Chapter Text
If ever there was a one horse town Elgin, Georgia's it. Got a grocery store, diner an' a few other shops an' services 'long the one street through town. Ain't much fer sure. But all they need 's eachother. 'N its the only place Daryl'd let Rick be a cop. The only place Rick'd let Daryl ride a motorcyle. Ain't a lotta traffic on them country roads. Good place ta raise a family, too. Small towns 's quiet. Safe.
Small towns 's close. Everyone knows yer business. 'N people talk. 'Least they's only sayin' good things 'bout him an' Rick. Got the odd glance 'n whispers in the beginnin'. Sleeveless redneck on a noisy motorcycle with the sheriff ridin' bitch. But soon 'nough people realized they's no different than the rest a them. Jus' two people in love. Tryin' ta live a quiet life.
Motorcycle 's as gone as the the dirty looks. Ain't no good fer gettin' 'round with a baby. 'N Daryl walks everywhere with Judith anyways. Ain't but a couple a blocks ta ev'rythin'. Sold the bike ta pay fer Judy's crib 'n more toys 'n shit than his sweet little girl knows what ta do with.
She loves her walks with Papa. Stoppin' at the coffee shop 'fore goin' ta see Daddy. The coffee at the station's worse than the burnt shit they got at hospitals. Fuckin' swill. Daryl likes ta bring Rick a treat sometimes. 'N can't go a whole shift 'thout seein' 'im. Good thing they's got unlimited textin', too.
Judy's bouncin' in the baby sling he carries 'er in 'soon 's he goes through the slidin' doors. Knows Daddy's on the other side. Waitin' fer 'em. She gets 'bout as giddy as Daryl. "There he is, Girlie," Daryl slipped through the gate as Theresa buzzes him inta the back where Rick's doin' paperwork.
Rick's up outta his chair. Boundin' over fer a kiss. Nearly knockin' over the coffees. "Missed my babies," he kisses 'em both. Warmin' Daryl more 'n the coffee.
"Missed ya, too, Officer Friendly," Daryl teased. 'S what his brother called Rick in the beginnin'. Always hangin' 'round. 'Fore he figured out why. "Brought ya somethin'," he passed Rick the coffee. Jus' regular drip. No cream. Nothin' fancy. Rick's favorite. Fer a city boy born 'n bred he sure was meant fer small town country life. Meant fer Daryl.
"Yer too good ta me," Rick smiled. Lightin' up his whole face. Flashin' them white teeth 'n soft pink lips. 'Fore curlin' 'em 'round that cup. Daryl wouldn't mind them lips curled 'round him tonight.
"Don' get too excited," Daryl fussed with Judith as she wriggled an' drooled inta his chest. "Spent our las' dime so dinner ain't gonna be fancy er nothin'." Got a couple a carrots, an onion, a potato er two an' that's 'bout it. Gonna haveta get a couple a squirrels tonight. Good thing they's got the house at the end a town. Backed up 'gainst the woods. Huntin's good back there.
"'S okay," Rick patted Daryl's cheek. Brushed the straggles a hair outta his eyes. "They say ya can't live on love," he snuck a kiss. 'Front a ev'rybody millin' 'bout. Got a catcall 'n whistle from Shane. "But we always do jus' fine."
Daryl put his forehead ta Rick's. "We sure do." Ain't much they needed 'sides eachother. 'N food. Formula. Diapers. Only ever hadda post date a check at the Piggly Wiggly once ta make ends meet. 'N even though it ain't store policy ta accept that Maggie was nice 'nough ta pretend not ta notice. Took it anyways.