Summary:
Daryl shows his girls some moves. The objects detailed as weapons here are real world items that really can be used as a weapon and for self defense. The same goes for the training with the substance listed. All self defense moves listed come from the internet. Carol and Daryl take the next step. Some inspiration by Martinez leads Daryl to further modes of protection - calling in some allies.
*Second update today. This also marks the end of reworked content. All remaining chapters are 100% new material.
After their dinner, Daryl moved his girls outside to the back yard. It was still sunny out, and they had plenty of time to work on some self defense training before dusk hit. He had Carol and Sophia stand up against the back wall of the attached garage. He walked a few paces in front of them and started emptying one of his pockets.
"First thing we are gonna start with is weapons. Sophia, ya already got one of yours on ya, right?"
Sophia fished in her pocket and held up the button for Daryl to see.
"Good girl. Carol, ya need to get one of those for yourself too later. Have it on ya at all times, just like I told Soph too. Now, here are two more - one for ya both."
He tossed two tootsie pop suckers on the ground in front of the girls. Sophia, remembering how useful a single button could be from her last lesson simply nodded and awaited his explanation. Carol however looked up at him like he had lost his mind.
"Not joking woman. Now both of ya, grab your weapons."
Carol and Sophia looked at one another, shrugged, and picked up the suckers. Daryl immediately smirked when he saw Carol grab the stick end and hold it in the normal fashion – like she was going to eat it. Sophia, who was trying to work out the lesson in her mind before it was even given, simply placed the treat on her open palm.
"Naw. First lesson, Carol. Everyday objects can be weapons – just like the button I gave to Sophia."
He walked over to Carol and took the candy from her hand, turned it around and adjusted her hand until she was holding the sucker part clenched in her hand with the stick poking out between two fingers against her finger webbing. He tightened her grip and the fingers around the stick. He then did the same with Sophia. He walked back a couple paces and turned back to them.
"You ladies now have a weapon in your hand that can potentially maim, blind or deafen your attacker. Could even be a lethal weapon if used hard enough in the right place. Throw your arm out now with that pointed out. Pretend y'all are pirates or something. Do a quick jab out like with a sword."
They did as they were told, and quickly understood the danger behind their sweet treats.
"Keep yer arms as straight as you can when you thrust out. Also, widen your stances if you can. Gives you more strength. Poking somebody in the eye or ear with these things can do some serious damage."
"Holy crap Daryl, this is so cool!"
"Language Sophia" cautioned Carol.
"Sorry mama, but this is totally bada- - "
"Sophia!"
"Sorry mama."
Daryl just shook his head and dug in the next pocket. He threw down two plastic eggs.
"OK, Daryl, are we defending ourselves against the Cadbury Bunny now?"
"Patience woman. Jeez. Have some faith."
He had them open up the eggs to reveal silly putty.
"What the heck is this stuff" asked Sophia.
"Ain't ya never played with silly putty before Soph?"
At the shake of her head he just started muttering about kids not having toys to bring out the imagination any more. Then he said more clearly "This is silly putty. Ya can do all sorts of fun play things with it, and I got more, so I promise I will show ya that later. But first . . . "
He walked over and held his arm out. "I want both of ya to pinch me as hard as ya can."
"Daryl . . . . "
"No, seriously Carol. Need to judge your strength. Go on. As hard as ya can. C'mon Soph, you too."
They complied, but he could tell they hadn't tried too hard to hurt him.
"Naw. Harder. Hard as ya can. I gotta see how strong ya can pinch, it's important." Again, they complied, but he could tell now that they were actually trying.
"Not bad" he said while rubbing his arm. "Might bruise a bit – but ya gotta learn how to inflict more damage with pinching. That's where this stuff comes in. Playing with silly putty, particularly practicing pinching hard with it will strengthen your hands and fingers. If you ever need to get away from a bad guy, a good hard pinch to a sensitive area of the body will buy you some time to get away."
Sophia started pinching away at her silly putty, testing it's firmness. "It gets softer the more I play with it – like play dough."
"That's right. We got a bag full of these eggs in my truck. They will stay in the fridge. The cold will keep them firmer for ya when ya practice building your pinching strength up. Next, we've got some moves to work on. Ditch the eggs."
Carol and Sophia tossed the eggs with the silly putty inside to the side and waited for what came next.
