This will be the last chapter before the epilogue *sniff* and I apologize because it's mostly dialogue. A lot of things just had to be said.
Chapter Thirty-Four
There were a few beats of silence on the other end of the line and Carol feared that Michonne had hung up on her. Truthfully, she wouldn't have blamed her if she had. It had been a year since she'd last spoken to her best friend and because of Carol; Ed had stalked her home and thrown a brick through the window of Michonne's house.
"Carol?" The familiar voice startled Carol, but she couldn't help but smile at her friend's familiar voice. "Is that really you?"
"Yes. Yes, it's me. God, I miss you so much, Mich!" She couldn't hold it any longer, she burst into tears. Daryl came running at the sound of her tears, but she gave him a thumbs up and gave him a watery smile. Though they weren't happy tears, she just needed to be left alone to have this conversation with Michonne.
Daryl nodded, understanding and left the room.
"I-I'm so sorry," Carol cried.
"For what?" Michonne's voice was soft and not accusing, at all. "For getting away when you saw that Ed had found you, again?"
"But I didn't tell you that I was leaving, and then, Ed stuck around and threw a brick at your window. He could have done something much worse than that and it would have been my fault." The tears continued to pour down her cheeks and no matter how hard Carol tried, they wouldn't stop.
"Oh, honey. All that bastard did was startle me from my book. I knew he would be coming around sooner or later."
"I kn-"
"Even if you hadn't been staying at my house, Carol. Ed knew we were best friends and he hated me for it. The feelings were mutual, of course. But he did have my fooled, though. If I had known what he would turn into once you two got married, I would have dragged you kicking and screaming from the alter."
"If I had known, too, I would have gone willingly," Carol sighed and laid down flat on the bed, legs hanging off the edge. In the living room, she could hear Daryl picking up the glass from the broken window.
"Is there a reason why you called? Not that I'm not enjoying speaking with after all this time."
"There is. Ed's gone. Not dead gone. But he's in jail for hopefully a long time."
Michonne gasped. "Really? Oh, thank God. How did that happen?"
With a proud smile, Carol told her friend how everything had gone down that day.
"Oh my God, Carol, that was so dangerous to do. But, also, so badass!"
Carol laughed. "Well, I learned from the best 'Chonne. Do you still have that katana of yours?"
"Course I do! That's why I wasn't afraid of your asshole ex-husband. If he had stepped one foot in my house, he would have been skewered!" They both laughed and it didn't feel like their had been nine months of silence between the two of them.
"So," Michonne started. "Who is this Daryl you were talking about earlier? Is he a new boyfriend?"
"Actually...he's a new husband."
"What?" Carol had to hold the phone from her ear as Michonne screeched on the other end.
"Carol Anne! When did that happen?"
"Um...about a week ago." She said, sheepishly.
"Oh. My. God. Spill everything. Now."
Carol opened her mouth to start on another long story when the sound of a baby crying stopped her before she could speak a word. Ed had said in her nightmare that Michonne had a baby, now, but she didn't think to believe him.
"Damn. Andre is up," Michonne muttered.
"When did you have him?"
"Six months ago, last week."
"So, you were pregnant when-"
"When you were staying with me. Yeah. The day you left was the day I found out. I was going to tell you as soon as I got home, but when I opened the door you were so freaked out over Ed that I didn't have the chance to say anything."
"I'm sorry."
"No, don't be. If I had known that I wouldn't speak to you, again, for a year then I would have said something."
"I'm so sorry."
"Stop apologizing, girl. I understand and look at us, now, talking as if we've never stopped." Carol could hear the smile in her friend's voice.
"So, who's the daddy?"
"Do you remember Mike?"
"Course, I do. You two dated in college."
"Ugh. Don't remind me. Once he found out I was pregnant, he left and I haven't heard from him since." She paused and Carol opened her mouth. "Don't you say you're sorry, again!" Michonne scolded and the crying in the background grew louder.
"Listen, I would love for us to talk more, but I need to change and feed Andre. We'll talk later. Hopefully not a year from now," she teased.
"Definitely not." Carol laughed. "I'll call you tomorrow while Daryl's at work and I'll tell you all about him." She sat up in bed to see Daryl standing in the doorway, arms crossed and smiling. She waved and he waved back.
"Looking forward to it. Love you, Carol Anne."
"Love you, too, 'Chonne."
They hung up at the same time. Carol sighed happily and beckoned Daryl to sit next to her. He went willingly and Carol leaned her head against his shoulder, still smiling. "I know I should be crying mess from everything that's happened today, but I just feel so happy and relieved. Ed's gone for good and I just talked to my best friend, who surprisingly doesn't hate me, after not talking to her for a year."
Daryl wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple. "I was wondering why you looked so happy on the phone. I hope you look that way when you're speaking to me."
"Of course I do," she giggled and burrowed deeper into his side.
"You still willin' to go out for some dinner? If not, I'm sure I can cook up something to eat. Something easy, of course. Something that won't cause me to burn down the house."
