A/N: Sorry this took so long, but here's a little update.
They drove back to Carol's brother's house listening to the radio and the kids were talking a mile a minute until one by one they fell asleep in the back seat. Their bellies were full of junk food and they had a wonderful time at the fair. They were all in love with Travis. He had a way with kids that impressed his father.
As the drove home later Lizzie had asked him to turn up the radio at one point because Carol's favorite song was on. "That's Mommy's favorite song!"
"Tonight, Tonight" and Lizzie sung every word.
He knew it of course, he remembered that song, the day she pulled up at the garage it was playing in her car. He looked over at her and took her hand. That had been a long time ago and they had both come so far.
When they got to her house, he helped her carry the girls in, because they were all sleeping now. Abe came out so that all three children were brought in at the same time.
Carol and Daryl sat down on the porch steps after the kids were tucked in. Rosie and Abe were getting drinks and then they would come outside and join them.
"Do you know how many nights we sat out here when we were kids?" She said.
"Like every night, I fell asleep out here one night, Jim got me in the morning." Daryl said.
She looked over at him. She didn't know about the first time he met her father. Neither one of them had ever told her.
"He did?" She asked.
"I woke up with a boot on my neck."
Carol started to laugh. "Only my father, and he liked you a lot, even after I left, he would say if he saw you around town."
He took her hand and kissed it.
"Liked him too." He said and she smiled. "Loved him."
He put his arm around her.
"Well, it's been five days, no word from up north hmm?" He asked.
She shook her head. "He won't call again."
"I dunno sis." Abe said as he and Rosie came out with sodas for everyone. "He's kind of a dick, I'd be real surprised if he took this laying down."
He handed them the drinks and he and Rosie sat down with them. It was dark except for the moon and they could hear the crickets in the distance.
"I don't trust him at all Carol." Abe started.
"I didn't ask for anything, he won't have alimony because Daryl and I are getting married as soon as the ink is dry on the papers. Maybe it will be easy." Carol said. "He read the papers I'm sure and sees its best if he doesn't pull any crap."
"It was you who told me about all his threats, sis. I just think we should be prepared is all." Abe said.
Carol nodded placing her head on Daryl's shoulder.
"You need to be prepared to go from one child to four." She nudged his shoulder. "And girls. They bring the drama."
"I'll be fine." He rubbed his hand over her shoulder. "I got this."
"Abe, we've been wanting to talk to you guys." Carol turned to them. "Ok, Daryl, for us to ask now?"
He nodded.
"We want to know if we can do it here, maybe by the pond and then have a small party here."
Rosita let out a squeal. "Yes." She cried. "It's going to be so great!"
Rosita refused to marry Abe, but she was excited for Carol. She deserved a break in Rosita's opinion.
"We both had the big wedding already and we don't want a big thing this time." Daryl said.
"Do the girls know?" Rosita asked.
Carol shook her head. "Not yet, we are taking it one thing at a time."
"Ok." Abe said. "Mums the word, but now about your dick ex-husband."
"He's threatened you before Carol." Rosita said and she watched the look on Daryl's face go from happy to dark in that moment.
"I'm not afraid of him, not anymore, he's called a few times and said he wanted to come see the kids. I told him its fine because he won't pursue it, he doesn't have time." Carol said. "He's too wrapped up in his ego at work and fucking the scrub nurse."
"Ok, he comes around here though, I got Dad's shot gun." Abe said.
"I know you do." Carol said smiling.
"And I will not hesitate." Abe said.
"You guys coming to Rick's barbeque tomorrow?" Carol asked her brother.
"Wouldn't miss it." Rosita said.
"I've missed everyone, I'm so glad to be back." Carol said looking up at the sky, thanking God for bringing her home finally.
Thank you for reading let me know what you think.