You sit by the fire Nick and Dwight made writing yet another letter you know he'll never read and holding the last picture you have of him...

Troy Otto & Y/n Clark Broke-Jaw Ranch 2014 Always & Forever♥︎♥︎

That's what was written on the polaroid picture you held in your hands. Not a day goes by that you don't take that picture out and look at it. It's one of the only thing you have left of the boy you fell in love with all those years ago on his family's ranch.

The photo and writing now a bit faded but the memories of that day still fresh in your mind like it was yesterday...

Broke-Jaw Ranch, California 8 years ago

"Look what I found" you say in a singsong voice to Troy and Nick

"Thought you went out to find food water clothes you know things we need to live" Nick says

"I found all that but I found this too, and besides you need memories to live to little brother" you said

"You are only older then me by 2 minutes" Your brother says rolling his eyes

"2 minutes, 2 hours, 2 months, or 2 years, I'm still older" you smirk

"Troy help me out here dude"

"Sorry Nick gotta go with my girl on this one older is older" Troy says making you smile

"You are only agreeing with her because she gives you sex" Nick says with a scoff

"Well it's pretty awesome sex Nick, your sister-"

"I don't wanna hear that shit gross" your brother says

"Anyways way off topic back to my new camera, I only have enough film for 4 pictures til I can find more film so we are taking some, me and Troy, the 2 of you, all 3 of us finally one of me and Nick" you tell them with a smile but They sit and stare at you like you had lost your mind "pleaseeeeeeee" you beg

"Fine" they both say

You take all your pictures selfie style before writing on all of them. Labeling each one with all your names, the year and where it was taken.

"Why do you want pictures of this time in our shitty lives" Nick ask

"Our shitty lives are the reason i wanted them Nicky, any of us could die at any minute and even if something were to happen to either or God forbid both of you at least I'll always have these pictures from a good day when our world was just a little less shitty"

"Mommy" you hear from behind you, you quickly wipe your tears and look behind you, seeing your 7 year old daughter rubbing her eyes.

"Tessa baby what are you doing up and where's Uncle Nicky he was supposed to be watching you"

"He's inside the tent sleeping but I wanted you, I had I bad dream" she says her voice low making you smile and open your blanket.

Tessa smile and comes to get in your lap "are you writing another letter to daddy" she asked

"I sure am, you wanna write one too" you asked making her nod her head in excitement.

When you hand her paper and a pen she puts her finger on her chin like she's thinking making you smirk!

She looks so much like Troy it's unbelievable it's like you weren't even in the room. She has his blue eyes, dark brown hair his lop sided smile and his dimples! Along with his attitude, temper and flare for the dramatics but that could have come from her uncle too Nick did help raise her after all. The only thing she has from you is your sassyness and nose.

Troy never knew you were pregnant before he died but to be fair you didn't know til a month later. A part of you died at the dam that day with him, and you never forgave your mother for taking him away from you. You never accepted her bullshit accuse or reason why she took the love of your life away from you. And when you and Nick found your mom a few years ago as happy as you were she was alive you had mixed emotions about it. You still haven't forgave her but you have learned to live with it.

You never never moved on from Troy. To you you had your once in a lifetime love, your epic love and it was taken away from you. So the last 8 years you have just focused on Tessa Nicole Otto! She was your pride and joy, the best parts of you and Troy! You made sure that from the day she was born to tell her that her daddy loved her and even tho she never got to meet him he was always with her.

"Mommy I'm done" Tessas voice pulls your thoughts.

"Can I read this one" you asked. When Tessa learned to write and started writing her own letters to Troy you never read them unless she said it was ok.

"Not this one mommy it's just for daddy but I made sure I told him me and you both love and miss him" you said with a smile.

"Well then I won't read it. How about you fold it up and we'll put it in your box then head back to bed"

"OK, but mommy can you tell me the story about the princess from La-La Land and the Rancher prince please" she begged looking at you with her big blue eyes

"Fine" you sigh giving in "once upon a time..."

