I'm sorry about the delay in posting. I've had both health issues and computer issues.


Disclaimer: I own nothing.

– – –

"Could it hurt the kid?"

"No."

"You're sure?"

"I'm positive."

This had been the conversation for the last hour, and Carol had to keep from laughing here and there. He was so serious and so protective. It was adorable and hilarious. He didn't grow up with babies, and he probably didn't even graduate high school or even focus in school, so she was fine with the questions. His other skills made up for what he didn't learn in school, and honestly being in school and having graduated with the shape of the world now didn't help anybody. His set of skills were more useful now than her slip of paper. Proper grammar meant nothing in the middle of the woods, starving and thirsty. Or surrounded by the enemy, both dead and alive.

But more on the subject: sex. Carol wanted to talk about it, no matter how embarrassing it was, no matter how awkward it got. She wanted to talk about it. It was a big step, and they were barely off their first kiss. She had teased in the past, but she didn't expect it to come to this one day. So she wanted to discuss it with him and make him feel comfortable about talking about it. Honestly, there was a level of intimacy between them that couldn't be explain or talked through, and it was just as important as sex. She loved that they had that, and she knew they were ready for the next physical level. It might be awkward and fumbling and riddled with laughter, but most of the best memories were. Or at least the most memorable memories were. And she didn't want to forget. Come what may, she didn't want to forget a single second of this relationship with him.

Daryl shifted on the bed. "It won't make you uncomfortable?"

"Trust me, of all the things that make me uncomfortable, that isn't one of them."

He scratched the back of his neck. "Okay."

"Just okay?"

"Well, I dunno what to say," he huffed, cheeks reddening. "Just...we covered it all, right?"

"I think so." She nodded, tapping her thumbs on her belly.

"What happens now?"

"We figure out how in the hell we're going to fit a crib in either of our rooms," she muttered. They'd encountered this problem the other night. They were in her bedroom, which was somewhat littered with his things, and they had issues maneuvering through the mess. There was plenty of room for the two of them, but not much else. Especially when little Judy came in and wanted to play with her favorite Daryl. It brought on the issue of what they were going to do when their baby arrived. They didn't even have a crib for them, and Carol was getting a little anxious about everything involving the baby.

There were so many products and items that Carol had bought for Sophia that she didn't have for this baby. Most of it was just useless junk, but a lot of it was pretty vital. They didn't have any of it. They had some of Judith's hand-me-downs, and Eric was ready to make clothes for him or her once it was here, but that left diapers and a crib and—and—God, she had a huge list somewhere. Her brain was scrambled from the stress of it, and Daryl told her not to worry, but she still did. He could go out and find it, but all she could do was pace through Alexandria. Soon it'd be waddle through Alexandria. She didn't miss those days, to be honest.

"It can't be in mine."

"We could probably fit a crib in here," Carol stated. "We just need a crib to test it, and I don't want to borrow Judith's, especially if any crib we happen upon is bigger or smaller."

"Couldn't we put the baby in with Judy?" Daryl suggested.

"No. A newborn cries—a lot. We'd just upset Judith, and then we'd have two crying little ones on our hands. I doubt anyone wants that." She was nervous about having her baby here. This wasn't the prison. This was a single house, and they would all be affected by the baby's crying. They all went through Judith's wailing, but they could move to the kitchen or another part of the prison, but if they moved to the kitchen here, they'd only manage to wake everyone up. And babies cried a lot. Sometimes there was no way to stop them, because sometimes babies simply needed to cry. There wasn't a reason, just the act of release, perhaps.

"We still got time," he commented. "Four more months, give or take. We'll get it sorted."

"I hope."

He studied her then leaned over, using his palms to keep his balance on the bed, and he kissed her. He kept it brief, because the bedroom door was open, and Rick was home with Judith. He knew pretty much everyone knew, but he wanted it to be private. He wanted it to just be them for as long as possible. After all this time, he just wanted her to himself for a bit.

She rested her forehead against his and smiled faintly. "We'll get it sorted."

He leaned back. "We will." He slid off the bed. "But first we oughta get you somethin' to eat. It's almost lunchtime."

