Here We Go Again

Chapter 37

A/N: Sorry there was no update yesterday! I was out pretty late running around like a child. I just wanted to relax and watch a movie. I hope y'all weren't too upset! Enjoy this chapter!
McBrideReedusLover.~

"I have to go Jacqui, my shift at the hospital starts in ten minutes!" Carol quickly gathered up the plates from the table and threw them in the sink. "Can you cover for me? I hate to have to do this but-"

"Honey, don't worry about it. I understand." Jacqui waved her hand. "It's fine. I got it." She smiled. "Now go before you're late."

"Thanks Jacqui. You're a life saver." Carol smiled and hurried out the door. Merle was supposed to go to the hospital to get his stitches removed. If he did show up that is. She hopped in her car and started driving down the road. She didn't let anyone know, but she was exhausted. She hadn't had a break from work since she started at the hospital. Three weeks ago. She was either at the hospital, or the diner. She never had a break. Sometimes she worked both. There were days when she left at nine and didn't get back until ten at night. She hasn't spent much time with Daryl lately, and she missed the time they spent together. She sighed and glanced at herself in the rear view mirror. No one else could tell that she was wearing makeup under her eyes except for her. Carol wasn't going to go out in public with dark circles under her eyes. People would tell her to take a break. She couldn't. They needed the money. She pulled into the staff lot of the hospital, and got out of her car. Right now, she couldn't wait until maternity leave. She went into the washroom and changed into her hospital uniform. When she walked out, Milton was there waiting for her. "What can I help you with today Milton?" She put on a smile. A fake smile.

"Merle Dixon is waiting for you to take out his stitches. And then I need you to help me a patient who got into an accident. She isn't awake yet. She looks like someone who went to our school." Milton finished.

"Really? Hm, I wonder if I know her." Carol shrugged, and started walking down the hallway. She saw passed Merle in one of the rooms, and then turned back. "Hello Merle. Ready to get those stitches out?"

"Yes! They been itchin' like fuckin' crazy!" Merle huffed. "So hurry it up."

"I'm not just going to yank those stitches out." Carol rolled her eyes and walked over. Very carefully, she started to take out the stitches. When she finished, she heard Merle sigh in relief. "What?"

"Thought ya wouldn't ever finish." He smirked and hopped off the bed. "Can I go now?"

"Yes." Carol smirked.

"Thank the lord." Merle basically ran out of the room. Carol laughed and walked out to find Milton. He was waiting for her at the front desk.

"Are you ready?" He asked, starting to walk in the direction of the room.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Carol followed him down the hall. She was surprised to see Shane pacing outside one of the rooms. "Shane?" She asked, a confused look on her face.

"Carol!" Shane looked up at her. "Thank god you're here."

"Why? What happened?" Carol looked around, and then looked at Milton as he walked in the room that Shane was pacing infront of.

"It's Andrea. It's all my fault." He sighed. "I should've been looking where I was going. Didn't see that other car. They crashed into us, the car hit Andrea's side. I don't know if she'll be alright or not. She hit her head on something, hasn't woken up yet."

Carol's mouth was wide open. She hurried into the room and saw Andrea lying there, her head wrapped up. The bandage was soaked in blood. She would have to change that. They probably just wrapped it up and didn't think to clean or stitch the wound. She figured she would ask anyway. "Milton, did anyone stitch the head wound?"

"Not that I know of." Milton started unwrapping the red bandage.

"That will be my job then." Carol ran out of the room to get some supplies.

"We came as soon as we heard, how is she?" Rick asked, walking up to his best friend.

"Don't know yet, Carol and that Milton guy are in there stitching her up." Shane sighed. "It's my fault Rick. I was stupid."

"Don't say that Shane. Things like this happen. It wasn't anyone's fault." Lori tried her best to comfort Shane. She sat beside him and placed her hand on his back. "Don't blame yourself. It won't solve anything."

Shane looked up at Lori. "I guess you're right."

"Exactly." Lori smiled. All three of them looked up as Carol walked out of the room. "Carol! Is she alright?"

"She's fine." Carol smiled. "She woke up after the stitches were put in. She recognized me right away. So it's nothing too serious. She'll be fine in no time. They are going to keep her overnight, just to monitor her. Tomorrow she'll be able to go home." Carol walked over to Shane. "You can go in and see her now, if you wish."

"Thank you Carol." Shane pulled Carol into a hug.

"Hey, it's my job." Carol smiled, and watched as the three of them headed into the room. A few seconds later, Milton walked out.

"That was very nice work." Milton smiled.

"Yes it was." Carol sat down on the bench. She put her face in her hands. She was beyond exhausted now.

"Carol, are you alright?" Milton sat beside her, a concerned look on his face. He fixed his glasses, and waited for her reply.

"I'm fine." She faked a smile. "Don't worry about me."

"Not to sound rude or anything, but you don't exactly look alright." He examined her. "Have you been getting much sleep?"

Carol sighed. She hadn't. She always had to get up early, and she got home late. Every night this week, she had horrible dreams about the baby. Something always went wrong. "Not really. I have been having bad dreams about the baby lately."

