A/N: I'm getting really bad about updating. I am so sorry. I've been busy with work and with my health issues, and I've been outlining. It's just getting it down into actual story. I worked my butt off to post this, because today is my five year anniversary on this site, and I am so impressed by how far I've come. I want to thank you guys, too, of course. You've given me ideas to use in my stories and insight I hadn't even thought of. You're all really awesome, and I'm super grateful. You really can't know how grateful I am to have you as readers.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

– – –

Didn't you say you'd cook for me?" she suddenly asked, killing the moment, but oh well. She was hungry.

"Yeah, I will." He dropped his hand. "Let's get inside. It's gettin' cold."

"I'd like your help inside, please."

"'Course."

They climbed inside the RV, Daryl realized his socks were coated in clay now too, and he removed them. Carol giggled at the sight of him grumbling and ripping off his socks, and he blushed and turned away to finished peeling the left one off. She looked around once she realized he didn't want or need an audience after kicking off her own tennis shoes.

It was spacious for an RV, and it was beautiful. She could barely tell she was inside an RV. It felt like a little apartment. It was adorable and classy, with sparkling wooden walls and marble counters. It had a full on fridge with counter tops. There were two flat screen TVs, one at the end of the kitchen and one by the little two seater table just by the doorway. There was a tan leather love seat behind the dining table and further back were doorways. One revealed the bedroom without even having to walk back, and the other, upon inspection, led to the bathroom. It was...titled and spacious and so much prettier than hers. Man, this whole place was pretty and nicer than her entire house. Man.

"It's nice, right?" Daryl unloaded the bags.

"It's so pretty I wanna cry." She entered the living room/kitchen area. "Rich people live in a whole other world."

"Tss, yeah."

She removed her hoodie. "He seriously let you borrow it? Like, no strings attached?"

"I just gotta clean up after myself. I probably have to scrub it clean of mud too, but that's fine."

"Wow. Cool boss." She sat down on the couch and nearly melted away. "This is so comfortable. It doesn't stick to my ass at all."

He chuckled. "You're gonna do this the entire time we're here, ain't you?"

"Uh-huh." She nodded. "The floor's tiled!"

"I know. I've seen it."

"I want to own this. I probably won't make enough to own this until I'm in my thirties"

"I wanna own a house," Daryl told her. "A nice house with a backyard that's mine."

She smiled at the look of resolve on his face and leaned over the back of the couch. "I'm sure you will. You'll have to keep baby boy from painting the walls, though."

"I wouldn't mind. I'm used to cleanin' stuff up."

She tapped her fingers on the couch before asking, "So, what is it you want to do? When you're out of high school?"

"Why do you ask?" He turned his back to her and began to fold the bags.

"I was just curious. I remember you mentioned having plans when I told you about the baby. I know you're smart. Mom would mention it whenever Dad hated you big time and insulted you by saying that dumbass punk or that stupid shit." She apologized with a look on her face for dad's past statements. "You seem to have it together."

"Then you must not be lookin' hard enough." He tossed the folded bag onto the counter top. "I'm just...tryin' to figure my shit out. I don't got any plans beyond graduatin'. I'm in the guidance office pretty much every day. I need scholarships, and I've written an ass ton of essays, but...who knows if they'll do me any good, you know? I pulled up my grade point average, improved my attendance, and I'm doin' odd jobs here and there to beef up my college resume, but I don't know if it'll be enough. My old man's reputation has been cast down on me. Most people read Dixon and are uninterested."

"Well, that's bullshit. You are your own person. No one should define you by your parent."

"Tell that to them."

"I would if I thought they'd listen." She inhaled. "Sadly my opinion means little nowadays. Most people associate teenagers who are pregnant as stupid, as young women who want to throw their future down the drain. I've already had some teachers look at me like, "What a shame. I had high hopes for you". It's annoying, because my son won't hold me back. Don't get me wrong. I know he'll make things harder, but harder doesn't mean I have to stop. Harder just means I have something to fight for, you know?"