The story of the La-La Land princess and the rancher prince was Tessas favorite. It was filled with love heros villians and monsters! You never told her it was about you and Troy but deep down you believed she knew. But you did change the ending because the real ending was to hard.

"And they lived happily ever after"

"I love that story mommy, the rancher prince he sounds like really loved the princess" she said rubbing her eyes

"He did, he told her one time she was his one and only and would never love another princess as long as he lived"

"Like you and daddy, you never loved another boy after daddy"

"And I never will, your daddy was it for me. Now stop stalling and go to bed little rugrat" you say tickling her making her giggle

"Can I give daddy a kiss first" she asked looking down at the picture that's still in your hand. "He'd expect nothing less"

You turn to send Tessa back to the tent when you see your brother, mother, June and Dwight standing there "how long have you guys been there"

"Since about when the rancher prince fights the witch to save the princess" Dwight says smirking

"The rancher prince loved the princess uncle D he always saved her" Tessa says making them smile

"He sure did to bad the princess couldnt do the same in return" you say looking over to your mom Maddison

"Hey Tessa why don't you let aunt June and Uncle D put you back to bed and me and grandma will help mommy put the paper and letters up" Nick says to your daughter

"Ok good night mommy" she says kissing you then takes Troy's picture and kiss it "good night daddy I love you and miss you" then walks over to Nick and Maddison giving them a hug and kiss goodnight before disappearing in the tent.

Nick and your mom lean down helping you put everything back in the box when your mom picks up the picture and looks at it "you look so happy here, its nice to see that smile again even if its just a picture" she says before you snatched it away.

"I was mom" you said coldly and look down at the picture getting misty eyed "Troy was the only happiness I had after so many years of hating life and i dont have time to smile these days"

"Am I the evil witch in the your story" she says making you look at her "Yep you sure are"

"I'm sorry I took Troy a-" She started to say

"Nope you dont get to that mom" you tell her

"I dont get to do what? Say how sorry i am"

"Guys let's not do this tonight" Nick says but you ignored him

"You've said it over and over but I'm still not gonna forgive you mom! You will never understand the love I still hold for him! You don't understand what losing Troy did to me you might think you know BUT YOU DONT!" You yell before lowering your voice again "You didn't just take him away from me mom you took him away from Tessa and I don't wanna talk about Troy with you. I told you Troy is off limits to you. A part of your daughter died that day at the dam with him and that part will never forgive you, so unless you want the other parts to start hating you too I really suggest you don't bring up his name around me again"

"OK well I'm going to bed, good night you two I love you both" she says walking away.

Things are silent while Nick helps you pick up the rest of your things then when it's all put back but one note book Nick speaks up "can I ask you something"

"If it's about mom then no you can't if it's anything else yes" you tell him

"If Troy is never gonna see these letters why do you and Tessa write them"

You take a minute to think before you answer him "because Nicky when I write him and tell him about my day, about Tessa about anything it's like he's still here and I'm telling him"

"OK that makes sense. Can I ask you something else?" He asked and you hum for him to continue "Why have you never tried to move on and be happy with anyone else. There have been plenty of guys try but you turn them down. I mean you and Dwight have always been really close and I know he has a thing for you hes told me"

"I love Dwight he's one of my best friends he's sweet cute funny and he's great with Tessa and loves her to pieces and Tessa BTW loves him too but he's not Troy! None of them are and I don't want anyone but Troy noone could never make me feel like he did. And no matter how sweet and amazing Dwight is I had my one love and I lost him. the only good things that came from the world ending was meeting Troy and having Tessa"

"Troy was my best friend and I know he'd want you to be happy and move on"

"That's the thing Nick I would never be happy with anyone else, not truly happy anyways. And Dwight is to much of a good guy to do that to he's been thru enough already I wouldn't want to hurt him more"

"So you've thought about it? You and Dwight i mean" he asked

"Of course I've thought about it Nick im human and im lonely i mean ive gone 8 years with no sex. Me and Dwight talked about it after Sherry left and here's a secret for you he even kissed me" you laugh making Nick look surprised "but in the end I just think I'd end of hurting him. It's just better for me this way better for everyone" you say

"circle back to you and Dwight kissing I wanna hear that story"

"Nothing to tell really we were on watch a couple weeks ago got to talking and he kissed me" you tell him

"And..."