Daryl walked over to Carol and grabbed her hand. He brought her slightly to the side and whispered "I gotta show some real physical moves here sweetheart. Gonna be grabbin' at ya from behind. Even though you know it's me and I'd never hurt ya, yer first instinct will be to panic. Just wanna prepare ya and let ya talk to Sophia about it before we do anything."
Carol nodded and walked over to Sophia.
"Honey, this is the part where Daryl is going to teach us how to fight against a bad guy. He's going to pretend to be a bad guy and grab me like he's a bad guy. It's going to be hard for both of us. Scary. Even though he loves us and would never hurt us, it's going to be normal to be scared at first – for both of us. Can you do this sweetie?"
"Gotta be ready mama. Just in case, right?"
"Right."
"So, I'm ready."
"I will go first honey. I might get scared at first, but Daryl would never hurt me, ok?"
Sophia nodded, and Carol walked over to where Daryl had moved a few feet away.
"OK Carol. I need you to just pretend like you are walking down a street or something – just normal like. I am gonna grab you from behind, but then stop. I will be holding you but I won't be moving. Your instinct will be to flee or fight. That's ok if that happens. But once ya can, I need you to hold still so Sophia can see how I am grabbing onto you. Can you do that?"
She nodded, and then moved herself right in front of him and started walking away. The grab was sudden, and he hadn't been lying when he said she would have the instinct to flee or fight back. It took a second after he froze in place still having her in an attack grip before she stopped trying to get away. Then she froze like he asked.
Daryl looked over to Sophia whose eyes were wide with worry. "Don't worry Soph. I promise, it's ok." When she nodded finally, he continued.
"See where my arms and hands are around your mama's waist?"
Carol and Sophia both looked down at his arms which were tightly wound against Carol's waist. They nodded.
"OK. This is the most likely way somebody would grab anybody from behind. Carol, I want ya to follow my instructions carefully. Don't worry about hurting me none. This is important. Lower your center like you are gonna be sitting in a chair and keep both feet on the ground. This makes it more difficult to be picked up. Bring both knees up, then kick them straight out in front of you."
Carol did as he had requested, noticing that Daryl's strong grip on her had loosened a bit with her movements.
"That's right, keep doing that Carol. Over and over until ya break free."
It took her four or five kicks, but eventually Carol broke free from his grip. She swiveled around proudly and smiled at him.
"Good work. But never turn towards an attacker. Once ya break free, ya throw your head back and try to hit me with it. Then scream as loud as ya can and run away as fast as ya can if ya can."
Daryl looked over at Sophia who looked like she was getting more scared.
"I know this is scary Soph. I don't wanna scare ya. We can stop for now if ya want."
"No. It's scary, but it's you and mama here. Not daddy or a bad guy. I wanna take a turn."
"Sophia . . . . you don't have to right now."
"I want to."
"Ok. But I am gonna have your mama take my spot at first. If ya get more comfortable with it, we can trade back later."
Sophia tried. She really did. She went through the moves, but even though it was her own mama grabbing at her, she was scared. In the end in came down to the fact that she was a normal kid, and even though it was just her mama who would never hurt her and Daryl who was trying to keep her safe, she burst into tears. Daryl felt like shit.
"I'm sorry Sophia. Carol, I'm sorry . . . . "
He watched as Carol folded Sophia into a big comforting hug. He suddenly felt like the attacker for real. For causing this, and all he wanted to do was keep them safe. He suddenly wondered if they would even want him around anymore.
"I can leave if ya want Carol. We can do this another time . . . . if you still want to."
"No!" The sudden yell from Sophia started both adults. Then he was being run at at full speed by a crying five year old. He didn't know if he should move or not – couldn't tell how her emotions were playing out as she ran, and he didn't want to scare her more. But then he found himself abruptly being wrapped up in an attack of another sort. A vice like hug around his legs. He reacted and picked the girl up and hugged her to him.
"I will never hurt you squirt. I promise. I don't wanna scare you. I just wanna be able to show you how to stay safe."
"I know. But can we stop for now? Maybe do more tomorrow?"
"Are ya sure?"
She nodded and looked up at her mama.
"Mama, can we break for dessert?"
Carol laughed at the abrupt change – internally rolling her eyes that the idea of more food had so changed her daughter's emotions. "Sure. I think we have some ice cream. Daryl, I hope you like chocolate."
