So a few things before the chapter!! 1. OVER 16,000 READS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Y'ALL ARE FUCKING AWESOME!!!!! Okay, I'll stop screaming now. 2. If you haven't yet check out my other story Living On The Edge (Norman Reedus love story) I've already got 10 chapters out! Go read it!! 3. Want another good Daryl story to read? Check out @SynysterHarlot's story "Bite Me." She captures Daryl really well and there's an amazing plot twist to it!!! Alright last thing 4. This chapter is dedicated to @ McKenzieReed6! She just joined wattpad and read all of my chapters in less than a day!! So this one's for you girl!!

Reedus kisses for you xx and you xx and you xx and you xx and EVERYBODY xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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It had been a week since Sophia started living with us. The first few days were the worst. Sophia was in our bed every night and when we went outside she was glued to mine or Daryl's side, or both. She played with Carl here and there but she mostly stayed inside.

Something was different between Daryl and I again. I didn't know what it was. Maybe it was Sophia, maybe it was me, I don't know. Maybe I'm being paranoid. Maybe he was trying to show the tough guy role in front of Sophia. He didn't want anyone to know that secretly he was a softy.

Little kids don't have a filter. They let anything come out of their mouths and I'm sure Sophia would tell Carl, who would tell his parents, and we all know they can't keep their mouths shut. I was lying in the bed. It was early morning and I had just woken up.

I hadn't opened my eyes yet. I was trying to see if my body would just shut down and let me go back to sleep but it didn't seem like it was going to happen. I groaned and I was greeted by a sleeping blonde head, Sophia. How did she get in here last night?

I thought we were over her sleeping in our bed. I guess not. I slowly slid out of the bed trying not to wake her. Daryl was already gone. He seemed to be gone a lot lately. I changed and pulled my hair up in a ponytail. I glanced back at Sophia one more time before walking out of the bedroom.

Daryl's boots were gone from outside the door so I knew he had gone outside. Where though, I had no idea. I slid my boots on and slid my crossbow on my back. Sophia knew better than to leave the house unless she told an adult who would tell one of us.

We felt somewhat 'safe.' I groaned inwardly thinking about Daryl. He hated that word. We all just kind of ran around here in the gated edition like it was nothing. We never kept anyone on guard unless someone had left to go on a run. Everything seemed to be going good.

The only think I heard as I walked towards the gate was the sound of my boots scuffing through the dirt. Not even the birds chirped anymore. It was quite sad. I used to love sitting on my front porch and listening to them. I sighed seeing no one else was up and moving.

"What do you think you're doing?" I stopped mid step hearing that familiar southern accent. I turned my head to the right seeing Daryl crouched beside his truck taking off the tire that was shot. I turned fully to him while holding onto the strap of my crossbow.

I sighed and looked up at the sky before looking back at Daryl, who had cocked an eyebrow at me. "Uh, enjoying the weather?" I questioned more than stated. Truthfully it was getting cold. I think it was late October. I stopped keeping track a while ago but it felt like snow would cover the ground at any minute and I didn't like it.

Daryl grunted and went back to working on his truck. "Need some help?" I asked him. He looked up at me stopping his work for a second before grunting and resuming again. I sighed and turned on my heel to head back towards the tree by the gate where I was headed in the first place.

I wasn't even two steps away when I heard Daryl's voice call out softly. "Em, wait," I stopped again not bothering to turn around this time. I heard Daryl's feet crunching through the dirt. I couldn't see him so I didn't know what he was doing. I felt his warm hand on my shoulder.

He pushed against me lightly trying to get me to turn around and look at him. I turned around but looked at the ground. "Emery," Daryl said while placing his other hand on my other shoulder. He squeezed them lightly and I finally decided to look up at him.

"What?" I grumbled not breaking our eye contact.  He sighed a little and squeezed my shoulders again. "How are you?" he asked. I couldn't help but scoff and spit at the ground. We sleep in the same fucking bed every night. He sees me every day and he asks how I am? That seems like the dumbest question he could ever ask me. I looked back up at him.

"Really?" I asked him while shrugging his hands off my shoulders. He seemed a little hurt by my actions. I crossed my arms and gave him a stern. "How am I? How am I?!" I growled. Daryl's face hardened and then softened a little. He went to speak but I cut him off.

"How do you think I am, Daryl? You haven't talked to me for the past week. You walk past me like you don't even know me. How am I? I'm fucking fantastic!" I sighed and looked down at the ground. Hearing cuss words come out of my mouth sounded so foreign.

I tried to watch my language around Sophia. She didn't need to grow up hearing things like that. Though with a dad like Ed I can only imagine what she heard most of the time. Daryl reached out for me but I took a small step back. This time I watched him frown.

"What's going on with you?" I asked him. I didn't want him touching me until I figured out what was going on. Daryl sighed and walked back over to his truck. I slowly followed behind him. Daryl jumped up on the tailgate and I jumped up beside me.

"It's weird," he said. I looked over at him. "What's weird?" I asked him. He ran a hand through his hair. It was silent for a few minutes before he answered. "Playing house," he said. I couldn't help but laugh at his words. He had a good point. We were 'playing house.'

