A/N: Woohoo we're almost to chapter 20! Thank you all for the kind reviews and messages. Please leave me a review after reading! I love hearing from my readers! Thank you and enjoy. ~A

Chapter 19

Alex and Daryl entered the apartment, closing the door on the setting sun. He remembered the envelope he still held and walked Alex over to the couch to show it to her. She had been curious about the mysterious yellow parcel the entire time, wondering what kind of papers seemed so important to Daryl. He retrieved a pen on the coffee table and opened the envelope slowly, treating its contents with extreme care.

"It may seem stupid. I asked Deanna for this before I left." He handed the marriage certificate to Alex shyly. He bit his thumb nail nervously as he sat back into the couch. Alex held the paper in her hands as she read it, her heart warming at the sweet gesture of her passed friend. She carefully signed her name on the empty line and handed it back to Daryl. He smiled as he stood to prop it up on a nearby bookshelf.

Look at you baby brother, a married man. Now, go finally make an honest woman outta her. Daryl quickly shook the annoying voice of his brother out of his head so he could turn and look at his bride. Alex had come to stand beside him, also admiring the paper in front of them. They caught eyes and immediately clasped hands, ready to walk up the stairs and into the bedroom.

Daryl stopped her from walking into the bedroom and instead hitched his arm under her knee and picked her up in one swoop. He lightly kicked open the bedroom door and laid her down on the bed. Fumes from the fresh paint still lingered, as well as Alex's memories of what had happened in that room. Daryl pushed off his vest and shirt and moved to lay on top of her, trailing soft kisses down her neck and chest. He felt the tension in her body as moved over her and quickly realized that this wasn't just wedding night jitters. He quickly got off the bed and retrieved his shirt, buttoning it quickly.

Alex sat up on the bed, suddenly terrified that Daryl had changed his mind about everything, ready to call it off. He looked frustrated and eager to get out of the bedroom as quick as he could.

"You changed your mind, right?" Alex asked plainly. Daryl stopped buttoning his shirt and turned to look at her, perplexed by her question. He felt pain pierce his heart when he finally realized what she meant and quickly rejoined her on the bed.

"NO. You're not havin' your wedding night here, in this room." He pushed her wavy hair behind her ear and kissed her lips softly. "You wanna get outta here?"

Alex nodded her head and watched as Daryl rummaged through the closet. He retrieved two backpacks and sat them on the bed.

"Pack some supplies to do us a few days. I'll get some wheels. Meet me by the gate in an hour. Don't forget my bow."

Alex quickly packed clothes, food, and some toiletries into the backpacks, anxious to finally leave Alexandria. She loved living here, knew it was her home but was more than ready to be beyond the walls. Alex sat the full backpacks on the couch and looked up towards the stairs. She was grateful that Daryl could read her so well to know she couldn't be with him like that here, not yet.

She walked into the kitchen and slid open the drawer containing her divorce papers and the photos of her bruised and battered body. The crumpled documents had been carried by her everywhere since the beginning. She sat them in the kitchen sink and pulled a box of matches from the cupboard. The red head of the wooden stick quickly glowed bright as she striked it. Alex touched the flame to them and watched as the images distorted and the flame engulfed them. After a couple minutes, all that remained was a pile of black ashes that she quickly rinsed down the drain.

Daryl moved quickly through Alexandria to get to the pantry. A few working cars were parked behind it and he needed to quietly slip inside to retrieve a set of keys from Olivia's inventory locker. Daryl desperately wanted to take his bike but knew that would be too difficult with everything they needed to bring along. He quietly popped the lock on the back door and crept inside, waiting to hear if someone was still tinkering about. The pantry was dark and quiet, confirming that he was inside alone. He located the keys to a smaller SUV and shoved them into his pocket. The shelves still had a decent supply of food and other necessities as he scanned them. His eye caught a white box of snack cakes and he picked it up to find it still unopened. An idea popped into Daryl's mind and he quickly opened the box and tipped it slightly to slide a small cake into his hand.

