Carol smiled as she set her knife on the kitchen counter. It was easier to get the food out of the oven when that knife wasn't digging into her side. She had just gotten out of a council meeting with Rick, Deanna, Daryl, Michonne, Glenn and Maggie when Sophia had stopped by Deanna's and told her dinner was in the oven and she had to get to work. Sophia was sixteen now and helped Rosita keep things stocked and organized in the infirmary in the ASZ. Her smile grew as Carol filled with pride at how amazing all her girls had turned out to be.
Lizzie was fourteen, Mika was twelve and all three girls were following in their mother's footsteps. Thanks to Carol and the man they had come to call dad, Daryl, all three girls were well versed on how to take care of themselves in this cruel world. Daryl made sure each girl could shoot a bow and arrow because his crossbow required more upper body strength than any of them had yet. He had also taught them to hunt and track. Carol equipped each girl with outstanding knife skills and pinpoint accuracy with pistols and rifles. They had picked up their mother's "whatever it takes" to survive attitude and didn't let anyone push them around.
Two months after everything that happened with Pete and Reg, the people of the ASZ knew there was more to Carol, but she still didn't let them see everything she had to offer. It was devastating because not only were Pete and Reg lost, but Jessie's oldest boy, Ron. They figured out later that in his drunken stupor, Pete had went after his own boys first. Ron had died saving Sam's life. "Daryl, Liz, Mik, let's go! It is time to eat." The three of them raced down the stairs and the girls high fived when they beat Daryl to the table.
"Too bad old man," said Lizzie jokingly, "We will always move faster than you. I think we may have to get rid of that bike and sign you up for a segue or something. Oohh! A motorized scooter!" Both girls burst into fits of laughter when Daryl suddenly arched his back and pretended to walk with a cane to the table.
"Mom, is Sam coming over?," asked Mika as she began to fill plates.
"Mika, we have already told you girls that Sam won't be coming over much anymore," said Daryl as he sat down next to Carol. "He and his mom are really having a hard time with everything that happened."
"Sorry, dad, I am just worried about him is all."
"I know, sweet pea," he replied as he squeezed her fingers.
They ate in silence as they were each lost in their own thoughts. "How'd the meeting go?," said Daryl finally breaking the silence.
"It went fine. Rick said that some of the people are really coming along in their shooting and knife skills."
"Day late and a dollar short if you ask me," he mumbled as he shoved another scoop in this mouth. "All I know is these people shoulda already been ready."
"I agree, Daryl, but fussing about it now isn't going to change anything," said Carol as she stood up and walked over to the counter. "Ok, girls, let's get this kitchen cleaned up. You two are on dish duty because Sophia got called over to help Rosita tonight."
"All I'm sayin' is, if shit hits the fan, I ain't taking care of nobody, but you and the girls. You four are my priority." Smiling she walked over and kissed him gently on the lips.
"Thank you, Pookie, we know. But keep in mind, your girls are pretty kick ass in their own right and can take care of themselves."
Smiling, he said, "Course they can, their mom and dad showed them how to survive and there is no one better than us to teach them." Walking over to his crossbow, he picked it up and went outside on the porch. His nightly ritual included checking the house, checking Rick's house and making sure the crossbow was ready for action.
Carol followed him out there and sat down next to him on the stoop. "Daryl, I am really worried about Jessie and Sam. I went over to see them today and all she is doing is sitting on the couch. I try to get her to talk about Ron, but she doesn't want to. I know it takes time, but I have tried to remind her that anything can happen and she needs to be ready to protect Sam. I look into her eyes, but there it is empty."
"Look, Rosie, I know you care and you are worried. But what can ya do? She has to figure this out. She will, just keep talkin' to her, I guess." Carol warmed inside when she heard the nickname he used to call her in the prison. She had told him how much that Cherokee Rose had meant to her and he started calling her that shortly thereafter. He hadn't used it in a while and she didn't realize how much she missed it.
"I will. I am also going to keep an eye on her and Sam in case something happens." Daryl shot a look at her to which she replied, "Don't worry. I have my priorities."
He put his crossbow down and moved her to sit on the step in front of him in between his legs so her back was nestled in his front. He wrapped her up protectively and whispered in her ear, "You and I're what's keepin these girls together. We are all they have and I wouldn't do this with anyone else."
Tipping her chin to look back at him, "I agree," as she pulled his face towards hers to give him a loving kiss.
"Gross, get a room," said Sophia laughing as she came around the corner.
"Did you get everything done Rosita wanted you too, Soph?"
"Yeah, mom, we got it stocked and ready."
"Good. It is late. Your plate is on the stove. Warm it up and after you eat, get to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow."
Sophia leaned over and gave Daryl a kiss on the cheek. "Nite, DD. Nite, mom." Kissing her mom she made her way up the stairs while Carol smirked at Daryl.
"What?," he said as he pulled her closer.
"Nothing. I can just remember a time when you really couldn't stand to be around kids and look at you now. Sophia's nickname has stuck and no matter what you say, you like it."
Turning a shade of crimson, Daryl knew he was busted. "I know I ain't their father and they are too old to call me dad, but I do like DD. It sounds tough and I tell people it stands for Daryl the Devil, but at least our family knows it means 'Daddy Daryl.' You tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it."
Laughing she whispered, "The secret is safe with me, Dixon."
They sat in silence for a while longer before deciding it was time for bed. As they stood up to go in, the night suddenly filled with screams. They looked at each other and ran into the house. The girls were already making their way downstairs.
"Ok, girls, we have talked about this," Daryl said as he grabbed an extra gun. "Stay in the house, blinds drawn, knives and guns in hand. Your mom and I will be back."
"Stay together. If you have to fight, triangle formation, move as one. Got it?"
"We got it, mom," they yelled.
Daryl and Carol took off down the steps as they met up with Rick, Michonne, Judith and Carl. Carl ran next door and handed Judith off just as Sophia stepped outside to grab her. Weeks ago, the houses had got together and decided their best course of action if trouble arose again. The three girls would hunker down to keep Judith safe. Sophia was a great leader for the group and kept the other girls calm.
The group took off toward the front gate as they were met by Abraham and his group, Glenn and Maggie. "What's going on,!?," yelled Rick.
"Sasha said it is a massive herd. The biggest she has seen, guesses over two-three hundred," yelled Abraham as they ran.
"Ok, people, stay alert and stick together!," said Rick.
They got closer and saw the people of the ASZ already fighting with walkers that had gotten in. Everyone began to fight and continued to do so for hours before the herd had been thinned out and walls began going up again. Abraham's group had prepared and trained for what needed to be done to get walls up quickly and the training paid off. Sobs could be heard as the dawn began to break and the realization of how many people died began to set in.
Daryl and Carol wanted to get the girls to help, so they left with a promise to return quickly. Walking down the street, they came upon a scene that stopped them cold. Sam sat in the middle of the street holding the hand of what used to be his mother Jessie. She had obviously been torn apart by a few walkers. Carol bent down by him and was met with his dirty, tear stained cheeks. "She...she saved m...m...me, Ms. Carol. I got no one now, cuz my mom saved me!"
Daryl put his crossbow over his shoulder and bent over to pick Sam up. Sam threw his arms around Daryl's neck and snuggled himself in sobbing. "We got ya, Sam. You ain't alone. We won't let you be alone."