"Love it." Then when Sophia started walking to the door to go inside, he grabbed Carol's hand.
"Love ya too woman."
"C'mon Dixon. Let's go have some ice cream with our girl. Then we can put her to bed."
He nodded and moved to follow Sophia inside – loving the fact that Carol once again had referred to Sophia as 'their girl'. But then Carol stopped him.
"Stay the night Daryl?"
"Of course. Said I was gonna stay and keep ya safe. Plus, I need to show you how to work the security system."
"That's not what I meant. Stay the night. With me. Please? In my bed?"
He looked at her, his eyes growing darker. He swallowed hard. "If you're ok with that. With Sophia here and all."
"I am more than ok with it. I will talk to Sophia before we tuck her in to bed. But I want to warn you about one thing first."
He raised his eyebrow in question.
"I find it only fair to warn you that I plan on showing you some moves of my own tonight. They may not be weapons, and they may not be deadly, but I can promise you that they will bring you to your knees."
She then walked inside, pulling him along with her as he struggled to find his breath. He couldn't help it. The image of her bringing him to his knees, and what he might do to her when he was there . . . damn. He was hardening at the thought already.
"Damn woman is gonna be the death of me" he muttered.
She overheard of course and smirked evilly back at him and continued their path inside to have ice cream with their girl.
~~~~~~~
Daryl was walking around the house re-checking all the doors and windows. He was full of anxious energy. Well, truth be told he was full of anxious, horny energy. Carol's words to him as they wrapped up training for the day were on steady repeat in his brain. Even though he and Carol had said good night to Sophia together, Carol had made sure to have some one on one time with the girl to talk to her about the fact that Daryl was staying the night. How she was going to broach the subject of him sleeping with Carol, he didn't know.
As he did the windows in the hallway he had barely overheard a couple words - bed and Daryl. He didn't know what was said next, but much giggling was done by the girl. That was enough to set his ears ablaze, and now he was just trying to talk himself down a bit.
Carol had let him know that she was heading in her bedroom to change, and he should give her about five minutes before joining her. He had used the time to triple check all the locks and arm the new security system. He had shown both of them how to arm and disarm it earlier and was confident that they would be ok using it. The code was Sophia's birth day with the current year. Easy enough to remember, but the switch of the year made it harder for Ed or somebody else to guess.
He hung his head in an effort to center his thoughts. He knew that when he walked through the door to Carol's bedroom, nothing short of hell freezing over would make him leave. Psyching himself up another moment, he decided to just man up and go join the woman he loved in bed. He hoped that their first time would be good for her. He knew there was nothing she could do to make him not want her, but he only hoped he could offer her the same.
He knocked briefly then opened her bedroom door. The sight before him make him certain there was a god above. She looked like an angel. She wasn't wearing any risqué lingerie or anything, but he swore he never saw a more beautiful woman than the picture HIS woman was presenting in front of him right now. Carol was wearing a dark aqua colored cotton pajama short set. The shorts were very flattering and grazed her upper thigh. The shirt was a spaghetti strap tank top that matched the shorts. It was perfect for her. His eyes drank her in from top to bottom and back up again, resting finally on her eyes. He held her gaze as he slowly walked over to her. He brought his right hand up and dusted his fingers over the skin on her cheek, reveling in the slight shiver that ran through her. It was that shiver and the look in her eyes that made him certain that she wanted this just as much as he did.
The fingers that had grazed her face now rested along her cheek as his hand cupped her face. His other hand came up and brushed her hair softly from by her eyes. He looked into her eyes, making sure that she was still ok with him there with her. His eyes must have asked the question, because she nodded at him in answer. With that, he pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her deeply. He didn't think he would ever tire of kissing her. Her lips were silken heaven, and the little breaths that escaped her let him know that she was pleased with what he was doing.
He had just decided that he needed a plan in order to take inventory of and kiss of every freckle on her body when she took a half step away. She looked nervous. He was immediately concerned, ready to put the brakes on if she wanted, even if it killed him. Instead, she took his hand and spoke with a flushing, nerve tinged eroticism that made him ache.
"I have condoms if you want them, but I am on the pill and am clean. God, there has got to be another way of saying that without getting embarrassed, right? Anyways, they are here in the night stand.'
"I'm clean too. Up to you though Carol. I can't wait to be with you, so I want to do whatever you feel more comfortable with."
"I am fine without. Is that ok with you?"