"It was nice, really good kisser ill give the man that. It was the first time I've kissed a guy in over 8 years but he isn't Troy and as nice as the kiss way it made me relieze that, I'm destined to be alone. Besides I have my hands full with you and your mini me niece yall give me enough gray hair" you say smirking.

"Whatever,anyways we have a long day let's go to bed" he says

"Go ahead I'm gonna finish this letter, good night Nicky"

"Night" he says kissing your head and walking away.

You look down at the picture in your right hand then look at the rings on your left finger Troy gave you and the words Troy said to you all those years ago echeo in your head...

"These were my mothers and I want you to have them and I promise when we are safe again im gonna make you my wife, you will always be the only girl for me y/n Clark as long as I'm alive I'll never love anyone the way I love you"

"Troy their beautiful but these were your mother's are you sure you want me to have them"

"Yes baby, She gave them to me and told me to give them to the girl I wanted to marry so I'm giving them to you"

"Troy Otto are you asking me to marry you" you smirk

"Yes and no I don't want to say the words just yet so think of it as a pre-engagment" he smiles

You let a couple tears fall then get back to the letter Troy will never read.

*****

The next day surprise surprise your mother managed to get herself into some shit leaving you Nick and the rest of your group having to go after her. She did find Victor tho but that also meant putting your life in danger for him too.

"Come on Y/n it's mom and Victor we have to go. Who ever they pissed off wants their heads" Nick says trying to reason with you.

"I get that Nick but I'm tired of putting my life in danger for those 2 because they pissed off the wrong person, they are always pissing people off and I have to leave my daughter to go talk down the mad man. Do you not remember what Victor became at that tower how he tried to kidnap my daughter and you want me to leave my daughter once again to save his ass"

"But you are so good at it talking down the mad man! Please one last time then me you and Tessa will go back to padre no more rescue missions." he begs giving you his big puppy dog eyes.

You think for minute before finally giving in "fine one last time then me and Tessa are leaving with or without you"

"Deal but it's gonna be with me" he says

"I'm in charge of this little mission we do it my way or I'm not doing it" you tell him

You leave Tessa with the promise of coming back to her in 3 days, telling her you had to go help people that needed it. You also left her with the picture of you and Troy just in case you couldn't talk down the mad man your mother and Victor had pissed off.

You make it to the hotel, Nick June Dwight Daniel and the rest of your group by your side and guns loaded.

"OK so what's the plan" June asked

"Same as it's been since the beginning I talk down who ever those 2 have pissed off! Kinda amazing they just found each other less then 24 hours ago and they have already pissed someone off" you say rolling your eyes.

Mean while in the hotel lobby Maddison and Victor sit tied to chairs when a face from the past appears and drops a bag at Maddisons feet.

"Hey there Maddison, been awhile"

"Troy"

Troy holds a hammer to Victor's head, the same hammer she used on him 8 years ago before leaving him for dead.

"I would listen to him, Madison, because if you don't. I'm not gonna stop with him, am I? So how many more people are you prepared to hurt" Troy says

"Why are you doing this Troy" Maddison ask

"You took everything from me Maddison, my family, my ranch, the love of my life" Troy says.

His words dawn on Maddison realizing Troy thinks her daughter is dead "y/n isnt dead Troy and if you do this I'll never tell you where to find her" Maddison says

At the sound of your name Troy looks over to Maddison not knowing if he should believe her "y/n alive?" He ask

"Yes and if you let us go ill take you to her" Maddison tells him

"You're lying, if she was alive I would have found her by now I've been looking since I pulled myself out of the rubble in Mexico IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR 8 YEARS 3 MONTHS AND 19 DAYS"

"She's telling the truth Troy. Y/n alive so is your daughter if you kill me youll never find her"

Troy lowers the hammer looking between them "daughter?"

