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Safe Haven in the Chaos	By : IdrilsSecret Category: S through Z > The Walking Dead Views: 6520 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the walking dead or any of the characters. No money is being made from the writing of these stories

Chapter List
- 88
- 89
- 90
Chapter 90 I Now Pronounce You . . .

“How can you stick up for him?” Aaron argued with Daryl as they walked home. “He’s a murderer. A deranged murderer.”

“Sometimes, I don’t understand it myself, but I’m a man of honor,” Daryl rebutted. “Negan could have taken off and let those Whisperers kill me, but he didn’t. He saved my life. And from what you told me, he saved yours too, back when you were blinded by that plant. He could have let you fend for yourself, but he didn’t. I can’t ignore that.”

“It still doesn’t change the fact that he killed Glenn, Abraham, and countless others,” Aaron seethed. “And, by the way, he did leave me to fend for myself when I came across him as I was trying to get an injured and unconscious Luke home. Negan’s a cowardly bastard who only helps out if it benefits his own agenda.”

“He took off because right before you came across him, he’d seen Lydia heading into the woods. He was protecting her from her mother. Alpha wanted to kill Lydia, to offer her up as some kind of sacrifice. I don’t know. But Negan had that deal with Carol. He was never going to hand Lydia over to Alpha. He took her to keep her safe.”

“And if Lydia hadn’t been in the picture, do you think Negan would have killed those walkers and helped me and Luke?” Aaron asked to make his point.

Daryl shook his head as he considered this. “I don’t think either of us can say what would have happened. The fact is, that’s not how it went down. Everything played out as it should because you and I are still here.”

“I still don’t trust him,” Aaron said.

“I never said I trusted him, but I’ve learned how he thinks. Negan has his own moral code that he lives by, and sometimes it benefits us.” Daryl moved in front of Aaron to gain his undivided attention. “I’m not saying you have to like the guy. Hell, you don’t ever have to talk to him if you don’t want to. But until this war is truly over, having Negan on our side is a bonus.”

“He’s a loose cannon,” Aaron grumbled, still not convinced by Daryl’s explanation. Eventually, he rolled his eyes in defeat. “You’re lucky I’m so in love with you.”

“So are you saying you still want to marry me?” Daryl teased.

“Absolutely,” Aaron said with a smile, and they continued on their way home.

Daryl and Aaron arrived at home just as a messenger caught them approaching their porch. “She’s back,” the young man informed, clearly out of breath from running to catch the couple. The men stopped and turned to each other before addressing the messenger.

“Who?” Daryl asked.

“Carol. Scouts spotted her,” he said. “She’s almost to the gate.”

Daryl looked at Aaron, who nodded in return. “You should go,” Aaron told him, but Daryl didn’t look convinced.

“I’m not sure I’m ready to confront her just yet,” Daryl admitted.

“You can’t ignore her forever. I’ll be the first to admit that Carol went off the reservation. Did she act erratically? Yes, but we’ve all been down that path before. The fact that she came home means a lot, and you’re her best friend. No one understands her better.” Daryl still hesitated, and Aaron turned him around to face the street. “Go,” Aaron said, giving him a nudge. Daryl reluctantly walked back to the gate.

He got there in time to open the gate for her. Carol looked worn and exhausted as she stood before Daryl. She waited for permission to enter, something she’d never done before. It hurt Daryl to know she had sacrificed the trust of her people in order to carry out her plans for revenge. That’s why she did all the things she did. She wasn’t doing it for the good of the community, not completely. Otherwise, Connie would be here with them.

Carol walked inside and stopped at Daryl’s side as he closed the gate. He remained silent, unsure of what to expect from her. They weren’t exactly on friendly terms at the moment, and the tension between them was undeniable.

“I’m back,” she said, her voice crackling from fatigue.

“Mmph,” Daryl grunted. He made the mistake of making eye contact with her. She watched him as a small child would watch a parent, waiting to be berated, knowing they did something wrong. It was a look that Daryl found difficult to ignore, but he needed to. He couldn’t just make up with her and forget about all she’d done. Instead, he started walking away. Carol followed at his side. He didn’t know what to say, didn’t know if he wanted to say anything. “Negan’s here,” he told her to avoid any personal conversation that he wasn’t ready to join in. Back to business as usual.

