Shawn and Sasha checked out his old house, finding a lot had changed, and he told the relator he'd think about it. He took Sasha home to tell everyone the great news, and so that Carol and Sasha could officially meet—all those years with T and not once did Carol meet his daughter. It was odd, but he was glad. He wanted Carol to get to know this Sasha, and he knew she would love her.
"Is this a good idea?" Sasha asked.
"Yes. I made sure Beth was making a good breakfast, and I want you to meet my niece and sister officially."
They went inside and straight to the dining room. Beth had made pancakes, waffles, hash browns, eggs, biscuits, and bacon. It turned out Maggie had invited Glenn over for breakfast too, so it was awkward at first, but they got over it. It was nice to have a lot of people at the table to be honest.
"How long have you been dating?" Carol asked Glenn. "And why didn't anyone tell me?"
"We've only be dating about three months now, and it's a comfort to know I'm never talked about." He took a drink of orange juice. "That means nothing bad has been said."
"You're so weird," Sophia said, and everyone laughed.
"She didn't mean that." Carol was embarrassed.
"I'll take it as a compliment." He smiled at her. "I appreciate it, Sophia."
"Then you're welcome." She smiled.
"Speaking of dating," Hershel watched Sasha and Shawn, seeing that familiar glow on Sasha, "what brings you here again?"
"I wanted her to meet Carol," Shawn answered. "And Beth makes the best eggs."
"Really? Just for Carol and my eggs?" Beth pressed.
"No, I'm not that special." Carol ate a forkful of hash browns.
"Actually, we have news." Sasha looked around at them.
"Are you engaged again?" Glenn faked a gasp.
"Shut up," Shawn glared, but he'd known Glenn a long time, so it was just playful. "No, it's different news."
"We're moving in together," Sasha announced.
"Finally!" Hershel rejoiced, and the girls giggled.
"Thanks, Dad, I feel the love."
"That can't be all," Carol urged.
"It's not." Sasha interlaced her fingers through Shawn's. "We're also having a baby."
The entire room was silent then congratulations broke out. Maggie gave them a hug and then Glenn, Hershel, Carol and Sophia, but Beth just smiled from where she sat. Shawn and Sasha looked really happy, and Carol was so happy for that. She noticed Beth in the corner as Maggie and Glenn and Hershel spoke to the couple. She frowned and followed Beth into the kitchen.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, of course not." Beth was about to cry.
"You could tell them congratulations, Beth. It's only manners." Carol was teasing, trying to cheer her up, but it didn't work.
Beth slammed her plate into the sink, shattering it, and she spun around. "Don't tell me what I should say!"
"Beth, I was only—"
"I don't care what you were only," Beth snapped. "And I am happy for them. Congratulations, Shawn and Sasha. I'm sure your baby will be beautiful."
Everyone looked at Beth, confused, and Beth covered her face with her hands and tried to leave the room, but Carol grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
"Let me go!" Beth jerked her wrist free.
"Beth, what's wrong? Why are you acting like this?"
"Everyone just gets what they want," she spat. "You get a beautiful little girl, Maggie gets Glenn and a promotion, and now Sasha's gotten Shawn to commit. Y'all are so lucky." Her eyes were full of sadness and tears.
"Beth, what's wrong?" Maggie walked over to her. "Honey, you can tell us anything."
"Why bother? It doesn't make any difference."
"Bethy?" Hershel frowned. "What is it?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I should just shut up and fade into the background like always, 'cause y'all have important things to do." She scoffed. "It's a little too late to finally notice my pain, but thanks for tryin'."
"Beth!"
She ran upstairs and slammed her bedroom door.
"What the hell was that about?" Carol asked Maggie.
"I have no idea." Maggie looked at Hershel then led Carol upstairs so they could try and coax Beth out of her room or to at least tell them what was wrong.
Sophia slipped out of her chair, Shawn told Sasha to finish eating before he went after his sisters, and Hershel saw Sophia at the foot of the stairs. He picked her up and carried her to where the others had gathered outside Beth's door. He set her down.
"Beth, c'mon, talk to us." Maggie listened for movement, but there wasn't any. "Beth, please?"
"Go away! I'm sure you got better things to do!"
"Beth, I'm sorry." Carol tried the doorknob, but Beth was had locked the door and was sitting against it. She really didn't want to let them in. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"I'll bet."
"Let's leave her be," Shawn suggested. "She'll come out when she's ready."
Maggie didn't want to leave Beth alone while she was upset, but they were getting nowhere. She didn't want to talk to them, and she wasn't going to let any of them into her room. She also had to meet Rick in a few hours, and Glenn had to stop by his mom's bakery. She hated to put Beth aside, but Beth was just as stubborn as the rest of them. She wasn't going to cave any time soon.
"I'll clean up the kitchen," Maggie offered, glancing back at Beth's door.
"I'll help." He had to get used to doing actual chores anyway.
"I'll clear the table." Carol scratched her arm.
They all started to walk away when they heard Sophia speak. They turned around and saw her sitting on the floor and talking to the door.
"Aunt Beth?" Sophia knocked on the door softly. "Aunt Beth?"
