This is the oneshot AFTER my Surprised By Love Rickyl series soooo hope you enjoy! It's gonna be a big one and I hope to get it all in one post but if not, I'll finish it up tomorrow and cut it in two parts. After this oneshot, it's Judith's POV and that'll be the end of Surprised By Love. :) ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• “Da..." Daryl grunted, sleepily opening one blue eye to be met with a pair of chocolate brown eyes, strawberry blonde hair and a bright smile. Daryl grinned, "Hey sweetheart." Judith happily swung her arms up, grabbing Daryl's long hair, making the man cringe as she pulled, gurgling, "Da... good." He chuckled, "I wouldn't exactly call me good, Jude." She squealed, pulling his face against hers and giving him a sloppy kiss on the nose as he playfully pinched her cheek. "You're like a cute puppy with her. You just let her pull you around, hug and kiss on you. It's adorable." Judith let out an even louder squeal, if possible and rolled over to snuggle up to her father, cooing out in a happy, baby voice, "Dee... Dee!" Rick happily wrapped her up in his arms, a warm smile on his face as he held his baby close, looking up to wink at Daryl who was leaning up on one elbow, enjoying the sweet sight. A couple of weeks ago, a couple of months after their stay at the cabin, Rick had been handing Judith to Beth, to put her to sleep and the now young toddler, swung her arms, yelling, "SLEEP... DEE DEE!" Rick was confused and tried to hand her, once again to an equally confused Beth, but Judy had just clung to his neck, screaming, "DEE DEE! DEE DEE!!!" Rick raised an eyebrow and pointed at himself, "Dee Dee?" Judy nodded through tear filled eyes and Rick sighed, "I'll take her with me tonight." When he walked into his cell with Judith on his hip, Daryl's eyebrows about shot off his forehead as he quickly scrambled out of Rick's bed, "I... I'll go to my own cell tonight. You need some time with her anyways." He could see Rick was disappointed but he just grit his teeth and walked by, about to go to his cell when Judith yelled, "DA! SLEEP! DA!" Daryl stopped in his tracks, turning around, wide eyed as he stared at Judith, shocked, "What?" Rick snorted, trying to rein in his laughter, "I think you're Da and I'm Dee Dee. I think she wants us all to sleep together." Rick had set little Judith down on the bed and she had crawled up to the two pillows laying side by side and laid down in the middle, a happy smile on her almost two year old face. Daryl and Rick took off their shirts and slid under the covers on each side of the little angel and Daryl laid a hand on Judy's stomach, eyeing Rick until he placed his hand on top of his and they all fell asleep together. It had become a habit and Daryl enjoyed it immensely, snuggling up to his love and his daughter. He was snapped out of his thoughts as Rick leaned forward and kissed him, smiling against his lips as he whispered, "I love you." Daryl smiled, "I love you too." Judith giggled, "Da, Dee Dee kissie lots." Daryl blushed like a tomato as Rick laughed, squeezing Judith in a bear hug, "Yes! Da and Dee Dee kiss a lot and Da loves it LOTS." Rick winked and Daryl slapped him on the forehead, "Idiot." …………………………………………………………………… Daryl wiped the sweat from his eyes, cocking a cynical eyebrow at his hunting buddy, Carl. The young, sixteen year old boy was biting his lip nervously as he was sighting a doe with a hunting rifle. Daryl gently patted him on the back and whispered, "Slowly Carl, aim where I told you to." Carl nodded and slowly squeezed the trigger, the rifle crack ripped through the quiet as the bullet tore through the spot that Daryl had told Carl to aim for, over and over again till Carl could repeat it in his sleep. The doe leaped a couple of bounds then fell in a lifeless heap. Daryl twitched as Carl threw his dad's Sheriff hat in the air, letting out a holler, "Yeeeeah! I got it!" Daryl chuckled, nudging Carl playfully in the ribs as he strode over to the deer. He started to throw it over his shoulders but Carl insisted that HE carry it. Daryl smirked, "Be my guest." as he took off back to their camp, a little smug smile on his face. Daryl sat on a stump in the camp site, smoking after he gathered up their things. He perked up as he saw Carl struggling through the brush, wobbling on his feet under the weight of the deer. He drew in a deep, soothing breath of nicotine from his cigarette and blew it out with a long sigh and a amused smile as he growled out, "Took ya long enough." Carl panted, glaring at him with an annoyed look that reminded Daryl of Rick as the boy wheezed out, "Fuck off... stop grinning... like