Part II
On medical advice, Carol had finally been released from work for her maternity leave. Her physical complaints weren't anything out of the norm, but the stress at school with her rambunctious students, had just become too much for her. Now she had enough time to rest and recover in addition to preparing everything for the arrival of their son.
Daryl had been full of hope at the beginning of Carol's leave, thinking perhaps everything would become easier for his small family, but Carol continued to challenge him. He couldn't even be angry with her. She didn't yell, scream or make outrageous demands. It was only her tears which showed her disappointment and frustration. Sometimes, he wondered how such a petite woman could produce so much water. Did she have an overabundance of tear ducts lesser mortals didn't possess?
Today, he would pick Sophia up from school again and go shopping with her. He always enjoyed spending time with his daughter. He and Carol had always shared the household chores, grocery shopping and parenting, but now since Carol's maternity leave had begun, Daryl insisted he do it himself. For Daryl, family didn't mean one person alone cared for the home … family meant everything should be shared.
When Daryl arrived at the supermarket - Sophia in tow - and parked the car, he rummaged Carol's handwritten shopping list from his jacket pocket. The list was long, and - like the times before - Carol had repeatedly added things and crossed out others. With his phone in hand, the battle could begin. This time none of her wishes would remain unfulfilled.
"Can I ask you something, Daddy?" Sophia suddenly asked in a low voice.
"Yeah, sweetheart; what is it?"
Sophia peered at him from her booster seat next to him, and looked thoughtfully at her father with wide inquisitive eyes. "Will you still be my daddy when the new baby gets here?"
Daryl's head whipped up from his perusal of Carol's list to stare at his daughter, his brows drawn together with worry. How can my baby girl even think of such a thing? "I'll always be yer daddy. Why would ya think that would ever change?"
"Max will be your real baby … unlike me. Lizzie told me about the difference. She said you're not my real father because you weren't there when I was in Mommy's belly," Sophia said sadly.
He could see now he needed to have a talk with Ryan Samuels about teaching his kid to keep her mouth shut. Not to be mean, but sometimes children didn't realize how their words could hurt others. Shaking his head, Daryl floundered around for an explanation, gently stroking his little daughter's curls. His father's heart felt as if it were breaking into a thousand pieces. "Sophia –"
"The other man ... the one who visits us sometimes ... he was there when I was in Mommy's belly," Sophia continued.
Cupping her little cheek gently, Daryl showed her affection she'd never received from her real father. He loved her as if she was his own child, and in his heart, she was. This little girl had made him a father many years ago. She was his! "Ya listen to me, sweetheart … you're jus' as much my child as Max is. An' ya got to do somethin' not every kid gets to do." At her questioning look, he added, "Ya got to choose me to be your daddy. Do ya love that man jus' 'cause he was there when ya were in Mommy's belly?"
"I don't love him at all," Sophia shook her little head vigorously, her blond curls bobbing.
"Soph, I don't want ya to think I love ya any less because I wasn't there when ya was in Mommy's belly. I woulda talked to ya, and kissed Mommy's belly so ya woulda known I was there waitin' for ya. I woulda painted the nursery Pepto Bismol pink, and been there when ya were born. Yeah, Max is gonna be my son, but you're my only daughter, an' that's just as special. I fell in love with ya the moment I met ya, my little angel, an' if ya think about it," he murmured, his voice raspy with unshed tears, "we've already had a lot of experiences that are jus' ours. Ya remember when I taught ya to ride yer bike an' ya was afraid to get back on after ya fell? It was me who dried yer tears and helped ya back on to try again. An' all yer performances with the children's choir? That was me in the front row takin' pictures an' tellin' anyone who would listen … see that little beauty? That's my daughter." The fervently uttered words spilling from his mouth left no room for her to doubt his love for her.
"Really?" Sophia asked with tears in her eyes.
Daryl couldn't hold back his own tears any longer and gathered his daughter into his arms, whispering into her curls. "Of course, darlin', an' you're gonna be the best big sister Max could ever ask for. We have to stick together. I need ya … can't do this alone!"