"Sophia."
"No, wait." Shawn grabbed Carol's arm so she couldn't move.
Beth's bedroom door slowly opened, Sophia climbed to her feet and went inside, the door closing behind her. Beth look at the little girl, Sophia hugged her, and Beth pulled her close and cried. The others could hear her crying, but they decided to leave it to Sophia. She was doing a better job than they were, and they all felt really terrible. Beth was in pain for some reason, and they didn't notice. How long had they not noticed?
"Is she okay?" Sasha was on her feet the minute they stepped into the room.
"No." Shawn gathered the leftover biscuits and pancakes. "Sophia's with her."
"Your niece?" Sasha frowned. "Is that gonna help?"
"We'll find out."
Carol and Hershel cleared the plates off the table, scrapping them, Maggie washed them while Shawn dried, and Glenn and Sasha waited in the living room, wondering if Beth was going to come down soon. They needed to talk to Beth, so Maggie canceled her plans, Shawn rescheduled with the Jones family, and Carol called Daryl to let him know she would come by tomorrow. Glenn had to explain to his mother why he wasn't coming, and Sasha was free all day. She really needed to find a hobby.
Half an hour later, still no Beth.
"All right, would anybody have a problem if I read to my fetus?" Shawn asked the room.
"No." Maggie sat down on the stairs with Glenn behind her.
"What're you reading?" Carol crossed her legs, trying to still her nerves.
"The only book he owns," Glenn muttered.
"It is the only book I own," Shawn proudly replied. "And that grandfather clock is driving me insane, so does anybody hate Bunnicula?"
"I haven't heard that since I was a kid." Carol smiled. "I'd love to hear it."
Shawn dug the book out of his camera bag and opened it. It was about as old as Carol, and he'd had it since his dad gave it him. Shawn's name written by his father was still on the front page, and Shawn ran his fingertip over it, hoping he'd be a good father. He had two great fathers, so hopefully he had some of that in him.
"Chapter one: the arrival." He turned to face Sasha's stomach since she was lying behind him on the couch behind him. "I shall never forget the first time I laid these now tired old eyes on our visitor. I had been left home by the family with the admonition to take care of the house until they returned. That's Something they always say to me when they go out: "Take care of the house, Harold. You're the watchdog." I think it's their way of making up for not taking me with them. As if I wanted to go anyway. You can't lie down at the movies and still see the screen. And people think you're being impolite if you fall asleep and start to snore, or scratch yourself in public. No thank you, I'd rather be stretched out on my favorite rug in front of the a nice, whistling radiator."
As he went on, Maggie and Glenn began to actually listen to the story, moving into the living room to hear him better, Carol had moved beside him to see the pictures, and Sasha noticed how much effort Shawn was putting into reading the story to their little fetus. He'd made up voices for the characters—they were similar to the ones their father used—and he would look at her belly from time to time. Why would he ever doubt his ability to be a good father? She'd known Shawn through her father for most of her life, and they only really met her father hired him to take a picture of the shop for some advertisement. She knew Ethan a little as well. She wanted to get to know Shawn personally, because in all that time, all she knew was that he was a great big brother and student. She didn't know where this doubt came from. Perhaps by the time their child was born, he wouldn't have any doubts.
By the time Shawn got through chapter eight, Beth had calmed down and left her room. She was holding Sophia close, and they all looked over when she stopped on the stairs to listen. Shawn had paused momentarily then began again, looking at Beth occasionally. She looked better, like she needed to get that out. He was glad.
"I must now bring this narrative to a close, since it is Friday night—Toby's night to stay up late and read—and I can hear the crinkling of cellophane. I can only hope it covers two chocolate cupcakes with cream filling." He closed the book.
"Good job," Beth teased. "You can read."
"Thanks, kiddo." He hopped up and went over to her, hugging her. "You okay?"
"No, but I will be." She smiled sadly at him. "I'm happy for you. You'll be a great father."
"We have a sick woman here. She may be delirious." Shawn put his hand on her forehead. "Beth, can you hear me?"
"Stop it." She laughed. "Get off, you dumbass."
"She's better." He stepped back.
"No, I'm not, but lockin' myself in my room ain't gonna help." She shrugged. "I'm gonna get some air. You guys can go. You don't needa babysit me." She walked out the front door.
"You know, I need air too." Shawn followed her, leaving his book with Sophia.
Carol moved beside Sophia. "How are you?"
"I'm okay. I wish Aunt Beth felt okay."
"Well, I have news," Carol told her. "You have a new aunt."
"I do?" Sophia lifted her head. "Who?"
"This is your Aunt Sasha."
Sophia looked at Sasha.
"She doesn't have to think of me as an aunt," Sasha insisted.
"You're a part of our family now." Maggie leaned against the banister. "Whether or not Shawn proposes and you do go through with it, we're here for you. There's nothing you can do to change that."
"Unless you kill someone," Hershel added. "Then we'll just turn you in."
She smiled. "Well, thank you. And if you guys want my mom or dad, feel free to take them. Or my brother."
"I could actually use Ty." Maggie checked her watch. "Since I have nothing to do, I'm gonna go check on and see if he's free. Congratulations, Sasha. You'll be a great mother."
