HUGE thanks go out to HaloHunter89 for her help with the first part of this chapter! YOU ARE SO AWESOME!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and got everything they wanted! I did, LOL. So, here is another chapter for you. I'll be working the next few days, and as many of you know, I work for a hotel, so I might not be able to write all that much while there being we've been super busy with the holiday season and travelers. BUT, I will try to get out another chapter ASAP!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT own any of The Walking Dead characters and I'm NOT making any money off of them! I only claim the OC characters I created for this story.
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CARYL ON!
She has your eyes...and your smile
, Malinda's voice echoed in his mind as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror gripping the edges of the counter. Opening his eyes, Merle looked at his reflection in the mirror, the haunted look in his blue eyes starring back at him. His daughter did have his eyes, a true Dixon trait that him and his brother shared thanks to his father and grandfather. They were eyes that haunted his dreams now, even when he wasn't sleeping.
Standing up fully, Merle turned his attention to the wooden decorative cabinet beside the sink and opened the cabinet doors. Peering in, he pulled out two medicine bottles, reading them before setting them back. Taking another out, he read the label, Valium. Closing his eyes tight, he gripped the bottle, hearing his daughter's laughter once more. It had been years since the last time he had popped the same pills that now sat in his hands. At that time it was for recreation, being reckless with his life and leaving Daryl to clean up his messes.
Merle's eyes snapped back open at the thought of his brother and he looked back down at the bottle in his hand. His family was now gone, he was alone. He wasn't sure if he would ever be able to find Daryl, if the boy was still even alive. Even as much as he hoped he was, Merle still knew there was also a chance that his brother was gone for good whether by walker or by choice.
Leaving out the bathroom, he kept hold of the pill bottle and walked back towards the front of the house. Guillermo and Felipe were going through the house trying to find any weapons or ammo and food, but Merle ignored them both. Going into what once had been a home office for the residents of the house, Merle spotted a bottle of bourbon on the desk. Picking it up, he breathed out heavily at seeing there was only enough for two good mouthfuls left. That would be all he would need though.
Twisting off the cap, he let it fall to the floor and then opened the pill bottle. Pouring out two into his hand, he then popped them into his mouth and washed them down with the bourbon. Closing the pill bottle back, he shoved it into his pocket and went around, taking a seat in the leather desk chair. Leaning back, he lifted his legs, setting his feet up onto the corner of the desk and closed his eyes. They could leave him there and he wouldn't care. Nothing mattered anymore. Everything that had once meant so much to him had been ripped from his life, gone forever.
Guillermo hadn't seen or heard Merle in over an hour and went in search of their companion. Finding the man leaning back in a chair behind a desk in the office area, Guillermo smirked as he looked around. Opening a few of the file cabinet drawer and not trying to be quiet about it, he heard Merle grumble and and slammed one shut, waking the man. Several slurred curses left the others man's mouth and he grunted slightly in response as he knelt down, opening a cabinet door at the bottom of a small bookcase.
Cracking open an in the direction of Guillermo, Merle breathed out, "Stop tryin' ta act like Daryl, ya fuckin' burrito."
Used to the insults the redneck threw around often, Guillermo let it roll off his back, "Wasn't tryin' to act like him, bro. I don't speak hillbilly." Finding nothing, he stood back up and looked over at the man. An empty bottle sat on the desk and Guillermo shook his head, "Your brother...he drink like you?"
Barely opening his eyes, a lazy smile played at Merle's lip, "Nah, man...he's the good one." His body felt light, the pills having kicked in and Merle couldn't stop from saying more. "Daryl...Daryl was always the good one. Boy could've made somethin' of himself." Starring off at nothing imparticular, he sighed and slurred, "I held him back."
Crossing his arms over his chest, Guillermo tilted his head as he listened to Merle. He could tell he wasn't drunk, but he was defiantly on something. The man had barely said two words for the past couple days and now he was talking again like nothing ever happened. Taking a chance he asked, "How'd you hold him back?"
"Fucker always cleaned up my messes," he replied, his voice barely audible. Lifting his brow, he finally looked over at the other man, "He got me cleaned up once. Had to for my kid."
Surprised that Merle had a kid, Guillermo scratched at his stubbled jaw and smirked, "You mean you were a dad to someone, bro?"
Dropping his feet, Merle pointed at him, a smile coming to his face, "Had myself a little girl. Had me and Daryl wrapped around her fuckin' fingers." Pulling his wallet from his back pocket, Merle blinked a couple times, trying to get his eyes to adjust as he found what he was looking for. Holding up the tattered picture, he smirked, "That's my Becca. Pretty as her momma and sassy as a damn Dixon could be."
Looking at the picture of Merle, Daryl and the little girl, Guillermo nodded and then looked at Merle, "Got your eyes."
Merle turned the picture back, looking at it hard, his smiling faltering, "Malinda always said she had my eyes and smile...I thought she looked liked her momma though."
Merle remained silent for several long moments and Guillermo watched him. He could see the hurt and sorrow in the man's eyes and sat down on the edge of the desk. When Merle continued to remain silent, he asked softly, "Was it when all this shit started?"
Barely shaking his head, Merle frowned, "Nah...fuckin' drunk ass driver..."
Hearing footsteps, Guillermo saw Felipe at the door and shook his head. When his cousin walked away giving them some privacy again, he turned his attention back to Merle. "We'll find your brother, man. He's probably hunkered down with that group y'all were with. Sooner or later we'll catch up ta them."
