her."
Everybody was in agreement over that and started nodding.
"I'll go." Madison offered.
"Me, too."
Glenn looked over at Maggie. "Are you sure?" He was a little taken aback that she volunteered since she was clearly on Rick's side.
She nodded. "I am, I want to hear what she has to say about all this and find out if there's any way I can help out, whether it be tough love or just a shoulder to cry on." Although she didn't like the current predicament, Maggie still considered Delilah a friend, but if she chose Billy over Rick, it would definitely make things difficult to endure.
October 20th, 2008, 11:30 am
Jennifer rang the doorbell and knocked on Billy's front door, decked out in a white tank top, black yoga shorts and flip flops, her caramel colored blonde hair in a ponytail. She hoped that their PiYo session would relax Delilah, she seemed so stressed lately. A moment later, Lupe, Billy's maid, opened the door. Elvis, Billy's black and white Great Dane, appeared next to her.
"Ahh, Meess Hennifer! How wonderful to see you!" Lupe was a short and heavyset Columbian woman with tan skin, curly brown hair that went under her ears, a thick accent, and always wore a bright smile. She certainly was the happiest housekeeper one would ever meet.
Jennifer returned the smile, taking her sunglasses off. "Hi, Lupe, how are you? Is Delilah up yet?" She patted Elvis on the head. "Hey, King! What's up?"
"Si, si, come in, come in!" She pulled Jennifer inside. "I've been trying to wake them for hours." Lupe turned toward the staircase. "Meess De-li-lah! Meester Bil-ly! Meess Hennifer is here!" Elvis started groaning and jumped up on Jennifer, humping her.
"Whoa, Elvis, no!" She started laughing as she tried to push him off of her.
"Meester Elvis! No, no, no! No hump Meess Hennifer! Down, down muchacho." Lupe gently grabbed him by the collar off of Jennifer, causing the dog to stroll off in disappointment.
The next thing they saw was Delilah's baby pink Adidas gym bag sliding down the staircase until landing in the foyer, followed by laughter.
"We're up, don't worry, Lupe!" Delilah giggled out.
Billy walked around the corner, dressed in jeans and a Led Zeppelin T-Shirt, giving her a piggyback ride down the stairs. "Sorry, we were just getting ready." Both of them had laughing smiles on their faces.
Lupe let out a joyful laugh. "Ay dios mio! You two are such tortolitos jovenes! Ahh, muy romantico! Ok, off I clean!" She strolled off, humming in Spanish, while Jennifer snickered.
"What did she say?"
"She said we're young love birds. Hey, Jenn."
"Hey."
"Good morning, Jennifer!" Delilah beamed, making the older girl smile.
"Hiya, sunshine!" She watched the couple as they got to the bottom of the stairs. "Well, look at you. This is a total change up from last night, I like it."
Delilah hopped off of Billy's back, looking absolutely adorable in a hot pink terrycloth Juicy outfit with a cobalt blue tank top underneath and white sneakers. "Well, it's a new day, and who wouldn't be in a great mood waking up to this handsome face every morning?" She smiled up her boyfriend.
"Right back at you, gorgeous." Billy elbowed her affectionately. "Anything to put a smile on my Chickpea's face to last all day."
"Aww, Babeadee, you always know exactly what to say." Delilah put her hands on Billy's face and kissed him.
Jennifer was thrilled to see Delilah so happy, but she was bubbling with excitement and had to get Billy alone. "Hey, Chickpea, sweetheart."
Delilah and Billy looked over at her. "Yeah, hun?"
"Could you be a lamb and refill my Brita for me?" Jennifer held up her Brita bottle and shook it, causing Delilah to give her a weird look.
"Why do you need me to do it? You know where the kitchen is."
"Please, Lila Loo. You can do it faster than me. I just wanna finish with PiYo so we can go to Panera Bread!"
The younger girl laughed. "You're such a foodie, Jennifer!" She threw her arms around her friend, who returned the hug. "It's one of the many reasons why I love you so much!" Delilah took the bottle from her. "PiYo is rejuvenating, but even I'll admit that Panera is totally bomb." She strolled off to the kitchen. "I'll be right back."
"I know, it's what makes PiYo twice as fun!" Jennifer watched until Delilah was out of sight before turning back to Billy, a huge smile on her face. "Billy! Oh, my God! You're going to propose?!"
