Chapter Fourteen

Daryl's belly growled as he followed Carol into the house. He shrugged at her knowing grin and handed over his jacket to hang beside hers on the coat rack. "Sorry, I'm starved."

"When aren't you starved," she chuckled.

"We're not still goin' out, right? Your mom had said she wanted t' go t' Atlanta t' that new Chinese place, an' I jus' don't know if I got it in me after school and work."

Carol shifted nervously. "No, I'm sure there's been a change in plans … since your change in jobs and all."

His eyes narrowed, studiously searching her face. "What're y' hidin' from me, Car?"

Thankfully, her mother bursting through the front door behind them prevented her from answering. She hated to lie to Daryl, even if it was by omission, but she'd hate to ruin the surprise even more. "Mom!" Carol cast a bewildered glance between Francine and the den where she knew the rest of their friends were congregated.

Fran ignored Carol and pulled Daryl into a fierce hug. "Daryl, sweetheart … happy birthday!" she gushed, kissing him on the cheek. "Have you had a good day so far?"

Daryl returned her hug, unable to halt the grin spreading over his face. "Yes, ma'am. It's been … interesting," he said, shooting a heated look in Carol's direction.

His girl blushed to the roots of her auburn hair, but she ignored his comment, reaching out to her mother and pulling a piece of packaging filler from her shoulder-length curls. "Mother, what've you been doing, hmm?" she asked in a droll tone. "And why are you just getting home?"

Francine waggled her brows, close-mouthed as ever. "Never you mind, dear," she replied, slipping out of her coat and hanging it up. She set off ahead of them, dodging her daughter's inquisitive looks as she headed towards the den. "I wonder if your father ordered dinner like I asked."

Daryl gave Carol a pointed look as he linked his fingers with hers, jerking his head to Francine as he silently asked if she was going to tell her their news. He was rather surprised it hadn't been the first thing out of her mouth when Francine had come through the door. All day, Carol had been telling anyone who would listen about them going steady.

He was still pondering her odd behavior – she was entirely too fidgety – when Francine opened the double doors leading into the den and a chorus of "SURPRISE!" rang throughout the room. He stood momentarily frozen, stunned as their friends rushed forward to wish him a happy birthday. Stars danced behind his eyes as William stood nearby, snapping pictures, the flash bright after the dimness of the hallway.

"Betcha thought we forgot, huh?" Rick said, clapping Daryl on the shoulder.

Daryl chuckled. "Yeah, kinda … when y' didn't say anythin' at lunch."

Maggie rushed forward and popped him in the cheek with a noisemaker before giving him a hug. "Never!"

Glenn got in a fist bump. "We're not just friends, Daryl. You're our family."

Lori leaned in for a hug of her own. "The best family."

The six of them stood there in a circle, grinning like idiots, just happy to all be there together to celebrate his birthday. William herded them into a pose, Daryl and Carol standing while the other four knelt in front of them while Francine hid her tears behind a lacy handkerchief. Once she'd seen the sheen of moisture in Daryl's eyes, she'd pretty much lost it. She was thrilled to see her boy so happy.

Daryl kept his girl close to his side, hating to be photographed, but unable to deny her parents request for the pictures. He kept a small smile on his face, taking in the party favors and the banner hung over the big picture window reading 'Happy 18th Birthday, Daryl'. This was how families were supposed to act when one of them turned another year older. The one time Jackson had deigned to remember Daryl's birthday, his gift had been a slap upside his head. And this year, he wouldn't have to hide the gift Carol always gave him, afraid his old man would try to pawn it. There, in William's den, surrounded by his 'family' and friends, he couldn't remember ever feeling so loved. It was humbling.

Maggie blew her noisemaker again to get everyone's attention. "So, what now? Food or presents?" she asked excitedly.

"FOOD!" the guys practically shouted.

The girls rolled their eyes.

Francine led the way to the dining room, which had totally been transformed. More streamers and balloons hung from the chandelier and the dining table had been removed to make way for a long low table surrounded by huge plump pillows to sit on. "Wow, Mom, you really went all out," Carol complimented.

Daryl elbowed his way past Rick to be the first one at the buffet style table in the corner, laden with all his favorite Chinese dishes. He was already munching an eggroll when he finally sat down.

Francine chuckled. "Daryl, slow down, sweetheart. You're going to give yourself indigestion."

"Starvin'," he mumbled around a bite of sesame chicken. "This is great, Mrs. Mason. 'S it from China Express here in town? I don't remember their eggrolls bein' this good."

