Having had little sleep the night before, Carol was dosing in the sun that warmed her face, her nose twitched at the smell of food and from the way her stomach grumbled it was coming up to lunch, she actually felt hungry for once, licking her lips at the heavenly smells coming through her half opened door. Moving in her bed she sat herself up, grateful the IV's and drips had been removed the day before, it had given her more freedom to move. She had even ventured outside her room, with Sophia clinging to her leg and Tara holding one side, Jacqui the other, it had been difficult but through giggles and laughter they had walked a few steps. Today the sun was up high, her room had a wonderful glow and warmth to it. Sophia had gone home with Tara, unbeknown to Carol that Tara dropped her off at Daryl's, letting the little girl be loved and cared for there, after crying all the way home each time she had to leave her mummy. The first night Tara had eventually managed to calm her, yet every night since, she had only calmed in Daryl's arms.
The man himself had not even been near the hospital since she hit him and threw him out., yet he was making sure, that Carol would not be able to leave the hospital, unless in his care.
Waiting for her food to be delivered Carol lay her head back, not feeling the sickness or cold she had been use to. Her body relaxed, as she came off the drugs they had been giving her, she let her eyes close, wanting to escape all the racing thoughts in her head, the man responsible for them all, no where to be found.
"Excuse me?" a soft voice spoke, forcing Carol's eyes to open, blinking fast, she turned her head, as a woman struggled through the door with the cutest little girl she had even seen, apart from her Sophia.
"Wow she's beautiful" Carol took in the little girl, she must have been around 8 months, with a pretty red dress, matching her bow in her hair, blue eyes hidden behind long ashes, as she put her thumb in her mouth, much to her mother's annoyance, causing Carol to giggle, as Sophia was still doing that.
"Thank you, though she's a daddy's girl. Merle couldn't be here... he had to... Oh gosh sorry I am going on aren't I?. Sorry my name is Andrea Dixon, wife to Merle and I am sad to say sister in law to that man I am sure you would love to see the back of Daryl, and this beautiful poppet is Amy. Am I ok to come in?"
"Yes, yes of course, oh Andrea she is beautiful." Amy fluttered her eyes at Carol. "Yes you poppet we are talking about you" Carol smiled as Andrea placed her bags on the floor
"Honestly it's like trying to pack for a holiday taking this one out for the day. I always forget something, then have to ring her daddy. Which between you and I, , he loves gives him an excuse to come out and cuddle this one. You would never believe how bad he use to be, worse than Daryl I tell you. Gosh I am so sorry me and my mouth. Merle says I tend to talk without thinking" she smiled as she took Amy's jacket off.
"Merle seems really nice, I only met him a few times. Andrea can I ask you what is going on? "surprised when Andrea placed Amy on her lap so she could take her coat off, noticing how Carol held the little girl tight to her.
"I can see you are missing Sophia, Merle told me all about your four year old. It must be so hard to be apart from her? I don't know how I would cope if I was away from Amy for more than a few hours. At least she is safe with Daryl..."
"SHE"S WHAT!" Amy burst into tears when the strange lady holding her let out a loud noise, Andrea quickly grabbed her to sooth her.
"Damn, they didn't tell you. I am going to kill those men. Sshh Amy it's ok sweetie, Carol didn't mean to scare you. Look what I have see your favourite" Handing her the soft doll that Merle had brought when she was born, Amy soon quietened down on Andrea's lap
"I am so sorry... I never meant"
"Carol stop, you just had a shock and from what I gather those Dixon's have a lot to answer for. Right as far as I know, Tara, she's your neighbour I believe" Carol nodded awaiting more information
"Well the first night Sophia took so long to settle without you, we worried. So Tara seeing how well she connected with Daryl took her there. She has been with him each night since, she's sleeping well, has all her stuff there, bed, teddies and clothes. You nothing to worry about, to be honest that man can be an idiot with relationships, but when it comes to your little girl, well that is one female that has that Dixon wrapped around her little finger. Merle and I laugh at it, and thanks to you and your daughter he came to see his niece for the first time yesterday, even cuddled her" Andrea spoke the last few words in a hushed voice. Making it sound so out of character for him
"How could he not want to know about this precious gift?" She asked
"Carol, let me tell you about the Dixon men, they are not your usual type as I am sure you are aware of, Both have been brought up in a violent and abusive childhood, protecting their mother as much as then could. Merle managed to get out early, yet it left him with such emotional and physical damage that it has taken me almost walking out. on him, to reach out for help. He was abusive, nasty and domineering" Andrea's face broke into a smile when she spoke about him Carol could see the love she felt for Merle shining out of her eyes.