Daryl walked to the adjoining infirmary and retrieved a couple handguns and a box of bullets, just in case they ran into anyone undesirable. The sun had finally disappeared beyond the horizon as Daryl quickly walked towards the front gates to Alexandria. Luckily, Abraham and Sasha were on watch again and he knew they would open the gates so he and Alex could slip out into the darkness. The thought of Rick being upset with him crossed his mind, but he quickly shrugged it off.

I'm a grown ass man and it's our wedding night. I don't need permission. Daryl thought as he climbed the ladder.

"Well here is the man of the hour!" Abraham boasted loudly as Daryl stepped onto the scaffolding. He looked at Abraham equally confused and curious. Abraham grinned as he tapped the scope on his rifle. "Saw the whole thing my friend. Congratulations. What can I do for you?" Abraham asked as he returned to his former post, scanning beyond the walls.

Daryl picked at his fingernails and looked out at the road in front of him. There were no walkers in sight and the sounds of uninterrupted nature floated through the night air. "Alex and I are headin' out for a few days. Need ya to open the gate so we can coast a car out of here. Don't wanna wake no one up." Daryl looked back nervously in the direction of Alex's apartment and saw that the lights were off upstairs. It was about time for her to be showing up at the gates and he wanted to vehicle outside of the gates when she arrived.

Abraham smirked at his friend. If it was anyone but Daryl he'd tell them to get their ass home and bump uglies inside four walls. However, he knew he could take care of them out there.

"Sure thing. Pull it around and keep the lights off until we close her back up."

When Daryl pulled the SUV up to the open gate, Alex was already waiting for him. She had changed her clothes, now wearing a pair of dark jeans and a thin grey hoodie. She tossed the heavy backpacks into the trunk and hopped into the passenger seat. They pulled away from Alexandria slowly, holding their breath until they were far enough away to speed off into the darkness.

As they drove down the road, Daryl couldn't help but keep his eyes off of Alex. Normally, he would feel bad about how he stared at her body all the time but now that they were married, the shame had completely dissipated. He gripped the steering wheel tightly with one hand and moved his other to Alex's cheek. Her skin was soft under his calloused hands and he was tempted to stop the car on the side of the road and consummate their union right then.

They drove for several miles in peaceful silence, occasionally catching each other staring at the other. A bolt of lightning illuminated the sky, followed by loud thunder. Heavy rain began to pelt the car, making it impossible for Daryl to see the road in front of them. He pulled the car over, hoping the rain would ease up but instead it began to pour down harder. The only thing either of them could see through the windows was a thick sheet of rain.

"Should we just turn back?" Alex asked with a concerned look. Daryl tried not to let his frustration become noticeable but could already tell that Alex was picking up in it. The sky lit up again with lightning as Daryl looked past Alex and saw a small building off the roads and in the thick of the woods.

"Hell no. I promised you a honeymoon. Stay here, I'll be right back." He pulled Alex in for a kiss before he stepped out of the car. The wind was picking up and the storm was about to hit even harder. He ran through the trees with his bow up, ready to take down any walkers in his path. A small cabin sat nestled in a clearing, no sign of anyone, living or dead. He jiggled the door knob and opened the door slowly. A musty and woodsy scent wafted into Daryl's nostrils as he cautiously stepped inside. He pulled a small flashlight from his pocket and shown it around the room.

The cabin looked like something out of Snow White. It was one room, a small bed pressed against the wall. The bed was made with care by someone a long time ago. His eyes drifted to a fireplace with a large stack of wood nearby. He made quick work to get a decent fire started before trekking back into the rain to retrieve Alex.

Alex kept her eyes glued to the woods that Daryl disappeared into, pulling the loose strings of her hoodie the more nervous she got. He would be back any time now and Alex was growing more anxious about her wedding night. Finally, Daryl's outline appeared out of the treeline and knocked on her window.

"Pull the car closer to the trees and grab the blankets! Found a place!" He hollered through the loud rain. Alex unbuckled herself and slipped behind the wheel of the car and did as he told, only stopping when she heard Daryl knocking on the trunk for her to shut the engine off. She retrieved two large blankets from the backseat and climbed out of the car, immediately feeling the stinging rain on her face and neck. Daryl's hands grasped her arm tightly, leading her hastily to the cabin.

