Summary: Family matters are up for discussion. Quite possibly my favorite to write so far. Trigger warnings for brief mentions of abuse suffered by Sophia.
Carol knew what happened to Ed. She had not participated or witnessed it, but if she had questions about it Daryl was always there to give honest answers.
Sophia had had a long talk with her mom about what Ed had done to her. Carol wept of course, but stayed strong for her daughter in her presence. The one bit of knowledge she had about Sophia's abuse is that Ed never entered her with his penis. Somehow it seemed slightly less offensive to Sophia and her that he had used objects instead.
Carol and Sophia were determined to put their past life with Ed behind them, and to start a whole new future for themselves. They never wanted to think about him or cry over what he had done. They had pinkie swore together that they would never let Ed bring them down again.
Sofia and Carol marched downstairs for breakfast one day. Carol was going to cook for the first time since everything happened. They were surprised when they found Daryl, Tara, Abe, and Rick downstairs – arguing about how to make the best strawberry pancakes, the best Denver omelets and the perfect blend of coffee.
Carol stopped at the entryway to the kitchen and just watched. Her savior Daryl was leading the charge. He wanted everything perfect for "his girls". Tara was there to make sure Daryl's plans did not burn into a status of being inedible. Rick was the coffee expert. He had snatched a pot from Olivia that had a dual drip filter and built in grinder. He had also acquired the freshest bag of beans Alexandria had. These happened to be straight out of Deanna's kitchen. She had not minded though. She wanted these new arrivals to become Carol and Sophia's new family.
Family after the turn meant so many things. Above all it meant safety. Deanna knew Carol and Sophia would thrive in their new family. It would be a far better situation than any family tree could provide them. This is where they would be safest, and if all goes well, where they would be happiest.
"I don't think I have ever had so many people in my kitchen – even before the turn" Carol spoke finally. She had gotten the others attention.
I am happy to see you all. I hope I had everything you needed to prepare whatever it is you are working on.
"We needed a few thangs Rick said. Stuff was all willingly donated by Olivia and Deanna for the items you did not have. Daryl thought it was important that we all have our first family breakfast."
"Family breakfast . . . ." Carol said questioningly.
"You told us when we entered Alexandria that definition of family changed the more people that were brought in. We were a family that was missing a few members. You are those few members. As far as Daryl, myself or any of the rest of us is concerned, you are part of our family. I hope that is ok with you and Sophia?"
Carol burst into tears of joy as Sophia looked up at her grinning.
"She cries when she is really happy" Sophia said, "so I think that's a yes!"
"We won't burden you with any changes to be made, we just want to sit down and have a fabulous first breakfast together as a family. I can't speak for Daryl and Tara's cooking, but you will be well fed. The coffee is delicious. Please come sit down with us."
Sophia was over-excited. "I never had a family before just the three of us. Does this mean that I get aunts and uncles and cousins and such? I never had that."
"It sure does little lady" said Abe. "Do you want me to list them all?"
"Well, lets see. You have an Aunt Maggie, an Aunt Beth, an Aunt Tara, an Aunt Rosita, an Aunt Sasha, and an Aunt Michonne. You have an Uncle Rick, an Uncle Abe, an Uncle Eugene, an Uncle Gabriel, an Uncle Noah, and an Uncle Glenn. You have a cousin Carl and a cousin Judith."
"What about Daryl?" Sofia asked. "What is he to me?"
"Right now little one, he is your protector, he is your provider, he is your first point to contact if anything goes wrong. He is equal to your mother. Right now, Daryl Dixon is proud to stand in as a father figure for you little lady. He will keep you and your mama safe."
Upon hearing his name, Daryl came to stand in front of Sophia. He knelt down on his haunches and looked her in her eyes - the same eyes her mother had. "Are you ok with that Soph? If not I can back up a bit and just be another uncle. I just want to do right by you how your father should have. This is totally up to you. You can still call me Daryl and all – I just want to do right by you."
Sofia hesitated a few moments. Then instead of calling him Daryl, she said "Dad – lets get mom's plate done first. Will you help me?"
Rick listened to the conversation and the resultant decision. He just smiled. Daryl Dixon – a father?