"Any chance we'll have steak?" She wanted a meaty steak with perfectly crispy fat on the rim. The thought of it nearly made her drool. She knew the sides she wanted would make Daryl want to yak, so she kept them to herself. She could kill for ding dong, though. It wasn't one of her weirdest cravings, but God, it sounded so good.

He smirked. "Best I could do was venison."

She stood up. "It'll do."

He grasped her hand, and she laced her fingers through his. They padded down the stairs to find and prepare the venison Daryl had caught, and they found Glenn and Maggie in the living room. They were watching Judith, as Carl and the other teens were busy with Abe's new wood shop class. It wasn't a huge hit, but there wasn't much else to do around here. It would be useful. They could learn how to make a solid wall, perhaps even a house. They could really use whatever Abe taught them, and it was better than video games and whatever else the teens of Alexandria got into.

"Hey, guys." Maggie smiled at the sight of them on the steps.

"Hey." Daryl came off the steps, finding Judy staring at the TV that played out Shrek or something, holding tightly to her sippy cup. She still wore her pajamas. It was odd that Michonne or Rick hadn't changed her clothes yet, but at the sight of Glenn on the floor beside her, nibbling on the breakfast food she didn't want, he figured out what had happened. They must have taken over Judy duty today. It would make for great practice. He should take a few shifts. Beth and Carol and Rick mostly handled baby Judy, so he wasn't familiar with the diapers and how to wrestle them into their clothes and all that good stuff. He might use this as a learning experience.

"We need to talk to you." Maggie glanced back at her husband who was eating the puffs Carol had made for Judy. "Glenn."

"Right." He swallowed and stood up, brushing crumbs off his shirt. "She offered them to me."

Carol smirked. "If you want, there's strawberry ones in the cookie jar."

"Really?" He cleared his throat at the look his wife shot him. "I mean, thanks, but we have news. More important news than soft, fluffy fruit puffs..."

"What news?" Carol released Daryl's hand to catch Judy before she walked right out of the living room, holding the child.

"It's a surprise." Maggie grinned. "Come with us."

"What, y'all got blindfolds too?" Daryl snorted.

"As a matter of fact," Glenn produced two bandannas from his back pocket, "we do."

Carol looked at the cloth. "I am not putting that on."

Maggie saw negative memories flow through Carol's eyes. "It's just a joke."

"Good, 'cause I'm gonna take these." Daryl snatched them and stuffed them into his pocket. "Thanks."

"Trust me, you'll be wanting to save that thanks." Glenn opened the front door. "Here, let me take her."

Carol handed the girl over, Judy smiled at her favorite Glenn, and Maggie handed them their coasts. They headed out. Daryl made sure he had a hold of Carol in case they came across any ice. Glenn tugged Judy's oversized coat down to keep her warm, and Maggie kept trying not to rush them. She was so excited about this gift for them. She and Glenn had been working on it for days now with Denise's help, and Michonne and Sasha's too when they could lend it. They had perfected this gift, and they knew it was something the couple and parents-to-be needed. It was the best thing they could offer Daryl and Carol at the time, and it'd be...somewhere to grow. Grow as a couple, grow as parents, grow as a family. It...warmed her heart to be a part of that. She was beyond thrilled to finally be here with them. It was a moment to be remembered.

Glenn couldn't help but laugh at how Judith reacted to snow. It was really her first time around it, and she wanted to eat it and roll in it and jump around on it. It was adorable. He couldn't put her down, though. It was too cold, and he didn't want Rick to chew him out. Besides he liked holding her. She wasn't practice for him. She was family, and he felt...connected to Lori and T-dog, the two had been lost on the day of her birth. Especially Lori, who she was looking more and more like. Her golden locks were darkening, and she had this look that reminded him of Lori. She was a piece of his fallen family, and he was grateful to have her. He'd played a part in trying to end her—unknowingly, but still—and he was glad it failed. She was a treasure.

Daryl spotted Michonne and Denise on the porch to the clinic, Michonne was eyeing him, and he was curious as to why until it dawned on him. He needed to talk to her. He'd been a little busy lately. Okay, busy wasn't the word. He'd been up Carol's ass. She didn't mind, and he wanted to be there every step. Perhaps too many steps, but he didn't want to miss this. This might be his only chance to have a child with Carol in this world, and he wanted every second ingrained into his memory, so he was old and gray, he could look back and remember this joy. Remember how Carol's eyes sparkled, remember how she talked to the baby when it did something she didn't approve of—like making her have to pee every other minute. He wanted these memories with him for the days she wasn't. Say, he was struck on a long ass run, at night he wanted to reflect on this. It was better than playing ever nightmarish outcome that could occur on that run.

