Because Of You

by Lynnth2014

We can all agree that high school mostly sucks, but with the right friends and a loyal sister by your side, it's not so bad. It's not the best years of your life like people make it out to be, but it's not awful. Love, acceptance, truth, hatred, enemies, rumors, tears, and hey, that's just the first day. Welcome to high school. The first day of the rest of your life.

14. Ready? Ready

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

––

"I miss winter break already." Andrea sat all tan and glowing across from Carol at the breakfast table. "I had so much fun."

"Without us," Lori threw in as she joined the pair.

"Hey, I missed you. I tried to call you guys. Nobody picked up."

"You ever hear of a time difference? We were all asleep." Carol smiled around her breakfast of carrots and almond butter.

"Michonne picked up."

"She's your girlfriend. I'd pick up for Rick at two in the morning, too." Lori crossed her legs.

"I bet you'd do more for Rick at two in the morning," Caesar mused as he sat by Carol.

"You're a creep." She wasn't going to deny it, though.

"Hey." Carol hugged him. "How was your break?"

"Hell. I worked, and I fucked up our shipment, and I want to kill myself." He dropped his face onto the table. "I never want to do that again."

"Aww." Carol rubbed his back. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

"I ordered uniforms for us," he corrected, "in women's, and I'm pretty sure I ordered lamb instead of pork. Dad doesn't even sell lamb. And we can't take it back. It's already paid for. It's ours. And it was...expensive."

"Okay, that's pretty bad." She rubbed his back harder and munched on her breakfast.

"Who killed him?" Daryl gestured to Caesar as he slipped into the seat by Carol.

"Himself." Andrea opened her milk carton. "Nice hoodie."

Carol looked it over and saw he was wearing the hoodie Dad had given him and beamed brightly.

"Don't get so excited," he muttered, trying not to smile at her smiling at him. "Just grabbed it on my way out."

"Uh-huh." She drank from her milk carton.

"Caesar." Maggie pulled Paul behind her over to their table. "Hey...you okay?"

"I'm great, just gre..." He trailed off as he straightened and spotted Paul. He blinked.

He had gotten a haircut, and he had also shaved. Andrea and Lori turned to look at him too as Carol's jaw dropped some, and even Daryl had a look at him. He was...hot. His short bangs were brushed over, hiding part of his face shyly, his eyes were gorgeous and piercing, and he had just enough hair for a stubble, and...hot damn.

Maggie rolled her eyes. "He's not that pretty once you get to know him."

"You're gay," Lori whispered to Andrea. "Is he really that hot? Or have I been staring at Rick too long?"

"He's pretty damn hot." Michonne smiled and greeted him with a hug. "It's good to see you, Paul."

Andrea shot up. "You know him?" And he gets a hug before me?!

"We were in dance together." She kept her arm around his shoulders. "He's often played the pretty boy. Or the Jesus."

"Huh?" Carol lowered a carrot from her mouth. "Jesus?"

"It made more sense before the haircut." His mother made him shave and cut it all off. New school, new first impressions or something. "You can just call me Paul."

"Maggie?" Glenn nearly tripped over himself.

"Glenn." She grinned and turned to Paul. "Are you good here?"

"I'm good anywhere. Go." He shook his head as Maggie ran off with her secret boyfriend. Or whatever he was to her. "Caesar, right?"

"Yeah, that's...me." He leaned back.

"Maggie and I were gonna ask if you could show us around school, but she's ditched me for Korean pastures, so...would it be okay for me to ask if you could show me around?"

"Uhh, sure." Why not ask Michonne? They had a rapport? "I have...nothing else to do with my morning." He rose. "I'll see you guys later."

"Bye." Carol waved. "How come we never got to meet him before?"

"He doesn't live in this state. Or he didn't. We had classes in the summer." She smiled sweetly at her girlfriend. "And he's just like you, Andrea."

"Great." She folded her arms. "We should get along then."

"That's not what I meant." She approached her. "I missed you. A lot."

"I missed you." She softened. "I had fun, but I really wish you guys had been there."

"Don't involve us now," Lori joked. "Keep to your little love bubble. We clearly don't exist right now."

"Shut up." Andrea smiled. "I love you guys. I just...love her more. In a different way, I mean."

"Ouch. That hurts." Lori spotted Rick. "I'm leaving before I start bleeding all over your love scene."

"Lori." Andrea wanted to apologize, but Michonne caught her hands.

"She's joking. Rick just came in." She pulled her closer. "Wanna walk me to class? There's no teachers the long way."

"Yeah." She nodded and remembered Carol. "Oh, right, um...we were doing breakfast."

"What breakfast?" Carol held up the empty container as Daryl chewed on her last carrot. "You're fine."

"Thank you." She collected her purse and left with Michonne.

"Guess it's just us now." She was bummed her friends had departed as quickly as they had come. They hardly got to talk.

Daryl sensed her drop in mood and ducked his head. He set his hand on her knee, palm upward, and she smiled, grasping it under the table. He peeked at her, she was happy again, and he asked how her New Years was. He had to work, but he was curious to know how the Callies got down for the New Year.

All too soon the bell was ringing, they lingered for a moment before heading to their homerooms, and Daryl waited until the last second to release her hand. He had to walk a different way to get to his homeroom, and they'd waited through the second bell. He had to hurry, or he'd be late.

Carol waved before she disappeared through the cafeteria doors. She made her way to her homeroom, finding Lori and sitting beside her. The room filled with the usual suspects, Karen went through the usual back to school speeches and surveys and handed out schedules in case someone had forgotten—mostly lost—their full schedule sheet handed out at the beginning of the year. Someone meaning everyone, because teenagers lost everything. Seriously, everything. It was terrible.

"What do you got?" Lori leaned over Carol's desk to see her schedule. "Oh, we have first and second together."

"We all do. You, me, Michonne and Andrea." Carol had just gotten their texts. "Oh, and Caesar. Cool."

"What, no Daryl?"

"He has it second period."

"He's a junior. Shouldn't he have already taken it? And didn't he have trig last semester? Or something mathy?"

"No. And it's AP, not regular like us."

"Oh. That's...awful, poor guy."

"Right?" She laughed. "But he loves it. It's another good mark on his record. He...He's gonna get into a good college."

"I'll bet." Lori smiled at her sister. "You really like him, huh?"

"We're having a kid together. We kinda have to like each other."

"Not kinda have to." She laced her fingers together. "I saw you two holding hands."

"He was trying to cheer me up. I have mood swings." She pointed to her belly. "Thanks to this guy."

"Uh-huh."

"I do."

The bell rang to dismiss them to class then, Carol and Lori headed to Calculus, and they found their friends waiting for them. Thankfully, there were no assigned seats, and the teacher told them she wouldn't do it unless she absolutely had to. Then the lesson began. Who would have guess math had so much English? Notes, notes, notes galore.

Caesar was sitting next to Carol with Andrea and Michonne in front of them, and Lori and Rick in front of them. Paul, who wasn't yet in their group, sat on the other side of Caesar in the back, looking bored out of his mind. Carol didn't blame him. She was pretty bored too. She was playing more with her baby than writing notes.

"You're so cute." Caesar whispered.

"What?" She blushed. "Did you see that? Is it weird?"

"No, it's adorable."

"This is so boring." She sighed softly, and he nodded with wide eyes. "How's the hottie?"

He rolled his eyes. "He has a name, and you're pregnant."

"Oh, please. I'm not interested." She had, like he mentioned, a pregnancy and a...Daryl. It was a very complicated situation, and she wasn't adding more guys to it. "I'm just wondering how he's settling in."

"I'll let you know by fourth. We have the exact same schedule."

"Really?" She was surprised. That rarely happened. She and her friends had tried to have matching schedules, and they came close, but it as never entirely perfectly matching. Lucky! "You guys are gonna be best buds."

He leaned back in his seat and pretended to write notes rather than hear that.

"Are you gonna share a locker too?"

"Probably," Paul whispered over at her. "Maybe a drawer, too, if we get close enough."

She smiled and laughed soundlessly. "You have my approval."

He smiled. "Good."

"If you think I can't hear you," the teacher announced, "let me remind you you're whispering in a quite classroom."

Carol hastily scribbled down notes while Paul smirked and Caesar shook his head. Oops.

– – –

Carol went through the line to get a milk and plate of mashed potatoes, because they sounded amazing. Paul joined her to see what was even for lunch, and Andrea and Caesar were already seated with their vending machine meals. Lori and Michonne had drama for third, so they had second lunch. And Daryl had Test Prep, so he had third lunch. So, it was just the four of them.

"Could I ask you something?" Caesar picked at his Sun Chips.

"Sure." Andrea looked up from her phone, which was hidden by her shirt in her lap. Michonne didn't care much for drama yet. "What's up?"

"Are you sure you're gay?"

"Excuse me?" Andrea stared, her body shifting backward on the stool to physically put distance between her and Caesar at this offensive question. "What?"

"Like, are you sure you're not just...I dunno, Michonne-sexual? She's pretty built. She'd make me confused, too. If I was a chick, of course."

"Do you have any idea how rude you're being right now? At this moment in time?" She started to collect her things.

"I didn't mean to be," he apologized. "I was just curious. I'm sorry."

"How could you not mean to be offensive? Did you hear that question?" She stopped gathering her food and purse. "Seriously?"

"I'm sorry. I really am."

"And why do you care? Do you wanna date me? Or Mich?"

"I used to think you were hot," he admitted. "Back in eighth grade."

"Well...thank you, but I'm only interested in Michonne. And Emma Watson, but that won't happen."

"I think this entire generation is into Emma Watson."

She snickered. "Probably."

"And I wouldn't come between you and Michonne."

"Please, you might have a hot body and pretty curls, but so do I—only I'm better with my tongue."

