Chapter Text
The Fourth of July marked Letha’s fourth month of pregnancy and begged the perfect time to take the large pontoon out, so naturally they invited all the people they actually cared about. Carol and Zeke took the seats in front of the captain’s seat, to watch over all the children, Daryl and Rick lounged on the boats couch, behind the driver's seat. T-Dog and Lori claimed the passenger seat, with Lori sitting on T-Dog’s lap, which left Letha in Shane’s arms. “I can teach you how to drive?” He suggested it was a weak excuse to get her in his arms.
Peter had at least warmed up to Daryl and Letha in the week that followed the disastrous dinner, so Shane was hoping against all odds that today might not suck. He was breaking the law with the number of people in his boat, but everyone had a life jacket - and as he pointed out to Rick that morning they were the law. Lori had loaded some mix tape she had made, and the Summer of 2009 mix was blasting loud and proud from the boat speakers.
Letha had looked confused at first, but then shrugged the music off, humming along when she knew a song. Carl had loudly pointed out to his mom that the tracks were ten years old, before dropping down between Sophia, Henry, and Peter. Shane wasn’t sure if having the constant presence of Carl and Sophia were helping or hurting Peter’s transition, but he was a little relieved these days that Peter at least looked at him.
Letha had one of Lori’s hand me down bikinis on with one of Shane’s police academy t-shirts on over it. The cove was a secret place from their youth. But then again it was hard to keep a secret in their hometown. While Daryl and Rick lounged against each other in soft conversation, Lori pointed out landmarks along the lake to T-Dog. Carol and Zeke talked animatedly about god knows what. Shane curled an arm around Letha’s waist and fitted his other hand over hers on the throttle while she drove the boat.
He and Rick had both been cowards about asking more about the bodies. Merle had had enemies. But there was a chance the remaining bones came from someone else dumping bodies there. A terrifying thought of a young Merle helping his father hide a body had been enough not to make either one eager to ask Daryl or Letha about it.
“Yer a good man, Walsh.” Daryl said seemingly out of the blue, as he leaned forward.
“Merle was, too.” Rick added after a long bit, as Shane pulled the boat to a stop, cut the engine, and lowered the anchor. Some secrets, Shane supposed, were better left dead. Letha smiled up at him, and his heart clenched in his chest. He was in love, he had a family, he had everything he ever dreamed of - and he’d be damned if it wasn’t all for that scoundrel Merle.
“Hm.” Shane hummed, “Merle was, too.” He agreed. “Here’s to Merle!” He cried out as he cannon balled into the lake.