"I'll go with you." Glenn grabbed his jacket and hers. "It was nice to see you again, Carol. And it was great meeting you, Sophia."
Sophia smiled. "Bye, Glenn! Bye, Maggie!"
"So, you're moving in with Shawn?" Hershel entered the room. "Good luck."
"He's disgusting," Carol muttered. "But he's gotten better."
"Trust me, I know. We practically live together now." She adjusted her necklace. "And thank you for breakfast."
"You're welcome here anytime," Hershel assured her. "And we meant what Maggie said. There's nothing you have to hide." Carol scratched at her arm, feeling her dad's eyes on her. "And if you ever need us, we're here for you."
She nodded, feeling her eyes burn.
Sophia hopped up and hugged Sasha. "Don't cry, Aunt Sasha."
"I'm all right. Excuse me." She gave Sophia a smile before going to the bathroom.
"C'mere, honey." Carol picked Sophia up and set her in her lap. "Do you wanna go see Daryl? It'll be boring, and all we're doing is picking out paint colors for the rooms, but if you wanna come, you—"
"Yeah!"
"Get your coat. It's in the kitchen." She set her down, and Sophia hurried to the kitchen.
"Daryl, huh?" Hershel eyed her.
"Not again." She climbed to her feet. "I am not dating him or ever intend to date him, okay? We're friends, and I've agreed to redecorate his house."
"You were his wife," Hershel reminded her. "You've known him almost all your life."
"If you're asking if I love Daryl, yes I do. If you're asking if I'm in love with Daryl, no I'm not." She crossed her arms. "We're trying to be friends."
"A minute ago, you were friends."
"Why are you doing this?" Carol narrowed her eyes, trying to get him off her back. "Are you afraid I'll get back with Daryl?"
"No, I don't worry about that. I'm worried about you, Rosy."
She averted her eyes. He had a nickname for all of them: Beth was Doodlebug and Bethy, Maggie was Mag and Carol was Rosy. After he found out about the tattoo, he started to use it when he was mad at her. Before he knew about the tattoo, he called her that because her favorite flower was a rose. She knew he wanted to help, but she didn't want to tell anyone, especially not her father.
"Dad, I appreciate your concern, but I'm okay. I've missed a lot, so yeah I feel left behind, but I'll catch up. And don't worry about my "ex-husband" Daryl." He chuckled at her expression. "I'll call to let you know I got there."
"Don't forget your coat."
"Yes, Daddy."
– – –
Carol sat outside his room, knocking her knees together nervously while Daddy and Mom walked by then Maggie and Beth and then Shawn. They didn't ask her what she was doing, and they didn't bother her. She was glad they didn't. She was really glad when they stopped walking by as well. It always annoyed her when they did that.
She looked over when the door opened, and she climbed to her feet when Daryl stepped out. "Hey." She smiled.
"Hey. What're you doin'?"
"Come and take a ride with me."
"Horse or car?"
"Horse. They're saddled and ready to go."
"All right. Let's go." He grasped her hand, and they walked out to the stable. It was a hot day, but not too humid. He didn't mind going horseback riding, but he did mind the way Carol was hiding something. He always knew when she was hiding something, because she would bit her lip. He would just wait until she told him. She couldn't keep a secret to save her life.
Carol wanted to go to the small pond where they used to meet at night in the summer. They would go there when they first started dating to avoid Hershel. They hadn't been back in a while. Of all times to revisit this place. He knew it was because she was going away for college soon, and she wanted to make the most of their time together. He hated to see her look so sad, but what could he do? Make her stay and ruin her life? He would never want that. She had to know they would see each other again, and maybe they'd get back together. And even if she stayed, who's to say they wouldn't break up eventually?
They tied the horse to a nearby tree, letting them rest in what little shade it had to offer. They sat down at the dock, and Carol removed her boots and set her feet in the water, swinging them. Daryl did the same. The water felt great, and they leaned back to lie down on the dock, eyes closed at the bright sun.
After a few minutes, Carol sat up. "Daryl?"
"Hmm?" He didn't open his eyes.
"You love me, don't you?"
He opened his eyes and sat up. "'Course I love you."
She had tears in her eyes. "Will you always love me?"
"Carol, what's this about?"
She took a deep breathe. "This is about college and how...I'm not going."
"What?" He frowned. "No, Carol, you gotta go. You've always wanted to go, and I ain't gonna let you stay behind for me."
She laughed a little. "I wish it was that simple." She met his eyes. "I'm pregnant, Daryl."
He blinked. "What?"
"I'm pregnant." She searched his paling face closely before continuing, "I was looking over my calendar, trying to pick a date on my going away party since I didn't want it the day before, and I realized I'd missed my period."
"That don't mean nothin'."
"Lori and I bought a test." She reached into her pocket and held it out to him. "I am pregnant."
He didn't take the test, just stared at her, so she set it beside him. "You're on the pill," he reasoned. "We used condoms." He couldn't processes this. He had always pictured her leaving town and he would just work for T to feed himself. He was going to buy a place one day and just let life happen. He never wanted kids, not with his father around. How the hell could this be happening? They were safe. They used protection. How did this happen?