Sophia nodded and looked up at Daryl, brushing away the tears from her cheeks before she also wiped away the ones on his. "I support you, daddy. We can do it!" she exclaimed, but she was also worried about her mother. "Do you think Mommy will be in a better mood soon?"
Daryl nodded hesitantly. "I think so."
"Then everything will be alright, daddy?"
"It will ... I'm sure of that."
OOO
Of course, the megamart in their town had those weird shopping trolleys, those with a seat in front of the handle. Those were the only ones Sophia could still sit in, but they were a pain to push around. Not that his daughter weighed all that much - what six-year-old did - but when the cart began to fill, pushing it through the store would leave his arms achy the next day.
It was an ache Daryl would gladly bear, knowing how Sophia loved to be pushed down each aisle, and if he were honest, he enjoyed having her near, her eyes alight with adoration for her daddy while she helped him shop, hopping in and out on her own to randomly toss things into the cart she knew would be on the list he carried.
The smile suddenly slid from his face as they strolled into the produce section, an unexpected threat to his sanity wrapped in tight faded jeans and a worn leather vest. Gawd in heaven! I so do NOT need this today! Sophia squealed in delight, her iolite eyes fixing upon her uncle where he seemed to be having trouble deciding between a cucumber and a zucchini.
"Uncle Merle!" Sophia shot out of the cart in a flash of sunshine yellow, the skirt of her sundress swirling about her little legs. She ran to Merle, her uncle lifting her into his arms without dropping the vegetables, her own wrapping tightly around his neck for a hug.
"Well, if it ain't my favorite niece! What are ya doin' here, little darlin'? Did mommy write a long shoppin' list again? Do ya need help?" Merle asked.
No! Please … just NO! were Daryl's first thoughts, but a text from Carol distracted him before he could voice his protests.
Sweet Pea, 3:28 pm: Can you bring pretzels instead of crackers? :)
Pookie, 3:32 pm: Sure! Anythin else?
Sweet Pea, 3:33 pm: Yes, hang on!
Pookie, 3:52 pm: ?
Sweet Pea, 3:55 pm: Is orange juice on the list?
Pookie: 3:56 pm: No, apple juice.
Daryl glanced up from his phone and paled. The cart was gone and there was no sign of Sophia or Merle. He hoped his brother wasn't trying to find some trouble to get into, not with Sophia tagging along. She had the list, and he could only pray Merle was helping her shop. He bolted down the aisle, nearly running into a tiny elderly lady with blue-tinged hair who shot him a look of annoyance. He quickly apologized and made his way past the meat section, glancing down one aisle after another. His heart slowed considerably when he found them in the canned vegetable aisle trying to decide which brand of carrots to buy and whether or not Carol would want whole or sliced.
"Damnit, Merle, ya cain't jus' take off with my kid like that! Ya damn near gave me a heart attack," Daryl growled, taking command of the cart once more.
"Calm yer t-" Merle paused mid-expletive, casting an apologetic grin towards Sophia. "Ya know she's safe with me, Darylena. I think yer jus' in a snit because ya ain't gettin' any."
"What's Daddy not getting?" the girl questioned, her brow puckered in a confused frown.
Daryl blushed to the tips of his ears and pushed the cart down the aisle without another word. His phone alerted him to another message, saving him from having to answer either of his companions.
Sweet Pea, 4:09 pm: Bring some tomato juice too! How is Sophia?
Pookie, 4:11 pm: She's fine, she's incredibly quick at findin' all the stuff :D Orange juice too?
Sweet Pea, 4:14 pm: Yes, everything, just in case! Where is the vacuum cleaner?
Pookie, 4:16 pm: In yer study. I'm vacuuming tomorrow!
Sweet Pea, 4:21 pm: But I wanted to vacuum now!
Pookie, 4:22 pm: Lemme take care of that!
Sweet Pea, 4:26 pm: I can still vacuum, Daryl! I'm not an invalid :(
Pookie, 4:28 pm: Of course, ya ain't, sweetie! Sorry! *kiss*
"Merle!" Daryl fairly shouted, gaining his brother's attention. They'd moved onto the bread aisle and Merle held a box of prepackaged cakes in each hand. "Put the HoHo's down! Sophia don't need that junk."
