Ch 11 - Reuniting
The Dixon convoy came to a stop outside the Grimes house, the two trucks idling briefly before Daryl killed the engines. The silver Silverado and black Ford F-250 sat neatly along the curb, their trailers parked carefully to leave the driveway clear. Shane’s Jeep sat in the driveway, unmistakable and all too familiar from the previous timeline, evoking an odd mix of nostalgia and resolve in each of the Dixons.
Merle climbed out of the Silverado first, cracking his neck as he surveyed the street. “Well, here we are,” he muttered, glancing over his shoulder at Daryl. “Home sweet home for the Grimes gang. Wonder if they’re rollin’ out the red carpet for us.”
“Be nice,” Carol warned, shutting the F-250 door behind her. She smoothed her shirt and took Sophia’s hand, glancing up at the house. “It’s strange, seeing it again. Feels like yesterday.”
Daryl stepped around to the sidewalk, his sharp eyes scanning the area. “Feels like a lifetime,” he said quietly, his voice low but steady. “Let’s get inside.”
Sophia, already clutching her tiger cub backpack, looked excited but nervous as she followed Carol to the front door. “Do you think Carl’s home?” she asked softly, glancing up at her mom.
“We’ll find out soon enough,” Carol said with a warm smile.
Merle strode forward with his usual swagger, knocking heavily on the door as Daryl followed close behind, his expression calm but alert. The door creaked open after a few moments, and standing there was Carl, his face lighting up the second he saw them.
Sophia’s breath caught, and for a moment, neither she nor Carl moved. Then, as if on cue, they both let out little gasps and ran toward each other, Sophia’s backpack swinging wildly as she launched herself into Carl’s arms. “Carl!” she cried, her voice breaking slightly with emotion.
Carl hugged her tightly, his own voice trembling as he said, “Sophia! I missed you so much!” His words were muffled by the sound of Sophia’s giggles, quickly followed by the unmistakable sniffles of happy tears.
The two kids clung to each other as though afraid to let go, their reunion charged with the weight of all they remembered from the previous timeline. They laughed and cried in equal measure, completely absorbed in the moment.
Merle leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms and smirking as he watched them. “Well, ain’t that just adorable,” he drawled. “Two little lovebirds, reunited at last. Someone hand me a tissue before I start cryin’.”
Daryl rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth. “They’re kids, Merle,” he muttered. “Let ‘em have their moment.”
Carol, on the other hand, looked on with an expression of pure warmth and happiness. “It’s good for them,” she said quietly. “After everything they went through... they need this.”
Sophia pulled back from the hug just enough to look up at Carl, her cheeks damp but her smile radiant. “I can’t believe we’re really here,” she said softly. “It feels like... like a dream.”
“It’s not a dream,” Carl replied, his voice steady but full of wonder. “We’re really here. Together this time.”
Merle gave an exaggerated sigh, throwing his hands up. “Alright, that’s enough sap for one day,” he quipped, though his teasing lacked its usual edge. “Someone gonna invite us in, or we just standin’ here all night?”
Carl grinned, stepping aside and motioning for them to come in. “Come on,” he said. “Dad and Shane aren’t back yet with the truck, but I’ve got everything ready.”
The group filed into the house, the door clicking shut behind them. Inside, the living room was neat but dominated by stacked boxes, clearly packed and ready for the upcoming move. The air carried the faint scent of cardboard, packing tape, and familiarity. It felt like a snapshot from the past, but this time, the people in the picture were determined to rewrite the ending.
Merle plopped down into an armchair, kicking his boots up on the edge of a box and folding his arms behind his head. “Well, well,” he said, surveying the room. “Looks like y’all got your act together. Didn’t think the Grimes family knew how to pack light.”
Carol shot him a look, but there was no heat behind it. “Merle,” she said with a touch of exasperation, “try to be helpful, will you?”
Daryl leaned against the wall, arms crossed as he glanced at Carl. “Where’s your dad and Shane?” he asked, his tone even.
“They went to get the moving truck,” Carl explained, sitting down beside Sophia on the couch. “They should be back soon. I didn’t know you guys were coming today. This is awesome!”
Sophia nodded eagerly, clutching her tiger cub bracelet. “We’ve been so busy, Carl,” she said, her voice bright with excitement. “We went shopping and got clothes and supplies and even a new motorcycle for Uncle Merle!”