His face burst into a delighted smile and he nodded. "Yeah, I am."
"What brought this all on? Tell me everything!"
"You really wanna know?" Jennifer nodded. "She admitted that her greatest fear is me leaving her for Christine."
"I know, right? If you did, I'd have to kill you myself. That chick is nothing but trouble." She shook her head, disgusted.
"Don't I know it? There's not a chance in hell that would ever happen. I've pretty much stopped talking to her because she's so terrible to Delilah. When she broke down last night, it just killed me to see her like that, and I decided why wait any longer? I want the whole world to know that she's mine."
Jennifer had a huge grin, accentuating her lower dimples. "Oh, my gosh! That's the sweetest thing I've heard! I can't believe Billy Steverson, The ZBT Party King, is getting married!" She threw her arms around Billy's neck, giving him a big hug, but he could sense something wasn't right.
"Jennifer, are you sure you're ok with this? I'm not trying to rub it in your face at all." Even though they had moved past Jennifer's attempted sabotage at the beginning of his relationship with Delilah, Billy sometimes was unsure if she still had romantic feelings for him.
Her smile disappeared as she stepped out of the hug. "Ahh, Billy. No, not at all!" She put her hand on his shoulder. "What happened when you two first got together, it was jealousy and anger, it got the best of me. I'd rather have you as my friend over not having you in my life at all, and Delilah, too. Seriously, you're both family to me and I'd do anything for you. Nothing to worry about, so tell me about the ring." Jennifer tried to change the subject. There were moments where it did hurt, especially since Billy was her second biggest relationship after her high school sweetheart and she still had a hard time finding the right guy, but she put it aside for their happiness, knowing that one day she would find a love like he had with Delilah.
"You're family to me, too, always. I don't have one yet, I want a custom designed ring so nobody else will have one like hers. I want something unique, I was thinking maybe in the shape of a flower, since I always call her "Tiger Lily", and then our birthstones surrounding the diamond, what do you think?"
Jennifer's smile reappeared again. "It sounds perfect."
"We'll talk more about it this weekend, with my mom and Rachelle and my sisters and Mamie."
"Ok." She took both of his hands, her smile impossibly broadening. "I'm so excited." Jennifer started jumping up and down and giggling. "Delilah is going to make such a cute bride, I'm so excited! Oh, my god! Oh, my god! Oh, my god!"
The sight made Billy laugh. "Yes, I can tell."
"What are we all excited about?" Delilah strolled back into the foyer with the freshly refilled water bottle.
Jennifer stopped jumping and glanced over at Billy, who gave her a questioning look. "I've decided I want to get boobs as big as yours!" She grabbed Delilah's boobs. "Honk! Honk! Then I'll get a new boyfriend."
Billy had to turn away to hide the laughter. Delilah was a little shocked, but shrugged it off. "Ok… whatever makes you happy. I told you that Angelo wants to ask you out, right?"
"What, did he finally get over you?"
Delilah scoffed. "You and Billy are nuts, he's not into me." She tossed her phone to Jennifer. "Get his number out of my phone and take it from there. Here's your Brita, we better book it." Delilah handed her the bottle and grabbed her gym bag, turning to Billy. "Bye, Billy."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a second." He gently grabbed Delilah and pulled her into him as Jennifer texted Angelo.
"What's up, babe?"
"How are you, you doing ok? After last night, I mean." Billy's arms snaked around her waist and stared into her eyes with fondness and concern.
She nodded as her arms wrapped around his neck. "I told you, I'm fantastic. It was just my subconscious psyching me out again, but everything is fine, it's a beautiful new day. I appreciate everything you've done, what we did last night was exactly what I needed." Delilah winked at him, which Billy cracked a laughing smile over.
"Of course, darlin'. I'll never hesitate in giving you anything you want or need. Your pain and problems are my pain and problems, I'll always try to help you. Like I said, I will never let anything or anybody get between us, especially Christine. I don't think you'll know how much I love you, Delilah, it's impossible to define."
Delilah smiled up at him, feeling her cheeks burn. "I feel the exact same way about every single thing you said. The only thing that can measure up is how much I love you." She leaned in and gave him a kiss, both of them laughing into it. One kiss evolved into a whole series as they clung onto each other, the sweet passion enveloping them.