"Carol, maybe you should take a break from work? You need a day off to yourself. And if you can't do that, maybe you should take something to help you sleep at night?" Milton suggested. "Anything to make you feel right again."

Carol smiled. "You're right Milton. But I don't know if I should be taking any other pills. Just in case." She placed a hand on her stomach. "Next week is my appointment."

"Well, try to get some rest if you can." Milton patted her back before walking off.

"I'll try." Carol sighed, and walked away to tend to another patient.

Carol couldn't believe she had worked so late. She was supposed to get off at eight, but it was midnight. They had asked her to stay overtime. She, being stupid, agreed to that. She was paying for it now. She didn't even get to see Daryl today. He was gone before she got up. He would definately be sleeping by now. Decided she wouldn't want to wake him, she snuck into the spare room. She would have to sleep there tonight. She relaxed into the bed, and closed her eyes.

"What are ya doin'?" She opened her eyes and looked at the door. Daryl was standing there.

"Trying to sleep." She responded.

"Why ain't ya in our bed?" He sat down at the edge of the bed and looked at her.

"I didn't want to wake you." Carol sat up.

"Hell, I wasn't asleep. Been waitin' for ya since eight. Where were ya?" Daryl asked.

"I had to work overtime." Carol rubbed at her eyes. She looked at her hand. The makeup had come off.

"Jesus." Daryl growled. "They're workin' ya like a pack mule. Ya haven't gotten a break in a long ass time. Haven't slept well either. Ya can't go on like this Carol. Especially since ya pregnant. Too much stress is bad." Daryl glared at her.

"I know." Carol sighed. "But I can't take a break. We need the money Daryl." She looked down at her hands.

"Fuck the money Carol. Care about ya health more than the fuckin' money." He sounded frustrated with her.

Carol didn't have anything to say after that. She just fell back onto the pillow, trying her best not to break down. She was working herself way too hard, and she knew that. She couldn't continue like this, but she didn't know what else to do.

"Look, I ain't tryin' to get mad at ya but, I'm just worried 'bout ya. This ain't good." Daryl walked over to the other side of the bed. "Let's forget about this, alright? Where are ya workin' tomorrow?"

"The diner." Carol looked up at him.

"Well, tomorrow I'm callin' in sick for ya. It's my day off. Ya gonna stay home and rest. Don't try to protest, cause it ain't gonna work." Daryl held out his hand. Carol took it and he pulled her off the bed. "Now c'mon, let's get some much needed sleep."

Carol smiled. "I love you." She stopped and pulled him close to her. She gave him a quick kiss before wrapping her arms around him and just holding him. She needed sleep, but she also needed him.

Daryl held her tight. "I love ya too." He smiled. "Now c'mon." He pulled away from the hug and then picked her up. She squealed in surprise. Daryl laughed, and walked into their room. He gently laid her on the bed. "Now, I'm gonna go get your pill, since ya didn't take it earlier. Stay." He walked out of the room. Carol waited for him to come back. He came back in the room a few moments later, carrying a glass of water and one of her giant pills. "There." He handed both over to her. She popped the pill in her mouth and drank the whole glass of water.

"Thanks." She placed the glass on the bedside table. She moved so she was close to him. "I've missed you."

"Ya see me everyday, how can ya miss me?" Daryl asked her as he placed his arm over her and pulled her closer.

"I miss spending time with you. We used to spend all our time together. But then we both got new jobs. We haven't gotten much time together." Carol sighed.

"Well, tomorrow we'll have time." Daryl tried to cheer her up. "Can do whatever ya want, as long as it ain't girly like shoppin'. Hate that shit." Carol laughed and kissed his cheek.

"You're so cute sometimes." She smiled.

"Cute? I find that offensive." Daryl smirked at her.

"Oh shush." Carol nudged him.

"Alright." Daryl snickered. "Ya better sleep now. Ya look exhausted."

"I am." She yawned. Daryl started to move, but she stopped him. "No." She said. "I feel safer when you hold me." She smiled as he slide his arm around her again. "That's better. Goodnight."

"Night." Daryl smiled as he watched her fall asleep. It didn't take her long. Poor thing. It wasn't fair that she had to work so often. They should know not to ask a pregnant woman to work overtime. They were doctors and shit, didn't they know stress was bad for pregnancy? Hell, stress in general was bad. They said she was only part time. He didn't think they asked part time workers to stay overtime everyday. That was just stupid. The diner never did that to her. The diner was a good place for her to work. It was easier, and she had lots of help because of Jacqui. He let out a sigh. Tomorrow he would let her relax. They wouldn't talk about work or anything. Hell, they didn't even have to talk. Whatever it took for her to relax, he would do it. If it meant giving her a foot massage or something, he would do it without complaining. Unless it was shopping, he would complain then. He held her a little tighter, and then closed his eyes, finally falling asleep.

A/N: Finally slightly over 2000 words! I did it! Hooray! I deserve an award for my efforts! Haha! R&R lovelies!
McBrideReedusLover.~