A/N I would like to thank all of you for the wonderful support and emails I have had on this story. I cannot thank you all enough xx
"?Mummy wake up pleaseee..." her little voice woke him up, damn when had he fallen asleep?, rising his head, opening his eyes and rubbing them like a sleepy child, he looked up into Sophia's.
"Hey little one, ya sleep well?. Mummy is going to be fine sweetheart she's just sleeping" smiling at her, as she lifted her arms to him..
"You sweetie have me wrapped around ya little finger. Your Uncle Merle would laugh if he saw me now" The connection he felt for her was beyond him, never had he felt like this. She was so cute from her big eyes, and dirty blonde hair to her little smile she gave him around her thumb, as he gently tapped it from her mouth
"I bet ya mummy don't like ya sucking on that does she?" Sophia shook her head, as she fought against sleep.
"That's it pumpkin ya sleep some more, Mummy might be awake soon" hugging her tighter , grabbing a small fleece the nurses had left he covered her as she snuggled into his shoulder.
"Uncle Merle eh ?" flinching Daryl looked up at his brother, who had sneaked in without notice.
"Ya got a problem with that?." shaking his head and moving away from the door Merle slouched into the other chair in the dark room. His eyes on the little girl on his brother's lap, she could easily be his child the way he was with her. Nodding his head at Carol still sleeping in the bed
"How's she doing? Has she woke yet?".
"Nah docs have been in and out last time was around 5-00 I think what time is it? Why you here thought ya left?" Merle moved forward bracing his arms on his knees and rested his chin on his upturned hands, thinking hard before he spoke.
"Andrea sent me back says ya in over ya head. Ain't got a clue what ya up to here Daryl. And truthfully I don't think I want to. Little mouse don't need her head or heart messed up by you" moving back into the chair he glanced at Daryl, seeing him looking at Carol then at Sophia, his thumb come up to his mouth as he bit on the skin.
"Ain't seen ya do that for awhile either, getting a conscience Daryl?" he almost smirked at him, was he getting his brother back
"Leave it Merle, what I do about this situation has nothing to do with ya or Andrea. It's between me and Carol, Ya never bothered before so why now?" clenching his fists Daryl prayed he could keep his temper under control, he didn't want to scare Sophia
"A child is involved Daryl, a four year old child, Ya going to play happy families with someone ya don't know, so ya dick gets hard when ya see her, Rub one out and let her go, leave now before someone gets hurt. I'm begging ya" Daryl pushed his head back into the seat looking up at the pale ceiling, he should do what Merle said, leave now before she woke up. She wasn't ready for the games he ached to play, Rubbing his free hand down his face, and across his neck, Merle was right, it wouldn't be fair, she still looked so beautiful laying there. Nope he couldn't do it, no way could he leave, no one said he played fair, and to be honest he didn't care who got hurt as long as his emotions were not involved.
"Nah Merle think she needs some excitement in her life, and I''m the one to provided it"
"Ashamed to call ya me brother Daryl, the moment she awakes I'm gonna do everything in my power to protect her from you." With that he got to his feet, exiting the room to locate the nurse, asking her to notify him on his mobile the moment Carol awoke, he headed home, worried about the whole sorry affair.
Her body felt warm, it seemed like years since she felt this heat, snuggling back into the comfort of the pillows and the softness of the bed clothes she attempted to turn over forcing her arm to move against the constricting covers.
"Hey, hey be careful" her eyes slowly opened to the glare of the sun through the half closed shades, looking at her arm then at the dark shadow, she closed them back up, scared and frightened. Blinking against the harshness she licked her parched lips her words soft
"Please I can't see, too bright. Could you close the blinds?" seeing a movement from the corner of her eye, she saw the figure get up, a soft moan escaped her lips when the harsh light was shut out. Adjusting her eyes to the change, she tried again to move. Feeling a powerful arm holding her down.
"Hey, be careful.. Ya got some Iv's in ya arms, don't want ya ripping them out. Stay there whilst I get the nurse" all she could do was nod, trying to work out whose voice it was, she recognised it, yet just couldn't remember the name
"Water... p..." unable to get the words out, she felt herself tearing up, oh god where was Sophia? Had Ed finally done what he had always promised.
"Sophia... w...?"
"Sssh, it's ok, Tara and Jacqui took her home two days ago. The nurse is coming and she will get ya comfortable so we can get some water down ya. Scared us Carol ya been out of it for three days"
Daryl had not once left her side, having his laptop brought in so he could work from the bedside. There had been the small incident with Beth storming in, calling him every name under the god damn sun, after Merle kindly informed her where he was. He had long since barred her calls from his phone, letting them go to answer machine in which she blew the thing up with her constant calling. So she took it upon herself to air their dirty laundry in public which was something Daryl found embarrassing, and unacceptable. After giving her an ultimatum either shut up or leave him, she finally left sobbing her love for him, confirming she would be waiting when he came home. All Daryl thought how pathetic it was, did she not realise yet that he had no feelings for her
"Daryl?" whilst he was in his thoughts, Carol finally put the face to the voice, surely Daryl would not be here, no! How on earth did he find out? Why was he here after all she only did his cleaning?.
