It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.
Charles Spurgeon
Making Happiness
The trip back seemed to take forever but it was only late afternoon when Jesse stopped the old station wagon outside the gates of Alexandria. Daryl and Rick walked up the road to the tower to wave at Sasha and in a few minutes Rick, Jesse, and Christie were headed toward Deanna's house. Daryl decided that he could skip that party and headed toward home.
He was a few houses away when he saw Sam playing with a little white puppy on the front porch. The boy was on all fours and the puppy was play fighting with him. Sam hunkered down and the dog scampered all over him. It was such an unexpected happy scene that Daryl stopped dead in his tracks. How in the hell did they find a puppy alive? Just a scrap of fur and gristle, but it is a dog.
Daryl moved closer and Sam looked up. The boy scooted back to the step and the pup stood beside him looking like he was going to tear Daryl limb from limb. Daryl laughed, "You better hold that killer watchdog." Daryl approached the dog slowly and held out his hand to be sniffed. The mutt must like sweat, squirrel, and gasoline because he stopped growling and began licking Daryl's face when he sat down on the step beside Sam.
Daryl decided to get the conversation back on track, "Where's everybody?"
Sam gave him a little grin, "Carol's working at the senior center. She'll be home soon."
Damn, even the short rounds have me pegged. "And everybody else?"
"Abraham, Morgan, Glenn, and Eugene are off getting parts. They should be back soon. Carol took Judith with her. The old folks like having a baby around. Carol says it makes them happy."
Daryl held up the scruff that passed for a dog. "How did you get this bundle of poop?" Better start watching the language, Carol won't take kindly to me teaching this scamp new words.
Sam gave him a withering look, "His name is Buck. I just read "The Call of the Wild".
Daryl laughed again. It must be the smiling exercises. Now I'm laughing like a hyena. "Buck is a good name for a dog."
"He knows a trick. Come here, Buck. Show Daryl that you know how to sit on command. Sit, Buck." Sam held his hand out flat as he said the command and the little dog promptly sat down and looked expectedly at him. "Morgan and I have been rewarding him with a treat when he obeys. Carol says the dog has been training us to give him rewards."
Buck seeing no treat in sight promptly got up and grabbed the red rag out of Daryl's back pocket and ran to the corner of the porch with it. Sam laughed and went to retrieve it. Daryl turned to watch the dog play keep away with Sam.
Carol pushed the stroller up the street. The day had flown by and soon everyone would be home and today was Tuesday so dinner had to be spaghetti. She paused when she saw Daryl and Sam playing with Buck. Daryl was laughing at Sam and Buck. He looked relaxed and happy. He's home, thank you, God. Daryl's home.
Buck stopped in the middle of his game, dropped the dirty red rag, and raced toward the street. His job now was to welcome his two other favorite people, the woman with the kind hands and the little one whose little hands occasionally pulled at him.
Daryl was about to give chase to the dog when he saw Carol and Judith. He forgot about how tired he was and ran toward Carol. Their hug was different than outside Terminus. This time he held her close and told her that he loved her. This time Carol burrowed into his arms and told him that she loved him.
Their tender reunion was interrupted by Judith, Sam, and Buck, but Daryl still got a few kisses in before they separated. They took their reunion inside. Judith demanded that Daryl's attention. Sam went upstairs with the dog. Daryl filled Carol in on his time away while she began preparing dinner.
"You've been cured?" Her big blue eyes were round with surprise.
"We brought back enough vaccine for Alexandria. Christie Alston is a doctor and she can take the place of Pete. Her Cousin Jesse Graham came with us and he knows everything about engines."
"Where are they going to stay?" His Carol was always so practical.
"Jesse can stay downstairs. Rick can stay down there too. Just me and my harem upstairs."
Carol laughed at him, "You don't get a harem. One is your limit and you have to throw the others back in the water."
He sighed dramatically and then smiled at her, "As long as you are my one, I'm good."
She picked up Judith and put her in her high chair and handed her a cracker. She kissed him. A good deep kiss that promised that this evening held more promise than spaghetti and he loved spaghetti. He loved her more even if she wouldn't let him slurp spaghetti.
The clatter of a boy coming down the steps interrupted the moment. Carol stepped away from him and called, "No jumping that last step."
Sam appeared in the kitchen. "Buck is in his cage taking a nap. Need any help?"
It was obvious to Daryl that Sam adored Carol and she was still being resistant to being adored. Just hang in there, kid. She's worth it.
"Wash your hands and you can help me make the salad. The bread is ready to put in the oven. Where is Carl?" Sam washed his hands with soap and water.
I'd better take a shower before the others come back and take up all the hot water. "I'll go clean up before dinner." Daryl ruffled Sam's hair, kissed the top of Judith's hand, and kissed Carol. "Wanta screw around," he whispered. Cause I wanta.
"Get behind those ears, Daryl, or I'll make you take another shower tonight." Her crystal blue eyes were laughing at him. Save water, shower with a friend. I am just a green kinda guy.
"Promises, promises." He went upstairs and grabbed a shower and a shave. He made sure to use the soap that she liked. Daryl knew he was going to be sharing Carol until bedtime, but after that she was all his.
