I would just like to thank all of you for being so patient with me when it comes to these updates. As of right now I am playing the waiting game. I have my license, car, insurance and tags, now I'm just waiting for someone to call me about a job (I've applied to about 20 places) so please cross your fingers, pray, send positive thoughts my way, anything. Because I reaaallly need a job!

Anyway, like I said thank you again for the continue love and support and as a slight apology I am also uploading the next chapter of SSL!! So make sure to go check that out!!! Don't forget that you can get my book "In The End" through me (signed if in the USA) and anywhere on Amazon "In The End by Jessica Baker" Also if you have gotten a copy and finished it can you please please please go put a review of the book on amazon? Also the first chapter of my book is posted on here so you can go read it and see what you think before you buy it :)

Please don't forget to vote for FTLOD in Watty Awards! Voting ends the 31st of this month!! I'm under the tv show tab! Click TV shows and then scroll past the cover photos for the stories and you will find the voting polls under them. I'm under the "Most Popular" tab :)

Thank you for over 1,300 followers! Thank you for over 170,000 reads, over 3,000 votes, and over 1,700 comments! 25 comments on the last chapter? Meh, I've seen better! Don't leave me now!

Chapter 64 of LOTE is dedicated to........@PropertyofDarylDixon I hope you enjoy this chapter after patiently waiting with everyone else!

We're doing a year time jump now!! Brynlee is 2, Mingus will be 17!! And it's season 8 of TWD!!

Here's the next chapter, Nords!

--

It didn't feel like it had been another year already. Brynlee was still steadily growing and now she was full on walking and running all over the place. It seemed like yesterday she was pulling herself up on my pants leg just trying to stand. I couldn't believe Brynlee was two.

We were still in New York as of right now. Norman had gotten a phone call from his producers telling him that he was required to be down there a week after the rest of the cast because they didn't need him in the first episode. He loved his job but I could tell that he was happy to be home.

It seemed like Brynlee was waking us up earlier and earlier every morning. We always knew when she was coming because we heard her tiny feet across the hardwood floor and then we would feel her pulling herself up onto the bed by the comforter.

I was slightly surprised when I didn't feel it again this morning. Brynlee was usually in here every morning around 8:30 but today when I looked at the clock I noticed that it was 9:30 and I still hadn't heard or seen Brynlee in here.....yet. You never knew with her.

I sighed and slowly opened my eyes and I couldn't help but smile when they connected with a certain someone's. "Morning," I whispered softly. Norman gave me a small smile. "Beautiful," Norman whispered back. I felt my smile grow just a little more.

"I'm surprised Brynlee isn't in here by now," I said. Norman groaned and held a finger to my lips. "Shhhh," he said softly while wrapped his free arm around my shoulder and pulling me into him while tucking my head under his chin. I sighed a little and placed my hand on his chest.

"I love my daughter but I like peace with you in the morning," he mumbled into my hair. I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. I enjoyed quiet mornings with him too but I did like it when Brynlee came running in here excited about the long day ahead of us.

I ran my hand lightly up and down his bare chest. Norman kissed my forehead and let his lips linger there for a second. I heard a door squeak open and Norman let out a huffed chuckle. "Three....two....one....cue Brynlee," I said quietly expecting our bedroom door to open.

I think we were both surprised when it didn't open. "Hm," I let out as Norman ran his hand up and down my arm. That means that she either went to Mingus's room or it was Mingus getting up. I raised up slightly and looked down at Norman who looked like he could go back to sleep.

"We should probably get up," Norman groaned again and wrapped both arms around me and pulled me flush against him. "Can't you just lay here," he said. I chuckled and kissed his chest. This was the Norman that I loved. I knew he wanted to spend time with me before filming where he knew that he would be really busy and barely home.

"I know I know, but we can spend time together tonight," I said while patting his chest lightly before throwing back the covers on my side of the bed. Norman sighed but sat up. I chuckled when I felt his arms wrap around my waist and pull me back into him.

He rested his chin on my shoulder and turned slightly to kiss my neck. "Is that a promise?" he asked me huskily while continuing to kiss my neck. I sighed and felt myself moving my head to the side giving him more room. "You gonna let me go?" I asked him.

Norman chuckled against my neck. "Depends," he said. I rolled my eyes. "On what?" I asked him while placing my hands over top of his. "Do you promise?" he asked me again. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, I promise. Now let me go," I said.

Norman squeezed me tighter and kissed my neck one more time before releasing me and pushing me lightly off the bed. "Hey!" I glared at him and Norman chuckled. "I'm sorry, that was mean," he said and I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry I'll get you back tonight," I said while throwing on a hoodie.