"How could you possi...?" He narrowed his eyes. "Wait, were you the girl I was put in a closet with at Phillip's party?"

She nodded. "Guilty."

"I was fourteen!"

"And really not a good kisser."

"I've improved!"

"I hope so."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Not one we're going to test. I have a girlfriend who I love, and I'm happy. I'm...secure in my sexuality, and I'm really happy."

"I'm glad." He nudged her shoe with his. "And you were pretty bad in that closet, too."

"I was thirteen. I was on my last year of braces, and I was nervous. You didn't even touch me."

"I was nervous! The only girl I'd kissed up to that point was my aunt! And that was on the cheek."

"Well, I'd say we've both come pretty far." She had a girlfriend who she definitely could please. Well, arouse. They hadn't actually gotten far enough to test that, but...maybe soon.

"Is it weird?" Caesar leaned towards her. "I mean...not as gays, but...as like friends."

"No. It's...natural. We're already comfortable with each other, and we had a lot of making up for lost time." She smiled and revealed perhaps too much.

"Okay, horn dog."

"Oh, shove off." She kicked him lightly. "You're the one playing Twenty Questions. Don't take it home, all right?"

"Please! I have football practice. I'll just die when I get home."

She laughed. "Sorry. That's not funny."

"No, please laugh at coach running us thin. Someone needs to."

"What's so funny?" Carol sat by Andrea.

"Something terrible." Andrea bit into a celery stick. "Mm, do you have any more almond butter?"

"Yes. Dad and Daryl and Mom and Lori make sure my meals are balanced and healthy." She opened her lunch bag and handed the container over. "I just want these potatoes in my stomach. If I end up wearing it, I'm sorry."

"No worries. I'll just smear on my face. We'll match." Paul ate a sporkful of peas, only to subsequently shudder and force them down, tossing the spoon down onto the plastic tray. "Gross."

"Yeah, don't eat the veggies unless they're in a name brand baggie." Andrea unlocked the container and dipped her celery stick it. "And avoid the ribs. They're actual death."

He nodded.

"And the girls," Carol's eyes landed on Paula. "They're evil."

Paul smirked. "Not my type."

"You don't even know who she means." Andrea felt her phone vibrate and answered Michonne's text.

"I don't have to. I'm gay." He looked at them to make sure that wasn't going to offend them and start a fight, because he wasn't in the mood to try and justify who he was.

"Good luck finding a date," was all Caesar could think to say.

"Caesar." Carol glared. "That's rude."

"What? It's true."

"I don't think I'll have much of an issue with that." He opened his bottle of water and drank.

Carol set a hand on her stomach and sighed.

"Is he kicking?" Caesar knew that expression.

"Like he's a soccer player." She smiled softly. "It keeps me up at night, but at least he's awake when I'm awake, right? Maybe he'll sleep tonight."

"Or in third," Andrea jested. "Physical science is snooze city."

"That is true."

"Hey, but maybe you could nap, too." Paul swiped his bangs to the side, noting a few looks from the girls further down the table, and he continued. "I'll sit in front of you and slouch, so you can nap."

She smiled. "Thank you. I'd like that."

"I can do that," Caesar offered. "I have wider shoulders."

Paul looked him over. "You're not bad."

Caesar blinked. "Excuse me? "I'm not bad"?"

"I'd say a solid seven."

He looked just offended now. "Okay, pretty boy, before you got here, I was the hot one. You're just the...new guy."

Carol snorted. "Don't get jealous, Caesar."

"I'm not jealous. I'm annoyed. It's thrown off my appetite." He grabbed his binder and headed for the library.

"I was joking. He doesn't have much of a sense of humor, does he?" Paul looked from Carol to Andrea. "Or he just doesn't like me."

"I'm sure it's not that." Andrea closed Caesar's chips and took his candy bar. She'd give them to him in third. The chips would definitely make it. Probably not the candy. "He...has his off days."

"He's been working himself to death, too," Carol added. "He's just grumpy."

He wasn't sure that was the whole story, but he'd let it go.

––

"Carol has an appointment today, so why don't we plan the shower? We can make it for the 15th of this month. That's only ten or so days away." Lori loosened up on her yoga mat, talking to Andrea and Michonne on speaker. "We have the cake, the location, the guest list. What are we missing? Anything?"

"A photographer."

"Paul can shoot," Andrea mentioned. "He told me about his photography class. He's really good, too."

"Okay. Anything else?" Lori tried to think of what else they might need. "Anymore games? We got the prizes, right?"

"Yeah. I got them last week." Michonne adjusted the phone in her hand. "We just really needed a date."

"Wow, so we did plan this thing. I'm impressed." Lori chuckled to herself. "I guess we should call everyone and let them know it'll be on the 15th at five."

"Sounds good."

"I'll talk to you guys later then."

Michone hung up and set her phone beside her on the bed. "So...we need to talk."

"Are you breaking up with me? Because if so, just do it. Don't give me all the reasons why you don't want to be me or how it won't work, just end it. Please, I really can't take an explanation."

"I'm not breaking up with you, babe."

"Oh, good." She exhaled. "Cool."

"I just...wanted to talk about us. We've been dating since the start of school, and...well, we've known each other for years, so it feels like we've been together for years."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Our best friend is pregnant," Michonne told her.

"Unless you've been lying to the world, I think we're good on that front."

"Sex changed all of our lives is what I mean. I love you. I really love you, but...I'm not ready for a change that big again. I know it won't be a pregnancy, but...sex is huge. And it's a lot to take in. Sex's physical and emotional, and...I'm trying to be logical about this."

"Does that mean you don't want to have sex with me?"

"No, I do. And we've talked about it. Googled it. Watched it."

Andrea made a face. "I regret doing that."

"Yeah, me too. Especially when my dad walked in."

"He still hasn't looked me in the eye." Andrea rubbed her arm. "And her mom wasn't too happy about it either."

"They're still trying to understand my sexuality, so I'll give them some time on our relationship." She met her eyes. "Are you ready to have sex? I mean...completely ready?"

"If it's with you, yeah. I love you, Mich, and I know it'll be awkward and weird, but I wanna be awkward and weird with you. In a good way. If that can be in a good way."

She smiled softly. "Do...you wanna try some stuff?"

"Stuff being?"

"Stuff."

Andrea laughed. "Okay, we have awkward down pat."

Michonne chuckled. "You've seen me naked before."

"Not completely, and that was before we were dating. It was bra shopping."

"Andrea, it was a thin, lace bra. I was trying to get you out of the closet. It didn't work."

"Oh. Oh! That makes...a lot more sense now that I'm thinking back." She blushed at how oblivious she had been that day.

"Yeah, you're a little slow, but that's okay." She reached out and grasped her hands. "C'mere."

"Why?"

"Okay, just trust me."

"Okay." She lied down beside her. "Is...stuff a nap? Because I could probably use a nap." She rolled her head to the side to look at Michonne. She was so beautiful, her eyes so dark and full of life and sweetness. Her smile...could light the world on fire. She was sure it could.

Michonne covered them with a blanket and lied on her side, stroking Andrea's hair. "Your parents aren't home, right?"

"No. Mom and Dad have business meetings all day, and Amy's out with Beth and Enid." Her heart fluttered. "Why?"

"You really need to relax." She set other hand on her stomach. "You're tense. I can feel it in your stomach."

"I'm bloated."

"No, you're not."

"You're making me tense!"

"How?"

"I don't know. I think it's from the "we need to talk"." She blew out a sigh. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I'll just have to make you forget about that."

She pursed her lips. "Oh, yeah?"

Instead of a reply, Michonne kissed her, and Andrea didn't realized how much she'd missed her until then. This was really the first time they'd been alone together. They had school, and Michonne had dance, and Andrea had to unpack and plan for the shower. But right now it was just them, and she wouldn't have it any other way. She really felt more at home with Michonne than in her own home.

Michonne weaved her fingers through the soft curls in Andrea's silken hair, feeling her relax. She had spent her entire break away from her friends and her girlfriend, and she was glad to have time with both. More with her friends than Andrea, but she was going to make up for lost time. While she wasn't sure they were ready for the next step, there were other things, and odd that Andrea didn't know what she meant. Maybe she just wasn't...quite in the headspace Michonne was in. She'd have to change that.

She slid her hand down from her belly to her hip, bringing her closer, but keeping her on her back. She could tell Andrea wanted to roll her over onto her back, but she kept her hand on her hip to keep her from doing that. She had other plans.

Andrea broke the kiss to meet her eyes, wondering what she was doing, and in those eyes was a request. Permission? Andrea was a little confused, but she nodded and smiled a little.

Michonne lowered her eyes, and Andrea felt her hand move from her hip. She was about to start giggling, because Michonne's fingertips were brushing over her lower stomach. Any urge to laugh died when Michonne's hand slipped underneath the waistband of her yoga pants, and she gripped her arm, but it wasn't to tell her to stop. Her breathing instantly increased, Michonne met her eyes, and Andrea's lips parted as air needed to escape through a wider exit than her nose.

"Are you okay?" Michonne whispered.

She nodded.

"Do you want me to stop?"

"No." She cleared her throat.

Michonne stilled her hand and kissed her, Andrea was taken off guard, and Michonne wrapped her arm around her shoulder. Andrea curled slightly towards her, grasping her cheek and parting her lips with her tongue. At the soft sounds of Andrea's moans and the use of her instant turn-on spot, Michonne knew she was good to go.

"Holy Christ." Andrea gasped, the muscles in her stomach clenching, and she gasped, gripping Michonne's arm tightly with her nails.

Michonne kissed her temple. "Does that feel good?"

She closed her eyes and dug her nails in deeper. "Fuck."

That would be a yes. Michonne drank in her face as she squeezed her eyes shut and gasped, surprised that Andrea liked the same things as she did. She wondered if that meant Andrea might like...