"I know you're freaked out." She pulled her legs out of the water and moved beside him. "I was too at first, but you don't have to be involved. Daddy and Shawn will gladly teach him what a father usually does—how to play sports, work the farm, and the like—if it's a boy. If it's a girl, I have me, my sisters, Patricia, and my mom." She tucked hair behind ears. "They don't know yet—my parents—but I know they'll be supportive after the yelling and lecturing."
He didn't respond.
"Daryl, are you okay?" She studied his face. "Talk to me." She reached out to touch his face, but he flinched, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Okay. I get it. Sex was great, but this is too much." She stood up and grabbed her boots, shoving her feet into them. "Just bring Flame back to the house, okay?" She climbed onto her horse and returned to the house, letting Shawn take the horse and hurrying inside the.
"Hey, Carol, wait!" Shawn called after her. "Where the hell's Flame?"
She headed for her bedroom.
"Hey, Carol, I made your favorite." Beth stopped her. "Oreo cheesecake. I know your party ain't till next month, but I figured we could do somethin' now. Just us girls."
Carol started crying.
"Don't, I'm tryin' really hard not to think 'bout you leavin'," Beth demanded, her eyes watering.
Maggie stopped on the stairs. "Beth, see, I told you not to bring it up." Maggie put her arm around Carol's shoulder. "It's okay. We still got a month."
Soon Mom and Aunt Patricia tried to comfort her too, but Carol too upset to tell them what was really going on. Daddy and Uncle Otis and Shawn came, asking about Flame and where he was, and once they saw her crying, they asked what was wrong. It was all too much, all of them asking her what was wrong, telling her that time will move slowly and that they could call and text and talk on webcam and phone. Carol wanted them all to shut up. She wasn't as upset anymore, just annoyed and hurt.
"Stop," she shouted when their voices overlapped. "I'm not sad about going away," she told them. "Daryl probably just broke up with me, because—because I'm—"
"Because you're what?" Annette asked. "Leaving? Honey, we talked about that. You can't expect him to wait for you."
"Not because I'm leaving," she whispered. "Because I'm pregnant."
That shut them all up, and Carol hated the silence even more. She pushed through Shawn and her dad and ran upstairs to her bedroom, closing and locking the door. She climbed into her bed, grasping the stuffed bear Daryl won for her and sobbing. She still slept with stuff animals, how could she be pregnant? She was practically a child herself. How was she going to do this?
"Did she say pregnant?" Beth asked them.
"I keep tryin' to fill in a different word. Proud. Procrastinating. Preoccupied." Maggie had to lean against the wall. She felt dizzy. How was Carol pregnant? She didn't even know Carol knew what sex was.
"I'm gonna kill him," Hershel declared. "Shawn, get my shotgun. Otis, get the truck."
"No, no, no!" Annette grabbed Shawn by his sleeve. "Killing Daryl isn't going to solve anything. Carol needs us. We're her parents, and she needs us now more than ever."
"Can I kill Daryl then?" Shawn freed his sleeve. "I'm young, and I have an innocent face. No jury will ever say I'm guilty. Look at this face."
"Shut up, Shawn," Beth, Maggie, Hershel and Annette barked at him, not in the mood for his sarcasm.
"Patricia, could you put on tea?" Annette turned to her girls. "Peanut butter with anything chocolate, and no cheesecake. It makes her sick when she's stressed out." Then to the men. "Shawn, go find Daryl. Hershel, take Nelly back to the stable, and Otis, could you go with Shawn so he doesn't get beaten up by Daryl. Thank you."
"I resent that," Shawn grumbled.
"Go now, please."
They all did the job they were assigned to, Shawn was pissed off at how Daryl reacted, Otis was trying not to block out Shawn's angry rant, and Hershel was disappointed with Carol. She'd always wanted to go to college and become someone, but she meets one boy and ruins it. He wasn't always fond of Daryl, but he tolerated him because made Carol happy. Now, Hershel really didn't like him. Unless he has an explanation for this, Hershel was going to lecture and threaten on sight.
Beth searched the cabinets while Patricia pulled down teacups and Maggie found the tray closet. Beth set down box after box of cookies, Maggie looked them over and picked one, emptying it into a bowl. Maggie knew when Carol was upset, she would binge on junk food, so these were for later.
"Can I confess somethin'?" Beth sat on the step ladder as Maggie threw away the box and Patricia chose which tea to serve.
"What?" Maggie crossed her arms.
"I'm excited." She grinned. "A baby?"
"Yeah, I heard."
"Carol's havin' a baby. We're gonna be aunts." She squealed a little. "This is so awesome! I love babies."
"Yeah, 'cause you've never been around one." Maggie nibbled on a cookie.
"Shut up, Maggie. You could pretend to be happy. Carol needs our support right now."
"Beth, she's eighteen and pregnant. Her dreams are gonna be put on hold, and that's only if she can afford college and a baby. It ain't fun tryin' to study with a baby cryin'."
"Stop bein' so negative. This is God's plan for Carol and Daryl. How can you say it's wrong?"