He smiled. "Yeah, that's how I feel."

She narrowed her eyes. "You didn't answer my question."

"Noticed that, huh? Here I was hopin' pregnancy brain would have kicked in." He scratched a hand through his hair. "I...wanna be a lawyer."

"Whoa."

"What? You think I can't do it? I'm too redneck for a career like that? I don't round off my g's enough for a career like that? I can't pass the bar exam? I'll be prepared for all of it when it comes. That's why I'm bustin' my ass now. For money, for scholarships, and I won't let them go to waste." He was glaring at her.

"Why do you do that?" She frowned at him. "You jump the gun the moment anyone says anything. Let them explain, please. It's not a negative remark. It's just...I'm impressed. That's a long and challenging road, and I didn't know you wanted that."

He stopped glaring, but he didn't apologize.

"Seriously, Daryl, I want—I need an answer."

"A lot of people have put me down. It's a reflex."

"When have I ever put you down?" She studied him. "And that doesn't include anything I've said during a fight."

"You hear somethin' enough from someone's mouth, you expect it from everybody else."

"You shouldn't think like that. People have different opinions. Like my mom and dad. My mom adores your hard work in school. She believes you'll go far, and she's ready to support you in any way she can. She wants you to reach all your goals. But Dad? Phew. He still doesn't think much of you. He wants you to basically wear a chastity belt and swear yourself to me and to fatherhood. He goes back and forth most days, but I block him out. He's...kinda crazy with his lack of sleep and overworking himself." She rolled her eyes as if to say whatever. "But...it doesn't matter what they say. It matters what you say and what you think and what you do. You're impressive, Daryl. I mean, I don't know you all that well, and I think that. You should think that too."

"Impressive? How?"

"You're willing to do...so much for your son. You're working overtime for him. You're taking care of him right now and don't complain about it. You're attentive to me. You're loyal. You're...impressive. You're doing so much, and a lesser man would crumble and call it quits. I'm happy that you were the one I "hooked up with"."

"Yeah?"

"Yes." She beamed at him. "Our son is going to be so loved and so well-taken care of. He'll want for nothing with a father like you."

"Thanks."

"But that doesn't mean I won't help. I just mean...you'll give him loads of affection and time and essentials, and so will I. We'll share that equally."

"I know." He walked over to the cabinets and began to pull out pans and a skillet. "So, you asked me what I wanted to be, how about you?"

"I don't know yet." She stood up. "I thought I had it figured out, but nope. I'm still trying to work it out."

He nodded. "I respect that. You're givin' it thought, though, right? 'Cause I can't solely support our child. I got bills too."

She chuckled dryly. "Of course I have thoughts. Plenty of them."

"Good." He slid a knife over to her. "Mind cuttin' some mushrooms and onions for me in a bit?"

"Sure." She moved it onto the cutting board he'd slid over to her next. "What do I do until then? Hmm."

"You could check out the bedroom," he suggested. "I'm tempted to steal that mattress."

"Really?"

"Really." He glanced at her. "It's the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on."

"Well, my back does hurt, my feet too. It couldn't hurt." She edged over to the room. "If I fall asleep, wake me up to cut those mushrooms, okay?"

"Yup."

She entered the room and lied down on the bed, instantly melting against it and moaning blissfully. She was going to steal this mattress if Daryl stole it. She'd take it from him when she dropped their son off at his place for a weekend or whatever. Oh, God, it was like lying on a bed of gorgeous feathers and foam, only comfortable. Ooh, this was amazing.

"It's nice, right?" Daryl walked over to the door to find Carol cuddling a pillow, body curled slightly, out cold. It'd barely been a second since she walked back here. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her. She was...adorable, to be honest. All red hair and jeans. And at this angle, he could see the bump she was trying to hide with bigger sized shirts.