the stupid, Cheshire Cat." Daryl laughed, stunning out his cigarette on the stump as he jumped up, grabbing the deer's legs and hefting it off of Carl's back onto his shoulders, "Get our bags." He took off towards the prison, listening for Carl's steps and breathing as he slowly made his way up, behind him. Daryl felt a comfortableness settle over him as the boy fell in by his side, looking up at him sometimes with something close to admiration. It's times like this that the boy reminded him of Rick and it made Daryl's heart swell up with pride and affection for Carl. He would make a fine man one day, like his Pa. "How do you do that?" Daryl raised an eyebrow, shifting the deer so he can look at Carl, "Huh?" Carl looked a little nervous and embarrassed as he pointed at the deer, "That. How do you carry it like it's a feather and I felt like I was carrying a bag of bricks." Daryl chewed on his lip and shrugged, making the deer bounce with the motion, "I dunno, just comes from years of hunting and carrying my catch home." Carl's eyebrows furrowed as he let out a sigh, "Oh..." like he was expecting a special trick to it or something. Daryl glanced at the crestfallen kid and he shoved into him playfully with his shoulder, "Buck up, kid. A few years and you'll be able to do the same." Carl smiled up at him under the brim of his dad's hat, "Thanks." Daryl shrugged it off and kept walking. A couple of minutes of silence later and he startled as he felt a tap on his elbow. He glanced over at the kid, "Hmm?" Carl grinned up at him, "I just wanted to say, i'm glad you're with my dad. He's the happiest he's ever been, even when he was with mom so thank you, for everything." Daryl felt his eyes get as big as his forehead, his face blush hot red and his heart was about to burst out of his chest as he stared down at the boy, in shock and wonder. He about dropped the freaking deer. Merle would've rolled over, laughing in his grave, if he had. He barely got out a slight nod of his head, a choked, "Thanks." before he rushed off, trying to speed up so Carl couldn't see his blushing face. Carl laughed behind his back, "I can see what my dad sees in ya. You're cute." Daryl flipped him off over his shoulder and Carl doubled his laughter. Daryl growled, trying to turn down his internal knob that was making his face bright red, "Yep, he's JUST like his daddy." ………………………………………………………………… Later that day, Daryl swooped in on Beth who was holding a happy Judith and he swept her off to their cell. He sat the bundle of happiness on his and Rick's bunk, he grinned as he pulled a little delicate wild Violet out of his angel winged vest pocket, twirling it in front of Judy's smiling face, "Hey, here's ya a little something I picked for ya." Judith giggled, grabbing the purple Violet in her little palm, "Fower." Daryl grinned, nuzzling her cheek fondly with his forehead, "Yeah, a flower for the little flower." Judith threw her arms round his neck and squeezed him, making Daryl's heart fuzzy and warm. He picked her up, letting her swing from his neck like a monkey as he walked them over to her bookshelf full of books he had collected for her, "OK, sweetheart, which one you want me to read to ya before you go to sleep?" He held her over the books and he smiled at her wide eyes, happily scanning the books until her little fingers snatched up a colorful book, "Dis one, Da." He carried her over to the bed and flopped down with her, letting her snuggle up to his chest as he began to read, "OK, this story's called Bearskin... heh, interesting name..." Daryl jumped, making Judith grin as she bounced on his chest, at a deep huff from the door, "I was thinking the same. Mind if I listen?" Rick walked up to the bed, grabbing a squealy Judith as he sat her in his lap, playing with her hair gently with his fingers as he nodded at Daryl to start reading. Daryl felt a little uncomfortable at someone besides Judith listening to him read but he just cleared his throat and let the words roll off his tongue. "Once upon a time, a man was a soldier and was called off to war. But when the war ended, he came back home to find his parents dead and his brothers had no place for him to stay. A strange man wearing a green coat with goat's feet appeared to him one day, offering to make him rich if he would for seven years not cut his hair, clip his nails, bathe or pray, and he would wear a coat and cloak that he would give him. At the end, if he survived, he would be rich and free. If he died during that time, the devil would have his soul. The desperate soldier agreed and the devil gave him his green coat, telling him he would find it's pockets always