"Beth, I ain't sayin' it's wrong. It's just...bad timin'."
"Daddy's probably gonna hate Daryl for the rest of his life if he don't come around." Beth stopped smiling. "Mama must be disappointed. Carol's always been the good one. I figured you'd get knocked up first."
"Oh, thank you." Maggie smacked her in the back of the head. "Is the tea done?"
"Yes." Patricia picked up the tray, Beth and Maggie started to follow her upstairs, but she stopped them. "You two don't need to be in there."
"What?" Beth exclaimed. "We're her sisters! We have—"
"You're right." Maggie covered Beth's mouth. "We'll wait for Daddy and Daryl to get back."
Beth glared at her. "What are you doin'?"
"Shh." Maggie glanced at Patricia then held a finger to her lips, taking Beth's hand and slowly climbing up the stairs. They silently crept down the hall and took a seat on either side of Carol's bedroom door, listening in as Annette and Patricia talked to her.
Carol kept hoping her bed would swallow her whole when her mom and Patricia came into the room—damn skeleton key! She wasn't in the mood to talk about it. Why couldn't they just ignore her for once? Why did they have to be the loving family? She just wanted to be alone, like she probably would be for the rest of her life.
"Carol?" Annette sat beside her while Patricia set tray down. "Honey?"
"I made your favorite tea." Patricia stroked her hair, and Carol's eyes burned.
"I'm so sorry," Carol whispered, her entire body shaking as fresh tears soaked into the bear's head. "I know I disappointed you, and I'm so sorry."
"Oh, pretty girl." Annette grasped her daughter's hand in both of hers. "Don't apologize. It won't change anything."
"I've ruined everything."
"That's not true." Patricia tucked hair behind her ear. "Look at us, sweetheart."
Carol shook her head and buried her face even more into the stuffed bear. "Please, just go."
"Just go?" Annette scoffed. "You may be an adult, but you still live in my house. I'm not mad at you, Carol. I'm not proud of you right now either, but making one mistake won't make us shun you. You're my daughter, and I'll do everything I can to help to my grandchild."
Carol lifted her head, looking at her mom then Patricia. "You're not mad?" She sat up. "How can you not be? I've basically thrown away twelve years of schooling. All of my scholarships I spent months working on, and all of the extracurricular activities you and Dad had to drive me to were for nothing." She shook her head. "All because I was stupid."
Patricia went to the bathroom and wet a washcloth with warm water, Carol couldn't bare to look in her mother's eyes, and Patricia came back. She gripped Carol's chin and wiped off the smeared makeup. "The only thing stupid about you, Carol, is the way you treat yourself." She released her chin. "You're pregnant. Nothing's going to change to that. All you can do now is take care of yourself and prepare for the baby."
Carol snuffled.
"Your mom and me will make an appointment for you to see Dr. S. We'll need to get prenatal vitamins, too." She stood up and walked over to the door.
Her mom handed her a cup of tea. "It'll sooth you." She smoothed her hair down. "We'll let your sisters talk to you. They're by the door anyway. Come downstairs when you're ready to talk." She joined Patricia and opened the door, Beth and Maggie stood up, trying to explain why they were on the floor with their ears pressed against the door, but Annette just shook her head. "Go."
"Eat," Patricia told Carol. "You're gonna get fat anyway."
They left, Beth sat down in front of her older sister, beaming and just waiting for her to talk, and Maggie sat down on Carol's desk, taking a cup of tea and crossing her legs. Carol tucked hair behind her ear, glancing between them and laughing nervously.
"I don't know any more than you do," Carol admitted.
"Do you know how far along you are?" Beth asked.
"A month. Maybe a month and a half."
"You needa eat healthier. No more skippin' meals or helpin' Daddy. I'll do that, and Mag too, right?"
"Uhh, yeah." Maggie smiled a bit reluctantly. "So, you and Daryl. When?"
"My birthday." She felt the blush on her cheeks.
"Well, if you did it on your birthday, you're two months." Beth then paused and shook her head. "Let's just talk 'bout the baby. Do you want a girl or a boy?"
"I don't know. I haven't thought about it," she admitted.
"Well, think about it." She paused for only a moment. "If it's a boy, what'll you name him? Not after Daryl, it's too tacky. Do you got any ideas?"
Carol glanced at Maggie, trying to get her to stop Beth, but Maggie was picking at the pattern on her teacup. Carol couldn't ask her about it, because Beth went on and on about babies names and where the baby would be in the house and how Beth would pitch in and help if she needed it. Carol tried to listen, but Maggie's face was concerning. Carol knew Maggie well, and she knew Maggie was going to tell her what was on her mind later. Carol wanted to know now. She couldn't sit here while Beth rambled on and on and Maggie was a million miles away.
"Beth!" Carol interrupted. "I'm really tired, and I need to lie down."
"Oh, right." Beth stood up. "I'll take this downstairs." She picked up the tray and headed downstairs, calling to Maggie.
Maggie slid off the desk and started to leave, but she stopped and turned to Carol. "How could you?" She met her eyes.
"How could I what?" She searched her eyes. "Get pregnant?"