Carol's dad shook his head from where he sat to Daryl's right at the head of the table. "No, since we couldn't take you to Atlanta, we thought we'd bring it to you. This is from Pagoda Dragon."

Daryl set his fork down and shook his head. "Y'all didn't have t' go t' all that trouble for me, Mr. Mason."

"Nonsense, son. You're only eighteen once, and we wanted to help make it memorable," William said with a soft smile.

Their friends were laughing and joking, and Daryl felt his heart flutter again at the open warmth in the room. He only wished his brother could have been there to celebrate with them. He caught Francine's eye across the table and mouthed 'thank you', unable to get the words past the onslaught of emotion constricting his throat. She simply nodded, her smile filled with all the motherly devotion she felt for him.

Carol leaned over, her warm breath tickling his ear. "You ok? Would you like to get some air?"

He sucked in a deep breath and picked up his fork again. "Naw … I'm good," he assured her. Somehow, she always knew exactly what he needed, and he would be forever grateful. He just hoped as time passed, he could give her even a fraction of what she so selflessly gave him emotionally.

Francine's fork clattered to her plate, her hands flying up to cover her mouth as her eyes grew to the size of dessert plates. "Carol!"

His girl turned her startled gaze on her mother. "What?!"

"Why are you wearing Daryl's ring?" she fairly shrieked.

"Franny, calm down, dear. You're going to hyperventilate," William warned as he bit into a piece of shrimp toast.

"But, William … she … he … ring!"

Maggie and Lori shared a smug look.

Glenn nudged Rick in the ribs with an elbow. "She reacted nearly as badly as Mags did at lunch."

The teens in question both blushed, but it was Carol who answered. "Well, Mom, when I tried to call, you were off doing god knows what on some secret mission and wouldn't answer my calls. Then when you came in, we were so distracted with the surprise for Daryl, I guess I forgot to mention it," Carol bit out in a rush.

"Forgot?!" Maggie snorted. "Forgot!? This from the same girl who all day has been shoving that ring in the face of every bimbo who's ever even thought of looking at Daryl? I think not."

Daryl shoved half an eggroll into his mouth to prevent himself from having to answer. There was no way he was getting in the middle of this.

"Well, it's about time!" Francine chortled. "The electricity coming from you two could power the grid for more than a month."

"Franny!"

"Mom!"

Francine took a sip of her iced tea and shrugged, her expression one of complete innocence. "What?"

*.*.*

"I was robbed!" Rick roared, falling back against the cushions on the love seat next to Lori. "That was a trick question."

Daryl stared at him in helpless surprise. "Man, I cain't believe y' missed a sports question. That's your best category."

Francine sipped daintily from her glass of wine from the armchair she shared with her husband, quietly enjoying watching the teens play Trivial Pursuit. They'd adjourned to the den after dinner, needing time to digest before she served the cake. Mostly, she was content just watching Daryl so relaxed as he sat next to Carol, gently stroking her back without even realizing what he was doing.

Maggie drummed her nails on the coffee table where she sat next to Glenn on the rug. "Well, there's no chance of catching up despite Rick's fumble," she groused with good humor. "Smash him, Daryl."

Lori reached for a card while Rick sulked and looked at the pair on the sofa as Carol rolled the die. "Alright, guys, this is for the win, and the category is science. Who's going to take it?"

Carol winced. She was good at science, but Daryl was better … though he'd never willingly admit it. "This one is Daryl's," she said, holding up her hands in surrender.

The group leaned forward in anticipation. They took their games seriously, each one of them competitive in their own right. Daryl gnawed on the inside of his lower lip and nodded.

Lori chuckled. "Oh, even you won't get this one, Dixon."

"C'mon … try me," he said, his eyes narrowing.

"Ok … What is the scientific name for a rabbit's tail?"

Maggie had a death grip on Glenn's hand, her eyes wide. Glenn winced.

Daryl's lips slowly spread into a smug smirk. "A scut."

Lori's face fell as she tossed the card onto the center of the game board. "No way! How'd you know that?"

Rick laughed outright at the mock outrage on his girlfriend's face. "Duh, Lori, he wants to be a vet. Why wouldn't he know that?"

"That was well-played," William toasted them. "But now I think it's time for presents. You're lucky Franny has contained her eagerness this long."

"Oh, hush, Will," she admonished gently, her eyes twinkling.

Carol and Maggie hurried to put the game away as Rick and Glenn took the small pile of presents from William's desk and stacked them on the coffee table in front of Daryl.

Rick gave a quick count and frowned. "Uh, Carol … I don't see yours here. Did you leave it upstairs or something?"

Daryl grinned, his fingers linked with Carol's. "She gave it t' me last night."