Jennifer did a double take from her phone and rolled her eyes. "Alright, alright." She tugged Delilah's arm, trying to pull her away. "Earth to Endless Liplock, come on!" With another tug, Delilah and Billy's lips parted, Jennifer couldn't help but laugh. "Jeez! I'm taking the free tour, I oughta pay for the full membership with this show."
"Sorry." Delilah flung her bag over her shoulder. "We just kind of lose ourselves in each other." She clutched Billy's chin. "One last kiss." They kissed again, this time much briefer. "I'll see you later, ok? I love you."
"Sounds good. I love you, too, baby. Now get out of here." He smacked her lightly on the butt once she turned around, causing her to gasp and glance over her shoulder at him, her mouth agape to his sly grin.
"Bil-ly! Not in front of Jennifer."
"Ha! Yeah, don't spank me in front of Jennifer, but it's ok to suck face in front of her. Come on, kiddo." Jennifer laughed, tugging Delilah by the arm and out the door.
"Bye, girls."
"Bye!" They both said back as he closed the door, grinning from ear to ear, watching Delilah skip ahead of Jennifer.
"I'm gonna marry that boy one day, ya know that?"
At that moment, Jennifer was glad that Delilah was in front of her. "Oh, I'm sure you will." She replied with a happy smirk.

Billy woke up from his dream, remembering that day very well, how excited Jennifer was over the upcoming proposal. He wished that there was a way to get her back again, but maybe it was her spirit that reunited him with Delilah. Billy hoped that she picked him in the end, but what he said to Carol was the truth, he doubted it. To Billy's surprise, Delilah wasn't next to him, but he could hear the sounds of talking. He looked over the bed to find her in the same Juicy outfit from that day, on the floor with the twins in her lap and her iPad perched up against the wall. She held them close and pointed at the screen. "Look, here comes one of the best parts."
Billy couldn't help but smile at the adorable sight in front of him. "Hey there."
Delilah looked up at him and smiled. "Good morning, sleepyhead. You're just in time for the ending."
Billy sank down to the floor and joined them, seeing that they were watching Aladdin on the iPad. "This was always one of your favorites." He took Santino and placed him in his lap.
She nodded. "Yep. The end never fails to makes me cry, no matter what." Her voice cracked and she rested her head on his shoulder as they watched Aladdin set The Genie free, tears streaming down her face as Genie laughed in Aladdin's face when he couldn't grant him The Nile, causing her to laugh with her tears and the babies to let out little sighs that turned into giggles.
"It's a great ending, that's for sure. How long have they been up?"
"A couple hours. I fed them breakfast, gave them fresh diapers, and dressed them. I remembered I had some movies on my iPad, I figured they haven't seen many and it would be a nice treat."
"You always had a terrific maternal instinct." Billy set the twins down and pulled Delilah into his lap after she turned the iPad off. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they stared into each other's eyes.
"What can I say? One of my biggest dreams is motherhood." Delilah heavily sighed and looked down, a part of her would still be broken over what happened. I can't even decide which guy I want to end up with, how can I even think about having children right now?! Billy could detect the sadness in her voice, but she cut him off before he could comfort her, noticing his arm. "You call her Rini?"
He nodded. "Yes, that was another tattoo for you as well."
"Just like we planned to called her. Thanks for keeping to it."
"You're welcome."
"I've been meaning to ask, why did you bring your guitar?"
Billy smiled as he pushed her hair back. "I was going to sing "Your Eyes" as an "I'm sorry" and "I'm still in love with you" rolled into one. "
Delilah cracked a smile. "Your Eyes" was a song from RENT, one of her all time favorite musicals. At sixteen and a half, she had the privilege to sing that and "One Song Glory" when she played Roger in a gender bender version of the show that was put on by LGBT LA, she had even used "Billy Boy Blue" on stage. Although he had serenaded her countless times before, music bonded them for life, no matter what. "That's really sweet. You know what I was thinking of yesterday? The time we got into that huge argument, it was our first breakup. You stood outside my house with "Keep On Loving You" by REO Speedwagon blaring from an old school boombox-"
"That I covered with a black trash bag while I was holding it up because it was pouring rain-"
"Totally puling a Say Anything-"
"While Jack was filming the whole thing."