full of limitless money and then he gave him a bearskin, telling him that he had to sleep in it and would be known as Bearskin because of it. Bearskin set out, and gave much money to the poor that they would pray for him to live out the seven years. After several years, he grew so revolting that he had to pay heavily to get any shelter and he was treated like a monster by all he met. In the fourth year, he heard an old man lamenting and persuaded him to tell him his tale. He had lost all his money, did not know how he was going to provide for his daughters and could not pay the innkeeper, so he would surely be sent to jail. Bearskin paid the innkeeper and gave the old man a purse full of gold as well. The old man said that he would marry him to one of his daughters, in gratitude. The oldest ran away, screaming, from the sight of him. The middle one said he was worse than a bear that had tried to pass itself off as human. The youngest one agreed to fulfill her father's promise because she could see his good heart. Bearskin gave her half a ring and promised to return in three years. After he left, her sisters bullied and made fun of her unmercifully. At the end of the seven years, Bearskin found the devil again and demanded he fulfill his promise. The devil then proceeds to bathe Bearskin, clip his nails and cut his hair until he is good as new. Clean and with his money, he dressed himself as a fine gentleman and went to the old man's house, where the older sisters served him, and his bride, who was dressed in black, showed no reaction to him. He told the old man that he would marry one of his daughters. The two older sisters ran off to dress splendidly, and Bearskin dropped his half of the ring into a wine cup and gave it to his bride. She drank it and realized that he was her bridegroom. They happily married. Upon realizing who he was and what they gave up, one sister hung herself in rage and the other drowned herself in a well. The devil knocked on the door to tell Bearskin that he had gotten two souls for the price of one." Daryl grew quiet, wrinkled his nose and sniffed disdainfully at the book, "THIS was a children's story?" Rick quietly chuckled at the confused look on Daryl's face as he gestured at the sleeping baby in his lap, "Well, it accomplished it's job." He quietly picked Judith up, laying her in her baby bed as Daryl stuffed the book back on the shelf, throwing his shirt on the floor as he rolled into bed, watching Rick turn around and start to get undressed. Daryl smirked, making Rick pause while letting his pants fall to the floor, he cocked his head to the side, "What?" Daryl scooted over, holding his arm up for Rick to slide under as he relaxed into Rick's gentle embrace, he smiled, "Was just thinking. I've looked like Bearskin before, these last couple of years." Rick snorted into his neck, "Yeah, you have." Daryl pinched his shoulder and Rick laughed, "You said it, not me." Daryl sighed and contentedly snuggled up into Rick's chest, feeling his eyes weighing down with sleep as he murmured, "Them sharing that ring was nice, sweet. Wish we could do that." Daryl fell asleep and didn't see the thoughtful look fall over Rick's face as he looked down at his sleeping lover's face. "Hmmm... is that so?" …………………………………………………………………… Daryl woke up to an empty bed and he just tilted his head, a little confusion over why Rick would get up so early without saying good morning to him, but he just brushed it off and went off to help Tyreese with fortifying the prison's defenses. He was quietly helping Ty hold a big wooden pole and his eyes flashed to the side, catching on a familiar stride. Daryl's eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second as he saw Rick talking intently with a woman who had arrived a few days earlier with a group of newcomers to the prison. Daryl tried to remember her name but only dug up a blank. His heart squeezed uncomfortably tight as Rick smiled at the petite woman and talked animatedly with her. Daryl mentally kicked himself for being an idiot. He had no right to be jealous, he was just talking to the woman, that's all. He choked as she laughed and smiled back at Rick. ………………………………………………………………… "Okay... i'm overreacting right?" Carol blinked, grinning at Daryl as she continued scrubbing a piece of clothing, "That's a weird way to start a conversation. What exactly are you overreacting about?" Daryl sighed, chewing on his lip and twiddling his lit cigarette with his fingers nervously, "Well, a couple of weeks ago, I was outside, doin' some work and saw Rick talking to this woman called Karen. I told myself that I was being a jealous silly woman but I've