Rick knew how to make it up to Michonne. Daryl was right. He needed to be there. He needed to be there when no man had been there. He would go to Unique's Christmas concert and try to talk to her in between the acts. Sophia and Carl would be in it too. He knew Lori would sit in the front to get the best pictures, and he knew Michonne would probably be in the back. She was the type. He hoped he wasn't wrong about this. He would kill Daryl if he was wrong.
Rick carpooled with Daryl, Carol and Amy. He found it odd how they kept whispering, and whenever Daryl or Rick brought it up, they lowered their voices even more. Daryl was worried Carol was hiding something from him, and he had every reason to. He brought her something to eat from Lilly, and she sent him away. She didn't even open the bedroom door or hear him out. She just told him to leave after he called to her. What the hell was she hiding?
In the filling auditorium, Carol and Amy found Lilly and Tara and Lori by accident, and just out of pity, Carol sat by the pregnant divorcee. Lori wasn't fond of Daryl being so close, but she didn't say anything. Amy sat on the other side of Daryl with Lilly and Tara. She tensed when she saw a familiar couple just behind her two seats over.
"Ed's here," Amy whispered.
"What?" Carol searched the crowd and found his smug face. "Daryl, don't do anything rash."
"I ain't, but only if he don't try nothin'." He laced his fingers through hers. "Where's Rick?"
"I don't know. He was supposed to be here." Lori crossed her legs. "Carl was lookin' forward to him bein' here."
Rick was in the back of the room, waiting for Michonne to come through the double steel doors, and she came in as just as the show began. She looked beautiful. She wore a sleeveless white sweater dress with military-like knee high boots. She saw Rick out of the corner of her eye, and she grabbed the front of his shirt, hauling him out to the hall as fifth graders began to sing Silent Night.
"Don't talk." She met his eyes. "I know Carl's going to preform, and I know that's why you're here, so keep that as the only reason why you're here, okay?"
"I'm here for my son, but I came here to talk to you."
"No."
He grabbed her arm and stepped in front of her. "Please, hear me out."
"Fine. Why don't you start with how you had sex with me when your wife was pregnant at home alone? Huh? Tell me that!"
"She ain't my wife. That kid ain't mine."
"What? You'll cast off her, because you like me more?"
"No! No. Lori had an affair and got pregnant."
She folded her arms as if to say I'm listening.
"My best friend Shane has been sleeping with her for months, and that's how I know it's his. Lori and I haven't had intercourse in the last few months. We kept fightin', and I worked more and more to be away from her anger. Pissed her off even more, though." He shook his head. "We're divorced now. We were separated when you and I—"
"Then why did she sound like you were still her husband on the phone?"
"I don't know. If I could go back and have divorced her before we had sex, I would, but I wouldn't take back what happened between us. I really like you, Michonne. I wasn't lookin' for sex that night. I just wanted to get to know you."
"You certainly learned a lot then." She cracked a dry smile.
He tentatively smiled. "Can we start over? Have coffee?"
"No." He frowned, and she grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed him. "Dinner tonight. My place."
He smiled. "Okay."
"If you're lying to me, Rick, I'll beat it out of you."
He swallowed hard. "I—I ain't lyin'."
"Good, because I've been working on my right hook. I think you'll find it's improved." She grasped his hand. "I hear the fourth graders."
They stood in the back as the kids sang, Michonne didn't let go of his hand until they came out so he could take pictures. Carl came out in his little tux with Sophia beside him in a green and white dress with a red beaded necklace, her soft red hair in curls. Meghan was by Sophia, her hair in a fishnet braid, wearing a white dress with green and red bracelets. Lizzie was almost hidden behind Sophia and Meghan in her little red dress and pigtails. Carol, Lilly and Lori took about a hundred pictures each, Amy pretended not to know them, and she saw Ed taking pictures of Sophia. It creeped her out. He was not the doting father, so why in the hell is he taking pictures of Carol's daughter?
As they began to sing Do You Hear What I Hear with Maggie mouthing the words offstage, worried they wouldn't remember, and Glenn laughed when he saw it, earning scornful looks from the parents. He nervously tried to explain, but they glared and turned away from him. He saw Maggie laughing at him, and he laughed with her.
Lori recorded it as always, Daryl had to excuse himself when he phone didn't stop vibrating, and Lilly and Carol gushed over their daughters, leaving Amy to pretend to not know them once more. It was an effective plan too.
When they stopped singing, the boys left the stage and the girls stepped up and cocked a hip as the next song began to play: All I Want For Christmas. The girls began to sing to it, Maggie was step by step doing the dance moves offstage, but they were doing well. It was so adorable as they did it. Meghan and Tanisha had silver and gold tambourines with a few other girls, but Sophia and Lizzie took the spotlight, having solos, and it surprised Carol. Sophia wasn't that outgoing before, but a lot has changed. For the best too.
