A Secret

Chapter 4

A/N: OH MY GOSH GUYS! I'M SO SORRY! I really didn't mean to put the story off this long! I've just been really busy with the last week of school and family and other stuff that doesn't need to be shared. I put this off so long. I'm so so so SO sorry! Please don't kill me! I'll update more often! I promise!
McBrideReedusLover.~

Sophia was very excited when she woke up. Tomorrow was her birthday, and she couldn't wait. Her mother had told her that Daryl was coming over today to show her the crossbow, because they wouldn't have time tomorrow. She hoped he would let her shoot it. She raced down the stairs just as Carol set breakfast on the table. "It looks yummy mom!" Sophia smiled as she sat down at the table.

"I hope so." Carol smiled and poured her a glass of milk. "Daryl called. He said he couldn't make it today." Sophia's smile faded.

"What?" Sophia was devestated. She really wanted to see that crossbow.

"I'm kidding." Carol winked. "He should be here around two. So you've got a bit of a wait yet. I have to plant some flowers in the garden, if you want to help me?" Carol sat down across from her daughter.

"Maybe." Sophia shovelled the food into her mouth. Carol shook her head. Sophia ate like a pig, but remained so thin. If Carol did that, she'd gain pounds faster than Sophia would finish her food. "Done." Sophia stood up and ran off upstairs. Carol chuckled before taking to plate over to the sink. A few minutes later Sophia came back into the kichen, out of her pajamas and into her clothes. "Do we have to go shopping for anything?"

"Yes." Carol wiped her hands on the towel. "We have to go to the garden centre and get some tools and some seeds."

"Okay. Lets go then! We can go and get back right away!" Sophia ran towards the door. "Hurry up mom!"

Carol walked over to the door, and Sophia was already sitting in the car, waiting. Carol put her shoes on and locked the door before heading out to the car.

"Oh that's cute." Carol picked up a little deer. It would make a wonderful decoration in the garden.

"Oh come on mom." Sophia groaned. "I wanted to be out of here as soon as possible!"

"Sophia." Carol warned. "You are the one who wanted to go in the first place." She placed the deer in her cart and walked down the next isle. "Here are the seeds. Pick out a few that you think would look good." Carol stood at the cart while Sophia looked at the seeds.

"One two three four good enough." Sophia grabbed the first four she saw. "Now lets go."

"Sophia Peletier. Do what I asked properly, or I'll call Daryl and tell him not to come." Sophia's eyes widened and she nodded, running off to the pick out some seeds. Carol hated having to be harsh with her daughter, but she was getting to that rebelious age. It was the age Carol wasn't looking forward to, ever.

"Here you go. I picked out this pretty white flower." Sophia handed Carol the package. "I thought it would be a nice flower in the yard."

"Alright. Now we've got everything. Now we can pay." Carol walked towards the register. Sophia scrambled after her, excited to finally leave the store.

Sophia stared out the window, waiting for Daryl to pull into the driveway. It was two, and he should be here any minute with his crossbow. She was so excited. She didn't even notice her mother walk up to her and stand behind her. It wasn't until Carol spoke that Sophia turned around.

"You know, if you occupy yourself with something else, it will seem like he'll be here faster." Carol crossed her arms, and glanced out the window.

"Mom, why are you wearing your fancy shirt? And why are you wearing make up? You never wear make up." Sophia was quick to observe her mom's new appearance. Carol was never one to wear make up. If Ed ever caught her wearing make up, he'd beat her until she couldn't even stand up.

"I thought I'd change it up a bit?" Carol looked for an excuse.

"Oo, mom has a crush and Daryl Dixon!" Sophia grinned and started running around the room. "Mom and Daryl sitting in a tree!"

"Sophia, stop that!" Carol felt her cheeks grow hot. "I do not have a crush on him. Now... Go do something productive." Sophia giggled and ran off upstairs. Her daughter was too nosy. The worst part is, Sophia was right.

"He's here!" Sophia came barrelling down the stairs. Carol had been so caught up her own thoughts she hadn't even seen him pull up. "Mom go open the door for your crush." Sophia giggled again. Carol glared back at her before walking towards the door. "Go on." Sophia was standing right behind her. "Open it. I want to see that crossbow!"

Carol rolled her eyes and opened the door. Daryl was standing there, looking down at his shoes. He looked so shy right then. "Hello Daryl." She gave him a warm smile.

"Hey." Daryl glanced up. Sophia peeked around from behind Carol. Daryl waved at her. He still wasn't sure how to act around kids. The night of the barbecue, he had a feeling that Sophia hated him. The way she looked at him, made him uncomfortable, so it had surprised him when Carol called and told him Sophia wanted him to go to her birthday party. Though it would just be the three of them, not much of a party.