been seeing them together since then, just talking together but... me and Rick haven't really been cuddly recently either. He comes to bed and just crashes which I understand, he is tired but..." Carol wiped a sweaty strand of hair from her forehead as she looked up at Daryl's concerned, worried face, "Daryl, talk to Rick. I know talking's not exactly your cup of tea or I guess, I should say Beer but these thoughts, insecurities are gonna eat you up if you don't talk to him about it." Daryl stared at Carol, a reassuring smile spread across her face and he leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek, "You're awesome, you know that?" Carol grinned, pushing him playfully, "You betcha I do." ………………………………………………………………… That night, Daryl made sure Beth could watch little Judith and he waited expectantly for Rick to come to their cell, his heart pounding with anxiety and his insecurities wrapping their ugly hands around his neck, choking him. Rick walked in and Daryl couldn't help but grind his teeth nervously. He could tell that Rick was tired again, like he had been for the last couple of weeks. When he slipped in bed beside him, reaching over to kiss him good night, Daryl grabbed his hand. Rick instantly was awake at his tight grip on his hand and at the sight of him nervously nibbling away at his bottom lip. He reached out and gently stroked his face, "What's wrong, Daryl?" Daryl was looking at anything but him as he stammered out, "I-I... have been seeing you with Karen." Rick's eyes widened and Daryl decided to just spit the words out, "I... I am worried because I've been seeing you and her talking with each other off and on for weeks. You come here, to me, tired and..." Rick's eyes grew a little hard, blue pieces of steel, "What are you implying exactly?" Daryl panicked, knowing his words weren't coming out like he wanted them to, "I... am just worried. I'm afraid that you'll grow tired of just kissing, cuddling. I'm afraid you've grown tired of me." Rick sighed, gently wrapping his arms around Daryl as he gave him a warm hug, full of love and comfort, "Silly man, I could never grow tired of you. It's all okay. Karen and I are just friends, that's all." Daryl sniffed, burrowing deeper into his arms as he kissed Rick's shoulder, "I'm sorry that I doubted you. I'm sorry that i'm such a jealous wuss and you have to comfort me all the time. I'm sorry." Rick shushed him, kissing him lightly on the forehead as he whispered, half asleep, "It's alright, dummy. I'll explain everything tomorrow." He snuggled up to Daryl and Daryl couldn't help but smile at his deep snores and the feel of Rick's hands twisted in his hair and shirt. He kissed him on the neck, "It's a deal, Cowboy." ………………………………………………………………… The next day, Daryl's mind was flying on autopilot as he went about what he had planned on doing that day. He felt more confident after confiding his insecurities to Rick but he still had a scratching/itching in the back of his mind. He just tried to turn down the volume in his mind and keep walking. He felt like a ton of bricks fell on his head as he saw Rick with Karen, chatting in the prison yard and Rick seemed especially happy, smiling with a little sparkle in his eyes. Daryl squared his shoulders, huffing at himself in annoyance as he decided to just walk by the pair, to show Rick that he didn't care. He stared intently at the ground as he willed his feet to walk by the chattering pair. "Daryl!" He froze, turning round towards the voice, eyes growing wide and breath growing still in surprise as a pair of chapped, rough lips sealed over his own and a pair of strong arms crushed him to a broad, warm chest. He blinked, tilting his head in surprise as Rick pulled away from him, a little smile on his face. Daryl's eyes once again grew wide as Rick dropped to the ground on one knee, grasping his trembling hand with one of his as he loudly said, "I love this man! He is my heart, my stars, my world and I want to let it be known that I wanna join him to me, forever and ever!" Daryl felt his blue eyes tear up with love and so many strong emotions as Rick smiled up at him, squeezing his hand, "Will you have me, my Archer?" Daryl smiled back, feeling like his heart would pop from so much happiness and love as he barely got out, through his falling tears, "Of course, you stupid Sheriff. You don't have to ask. I'm yours." Rick grinned from ear to ear, jumped up, grabbing Daryl by the shoulders as he crushed him to him in a tight, loving hug as he passionately kissed him. Daryl was a little embarrassed at the applause around them but he also didn't care. He had what he always wanted, right here