This is the end of the journey. I hope, you'll like it. Thanks for all your support!
Sophia's recovery makes surprisingly fast progress. Her stitches and bruises heal properly. The physicians are amazed and soon Sophia begins to complain of boredom. Carol tries her best to keep her entertained and Maggie and Glen assist her in her efforts. But to everyone's surprise Daryl is her biggest support. He reads to the girl, plays cards and board games, tells jokes and tries everything possible to make the stay in the hospital as pleasent as possible for her.
Often Carol has to smile about his goofy banter. It's fun to see this childish side of Daryl Dixon.
"This sillyness looks good on you", she giggles when she catches him cheering up her daughter with lots of silly faces.
He freezes at first, but relaxes when he sees Carol's smile.
"This smile looks good on you", he boldly retorts.
Said smile deepens.
They fall into an easy friendship.
They talk. About everything and nothing.
And when Sophia is able to leave the hospital, Daryl comes and visits the two of them in their appartement.
Daryl takes them hiking in the woods, a simple route, for they are 'city girls'. Daryl and Carol walk next to each other and their hands would occasionally brush. The silence is the woods is peaceful. Daryl is glad, that both Sophia and Carol don't feel the need to disturb this silence with meaningless chatter.
Never in his life, Daryl felt more content.
With Carol, he feels safe. Relaxed.
For the first time in his life, he feels that he belongs. That he's part of something. Part of a family. Not only with Carol and Sophia, but also with Maggie and Glen, with Rick and his family, with Hershel. They have been there for him, while he was with Beth but he has always felt as an outsider, like an intruder. Now he belongs. And that's an great feeling.
While at work, he finds himself smiling. It's a whole new world for him and he enjoys it.
He's not even mad at Beth and Ed anymore. Without their betrayal, he wouldn't have found happiness. And he is happy with Carol on his side. One day, Carol and him are in Carol's kitchen, preparing dinner when they hear Beth voice on the kitchen radio. At first they freeze, but soon they are able to relax. It's a nice song, it might become a hit. Only time can tell. Daryl is happy for Beth, she moved on in her way and so did he. She lives her dream and that's okay for him. He only hopes, Beth is happy. That's all he wants for her.
He knows for sure that he is happy with Carol in his life.
An occasional brush of their hands becomes handholding. A friendly welcome hug becomes an embrace.
These moments show the great progress, Daryl has made. But it's not enough for him. Daryl wants more, so much more.
One day, he recieves a text from Carol with a dinner invitation. She wants to make venison steak, his favorite. Of course he agrees. He's looking forward to Saturday evening. They often had dinner together in the past months, but this feels different. He takes a long shower and shaves thoroughly. Dressed in clean trousers and a shirt that actually has sleeves, he rings at her door.
Carol opens the door, stunning in a white summerdress with small flowers on it.
She embraces him and he breathes her in, her scent, warm and floral and so very Carol, he wants to kiss her. He wants to kiss her so badly and when she breaks the embrace and they hold their gaze, he sees his desire mirrored in her eyes.
She pulls him into her appartment, her gaze drops tho his lips, lips he unconciously licks, and she closes the distance between them and then her lips are on his and he's gone.
Carol's lips are soft and pliant, he licks his way into her mouth and has to stiffle a groan when her tongue glides against his for the first time. Daryl loves Carols scent, but he becomes addicted to her taste.
Her hands find their way in his hair and Daryl is lost in sensations, he loves the feeling of her fingers on him.
It's their need for breath that seperates them. Both are panting. Carol rests her forehead against his, her left hand still entangled in his hair, the right one tenderly cupping his cheek. Daryl leans in this touch.
"I dreamt of this moment", he confesses with a shy smile.
"I dream of so much more." Carol says.
This time it's Daryl who closes the distance between their lips and they forget time and space and everything. Nothing else matters but the taste and the feeling.
Hands begin to wander, desperate in their need to touch, to feel.
"What about Sophia?" Daryl gasps, out of breath.
"She has a sleep over with Eliza Morales."
"That's good!" And with that he lifts Carol in his arms and carries her into her bedroom.
For the first time in his life, Daryl isn't ashamed of the scars on his skin. They doesn't matter. Carol touches his skin with gentle fingers and love and without judgment. For the first time, he doesn't feel the need to hide his skin. To hide himself. He allowes himself to be open and vulnerable.
Because he knows, he is safe with Carol.
And together they learn. They learn to replace touches of hatred with touches of love. They learn to move as one. They learn to relax and to enjoy. They learn every dip and curve. They learn the sounds of passion, the moans and cries and gasps.
Their song is a love song.
And it's special.