Carol shivered in her coat and instantly felt Daryl draw her closer, and she smiled softly. She knew where Maggie and Glenn were leading them, and she had a feeling it involved her crib issue. She'd seen Maggie and Enid scurrying around with items one would need for a crib. Also Maggie had been dropping land mines of hints, probing her on this and that, and Enid was not sly. They were precious, and Carol appreciated it. They made her feel so warm in this icy weather. She couldn't have asked for a better family. Blood of the covenant was thicker than water of the womb after all. They had proved that ten times over. She was elated to have them as godparents to her baby. They would make great godparents, as well as aunt and uncle.

As they neared the vacant houses, Glenn took point. Maggie walked beside Carol, chatting about their shifts on the wall much to Daryl's disdain. He didn't like that Carol was working the wall. Maggie was with her every time, but he still didn't like it. He kept holding she'd swell up and be unable to get up the ladder. She had a feeling she might wake up one day to a fat belly but until then she would protect her family. It wasn't like she would get shot on the wall. They had built a...half wall to protect them from bullets. It was tested and everything, but Daryl wouldn't be happy until she was off the wall. He was a grumpy man. Carol couldn't wait to see if he'd be a grumpy old man to her old woman... Heh.

Glenn walked up the steps, Maggie hurried to his side, and Daryl and Carol stopped at the bottom of the steps. The couple then explained what this gift was.

"We know that space has been an issue for you two lately," Maggie began.

"How'd you know that?" Daryl blurted.

"Because we have ears, and we can hear you bickering over it," Glenn replied. "You really shouldn't leave your boxers on the floor."

The tips of his ears went red and Carol smirked.

"Anyway," Maggie pressed on, "we know that y'all don't got much room in Rick's place, so the last couple of days, Enid and I have been makin' you a new home. Well, me, Enid and a lot of other people."

"Michonne, Sasha, me," Glenn listed. "Abe. Denise. Tara."

"We wanted you to be comfortable in your new life together." Maggie's grin softened with affection. "You're takin' a new step, and we're grateful you've made us a part of that, so we wanted to give you something in return."

"Wait..." Carol shook her head and eyed the pair. "You don't mean...?"

"Welcome home," that was from Glenn.

"Home?" Daryl repeated.

They showed them inside the house where Carol and Morgan had been having their sessions, only now it held pictures of their family, a roaring fire to warm the home, and it felt like an actual home. They had removed the excess junk, and they had filled it with little yet it was so much. The framed photos of Carol with their family were so precious to Daryl, and his favorite shot was of Carl touching her belly, and the baby kicked at that moment. His face... He was glad Eric had captured it.

"There's more." Maggie pulled Carol upstairs.

They had made up the master suite, and it was lovely. It still held room for Carol and Daryl's belongings, and Carol found there was plenty of room for both. She couldn't help but smile at the thought of having her own drawers again. She loved the man, but she could not share a dresser with him. He had no sense of order when it came to clothes, and he'd lost about half of her socks, not to mention how many of his he'd lost.

"You like it?" Maggie stood in the doorway, watching the older woman.

"Like it?" Carol faced Maggie. "Maggie, it's...amazing. I don't even know where to begin to thank you for this. All of you."

"C'mon." She nodded her head down the hall.

Carol followed her to a room directly next to the master suite, Glenn and Daryl were already waiting there, and Glenn opened the door for them. Carol actually gasped at the sight of the room, and Daryl gaped.

It was a nursery. The room had been painted a soft green with the few sonogram pictures they had hanging along the wall above the changing station. A rocking chair in the corner by the window with a knitted blanket by Eric draped over the back. A crib with a few stuffed animals across from the rocking chair. There were foam puzzle pieces and children's books. It felt like a child's nursery, and it brought tears to Carol's eyes.

"Oh, don't cry." Maggie embraced her.

She tried to speak but no words came out.

"This is..." Daryl exhaled. "Thank you. We... Just thank you." He pulled Glenn into a hug.