As the happy song played, Daryl felt cold all over. He ran a hand through his hair and went get Rick. Some serious shit went down tonight, and as much as Daryl wanted to stay and cheer Sophia on, this needed to be dealt with. He weaved his way through the crowd, but got caught in the crowd of grandparents.
At the end of the song, the girls blew a kiss to their parents, Sophia smiled and waved at her mom, disappointed when she didn't see Daryl, but she didn't let it show. The parents rose and clapped as they left, Lori turned to tell Carol something when she saw Rick in the very back, smiling, and she felt numb when she saw who he was smiling at. She looked away as he leaned down and kissed Michonne. She felt sick to her stomach, but no one noticed as the next grade came out, and Carol and Lilly left to see where Daryl had gone to. Amy and Tara began a thumb wrestling match to pass the time as clumsy kids tossed batons.
"Did he go to the bathroom?" Lilly wondered.
"It's not like either of us can check."
"Good point. Why do I use words?" She laughed at herself.
"Let's see if Rick knows."
They got to Rick when Daryl got to Rick, Rick instantly sensed Daryl's urgency, and Carol barely got two words out before he was apologizing about not being able to join them for dinner.
"Daryl, wait. You're not even going to explain?" Carol called.
He told Rick he'd meet him at the car, and he pulled her aside. "There's been a murder."
"I know that. Can you at least give me something to tell Sophia? I don't want her to worry about you."
"Tell her Merle got shitfaced, and I had to get him."
"Believable." She stepped closer. "I'll be waiting under the mistletoe." She pointed up, and he found a mistletoe above them and chuckled. "Now or later?"
He clasped her cheeks in his hands and kissed her deeply, but appropriately since little kids were running around. He didn't want to run off and see death, but he had to. "We'll finish this tonight," he murmured when he pulled away. "Be safe."
"Divorced women are likes cats. We get new lives. So, remember, nine lives."
He kissed her once more before leaving, and she smiled, turning to find Lilly awing them with a hand to her heart, and she laughed.
"That was so cute. Why can't I find one of him?"
"You're not looking in the right places," Carol told her. "Try the police station or the mall."
"That's how I got pregnant," she informed her. "I'm still a single mom."
"At the mall?"
"Yep. Met a man, took his sperm and had a daughter. Any other advice?"
"Try Online. I hear it words." Ed stepped into their path. "Evening, Carol."
She glared. "What the hell do you want?"
"I came to see my daughter. Is that such a crime?" He smirked. "You look good. Sophia too."
"Keep away from my daughter," Carol hissed.
He chuckled bitterly. "You ain't a threat to me. You're nothing to me. You keep that redneck and that cowboy wannabe outta of my shit. Don't want anything to happen to you or that little girl."
"That's enough." Lilly got in between them. "You will not threaten her."
"How cute. Bitches stick together, huh?" He shook his head and pushed by them.
"Asshole," Lilly called after him.
"Leave it." Carol pointed to the three girls rushing over to them. She pulled out her best smile given her mood. "Hey, sweetheart."
"Was it good?" Lizzie asked, her hair back to one braid.
"Did you like the solos?" Sophia panted. "We didn't mess up, did we?"
"It was perfect." Carol smiled at them. "I couldn't be any more impressed, especially with you, Meghan. You were so good."
Meghan smiled shyly. "Thanks."
"Favoritism!" Lizzie accused Carol under her breath.
"No, it's not," Carol replied under her breath.
Lori and Carl joined them, Carl had changed into a T-shirt and jeans, holding a gift bag. Lori set her hands on his shoulders. "We have to get goin'. I promised my parents I'd take Carl to see them, but we'll be back for Hershel's party."
"I'll see you then." Lizzie lightly punched Carl's shoulder.
"You're so abusive," Meghan told her.
Lizzie made a face and stuck her tongue out as Sophia gave Carl a hug, which Carol noticed made Lizzie drop her head a bit, picking at the carpet with her tip of her shoe. Meghan smiled at him as they left, and Carol asked Lilly to take the girls to the car. She'd get Amy and Tara.
"Is your dad here?" Carol scanned the crowd.
"No. We stayed after school." She tucked hair behind her ear. "We'll walk to his office. He stays there at night."
"Go get Mika and get your beautiful selves in my car. We're going out to eat." She tapped her nose, making her smile, and Carol searched for Amy and Tara, finding them on the floor, thumb wrestling. "How old are you again?"
