Author's Note: Okay, so I think I've finally settled into a bit of a routine with the new job. This chapter had been in the works for a while, but finally today, I had the chance to finish it! Happy Mother's day to all the moms out there who might be reading this. Hope you enjoy!
Carol took a long deep breath as she looked out the window and realized the sun was starting to set. She told Daryl to come back at dark… that would be soon. She had just enough time to take a long hot shower. When she went searching in the stores for condoms she'd found a pack of disposable razors and she planned on removing a lot of hair before Daryl arrived.
Their supper was in the oven and would be ready by the time she was done in the shower. Carol stripped off her clothes and looked at her naked body in the mirror. She'd never been completely happy with what she'd seen, but she also didn't dwell on things. Yeah, some parts were a bit saggier than she would have liked, but in the grand scheme of things Carol knew she was pretty luck and her body had aged well.
The patch of pubic hair was rather unruly though. Carol combed her fingers through the coarse hair, wondering if she needed scissors to start. She decided she would do the best she could with the razor, even if it wasn't perfect. She climbed in the hot water and started with her legs and armpits and then tossed that razor and grabbed the second one to work on the rest. Normally she wouldn't be so wasteful, but really… if there was ever a time a woman needed a good shave it was right then.
10 minutes later she decided she'd done a damn good job and was actually surprised by the success. Even though it wasn't perfect she knew Daryl would have to appreciate the effort. Carol got dressed in the new clothes she'd found while digging around in the storage building. They had gathered a lot of clothing over the years, but much if it had stayed packed away because new stuff was always coming in. Someone had put clothes in totes and labelled them all by size and style. They had also put dryer sheets in the totes to keep the clothes smelling fresh.
In the bin labelled 'Women's Size M Skirts and Dresses' Carol found a gorgeous light cotton sun dress. No one wore dresses anymore, so it wasn't surprising that such a gorgeous item was still there. When is the last time Daryl saw a woman in a dress? She wondered. Carol chuckled to herself, would Daryl even notice what a woman was wearing? Tonight he would - she was sure of it.
The doorbell rang before she had time to put on her sandals so Carol headed down to answer it barefoot. When she opened the door and saw him standing there she was overwhelmed with how… normal things seemed. She was just a girl, nervous and excited, opening the door to a boy who was just as nervous - maybe a little more, actually. She had spent time making herself pretty and it was clear he'd made the same kind of effort.
"You shaved," she said, reaching out to touch his face with a smile. Carol couldn't remember the last time she'd seem him without facial hair. He looked so young. He had such a sweet baby face. "And your hair," she cocked her head to the side. "I like it," Carol added. He hadn't cut it short like it had been when they first met, but it was a lot shorter, though still long enough for that darn whisp to fall in his eyes.
His clothes were the usual, but it seemed like he'd made an effort to make himself look tidier. Carol was so preoccupied looking at him it took her a while to notice the way he was looking at her, but when she did notice - her heart started to beat a little faster. The dress was most definitely not missed.
She froze in place as his hand reached forward and gently grazed the material just below her breasts. "Where'd you find this?" he asked softly. "You look really nice," he added quickly, before she replied.
"Thank you," Carol replied as she covered his hand with her own. Daryl's hand trembled slightly with her touch. Carol looked up and their eyes met. "Dinner is in the oven… should be almost ready," she said softly. She didn't notice the brief flicker of disappointment. "But um, I could just turn off the oven and leave it in there to stay warm…" Carol tugged him inside the house, shut the door, raced to the kitchen to turn off the oven and when she returned she immediately reached for him again.
She kissed him hungrily, passionately and desperately. Daryl pulled her close and kissed her back with that same desperation. It was clear by that point that supper was definitely going to have to wait. His hands were all over her ass, groping, squeezing and pulling her flush against his body. It felt so good for someone to touch her that way, not just someone - him. It wasn't like they were even naked yet, but he was touching her with an intimacy that left her entire body pulsing with desire.
Get out of the foyer, a voice in her mind spoke. Carol had prepared the bedroom for the evening. It wasn't anything super romantic or corny, but she'd made sure to put on fresh sheets, she'd drawn the blinds, and set out a few candles - though she was pretty sure they would go unlit with the way things were progressing. She also made sure the condoms she'd snuck out of storage were handy.