“He came back?” she said with surprise. “What did he have to say?”

“Said you and him were working together to take Alpha down. The counsel already spoke with him. They’re not sure whether to believe him or not. There’s no evidence that she’s dead,” Daryl said cautiously. “He said you’re the one who let him out of jail. Is that true?”

Carol hesitated, as though she was remembering how it all came about. “I knew if Negan stayed here, he would be executed. I saw an opportunity, so I took it. I struck up a deal with him in exchange for his freedom.”

“What exactly was the deal you made?” Daryl wondered.

“I set him free. He infiltrated Alpha’s camp, worked from the inside, and when the time was right . . .” Carol drew her index finger across her neck. “He brought me her head as proof. I left it at the northern border as a message and a warning to her people.” Carol lowed her head and her voice. “Same as she did to us.”

“That’s what he told the counsel, but he also said you reneged on your deal,” said Daryl, waiting for her reaction.

Carol stopped walking and so did Daryl. “I … I was supposed to bring him back to Alexandria, give him the credit for killing Alpha so that he could get back in the counsel’s good graces, but at the last moment, I couldn’t bring myself to come home.” She looked up at Daryl with pleading eyes. “He had the proof. He didn’t need me.”

“All he had was Alpha’s mask. It wasn’t proof that she was dead. The counsel locked him up again,” Daryl notified her.

Carol shook her head. “He could have brought her head. I don’t know why he didn’t just–"

“It wasn’t there,” Daryl informed. “All we found was a bloody spike.”

“We? You were there?”

“I went out to look for Lydia. Instead, I found Negan inside any empty shack. I almost shot the son of a bitch until he told me his story. He used Lydia as bait to draw Alpha away from the rest, but he tied her up at a different shack. Lydia was never at the place where he took Alpha.”

“Where is she?” Carol asked with true concern.

Daryl was slightly taken aback by her response. “She’s safe. She’s here.” He watched Carol close her eyes and breathe a sigh of relief. It was the first true emotion he’d seen from her in a while. “Negan told me about your plans, but I didn’t believe him. He took me to the border to show me proof, but there was nothing but a bloody spike on the hill.” Daryl stopped walking and waited for Carol to do the same. “We waited for you all night, but when you didn’t return, we came back here. The council will want to talk to you.”

“Of course. I’ll tell them everything, make Negan out to be the good guy and all that.” Carol paused and looked up at Daryl. “She’s really dead. I put her head on the spike myself.”

Daryl gave a nod and started walking again. Carol’s defensiveness disturbed him. They had always trusted each other, but things were different now. Carol had gone somewhere dark, somewhere that only she could go. “You pissed off a lot of people. I’m not so sure they trust you anymore,” Daryl told her.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “I knew that would happen the moment I made the decision to set Negan loose, but it was a chance I had to take,” she said. She found Daryl unresponsive, and knew he didn’t agree with her. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“You always have a choice,” he said in return.

They were silent until they were almost to the center of town. Daryl was about to tell Carol to stay at the meeting hall while he went to find Gabriel when Carol grabbed his arm and stopped him from going any further. Daryl thought she was having second thoughts, but when he looked back at her, he could tell something else was on her mind. “What is it?”

“If Alpha’s head wasn’t there then where is it?” she asked worriedly.

Daryl shrugged, but her sudden concern sent a chill up his spine. Then, he realized what she was thinking. “Beta,” he said.

“He’ll be hell bent on revenge for her death.”

Daryl wanted to reprimand Carol for another rash decision that affected everyone. Why did she have to make such a spectacle out of Alpha’s death. Not only would Beta know Alpha was dead, but also made into a mockery. “He’ll come here with the horde,” he said. Now was not the time punish Carol for another bad decision. “We have to meet with the council,” he said desperately.

>>------->

In no time, another meeting was called, and everyone showed. Carol had spoken with Gabriel, and confessed to her involvement. Everything she’d done that led up to this point wasn’t important now. Their main concern was what Beta would do in return for Alpha’s death.

“We can’t stay here,” Daryl stated as soon as the meeting was called to order. “He’ll come to Alexandria first.”

