Chapter 18 – The Key

An idea hit Carol the minute they were outside looking at the grand old house. She knew now how to show Daryl that she wanted him here with her. She led Tara down the street towards the Ace. She had been there several times now and knew exactly what they carried and the services they offered. As they walked, her hand found its way into her pocket, fingers curling around the key embedded there. The key was one that Daryl had never possessed. He had given her the only key to prove to her that she was safe.

She entered the store and made a beeline towards the tiny desk hidden amongst various hardware. This was where all paint was mixed, and keys were made. Bill, the balding bespeckled man who had helped her before was there. He greeted her with an easy genuine smile. Bill was the kind of man who looked beyond her bruises and treated her with dignity instead of pity. No question was ridiculous to him, and she had availed herself of his expertise before. She handed him the key and asked for a copy. He smiled and told her it would take about five minutes.

Daryl was watching out the window of the kitchen when he saw Carol and Tara leave the property walking around the tree line and out of sight. He had no idea what she was doing, but hoped she wasn't running from him. He fought the desire to go running after her, knowing he had to let her take the lead in any relationship matters.

It was hard, but he would do whatever made her comfortable. She was too precious to lose. He didn't know a lot about her ex-husband, but knew he was violent both here and in Michigan. Her escaping was not something the man had taken lying down. As soon as he'd had a lead to where she was, he had come to try to drag her back. He couldn't be the one to tell her he wanted her. He had to wait and see how she played things. That would be the only way to be sure that he wouldn't be unknowingly repeating the past for her. He didn't want to act in any way that made her anxious. But first he had to wait for her to come back.

He turned around to go back to the party. When he did, he found he wasn't alone. Glenn was standing there, smirking at him. Daryl groaned, knowing that some form of un-asked advice was about to spew forth from his best friend's mouth. He had to admit though that some part of him craved knowing what he would say next. He also had to admit that the man had never steered him wrong.

"You comfy over there dumbass? All you're doing is staring out the window waiting for Carol to come back, right?"

"She took off. Waitin' for her to come back is all."

"Why? Do you really think she isn't coming back here? Coming back to you? If you think that, you really are a dumbass."

With his wisdom imparted, Glenn left to go back to the living room where the party was still in full swing. Reluctantly, he joined the group of friends again, trying to convince himself that he knew without a doubt Carol would be right back.

Fifteen minutes later, Carol followed Tara back into the party, giving a quick glimpse up at Daryl. She found his face infused with worry, so she gave him a bright smile that broke down all his worry immediately. After all, he knew she would never smile at him like that if she was going to hurt him. He knew enough about her now that he was slightly ashamed that the thought of her hurting him had even entered his mind.

Everybody was gone now; the empty pizza boxes the only remaining sign of the impromptu insurrection of the house. The air between the only two remaining was thick and heavy, draped with uncertainty. Neither knew what to say to get back to that easy relationship they had cultivated in a short amount of time. Carol could see Daryl try to say something, but no words came out. She decided to put him out of his misery and tell him, rather show him, what was on her mind.

She held up the key for him to see. When she opened her mouth, she found that only one word would escape. Somehow, she knew it was the right word though.

"Stay."

"You're asking me to stay in my own house?"

She was briefly taken aback by that until she saw the hint of a grin pulling up on one side of his mouth.

"Do you want to stay?"

"More than anything."

He moved over to her slowly. He wanted to crush his lips to hers but knew that would not be what she needed right now. He was determined to not be selfish in this moment. He was going to be who she needed. She needed him to be somebody the opposite of who her abusive husband was. He was determined not to be forceful in anything regarding her. She was quickly becoming his everything. She was already becoming a big part of where his home was. His house was just a house without her in it. When she was in it, it was truly a home which he desperately wanted to be a part of. So instead of the crushing kiss she may have been subjected to in the past, he dipped down and gave her a gentle sipping kiss.

When she opened her eyes, he was fixing her with a smoldering hopeful gaze. He truly hoped that she understood what he was trying to show her. By the look on her face, he had succeeded because she shot him an award-winning smile.

The air was still thick with tension, but this time, it was of the sexual variety.