He led her inside and shut the door quickly behind them, working quickly to push a large, wooden china cabinet to block the entrance. Alex stood by the fire, quickly rubbing her hands together to warm her freezing skin. Her wavy hair was dripping wet and Daryl couldn't help but notice the way her soaked clothes clung to her curves. Daryl walked to stand in front of her, taking her hands in his and rubbing them lightly to warm them for her.

"Better hang up our clothes to dry, don't need to let ya get sick." Daryl said with honest intentions. He pulled his jacket off and laid it over a nearby chair. Alex was struggling to pull the wet hoodie over her head and Daryl quickly returned to her to assist her.

What began as him helping her to dry off led to them furiously peeling off each other's clothes, desperate to bare themselves to one another. Daryl grabbed a handful of Alex's hair and tugged her head backwards so he could kiss her as deeply as he could. She traced his lips wither her tongue before letting him devour her with his. He pulled her jeans off quickly and pushed her gently against the wall as he dropped to his knees in front of her. He took his hand and gently lifted one of her legs over his shoulder, planting gentle kisses along her inner thigh.

Daryl paid extra care to the silvery scars scattered over her skin, letting his kiss linger on them longer than the smoother skin in between them. He glanced up at her to see her smiling a genuine smile. Daryl realized how long it had been since he had seen her look so happy and continued brushing his lips along her smooth skin. He paused only to bite the sensitive parts of her inner thigh as he made his way to her warm center.

He kissed her wetness before tracing her hot slit with his tongue. She twitched as he tempted her, enjoying her writhing and pushing her hips closer to him. He growled as he pulled her folds open slightly and flicked is tongue over her clit, watching her the entire time as she leaned against the wall and moaned. She gasped as one of Daryl's fingers slid inside her, curling his fingers to find the sensitive spot he knew would send her over the edge. He began flicking his tongue faster as he felt her began to flutter around his fingers and removed them so he could pull her other leg over his shoulder as well. He held her up as he devoured her furiously, his mouth clamping down on her swollen clit. Her body spasmed as her orgasm ripped through her, leaving her fighting to catch her breath as Daryl lowered her legs gently from his shoulders.

Before she could speak, his mouth was on hers again. Their tongues melded with one another's. She moaned as she tasted herself on Daryl's lips. Her legs still trembled from her fleeting orgasm and Daryl lifted her into his arms and laid her on the floor in front of the fireplace. He sat back on his knees and looked at Alex's bare form below him in awe. Her dark waves spread out onto the floor around her like a halo and the expression on her face was mixed with love and need. He leaned forward to knead Alex's breasts, taking her erect nipples between his fingers and rolling them lightly. She leaned her head back, allowing the pleasure to move through her body like a drug. Her skin glowed from light of the fire and Daryl felt like he was about to make love to an angel.

"God damn it, Alex. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." He leaned down to kiss her once again, allowing himself to get lost in her embrace. Daryl quickly unzipped his jeans and kicked them off of him, relieved that his erection was free from the uncomfortable restriction.

She gazed into his eyes and saw a softness that wasn't there before. The deep blue eyes pierced hers, looking into her soul. She barely managed to maintain the eye contact as he slid his length into her, filling her completely.

"Ya alright?" He asked nervously. Alex's breath hitched as she nodded her head. He stayed inside of her unmoving as he kissed her face, loving every inch of her. Alex's hand cupped Daryl's cheek as she lifted his head to look at her.

"I love you." She said softly. Daryl fought back tears as the words flooded his ears.

"I love you too. Ya ready?" He asked as soft as his gruff voice would allow. Alex answered by rolling her hips upwards into his, coaxing him to begin. He began to move slowly, making sure to make this memorable for her. Alex's soft whimpers and Daryl's labored breathing filled the room as he set a slow pace for them. Daryl's position over Alex enabled him to watch her face morph in ecstasy. With each thrust he studied her expression to make sure he was pleasing her as much as he could.