Rick was back with Jesse and Christie by the time he got downstairs. Michonne and Carl had wandered in with Enid and the kitchen was full of people. Sasha had finished her watch and she took Christie upstairs to their room. Rick and Jesse moved to the basement which apparently had added a couple of small bedrooms while he was away. Carol and Morgan had too much time on their hands.
Morgan came back from his run and joined the festivities. Daryl noticed that Rick and Michonne talked to each other but there was a reserve that hadn't been there. He also noticed that Jesse was exercising all of his charms on Michonne. She just laughed at him, but she was always beautiful when she smiled so that only encouraged Jesse more. He was a good looking guy with that brown skin and blue eyes. Their kids will be beautiful and totally badass.
Morgan managed to grab a seat beside of Christie. Daryl shamelessly eavesdropped. They seemed to have a lot to say to each other. Their kids will be beautiful and kind.
Dinner was chaotic with so many people. Daryl had never been hugged and kissed by so many people in his life. Even Aaron and his sidekick Hopalong Eric came over to welcome everyone. Daryl accepted their hugs. Merle, Darlinda has gay friends. Deal with it.
Carl and Enid got stuck with the dishes. They complained so little that Daryl figured that they were going to use the time to flirt and make out. I wonder if he takes that stupid hat off when they kiss.
Judith stayed up late snuggling into Rick's arms. Sam played with Buck at Carol's feet. Michonne had watch duty and somehow Jesse talked her into letting him tag along. It's the blue eyes. Women can't resist blue eyes. He moved closer to Carol and wondered how he could move this party upstairs without going all cave man and dragging her upstairs. I have blue eyes too.
Finally, everyone began to drift toward their bedrooms. Sam grabbed Buck's leash. "We usually take the dog for a walk now." "We" includes me now.
Daryl stood up and held his hand out to Carol, "Let's go."
She got a jacket out of the closet and made Sam take one. The boy looked at him and he knew Sam wanted to mention that he wasn't wearing a jacket. Little asshole won't say anything cause because he is too smart to piss Carol off. Our kids will be beautiful and intelligent.
It was cold outside and not too dark. The not quite full moon was bright enough to see by. He automatically checked to see if his knife was there. It was.
Buck scampered around pissing on every bush while they strolled around. There were lights in the houses and Daryl wondered how many would take the vaccine.
Carol must have read his thoughts, "I want the vaccine. Christie wants to start tomorrow."
"I ran a fever, delirious, and out of my head. I may have said a few things about us."
"Is that why Jesse hugged me when we met and called me pookie?" Carol laughed.
"I'll be with you the whole time." Cause I'll be more scared that you are.
The walk took longer but Daryl didn't mind all that much. He wanted that boy to be ready for bed and not want a long story read to him or some such shit. Daddy's home and Daddy gets Mommy. That's the way it works.
The dog growled at a tabby cat that eyed him balefully but let him live. "Where did this dog come from?"
Carol told him the story of the Thompsons leaving her a house in their will. At first Daryl was pissed that she and the others had went for a little jaunt in the middle of the damn ZA and that Sam had been a stowaway. As she talked about the log house and the people she met he began to understand that the trip had made her happier about moving to Virginia. The house in Salem Valley was a place to go to if Alexandria didn't work out and being Carol that somehow made her more comfortable about being herself in Alexandria." She's complicated.
"So the kid stowed away and you punish him by giving him a puppy. If he sets the house on fire, does he get a pony?" It was fun to tease her. Obviously, Carol loved the kid, even if she was still resisting.
Carol laughed, but slowed down and lowered her voice, "Sam has lost too much. The dog makes him happy. He's had enough sorrow for a lifetime."
They waved to Michonne and Jesse in the tower as they passed by on their way back. Everyone went upstairs. Daryl checked on Judith while Carol went into their bedroom after reminding Sam to take a shower. Judith woke up when he went in and he rocked her back to sleep. Daryl decided to stay in all out Daddy mode and he knocked on Sam's door.
Sam let him in. He looked wet enough to have taken a shower and Daryl wasn't going to start checking behind his ears. "Are you staying this time?" Sam asked. Daryl threw some stuff off the chair and sat down.
"I'm going to try." No need to lie to the kid. Shit happens.
Sam narrowed his eyes at him, "Do more than try. She needs you. You know I stowed away and went to Salem with them. Tobin tried to get Deanna to put me in another home. Said that Carol and the others weren't taking good care of me. She needs me too. We need to work together to make sure I don't become Little Orphan Sam who everybody feels sorry for but doesn't love."
Daryl scowled back at him, "Giving a lot of orders there, Short Round. You ain't no orphan if you have Carol and me as your parents. Is that what you want?"
Sam nodded, "I just always liked her even when she was trying to scare the hell out of me. She's got this way about her that lets me know that she cares about me. Just doesn't want to admit it. I like you too. You talk tough but you are like Carol. Not tough inside."
Daryl thought that there were much more pleasurable ways to become a parent, but he was taking this one. Sam needed him and he wanted to be this kid's father. "You stow away again and I'm busting your ass. Just know that."