He nodded, then leaned into her again. "Not gonna lie here Carol. I'm nervous. Only because I care for you so much. I think . . . . I think I wanna feel everything. Is that ok?"
"More than ok. I do too. I can't wait to feel you for the first time Daryl. Nothing between us sounds pretty great to me. And . . . I trust you."
She then started kissing him again, deepening it as she used her tongue on him. She had this way of kissing him that made him forget who he was and where he was for a moment. All thought processes had ceased, and all he had left was how he felt. And what he felt was an intense love and passion that he had never experienced in his life. He idly wondered if this was how you could tell you had met your soul's mate? When thinking ceased, but the other person could read what you were thinking anyway. That line of thought was quickly dusted away when she grabbed him up closer by pulling him into her by his belt. He swore he whimpered at that. She broke the kiss a moment and smiled beatifically at him before starting to unbuckle his belt and then undo his pants.
He knew he should be thinking about something right now. Anything. But all thought was gone the second she had him unfastened and she had brought her hand down the front of his boxer briefs. She gripped him firmly, then lightly feathered her hand down the length of him. He was already fully hard, and he hadn't even touched her yet. Time to up his game.
Daryl stopped her hand from moving further into his shorts and kissed her hard. He brought his lips down her neck while pulling down on her pajama top, baring her left breast. Her dusky pink nipple welcomed him, and he promptly made it his new mission to taste every square inch of her breast - repeatedly. He only paused when she was panting and squirming. Instead of stopping though, he simply moved to the other side and repeated his ministrations. While he was feasting on her right breast, she was doing all she could to get him out of his button-down shirt. Finally, she broke them apart long enough to impatiently remove his shirt and his white t-shirt underneath. Not stopping there, she pulled his belt completely out of it's loops, and dropped his pants to his ankles. She took his boxer briefs with as well.
Daryl didn't even have the inkling to be self-conscious. He just followed suit and removed Carol's pajama shorts, noticing she had not been wearing underwear under them. They were standing, facing each other, as naked as the day they were born. And horny. Very horny. He was practically poking her stomach with his dick, and the only mental debating in mind was where to start things next. But then, that is when she took that decision right away from him.
She drug over a straight back chair that had been behind her dressing table. She placed it in front of her and asked him to sit down. He was no fool. He sat. She stood in front of him, and he took advantage of his seated eye level to get another good look at the wonder that was Carol's perfect breasts. He didn't have long to look however before she changed things up yet again. She kneeled in front of him and started kissing up his knees to his thighs. She was not entering the land of twig and berries yet, but Lord did she have his undivided attention.
She laved her tongue all up and down his upper thighs, finally looking up at him and smirking. "Do you want more Daryl?"
"Hell yes woman."
"Will you let me take my mouth and tongue and make you feel good?"
He attempted to answer, but all that came out was a stuttery grunt. She looked up at him and quirked her eyebrow, then smiled. She lowered her head and licked the side of his cock, from base to tip. She looked up to judge his reaction. Seeing his eyes closed in bliss, she took that as the green light and gently fisted him. She brought him up to her mouth, and began to work him over as his toes curled into the carpet. She made sure to put enough pressure on all the right spots, and gave some extra attention to his balls. She was really getting into it, which surprised her. She had never liked doing this in the past, but with Daryl, she had been craving it. She would gladly keep doing this until he came, but his hands in her hair pushing her slightly back gave her pause.
"Good Lord Carol. Gotta classify that mouth of yours as a dangerous weapon. Gotta back off on that a bit sweetheart. I wanna be inside you when I come. But first . . . . I wanna see you come apart a couple times."
He grabbed her up and brought her into a standing position. He then rotated her slightly and set her down on his lap. Slowly, he began dragging his middle finger down her chest and stomach, finally reaching the apex of her thighs. He began lightly stroking her, learning her by touch. All the while, he was watching her reaction. Paying attention to what she seemed to enjoy the most. When he finally penetrated her with a single digit, she groaned at the stretch. It had been a long time since she was intimate, and she could hardly wait.
He seemed to sense her needs intuitively, and didn't let her impatience to feel all of him slow him down. Instead, he slowly worshipped her with his touch. He added a second finger before beginning a slow rhythm, stroking inside of her. He searched and found that rough patch that would give her heightened pleasure and focused on it with a "come hither" motion of his fingers. Carol had never been vocal in the bedroom in her life before then. She had never been given any reason to be. However, now it was a struggle to remain quiet for Sophia's sake.