Carol reluctantly broke their embrace and led him to the bedroom. She shut the door and took a long deep breath before she turned to face him. "Before we…" her voice trailed off. "I need you to know something." Daryl looked nervous so she continued quickly. "Morgan made me realize something… Before you… I mean, you're the first man…" Carol sighed and shook her head. She hated when she got all jumbled up when she tried to talk. She took another calming breath and then tried again. "You're the first man I've ever loved, really, truly loved. So even though I've done this - had sex - before, it's kinda a first in a way…" She studied his face to see if her words were making sense.
"But Ed," Daryl looked confused. "You didn't?"
Carol shook her head. "I didn't know that until I talked with Morgan… but no, I really didn't. He never treated me right but I just kept thinking it would change one day… until it was too late." She took a step forward and took his hands. "I'm not trying to upset you, or make you nervous, or put any pressure on you… I just wanted you to know, that's all."
"I ain't loved anyone either," Daryl replied, in his low, quiet rumble. He looked a bit embarrassed. "Makes me a big ass hypocrite, don't it?" It took Carol a moment to connect the dots, but she realized he was referring to him being upset that she would sleep with Tobin if she didn't love him. "I don't think I really knew what it was before you," he added shyly. "I ain't gonna make excuses though - I'm an ass and I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Carol shook her head. "You're not the same person - neither am I, but it's okay. The others who came before… they don't matter anymore. This is about us." With a demure smile she reached out and undid his top button, then the second and third. Carol pulled open his shirt and placed her hand on his chest, over his heart. It was pounding against her fingers - so fast. She looked up at him with a smile - and that's when their restraint disappeared.
Daryl lips came crashing down on hers as she tilted her head up and met him eagerly. His hands were furiously tugging at her clothing while hers were doing the same to him. Those moments when they had to separate, just for a moment, to remove an article of clothing, seemed like an eternity. Carol couldn't remember wanting anything like she wanted him in that moment. Her body ached, throbbed and pulsed all over, yearning for his touch. The second his fingers left one spot to explore another there was both the feeling of sadness in one area and a new tingle of excitement somewhere else. It was only worse with his mouth. When his lips left hers she wanted them back, but when his hot mouth moved to lavish another part of her body it made her knees buckle momentarily.
Daryl was firmly latched onto one of her nipples and she couldn't help but wrap her arm around his neck, grab his head with her hands and hold him firmly, both delirious with pleasure from how good it felt and terrified he might stop. Eventually he did stop, but not before he had her so wet she could already feel the slipperiness between her legs and the accompanying throb at her core.
Carol reached between their bodies and found his cock, thick and hard. In all their groping and exploring it was the first time she'd touched him there. Daryl groaned as she moved her hand up his shaft to the tip and then back down. She gripped tighter and felt his dick pulse in her hand like a steady, strong heartbeat. Carol squeezed a little more and Daryl gasped. "Jesus," he hissed, not in pain, but deep pleasure. She slipped her other hand lower to cup his balls and saw the look in his eyes intensify. He only let her fondle him for a moment longer before he guided her to the bed and dropped to his knees in front of her.
Daryl ran his hands up her shins to her knees and then up and down her thighs a few times. She knew her legs were smooth as silk and she loved the way it felt to have his slightly calloused hands touching her soft skin. He stopped at her knees and slowly pulled them apart. Carol shivered as he stared for a moment and her heart thudded with desire when his tongue slipped out to wet his lips. Daryl reached out and lightly grazed her with his fingertips and her entire body quivered. "You just do that? For me?" he asked, continuing to touch the area she'd just shaved. Carol nodded and she saw a little smile on his lips as his head dipped down.
She braced herself, but even that didn't prepare her for the feel of his cheeks brushing the inside of her thighs, or the tickle of his warm breath. Carol fell back onto the bed sighing with his first slow lick. She couldn't have held herself up even if she wanted to. It had been so long since she'd experienced this kind of pleasure, so unselfish and purely for her. Carol was pretty sure she'd never been with a man who she knew was 100% focused on her like Daryl was in that moment. His sole intent was to bring her as much pleasure as he possibly could - and when Daryl set his mind to something… he never failed to do one hell of an amazing job.