"I've almost got her," Tara struggled. "Damn carpet!"
"No, no, no!" Amy groaned.
"Okay, we're going out to eat, you two can eat off the floor."
"I give!" Tara shot up. "Where to?"
"So not a fair win." She stood up. "Merle's fairer."
"You thumb wrestle with Merle?" Carol inquired curiously.
"He can't actually wrestle with me. I'm a girl. I'm weak and shit." She tried to throw some of Merle's body movements into it. "Got this tiny—Yeah, I don't have it in me tonight. Let's get some food."
Carol and Tara laughed, Amy rubbed her stomach and went to the car with them following. Lizzie and Mika joined them. They went to a restaurant Carol and Lilly decided on, Sophia, Mika and Meghan were playing with Meghan's bracelets, spinning them, and Carol frowned as Lizzie stared out the window at the moon, impassive. She didn't snap out of her trance until the food came, and she barely ate her burger. Carol was concerned, but it wasn't her place to meddle—ha! She could hear Daryl's snort. With Lilly and Tara and Amy around, she couldn't meddle. She would ask when they dropped them off at Ryan's office.
Ryan wasn't in his office, but had left a note for Carol. Carol took the girls to her place, Lizzie and Sophia weren't getting along at all, so Carol sent Sophia to her room, and Mika followed when Carol went to see what was bothering Lizzie.
"Seat for two?" She smiled at the young girl who hugged her legs to her chest.
She looked up through her bangs. "I'm sorry."
"Tell me what's eating you." She sat down on the floor beside her. "You've been spacing all night."
"Well...the thing is—You can't tell anyone."
"I won't."
"Pinkie promise."
Carol locked pinkies with the girl. "I swear. Tell me."
She licked her lips. "I...sort of have a...crush on...someone, but I think he likes Sophia."
"Are we talking about Carl?"
She blushed and dropped her head to her knees. "It's stupid."
"It's not stupid. Why do you think he likes Sophia?"
"He's always with her and makes jokes with her and lets her sit at his table during lunch and stuff like that." She picked at her nails. "I—I don't want to hate her. I love Sophia. She's my best friend, but Carl's—"
"Your first crush."
She nodded. "I feel nervous around him, and my tongue dries up. It's horrible, because I know he doesn't even like me."
"Why do you think Carl doesn't like you?"
"He told me I was mean, because I keep hitting him. I try not to, but I do. I've given him bruises, Carol. Bruises!" She looked at her hands. "I'm like a boy!"
"Calm down, Lizzie." She put her arm around her. "Has he said the words I don't like you?"
"No, but I know he doesn't."
"Why don't you get him something for Christmas?"
"Why? Sophia already made him a mini clay Christmas tree. I can't make something like that."
"Then buy him something. Sophia and I are going shopping for Daryl tomorrow. Come with us."
"Really?"
"Why not? I'm off, and Daryl's hard to shop for. We'll make a day of it." Spending all of that trying to find a gift Daryl would like. She knew him, but it was hard to find a gift for someone who wanted nothing. "Go join the girls. I'll make you some hot chocolate. Or tea. I don't know what we have."
"Okay. Thank you." She hugged her.
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
As Carol and Lizzie walked toward the stairs, Sophia silently hurried up them, and she joined Mika. She came up with an idea. She smiled when Lizzie joined them, apologizing about the fight, and she waved it away, forming the plan in the back of her head.
– – –
Andrea rocked Brian on her hip, his little fingers curled around her finger, and she smiled. "You are too precious. Oh, look at those little fingers." She kissed his little fingers, and he cooed.
"You are so handsome." She lifted him up. "Oh, you'll be a heartbreaker, won't you?" She cradled him to her chest. "You'll be a good man, like your daddy."
Phillip came into the room. "Andrea."
"Wanna see Daddy?" She met his eyes and saw his blood shot eye. "What?"
"My brother's dead," he whispered. "He was murdered. Chopped up and just thrown about." He fell back against the wall. "God."
She set Brian in his crib and went over to Phillip. "I am so sorry, baby." She pulled him into her arms. "God, I am so sorry."
He gripped her tightly, seeing the small child looking at them. He glared. They had an intruder in their midst. He didn't belong. He never belonged. He pulled her to him even more and rested his chin on her shoulder, staring the baby down, causing him to cry loudly.
Andrea sat back. "You should lie down." She stood up and soothed Brian. "Shh, Bry, shh."
"Will you come with me? I—I can't be alone right now."
She was torn. She wanted to comfort them both, but she was only one person. "Yes, of course." She grabbed the baby monitor and gave Brian is tiger, which helped to calm him. "Mommy will see you soon. Be good."