"Aah." She couldn't catch her breath. She didn't how Michonne knew how to do this, but God. She could hardly string any thoughts together. Holy fuck. Was she tapping...? "God, Michonne!" She hadn't felt anything like this before.

Michonne grinned at that. Okay, that was hot. She wanted to hear that again. And since they were here alone, it wasn't like they had to be quiet.

––

"I think these owls are so cute." Carol showed them to Daryl, who was working on putting the wall on the landing. Dad didn't fully approve, but he had little to argue with. "Aren't they?"

"I guess. I don't...really do décor."

"Okay." She sat on her bed. "Do you wanna talk some?"

"No. I wanna get to done and close MM tonight."

"You work tonight?"

"Just for a few hours."

"Isn't that overkill? And illegal?"

"No."

"You're a minor."

He glanced at her. "Actually..."

She lowered the owls to her bed and faced him when he didn't immediately respond. "Actually?"

"My birthday was yesterday. I'm eighteen."

"What?" She exclaimed. "Are you serious? You didn't tell me about your birthday! We could have done something! I could have gotten you something! We did homework yesterday!"

"And had a good meal. So what? It's just another day." He went back to drilling.

"It is not another day! It's the day you were born. It's important!"

"Not to me." He lowered the drill. "And besides...what I want, you can't give me."

"What did you want?"

"I'm not tellin' you. You can't help me."

She stood up and walked over to him, knowing he wouldn't drill with her so close. "Try me."

"To be able to relax," he opted, lowering the drill. "To completely relax."

"I could help you with that. That's easy." She smiled. "I have these really awesome bath salts, and my mom has this super relaxing lemon tea. Oh, and I have a really comfy blanket that I keep locked up for bad days. It's the best."

"Not that kind of relaxed." He couldn't help but smirk at her. She was so cute. Really.

"What... Oh." She blushed. "Sex."

"Not just sex. Drugs work, but I can't do that. I won't do those."

"Why is sex so important to you?"

"It's not so important to me. I just like it. And it's relaxing."

"Isn't...the other thing similar?"

"No, it's really not."

"Guess I can't help you then."

"Paula could," he joked.

"I think I'm going to throw up." She looked repulsed. "I thought you weren't... Right, you don't need attraction, just a goal to get some."

"When have I ever said that?"

"You just did."

"I was kidding. I like when you get jealous. It's cute."

"I am not jealous." She scoffed. "I just hate that you would let my tormenter blow you."

"I think she'd do more then that," he muttered.

"You're such a creep!"

"She hasn't messed with you in months, though, right?" He was geninuely curious to know. Did she keep her word?

"No, but I'm pretty much a walking baby sack."

He snorted. "Baby sack?"

"He's my entire stomach."

"He's a little bump." He set a hand on her stomach. "And I wouldn't get involved with Paula, nice to you or not. She's not my type."

"Will you date when he's born?" She met his eyes. "I can't keep you on pause forever. It's pretty mean, especially since we're not dating or anything. You have needs, and I can't... Yeah, no."

"Ouch."

"Daryl, the last time we did anything, I got pregnant. I'm still pregnant."

"Get on the pill."

"Because that's easy."

"Look, don't do it for me. Do it for you. You want a relationship? You'll want to get physical eventually. Or it'll happen just like us. You really should consider it."

She reached up and removed his goggles. "I can't take you seriously." She brushed some chips of wood off his shoulder and kept her hand there. "I guess I could talk to my mom. My doctor. It seems smart."

"It is. I don't want you to get stuck in this shithole town with some asshole."

"I have goals."

"Kids weigh goals down, and I don't want you to be unhappy. I just... You should find a career and raise our son with me, and maybe you'll...find a guy you'll want to have more kids with. Maybe not. I dunno."

"Would you be angry if I did?"

"It's bound to happen. Doesn't matter how I feel."

"How is it "bound to happen"?" She tried to laugh it off, but his look killed her laughter.

"Carol, I know you, and...some guy...some lucky guy is gonna fall for you." His grip on the drill tightened. "And you'll have all that romantic shit you wanted to have."

"I guess." She dropped her hand and stepped back. "Maybe I'll travel with our son. I do want to see the world."

"Just make sure I still get my time with him."

"Always. You'll be in his life every step."

"Good. I want to be. Keep an eye on you. You got shit taste in men."

She scoffed. "I resent that. I liked Caesar."

"And that went...nowhere."

She rolled her eyes. "I think owls will work."

"Fine by me." He raised the drill to use it, and Carol hurried over to put the goggles back on. "I know what I'm doin'. I don't need this."

"It's a safety measure." She adjusted them and her eyes fell into his, lingering there.

"And this...is what?" he whispered at how close she was and how she stared at him.

She jolted. "Nothing! Just thinking what if he has your eyes. You have pretty eyes."

"Not like yours."

What does that mean?"

"You...have soulful eyes. They're...beautiful, deep...mesmorizing."

"I have my mother's eyes," was all she could think to say.

"You kids hungry?" Axel called down when it was too quiet for his liking. "I'm gonna cook a roast."

"I'll help with the potaotes." Carol slipped away from Daryl. "Umm, just come upstairs when you're done."

He nodded and watched her hurry up the stairs. He hit his head on the slab of wood he was working on then groaned and tossed the goggles onto the bed, getting back to work. He wanted to get this done so he could just leave. He really didn't know what his mind thought all the sex talk would do. He was interested in it if she thought about sex like him. He thought she did. She just didn't know how to say it. In another world...he bet she'd be pretty straightforward. Hell, maybe even kinky.

God, this wasn't the type of conversation to have in his head right now. Or maybe ever. He was an adult, so he needed to just grow up. He'd go back to his sleeping about ways when he was in college. He'd get better with protection, and he wouldn't get hung up on someone he couldn't and shouldn't have. He was too fucked up for a relationship. He didn't deserve a relationship, and Carol...deserved a hell of a lot better than him.

He finished up with his task and headed upstairs to find Carol alone. He was a little surprised. Where was Axel?

"What's going on?"

She cleared her throat. "We're going out."

"...out?"

"Yeah, like on one of those dates Caesar mentioned." She beamed. "For your birthday."

"That was yesterday."

"Belated. Whatever. We're going out."

"Who's we?"

"You and me."

"And...why?"

"Because I want to take you out." She bit her bottom lip. "And you must be hungry. You've been here since school let out, and you don't work until nine. Plus, the roast will take a while, and I'm no fan of waiting. I mean...you know how I get. Anyway, we have a couple hours. I thought...you'd like to hang out. Eat. Maybe get a gift."

"I don't need a pity date."

"It's not pity. I want to take you out."

"As friends?"

"As friends, yes." She studied him. "We won't do that thing you want to do, but we can still have fun."

"Nobody said I wanted to do that with you anyway," he forced himself to retort.

She swallowed and tried to regain her smile, but that stung. "There's a steakhouse that offers a free meal for your birth month. Um, we could go there."

"Okay. That doesn't sound too bad."

"Good. I'll go change. I look...ridiculous. I'll be quick."

"You look comfortable. You don't need to change."

"Yeah, I do. We're going out. I look sloppy."

"And I don't?" He was actually wearing the new clothes he'd gotten, so he looked pretty good.

"Yeah, you look decent. Just give me five minutes."

"It takes you five minutes to get into pants on a good day, not including the shirt. We can just order in."

"But we do that all the time. It's your birthday. It's meant to be special."

"Says who? It's just a day on a calendar." She started to cry, and he felt his heart drop. "No, shit. Don't cry."

"Why don't you care about your birthday? It is important. I want to celebrate it with you."

"Okay. We can go out. Go uh, pick out an outfit. I'll wait."

"Or is it me? Do you just not want to be seen with me?" She moistened her lips. "That's it, isn't it? I'm just...this ugly mess that you don't want to be seen with. I embarrass you."

"What? No. That's stupid. Don't talk like that."

"Just go out and do what you want. Be with whoever you want. I'm sorry I tried to keep you all to myself. It's stupid and selfish. It's unreasonable. You'd likely have more fun out alone than with me. I'm a freaking puff."

"No, you're not. You're perfect, okay? I don't care who sees me with you. I just know you aren't comfortable in any of your clothes. Not a single outfit other than that one. That's why it's so washed out, because you wear it all the time. I don't want you to be uneasy or made fun of trying to celebrate a day that means nothing to me. You're not...fat. You're not ugly. And you're not unreasonable. I haven't been with anybody since you, and before that? It'd been months. I can handle no sex, okay? It doesn't bother me. I was just messing with you, because I could. I'm sorry. Please, please don't cry."

She rubbed her eyes and sniffled.

"Look, why don't you just...wear my hoodie? Or my shirt? Who cares if we look stupid or ridiculous. At least we'll get a free meal, and they can kiss my ass for all I care."

She gulped. "You don't think I'm ugly?"

"Why would I?"

"You haven't see me naked lately."

"Bet you're still as hot as when we made that kid."

She lowered herself down onto the couch. "I'm a mess."

"No, you're not."

"I am. I'm hormonal and...emotional. I cried over Lori eating the last of the cereal this morning. I—I got mad, because Dad wasn't walking fast enough. I feel like I'm crazy."

"You're just going through a lot."

"I'm trying to pretend like everything's okay, but I'm freaking out. I'm due next month. I'm not ready for this. I'm not at all ready. I'm so scared, Daryl."

"So am I, but we'll get through it."

"What if you want to leave? What if I want to leave? What if we can't do this?" Tears brimmed up in her eyes again. "I'm only sixteen, Daryl. I don't know what I'm doing."

"I've never known, but here I am. We just...gotta go with. We'll figure it out as it comes. We've gone through doubts and fights and tears long before right now." He walked over to her. "I don't have your talent for words, but I'm gonna be here. And you'll do great. He'll love you. How could he not? He'll probably cry when I touch him."

