"Carol?"
She looked up from her perch on the bed to see Carl standing in the doorway. "Carl! What are you doing, honey? Shouldn't you be packing your bag? Your dad says we're leaving as soon as the truck's loaded."
Carl waved a hand. "My stuff's already in the truck. I just wanted to see how you were doing."
Carol gave him a gentle smile. "I'm doing fine. Just reading a bit til Daryl comes back in."
He frowned. "Tom Sawyer? Isn't that what you were reading back at the prison?"
She nodded. "I still haven't had a chance to finish it, though."
"Oh. Well, I was just… hoping we could talk."
"Of course." She stood, setting the book down on the mattress. "What's on your mind?"
"Well… I was just thinking. Remember how you said that my mom was in heaven, with Sophia?"
"Yes…" She started, cautiously.
"I guess… Hershel must be there too, right? And-and Beth? She's in heaven, right? With my mom, and your daughter, and her father?"
Carol shook her head slowly.
"You still believe that, right?"
"Honestly," she said with a soft sigh. "I don't know what I believe anymore. But, I can't imagine that she'd be in any other place." She smiled a tight smile.
"Okay. And those things that she said, about wanting us to be happy? Do you think she was happy?" His eyes were round and wide as he looked up at her, with his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Yes, I do," Carol answered solemnly. "She had so much faith, in all of us, don't forget. And I know, that wherever she is, she's happy to know that we're all together. Now, you remember your friend however you want, but don't you ever forget that."
He nodded, throwing his arms around her waist. "Thanks, Carol. I'm really glad you're back."
Carol hugged him tightly to her chest. "Me too, honey. Me too."
XXXXX
"C'mon, truck's all set," Daryl said, ducking through the door. He stopped when he saw her close the book. "Ya finish it yet?"
She nodded, reaching for her bag. "Just did."
"Takin it with ya?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm gonna leave it here."
She set the book down at the edge of the bed, then reached under the covers and pulled out the crumpled Cherokee Rose.
He snorted. "Poor flower."
The corners of her mouth tugged up into a small smile. "After all this flower has been through, all the petals are still intact." She looked up at him. "I'm taking it."
"Really?"
She smoothed out the leaves and held it up. "Yeah."
"Alright." He held out his hand to help her lift her backpack, accidentally knocking it out of her grasp as he did.
She bent down to gather her belongings.
"Shit, 'm sorry," He muttered, crouching next to her and shoving stuff back in the bag. He froze when he touched a small strip of leather.
"Hmmm," Carol said, picking it up and examining it. It was a leather band with a silver sideways cross, a bracelet that had belonged to their friend. "It must've fallen into my backpack when she helped me pack my things, back at Grady. I didn't even know I had it, all this time…"
She looked up to find him hunched over and teary-eyed, his lower lip trembling. Without hesitation, she hugged him close and he whimpered softly into her shoulder.
"F-fuck…. I miss her," he choked. "So much."
"I know," she whispered. "Me too."
She reached out her hands, tying the small cuff around his right wrist until the cross was pressed into his skin. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
He nodded, following her as she headed out of the room and out of the house.
Once they were outside, Tyreese placed Judith in Carol's arms for a moment so he could help Sasha and Tara up.
Carol adjusted the baby's weight on her hip, bouncing her slightly. "Da!" Judith yelled confidently, pointing towards Rick.
"Whaaa?" Daryl asked, eyes wide.
"Da! Dada!" She repeated, clapping her hands.
"Yes," Carol said, laughing. "That's your daddy."
Judith giggled wildly as Rick rushed over and scooped her up into his arms. "Dadadadadadada."
Carol sighed, wiping away tears that she didn't know had leaked as she watched Rick repeatedly kiss Judith on the top of her head.
Carl grabbed at her wiggling legs, impatiently waiting his turn with his baby sister as everyone celebrated with hoots and hollers.
She smiled widely, looking up into Daryl's eyes to find him smiling too.
XXXXX
"Come on everyone, let's go!" Abraham shouted, already in the driver's seat while people were still filing in.
She knew without looking that Daryl was behind her, patiently waiting for everyone else to get settled before they moved.
"Rick says we're headed towards Virginia," She said softly. "I think we all just need a change."
"I-I've never been outta Georgia," He stuttered, sniffing a little.
She turned back, taking his hand and squeezing it. "It'll be okay," she promised. He didn't let go of her hand as they walked, a little unsurely, towards the truck.
XXXXX
"I get it, you're scared," Beth said. "I am too. But it's going to be just fine, you'll see."