"Yes darlin" her body went hot, the comforting words coming fluent from his mouth. She was confused and she needed answers now
"Ah Carol, so glad you are awake? You scared your man here... " A friendly doctor came into the room, followed by the nurse
"He's not... we're not" trying to get her reply out she noticed Daryl moving towards her locating her hand to give her the cool water the nurse had kindly brought in
"Drink this darlin" he motioned for her to take a sip, her thirst outweighing her need to rectify the doctor's mistake.
"It's ok Doc she forgets we are together" he answered for her, whilst Carol almost chocked on her water. What the hell was he playing at?, they had never, ok there was that one time when he well twice when he kissed her, but they weren't together. Looking up at him, she kept quiet not missing the warning look in his eyes. Telling her to keep her mouth shut, oh she would do that for now, after all she wanted to know what game he was playing, but when the medical team left she would not hold back.
"Oh ok, well as I was telling your partner here earlier this week, You were very dehydrated and under fed along with the virus you caught we were lucky you came in when you did. We have had you on drips and have brought your levels up, however they are no where near where I would like them to be. Mr Dixon has assured me when we release you in a few days, when I am happy with your weight, then he will be looking after you. I certainly cannot allow you to leave without an adult to care for you until we have you back to health" Carol could feel her anger building, what bullshit had the doctor been fed by Mr Dixon, he had no right to make them believe she would be staying with him when she left. How ridiculous it was, she her own place, her daughter to care for. Though the thought of having to do anything at the moment filled her with dread. All she could do was nod at the doctor's as he continued with what was wrong with her and what medication she had been given.
The way she tightened her grip around the glass in her hand, did not go unnoticed by Daryl, he was actually surprised she had not lashed out as yet. Looking in to her eyes, he could see the anger and resentment aimed at him, he knew without a doubt once the medical team left he was in for one hell of an ear bashing, and boy was he looking forward to it.
"So Carol as I said we will keep you in a few days longer, then you can leave with your family" smiling at her he held out his hand. Carol kindly shook it thanking him for what he had done, panicking too about the hospital bill, she hoped that Tara had contacted Philip as he usually took control of the insurance.
Daryl counted in his head, after the doctor left, rather impressed she allowed him to get to almost three, before she turned on him.
"What the hell are you playing at?" hissing through gritted teeth, wanting to lash out as this insufferable man, who thought he could dictate her life, Almost swinging at him when he gave her the innocent look of who me?. Shrugging his shoulders he looked up at her through his long bangs, knowing his little boy look would get him in her good books.
"Oh No you don't Dixon that shit may work for the kids you sleep with but not an adult. Take you're looks, your attitude and get the hell out of my room" Throwing the rest of her water and glass at him in frustration. Daryl stepped to the side, watching as the glass and water hit the wall behind him. Three steps and he was in her face, pushing her down on the bed.
"Ya listen to me woman and ya listen good. I don't condone that behaviour, and I certainly will not tolerate it. Ya owe me woman, and I intend to make ya pay for every penny I paid out. What ya think ya precious boss would pay for ya stay.?" not missing the show of fear come into her eyes before she quickly hid it.
"No one asked you to pay, go I am not..." He couldn't help it, seeing her so angry, the passion in her eyes, her whole body on edge had him hard as a rock. He had to taste her, for days he had sat by her bedside, itching to touch, even just to see if she was still breathing, knowing it was not right. Now she was awake and fighting, he wanted that all to take it devour it and make her his. Hands gripping her face he took her mouth with his, forcing her unresponsive lips to open., thrusting his tongue inside her warmth, almost smiling when she tried to bite him. Did she not know that turned him on even more?. She was going to wonderful to teach, force, make his own.
Her hands pushed against his body, trying with all her might to push his large frame from her, she knew he would never hurt, yet taking what he wanted was not something she liked either. Yet when his lips took her's his mouth dominating it, forcing hers to open she almost gave in. What was it about this man that had her so ready and willing to do what he commanded. She was a grown woman, should know better, hell if she could not fight him no wondered the younger ones he played with had no defence.
Daryl felt her hands pushing, yet continued, she would give in, finally he felt her relax almost as if she had given up. Kissing her a little longer he pulled back, a sharp heat hitting his cheek, lifting her hand in his, wanting to punish her for even daring to raise her hand to him. He licked his lips, taking his other hand rubbed his cheek, eyes cold and angry
"Ya only get one pass, consider this it. Ya ever raise a hand to me again and I will retaliate." his blue eyes almost navy in colour darkening with each word he hissed out
"Oh yeah you going to hit me back?" his eyes flashed at the images going through his mind, she had no idea, none at all about what he could do to her should he choose. Moving close to her ear, his lips almost brushing it as he talked, his voice now soft almost as if it came from deep down inside him.
"I would put you over my knee and spank ya backside woman until it was red raw, then you would beg on ya knees for my forgiveness" moving away he headed out of the room
"I pity you Daryl I really do" her softly spoken words came out, as he slammed the door too, needing to get his head together, this wasn't going exactly how he wanted.