"What do ya need from me baby?" His voice shook as he pushed himself deep inside her. Her heat and wetness was almost more than Daryl could bear and he bit his lip to keep himself from finishing before his new bride. Alex's mind and body was lost in the pleasure that was causing her body to writhe beneath him.

"Please." She managed to choke out. "Please don't stop."

The rain pelted harder against the cabin as he moved himself in and out of her faster. Alex ran her hands down Daryl's back, gently loving the scars that riddled most of his skin. He pulled one of her hands away and held her wrist to the ground tightly before lacing his fingers into hers. As Daryl pushed into her harder, Alex felt another wave of burning ecstasy rip through her. Daryl was surprised by her sudden orgasm and bent down to take one of her rosy nipples into his mouth as her hips bucked beneath him. The feeling of her tightly contracting around him was enough to send Daryl over the edge and into a sea of pleasure. Alex held onto tightly as he pumped into her, grunting as his orgasm took over his body.

Daryl pressed his forehead to Alex's, their bodies still twitching as they fought to catch their breath. He couldn't bare to pull himself out of her just yet, needing to be connected to her in this way for as long as possible. Alex kept her arms wrapped tightly around Daryl's waist and leaned her head onto Daryl's shoulder, not allowing her husband to see the tears that were threatening to spill onto her cheeks. So much had brought them up to this perfect moment, so many horrors and heartbreak. Finally, she couldn't fight it anymore and allowed the tears to flow from her, releasing any pain she had holed up in her heart. Daryl had binded himself to her for life, willing to take on all of her and with the relief that she never had to carry her weight alone, she felt she could finally be free.

Daryl pulled his head back, confused as to why his wife was crying. He gently pulled himself out of her and sat up, pulling her into his lap. "Hey, what's the matter? Did I do somethin'?" He asked frantically, panicking that he had already done something wrong to mess up their wedding night.

Alex shook her head no as Daryl wiped the tears from her face. "I never want this to end." She whispered as she began to relax in Daryl's arms. He cradled her naked body close to his and slowly began to rock her back and forth in the middle of the floor of the old cabin.

"I won't let it." He promised her. "I love you, Mrs. Dixon." Daryl smiled as the words rolled out of his mouth.

"I love you too, Mr. Dixon." She breathed in Daryl's scent as he held her close and let her eyes flutter shut, drifting into a deep sleep.

Daryl held her until her breathing took on a more steady and predictable pattern before moving her into the nearby bed. He laid in bed next to her, pulling one of the blankets tightly around their bodies. He stared at her until the storm softened to a soft drizzle that soon lured him to sleep.

Alex's white dress twirled under the twinkling lights of the reception hall. It was a hot Georgia night in the middle of August and spirits were high and alcohol was flowing like water. Keith was downing another glass of champagne, slurring his words as he dipped his new bride in the middle of the dance floor and kissed her sloppily. Alex laughed it off and smiled in the presence of her family and friends but was beginning to worry more and more about her wedding night and if she would have one at all.

Keith laughed with his groomsmen and kissed his mother goodbye as he hopped into the taxi with Alex by his side. Her once jovial husband suddenly seemed distant and preoccupied as he pulled a flask from his black tuxedo jacket. Alex watched as he took a swig from the silver canteen and held it out to her, waving for her to take a drink. She obliged and took a swig of the hard liquor, pushing the burning liquor down her throat.

The driver occasionally glanced back at the couple silent yet worried. Many times had the old man driven young, happy couples to their honeymoon. Normally, they couldn't keep their hands off of each other as they whispered sweet promises of love and adoration to one another. He furrowed his brow as he realized this couple wasn't like the newlywed fares he had driven before.

Alex stood nervously in the bathroom of their hotel room in the white, lace lingerie she had received at her bridal shower. She pulled her waves down from the painfully pinned up style, shaking her hair free over her shoulders. She took a deep breath before she emerged into the bedroom, where Keith sat on the edge of the bed emptying the flask into his mouth.