"I doubt that." She wiped her eye.

"I don't. Now...let's get a steak and something sweet, even with those weird things you like on them."

"It's not weird."

"It is weird." He smirked and held his hand out. "C'mon...please."

She snuffled and accepted his hand, standing up. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. It's okay. I...slipped up, too."

"What do you mean?"

He exhaled. "For my birthday...I drank. A lot. I actually don't even remember yesterday."

"Daryl."

"What? You just freaked out. I freaked out too, but with whiskey."

"How did you even get that? You're eighteen, not twenty-one."

"I know people."

"Well, un-know them."

"It was the last time." Until he was able to buy it himself. "And technically the first time this year."

"Why can't you just talk about it? It helps. You don't have to cry like me, but everything seems to upset me here lately."

"I just don't talk. It ain't my thing." He shrugged and let go of her hand. "If we get done with dinner before eight, I'll help you with the owls."

She smiled. "You mean that?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"Thank you."

He glanced at his watch and hoped they did have time. He didn't have to work so much as meet Amaro, but still. He wanted to be on time, but he also wanted to help her with the nursery. He didn't want to leave her alone. She was emotional lately, and he wanted to be around. Especially if her water broke. Or if she started to have contractions. Or the faux ones. It was about that time. Or it would be.

––

Dinner had been nice. Carol seemed to cheer up, and she didn't feel embarrassed by her lack of "decent clothes". Daryl was glad to see her mellow out some. The steak also helped. She liked meat a lot more lately, and she didn't put anything weird on it. He was glad for that, too. He could stomach watching her eat some of her cravings, but some were just...fucking gross.

By the time they returned to her place, she was out cold. He didn't bother waking up. He used the backdoor to her bedroom and lied her in bed, removing her shoes and tossing a cover over her. He had a few minutes till he had to meet his boss, so he didn't bother to leave a note, just locked the door back with the spare key.

Amaro was waiting for him outside the butchery, Daryl had an apology all worked out in case he was pissed, but as he closed the space between the, the frown he saw became a cheerful, greeting smile. He still kept the apology on the tip of his tongue, though Amaro was a straightforward guy. He wouldn't be mad and pretend to all smiles and cheer for you. He didn't play like that. That was one of the reasons why Daryl liked to work with him. He didn't bullshit. He was...just a geniunely happy and thoughtful dude.

"You're late." Amaro crossed his arms over his chest. "How's the baby doing?"

"Uh, full and asleep." He hadn't felt him move at all when he tucked Carol in.

"Any names yet?"

"No. We talked about it a little at dinner, but we didn't get anywhere." He met his eyes. "I'm sorry I'm late. Carol—"

"Don't worry about it." He smiled at him. "Saved me from having to listen to another story by Jen."

He nodded. "What did you want to talk to me about? If it's about my attitude towards hell week, I can explain."

"No, don't bother. I get hell weeks. I've bitched my way through a lot of them." He guided Daryl towards the empty store beside the butchery. "Do you remember when I said I was going to purchase this building? To try and keep this street from looking like it was running out of business and such?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I did buy it." He pulled the key from his pocket. "Wanna take a look around with me?"

"Uh, sure."

They entered the building, and Daryl believed it was once a candy shop. It still smelled of taffy and candy apples, so he was sure he was right on that. Amaro flicked the lights on, and they walked through the actually spacious little store. Amaro stopped in the middle of the back room, and Daryl looked at him.

"I'm gonna use this as a bakery." He tucked his hands in his pockets. "My grandfather worked with both venison and puff pastries. I have a few recipes of his, and they've sold well on Valentines Day. I think this'll make a good bakery, and I've already found a chef."

"Yeah?" He turned to him.

"I'll be interviewing employees in the coming weeks, so they'll be in and out of the butchery. I have to remodel this place, add some of that Martinez flare." He smirked. "What do you think?"

"Uh, it'll do well. I mean, they are good pastries, and people love the deals that involve them." Plus with the other bakery moving further out, it was good timing.

"I was thinking...when this place is up and running, maybe Carol could work here."

Daryl blinked. "Really? Carol? My Carol?"

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know you had any claim."

He blushed. "I—I don't. I was just tryin' to...be sure you meant her. I don't remember her last name."

He busted out laughing. "You're adorable. Ahh, so is young love. I miss it. It's...very pure, especially if it's real."

Daryl frowned. "I don't... We don't feel...like that towards each other."

Blind young love. Adorable. "Right." He moved towards him. "I've heard good things about Carol from Caesar, and while Hershel may win her, I'd still like to try and get her in here. With me so close, I could babysit your son. Unless you wouldn't be comfortable with that," he quickly added.

"No, that'd be fine with me. Carol might not like it. She doesn't know you, though."

"Well, if she works here, she will. I'm going to be spending a lot of time here when it opens to make sure it's a steady business. I have my cousin coming down to help you all out at the butchery."

"Umm...cool?"

"The remodel work will take a few short weeks." He motioned his head towards the back, and Daryl followed him. "But it shouldn't be too extensive."

"I wouldn't know. I ain't too...informed on what a bakery needs."

"Me either." He chuckled and started up a set of narrow steps. "But I did find this when I was snooping around. Is that even snooping? I do own the place."

"I think it's just lookin' at that point."

"I felt like I was snooping. Perhaps it's because of what I found."

There was a hall at the top of the stars and a door with a peephole. Daryl frowned and eyed it, Amaro pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked it, and they stepped inside. It was a dusty room covered with sheets, and Daryl wasn't sure what they were doing in there.

"I thought this would make a good office." He flicked a light on. "But it's not an office."

"It's not?" Daryl repressed a cough at dust that must have come off the light switch. Damn, that hit his lungs.

"It's an apartment." He gestured behind him. "There's a full kitchen, bathroom, bed and guest room."

"Huh."

"It needs some touch up work, new furnishings and a new layer of paint, but it's... Well, it's liveable. It's quaint." He was smiling again. "What do you think of it?"

"It...is what it is." He shrugged. "What are you gonna do with it?"

He sighed. "I forget for someone so smart, you miss hints." Or perhaps kindness. "It's yours, Daryl. I want to give it to you."

His eyes widened. "What?"

"You'll need the room when your son gets here, and it's close to work and school. I'm gonna have my decorator look it over while this entire building is being renovated, but it's just to be sure it's really okay. She has a good eye. I don't know what I would have done without her." He headed into the kitchen. "I'll do the basic replacements a landlord ought to. I'll redo the floors, a new stove and fridge, and I'll buy a new bed for you. The furnishings are in good condition, so they oughta be fine. You can replace them if you'd like, of course. I can help with removing them, because that hall is extremely narrow."

Daryl's brain had stopped. He hadn't processed anything Amaro had said to him. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard. He just...had an apartment? No strings attached? It was an apartment in the back of the new bakery, and it was all his. Carol would be working downstairs once their son was born, and Daryl would be next door. He would be...able to have his son over all the time. There were no dark shadows lurking about. This...placed looked sturdy and clean. A fresh start. Just in time for his son to enter the world.

"I... I can't accept this," Daryl told him.

"And why not? Too close to work? I wouldn't call you in just because I know you're next door. You have a busy life outside of work, and I fully approve of that."

"No, it ain't that. I just can't live here. I—It's a real nice offer, but—"

"But what? It's no handout. I will come up with a monthly fee, and I expect you to keep it neat. It'll be your place, but there will be a baby here. And no parties or alcohol. I will set a curfew during the school year. I know you're an adult, but...it's just for my sake. I do worry about you."

"Why not give this to someone else? Why me?"

"You live in a two bedroom trailer. Your road is a nightmare on the best of days. Your couch probably has diseases." He met his eyes. "I don't want you or your son living in those conditions. You need a place to grow into this new role as a father, and I need someone to pay rent. I trust you."

He lowered his eyes. "How much of a fee?"

He grinned. "Something reasonable, considering you have a newborn and have to meet his needs. I'll figure about 150 a month. I do know what you make, and you'll be able to get more hours now that you're an adult."

"Just 150?"

"Do you want me to raise it?"

"No, but...does that include water and power and cable?"

"Yeah."

Wow, that was an amazing deal. Shit. "When would that rent start?"

"Immediately. If you want to pay in advance, that's fine."

"When could I move in?"

"Once it's remodeled. I can have it start as soon as tomorrow morning. It'll only take a day or two."

He nodded. "Could I look around?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

The living room was about double size of his old bedroom, and it would be great for his son to play in and to run around in when he was big enough. It'd be perfect for that. He would repaint it a different color. He might ask Caesar or Carol what they thought would look best, but this pea green shit was just that—shit. He wasn't going to be able to stand looking at it every damn day. He'd burn this place to the ground before he could stand it.

The kitchen was...pretty big. Well, maybe it wasn't. He had seen the Callies' kitchen, and it was a bit bigger than this, but it certainly was a hell of a lot bigger than his old kitchen. He might be able to cook something in here too. The oven didn't even work in his old kitchen, and the stove top had to be coaxed into working. It was impossible to eat anything other than junk. It was a good thing he liked to be physical, or he'd be fat. So would Merle.

The bathroom was similar to Carol's. The shower/tub combo was the first thing on the right wall then there was a small, half wall at the end of it where the toilet was, and across from that was a sink and a spacious counter. There was also sliding doors opposite the tub, and he opened them to reveal and set of hampers and hangers. He could toss his laundry in there, maybe stock it with towels and toilet paper and soap. He could put some of his son's stuff in here, too. When he was big enough to be able to use the tub, that was.

