Thank you so much for your lovely words. I hope you'll like the next chapter. Special thanks to my life saver Terp4Life ;-)
It's sad but TWD is still not mine and belong to AMC and Robert Kirkman. Let me know what you think about this little chapter.
One week later
Carol sat on the porch swing outside the house with Hannah sitting on her lap. The little girl rested her head on Carol's chest. The last week had been hard on them. Hannah had had a lot of trouble sleeping. Carol had moved into her sisters bedroom to take care of her little niece. Most of the time they didn't fall asleep until shortly after dawn. This morning Carol and Hannah were outside enjoying the last sun rays of the year. Carol held a book in her hand, reading Hannah the story of Kitten's First Full Moon.
"So she closed her eyes and stretched her neck and opened her mouth and licked. But kitten only ended up with a bug on her tongue. Poor kitten!" Carol read.
Hannah giggled, looking at the pictures. Carol read a few more sentences before she noticed Daryl standing in the door frame.
"Morning," he grumbled.
"Good morning," Carol and Hannah said simultaneously.
"Wanna talk to ya," he stated shortly.
He sounded serious and Carol had a bad feeling. She'd taken care of Hannah for the past week and had excluded him from her life.
"Okay, sure," she said acting unconcerned.
"Can you do me a favor, sweetheart? Can you look for Maggie and ask her if she can serve you some breakfast?" Carol asked.
Hannah nodded and jumped from her aunt's lap. The little girl ran into the house, slamming the door shut behind her.
"Ya wanna go for a walk?" Daryl asked, taking one of Carol's hands.
They walked across the meadow towards the pond. When they reached the pond, Daryl withdrew his hand and sat down on the rock where they'd sat one week before. The spot where he'd declared his love to Carol. Carol felt insecure, crossing her arms over her chest. That gesture was so typical for her. She always did that when she felt uneasy. Instead of sitting down, she paced back and forth, her eyes on the ground.
"Yer wearing tracks into the ground," he said dryly.
She stopped, watching him closely. Daryl seemed nervous too. He sat on the rock, nibbling on his thumbnail.
"How's Hannah holdin' up?" he asked quietly.
"Still having nightmares," she answered shortly.
"What about you? Didn't see ya much this week," he complained, a little bit accusingly.
"I'm fine. Sorry, Daryl. I had to take care of Hannah. She's having a really hard time right now and she needs me," Carol explained.
"Yer not alone, ya know? Ya don't have ta do this all alone. Ya barely spoke a word ta me all week, and I dunno how to handle this. I don't get ya."
She paused, then took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Did you mean what you said last week?" she asked suddenly.
"What ya mean?"
"When you said you love me? Or did you just say it because I was desperate and hopeless?" she asked, still watching him.
"What? Ya really think that? I said it cause it's true. Every single word. Yer just scared Carol and ya know what? This shit scares the hell out of me. Never thought a woman could love me, cause all my life I was told I'm useless shit. But ya told me I'm worth something and that I earned my place. No one'd ever said that ta me before. Always thought ya deserved better than me but it's not true cause we love each other. We both deserve someone ta love. Sorry woman, but ya stuck with me," he spit at her.
Carol went over to Daryl and knelt in front of him. She put her hands gently on his knees. Daryl looked her straight in the eye. He sank into the deep blue of her eyes.
"I'm so sorry I hurt you, Daryl. I didn't mean to," she whispered.
"Never said those words before and it seemed right ta me last week. It still does cause it's true. Thought I'd lost ya again. If ya can't believe that I love ya, I'll tell ya everyday."
"No need for that. I believe you... but you can show me if you want," she teased.
Daryl bent down and pressed his lips on hers. She moaned softly, throwing her arms around his neck. She sat down on his lap, kissing him lovingly. After a while he broke away.
"I missed ya," he whispered.
"I love you Daryl and I missed you too."
"Want ya ta move back into our room. Can't sleep without ya next ta me," he said softly.
"I'd love to but I have to take care of Hannah. I'm her only family left."
"We're her family. I want ya both ta move in. Would like ta get ta know her. We can only survive together, Carol. Want ya both ta be safe," he explained.
Carol wanted to answer him, when they suddenly heard Maggie yell. Carol jumped up, running towards the house. Daryl followed her. When they reached the meadow they saw Hannah running towards them. Maggie chased after the girl, trying to get hold of her. When Hannah met Carol she hid behind Carol's legs.
"No, I don't want to take a bath," Hannah yelled.
"Sorry Carol, she just took off. I don't think I'm any better with kids than I am at herding cats," Maggie sighed, short of breath.
"Tell me about it," Carol said sadly, thinking about the moment Sophia took off.
"I want Carol," the little girl said huffily.
"Okay Maggie, I'll take it from here. Thanks for looking after her," Carol said, picking Hannah up.
Maggie handed Carol the shampoo she was carrying and went back towards the house. Hannah smiled broadly. She'd got her way. Daryl took Hannah from Carol's arm, stroking her blonde locks.
"Hey lil beauty, I've got an idea. What do ya think about ta go for a swim? Aunt Carol's gonna like that, won't ya?" Daryl asked sheepishly, winking at Carol.
"You've gotta be kidding. The pond's freezing cold," she exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Ha! Yer aunt's chicken. Ya heard that sweetie-pie?"
Hannah laughed wholeheartedly while Daryl grinned broadly. He knew Carol couldn't resist. To see Hannah so happy, it warmed her heart. Carol blushed. This was a standoff. She was still uncertain about her scars, but on the other hand she wanted to make this little girl happy. Besides, she'd never seen Daryl naked.
"Okay, you two win. But only for a few minutes. And I won't nurse you if you catch a cold."
"Yippie!" Hannah cried out with joy, raising both arms over her head.
The little family went back to the pond. Daryl sat Hannah down on the rock and helped her to get undressed. Hannah remained on the rock, watching the two adults closely. She didn't understand why both of them made such a big fuss about getting undressed.
After a few minutes, Daryl took the plunge, taking off his clothes except for his boxers. She'd already seen him in his shorts but it was something else during daylight. He picked Hannah up and they jumped into the cold water. Hannah yelped when the cold water splashed over her head. The girls whooped with joy. Daryl walked towards the shore, splashing water in Carol's direction. Carol jumped back in surprise.
"Come on scaredy-cat," Hannah yelled, laughing.
Carol went behind a bush, taking off her clothes. She thought about taking off her bra too but decided otherwise. She looked around nervously, but no one was to be seen.
"C'mon Carol! The water's great! Ya better get yer ass in here or I'll come out there and get ya!" Daryl called demandingly.
"Watch your mouth, Mr. Dixon!" Carol hissed.
Carol crossed her arms over her chest to protect herself. When she reached the embankment, she jumped into the water right next to Daryl. He coughed violently, choking on the water she'd splashed in his face. Hannah and Carol laughed till tears ran down their faces.
"Revenge is sweet," she whispered, pursing her lips.
"Yer sweet. C'mer," he whispered back, catching her wrist.
He pulled her closer, placing a peck on her lips. Hannah grimaced, putting one of her arms around Carol's neck. For the first time in weeks, Carol felt really happy. Life was worth living.