Glenn chuckled and patted his back. "You're welcome. I'm glad we could help."

"This is more than just help." Carol tried to calm herself. "I don't even know what to say."

"You don't have to say anythin'." Maggie squeezed her shoulders. "We're just happy you like it."

"We're grateful." Daryl let go of Glenn, smiling thankfully at Maggie. "Truly. We...needed this. We just didn't think of it."

"And I'm glad for that." Maggie released Carol. "We've been cookin' this up for months, woulda been pissed if you'd thought of it."

"She would've been." Glenn smirked at his wife. "I'd have gotten over it."

"Where did you find all of this?" Carol picked up a stuffed pig from the crib.

"Glenn found it." Maggie entered the room. "He brought it back with him."

"I found the crib and changing table when I was out with Rick, and I found the toys and stuff when I was out with Tobin." He cut a look at Carol at the mention of the father of the baby. "We have a bassinet in the master suite, and a high chair too in the kitchen. Even a play pin. Abe's building some gates for the stairs. He's gotten one done so far, but he has a lot of work to do, so...yeah, uh, that's everything."

Maggie nodded.

"We wanted to give you guys a home. You've fought so hard for us to have a home—all of us—and in different ways, and we wanted to give that back to you. Everyone has helped with this, because you guys deserve this. You don't have to thank us. You don't have to do anything but...enjoy it." He smiled at them. "You're home now, so...just be home."

And that only brought on more tears from Carol. Daryl wrapped her in his arms and kissed her forehead, and Maggie pulled Glenn out of the room to check on Judy. She was currently testing out the play pin. They let Carol and Daryl have their moment, and they took that time to have their own. Everything was moving forward now, and nothing would stop it. Time was both a blessing and a curse, but luckily they were on the sweeter side of it now. And soon, Maggie hoped, they would have their own blessing inside this sweetness.

– – –

Carol was playing with Judith inside the new house, Glenn said he'd help move any needed items but not pack them up, because he'd had enough of that the first time. So Daryl ended up with Maggie as his packing buddy. Or so he thought.

Instead Maggie guided him to the clinic where Denise and Michonne were. She had lost her smile and her air of joy and affection. A cold air surrounded her now, her eyes were serious and sad. She held herself like a warrior, like a leader about to send soldiers out on a mission they might not survive. This wasn't Maggie Rhee anymore. This was the leader inside of Maggie, the part of her that'd won over Hilltop. The part of her that could perhaps out rule even Rick himself one day.

Denise held herself tightly, uncomfortably, and she wasn't making much eye contact. This subject wasn't one she was on any level at ease with. She didn't want to be here, but there she stood. Ready to speak, ready to be heard, despite the unease they could all see on her face. She had come a long way, but awkwardness affected them all now and then. Perhaps more with people like Denise and Daryl than Maggie and Michonne.

And speaking of Michonne, she stood tall just like Maggie, in command. She was in charge of this little meeting, and there was no escape. It was happening, and it was happening now. He hadn't meant to avoid this. He'd just been preoccupied. At the end of the day, it didn't matter, did it? The baby would still be there and so would that redheaded cunt.

"We're here to talk about Pentaghast," Michonne announced. "I tried to get you sooner, but you've been a bit...distracted. And that's okay. A baby is something great to be distracted by, but we need to discuss this for the safety of our people and that baby you love so much."

"I know." Daryl nodded. "I should've come to y'all sooner. I just...wanted time away from those memories."

"That's understandable." Maggie set a hand on his arm briefly then looked at Michonne. "We don't have much to go on. I was tryin' to escape, so I was completely focused on that. I didn't hear anything but voices. The words were lost on me."

Michonne's eyes moved to the blonde woman who appeared to be shrinking herself. "What about you? Denise, did you hear anything?"

"I was out of it from the pain," she muttered, still not making eye contact. She could remember every second of being there, still feel the ropes around her torso, the weight behind Pentaghast's blows, and she tried not to flinch. She had never been in a situation like that before, and it was haunting her, but she remembered. God, did she remember. "But yes. I did hear some things."

Daryl drew closer. "What did you hear? A location? Some place they might be headed?" If he could find a new trail from a safe house of theirs, or perhaps he could find information inside that house. If he could find her and kill her...