He hadn't noticed that before. He mostly looked at her face, if he was being real. He knew his son was down there, but he liked to meet her eyes. He rarely did that, but there was always something bubbling behind her words, and if he was looking into her eyes, they betrayed her and revealed bits of what was bugging her, or what she hoped someone would notice. He liked that he could read her in that way. He was shit at reading her any other time, so it was nice to have the upper hand. At least for now. He might find other ways to see behind her words as time went on, but the eyes were the window to the soul, so...it was probably his best bet to just stick with this.

He leaned against the wall and studied the baby bump. He'd felt it. His son had kicked at their touch, but...seeing it now was so different from feeling it. It was big. Bigger than it felt. He wondered how much of it was his son and how much was fluid. From how little weight Carol had gained, he would guess most of it was his son. She would be lucky. Once she had their son, the weight she gained wouldn't be noticeable. She might blow up at the sixth month or seventh, but he doubted it. He wasn't a doctor, but he'd bet money on her not gaining much more weight. She was a skinny girl, not as skinny as her sister, but still quite skinny.

Well, weight wise skinny. She was quite ample. She had an awesome figure. He traced her body more times that he'd care to admit that night. He knew she was beautiful, but shit. She was like a fucking goddess without clothes on. She was curvy and ample and beautiful. He wouldn't tell her that, because she got weird whenever that night was brought up, but damn, girl was fucking fine. He was surprised she didn't have a boyfriend. She was stunning and intelligent. She was probably the coolest girl he'd ever met. She had guts and fire, and he found that hilarious and respectable. He was proud and thrilled to have her be the mother to his child. Well, he wasn't thrilled to be having a kid at seventeen, but since he was, he was glad it wasn't with anyone else.

She was different than anyone else he'd ever met, too. It was corny and every guy probably had that thought about a woman in their life, but it was true. She was the first girl to ever turn his head and keep his attention longer than a few seconds. He didn't get feelings. He didn't seek girls out. They tended to come to him, and he also didn't go for virgins. He wasn't the lose it to type. He was just someone to blow off some steam with. He knew that, but he still went for it. He still chatted her up, made that move and took it upstairs. He knew it was her first time. She probably had inexperienced slapped all over her, but he couldn't stop. He knew he should have slowed it down, been smarter and just hung out with her that night. They could have gotten some food and walked around a bit. He should have shown her this area. He could have done a million other things, but he was shit at it. He didn't do small talk. He didn't do sharing. He really only did one thing, and it was all he had to offer, so he went with it. He went with it, and he did this to her. Sure, she was there too, but it was his fault. She was new to all of it, he wasn't, and he didn't try to step out of his comfort zone. Not even for a girl he was attracted too for more than half an hour.

That was something he could teach his son. Communication. He would teach him to know how to talk to women and how to treat women. He wouldn't let his son become him. He wouldn't let his son visit a clinic to get tested twice before his eighteenth birthday. He would teach him about girls and sex, and it'd be awkward, but necessary. He didn't want his son to be in this same situation. They weren't ready, not by a long shot, and he wouldn't let this pressure be on his son. He would bust his back, his brain and his fucking sanity to ensure his son never got a girl pregnant in high school, because shit. Like, Daryl was stressed the fuck out. He'd admit it. He was panicked and fucking terrified to the point of being unable to breathe. He prayed the next four months went slow as shit, because he was not ready. He was nowhere near being there. He could slap on a good face and hand Carol money and cribs and a diaper Genie, but he wasn't there. Axel wanted them both to be in the parent zone, but Daryl scarcely knew what that meant. He didn't have a mother or a father, and all he'd seen was how Amaro talked and handled Caesar and him. That was his only father figure to look to, and that hardly counted.

Carol exhaled and pulled him out of his head, moaning softly as she nuzzled the pillow. "Hmm..."

He swallowed hard and headed back to the kitchen to make dinner for her. He would focus on those thoughts later. Right now, he just wanted to make some steaks. It was simpler to just make steaks.

