"Seems like yer completely wrapped around the little woman's finger, ain't ya, lil' brother?" Merle grinned. He was right … of course, he was.

Daryl took another sip of his beer, leaning back against the sofa and drawing in a deep breath. "I jus' … I wanna make her feel comfortable. Things are difficult enough for her right now."

For fuck's sake, Darylena, she's pregnant, not dyin' of the plague." He glanced over his shoulder warily to make sure his wife was still in the kitchen and couldn't hear the bullshit spewing past his lips. "What the hell am I talkin' about here? Andrea didn't make it easy for me either. I tried everythin' I could to make her happy, though it was prob'ly more to save m' own ass. She was … unpredictable at best."

It was true Daryl did everything he could possibly think of to please his wife. Carol never yelled at him or threw things - as Andrea had done with Merle - for which he could be grateful, but what she did do was so much worse in his opinion … she cried. There was nothing on earth which could send him into a panic faster than one of her crying jags.

"Where are the nachos?" she'd once asked him, whining just moments after he'd returned from the supermarket.

Nachos? She'd asked for gummy bears. Even he couldn't confuse gummy bears for nachos. And not just any gummy bears … oh, no … she wanted the gummy bears from Germany in the golden bag you couldn't just get at the corner market. But he hadn't let that deter him. He would never refuse one of her requests, driving off like a bat out of hell to find some. He'd wanted to make her happy, and would do anything to see her smile again. If she wanted gummy bears … then so be it.

"I sent you a text that I changed my mind. I want nachos instead. Didn't you read my message?" she'd wailed, completely crushed as the tears had slowly welled up in her eyes.

How could he have seen the message? It had been after nine pm when he'd driven off as if persecuted by Satan himself. After having to stop at Walmart, Target AND Walgreens, he'd finally found them, but hadn't even thought to check his phone. The fucking gummy bears had been his only thought. "Uhm … naw … sorry!"

Without pausing to give her time to work herself up into a sobbing mess, he'd jumped back into the truck and raced to the nearest Taco Bell for not one, but TWO Nachos Bel Grande to satisfy her cravings. This time around, he'd even been smart enough to check his cell phone regularly, but there had been no more requests for freaky foods. Twenty minutes later, he'd arrived back home, the booty of his hunting trip proudly in his hands. But the house had appeared eerily quiet … damn! On the sofa lay his beautiful wife, snoring peacefully. He'd carried her to bed - very carefully - so as not to wake her. That evening, Daryl's dinner had consisted of nachos and gummy bears.

"Ya said it would go away after a couple of weeks." Daryl shot an accusing look at his older brother, who simply raised his brows and offered a sympathetic shrug in response.

In his wildest dreams, Daryl had never thought he would become a daddy … until he'd met Carol. Rick - a good friend to them both - had set them up, literally. At least Daryl was convinced that had been Rick's plan. Carol - a newly divorced elementary school teacher, who'd only been able to work a few hours a day because of being a single parent to a toddler - hadn't had much money and had been in desperate need of a plumber when she'd asked Rick if he knew anyone who could fix the drain on her kitchen sink. Although Daryl had been doing construction work at the time, he'd been the one Rick had called because as a skillful craftsman, he could fix anything.

He'd been left with his mouth gaping in awe as two beautiful blue eyes had greeted him at the door. This woman with her chin-length auburn curls and sweet little daughter at her side had charmed him instantly. For a measly twenty dollars, Daryl had solved the problem. Afterwards, Carol had asked him again and again for help, and Daryl had taken less and less money from her until he was eventually offering his services for free. After, apparently, repairing everything in her apartment, she'd finally asked him to stay for dinner. How could he have refused?

That was almost four years ago and although it had been a long rocky road, they'd built a new life together over the years.

Not long after they'd begun dating, Daryl had started his own construction company, and by the time he'd married Carol, they'd been able to buy a small but nice cottage home for the three of them. He'd become a daddy for the now six-year-old Sophia, but Daryl had never dared to dream of having a child of his own with Carol.

Suffice it to say, he'd been shocked when Carol had shown him the little test with the pink plus sign. Not because it hadn't been planned, but rather because the thought of becoming a father had overwhelmed him. In fact, he'd been the one who'd persuaded Carol to stop taking the pill and give it a try … to see what would happen. They'd already decided to be happy either way. Yet, when she'd told him a few months later that she was pregnant, he'd been scared to death and over the moon at the same time. Although he'd already been Sophia's daddy for a long time, having a child with the love of his life was his greatest dream.