“I say we stay and fight,” someone said from the back of the crowd.

“Not here,” someone else said. “We’ll be hit just as hard, if not harder than Hilltop. We’re not safe here.”

“Well, I’m not running away anymore. Alexandria is worth fighting for,” the first person complained.

“You’re both right,” Gabriel answered the voices in the crowd. “Alexandria is worth fighting for, but we can’t stay here either. The horde is too big. It will level this place.”

“The only way to protect our town is to abandon it,” Daryl said.

“Beta will still come with the horde, and Alexandria will still be his target. Seems to me it won’t matter if we’re here or not,” Aaron said with worry and concern.

“Not if we leave the gate wide open,” Daryl said. “He’ll walk right in and find it empty.”

“Where do we go?” someone asked from the crowd.

“Seems to me our only option is Oceanside,” said another.

Beatrice, one of Oceanside’s leaders, stepped forward. “I can’t allow you to use my community like that. If the horde can destroy Alexandria, it could do the same to us.”

“Then we don’t let the horde make it that far,” Gabriel said. “We have to find a way to drive it in another direction. But how?”

“How can we steer a horde that’s already being driven by Whisperers?” Beatrice asked with discouragement.

“We need something to entice it. Something to pique its interest so that the Whisperers lose control of it,” Aaron added to the conversation.

“We need a pied piper situation,” Luke said. He was already on the mend and feeling much better since coming home.

“We’ve done it before,” Aaron said as he thought of the time Daryl led a horde with his motorcycle. It had been a terrifying experience, and one he didn’t wish to repeat. He glanced at Daryl and found him looking back. They were both thinking about the same thing.

Luke stood as an idea came to him. “We’ll need some equipment, speakers, cassette player, something to power it, and … a wagon. We can strap it all to a wagon,” Luke said, already making a mental list of what he needed.

“That sounds promising, but we still need a place to lead the horde,” Gabriel said.

“That won’t be a problem,” Daryl said, and all eyes turned to him. “I know of a place.” He remembered coming across a steep drop off when they were originally looking for Alpha’s horde, before the cave incident.

“Now, we just need to find a place to evacuate to,” Gabriel mentioned.

Carol came forward even as people glared at her. “I know where we can go. There’s an abandoned hospital, but it’s not close. It’s in a different direction from Oceanside too. We can hide out there.”

The others didn’t seem to want to listen to Carol’s suggestion, but Daryl backed her up. “Yeah, I know the place. It’s kind of out in the open, big parking lot surrounding it, easy to see anything coming from a distance.”

“That’s it then,” Gabriel decided. “I need everyone to work together. Only take what you need. We’ll have to travel fast.”

“We can gather the supplies I need for the wagon, and I’ll work on it there,” Luke suggested.

“You’ll need someone to stay behind and monitor the horde,” Aaron added. Daryl’s eyes instantly settled on him with surprise. “I’ll take a radio to keep in touch.”

“I’ll stay here with you,” Alden volunteered. “Two sets of eyes are better than one.”

“We can hide out in the windmill,” Aaron suggested. There was a room built into the windmill just above the walk around. It had a couple windows that looked out over the town. Aaron and Alden could take up watch from there and report back with news of the horde.

As Aaron came up with his plan, he felt Daryl’s eyes drilling into him. He hated it when Aaron made decisions like this without coming to him first, but there wasn’t much time for that now. They would need to start gathering supplies and weapons for the move, and leave Alexandria as soon as possible.

They worked out a few more details, and the meeting broke up as everyone began gathering important belongings they didn’t want to leave behind. Gabriel reminded them to only bring essential items, and that they would return to Alexandria once it was safe to do so. He reinsured them that the town would not fall in their absence.

Once the meeting hall emptied, Daryl pulled Aaron aside to talk to him in private. Aaron already knew what he was going to say. “I know. I know. I didn’t talk to you first, but this is important, and there’s not much time,” Aaron said before Daryl could give him any backlash.

“It’s a good idea. I just wish you weren’t the one staying behind,” Daryl said lightly. He didn’t want to argue, but he wanted Aaron to know his feelings about it. “It’s a dangerous mission.”

