Chapter 34: Baby Steps

The first week after telling Lucy about their relationship had been awkward at best. Carol had run into her a couple of times outside, and Lucy had been cool but not completely dismissive. Carol made certain to ask her how she was feeling, and Lucy would simply say 'no complaints' and be on her way. Still, she knew the woman was angry, and while part of Carol wanted to feel guilty for that, she also knew that Lucy had treated Daryl terribly, and she couldn't feel too bad for someone who'd dug their own grave in that relationship.

Carol had given Rosita strict instructions to stay with Sophia at all times if she was outside. She hated thinking that Lucy might do something, but Sophia was her little girl, and there was no such thing as too careful when it came to protecting her.

So when Rick pulled up on Sunday night to drop Sophia off from their weekend visit, Carol stepped out on the front porch to greet them. Rick, however, got out of the car alone and moved around to the back. Carol watched as he struggled to pull Sophia's sleeping self out of the backseat, and she giggled when he awkwardly carried the girl up the steps. Carol knew first-hand that Sophia felt like a pillowcase full of bricks when she was sleeping.

"Hey," Rick grimaced, making his way up the steps with Sophia in his arms.

"Hey," Carol giggled. "Long day?"

"We went to the zoo," he grunted. "Now, I consider myself to be pretty physically fit, but our daughter could win a damn marathon with the energy and stamina she's got. 'Daddy, look! Flamingos! Daddy, let's go see the elephants? Daddy, can we run halfway across the park in five minutes before the Dolphin show sells out?' I might have to call in tomorrow and visit the chiropractor." Carol covered her mouth with her hand and stifled a laugh. "Want me to take her up?"

"Just lay her on the couch. I'm sure she'll be awake by the time I get supper ready." Rick nodded, and Carol held the screen door open for him. He went in and deposited Sophia on the couch, while Carol headed down to his car and grabbed Sophia's weekend bag. She met him back up on the porch, and he wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. "So, you guys had a good weekend, huh?"

"Yeah," he said slowly, glancing at Carol. "What?"

"Nothin'."

"No, Rick. Come on. Talk to me." Rick sighed and stuffed his hands in his pocket before leaning against the porch rail.

"She had a lot to say about Daryl," he said quietly. Carol knew the look on his face. He was jealous.

"She likes Daryl," Carol said slowly.

"She really likes Daryl. That's all she talked about all weekend. How much time has he been spending here?" Carol cocked her head to the side and quirked an eyebrow.

"I really don't think that's your business, Rick."

"I didn't mean…" He sighed and threw up his hands. "I didn't mean it like that. I just…"

"How did you mean it?"

"She's getting really attached to him. Do you think that's a good idea?"

"Why not? Carl got attached to me."

"Well, that's different. We got married, and…"

"And?" Carol put her hands on her hips and stared at him. Rick sighed and ran his hand over the back of his neck.

"Well, if Sophia gets too attached, and something happens and you break up, she'd be devastated."

"You and I broke up. Carl's doing ok, isn't he?"

"That's different."

"How's it different?" Carol asked. She crossed her arms and took a step toward him. "I wouldn't have brought him around if I didn't see a future with him."

"You…you see a future with him?" Rick stammered.

"He's a good man, Rick. He makes me happy." She shrugged. "Maybe that's not what you want to hear."

"Don't say that," Rick said quietly, his tone softer now. "I want you to be happy. I do. I guess part of me is still having trouble letting go."

"What part of 'our marriage is over' didn't you understand?"

"The part where we were still sleeping together," Rick pointed out. Carol opened her mouth for a moment before closing it.

"Okay. You have a point," she sighed. "But we're not doing that anymore." Rick nodded, and then he peeked out toward Carol's drive way. "He's not here, if that's what you're wondering. But he's been here while Sophia's here. We're taking baby steps with Sophia. Right now, she knows Daryl is my friend. We're not having…"

"Sleepovers?"

"Right. We're not having sleepovers while she's here." Rick let out a breath of relief, and Carol couldn't help the little laugh that bubbled up in her chest. "He doesn't stay the whole night."

"Christ, why'd you have to say that?"

"We're adults, Rick. What goes on behind my closed bedroom door is not your concern. Just like it's not my concern who you see or who you sleep with. Right?"

"Yeah. I know you're right. I know." He sighed. "I just don't know what you see in the guy." Carol rolled her eyes. "I mean…he's an asshole."

"What?" Carol laughed.

"The guy's a dick."

"Oh my God," she snorted. "Maybe you think that because both times you met him, you were pulling him over. Not everybody is gonna kiss your ass when you give them a ticket." She smirked, and Rick grunted. "You don't even know him."

"I know he speeds. He's reckless. I don't ever wanna hear about him driving like that with Sophia." Carol sighed then and she shook her head.

"He's been through a lot, but I can guarantee you he would never hurt Sophia." She sighed softly. "The first time I really ever met him, Sophia fell in front of his house." She nodded toward the house next door. "He picked her up and put her on the steps and brought out a first aid kit. He's so good with her. That's why Sophia likes him. And he let her drag him around by the hand showing him all of her toys and everything in the house." She grinned. "Sound familiar?" Rick put his hand on his aching back, memories of holding Sophia on his shoulders so she could get a better look at the lions coming screaming back with a painful twinge.

"Not really," he muttered. Carol snorted and shook her head. "He's good to her. And he's good to me. I love him, Rick, and I'm happy."

"Yeah." Rick let out a slow breath. "I can tell. If Sophia's crazy about him and he makes you as happy as you say he does, maybe I ought to give him a chance. I'm not saying we're gonna be going out for a beer or hanging out or anything, but I'll try to get along with him. I trust your judgment, and if you say he's a good guy, I'll believe you."

"Thank you," Carol sighed. "I know the past few months have been crazy, but I finally did the one thing I was afraid of. I moved on. I'm really happy, Rick."

"Sounds like it's getting serious."

"Yeah. It's serious."

"Alright," Rick said with a little nod. "Well, all I can say is I wish you the best."

"Do you really?" Carol teased.

"Hey," he said quietly, his tone softening again. "You're the mother of my daughter. I was crazy in love with you once upon a time. I still love you. Believe it or not, I want you to be happy, even if it's not with me. I'll be alright. It's just good to see you smiling again."

"Thank you, Rick. That means a lot. And I want you to be happy, too."

"Yeah," Rick nodded. "I know. I should go so you can get your supper started."

"Hey, do you want to come by sometime next week? Have supper?"

"With him?"

"With your daughter," Carol laughed. "And I'd be there. Daryl, too. I might even invite Lori and Shane. They can bring Carl."

"One big, happy family, right?" Rick muttered.

"Yeah. I think Sophia would love that. Carl, too."

"Yeah, alright. I'll think about it."

"Okay. Let me know. I'm thinking Wednesday night. I have a short shift, and Daryl's free that night." Rick nodded then.

"Alright, Carol. I'll, uh…I'll see you later."

"Good night."

"Night." Carol waved Rick off and headed back into the house.

Author's Note: Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Sorry it's been a couple of days since my last update. Lots of life stuff going on, plus I've been busy with work. Hope you're all well and that you enjoyed the chapter. Feedback is always appreciated!