Carl and Merle made it through their surgeries, but Otis had taken a shot to the back that Daryl hadn't seen, and he didn't made it. Carol was fine, just had some resting to do, and Sophia just needed to speak to a therapist twice a week for a few months.
Phillip had killed Milton Mamet, Karen Mamet, Duane Jones, Jenny Jones, Meghan Chalmers, Shane Walsh and so many others. Andrea was so surprised when they questioned her. She knew Phillip had a dark side, but she never thought it was so dark. She wanted to speak to the surviving family members and apologize, though no amount of apologizing can bring back those Phillip had killed. So, she had the newspaper do an entire story on those who been killed. It was front page and would print tomorrow.
As for Ed Peletier, he was dead. In the end, cigarettes were the death of him. The one he threw down caught fire to the hay, and that little cigarette burned the barn down and Ed with it. His body was burnt to nothing, and his parents couldn't even ID him. They had to call in help to make sure it was Ed. Daryl wasn't letting this be a guessing game. It was Ed. And when he told Carol, she cried for two hours straight, and he didn't understand at first. It wasn't until later when she settled down that it was relief.
He took his time telling her the losses as to not overwhelm her in grief. She was still coping with Meghan's death, and he was still trying to cope with the news of their baby. Carol wasn't telling, and the doctor was so busy with the others. Dr. S and Dr. Bob were running around like crazy, not to mention the others. A lot of shit happened, and a lot of people needed to take it slow. Daryl was trying to, but he still freaked about what happened in the barn. He couldn't push that way. He didn't realize how much control his father's blood had over him. That scared him, especially since he was getting married. He didn't want to beat Carol and any kids they have. He would rather die. Dixon blood ran strong though.
"You big dummy." Amy looked over Merle as he rested. "God, you got so lucky." She reached over and stopped herself from touching him. "I promised myself I wouldn't do this." Oh, screw it. She sat down and took his hand in hers. "You have to get better. You have to."
Andrea stopped in the doorway, crossing her arms.
"Please, you talk a big game, and I need that to be true right now." She could feel Andrea watching, but she didn't care. "I love you, Merle. I try not to, because you're not ready to be loved, but I can't help it. I need you to wake up."
Andrea glanced over and saw the Crowleys. "Amy."
She nodded and stood up. She set his hand down gently and kissed his forehead. She smoothed back his soft curls and studied his face. He looked so peaceful. She could remember nights when he would be passed out in bed or on the couch, and she would just watch him sleep. He always looked so much younger, always looked so calm. At times, Merle could be very charming. She missed him so much. There was a hole inside of her that he left, a hole David could never fill. She was beginning to wonder if marrying him was the right thing to do.
"Get well soon." She placed a light kiss to his lips then she turned and met Andrea by the door. "I want to go home. I don't want to see them."
"Let's go." She put her arm around her and led her to the car. "Dale's at home with Brian. It'll be just us."
She nodded as she broke out into tears. How could she be marrying someone else? How could this be happening to her? She didn't want money or a high social standing. She wanted Merle. She ached for him, but she was engaged, and girls like her don't marry boys like him. She hated her father for that one thing. She wasn't good enough for Crowley, but she wasn't low enough for Merle. That's what the score was in everyone's minds but hers. Hers was the only one that mattered. She needed to reevaluate her decisions and her life.
Daryl passed Amy and Andrea. He continued to Carol's room, finding her and Sophia looking over wedding dresses. Sophia threw the magazine into the bathroom at the sight of him, Carol blinked in surprise, and Daryl smirked.
"Peanut butter crackers and grape juice." He handed them to Sophia. "They brought you anything?"
"I asked them not to. I'm going home today, and I'd rather have steak. I promised someone I would make them one."
"Boomer?"
"Yeah." She shook her head. "I always thought he hated me. I used to give him treats to get him to leave me alone."
"Dog like that, probably didn't like the smell of your fear. He loved you, though. Saved your life." He set his hand over hers. "Mine too."
She smiled. "I love you too."
Sophia smiled widely as he leaned and kissed her forehead, and just as he went to kiss her mouth, Dr. S knocked.