"Yes. Her name is Tessa and I will take you to both of them Troy if you let us and all these people go"

"STOP LYING MADDISON" Troy yells

"I'm not lying Troy shes alive"

"Then where is she huh. She'd never leave your side or your side Victor"

"We're not exactly at the top of her list these days" Victor says

"Troy I promise I'll take you both of them just let-"

"Drop the hammer now" Daniel's voice comes from the other side of the room followed by June's voice "drop it now"

*****

You and Nick wait to walk after the others,

"You ready big sis" Nick ask cocking his gun looking at you

"Let's go little bro, gotta get back to my baby" you say cocking your own gun

Nick kicks over the door to the hotel lobby doors walks in you right behind him "drop the fucking gun" he says but is met with Troy making him stop in his tracks you running right into the back of him

"Nick what the fu-" you begin to say but the rest of your words go unsaid when you see what or who made Nick stop and your eyes go wide.

"Troy" you whisper lowering your gun your eyes filling with tears. You blink a few times thinking your mind is playing tricks on you.

When your mind finally catches up you shove your gun into Nick's hands and run as fast as you can where Troy already has his arms out.

You throw yourself in his arms and you both stand there sobbing completely forgetting the room full of confused people. Troy pulls you away smashing his lips onto yours, bringing you into a heated kiss with 8 years worth of desperation.

"H-how are y-y-you here? Am I dreaming?" You ask when you finally pull away and touching his face making Troy laugh

"No baby you're not dreaming I'm really here im here its me" he says

"I thought mom killed you at the dam"

"She almost did but I came to a couple days laters and dug my way out. I've been looking for you ever since baby I never gave up looking for you, I promise ive been from Mexico to Maine looking for you"

"I tried to go back to find you but Nick wouldn't let me, I shouldn't have listened I should have tried harder my God Troy you're here" you said more tears running down your face Troy wiping everyone "I'm here baby I'm here"

Troy" Nick says walking over

"Nick it's good to see you buddy, I take it I have you to thank for making sure she's ok" Troy said giving your brother a hug "thank you for making sure they are both alive"

"How do you know-"

"Your mom and Victor told me before your people came storming in" Troy laughs "I didn't believe them. Is it true? Do we have a daughter?" Troy ask making you nod your nod and smile

"Her name is Tessa Nicole Otto, I found out I was pregnant a month after the dam" you tell him making him pull you into another hug and heated kiss before someone clears their throat making you and Troy pull apart.

"Ummm yeah hi remember us" Dwight says waving his hand "someone wanna tell us what's going on"

"Mission over that's what's going on, put your guns down and Troy will let everyone go and ill get to the bottom of everything" you say and Troy nods to his men to untie everyone.

Troy let's everyone go including your mom and Victor with an understanding that Troy and his men were not allowed back at the hotel.

You walk outside the hotel with Troy and Nick "told you were good at talking down the mad man" Nick laughs making you roll your eyes

"We got lucky" you say

"So this is Troy the one i couldnt compair to huh" Dwight says walking over to you sizing Troy up making you and Nick laugh Troy not so much

"Down boy and I never said that but yes this is Troy, Troy this is Dwight, we met him not to long before Tessa was born and he's saved both our lives to many times to count, he also helped Nick deliver her"

"Thank you for keeping them safe when i couldnt" Troy says holding his hand out for Dwight to shake.

"Its not a problem man their family. You have incredible daughter by the way and an incredible woman even tho she turned me down 100 times over the years" Dwight says making you smile

"Yeah well it wasn't just because of Troy I had to keep my little brother in line"

"Well it's good to meet you man, yall coming back with us to the camp" Dwight ask

"Yeah you guys go ahead we'll catch up" you tell him

*****

Later that night when everyone goes to bed you sit wrapped in Troy's arms looking out over the water just enjoying being back in each other's arms. He tells you what happened that day at the dam and his life for the past 8 years and you tell him about your found family and of course everything there was to say about Tessa.

