LATE MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU GUYS!! HERE'S MY PRESENT TO YOU!! NEW UPDATES!!!

Sorry that these updates weren't up sooner but there's been a lot of family drama since I've been down here. Long story short, my mother signed a lease for a house and will be moving down to North Carolina March 1st. Here's the best part (note the sarcasm) I am not going with her. Why? Because "19 is too old to live at home" my family has put in her brain. My mother told me she no longer cares for me or my feelings and is sick of living her life around my happiness so she's kicking me out and leaving me 4 states, 12 hours, 654 miles away for her new boyfriend. Yaaaaaaaaaay! And then on top of that I try to finish chapters to update when I come home to Indiana and I end up getting sick! What a way to start the New Year!

I am no longer accepting captions for the photo contest. I'm surprised more people didn't play! Oh well better chances for the ones that did play! Congratulations to @kathyreedus13 for winning a FREE SIGNED copy of my book with the caption: "NAHMAN! That's my donut!"

Over 145,000 reads, over 3,000 votes, over 1,600 comments, and 38 comments on the last chapter!!! WOOOOO!!!

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Chapter 62 of LOTE is dedicated to.......@toribaby514 I hope you enjoy this chapter along with everyone else!

Another time jump! I know bear with me!! We're back in Georgia and it's almost Brynlee's first birthday!! That means she's 11 months!

Reedus kisses for everyone! Xxxxx

Happy birthday to @Kendra_Reedus!!!

BTW!! I have two new story ideas. Here's some hints.

Hint for one story: Tough Luck (Norman Reedus fans who have watched a lot of his movies should get it.

Hint for the other story: walkers ;)

Along with those hints I have some slightly sad news. LOTE is slowly coming to an end. *Cue the reader groans and cries* I know I know I'm sad too! This has been one of my favorites to write to date but I just have many ideas for new stories that I can't wait to lay on you and I know that this one can't go on much longer. With that being said, with a heavy heart I have to announce that this story is ending at 70 chapters! There are 8 left. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON THIS STORY YET!!! These last 8 chapters are going to be HUUUUUUUGE! And I don't want you guys to miss out!

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It seemed like Brynlee just kept steadily growing and it made me want to cry. She just got bigger and bigger with each day. Norman and Mingus could notice it too. We were back in Georgia and Norman was preparing to start filming season seven of Walking Dead.

Brynlee had been steadily crawling since we got here and we knew it wasn't much longer until she would be walking around. I knew it would be here before we knew it. I felt my eyes misting up just thinking about her almost being one and her walking already.

I didn't seem like it was that long ago that I was holding her in my arms and she was only a few hours old. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair just thinking about all of it. It seemed like our lives together were moving very quickly and I wanted it to slow down just a bit.

Mingus would hopefully be here before Brynlee's first birthday. I was hoping anyway. I couldn't believe that he was going to be turning 16 in October. It felt like I was meeting that 12 year old video game loving boy not too long ago and now he's helping take care of his little sister.

I walked into the living room to see Norman sitting on the floor with Brynlee while she was playing with one of her noise making toys. She giggled and clapped her hands as the toy sang some silly children's song. I crouched down on the floor behind Norman and wrapped my arms around him.

Norman's hands came up to instantly cover mine and I sighed happily while kissing his shoulder. "Hi babe," Norman said softly never taking his eyes off of Brynlee as she continued to play in the floor. I sighed again and kissed his shoulder once more.

Norman ran his thumb over my hand lightly before bringing my hand up and kissing my palm. "I love you," Norman whispered softly. I ran my hand up and down his chest. "And I love you," I whispered softly back. Norman leaned back into me a little more and I couldn't help but smile.

Brynlee crawled over to Norman and tugged on his pajama pants until she managed to pull herself into his lap causing both of us to laugh. She was such a smart child for being so young. Brynlee giggled as she ran her hand through Norman's goatee.

Norman chuckled and smiled down at her as she pulled herself up by his shirt into a standing position. Norman placed his hands on her sides to balance her as she started bouncing excitedly. Norman and I chuckled as she continued to giggle without a care in the world.

Norman slowly took Brynlee off his lap and stood up before placing her on the floor. He offered me his hands which I gladly took and he pulled me up with ease before wrapping his arms around my waist. "Good morning," he mumbled before connecting our lips.

