I was unsatisfied with the ending myself, so I went a little further with it. It's now complete. Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"Emma! Sophia!" Amy yelled. "Hey, stop it! Bo—"

"Leave 'em be, sugar." Merle closed the grill as the steaks, burgers and hot dogs cooked. "Dixons will be Dixons."

The place was full of Dixons and one Blake and other kids Merle didn't care about. Bo was six and just like his daddy. Emma was six and as mischievous as her older sister, and Sophia was fifteen and was the young woman Carol had hoped to raise her to be like. Brian was seven today, and Andrea had called the everyone to the cookout, closing the street they could play and have fun.

Andrea didn't remarry, though occasionally went out on dates. She enjoyed being a single mother, raising Brian right, not telling him the damage he father had done to the town. She was CEO of Phillip's company, and she had bought two more companies in the last year, giving her house to Amy and Merle, who needed the room.

Amy and Merle were married shortly after Bo was born then Liza Mae—Lee Lee—came along, and now Amy was four months pregnant with Joseph Merle Dixon. Merle was a good father, got promoted a few years ago and was able to provide for his family. More than provide. He was happy, married to a gorgeous woman who managed to surprise him at every turn, and he had two beautiful kids and a third on the way. Thinking on it made him want to pass out, so he refrained from thinking too hard on what a lucky bastard he was.

Daryl and Carol had everything out in the open, no more secrets, and they took their kids to see Grandpa Caleb from time to time. Caleb called Carol poison, but it only made her smile. She was showing Caleb that he had no power over Daryl anymore, and Daryl was the best father for his children. They had three kids: Sophia Nichole, Emma Rose, Russel Jaymes. Emma and Russ were only two years apart. Daryl had his little boy, who was astonishingly more like Carol than him. He didn't care who their kids were more like, because he loved them all unconditionally. He loved and was loved more than he had ever been in his entire life. He couldn't ask for more.

Michonne and Rick were married a month after Amy and Merle. Michonne was teaching self-defense again, so Carl often babysat for them since Rick could be called out at all hours. Judith was happy and healthy and more like Michonne than Rick or Lori or Shane, and she was best friends with Emma and Bo. Rick could feel that Judith would marry Bo and intertwine then with the Dixons even more. They were a like a big family anyway, so...no change. Rick would have to threaten Bo to no end, but that's what a father does. He was keeping an eye out for anyone Unique might like, but Michonne had it covered. It was more than covered, and Rick felt bad for the poor bastard. Well, almost.

Maggie and Glenn had married on the anniversary of their fist official date, and they had one little boy named Garret Hershel Rhee that was only three. They named him after her father—Hershel died of a heart attack five years ago, and it was a way to honor his memory. They were happy and in love, and they were running Hershel's farm with Beth, who had a house built where the barn burned down for her and Jimmy and her little girl, Madison Abigail Greene. Beth kept her father's name, even with marriage. She was a professional photographer now, and Jimmy managed the cattle. It was a good match.

Merle tended to the grill with Officer Friendly, both having a cold one, laughing. They weren't friends, but they weren't enemies. Beside, Andrea would kill them if they weren't smiling so forced it hurt. Merle needed a hand with steaks, and he didn't want Rick to ruin them, but Daryl was probably busy helping Carol with the coolers and getting the ice.

Russ, and Lee Lee were helping Amy with the party favors, Andrea was making sure Beth got pictures of all of her family, especially of cute Emma and Judith and Brian playing with clay, and Bo was probably getting on someone's nerves. He would be a pain in the ass when he hit fourteen, Merle could feel it. Luckily, Merle was Merle and could metaphorically whip that boy into shape. Speaking of whips and boys, Sophia and her little boyfriend were getting too close for comfort.

"You wanna see my room?" Sophia asked, very innocent, not meaning anything by it. "I finally have my own room. It's so cool."

Patrick smiled. "Your father will kill me."

She exhaled. "Probably." She met his eyes. "C'mon." She stood up and pulled him behind her, leading into her house. She opened the door and went to the first room on the left. "Help me find my phone please."

