AN: So, this was my head canon before I watched the rest of the episodes. I just had so many deadlines come up IRL and no time to write these. Mild spoilers for pretty much the last 4 episodes, so... yeah.
-Shazzy
-Lone Wolf and Cub-
She was finally feeling strong enough to get up. They'd insisted that she rest for a day, at least. They did everything that they could to make sure she was strong enough to get up. They brought her water and broth, afraid that she wasn't strong enough to handle a full meal. She appreciated the sentiment.
It was dusk by the time she got up and made her rounds with what was left of the group. She'd changed into a clean top, something that wasn't so filthy and torn, if that was possible.
Carol made her way to where the rest of the group was visiting. They still spent a lot of time outside, as if the prison wasn't quite "home" yet, and they were still so used to camping out and enjoying the cool night air as they sat around a campfire. It was god to be back among the group, to feel the familial love and camaraderie between them all.
She tousled Carl's hair affectionately as she passed and he stood to give her a hug. It was a damned miracle, they'd agreed. And no one dared to question her resolve again.
Hershel asked if she felt all right. She assured him that she did. It felt good to be up and about. Hershel smiled and nodded; he knew the feeling all too well.
Even Rick was thrilled that she was back with them and he offered her a warm drink of weak tea that they'd found in the store room. She couldn't decline that.
But then she saw him.
Daryl was sitting closer to the fire than she'd ever recalled him sitting before. In his arms was baby Grimes, still unnamed at this point. Daryl was holding a bottle in one hand, and had the infant wrapped up in his poncho. He smiled down at the little human, all trace of the hardness that this world and the world he'd grown up in had rendered in him had disappeared, replaced only with the purest look of fierce devotion to the tiny human in his arms.
Carol felt her knees wobble at the sight and she almost fell, but Rick caught her deftly, managing not to spill the mug of tea while he was at it.
"Are you all right? He asked quietly, helping her to a seat.
Carol's face split into a wide smile and she nodded, taking the tea from Rick as she sat.
"I'm better than all right." She assured him, her eyes still glued to the strange juxtaposition of the Lone Wolf holding the cub.