"She wants to come here," Denise recounted. "She wants to take Alexandria. She doesn't know where it is, but she knew we had a home. A good home, with food and beds. Walls. She wanted that...for her child."

Daryl's skin began to crawl.

"Her home...their home...apparently was just like that camp. Tents, a fire, no walls. No security. She needs what she assumes we have for the future of her child—of her children. I don't think she'll stop until she's found us."

"Did you hear anything else?" Maggie pressed.

"They didn't use locations, said home was through the marked trees." She lifted her eyes. "They didn't know, I think. They just followed Pentaghast out of fear and need to survive. They weren't her people. They were her things. She likely has more of them. A lot more from the sound of it."

"So we have an enemy we can't track who has loads of people at her disposal?" Michonne cursed.

"I'm sorry. They didn't say anything more."

"It's not your fault." She sighed. "We just need to prepare for the worst. I'll get with Rick and Abraham. We'll figure this out."

"I'll come with you," Maggie suggested.

"No, you help Daryl and Carol move into their new home. We can't let this stop us from living, and the less people know, the better. Once we have a plan, a solid plan, we'll let everyone know about her."

Daryl's throat contracted. Everyone meant Carol, who he'd lied to.

Maggie nodded. "All right."

Michonne loosened her posture. "We'll send some patrols out—not too far, because we might need them if she happens to find us—and we'll ready every person here. We've come too far to lose anything else."

No truer statement had been spoken.

––

"Since our last muscle search was a bust, why don't we try again in the spring?" Denise dodged the puppy as it chased the ball Enid threw while reciting the process of stitching a wound. Repetition did wonders for the memory.

"Sure." She collected the tennis ball Carl had given her from the pup, pulling her into her lap and stroking her back. "Maggie and I will be ready whenever you give a date. Or maybe Glenn will want to come with us."

"I think Maggie might be caught up with some leadership duties." Denise sat on the floor in front of Enid. "But who can say what the next season will bring."

"Hopefully a healthy baby." Enid peered up at her teacher from her puppy.

"Yes, hopefully a healthy baby." She smiled at her. "And perhaps a sibling for you as well."

"Perhaps." She tossed the ball for the pup and watched her chase it down. "Or maybe that's already in the works."

Denise's brow rose. "What makes you say that?"

She shrugged. "I said maybe."

"You wouldn't say maybe without having some type of proof."

"Call it a hunch." She smiled. "So, what's today's lesson? After rescheduling a busted lesson."

"Not much. You've done great with all I've taught you, and there are some things we simply can't do, but I'll go over them with you. Who knows. Maybe you'll...see this thing out." She set the book in her lap that she'd been holding. "Or your student or students will."

"I'd like that, but...I don't know how the world will go back to how it was. We're all infected. I don't see how we can build anything with this...inside of it. Dying is always there, so is murder, not to mention suicide. And we only become more dangerous after death..." She sighed softly. "You can't build order when chaos is softly waiting in the wings."

"That's true, but we can try."

"We'll never have the world we used to," Enid imparted, "but you're right. We can try. A new world. Different but worth protecting."

Denise's smile widened, the puppy came scampering back and proudly dropped the ball in Enid's lap, and Enid scooped her up, kissing the top of her head. Broken things could still grown and anyone at any age could still learn to fight and to be brave. In the right mindset...or the right environment, positivity could grow and so could a hope of a better future. Doctors and babies and laughter weaved into the death and murderers and assholes. Good and bad went hand in hand, after all, but clearly, one didn't have to outweigh the other.

"Hey, girls." Tara entered the room. "We have some moving to do, and as much as I hate to break up this learning session, I hate being the only one to move boxes in the cold even more."

Enid laughed. "Let me put her in her kennel. I'll be right out."

"Thanks." Her eyes moved to her girlfriend, sharing a smile meant only for her. "You coming too?"

"I'll be right there."

They departed the clinic together, aiding Maggie and Daryl with moving his and Carol's stuff to their new home. Maggie and Daryl had done most of the packing, and the others were just lifting. They could have used a car, but manpower was cheaper and didn't waste much needed gas. Besides this way Tara could joke around with Daryl to embarrass him, and Glenn and Enid could stop to have snowball fights around the moving party. When Maggie got smacked with one of them, it was decided their items would be left momentarily in the snow while she sought revenge.