He could tell she was climbing her heights of pleasure surprisingly quickly, and was looking forward to making her come hard. Which was why when she stopped him and pulled his fingers out of her he looked up in panic. "You ok? Did I do something wrong?"
"Absolutely nothing about that was wrong. It was perfect. I just want to have you inside me now. Ok?"
He nodded, gave a smile, and made to get up to go to the bed. She stopped him. "I always wanted to try sex in this old chair. I promise we can go again later in the bed, and take as much time as we want. But would it be ok if I climbed on top of you here?"
He swore his jaw dropped at least a foot. He just nodded quickly, knowing he had to have a stupidly happy look on his face. She brought her knees up beside his thighs, positioning him at her entrance. Then she lowered herself onto him while dropping her legs beside his thighs. Finally, they were joined together, both letting out a moan of approval and pleasure.
It was a tight fit in all the best ways, there was no questioning that. Her feet rested on the top rung of the chair's legs. By being in this position, she had leverage to move up and down his length and they both had their arms free to hold one another. She was relishing being in control of this wonderful, beautiful man. The way he worshipped her with his eyes, mouth, hands and cock made her feel so incredibly desirable.
It started with a slow rhythm. They both groaned at the first stroke – noticing immediately how direct this position made things. He was in so deep, and they were so close to each other. As they moved, they made good use of their lips and tongues, being sure to taste each other fully as they were joined. In the position they were in, Carol felt powerful. Daryl felt free to explore her body with his hands while they made love. In the end neither lasted long with the directness of that position, but when the end came, they both softly called out each other's names lest they wake Sophia. They were both sweaty and shaky by the time they decided that they had better move. Extricating herself from Daryl's grasp, Carol moved over to the bed and turned down the covers. Daryl was right behind her and laid down beside her. She lay her head on his shoulder as they came down from their blissful high. They breathed together and peppered each other's faces with kisses. Soon, Daryl was hardening again, and began whispering promises of how good he was going to make her feel on round two – this time in the bed. She let his words of love wash over her as she fell into bliss for the second time that night.
~~~~~~~
Daryl was not sure what had woken him up, but all of a sudden he sprang up out of the bed on heightened alert. He whipped his head around looking over all areas of the room. He found himself grateful that he had changed into sleep pants and a t-shirt a second later when he heard a couple of giggles. He looked down at the bed, and there were his girls looking up at him all amused.
"Sorry Daryl, I just wanted to come in and snuggle with mama and you this morning. I didn't mean to wake you up." Sophia looked like she was torn between apologizing more or laughing more at his extreme reaction.
He looked at Carol who just gave him an amused nod, letting him know that everything was ok and he could get back in bed to join back in on the snuggles.
"I am so happy I don't have to go to school today. I know Penny's not there either, but her friends are. I don't want to listen to them being mean."
"Well, today is not all about working with Daryl or having fun with him either" Carol said. "Your teacher emailed me some work you can do while you are out of school. Maybe you can print everything off and do it and your independent studies in Daryl's office at the shop? Let him get some work done while you do that."
Daryl nodded at the suggestion. "Don't think ya'll be getting into any oil today Soph. If you want to, I can show you how to air up a tire though. Best go get dressed, gotta be at the shop in an hour."
Sophia scrambled off and Daryl turned to Carol. "Shit Carol, I didn't mean to go all bossy and parental on her there. Shoulda come from you, not me. Sorry. Won't happen again."
Carol just shook her head and gave him a sweet kiss. "Daryl, that girl adores you. You aren't going to do anything to hurt her. You are here. You are helping out in ways Ed never did. I'm not going to be bothered if you go a little parental sometimes. Besides, if Sophia were to choose a father figure, I am pretty darn sure you would be it. So relax a little. I told you before that I am all in this. Unless that changed for you . . . . . "
"Course not. Never will." He blushed a bit at that admission. "If I could change things where she was mine, I would. I love ya both Carol."
"We love you too."
~~~~~~~
Later at the shop, Daryl was listening as Martinez talked about his upcoming wedding with Michonne. Now that he knew Daryl was aware of their plans, he was no longer just privately planning. The cocky asshole was practically CROWING while strutting around. Daryl didn't really care about the details, but what DID catch his attention was the fact that Martinez would be adopting Michonne's daughter Shae.