"No, destroy everything you worked so hard on." Maggie shook her head. "I watched Mom and Daddy stress over who was gonna take you where and who was gonna pick you up. Beth had to miss her chorus show for school twice, because you had somewhere to be. I was left for two hours in the pouring rain! All that Beth and I missed for you now was for nothing! Mom may not be mad, but I am."
Carol swallowed hard. "I—"
"Don't apologize. Don't you dare." She crossed her arms. "I've known you for seven years, but that doesn't matter, because you're my sister. Our blood may not match, but we are family. I'll get over my anger, and you'll have that baby, but for now, I'm gonna stay pissed."
"Maggie, I—"
"I'll make you a sandwich, send it up with Beth. I can't have my niece or nephew goin' hungry." She stepped back.
"It wasn't for nothing," Carol called after her. "It's still my choice, and I don't know if I want this baby."
"What?" She met her eyes.
"I still have another choice, and I may take it." She climbed off the bed. "I'm unyielding, and I won't let my future escape me because of one broken condom or one missed pill. I'm so sorry for not seeing how selfish I was, but ever since my dad died, I've been holding onto his dream: seeing me achieve greatness. I never wanted to let anyone down, but I never would've been so...determined if I had known I was hurting you and Beth."
"I didn't say you hurt me. You just pissed me off, and don't worry about Beth. She has talent shows and church." She smiled. "I feel better now, though. I guess I needed to vent."
"Does that mean I hug you?"
"Yes." Carol hugged her, and Maggie laughed. Carol had been here for her since Annette came to help her mom when she was just really sick. She helped Maggie stop smoking and shoplifting. She was the only one who understood, it seemed. Carol'd always been there, even if if she was busy, she still made time to listen. That's what did matter. "I'm here for you, Carol. If you need me for anything, let me know."
"I will, and I'm here for you. If you need to vent again, I'm here." Carol released her.
"Ooh, promise?"
Carol laughed. "I swear."
"Hey, 'bout your choice? You ain't puttin' my niece or nephew up for adoption. I'll adopt the kid myself if I have to."
Carol smiled. "I couldn't go through with it. I could never give up my child."
"Or your cheesecake."
"So true." Maggie laughed a little. "Just so you know, the baby and I are always gonna be here. I want him or her to grow up around family, so I'm staying here."
"The same can't be said for Daryl." Beth was in the doorway. "They're back."
"Oh, God." Carol paled.
"We'll need God," Maggie agreed.
– – –
Carol let Sophia go ahead to Daryl's room as Dr. Stookey filled her in on his condition. She was glad to hear Daryl was recovering quickly and would be out soon. She thanked Bob for taking the time to tell her how Daryl was doing since she knew Daryl wouldn't, and Merle probably wouldn't speak to her, let alone about Daryl. She was grateful to Bob for that.
She waved goodbye to Bob before heading down the hall to Daryl's room. She found Daryl and Sophia inside, both watching something on TV, and she tapped her knuckles against the wall before entering. "Hey."
He gave a nod.
"So, how are you feeling?" She sat in the chair beside his bed.
"About as good as I look." He shrugged.
"You look better." She crossed her legs. "You should be coming home soon then, right?"
"I guess."
"Well, do you want to look over these color samples or shall I paint it all magenta?"
"She's being bossy today," Sophia told him.
"No, I'm not!" she protested. "Sophia, don't tell him stuff like that!"
Daryl shook his head, snickering. "Lemme see the samples."
She dug them out of her purse and held them out to him. "I drew a star on which ones would look best in the living room, hall and kitchen." She watched as he flipped through them, his face revealing nothing, and she moved closer to him. "I brought a few pictures of the house so you can compare the colors." She took the pictures out of her purse and set it on the table across his legs. "Umm, see how this looks." She took a random color and set it against the picture.
He was impressed. Carol had really given this a lot of thought. She was ready to change the only home he'd ever known, but she was doing it because she thought that's what he wanted. She was trying to make that house suitable for him, not to sell. He could tell by the colors she chose—mostly greens and blues. They were his colors, not room-widening or lightening colors. What was Carol's plan? He knew his, but what was hers?
"Do you like it?" She was studying his face, trying to read it, but he gave nothing away.
"It's all right." He met her eyes.
"Just all right?" She crossed her arms. "You're the one who has to see those walls. Until you sell, I mean."
He smirked. "The colors you chose?"
"What about them?" She bit the inside of her lower lip. "You hate them, don't you? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed you'd—"
"Nah, they're all right. I like 'em." He held out the samples out to her. "Use those colors."
"Really?" She closed her fingers around them, her fingertips just brushing his.
"Yeah. New people will probably paint over it anyway." He shrugged a shoulder and shook his head at the same time.
She nodded, pulling the samples from his hands and averting her eyes. She really didn't know him anymore. She had hoped to remember something about him, but he'd changed so much. She needed to stop trying to figure out who he was. He was someone else now, and she just needed to adjust to this new person. He wasn't her Daryl, and she had no right to call him that, not even in her thoughts. He was just Daryl. He belongs to no one, least of you, she reminded herself.