Phillip leaned into her as they went to their bedroom, she set the monitor on the nightstand and pulled the covers back. He lied down, and when she went to pull the covers over him, he pulled her down on top of him, threading his fingers through her hair.
"You're so beautiful."
"Phillip, don't. This isn't going to help you."
"Yes, it will." He caressed her cheek. "I need to know you're here. I can't lose you. You're all I have left."
"Me and Brian," she corrected as he pulled her in, this lips meeting.
"I need you," he murmured. "Andrea."
As his lips persistently met hers, the world faded away, and she gave into him like he knew she would. When he rolled her onto her back, he turned off the baby monitor and it was just their rushed breathing as he fucked his wife.
– – –
"Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit!" Amy turned in the mirror. "I put on weight! Carol, I can't fit into my dress. And my ass—It's Mars!"
Carol held back laughter. "Calm down. What'd you expect? You and Tara ate enough ribs to kill fifteen cows."
"Well, I've been very physical this week. You'd think I'd lose some of it."
"I never wanted to know that much."
"I jog." She smacked Carol's arm.
"Okay, I can make some adjustments."
"Thank you, God!" She turned her back to Carol. "It doesn't have to be super complex, because Merle will probably rip it off that night."
"I never wanted to know that much!"
"It's not like I'm telling you when I come and how many times." She set her hands on her thighs. "It's a dress, and I know you and Daryl have been doing the same."
She bent down and took her measurements. "I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, please! I know you two were rattling that headboard last night."
"Quite the opposite. We were fighting."
"Over what?" She turned. "Does he know?"
"Know? No! No, he doesn't. He'd kill me if he knew." She leaned against the sink. "He doesn't trust me. He thinks I'm keeping things from him."
"You are." She made a pregnant reference. "How's your MS?"
"It's fine. Daryl's been working so hard on this case he's hardly home, so I get it out of my system before he comes home." She wrapped her arms around herself. "You tell Merle?"
"And have him seize up and die? No." She set her hands on her stomach. "Got my own Lil' Dixon in me now. Andrea's gonna chop off his manhood and kill him slowly." She sighed. "I'm so glad we're in this together."
"Two little Dixons, two Dixon brothers." She shook her head. "Well, Sophia will be happy to have a sibling."
"What do you want?" Amy whispered. "I want a boy."
Carol smiled. "I'm hoping for a boy too." She sighed and set her hand on her stomach. "A boy who's like his father."
"I want a boy like my daddy," she admitted. "He died when I was in high school, and his memory gets hazy every day... I want to remember him. I want my baby to be like him."
She nodded. "He will be, with a mother like you."
They both instantly changed the subject before Merle came home and found them weeping. Amy changed, and Carol took the dress to her apartment then grabbed her lunch and left for work. She found a note from Sophia in her pocket and smiled, remembering their hectic day yesterday as they went shopping.
––
Lilly had come with them, drinking two lattes—one was herbal tea, but they had to trick Daryl—the girls were all pumped up about spending the day at the mall, and Daryl wished Carol luck before left. Lilly drove, the girls were singing Christmas songs, and Carol drank her tea, hoping she wouldn't get sick on the way.
Once at the mall, Sophia, Mika and Meghan looked over all the cute outfits while Lizzie wrinkled her nose at them. Carol told Lilly to meet her at the food court when they were done. Sophia didn't want Carol to see what she getting her, so Carol made it easy for her.
She and Lizzie looked over the items in the sporting goods store, and Carol didn't really like any of it. It was like buying a bottle of vodka for Merle. It's expected, it's not a surprise. She wanted to surprise Daryl, but she didn't know how. She doubted a card that said: Hey, I'm pregnant! Merry Christmas! would be the kind of surprise she or he wanted.
"How pretty." Lizzie looked over at the leather jackets on display. "I love the smell of leather."
"Leather." She remembered Daryl's leather jacket that was so worn he couldn't wear it anymore. She smiled and went into the store, Lizzie followed her, and Carol looked over the leather jackets. She wanted to get one that looked like his last one, but she wanted it to be something he wouldn't categorize as that leather jacket, but possibly as the one his girlfriend gave him.
She smiled. That still made her tingle all over. It was stupid, but it did. She hadn't been someone's girlfriend in a long time. She and Ed weren't girlfriend-boyfriend. They were practically engaged from day one. It made her sick to think about it.
"Did you find something you liked?" Lizzie asked.
"Yes, actually." Her hand came down on a black leather jacket with white angle wings sewn on the back. She bought it, and Lizzie pulled her into a bookstore. She looked the newly printed books as Lizzie looked over the comics.
"No, no, no," she murmured softly, trying to find the comic that Carl hadn't read yet. She found it and almost squealed in excitement then bought it.