Sam grinned and Daryl ruffled his hair, "Now get in bed. Buck sleep on your bed?" They both looked at Buck who was in a small cage. The kid nodded.
"I'm going to bed. I'm not squealing on you."
Sam came over and gave him a cautious hug. Daryl gave him an equally awkward hug back but was surprised at how small the boy was. He really needs someone to look after him.
Carol was already in bed when he got to their bedroom. "Sam and I have been bonding." Daryl sat down on the bed and watched her, "He told me that Tobin wanted to take him away again. That ain't going to happen. Sam just proposed to me. I'm his daddy now. Are you okay with that?"
Carol shook her head, "Daryl, I don't think I could stand to lose another child."
He kicked off his boots and put them by his side of the bed. It gave him some time to think. He should have delayed this conversation until tomorrow. I really am an idiot. She's gonna get all upset about Lizzie and Mika. "It's too late. Just like a vampire, you can't let him in your house. You might have made a clean getaway when he came the next day wanting more cookies. You let him in the house and now he's never going away."
Carol rolled her eyes, "This isn't Twilight." She gave a little smile when she said it though.
Daryl stood up and started taking off his clothes. "You and Sam belong together. He knows it and you know it. I belong with both of you. That's the way it is going to be. He ain't going anywhere until he gets married at age thirty-five. Now can we stop talking about our misbegotten son and have sex?"
Carol looked mutinous, but Daryl understood her better than she did. She was still putting up barricades to protect herself from being hurt. He stripped off his green underwear that he had been issued at the compound. "Light on or off? I like the light on and unless you're hiding a new tattoo?"
Carol looked pissed, but it was a good look on her, "You are saying that this is a done deal. You're the man and you make the decisions." She was getting madder by the minute and he wondered if it was wrong of him to be so completely turned on by her fury.
He pulled the sheets down, "Guess the lights are on. That way I can see your knife hand. Remember you let me in the house too. I'm not going anywhere but closer to you." He inched over and tickled her feet. "Look at the bright side. He might get married when he is thirty." Still mad.
Daryl kissed her clenched hand, "Now when have I ever ordered you around? I'm teasing you. I'm going to be his father and you are going to be my wife. It's the way that it is supposed to be. You told me on the road that you can't let yourself feel. Carol, you can't stop loving. It's who you are. Sam is a gift to you and to me."
He kissed her shoulder, "I'm a vampire and I want to bite your neck."
"I am very angry with you."
"No, you ain't. You're turned on. You want to show me that I don't give the orders. Bring it on, Carol. Show me who wears the cargo pants in this family." Daryl wheedled.
She kissed him like a boss. Forcefully and deeply and when they both came up for air Carol managed to squeak, "Tomorrow. We're talking tomorrow."
Later they talked. Carol was over her mad and ready to talk. "Are you on anti-depressants? I've never seen you laugh and smile like you have today."
She laughed when he told her about how he practiced smiling in the mirror. Daryl propped himself up on his elbow, "The compound was like a prison. I couldn't go out into the woods and hunt. I read books and thought about my life. I decided I should stop moping around and let myself be happy."
"What kind of books did you read?" Carol was curious. Daryl was always too busy to sit down and read.
"Books about airplanes and flying. I always wanted to fly a plane. Jesse has his pilot's license. Maybe I'll get to fly sometime. Tell me about your house."
"It's our house. It's about a hundred miles from here, just over the border in West Virginia. Log cabin, made with squared logs. Wood stove in the living room. It's a big house. It's got this big deck that overlooks the valley. Lots of fields and woods around." She remembered her dream. "I should know by now that you're always coming back to me and you never told me that you wanted to fly."
"I think I need more excitement in my life," Yeah, being chased by walkers and wolves is so last year.
She kissed his nose, "I dreamed about you the night I stayed there."
Daryl slid his hand down to her breasts and began to trace a circle around a nipple, "A good dream?"
Carol tugged at his hair, "A really good dream, but you are so much better in real life."
"Big Poppa wants to show you how good he can be."
They were still awake when they heard Michonne and Jesse come in. They were both laughing and they went into the kitchen. "She likes him." Carol whispered.
"He's a good guy. They will have beautiful bad ass children." Daryl stretched out. "I am so damn happy to be home. Home being the place that Carol lives. Love you."
"Do you want children?"
I want to go to sleep. I want to have sex with you in the morning. I want pancakes for breakfast. I don't want to talk anymore. I really don't want to say the wrong thing and I don't know what the right thing to say is. "I want children in my life. There is nothing in the Dixon gene pool that screams that it needs to be continued. Sam is my boy. He is beautiful and smart like you."
Daryl held his breath until Carol spoke, "Happy scares me. Watching you and Sam on the porch made me happy and then scared because I could lose both of you. Maybe I won't. Maybe we can make it together. I took a chance and let myself admit I loved you. I love Sam. He is beautiful and smart like you."
She pulled the covers up and snuggled onto her pillow, "I going to sleep now, but Sam isn't fooling me with that cage in his room. I know good and well that dog sleeps on his bed."
Daryl decided to let her have the last word. Carol and Sam were safe and he was home. And that's a good thing.
A