“I know and that’s why I volunteered.” Aaron stood tall, ready to take on his partner.

“I could stay with you instead of Alden,” Daryl suggested, but Aaron was already shaking his head.

“They need you,” Aaron said, cupping the side of Daryl’s face. “Besides, I’d rather you were with Gracie, and Judith and R.J. too. Michonne’s counting on you. So is everyone else for that matter.”

“I’m not the one in charge around here,” Daryl said with defiance. Gabriel was the true leader of Alexandria.

“Keep telling yourself that,” Aaron laughed, but Daryl didn’t find it funny. “It’ll be alright,” he encouraged. “We won’t get caught.”

Aaron’s words got Daryl thinking. They were about to face one of their most dangerous and unpredictable foes they’d ever come across. Just because Alpha was dead didn’t mean the threat level went down. Beta, in a way, was just as frightening, if not more. “There’s something I need to do. Can you stay here for a moment? I’ll be right back,” he told Aaron.

“I need to go. There’s a ton of stuff to do before–"

“I won’t be long,” Daryl insisted, and he ran off before Aaron could argue anymore. A minute later, Daryl was back with Father Gabriel in tow.

“What’s going on?” Aaron asked when he saw the two enter the hall, and it quickly dawned on him. “Wait, we can’t do this now,” he complained.

“Why not? You already said yes,” Daryl said.

“Right now? With everything going on? Daryl, this is too much even for you,” Aaron argued.

Daryl laughed. “I guess it is, but–"

“What about a ceremony, and having all of our friends and loved ones there to see us get married? That’s important to me.”

“Marrying you is all that matters to me,” Daryl said, needing to explain himself.

Father Gabriel stepped in. “This is all kind of sudden. There’s no harm in waiting. Besides, we have a lot to do and not much time to do it in,” he mentioned as he took Aaron side.

Aaron couldn’t help notice the desperation Daryl was exhibiting. “Daryl, what’s going on?” Aaron asked.

Daryl sighed. “Give us one minute,” he said to Gabriel who nodded and stepped outside to give them privacy. Then Daryl grasped Aaron by the shoulders. “Remember when you lost your memory? Well, I probably remember it better than you, but what I remember most was the fear that I’d lost you before I told you how I felt. Up until that time, I had been afraid to tell you I loved you. I used to tell myself, maybe tomorrow. And then you were lying in my arms, bleeding from the head, unconscious, barely breathing, and all I could think was that there wouldn’t be a tomorrow. And the entire time you were healing I thought, why didn’t I tell you sooner. Then you woke up and didn’t know who I was, and I thought it was over. You forgot me and you’d never know how much I loved you. Now, here we are again, on the precipice of another war, and I know not everyone is going to make it through. I pray like hell that the two of us will, but I don’t want to take the chance that we don’t. Just like back then, I haven’t done everything I wanted to do, and that’s why I’m asking you to marry me right now. I don’t want to go out there without you knowing how much I want this union to happen. When it’s done, you can have whatever kind of ceremony you want with as many people as you want. I don’t care. I just need to know that right now, you’re my husband, and that I’m yours.”

Aaron smiled and tried to contain his emotions, even as a tear threatened the corner of his eye. “Well shit, how can I say no to that?” He laughed as the tear came free and rolled down his cheek. Daryl wiped it away with his thumb and kissed Aaron. They separated and Aaron laughed. “You can bet your life we’re going to have that wedding. And I’m going to kiss you in front of everyone, and they’ll laugh and cheer, and you’re going to be so embarrassed,” he teased.

“Alright … alright. Whatever you want, you’ve got it, but we better get on with it. Time is running short,” Daryl agreed and called out. “Come on back in, Father Gabriel.”

Gabriel came into the hall, but he wasn’t alone. Carol was with him. Aaron was glad to see her, but Daryl seemed hesitant. Gabriel explained. “We have to have a witness, and Carol just happened to be walking by.”

“I hope you don’t mind,” she said.

“Of course, we don’t mind, do we?” said Aaron, nudging Daryl in the ribs with his elbow, but he didn’t respond.

Carol looked down with disappointment. “I can find someone else if you’re–"

Aaron looked pleadingly at Gabriel. “Can you just give us one more tiny minute?”