Now, Carol was six months pregnant and what was supposed to get better was instead getting worse. Daryl felt as if nothing he did was right. She never reproached him, but she always looked so sad, and he just couldn't bear to see her cry. He wanted his Carol to be happy.

Sometimes, when she could find that perfect balance and be happy without his doing - when she felt comfortable in her own skin and well out of the blue - everything was perfect. But those rare moments had become even less frequent and their sex life had become nonexistent the further she progressed with her pregnancy.

Of course, he remembered how wonderful it had been to crawl into their bed under the warm duvet with her, all her tears and worries forgotten in lieu of the sweet sensations of his hands upon her sensitive body. Her warm delicate form had felt so incredibly heavenly against his … so soft and womanly … so perfect. He'd never thought she could feel softer than she already had. His cautious hands had gently stroked her, fingertips caressing her with a skill he'd honed through many nights of pleasure in her arms. The few extra pounds looked great on her, and his hands and mouth had eagerly explored her entire body which had only become more feminine and powerful with every day of her pregnancy.

Carol had been altogether much more sensitive and responsive to each of his gentle touches, her mouth emitting such sweet little noises, those moans driving him to new heights of happiness.

The bigger her belly had become, the more his fear had grown that he would hurt her or the baby, but she'd eased his worries to the point where he could relax and enjoy it. Every change in her body was exciting and beautiful. The increase in hormones and sensitivity to touch only enhanced her desire, making her wetter, and he reaped the benefits. It had felt like his cock had been immersed in a warm heaven of liquid silk. Sometimes, Daryl wondered if he'd suddenly developed a fetish for pregnant women, but for him it had always been Carol … only Carol whom he loved and desired.

"Do ya still have sex?" Merle asked bluntly. Those words tore Daryl away from his beautiful dream world of past memories. Merle must have seen the lascivious grin spread across Daryl's face, and the youngest Dixon could only hope he hadn't been drooling.

"Goddamnit, Merle! Ain't talkin' about that shit with ya, but … well … I'm hoping … after Max is born …" his voice trailed away as Merle nodded knowingly.

Of course, the idiot fell over quickly with a full belly laugh. "Don't get yer hopes up, baby brother. Right now, ya may still be allowed to sometimes touch her boobies - carefully - if she lets ya, but once the lil' toad is born, that's gonna be over too. An' don't think the lil' man will share with ya even though his mommy has two of 'em. Ya will learn what they're actually for. The milk bar will be closed for ya, Darylena," Merle said, full of self-pity. "Andrea nearly killed me once when I touched 'em. I couldn't help it! They jus' looked too delicious, but they are sore an' they hurt. In yer place, I wouldn't even try," he added. "Oh, an' there's another thing ya should know. If yer there when the lil' man is bein' born ... and I'm sure yer gonna support her … let her yell at ya, hold her hand an' don't dare try to leave that room until the little man is there. But there's one thing ya shouldn't do! Don't look down! Trust me, please don't do it! It feels like someone is throwin' a bomb into yer favorite pub, so don't look! Promise me! I know what I'm talkin' about, trust me!"

"Pfft! Shut up, Merle!" Daryl barked in irritation, taking the very last sip of his beer before standing to grab his jacket and keys. "I'm gonna go now, have to. I bet Carol is already waitin'." Crap!

"Don't worry, Darylena … she ain't gonna neuter ya. It will get better sometime. Me an' Andrea now have two cute boys and a precious little angel … the last must've been conceived somehow, right? It ain't easy gettin' through nine months of hell, but the two of ya are doin' a'right, an' yer love will only grow stronger. Holy fuckballs! Did I really jus' say that shit? I mean … I'd never been so scared, but I ain't never been so happy either, y'know? An' I know ya sometimes think about the ol' man, jus' like I do, but we're already doin' a lot better than he ever could." And with that, Merle gave his younger brother a supportive pat on the back.

Makin' it right? Shit, how? were Daryl's last thoughts before he nodded to his brother and headed to the car.

OOO

Daryl yawned and buried his nose against the nape of her neck as he settled into their bed to spoon behind his wife. "What's wrong, Carol? Sweetheart?" he whispered softly, gently stroking her shoulder.

He hadn't stayed at his brother's for very long, even stopping to pick up a pizza - and the cheesy breadsticks Sophia loved - for dinner on the way home. Carol had been thrilled she wouldn't have to spend all evening in the kitchen slaving over the stove, but nevertheless; something was wrong now. He'd already noticed she'd been remarkably quiet that evening, but she hadn't clued him in as to why. Now she was lying beside him - sobbing beneath the blanket which was pulled up over her head - apparently, trying to hide her tears. But she couldn't fool him.