"I understand the domineering, Daryl is so ….oh I don't know..." Carol replied yet unable to find the right words, to describe the man.
"Now I like my husband domineering and we have worked through what makes us happy. Sorry you don't need to hear about that. What I am trying to say is the Dixon were not brought up knowing about love, they built walls so high around their hearts you need more than a ladder to get over them. It is how they protect themselves"
The door opened as Carol's dinner came in, the nurse asked Andrea if she wanted anything, asking for a drink, both women waited until the nurse left before continuing with the conversation.
"Daryl is still in his cave, he is not ready as yet to allow anyone near him, worse than a cornered animal, when threatened. I will tell you Carol to get what he wants he will take over your life control you moulds you into what he wants you to be. Hurt him and he never forgives, screw him over and your as good as dead. Do what he says and he will protect you from anything, he will look after you and Sophia until he feels you are recovered and he will do it out of kindness But I warn you Carol, Merle will hate me saying this, Daryl has a motive behind his actions and I think the way you are nodding your head that you already know his motive. Do not allow him the upper hand, never give him the power to use or manipulate you. And remember NO is a full sentence, no matter how much he cajoles you say no and he will stop, he is not a monster, but at times I wonder if he is too damage to feel anything."
"Andrea you are making it out that he is after me for …..." Andrea just looked at her
"Carol, that man is out to get you, Beth is no longer around and he is looking after Sophia. Is there any more proof you need" sipping her coffee she let the words sink into Carol, glad to see the woman eating.
"Now, I promise you, Daryl will look after you, yet you must be aware where he is going with this. Merle and I would be more than happy for you to come and stay with us, you can recover whilst we find a better place for you and Sophia. Merle has already sorted out a job ready for when you are on your feet, that Philip should be ashamed of himself. Silly man, thinking he could do that when the Dixon's are involved" shaking her head at his stupidity.
" Pardon? When? Why? Andrea this is all going to fast" sitting back from her food, her stomach unable to eat anymore Carol lay her head back on the pillow shutting her eyes and taking a deep breath before, turning her head towards the woman.
"I'm sorry to have a go at you. I just don't understand why me? Nothing good happens to me so please excuse me for questioning it all" Andrea cuddled Amy nodding at all Carol's fears
"I understand Carol, let me tell you about Merle and I. We met about 8 years ago, he was a lot like Daryl chasing me, crowding me, until he finally got me where he wanted under his domineering control. My sister Amy was very ill and Merle promised if I did what he wanted, bent to his will then he would ensure the best possible medical help for her. I was nothing to him a waitress in one of the bars he went too, I wondered what I was letting myself in for. He was so angry, so passionate, and I was not stupid ,I knew I was not the only woman he had. Yet Amy came first, and I am ashamed to say I took his help, moved into his apartment whilst my sister and I had a wonderful five years extra together. On the day of her funeral, Merle stepped away from me, never touched me for two years, to him he had nothing to hold over me no reason to take what he wanted. Me I had fallen deeply in love with the man, not knowing he had fallen hard for me. In all the time he controlled me, he never once went to another woman. I found this out later, when I blew up at him. Two years I had not been touched, after being loved every night for years. He came in from another attempt to get drunk and I threw a vase at his head. Angry and frustrated, well we fought, and I think you can imagine what happened as this beautiful little one was the result. So I know what it feels like to be chased by a Dixon, once you break through that wall, he is yours loyal and true to a fault."
"Fuck woman ya make me sound like a damn pussy" Merle had sneaked in the opened door, listening in on his wife, smiling when he remembered that night, god that was one hell of a night, he could still feel her nails ripping into his skin, no matter where she touched she ripped.
"No Merle she sounds like a woman loved and wanted" Carol chastised him smiling when he went on his knees to play with his daughter.
