It was late morning and Sophia was laying on her back, staring at the ceiling. For a day that had only just started, it was shaping out to be a boring one. Her morning cartoons had ended over an hour ago and it was too hot to play outside. Her gaze lazily drifted toward the catalogues sitting on the coffee table. Out of boredom, she picked one up and began scanning over the pages. There seemed to be some pretty good stuff on sale at the mall and Sophia wondered if her mom would take her.

She jumped off the sofa and ran to the back door, magazine still in hand, she went into the yard. Her mother stood at the clothes line attempting to hang a sheet. She wrestled with it for a moment as it was quite large but eventually was able to peg it on the line.

"Momma, can we go out today?" Sophia asked, trailing after her mother around the clothesline. Carol continued pegging the clothes out as she thought.

"Did you want to go somewhere in particular?" She wondered, hanging the last few items on the line and grabbing the washing basket. The two headed back toward the house and Sophia flashed the catalogue at her mother.

"There are a lot of sales on. I was thinking we could go to the mall. Look, Mom, twenty per-cent off kid's summer clothes," Sophia flipped through to another page, "three books for the price of one, Mom, you can't pass that up." Sophia nodded firmly, a smile forming on her face. Carol chuckled at the offer. She was starting to think Sophia would be a great saleswoman.

"I guess we could go, I've done most of the washing." Carol mused aloud, thinking about what chores she would have left to do when she got home. "Okay, when do you wanna go?" Carol finally asked. Sophia's eyes lit up and she smiled widely.

"As soon as possible, please," Sophia said. Carol nodded and put the washing basket down. "And do you think maybe Lily could come?" She added. Sophia began twisting her fingers as she waited for her mother to reply. Carol thought about that one for a minute. It was the holidays, and they had all stayed out late last night after Michonne's party, so it was possible that the Dixons were still sleeping. Carol said as much and Sophia frowned.

"You could call their house, though and see if they're up for it." Carol had suggested.

Sophia immediately raced into the kitchen and dug out her mother's contact book. There weren't many people in there, Sophia noticed. It made it easy to find Daryl and Lily's number though and as soon as she found it she picked up the phone and dialed the number. She didn't know what she was going to do if Daryl answered the phone, he scared her a little and she didn't much want to speak to him. She prayed Lily would pick up so she didn't have to endure the awkwardness of a conversation with Daryl.


Lily scribbled on the back page of her coloring in book. It was late morning and her uncle still wasn't awake. He had crashed on the sofa last night, or so it appeared, as he was still sleeping there when she woke up that morning. It looked like he'd fallen asleep watching T.V but Lily didn't really know. She ignored her uncle's snoring and just kept drawing until she heard something. A little startled, she jumped. It appeared to be nothing more than the phone ringing. Daryl didn't look like he'd be picking up any time soon, though, since he groaned a little but settled back into the sofa and snored.

Lily sighed and put down her coloring book. She supposed she'd have to answer the phone. The phone continued to ring as she entered the kitchen and grabbed it. She accepted the call and pressed the phone to her ear.

"Hello." Lily said into the phone. There was barely a moment of silence before Sophia's excited voice started jabbering away.

"Lily! You picked up, thank goodness." Sophia sighed in relief and continued talking. "Me and my Momma are going to the mall today. Can you ask your uncle if you can come? - He can come too." Sophia offered. Lily glanced out of the corner of her eye back at her uncle's sleeping form. He appeared to be peacefully sleeping away and she didn't want to disturb that.

"One moment," she said, she wondered about whether or not to wake him and then decided it would be best if she didn't wake him, and just told Sophia that they were going. "He says yes." Lily fibbed, her gaze drifting one more time to Daryl, who snored loudly. Sophia didn't seem to notice though. She just told Lily where to meet with them and at what time and then the two girls hung up.

Lily got herself dressed quickly, did her hair and brushed her teeth before deciding to wake her guardian. She padded out into the living room and poked his shoulder a few times. He grumbled something and then rolled around on the sofa.