In total it took about and hour and half to move their stuff, but no one minded. Carol had whipped up some cookies for them, and they all crowded around the fire. It was the first night in the new house, and they had plenty of guests. Carol didn't mind. They had...space now, and it was filled with family. There was no better way to occupy a space than with love and soft teasing. This time next year, her baby would be among them, and god would that baby be swallowed by the love her family provided. She couldn't wait.

Meanwhile across town stood Michonne. She gazed at the now empty bed, the sheets where Carol had once tossed and turned, had cried and laughed and played with Judith, now neatly made. The drawers were empty, the lights turned off, the curtains pulled. The heat was on, but the room was cold. Vacant. She was happy to see them moving on together. It was great news for the. Truly, it was, but...she would miss them being her housemates. All good things must come to an end, and at least this way the end would make way for the beginning of a beautiful family.

"Though I might find you here." Rick walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What should we do with this room?" She relaxed into him.

"I don't know. Maybe...we should just let it be empty for now. I'm sure we'll find something to do with it."

"I suppose we will."

He kissed her shoulder. "Come on. Dinner's ready."

She nodded and turned to head downstairs with him to join their kids for dinner.

– – –

Everyone had gone, the house was silent, and Daryl made sure the last of the fire was out. Carol lingered in the nursery, holding onto a stuffed animal and imagining putting her child down to rest in here. She buried her smile in the soft fur of the toy and placed it in the crib, turning to head to her own room. She flicked the light off on her way.

Daryl was coming out of the bathroom at the same time, smirking at her. "You're finally outta there?"

"For tonight." She smirked back at him.

"Trust me, we'll get our fill of that room once the kid's here."

"I know that." She entered their bedroom and faced him. "So why don't we...make the most of our time in our room before then?"

Daryl approached her. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well, we do have plenty of privacy now." She grasped his hand and laced her fingers through his. "And I've been curious about something."

"What thing?"

She arched a brow and reached up with her free hand to gently brush his bangs from his eyes. "Why don't I just show you what I have in mind?" She leaned up and kissed him.

Instantly Daryl felt it was different from their previous kisses. It was deeper, hungrier, and he wanted more. More of her, more of these kisses, and his heart began to race. He knew what this would lead to, and to say he was nervous was beyond an understatement. He wanted this. He wanted her, to feel her against him with nothing between them. He didn't mean just clothes. He meant no secrets, no lies, just them and their love.

But it wouldn't be just them and their love. It would be them and his lie, his secret. He remembered Rick's words to him: It's your relationship with her. It's a new relationship, and if you want to start it with a secret or a lie, that's up to you. He didn't want that. He didn't want this. The feelings brewing inside of him were riddled with guilt, and he didn't want their first to feel like this. He knew perfect didn't exist, but this wasn't what he had in mind for their first time together. This feelings made everything taste and feel and seem so bitter. So colorless and dull. He couldn't do this.

He pulled away from her and whispered, "Stop."

Carol frowned and let go of his hand, her other falling from his cheek. "What's wrong?" She searched his face. "Daryl, what is it?"

"I'm sorry." He didn't open his eyes. "I just can't."

"You...can't?" She stepped back. "Okay."

"It's not that I don't want to." His eyes opened and found hers confused and hurt. "I really do, but...I gotta talk to you first. Um...sit—sit down, please."

She found the bed and sat there, watching as he rubbed the back of his neck and grew pale. "What's going on? You're freaking me out a little bit."

"Umm." He seated himself beside her to keep from pacing up and down the room and making her more anxious. "Look, I need to tell you somethin', and you ain't gonna like it."

She locked her eyes in his. "You can tell me whatever it is. It doesn't matter if I like it or not. I'm here for you, Daryl." She grasped his hand. "I'm right here."

He smiled faintly and opened his mouth. "About Pentaghast—"

A scream of sheer terror cut him off, Daryl shot off the bed over to the window with Carol on his heels, and they saw what horrors had brought on such screams. A group had snuck into their camp and lit one of their own on fire, and judging by the number of lanterns they counted...it was a very large group. There was only one person who came to mind who possessed those numbers, and she had finally arrived in Alexandria.