*Warning: This chapter is the final chapter, and will have little dialogue because it's simply summing their relationship up right before the third season, or what it would be like if this all had happened. ENJOY!*

The winter slowly drug on, and the more it went, the closer Carol and Daryl got again. Daryl was elated as his memories began to return to him, and Carol was taking it all in one step at a time. Carol was honestly surprised that they hadn't fought once, or at least not like they used to. Their current fights were small, frivolous things. Especially when it came to Daryl's eating habits. As winter drudged on, Daryl was eating less, saying that "Shane Junior" needed all the food he could get. At first, Carol thought was a rude thing to say and frowned at Daryl, but now she just erupted into fits of giggles until he glared at her to make her stop.

Lori watched the relationship slowly unfold, it really made her feel better about herself. Because she knew that if it were not for her, this wouldn't have happened. If she hadn't been there with Carol every day, talking up Daryl, trying to get Carol to see the Daryl right in front of her eyes. And now, Carol had. It was obvious that Daryl wasn't the exact Daryl Carol had remembered, but he was a mix of the great guy he had once been, and the great guy he had become since forgetting. Lori knew it would take time and gentle care for them to become what they had once been, but right now their sweet, innocent relationship was all they both needed, and she could see that. Lori glanced over at Rick, maybe it was time to patch things up with him. She wasn't even sure why she was mad about him offing Shane, since she herself had planted the thought in his mind.

Rick caught Lori's eye but tore his gaze away and looked back over at Carol and Daryl who were huddled up in the corner of this week's house. They were under the big quilt they always used, and he could see their faint smiles, and hear their faint laughter. It was a sound that Rick relished, especially when it came from them. The two he'd been hoping for since Sophia had gone missing and Daryl had stepped up to help look. Rick then broke that gaze and looked back down at the fire. All around him everyone was coming together, becoming closer, and love was in the air. Spring was right around the corner, and they would be able to find somewhere more stable, hopefully a permanent settlement. He heard a higher pitched giggle and glanced to his right to see Carl and Beth talking on the staircase. He realized Beth was older than Carl, but it was the apocalypse, what did it really matter, and they seemed to enjoy being around one another. Then there was Glenn and Maggie who had slipped off once again. To be honest, Rick was pleased with his whole family. He glanced once again at Lori who was picking dirt out from underneath her nails. He sighed as he watched her – longer than he probably should be – he wanted to patch their relationship up, he loved her for Christ's sake. But he wasn't really in a forgiving mood. It wasn't on the top of his agenda.

Carol sighed a sigh of content as she leaned against Daryl. Her eyelids slowly closed and covered her eyes as Daryl's grip tightened on her. Since she had gotten on that airplane all those years back, she had never thought this would happen again. She never thought she would be with Daryl again. A joyous life that she could go through with smiles, though the circumstances all around were not the best, it honestly did not matter to her. As long as she had Daryl, and was Merle-free, she was happy as a cucumber. As the world of dreams started to worm its way into her mind, Sophia came dashing in once again, and it woke her up completely. In all this, she had forgotten about her beautiful daughter. The ray of light in all of the bad things. The small child that she had told everything to, everything about Daryl. Sophia had known the moment they had met Daryl, just like Carol had. Sophia was a very perceptive child, and she had really liked Daryl, more than she had ever liked Ed. Carol remembered when Daryl had brought her the Cherokee Rose, and promised he'd bring Sophia back to her. She remembered the dreams she had, that they'd be a happy family together. She knew Daryl would have simply loved Sophia, and everything would have been alright. But it had ended horribly.

Daryl felt Carol tense in his arms, and he glanced down at her. He knew what was on her mind, because it had honestly been on his for a while. "Tell me about her Carol…Please." He whispered quietly.

Carol sighed, "She was entirely Ed's first off, before I even start talking about her." She said quietly.

Daryl chuckled lightly. "Okay. Keep going." He said.

"She was sweet. She looked like my aunt when she was Sophia's age. I never read books to her growing up. I told her our stories. And as she grew up, she was the perfect little blend of you and me. Gosh, she was so sweet, and knew just what to say. I really do miss her Daryl." Carol said quietly, feeling tears sting at her eyes.

Daryl sighed lightly and pulled her closer to him and kissed the top of her head. "I know Carol…I know. I'm so sorry. I tried."

"I know Daryl, please, don't blame yourself. No one should blame themselves. Honestly, it was just a freak mishap." Carol said quietly. Carol had blamed Rick for the longest time, and then she had begun to blame herself, but she had finally faced the facts. And she was okay with that. She knew Sophia was somewhere better off, and happy. Watching Carol live the life she always wanted. With Daryl.

Okay, like I said before, this was the last chapter.

I did not see the point in dragging it out uber long, when I had gotten the story where I wanted it, Daryl and Carol happy together once again.

I am tossing the idea of the younger Daryl & Carol story around in my mind, trying to get it laid out a little.

Thank you guys so much for reviewing and reading this and everything. It really does mean a lot to me. And I will try to post the first chapter of the other story as soon as I can.

~Daryl-Dixons-Gurl~