AN: hey guys another chapter.

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

Chapter 11

This had to be what it meant to be zen, Daryl thought as he slowly drifted his way to consciousness a few hours later. He was sprawled across Carol's bed his arms and legs wrapped around her, clutching her to him, but yet lying in a state of complete boneless relaxation. It was a moment that could in all honesty last forever and he would be happy.

Her skin was so soft, he could feel it against his own. Even in his semi awake state he couldn't help but run his fingers across it. Marvelling at every curve, every freckle on her skin. He wanted to know all of it, every place she liked to be touched. He was riot of conflicting emotions. He wanted to wake her, just so he could see her eyes, and that glint that would light up her face when she looked at him. He wanted to take care of her, and guard her sleep.

She talked in her sleep, he'd come to realize. Laughed in her sleep too. He'd woken an hour ago, and drowsily watched as she'd giggled in her sleep. He'd almost been jealous of her dream however crazy that sounded, and then she'd whispered his name. He'd kissed her fingertips and left her to her dreams.

She wasn't so peaceful now, he realized suddenly, coming fully awake instantly.

He stared down at her, realizing she was crying in her sleep.

"Momma." She whispered on a sob.

His heart damn near broke into two pieces at the pain in her voice.

"Wake up Baby." He said softly wiping the tears trickling down her cheeks. "Come on." He said again, as her eyes fluttered open.

She was confused, for a moment or two, he saw it in her eyes, then she suddenly wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Burying her head in his neck, her shoulders shaking slightly.

He rolled to his back bringing her with him, her snuggled on top of his chest as he stroked her hair.

"Ya alright?" He asked hoarsely a few minutes later.

"Yeah, ...just everything with Merle, it brought memories back, of sitting at momma's bedside, watching her die...I was alone." She said.

"I wish I could have been there for you." He said squeezing her tightly. Nuzzling her neck, the thought of her being alone breaking his heart.

"I thought I had to be perfect, after, sacrifice my own happiness to do good. That's why I'm so happy we met. I'm happy and the world isn't ending. " she said with a grin, sliding her hand down his back.

He kissed her then, unable to stop himself if he tried. His body coming down on top of hers, arms braced beside her head, as his lust rapidly escalated. Panting he pulled back when he felt her hand on his shoulder.

She blushed brightly biting her lip. "You should know, there's a possibility I've never done this before."

Her words didn't register for a moment, confusion coursing through him, until suddenly it hit him. "Never?" He said his voice an unnatural squeak. "But you're 29 ..." He trailed off when She shook her head no, then shrugging.

His blood pounded in his ears, she'd never been with anyone else. Mine his mind seemed to roar.

He pushed her hair out of her face, trailing his fingertips across her cheek bones.

"Why me?" He whispered.

"I was waiting for the best man I've ever know." She responded simply.

Her face was so confident, so sure. No doubts, only her sweet smile, and her eyes that looked straight into his soul.

His fingers trailed down and grabbed the hem of the nightgown she was wearing, sliding it up, and over her body until he pulled it over her head.

She brought her hand up to cup his cheek as she lay there, in just her panties watching him as his hands started to skim across her skin.

He couldn't seem to break eye contact with her, despite the fact he desperately wanted to memorize all her lines and curves. He simply held her gaze, staring at her intently watching every reaction in her eyes as he touched her.

His hand slid down, fluttering across her hip bone. He felt an involuntary ripple of her abdomen as she shiver. He hooked his finger, in the waist band of the panties she was wearing pulling them down, and peeling them of her body.

She was lying naked beside him as he hovered over her. She was looking at him like she fucking adored him. He slightly breathless at how confident she seemed in him. No hesitation what so ever in her face.

He pressed his forehead to hers, as his hand slid down in between her legs. His eyes opened he smiled watching her face, as his fingers began to move. He wanted nothing more than to make her happy, to make her feel everything he had to give her. He thought for one moment that maybe he didn't deserve this, he didn't deserve to be so happy, but he quickly dashed it down. They deserved each other because they made each other happy.

She brought her hands up to pull his face down to her, kissing him fiercely.

A hundred images flashed through his mind. Their future stretched out ahead of them. He wanted it all. Marriage, kids, the fucking white picket fence if she wanted that. She could paint it whatever colour she wanted, he thought with a grin as he wrapped her leg around his waist positioning himself at her entrance.

"Are you ready?" He whispered into her neck.

She moaned out a breathy yes and he pushed himself in past her own barriers then pausing staring down at her.

"Marry me?" He felt the words tumble out of his mouth before he could stop them.

She threw her head back laughing, grabbing his cheeks then and pressing a kiss to his lips "You old fashioned softie." She whispered with a grin "Yes."

"Ain't nothing soft about it" he said thrusting in to her again watching her face.

She held nothing back. He ft like she was handing him every ounce of her soul. He stemmed it out as long as he could. Every part of her body he touched wanting more. His hand settled on a repeating rhythm on her thigh as he thruster into her slowly. Bracing his weight on his other hand. His lips finding a spot behind her ears, that seemed to take her breath away every time he touched it.

Never before had he spoken so much during sex. He let loose a tirade of whispered curses, and endearments in her ear. He'd never made love before, he thought suddenly and that's what this was. He grinned as his eyes grew suspiciously wet when he felt her coming and calling out his name. Damn he really was a softie.