– – –

Axel set the boxes of pizza down on the table. "We'll make a salad and call it healthy." This he said to Lori, who had come flying down the stairs at the smell of food. "That'll please Karen's need for Carol to eat one veggie per meal."

"Mom's not here." She dug into the bell pepper and bacon pizza. Ooh, there was two types of cheese.

"What?" He handed a napkin to her as grease slid down her chin.

"Yeah, she and Carol had a fight while they were out, so she stormed out the moment they got home." She balled up the used napkin. "And Carol left after we got into it."

"Guess this must be National Callies Women Fight Day." He blew out a sigh. "I'll call Karen."

"No need." Karen limply dragged herself into the kitchen. "I'm here."

"You okay?" He set a hand on her arm, seeing she'd been crying, and she nodded weakly, trying to smile, but it didn't even make it to her lips. "Here." He guided her to a seat. "I'll get you some water."

"Thanks." She rubbed her neck and pulled out a fake smile for Lori. "Hey, kiddo, what's up?"

"Me eating my weight in pizza." She was moving onto her second piece. "And you?"

"I'm tired."

"Here." Lori handed her a slice of pizza. "It's your favorite. Pepperoni and mushrooms."

"Thanks, sweetie, but I'm not hungry."

"Try and eat a little." Axel set the glass of water beside her, gripping her shoulder to offer support through her emotional time of need.

She grasped his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. "I should talk to Carol first. Is she in her room?"

"Nope." Lori shook her head. "She left after you. I don't know where she went, and she doesn't have her phone. I tried calling, and her shopping bag started to ring. She must have left it in Dad's coat. I didn't dig it out, so that's my guess."

"What?" Karen glanced at the clock. "It's nearly ten o' clock at night. She knows to be home by nine."

"She might have gone to Caesar's." Lori rested her arms on the island. "Or gone to see Michonne. She doesn't live that far from here."

"Their parents would have called to let us know, and my phone hasn't rung all night." Karen looked at Axel. "Has yours?"

"Just work."

"I don't even know where to begin to look for her." Karen was on her feet. "I'll stop by the Harrison's first then swing back to see Michonne. If she's not there, I'll try Caesar's."

"She could be with Daryl," Axel offered. "I mean, she's been trying to get to know him better for the baby. It's not too much of a stretch to say they're together."

"And you're okay with that?" Her brows shot up and were nearly introduced to her hairline.

"No, but she's already pregnant. What else can happen? They'll run off and get married? They don't like each other like that. I trust him to take care of her. Mostly. I trust Carol to take care of herself, so I'm not going to stress out. She wouldn't put the baby in a harmful situation."

"Wow, you're so chill. It's refreshing." Lori chewed on a bell pepper.

He ignored that and set his hands on Karen's shoulders. "I'm sure she's with him, and they're fine. You don't need to hunt her down like a bloodhound."

She nodded. "I'm going to bed then. I...I just am done with this day."

"Good night." He kissed her forehead, and she smiled a little.

"Night, Mom." Lori hugged her as she passed her, and Karen squeezed her tight before letting go. "I love you."

"I love you both," she called with a smile. "Good night."

"Night," they said once more as she padded up the stairs.

Axel leaned on the island and helped himself to Lori's slice of pizza. "I swear, you girls are going to be the death of me."

"If you touch my food again, I will kill you," Lori somewhat joked. She hadn't eaten since breakfast, because she was drowning in homework and forgot to eat lunch.

He smirked. "Wanna go grab some milkshakes?"

"Is it still open?"

"Till eleven on Saturdays."

"Dude, I'll wear my jammies. Let's go." She grabbed the box of pizza. "I'll eat this on the way."

He laughed. "Get some napkins."

"Yep."

He swiped their coats while she hurried out to the car, he turned to look back at the steps that Karen had just climbed, and he hoped she felt better. He didn't have to ask to know what had happened. He knew her well. She was like his other half. His best friend. He could read her mind by the slouch in her shoulders, the faint redness in her eyes, the poorly wiped away tear stains on her cheeks. He knew what she and Carol had fought about, and he needed to speak to Carol about it. For now, he had to feed his other daughter and give Karen some space and silence. That's what the women in his life needed, so he would provide.