"Sorry to break up smooches," he walked inside, "but I've got news."
"Good news, I hope." Sophia shifted on the bed.
"Your lungs are fine. You don't have damage. You were smart by staying low to the ground." He reached into the folder and handed over a sonogram. "Your baby's fine too. Got one hell of a fighter."
"I know." She met Daryl's eyes. "Barely four months and our baby takes after you already."
He's lips tugged upward in a half-smile. "Guess so."
"Lemme see." Sophia climbed over Carol's legs and leaned into Daryl. "Looks like a potato."
"So did you," Carol informed her. "Don't talk bad about your little brother or sister."
"Fine, it looks like a cute potato."
"Daryl, do me a favor and hand me my get well card from Rick."
He picked it up and handed it to her, and she smacked Sophia in the head with it lightly.
"Fine. I'm going to check on Carl and Uncle Merle before we go." She grabbed the grape juice and left, going right to where Carl and Lori were. Rick had to deal with the paperwork and funeral arrangements, because Shane had no next of kin. Lori didn't know yet. Rick went out of his way to make sure she didn't know. They weren't going to tell her until Carl released from the hospital.
"So, how are you, Daddy?" Carol teased.
"All right."
"You're not all right." She touched his knuckles gingerly. "I know that look by now. Sophia told me."
He pulled his hand back. "I'm gonna talk to Dr. S, get you outta here." He kissed her and left the room.
She frowned and followed him with her eyes. What the hell?
"Hey." Beth stepped into her room. "Brought you some get well gifts from Maggie, Glenn and me and Daddy." She brought in a basket of fruit and jerky. "How do you feel?"
"I'm good. The baby's fine too. Uhh, Beth, have you heard anything from or about Lilly?"
"No. I ran into Tara, though. She hasn't seen Lilly since they found her. I can't even imagine what she's goin' through. Losin' a child..." She shook her head. "I'm prayin' for her."
"Me too." She smiled. "Thank you. I love fruit, and Daryl will probably eat the jerky."
"I thought so." She set the basket in the chair. "If you need anything, just call."
"How are you, Beth?"
"I'm fine." She shrugged weakly. "Otis...was like my uncle, and it's hard, but I gotta be strong. For Patricia."
"If you need to talk, I'm here."
She smiled. "Daryl would probably kick me out if I unloaded my emotions onto you. I'm good. I got Maggie and Glenn. Speaking of them, I have to go. I'll see you at church?"
She nodded, and Beth left. She looked at the sonogram and smiled. She may not be lucky, but the Dixons were.
– – –
Carl was staying with Michonne and Rick once he was released, because Lori fell into depression at the news of Shane. Rick suggested Lori stay with them for a while, if only to ensure the health of the baby. Michonne agreed, but she kept a close eye on Lori. With her building being rebuilt, she was home all the time, so she took care of Lori, making her eat, bathe, get some fresh air when all she wanted to do was cry over Shane. It was a rough, but they got through it.
The funerals were all lovely, everyone pitched in to help with Shane's and Otis's. Carol went to every funeral. Shane's, Otis's, Karen's, Meghan's, and Ed's. She paid her respected to those left in the family, however Mama Peletier didn't take Carol being there well and tried to attack her. Daryl wasn't in the room, only Sophia, and Sophia yelled at her and knocked her into a wreath. Daryl heard the commotion and came inside, but by that time, Carol and Sophia were leaving. It worked out well, and no one got hurt. No one important anyway.
––
Rick left for work early that day, dropping Unique off at school, leaving Carl to stay home and rest, Michonne to clean and for Lori to sit and stare at the wall. She checked in on Carl and made sure he was all right. His mother sure as hell wasn't going to.
"Do you need anything? I'm going downstairs." She held a laundry basket and peered in at Carl.
"I'm fine, but thank you."
"Don't strain yourself." She padded down the stairs and paused at the sight of Lori standing in front of the fireplace, staring at the Christmas picture Rick had hung there. "You okay?"
"It's cute." Lori turned. "You two make an attractive couple." She hugged her arms. "Doing laundry?"
"Yeah."
"Do you need a hand?"
"If you want."
