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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
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Hi everybody! I am so so so sorry that I haven't updated in almost a year! It's been very busy with sickness, a wedding, two birthdays, a surgery, dental work, dating, writer's block and some family drama! Even though this chapter is short, I hope it will suffice for now and get me on the right track with picking up this story again. Thank you so much to my lovely fans for your patience, follows, favorites and reviews!

I took inspiration from the season premiere with Rick and the gang trying to teach the Alexandrians how to protect themselves. Like them, the Bulgari family have become accustomed to an exorbitant security, albeit a bit luxurious. Also, the first half of this season wasn't great, that kind of killed the inspiration for me, but now that it's picked up and kicking ass again, I'm pumped!

Thanks again to 6980085LMFAO, HeadWalkerz, Prettyprincess45 and SilverSun09, you guys are the best! :)

I OWN NOTHING EXCEPT MY OWN ORIGINAL CHARACTERS AND STORYLINES

Chapter Sixty Nine: Unbrave New World

TWO HOURS LATER, BACK AT JELLBANY

"They're adorable, Delilah." Rachelle smiled, putting Santino and Serena in the pack n' play with Dante.

"Just like Dante. I'm sure they'll get along famously." Delilah smoothed out the little boy's hair, in awe that she now had a baby brother. Hell, she was still in awe over being reunited with her mom. "So how did you and Milo meet?"

"Through Nicole, actually. They dated briefly in college and we ran into him right before a riot broke out in the village square. He took us in and we stayed at his family's villa in Lake Como. Nothing happened at first, but after Nicole's death we got closer, one thing led to another and here we are. He's a wonderful man, Delilah, I hope you two continue to hit it off. I really love him, he makes me feel safe and secure."

"That's really great, Mom. I'm happy for you." The way she spoke about Milo was how she used to think of herself with Rick, even with Billy at one point before the world went to hell in a hand basket. Delilah couldn't help but feel that Rachelle had moved on and started a completely new life without her. Why hadn't she tried harder to come back to the U.S.? They were both to blame, it was Delilah who turned off the Iridium phone.

"So tell me about you and Rick."

Delilah raised an eyebrow at her mother. "Huh? What do you mean? What's to say?"

Rachelle smirked at her daughter. "Oh, Delilah. I have mother's intuition, I know everything. Plus, I saw the way you two were looking at each other, so spill."

Carefully selecting what to reveal, Delilah confessed, telling her mother about how she started up and fell in love with Rick, what happened when Billy came back in the picture, and having to decide between the two of them. When she was finished, Rachelle had something of a weary look on her face.

"Delilah, your sister had an unbreakable bond over him. He wasn't the Billy you knew and loved, but he proved how sorry he was. At the same time, I understand why you chose Rick. What I don't get is why you haven't told him yet."

"I don't know if I ever will. He's the reason why Billy and Christine are dead, he undermined my authority."

"He did what he thought was right in the moment, he's been in charge before and knows what he's doing. What happened afterwards was completely unpredictable, you had no idea that Tyler boy would come back here with accomplices. Delilah," Rachelle took her daughter's hand in her own. "life really is too short, especially when it comes to love. Forgive him, honey. Don't be so stubborn and open your eyes. Rick wants to be with you, he loves you. A mother knows these things."

Delilah thought about it, knowing that everything Rachelle said was true. She still felt like she needed some time, but maybe there was something that could bring them closer together.

"Rick!"

Rick turned around to see Delilah waving at him from the side entrance of Inventory Range, where he was currently checking the weaponry count. Ever since the raid, all weapons had to be accounted for and signed in and out whenever anybody wanted to use them. The only exceptions were Rick's Colt Python, Delilah's boomerang blade and mandala baton, Madison's bull horns, Michonne's katana, Daryl's crossbow, and Carl and Carol's guns. Target practice had been upped to three times a week and supply runs were strategically planned. Who knew if the intruders would come back again?

"Hey." He waved at her.

"Stay there, I'll come to you."

He watched her run over to him, his mind wandering. Every single time he saw her, Rick was instantly reminded of all the good times they had. Sure, things hadn't been ideal, but neither was their relationship. Maybe the fact that it was so unideal was what made them so great for each other. Except would she ever forgive him?

"Hey, how's it going?" She asked once she was in front of him.

"Fine, you?"

"Alright, just got my mom and everybody else settled in." Delilah crossed her arms to keep warm, a chill picking up in the December air. Winter was coming soon enough, but they were prepared. "So what do you think of my new stepfamily? And please, don't hold anything back. They've only been my family for two and a half hours, even I don't know what I fully think of them yet."

Truth be told, they had been on his mind since the ride back to Jellbany. The Bulgari family seemed too pampered, they were all dressed nicely and made a clean presentation, traveling via cruise ship and double decker bus. They hadn't endured the harsh conditions like Rick and his group had, never staying in one place for too long and wearing the same clothes everyday, not knowing where their next shower or bed would be or when it would happen, hell even the next time they would eat. Now that they were back in America, they needed to adapt to what the world had turned into.

"They're very nice. Eccentric, but pleasant. I'm not going to lie, I'm concerned. It kind of seems like they aren't prepared. Milo was the only one that even had a weapon on him."

Delilah nodded. "You're right, that's actually the reason why I came to talk to you. I think you and I need to give them a crash course, a wakeup call that they're no longer in the lap of luxury."

Rick gave her a surprised look. "You want me to help?" He asked, pointing at himself.