"No, I still want to go out." She giggled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "So, where are you taking me, husband?"
"Wherever you want to go, wife."
They went to the only restaurant in town. Daryl had Carol laughing so hard her strawberry milkshake almost came out her nose, which had him laughing uncontrollably. The rest of the patrons were giving them odd looks, but they didn't care.
After they ate, it was starting to grow dark and instead of going home, Daryl drove them to a field close to his old house. When Daryl produced a comforter and two pillows from the back of their seats, Carol raised an eyebrow. "Are you thinking you're going to get lucky, tonight?" She teased.
Daryl's face had gone red. "Naw, just thought this would be comfortable to lie on while we looked at the stars."
As they lay on their backs, head cushioned on the pillows, Daryl pointed out the many different stars and constellations. Carol admired the knowledge he had of them and asked where he had learned.
"My grandpa," he said. "Told Merle and I about them when were small. He died before our mama did, which was probably a good thing because her death may have killed him. They weren't close, but she was his only child and my grandma had died years before I was born."
Carol moved until she was pressed more against his side, enjoying the way his voice sounded when he talked about his grandpa. It was soft and lilting.
"The tattoo I have on my chest? That was his name." He looked sideways at Carol.
"He sounds like a great man, Daryl. I wish I could have met him."
Daryl went back to look up at the sky. "He was a great man. He always made me feel like I would be worth something some day. You would have loved him and he would have loved you."
"You are worth something, Daryl. He may be gone, but I'll always be here to remind you of that."
"I know." He pulled her close. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Daryl."
That night, they made love under the stars.
Two Months Later
"I can't believe Merle is actually gettin' out today," Daryl said as his leg jiggled nervously as they waited in the prison's waiting room. "I thought he would be in there much longer, you know?" It was clear that he was excited about his older brother's release, despite the events that happened on the last few visits two months prior.
Carol, however, couldn't help but feel a little trepidation at Merle's release. From their last visit, she knew that Merle didn't have a very high opinion of her. At the time, he had the right to be suspicious, but Daryl knew everything and she kept nothing from him, now. She hoped his opinion would change. Especially if he planned to be in his younger brother's life more.
"I didn't think you would want to come, especially since Michonne and Andre are back at the house."
"This is something big for you, Daryl. Of course, I'd come with. Plus, Michonne wanted to put Andre down for a little nap before Merle got there."
Daryl nodded. "Smart choice. Merle's been known to have a loud mouth."
Carol giggled. "Which is something you didn't inherit. Thank goodness."
"You like my mouth just the way it is." He leaned close and placed a kiss just below her ear. "And maybe later, I can show you just where my mouth likes to be."
Carol flushed a bright red and Daryl leaned back with a satisfied smirk. He had gotten bolder in the two months (almost three) they had been married. She was about to reply with something that would make him flush just as the door leading to the prison was opened. Merle stepped out in street clothes and flanked by two guards. When his eyes landed on Daryl, he smiled wide.
"Baby bro!" Daryl stood up and met his brother halfway. Merle, surprisingly pulled him into a hug. When he pulled away, his eyes shifted and landed on Carol. The smile on his mouth turned down at the corners.
"I see you're still with her."
"Carol's my wife. Of course we're still together. I love her," Daryl defended and put an arm around her waist.
Carol plastered on a smile, even though she wanted to cry a little. "Hey, Merle. I'm glad you're out."
"You and me both," he said. Turning to Daryl, "Let's get out of here. I'm starvin' and I can't wait to eat somethin' that isn't the shit they serve in here."
"All right. I'm just going to drop Carol off at the house and then, I'll take you out." The three of them started walking out of the prison. Carol hung back and let the two brothers talk.
"Hell yeah!" He slapped Daryl on the back. "Sounds like a good damn plan."
On the way back to their home, Carol sat between Daryl and Merle in the truck, wishing they could have taken her car and she could have sat in the back. The tension was thick in the cab. Merle and Daryl talked amiably, but when Daryl tried to include her into the conversation, Merle would clam up and give short answers. She just wanted to get out of there.
Finally, they reached their home and Carol let out a sigh of relief.
Daryl was the one to let her out on his side and walked her to the door. "I'm goin' to talk to him, sweetheart. I'm goin' to make him understand why I love you so much and that he needs to stop with his bullshit."
A tear slid down Carol's cheek. She hadn't even known they were there piling up in her eyes. "It's my fault he feels the way he does. I should be the one to talk to him."
"Let me talk to him, and if he doesn't see my way of things, then I'll let you slap it into him, all right?" He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. "I don't know when I'll be back, depends on how hard Merle's head is, but it shouldn't be longer than an hour."
Carol sighed. "I hope he likes what we're making him."
"It's all his favorites. He'll love it. And while we're out, we'll grab a case of his favorite beer."
"Okay, sound good." She gave him another kiss. "Now, go before he takes your truck and leaves you behind."
"Yeah, I should. See you soon!" He jogged back to the truck. Carol watched them pull out of the driveway. She hoped Daryl would be able to talk with Merle.