His brother snorted. "I was thinkin' of Carol. Andrea loved these things when she was pregnant."
"NO! It ain't on the list." And he wasn't about to have Carol chew his ass for buying junk food unless she'd specifically asked for it.
Daryl's phone buzzed again …
Sweet Pea, 4:31 pm: I want sex with you now! :)
Pookie, 4:31 pm: What? :-O
Sweet Pea, 4:32 pm: Now! ;)
A rush of heat washed over him from top to toe and he glanced around to make sure no one noticed the unhealthy shade of red which colored his face.
Pookie, 4:33 pm: Darlin, we're shoppin! Tonight, yeah? ;)
Sweet Pea, 4:37 pm: :'(
Pookie, 4:38 pm: Sorry! :(
Sweet Pea, 4:46 pm: Don't forget the ice cream! I love you! *kiss*
Pookie, 4:49 pm: It's already in the cart! I love ya too, sweetheart! *Many kisses* We're almost done here!
Sweet Pea, 4:53 pm: What did you plan for dinner?
Pookie, 4:55 pm: Lasagna? Is that OK?
Sweet Pea, 4:56 pm: Uhm, I think so! :)
Pookie, 4:58 pm: Ok! ;)
Daryl put the phone away to see Merle and Sophia had finished gathering everything on the list like good little minions, the cart near to overflowing. It would have been a relief to be done, if Merle hadn't suddenly sat in the seat of the shopping trolley and pulled Sophia onto his lap. The thing could hold a lot of weight - he had even seen elderly people sitting in them - but he certainly didn't want to push an old Merle through the store to the checkout counter.
"Ya cannot be serious! Get out! Now!" Daryl spat, crossing his arms over his chest and assuming his best death glare, less than enthusiastic about the idea.
"Push me!" Merle said as a matter of course.
"Not in this lifetime or any other will I EVER push yer lazy, heavy ass through this store!" Daryl hissed, his eyes forming narrow slits of menace.
"Peach an' I packed almost everythin' on the list. Now my feet hurt," Merle whined.
"NO!"
"Come on! Ya owe me that!"
"Pfft!" Daryl scoffed. "NO! Ya invited yerself on this trip … I don't owe ya jack! An' ya have yer own stuff to get!"
"Yeah, Andrea gave me a list too. She wants to cook Mexican tonight," he grinned in anticipation.
"Then get out and get your stuff!" Daryl growled.
Merle hopped out of the shopping cart, gave his niece a small peck on the cheek and gritted his teeth as he started the retreat, heading toward the vegetables. Asshole!
"Oh, Merle," Daryl called after him. "If she cooks Mexican, ya should take the zucchini!"
Merle nodded, but gave his brother another shit look before he turned around again and walked away like an angry kid.
Taking a deep calming breath, Daryl dropped a kiss to Sophia's brow and headed in the direction of the checkout lines, ready to be done and get home to his wife.
OOO
"Wow, Daddy! Who's gonna carry all this into the house when we get home?" Sophia asked, her little hands on her hips as she stood staring into the crowded trunk. As Daryl had pushed the cart out into the parking lot, overflowing with grocery bags, she'd wondered if the trunk lid would even close. "Was all this stuff on the list?"
"Well … Mommy's list was rather long, and you an' Merle added more stuff when I wasn't lookin'," Daryl said, still a bit aggravated at his brother. Putting his weight behind it, he closed the trunk lid with a loud whoomph! and Sophia's eyes spoke more than a thousand words, wondering if perhaps the car might explode at any second.
"Ya gonna lug the cereals!"
"Aye, aye, sir!" the little girl saluted with a serious expression.
After buckling them both into the car, Daryl nodded to a little shop at the end of the strip mall situated next to the megamart. "There's a little pastry shop over there … What do ya think about orderin' a chocolate cake for yer mom?" Daryl suggested.
"Only for mom?" Sophia asked disappointed.
"They probably have cupcakes too, so ya can pick some for us while I order the cake, ok?"
"I'm in, but why do you want to order a whole cake for mommy? Will this be a special cake?" she asked curiously.