"What about Mika?" Carol asked as they walked to the food court.
"I already got her a gift."
"And your daddy?"
"Him too. I only had Carl and you."
"Me? What'd you get me?"
"You'll see. I'm bringing it to Hershel's party."
"All right. Keep me in suspense."
They met up with Lilly, Sophia and Mika were deciding on what to eat for lunch, both wearing their shopping bags like armlets, Meghan was sitting by Lilly, drinking water.
"Is that leather?" Lilly asked. "Is that for Daryl or for you for Daryl?"
"Tell Amy I said possibly." She sat down by them. "Have they decided yet?"
"No. It's either Chinese or pizza. I'm gonna get two slices for me and Meghan. Could you watch my stuff?"
She nodded. "So, what'd you get Meghan?"
"Gifts for the Christmas party." She tucked hair behind her ear. "They're a surprise."
"Mmm? Okay." She looked over. "What do you want to eat, Lizzie?"
"I'm not hungry. I ate a lot at breakfast."
When Sophia and Mika sat down, the scent made Carol's stomach twist, and she left before she threw up on their food, and Lilly frowned as Carol bolted to the bathroom. She set the pizza down and told them to stay put, waiting by the entrance to the bathroom, able to see the girls from there. She waited a few minutes before Carol came out.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes. I'm okay. It's...just the smell of peppers. They always make me ill. I still have food po... Why are you staring at me?"
"Are you pregnant?" she whispered.
"A little bit."
"Oh? And how does that go?"
"Okay, a lotta bit." She crossed her arms. "Don't tell anyone. I haven't even told Daryl. Or Sophia. I'm telling them tonight. Possibly, he might be working."
"Oh, my gosh! That's incredible!" She smiled. "You have to let help you. I love babies. I haven't been able to plan a baby shower since Tara's a lesbian and doesn't want kids until she's thirty."
"Fine, but stop smiling. Lilly, I mean it."
"Right, no smile." She bit back her smile. "Okay."
They returned to the table, Sophia asked if she was alright, and Carol nodded, coming up with an excuse to leave so she didn't get sick at the smell again. Lilly ate with the girls as Carol and Lizzie looked over the phone cases. Lizzie had a phone for emergencies, and Carol decided she would get one too. She kept borrowing Daryl's, and he didn't say he had a problem with it, but it had all of his contacts, and a lot of people called him when he was working a case.
"You ready?" Lilly met them by the cases.
"Yes." She slid her new phone in her pocket. "Let's go home."
They went home, Carol was hungry, but that scent didn't leave her, and she thought she was going to be sick four times on the way home. Lilly lied and said she had an upset stomach. Sophia said she had food poisoning, and Lilly just went with it. She got lucky Sophia liked to point out facts. Otherwise, they entire world would know Carol was pregnant. Sophia would scream it from rooftops. It'd either "I'm a big sister!' or "My mom's pregnant!" She really hoped Daryl was off, because she'd rather tell him first than the speaker that is her daughter.
– – –
Daryl watched as Rick interrogated Phillip Blake, chewing on a toothpick. His brother and father had both been killed, but his alibi was solid. He was at his office, he had the security cameras and the people to prove it. Daryl felt like it was him, but they didn't have any proof. He left the room and found Andrea Blake and Brian outside.
He started to walk by when she called to him. "Water's through there," he automatically replied.
"No, Daryl, please. I want to talk to you."
He turned. "Amy ain't livin' with me."
"I—I know. She's living with Merle. She called and told me..." Told her that she was pregnant by Merle. She shook her head. "Tell her I understand, and that I want her to come and see me."
"Can't you?"
"I've tried, but—"
"Andrea." Phillip set his hand on her shoulder, she looked up and smiled softly. "Let's go home." He nodded at Daryl.
"Have a good day, detective." She stood up and followed Phillip out of the station.
"Think he beats her?" Shane asked, eying them.
"No. He does somethin' else." Daryl chewed a toothpick and went to his desk,, seeing the pictures of Carol and Sophia on his computer. He still hadn't gone Christmas shopping. He had no idea what to get them. Sophia would like paint kit or some artsy shit like that, but Carol was harder. She was...important to him. He loved her, but he didn't know the first thing about her when it came to buying gifts. It was frustrating.
"Got a live one." Caesar set a thick file on his desk. "Name's Ryan Samuels."
"Ryan?" Daryl opened it. "Damn."
"I know. A lotta shit for a small town layer." He put his picture on the murder board. "Let's go talk to him."
"You may be my partner, Martinez, but that don't mean I'm gonna listen to you."
