This story is strictly fictional and for entertainment purposes only. All characters, scenes, etc. belong to TWD and AMC.

When they got back to camp, Daryl carefully lifted Carol out of the car and carried her up the stairs to the house they were sharing. The group had been lucky enough to find a cluster of houses close together in the safe zone they were looking for.

He settled her on the couch, after Maggie and Tara had cleaned her up, and pulled up a chair next to her. As they gazed into each other's tear filled eyes, words seemed almost useless.

Rick and Michonne came in the door a few minutes later. "We told everyone what happened and asked them to give you two some space," Rick said as his voice cracked in despair, "Carol, I am...Terminus...what are we going..." He could no longer talk as his thoughts overwhelmed him.

"If you need us, just holler," said Michonne as she a led visibly upset Rick from the room and closed the door behind them.

"Daryl, I can't believe I was so stupid to do what I did. What was I thinking?" said Carol, as they gazed at each other.

Before she knew what was happening, Daryl collapsed to his knees next to the couch and grabbed her two hands. He began to sob, "Carol, my rose, my Cherokee rose, what have I done!? I should have gotten to you. I should have made it. I am so sorry...so, damn, sorry."

"Daryl, no, please! This isn't your fault. I should have stayed with you and we could have checked out the car together. Please don't cry...honey, please. Look at me." He shook his head in refusal and she demanded again, "Daryl, look at me." He slowly caught her eyes and noticed how they were rimmed in red, but she was calm. "I have so much to tell you, things I thought I would have time to share. I have had feelings for you for so long, that I can't think of a time when I didn't. I think it all started when you made Sophia your one man mission. You stepped up and took it upon yourself to find my baby. My precious girl..." she stopped as she took a deep breath before she continued, "I love you, I know I do. I only wish I hadn't been so scared. I wanted to tell you... I just didn't want to scare you off."

"Scare me off? Scare me off? Let me show you how being scared was the furthest thing from my mind." He wiped his eyes and reached into his pocket. Carol's eyes grew wide when she saw the simple gold band laying in the palm of his hand. "I found this at that department store we went through last week and knew eventually, I would want to give to you. It is nothing fancy, but then, neither are we." "He broke into a small smile, but continued, " Carol, you make me a better man. You have helped me work through so much...oh, hell, how am I going to go on without you!? I love you, my rose, love you so much." He stood up, gently scooped her into his lap and held her close.

"Daryl, we wasted so much time. Why did we think we had forever?" she wept as he caressed the sides of her face.

He gently kissed her on the lips and sighed. It felt like coming home. He took the kiss deeper, careful not to bump where she got scratched. She opened her mouth in invitation and their tongues met with gentle loving strokes. It took them both a moment to realize that their tears were mixed with their kisses. They pulled apart, but he spoke against her lips, " . ."

Emotionally exhausted, they spent the next fews hours laying on the couch, holding each other, and dozing on and off as dusk settled in. Eventually they woke when they heard the group outside. They were not quite ready to invite them in just yet. "Hey, I have an idea, "said Daryl as he got up to stretch his legs.

"What Daryl?" said Carol as he helped her lift herself gently to a sitting position again.

"Nevermind, dumb idea," he said as he shook his head. She looked imploringly at him and after a moment's hesitation, he continued as he dropped to one knee. "It's simple. I love you and want to marry you. Whether I would have been able to spend years with you, or a day or two. I know this is what I want. Let's have the happiness we deserve right now, in this moment." His voice became strong and confident as he said, "Will you marry me?"

Through tears of bitter sweet joy, she replied, "Yes, Daryl, I will marry you."