"Did I do somethin'? Uhm … or did I do somethin' wrong?" he asked cautiously, and it must have been the wrong choice of words, because suddenly, she was sobbing even worse than before.

It broke his heart to see her like this. He pressed a another kiss to her warm skin, this one just beneath her ear as he continued to stroke her shoulder, hoping he was doing the right thing with his light caress. "Carol, look at me … please. This ain't us. I always thought we could talk about anythin'."

Slowly, she turned to face him, her tears reflecting the soft light of the bedside lamp. "It's just … well … it's more of what you're not doing, but it's ok," she was quick to reassure him. "I know you can't help it. I'm just a walking hormone right now."

Yes, ya definitely are! "What do ya mean?" he asked, his brows knitting in confusion.

"I understand it, and I know you can't help it, but it hurts me anyway," she whined.

"I have no damn clue what yer talkin' about, love." Goddamnit! It's like she's speakin' in Portuguese.

"You don't want to make love to me anymore … I get it. I mean, I'm fat and it's only normal you don't want me anymore the way I look now," she mumbled pitifully in a trembling voice. Is she serious?! It wasn't a reproach, but real pain. She thought he didn't want her anymore, had even accepted it despite the pain it caused.

Carol had told him about her ex-husband and how he'd treated her. Although he hadn't hurt her physically, he'd scarred her with his callous words and gestures, making no secret he'd thought her unattractive and repugnant both during and after her pregnancy with Sophia. The bastard had treated her like shit and stopped touching her altogether. Of course, it hadn't been surprising Carol had been more than pleased with that turn of events, thrilled Ed hadn't wanted her anymore, but every single word had hurt her.

The first intimate moments between him and Carol had been awkward and frustrating, and Daryl had needed a good deal of time and patience to make the woman he loved see how beautiful and special she truly was. "Gawd, Carol … ya have no idea!" Daryl spat, rolling onto his back and slapping a hand to his face. What the fuck?!

"Shh! Sophia is sleeping!" she tried to decrease his volume with a finger pressed over her lips.

"Yeah … uhm, sorry," he whispered, trying to calm himself before he continued. "Ya have no idea what I'm goin' through. Every mornin', I have to wake up with yer boobs in my face or yer ass pressed against my … gawd, woman! An' every mornin', I have to rub one out in the shower just to have a slim chance of makin' it through the day," Daryl wailed in despair. Shit! I didn't wanna say that, clearly.

Carol's eyes widened in shock. "Really?" she whispered, more than a little surprised at his heartfelt declaration.

"First ya told me ya was tired, then ya said ya wasn't in the mood, an' the day after that, ya said yer back was killin' ya. I jus' thought it would be better to leave ya alone! I thought you'd tell me if ya wanted to … y'know," Daryl explained.

Carol averted her eyes in shame, her fingers twisting anxiously in the blanket. What a huge misunderstanding! She'd been so sure it had been her fault - actually, it was, but for a totally different reason - but she'd had no idea he had been struggling so badly. Yet, he had been so considerate of her feelings. Those thoughts touched her so deeply she started crying again, though her previous tears hadn't had time to dry yet. "I'm so sorry, Daryl," she whispered tremulously.

He enveloped her in his strong arms and kissed away her tears, whispering soothing words into her soft curls. "Jus' gimme a sign, sweetheart. I'm not a mind reader. You're always tellin' me to use my words … well, ya need to use yours too. How can I know what ya want if ya don't tell me? Can I do anything right?" he asked quietly as his hands wandered gently along her back. Damn! She felt so good and his body was starving for her.

"It was a misunderstanding. From now on, I promise to give you a sign," she said around a yawn.

"Good. I'm gonna hold ya to that."

"I'm tired now, but could we still cuddle a bit?" she asked in the sweetest voice he'd ever heard.

"Of course," he replied. Her warm form melted against him, and parts of his body screamed desperately for attention. Shut up, damnit! As his wife drifted off in the safety and comfort of his arms, Daryl tried to placate his traitorous libido by thinking of the relief he'd find in the shower come morning.

OOO

Chapter End Notes:

I think that's the fluffiest thing I've ever written!

Do you like it so far?

Many thanks to my wonderful beta CharlotteAshmore, who also had the idea for this project! You are inspiring! Also many kisses to all my blood-pony-girls! I love being a part of this great group! Thank you all for always being there, no matter what!