"Who's that?" He leaned into Daryl's personal space as Daryl opened a random file to cover his background picture. "Aww, you got a girl."
"Woman and it ain't your business." He glared. "Don't you got somewhere to be?"
"Nope." He sat down beside him. "Let's go pick him up, vato."
"I ain't your vato."
He rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll go pick him up. You can stay here and stare your girl."
He groaned and followed Martinez out of the station. "We ain't takin' your car."
"Yes, we are. It's unmarked and doesn't smell like apple pie and chicken." He unlocked his car.
"T needed help deliverin' food. You gonna blame me for bein' a good person?" He got in Martinez's car. "Smells like ass in here."
He laughed. "That's all you, bro."
"Just drive." He gazed out the window as Martinez's drove, and he thought whether or not to go see him as he usually did every month. He hadn't told Carol about it, but he decided he would tell her tonight. He didn't want to leave her in the dark. She'd asked him, but he'd mumbled about work and filing reports. If—Since, they're in a relationship, he wanted to be as open as possibly with her.
"Why're you smilin'?" Martinez eyed him.
"Keep your eyes on the damn road. My face ain't that pretty."
He laughed. "I'll try, vato."
"You'd best do more than try. I'm spoken for, asshole."
"Me too." He showed his wedding band. "Two years in April."
"She drink the years away?"
"No, vato, we're happy. She's carrying my little girl."
"Good for y'all." He meant it.
"Thanks. I'm excited. She wanted a boy, but I got my little girl."
"Got any names?"
"Hell, she's been through fifteen name phases. She's settled Charlotte Mae now."
"It's cute."
"She'll probably change it by tonight."
He chuckled.
"You got kids?"
"Got one. Little girl."
"Lucky man. How old is she?"
"Eight."
"That's a good age." He pulled over and parked in front of Ryan's office. "What's her name?"
"Sophia." He got out of the car. "Looks more like mama, but that's fine by me."
"Really lucky man," he teased.
"Get your ass up here." He climbed the stairs and went up to Ryan's office. "Asshole."
Caesar laughed.
– – –
Carol unlocked the door, Patch ran over and licked Sophia's face off, and Carol set her bags on the counter, checking the messages, removing her jacket. "Take your shoes off." She hung up her jacket and Sophia as Beth called to remind them about the party.
The next message froze Carol and Sophia to the bone.
"I know you're there. I know where you are. I won't hesitate. I want to see my daughter. Christmas Eve, my house. I'll see you here at six, and don't forget to bring cookies. Have a nice evening, Carol, Daryl and Sophia."
"You have no more messages," the machine told them.
"He knows?" Sophia turned to her mom. "He knows!"
"Baby, shh. Shh, he doesn't." She bent down. "He's just trying to get into our heads. Okay? Don't worry about it. Go wash up. We'll make cookies. Glenn's been stopping by the library."
She blushed. "I—I don't care."
Carol smiled. Sophia had a crush on Glenn. She would never admit it, but she did. "Let's go make his cookies. I'll let you drizzle."
"Okay, but I'm hiding my gifts, so don't you dare look for them!" She ran upstairs with her bags and closed her bedroom door.
She took her bags upstairs and hid them. She went to the bathroom for the tenth time today and when she came downstairs, Merle was in the living room. "Hey, Merle." She got the ingredients down to make cookies. "Do you need something?"
"Amy's actin' weird." He leaned in the doorframe. "Weird as hell. Do you know what's goin' on?"
"I don't."
"She's gainin' weight."
"Merle Dixon!" she hissed, glaring.
"What? I didn't say it was bad thing. It's goin' to her tits and ass. Damn, woman, what the hell ain't Daryl givin' you?"
She glared.
He eyed her. "You look tense. Y'all right?"
"Of course I am."
"You's pale." He narrowed his eyes. "You're pregnant, ain't you?"
She blinked. "Excuse me?" She crossed her arms. "I'm pregnant?"
"You are?" Sophia exclaimed. "Oh, my gosh! Yay!"
"No. No, no, no, no." She held her hands out. "There was a question mark, Sophia. I'm not. Merle thinks I am." How in the hell does he know? "Why do you think that?"
"I don't. Just askin'." He looked down. "What? I ain't gettin' a hug?"
She smiled and hugged him. "Hey, Uncle Merle."
"Hey, Lil' Dixon. Behavin'?"
"Always."
"Why don't I believe you?"
"Because she's not." Carol added flour to the bowl and felt sick. "God, I can't fight this bug." She covered her mouth as waves of nausea rolled through her. "What is that smell?"
"Amy's cookin' steak," Merle pointed to the window that was open in the kitchen.
"Oh, God." She bolted out of the kitchen and threw up in the bathroom.