"Are you painting today?" Sophia asked, pulling Carol from her thoughts.
"Not today." She shoved the samples into her purse. "I have errands to run, and I need to check on Amy sometime, so we should be going."
"But we just got here," Sophia whined.
She needed to call Karen. She told her she would call from a payphone outside town when she got the chance. She promised she'd let her know they'd arrived safely. She couldn't not call, and she wasn't going to risk them tracking her father's phone. The payphone would have be far enough away that if Ed did somehow track it, it wouldn't lead them to Dad's door step. "I'm sorry, honey."
"Do I have to go?" Sophia asked. "I hate errands."
"I don't think anybody's home to watch you." She doubted Shawn was still there. He probably went to an appointment with Sasha to check on the baby; Maggie and Glenn were working on something that involved Tyreese, and she didn't want to upset Beth any more than she already had. Hershel was probably checking on the store then going back to tend to the fields or cattle. She didn't want to burden him with watching her, and there was no one else.
"I can stay here," Sophia told her mom, seeing her think over all of options.
"What?" Carol brows rose. "You wanna stay with Daryl?"
"Why not?"
"I doubt Daryl wants you pestering him. He doesn't feel well."
"I feel fine," Daryl informed her, "and I don't mind. Hell, I could use the company."
"No swearing," Carol reprimanded.
He glared slightly. "I'll keep a close eye on the kid."
"See? Please, Mommy, please?" Sophia begged.
She wasn't sure. She didn't want to leave Sophia. She always worried more when Sophia was in her hearing range. She trusted her with Daryl with Sophia as much as she trusted her family with her, but she still always worried that Ed was lurking around every dark corner. She knew Sophia had no reason to fear him. He was a good father to her, for the most part, and Carol knew Ed could sucker Sophia into doing just about anything, like spilling the beans about Carol's family. That's why Carol didn't want Shawn to tell her about Daryl, who he really was to her. If Ed knew she loved someone else, he would gut them, and she couldn't let that happen to Daryl. Carol could only pray she never saw Ed again. Eventually, he would have to give up, and she would need to trust people again. She needed to start now.
"Pretty please?" Sophia cupped her hands together and was on her knees on the bed in front of Carol.
"All right," Carol slowly agreed.
"Yes! Yay! Thank you, Mommy!" She hugged her.
"Be respectful, please." She looked at Daryl. "Watch her."
"Like a hawk," he vowed.
Carol left the room, glancing back as Sophia plopped down and began talking to Daryl, and she pulled the door closed. She had to stop, taking many breaths to try and stop the world as it closed in on her. She swallowed hard and pushed off the door, walking to her car. She needed to find a payphone, and she was either going to ask or use Daryl's phone to try and locate one.
After running into Lori at the gas station, Carol was informed of the closet payphone that was far enough away that Ed couldn't find her easily. She made the long ass drive, drinking an extremely hot French vanilla latte and munching on powdered donuts. She dug Karen's number out of the glove box and found a roll of quarters, along with wipes for the phone. Karen had literally thought of everything! She probably had one of her friends do all of this, but who?
Shrugging, Carol dialed the number after feeding the payphone and cleaning it off. She only had to wait through one ring before Karen answered. She sounded breathless, so either she just got back from her daily jog or she ran to answer the phone. Carol didn't know which.
"Hey, you."
"Hey." Carol smiled. She sounded well. "How are you?"
"I'm bored, If I'm being honest. I have nothing to do now." She paused. "Well, I could get pregnant."
"See, you should just submit. We both know you'll be a great mother, and Milton really loves you."
"That's why I married him." She was pacing, Carol could hear her shoes on the floor. "There's just one problem."
"What problem?"
"He works all the time, and I'm trying not to be one of those wives that leave because their husband never has time for them, but I really don't think I can raise a child practically by myself. Well, I could, but I don't want to."
"What? You can't leave him, Karen. That'll destroy him."
"I'm not going to leave him. I'm also not going to have his children anytime soon."
"Speaking of having babies, my brother Shawn and his girlfriend are having a baby!"
"That's great! How are they? I was just about to ask."
"They're all good. Maggie's in law enforcement, Beth's going to be a nurse, Shawn's a photographer, and Dad's still working the farm and the cafè." She swallowed. "My mom's not doing too well."
"Annette? Oh, no, what's wrong?"
Carol was glad to talk to someone about this. She knew Shawn wouldn't understand, and even if he did, he blamed her too. Telling Karen all of the medical stuff felt like a lie as the worlds came out of her mouth, so she told Karen what she felt to be true. "To be honest, I think I broke her heart." Carol's voice broke. "I'm the reason she's in the hospital."
"You can't believe that."
"I can't ignore the truth."
"The reason she's in that hospital is because she's getting older, and that has nothing to do with you. It's nature. Don't blame yourself, just enjoy your time together, all right? Believe me, you always think there's more time than there is. Don't waste a second."
Carol took a moment to compose herself. She had so many issues. How in the hell was she going to sort all of this shit out? God.
"You're gonna be an aunt," Karen singsonged after she was sure Carol wasn't going to burst into tears.