"How's that happen?"
"How does what happen?"
"You adopting Michonne's kid when the dad is still around. I now he is, I've seen him myself working over at that shitty gas station on the edge of town."
"He had his parental rights terminated. Between going after Michonne and Shae numerous times before you and I chased him away, he won't willingly pay child support. He quits jobs before the county garnishes. Just floats between places. Michonne petitioned the court to have his rights terminated and they were last week."
"And what does the kid think of this?"
"She's severely disabled Daryl, and only speaks a few words. It's hard to know if she understands what is going on or not. But one of the words she does say is 'daddy' and she says that to me. Her hugs are for me. She's scared of the man that helped make her. Far as I am concerned I am already her real father. Just making it legal is all."
Daryl didn't say anything for a bit. Then he turned to Martinez and slowly said "I never thought about being a father one way or another. I've loved kids always, but wanted a woman I could love first. I love Carol. Told her as much the other day. I swear if you repeat what I am about to say, I will flog you, but I wish we were at a place where Sophia called me daddy. Don't know if I could love any natural child of mine more than I already love her. And Carol's it for me man. Just don't know where to go from here being it's so fast."
Martinez just looked at him and shook his head. "Don't know how to bread this to you culo, but that little girl is sitting in your office doing her homework instead of being in school. She isn't in school because she got in a fight with a bully, defending her mama and you. So, next time you think something is too fast, remember that. Fast don't always mean bad."
Daryl just nodded and put his head back under the hood of the car he was working on. His thoughts were coming fast and furious. He had to protect his girls so they could all build a life together. Once they were safe, he was going to make sure that they were his always. Daryl Dixon was not a man to do things half assed, so he knew that he had to make sure everything went perfectly. The first problem to deal with was Ed. He didn't know when, and he didn't know how, but he knew the man would be coming for his girls. It might be time to make some phone calls to call in reinforcements. He just hoped that Carol would go along with his newly forming plan.
Before he could stop himself, he had pulled out his phone, pulled up a contact name, and dialed.
~~~~~~~
Shit, Daryl was in trouble. He had only meant to check into Abe Ford's availability for the project in mind. Instead he had blabbed Carol's whole story. Now Abe's team was mobilized. Mobilization for Abe's team meant that there was about to be some colorful visitors paying a visit - rapidly. So, now he was racing to Carol's house with Sophia from the garage, praying he got to talk to Carol in person first before all hell broke loose. He hoped she didn't freak out over his executive decision of earlier. He approached the house, and thanked God that Carol's car was the only vehicle there instead of the fleet of bikes and trucks that were currently speedily chewing up pavement on their way to Carol's. He knew he didn't have much time before Abe's entire team showed up. He had to warn her, especially after Abe informed Daryl of the team members who were coming with him.
He got Sophia out of his truck and into the house just as he heard the distant sound of Abe's convoy of vehicles. Shit. He had two minutes to explain things. Rushing through the house with Sophia in tow, he herded them into the bedroom for some quick explanations.
"Daryl, what's going on?" Carol seemed scared.
"I promise it's ok love. I called in some reinforcements against Ed. They will be here to help train you two up and act as security against Ed. They are my friends, and I trust them with my life. But they look intimidating, and I don't want Sophia to be scared of them since they are in fact working as a type of exclusive bodyguard over her and you."
"Ok, how long do we have before they get here?" Just as she asked that, the doorbell rang. She turned around and had such a look of incredulity on her face, that Daryl had to make sure not to feel guilty. After all, he just wanted her safe.
The doorbell was replaced by knocking. Finally, Daryl went to open the door himself. The group of visitors stayed in the entryway while Daryl talked to them. The group consisted of Abraham Ford, Rosita Espinosa, Eugene Porter, Milton Mamet, and a man who refused to go by any other name than Negan.
"Thanks, guys for showing up so fast but I barely had a chance to talk to Carol about things. So, please take it easy on her for introductions. She's the boss here. She can accept the help you give her, or she could decide against it. It is solely her decision, and I don't want any of you to give her any shit. No pressuring her or making her feel bad if she decided she won't be using your group. Just let me talk to Carol and get the girl started on her homework. Wait here."
He was out of the room before he could take notice of all the raised eyebrows in the room looking at Abe. Abe just smiled. "Oh, did I forget to mention Daryl has a woman and kid?"