They looked through her room, Patrick found it inside a box of stuffed animals that belonged to Emma, and they sat down in her window seat, both having in an earbud, and she played their favorite artist. She and Patrick had been dating for three weeks, and Carl and Lizzie had been dating for four weeks, and they kissed all the time. Sophia and Patrick haven't kissed at all. She'd only kissed one other guy, and that was just a mistletoe kiss. She really, really liked Patrick. She didn't want to rush anything, but she wanted to kiss him.

"What?" He noticed her watching him.

She blushed. "I—It's nothing." She played another song. "I love this one."

"Me too." He reached down and clasped her hand, intertwining their fingers. "It's the song Lizzie was playing when I asked you out."

She smiled. "Does that make it our song or just pretty?"

He laughed. "Both."

Her heart fluttered. "I think so too. He's so talented, and I really love—" She was interrupted by his lips softly touching hers. Her eyes closed instantly, and she applied a little more pressure. It was short, but sweet. They both pulled back, blushing and laughing nervously, not knowing they were being watched.

"Young love is so cute." Carol handed Daryl a beer. "Calm down. First kiss."

"They're in her room." He didn't move his eyes. "Alone. That door is shut."

"Wow, so observant." She took a drink of lemonade.

"Daddy." Emma ran up to him, and Carol smiled down at her. She smiled back, and it melted her heart. She was so precious, with those big blue eyes, her brown curls down her shoulders, her little brown dress with leaves. She was going to be a heartbreaker in high school. Poor Daryl. His little girl would be the death of him. "Daddy." She tugged on his jeans.

"Daryl, you're daughter wants you." She turned his head.

"Huh?" He bent down. "What is it, Em?"

"Bo and Brian won't let me play with them," she pouted. "I wanna play."

"No, you don't," Carol quickly answered. "Daryl, she doesn't."

Daryl knew Bo and Brian were rough, and he would have to kill them if they so much as almost bruised her. "Sorry, baby, you can't."

She accepted it. She was a little angel like that, and it made Daryl feel worse. "Mommy, will you play with me? I can't find Sissy."

She handed her glass to Daryl. "Oh, honey, I just don't know. I have to be—Tag!" She tapped her shoulder and took off running, Emma went after her, telling how unfair that was, and Daryl laughed.

"Eyes to the left, little brother." He gestured to Sophia and Patrick, who were on their third kiss. "You know what I done when I was fifteen?"

"I don't wanna know." He turned. "Sophia! Come out here!"

She opened the window and climbed out, Patrick followed, and they closed the window. Daryl made a mental note to nail that window shut as they walked over to him, hand in hand. "Yes?"

"Help Lilly."

"Can't Em?"

"No, I asked you."

"But...Daddy, I want you to meet my boyfriend. This is Patrick." She smiled at him.

"Sir." Patrick held his hand out.

Daryl could see the dress and tux, and it made him cringe. He handed Sophia Carol's cup and shook his hand. "Daryl Dixon. I'll shoot you in the ass with an arrow if you hurt my little girl."

"Daddy!" Sophia glared.

"Merle Dixon. I'll beat your ass and make sure no one finds the body if you touch my niece."

"This is why I only let Mom meet him." She shook her head.

Patrick smiled though. "I've never been threatened before. Do I pose a threat? Like in DA?"

Daryl and Merle exchanged glanced, Merle walked off, and Daryl eyed Patrick. "You a video game geek?"

"The biggest," Sophia nodded. "He has more games than Bo does."

He nodded. "He's a nerd then?"

"He's the one helping me pass Spanish."

"Stay a geek. They never get laid."

Sophia glared, but Patrick was still in shock of someone threatening him. Sophia giggled and led him to a table. "You're such a geek."

"I take that as a compliment."

The party went really well, everyone had fun, no one got into a fight, and it wore the kids out. Before sunset, everyone helped put the tables away and clean out the slushy water from the coolers, and everyone went to Andrea's house for ice cream and cake. It was the good kind, not the kind she bought for everyone who attended. It was just a time for family, and Patrick. His parents were out of town on business, and he was staying with the Grimes. He was left by mistake, and it was too late to have them come get him, so he was staying with them tonight. Daryl had installed a lock on Sophia's door, and it was locked from the outside, and he had the only key.