And the guest and master bedrooms were...awesome. The guest would be perfect for his son and the many things he would need, and the master bedroom was...huge. He had a closet to himself, space enough for a desk or chairs or something, a bed that wasn't a million years old—once Amaro replaced it—and there was a half bath off the side. He had never had a half anything. Unless it was beer or drugs, but that didn't count. It wasn't like this, but it did make him feel the same. Fuck. He was elated. This was so cool.

Amaro peeked down the hall to see Daryl leaving the master bedroom, smiling to himself, and Amaro slipped back to the living room, trying not to look like he'd eaten forty hangers. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath to calm his composure, and he straightened his shoulders as Daryl entered.

"So?" He played it clueless.

"Yeah. I'll take it. Thank you so much, sir." He smiled, and it was small, but it was the first time Amaro had seen him smile in the years he'd known the boy. "Um, I can pay the first rent when I get paid."

Yes! "Okay, take your time. I'll have it ready for you as soon as possible, but here's a key." He handed it over. "I have one, too, but that's to be expected. I'll always knock before I enter, and I'll definitely call before I come over. Uh, I don't have many rules, just the no booze or parties. Uh, try and keep the home drama here, too. Being so close, it could easily carry over."

"I don't do drama. It'll be fine." He accepted the key. "Thank you, sir, really. I can't...express how much this means to me, how much I needed this."

"You're very welcome, and stop calling me sir. My own son doesn't call me sir. It makes me feel like one of my partners is going to walk out of the shadows and drag me back to meetings." He shuddered, and Daryl chuckled. "Anyway, um, if you wanna chill out there and get a feel of the place, that's fine. Just again give me a couple days to get it...back in shape."

"'Course."

"If you wanna show Carol or Caesar or your brother, that's fine, just lock up. Oh, and there's a back door you can use, too. It uses the same key, so if you need to leave late at night or I'm not here, just use that key. I'll be installing a lockpad, but I'll give you the code to that." He pressed his lips together in thought. "I think that's all. At least for now. Um, I'll give you a call when you can move in your things, okay?"

"Yeah."

"All right." He smiled. "Have a good night, Daryl."

"You, too." He ran his eyes over the apartment.

"Oh, right, silly me." He patted his pockets and pulled out an envelope. "I forgot to give this to you. Um, happy belated birthday."

"Thank you, s—uh, Amaro."

He nodded and departed, knowing Caesar would be waiting to see how it went. They were far too invested in Daryl's life, but when on one else was, someone had to be.

Daryl sat down on the couch—his couch—and looked over the living room once more before leaning back and running a hand through his hair, chuckling. "Holy fuck." He wanted to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He wasn't. He knew he wasn't. This was real. This had happened. He had a home. A clean and new home. God damn. Maybe this would be a good year for once. Shit.

He opened the envelope Amaro had given him and pulled out a card, sitting up to read it.

Today you're a man. It's difficult to write that, because I've known you since you were a boy. A messy-haired, cut up-kneed little boy who didn't take orders or listen to anything anybody said. I've watched you grow up, and it amazes me. You amaze me. You've gone through so much, and you've changed so much. You're a completely different person today than you were yesterday, and it does my heart good. You become a better man every day, and you shouldn't ever stop striving to do better. You do so much now, and there are likely things you do that I don't know about, and it does my heart good.

You've become quite a brilliant young man. You know the system, and you know what you can and will do to meet your goals. You're inspire me to do my best and to keep pushing myself. Don't ever let someone else's doubt ruin you. Fuck them. They don't know what they're talking about. You will achieve much, and nobody will stop you. Just keep pushing forward and keep yourself, and I know you'll go far.

I want you to know I'm very proud of you. I'm proud to know you, proud my son has you as a friend, proud that I could be in your life, even in the small way that I am. I'm proud, because I can say without a hint of hesitation that you will be an excellent father, a straight A student and an incredible lawyer. Whatever school you attend, whatever firm you join, will be blessed to you have. I know our store is. I know Carol is, and so will your son. So, happy birthday, Daryl. We're all grateful and happy you were born.

Daryl cleared his throat and blinked hard. What an embarrassed card, shit. He set it on the coffee table and sniffed. Man, this dust is bullshit.

He stood up, still holding the envelope, and something fell out of it. He bent down and picked it up, finding a gift card to...a baby store? He flipped it over and nearly shit. "Christ, Amaro." It was for five hundred dollars.

He set it beside the card and ran a hand down his face, chuckling and looking around again. Well, at least had some place to put all the things he'd need now. And he could keep his son overnight. Maybe Carol could stay overnight, too. If she didn't feel comfortable with him being alone with their son just yet. He had a feeling she'd be clingy to him, just a bit, but...if it helped her, he wouldn't mind.

– – –

"Carol had to leave." Andrea answered Daryl's unasked question. He'd stopped by to give Carol her lunch.

"Is she okay?" He hadn't heard anything from her.

"She's fine." Paul swallowed a piece of fatally dry chicken. "She just...had an accident."

"An accident?" His heart stopped. "What does that mean?"

"Baby related." Caesar whispered, not wanting to draw more attention to what had happened in their previous class. "It's nothing to worry about."

"I am worried. Is she okay? Is my son?"

"She pissed herself," Paula said, walking by to ask him a favor. "It's not surprising, given how pregnant she is."

Shit. "How fast have you spread that around?" Daryl glared at her.

"Not at all. I saw her in the office. I'm an office aid during second, which is how I saw her. She was crying. A lot. You might want to call her."

"Did you suddenly grow a heart?" Andrea eyed her. "Or did someone pay you to be nice?"

She flipped her off. "I need to talk to her actually. Um, could you give me her number?"

"No way." He set the lunch bag down. "You guys can have it. It's just fish and potatoes with steamed something. I don't remember what veggie. I gotta go."

"Wait, Daryl." Paula hurried after him. She managed to catch him in the hallway that lead to the office. He was likely going to check himself out and look in on Carol. She hoped he would give her a chance to try and do something similar.

What? I need to check on Carol. I don't have time to listen to any of your crap right now."

"It's not crap. I just need Carol's phone number."

"And why should I give that to you? You have made her life hell, and you hate her. Besides as a given, that's not something I should be giving out anyway."

"I just need to talk to her, alright? It's girl talk."

"Then talk to the other girls who are your friends."

"They wouldn't understand my problem."

"And Carol would?"

"Big, nerd Carol? Yeah, she could help me with my studies. And she has no boyfriend, and she's knocked up. She has nothing better to do with her Saturday nights."

"Are you serious? You want the number of the girl you tormented for years so that she can help you pass a class?"

"When you put it like that, yes, that's exactly what I want."

He scoffed. "Hell no." He stormed off to check himself out of school for the rest of the day.

Paula huffed and crossed her arms, sighing and thinking about a plan B.

––

Back in the cafeteria, Carol's discarded lunch sat in the middle of the shitty school lunches and bags of chips. "I'll take that." Caesar took the bag and earned a glare. "What? I helped him make it. Well, I watched him make it. It smelled really good."

"If it's carrots, could I have a few?" Paul pushed his lunch aside.

"Sure." He pulled the containers from the bag and slid it over to Paul, nearly causing it to fall off the table. "Sorry. The table's usually sticky."

"No, it's fine." He cut a look to Andrea, and Andrea shrugged a shoulder.

"I'll go warm those up." She took the salmon and potatoes, going over to the microwave.

"Do you not like me?" Paul met Caesar's eyes and demanded in a low tone. "I don't really care either way, but just let me know."

"I don't know you."

"So naturally you treat me like shit?"

"Not like shit," Caesar defended himself. "I'm...awkward around new people." Lie.

"Of all the things I can swallow, that's not one of them. That's bullshit."

"I didn't ask what could you swallow."

"Is that what this is about? That I'm gay?"

"No! I don't have a problem with gays, okay?"

"Or with two chicks being gay 'cause that's hot, right?"

"It has nothing to do with you being gay. Okay? It's not you at all. I just... I dunno. I don't like..." It'd be easier to say he didn't like Paul. It'd be easier to say...a lot of things, but his tongue didn't care about easy. Or finishing sentences.

"Don't like?" Paul pressed.

"You know what? I have to speak to the guidance counselor. Enjoy Carol's lunch." He grabbed his backpack and bolted.

"Coward," Paul muttered as Caesar fled. Not what he would have pegged him for, considering how people talked about him. Oh well, looked like talk was simply just talk.

––

As it turned out, Carol didn't want to see Daryl or any of her friends. They tried to call to see how she was, but she turned her phone off. She avoided them the entire weekend that followed until they came to get her, because they had a surprise for her. They didn't tell her that or that they were coming, but when she found them at her door, she had choice but to let them inside.

"I don't want company." Carol sat down on the couch. "I don't want to talk about what happened at school."

"We're not here to talk about that." Michonne moved beside her. "We want to take you out."

"Yeah, just us girls." Andrea smiled. "It'll be fun."

"Till I wet myself like I'm four years old." She slouched on the couch. "Just have fun without me. It'll be better and dryer."

"It won't be." Lori came bouncing off the stairs. "We want you to come with us. It'll be fun. You'll forget about that thing, and we can just be teenagers."

"I'm eight months pregnant. I'm not "just a teenager"."

"Okay, so what? You're pregnant and a teenager. Let's embrace it." Lori grinned. "I found a super comfy and cute outfit for you."

She could see she wasn't going to win here. "Okay, fine, but when I'm done, I'm done. Deal?"

"Deal."

"C'mon." Lori helped her up and led her upstairs to change into the aforementioned outfit.

"Do you think today's a good day?" Michonne whispered to her girlfriend.

"Of course it is." Andrea pulled out a winning smile. "We have all of favorite foods and people. She'll love it. If anybody can cheer her up, Mich, it's us."

"All right."

