I posted a chapter prior to this a while back, but the site failed to sent out alerts for any updates. If you haven't read previous chapter, read it before reading this. Thanks. I also meant to update this sooner, but my internet has been acting up.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
– – –
Glenn and Enid walked the yard, taking in the hard work of the construction crew these last couple of months, and they were bundled up to fight off the cold air of winter. It was still this early in the morning, most people were asleep or waiting until the last minute to leave their homes for their duties. It was pleasant to be the only two there, and Glenn watched Enid take in her home.
It was beautiful. She had been smiling so much lately, spending time with Carl and with the puppy and with Maggie. She was even working up the nerve to play the guitar again. She was settling down. She was putting down roots. She wasn't ready to run at the first sign of danger anymore. She was at home with Alexandria and with its people, with Glenn and Maggie. It warmed his heart to know they had helped make this place her home. Their home. They were a family, and that was becoming a reality. It was more evident now.
He would walk into the kitchen or the living room and find Maggie and Enid passed out at the table or the couch, notes scattered everywhere, snacks in crumbles with half empty cups of water. He would find himself arguing with Enid over silly things, like the puppy's name, and he caught himself thinking his wife and his daughter. It was the most natural thing, too. He didn't even question that Enid wasn't his. She was. He loved her. He knew he did when he asked her to become a part of their family, but now he loved her so much it ached at the thought of something happening to her. Not even walker related things either. Heart break and failed exams. Her dreams were his now, and he was proud of her. He always would be.
"Nothing to report." She stomped her foot to keep from tripping and looked at him. "It looks good."
"It does." He nodded. "We might be building some new homes out here."
"We could plant some trees too. It's a little empty and lifeless. I know it's winter, and it's supposed to be dead, but it's really dead right now."
"We could do that in the spring." He nudged her and started back the path towards Maggie's office. "We could even have a picnic out here."
Enid smiled. "With Judith and Carol's baby out of danger. The pond's across town and gated, but the only thing we'll have to worry about is bruised knees for Judith. Carol's baby won't be moving much in the spring."
"Well, she's through her fifth month now. So we have four more months, if the baby's not late or early."
"She's a little bigger, but not by much."
"She's at a good weight. Harlan said the baby was the right size. Carol's just small in general. Lori was the same way."
"Yeah." Enid tucked her hands into her pockets. "Maggie told me the same thing."
"It's a shame that machine isn't fixed yet," Glenn commented. "It'd be nice to see the baby moving."
"You could have gone in when Harlan performed the ultrasound."
"No, that was for Daryl and Carol. Maggie and I were just there to protect them if anything went wrong on the way to and from."
"And to talk about how to improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy," she added.
"How do you know about that?"
"I know you guys, and I'm not deaf. I can hear you talking about it in the kitchen before dinner. I hear you talking about it while sorting through the rations with Olivia. Maggie and Carol talk about it too." She offered a supportive smile. "I'm happy you guys are trying. I want you to have a baby. I want to be...a sister. I have your back through everything, you should know that by now."
He returned her smile and embraced her. "Well, I know now."
"It only took forever."
"I'm new to this dad thing, okay? Give me some time."
"All right, Maggie and I will raise the baby till you get there." She grinned at him, and he shook his head, letting go. "I've been working on my diapering, and I'm pretty good at it."
"I should work on that too."
"Carol has a doll. She's been showing Daryl. We could borrow it."
"Uh, not right now. We have to finish this patrol." And he didn't want to walk in and see what Carol and Daryl were doing beside working on his diapering skills.
––
"You don't have to do this." Carol met his eyes. "I appreciate you saying you'd do it, but honestly you don't have to. We'll be fine without you."
"No, it's all right. I wanna do it."
Carol glanced at Morgan. "Okay."
Daryl had decided to join them with her prenatal yoga, which she laughed at for about ten minutes before she realized he was serious. She had to excuse herself before she talked to him again, and now she and Morgan both were giving him an excuse to just hang back. He wasn't going to take it, and they could see he was going to go through with this, one way or another. They just hoped another wasn't him breaking, pulling or spraining something. Honestly, Morgan couldn't do half of it. He only did it to be supportive, and Carol appreciated it. But on his first go he almost pulled a muscle and was down for a few hours. She didn't want to relive that.
"Let's just do it."