"I can't wait to meet her" Troy said

"She is gonna be surprised that's for sure but now she can hug and kiss you instead that damn picture"

"I hate I missed her life, she had to grow up not knowing her father that had to be so hard for her and you. im so sorry you had to do it alone" he says sadly

"I didn't do it alone baby. And I promise Tessa Otto knows you we talk about you everyday I tell her stories about you, about us we write you letters. I'm not gonna lie and say it's been easy her growing up without you but she has had Nick and I promise he has been amazing with our daughter and some of the best men ive ever met helped, Morgan John and Dwight even Victor and Daniel you know when they were able to get over their shit with each other, they all helped me raise her and keep her safe but they never tried to take your place that sassy little girl will tell anyone her daddy is Troy Otto" you smile making him feel a little better "and she had some pretty bad ass women too Alicia, Sherry, June, Al, Sarah. You have a badass daughter, that girl can take down walkers twice her size."

"Where did she learn to do that" he asked surprised

"Dwight and Morgan mainly they are best at taking down walkers"

"Can I ask you som-"

"There isn't anything going on with me and Dwight other then Nick hes my best friend" you say cutting him off "the truth I never moved on"

"Why?"

"You know Tessa asked me the same thing a few weeks ago and im gonna tell you what i told her I didn't want to move on I had my once in a lifetime love"

"Even tho you thought I was dead? i couldnt and wouldnt have blamed you"

"It didn't matter if I thought you were dead nobody was ever gonna make me happy. Did I think about it sure on those lonely days a few times I even thought about giving Dwight a chance but I knew I would never be able to give my whole heart and soul to him or love him the way I should"

"Have you slept with him" he ask a little lower "you know as friends"

"We've shared one kiss and tent or room when we had to couple times a bed but I haven't been a man since the last time I was with you" you tell him "have you been with anyone"

"I was close once, it was about 4 years during a drunken stupor in a town in Tennessee I was staying at"

"What happened?"

"I was only gonna be do it because she reminded me of you but when the time came it felt like cheating so I left and never went back, she wasn't you"

You turn to face him and straddle his lap throwing your arms around his neck "I would have understood if you did, you always loved sex" you said in a teasing voice

"No I loved sex with you there is a difference, a big difference" he says

"Whats difference" you ask

"Let me show you" he says before taking you by surprise and pulling you into a heated kiss. The kiss is all teeth tongue and every bit of love and emotions wrapped in one.

Troy kisses down your neck hitting every spot only he knew. It doesn't take long after that before both your clothes are on the ground and Troy is over you.

"You ready to make up for 8 years" he ask with a smile

"I am more then ready" you tell him.

Troy slowly pushes in making you both hiss. 8 years without sex the stretch and burn was intense but felt good at the same time.

"Fuck baby you're so tight" he says

"Well it's been 8 years" you say breathless

"Tell me if I hurt you" he says making you nod

Once he is fully inside he stops for you to get use to his size again and rest his forehead on yours "you can move"

Troy picks up the pace little by little hitting every spot only he was able to and even finding new spots sending your nails down in back while leaving you a moaning mess under him.

"Oh my God Troy right there" you say tugging at the back of his hair a little secret only you knew

"You still feel so fucking good baby, but I'm not gonna last much longer it's been so long" he moans while pounding into you.

"I'm not either I'm so close"

Troy spends up a little while rubbing tight circles on your clit "let go for me baby let me feel you after all this time"

"Troy i-im c-c-cumming ahhh don't stop" you yell when you feel the band stap and tightening around him triggering his own release. Troy cums with your name on his lips filling you up, before collapsing over you breathless. He kisses you then lays his forehead on yours.

"I love you so much baby! I missed you so much I can't believe I finally found you" he says as a stray tear falls from his eye.

"I love you too thank you for not giving up"

"I'd die before I gave up on you"

Troy trys to pull away when you grab him and kissing him hard "I'm not done making up for lost time baby" you say making him smile

"Well we have all night" he says

That night you and Troy spent hours making up for the last 8 years before finally falling asleep in the grass wrapped a blanket in each other's arms on the river bank.

*****

The next Morning Nick and Dwight find you and Troy on the river bank, your clothes are in a pile beside you and you are both wrapped in a blanket.