I couldn't help but chuckle into the kiss. He was such a dork sometimes. We broke apart and he rested his forehead against mine. "I think I'll go make us some early lunch," Norman said as he pulled back completely. I nodded and squeezed his middle before releasing him.

Brynlee whined and I looked down to see her pulling on Norman's pajama pants. Norman chuckled before bending down and scooping her up. Norman tickled her tummy and tucked her into his side as she giggled and shrieked with loud laughter causing us to smile.

Norman sat her back on her blanket before straightening himself up and heading for the kitchen. I sighed and sat down on the floor beside Brynlee and tried to distract her from watching Norman walk away because I knew she would most likely cry seeing him walk into another room.

I grabbed a toy and placed it over top of her while she laid on her back. She giggled as she squeezed the toys above her head and they squeaked loudly. I sighed and leaned against the couch behind me while running a hand through my hair. I shut my eyes tightly.

It became silent and I opened one eye. Brynlee wasn't making any noise. I slowly sat up to see her no longer on her blanket. My eyes became wide and my heart raced a little. I quickly stood up. "Belle," I called out hoping to hear her giggle back at me or something.

I felt a tug on my pajama pants and I looked down to see Brynlee looking up at me with a smile on her face. I let out a small sigh of relief and crouched down before wrapping my arms around her. "You scared me, babe," I said. Brynlee giggled again and patted my cheek lightly.

I sat back on the floor and ran a hand through my hair. Brynlee grunted and suddenly let go of my pants and stood straight up. My eyes became wide as I watched her wobble a little at first and I instinctively reached my arms out to steady her.

Brynlee slapped at my hand a little and grunted. I chuckled. "Okay, baby. I won't hold you," I said softly. I felt my breath catch as she wobbled again before taking a small step. I felt my hand come up and cover my mouth as I gasped so I didn't scare her.

Brynlee took a couple more shaky steps. "Norman," I called out softly hoping not to scare Brynlee. I heard a small clatter of something and then a curse. "Kind of busy, babe," Norman called back and I couldn't help the small smile that was forming on my face.

"Trust me this is kind of important," I said. I heard Norman sigh before I heard his soft footsteps coming towards the living room. I smiled up at him when he came into the living room with confusion on his face. I glanced down at Brynlee before I looked back at him.

Norman's eyes followed where I was previously looking. I watched as his eyes became wide and he slowly sunk to his knees. I couldn't help but smile wider. Brynlee slowly kept walking towards Norman as he held his arms out towards her as he smiled.

"Come to daddy," he said softly. Brynlee stopped at that point and wobbled on her little legs. She glanced over her shoulder and looked at me with a small toothy smile as I encouraged her to keep moving. Brynlee turned around and waved her arms towards Norman.

"Come on, baby," Norman said encouraging her. Brynlee giggled and continued to step her way towards Norman. I slowly made my ways towards him too so I didn't scare her. Norman continued to encourage her until she finally collapsed onto his chest with a small giggle.

She walked maybe three feet and that was a lot for her first steps. Norman kissed the top of her head as he wrapped one of his arms around her. His other arm wrapped around me tightly and I leaned my head against his shoulder. I couldn't believe our baby girl had taken her first steps.

I looked up at Norman to see his eyes were wet and a couple tears had fell down his cheeks. "Don't cry," I said softly while I wiped them away. Norman gave me a light chuckle. "They're happy tears, I promise. I just feel like she's growing up too fast," he said.

I nodded. "I know I can't believe she'll be one in a couple weeks," I said. Norman leaned his head against mine and let out a soft sigh. "Please don't remind me," he mumbled against my hair causing me to chuckle. I rubbed his back gently as he kissed my forehead.

Norman stood up slowly while still holding Brynlee. He pulled me up with his free hand with ease. He kissed my forehead once more before kissing Brynlee's cheek. She patted his cheek lightly in response causing us both to laugh. "Come on. Lunch is ready."

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YAY!! SO BRYNLEE TOOK HER FIRST STEPS!!! How exciting! If only Mingus was there to witness it too! I can't believe Brynlee is turning 1 soon!! She's growing up way too fast! SO! Any predicts for these last few chapters?

Happy birthday again Kendra_Reedus!

I hope @toribaby514 enjoyed this chapter along with everyone else!

Congrats again to @kathyreedus13

Comment, vote, fan, tell people to follow! Spread the word! Reedus kisses for everyone! xxxxxxxx