Chapter 7 - Let Her Go

Wow, it's been over a week since I updated this, time got away from me I guess. But here's the answer to the cliffhanger I left you with. This one's shorter than the last couple were but if all goes to plan I'll have another one out for you tomorrow.

I hope you like it, let me know what you think!


Ed woke up with a groan but then smirked as he got dressed because he knew today he'd be getting Carol back one way or another. He grinned excited to put his plan into action.

-Hit The Wall-

Carol smiled when she felt Daryl's arms around her and without thinking put her hands over his. Daryl muttered something and slowly opened his eyes, waking to the smell of purple and lavender. Carol. But she didn't move when she heard him wake up from behind her just sighed contently.

Daryl shifted his head so that his chin was resting on her head, "Ya awake?"

"Ummhmmm." Carol moaned into the pillow still not feeling fully awake.

Daryl nodded and sighed, "What time is it?"

Carol looked up at the clock, "Almost eight."

Daryl growled and nudged her, "Get up."

Carol got up rubbing her eyes, "Fine, I'm up."

Daryl nodded and shifted so he was spread out, taking up her spot, chuckling, "Yep, ya are. Thanks."

Carol laughed as he spread out on the bed like a starfish, "I'm gonna go wake Sophia up."

Daryl snuggled his face into her pillow and grumbled, "Get me in a little bit...make that a lotta bit..."

Carol nodded calling back into the room, "I'll wake you before I leave for school."

Daryl nodded and breathed in the scent on her still-warm pillow, calling after her, "Make me coffee too, please!"

"Yeah." Carol yelled back to him as she opened Sophia's room.

Daryl snuggled into the covers, her smell surrounding him and making him feel at home, the warmth of her body still on the sheets. He fell asleep restfully.

Sophia jumped out of bed excited to get to hand her project in today, "Morning Momma."

"Morning." Carol said as she took out clothes for the both of them, not paying much attention to the clothes she got out for herself because she knew once she got to work she'd have to change again anyway. Then they both got changed quickly after Sophia sat down in Carol's lap letting her mom brush her hair for her, "Excited for school today sweetie?"

Sophia giggled, "Yep, get to show everyone my project today."

Carol grinned happy that Sophia was so excited, "Let's go down stairs and you can get your school stuff ready then while I start making breakfast." She walked down the stairs holding onto Sophia's hand all the way. She headed straight for the kitchen to make a bowl of grits for each of them, calling up the stairs to Daryl when it was done, "Daryl! Breakfasts ready."

Daryl groaned loud enough for her to hear and stumbled out of the bed, going into the bathroom to clean up before making his way downstairs, still in his PJ's and tired as hell.

Carol poured him a big cup of coffee and a bowl of grits setting it in his place for him then dishing up Sophia's breakfast with a glass of juice.

Daryl walked into the kitchen and his eyes went to his breakfast. His mouth started to water, "Thank ya."

Carol smiled, "No problem. You look tired, did you not sleep well?"

Daryl shook his head, "Nah, not really."

Carol sat down at the table after tidying the few things she'd used away, wondering if maybe she had done something in her sleep to keep him up or make it so he couldn't sleep, "Why?"

Daryl got closer to her, whispering so Sophia couldn't hear, "Nightmares."

Carol nodded understanding remembering how the first night she had left Ed and stayed at the hotel she'd fought off nightmares of Ed coming to take her and Sophia away, she whispered back, "Was it me?" She wondered if her being in his bed made his nightmares worse.

Daryl frowned, shaking his head, "No, it happens a lot."

Carol nodded, "Yeah, happens to the best of us."

Daryl nodded and leaned against the counter, "Ya sleep well?"

Carol nodded, "It was alright last night, no nightmares."

Daryl smiled, "Good."

Carol smiled back watching Sophia as she drew with one hand eating with the other.

Daryl looked over at Sophia, "What ya drawin'?"

Sophia grinned showing him what she'd drawn so far, "A puppy, I want one they real cute."

Daryl walked over to her and looked at it, "A puppy, 'ey?"

Sophia nodded, "Yeah, I gonna put it on my list so maybe Santa will get me one."

Daryl glanced at Carol, "Maybe. Ya gotta be good though."

Sophia nodded, "I am."

Carol watched Daryl smiling, he was so good with Sophia and it was clear her little girl had decided she loved him already.

Daryl sat down at his spot and looked at her, "Ya know dogs are a lot of work."

Sophia shook her head, "You just feed and walk them and play with 'em."

Daryl chuckled, "And clean up after 'em and train 'em and keep 'em clean and healthy. It a lot of work."

"Not that hard." Sophia shrugged finishing off her drawing.