Carl’s eyes widened in amazement. “A motorcycle? That’s so cool!” He looked at Merle with a mix of admiration and curiosity. “What kind did you get?”
Merle smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. “Indian Scout Bobber,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “Matte black, built for speed. Makes me look real good, if I do say so myself.”
Carl laughed, shaking his head. “That sounds awesome.”
The sound of the moving truck’s engine echoed in the quiet suburban street as Shane carefully backed it into the Grimes driveway, its size dwarfing Shane’s familiar green Jeep parked off to the side. The door to the house swung open, Carl bounding out excitedly, his grin wide and bright.
“They’re here!” Carl called back to the group in the living room.
Sophia and Carol both smiled as they stood to follow Carl outside, with Merle and Daryl trailing behind at a more leisurely pace. The soft crunch of Rick’s boots on the driveway grew louder as he approached the house, his stride purposeful and his face breaking into a smile when he saw the familiar group gathered near the door.
Rick’s eyes landed on Daryl first, and his smile grew wider as the two men stepped toward each other. There was no hesitation—Rick immediately extended his hand, but Daryl ignored it, pulling Rick into a firm hug instead. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a bond born of trust and shared battles, even across timelines.
“Brother,” Rick said warmly, patting Daryl’s back before stepping back. His blue eyes were full of genuine affection and relief. “It’s damn good to see you.”
“You too,” Daryl replied, his tone rough but steady, the faintest flicker of a smile tugging at his lips. “Been a long time comin’.”
Merle stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the exchange with a faintly amused expression. There was something raw and real in the way Daryl and Rick greeted each other that tugged at something deep inside him, though he’d never admit it outright.
Rick turned toward Merle next, his smile never faltering as he stepped forward. Merle raised an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard by the warmth radiating from Rick’s gaze. There was no hesitation as Rick extended his hand once again, his grip firm when Merle clasped it.
“Merle,” Rick said sincerely, meeting his eyes. “I’ve heard stories, but I want you to know—this time’s different. You’re family, and we’re in this together.”
For a moment, Merle said nothing, his gaze studying Rick as though searching for any trace of insincerity. But there was none. Rick’s words were solid, his tone steady, and the weight of his declaration made something inside Merle soften. The resistance he’d carried from the previous timeline—the bitterness, the sense of being an outsider—melted away in that instant.
“Family, huh?” Merle muttered, his voice quieter than usual, almost contemplative. Then he smirked, but it wasn’t his usual sharp-edged grin. It was softer, almost genuine. “Alright, Grimes. Guess that makes us brothers now. Don’t make me regret it.”
Rick chuckled, clapping Merle on the shoulder. “You won’t,” he said firmly. “We’ll get through this. Together.”
Merle glanced at Daryl, who gave him a small, approving nod, and then at Carol and Sophia, who were standing with Carl near the front door. For the first time, Merle felt like he belonged—not just as Daryl’s brother, but as part of something bigger. Something worth fighting for.
“Guess I can get used to that,” Merle said, his smirk widening slightly. “Hell, why not? We’re all in this now.”
Carl, who had been watching the interaction with wide eyes, suddenly grinned and blurted, “Uncle Merle!”
The words caught everyone by surprise, especially Merle, who blinked at Carl for a moment before letting out a gruff laugh. “Well, damn,” he said, shaking his head. “Didn’t think I’d ever hear that. Alright, kid. Uncle Merle it is.”
Sophia giggled, clapping her hands. “I called it first!” she said playfully.
Merle rolled his eyes, though the warmth in his expression betrayed him. “Don’t go gettin’ all sentimental on me now,” he teased. “I might actually start likin’ this whole family thing.”
Rick stepped back, folding his arms as he glanced between the Dixons and his son. “Come on inside,” he said, his voice full of purpose. “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
The group headed back into the house, the atmosphere lighter than before. Merle, walking beside Rick, seemed more at ease than he had in years—or perhaps even ever. For the first time, his rough edges weren’t a defense but a reflection of someone finally ready to let his guard down.
Inside, the living room buzzed with renewed energy as they began to catch each other up on everything—what the Dixons had been doing since they returned, what Rick and Carl had been planning, and how Shane’s role had shifted now that the truth about Lori had come to light.
