Chapter 26: Future

Carol gasped, sitting up in bed as a clap of thunder shook the house. Daryl's hands were already on her shoulders, and when she peered at him through the pale moonlight, her heartbeat began to slow.

"You're alright," he promised. "Hey. Carol?"

"What…what happened?"

"You were havin' a bad dream," he murmured. Carol ran her fingers through her hair and reached to turn on the bedside lamp. "Been a long time." Carol nodded her head, and Daryl's eyes searched hers. He gently squeezed her shoulders, and she reached up to stroke his cheek.

"I'm ok. I promise," she whispered. "I don't even remember it." She took a deep, ragged breath, and she ran her fingers through her hair. "Sorry I woke you."

"I was awake," he said quietly.

"Bad dreams?"

"Ain't slept yet. Just sat up watchin' you sleep. Checkin' on Lydia."

"It's ok to rest," Carol whispered. "Dog's right outside the door. I know they're strangers, but they won't be forever."

"It ain't that." Daryl lay back against his pillow and folded his arms behind his head. Carol turned and placed her hand against his chest.

"I saw Rick's hat in the truck." She chewed her bottom lip a moment. "Is Carl dead?"

"Don't know," Daryl offered with a little shrug and a raise of an eyebrow. "Just found the hat and the blood that was on it. Best I can tell, he dropped it when they ran." He caught her gaze.

"You're not telling me something," she murmured, gently curling her fingers into his shirt. He placed his hand over hers.

"We were at the prison," he said quietly. "Place was overrun. Just nothin' left for the living." He shook his head. "Outta nowhere, this walker starts comin' at us. Thing is, I couldn't tell who it was at first. But as it gets nearer, I realize it's Beth."

"Oh God," Carol murmured, placing her hand to her mouth.

"She's just comin' at us, and Merle puts her down. Don't see how any of 'em coulda survived that, but I guess some of 'em must've. But Beth…she didn't make it. She was just a kid."

"It's horrible. Doesn't matter who it is. Nobody should have to die like that." Her shoulders shook with a ragged breath. "The others? They could still be alive."

"They might be. But they're gone. Couldn't track 'em." He shook his head. "I never shoulda left. Shoulda stayed with you. I'm done lookin' for ghosts."

"Daryl."

"You and Lydia. That's what matters. And Merle, if ya had to twist my arm." Carol couldn't help the little grin that tugged at her lips. "You're my family. Rick's got his own to look after. If we're gonna build somethin' here, we gotta start here." Carol curled up against him, and she rested her head on his chest.

"We'll start building."

"Bigger we make this place, the bigger a target we are."

"We'll let people in, and we'll protect this place," Carol insisted. "But we're going to need walls. And we're going to need help building them." She looked to Daryl. "You and Merle can't do all that on your own. I know Merle doesn't like him, and I know they're strangers, but we're going to need Negan. We're going to need more people if we're going to protect this place."

"I know," he murmured. He eyed her. "You want me to ask 'em to stay?"

"No. Just don't make them leave. It's a death sentence out there. And Merle…"

"He'll behave." Carol raised an eyebrow, and Daryl grinned. "Alright, he won't, but ain't nobody ever got Merle to behave himself, so don't think it's gonna happen now. I'll talk to him."

"Thank you," Carol murmured softly, kissing him. "I'm glad you're home."

"Me too." He kissed her then, and when he pulled back, he saw a little smile pull at her lips.

"Come here," she whispered. He leaned in then, rolling her onto her back and crawling over her. She smiled, looking up at him with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Missed you," he murmured against her lips, as her hands curled into his hair. She giggled when his fingers trailed down her hip and tugged at the waist of her pants. He started reaching for the drawer on the bedside table, for the box of condoms concealed inside. Carol brought her hand up to still his arm. He pulled back, staring at her curiously.

"Kiss me."

"You sure?" She gently slid her fingers down his jaw, and she nodded.

"We have a future. We can't be afraid of it." And then she kissed him again, sighing softly against his lips as he took a moment to process her words and let the reality sink in. He pulled back then, and she leaned back against the pillow.

"Don't wanna lose you."

"You will someday. I could get bitten by a walker. I could die in my sleep." She gently put her hand against his chest. "It'll happen. Who says it'll be tomorrow? Or next year. Or in ten years?" She took a shaking breath. "I lived almost fifteen years of my life being afraid of what I'd wake up to, being afraid every time that front door opened. Somehow, in this world, I get to live the life I always thought I should have. I'm happy, Daryl. For the first time in a long time. I miss Sophia every day. That hurt never goes away. But when you kiss me, or when Lydia laughs? Everything feels right again. I'm not afraid anymore. Not of living. I'm not afraid to sleep anymore or to wake up, because I know it's you I'm waking up to." He answered her with a kiss, and she smiled against his lips. When he pulled back, she bit her lip. "I love you."

"Love you more," he murmured, before leaning in to kiss her once again.