Sweet Caroline
Chapter 37 – "In Memory"
Raylan wakes up to find his little sister siting in the back of the pickup. Her long red hair was hanging down her back, hiding the side of her face. A sudden sadness comes over him as he realizes what she's doing.
"Caroline, you all right sweetheart?" Raylan walks up to the truck seeing Caroline holding Cassidy's hand.
"Saying goodbye Raylan. We have to bury him, I can't let them burn him. This whole thing is just fucked up. Having Daryl has made this a little more bearable. I swear Raylan, Cassidy is the last one." Her silent tears begin to fall as she kisses the back of Cassidy's hand.
Raylan slides his arm around her shoulders, kissing the top of her head. "We both need to say goodbye Caroline and not to just Cassidy. We need to say goodbye to everyone we've loved and lost." He takes her hand as they walk toward the stream by the forest edge.
"What do you want me to do Raylan?" Her cool blue eyes look up to him.
"Say goodbye Caroline." Raylan leans down to pick up some small rocks. He hands some to Caroline as he turns one over in his fingers.
Raylan takes the small rock in his hand and closes his eyes. Caroline kisses his cheek watching his face go smooth.
"What's up with the rocks Raylan?" Caroline smiles at him, her face looking worn and tired.
"This is for Tim, my brother, my twin. I will always carry a part of you with me." Raylan kisses the rock and tosses it into the stream.
A tear rolls down Raylan's face, a small smile starting to form. He opens Caroline's hand, running his finger over the rock there.
"This is for Lucas, my larger than life big brother. Thank you for loving me and teaching me how to have a good time." Caroline kisses the rock and follows Raylan's lead, tossing it into the stream.
Raylan takes her hand and they take three stones. "This is for May, Lynn and Cassidy. Family is more than blood, it's the way you love someone and how they love you back." Rayland tosses the stones into to stream, looking down at his little sister.
"Goodbye Cassidy, I will always love you. I hope you find Meg and Molly wherever you are. I hope you know I did love you. I promise to find Samuel and Dean, I promise to never give up." Caroline wipes the tears from her face, smiling at the rising sun.
Caroline feels two strong arms wrap around her, the scruff of a beard rubbing her cheek. "Hey there Dixon."
Daryl pulls her against him, his lips at her ear. "I got worried when I woke up without ya. I've been watchin you and Raylan for a bit. Can I have one of those rocks?"
Caroline leans her head back, Daryl kissing her temple. She holds up her open palm, giving Daryl her last stone. He takes the stone, grinning down at her.
Raylan plants his hand on Daryl's shoulder, nodding at him. "I'll leave you two alone. I'll go see if I can find something to eat."
Daryl nods back at him as he releases Caroline. He takes her hand, walking her to the water's edge. "This is for Sophia and Dale." He tosses the rock in, hanging his head down.
Caroline takes one more rock, tossing in after his. "For everyone we tried but couldn't save. Goodbye."
After a few moments, Daryl takes Caroline in his arms holding her tight. She wraps her arms around him, her face against his chest. They stand like this for a short while, Daryl resting his face in her neck.
"We needed that Daryl. I'm ready for whatever is out there now." She kisses his neck, letting her lips trail up to his face.
Daryl takes her face in his hands, his lips finding hers. Slowly he kisses her, taking his time to enjoy. Caroline kisses him back, their lips moving against each other. He pulls back, a slight smirk on his face.
"We can face anythang, together." He takes her hand as they walk back towards the campsite.
"My niece is going to need me Daryl; I have to take care of her for Lee Jr. I won't let anything hurt that little girl." She squeezes Daryl hands, taking a deep breath.
"I've got your back gurl. That little gurl ain't got nothin to worry about. "Daryl squeezes her hand back, giving her some reassurance.
As they approach the campsite they see Lori walking toward them. "Caroline, can I have a word with you."
Daryl gives Lori a quick glance before kissing Caroline. "Hurry back gurl." He smacks her on the ass as she walks off.
"Okay Lori, what do you want." Caroline's words are short with Lori.
"I asked Raylan what you two were doing over there. I'd like to say goodbye to a few people too. Would you come with me?" Lori looks sad and pleading at her.
"Sure, whatever." Caroline starts to walk back to the stream with Lori on her heels.
"You don't like me much do you?" Lori glares at Caroline.
"No, not really but we're all trying to survive out here Lori. In some form or another we all need each other." Caroline crosses her arms over her chest, looking away from Lori.
Lori picks up a rock and whispers over it. After she tosses it in she turns to Caroline. "I don't know what I've done to you. You're right we don't have to like each other to survive but it helps since we're living together."
"I'm not one to poke my nose in other people's business but the way you acted toward Rick yesterday floored me. So he killed Shane, Shane was a danger to us all. And let's face it; if Carl hadn't shot Shane once he turned he'd have killed them both. Carl was protecting his father and Rick was protecting the group, yet again. I'm so sick of this poor helpless Lori routine. You need to watch your damn kid, support your husband and stop acting so righteous. Trust me Lori, Shane's blood is on your hands." Caroline glares back at Lori, her mouth set hard.
"How dare you judge me. You don't know me or my family. You worry about that redneck you're screwing and I'll worry about mine." Lori clenches her fists and starts to storm off.
Caroline grabs Lori by the arm, turning her around. "At least Daryl is the only man I'm screwing."
Lori smacks Caroline hard across the face. "You bitch. You stay the hell away from me and my family."
Daryl runs over to Caroline, looking at her cheek. "You all right girl?"
"I'm fine Daryl, it stings that's all." Caroline grins up at him, his fingers rubbing her aching cheek.
Daryl looks back to Lori, his anger building. "That bitch best never lay another hand on you again."
"Don't you worry about Lori, I can handle myself. We've got a lot to do today. I better get Katie from Lee Jr., she'll be hungry. I think Cassidy packed her some food in her baby bag." She notices a grin on Daryl's face. His eyes looking so blue, so inviting.
"You sure we can't go back out to the woods, find that tree from last night." Daryl flashes his coy grin, nodding towards the forest.
"Oh Daryl, my back is still smarting from last night. I think we better wait on the tree but that grassy patch did feel real fine." Caroline winks at him as they walk back to the campsite.