AN: hey guys new chapter...bringing in my oc Perez, all you need to know about him is that he likes to curse. FYI apparently this site doesn't send out notifications if you update at certain times in the night...sorry if you missed my last update my insomnia was in full swing and I updated at 4am.

Let me know what you think:)

I do not own or profit from The Walking Dead

SHELTER

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Getting admitted to a hospital sucked shit. The repetitive paperwork, the questions, the paperwork. Daryl was exhausted by the time they made it to his room.

The VA had given him a private room this time and it was a relief, he hated when he was in a room with other people, it was difficult enough to go threw this without strangers watching him, staring at him in pity, wanting it back in return.

The surgical orthopedics unit was busy when they arrived, a clerk showed them to his room and said his primary nurse would be in soon to admit him. He was exhausted and for the first time it was a relief to climb into the hospital bed. He was sitting upright in the bed when he realized he forgot to take of his shoes. "Fuck" he made a move to get up but Carol stopped him.

"Here I'll get it" she went over to the end of the bed slipping his shoes and socks off. She gave him that grin that he loved and started to rub his foot on his good leg, messaging and rubbing her thumbs along the arch. "You don't have to do that" he said gruffly.

"I want to"

When his foot felt like it was melted, she asked softly "Can I do the other one?"

"Yeah, just go easy, don't jar it or pull" he said

He watched as she lovingly rubbed and messaged the foot that might not be there anymore in four days time, her eyes were on his face and he was blown away by her expression. He knew in that moment what she'd said was true...if he lost his leg it really didn't matter to her.

He was humbled by it, how had he gotten so lucky to find the one women who would love him unconditionally. In the six weeks since they'd met she'd showed him that life was worth living, he was ashamed when he thought how close he'd been to giving up. He wanted to be happy, he wanted to get better, because he wanted to be what she deserved. She showed him life wasn't over, he had a future ahead of him. He wanted that future with her. Fuck...he wanted to marry her.

If he hadn't been sitting in a hospital bed he would have been knocked on his ass. Carol was the one...just like a damn romance novel. He wanted to tell her. It had only been six weeks though, he was conflicted, was it too soon to say it?

She cocked her head to the side and grinned "What?...you have a funny look on your face."

"Nothing" he said feeling a little choked up "Come here " he wiggled to the side of the bed as she walked to the head of it. He reached out and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her waist burying his face in her neck. She started to rub his back slowly

"Are you okay sweetheart? You're shaking." She said sounding concerned.

"Yeah...yeah I'm just glad your here." He said he made up his mind, then and there. Before he went in for surgery, he was asking her to marry him.

He felt the urge to just blurt it out, but he held it in. She deserved a ring at least, she deserved for him to make it special in some way. Fuck he was a dumb ass he should have had this epiphany a week ago.

"There's no place else I would want to be." She said quietly.

Fuck it he thought leaning back to look at her "Carol I ..."

Just then the door opened and a large Hispanic man in army green scrubs walked into the room

"Well...Dixon! Appears we've had a development in your life since the last time you've been here! Who pray tell is this?...and might I just say ...well done"

Daryl didn't move but closed his eyes and pressed his forehead for a second to her chest muttering "Sweet Merciful fuck No...please tell me you ain't my primary nurse Perez."

"Oh Sweet Merciful Fuck yes!...yes I am." He said with a grin. "So come on Dixon...introduce me to your girl"

Daryl sighed leaning back in the bed "This is Carol...my girlfriend"

"Well, will wonders never cease ...nice to see you happy Sargent."

Perez answered

"I ain't no Sargent anymore"

"Ahh you say potatoe I say fucking potato" Perez said perching on the chair next to the bed setting a tablet in his lap and bringing up Daryl's chart.

"Are you...Are you supposed to be cursing so much?" Carol asked

"Probably not, but management says we only have to stop if Dixon does" Perez said grinning.

"No fucking chance of that" Daryl said rolling his eyes.

"And that is why you are my favorite patient Dixon" Perez said perusing his chart "Sweet Jesus your chart is big" he muttered under his breath

"Hey Dixon aren't you gonna ask me how big is it?" Perez said while looking at the screen with a smirk.

"No Perez, no I will fall for that again" Daryl snapped

"Pfft your no fun Dixon, alright you know the drill Dixon quick exam few questions and you will be all checked in at Hotel VA." Perez said standing up and grabbing his stethoscope.

Dar put his hand up "Hold on a second" he said turning to Carol "Baby you don't have to stay for this, why don't you go get something to eat and bring it here"

Carol quirked her brow,"are you sure?"

"Yeah he's a harmless assehole" Daryl smiled at her.

"Hey now" Perez said

"I said harmless didn't I?" Daryl said without turning.

"Good point" Perez said

Carol picked up her purse and pecked him on the lips "Be right back" she said and left the room.

"Baby you don't have to stay for this? Wow...who are you and what have you done with Daryl? " Perez said grinning

"Shut up smartass I need your help with something before she comes back." Daryl said

"Oh yeah, ...what's that?" Perez asked genuinely interested.

"I need you to help me get a ring, I wanna ask her to marry me"