It's three months since the last chapter, then it's a year from the last, three years from the last chapter and so on, hope that makes sense.

(3 months later)

Her fingers glided across the solid wood of the crib, her heart aching as she gazed down at the fresh sheets that were neatly displayed in the crib.

The room was dusty, but still had a fresh, clean scent to it.

It was the first time she had been in there since that day.

Knowing her daughter should have been laying there, crying or giggling broke her.

"Lorna?"

She slowly turned around, finding Daryl stood in the door way.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Terrible." She confessed.

-

(One year later)

"Daryl I was thinking, "Lorna began "maybe we could turn the spare room into something else and not...not some sort of shrine."

Even though it had been a year since they had lost their daughter, they had never removed any of the baby items from the room.

"Are you sure? Don't you want to keep any of that stuff?" Daryl asked.

Lorna frowned. "Why would we need any of it?" She asked.

He shrugged. "Just thought that maybe one day you would..."

"What? Want to carry a baby for nine months only to have it taken from me again?" She asked.

"I just thought-"

"I know what you thought Daryl, but it's not happening. It's obvious I shouldn't be a mother, let's just leave it at that."

Daryl just nodded and allowed Lorna to leave again.

-

(2 years later)

"What you got there?" Lorna asked as she peered over Daryl's shoulder to look at what he was reading.

"Just something I was looking into."

"Adoption?" Lorna asked as she sat down beside him.

He nodded.

She looked down sadly. "You really want a kid don't you?" She asked.

"Yeah, but if it's not something you want then we don't even have to look into this." He stated quickly.

"No, let's have a look into it." She smiled.

-

(3 years later)

"Her names Abigail, she was abandoned by her mother right after birth, left outside the hospital. She's six months old now." The kind women Linda said.

Lorna and Daryl looked down at the little girl who was laid on a play mat giggling and looking at her toys.

She had unruly brunette curls and bright green eyes.

"Hey pretty girl." Lorna cooed as she picked her up. "Hi.." She whispered again.

"She likes you." Daryl chuckled as Abigail nuzzled into Lorna's chest, dribbling down her shirt.

-

(5 years later)

"Mama! Bunnies!" Abigail exclaimed, clapping her hands as she wondered around the garden.

"Don't tell Daddy." Lorna giggled, knowing Daryl would have them strung up for dinner.

Abigail was almost three now, she was running around causing mischief none stop.

"Don't tell Daddy what?"

Lorna yelped as Daryl came up behind her and wrapped his arms tightly around her waist.

"How are my two favourite girls?" He asked.

"Dada, look! Bunnies!"

"Bunnies?" Daryl asked as he walked towards Abigail. "Wow, they'd do nicely in a stew." He grinned.

"Don't you dare Daryl." Lorna warned with her hands on her hips.

He chuckled. "I wouldn't darlin'."

-

(7 years later)

"Daryl I'm scared." Lorna cried.

"It's okay baby, you'll be okay, I promise." He whispered as he took ahold of her hand and kissed her sweaty forehead.

"I can believe this is happening! I told you to keep it under control!" Lorna growled.

"I did! You were the one that cornered me! This is all on you girly!"

"Me?" Lorna exclaimed. "You weren't wearing a shirt! How did you expect me to react when you're walking around showing off your body!" She snapped.

The doctor chuckled as he listened to the conversation.

"Lorna, I need to to put all your energy into pushing this baby out, okay?"

"You can shut up too!" She snapped. "I told you I needed some pain medication, but no!"

"Lorna for crying out loud will you push this baby out!" Merle snapped.

"Oh and here he is! Mr Bad Freaking Timing! Where were your when this baby was conceived!" She snapped. "Any other time you would have walked straight in and stopped it!"

"One last push Lorna." The doctor called.

"Will you stop telling me to push? I'll push your head through that wall-"

"It's a boy!" The doctor called as the infants cry echoed throughout the room.

"A boy?" Lorna gasped. "Is he okay? He's not-"

"He's perfect, just perfect. Look at him." The doctor smiled as he placed the crying baby on her chest.

"Look at him Daryl." Lorna cried. "He's okay, he's really okay."

"He's perfect."

"Now I really think you should name him Merle." Merle chuckled.

"Shut up Merle." Lorna and Daryl snapped.

He just laughed. "Well what are you naming him?" He asked.

"Ryder, Ryder Dixon." Lorna announced.

-

(10 years later)

"Mom! Ryder's being annoying!" Abigail whined.

"He's just playing." Lorna sighed.

"But really loudly!" She huffed.

"Stop your arguing kids, uncle Merles here!" Said Merle as he walked into the house. Uninvited of course.

"Uncle Merle!" Abigail and Ryder cheered as they ran towards him.

"Where's Daryl?" Merle asked as he picked up Ryder.

"Sleeping."

"Lazy shit."

Lorna winked. "I kept him busy last night."

"Oh I bet you did. Got room in that bed for another?" Merle chuckled.

"Ugh, most definitely not."

"Damn shame that sugar."

-

(15 years later)

"I can't believe he's gone." Lorna said quietly as she looked down at the grave.

"Me either."

"Bye, bye Uncle Merle." Ryder said as he placed the flowers down by the head stone.

-

(40 years later.)

"I love you Mrs Dixon." Daryl said as he placed the flowers down on his wife's grave, right beside where their son and daughter had been buried.

-

(41 years later)

Abigail and Ryder looked down at the grave of their parents and their siblings, holding the small hands of their own children.

"I love you Mom." Abigail whispered.

"You too Dad." Ryder said quietly.

____

Never been so sad to end a story. I'm actually crying!

Thank you so much everyone who has stuck through to the end!

You're all amazing! Thank you for the votes and comments they mean so much!

- Meryn!