in his arms and damned if he was ever gonna let him go. ………………………………………………………………… The next couple of weeks was hectic as the whole group that was close to Daryl and Rick, that Daryl considered his family, wanted in on his and Rick's 'wedding' of sorts. Rick got Glenn off by himself, telling him that it was his duty now to take care of the prison because Rick, Daryl, Judith and Carl were moving into their cabin after the ceremony. Glenn decided to keep the council together so he wouldn't have to make all the decisions by himself. Rick knew Glenn would take care of everything, that he wouldn't have to worry about everyone. And they wouldn't be too far away if they needed them. Carol, Maggie, Beth and Sasha all went to the cabin and did some extra cleaning and making sure everything was in order. The whole group helped move Judy's crib, the bookshelf full of books and what little belongings they called their own. They had an outside ceremony. Carl and Glenn about had a smackdown over who would be Rick's best man and Rick had settled it with, 'You're both my best men.' Hershel was going to give the final blessing, Beth and Maggie were the maids of honor with bundles of wildflowers in their hands. Daryl about died when Carol mentioned 'giving him away'. "I ain't being given away to nobody and I AIN'T A BRIDE, DAMMIT!!!" Daryl was grumbling and blushing a bright red as Carol held his arm, giggling at his embarrassment as she walked him to Rick, in front of their cabin, amidst a bunch of green grass and wildflowers. Carol smiled, winked at Rick and whispered to Daryl, "I wish you a lifetime of happiness, Pookie." Daryl grinned at her, nodding as he walked up to Rick. He gulped nervously as his eyes fluttered up to Rick's bright, loving face. This was real. It was happening. He was getting married. He never in his wildest dreams ever thought he would. His attention was brought back to the lovely man in front of him as Rick cleared his throat, "I'll go first." Daryl blinked as Rick bent down, gently smiling at little Judy who was sitting in-between him and Daryl, playing with two golden chains around her neck as he lightly slipped one from off of her neck. She giggled as he tickled her nose with his finger. Daryl was confused as Rick held the chain up in front of him, reverently, "This is a symbol of my everlasting love for you, Daryl Dixon. It's a circle which means everlasting and I intend to spend my life here and the ones after with you. I want to love you and be with you, forever and ever." Rick slipped the necklace over Daryl's head and Daryl's eyes flashed to a ring dangling from the necklace. He looked at the silver ring and saw the word 'eternity' inside the curve of the ring and his eyes flashed up at Rick. Rick smiled, "Karen carved it for us and it took me forever to find the rings and necklaces cause you know how i'm a perfectionist, heh." Daryl bit his lip, feeling guilt for ever doubting the man. He pushed it down as he bent down to lightly slip the other necklace over little Judy's head. He kissed her on the forehead, enjoying the touch of her little hand on his scruffy cheek. He stood back up, holding the chain awkwardly in front of him, "I love this man. I thought I would be alone for the rest of my life, unloved but he loves me and..." Daryl bit his lip, feeling tears collecting in his eyes as he saw Rick's chin tremble and his eyes glisten with unshed tears. "I'm going to spend the rest of my existence with this man, as long as I live and know who he is and who I am, I am his and he is mine. Forever." Daryl felt a tear slip down his cheek as he slipped the golden chain over Rick's curly hair and he lightly brushed Rick's cheek, wiping away a stray tear as he silently basked in his lover's happy smile. They turned to Hershel and Hershel softly smiled, saying, "I put my blessing on this joining of two people. I name you partners for life." There were cheers, shouts, laughter and tears but Daryl and Rick were oblivious to it all. They were lost in a bubble of happiness, love and overwhelming joy and peace as they kissed. Daryl put all of his love and joy into the action and Rick felt an overwhelming sense of protection as he held the other man close. Daryl broke away, smiled and panted, "You're gonna make a good Dixon." Rick laughed, a deep lovely laugh that had Daryl feeling lightheaded as Rick chuckled, "We still having that discussion?" Daryl smiled, hugging Rick close as he got lost in the joy around him. He was looking forward to an eternity of laughing, happy tears and love. He wasn't gonna have it any other way. Not in his house. -THE END- -To be continued in older Judith's POV-