Gabriel was beginning to look irritated, but he approved by backing up a step or two. Aaron pulled Daryl to the side and whispered. “We can’t do this without her. You know that. She’s been a part of this since the very beginning. I know you haven’t made amends yet, but I wish you would consider coming to some kind of compromise before we do this. It would mean the world to me, and I’m sure Carol would feel the same.

Daryl stood unmoving for another moment, but he knew he couldn’t ignore Aaron’s pleading eyes. “Fine.”

Aaron reached for Daryl’s arm and gave a squeeze. “Thank you.” He waited for Daryl to make the first move, but when he didn’t, Aaron nodded his head sideways, and gestured for Daryl to go to her. He was still hesitant, so Aaron gave him a little push. “Go on, Daryl,” he whispered.

Daryl walked to Carol without making eye contact. He stopped at her side, but remained silent. Daryl felt a pang in his heart for his best friend. He didn’t like being mad at her, but he couldn’t forget her careless decisions, and the people who got hurt along the way. “You could have told me what you were doing,” he finally said.

“No, I couldn’t,” she whispered back.

“I’m your best friend,” he said feeling hurt by her words.

“I couldn’t tell you because I knew what the outcome might be, and I couldn’t let my decisions tarnish your reputation.” She paused and shifted her weight. “I see the looks and I hear the comments when they think I can’t. They hate me, and I can take it. I’m a big girl. But what destroyed me was losing your friendship. Still, it was a chance I was willing to take in order to bring Alpha down.” She waited to see if Daryl had a response, but he remained silent. At least he wasn’t leaving. Carol continued. “I know this won’t change things, but I need you to know that I’m sorry, Daryl. I’m genuinely sorry for everything I’ve done lately. You were right. I acted out of selfishness, even when I thought I was doing it for the good of the community. I hurt people. I hurt you. At the time, I was just trying to get the job done, but I see now how I’ve . . .” Carol stopped herself from continuing, feeling like it wasn’t doing much good. “I … I’m sorry. You don’t want to hear this right now.” She reached up and straightened his collar out of nervous habit. “You’re about to marry the man of your dreams. I don’t want to ruin the moment. You should go back to Aaron. I’ll just leave and–"

“No,” Daryl said, reaching for her hand, and holding her back so she couldn’t leave. “I’m … glad you’re here. Aaron’s right. This day wouldn’t be the same without you. You’re where you belong, and this will always be your home.”

Carol looked only slightly relieved, but there was still tension between them. It would take time to get back to the way things used to be, but at least they were a step in the right direction, and a line of communication had opened up.

“Are we good?” Gabriel asked. Daryl nodded and went back to Aaron, while Carol stood beside Gabriel.

“Let’s get on with it,” said Daryl, giving his permission.

Gabriel opened his small book to a marked page, and smiled at the couple before him. “I’ll make this short and sweet. We can do this again later with vows and guests, and all the pomp and circumstance if you’d like.” He pushed Aaron and Daryl together, shoulder to shoulder, and moved Carol to the side. Then he took up his spot in front of the couple. “I almost forgot. Do either of you have the rings?”

Daryl looked embarrassed. “I didn’t even think about that.”

“No worries,” Gabriel said. “We’ll do that later too.”

“Wait a minute,” Carol interrupted. She reached behind Daryl and pulled the red rag from his back pocket. “In old times, couples were handfasted,” she said, and got strange looks from the men. She moved Daryl and Aaron so that they were facing each other, and lifted their hands, laying one on top of the other while she explained. “It’s a symbol of unity. Your hands are bound to express your commitment to one another. It’s where the term ‘tying the knot’ comes from.” She carefully laid the cloth over their joined hands. “You can begin, Father.”

Daryl and Aaron lifted their eyes to each other, and suddenly, nothing else in the entire world mattered. Gabriel started the ceremony, only reciting the important parts, and leaving out the part for the exchanging of rings. Carol wrapped their hands with the red rag that Daryl had kept with him since she first met him. She smiled as she did, happy to be a part of something so special. Within just a couple minutes, Gabriel was finished.

“And so, by the authority vested in me, I recognize you as united in marriage,” Gabriel finalized.