It was pretty clear within a matter of seconds that Daryl knew a thing or two about oral. The way he was always licking his fingers should have given her a clue that he knew what to do with his tongue. Carol felt her body flush from head to toe, heat building inside her, trying to escape somehow, burning hotter with every lick and nibble.
Somehow, even through the intense pleasure, Carol was really feeling the emotions that went along with the experience. That was also something new for her - feeling it so deeply - and feeling good things. So often with Ed all she felt was an urgency to just get it over with. She did what he wanted, went through the motions, but it wasn't because she wanted to, but because she was protecting herself from a beating. This was different - she was happy, deliriously happy, and she was so very much in love with the man who was lavishing her. Love - this is what it feels like, she thought. To desire someone you're truly in love with was such a special feeling.
Daryl's tongue had found it's way to her clit and the pulsing deep inside her pussy intensified. Instinctively she rocked her hips, moaning as she reached for his head. In that moment she was struck with a decision - one she needed to make quickly. She really wanted his dick inside her before she came, but what he was doing - sucking very gently on her nub, alternating with light licks - it felt so good she didn't know if she could bear for him to stop. No, this was their first time, she wanted to come while he was fucking her. "Daryl, Daryl," she gasped. "Fuck me… please."
He stopped and popped up from between her legs. "You sure? Ain't gonna be long…"
"Don't need it to be," she said confidently. "Just hurry. Condom's right there," she pointed to the bedside table where she'd set one out. Daryl scrambled for it and ripped it open. She could see his hands were shaking as he rolled it on and her heart fluttered. He was so sweet in so many ways. It almost made her sad that this wasn't a real first time for both of them. It didn't matter though - emotionally this was a first and he would always have her virginity in that way - and her his.
Standing at the edge of the bed, between her legs, Daryl pulled her closer and lined up. After what felt like a lot longer than the few seconds it was he finally moved into her. Her light moan was drowned out by his deep, manly groan. "Fuck," he hissed as he gripped her thighs tighter. Carol could feel his body quivering and it sent a ripple of goosebumps over her entire body.
Daryl was frozen in place as if he was either afraid or simply unable to move. Carol writhed slightly, enjoying the feel of his cock buried in her wet pussy, but she needed more. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him even deeper and then released and pulled herself back just a bit. Carol repeated this several times. It was only a movement of an inch or two at a time, but Daryl looked like he was about to come undone at any second. There was a glossiness in his eyes, sitting over that look of bliss and bewilderment and Carol realized he was on the verge of tears. Daryl, her sweet man, was such a sensitive soul. He felt everything so deeply and gave back just as much.
When his hands touched her thighs Carol released her grip and allowed him to take over. Daryl wasn't the only one about to lose control - she was right on the edge herself. He fucked her, slowly at first, and she enjoyed the increase and decrease of pressure as he pushed deep and withdrew. The build inside her felt so amazing she wanted to just close her eyes and focus only on that, but before she did Carol looked at him one more time. She watched a tear slip from his eye and start to trickle down his cheek - then he gave her the tiniest shy smile and Carol was done.
When the orgasm hit her she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. She gasped and threw her head back onto the soft mattress. "Oh God," she moaned, relinquishing all control of her body to the bliss that was rippling through her. She felt Daryl speed up, thrusting quick and hard, as her world went black momentarily.
When she came back to her senses there was so much happening all at once. Her pussy was throbbing, Daryl was gripping her legs but he'd stopped moving and his body was shuddering, her face felt wet and Carol realized she was crying - they both were. Daryl's eyes were closed, but she could see the wet tracks on his cheeks. When he opened his eyes he quickly swiped at the tears, "Sorry."
"Don't be," Carol whispered, smiling at him. "It's something I've always loved about you," she added, referring to his sensitive side. Daryl slipped out of her and the disappointment of parting filled her instantly. He got rid of the condom quickly and in a matter of seconds he was lying on the bed beside her. Carol shifted closer and he hugged her, guiding her head onto his chest. It eased the disappointment to be so close and intimate again.