Shane, who had been leaning quietly against the doorframe, still looked confused by much of the conversation—how Rick and Carl seemed to know the Dixons so intimately, and how the Dixons talked as if they knew him, too. But he kept his questions to himself, observing the dynamic with quiet curiosity. He would save his thoughts for Rick later, knowing there was more going on than he could piece together in one sitting.
The living room buzzed with renewed energy as everyone caught up, their voices weaving together the stories of their journeys since being sent back. Carl sat beside Sophia, their excitement palpable, while Carol remained calm and steady, leaning slightly forward as she listened. Daryl stood near the wall, his presence grounding the room, and Merle, uncharacteristically relaxed, lounged in the armchair, his grin softened but still unmistakable. Rick had taken a seat near his son, his posture open and welcoming, while Shane stayed near the doorway, his expression torn between curiosity and guarded confusion.
After a pause in the conversation, Rick gestured toward Shane, his tone calm but firm. “Shane,” he began, “I’d like you to meet the Dixons—Daryl, Merle, Carol, and Sophia. They’re family now.”
Shane blinked, glancing at Rick with a faint frown before turning his attention to the Dixons. “Family?” he echoed, the word carrying a hint of skepticism. “I mean... Carl clearly knows them, and you act like you know them too, but—” He hesitated, folding his arms across his chest. “How?”
Merle leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as he smirked. “Good question, Officer Friendly Number Two,” he drawled. “Let’s just say we’ve got a history—one y’all don’t remember. But it don’t matter now, does it? What matters is we’re here, and we’re makin’ sure we don’t screw it up this time.”
Carol’s voice was gentler as she chimed in. “We’re all here for the same reason, Shane. To make things better this time around. And you’re part of that.”
Shane’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded after a moment, his tone cautious. “Alright,” he said. “Guess I can roll with that.”
Sophia smiled brightly at Shane, her tone cheerful as she added, “You’ll like Uncle Merle. He’s funny!”
Merle let out a short laugh, leaning back in his chair. “Damn right I am, little cub. Ain’t no use bein’ serious all the time.”
Shane raised an eyebrow, looking between Rick and Carl, then back at the Dixons. “Well, I guess I’ll figure it out as we go,” he muttered, his voice carrying a hint of resignation.
Rick stood, motioning toward the truck parked in the driveway. “We’ve still got boxes to load,” he said. “Y’all feel like lending a hand?”
Daryl shrugged, pushing off the wall. “Sure,” he said simply. “Ain’t gonna load itself.”
Carol nodded, rising gracefully from the couch. “Of course,” she said. “We’re here to help.”
Merle stood as well, rolling his shoulders. “Let’s get to it,” he said, grinning. “Ain’t no sense sittin’ around when there’s work to be done.”
Rick glanced at Shane, motioning for him to follow. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get this done.”
The group moved outside, the warm glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the yard. The truck’s back door rolled up with a faint creak, revealing stacks of boxes packed tightly inside. Carl and Sophia immediately began organizing the lighter boxes near the truck’s edge, their chatter filled with excitement and teamwork.
Daryl and Merle handled the heavier boxes with practiced ease, their movements fluid and efficient as they loaded them onto the truck. At one point, Rick handed Merle a box, their hands brushing slightly as Merle took it. They exchanged a brief look, and something unspoken passed between them—an acknowledgment, a hint of mutual respect that hadn’t existed before.
“You know,” Merle said suddenly, his tone casual but carrying weight, “I didn’t think I’d ever see myself doin’ this—helpin’, workin’ with y’all. But it feels right. Guess I gotta thank you for that, Grimes.”
Rick smiled faintly, his hands steady as he picked up another box. “We’re stronger together,” he said simply. “And I’m glad you’re here, Merle.”
For the first time, Merle didn’t deflect with humor or sarcasm. He just nodded, the flicker of a genuine smile crossing his face. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “Me too.”
As the last of the boxes were loaded, Shane remained near the truck, his posture more relaxed now. He watched as the group worked, his confusion still present but tempered by a growing understanding of their dynamic. He didn’t say much, but the way his gaze lingered on Rick told him he’d have questions later—questions Rick would be ready to answer.
With the truck packed and the sun dipping lower in the sky, the group stepped back to admire their work. The bond between them felt stronger now, solidified by shared effort and mutual respect. For the Dixons, the Grimes, and even Shane, the road ahead felt clearer. Together, they were ready to face whatever came next.