Emma, Russ and Lee Lee were passed out on the floor by the fireplace covered with a blanket, Bo and Brian were at the table eating ice cream, and Sophia and Patrick were on her phone listening to music in the corner of the room, but everyone could see them, so Daryl didn't mind. Amy and Merle were outside talking, and Andrea was on the couch, watching the fire.

"I think this is the part where you and I talk about having the talk with Sophia," Carol mused.

He groaned.

"I've put it off this long, because you asked me to, but she has a boyfriend. I know she's not at all ready, but she needs to know." She searched his eyes. "Do you want me to tell her?"

"I'll tell her."

"Really?" Her eyebrows rose. "Wait, what are you going to tell her?"

"Don't do it."

"Daryl." She grasped his arm and pulled him back. "We'll do it together tomorrow, and by together, I mean I'll tell her, and you'll be there to look threatening. Key word: Look."

"Fine, I can...tolerate that." He leaned back against the counter. "But you're gonna tell Emma why we ain't keepin' all of Patch's puppies."

Patch died a few weeks ago, but it turned out he and their neighbors dogs pulled a Hooch, and now they have four puppies on their hands. The neighbor kept one of them, Carol's giving one to Rick and Michonne, Merle and Amy, and they're keeping one, and Tara might take one of them, but they weren't sure. Emma wants to keep them all, and she's offered to feed them, walk them, clean up after them, so she doesn't understand why they can't keep them. They were out of time now that the puppies were able to be without their mother, so tomorrow Rick, Merle and maybe Tara were coming to get their puppy, and Carol had to explain that to Emma. She was so attached to them, Carol knew she was going to cry, and Carol would have an awful time trying not to cave. Daryl would give in. He's so weak when it comes to their kids, but she loved that about him.

"Fine, I will." She crossed her arms and met his eyes. "When do we tell the kids Caleb's dying?"

"I don't know. There ain't a good time to tell 'em."

"I'll leave this to you. He's your father."

He nodded.

She kissed him. "I love you."

He smiled. "I love you too."

"Let's go put the kids to bed. Andrea said we can stay over. It's late, and if they wake up now, they won't sleep at all."

"I got Em."

"I'll get Russ." She glanced out at Merle and Amy. "I wonder what they're talking about."

"Something that ain't our business." He scooped Emma up and silently climbed the stairs as to not wake her, and Carol followed with Russ, glancing over as Sophia's head dropped against Patrick's shoulder. Daryl wouldn't like it, but Carol was leaving them there. She was too old to be carried up the stairs, and she was hard to wake up, so she would be stiff in the morning, and she would be mad at them for not waking her up. Teenagers.

––

"What the hell does that pussy want now?" Merle growled.

"I hate that word," Amy told him. "He's not. He's a really good friend, and I consider him to be a member of my family. He's always been there for me, and it's just one afternoon. For Micheal's birthday."

Merle had had enough of David Crowley when he thought that pussy had gotten Amy pregnant. He didn't mind them being friends, but he did mind when David asked them over parties and events. He couldn't stand David. "I ain't goin'."

"He wants to get to know you." She studied the floorboards. "You're my husband, and he wants to be friends with you for my sake. And for the kids. You know Michael and Liza are friends."

He didn't say anything.

She peered over at him. She really did want to go, because she felt so bad for what she did to David. She felt horrible about lying to him about Bo, but she needed someone back then, and David had always been there before. It was wrong, and even if Amy set him up with Lilly and they got married and had Michael, she felt like she still owed him. She had convinced him and everyone else that she'd lost Merle's baby and was pregnant with David's. It was beyond low, but she was weak and Andrea swept up the broken pieces and made them fit with David. Andrea wasn't the one to blame, she was. She was an adult, and she should've just stayed with Dale and saved money and struggled, but as always she got the easy way out. Easy wasn't right, and neither Merle nor David deserved what she did to them.

"I won't force you to go, but Lee Lee got him a gift, so we're going stop by for a few minutes. I can take her, and we'll come home after."

"Guilt trippin' me?"

"No, of course not." She met his eyes. "If you don't want to go, you don't have to. We'll be really quick. I have to help prepare for a bake sale anyway."

"If I asked you to stop talkin' to David, would you?"