Daryl glanced at Gabriel. “That’s it? We’re official?”

Gabriel laughed as he nodded. “You may kiss now.”

Aaron and Daryl came together, their cloth-wrapped hands resting between their chests. They kissed slow and passionately, forgetting that they weren’t the only people in the room, and neither one caring. They separated and smiled at one another. Aaron still seemed amazed. “Wow. We’re really married. You’re my husband.”

“I can hardly believe it myself,” Daryl said, laughing at how innocent Aaron seemed in that moment.

Aaron looked at their bound hands, and then to Carol. “Uh … can we . . .” he gestured.

“Oh,” Carol said, and she removed the cloth, handing it back to Daryl. He stuffed it back into his pocket. Carol slowly raised her eyes to the men and smiled cautiously. “You two were always meant to be,” Carol commented. “Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

Aaron broke away from Daryl and took Carol into his arms. “There’s no one else who deserves to be here more.” He released her, and looked from Carol to Daryl, waiting for them to interact.

After an uncomfortable moment or two, Daryl closed the distance between them and hugged Carol. She hugged him back, and the tension could be felt slipping away.

Aaron gave them as much time as he could, and then he put an arm around each of them. “This is what I like to see, my best friend and my … husband back in each other’s good graces.”

“As much as I like a group hug,” Carol said, “this moment should be about the two of you without a third wheel.” She slinked away from Aaron’s grasp, leaving the two men on their own.

Aaron gazed into Daryl’s eyes again. “When this is over, we’re taking some time for ourselves.”

“No distractions,” Daryl agreed, and he drew Aaron in for a sultry kiss. Their lips slide together, tongues caressing, and arms wrapping around each other. They barely heard Gabriel clear his throat or Carol telling him to give them another minute. They were lost in each other, two souls bound for eternity. Unfortunately, it couldn’t remain that way for much longer.

Gabriel cleared his throat a second time. “I hate to be the one to say it–" he started to say.

“Then don’t,” Daryl interrupted between kisses. He felt Aaron smiling against his lips.

“It’s time,” Aaron agreed, releasing Daryl.

Daryl growled from his throat as he reluctantly pulled away. “I hate this part most of all.”

“We’re going to make it through this. We have to,” Aaron said, cupping the side of Daryl’s face.

“We will,” Daryl answered before they released each other to follow Gabriel and Carol from the hall. It was time to get to work.

>>------->

The wagons were loaded. A few had already left Alexandria. Aaron was taking some time to talk to his militia group, reinforcing what their duties were, and to make sure they were ready. Daryl was helping load up the last of the wagons, the last group to leave the community, heading for the abandoned hospital. Some traveled by foot, mostly soldiers there to protect the caravan. There was no sign of the Whisperers or their horde so far, but they knew it wouldn’t be long. By the time Beta arrived in Alexandria, it would be abandoned … almost. All except for Aaron and Alden.

There was one thing left to do. Just before Daryl gathered up Gracie, Judith, R.J. and the other children, he pulled Gracie aside and waited for Aaron.

“What’s up?” Gracie asked curiously as Aaron approached.

“We wanted to talk to you before we left,” Aaron said. He glanced at Daryl and tried to contain a smile. “Do you want to tell her or do you want me to?”

“Tell me what, Daddy?” Gracie asked, looking at Aaron with concern.

“You go ahead. You’re better at these things than I am,” Daryl said.

“Why are you both acting so weird?” Gracie said with suspicion.

“Well,” Aaron said, trying to contain himself even further. “We have some exciting news to share with–"

“We’re married,” Daryl blurted out.

Aaron shot him a frustrated glare. “Hey, you said I could tell her.”

“You were going to take too long, and we have to go.” Daryl pointed to the other wagons and horse riders who were starting to head out of the gate.

“You’re what?” Gracie said with the biggest grin stretched across her face.

“Married,” Aaron said to her, pulling his daughter in for a hug.

“Married? Now?” Lydia said, almost as a complaint. She had come up beside them without them seeing her.

Daryl straightened and turned to Lydia. “Now’s as good a time as any,” he said on the defense.

