Carol chewed her lip as she hung up the phone. She could hear Daryl's laughter in the other room followed by Merle's voice cursing at him. Leaning against the counter she listened to him like he was before all this mess started. It'd been awhile since she seen him or heard him like he was with his brother. Shaking her head she made her decision right then to wait and tell him what the phone call was about. There was nothing that could be done and she wanted him to have this time with Merle.

Grinning though she grabbed two drinks for them walking to the room they were in. Merle was still cursing him. She walked in seeing Daryl on his back laughing his chest and stomach jerking as he fought to get air and his face was red. Merle was standing over him looking madder than a pissed off hornets nest.

"Laugh it up you little bastard!" Merle barked.

Daryl kept laughing and Carol snorted. Daryl rolled slightly looking back at her and then started laughing even more. Carol looked around seeing just how bright the room really was. Too bright. It was almost painful to look and she grimaced and Merle caught it.

"Tell me he fucked up with the color and you're gonna jump his ass?" Merle huffed swiping at his chest and face.

Carol covered her mouth watching as the pink paint covering him just smeared even more. One side of his face was completely pink along with his entire ride side for the most part. Daryl finally stood up after getting his breath and walked over to her and slipping behind her. His arms went around her and his hands over her stomach cradling their child. Merle kept scowling at him but his eyes softened just slightly.

"Merle I asked you all to paint the room not yourself." Carol grinned.

"If we had some glitter we could put his ass out there in the pride parade." Daryl grinned.

Carol chewed her lip watching the anger rise in Merle's face, "You know what when your ass is healed I'ma fuck you up." Daryl shook his head and Merle stepped towards him, "Your goddamn face isn't broke but it's about to me."

Carol shot Merle a look, "Merle Dixon."

He stopped looking at her and then the wind left his sails, "He's a dick he dumped paint down my goddamn body and rolled it over my face before I could get ahold of him!"

"That was kind of the plan Merle." Carol grinned.

His eyes widened making the pink paint on his face even more comical. "YOU!" He pointed a finger.

She nodded and held a drink out, "We're not even keeping the room pink Merle"

He stared at her for a minute and shook his head, "You were sweet at one time and then you got with his bastard ass." He took a deep drink and glared at Daryl over her shoulder. "Ruined."

Daryl slipped away leaving her with his brother and his eyes followed him. Merle lost his smile and stepped closer to her. Carol already knew what he was concerned about but just smiled at him. Merle was given the news from Will that Daryl's career in the military was over. They'd ruled that until he could pass the physical exams he was out. Carol figured that once he was healed that things were hopeful but with one look at Will and Merle she wasn't sure anymore. She didn't want Daryl to go overseas but she didn't want to lose everything he worked for either. When Daryl found out he just nodded sharply. He didn't comment but he'd been quieter since then.

"How is he?"

Carol forced a smile and looked to where Daryl went, "Stressed."

Merle rubbed at the paint starting to dry in his scruff, "He didn't want to go back either way it went Carol."

"I know."

Merle looked at her for a minute, "Do you?"

Carol chewed her lip her worry clear.

"He took two the chest and shoulder. He's out. It was his training to keep a steady hand and with the damage he took even with healing and time he'll never hold that rifle steady." Merle scowled, "He isn't upset about not going back Carol I know my brother. He's upset that it was taken like this from him."

Carol nodded, "I know it just hurts to see him like this."

Merle chuckled, "Keep doin' whatever the fuck you're doing and he'll be fine."

He grinned at her and Carol tried to back away but he had his arms around her before she could get away. A sticky squelching sound met her ears and she huffed as their clothes stuck together. Giving up she just hugged him back and Daryl walked in raising a brow seconds before a flash stunned them both. He snorted and disappeared again.

"He better not showing that to anyone." Merle sneered, "If he shows me in pink to anyone Carol I'll clip his nuts."