"Rise and Shine love birds" Nick says

"I see a couple of people had some reunion sex last night" Dwight laughs

"You two are the worst alarm clocks" you mumble against Troy's chest

"Get up or me and Dwight are gonna rip that blanket off you" Nick says

"If you do you will both be seeing stuff you can't unsee Nicky not that Dwight would mind" Troy says his eyes still closed making you hit him "be nice to my best friend, I don't care what you say to Nick"

"Thanks sis but remember we helped deliver your child we've seen it all" Nick says making you flip him off

"Fine you'll be seeing parts of me that will make you jealous now give us 10 minutes" Troy says making you laugh "he's not wrong" you say

"10 minutes that's all you get" Nick says

"How you feeling about meeting Tessa" Nick ask when you are all about 10 minutes from where you left Tessa

"I'm excited but nervous it's gonna be a lot for her to take in"

"She's a tough kid" Dwight says

"besides she talks about you all the time she's gonna be so excited" June tells him

"Their right baby Tessa is gonna so excited but let me go in first" you say making Troy nod his head

When you get to the little house you have Troy wait in the livingroom with Nick June and Dwight while you go get Tessa.

"Hey baby I'm back" you say poking your head the room Tessa was in

"Mommy!" She says jumping up from her writing and running to you "I missed you, you were gone so long"

"I was gone 3 days like I told you I would be" you laugh

"Did you help the people that needed help"she ask

"Yep and I even brought you something back wanna go see" you ask seeing her eyes get wide with excitement "ok but close your eyes"

You walk down the stars and into the livingroom with Tessa in your arms. When Troy sees her he can't hold back his tears.

You put Tessa on the groud knowing she was gonna run write to him "OK baby open them" you say

When Tessa sees Troy standing beside her uncle she starts to cry then looks at you "mommy is that really my daddy" she ask

Troy walks over and kneels in front of her his own tears streaming down his face "Yeah baby it's really me it's really daddy" he says then Tessa throws her arms round him "Daddy" she crys into his shoulder.

You can't stop your own tears from falling and you look over to Nick Dwight and June and they all have tears falling from their eyes.

"Daddy why are you crying" Tessa ask when she pulls away

"I'm just so happy I found you and mommy. And I'm never leaving either of you again" Troy says

"But mommy said you died when I was in her tummy said a bad person hurt you" she says

"A bad person did hurt daddy and i almost died but i was able to fight my way through it and I have been looking for you and mommy ever since"

"So like the Rancher Prince with the bad witch" she ask

Troy looks at you confused and amused making the other 3 laugh "the Rancher Prince y/n"

"Yeah daddy the Ranch Prince that saved the Princess from La-La Land from the evil witch, I always knew you were the rancher prince daddy" Tessa says making everyone laugh

"Wait Tes you know who is that story is about" you ask

"Yes mommy im 7 now, you are the princess and daddy is the rancher prince I just haven't figured out who the old evil witch is that hurt daddy maybe when I'm 8 ill know that part too" she says making you all laugh.

"That girl is to start for her own good" Nick says

"I've been say that since she was 2" Dwights

"I gotta know this story! Will you tell me daddy the story" Troy ask making Tessa smile from ear to ear

The rest of the day You Troy and Tessa spend together. Tessa talks Troy's ear off about anything she can think of til it was her bed time.

After you and Troy put Tessa to bed you hand him 2 boxes of letters.

"What are these" he ask

"Letters me and Tessa have wrote you over the years" you tell him

"You wrote me letters" he ask

"At least 2 a week for the last 8 years sometimes more you know when we weren't battling for our lives" you laugh "I haven't read all Tessas she didn't always let me read them"

"She wrote them herself"

"Its how I taught her to write. Before she could write herself she would just tell me what she wanted to say to you and she would just draw you pictures. Anytime anyone went on a run they always brought her back colors and papers even coloring books when they found them"

Troy smiles and takes your hand in his playing with the ring on your finger "you really never gave up loving me did you"

"I told you I never did. You are the love of my life and I would have rathered been alone when be with anyone but you"

"Remember when i gave you my mothers rings and what I said" he asked

"Like it was yesterday"

"Well I'm asking now, y/n Clark will you marry me"

"Yes!"