They lay in silence for a few minutes but it wasn't awkward, it was comfortable. "You okay?" Daryl asked, his voice low and tender. Their relationship over the years had always been built on deep concern and empathy for one another. Quite often they expressed concern for the other because of that empathy, but also because they knew each other so well.
"Mmm," Carol sighed. "I am very, very okay. You?"
She felt his body move as he chuckled. "Ain't never been better," he replied.
"But?" Carol asked, sensing a little something in his voice. She sat up a bit to look at him. "Tell me what you're thinking."
Daryl shrugged. "Just ain't used to feeling this good. 'Specially since you left." He shook his head a smile, "But we ain't talking about that anymore. New beginning… and this was a damn good start."
"Things are gonna be very different," Carol said hesitantly. "You sure you're up for that?"
"I've wanted to protect you from the day I met ya," Daryl said, blushing slightly. "You let me for a while… then you started saving my ass." He touched her face, softly with his fingertips. "You ready to let me take care of you again for a while… or forever?"
Carol pouted, "You just answered my question with a question." Her irritation was only slight. "But I do like the sound of forever." She bit her lip. "You know I'm kinda gonna be your boss, right?"
Daryl rolled his eyes, "You've been my boss for a long, long time."
"You trust me?" Carol asked. "When I make a decision you don't agree with, can you trust me?"
"As long as you ain't adding beets to your cookie recipe we're good," he teased.
"Tobin liked them," she said, glaring at Daryl with a sparkle in her eye.
"Tobin's an idiot who wanted to get laid," he shot back. "He would have ate a turd cookie and told you it was good."
As much as she wanted to smack him and give him crap for saying mean things about Tobin Carol just couldn't do it. Instead she collapsed onto his chest in a fit of laughter. Eventually she sat up and patted his chest lightly, "Come on, let's get dressed and go eat - no beets… or turds, I promise."
When they walked downstairs Carol was surprised to find Morgan taking the food out of the oven. "Uh, Morgan? What… what are you doing here?"
He looked at her strangely, "It's Sunday."
"Oh God…" Carol sighed. "I forgot."
"What happens on Sunday?" Daryl asked, sitting down at the table.
Carol explained, "Morgan and I take turns cooking on Sundays… it was my turn this week." When they first came to Hilltop they ate a lot of meals together and spent a great deal of time talking. As time passed and she got busier, it didn't happen as often, but they had made a deal to always meet once a week for dinner.
"Oh no… I'm interrupting," Morgan suddenly realized. "Oh damn…" He started fumbling with the over mitts. "I didn't know… shit…"
"It's fine, stay… join us," Daryl said.
"You sure?" Morgan looked uncertain and extremely embarrassed.
Carol watched them for a moment and then set to work getting dinner on the table. She couldn't help but smile. She had a feeling Daryl and Morgan would get along very well. Several months ago she couldn't have imagined the three of them sitting down for a meal together, but now… it just seemed natural and felt right.
After so much tragedy, heartbreak and loss, a period of soul searching and a steady climb back to a place of peace Carol was finally where she needed to be. Everything was finally in place, all her stars had finally lined up the way she'd been needing them to her entire life. Daryl asked her when he first came to Hilltop if there was a place for him in her new life and it took her until that moment to realize that there had been a place for him from beginning. He was the final piece of the puzzle, the one you drop in place with a satisfied sigh, feeling the accomplishment, finally, after all of your hard work.
Carol sat down at the table and looked first at Morgan. She thought of him as her savior and she was damn sure she wouldn't still be alive if he hadn't found her. Then she looked at Daryl - the love of her life. They had both showed up when she didn't think she needed them or wanted them and both times she was so wrong.
"Holy fuck.. Is that… it can't be…" Daryl gasped.
"It is," Morgan nodded.
"Bacon... " he sighed. "Oh God how I've missed bacon," Daryl grumbled, stuffing another bite in his mouth. "You didn't have to seduce me Peletier," Daryl mumbled, giving her a sexy grin. "I'd of stayed, just for the bacon." They all started laughing and Carol felt a hope for the future she hadn't thought possible. It's a good night, she thought. The first of many.
The End.