I heard Norman let out a growl from the back of his throat and I knew that I had pushed his buttons just right. I tossed his hoodie to him that was lying on the dresser. "Get dressed," I said while opening the door. "You're just too damn sexy with your shirt off," I said while walking out the door.

I heard Norman let out a bark of laughter as I walked into the living room. I found Mingus sitting in the living room drinking coffee. "Morning," I said to him as I walked into the kitchen to get myself a cup of coffee. I could hear Norman coming in right behind me.

"Where's Brynlee?" I asked Mingus as I sat at the end of the couch facing him. Norman came in a tapped my shoulder. I rolled my eyes playfully and scooted over a little to let Norman sit beside me. He crawled in behind me and pulled me gently against his chest.

His arm wrapped around my upper body and I sighed happily. "So where is Brynlee?" Norman asked curiously. Mingus sat his cup down on the coffee table and pointed towards the hallway. "She's playing with cars in her room," he said. I looked back at Norman and arched an eyebrow.

"Cars?" I asked him knowing that I hadn't bought her any. Norman gave me a small smile. "We went to the store the other day and she wanted them. I couldn't tell her no," I let out a small laugh. Of course he couldn't tell her no. She was daddy's princess.

"At least she's being quiet," I said softly. I felt a small pinch. "Hey!" I said knowing that it was Norman. He stuck his tongue out at me and I rolled my eyes. He was being such a little kid today. We heard a big crash and then a giggle. Norman and I's eyes became wide.

It was quiet for a few seconds and Norman and I relaxed. We heard it again and we both jumped this time. "BOOOOOM!" we heard from the bedroom. Norman and I both hurriedly set our cups down not caring that they spilled on the table slightly and jumped off the couch.

"Brynlee," I called out as both of us ran to the bedroom. I pushed open her door to find her stacking up blocks carefully. I let out a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding. Norman's hand came up and rested on my shoulders. I ran a hand through my hair.

We watched her closely as she sat back on her but after she had stacked the blocks a certain height. She grabbed one of the cars and kept going "vroom vroom" while wheeling the car across the floor before crashing it into the blocks making them tumble.

She let out a high pitched giggle and clapped her hands. "BOOOM!" she squealed again. Norman and I both looked at each other and something sparkled in his eyes before he bent down and sat on his knees in front of her. I walked up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Brynlee," Norman said slowly. Brynlee looked up at Norman and gave a huge smile and a shy wave. "BOOM!" she said again. Norman glanced over his shoulder at me quickly before looking back at Brynlee. "Boom?" Norman questioned her slowly.

Brynlee giggled again and gestured to the blocks and cars. "BOOM!" she exclaimed. I felt tears pricking my eyes. She was finally talking and this was her first word. She was growing up way too fast. Norman stood up and picked Brynlee up in the process.

She giggled as Norman spun her around in a circle before she reached out towards Mingus. "Gus! Gus!" she said while flailing her arms in his direction. Mingus smiled from ear to ear. I couldn't believe the things that she was picking up on. I felt Norman's arm snake around my waist as he pulled me into him and kissed my temple.

~~

Later that night Norman and I were lying in bed together. Mingus had called it an early night because he had finals starting in the morning and Brynlee had been laid down about an hour ago. Norman and I had just finished a movie and he muted the TV once the credits started to roll.

Norman's breath evened out and I was starting to think that he was asleep before he finally spoke up. "I can hear your heart beating," he said. I couldn't help but laugh. "Um, you can?" I asked him slightly confused. "Yeah, are you having a heart attack?" he asked me while grabbing my wrist checking for a pulse. I rolled my eyes.

"Oh shut up," I muttered. Norman chuckled. "I mean it. Are you hyperventilating?" he asked. I rolled my eyes again. "No, but I bet yours beats just as fast as mine does," I told him, taking his wrist and feeling for his pulse as well. I was right.

"It probably is," he admitted. "You take full credit for that one," he continued. I smiled a little knowing that I was blushing. "Really?" I laughed, pushing him onto his back as I rested my ear against his chest. "Norman," I whispered as if I was talking to his heart. "What?" he answered. "I love you," I whispered softly. His heart started to race. "Told you," he whispered back.

--

I hope @PropertyofDarylDixon enjoyed this chapter and patiently waited along with the rest of my readers!

Don't forget to vote for FTLOD and check out the first chapter in my published book that you can buy on Amazon!

So Brynlee said her first word!! Well technically she said two!! How presh, Boom and Gus!! She's growing up way too fast! Any predictions for how the last 5 chapters of the story will play out?

Comment, vote, fan, tell your friends to follow, add to reading list! Reedus kisses for everyone!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx