Here's a little something. Its not a true epilogue but just a little something to round out the end of the story. Hopefully it satisfies. The first scene is straight up inspired by Helena from Orphan Black.

I don't own TWD or OB. OC and non canon storylines are mine.

Thanks again for all your kind words.

Valentine tiptoed through the snow, the soft crunch of boots on ice disturbing the silent forest. She scanned the ground before her, narrowed eyes looking for the much desired tracks. The woman wore a thick leather coat lined in fur over the cable knit sweater she'd made last year with Penny. Becoming self sufficient had become standard practice to survive the new world. It'd been over five years since the world fell, society and humanity buckling under the pressure of the undead.

Alexandria was still thriving, the community more than three times its original size. Word had gotten out and they began receiving survivors from hundreds of miles away. They still traded with Hilltop but were also working with two other camps. Kingdom was the second survivor camp Alexandrians met, the place odd yet still worthwhile. It was run by a King who was guarded by an actual tiger. Valentine and Daryl visited once and found it was more than enough. They preferred to live in reality, not medieval times.

The third place they gained trade routes with was a coastal camp. They'd survived by living at an abandoned shipyard, their living quarters on long ago docked ships. Most lived in shipping containers modified for habitation. St Mary's survived by fishing the coast and ran on wind generated electricity. Their numbers weren't large but they consisted of local fishermen as well as academia from the nearby engineering university. The trade of salt preserved and smoked fish brought not only new variety to everyone's diets but provided missing nutrition everyone needed.

A sound to the right side of her had Valentine freezing in place, her body crouching while pulling back the tough string on her bow. It had taken awhile but Valentine was finally able to use the weapon Daryl brought home from Kingdom. Her blades worked on close combat but archery gave her the safety of distance. They may be able to produce ammunitions but preservation of the resource was always preferred.

Tilting her head to the side she peeked out from behind the thick trunk of an ancient pine. Above her the wind clacked the tree's wiry branches together, the animal's head in front of her, popping up with nervous attention. A twitch of its ears and wrinkle of its nose showed Valentine its next move, it had made her and was about to run.

Taking in a breathe Valentine let loose of the bowstring, her arrow piercing through the chilled winter air with sight blurring speed. The carved stone arrowhead plunged through the gray hare's eye socket with tight precision. Valentine's lips curled with satisfaction, her goal for the day finally complete. She woke with a craving and couldn't help but seek it out. It wasn't just food that brought her out though, she needed air and space. She loved her family and adored Daryl but sometimes, especially as of late, they'd been suffocating. It was purely done with love and concern but Valentine couldn't help but have irritation with it.

Wandering to the fallen rabbit, Valentine took in a deep breath. The cold air almost hurt her lungs but felt soul cleansing. Dragon breath expelled from her lips as she slowly bent down to pick up the dead game, the deep moan from the thick trees making her pause. A half frozen corpse shuffled through a shrub, its icy blue and black face cracking as it snapped its broken jaws.

Sighing, Valentine pulled a black ended arrow she reserved for walkers from her quiver, killing the dead man easily. She tied her kill to her belt before approaching the corpse for her arrow. The thing was almost nude, it's pants disintegrating after so long in the elements. She could see a tattoo on its shoulder, the name Abigail writing in script. Frowning Valentine couldn't help but think of the past, her husband's own tattoo flashing through her mind. He'd gotten it while on tour in some shithole in Germany during a layover. Her name surrounded by a heart had been so cheesy, yet so sweet. Pursing her lips, Valentine stepped away from the body to begin her trek back home, shaking the memory from her head. The past wasn't something she thought of much anymore but occasionally she would reminisce. She'd think of Sunday mornings with Paul and trips to the park with Michael. It seemed so long ago, almost as if it weren't real. Most of the time though she spent thinking of her current family. The living ones that she was lucky enough to see everyday. The ones she needed to get home too.

The jagged black shadows upon the stark white forest floor told her it was past noon, meaning Daryl was for sure to be searching for her. She had snuck out before dawn and there wasn't anyway he'd wait for her to return.

Worrying her lip, Valentine stepped across the trickling creek, its icy stones providing a dry path over. Slipping slightly, Valentine grabbed a snow covered branch for balance. Her breath caught in her throat as the she almost fell before a hand caught her wrist. Looking up she found Daryl's tense eyes looking her over for injury. He pulled her to the shore, his hand holding her with an iron grip.

"What the hell ya doin' out here? Are ya crazy or somethin'?" He hollered, his voice echoing off the packed snow and barren trees. Valentine's eyes widened at the volume and hissed, "Quiet! Jesus Daryl you're gonna call every damn walker this way."

"Fuck 'em. They're all damn near frozen anyways." He growled, his narrowed gaze harder than she'd seen in a long time.

'Shit.' She thought nervously, her lip chewed roughly.

"Seriously, what were ya thinkin' Val?" He muttered, his hand raking through his messy hair. She could tell he woke up and instantly left their tiny home. Shrugging under her thick layers, the motion barely showing she murmured, "I needed some air."