Twenty minutes later Carol and Lori returned then they loaded into Michonne's car. Carol sat in the backseat, Andrea tried to find a music station, and Lori was buzzing with excitement. Carol kept her gaze out the window, and Michonne glanced back now and then to keep an eye on her. She wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not, but the wheels were motion—literally—and there was no simply turning back.

"So, where are we going?" Carol looked over at Lori.

"To Andrea's."

"That's your big fun day? We do that every weekend." She rubbed her back. "Why not just...stay at our place?"

"Because Andrea has a pool and a game room. We can do our nails and hair and stuff."

"It's too cold to swim, even if it is heated. I shouldn't be in a pool right now, but...the game room sounds nice. We haven't played pool or darts in a while."

"You still have the second best score from our last match." Andrea glanced at girlfriend. "After Michonne."

"God, keep it in your pants." Lori was teasing. "Geesh."

"For your information, Carol is the only non-virgin in this car." Andrea glared at her. "But if you want details—"

"Please, don't! I don't want any details from any of you guys." Lori cringed. "I just want details from me and Rick. If that ever happens."

"I thought you two were getting closer." Michonne peeked at her from the rear view mirror.

"We were, but he's... I don't know. I think Carol freaks him out. No offense." She set a hand on her knee. "I love you, and he likes you, but...the baby...freaks him out. He's just super worried it'll happen to us."

"Use a condom," Carol flatly remarked. "And birth control."

"Go anal," Michonne mused.

Andrea snorted.

"I'm serious!" Lori kneed her seat. "Be supportive."

"We are. These are good examples." Andrea turned in her seat. "Have him pull out!"

She huffed. "He won't even touch me. We used to get pretty close, but not anymore. He won't even kiss me really anymore."

"Bummer." Carol turned her gaze back out the window.

"Oh, don't be bitter. Before you got knocked up, you know you enjoyed it." She folded her arms. "Right? I mean, Daryl's been around the block a few times. He has to be good. Or at least know some things." She wanted Rick to know things, and then do those things to her.

"We never did talk about that," Andrea realized. "What was it like with Daryl?"

"It was sex. I got pregnant. End of story."

"Don't be so grumpy." Michonne turned left. "If you hadn't gotten pregnant, would you have even told us? Like you only mention four months later."

"It's embarrassing to talk about. You know what I was waiting for, and how it happened? I felt cheap, okay? I felt like such an idiot, and the pregnancy didn't make that any better." She moistened her lips. "It was amazing, okay? It felt amazing, and Daryl knew what he was doing. It hurt, and it was...overwhelming. Incredible. I can't describe all of it, because it was so much, and it felt so much. It was intense and personal and...honestly, if we were together, if we were a couple, I'd probably be doing it again. A lot."

Lori pressed her lips together with wide eyes, Andrea and Michonne shared an amused look, and Carol was trying to be mad, but she couldn't be.

"Shut up." She covered her mouth with her hand as her eyes fell to the world outside her wind, trying not to laugh. "Ugh! I hate you guys!"

"I guess that answers a certain question," Michonne snickered.

"Oh, she did. She told me that." Lori crossed her legs, and Carol socked her in the arm. "What? An orgasm helps to get pregnant—clearly!"

"You're such assholes." She was bright red. "I shouldn't have told you anything."

"No, no, it's all good." Andrea giggled. "We're happy it was at least good. I mean, you had a good time, even if you don't feel so great about it now."

"Well..." Carol rested her elbow on the door and rolled her eyes upward. "It doesn't bother me as much as it did. I've gotten to know Daryl, and I care about him, even if I don't love him or am in love with him. He's a really great guy, and I am glad that...I had sex with him. A really good friend came out of it, despite our ups and downs, and our son, too."

"Yeah?" Lori smiled at her. "That's so sweet."

"Do you think—?"

"That's too personal," Carol interrupted Michonne. "You're my best friends, but that's too personal. I can't even think about that. Ever."

"But what if it happens again? You felt something once, and once your son is here, you might feel it again," she pointed out.

"It won't. He'll find someone other girl, and I'll get back to my academics. Besides, I'll have a newborn to raise. I won't have time for any other thoughts."

"If you say so." Michonne pulled into Andrea's parking lot.

The group piled out of the car, Andrea hurried inside before them, Carol wondered what that was about and shrugged. Lori and Michonne walked in front of her, and they held the door open. The house was awkwardly silent, Lori guided Carol down the hall to the den, which so wasn't the game room, and Michonne slid in front of Carol to stand by Lori.

"This isn't the—"

"Surprise!" shouted a group of people inside the room.

"God!" Carol gripped her heart, jolting backwards, and Michonne caught her free hand. "Yeah, this is great. Shock me into labor."

Andrea laughed. "Not the idea, but welcome to your baby shower."

"Are they ususally this intense?" She couldn't steady her pulse.

"This was just for you." Michonne led her inside. "We invited pretty much everyone, even some adults. We kinda ran out of people."

"You four are pretty much my only friends. Plus Daryl and Caesar."

"Exactly our point." Andrea gestured around the room. "We have all of those named. Sasha, Karen, Nana Mel, our parents left gifts but had to work, Amy, Maggie, Beth, Enid. Umm...Paul came, too. I hope that's okay."

"It's okay."

"Oh, and Lilly and Tara came, too." Lori pointed to them in the corner. "Lilly was glad to come."

"Oh? That's nice." She smiled a greeting at them. "Hi."

"We have some gifts from some rando church," Michonne added. "They just stopped by and left an ass ton of stuff. Nobody knows why or who they were, but I know the pastor. He's from my uncle's church."

"Doesn't God frown upon this, though?"

"Maybe they're really open-minded." Andrea shrugged a shoulder. "Anyway, come greet your guests."

Carol went around the room and greeted her guests, hugging her mom and thanking Sasha for coming. She was excited to see Lilly. She had meant to talk to her sooner, but life became crazy, and her memory was for shit these days. She wanted to talk to her longer, but they had to break down the rules of a few games first. Carol didn't want to play games, but they had gone through so much trouble, she couldn't say no. She'd just go along with it. It could be fun.

"Are you nervous?" Lilly joined Carol on the couch with a cup of punch that held a small baby thing covered in ice. They all had cups of punch with ice inside dropped at the same time. They had to say their water broke when the ice fully melted. She didn't get whoever came up with that one.

"If I don't think about it." She drank from the cup. "Unfortunately all I do is think about."

She laughed. "I was the same way. It really isn't that bad."

"You're lying, but I do appreciate it."

"If you have the right support system, the after isn't bad. There is no sugarcoating labor and birth. It sucks. It really sucks." She pursed her lips. "Breastfeeding sucks, too. They leak, and your nipple can, like, bleed."

Carol's mouth fell open in horror. "My nipples will what now?"

She winced. "I'm sorry. I—I'm not really good at conversation. I spend most of time talking to a toddler. My sister hardly counts as adult conversation."

She laughed. "No, no, it's okay. Brutal honesty. It's...refreshing, even if it makes my skin crawl and my eyes want to weep."

"Everything else will make up for it. I mean, holding your baby and teaching it, watching it sleep." She smiled fondly. "Meghan means the world to me. You can't imagine how...amazing having her is. On my worst days, I have my little girl, and everything that's hard and crushing me seems small compared to this little girl who just...loves me unconditionally and believes in me without a single doubt. I'm a hero to her, even when I feel like the world is crashing down, and I can't handle it."

"Yeah?"

She nodded. "You'll love your son so much you won't know what to do with all of it."

"Yeah, I know I will. I already do. Daryl already does." She stroked her belly. "And he loves Daryl. I don't tell him this, because I refuse to let him think he's the favorite parent, but...he kicks like crazy when Daryl talks. It doesn't have to be at him, he just has to talk. He moves around when Daryl touches me. If he touches my arm, it's like he can feel it to and leans that way. It's so weird, but...it's sweet."

"Daryl...is in it, too, then?" Lilly observed her. "He isn't going to back out?"

"No. He's in it for the long haul."

"That's good. You're lucky to have the father so involved."

She frowned at that. "Is Meghan's father not?"

"No. He...tried when she was born, but he eventually stopped contacting me. He changed schools. He changed his phone number. He just vanished." She wiped away the lip mark her lip balm left on her cup. "I'm glad he did it before Meghan knew who he was. I couldn't stand for her to miss someone so...worthless and insignificant. To abandon your own child? You have to the worst human being."

"Without a doubt." She nodded.

She smiled at her. "Meghan's still young. She's almost three. If you want...when he's big enough, they could play together. I could always use more friends."

"I would love that." She shared her smile. "And I'd love if you could help me with him. I mean, just give me advice on how to get him to sleep and stuff. Daryl says I'll be a natural, but I'm not too sure. I'm...anxious."

"There's no such thing as a natural, but it does come easier to some than other. I'd love to help you."

"Oh, no," Paul stated dryly, thrusting his cup into the air, "my water broke!"

Carol and Lilly giggled, among others, and Andrea rolled her eyes at him, offering him a prize baggie. He tore into gleefully, and Maggie and Enid stood over his shoulder to see what he'd won. It was mostly filled with candy, but there was a gift card for ten bucks to Taco Bell, and a pretty cool yo-yo.

"Hey, Mich, could I talk to you?" Caesar scratched the back of his neck and avoided eye contact, using the game win to try and take any attention off him.

"Sure." She untangled herself from Andrea and her conversation with Tara and pulled him outside to the back porch. "You okay?"

He was pretty much sweating bullets. "Not really. I just...need to talk to you. I'm glad you took us away from the party."

"You made it sound like it was personal." She sat on the bench deck and crossed her legs. "What's up?"

"No—not much. Umm...I just wanted to ask you a rather personal conversation." He sat beside her, not caring about any boundaries, and his arm brushed against hers. "How...how did you...you know?"

"Not really." She smiled and set a hand on his shoulder. "Deep breathes, Caesar. It's okay."

