Seven months almost to the day we have been here. This prison, our safe haven. It's funny, people spend their whole lives being good to avoid going here and now it's the safest place they can be… for now. Despite my happiness here, there is a part of me that tells me it won't last but I ignore that bitch and take each day as it comes. I will live here, not survive. A lot has happened in the last seven months. Our group has grown, not just the Woodbury lot but others that we have 'saved' when we spot them. We have a rule, every person who enters our community must answer three questions: Who many walkers have you killed? How many people have you killed? Why? It's amazing how much you can tell about a person by how they answer those questions. Our community is a proper society that has jobs that people are assigned and they may move as they wish, only if there is space. We even have a council that makes most of the major decisions concerning the community. Hershel, Carol, Glenn, Sasha, Daryl and myself. I lead the council, alone. Rick decided, and good for him, to step down for a while choosing farming instead. A well-deserved and well-needed break. I don't 'lead' per-say, it's more of a prime minister capacity. When a decision is stuck in a debate, I make the final call, everything else is based on a fair democracy… finally.

I'm also the resident teacher for the kids and I look after Judith most of the time, she's my little ray of hope and I'm very attached to her. My morbid skill set has not been needed in a long time and I'm thankful for that. Nessa helps me with teaching when I'm not available, I do a lot of runs too. Nessa has an in depth knowledge on Native American Archaeology/history as well as fantastic numerical skills and English skills. I specialize in European history, Sciences and languages, I'm fluent in French, Japanese and Spanish. Just because the world has ended does not mean that the children have to grow up stupid… Lori taught me that. Andy set up an electrical grid of sorts and fresh water pumps for showering and drinking, the boy is good with things that can blow up in his face, he goes on runs but mostly makes sure that the prison is running smoothly, electrically and water wise.

Daryl does what he does best, he hunts and goes on runs. He keeps our community fed and comfortable, you can't ask for more than that. He hates taking me with him, he's afraid I'll get hurt. Cute, but unnecessary. Doesn't stop him kicking up a fuss every time I go out, which is a lot. Daryl and I also got 'married' in a sense. No written documents or nothing but Hershel conducted a little ceremony thing, he's kind of like the community Elder with his bible knowledge stuff, and people were there. He even got me a ring on one of the runs he did without me. I remember that day like it was yesterday…

We have been set up for almost two months now, winter is in full swing and we need to prepare the prison. Daryl led a sizable group of people on a run for enough supplies to do us a good brunt of the winter, Nessa, Andy and I will handle the worst of the winter when it comes around. I stayed behind to make sure everyone was clear on the winter safety rules. The last thing we need is people going out when they shouldn't and getting stuck in a storm, or slipping and breaking their necks, or catching potentially life threating winter illnesses. Medicine is hard to come by these days! I also have to work out rationing in case the weather gets so bad not even Nessa, Andy and I can handle it. Every possibility has to be looked at and I'm stressed as hell.

"Gwen, Daryl's back" Andy says, pocking his head into the staff room we had converted into a council room.

I look up at him briefly before looking down at my sheet of paper "Any casualties?"

"Nope" He replies.

I breathe a sigh of relief "Good"

"Aunt Gwen, you're working yourself too hard" Andy says sounding concerned.

I wave my hand "I'm fine"

Andy huffs frustrated and storms off "What's wrong with you?" I hear Daryl ask him

"Your Girlfriend is a pain in the ass" Andy snaps then I hear him continue on his tantrum.

Daryl taps the door "Permission to enter the Queen's chambers?" He says with a smirk.

I look up at him with a much needed laugh "Permission granted" I watch my boyfriend walk towards me and admire him. His hair is longer and appears darker, his facial hair is more prominent but still fair enough to see his gorgeous face. His muscles are more toned, his arms bigger. He's sexier than ever!

He strolls in casually and sits on the edge of the table and pulls the paper out from under my hand.

"Daryl!" I scold and reach for it.

