Daryl stood out on the back porch looking over the piece of property that was between Will and his grandfathers place. He'd always loved it here. He knew these woods like the back of his hand. He'd spent his childhood in there.
Daryl's hand came up rubbing across his chest where the scar from his bullet wound would now set. He'd gotten lucky that Ed was a shitty shot. He'd been aiming elsewhere both hit shots hit to high. It a matter of seconds he almost lost Carol, almost lost their child and in a matter of seconds he realized just how much his world was wrapped around her. Never before had he thought about begging God but in that moment he was damn sure he had.
"Something on your mind?"
Daryl looked over as Norman rested on the railing of the porch. Daryl shifted and turned leaning against the beam and taking a seat on the rails. Norman smiled at him for a second before his eyes went to the woods.
Daryl smirked as well. Norman knew him well and when he'd been younger when his family was usually gathered around he'd sneak out the back. If he didn't hit the woods he'd linger over in the darkened part of the porch smoking and bitching. Norman usually found him and stayed right there with him. The entire moment was just like that.
Norman didn't push him to talk and that was one of his favorite things about him. He just knew when Daryl needed time to sort his own shit out. Will and Merle neither one would have backed off and let him that. Hell even at times Carol didn't but she wasn't like they were. Norman though just seemed to get that he needed to breathe. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to go in there and plaster on a smile when he knew Ed was out there. Ed was out there and likely wanting to hurt him or Carol. He was damn sure that the man wouldn't quit until he finished his job because he'd been dead set on killing him that night. He had more to think about than him, hell he had more to think about than just Carol because the moment he found out she was carrying his kid his entire world shifted.
"She's going to be fine, Daryl. They both are." Norman's voice was low.
Daryl looked over just barely able to really see him now that the sunset. "Ed's out there and I have no fuckin' clue where. He could show up when I'm forced to go back to the base for that goddamn exam and then hurt them." His chest heaved with painful possibilities, "Do you have any idea what the fuck that'd do to me? There isn't a moment that goes by that I'm glad I was the one that walked out that door and not her that night."
Norman stood up and walked over to him, "That bastard will get his." His voice was razor sharp and curled around in the night like a wisp of smoke, "Whether its by the cops or someone else remains to be seen but don't you doubt he will be caught."
Daryl nodded swallowing thickly. Norman's hand was on his shoulder. They remained quiet both just watching the woods lost in thought. Daryl could remember running as a kid in this yard and racing Merle to Norman's. He could remember his mother being there and her laugh following him. Daryl closed his eyes and tilted his head back smiling when the memory changed to something else. It was Carol out there in the same place he'd grown up. Carol out there with their daughter laughing and playing with her.
The door opening snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked over seeing Carol look around. Norman squeezed his shoulder and then stepped away. He walked to the door and motioned over to where he was. Carol gladly walked to him. His eyes took her in and he couldn't help the stupid smile on his face. He knew she was miserable being pregnant but she never showed it on her face.
"You okay?"
Daryl nodded as she got to him and spun on the railing his back to the woods. He pulled Carol to him and wrapped his arms around her. She snuggled in against his chest her hands on his back. Tilting his head down he buried in her hair and inhaled deeply. He let her smell and the feeling of her in his arms push away his worries. Norman was right Ed would get handled.
Carol kissed his throat her breath warming his skin, "Daryl what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Carol pulled back looking up at him her eyes wide and concerned, "You've hid out here all night."
Daryl shrugged, "Not in the mood to be around everyone."
"Is this about tomorrow?"
Daryl scowled at her but she pursed her lips at him, "You're going with me."
"Daryl they gave you orders."
"Yeah well fuck their orders. They can shove them up their asses." He snarled his grip on her tightening.
It wasn't long before everyone moved to the back porch where they were. Merle's eyes kept shooting over to him but he wasn't in the mood to figure out what was going on with his brother. He was tired, his body ached, and he wanted to get Carol home. It would be pointless to try to get out now though with everyone gathering around them basically.
"So Merle showed up madder than hell earlier." Will grinned, "Any idea why?"
Merle shot him a death glare but Daryl just spun Carol and she leaned back against his chest. Head on her shoulder he eyed his brother. Merle was getting red faced with anger. He was also trying hard to not laugh at whatever Carol was doing.
"He had fun painting so i'm not sure what his issues were." Daryl said nonchalantly.
Merle scowled, "Blow me."
"Merle I made something for you." Carol smiled, "I figured you'd want it to remember."
He stood up and glared, "Carol." He warned.
"It's just a little paint."
He crossed his arms, "You know what you two are fucking perfect for each other. Assholes."
Daryl snorted and Carol shrugged, "You love us."
"Fuck you both."
Carol tilted her head and Daryl grimaced knowing that his brother was about to receive verbal abuse likely. Norman was looking at Merle like he was about to hit him and Will raised his eyebrow.
"Take me home Daryl." Carol spoke softly.
Daryl's eyes shot to his brother at the crack he heard in her voice. It wasn't often that Carol just had a day where she wasn't either sick or upset. Since he was taken away and then hurt she'd been a mess. Even with him back she still had a rough time. If Merle ruined her fucking day he'd cut his fucking nuts off and cram them down his throat.
He stood suddenly and Carol stepped forward her face downcast.
"Shit Carol. "Merle started taking a step towards her.
Daryl sneered guiding her away, "Go away."
Carol leaned into him and Daryl felt her body tremble. Fucking Merle! He got to the door and started opening it when he heard Will and Norman both ripping Merle's ass.
"YOU APOLOGIZE!" Will barked.
Norman's voice wasn't as loud but still carried, "You were raised better than to talk like that to women boy. I'm disappointed in you. She's family."
Carol looked up at him suddenly and grinned. Her face was completely clear of anything that would indicate she was upset. Instead she looked almost giddy.
Daryl grabbed her face pulling it to his kissing her roughly. Pulling back just enough to breathe, "Have I told you how much I love you?"
Carol nodded at him, "Get me home Daryl." Her voice was a low purr, "I wasn't kidding about wanting to get out here."