"I love you, Merle, but David's done a lot for me, and I can't just brush him aside."

"I'll go with y'all tomorrow, but I'm not gonna like it."

She smiled. "You don't have to. We'll be in and out."

He set a hand on her knee. "But I'm only goin' if I can take Bo out huntin' with me next year."

"Only if he doesn't use a gun."

"He's like three feet, I ain't givin' him a gun. I'm gonna teach him how to track animals and what's eatable. Stuff like that. When he's nine, I'm gonna give him a gun."

"That's a good idea. You guys can do some father-son bonding, and I can teach Lee Lee and Joseph how to sew and knit."

"You ain't teachin' my son how to knit."

She smirked. "Try and stop me."

"We ain't raisin' him to be a flamer."

"So, you're going to take them into the woods on the weekends alone with guns?"

"No, that's what I'm gonna do with Lee Lee's future boyfriends."

She giggled. "Okay, fine, I agree with that, but I don't want them to be too manly. I'd like them to have a sensitive side."

"No."

"A slight sensitive side?"

"Amy, you carried Bo 'round that girly little rich kid for nine months, I gotta go into double time to make sure he didn't learn anything from him."

"You sound insane," she told him, "but you sound like a father."

"Six years."

"Are you thinking about how many years we've been together?" She rested her head on his shoulder, her hands clasping his.

"Just never pictured my life like this. It's so damn normal."

"After all that's happened, normal is good."

He kissed her forehead. "C'mon, let's go inside, sugar."

"Good, because I'm freezing."

They went inside, Amy broke Andrea out of her trance, and Merle joined Bo and Brian, and Carol and Daryl returned from putting the kids to bed. Carol tossed a blanket over Sophia and Patrick, turning her phone off and setting it on the counter. Andrea, Carol and Amy had a glass of wine—and orange juice, and Merle and Daryl kept to water.

"Seven years later and here we are." Amy ran her finger over the glass. "I like this much better than being a lawyer. I'm happy."

"You're a walking womb," Andrea replied. "When can I expect not to see you knocked up? I love you, and I love my niece and nephew, but I don't want a herd of Dixons over for the holidays. I...like Merle, but not that much."

"I agree with her," Carol said when Amy turned to her for support.

"In all honesty, he was an accident. I was really bored watching Brian, and Merle got off early." She shrugged.

"That doesn't mean you—Wait, what?" Andrea exclaimed.

Amy looked up. "I—I didn't tell you?"

"Well, this is awkward." Carol walked away.

"What piece of furniture do I have to burn?"

"It's not a big deal." She tucked hair behind her ear. "And it wasn't on the furniture. It was...on the table in the dining room." She winced.

"Amy, that was four months ago. Do you have any idea how many dinner parties I've hosted since then?"

"At least it wasn't the couch."

"I would rather it be the couch. I never sit on it, and I can burn that."

"When Joseph's born, you can complain to him." She smiled.

"I need more to drink." She emptied her glass and went into the kitchen. She set her glass down and noticed a picture of Phillip and Penny. It was before they were married, before Brian. She rubbed her neck and sighed. She missed them both so much, but everything happens for a reason, and Penny was with her mother. They were a family again, and Andrea was alive and had her family. Brian would never know his father, but that was a good thing now. Phillip couldn't taint him. Hopefully that would enough.

And if it wasn't...life still goes on.

– – –

Sophia looked down at the weathered graves before her, Emma and Russel were behind her. It was the first year without their parents, and everything was so different. Sophia could still remember answering the phone and hearing Emma's frantic voice saying, "Mom and Dad are dead". They died peacefully in their sleep, and Sophia was glad they were together, but it still hurt. It probably always would.

She bent down and dusted the leaves off the graves, setting bouquet of Cherokee Roses on the graves. "Happy anniversary. I love you." She stood up and stepped back, finding Patrick's hand.

They stood there a little longer, Russel and his son left first then Emma, and Sophia and Patrick left last. The wind picked up, loosening one of the Cherokee Roses from the bouquet, and the wind gathered it up, lifting it higher and higher, toward the golden-rose sky, where Carol and Daryl watched over their children and their children's children and their children's children's children and so on. There was no end, only a vast beginning.