The morning unfolds with a tender warmth, as Daryl, the ever-vigilant protector, prepares for the day. Dasiy, your little beacon of hope, approaches him with the curiosity and innocence that only a child can possess.
"Whatcha doin', Daddy?" Dasiyβs voice is curious, her small hand reaching for the quiver of arrows.
"Just gettin' ready, little warrior," Daryl replies, his voice a soft echo of the man he once was, now reshaped by love and fatherhood. He lifts Dasiy onto his lap, her presence a comforting weight. "You know why I head out there, don't ya?"
"To keep the baddies away," Dasiy responds with a nod, her understanding of the world shaped by the stories and lessons you've both shared with her.
"That's right," Daryl affirms, a hint of pride in his voice. "And I always come back. You know why?"
Dasiy's eyes, so much like yours, shine with anticipation for his answer.
"'Cause you're my little warrior, and you and your ma are the reason I fight. Ain't nothin' gonna stop me from comin' back to you both." He gently boops her nose, a gesture that draws a delighted laugh from Dasiy.
"I love you, Daddy," she says, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug that seems to hold the whole world.
Daryl's embrace is a fortress, strong and safe. "Love you more, my little warrior."
With a final hug, he sets her down and stands, his crossbow now a silent sentinel over his shoulder. He shares a look with you, a silent conversation of promises and shared dreams.
As Daryl steps through the gate, Dasiy hurries to the window, her small hands pressed against the pane. You stand beside her, your presence a pillar of strength as you both watch him disappear from view.