"Whoo!" He yelped as Alex stepped in front of him. "Didn't know I married a showgirl!" Keith stumbled as he stood and walked to the mini fridge to retrieve a miniature bottle of Jack Daniels. He let thee plastic lid fall to the floor as he quickly shot the liquid back. He slapped Alex's ass on the way back to the bed. Alex watched as he reclined on the pillows and kicked off his shoes.

"Dance for me, princess." He ordered. Alex had never seen such a crude side to Keith. She had grown accustomed to the clean cut businessman, always polite and well versed in front of her and others. Alex crawled on the bed next to him and softly began to kiss his neck, hoping that her soft approach would help him relax more. She smiled as she felt his hand on her shoulder, expecting the same embrace to be returned. Instead, he flipped her on top of him and pulled her bustier down roughly, exposing her breasts.

"Alright, wifey." He slurred as he pinched her nipple painfully. She gasped at the piercing pain and didn't even notice him pushing her panties to the side. He roughly entered her and pulled her hips forward, taking control of their wedding night before passing out five minutes later.

The sun began to rise, softly filling the cabin with its soft morning light. Daryl slowly opened his eyes and smiled as he looked down. Alex had curled into him, her hair spread out on his chest. She was still sleeping deeply and it pained him that he knew he would have to wake her from such a peaceful sleep. Daryl pulled the blanket back from them slightly and let his eyes roam her milky skin. He let his fingers softly trace the curve of her hip as she shifted to lay on her back. He paused, anticipating her to wake up but instead she remained in an unconscious state. Her breasts caught Daryl's attention as he watched her nipples tighten from being exposed to the chilled morning air.

Gotta wake ya up somehow.

Daryl grinned mischievously as he bent down and took her left nipple into his mouth. His tongue glided over the soft nub as Alex began to open her eyes. She smiled a sleepy smile as she pulled Daryl up to her, bringing his mouth to hers for a deep kiss.

"Good morning." Alex croaked out, her vocal cords still tense from sleep.

"Mornin'" Daryl whispered as he nibbled her ear lobe. Alex giggled as she let Daryl part her legs slightly to give his hand room to slide in between. He paused at a sudden gurgling sound, gripping Alex's waist tight so she knew not to move in case a walker was close outside of the cabin. Daryl flicked his eye to the barricaded door and calculated how long it would take to retrieve his cross bow in case it managed to break through one of the windows.

Alex stifled her laughter as she tapped on Daryl's shoulder. He turned his head to look at her, confused by her smile at a moment of possible attack. She pointed to her bare stomach, the origin of the gurgling noise.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me you were hungry?" Daryl tickled her sides as he got up from the bed. He pulled on his dark jeans and shoved his feet into his boots. "Be right back." Daryl grabbed his leather jacket and pushed his arms through before walking back over to the bed.

"Be careful." Alex managed to say before welcoming Daryl's kiss. She trailed her fingers down his chest. A low growl emitted from his throat and he forced himself to pull away softly.

"Keep that up and we'll both starve to death." He smiled as he began to slide the heavy cabinet away from the door. Daryl spun around to retrieve his belt, tossing his large hunting knife on the bed to ensure his wife wasn't left defenseless while he was away from her.

Daryl stepped out into the bright morning light, shutting the cabin door tightly behind him. He walked away a few steps, out of sight of cabin's windows before choosing a nearby tree to relieve himself. A smile stretched across his face as he watched birds fly into the clear morning sky.

Damn, I'm a married man now. Who woulda thought a Dixon would amount to somethin'. Daryl thought as he zipped his pants up and swung his bow over his shoulder. The car wasn't too far away and he went over what he needed to get in his head. His footsteps were still light and soft on the forest ground, the hunter in him always aware and alert.

Daryl finally reached the vehicle and quickly swung his bow up at the man that was leaning on the bumper. He blinked his eyes several times, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Daryl was certain he had lost his mind and tried to rationalize it. However he could not and Merle turned to greet Daryl with his arms wide open.

Alex rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. She tried to wrap her head around the past twenty four hours. It all seemed to surreal to her but the ring wrapped around her finger solidified that it all really happened. She extended her arm above her head and opened her eyes, the ring shining brightly as it caught the sun's morning rays.

