I do not own the Walking Dead, and have no links to the creator, actors, characters or storyline. This is just for fun.

EPILOGUE

6 months later...

Carol stood at the perimeter of the fence. It was an extremely hot day...even by Georgia standards. She looked over at Rick as he worked the other side of the fence where the walkers had gathered. There weren't as many as there had been at the prison. They weren't sure exactly why, but maybe it was because the little town was more concealed and sound traveled less because of the small hills and forest that encircled it.

Rick looked over at Carol and gave her a small smile. She was glad her and Rick were friends again. He'd made a mistake in banishing her from the group...ultimately, she'd forgiven him. Since then, he'd brought her into his circle of confidences, and often sought her opinion regarding the community.

Carol wiped the sweat from her brow with her forearm. The gloves she wore were covered in walker gunk. Her tank top was almost completely soaked through. Only a few more walkers to go, then she could take a shower, and head back to her and Daryl's room and cool down.

She smiled at the thought of the room being "their room"... Daryl had fully embraced his role as her lover, and that they were in an official "relationship". Once, they had moved past the anger and hurt of the past, they were able to trust each other fully again. As a matter of fact, Carol had never felt so accepted or loved unconditionally in her entire life. Their connection was strong and unwavering.

Carol stopped for a second to catch her breath. She felt a little dizzy from the heat. She hadn't been drinking as much water as she should have in order to stay hydrated.

"Are you okay Carol?" Rick asked her with a look of concern.

"Yeah, I'm okay...Let's get this done." Carol told him with a smile. Rick looked at her with a look of doubt, but they continued on stabbing at the walkers through the fence with crowbars.

Carol went to stab another walker and lost her balance falling to the ground.

"Carol!" Rick yelled. Running full speed towards her.

Carol tried to stand up, but when she did her head swam...she saw spots...then everything went dark.

...

Daryl came through the gates of Terminus with Glenn behind him. He knew something was wrong as soon as his eyes landed on Rick. Rick came up to Daryl with a steady stride, but ran his hand through his hair. Stress clearly written on his face. It reminded him of the time Rick had told him he left Carol behind...Daryl felt fear grip him. Whatever it was...it wasn't good.

"Where's Carol?" Daryl asked immediately. A rush of adrenaline shooting through his veins.

"Look brother, she's fine..." Rick told him putting his hand on Daryl's shoulder. Daryl tolerated his touch. Carol was still the only one who could touch him and not make him flinch.

"Where...is...she?" Daryl said through gritted teeth.

"She's in the infirmary..." Rick began. Daryl was already running towards the small hospital with Rick at his heels.

"She just got overheated Daryl." Rick told him quickly. Daryl heard him, but he had to see she was okay. He'd lost her before, and he wasn't about to lose her again.

Daryl threw the door open and went inside. Maggie and Michonne were sitting in the little waiting area. They stood when Daryl and Rick entered.

Daryl went to the only door that was closed and opened it. He saw Bob changing an IV bag and Carol asleep in the bed.

Bob finished what he was doing and walked over to Daryl.

"She's fine Daryl." Bob told him. "She just got a little overheated. Wasn't drinking enough water. I just hooked up a saline bag to help her get rehydrated a little faster than by just drinking fluids."

Daryl didn't say anything, he just walked over and stood by Carol, then he looked down at her face. She looked flushed, but peaceful. Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled up at him. Daryl pulled up a chair and sat next to her. He reached out and took her hand into his...

"Don't you do that to me again woman." He told her pulling her hand up to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss in her palm. "Ya, gotta start taking care of yourself."

"I'm fine Daryl. Just didn't drink enough water. It was dumb of me, but I'll be fine." Carol told him with a smile.

"Is it okay if I go home to rest. I feel silly laying here." Carol told Bob. She didn't like the attention she was getting over a little fainting spell.

"Yeah, just let this saline bag empty, then you can go home to rest." Bob told her, and then he left the room, closing the door behind him to give them privacy.

"Are you sure your okay Carol." Daryl asked her. She could see the look of worry in his eyes. Carol hated knowing she had been the one to cause it. Especially, over something she had done to herself.