"Daryl, wake up. We're going to the mall." Lily said in a reasonably loud voice. When he didn't stir she poked his shoulder a few times and repeated the phrase. Finally, he rolled over and cracked an eye open.

"What?" He asked, sounding slightly displeased that he had been woken. Lily chewed on the skin of her lip and played with the hem of her dress.

"Well, I've got a bit of a surprise for you," Lily began. Daryl sighed wearily and braced himself for whatever Lily was about to tell him. He stretched his arms up over his head and waited for her to continue. "Sophia called this morning aaand..."

"And what?" Daryl winced almost painfully at the coy tone of her voice.

"And we're going to the mall!" Lily exclaimed proudly. Daryl remained crashed back down on the sofa and ran his hand through his hair. Lily prodded him once more in the shoulder. He grunted as a means of response. "In fifteen minutes." She added, her smile fading. Daryl sighed in exasperation and pulled himself off the sofa for a ten minute shower, it never took him long to get ready for anything anyways.


The first thing Daryl noticed about the mall was that it was loud and crowded. He and Lily were having a hard time of spotting Sophia and Carol through the thick clusters of people rushing around. He felt Lily grab the hem of his shirt so that she wouldn't be swept away with the passing masses of people.

"Do you see them?" She asked, scanning the area for any sign of their friends. Daryl shook his head and looked down to his little counterpart. She craned her neck to see around the people that passed them by. "ThereThereThere!" She called, tugging Daryl by the hem of his shirt toward Sophia and Lily. Daryl followed along until Lily stopped walking and they stood in front of Carol and Sophia.

The two girls had a quick hug then stood next to each other and chattered away. Sophia was busy telling Lily all about the sales at some cool stores and Lily seemed equally as excited to listen as Sophia was to talk.

"So, where to first?" Carol asked, clapping her hands together and looking toward the girls. The two youngsters chattered amongst each-other in whispers and giggles for a few moments before turning to the adults and declaring that they wanted to look at clothes. Lily was especially excited, she didn't have many clothes at Daryl's. She only had what she could fit in her bags when she had moved in and she was long overdue for some new summer clothes and definitely some shoes. The two girls raced along ahead of the adults, not wanting to waste a second, and the two adults jogged after their respective children.

They came across a small store that was plastered with 'sale' signs and they decided it would be good to look in there. Sophia and Lily left a reasonable distance between the adults and themselves so they could talk comfortably.

"What do you think?" Sophia asked as she pulled a shirt off a nearby clothes rack and measured it against her frame. Lily nodded approvingly.

"Perfect!" She exclaimed. Sophia held onto the shirt and kept walking past more clothes with Lily and occasionally picked a few things out.

Daryl watched as they chattered on about shirts and dresses and skirts; it all seemed very much the same to him, he decided to keep that thought to himself.

"Gettin' bored yet?" Carol jested, smiling up at Daryl as they strolled along behind the girls. Daryl rolled his eyes and let out a little chuckle.

"That noticeable?" He asked. Carol laughed and nodded.

"'Noticeable' is an understatement." She replied with a smile. Even Daryl smiled a bit at that. "Looks like we'll be here a while longer, though," Carol nodded her head toward the two girls who were parading around and picking out clothes here and there. Daryl groaned and suppressed a grimace. Carol noticed his expression and nudged him playfully. "Sorry, Pookie."


Daryl practically bolted out of the store when the girls had said they were done clothes shopping. Anything, and he meant anything, was better than that. The girls and Carol followed shortly after with their hands full of bags. Lily handed Daryl the change she had from her shopping escapades but he said for her to hang onto it in case she wanted something and the four took up strolling along and window shopping until they found somewhere to go. They stopped in at a candy store where the girls purchased a great deal of sugary treats and Daryl was sure Lily was going to be as hyperactive as all hell after she ate them. After the candy store they stopped in at a store selling kitchenware and the girls and Carol all bought some new stuff. Lily bought little cookie-cutters and Sophia got some cup-cake molds, Carol bought a lot of crap that Daryl had no clue how to use.

The very last store they stopped in at was a bookstore. Daryl followed close behind Carol as she looked over the books on the shelf. She picked one up and read the blurb before shelfing it again. Daryl never really liked books, but he was happy to talk to Carol while she picked some out.