"I'd really like to help out more. I—I've been...out of it, and I'm real grateful for your hospitality."
"It was Rick's hospitality," Michonne corrected. "And if you want to help out, go make lunch for you son. He needs you right now."
"R—right." She started to walk by but stopped. "I'm sorry about...my comments to you at Hershel's party."
"I remember. Be thankful you're pregnant." She turned and walked down the hall. She went downstairs and started another load. She crouched down and pulled the clothes out of the dryer, pushing them into the basket. She tossed the wet clothes inside and started it. She was about to leave when a loud clank thudded around in the dryer. She opened it and sifted through the clothes, trying to find it.
She felt someone walking up to her, and she pretended not to notice, and she relaxed when Rick set his hands on her hips. She leaned back and met his eyes. "I thought we talked about this."
He chuckled. "I brought lunch. Jacqui made lunch for us, and she dropped it off at the station."
"How generous." She glanced over. "What the hell is that?"
He reached into the dryer quickly, but she got it first. "Don't open that."
The item that had made the loud clanking was a black box that held rings. Not just any rings, but engagement rings. Engagement rings from the same store that Jacqui worked at, the same Jacqui that had made them lunch. That were no coincidences.
She met his eyes, her heart starting to race. "Is this an engagement ring?"
"No."
She opened the box and turned it to him. "Lie better."
"Yes."
"You want to marry me?"
He took the box. "I had plans. We'd go out, have a nice night, but so much for that." He stood up. "With everything that happened, I realized that I didn't waste any moments."
She rose as he spoke. "As...sweet as this is, we haven't been dating long enough to get married." She searched his eyes. "I know there's been a lot of pandemonium, especially in the last few weeks, but that's not a reason to get married. This isn't a no, Rick, this is a not yet."
He gave a small smile. "I understand. I tend to jump the gun, I'm sorry."
"Well, we may not be getting engaged, but we can have the after-engagement sex." She met his eyes. "Practice makes perfect."
He grasped her cheek and kissed her, and she pulled back a bit. "What?"
"I prefer a Tiffany cut."
He laughed and kissed her, taking the box and setting it on the dryer. He slid his arms around her, she wrapped her legs around his waist and grasped at the curls in his hair. As they continued to practice, Lori listened outside the door, and she leaned against the wall, moving her hand off the doorknob, and she set a hand over her mouth.
"Mom?" Carl held his side as he came down the stairs. "Mom?"
"C—coming." She pushed off the wall and forced a smile. "Hey. Hungry?"
"Starved. Where's Dad?" He frowned at the look in her eyes. "Mom?"
"He's helping...Michonne with the laundry." She pulled out the plastic containers of food. "Thank Jacqui for this."
"I was kinda hoping he'd bring home pizza."
She laughed. "I know. I told him not to. You need to eat healthy and gather your strength. It'll help you heal."
"Dad got shot and he was up and moving—"
"That's your dad. He pushes himself, and you're too young." She got down plates and began to spoon out lima beans. "He's an adult. Your bodies are different. You're still growing."
"No one babied Dad when he got shot," he muttered bitterly.
"Don't argue with me, Carl. You're still a child. You need rest and good food, not junk food an video games."
"Well, I'm not hungry." He turned and left.
"Carl!" She stopped at the stairs. "Carl!" She sighed. Nice parenting form, a little shaky on the dismount.
Rick came to see what was wrong a few minutes later. "What happened?"
"He went to his room."
"Anyone can see that, what'd you say?" Michonne set the basket down.
"We were talking. He wanted pizza, and we argued over how Rick was up and moving after he was shot. Same amount of time has passed, only Carl's being babied." She shook her head. "He said he wasn't hungry and went to his room."
"I'll talk to him." He went upstairs.
"Some parenting team, huh." She scratched her head and crossed her arms. "Hungry? Jacqui made three large containers. One of roast, pasta and chicken and a few sides."
"I'll eat later. Hey, Lori."
She stopped before she stepped into the kitchen. "Yeah?"
"Don't talk to Carl like you do. Just talk to him like a person. Or maybe not. You don't treat people very well." She met her eyes. "He wants to be like his father, let him. He's healed enough."