"Okay."
It'd been nearly a month since the hospital run, Maggie was still recovering from her injury, as well as Denise, but they were improving each day. Maggie was back to running the town with some aid from Michonne and Rick. They were currently discussing building houses in the empty yard, but they didn't need them right away. Daryl and Aaron hadn't gone out to search for people in weeks, but they would be starting that up again when the winter was over. They didn't want to get caught out there in a storm and be away for days or weeks on end. So right now a lot of talking was going on, plans were being laid out, and they would be brought up again in the spring.
They began their session as per usual with some light breathing, Morgan wanted to channel some of his morning routine into what was now Carol's routine, and it was working well for her. Granted they'd only done it about three or four times, as Carol mostly wanted to talk about the baby and how she felt about it now, but it seemed to suit her needs right now. He was glad to help, and so was the instructor on the tape. Carol could find comfort there, and it was just her and the baby, and nobody else. Morgan had come to realize how important this was for her during their second session, and he gave her some time alone to just be with the baby. Plus it was hard to stretch his pelvic floor—he could do downward dog, but that was a different type of yoga—so he stepped out.
They moved down into crowning otter, there was a slight discomforted grunt. Carol was lost in her zone, it was just her and the growing life inside of her, but Morgan heard it low by his ear. They were in a triangle position with Carol and Morgan in the front and Daryl in the rear. Morgan knew it was Daryl, and the line between supportive and regret had become real thin.
Then came a thud, Carol's eyes shot open, and she and Morgan straightened up to find Daryl on the floor, gripping his thigh. Carol lowered herself down beside him, Morgan was trying not to smirk as he'd been there and done that, and Carol told him to relax. It wasn't so easy.
"Fuck." This hiss escaped through clenched teeth.
"Daryl, stop." Carol moved his hands. "You must have pulled a muscle."
"No shit, Sherlock."
She shook her head. "I told you you didn't have to join us. Don't get pissy with me, because you didn't listen."
"I ain't pissy. Well, not at you."
"Here." Morgan bent down and hauled Daryl up to his feet, placing him on the bed. "I'll go get some ice and a pillow."
Daryl dropped his wrist onto his forehead as Carol propped his thigh up, and he shook his head. She tucked the rest of the pillows behind his back for support. She turned the television off and crossed her arms, smirking at him, and his cheeks, neck and tips of his ears only reddened. She sighed softly and sank down onto the bed beside him.
"It happens. You don't need to be embarrassed. You're not the most...limber of people to begin with."
He grumbled.
She smiled at him. "You're adorable when you pout."
"I ain't poutin'," he muttered, lowering his wrist to his lower torso.
"Sure, you're not." She reached over and grasped his hand, squeezing it. "I'll go check on Morgan."
"Yeah."
"Don't try and stretch it out right now."
He exhaled and watched her leave, and he lifted his leg slightly, hissing softly under his breath at the sharp pull on his muscle, and he lowered it instantly. Okay, maybe Morgan was right. He shouldn't have tried to do this. He was like a rock, Morgan was like...mud, and Carol apparently was water. He should have just watched. What the hell was he trying to prove?
About ten minutes later, Morgan and Carol returned with ice and another pillow, Morgan leaned against the wall, and Carol iced his thigh, and Daryl sorely wished Morgan wasn't in the room right now. He was in pain, but if Carol was going to ice his thigh, he'd rather they be alone. It was less awkward for him.
"How'd you get that tape?" Daryl spoke to break the silence, staring at the ceiling. "Thought you didn't go with 'em."
"I didn't. I asked Rick to see if Harlan or anyone in Hilltop had any tapes on yoga or prenatal yoga that one appointment you missed. Harlan happened to have one. Luckily we have a VHS player, so it worked out."
Carol peeked at Daryl without saying a word.
"And if he didn't have one?"
"I would have found another way."
"Right."
Carol set her hand on Daryl's knee and cast her gaze to Morgan. "I should get him out of his pants, so why don't you give us a moment?"
"Sure. I'll be downstairs. I'll make some lunch."
"Thanks." Carol watched him leave.
"You gotta take my pants off?"
"No." She adjusted the ice on his thigh. "But I didn't think you'd want or need an audience while you were suffering."
He smirked. "Good call."
"Besides I know you don't care for Morgan, and honestly I don't want to deal with any arguments today."