And maybe when they got back, Karen would want a peach milkshake. If not, hell, he'd drink the damn thing. There were seriously killer. He hoped that meant awesome, because he'd heard Carol and her friends say it, and it just found its way into his vocabulary. Killer... Huh. Oh, well, it was just a thought. Nobody heard it. Yet he still arguing this.

"C'mon, those shakes aren't gonna drink themselves," Lori shouted playfully out the window.

He chuckled and closed the door. "I'm coming. Let me put my coat on, kid. Geez." He shook his head and got in the car. Kids today.

As he pulled out, Karen flicked the light off in the closet and heard the car as it traveled away. She was glad to have the house to herself, even if it was only for a moment. She couldn't handle the noise of her children and her best friend. She couldn't tolerate the sounds of laughter and teasing, or bickering and jesting, or even the sound of movement of feet, loud or quiet. She couldn't handle anything. She was overwhelmed. Her senses shot. She was exhausted, as though she'd been punctured and all of her energy had seeped out of her body, leaving her as limp and lifeless as a deflated balloon.

She ran a hand through her hair and gazed out the window, lifting her body up to sit in the sill. She pulled on leg up to her chest and let the other leg dangle, resting her head on her knee. She swallowed and closed her eyes. She didn't want to see the world right now. She just wanted to get some sleep and talk to Carol when she got home. She knew Carol would be able to handle the pain of labor. She was just overthinking it. She was just like her mother in that regard. Carol was tough and had a high tolerance for pain. She would need her dad or sister there, but she'd make it out just fine. She would be holding that precious blue-eyed little boy and her heart would no longer belong to her. It'd be his, and that would be all they wrote. Hmm.

She exhaled and picked up her cell phone from the dresser beside her, calling someone very dear to her. She needed to hear a voice other than the one in her head, and she needed to air out some feelings. Axel would be there for her once they were back home, and when she would need someone to snuggle up with, but for now, she needed this.

– – –

Amaro stopped in his tracks as he looked over the credit card bill, his eyes falling to his son who was working out in the weight room. It used to be a game room, but he went all football happy, so Amaro had it redone. There was a section in there for video games, and Caesar still played the crap out of them, but he was more interested in getting buff. He wanted to increase his endurance. He wanted to get picked by a scout and attend college on a football scholarship and of course some intellectual scholarships. He was a smart kid, and he wanted to go far in life his own way, not through his father and grandfather and great grandfather's company and money.

Of course Amaro knew Caesar would work the shop after he graduated. He'd manage the business, because he loved it. He loved business and marketing and people. He would lead Martinez Meats far, and he couldn't wait to see that process. Caesar had a good head on his shoulders, a knack for reading people and for business, and he was a good young man. Which had to lead to this interesting purchase.

"Hey, mi luz?" He entered the gym as Caesar finished up his set. "I have a bone to pick with you. Two, actually."

"What's up?" He wiped sweat off his forehead with a towel, tossing it over the bench.

"I told you not to do that without a spotter." He gestured to the equipment his son was just using.

"I just wanted to get it over with. You had paperwork, and Lex had to finish up kitchen. I have a test tomorrow, so I wanted to knock this out and get to studyin'. I'm sorry."

He nodded. "Just don't make a habit of it, all right?"

"I won't."

"And the other thing." He held up the credit card bill, and Caesar pursed his lips at the sight of it. "You want to tell me something, son?"

He swallowed. "Uhhhh...no?"

"Wrong answer." He pulled a chair over and sat in front of his son. "You mind telling me why you bought a three hundred dollar stroller? You don't have a girlfriend, let alone know anybody with a baby."

"Well, not yet," he murmured.

He tilted his head. "Carol's not due till next year, and it's not your son."

"I know he's not, but...I wanted to get it for her. For them."