They both started laughing. "I ran out, you put the boombox down and you said you didn't want it to be over. I told you "It's not over, it still isn't over." before grabbing you by the shirt and fiercely kissing you as you picked me up in your arms. I had literally been watching The Notebook before you got there and was feeling inspired."
Billy chuckled. "Such a hopeless romantic."
"I still am, not even you could break me, Billy Steverson." It was the hopeless romantic that allowed Delilah to fall in love again, but it wouldn't be the deciding factor on which man she selected. On impulse, she leaned up and pressed her lips to Billy's, kissing him with all her frustrations, confusions, and love. He reciprocated the actions and emotions, gently laying down on the floor, the kiss never breaking, only intensifying as their tongues crossed back and forth in each other's mouths. Kissing her again was a mixed reaction, ranging from feeling like it had been years to feeling like it was only minutes ago. Just as Delilah wrapped her legs around his waist and Billy's hand traveled up her shirt, a knock at the door interrupted them.
"Delilah? Are you awake? It's Madison."
"And Maggie."
Billy and Delilah separated and gave each other wide eyed looks.
"Crap! What are we going to do?" He panicked, scrambling to get his clothes.
Delilah took a deep breath, calming herself down. "Don't worry. We're going to face it head on, just get dressed." They rose to their feet as Billy got dressed. Before Delilah opened the door, Billy pulled her in for a passionate kiss good bye and she wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "Thank you for last night, Billy. I guess you can say I needed it."
"It's no problem." Billy looked down at her. "I love you, Delilah. Even if you go back to Rick, I'm glad we had this time together."
"I love you, too, Billy, and so am I." There was no way Delilah would be able to make a decision now, but last night would help her compare and contrast as far as Billy went. "It's going to take longer than a day to figure it out, though."
Billy chuckled. "I would hope so." He looked over at Santino and Serena playing with the Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls. "Hey, would you mind watching the twins for me? There's something I need to take care of. It won't take too long."
Delilah didn't know what he had to do, but she figured it was something with Eugene. "Sure, no problem. Just come back when you're done."
He nodded. "Great, thanks. I'll see you in a bit." They quickly pecked before Billy opened the door. Madison and Maggie were standing there with lugubrious looks on their faces, their arms folded across their chests. "Hi, girls."
"Hi." Madison said.
"Billy." Maggie nodded.
Billy walked out and turned back to Delilah. "Bye, Delilah. I'll be back later."
"Bye." She watched him walk off before facing the girls again, having a feeling as to why they were there. "Come in." Delilah stepped aside for them to walk in and closed the door. "Sit down."
"How are you feeling?" Madison asked as she and Maggie sat on Delilah's bed.
"I'm ok. I finally stopped crying, but I have a feeling that it's not the end of that." Delilah picked Serena up, putting her in the Playard with the Minnie Mouse doll. "Have either one of you seen or talked to Rick?"
"No, we haven't." Maggie said.
"It's why we came here to talk to you. Delilah, what's going on? First off, are you ok?"
Delilah looked over at them as she picked Santino up. "I'm ok right now, but not in general." She put Santino and his doll with Serena before joining the girls on her bed. "I know that you all are aware of what happened with me and Rick. I'm sorry I didn't talk to anybody, I was too distraught. How much do you know?"
"Carl talked to Michonne, that Rick said it was a mutual decision and not to be mad at you, that you still have feelings for Billy but were going to decide between one of them. She thinks that you did the right thing, that it wouldn't be fair for you to carry on with Rick if you're feeling for Billy." Maggie said, looking down.
Delilah was touched by how Michonne stood up for her, not really thinking she deserved it. "I told him I needed a week to figure everything out. He was so angry, and rightfully so. We both said some things that were wrong, I'm hoping that he's at least calmed down a little today."
Madison spoke up next. "Why was Billy here with the twins? Delilah, please tell me you didn't sleep with him?" She could feel her eyes widen, watching Delilah's face turn red and she couldn't look at her or Maggie.
"Uh, well, I, um…"
"WHAT?!" Maggie snapped. "How could you do that to Rick?!" Delilah jumped at the booming annoyance in her voice, she had rarely seen this side of Maggie, only that fight with Christine, and it was terrifying.