"It a big responsibility."

"Yeah but you guys can help me right?" Sophia asked looking from Daryl to her mom.

Daryl gave a slight nod before speaking again, "How ya gonna care for it while we at work and ya at school? It will be sad all alone and want attention."

Sophia wrinkled her brow thinking hard, "Ummm...I know! I can leave TV on for it so that it think people still here and the TV people can keep the puppy company."

Daryl chuckled, "How 'bout toys? Maybe toys would make it feel better since it'll smell like ya."

Sophia nodded, "Yeah I could get it some toys, give it my old ones so that it remind it of me."

Daryl smiled, "Yep. Ya would have to do research and learn about raisin' 'em though."

Sophia grinned, "Yeah I can research them at school in books or on the computers."

Daryl smiled, "Ya sure can."

"So I can have one then?" Sophia asked looking up at him with those wide blue eyes.

Daryl sighed, "Maybe. If ya research 'bout 'em and all."

Sophia grinned from ear to ear, "Yes! I'm gonna do loads, I'll be a puppy expert!"

Daryl grinned, "Show me that and i'll let ya get one."

Sophia beamed getting up and hugging his legs, "I'm getting a puppy!"

Daryl chuckled and glanced at Carol, winking at her before returning his attention to Sophia, patting her back softly. Carol smiled at him, seeing her daughter so happy made her feel a lot happier herself, when Sophia pulled away from the hug still grinning she called out to her, "Go get your school stuff ready."

Daryl watched her go and turned to start eating his breakfast, moaning at the taste of the grits before chugging down his coffee. He put his dishes in the sink when he was done and cleared his throat, looking out the kitchen window before walking into the living room.

Carol went into the hallway slipping her shoes on and she tying her hair up into a pony tail, "Ready Soph'?"

Sophia had her bag in one hand and project in the other, "Yeah hold this please and let me say bye to Daryl then we go."

She nodded holding Sophia's stuff for her while Daryl leaned against the wall, watching the little girl come his way.

Sophia walked up to him giving him another hug, "Bye Daryl."

Daryl hugged her back, "Have a good day."

Sophia smiled, nodding, "I will, get to show everyone my project today."

Daryl grinned, "Yers will be the best."

"I hope so."

Daryl chuckled, "Go on then. Think 'bout that puppy."

Sophia nodded as she pulled away, "I will." Daryl watched her run back over to Carol and take her stuff, a big grin on her face.

Carol waved goodbye to him, "I'll see you at work or do you want me to come pick you up?"

Daryl shrugged, "Come get me."

Carol nodded, "Okay, I'll be back soon."

Daryl smiled, "See ya soon." She smiled back at him then opened the door leading Sophia out to the car. Daryl sighed and sat down on the couch, Ed's words running through his head.

Carol got Sophia seated in her car seat before driving off to the school. When they got there a Carol jumped out helping Sophia out of her seat and handing her the project, she kissed her on the head, "Have a good day sweetie." She stayed to watched her walk to the teacher before getting back in the car and heading back home to pick up Daryl.

Daryl got up and changed into his work uniform and grabbed Carols so she could put it on before they left.

Carol parked up out front and knocked on the door waiting for Daryl to answer.

Daryl walked over and opened the door, "Gotta change."

Carol nodded, "Yeah, have you got my work clothes?"

Daryl nodded and handed them to her after she closed the door.

Carol took them from him with a thanks before heading to the downstairs bathroom to change into them.

Daryl watched her go, his cock wanting to ask her to change in front of him but that was wrong. Very wrong and he would stop thinking like that now.

Carol changed into her work clothes trying not to think about how sexy Daryl had looked in his.

Daryl waited till she came out but when she did, he almost moaned at the sight. He loved her outfit, it showed a lot of her legs and the V-Neck was so low that he could see her cleavage and it had him hard. He averted his eyes and nodded, "Ready?"

Carol nodded, taking her hair out of the ponytail and letting it hang loose, "Yeah."

Daryl nodded and opened the door for her, letting her go out before walking out himself and closing the door behind him.

Carol got her keys out of her purse getting into the drivers side of the car and turning the engine on, rolling the window down while she waited for him to get in.

Daryl got into the passenger side and closed the door, looking at her, "It gettin' cold out."

Carol put the window leaving it open just a crack, "I'll put the heat on but I'm leaving the window open a bit or it gets too stuffy."

Daryl nodded, "What ya think 'bout that puppy?"

Carol smiled, "I think we'll end up being the ones that look after it but I know it will make her happy."

Daryl chuckled, "Yeah."

Carol glanced at him, "What about you, do you want a puppy?"

