Snow
Judith Grimes squealed with delight as she ran back and forth between Carol and Daryl in the soft, fluffy snow that had fallen the night before. They were in the mountains, somewhere near or just inside of Virginia. The group had taken shelter in a log cabin. It was a large one with two stories and three fireplaces. It reminded Carol of the ski resort her parents had taken her to when she was just a little girl. She remembered the fresh snow and how as a child, the cold hadn't bothered her nearly as much as it did now.
"Judith Grimes, get back here before we lose you in all this snow!" Carol called out, unable to stop herself from laughing at how excited the little girl was.
"Asskicker's first snow," Daryl said pointedly, grabbing Carol around the waist as she chased after Judith. "Let her have her fun."
"She's going to freeze her little toes off," Carol pointed out.
"Let her have her fun," Daryl encouraged. Carol sighed and wrapped her arms around him as she pulled her in for a hug. Judith jumped into a large pile of snow, and a sparkly white cloud of snow dust rose up around her. She giggled and clapped her hands.
"No! No!" she called happily.
"Snow," Carol corrected.
"No!" Judith giggled. Daryl chuckled and let go of Carol so she could chase after Judith again. Carol picked her up, hauling her up in the air for a brief moment.
"You're gonna turn into a snow baby if you stay out here much longer," Carol chuckled, kissing the baby's nose. Judith laughed and wriggled, trying to get out of Carol's arms so she could play some more. Finally, Carol let her down, and the baby took off again, running around in circles as the snow started falling again.
Daryl moved up behind Carol, wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder. She smiled, snuggling into him and sighed when he kissed her neck.
"I hate snow," Carol laughed, "but it's pretty magical to see it through a baby's eyes again." He felt her shoulders shake as she let out a slow breath, and without even having to ask, he knew she was thinking of Sophia. He hugged her close, and she sighed, leaning into his chest.
"Da!" Judith looked right at Daryl, and Carol laughed.
"She wants you. Go on. Show her how to make snow angels."
"Snow angels?" Daryl groaned, getting a giggle out of Carol.
"Let her have her fun, Daryl," she teased, throwing his words back at him. Daryl sighed and resigned himself to making snow angels with Judith for the rest of the afternoon.