"So, where are you takin' me, brother? I hope it's a buffet or somethin' and I'm surprised you aren't takin' that woman with you."
Daryl sighed. "That woman is my wife and her name is Carol. I'm not takin' you anywhere. We're goin' to have a little chat."
Merle groaned from the passenger's seat. "Man, are we really doin' this now. I just got out of fuckin' prison. Can't I at least catch a small break?"
"No. I will not have you treat Carol like shit." Merle opened his mouth, but Daryl was quick to stop. "Don't you dare say she deserved it. I shouldn't have gone to you two months ago and told you all of that shit. I was bein' hasty and I knew my brother would tell me what I want to hear." Daryl turned to him. "But I shouldn't have listened to you."
"Well, it looks like in the end you didn't because you are still with her," Merle grumbled, not happy with the conversation.
"Carol has had a hard last few years. She was married to an abusive asshole for a year and a half. When she finally left him, he followed her and found her every time she tried to hide. The past years she's been living here and he had been sending her these fucked up texts. She didn't want to tell me any of this because she didn't want me to know of how batshit Ed was. That was what she had been hidin' from me."
"Shit..." Guilt flashed across Merle's face and Daryl knew that he was getting through to him.
"Yeah. Two months ago, the bastard followed her home, but she was ready for him. Carol shot him when he tried to hurt her. Luckily, the police were there and got to him before he tried, again. Well, lucky for him, anyway." Daryl chuckled. "He's goin' to be in jail for a long time."
Merle was silent for a few minutes and ran hand over the knuckles of his right hand. Daryl looked down and saw that they were scabbed over. "Did you get in a fight, Merle?"
"Yeah. Some new prick thought he could say whatever he wanted to me. I showed him."
"You were lucky they didn't decide to postpone your release." Daryl rolled his eyes. Leave it to Merle to almost fuck up his own release time with a fight.
"Naw. The guards ain't too fond of the guy, anyway. They turned their backs once I threw the first punch. Which reminds me, I need to speak with your wom-, uh, I mean your wife."
Daryl's brow furrowed. "Why?" He didn't like that they had gone from Merle punching someone to Carol.
"I need to apologize for the shit I said." Daryl looked at his brother and was surprised to see he looked sincere. "Plus, I have to tell her somethin' I think she'll like hearin'." He smiled.
A half-hour, Carol was rocking a still sleepy Andre in her arms when she heard Daryl's truck pull up in thew driveway. Michonne walked from the kitchen, dreads pulled back and a serving spoon in her right hand. "Good thing we're ready." She smiled over at Carol. "How's he doing?"
"Sleepy, but not asleep," Carol replied and smiled as Andre blinked lazily up at her. "Oh, and I should warn you about Merle. He's a lit-"
"Don't worry, girl. Daryl already debriefed me. I'm ready."
Carol laughed at her friend and stood to join her as they faced the front door. A sign saying 'Welcome Back!' hung over their heads. Daryl didn't want to get one for his brother, but Carol insisted.
Daryl was the first to walk in and Merle followed after. Daryl smiled when he saw Carol and a weight lifted off her shoulders. The talk had gone well. He kissed Carol's cheek than ran a finger down Andre's soft cheek, who seemed more alert now that there were more people in the room.
"Now, I see why my brother didn't want to take my ass out!" Merle said with a smile when he saw the sign and smelled the cooking. "You all planned a party for me!" He went up to Carol, careful of the baby in her arms and gave her a one-armed hug.
"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear before stepping back.
"It's okay," she whispered with a smile. She knew he didn't want to make a big deal out of it and that was fine with her.
"Oh, and guess what?" This was said so everyone could hear. "I met your dick of an ex-husband in prison a few days ago. I beat the shit out of him." He beamed proudly.
"Really? I'm glad he's getting what's coming to him in prison and I'm glad you were the one to give it to him." Carol leaned up and gave him a kiss on his cheek. Merle's cheeks went pink and he quickly turned his eyes away. They landed on Michonne.
"And who's this?" Merle turned to Michonne a wide smile on his face. Daryl looked at Carol from behind Merle's back with wide eyes. Carol hid a giggle behind her hand. She knew Michonne was beautiful and it looked like Merle had noticed, as well.
"I'm Michonne," Michonne smiled and held out a hand to shake. "I'm Carol's best friend. The baby she's holding is my son, Andre."
"No offense, darlin', but I figured that out right away." He turned to the baby, who was watching him with wide eyes. Then, to the shock of everyone in the room, Andre lifted up his arms and made grabby hands at Merle.
"I think he wants you to hold him, Merle." Carol laughed and with an approving nod from Michonne, Carol handed him over to Merle, who at first didn't know what to do with the baby. But once he got comfortable with the small human in his arms, he smiled down at the little boy with a tender look in his eye. In just a few seconds, he was enamored.
"So," he said and looked at Daryl. "When are you and Carol goin' to have one of these of your own?"
Thanks for reading! :)