Carol laughed and stepped away from Merle. Daryl was in the kitchen digging around in the cabinets and she raised a brow watching him. Merle waved by before he disappeared from the house. Daryl turned looking at her and shaking his head.

"You look ridiculous now."

Carol looked down at the pink Merle impression on her clothes. "Yeah well that's your brothers fault."

"My brother is a jackass by trade."

Carol nodded, "What'd the doctor say this morning?"

Daryl turned to her digging into a pack of cooking and taking the entire sleeve. He jerked his head down the hall and motioned for her to get changed. He mumbled around a mouthful and Carol huffed as she started changing. He was watching her closely and she hid her smile. She'd been worried that the changes taking place with her body would disgust him and he'd avoid physical closeness with her. It wasn't just about sex either she craved just being in his arms or close to him. It was the opposite though he seemed smug and proud and was always grinning at her when he seen her changing or got a glimpse of her naked body.

"Took the stitches out of my shoulder and chest." Daryl patted himself while holding a cooking clamped between his teeth.

"That's good." Carol turned slipping her shirt over her head. He frowned, "But what did they say about everything else?"

"A bunch of medical jackassery and that I'm good." He rolled his eyes and made air quotes, "Take it slow Dixon."

Carol stole one of his cookies as he trailed behind her, "Then do as they say."

"Yeah I've been hearing that shit."

"Don't argue you'll just lose the fight and then sulk." Carol slipped her boots on.

Daryl eyed them and then nodded his head absentmindedly. She loved boots and wasn't able to wear the ones she had right now. They made her back her and her feet. She complained for two weeks about this two him before a package came in the mail the next week with the ones she was currently wearing. They were comfortable and practical and apparently his favorite thing for her to wear. His hands always drifted down to her legs dragging them up into his lap as his fingers ran over the leather and buckles for her boots.

"What time did he want us there?"

Daryl hummed in his throat eyeballing her. Carol backed away knowing that look and darting her eyes to the clock. She shifted on her feet and a wicked look entered his eyes causing her breath to pick up. Grabbing the handle she held on and slowly started turning it.

"We have time." His voice was rough.

Carol eyed him, "We never have time for anything when we have sex first and you know that."

His eyes dropped to her rising and falling chest and he licked his lips before looking back at her eyes and locking with them. "I'll be quick." His steps were purposeful and he was tracking her.

Carol tried to open the door but he was on her his lips tracing a burning path up her throat to her ear where a deep rumbling growl made her knees weak. Daryl wrapped his arm around her and Carol moaned as he nipped her throat just below her ear. Carol felt her resolve crumbling as he pressed into her. He trailed kisses and soft bites along her throat and jaw till he got to her mouth his breath fast and determined. Carol met his eyes seconds before gripping his side and kicking her boots off. He groaned and she looked at the clock one more time before he claimed her mouth and time.

Their mouths never broke apart even when air was needed lips always brushing and eyes locked. Carol clung to him as he hauled her up his body suddenly taking her from the table. Her back met the wall Daryl's hands gripping her ass and positioning her. Carol cried at the change in angles as he thrust. He smiled seconds before kissing her both of them already so close. Tangling her hand in his hair as her climax hit Daryl held off carrying her through her own orgasm before he finally let go. He groaned against her mouth her name deep and husky falling from his mouth while he buried his head in her neck.

Carol panted holding on to him while he slowly let legs down. He kept her pressed against him though his hands smoothing over her body and then around to her stomach. His breath was calming and Carol just relaxed into his touch.

"You made us late Carol." He chuckled against her throat.

Carol slapped at his arms and he stepped back pulling his jeans back up and tucking himself away. He waggled his eyebrows at her and her scowl cracked causing her to grin at him.

"Well I might have lied about the time." She righted her clothes, "You forget I know you."

He hummed in his throat, "Why do you even fight it then? You like the chase."

Carol's face flushed and he pulled her to him hugging her. He breathed deeply against her his hands clutching at her. "I love you Daryl."

"I love you."