"Do you like reading?" Carol asked. Daryl scrunched up his nose and shook his head no.

"'M guessin' you do." He said, nodding toward the small bundle of books she was cradling. She nodded.

"You guess right." She chucked. Just then, the two girls walked up, each with a book tucked away under their arms. They waited around for a few minutes for Carol to get a few more books and then the four left and walked around for a while. They weren't really shopping very much, they were just looking at things in the windows and talking. Daryl was feeling pretty dead on his feet and it was obvious Carol was tired too. The two adults looked at their watches and then back to each other.

"I think it's almost home-time." Carol said to Sophia. The little girl frowned and clung to Lily's arm. The two girls pouted and the adults exchanged a secretive glance before Carol turned to face Daryl. "I was thinking about taking Sophia that park just a few blocks away. I'd be happy to have Lily along, you could just pick her up in about half an hour." Carol volunteered. Daryl shifted on his feet a bit.

"I don't wanna cause ya any trouble." Daryl mumbled. He wasn't really very used to people just volunteering to help him out or anything, so Carol's offer took him a little by surprise. Carol shook her head.

"You wouldn't." She smiled a reassuring smile. "Besides, you look like you could use some 'you' time. Go, go shop or walk or... do whatever it is you do." She added with a little chuckle. Daryl agreed to meet the girls in twenty minutes or so and then they left for the park.


Within just a few minutes of being at the park the girls were involved in a hardcore game of tag, which Carol opted not to participate in. They tumbled around across the grass and chased each other, Carol had no idea where they got all their energy from but she got the idea it had something to do with the three open packets of Sour Patch Kids.

Finally though, when they had expended all their energy, they crashed down next to each-other on the ground and lay sprawled out on the grass.

"Who won?" Lily panted, sitting up a little and facing Sophia.

"I dunno," Sophia admitted, then the two girls fell into a fit of giggles and rolled around on the ground laughing. Suddenly, Sophia's smile was replaced with a frown. "Your uncle's back." The two girls watched as Daryl sat down next to Carol.

Daryl sat next to Carol on the park-bench. She turned in her seat to face him and glanced down at a bag he was holding. She peaked inside ad raised an eyebrow at him.

"It's uh, it's for Lily. L-like a surprise." He explained lamely, ducking his head. Daryl had happened upon an art store and - remembering that Lily didn't have a sketch pad - he picked one up for her. He noticed Carol was smiling at him.

"That's sweet of you," she commented. He hid under his hair. "H-hey, Daryl. Did you and Lily maybe wanna come over tomorrow night for dinner? If you're not busy." Carol asked. She felt giddy and she didn't know why. It wasn't like she was asking him out or anything, it was a simple invitation to dinner so that the girls could get together, Carol reasoned with herself.

"I ain't busy," Daryl replied. Carol decided she'd take that as a yes and stood up from her seat at the park bench. "Better get goin'." Daryl grumbled before pulling himself from his seat. They collected the girls, sorted out details for tomorrow evenings dinner plans and then they headed home for the day.


Daryl observed Lily as she scribbled away in the newly bought sketch pad, she had vowed to draw him a masterpiece fit to be hung in a museum, however it would have to settle for being hung on the refrigerator. He was looking forward to seeing what she produced, she was actually kind of okay at drawing and he liked when she showed him stuff she'd done.

"Hey, you listenin' or what, Baby Bro?" Merle's voice crackled over the phone and disrupted Daryl's train of thought. He gave a small 'mhm' as means of reply and Merle continued to on with some anecdote he was in the midst of telling. "Anyway, what's been good with you?" Merle asked. Daryl walked up the hallway so he could talk without Lily listening in on him.

"Took the kid to the mall today." Daryl shrugged and took up pacing the hallway.

"Yeah?" Merle answered absentmindedly. There was an awkward pause in conversation for a few beats but Merle quickly pumped the life back into the conversation. "You ought ta' come down 'nd visit me. Startin' to think you's forgotten all about Ol' Merle." Merle chuckled. Daryl could tell that even though Merle was laughing, he was a bit hurt that no one had paid him a visit. Daryl couldn't ever imagine Merle being lonely per se, but he thought that just maybe Merle missed the company of his younger brother.