"Don't tell me how to raise my son," Lori hissed, annoyed. "He may be in your house, but not for long. As soon as I can stand on my own, we are out of your...I guess that's hair."
"You try your hardest to insult me, and yet I'm not even taking it in." She smirked. "I'm not the one listening to others having sex when I don't have a man."
"I was not—"
"What happens between Rick and me doesn't concern you, especially our sex life. No excuse you give will make me hate you any less."
Rick and Carl returned before Lori could retort, but she was so taken aback by Michonne's comments that she had no riposte. Rick made Carl and himself a plate, Lori ate for the sake of the baby and Michonne worked on the laundry.
"When can I go back to school?" Carl asked, taking a bite of chicken.
"Soon. You have an appointment with Dr. S tomorrow. We'll know then." Rick took a drink of water. "Sophia's coming over this weekend. Figured you could use some company."
He smiled a little.
"I can take him to his appointment, if you're busy," Lori offered.
"I'll make time," Rick assured her.
"Of course." She ate the chicken off her fork.
Michonne finished folding and checked the time. It was 2:45. She grabbed her keys and started to leave when Rick stopped her. She turned. "Yes?"
"You gonna eat?"
"Yes, but I'm not hungry right now. I have to pick up Unique. Have Lori put the clothes in the dryer."
"I can do it."
"Of course you can."
"What does that mean?"
"We can talk in private when I get home. Some conversations aren't meant to be overheard." She glared into the kitchen and left.
Rick frowned and stepped into the kitchen, finding Lori washing the dishes with no water in sink and no water running. Her hands weren't wet either. "What are you doin'?"
"Washing dishes. Do you have a problem with that?" She turned the water on and rinsed off a plate.
"We have a dishwasher." He crossed his arms. "Why're you doin' this?"
"Doing what? Doing chores?" She turned and faced him, drying her hands. "I want to help."
"With Michonne. There's tension between y'all. Why?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's because she's a bitch."
"She's not a bitch."
"Of course not. It's not like you take notice of the little things."
"What "little things" should I be aware of?"
"She acts like Carl's her son, like I'm trespassing. Carl is our son and this is our baby."
"You can keep saying that, it doesn't make it true. That baby is Shane's. Carl is ours, but Michonne's in my life. She's someone very important to me. I love her, and she may be Carl's stepmother someday. You'll have to deal with it then, so why not adjust now."
"What did you just say?"
He didn't want to repeat himself. "You heard me."
"You're in love with her? You're going to marry her?" She sounded so stunned. "Why? Why would you do this to Carl?"
"Excuse me? This has nothing to do with Carl. It's about me and Michonne."
"If y'all get married, you'll have kids and she already has Unique. Carl's going to feel like you don't love him if you don't make time for him. He already feels like your closer to Unique. He—"
"Why don't you stop using Carl as your excuse," Rick interrupted her. "You don't like that I can be happy without you. I love Carl, and I am closer to him now than I have ever been. I'm close to Unique as well, but I'm not putting one of them over the other."
She glared. "This is not about me."
"Sure sounds like it."
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Lori turned back to the sink. "I'll do the clothes."
"So when I want to talk, you won't hear me out? Same old Lori." He turned and left before she could reply. He needed to get her a stable job and get her out of Michonne's house as soon as possible.
– – –
As the months rolled, Lori was more than half-way through her third trimester, issues arose with their "happy" parenting team of three. Michonne and Lori had verbal fights, even after Lori was back at her house with a good job and a steady flow of money. When Rick or Michonne—mostly Michonne—came to pick up or drop off Carl, she had a bitter remarks about Michonne's horrible parenting skills, tossing in how irresponsible she was for letting someone almost shoot her daughter. The parents weren't having a good relationship, Carl picked up on it, but Rick and Michonne tried their best makeup for the fights and yelling that occurred from time to time because of Lori, the head bitch.
