Disclaimer: I own nothing that belongs to TWD, not its storylines or its characters.
Library Visit
Daryl had driven Carol down to the town so that she could check on the medicine supply at the hospital. She also wanted to visit with a friend from the prison who was a patient at the hospital. Daryl had dropped her off and said that he wanted to check on some things that had left at the market for barter. He would meet her meet her in an hour at the door of the hospital.
Daryl parked the truck in front of the library just down the street from the hospital. He wanted information about pregnancy and most of Hershel's medical books had been lost when they left the prison. He opened the door and hoped to hell there was a big sign that said, "All You Want to Know about Pregnancy and Were Afraid to Ask". The big room was filled with books but he didn't have a clue about where to look. Daryl wanted to turn and run but he manned up and looked for some help.
Daryl's heart sank when he saw the woman behind the desk, Connie Stewart. Shit. Carol didn't want to tell anyone she was pregnant and he couldn't think of a good reason to be here unless he wanted a book.
Connie eyed Daryl; he never seemed to sit down long enough to read. Daryl could face down a roomful of walkers and never break a sweat; He was looked like he was ready to bolt out the door; she loved a mystery and Daryl suddenly appearing in the library seemed like a good one.
Connie figured that she better ease Daryl into telling her what he wanted. She said, "It's good to see you, Daryl. I never had a chance to talk to you about how often Merle came by the library at Woodbury. He read all the time; he didn't sleep well at night and he would read when he couldn't sleep."
Daryl felt a lump in his throat, "He started reading in prison to pass the time I think. He did like to read. Caleb is his son, you know."
"Merle would have been proud of Caleb, every so often I see something in Caleb that reminds me of the Merle who came in and got books to read. Merle could be rough I guess but with me he was a sweetheart. He liked to read non-fiction mostly, but every once in a while he would read fiction".
Daryl had never in his entire life ever heard anyone characterize Merle as a "sweetheart". Connie Stewart had brought out the good in Merle and he could probably trust her to not to talk about this with anyone but Kevin. "I need a book on pregnancy" he muttered not meeting her eyes.
Connie was a little surprised but delighted. Carol wasn't a spring chicken but she and Daryl were meant to be together. She didn't say anything though; Daryl looked like he wanted to bolt again. Connie led him to the section of the library dealing with pregnancy and went back to shelving books.
Daryl looked through several books before he found one that was easy to read, had lots of pictures, and was written in a matter of fact manner. He found a table and set down to read. He was still reading over an hour later when Carol came through the door looking for him.
Carol had waited at the hospital door for a few minutes and saw the Daryl's truck was parked in front of the library. She was surprised that he was late, but thought that she might find a book at the library and he must be there or close by. She walked up the street and greeted Connie Stewart as went into the library.
Carol saw Daryl sitting at a table concentrating hard on a book, and she stopped and talked with Connie for a bit. Connie worked here two days a week but this was the first time she had been in since the mountain had been attacked. Connie laughed and said that she had climbed Kevin's Great Wall to go to work today. They chatted for a few minutes and then Carol excused herself to go see what had Daryl so captivated.
Carol looked over Daryl's shoulder to see a color photograph of a baby emerging from its mother. "Dirty photos of naked women, Daryl, I never would have suspected you with a secret yen for porn. It's the quiet ones, every time," she teased though she wanted to cry. Daryl sneaking over here to get information about pregnant women was so like him.
Daryl smirked, "I think pregnant women are hot. Look at the size of the boobs on this one?"
Carol gave him a little smack on the back of his head, "You told me that size didn't matter?"
Daryl laughed, "Just anticipating changes, there should just good ones to go along with vomiting and hormonal changes. I am a little worried about you getting hornier; I am not as young as I used to be."
Carol sat down beside him and looked through the book, "These pictures will probably kill your sex drive, don't look anymore. They might kill my sex drive if I wasn't already pregnant. Eeewwe, look at that".
Daryl looked and thought that he might vomit. He kept seeing Lori being dragged from house to house through that winter getting weaker and weaker. He should have made certain that Carol didn't get pregnant; he had been so wrapped up in having Carol as a lover that he ignored their reality. Carol watched his face and knew that he was afraid that for her; her fear was that she would lose the baby. She had miscarried twice while married to Ed, but he didn't let a little thing like pregnancy stop him from hitting her. Daryl was a protective and loving man and she wasn't worried that he would do anything to their baby.
She kissed him, and closed the book. "Let's check this one out and read it together. You don't get to ogle the boobs when I am with you though." Daryl stood up and kissed the top of her head, "Now when did the book say that your boobs are going to start growing?"
Connie checked the book out for a month. Daryl seemed much more relaxed and Carol invited her and Kevin for dinner that evening. Daryl had gotten a deer and they were celebrating the finishing the roof on the new house. Connie accepted knowing that Kevin would be ready for some company after a day by himself in the wood shop.
Carol wanted to go on a run for whatever medicines they could find. They had given almost all of the medicines from the pharmacy to the hospital and she was worried that Judith or someone might need antibiotics with winter not too far away. Daryl agreed and said they that might check out the rest of that town. There might be more pharmacies or doctor offices with medicines of all kinds.
Carol said, "I want to take Ariel on a run. She has been working with Michonne every day for hours and Michonne thinks that she needs some real life experience."
"Let's take Caleb. He's good. Maybe take a box truck and have Tyreese drive. We have been so busy with the house that we haven't been doing many runs. You and Michonne can keep an eye on Ariel."
Carol slid over next to Daryl and pretended to read from their book, "Pregnant women are especially highly sexed and it is important for their good health that their sexual partners recognize that the importance of orgasms to pregnant women. The endorphins released during sexual arousal and orgasm work in conjunction with the release of pregnancy hormones to ensure a healthy baby."
Daryl smirked, "I love you, and with enough rest I might be able to keep up with you. Don't try to use the health of our baby just so you can have your way with me. And most people read with the book turned right side up".
Carol turned the book right side up and read, "Sexual relations are not a good idea after the second month. The mother's body in already going through so many changes that it needs to be protected from sexual activity of any type."
Daryl reached over and turned the book upside down, "Just go ahead and read from this direction. I like the way that reads a whole lot better".