"You want to get them something? Get them diapers. They'll need them. Trust me."

"I wanted to get something for Carol and the baby that'll be useful. Something they would need—beyond diapers. I read all the reviews, and it's an awesome stroller, Dad. It comes with a car seat and it even connects the car seat to the stroller. It's really cool. And I got it in green, so if they have another kid or if she has another kid, they could still use it. It's durable. It's worth the price." He met his eyes. "And I know Daryl doesn't have a lot of money, so I wanted to help. It's not out of pity, trust me. He's just...kind of scrapping by right now. He's saving money, and I didn't want him to dip into those funds."

"Saving money for what?"

"An apartment? A car? I don't know. He doesn't talk about it, but I caught a peek of his bank statement, and let's just say...he's definitely been saving up since his first paycheck. He has three different accounts for every day purchases and bills and then his saving account. I'm pretty sure he balances his checkbook."

"Huh." He was impressed, but he would save that for later. "Caesar, I know you and Daryl are friends, and you and Carol have gotten close, but you can't just spend three hundred plus dollars on them."

"I'll pay it off. I make that much in two checks." He shrugged. "I don't mind. I have everything I need because of you, Dad, and I want to help them out. They have a huge surprise on their hands, and I'd like to make it less...aahhh, you know?"

He pressed his lips together.

"I won't get in over my head. It's just a gift for Carol, and I'll get something for Daryl, too. It'll be for the baby, but I'll give it to him. Or try. He might be too proud to accept a gift from me."

He nodded. "He is a stubborn kid, but he'll take it. It's not charity. It's...your soft heart." He ruffled his son's hair. "You're a good kid, mi luz. Don't lose that, but don't let anyone ever use it against you, all right? You can help Carol out, but don't overdo it. There's a line between helping and shoving stuff down her throat."

"I know. I just want to give her, like, two more things. They won't cost more than twenty bucks. I just have to refurbish and polish one up, and the other...needs some work too, but it won't cost anything."

"Okay." He tapped the bill against his leg and stood up. "Don't spend anymore on that card. You have a limit, and I'm keeping it low. I don't want you in debt, just building your credit."

"Yes, sir." He smirked at his dad.

He smacked him lightly with the bill and headed out of the room. "Dinner's at seven!"

"It always is! Why are you telling me?"

"Because you need a shower. You stink." He pinched his nose and waved the bill in front of his face to "fan the smell" away. "Phew."

Caesar rolled his eyes but collected his things to shower. He wanted to scrub the sweat off his body and devour dinner and collapse into bed after all of that. He would deal with this tomorrow. He had to keep his energy up to study after dinner. The rest could wait.

Amaro glanced back as Caesar jogged up the stairs, and he narrowed his eyes in thought. Hmm... He might just have to join his son with this. He already had an idea on how to lend Daryl a hand with one of his problems, if the young man would take it. Daryl was no fan of charity. He would diss anyone who pitied him and tried to give him a handout. It was painful to watch, but this wasn't a handout. It was just an opportunity. It was up to him whether or not he'd take it, but Amaro would offer it to the expectant father. It was the least he could do, given how much work and effort Daryl put into the business.

– – –

"It smells good in here." Carol dragged herself out of bed at the scent of food, Daryl chuckled at how sleepy she still was and yet how eager to munch on something.

"Well, it's all cooked, so it oughta smell good."

"Yes. Food. I'm so hungry." She sat down at the table while he filled a couple glasses with soda. "This looks so good." He had made some rolls that rested in a basket in the middle of the table with a little dish of butter. They each had a massive steak, a baked potato and steamed broccoli. There were little dishes so she could make her own potato, and she was dead ass about to pour every bacon bit onto her potato. She wanted so much meat right now. God, all the meat ever. Give it to her.

He set a bowl down and sat in the chair across from her. "It's all still real hot, so be careful."

She nodded and reached for a roll, stopping to smack herself in the forehead. "I forgot the mushroom! Crap! I totally passed out before I could cook them. I'm so sorry."