"Promise." Carol told him. Daryl got up and laid down beside her pulling her into his arms. They stayed that way until the IV was empty. When Carol stood to go home, Daryl swept her up into his arms, and carried her all the way back to their room.

...

TWO WEEKS LATER...

Carol turned over in bed and reached out for Daryl. She felt the empty spot next to her and realized he wasn't back from night watch yet. She smiled to herself as the memory of the last few weeks came back. Daryl had been staying close to Carol. He made sure she had enough to drink, and didn't over exert herself.

He told her once, "If I don't keep an eye on you, ya won't take care of yourself proper." She'd protested, but that was Daryl. He was and always would be her protector.

Luckily, she hadn't had any more issue with HIM. Once, HE realized Daryl and her were officially an item, HE had backed off and gave them space. As a matter of fact, HE had already moved on to one of the newer women. Carol was happy for HIM. She wished him well, and hoped he could find the same type of happiness that she had found with Daryl. They had even been able to go on a few runs together with no problem. It was the way of this new world. You had to work together to survive, and grudges could get you killed.

The sun was coming up and she knew Daryl would be home soon.

As she laid there, a sudden wave of nausea hit her full on...

Jumping up, Carol rushed to the nearest trash can and threw up. It was the third time that week. She moaned over the trash can. She wiped her mouth with a wash cloth and rinsed out her mouth with water from a water bottle. She went back and laid down. Carol stared up at the ceiling in shock and denial. There was no way she could be pregnant. She wasn't supposed to be able to even get pregnant. She heard Daryl come in, and Carol quickly closed her eyes. She didn't know what to tell Daryl. She figured she would make sure before she said anything to him.

"I know you aren't asleep." Daryl told her as he climbed into bed and pulled her into his arms.

"Rough night?" Carol asked enjoying the hardness of his body behind her.

"No, just long." Daryl told her as he ran his hand up and down her hips. She felt electricity shoot through her. His hand circled around and cupped her breast. Carol wiggled back into him, and his hardness against her backside. As she let Daryl explore her body...she thought he really was insatiable when it came to making love to her. When you make love multiple times a day, everyday you were bound to hit a fertile day.

...

"Are you sure?" Carol asked him again.

"Yeah, Carol. I'm sure." Bob told her with a smile.

"I can't believe I'm pregnant." Carol said in wonderment. Carol stood up and took the test from Bob's hand. She'd already taken two at home, and they both came back positive. She'd went to Bob just because it just seemed like the thing to do. To have it confirmed by a medical professional.

"Okay, well...I guess I need to go tell Daryl." Carol told him. Still somewhat in shock.

"Don't worry...I won't say anything to anyone. Patient confidentiality." Bob told her with a grin.

"Thanks." Carol told him, then she left to infirmary, and headed over to see Daryl.

Now that she knew, she didn't want to wait to tell him. She wasn't sure what his reaction would be...she hoped he would be happy, but she was still nervous.

Carol rounded the corner to see Daryl working on his motorcycle. When Daryl saw her, he stood up, and wiped his hands on his red rag. His face blank at seeing the concern on Carol's...

"Hey." She told him.

"Hey." Daryl responded. "You look upset."

"Um...well...I need to tell you something, and I'm not sure how you'll react." Carol told him.

Daryl continued to stare at her. He saw Carol look around making sure no one else was around.

Carol didn't see anyone, so she sighed and decided to just come right out and tell him...

"Daryl...I'm pregnant." Carol said. Looking at Daryl's eyes trying to gage his reaction.

Daryl stood there for a few moments not moving. He was stunned. He wanted to say something, but his words were caught in his throat.

Carol's eyes began to shimmer with tears. She took Daryl's silence as unhappiness.

"I'm sorry." She told him as she turned to leave. Daryl reached out and gently grabbed her arm.

"Whatcha' sorry for?" Daryl asked. His face giving a questioning look.

"I know this is probably the last thing you want..." Carol began, but was interrupted.

Pulling Carol towards him, he held her and whispered into her ear, "Woman, you pregnant with my kid, makes me the happiest I've ever been."

"Really?" Carol asked letting a full smile light up her face.