Glenn nearly choked on his Coke. "Did she now?"

Maggie punched him in the arm. "God, Glenn, her parents are sitting right there," she gritted out through clenched teeth. Carol's mouth dropped open, shocked that anything could make Maggie blush.

"Y' asshole." He pulled up his photos on his phone and showed them the pic of his gift. "Best present though."

"How do you know? You haven't opened the others yet," Lori questioned.

"She's wearin' my ring ain't she? Ain't no material gift could ever top that," he said, smiling as she nestled into his side and rested her head on his shoulder.

Lori and Maggie 'aww-ed' before she turned to Rick and swatted his shoulder. "Why can't you be romantic like that?!"

"Ow!"

Francine decided it was her turn to intervene, taking a seat beside her kids on the sofa and picking a gift off the top of the pile. "Here, sweetheart, let's get started before Lori and Rick come to blows." She leaned over to whisper. "My money's on her."

Daryl chuckled and tore open the envelope to find a gift card to the home improvement store in Peachtree City. It was from Glenn. "I know you've been working on the cabin, and thought it might help with some of the supplies. Something practical, y'know?"

"Thanks, man, it's great," Daryl said. Any little bit would help, he thought, handing it to Carol as her mother set a box on his lap.

This one was from Rick. Inside was a pack of black t-shirts and a hunter green long sleeved button up. "Thought you might want to wear that to the dance, considering there's very little you own which haven't had the sleeves ripped off."

"Ha ha, Grimes."

Next was Lori's. His eyes lit up when he saw the fine leather-bound journal inside with its loose-leaf inserts, pockets, calendar and contacts list. "You're going to need something like that for college next fall." It amazed him how much thought his friends had put into their gifts.

"This is … thanks, Lori, really."

Maggie was practically bouncing on her heels when Francine handed him her gift. He was almost afraid to open it. Her jade eyes held a calculating gleam and her hands were clasped beneath her chin with evident glee. Uh-oh!

When Daryl hesitated, Carol reached over to feel the packaging to see if she could guess what it was. "It feels like a book. Go on, Daryl, how bad could it be?"

He arched a dubious brow at his girl and then ripped the paper … wishing the floor would open and swallow him whole. How to Please Your Woman by Anne O'Shea. His face burned as he quickly shoved the paperback behind him before either Carol or Francine could get a good look at it.

"Oh, you're going to pay for that one, Greene," he warned in his most menacing growl.

Maggie nearly choked on her suppressed laughter, falling back against Glenn.

"What is it?" Carol asked, trying to inch her hand behind him to retrieve the book.

"NO! There ain't no way I'm showing y', Carol. Forget it," he mumbled heatedly, wondering if the blush would ever recede from his face. He doubted he'd ever been more mortified.

"Aw, c'mon, Dixon, don't be like that," Maggie cajoled. "I'm sure it will be very … informative." And she set off into peals of laughter.

Francine wished she could be in on the joke, but she was too anxious to present the gift she and William had picked out together for their boy. "Speaking of college," she interrupted the silent war between Daryl and Maggie. "I think you'll find this quite useful."

Daryl's hands smoothed over the scarlet wrapping paper, a little line forming between his brows as he met her gaze. "Y' already threw this wonderful party for me, Mrs. Mason. I shouldn't –"

"But you will," she insisted. She cupped his cheek in her hand as the others grew silent, watching them. "Today – of all days – you will let me spoil you."

William came to stand behind the sofa and rested a hand on Daryl's shoulder. "Son … please."

Daryl felt his chest tighten. He was so very thankful to have them in his life. It didn't matter what was in the box or how many parties they wanted to throw for him … it was the love he could feel radiating from them which made it easy to forget his pain, his sorrow, and bask in their warmth, the warmth of his 'family'. He chewed the inside of his lip and let it go, sliding the huge gold bow and ribbon off and tearing into the paper.

"A laptop? Y' kiddin' me!" He speared them both with his stunned cobalt gaze. "It's too much."

"Nonsense," William said. "Your academic workload is going to be tripled when you get into Cornell, and this will make it easier. You can't expect to share with Carol when she's going to be working just as hard as you."

"T-Thank you … so much," he said, burying his face against Francine's shoulder as she pulled him into a hug.

"You're so welcome, sweetheart," Francine sniffled, equally moved.

"Thank all o' y'all for everything. This weekend, I want y'all t' come on out t' th' cabin. Merle's gonna be home. We'll throw some meat on th' pit an' barbeque, make a day of it."

"Hell yeah!" Rick whooped.

Francine got the girl's moving to clean up the wrapping paper while she dragged Carol off to the kitchen with her to get the cake.