"These woman know how loved and wanted they are Carol, took this one almost walking out on me, had her bags packed. " his eyes filled with tears and he nuzzled his face into his daughters soft curls.
"I think you two are as bad as each other, you make such a lovely family., Andrea you are so lucky to find the love you have and you Merle are blessed. I wish at times I had never met Ed, but then Sophia would not have been born, so I guess he did one good thing" her thoughts on the man who had made her life hell for almost 6 years until she ran, at least the one good thing Sophia was safe with Daryl.
"I am sorry to tell you all my life story Carol, I was only planning on telling you that even though Daryl is a law unto himself. He wouldn't harm you in anyway" Merle sniggered at his wife's words
"Merle stop your scaring her, and I like this one, I think you are going to give our Daryl a run for his money I like you. So please stop worrying and let the Dixon's help you" laying her hand on Carol's in reassurance
"I... I need to speak with Tara and Jacqui, if that's ok?., I mean do not think I am ungrateful it just all seems too..." Andrea nodded her head in understanding
"You have a two more days before the doc releases you. All we ask is you think about where you wish to stay either with us or Daryl. I will let you get some sleep and let it sink in, would you mind if I came in tomorrow and see you? " Carol nodded at her, as Merle got to his feet, cradling a now sleeping Amy so gently in his arms
" Mouse I will be back later, going to bring Sophia in with me, ya got any questions honey we can talk then" biting her lip to stop the impending tears falling from their kindness she nodded., god she felt more like a nodding dog at the moment, then a grown woman. Waving at them as they left she sat back on the bed and closed her eyes, tears falling silently.
"So princess ya want this pink one?" Daryl had spent the afternoon with Sophia, encouraging her to choose what she wanted for her new bedroom, almost laughing to himself about how angry Carol would be, when she found out, Yeah it was sneaky, but hell he wasn't immune to using the situation to his advantage, get the kid on his side, then the mum would follow. A small hand was pulling on his jeans which had him looking into the bluest eyes, there it went again his heart was owned by this four year old. Without her knowing she had brought him closer to his niece, and boy was she a sweetie, Merle would have his hands full with her. Hell Sophia, even had him apologizing to his brother and Andrea for staying away from Amy, he never apologized for his actions, yet for some reason looking after Sophia had him rethinking about Amy.
"I want this one d..." smiling down at her he nodded
"Oh how cute, she's adorable, is your daddy spoiling you honey ?. Hi I'm Karen can I help you with anything?" her eyes looking him up and down, Daryl wasn't ignorant, he knew he made woman ache, never more so in his jeans, black shirt and leather jacket, having a child attached to his hand or around his neck, had him surrounded by helpful women in all the shops. Some even giving him phone numbers, when he paid. None of them knowing if he was taken or not, some knew who he was, and wanted that stab at him. Now this one turned his eye, from her big brown eyes, and long curly hair, a body tight and well looked after, down side too old for him, What was she around 30? no anything above 24 and he turned the other way. Yet seeing the desire in her eyes, he could maybe go for a fuck or two.
"Well darlin, this little one wants pink, pink and pink for her room" he gave her his winning smile the one Beth told him had her wet and aching to jump his bones, and from the look Karen was shooting him, it was working on her too.
"Ok Sweetie let's go see what we can find. Do you like a little yellow too.?" Sophia smiled up at her, but would not leave Daryl, holding on to his leg as tight as possible. Lifting her up in his arms he followed Karen watching how her ass moved, oh yeah he could fuck that. An hour later he felt he had almost brought the whole shop, seeing the smile on Sophia's face was priceless. Paying with his card, he watched Karen, not missing the signals he was getting.
"Thank you darlin can you have them delivered to my apartment please by this evening?" checking for him, she ensured it could be delivered around 6 pm if that was ok. Smiling at her, he nodded his acknowledgement, leaning closer as if to kiss her, his lips moving to her ear, ensuring that Sophia did not hear.
"If ya see fit to be delivered with them to my apartment, then I am sure I would make it worth ya while for coming" flicking his tongue out to lick her ear making sure she knew his full intentions.
"Of course Mr Dixon 6 pm on the dot" smiling at him she waved at Sophia as they left the shop.