Madison held on to Maggie. "Mags, calm down, I've got this." She glanced at Delilah. "Are you fucking stupid?! Why would you do that?"
Delilah couldn't take it anymore and lashed back. "I don't need this! I have been going crazy for a week trying to talk myself out of having feelings for Billy, but I couldn't! That's why I broke up with Rick, because of that and I was worried I'd act out on something stupid and ruin what we have. Also, I don't know if you've been informed that he lied to me, too."
Maggie shook her head firmly. "Rick never lies."
"Well, he did. Billy told him that he went looking for me, and when I asked Rick if they discussed anything serious, he said no. It broke my heart that he would hide something so huge from me, because you're right, Maggie, he never lies, but he did this time." She watched Maggie's glare soften before continuing. "Regardless of that, I love him so much, but now that Billy's back, all the old feelings have risen to the surface. He was my first love, and at one point, the love of my life, I can't just ignore the fact that he's here. I told Rick that I most likely won't end up with Billy but that I need to figure out if this isn't fate bringing him back to me. If anything, I'm mad at myself for being such a torn indecisive mess whose unable to decide who she wants to be with. This is my fault, not Rick's or Billy's, mine. I'm scared that Rick will leave because of this when he promised he wouldn't. I know that everybody is hurting over this and now things are divided. Last night with Billy wasn't about sex, it was about love, a reunion. We were getting to know each other again. It was nice, but it doesn't make this any easier, almost like it's become bigger than me. I'm equally in love with both of them, and I don't know how I'm going to pick just one." Delilah hung her head down low, almost ashamed. Difficult was too little of a word to describe her predicament. Overall, it was embarrassing that at twenty two years old, she was in the center of a damn love triangle. It can't be like this forever.
Madison and Maggie watched her, feeling bad for initially barking. This hadn't been done for some selfish reason, rather, she had spared Rick so she could step back and think things through without making a reckless mistake and hurting anybody further. Maggie heavily sighed, placing her hand on top of Delilah's, who looked up at her. "Just let it out."
Madison nodded, placing her hand on Delilah's shoulder. "We're here for you. While we're upset over all this, we still care about your wellbeing, so spill."
Delilah knew that she should have gotten the verbal beat down of a lifetime, but the fact that they were actually wanting to listen made her feel a little bit better. She took a deep breath. "Alright. It all started when…"

Billy strolled down the stairs, trying to be subdued, not wanting to get people talking, but he was just too happy. It wasn't just that he had slept with Delilah last night, it was more that they had been together. Talking, laughing, like old times. They were getting to know each other again, and it felt fantastic. Alas, he knew this wasn't going to be an effortless assessment for Delilah. He was well aware that she was in love with both of them, it was going to take time, all he could do was be patient and easygoing with her, but he still felt an obligation to talk to Rick. While Billy could tell Rick was a smart man, he really hoped that he didn't sleep with Christine, it would make Delilah a mess. Just as he opened the door to the bottom stairwell, Billy saw Tara in the lobby and smiled.
"Hey, Tara!" He walked over to her, his smile broadening. "How are you today?" Without even thinking, Billy swept her up in a huge hug and spun her around, making the girl laugh. Tara smiled as he put her down.
"I'm fine, but it looks like you're in a very good mood. I think this is the first time I've seen you smile since we've met. "
He nodded. "Well, I'm finally in a good mood and not having the crap beaten out of me."
"What brought it on?"
Billy was a little hesitant, but he knew he could trust Tara not to say anything. "I was with Delilah last night. It was just like how it was when we were first dating, relaxed and worry free, we both needed it."
Tara smiled a little. While they were all split down the middle in regards to who Delilah picked, she was glad to see Billy was happy, he had gone through hell and back. "That's really great, Billy. I'm happy for you. Do you think you guys will get back together?"
He shrugged. "I really don't know, but all I can do is stand back and wait to see who she wants in the end. What's going on with you, missy? Looks like you're in a love square yourself. First with Avery and Daryl, now Rosita." Billy elbowed her, causing them both to smirk. "I saw Rosita checking you out yesterday."
"Really? You did?" Tara could feel her face heating up. Avery had focused all her attention on Abraham, she was almost a lost cause, but maybe Rosita would be a different story. "I don't know what's going on. They're both hot, and Avery is cool, except she seems a bit like a tease."
