Ch. 31
Daryl awoke the next morning feeling wonderful. Refreshed, happy, and energetic. His dapper mood had allowed him to convince Amelie to let him go with Carol for a short walk. She wanted to show him their home.
It was a beautiful day. In the mid-70s, not a cloud in the sky. Being as big as he was threw Daryl's balance off, so Carol held his hand as she led him down hill towards their residence. Daryl would have protested, had he not actually needed the help to keep from tripping over himself.
00
"Well, here we are."
Carol and Daryl stood before a small mud-brick shelter with a thatched roof. Wildflowers were planted in front of it while the rest of the land was utilized for a small vegetable garden.
"It's bigger than it looks," Carol explained, when Daryl said nothing.
She again took his hand and led him inside.
There were three rooms: a large bedroom, a sitting room/storage room and a primitive bathroom of sorts.
"I know it's not much, but it's our home," Carol told him. She pulled him towards a bed and both sat down. It was small - a full sized bed - but it seemed surprisingly sturdy.
"Two of the boys at the wood shop made it out of old pallets and nailed some boards around it. The mattress is real. Brought back by a couple of the runners." The runners were, as Daryl understood it, people who made runs into the nearest town to retrieve supplies, when needed.
"Wow."
"They brought us the sheets as well. We have to be careful, though, they're our only set. The quilt was something I made with Rosita."
"Rosita… she's the one who crochets?"
"Yes. She can sew as well. We used old scraps of material. I'm also working on a crocheted blanket for us to add when it gets cooler. I should have it done by the time the baby comes."
Daryl smiled. He liked that Carol thought ahead like that.
"And that," he pointed at the bassinet, "That's for her?"
"Yes, that's for the baby. I crocheted the blanket too."
Daryl noticed that it was a neutral, earthy tone - brown. Probably the only color wool they had there. It was hand-made, after all. Spun from the wool of the sheep that one of the farmers kept.
"Good idea."
"The guys at the shop are working on getting us a dresser or a desk or something to put clothing in."
Daryl nodded. He then noticed a painting on the wall.
"What's that?" He grunted as he pushed himself up to go look at it.
It showed what looked like a sunrise over an ocean.
"Oh, Amelie did that. She was an artist, you know. She thought it would brighten the place up."
"I see. She's still shacked up with Rick?"
"Yeah. They're all living together down the trail a bit."
Daryl smirked.
"What?" Carol asked.
"Nothin'. I'm happy for him."
"As am I. Plus, Judith will have step brother who is her age to play with."
"Oh, yes. Chrisophe, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
Carol wrapped an arm around Daryl's shoulders.
"Anyway, it's plain now, but we'll make it into something nice. When the baby gets older, they can sleep in the spare room. And we're not too far off from the food pavilion. It's about an eighth of a mile west."
Daryl remembered going there a few times right after they'd first arrived. Everyone in Fe ate together, or at least had the option to. Meals were served three times per day and snacks available all day. Of course, being in the medical station, the nurses provided Daryl with his food now.
"That's not bad at all."
"Nope. I think they like us, because they could've easily made us live farther off."
"Yeah, they - fuck!" Daryl hissed, placing a hand on his side.
"What's wrong?"
"She fuckin' kicked me again. I swear, she must be bored."
"Maybe she's saying that she's happy to be home," Carol suggested instead.
"Hmmm," Daryl grinned, "That could be it, too."
The two stood quietly for a moment, not speaking, just taking everything in. Seven months ago, Daryl was living in hell, being tortured daily. Now, he had a home - a family, too. It had come at a cost, but he decided to push that part from his mind and to enjoy the moment.
00
Eventually, Daryl and Carol had to go back to the nurse's station. They made it back in time for lunch. Though Daryl wouldn't admit it, he was somewhat glad to be back. Even walking the short distance took a lot out of him.
Carol helped him back into bed and kissed him on the forehead.
"I'm going to go work with Rosita, now," she said. "I'll be back later tonight."
"Alright," Daryl agreed, as Carol stood up to leave.
"And Carol?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."