"He ain't gonna want my ass there. I always screwed shit up for him. Better off without me..."
Shaking his head, Guillermo raised his brow, "Nah, man...blood is blood. Shit happens in families. But if you want your brother back...then you gotta get your shit together, man." Licking his lips, Guillermo took a chance at trying to help Merle, "Give up the drugs...the alcohol. Shit just screws with your head anyways."
Lifting his eyes to the man, Merle sneered, "It also get's rid of the fuckin' pain...the voices..."
"Other ways to deal with it." Taking in a deep breath, he watched as Merle put the picture back into his wallet, "You want to get your shit together? Show your brother you've changed? Or you want to wallow in this self pity shit you got goin' on now?"
"Fuck you..." Merle growled as he stood, his head spinning and then loosing his balance. Falling to the floor, he groaned as he rolled over onto his back, his head fuzzy.
Coming around and looking down at the man, Guillermo made no move to help him up, instead leaving him where he was. "See me when you want to get your shit straight, Merle. Then we'll talk, bro." Leaving him, he went in search of his cousin so they could lock themselves in for the night.
When Merle realized he was alone again, he covered his eyes with his left forearm and breathed out, "I'm sorry, brother...I fucked up again."
The group worked over the next week, moving the empty trailers with the few rigs they had that had keys for them that they found. They lined the fences with them at the weak areas and then used what few corral panels that had brought with them at the bottom where the fence was still exposed. A run a few of them had taken had given them extra chain for the main gate along with new locks. For the most part they were safe inside the fenced area. The only threat they could see getting in would be hostile people.
The run to the fire station had been more then beneficial to them as well. Not only had they been able to acquire enough fire-hose to run down to the river, but also more medical supplies that had been stored at the station as well. An ambulance that was inside had been brought back as well, giving Hershel and Otis a way to work on anyone that might have more traumatic injuries should any arise.
Most of the warehouse had been inventoried by the women and the food that was at risk of spoiling soon had been moved closer to the kitchen so it could be used first. Anything that wasn't of use to them had been moved outside and placed near the fire pit that had been set up and could be burned for heat. The extra pallets had also been broke down for kindling and placed near the fire pit and grill opening a little more space for them in the warehouse.
Slowly, the place that they were now to call home was coming together.
Sitting up on the cot and buttoning her shirt back up, Carol then turned, letting her feet hit the floor. Hershel made a few notes in the notebook he was keeping and then turned to her, a soft smile on his face, "You and the baby are looking good, my dear. Just keep up on resting when you can and drinking plenty of liquids."
"There is still a lot to get done around here, Hershel. I need to be helping out and not being a burden to everyone," Carol said as she took his offered hand and stood up slowly.
Shaking his head and making sure she was steady on her feet, Hershel raised his brow, "Carol, you're not a burden on any of us. You need to stop thinking like that. You're carrying a little miracle inside you...that means you have to not only take care of it, but yourself also."
Running her hand over her growing belly, Carol sighed, "I know. It's just...hard, you know? Ed always..."
Raising his finger, Hershel silenced her, "He's not here, Carol. You forget everything that man ever said or did to you. You're a good woman, a strong woman. You're here and so is this baby. That just shows how strong you really are."
Carol lowered her eyes, nodding slightly before looking back up at the older man. Resting her hand on the top of her belly, she asked softly, "You think she'll be okay?"
"I know she will be. She's got a strong heartbeat, just like her momma. I'd say in another month or so, she'll be making her appearance. And when she does, you'll need all your strength." Walking her to the door and opening it, he led Carol out, both walking down the hallway towards the warehouse door slowly, "In the meantime, lots of rest, plenty of food and drink...and you might want to get up with Lori about learning your breathing for labor."
"We've already been working on it," Carol said with a shy smile. He opened the door for her, letting her through first and she looked back at him, "Thank you, Hershel."
"You're welcome. Now...I think I'm gonna go work on that garden some."
Watching him head towards the ramp that lead outside, Carol went over, picking up a bottle of the juice they had set aside for her. Taking a drink, she closed it back and then felt a hand touch her shoulder. Jumping, she spun around, her eyes wide and landing on Daryl. His hands went up instantly and he took a step back from her. Relaxing when she realized it was him, she let out the breath she'd been holding, "Daryl...you scared me."
"Sorry 'bout that," he said softly, his eyes darting around and then chewing on his lip. He hadn't meant to scare her and now he felt like a jackass for doing so. Rick and T-Dog working at the other end of the warehouse caught his attention for a few seconds before he looked back at her, "Was just making sure you're alright. Saw ya with Hershel."
Nodding her head, she set her bottle back, "Yeah, he just wanted to do a check up on us. We're both fine."
"Good." Looking down a the plastic grocery bag he had in his hand, he then handed it over to her, "Found ya some more of that tea when I went out this mornin'. Need ta dry out the leaves though first."
Carol opened the bag, looking in and smiling more before looking back up at him, "Thank you, Daryl. I've uh...I've actually been craving this the past couple days."
Nodding, Daryl then shifted some and glanced at Glenn as he walked by with a smirk. Growling slightly, he then looked back at Carol, "Found ya some things too. Put them just inside ya door to your room. Let me know when you need more."
Without another word, he walked off, leaving Carol standing there with a smile on her face. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a piece of the peppermint candy he had left for her and unwrapped it. Popping it into her mouth, she turned, humming to herself and going to dry out her tea leaves.
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