"You want to come in?" Carol stepped aside. Daryl nodded to her and walked inside. Her house was so much nicer than his. He glanced into the living room, and he could see what looked like a wedding photo. Her husband, from here, he looked like a real jackass. He wouldn't say anything though, if he did, Carol would be so mad at him, and probably kick him out and never speak to him again. He did not want that. He liked her, she was about the only woman he liked. Lori he could tolerate, but he didn't really like her. "Can I get you a drink?" Carol's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Oh, uh, sure." He stayed at the door. Was he supposed to follow her? He didn't know, so he stayed there. Sophia followed her mother, and he was thankful. He wouldn't know how to act around Sophia without Carol around. Carol came back with a glass of what looked like iced tea. He took it from her and said a small thank you. He took a sip and glanced at Sophia, who was staring up at him expectantly.

"You brought the crossbow right." Sophia continued to stare at him.

"Uh, yeah. I put it in the truck. Didn't wanna carry it in." Daryl took another sip from his iced tea.

"So are you going to show me it now?" Sophia questioned him.

"Sophia." Carol looked down at her. "Don't be rude."

"Sorry..." Sophia mumbled.

"If ya wanna I can show ya." Daryl looked around for a place to put his now empty glass. The only table he saw was in the living room. He looked up at Carol as she took the glass from his hands.

"You go with Daryl, I'll be out in a minute." Carol smiled and walked into the kitchen. Daryl started to panic a bit. He didn't know how to handle this kid by himself. And the fact that she was staring at him wasn't helping. He opened the door and walked to his truck. Fresh air was good. He reached into the back of his truck and pulled out his crossbow. He'd killed a lot of animals with it. He'd also threatened a lot of jackasses with it too.

"Woah!" Sophia beamed as she saw the crossbow. "That is so cool! Can I hold it?" Sophia stared up at him with hopeful eyes. He never let anybody touch his crossbow, but those eyes, he just couldn't say no to them.

"Be careful with it, it's kinda heavy." He carefully handed her the crossbow. He showed her how to hold it properly.

"This is awesome." Sophia grinned as she held the crossbow. "Can you show me how to shoot it Daryl? It would be the best present ever!" Again, the hopeful eyes he couldn't say no to.

"Ya got somethin' to use as a target?" He asked, taking the crossbow from her.

"I'll go ask mom." Sophia ran towards the front door. Carol stepped out, and Sophia crashed into her. "There you are mom!" Sophia took a step back. "Do we have anything to use as a target? Like some old wood or something?"

"You can check the shed in the backyard." Carol handed her the little key. Sophia ran off towards the back. Carol smiled and walked over to Daryl. "She seems quite taken with the crossbow huh?"

"Yeah, most girls are afraid of it. Not her, she don't seem scared of shit."

"She isn't." Carol looked down at the ground. "Except for one thing..."

Daryl studied her face, and he didn't like the look she had. It pained him to see. It was the same look he had all through his childhood. "What is she afraid of..." He almost didn't want to know.

Carol sighed. "It's nothing." She didn't need to bore him with all that happened. She also didn't need him thinking she was weak. She already thought that, she didn't need anyone else thinking it too.

"I found some!" The both of them looked up as they heard Sophia screaming from the backyard.

"Well, I guess we're going to make some targets." Carol smiled and started walking to the backyard. She stopped and looked back to see if Daryl was following her. "Are you coming?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Daryl looked down at his shoes as he followed her.

"Ugh! I'll never get it right!" Sophia sighed in frustration. She was missing the mark by so far. She had been trying for an hour now, and she felt like chucking the crossbow on the ground and stomping off.

"It takes practise. Took me a long ass time to get it right." Daryl understood her frustration. He too had gone through the same thing when he first learned. "Here, try holdin' it like this. Take your time when shootin' it." Daryl showed her how to hold it, and stood back. He had to admire the determination that was in her expression. He couldn't help but smile as she hit a bullseye. "See? What did I tell ya?"

"Oh my gosh!" Sophia squealed and turned to look at her mom. "Did you see that mom! Did you see me?" She grinned.

"Yes honey! Good job!" Carol smiled. She was proud of her daughter.

"Thank you Daryl!" Sophia wrapped her arms around him. Daryl froze at the sudden contact, not really sure what to do.

"No problem." He said, hoping she would stop hugging him soon. He almost sighed in relief when she let go and ran off to her mother. He didn't know what they were saying, but Sophia looked very proud of herself. He grabbed her crossbow and put it in the back of his truck. He figured he was going to leave when Sophia ran up to him again.

"Aren't you going to stay for dinner with us?" She asked as Carol walked up beside her.

"I didn't think I was..." Daryl shrugged.

"Oh come on, it's the least I can do. You taught Sophia how to use that crossbow all afternoon." Carol smiled. Sophia nodded and ran off into the house. "So what do you say? In exchange for making my daughters year I give you dinner."

"Well, if you're offerin'." He gave her a small smile.

"Great!" Carol smiled back at him and motioned for him to follow her into the house. He slowly followed her, locking his truck before entering the house.

A/N: I'm still so sorry. R&R lovelies.
McBrideReedusLover.~