"It's not like I dislike him," he mumbled.
"But you don't like him either."
"I don't know him."
"He saved your life once."
"Those hospital people saved yours, do you like 'em?" he retorted.
"They didn't save my life. They got me out of the street and away from walkers, but they didn't save my life. I'm pretty sure they gave up on me. You know who saved my life."
"I just don't like how he's always around," Daryl confessed. "Before y'all were even friends. I ain't jealous. It ain't that. I just don't like how he...hovers."
"I didn't like it either. He used to drive me insane, but...he's gotten better about it, and I go to him when I need him."
"What do you need him for?" Daryl met her eyes, the question that left his lips seconds ago was hesitant and unsure. He wasn't positive he wanted an answer.
"He knows about the girls. I told him after you left." She lowered her eyes. "He...helped me. He's still helping me come to terms with it."
"Couldn't I help you do that?"
"Not in the way I needed weeks ago when you all left town." She glanced at him. "I'm glad you left. That run was essential, so don't feel regret. I turned to Morgan, because he understood. He went through what I went through, and...and he's helping me move past it. He's helping me enjoy this pregnancy and this baby, not—not feel resentful or worried. Or like the world was mocking me and what I've endured." She studied him. "I felt the baby move yesterday during our session, and I started to cry. I just bawled like a baby, and it wasn't because I was sad or miserable or that this movement meant this was real and the clock was ticking. I cried, because my child was big enough to move. My child. God, Daryl, it was incredible."
"The kid moved? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because you wanted to join us during our yoga session, and you wouldn't shut up about it." She was smiling at him though. "And I didn't want to get all emotional again. It's taxing."
"I'm sorry. Must seem like a crazy possessive guy."
"Not...really."
He scoffed.
"Sometimes it's okay to be possessive, but you need to have a little trust. Morgan isn't going to make any moves. He's still in love with his wife, and I'm in love with you. There aren't going to be any moments of weakness, and if there are, it'll likely be tears and snot, okay? It won't be pretty." She set a hand on his shoulder. "You need to learn a little thing called trust."
"I do trust you, and I know nothin's gonna happen." He reached up and clasped her wrist. "I just...don't wanna miss anythin'. I was gone for a long time. I missed an appointment, and I don't want to miss nothin' else."
"Daryl, you won't miss anything else." She squeezed his shoulder. "Trust me, you'll be there for all the baby kicks and appointments and movement. I'll make sure of it."
He leaned back. "I'm crazy."
She giggled. "I'll let you know when you hit crazy. For now, it's kind of cute. You injured yourself to hang around me and the baby. Don't make a habit of it though. I can't raise this child alone."
He smiled a little. "You won't."
She searched his eyes, drinking in the soft smile he'd only ever given her, the embarrassed love swirling in those crystal orbs, that little twitch his lip gave. She moved her hand from the ice pack on his thigh and leaned forward, her hand moving to his cheek, and she didn't back down. There had been moments like this littered in the past few weeks since his return, but he stopped, or she did, or someone interrupted. They'd been together as a couple for a while now, but they hadn't had a first kiss. It was important, and it would bring another massive change. Admitting their love for each other was huge, and it rattled their relationship and themselves, but it only made way for this. A kiss made way for something neither of them was entirely ready for, but that could wait. Kissing him, wanting to kiss him, couldn't.
She cupped his cheek, her forehead coming to rest on his, and she searched his eyes for a moment. Consent was there, and she knew it would be, but she needed a moment. A moment to collect herself, a moment to breath, a moment to stop her legs from shaking, a moment to...to prepare herself. She hadn't kissed a man she'd loved and actually wanted to kiss in years. Possibly maybe never in her entire life up until now. She inhaled and closed her eyes, closing the space between their lips, and he stiffened when her lips met his.
It was the middle of winter, the frigid air left their lips chapped, but it didn't matter. The warmth there, the lust and the need she found boiling to the surface of this kiss erased the awkward feel within moments. However that moment she'd taken to collect herself, to ready herself, had been for nothing. Her heart was racing, and she felt like an inexperienced teenager. She felt shaky and clumsy, but it didn't embarrass her. It only made her try and push by that phase, and it was beyond worth it. After all this time it couldn't be anything else.