"Ya can't get air at home? Walk around town or somethin'. You can't come out here like this. Especially not alone. Can ya imagine if somethin happened?" He rasped, his voice getting louder and tighter as he obviously began picturing all the horrible things that could've happened. Valentine sighed, scrubbing her face before she reached out to grip his wrist. Pulling him closer she looked up at him and explained, "I needed to get out for a little. I need to be by myself. I'm never alone anymore and sometimes I can't relax. It's only gonna get harder and I just needed..."

"Air." Daryl drawled, nodding his head as if finally understanding. "I get it. Just.. ya can't leave and not tell me anything. What if-"

"Nothing happened." She offered, interrupting his negative thoughts.

"Woulda if I hadn't showed up, ya woulda fell." He complained as they began walking home. Rolling her eyes she muttered, "there was like an inch of water."

"Don't care. Coulda broke your damn ankle or something. Been stuck out here freezin' t'death."

Clenching her teeth she realized he was right however couldn't help but refuse to admit it. "You worry too much." She quipped, arching her brow at him as he grumbled curses under his breath.

They walked silently, both stepping carefully through the area the community had installed walker pits.

"So ya just wanted air huh?" He asked, looking down at the rabbit tied to her hip. "Looks like ya got more than air."

Chuckling Valentine felt her cheeks blush despite the frigid air, her eyes jumping to Daryl's amused ones. "Shuddup." She muttered, her breath puffing out a white cloud as she chuckled with him.

"Now. Now. C'mon and tell me." He teased, stopping her from walking to grip her coat. He playfully tugged on it and encouraged her, "tell me why."

Smirking she looked away and admitted, "I was craving rabbit okay?"

Daryl's gruff laugh had her smiling, her eyes watching him enjoy himself a little too much.

"Just had a hankerin' huh?" he murmured, his elusive grin cracking subtly.

"This is all your fault you know." She complained with a mock frown, her hand unzipping her jacket to expose the large curve under her thick sweater. "This little redneck shit is turning me into some kind of rabbit addict. I think we depleted all the hollows around."

Daryl laughed again, his warm breath hitting her cheek as he stepped in close to her. Her swollen stomach didn't allow them to hug easily so Daryl came in from the side, his large hand sliding along their soon to be first born. Humming deeply, Valentine felt his chest rumble with the sound of contentment. "Darlin' that's what ya get for carryin' a Dixon. Redneck through and through."

A short laugh was all she got before his mouth coupled to hers. His taste overwhelmed her as he explored her mouth expertly. They'd been together for what felt like decades but every time he kissed her felt like the first. Moaning as she gripped the front of his thick winter coat, he held her body as close as he could.

Their mouths slowed, cloudy breathes fogging the air around them. Daryl's forehead was cool to the touch, the skin pressing against her own chilled flesh.

"Let's get you two back sweetheart." He rasped with a concerned voice, his gloved hand brushing stray hair from her eyes, "Don't need no cold Val."

Kissing his cheek, Valentine straightened the thick knit scarf Penny had made him. "Will you skin it for me?" She asked with a little smirk she knew made him soften to any of her requests.

She could tell he knew what she was doing as he snorted loudly, Daryl teasing, "only 'cause it makes ya puke otherwise your ass would be doin' your own damn dirty work."

Daryl was cooking the rabbit on the fire pit in the backyard despite the snow coming down. No one could say he wouldn't do anything for the woman he loved. Smirking as he held his hands over the fire he watched the meat drip fat, the plump rabbit she caught big enough for all three of them. Laughing quietly at the absurdity, he glanced up at the window to see Penny watching from her bedroom window seat. She waved with a big grin, Daryl rolling his eyes at the ridiculousness of him cooking outside in a snow storm.

'Goddamn ya are some big kinda pussy ain't ya boy?' Merle would've ranted, his giant cheshire grin sneering in Daryl's minds eye.

"Worth it." He muttered to himself as the sound of boots crunching the newly fallen powder brought his eyes away from the flames.

"The hell ya doing Dixon?" Rick hollered from the fence between their homes.

"What's it look like Grimes?" He barked, his neck flushing with embarrassment below the warm scarf. "Woman's got a cravin'."

A loud laughed barked out of Rick as he chortled at the half frozen man frowning back at him. "That where she was this morning?"

"Yeah. Found her out there prowlin' for critters."

Rick laughed again and joked, "couldn't cook it inside huh?"

"Best over a open flame man. Ya know that."

"You're whipped man. Whipped." His brother teased, his bright eyes affectionate rather than cruel like Merle's would've been. Daryl rolled his own eyes and snapped, "Shuddup man. Woman deserves whatever she wants."

The smirk Rick gave him let him know he was only ribbing him because they both knew if Valentine needed anything Rick could provide, he'd do it. They weren't just friends, the pair were like siblings, twins even.

