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CARYL ON!

"I am no one special. Just a common man with common thoughts. I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but in one respect I've succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived. I've loved another with all my heart and soul and for me that has always been enough..." Beth read as a soft knock came to the door. Closing the book she'd been reading to Carol, Beth laid it aside and leaned down, placing her hand on the woman's and whispering near her ear, "I'm just gonna answer the door, Carol. I'll be right back."

Walking across the room, she glanced back at Carol, finding her still staring out at nothing particular. Taking in a deep breath, she turned back to the door, opening it. A soft smile formed on her lips as Merle and Daryl came into view. Reaching for Merle, she wrapped her arms around his neck, taking comfort as his arms encircled her waist and held her close. When they parted, she looked to Daryl, "Jacqui left this morning, but Carol seems to be doing good so far. Been readin' to her."

Nodding his head, he adverted his eyes down to the floor for a moment and then looked back at the blond, "Think I can see her for a few minutes?"

Beth's smile grew and she nodded, "It'd do her good I think. Just do like last night though. Both of you."

"She said anythin' yet?" Merle asked, glancing over Beth's shoulder into the room, but only able to see the window.

"No...not yet. But, she did squeeze my hand earlier when I asked if she wanted some water...so that's a good sign." Seeing the small stuffed panda in Daryl's hand, Beth pointed to it, "That for Carol?"

Glancing down at it, Daryl took in a deep breath and caught Merle's smirk before grumbling, "For the baby."

Seeing Merle's reaction, Beth batted at his chest and frowned, "Leave him alone, Merle. If you remember, you got me a stuffed dog when I was sick with the flu."

"Told ya not ta be goin' round tellin' anyone that shit," he groused, running a hand over his short hair.

Shaking her head, she looked back at Daryl, "Give me a minute and then come in. Remember to knock and move slow." Cutting her eyes at Merle, Beth went back into the room, her smile returning. Going back to the bed, she placed her hand back onto Carol's, her voice soft and warm, "Carol, you have two visitors. Daryl and Merle are here to see you."

Carol's hand began to shake under her's and Beth gave it a gentle squeeze, "It's okay. Remember, they care about you and will not hurt you. I'll stay right here. I won't leave you. You'll be just fine."

Another knock came and the door opened. Both men moved slowly into the room and Beth smiled at them, holding onto Carol's hand, "See, it's just Daryl and Merle. They wanted to see how you are doing. Ain't that right, guys?"

Merle nodded slightly, feeling silly about having to act so soft. He was never one to be quiet like, but with Carol's condition, he wasn't about to do anything to offset any progress she was making, "Hiya, darlin'. Lookin' better today if I do say so myself."

Placing her free hand on Carol's shoulder, Beth could feel how much she was shaking. Keeping calm, she smiled and raised her brow, "The doctor's said if she keeps it up, we can take her home by the end of the week, right Carol?"

Not seeing any reaction coming from her besides her body shaking from their presence, Daryl lifted the stuffed animal, "Brought the baby somethin'. Thought ya might like it too." Setting it at the foot of the bed, Daryl took a step back, "You uh...you keep gettin' better. Merle and me is watchin' your place...even cut the grass."

Getting an idea, Beth made eye contact with Merle and nodded for him to move towards the door. Clearing her throat, Beth leaned down to Carol's ear, "I need to talk to Merle. Daryl's gonna sit with ya just for a few minutes, but I'll be where you can see me." Releasing her hand, Beth went over to Daryl and took his hand. Leading him over to the chair she'd been sitting in before they arrived, she motioned for him to sit. When he did, she placed his hand onto Carol's, "Talk to her, Daryl."

He could feel how much Carol was physically shaking, her soft hand in his seemed to send a bolt of electricity through him. It'd felt like forever since he'd been able to touch her, and now, he was holding her hand and had no clue what to say or do. Beth went to stand with Merle over near the door and Daryl's eyes darted around for a few seconds before finally looking back at Carol. He could see tears forming in her eyes and he leaned forward slightly, his voice coming out in a whisper, "No need to be scared anymore, woman. I ain't ever gonna hurt ya. Ya been hurt too much already. Just wantin' ya to get better. Ya need to be better for when the little one get's here. Gonna need's it's momma."

Keeping his eyes on her, Daryl continued to talk to her, hoping it would help, "Talked ta David...told him what happened. He said your job will be waitin' for ya when ya get better. Put Audrey up there 'til you get back and all." Licking his lips, he sighed, "Need ya to start eatin' though...get your strength back so ya can go home, don't need ya sittin' here in this hospital room." Not getting any response to what he was telling her, he lowered his head, "I want ya to come home. Hate seein' ya in here. I want to help take care of ya...if you'll let me."

Beth and Merle stood back watching Daryl, listening. When it was obvious to Beth that Carol wasn't going to act out to Daryl being there as close as he was to her, she spoke up, "Carol, Daryl...we're gonna walk down to the vending machine and get some soda's. We'll be right back."

Daryl lifted his head, watching as they left out and then turned back to Carol. A single tear ran down her right cheek, and he shook his head, "Beth will be right back. I'm not gonna let anyone in here to hurt ya...promise." Without realizing it, his thumb began to rub the top of her hand and he reached with his left hand, getting the panda bear and bringing it up closer so Carol could see it, "This is actually for you and the baby. Thought it would cheer ya up some. Plus...well, I remembered ya tellin' me how ya liked panda's." Placing it next to her, he forced a small smile, "Don't go tellin' anyone though. Might think I'm turnin' inta a pussy or somethin'."

Looking around the room, Daryl shifted in his seat and breathed out, "I was so worried 'bout ya. Didn't know where ta look...how ta find ya. Beth, Beth got us on your trail though. I wanted to be there when they found ya, but they wouldn't let me up there. Made me sit at the house. Dammit, woman...I'm sorry I wasn't there for ya; that I wasn't there to stop this from happenin'." His own tears began to sting his eyes and Daryl fought them back, "I love ya, woman...ain't never loved anyone before. I'll do anything I have ta to prove it ta ya."

Moving forward in his chair, he brought her hand to his lips, gently kissing the back of her hand and whispering against her warm bruised skin, "Don't leave me, Carol...fight. Fight this and come back to me."

The feel of her hand tightening around his caused Daryl to look up at her, his heart suddenly beating hard against his chest. It was the first sign he'd seen from her and one he wouldn't forget anytime soon. Smirking, he nodded, "At your pace, woman...all at your pace."

Beth was reading a section from "The Notebook" to Carol.

Okay, for those that didn't see it above, I started a CARYL group on fb called Fans of CARYL and it also has the link to the new CARYL website myself and EnglishPoet18 run as well! It's full of photo's, story links, CARYL info, poll's, and we even have a Live Chat on Monday, Wednesday's and Friday's...come check it out and give us a "Like" on the FB page!