Daryl sat up, cupping her cheeks in his hands, and he pulled back for air. His lips were rough, he knew. It wasn't like chap stick was easy to come by, so he moistened his lips with his tongue and kissed her again. She made a strange noise, and he didn't know if it was good or bad, but he did feel her lips were rough, just like his were. He lowered a hand to her chin, the other dropping to her hip, and he lifted her chin. He boldly traced his tongue along the curve her lips, she whined softly, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him even harder.
Her fingers weaved through his hair, and she opened her mouth to his, the flood of hot breath causing him to shiver. She tasted like honey and mint, and he found himself carving that taste. He pulled her onto his lap, his hands moving from her hips to glide along her back, and she moaned against his mouth. His began to react to that sound, to the feel of her on his lap, and he wanted more. He wanted all of her, right then and there, and he didn't care about anything other than how she felt against him. God, she was all he could feel, all he could think, all he could smell and taste. His heart was racing in his chest because of her, and it wasn't enough. He wanted so much more.
"Daryl..." she managed to pull away, despite how her body ached and burned for her to not, for her to stay in that moment with him. "Stop."
That was usually his line, and honestly, he hated the sound of it right now, but he did. Of course he did.
"We have to stop." She dropped her forehead on his once more, allowing her burning lungs to fill with air. "Morgan's downstairs. We can't do this here."
"Why not?" It came out much whiner than he intended.
"He's making lunch, and I don't want to him to come up here and ask if we want carrots or peas. I don't want to give him a show." She sat back, opening her eyes.
"The door locks, don't it?"
"Daryl."
He groaned.
"You'll survive until we get home."
He opened his eyes. "Till we get home?"
She smiled. "You sound surprised. Did you think all of my jokes in the past were just jokes?"
"...yeah."
She chuckled. "That figures." She stood up and headed towards the door. "I'll go help Morgan with lunch."
"Wait, so you were serious on the bus?"
She adjusted her rumpled cardigan. "Why? Are you getting ideas?"
"Maybe."
"Good." She strolled out of the room.
Good for her, bad for Daryl and his growing...erm, situation.
– – –
"Do you have a song in mind? Or do you want to do something simple?" Enid sat on the couch beside Glenn with the guitar between them. "Hickory-Dickery-Dock's a classic."
He chuckled. "No thanks. Let's just...have you start. Why don't you take over? You're the teacher."
"Okay." She moistened her lips and picked up the guitar, positing it over her thighs and adjusting her arm. She cleared her throat and placed her fingers in the familiar places along the strings. Her throat began to dry, her fingers trembled on the strings, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Hey, hey, it's okay." Glenn set a hand on her shoulder. "I'm right here. It's okay."
"I don't think I can do this."
"You don't have to."
"But you want to learn."
"But I also want you to be okay with teaching me." He pulled the guitar out of her arms. "We'll take our time with it. We have plenty of time."
"And if we don't?" She opened her eyes.
"We'll make the time." He smiled encouragingly at her. "Don't stress out about it. Don't force yourself to do this for me. This is about you. Do it for you when you're ready."
She nodded. "Okay."
He rubbed her back and stood up. "Let's go find Maggie."
"She's probably with Judith. Or Carol." Enid turned to him, swallowing to try and restore moisture to her mouth, her eyes lingering on the abandoned guitar. She pushed on to keep her mind from going back to that day. "The baby moved last night. I got to feel it."
"When did you see Carol last night?"
"You and Maggie had patrol, so I hung out at Carl's. Carol and Daryl were there, and Daryl was a little grumpy, but he pretty much always is."
Glenn opened the door for her. "That is true."
"Anyway, we were talking, and Carol stopped to say the baby was moving. Daryl practically drove from across the room to feel it, and I got to feel it too. It was so cool."
"I wonder if that means she'll start showing soon."
"She's dropped some in the last couple of days." Enid had already said so yesterday, but she wanted to keep the conversation going. Her mind was having other plans, and she didn't agree with them; so if repetition helped, she'd repeat herself until she was old and gray.
"I noticed that too."
"She's going to have a cute bump." That came from Maggie, who joined them with Judith on her hip. "Actually, I can verify that she does."
"She has a bump?" Glenn's brows rose.
"Yep. She popped overnight." Maggie felt Judy playing with her short locks, and she gently pulled her hands free. "She's so cute. You have to see her."
