Yes, I know...two updates within hours of each other. Who knows...might have another one in me, lol. We shall see being I'll be up watching the marathon. Hope you all have a happy and safe New Year! This could be our year of CARYL!

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of The Walking Dead characters and I'm NOT making any money off of them! I only claim the OC characters I created for this story.

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CARYL ON!

They had been on the road for most of the day when they pulled up into a subdivision. Daryl, Merle, Tyreese, Maggie and Glenn got out, going to clear the house that they had pulled up to in hopes of being able to stay in for the night. They were heading north, on their way up to South Carolina in hopes of finding a place they could make into a home for themselves. Bob and Michonne stayed at the vehicles along with Gary and Chad to watch for walkers and any threats that might be in the area. They had learned the hard way, not only did they have the dead to fear, but also the living.

It wasn't long before they emerged, Tyreese and Glenn lugging out a body of a walker that they had found inside. Daryl went straight to the truck, opening the back and giving Carol a small smile. Taking Dakota as she offered the little boy up to him, he took him and then turned, Sophia already there waiting to take the baby so Daryl could help her mom inside.

Helping Carol out and getting her and Sophia inside, he placed her on the old couch and then went back to help bring in what they would need for the night. There was only seventeen of them, the three bedroom house would be crowded, at least it was better then sleeping in the vehicles. Daryl brought in Carol and his backpack, the diaper bag and Sophia's bag while everyone else helped gather up the rest. Looking around, he pointed to the stairs for Sophia to follow him being Carol had Dakota once more.

Going upstairs, he went into the first room he came to, what was once the master bedroom and looked around. It would be big enough for them all and he set there things down. Looking a the girl, he raised his brow, "You, ya momma and 'Kota can sleep in the bed. I'll make a pallet on the floor. Ya did good today, by the way."

Smiling as she pulled out a change of clothes for herself, Sophia nodded, "Guess I had a good teacher." Setting her clothes on the bed and looking around some, she asked, "Do you love my mom, Daryl?"

Daryl's eyes fell on the girl for a moment before he adverted them and walked over to the window. Barely pushing back the curtain to look out and check the street, he breathed out, "I care for her if'n that's what ya askin'."

"No, I asked if you loved her," she said, sitting down on the edge of the bed and turning towards him. Shrugging, she picked at the floral colored bedspread, "You know she loves you, right?"

Lowering his eyes, he looked over at her for a few seconds before moving from the window, "Ya don't know what your talkin' 'bout, girl."

Looking back up at him, her eyes followed his movements around the room, "Yes I do. She doesn't look at you like she did with my dad...and we both know she didn't love him. She look's at you differently...she smiles more when your around, or when your mentioned. And she trust you more then anyone here."

"Still don't mean she loves me," he groused, not wanting to be having the conversation with her.

Shrugging, she narrowed her eyes, "Well, she doesn't look at Merle or Glenn that way...or any of the other men. Only you."

Opening the closet and checking it for anything they could use or take with them, he sighed, "Still don't mean shit."

"Why are you so stubborn? Haven't you ever been in love before?" she asked, truly interested in finding out.

Stilling, Daryl looked down, her question hitting him like a ton of bricks. He had never really talked about love life, or lack of it, not even to Carol. Yeah, he had been with a few women, but they had been drunk and he never even knew there names or bothered asking. They were a quick release for him, a way to get rid of pent up frustrations that he couldn't seem to get rid of himself. Carol wasn't like that though. She wasn't one of the bar fly whore's that he had screwed and left. She had class, she was out of his league in so many ways, but he was still pulled to her. They had found a connection in the fuck up world they now lived in.

Taking in a deep breath, Daryl looked back over his shoulder at Sophia as she waited for his answer, "Ain't never been in love...never found anyone special enough."

Choosing her words carefully, Sophia got up off the bed and went over to him as he turned to her more. Looking up, she lowered her voice, "Do you think my mom is special? It's okay if you do."

Not one to lie, Daryl eyed her for a moment before adverting his eyes and nodding slightly, "Yeah...guess I do."

A warm smile graced Sophia's lips and she reached out, placing her hand onto his arm to get his attention, "That's a start then. A good start. Although, I think you already knew that, otherwise...you wouldn't have offered us your name, would ya?"

Sophia still could surprise him at times and he smirked some and sighed, "Yeah...guess you're right. But don'tcha be goin' round flappin' your lips 'bout it, alright?"

Sophia smiled more, and let go of his arm, "I know nothing, Dixon. We better get back downstairs. Momma wants me to give Dakota a bath tonight and I promised to read to the other kids before bed."

Following her out the room, Daryl couldn't help the small smile that played at the corner of his lips. For being a teenager, Sophia seemed to be more levelheaded, intuitive and mature then most adults he knew. He figured she had gotten that from Carol. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he looked over as Sophia went to her mom and he stood there watching the two of them with Dakota. They had agreed to be his family, now it was time for him to man up and be the man they needed him to be.

I'm hungry for cookies...so feed me! Love, peace, chicken grease!