Chapter 27: Sooner or Later

Carol was pretty sure she had a smile on her face the whole ride back to her place. She hated leaving, but she knew Daryl had a short shift at the store that afternoon, and she could go home and get a few things done, change her clothes and get ready to come spend the night again.

Her body was still buzzing, and she could still taste Daryl's kiss on her lips. She knew she was getting in deep fast, and that was one of the things she'd been terrified of before. But now, she couldn't figure out why she'd been so scared. Being with Daryl only made more certain that moving on was the best thing she could have done. And she was thankful Daryl was equally enthusiastic about this new development in their relationship.

When she pulled up in her driveway, the first thing she noticed was Lucy on the front porch with the guy from the Mustang. Negan. She knew none of it was her business, but at the same time, there was a good possibility that it would be soon. If things worked out between her and Daryl and he really was the father of Lucy's baby, she was going to get mixed up in all of this sooner or later.

It wasn't the time yet. She knew that. Given Lucy's abusive history toward Daryl and the newness of her own new relationship with him, she figured Lucy finding out about them at this point was not the best idea. Considering Lucy was already having emotional issues and trying to get her medication under control, the last thing anybody needed was to shed light on the new development. Lucy was going to have to find out eventually, but not yet.

When Carol got out of the car, she quickly glanced back at Lucy's porch to see the two had gone back inside. Carol let out a sigh of relief and hurried inside to the quiet of her home.

Some of Sophia's toys were strewn through the living room, and Carol quickly picked them up and carried them up the stairs to her room. As she put them away, she considered how all of this might affect Sophia.

She knew Daryl was already apprehensive about coming around for dinner when she'd invited him before. He hadn't wanted to put Sophia in the middle of everything, and Carol was thankful for that. Lucy did seem to be unbalanced, but she seemed to be getting help. But, Sophia's safety was paramount, and if Carol keeping her new relationship with Daryl under wraps for now was what had to be done to keep the peace, that was what was going to have to happen.

She left Sophia's room and headed to her own to grab a change of clothes for staying over at Daryl's. But, just as she was packing an overnight bag, the doorbell rang downstairs. Carol frowned and moved to look out the window that faced the front of the house. She found Negan's car gone, and she didn't see any cars in her drive. Her stomach felt like one giant knot when she took the stairs to find Lucy standing at her front door.

Carol took a deep breath and opened the door, greeting Lucy with a reserved smile through the screen door.

"Lucy, hi."

"Oh, hey Carol." Lucy smiled and placed her hand over her stomach. Carol shifted uncomfortably in the doorway.

"Is everything ok? Did you need something?"

"Um, I just wanted to say thank you for the other day. I'm glad somebody was there."

"Just doing my job," Carol offered. "I'm glad you're feeling better. You are feeling better, right?"

"Oh yeah. A lot better. I, um, saw you pull in, and I wanted to come say something."

"You didn't have to do that. But it's good to see you up and around. Did you see your doctor?"

"Yeah. She says everything looks good." She took a deep breath. "Look, I know we don't know each other. I know Daryl moved out shortly after we moved in, but I wanted to ask you something." Carol felt her heart skip a beat in her chest. "Do you think a person can change?"

"I think everyone can change," Carol said with a little nod.

"I hurt him. I messed things up. It wasn't something that happened once. It happened a lot. I was awful to him. And the thing is, I've never loved anyone like I loved Daryl. The thing is, I'm pretty sure he hates me now. I just…I'm having this baby, and things aren't working out with my boyfriend. He doesn't want to be a dad. He wouldn't be a very good dad. But Daryl? Daryl would be a great dad. And I want him to be there. I want him in my life."

Carol flinched, and she swallowed hard.

"This really isn't my business, Lucy."

"What I'm getting at is…do you think, even if the relationship is broken, if someone gets help, there's a chance?"

"I…I don't…"

"God, I'm sorry. I don't even know you. You just seemed so nice, and I appreciate you being there for me the other day." She took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes. "I made a mess of things." Carol took a deep breath, and she stepped out onto the porch with Lucy. She kept a bit of distance between them.

"I'm sorry you're having a rough time, Lucy. It's really not my business. I…I'm sorry. I don't know what to tell you. But judging from someone who had a failed relationship, moving on is probably the best thing you can do." Lucy nodded then and leaned against the porch rails.

"You're a single mom. Is it hard?"

"It would be a lot harder if I didn't get along with her dad. We've argued over custody, but when it comes down to it, the situation we have now really does work out for us." She took a deep breath before treading out into muddy waters. "I can tell you one thing. Your kid is gonna suffer if you don't figure out how to move on." Lucy nodded slowly then, narrowing her eyes at Carol for a moment.

"That makes sense," she finally decided. "Like you said at the hospital, even if we can't be together like we were, we can still be good parents."

"Yeah, I believe that. Trust me, staying in a relationship for the sake of a kid is never going to turn out right. You have to want it. He has to want it. And if you're not on the same page…"

"It won't work, and we'll all get hurt," Lucy concluded. "You should be a therapist." Carol let out a little laugh and shook her head.

"No. No, I shouldn't." She winced and stepped back toward the door.

"Well, I'll count myself lucky to have you as my neighbor. If I'm gonna do this on my own, it'll be nice to have a nurse right next door." Carol offered a thin smile, and Lucy turned to leave. "Thanks for listening." Carol waved as Lucy headed back toward her house, and then she turned and stepped back into her own house, leaning back against the front door after closing it. She let out a groan and covered her face with her hands.

The first thing she did was pull her cell phone out and dial Daryl's number.

"Hey. Everything ok?"

"Yeah. I'm home. Are you still home?"

"Just gettin' ready to leave. Why?"

"Oh, I just had a visit from my next door neighbor."

"Christ. Everything ok?"

"Yeah. She's still really hung up on you, Daryl."

"That's over. You know that's over," Daryl insisted.

"I know it is for you," Carol said softly. "But she's…I don't know." She took a deep breath. "She's going to find out sooner or later."

"We'll tell her when it's time. If it comes down to it, if this is my kid, she's gonna have to accept that you're in my life." Carol bit her lip as she listened to his words, and she put her hand to her chest. "You're in my life, right?"

"I am," she said softly, running her fingers through her hair. "I just feel weird talking to her after…after everything."

"Look, I just need ya to promise me you'll be careful. I know she might seem alright right now, but that might change. I've seen it. I just need ya to promise you'll keep an eye on Sophia."

"You don't think she'd do anything to Sophia, do you?"

"I don't think so, but just keep her close. If anything ever happened to your little girl or to you on account of me…"

"Rosita—the baby sitter—is really good with her. She keeps an eye on her. And nothing's going to happen. We just have to figure out how to tell her. Eventually, I want you to come over and spend time with me here. And I want Sophia to get used to you being around. If it's going to be too weird with Lucy next door…"

"It won't. Lucy knows we're over. She's gonna have to move on. We'll give her some time, and then we'll tell her together."

"Right," Carol sighed. "Together."

"You gonna be ok?"

"Yeah."

"You still comin' over tonight?"

"Of course," she smiled, shifting the phone to her other ear. "Call me when you get off work, and I'll meet you there, ok?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe take me on another ride on your bike?"

"You liked that, huh?"

"Yeah, it's kind of a turn on," Carol laughed. Daryl chuckled, and Carol chewed her bottom lip again. "I had a lot of fun."

"Me too. Can't wait to see you again."

"Okay," Carol blushed. "I'll see you soon. Be careful."

"You too. Bye."

Author's Note: Hey, guys! Thanks for all the wonderful feedback! Please keep it coming. I always enjoy reading your comments after each chapter. They are always appreciated!