"All right, but don't get jealous when I call her cute," Glenn teased.
"I'll try." She leaned up and kissed him. "Come on, I gotta get Judy in. It's too cold for her."
The trio headed over to Carol's, finding Michonne and Rick had beaten them there, and Carol was laughing. She was proudly displaying her bump, Rick and Michonne took turns feeling the life inside of her, and Enid joined them, amazed at how big she'd gotten overnight. Carol didn't seem to mind the comments about that either. She was glowing, and it was the first time since Maggie had known Carol that she'd seen the older woman glowing with happiness. It was amazing. Truly.
"Godfather coming through." Glenn slipped through the crowd to witness the bump that would be his godson. "It's like there's a volleyball under your shirt."
"Thanks?" She wasn't sure what to say.
"I bet it's a boy." Michonne crossed her arms. She'd been carrying the same way when she was pregnant with Andre. "You're carrying high."
"Aww. Judy's gonna have a little boy to torment," Enid mused.
"If she's anything like you," Carl shot back.
"Just wait then, and I'll show you torment," Enid softly warned.
Rick glanced at the teens and felt Michonne nudge him, and he could practically hear her words from last month. He did need to talk to Carl. He and Enid were getting cozy, and he didn't want another baby floating around here. He doubted Enid did either.
Carol set a hand on her bump and saw Maggie standing in the back of the room quietly, and she walked over to her, a little nervous, but Maggie broke out into a wide smile as she neared. There wasn't a trace of darkness or resentment or jealousy. There was only joy and happiness, and Carol relaxed.
"Look at you." Maggie had handed Judith over to Carl when they entered so her hands were free, but she didn't reach for the bump. "I saw you earlier, but...not so up close."
"Yeah." Carol couldn't help the smile. "The baby's making itself at home now."
"I'll bet."
Carol reached out slowly and grasped Maggie's hand, Maggie pulled back slightly but not with enough that told Carol to stop, and Carol carefully set the younger woman's hand on her pregnant belly. Maggie's hand twitch, but it molded against the bump. Carol watched tears spring up in her eyes, and soon both of her hands were on Carol's belly, and Carol set her hands over Maggie's.
"Whoa." Maggie's head snapped up to Carol's eyes as the baby kicked—hard. "Did you feel that?"
"Yeah." She nodded. "I guess the baby's excited to see its godmother."
The tears fell free at that. "Godmother? You're sure?"
"There was never anyone else."
Maggie embraced her, her stomach flipping at the feel of Carol's plump belly against her own flat belly, and she smiled. There was no other place she'd rather be than here with her family, here with Carol and this beautiful little baby. She couldn't wait for this little baby to be born. She wanted to hold him or her in her arms and see them grow up strong and capable. She couldn't wait to see Carol with her son or daughter, and oh, it would be so amusing to watch Daryl attempt to handle this. He'd do great though. She knew he would do great. They both would. And so would her and Glenn when the time was right. That time was nearing, and she didn't know if she was ready or not, but she knew she was excited to be a godmother. She couldn't imagine the bliss and excitement that would come at the news of her becoming a mother again. Of her and Glenn become parents to a newborn and holding their child in their arms. Things were coming around and looking bright. Finally.
Daryl and Aaron entered the house, finishing up patrol, and both men were curious to know what was going on. Carol told them about the baby kicking, Aaron was happy she was so happy, and Daryl wanted to know if it still was. He was on it instantly, and the room burst into laughter at him flinging off his gloves and practically diving across the room. It was a Kodak moment for sure.
Glenn wrapped an arm around his wife, kissing the top of her head as she nuzzled her head into the crook of his shoulder, and he stroked her hair.
"We're parents and godparents," she whispered.
"We're parents and godparents," he whispered back into her hair, and she smiled and hugged him. It would seem the adventure was only just beginning. Corny as it was. He could only this adventure had a happy ending.
– – –
Meanwhile in the cold air marched a small army of forty or so, who were following the orders of their leader, and they stopped when a certain sign caught her attention. Reading the words and claiming it as her own, she had the sign burned, so no one else would know if what would soon be their new home. And as it burned, the redheaded commander ordered her people to change course. She would see "the start of sustainability" and if it truly was, perhaps her "new start" would begin there too. After all, she couldn't wander forever in these conditions.