*.*.*

Francine shut the kitchen door behind her as Carol preceded her into the kitchen. She ignored the small catering staff from Pagoda Dragon, finishing their clean up and pulled her daughter into her arms. Carol went willingly, snuggling happily into her mother's embrace. "Thank you, Mom … so much."

Fran brushed an errant curl behind Carol's ear as she continued to stroke her hair. "For what, darling?"

"For loving Daryl as much as I do, and for throwing him this wonderful party," Carol sniffled, pulling away so Francine could see the genuine gratitude etched on her features.

Francine ushered her over to the breakfast nook and pulled out a chair. "You know your father and I have always thought of him as ours. He's too good for the likes of Jackson Dixon," she spat bitterly. "And I'm so thrilled to see the both of you so happy."

Carol curled her legs under her and leaned forward on the table, clasping her mother's hands in her own. "Oh, Mom, I am, but … I was so afraid to tell him."

A little furrow appeared between Fran's auburn brows. "Why? You can't be that obtuse, Carol Ann. Anyone can see how much the boy adores you."

Carol waved a dismissive hand. "I knew he loved me, Mom … just not that he was in love with me. I was afraid if I told him how I felt, things would change. I didn't want to lose him."

Francine cupped Carol's chin in her hand, her voice gentle when she spoke. "Sweetheart, things will always change. It's how you grow. You've always been so gung-ho with your decisions. Once you've made up your mind about something you always follow through immediately, and most of the time your instincts are correct."

"But this is different, Mom. This is my heart, Daryl's heart. I could deal with it if he only wanted to be friends." She ducked her head, biting her lip for a moment as a wealth of pain crushed her chest and made it hard to breathe. "I wouldn't like it, but I would find some way to remain friends with him. I just couldn't stand the thought of hurting him. I didn't want him to feel pressured if he didn't love me back."

Fran wasn't surprised in the least, remembering the conversation she'd had with him just days before when he'd told her of his fears. "How did he react … when you told him? I'm assuming you told him first?"

Carol's smile turned dreamy. "At first I thought I'd screwed everything up and he was going to have another panic attack, but then … " she sighed. "Oh, Mom, he was so sweet. I still get butterflies thinking of some of the things he said to me last night." Her face lit up like a roman candle. "And then he kissed me, and he was so shy and hesitant, and … wow."

Her mother let out a rather undignified squeak before she composed herself. "Please, Carol Ann, tell me you're being responsible."

"Mom! Gawd!" she squawked, burying her face in her hands, totally mortified. "I'm still taking my birth control, if that's what you're asking, but we're not ready for that yet." Leave it to Francine to bring up a subject she'd like to avoid. If she was going to talk about safe sex with anyone, it would be Daryl. Though, she had to admit, she was glad her cycles weren't regular and had been on the pill for several years now.

Fran reached out and cupped her hands over Carol's, giving them a gentle squeeze. "I just wanted to make sure, darling. Do you think I'm so old I can't remember how it felt to be in the first bloom of love? I can't tell you how many times your father snuck in through my window –"

"MOM! Please, I don't want to know stuff about you and dad. Ew!" she cringed.

"All I'm saying is … I remember what it's like and how carried away you can get when your hormones are out of control. Carol, I'm too young to be a grandmother!"

Carol leaned over and banged her head on the table several times. At least, Francine hadn't dragged Daryl in there with them for the talk. "OK! Moving on … I want to know what you've been up to."

Francine looked away guiltily. "Nothing. Well, nothing too extravagant."

Carol groaned. "You saw how he reacted to his birthday present. He was overwhelmed. I don't want you to –"

"I just bought him and Merle a housewarming gift," Francine finally admitted. She reached into her pocket and slid Carol's key to the cabin towards her.

"You took my key?!" she asked in a horrified whisper.

"Well, I couldn't have it installed without a way to get in, now could I?" Fran sighed, folding her hands on the table in front of her. "Daryl and Merle want a fresh start. I, for one, couldn't just sit back and not do my part. I'm sure once the shock wears off, he's going to love it."

Carol shot a panicked look at her mother. Shock? Oh, hell! "We'll be lucky if he doesn't wring both our necks."

Francine just smiled and rose from the table. "Come along, dear. It's about time our boy had his cake."

A/n: Well, I really hope you enjoyed the party. It was a struggle, but I really wanted to post this chapter on my own birthday. So glad I made it :) I promise next chapter will be the big reveal of Francine's gift. Thank you all so much for the lovely reviews you've been leaving on this story. It makes me so incredibly happy to have your support. *hugs*