"You ain't that easy to forget." Daryl joked.

"So you busy tomorrow?" Merle asked. Daryl thought about his evening plans with Carol and Sophia before he answered. He could tell his older brother was angling for a visit and if Daryl said he wasn't busy he would surely have to go.

"Only in tha' evening," Daryl began. "Could prob'ly swing by sometime in the morning." He suggested.

"A'ight then. I'll see ya tomorrow. I better get goin' soon." Merle replied.

"Wait," Daryl began. "I think ya should talk to Lily. I mean, she don't really know ya and... I think it'd be a good idea." Daryl suggested. He waited for a reply but there was just silence for a few moments.

"I'll see ya tomorrow, okay?" Was all Merle said.

"Merle, she's ya kid." Daryl took his voice down even though he knew Lily couldn't hear him from the next room.

"I gotta go." Merle sounded slightly deflated and Daryl felt a little annoyed Merle was ignoring his own kid. In Daryl's eyes, that was a pretty shitty thing to do, although he'd never say it.

"Okay. I'll bring Lily tomorrow." Daryl said. Merle agreed and they said goodbye to each-other before hanging up the phone. He walked back into the kitchen and put the phone back where it belonged before telling Lily it was bedtime. She packed up her pencils and her new sketchbook and walked with him up the hallway until they arrived in her room.

"Was that Dad?" Lily had asked as she climbed under the covers. Daryl nodded and paced her room. "How come he never wants to talk to me?" Lily wasn't really that sad about it, she was just very curious, as most children are. Daryl took a seat on the end of her bed and played with a loose string on her quilt.

"It ain't that he don't wanna he just," Daryl paused and searched for the right words, he had a propensity to say the wrong thing a lot so he thought for a moment for what to say. "He just don't know what to say." Daryl finished, nodding his head once.

"Oh," Lily said. She couldn't help wondering what her dad was like. "Can I talk to him sometime soon?" She wondered. Daryl nodded again.

"We're goin' to see him tomorrow mornin', so you'll have to be up early." Daryl told her. She settled down in the bed and Daryl got up to leave.

"Will you leave the hall light on?" Lily asked.

"Sure. Get some sleep, ya got a big day tomorrow."


A.N:*Dodges the bricks and other assorted objects you are probably throwing*. Okay, this entire chapter was sort of a disaster but I wanted to do some filler-ish stuff before I got to that bit at the bottom and it ended up going quite terrible. I had a lot of ideas and I went to write and then had no ideas.
Sorry for not updating in so long, I've been sort of busy; I've been doing Camp NaNoWriMo and then yesterday was my birthday (I'm officially 15) and then I had to you know, motivate myself to post this.

Many thanks to all the lovely reviews last chapter: itsi3, zombieslayer5, Laurie, green angel01, Dixonrocks and vickih.

Very thankful for all of the follows and favorites: 9livesremember, Dixonrocks, LucyC-96, , Writingismypassions, adelicateflower08, cthammons, eowynmd, jadastar, lismrox, tessuhhh, vickih, zombieslayer5, BrucieBaby, Creed757, EmbraceYourFREAK, Jhill88, Kabrinastar88, Lisab876, MSHK, MarcesibleLea, Mione788, Mrs. EmilySalvatore, Prodigium, Riah222, Shaniqua Nunyadambidness, Stacey73, TWDHGfan, Tinkerbell99, bearhead, crystal2807, ferrisbueller, georgiapeachs, hockeydrmr9, itsi3, lilhanna, liveinadive, mcmannusdixon, melniewn, naenurse, nanashipsCARYL, pharmtechgril71, protonefrid, sarafina2012, smolderhalderxo, spygrrl99, texasbelle91,tyffany86, wandwaving and wolfie22.

Update shall hopefully be soon and I'll try to make it a little better and a little less rushed. Next Chapter: A visit to Merle and dinner with the Peletiers.