Daryl gave a somewhat nod, "Yeah, 'm up for it."

Carol smiled turning onto the road where the bar was, "Then I think Santa might just bring her a puppy this year."

Daryl grinned, "Yep."

Carol grinned back as she parked the car outside the bar and turned the engine off. Daryl sighed and got out, waiting till she was out to make his way to the door. He held the door open for her and closed it once they were both in.

Carol walked through the bar stopping at the counter to pick up an apron to put on.

Daryl got behind the counter and sighed, "Remember, don' let them try to grab at ya and don' respond to them. Ignore it."

Carol nodded, "I'll ignore them don't you worry."

Daryl smiled, "Good. If ya got any trouble, just call my name."

Carol smiled back, "I will but I'll be fine."

-Hit The Wall-

Ed grinned walking into the school but instead of heading to the classes or reception like he did last time he just walked up to the wall and pulled the fire alarm watching as people, teachers and kids alike moved from the rooms. He smirking heading towards where he knew Sophia would be, this was too easy.

Sophia heard the bell go off and when it didn't stop she knew it must be the fire bell. Her teacher started to lead them out, telling them to leave all their stuff behind, she got into the back of the queue but when the teacher wasn't looking she ran back to grab her project. She couldn't leave it to get ruined in the fire.

Ed smirked as he saw her come out all on her own behind the rest, he quickly grabbed her from behind covering her mouth with his hand, "Daddy's back."

Sophia panicked holding tight to her project as Ed let her out the back of school away from the teacher. She wiggled trying to get out of his grip but he held onto her tight, almost tight enough to bruise her.

He got out to his truck opening it and shoving her in before getting in himself and locking the doors. Her looked over at her as she held a big piece of paper close to her chest, tears biting at her eyes, "It's okay," He nodded, "Daddy's back now to save you and your Momma from that man." She whimpered as Ed spoke, "Let's go collect her yeah?"

-Hit The Wall-

Daryl sighed as he watched the people start to increase. The day had started quick with a party of ten piling in and working them around then came the couples or horny singles tumbling in on their own and it seemed endless.

The amount of people was large and it made him tired just looking at it. He had served over fifty drinks already and even had a woman try to grab his ass. One woman had been successful at getting her hand around his junk and he had to kick her out of the bar. Not to mention, Carol was having her own hell with the drunk and horny men. She didn't have a counter to cover her so they could easily grab her and it made him pissed. He just kept looking at her when it happened and mouthing, 'remember' so she remembered his words earlier. He just hoped they helped.

Daryl sighed and handed Carol two more shot glasses of whiskey, "Here."

She nodded and took them to the two men awaiting who were already drunk enough but asked for more. He watched as two girls danced like strippers on the dance floor for a couple of men who were not afraid to show their hard members straining against their pants.

-Hit The Wall-

Ed parked outside the bar, leaving Sophia locked in the car while he went to get Carol, "You wait here while I get her."

Sophia cried trying to open the doors as he walked away, she didn't like it in the truck. He hadn't had a special seat for her and unlike Daryl he hadn't let her sit in his lap not that she wanted to. She wanted her mom and she wanted Daryl. She was scared and needed them, they always made her feel better.

He entered the bar looking around for Carol but didn't see her yet, he only saw that stupid redneck.

Daryl looked up as the bell ringed to tell them someone has entered but who he saw had his blood boiled, Ed. He looked at Carol and called her over to him, not wanting Ed to do anything to her.

Carol walked over to Daryl confused as to why he called her until she saw Ed begin to walk over.

"I got something you want." Ed said moving a step closer to Carol.

Daryl stayed tensed, watching the man's every move.

Carol narrowed her eyes, "You have nothing I want Ed."

Ed chucked, saying the one word that made her heart stop, "Sophia."

Daryl glanced at Carol, remembering Ed's words from yesterday. He moved around the counter and came between Carol and Ed, protecting her from the man, "I told ya not to mess with 'em."

"And I told you they were mine." Ed smirked evilly as he looked back at Carol.

Carol felt like her throat was closing up and she couldn't breath, she stuttered out, "Let...her go."

Daryl got close to Ed, "She left ya and that means she don' want ya sorry ass. Ya got no right messin' with 'em ya worthless piece of shit!"

Ed growled at Daryl, "This don't concern ya."

Carol looked up at Ed, she needed to get Sophia away from him, she couldn't let anyone hurt her baby girl, "Let her go and...I'll go with you. Just let her go, you don't want her."


I know, I know. I am evil for ending the chapter like this. Taking away the cliffhanger from before to leave you with this but tough.
Hope you enjoyed it, should have the next one up sooner than this one was.