He nudged me lightly. "You were the one that spoke up and promised Carol she'd be fine," Daryl nodded slightly. "I know, just didn't know it would be this difficult," I let out an airy laugh. "No kidding," I said. Daryl nudged me again lightly.

"I've kind of just stuck her to you, huh?" Daryl asked me. I shrugged a little. "It's okay. I don't mind. I think you scare her anyway," Daryl chuckled. "I'm not that scary," I felt a laugh escape my lips. "Please you glare at everyone around you. It scares people," I said.

Daryl rolled his eyes. "I just don't want her getting too attached to me," Daryl whispered. I let my legs swing a little. "I get it. I do, but she doesn't have anyone left. She needs people like us," I whispered. Daryl scooted over closing the small distance between us.

"I understand. I just don't want to be called daddy anytime soon," I nodded slightly. "I don't want to be called mommy either," Daryl slowly reached his arm out towards me and he wrapped it around my waist. I sighed a little because of his touch.

"You feel better now that you've talked about it?" I asked him. He slightly nodded. "Sorry," he mumbled. I shrugged a little. "It's okay. You're just awkward that's all," I said. I couldn't keep the laugh out of my voice as I said that. Daryl scowled over at me.

"Hey now," I chuckled again. "Sorry but it's true," I said. I hopped down from the tailgate and grabbed my crossbow from the ground. "Now do you need help?" I asked while nodding towards the tire that was now lying on the ground. Daryl nodded slightly.

I started walking towards the gate. Daryl followed right behind. I quickly unlocked the gate and snuck outside. Daryl stood by the gate while I quickly ran over to the truck and opened the driver door. I felt around for the keys and I couldn't find anything.

"I think the keys are on one of the guys," I said. Daryl nodded slightly before checking the guy a few feet away from him. I started checking the two that were near me. I rolled the first one over and rummaged through his pockets coming up with nothing.

I went over to the next guy kicking him first and nothing happened. I slowly rolled him over he being a bigger guy. Right when thudded on the ground I was melt by those milky eyes and he tried lunging at me. I growled and raised my crossbow not even give him time to get up.

I pulled the trigger and watched as the bolt went through his skull with a sickening squish. I pulled the bolt out and wiped it on his shirt. I growled as I kicked it. "I thought Deputy Do Good and Dip Shit said they made sure they wouldn't turn," I growled before spitting on him.

I started rummaging through his pockets and heard the jingle. I found the keys and held them up. I turned around to see Daryl leaning against the front of the truck. I smiled and swung the keys around on my finger. Daryl smirked a little and I jumped into the driver's seat.

After I few cranks of the key it finally roared to life and I quickly took off through the gate. Daryl followed behind and locked it back up before joining me by the trucks. We quickly popped off one of the tires and took it over to Daryl's truck. Perfect fit.

I felt a triumphant smile creep across my face. "Damn, we're good," I said while tapping the side of his truck lightly. Daryl smiled a little. "All before everyone else gets up too. Let's go back to the house," he said. I nodded a little and Daryl offered his hand to me.

I gladly took it and we walked back to the house together. When we opened the front door we were greeted by a tired and worried looking Sophia who was standing at the bottom of the steps in a nightgown hugging the doll that Eliza gave her.

I gave her a small smile and she charged towards me. She wrapped her tiny arms around me and I heard her muffled sniffles against my shirt. I bent down to her level. "Sophia what's wrong?" I asked her. She sniffled a little more and wiped her eyes.

"I woke up and you guys were gone. I didn't know where you were," she said while rubbing her eyes. I sighed and pulled her in for another hug. I looked up at Daryl who was standing awkwardly beside me. He gave me a sad smile. I motioned for him.

He took a step back but I stood up with Sophia in my arms and held out a hand to Daryl. He took it cautiously and I pulled him gently towards us. I wrapped my arm around his waist and squeezed him a little trying to let him know that it was okay. I think he was just as scared as Sophia.

Daryl wrapped an arm around me and I watched as his big calloused hand slowly reached up and rested gently on Sophia's back. She pulled back slightly to look up at Daryl. She reached her arms slowly towards him. She slid out of my arms and into Daryl's.

I watched as he tightened his grip on her to make sure she didn't fall. She buried her head in his shoulder and I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Who knew Daryl Dixon would be good with kids. He looked like a natural holding Sophia as he slowly ran his hand up and down her back.

I watched as a small smile came across his face as he started to walk away probably trying to hide it. I followed Daryl as he walked up the stairs and into Sophia's room. He gently laid her on bed and pulled the blankets up around her then what he did next surprised me.

He sat on the bed beside her while leaning against the head rest. "I'll stay in here until you fall back asleep," Daryl said while running his hand through her hair again. I leaned against the doorway watching them. Sophia snuggled into his side more.

Daryl looked up at me. His mouth was set in the usual smirk, but I noticed something else. His bright Georgia blue eyes were sparkling. I felt a smile come across my face. There was only one reason his eyes would do that. Daryl was actually happy.

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