Grinning, Daryl answered, "I'll tell ya later, darlin'!"
Just yesterday, his Carol had asked for a freshly baked chocolate cake, and perhaps tomorrow he'd finally be able to bring her one. The idea, which Daryl had thought of earlier, just wouldn't leave him alone. It would be decadent, perfect and decorated with his heartfelt sentiments sure to bring a smile to her lovely face.
OOO
"Where's Sophia?" Daryl asked when he came home from work the next day. Normally, his little girl would meet him in the hallway to greet her daddy with all the enthusiasm a six-year-old could muster. He'd been worried about the cake balanced in his hands for that very reason.
"She's with Merle and Andrea tonight. I don't know why, but your brother appeared almost happy when I asked him if she could stay with them today. I … uhm … might have mentioned I wanted to be alone with you," she attempted to explain, her cheeks flushed with color as she kissed Daryl gently.
Feeling the sensation of her pouty pink lips skimming along his own, a small groan rumbled up from deep in his chest. "What's all this?" he asked when the kiss ended, and he took in the ambiance of the room, the low lighting offered by a dozen flickering candles. He certainly hadn't expected that when he'd come home … later than usual.
"Time for us ... Like I said. Uhm ... and what do you have there?" she looked at him inquiringly and pointed at the box in his hands.
"Cake ... chocolate cake," he replied.
"For dinner? But I already prepared dinner for us," Carol said, slightly irritated.
"This ain't jus' some cake," he whispered and slowly opened the box, her curious eyes narrowing as he lifted the lid almost in slow motion.
It was probably the most beautiful chocolate cake Carol had ever seen, and covered in a thick chocolate frosting - at least two fingers thick - on which she could read the words spelled out in white icing. SORRY FOR WHATEVER I DID WRONG!
The sight left Carol speechless, and again she looked at him with watery eyes.
"I thought ... well maybe ... maybe we could have it for dessert. Or if ya don't want it today, we could eat it tomorrow, or - damnit! - I should've brought it home yesterday. I just don't know, but please stop cryin', yeah? Please?"
Carol took the cake and put it - still speechless - onto the coffee table before throwing her arms around her husband's neck and pressing herself against him as she sobbed. He could do nothing but stroke her soft curls and hope he was doing the right thing to comfort her. He had meant the cake to be a sweet gesture, an attempt to make her smile, yet he'd made her cry again. Crap!
She let go of him to thank him, curse him, he didn't know, but the only sound to emit from her lips was a little gasping sob. "I … oh, Daryl, I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that. I'm so terrible right now." Another little hiccupping sob. "You didn't do anything wrong at all … never! It's me who cannot handle her hormones."
"So ya ain't mad at me?" Daryl asked in disbelief.
Not at all ... never! You are so wonderful and I love you so much, Daryl! I can't believe how patient you are with me. I would've already thrown myself out of the window if I were you. It's getting better, I promise. And ... by the way ... I have something for you as well," she smiled through her tears of joy.
Taking him by the hand, she led him into the kitchen, and for a moment, Daryl thought things couldn't get much weirder. There was a cake on the kitchen counter, a round cheesecake - Daryl's favorite - with the inscription … I'M SORRY I'M A GRUMPY BITCH!
"I know, that's not usually my choice of words, but ... it's true." Carol said and couldn't resist a giggle, just like him. She'd never seen her husband laugh like this.
"Looks like we have a lot of cake," Daryl eventually said.
Another chuckle escaped her as she nodded. "But I think we will deal with the cake."
"Carol?" he asked, after both had finally caught their breaths.
"Yeah?"
"The offer ya made yesterday … that still on the table?" Daryl asked, a light of mischief in his smoky gaze.
"First the cake?" she asked, her brow arching teasingly.
"First the cake!"
OOO
Chapter End Notes:
Thank you for reading! :)
There were actually pictures from the cakes in the story, but they disappeared. I hope it still makes sense!
Let me know if I should keep my hands off the fluff! :-D
Once again a big fat thank you and lots of kisses to my beta CharlotteAshmore and Marie1063, Geektaire, CLADD and Amanda Hawthorn! I'm honored! :)