"I don't know that it's okay," he erupted. "That I'm okay. I've never dealt with anything like this before, so I don't know what's going on. I don't have a clue what I'm doing or what I did or...or anything."

"Hey, calm down. I'm sure it's nothing bad." She set her other hand on his chest, feeling his heart racing underneath. "Dude, your blood pressure must be sky high. Just calm down."

He exhaled deeply and bit his bottom lip, feeling the skin split, and he squeezed his eyes shut to keep the tears at bay.

"It's okay." She rubbed his shoulder. "Whatever it is, it's all right."

His eyes opened, tears shined in those dark orbs, and Michonne's heart ached. "I don't know what to do, Michonne."

"Talking is a good first step." She met his eyes. "You can trust me. I'm...pretty good at keeping a secret. I intend to be a lawyer, so confidentiality is big with me."

"I feel so confused." He shook his head. "I thought...maybe...but no. No, it doesn't make sense."

"Confused about what?" She tried to guess. "You say it's...not okay? What, do you have feelings for Carol? Is that it?"

"That would be so much simpler."

"Really? You did hear who I said, right?" She arched a brow at him.

"Yeah, I heard." He shook his head. "It's Jesus."

"Christ?"

"No, no, Paul. Maggie's cousin." He felt sick. "I...I don't even know why, but... It's just like with my ex, you know? How I feel. How he makes me feel. But I don't get it. I'm not... I mean, I still feel the same way towards girls as I always have, but I like Paul. I don't understand."

Michonne tenderly beamed at him. "Aww, don't look so pale. It's okay." She squeezed his shoulder. "There is nothing wrong with you. There is nothing to fix or be okay with, all right? Paul is hot. Anyone with eyes can see that. You're not confused."

"I really am. I don't know what's happening. Am I gay now? Or just...is it just him? I don't know. I don't understand."

"Okay, breathe. You picked a good person to talk to. I have...a story for you." She dropped her hands to her lap and locked eyes with him, telling him a story nobody else had heard before.

– – –

"Surprise." Carol dryly said this to Daryl, who didn't look so thrilled to be there. "Are you mad?"

"What? No." He shook his head and set his cup down now that the baby was floating in it. "I just...dunno how to feel. It's weird."

"It's supposed to be exciting, I think. And fun." She laced her fingers together and cradled her belly. "Everyone seems to be having a good time."

"They do." He ran his eyes around the room. "The games ain't too bad."

Her ice clicked in her cup beside his as the baby in the ice finally thawed, and she chuckled. "There goes my water."

He chuckled. "Guess so."

"Hmm. I think we have more games in store. I'm kinda happy about it. About this."

"Are you?" He studied her. "I...haven't heard from you in a bit. You were real upset on Friday."

"Of course." She lowered her voice. "It's embarrassing, Daryl. I don't want to think about it."

"It's just..." He trailed off. "Okay, we won't talk about it. Sorry."

"Thank you." She stepped closer. "We're getting close. Only a few more weeks."

"Yeah, I know." He rubbed the back of his neck and met her eyes. "You scared?"

"To death," she revealed, "but I'll get through it. We'll get through it?"

He smirked. "Don't even have to ask."

She smiled widely. "I'm glad I don't have to."

"After this party, could I have you?" Her brows rose curiously. "I mean, could I take you somewhere?"

"As long as there's no more clay."

"No clay. I promise."

"Then yes. I'd love to." She set a hand on his chest, gently pushing back, and he chuckled. "I have to use the bathroom for the millionth time today, so please entertain our guests. Or at least make sure my mom doesn't get too many "Mom-osa"."

"Deal." He set his hand over hers and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles before she walked by him and headed to the bathroom.

"You guys are sweet." Tara had come to sample the blue babies. They were like nutter butters coated in probably white chocolate dyed blue. She was curious, and they weren't bad. Though the icing eyes didn't make her feel any more comfortable eating it.

"Tara, right?"

"Yeah." She faced him. "I don't suppose you'll try the marriage route, huh?"

"What, us? No. No, we—we aren't even together."

Her brows shot up. "You're not? Oh. Uh, cool. That's really... I mean, I'm sure it'll all work out."

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing." Lilly grasped Tara's arm. "It means nothing. Um, I have to call my dad to see how my daughter's doing. If you'll excuse us. She has my phone."

Daryl narrowed his eyes and was about to follow when a baggie of popcorn was sudden in his path. He found Paul holding it, and he frowned. "What're you doin'?"

"Offering you some actually good popcorn." He held the container out.

"No, thanks."

"Troubles?"

He scoffed. "Nothin' you need to concern yourself with."

"I'm just being nice. Do you always come off so hostile?"

"To people I don't know, yeah."

"You could know me. Carol's getting to know me. She likes me enough to have invited me here. Or, her friends like me enough." He shrugged a shoulder. "I'm not that bad once you get to know me, and you look like you could use a friend."

"I have enough friends."

"You have, like, two friends."

"That's plenty."

"Okay." He lowered the popcorn. "What's the deal with Caesar? He's one of your friends, isn't he?"

"Why'd you want to know?"

"Everyone talks about how nice he is, how supportive and friendly and all of that he is, but...it's bullshit. Just like everything they say about you is bullshit. You're a really good guy, I've noticed. Total softie." He chuckled. "You really can't read a situation, though."

"Look—"

"I'm just joking." He held a hand up. "I just want to make some friends. I'm new. Everyone wants to be around me, but they're just...in the middle or beginning of trying to find out who they are. You seem to have it figured out. I thought "Finally, someone who isn't just another teenager wondering what to wear to prom"."

Daryl didn't know what to say to him. "Caesar is a good guy," he opted. "He's just...hard to get used to."

"That's one way of putting it."

"Putting what?" Enid helped herself to his popcorn. "Salty."

"It's nothing." He dragged a hand through his hair, still not used to his short locks. "I'm gonna use the bathroom."

"The second one is down the hall to the right," Andrea told him.

"Thanks." He handed his popcorn off to Enid and strolled out of the room.

"He's not so bad," Enid informed Daryl. "He's...not too good at first impressions. Neither am I, though."

"Better than him," Daryl assured her.

Paul blew out an impressed breath at the size of Andrea's house, finally finding his way to the bathroom, and he was about to enter when he heard odd breathing from further down the hall. He lifted his head and saw Carol leaning against the wall, looking...very uneasy.

"Hey, you okay?" He jogged over to her and grasped her upper arms. "Is it the baby?"

"I don't know." She whimpered. "It's... It just hurts."

"Hurts? Like contractions?"

"I don't know. Could you get my mom?"

"Oh, yeah, stay here."

"I don't plan on moving."

"Right." He ran back to the den. "Uh...Carol's mom?"

Karen stopped mid laugh and turned to the young man, setting her drink down at the panic on his face. "Where is she?"

Pretty much everyone came to see what was going on, but Karen and Daryl reached her first. Karen grasped her cheeks and asked her what was going on, and Daryl had his hand stolen as she wanted it. Carol tried to explain what it felt like, and Karen was about to take her to the hospital.

"It's okay." Lilly slipped between Paul and Maggie. "It's just Braxton Hicks. I went through the same thing. Most women supposedly don't feel them."

"So, it's okay?" Carol gasped softly. "It's normal?"

"Completely." She nodded. "But if you want to see your doctor, I understand. I do know a few ways to help settle them. My dad busted out Google, and it did help."

"No, I believe you. I read about labor and contractions. This doesn't seem like that."

"Here." Lilly held out her hand. "Let's sit you down. You've been on your feet for a while."

Andrea offered, "I'll make you some tea."

Carol let go of Daryl's and gripped hers, letting Lilly take her back to the den.

"Well, that was one way to put everyone on edge," Sasha commented.

"Yeah." Karen was glad it wasn't the real thing. She wasn't ready for that. She didn't even have a hospital bag packed or with her for Carol.

They all returned to den to find Michonne and Caesar looking very confused, Carol explained what happened, and Michonne mentioned how some women didn't feel them. Carol only glared, and Caesar laughed, joining her on the couch to keep her company. He needed something else to think about.

"Calm down, little guy." Caesar didn't touch her stomach just in case it made her...whatevers worse. "It's not your day yet."

"Hopefully it won't be any time soon either," Carol murmured at her son.

"You can't keep him all to yourself now," he mused.

"I can try." She smirked at him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Mmm."

"I know." He bumped his head against hers. "It'll be okay."

"I hope so." She set a hand on her stomach and gently stroked it. "Time's just flown by, Caesar."

"I know. Feels like only yesterday, I took you two out for a milkshake and burgers."

She giggled. "Hmm, that sounds good."

"I can and will go pick one up for you."

"No, I'm okay. Just sounds good."

"Offer's on the table. Long as you need it."

"Thanks, Caesar."

"I got you." He smirked. "And even if I didn't, you're laying on my arm, so I'm stuck here."

"I'm sorry, but it feels good against my back. Sorry."

"Just...coulda let me get some crackers or something."

She giggled.

"Okay, I'm bored." Andrea announced. "Who wants to see Daddy dearest vs. Auntie Lori chug down on apple juice? There's a pretty decent prize."

"Can we take bets?" Maggie inquired. "I've seen Lori with water in gym, so my money's on her."

"Yeah, but have you seen her drink out of a baby bottle?" Michonne held up two baby bottles filled with apple juice.

"That's embarassing." Lori accepted her bottle. "What's the prize?"

"A surprise for the winner, so get ready to suck," she whispered the end. "Practice for Rick."

She wanted to squirt it all over Andrea's face, but it'd be cheating, so she just kicked her shoe.

"Okay, ready?" Andrea grinned at Lori and Daryl.

Daryl had been in many drinking contests. This was the first with apple juice, but not the first with a baby's bottle. At least he won't have to stop the baby from drinking the loser's whiskey.