"Don't worry about it." He slid the bowl he'd just set down across the table to her. "I got it."

"Yeah, but I'd said I'd make them. I told you to wake me up."

"You looked too comfortable. I wanted to let you sleep."

"Uh-huh. Sure." She blew out a sigh and nibbled on a roll. "I guess it's too late to complain now."

"Yeah, it is." He smirked. "Just eat and forget about it. You can make the next meal, how about that?"

"Deal." She returned his smirk with a bright smile.

They enjoyed the meal in mild silence. Carol mentioned a few things about the baby shower and about Halloween. Daryl wasn't much into talking, but he did like listening to her talk. She was mostly trying to gracefully shovel food into her mouth, so he had to not laugh. She was so adorable to watch, though. She would cram meat and onions in and catch him watching, so she'd blush and laugh awkwardly and cover her mouth while she chewed. She'd even apologize, which made him laugh. He reminded her that he lived with a man that would eat beans out of a can, because he was too lazy to warm them up and find a bowl that was right in front of him. (Literally above the drawer where he got the spoon from.) She still blushed, but she dropped her hand. It made him feel...good. Like they were getting...closer. And he wanted that, he discovered. He really did want to get closer to her.

And not physically, like they were now, all stuffed and sprawled out onto the amazingly comfortable bed. They had finished their meal, loaded up the dishwasher and were now digesting in comfort. Daryl had dessert, but he was too full. He couldn't even tell Carol about it, because if he saw her eating it, he'd hurl. It'd be too much, and he'd vomit. He'd just...let it slip later. Maybe before they went home. He'd just give it to her to eat there. Fuck all. He was so full. Blurg.

"You have a food baby." Carol teased as he groaned softly.

"You callin' me fat?"

"No, just a little bloated." She wanted to poke his stomach, but she didn't think he'd like it. And he might also bust, and she didn't want to see him puke. Not today, thanks.

"Well, you're a lotta bloated." He reached over and set a hand on her swollen belly, causing her to jolt. He instantly removed his hand. "I—Sorry, I didn't—I shouldn't have touched you. I should've asked. I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's all right. You just...caught me by surprise." She set her hand where his was seconds ago. "You can touch my belly. It's all right. I mean, if you go any higher or lower, hell yeah, ask me first but I'm okay with you touching my belly."

"Really?"

"Well, you've already touched all of me, so..." She tried to make it into a joke, but it fell flat.

He dropped his eyes and sat up some, propping his feet against the frame of the bed. "There you go again."

"I'm sorry. Poor joke." She averted her eyes.

"Why...does it bother you? I know it's more than just it being your first time and us not bein' in love. What is it that eats you so bad?" He turned to look at her. "If you don't mind me askin'—as a friend, not somebody who's had sex with you, I mean."

She sighed and pushed herself up into a sitting position. "Well, to be honest...and don't mock me, okay?"

"I won't." He met her eyes. "And...I wouldn't."

She believed him. "I...I want what my parents had. They were each others first big love, and they were together through so much. They always knew...they would be together. They knew they were it for each other, and...I want that."

"You still could," he commented.

"No." She bowed her head. "I wanted my first everything to be with that guy, the one...I'd be with, who I loved like my mom loved my dad. And not to knock you, but I don't feel that way towards you. I mean, I don't know you. I mean, I know you a little, and I do care about you, but I'm not...big time in love with you, you know?"

He nodded. "Kinda."

"I guess I wanted everything to be his and only his. It's silly, I know, but it's what I wanted since I was a little girl. I wanted my first and last everything to be with this awesome, funny, sweet guy...who loves me so deep that it hurts, and I wanted to feel that with him. I wanted to live out my life with him."

"You...you still could." His throat was dry, and he couldn't help the stammer. "I mean, you'll have a bit of me hangin' around, but if the right guy comes by...you can still have all that. It just won't be exactly how you pictured it."