He avoids me easily and moves the paper out of my reach and snorts "Is this a rationing plan for the whole prison?"

I snatch it off him with a glare "Yes and?"

"Your nephew's right, you're workin' too hard, Angel" He replies.

I sigh, lean back in my chair, tilt my head back and look at the ceiling "I know but after Lori… I don't want any mistakes, no stone left unturned. I want everyone to be safe and healthy"

Daryl kneels down on the floor in front of me "Guinevere, what happened to Lori wasn' your fault. It wasn' anyone's fault, except that prisoner who let the walkers in"

I look down at him and smile. I lift my hand and run my fingers lightly across his cheek "Oh, sweetie, I'd be lost and hopeless without you"

He grips my hand and moves it to his mouth and kisses it "You'll never be without me"

I move forward in my chair and lean down until I'm eye level with him "I love you" I tell him then press a kiss to his lips. He kisses me back lightly before pulling away and standing up.

He starts to fidget with hands and bites the flesh around his thumb "What?" I ask, this is Daryl's sign for something is on his mind.

He pulls his hand away from his mouth and sticks it in his pocket. My eyes follow his hand and notice and his hand has gripped onto something. "Honey, what is that?" I ask.

"Gwen, I…" He starts then shakes his head "Never mind"

He turns and power walks to the door. Oh hell no! I jump up and grips the back of his vest before he can reach the door and force him to stop.

"What is it?" I ask forcefully and stick my hand in his pocket. I only feel his fist. "Move your hand!" I demand.

He pulls his hand out and grabs mine before I can reach for his pocket again. I glare at him "Daryl! What's the matter with you? Let me see what it is!"

"Would you stop it?" He snaps as he wrestles with me to stop me diving for his pocket again.

I stop struggling with him and his grip slackens slightly. I raise an eyebrow at him "Seriously? It's like you don't know me at all!"

I throw all my weight onto him and he falls to the ground with a rather loud thump. In his moment of shock, I reach into his pocket and grip the box I feel in there and pull it out.

"Gwen!" He snaps and reaches for my hands but I just move my hands out the way of his reach and slide down his body to straddle his thighs as I stare at the little square box.

"Daryl…" I breathe out as he sits up and watches my face closely.

"Is this…?" I whisper and open the box slowly.

His whole body tenses underneath me as a gasp leaves my mouth "Oh, Daryl… This is gorgeous!" I squeal like a little girl!

His body relaxes "So that's a yes?"

I open my mouth excitedly then smirk "I don't remember hearing a question"

"Don' make me say it" He mutters.

"I can't answer a question I haven't been asked" I say innocently.

He glares slightly then mutters the question inaudibly. "What?" I ask.

"Marry me, damn it" He yells.

I grin "Of course I will!" I reply and kiss him excitedly.

I pull back and pull the ring out of the box. Even the ring shows how much he loves and knows me. The diamond is round and small, subtle and cute, white gold. I smile happily. He remembered. I hate large, ostentatious jewellery. I have one ring on my right ring finger I have worn since I was 16, it's a simple silver Celtic design band, a pair of earrings that are also simple, silver and with a Celtic design and a necklace with a Celtic border surrounding a trinity knot around my neck. I slide the ring on my finger but Daryl stops me before it touches my nail.

"I'll do it" He mutters.

I smile as he pushes the ring onto my finger slowly. "It fits" He says sounding relieved

I fake a gasp "How did you know my size!"

He laughs and kisses me again and pulls me in for a hug "I love you, McDade"

"I love you too, Dixon" I reply

"Oh, come on guys! Take it to your cell" Andy groans behind us.

I laugh, rationing forgotten. The 'wedding' was more of a way to uplift spirits and give a reminder of what it's like to live and not just survive. It was good for all of us, a happy occasion instead of a funeral for a change. Daryl was not too thrilled about it but he did it with a scowl and a red face. He's so cute! Glenn and Maggie weren't too far behind us.