"Go!"

– – –

Daryl had won. Hands down. He won a bag filled with bath salts and oils and a thirty dollar gift card to Taco Bell. He gave the bag to Carol, who giggled and made him take it back. He sat down beside her and argued why he didn't need it while Caesar broke free and went for the finger sandwiches.

Soon after all the games had been played and all the prizes won, it was time to open the gifts. Daryl let Carol have fun with it, but Andrea and Karen were insistent. Especially when it came to the very first gift. It was huge and heavy, and Daryl was pretty sure it was a crib.

"I pooled together my allowances," Michonne told them, "and bought this. My mom helped me pick it out. I hope it's a good color. It oughta match Carol's room."

It was a changing table. It was oak and beautiful according to the design. Daryl assured her he could put it together, and Carol hugged Michonne.

"Thank you. I hadn't even thought of this."

"Yeah, well, I have a baby brother, so I know how this works."

"Thanks," Daryl smiled a little at her.

They were then handed multiple gifts to open. Carol had gotten more of the clothes items; Daryl got the diapers and bathing kits. They received some child proofing packs and some weird detecter that Karen said she'd help them with.

"Here." Maggie handed over a bag, and Carol pulled out a Mason jar filled with white...lotion? "I know it's not much, but it's a homemade diaper rash cream. It's completely natural, and it works realy well. My mom thought it'd be helpful."

"Aww, thank you." She removed the top and sniffed. "It even smells good."

"Smells like herbs," Daryl muttered.

"Okay, bloodhound."

He laughed. "It's the truth."

Carol closed it and stuck her tongue out at him, moving to the next gift. "Oh, a card." She wondered if there as a gift card inside. "Oh, it's from you, Caesar." She pulled it from the envelope and found only a card. It was still super sweet. "Aww."

"There's more to it than that. It's just at Daryl's."

"Why is it there?" Carol looked at him, and he sent a glare to Caesar. "What's going on?"

"It's why I want to hang out after—to show you his gift."

"All right. That sounds...weird, but I'm excited." She set the card down. "I love the card."

"Dad picked it out. He's better at card picking than me."

"Yeah," Daryl agreed under his breath.

"I really didn't know what to bring," Enid confessed, "and I really don't know you."

"It's okay. You came, and that was sweet." Carol smiled. "It makes me feel less lonely."

"I did bring you something, but I don't know if you'll like it." She handed it over. "It's a mobile that thing that goes over a crib and play music. Um, Beth and I wrote the music and song, and it's recorded onto it. But um, if you can't stand it or he can't, it's totally fine. You can record over it."

"Enid, that's... That's awesome." She accepted the box and felt tears in her eyes. "That's really cool."

"Oh, don't cry. I didn't mean to make you cry."

"I'm pregnant. At this point, weird-shaped tomatoes make me cry." She tried to laugh it off and wiped at her eye.

"Why?" Enid questioned, confused.

"No, no, no." Daryl and Lori shook their head. "Don't!"

"Um, here." Paul handed over his gift to keep her mind off of why. "It's a baby beanie."

"A beanie?" She laughed. "Like the one you always wear?"

"Yeah, only it's blue. I kinda guessed on the sex. Got pretty lucky."

"Or boys are all you think about," Enid teased.

"That's true, too, but a whole different conversation." He nudged her side.

"Aww. It's so tiny." Carol held it out of the bag. "Daryl, look how tiny."

He tried not to seem like an ass, but it was just a tiny beanie. Why was she so easily amused today? She was happy, and that made him happy, but man, she was off today. A good off. "Yeah, it's...tiny."

"I love it."

That was pretty much her response for a lot of things, but it was adorable. They opened all the gifts, Lilly and Tara had to leave early, and Maggie had to get Enid home, so she got ready to leave. Paul wanted to linger, but he had no other ride, so he got his jacket. Sasha hugged Carol and told them she'd see them at school. Karen walked her out, and Caesar hovered by Michonne. Andrea had gone to ask if Michonne could stay over. Lori made comments.

"I could stay over, too," Lori mentioned to Michonne.

"Not tonight." She sent her a sharp look. "We have plans."

"What kind of plans?" Lori feigned innocent.

"None. Of. Your. Business." She poked her forehead and walked out of the room.

"Joy kill." Lori went after her.

"I have to pee before we leave." Carol stood up. "Um, Mom's gonna take most of this home. Do you want anything?"

"Nah, not yet. I'll help her load it up, though." Daryl was on his feet and moving towards the changing table.

"Here." Paul gave him a hand. "Enid, get the door, please."

Carol headed to the bathroom, Daryl, Caesar and Paul loaded up the car, and everyone said their goodbyes. Carol thanked Andrea for hosting a pretty damn awesome shower, and Daryl gave his version of thanks. They left together.

"Does anybody remember how I came here with Lilly?" Caesar threw out. "I can always walk home, but it's cold, and honestly, I don't have a lot of energy."

"Oh, I could take you home." Andrea really didn't want to.

"Wow, you really don't want to take me home."

"I'm sorry." She couldn't help it. She had plans with her girlfriend, and she wanted to get them started.

"We can take you home." Paul shrugged into jacket. "We have room."

"Won't Maggie mind?" Caesar inquired. "Or Enid? It's out of the way. At least twenty minutes. If not more, you guys do leave out of the city."

"It's no problem." He lightly hit his shoulder. "And you can always pay us gas money, if you feel that badly."

"Cool." He sent a panicked look to Michonne.

"Wear a seat belt." Michonne waved.

"Bitch," he mouthed and followed after Paul.

"What the hell was that?" Andrea didn't approve of him calling her girl a bitch.

"It's fine. Don't get all overprotective. He's not wrong."

"Okay." She closed the door. "All of our guests are gone, do you wanna go to my room?"

"I'd rather go swimming."

"It's like twenty-nine degrees."

"Then you'll just have to keep hot."

Andrea shook her head. "You do realize my parents can see into the backyard, right?"

"Your parents go to bed every night at nine. They're overworked, and they really don't pay attention to what we do. I mean, do you remember the other night?"

"Fondly." She kissed her. "I have some swim suits in my room."

"See, but I wore something special just for this." She walked backward towards the kitchen. "Come on."

"I'm wearing a sports bra," Andrea followed her. "It's not even cute."

"Then take it off." Michonne spun on her heel and vanished into the kitchen.

She hoped Amy wasn't planning on taking a swim. It clearly was going to be rated R. God, what the hell was she so hot? "Hold on!" She hurried after her.

––

Carol pursed her lips as Daryl drove towards his work instead of towards his home, and he couldn't contain his smile as she grew more and more suspicious of this trip. He started to wheeze laughter at her, and she couldn't keep silent anymore.

"Why are we going to your work? I thought you were taking me to your place to show me Caesar's gift."

"I am." He cleared his throat. "Just hold on."

"Why are you laughing at me?"

"I'm not. I'm just...coughing."

"Lair." She couldn't help smiling at his laughter. "Just tell me what's going on."

"I'm gonna show you instead."

"Okay..."

He pulled into the parking lot behind the soon to be bakery, digging the key out of his pocket, and Carol followed him out of the car. He guided her into the building and up the stairs. She was invested at this point, and when he unlocked the door, she gasped and flew inside.

"What the...?" She searched the place.

Daryl closed the door. "The gift's in here," he called.

"In here?" She stepped out of the kitchen. "What's here, Daryl?"

"My new place."

"What? Your—your new place? You own this place?"

"I rent."

"Oh, my God." She gaped. "That's...wow. You rent. From who? I thought this place was for sale."

"It was." He explained what happened, leading her to the corner to where Caesar's gift was.

"Wow, that's...a lot to take in." She met his eyes. "How do you feel about this? Or Merle?"

"I want it. I want this place." He nodded with confidence. "It's a new start, which'll be good for the baby, and I can keep him overnight now. I want him to grow up here with me. And I want you to feel comfortable here, too."

"Why?"

"Because the life I'm tryin' to build, I want you to be a part of it. You and our son and Merle. Is that okay?"

"It's very okay." She blushed somewhat. "I like that. And I'm happy for you. You can have weekends."

He chuckled. "Yeah. Got the stroller for it and everythin'."

"It doubles as a car seat, too." She'd read the note attached to the handle bars.

"Nice."

"We have a lot of good friends. We got a lot of awesome gifts tonight."

"We did," he concurred. "Just not a crib. We'll have to invest in one of those."

"Yeah, but we have the bassinet. We can go shopping for one soon. I just need to finish up that corner, but we should get on it."

"Just let me know when you're ready."

"When we're ready."

He peeked at her face. "It's all happenin', isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is. It's kinda blurry and rushed, right?"

"Some of it, but...that's good. I mean, I want to meet him. I want to hold him. Don't you?"

"I really do."

"Maybe...it's a good rushed and blurry."

"Maybe so." She nudged his arm and chuckled. "I can't believe how things turned out."

"Me either." He exhaled. "Should I get you home? Or do you...wanna hang out for a bit?"

"I'd like to hang around, if that's okay."

"Yeah. I ain't got much, but Amaro left me some drinks and a couple snacks. I told him about bringin' you over, and he wanted to make sure we would be taken care of." He went to the kitchen and got her bottle of coconut water. He knew she loved it, and Amaro had seen Dary's shopping list at work, so he bought an asston. He'd been drinking coconut water well into college. Maybe even retirement.

"That's thoughtful of him." Carol cracked the top off and drank deeply. It was so cold and tasty. It hit a spot she didn't know she had.

"Um, how about I give you the grand tour?"

She swallowed. "I'd love that."

"C'mere." He grasped her hand, she looked down at their hands and gently weaved her fingers through his. He squeezed them, and she smiled softly. "Wanna see our son's room?"

"Yeah."