"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I? If anybody knows about protection and what it's like out there, it's you, Rick Grimes." She smiled at him. "I meant it earlier when I said you're the Superman of the apocalypse."

"Ah, thanks." He scratched the back of his head, feeling his face flush. "I just go with what I know and do what I can, if you get what I'm saying."

"Great, I'll go tell them and you go round up some walkers, we'll meet outside in an hour."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Oh, and another thing. I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your patience throughout the past month. It hasn't been easy for me at all and I'm sorry I lashed out at you."

He shook his head, trying to conceal his surprise. "You don't have to apologize, I understand. I do miss you though. This past month has been lonely, and I'm talking about more than my bed."

"I miss you, too. Hopefully, soon enough, we can go back to the way things used to be."

"I'd like that a lot."

Delilah put her hand on the back of his neck, leaning in and kissing him softly before walking away. Rick was taken aback but found himself smiling, getting the feeling that the old Delilah would return to him soon enough.

She really did want things to go back to how they were, except it would never be one hundred percent. Santino and Serena were orphans, but now Delilah wasn't the only family they had left in the world. The twins now had their grandma, plus a new grandpa and two new uncles. She wasn't alone, either. Delilah had family all around her, it was just a matter of letting them all in that could sometimes be difficult.

"In this new world it's survival of the fittest, and in order to survive, you have to be able to defend yourself and take control of the situation. I can't stress that enough."

Rick addressed the Bulgaris, all of them lined up in the practice area. They were given weapons, which required a lesson in how to properly hold them. Gib had dropped his gun, which fired off once it hit the ground. The bullet went flying through one of the truck tires that held the walkers, then got angry when called out on it and walked away.

"Rich, dear, is this really necessary? Gordon and I are older, we'll stay indoors most of the time."

Delilah spoke up, standing next to him. "It's actually Rick, Gam Gam, and of course it's necessary. Now, let's give this another shot." She looked over her shoulder at Daryl. "Easy Rider, lift it up!"

"You got it!"

She turned to Carl next. "Carl, can you reposition everybody's hands for me, please?"

Carl nodded. "No problem."

Daryl lifted the doors of the truck, the walkers gurgling away as they staggered out.

"Aim for the heads! You're wasting your time hitting anything else, the bullet has to go through the brain if you want to kill them. GO, GO, GO!"

They all raised their guns, bullets flying everywhere so fast that Delilah and Rick couldn't tell who it had been fired from.

"Alright, I got one!" GM shouted.

"They won't stand still! I can't see!" Bugsy complained.

"Good job, GM! Bugsy, your aim is good! Just believe in yourself and fire!" Delilah shouted.

It was the first time most of them were even holding a gun, it wasn't half bad, but a lot of work needed to be done. Only GM, Milo and Maybre were able to get any shots in the heads, they had gotten the hang of it quickly. The three of them had quick reflexes and heightened perception that was needed in this new world. Perhaps this wouldn't be such a letdown after all...

A shrill scream diverted everybody's attention. They all looked over to see where it was coming from, to find about three walkers feasting on Gordon Milo's silent girlfriend, Agnes. One was eating her head and the other two her chest and stomach.

"Agnes!" GM shouted, dropping his gun and running over, only for Milo to hold him back.

"Son, no!"

The younger boy struggled in his father's arms. "I can save her, I know I can!"

Michonne ran up, killing them all with her katana, finally causing the walkers to release Agnes, but it was too late. The meek, plump sandy blonde was almost recognizable, with half her face eaten away.

"It's ok, we can save her." Gordon Milo pushed his dad away and dropped to his knees to cradle Agnes.

Rick looked over at Milo. "We need to put her down."

Milo nodded, knowing it had to be done. "He's right, GM. I'm sorry, I really am."

GM shook his head defiantly. "No, she's not some dog! We can save her, I know it!" He looked down at Agnes. "Agnes, talk to me. Say something."

She tried to speak, but all she did was cough up blood.

"Agnes, I'm sorry." GM started to cry, lowering his head just in time to miss Daryl's crossbow hitting her in the forehead, which only made him tear up more.

"It's alright, GM." Milo crouched down, hugging his son, Rachelle putting a hand on either one of their shoulders.

Nobody was more freaked out than Delilah. Her mind was filled with Jennifer's last moments the way Billy described them. Two of the people she cared most about in the world were gone, and like GM with Agnes, she was unable to do anything to save them. The sadness that had washed out over her warped to anger, deep frustration over the denial.

"This is what I'm talking about!" Delilah pointed angrily at Agnes. "This is what happens when you aren't alert or know how to defend yourself."

"She was attacked! Ambushed!" GM rose to his feet while Rachelle attempted to walk forward.

"Delilah, honey..."

"No, Mom." Delilah shook her head. "You all need to listen to me! Wake up from the fantasy cruise and open your eyes! The seclusion you had back in Italy is gone, this is what the world has become in the past couple of years!"

She was practically screaming at them, her face red. She hadn't meant it, but she was frustrated with their naïveté.

"You have to try harder, you're not going to stand a chance out there if you're unprepared. Sleep on that for a while, but not too long."

With that, Delilah walked off, wanting to get as far away from the Bulgaris as possible. What started out as a cool new family were nothing more than a family of albatrosses around her neck, around all their necks. They were a major flight risk and that had to be fixed immediately or everybody would be doomed.
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Forever Rising Phoenix