Daryl rushed up the stairway. He saw Carol and immediately cupped her face. "I called these guys because they are the best in the business of keeping people safe. They do some things that are visible. Other things are kept on the down low to be practically invisible. They saved and protected my ass more than once when I was a kid. As we grew up, they became protection for hire, but they owe me, so no charge. They are here to help me train you and Sophia up. Is that ok?"
"Daryl, I wish you would have asked me first . . . . . . but thank you. We need it, so I am going to take the help offered."
He let out the breath he wasn't aware he had been holding and kissed her hard.
"OK, some of the guys use extremely . . . colorful language. Maybe we can have Merle pick Sophia up so she doesn't have to worry about anything until we decide on a plan? How 'bout we just focus on training you tonight? Let you feel them out?"
She nodded her head and went in to talk to Sophia while Daryl got on the phone with Merle. He listened a few minutes before hollering back at Carol that the boys wanted Sophia to come over for a slumber party. Merle and Andrea were amenable to that. Carol asked Sophia, and she was very excited at the prospect. So, a bag was packed, and Merle arrived shortly and took Sophia out the back door and back to his place.
Once everything was in order, the group of people made their way to the living room. Daryl was talking quietly to them until Carol came in. Then he began the introductions.
"Carol, this here is Sergeant Abraham Ford. When Abe got out of the military, he opened a business that offered protection to those in domestic abuse situations, stalking, and general harassment."
Abraham continued the introductions. "This here is Rosita Espinosa. Her abilities lie in the unseen modes of protection. She can lay hundreds of traps that the naked eye can't see. This will indicate whether or not anybody has gained access to your property without your knowledge. Eugene here is an expert at hidden surveillance. He can do nanny cams, bugs, recording devices, etc. Milton here is a new addition – and one you may find particularly interesting Carol. He worked for Phillip Blake who I am told is your ex-husband's attorney. If Ed choses to go after Sophia legally, Milton would be he one with knowledge that could stop that. Finally, we get to our muscle. Negan . . . . . . well . . . . . he's just an intimidating guy with a smart ass filthy mouth. One confrontation between him and your ex may just do the trick by itself. All of these people are devoted to taking care of you and Sophia. They will protect you both. This makes sure you are safe to file orders in the court like you wanted to. To scale back on Ed seeing Sophia."
Carol didn't say anything at first. She was looking from one face to the other, studying her would be bodyguards.
"While I will of course take you up on your offer, I have two concerns. First of all, cost. I know Daryl said there was no charge, but I can't accept that. I don't have a lot saved up to pay for anything of this magnitude, but I refuse to let you all work for free."
Negan interrupted to say "No need to get your panties in a wad lady. This here is fun for us. See, we've all been treated as shitty as you can imagine in our lives in one way or another. This is us paying it forward to somebody else."
Carol interrupted the man. "I am a nurse with a hell of a lot of experience in patching people up. Any of you get into anything where the ER is not an option, you come to me. That is the payment I am offering for your services. Plus, if you all plan on anybody being around for hours at a time, then that person should expect to be fed some good home cooked meals. There is no need for anybody to worry about missing the comforts of home while you are in MY home. Is that acceptable Sergeant Ford?"
Abe was impressed by this spitfire of a woman Daryl had snatched up. By the rarity of Negan being speechless, he assumed he had no objections.
"It is both a deal and a pleasure Miss Carol" Abe said. "Now, do you have any further concerns?"
"Well, I was wondering if having protection like this would hinder my visitation request before the court. I don't want to come across as a paranoid mother who is scaring my daughter."
It was Rosita who answered that. "What we do is invisible . . . . . until we need to be visible, but even then we are covered. See, we call ourselves the Saviors. We look and act all tough like a sterotypical MC, but our sole focus is helping out others in the name of justice for those women and children who need help. Most of the time nobody will even know we are or were there. Your lawyer, Andrea? She has used us before." The young Latina then moved closer to Carol and grabbed her hand. Looking into her eyes, she said "We will help Daryl train you and help keep you both safe. You have nothing to fear from us."
Daryl came from behind Carol and wrapped her in a hug. He whispered in her ear and she nodded back. Straightening her spine and her resolve, she grabbed his hand and squeezed it tight. Until this moment, wrapped up in his arms she had never felt so safe in her life.