As for the Dixons, Merle recovered with the help of Carol's care and food, and he was back to screwing and boozing. Sophia was recovering from her kidnapping, and she'd gotten rid of everything pink she'd owned. It wasn't irrational, but it was most of her wardrobe. Carl had to go and buy more clothes for her. It was worth it. Sophia really was doing much better. Daryl and Carol were married at Hershel's farm on January twenty-fifth. It was simple, but romantic. However, since they were married, Daryl and Carol's relationship had gone downhill. It was more than concerning, but he was never around for them to talk about it. He was so distance Carol couldn't even begin to describe his face. She didn't know if he had a mustache or a beard or the same stubble. Sophia and Merle were on that same boat. Daryl was...just gone. No one knew why, but the reason haunted Daryl to his very core.
Lilly had been put on medication and was now talking to a therapist. With the help of Amy and Carol, she was managing to cope with Meghan's death. She often came over and spent time with Sophia. She was adjusting, but that ache never goes away. Andrea had made room for it, just Lilly. Andrea still was trying to sort out guilt for those Phillip had killed. She worried about Brian. If Phillip's insanity was genetic, Brian would probably have it. She worried that he had tainted the only good thing that had ever happened to her—rather happened to came out of her, but still. She only had Amy to talk to, and Amy was drowning in her wedding. Andrea knew Amy wanted to call it off, but the baby was a few months away from being born. Amy had dropped out of college and made plans to go back after the baby was born. She was expecting a baby boy, and the Crowley's were so excited. They wanted to name him David Jr. It made Amy sick, and the more they bought her stuff for the baby and herself, she felt like she owed them a baby. It was overwhelming and she couldn't take much more.
– – –
"Oh, my." Andrea smiled as Amy downstairs. "You've gotten so big. What is it? Four more months? Or three?"
"Go ask Mama Crowley. She's counting down." She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "You're taking me to lunch? Say yes."
"I can't. I'm sorry, honey."
"I'm going to lose my mind," she whispered. "Being pampered is not as glamorous as celebrities make it seem. I can't do anything by myself. When I shower, someone has to make sure I don't fall or get overheated. When I eat, they make sure the food's warm, not hot. They pretaste everything, Andrea. Everything!"
"Shh." She grasped her shoulders. "Why don't you tell them to back off?"
"I have! They don't listen! And now Mama Crowley's talking about my next baby. Andrea, save me. Please."
"Okay, why don't you and I go out tomorrow? We can have lunch, look over nursery options and try out cakes for your baby shower. It's not for months, but I do love cake tasting."
"Don't you know? My nursery's done. It's the embodiment of all nurseries. They called in some baby thing designer. God, I don't even want to speak in proper sentences anymore. I have no drive for life, Andrea. I can't even get my voice to meet an exclamation mark."
"Calm down. You're going to start crying. Why don't you go visit Carol? Spend time with Sophia and get time away from the Crowleys."
She nodded. "Good idea. Oh, no, I can't. Carol's...busy. It's a Daryl thing. I'll...go talk to Jacqui."
"Sounds like a plan. I'll drop you off, and you can have Mr. Crowley pick you up."
"Okay. Let me get my purse."
They left before Amy got dragged inside by Mama Crowley. Andrea dropped her off, Amy's mood got better the further they drove, and she was back to herself by the time Andrea dropped her off. Andrea didn't know what was going in Amy's head, and Amy had to tell someone sooner or later. She should tell her dearly beloved first. He had the right to know what she thinking and feeling, but with Mama around, Amy couldn't get close. She really hoped that Mama would back the hell off when Amy told her off. She needed to draw the line.
She pushed hair from her face and smiled at Jacqui. "Hey."
"Look at you." She smiled. "All smiley and glowin'."
"I gotta talk to you. Do you have time?"
"Sure. T went to the store, so you have about ten hours." Amy laughed. "I swear that man talks to everyone, even if he doesn't know them."
"That's T-dog for you." She smiled. "Could I have some ice water?"
"Sure. Let's go inside."
Amy swallowed. She was going to tell the only woman who wouldn't judge her and was available the biggest secret she'd ever hidden. One that no one else could ever know. No one. Unless she caved and let the entire world know by screaming it from rooftops. Shit cakes, in her twenties and Andrea still controlled her life. Jacqui would give her the lecture she needed. Being a singe mom seemed better than forcing someone to be unhappy.