"Mom?" Sophia looked at Merle. "She has food poisoning."
"'Course."
"She would tell me if she was pregnant," Sophia added. "I'd be the first to know. Don't nod at me. I'm right. It's not a baby. It's bad food. Stop smirking!"
He chuckled. "Lil' Dixon, you's so damn bossy. Get your ass up there. I heard y'all was makin' cookies. I like cookies."
"You like food in general." She pulled a chair up and stood on it. "I need that paper."
He handed it to her. "So, if she is pregnant?"
"Caleb Daryl Dixon," Sophia replied. "For my little sister's name, I like Angela. I can call her Angie or Angel."
"No. We ain't namin' no babies Caleb."
She frowned. "It's cute."
"It ain't cute. We ain't namin' him Caleb!"
"O—Okay, fine." She turned away from him.
"Aw, hell." He walked around the chair and bent down. "Don't be upset. It's my shit, not yours."
"Please, don't be mad at me."
"I ain't mad. It's a good name, but not for a Dixon. We don't need another one." He lifted her chin. "Thought you was tough."
"I am."
"I done lost my hearin'. What?"
"I am tough!"
"That's my girl." He ruffled her hair. "You and your mama bring me some cookies when they done."
"You're the first on my long list." Carol handed Sophia an apron and held her breath as she closed the window. "You can go eat dinner."
"Gettin' rid of me, I see."
"Do you want to my 'Kiss My Class' apron that I made in high school and bake cookies with us?"
"Have a nice night."
Sophia and Carol laughed as he left, and they began to make the cookies. Sophia was making sugar cookies for Carl and Rick, Carol was making peanut butter cookies for Lilly and Meghan, chocolate chip white chocolate drizzle for Andrea, Maggie and Glenn—though Glenn will probably horde them—and white chocolate macadamia for Lizzie and Mika and Amy. If they had any leftovers, a mixed batch would go to Lori. She was going to make some for Karen, and she just might. Had it not been for Karen and Merle, Carol wouldn't be here, making cookies, growing Daryl's child. She was the bigger woman here, so she would make cookies for Karen.
––
"You up?" Daryl kicked off his boots, gazing in at Carol, who was reading a hardback book with no cover.
"I couldn't sleep." She sat up, setting the book on the nightstand. "It's late. You're just getting in?"
"Yeah. My damn partner dragged me all over town followin' a new lead. Damn beaner." He dropped on the bed in front of her.
"Don't be mean." She slid her fingers through his hair.
"How was this shoppin' trip? You find that...thing for Rick?"
"It went well, and yes, we got everything we wanted." She leaned over and undid his belt. "Don't get any ideas. I just really hate this belt."
"Why do you hate it?"
Because Ed had used to beat her with one just like it. "I just do." She tugged it off him and tossed it into the bathroom. "Get changed. We need to talk."
"We do." He stood up and grabbed his nightclothes off the dresser, tugging his shirt off. "I saw Andrea today."
"Where?" She dug through the drawer, trying to find the results she had Dr. Porter e-mail her. She printed it off and put it in here.
"At the station. We brought Phillip in, asked him 'bout the usual." He removed his jeans and tugged on his T-shirt and sweatpants.
"Is he a suspect?"
"He should be, but he ain't." He flicked off the light. "She was askin' me 'bout Amy then stopped when he called to her."
"He's not abusing her, is he?"
"No. He's a manipulative, though. He likes his control. He probably has her right under his thumb. She ain't a wife to him. She's a cover."
"So, what? He's a serial killer? Or is he just gay?"
"I don't know. It could be my own opinion." He climbed into bed. "I hate Phillip, got Merle arrested for B and E. He wasn't even there. He was shitfaced and was humpin' a damn horse."
She giggled. "A—a horse?"
"Scarrin' as shit." He shook his head and clasped her hand. "We gotta talk."
"Good, because I have news. You can go first."
"I've been lyin' to you."
Her heart stopped. "About what?" Was he seeing Karen? Did he love her? Was he leaving Carol for Karen? Was Noah his son? She felt sick. Did he not love her? She stopped her mind and just listened to him.
"I don't gotta work tomorrow. On twenty-fourth day of a month, I go see my father." He felt her instantly relax. "I tell him 'bout Merle and me. It pisses him off too."
"Are you going tomorrow?"
"Yeah. I want you to come with me, but not tomorrow. I gotta ask him 'bout an inside job. I don't want you to hear that shit."
She nodded. "I'd love to. Whenever you're ready."
He half-smiled. "I love you, Carol."
"I love you more." She leaned over, but he leaned back when she tried to kiss him. "What?"
"There ain't no way in hell you love me more than I love you."