"Mrs. Daryl Dixon." She whispered to herself as she hopped out of bed. She was thankful her jeans had dried in the night as she slid them over her cool legs. Her tshirt was still damp so she hung it on the chair close to the warm coals in the fireplace, hoping it would dry soon. She paced around the cabin folding her arms over her exposed chest as she waited for Daryl. The cabin had been abandoned long ago, possibly since before the outbreak. It was obvious someone had cared for it as Alex quietly examined the little knick knack that sat on the fireplace mantle.

Alex took great care as she made the bed, tucking in the loose sheets tightly as she preferred. As she bent down to straighten the last corner at the foot of the bed, something caught her eye. In the darkness underneath, a small cedar chest was pushed against the wall. Alex quietly scoot the bed over to retrieve the box and sat cross legged in the floor as she opened it to reveal its contents.

She pulled the items out one by one laying them down in front of her in a neat line. A worn bible, an old leather billfold with seventeen dollars, old photographs. Alex smiled as she looked through the pictures. They were very old, printed on a thick card stock that reminded her of pictures she had of her great grandmother from the thirties. Some were of chubby faced babies wrapped in white fabric and lace strategically placed on their bellied for the perfect picture. Another was of a tall, handsome man leaning against an older automobile. The last one was of a petite blonde woman standing next to the man, in front of the same cabin. Alex smiled as she carefully replaced the keepsakes into the box, feeling like a child as she searched her grandmother's attic. As she lifted the bible to place it on top, an aged slip of paper fell to the floor. Alex retrieved it, unfolding it to read its words.

There is a beautiful thing inside of you that is thousands of years old. Too old to be captured in poems. Too old to be loved by everyone. But so deeply loved by a chosen few.

Alex read the small passage over and over before pressing it back into the books pages, finding an odd comfort in the words.

Daryl lowered his bow as he focused his eyes on his dead brother. He didn't look like the deformed walker that Daryl had out down. Instead, he looked years younger. His blonde hair was cut short and neatly combed back, the circles under his eyes from heavy drugs and partying had vanished and his skin a healthy tan. Merle now had both of his hands as he pat his pockets to retrieve a cigarette and matches.

"Well hell, baby brother. You may very well be the first Dixon in our bloodline to get hitched without a shotgun pressed into his back!" Merle took a long drag of his cigarette as yelped loudly into the air.

"I can't tell if you're more annoying now that you're standing in front of me or when you're in my head." Daryl mumbled as he laid his bow on the hood of the car. Merle frowned at his younger brother's tone and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

"Come on, you ain't the least bit happy to see your brother?" Daryl shrugged as he pulled open the back hatch to the SUV, tossing a few food items into a bag along with some clean clothes for him and Alex. Merle kept talking as he watched Daryl ignore him.

"Daryl, listen." Daryl turned to face his older brother as he took on a serious tone. "I know I wasn't shit when we were growin' up. Wasn't around like I was supposed to be. You know I love ya and I just wanted you to know I was proud of ya."

Daryl paused and turned to look at him, seeing that his face was the most sincere he had ever seen it in his life. He crashed into his brother's arms, his brother's approval causing tears to form in his eyes. Daryl knew it wasn't really Merle, but relished in the closeness of his sibling's embrace before pulling away to see that he was standing next to the car alone.

Alex smiled as Daryl walked back into the cabin, setting a small bag next to the door before pulling the cabinet back to block it. She had placed Daryl's shirt next to hers in front of the warm fireplace and was gazing out the window, watching the trees sway in the soft breeze. Daryl couldn't help but look at her stand there, her silhouette casting a shadow against the wall behind her. He walked over to the window, watching her more than whatever she was looking outside.

"We'll head out soon. See where we end up next." He focused on the way her hair hung in waves and barely grazed her breasts. Alex nodded before looking at him, her eyes locking onto his. His pants grew tighter the longer he stared at her, knowing he wouldn't be able to take it much longer.

"I didn't tell you to get out of bed." He growled as he picked her up. Alex laughed as he spun her in his arms. "I ain't done with you yet."

Credit to owner of the quote used in the story, poet Nikita Gill.