"Most bi girls are. Don't worry, it will all work itself out, I'm sure."
She nodded. "Yeah, same for you."
"I hope so. By the way, have you seen Rick? There's some stuff I want to discuss with him."
"Yeah, I saw him out by the field where the target practices are held." She pointed backwards with her thumb.
"Great, thanks. I better get to it then."
"Alright, I'll see you around." They bumped fists and walked off. Just as Tara reached the stairwell door, Billy turned around.
"Hey, Tara?"
"Yeah?" She glanced at him over her shoulder.
"Thank you, for everything you've done this past week. Listening to my problems, giving me advice, taking the time out of your life when it's so much easier to just keep walking. I know it's been such a short time, but you're pretty much my best friend here. "
Tara smiled, his declaration had touched her heart. Over the past week, they had really developed a brother-sister type relationship, which was cathartic, since both of them were now orphans. "It's no problem, really. You did a stupid thing, but you're still a good person, and you are stopping at nothing to redeem yourself. I'm trying to do the same thing every day. You're not alone, we're both damaged souls."
"You've got that right. Oh, I forgot to mention earlier, Eugene told me to tell you he thinks you're seriously hot." They both chuckled as Tara rolled her eyes.
"Dude, I'm into girls."
"I know. I'll see you soon, Tara."
"Bye, Billy."

Rick was outside, taking a walk around the premises on this gloomy Saturday morning. The weather was as bad as yesterday, it looked like it was going to rain at any moment, the sky and clouds stenciled with grey. He needed to clear his head after last night, he had been so brusque with Delilah and hit below the belt with some of the things he said, it was in the moment of being both shocked and panicked. At least better judgment had been used with Christine, who he had underestimated in regards to seduction. While he was glad that she finally opened up, he wondered if she was genuine about making good on her word, it seemed as if she had finally hit the bottom. Rick was unsure if he should tell Delilah about Christine when he went to see her in a little bit to apologize for his cruel words and to approach this on a more understanding level.
"Rick!" He turned around to see Billy calling out to him from the end of the factory and waving. "Stay there, I'll come to you." Rick didn't really feel like staying, but a part of him was curious on what he wanted, having a feeling somehow it was about Delilah. The young man ran up. "Hey, how are you today? Got a minute?"
"Sure." Rick curtly replied, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible.
"Cool." Billy started nervously laughing and scratching his head. "I thought over what I wanted to say and now my mind is a blank, guess that happens when you've got too much-"
Rick cut him off. "Just spit it out, Billy."
Billy could sense that his befuddled speech had annoyed Rick, which was the last thing he wanted. With an assertive gaze, he began to speak. "It's about what's going on. Look, I know about what Delilah said to you, how you guys broke up. This isn't easy on anybody. You, me, her, especially Delilah, she's kind of a mess right now. I know you're upset, but I'm sure it's hitting the kids just as hard, and that's always difficult. Carl, from what I've seen, you've raised a mighty fine boy. I mean, to punch somebody straight in the stomach upon first meeting, that's pretty ballsy, but he defends the honor of his dad and his dad's woman. Judith is one of the sweetest babies I've ever met, and being around her has really helped the twins come out of their shell, especially my little girl. The only children they interacted with before coming here were Travis and Clementine, no other babies. You've got yourself some great kids, and I'm sorry that they're hurting right now over all of this. We both know how much we love Delilah, but the decision is up to her and her alone. Whoever Delilah chooses, I hope that there are no hard feelings between us. I really have a lot of respect and admiration for you, Rick. You're one hell of a man." Billy smiled politely at Rick, whose body language had stiffened.
While Billy's words were civil and insightful, Rick could tell he was holding back on something, and he figured out immediately what it was. In that instance, Rick knew Billy had slept with Delilah. After moping around for over a week, there was finally a genuine smile on his face, the exact same one Rick had after the first time making love to Delilah. He wasn't sure what upset him more, the fact that she had jumped into bed so quickly or how Billy was coming here to make peace. It wasn't real, he was trying to rub it in that he had taken his girl right out from under his nose, and there was no way this would be tolerated. With his fury reaching an all time high, Rick hauled back with a sneer and socked Billy straight in the face.
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Forever Rising Phoenix