Ten
"I love you." Carol choked on the sip of coffee she had just take as they sat on the porch watching the other residents of Alexandria start their morning routines. Mr. and Mrs. Williams down the street were out walking their dog. Aiden and his runners were off for supplies. Carl and Enid were walking close together, hands almost touching in a way that Carol found reminiscent of her and Daryl's relationship before. Just there but with a tentative gap between them, neither sure how to move into that new space.
"What?" she asked, eyes wide as she turned her head to look at him.
"It's what I was gonna say. That day at Beth's grave." Carol sucked in a sharp breath. "I didn't wanna do it there, partly 'cause I didn't know how you'd react. Partly 'cause…"
"You can tell me," she whispered as she placed her hand over his, soothing his knuckles.
"She's gone. She just…she's just gone, all I could think about when we was standin' there at her grave was that I was so goddamned thankful you're still here. I wanted to tell ya, 'cause the way Beth died? Just shows it could be any one of us, any time. And I wanted ya to know that I love ya, 'cause I don't wanna miss the chance to tell ya again."
"Daryl," Carol whispered softly, reaching up to stroke his cheek. "You know I love you too, right." Daryl leaned in, pressing his lips against hers.
"Yeah," he murmured. "I know."