"Yeah." Daryl told her letting his own smile show.

"Guess this means I need to do the right thing and marry ya'." Daryl told her.

"Oh Daryl..." Carol began.

"Nope, can't have our kid wondering why our last names don't match." Daryl told her. "So do ya' wanna?"

Carol smiled up at him.

"Of course Daryl. That would make me so happy." She told him.

"I'll talk to the preacher." Daryl told her. He was happy. He'd been thinking about making it official with Carol anyway. This just gave him even more reason to want to marry her.

Daryl held her in his arms, then leaned down to touch her stomach...putting one hand up under Carol's shirt, he let it rest against her belly. Carol watched as he gently rubbed her stomach.

Looking down at Daryl, she ran her hands through his hair. She loved this man with all her heart, and she knew he'd make a great daddy.

It was amazing how much her life had changed since the walkers...lost her abusive husband, lost her beautiful Sophia, gained a new family, fell in love with her best friend, and now...even with all the tragedy and ugliness that was in this world...Carol and Daryl had found a sparkle of goodness, a reason to keep going, a reason to fight hard and love fiercely...they found it in each other, and now there was another reason growing inside of her. Part her and part Daryl, and she'd never been so filled with joy.

...

6 MONTHS LATER

Daryl held his blue-eyed newborn in his arms. He couldn't believe he was finally here. It had been a rough journey, and the pregnancy had been hard on Carol. Carol had made it the full 9 months. At first, they had been concerned about her being older and pregnant. Daryl had nightmares of losing her in childbirth. His worry he'd tried to conceal from Carol, but somehow she'd known. She reminded him that they lived a life that required a lot exercise and they ate a lot of healthier foods. Now that they had full gardens full of fresh vegetables, clean water, and animals that were free from steroids and antibiotics and god knew what else they used to put in them.

What had really calmed Daryl's fears was that they'd had a doctor join their group about 3 months ago. Though Dr. Smithson wasn't a gyno, she'd been a mother, and had been reading up and studying in preparation for the arrival of Carol and Daryl's baby. They trusted Dr. Smithson, and she was a very capable physician.

"Congrats brother." Rick told Daryl with a grin. They were all there to greet the newest member of their family. Maggie, Glenn, Michonne, Judith, Carl, Tyreese, Sasha and Bob. Even Beth was there. Everyone had moved on from that drama. Beth even had a boyfriend that everyone was sure was getting pretty serious.

Maggie came forward, and put her arms out to hold the baby from Daryl. Daryl hesitated. "I swear I won't hurt him Daryl." Maggie told him as she gently took him from the hunters arms. She began rocking the baby in her arms. Maggie's own baby bump was beginning to show. Their family was growing.

"Daryl." Carol said from the bed, he walked over to her and held her hand. "He's fine."

Carol could already see that Daryl was going to be protective of their son. She loved that about Daryl. When Daryl loved someone, he loved them with all his heart and forever.

"So, have you decided on a name yet?" Carl asked peeking over Maggie to see the baby.

"Uh yeah." Daryl told them. He looked down at Carol and she nodded.

"We decided on 'Jackson Herschel Dixon'. If that's okay with you..." Daryl asked Maggie and Beth. "Jackson was my ma's maiden name, and Herschel..."

Glenn, Maggie and Beth looked down at the baby.

"I think the name is perfect." Maggie told them.

"Daddy would have loved it." Beth added.

Carol and Daryl looked at all the people who surrounded them and their new baby. One thing was for sure, this child would be loved and protected by everyone there.

Daryl leaned down and kissed Carol on the lips.

"I love you woman." He whispered into her ear.

"I love you too Daryl." Carol told him. They held each other's hands, and watched Maggie hand over Jackson to Rick.

Carol looked up at Daryl, he squeezed her hand, and watched his son proudly.

Carol realized that their lives together were really just beginning...and it only took the end of the world to get there.

THE END

Thank you so much for following this story and taking time to read it. I hope that it has turned out the way you wanted it too. I wanted a happy ending for Carol, because...damn...that woman deserves it. ;)

I know I never told you who HE was, but I just thought your imagination would be better than mine in that area.

Review if you get a chance. :))))))