"This is a ploy to get laid, but its working." He laughed, and she kissed him, her mind going blank as he kissed her deeper.
"Wait." He pulled back. "What did you wanna to talk 'bout?"
"Huh? Nothing."
"But you said we needed to talk. 'Bout what?"
"It's nothing. I—I got my answer." She slid her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer, kissing him. If Daryl loved her more than she loved him, she had no worries about tomorrow morning.
– – –
Amy and Merle joined them for breakfast, Carol had been snacking on crackers, but secretly since Daryl was helping her cook. He made eggs, she made pancakes, biscuits, and bacon. She'd worked through the smells, and she threw up in trashcan when Daryl went to wake Sophia for breakfast. Thank God today was the last day she had to hide her pregnancy.
Lori came by with Carl and asked if Sophia wanted to join them. They were going to get pictures made with Santa, and even though Sophia had gotten hers, Carol sent her anyway.
"But Mom—"
"Smile pretty. Grandpa will love more pictures of his little granddaughter."
"I'll have her back as soon as possible," Lori promised.
"There's no rush."
"I have to finish my gift for Lizzie, so hurrying would be—"
"Have fun!" Carol smiled and waved, closing the door as they left.
"You's either horny as hell or got somethin' to do or tell that she ain't supposed to know 'bout." Merle sat down on the couch. "Wrappin' gifts?"
"No. We need to talk, though."
"We?" Daryl smacked Merle in the back of the head for sitting on his file, Merle got up and moved beside Carol. "Bad or good?"
"Hopefully good." Amy sat down on the couch with her glass of water and a biscuit. "That was good, by the way. I love biscuits."
"Thanks." She crossed her arms and moved behind the couch. "We have something important to tell you. Amy."
"What?" She looked over her shoulder. "You were supposed to—Fine. Fine." She rubbed her hands together and exhaled. "Okay."
"Any hour now, darlin'."
"What the hell? I'm pregnant." She met his eyes.
Merle passed out.
"Okay. Good talk." She took a drink of water. "It's your turn, Carol," Amy said while Daryl called to Merle.
He shook his head. "Congratulations, Amy." He half-smiled.
"Oh, don't congratulate me." She took another drink of water, and he frowned.
"Daryl, don't panic," Carol began.
"When you tell him not to panic, it gives him incentive to panic," Amy pointed out.
"Don't you have biscuits to eat?" Carol hissed, and Amy picked up the biscuit and nibbled on it.
"You all right, Carol?" Daryl searched her eyes. "You ain't got that flu, do you?"
"No, I don't. I didn't have food poisoning either. It's nothing detrimental to my health." He seemed to be holding his breath. "It's a baby. Our baby."
"You're gonna be a daddy too!" Amy smiled. "Congratulations!"
He laughed. "That's funny. Y'all's both pregnant. Good joke." He went over to Merle and kicked his side lightly. "Hey, it's a joke, bro."
Amy and Carol exchanged worried glances, and Carol pulled him into the kitchen by his arm. She faced him and closed the space between them. "I know you're freaking out."
"No, I ain't freakin' out. I'm fine."
"Daryl, you're turning blue. Breathe."
"A—a baby? Like a fetus?" He tentatively touched her stomach, she moved his hand to proper spot, and he met her eyes. "A baby?" He began to calm. "Our baby."
"Yes, our baby." She smiled as he put both of his hands on her stomach. "Dr. Porter told me everything is looks good, and the baby's healthy."
"We're going to be parents." His lips twitched. "I have to go." He walked out of the kitchen then out of the apartment.
"Uh, Daryl?" She stepped into the living room. "Did that just happen?"
"Merle?" Amy lightly slapped his face. "Merle? Earth to Merle?" She met Carol's eyes. "I think I killed him."
He moaned, waking. "Gonna be a daddy."
"Yes, you are."
He went out again.
"I should stop saying that, huh?"
"Yes." She eyed the door, and it opened. "Dar—"
He came back inside. "Merle, get your ugly ass up. Let's go." He grabbed his shirt and hauled him up and out of the apartment.
"Daryl!" Carol tried to catch them, but they were gone before she opened the door. "So, not panicking is off the table?"
"He just stole my boyfriend." Amy stood up. "Jackass! You don't abandon pregnant women!"
"Apparently Dixons do." She sighed. "I thought he was talking it so well too. He didn't faint or anything. I was wrong obviously."
"I need a drink."
"Apple juice neat?" Carol mused.
"Son of a bitch. I forgot I can't drink. I also forgot to take my pill. Obviously, because I'm pregnant. I should really make notes." She shook her head. "I'll take orange juice with ice."
"All right."