Lydia watched him a moment, and then looked over at Aaron hugging Gracie. “Yeah, I get it. Congratulations,” she said in a dismal tone with no expression on her face. Since learning that her mother was dead, Lydia had been reclusive and unresponsive. Aaron had wanted to talk to her, but Daryl suggested that they give her some space.

“Why don’t you load up,” Daryl said to her. “We’re getting ready to head out.” Though Daryl expected her to ride with the younger children to keep an eye on them, he didn’t stop her when she moved on to one of the other wagons.

“Is she going to be okay?” Aaron whispered in Daryl’s ear. Daryl simply shrugged.

“I thought you said I would get to be a flower girl,” Gracie complained, and the men turned their attention back on their young daughter.

“You’ll still get to do that,” Aaron smiled down at her. “Once it’s safe, Daryl and I are going to have a big ceremony and invite all of our friends. Isn’t that right?” he said, cocking a brow at Daryl. “It’s just … we didn’t want to wait.”

“I know why,” Gracie said. “It’s because of all that’s going on. You’re worried. Well, I’m worried too.”

Daryl got down on one knee so that he was eye to eye with Gracie. “You don’t need to worry. All the grown-ups will be watching out for you and the other children. And I will be there too.”

“I just wish Daddy was going,” she said quietly, bowing her head.

“Hey,” Aaron said, joining Daryl in his position. “What do I always say?”

“You’ll do everything in your power to make sure you come home,” Gracie recited as though she’d heard it a thousand times before.

Aaron kissed her forehead. “That’s right, honey. I love you and Daryl more than anything in this world, and I’d move mountains to get back to you. Now, come on. It’s time to go.” As Aaron stood, he lifted Gracie into the wagon, and put her next to Judith and R.J. Daryl put his fingers to his mouth and whistled loudly. Dog came from nowhere, and followed Daryl’s command, jumping into the back of the wagon with the children.

“You taking your bike?” Aaron asked.

Daryl shook his head. “Naw, I don’t want to draw any unwanted attention. I’m gonna ride with the rest.”

Aaron picked at a loose thread hanging from Daryl’s vest, more out of nervousness than anything else. He was stalling for time, and Daryl knew it. “We have to go,” Daryl forced himself to say.

“I know.” Aaron lifted his eyes to meet Daryl’s. “I’ll catch up as soon as I can.” He grabbed the edge of Daryl’s vest and pulled him in for a kiss. “And when this is over, we’ll have the celebration of a lifetime.”

“Or we could skip all that and go right for the honeymoon,” Daryl suggested playfully. His hands rested on Aaron’s hips, discretely pulling him close so their bodies touched.

“You’re not getting out of this. Besides, I want to see you in a suit,” Aaron teased.

“Seriously?” Daryl complained, making Aaron laugh quietly. Someone whistled in the distance, and the caravan started to move. “All kidding aside, you make sure to stay safe. Don’t do anything heroic. Don’t get cornered. Stay hidden and observe only.”

“We’ll be alright,” Aaron convinced him. “I’ve got my walkie and I’ll radio in when we know something. Alden and I will watch out for each other.”

“Keep your radio off until you need to use it. Don’t want any of them to know your location. You’re going to be surrounded by a sea of walkers and Whisperers. It’s a huge risk,” Daryl said worriedly.

“And it’s going to pay off in the end.” Aaron kissed Daryl once more. “I’m coming back.”

Daryl nodded and took a step back so that they could be on their way. “Love you,” he whispered.

“Love you too,” Aaron answered. He watched Daryl jump into the wagon, and settle into the seat next to Gracie. He turned back and gave Aaron a subtle nod. Aaron grinned with tight lips, and nodded in return.

Alden came up beside Aaron as they watched the entire community leave for the safehouse. “We ready to do this?” he asked.

“As I’ll ever be,” Aaron said, still watching the caravan. He turned to Alden with all seriousness, ready to start their dangerous mission. “We’ll leave the gates open, but let’s check to make sure the buildings are closed up. I predict that once Beta sees we’re not here, they won’t stay long. No need for his herd to make a bigger mess than they’re already going to make.” They made a quick sweep of the town, and then made their way to the windmill where they stayed and watched for the arrival of the horde.
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Safe Haven in the Chaos