"Nothing is exactly how I pictured it." She stroked her belly. "I thought my biggest concern would be trying to deal with my latest crush and Paula's harassment...not preparing for a baby. My baby."

"Yeah, I hear that."

She peeked at him. "Who was your first?"

"Huh?" The tips of his ears burned, and he was grateful for his shaggy hair so she couldn't see them.

"Who was the first girl you slept with?"

"Wasn't a girl," he confessed.

"A boy?" Her eyes widened, her jaw nearly smacking the floor.

"What?! No! No." He shook his head. "That—that ain't how I swing. Er, both ways, I mean. I stick to one side."

"Oh." She was a little relieved. "Then what did you mean, not a girl?"

"It was with a woman," he clarified.

"A woman?" She frowned. "How old were you?"

"Fifteen."

"Fifteen?! Dude, that's not legal. It still isn't legal right now."

"Calm down. It was willin' and all. It just sorta happened, and that was it. I don't even remember her name, or her face for that matter." He rubbed his neck, uneasy with this subject.

"See, that's what I don't want to happen. I don't want to share myself with someone who isn't going to remember me in three years."

"I'll remember you in three years," he griped. "Hell, I'd remember ya in ten."

She smiled a little. "Oh, yeah?"

He blushed, not knowing she'd heard him grumbling to himself. "Don't get cocky." He was trying to hide his blush with his hair.

"Will you remember me 'cause you had a crush on me?" she inquired.

"Nah, more 'cause you're havin' my only kid."

"Gee, thanks." She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Do it again. I dare you." He sent her teasing look.

"What are you gonna do?" She arched a brow. "Bite my tongue for me?"

"I just might." He smirked back at her.

His words from the ride over played in her head, and she didn't like her body's reaction to that. She shifted and shook her head. "Let's just change the subject."

"Fine by me." He lied back, stacking his hands under his head and exhaling. "You thought of any names yet?"

"Not really. I'm just...all over the place. I didn't know if I wanted kids or not, so I didn't have names prepared. We'll just have to decide on something together." She lied down beside him, a visible line between the pair, but they were relaxed. "You have names?"

"Nah. I didn't figure I'd be a dad," he confessed. "Thought...it'd just be me."

"I see." She stretched her legs and moaned softly when her knee popped just right. "You never saw yourself settling down?"

"Shit don't settle—ever, so I can't." He shook his head. "It's always somethin'."

"That's a terrible outlook."

"It's realistic."

"Terrible."

"Realistic."

"Don't teach our son about your "realistic outlook", please and thank you. I want him to have hope and enthusiasm."

"I'll raise our son to be a better man than I could ever hope to be," he informed her, catching her stare. "I'll teach him right from wrong, manners, dedication, honesty...all the things I had to teach myself. He won't... You won't have to worry about me raisin' him to be like me and Merle. He'll be a good kid, a good man. If I can't raise him by example...then he'll have you."

She gaped at him.

"What?" He didn't like her staring at him like that.

"Daryl...that's beautiful. I didn't know you felt that way." She reached over and grasped his hand. "You'll be able to teach him all of those things and how to be a good person. God, you're amazing, Daryl, don't you see that?"

"Just tryin' do right by you."

"It's more than that, and you know it." She gripped his hand. "This is why I care about you. You have such...kindness in you. I love that."

His heart fluttered at that, and he smiled a little. "Thanks, Carol."

She weaved her fingers through his, setting them over her belly, where there son gave quite a kick to let them know he was there, and she smiled at him. "No, Daryl...thank you." She couldn't exactly say what she was thanking him for, but she wanted to thank him so badly. The words weren't enough, but they were all she had. She hoped it would suffice.

The two talked a bit more about their son and names and raising him, but soon the weight of the hearty meal and the soft warmth of the blankets lulled them to sleep. Daryl had been awake enough to toss a blanket over them, his eyes drooping before he, too, drifted off. The last thing he was aware of was Carol's hand still holding his...