"Well don't burn it and get your ass inside before it falls off." Rick instructed with another chuckle before leaving for the warmth of his own home. Rotating the meat, Daryl decided it was done. He buried the fire with snow before hurrying inside to thaw out.

He climbed the stairwell, the warmth of the home making his skin sting almost painfully. Penny met him at the front door, the girl obviously watching and waiting for him.

"Thanks Pen." He murmured, ruffling her hair as he entered the kitchen. Standing in a pair of flannel pants and one of his t-shirts, Valentine smashed a few cooked potatoes for a side. He smiled at the sight of the large curve stretching the fabric, her hips swaying as she moved around the kitchen. Daryl had never had much in his life but now he had everything he never knew he wanted.

"Oh god. That smells good." She muttered, turning back to see him setting the cooked rabbit on the counter. Smiling crookedly at her he drawled, "Better. Think I froze my balls off."

Valentine laughed loudly and replied, "you're the one insisting to cook it outside."

"Yeah we'll smack me upside the head next time." He replied while sticking his finger in the potatoes for a taste. She smack his hand half heartedly, her lips twitching as he not so secretly took another scoop.

"Will you make sure Penny washed up? She was cleaning her bow again." Valentine asked while picking at the rabbit meat. Daryl chuckled at her, smacking her on the ass on his way out. "Bes' not eat it all. Deserve me some leg."

Penny was already in the bathroom, her hands soaped up as he leaned against the doorway. "Yeah, yeah. I'm doin' it." She muttered, looking up at him in the mirror with a frown. Daryl smirked, his arms crossed, "Its 'cause she cares."

"I know." Penny murmured, her eyes sinking to her hands as she rinsed. Daryl cocked an eyebrow at the girl's sullen face, the expression completely different than the one she had in the window.

Sitting down on the closed toilet seat he drawled, "what's wrong?"

"Nothin'." Penny grumbled with a scrunched nose, her mannerisms and expressions so close of his own bad habits. Poking her in the ribs teasingly he repeated, "what's wrong?"

"Just-." She started, her eyes not raising from the floor. Daryl touched her chin, tilting her face up to make eye contact with her. He could see the girl was troubled but wasn't sure what had happened in the last few minutes. "Talk t'me girl."

"When the baby's here... will I still live with you guys?" She asked, her words getting quieter and eyes more nervous as she continued, "I know I ain't your real kid and all but I'll help and I won't get in the way-."

"Hey." He stopped her, his hand squeezing her shoulder gently. "Ya ain't goin' no where Penny. Ever." Daryl couldn't believe she'd even think it but figured it was normal for a kid to get nervous about a new baby.

"Pen..." he rasped, shaking his head a little. Daryl wasn't one to speak his feelings much, he'd rather show them with actions, example being cooking in a snowstorm. The girl needed to hear it though, Daryl realizing despite Penny being with them for a couple years now she was still a kid. "You're our kid too, Pen." He spoke quietly, "Love ya like you're our own. Nothing and no one will change that."

Penny's chin wobbled making Daryl grimace slightly before he covered his discomfort up. Being affectionate and comforting crying kids was something he had to learn, it being something he never had growing up. Pulling her into a tight hug he felt her cry a little before she reeled the sadness in. "Thanks Daryl." She mumbled, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"Dinners all ready. Ya hungry ain't ya?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Let's go before Val eats it all."

"I heard that!" She hollered from the other room.

"Good! I wanted ya too." He joked, winking at Penny before adding, "Ya bes' listen too."

The pain started not even twenty four hours after Valentine expedition in the woods, something Daryl couldn't help but mention. Valentine would've rolled her eyes if it hadn't been for the stomach clenching contractions ripping through her. It surprised everyone, Valentine included, that she bore the child quickly and with relative ease. She wasn't sure if it was because she'd had a child before or if it were her high tolerance for pain but it seemed to fly by until the child emerged and was quiet. The silence was heart stopping, everyone in the room holding their breath as the blue faced kid seemed to hold their own. A sudden cracking squall had the rooms tension break, Valentine bursting into tears along with her baby.

"It's boy." William announced, holding out scissors for Daryl to cut the cord. With shaky hands, he snipped the tether his son had to his mother, his eyes raising to Valentine's bloodshot ones. She smiled despite the tear covered cheeks, her eyes crinkling with pure happiness.

"Ya did it girl." Daryl murmured, leaning in to kiss her before the doctor handed over the wrapped bundle.

"You decide on a name?" Rick asked from the other side of the room with Michonne, the couple joining the new parents.

"Jack." Daryl replied hoarsely, the boy name they'd settled on weeks before. Hovering over both of them, he pressed his forehead against Valentine's sweaty brow, both parents looking down at the red faced infant. Tilting forward, Daryl brushed his nose across hers and kissed her tear soaked cheeks. "Lookit what we made darlin'." He rasped so quietly only Valentine and Jack could hear.

"Looks like his daddy." She replied, kissing the baby's soft forehead with a smirk.

"Nah. I can see them curls already."