Carol let out a half-laugh, half-sniffle. "Yes, I am. Gosh, Shawn's so worried he's going to be a bad father. I don't even know why. He's like a big kid himself, so he can relate to the kid, at least." Karen laughed. "And his girlfriend is so beautiful, so their kid is going to be the most precious thing on earth—well to come from Shawn anyway."
"Hopefully, this shit will be over by that time."
"Hopefully," Carol agreed.
"I don't want to hear it all over the phone. I'll be down there soon. Milton has work to finish up, but once that's done, we are gonna go out and get iced coffees and talk until everything's said, all right?"
"That sounds fantastic."
"Call me on Sunday in a week."
"Yeah."
"I hate cutting you off like this, but Phillip and Ed are coming over for dinner, and I have to order something. With any luck, they'll get food poisoning or something just as worse." Carol let out a small laugh. "Before I go, I want you to do me a favor."
"You name it."
"Don't regret anything. Talk to your mom, your brother and sisters. Talk to Daryl and Hershel and everyone else. Just be happy and find peace. You deserve this. Do you hear me? You deserve this."
"Are you reading this from a cite Online?"
"You know me so well," Karen mused.
"I'll try to do those things."
"Good, because when we come down, I expect to meet all of these people. I need faces to go with the names. I hear Daryl and I think of some black guy."
"Why?"
"Because there's this hot black guy named Daryl on some show. You don't want to know who I think of when I hear Beth and Shawn."
"Who do you think of?" Carol was interested now.
"B—I have to go."
"Why?" Carol tensed for her.
"My guests are early." Karen had moved the phone behind something; Carol could hear it brushing against the phone.
"Hey, Karen." It was Phillip. "I brought Penny along with me. My wife has to work late tonight, and I couldn't get a babysitter."
"That's fine. Hey, Penny."
"Hello." Penny was smiling. Carol could hear it.
"Hi, Karen." That was Ed, and Carol's skin began to crawl. "I brought wine. It's your favorite."
"I don't drink," Karen retorted. "I stopped altogether. It'll kill you."
"Not one glass."
"One leads to two and sometimes three," Karen challenged. "It's a bad habit to have; thinking you'll have only one of something, but it turns into something else, and soon you find yourself completely obsessed. It can really hurt the people around you."
"Uhhhh...what?" Ed asked.
"Milton's not home just yet, so why don't you all go into the family room? I have to call and check in on my grandmother. I'd like some privacy."
"Okay."
Carol heard them leaving. She stopped breathing at the sound of Ed's boots hitting the floor loudly. She knew he was wearing his steep-toed boots, and he probably had on dark jeans and a button-down. He only wore those clothes when he was trying to impress someone. He was already looking for another woman. Or maybe he just wanted to dress nicely. She wasn't sure. She hoped it was the latter.
Karen began speaking in Spanish, telling Carol to call on Sunday, that she loved her and wished her well then hung up. Karen only spoke Spanish when she spoke to her grandmother, and everyone knew that so hopefully the two idiots bought it.
Hanging up the phone, Carol stepped back, trying to calm her upset stomach. She swallowed hard, but she couldn't stop the hot chucks that rose in her throat. She heaved behind the car, her knees weak, and she held the locket to her shirt so it didn't get puke on it. She groaned and lifted her hand to her face, wiping her mouth. She leaned against the car for a moment, gripping her knees as another wave of nausea rocked through her, but with a few quick breaths, it passed.
Getting into the car, Carol went to see someone she needed to talk to now more than ever. She found the room and her mother inside. She didn't have to say anything, because even with all the time that had passed, Annette still had a strong bond with Carol. She didn't question when Carol dropped her purse in a chair, crawled onto the bed and cried into her arms. She just held her in her arms, stroking her hair and kissing her forehead, gently shushing her.
Annette didn't know what was wrong with her daughter, but she was glad Carol had come to her. After all this time, Carol still came to her. "Shh, pretty girl." Annette hugged her tight. "I'm here."
It took Carol a while to settle down, but Annette didn't mind. She was worried about her, especially after Hershel and her girls visited. Annette asked her nurse to bring them a bottle of water as Carol's sobs were reduced to sniffles, and she handed Carol a box of tissue.
"Here you are, Annie." The young nurse smiled and set two bottles of cold water on the bed. "If you want anything else, let me know." She closed the door behind her.
"Thank you." Annette gave Carol a bottle of water. "Here."
"Thanks." Carol wiped her eyes and took the water, taking a sip. "I'm sorry to barge in here without—"
"It's all right." Annette smiled at her, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I'm glad to see you."
Carol sniffed and tossed the tissue into the trash beside her. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm worried about you. What has you so upset?"
Carol shrugged, but tears burned in her eyes. She took a deep breath, shaking her head. "I messed everything up, didn't I?"
"What's everything to you?"
"Daryl's entire life," Carol slowly began, "Shawn's failed engagement to Sasha." Annette began to shake her head, but Carol continued. "Your declining health. It's all my fault. I was selfish and ruined all of your lives." Her shoulders began to shake. "It's all my fault."
Annette set the water bottle on the table and took Carol's hands tightly in hers. "I don't know who made you feel the every bad thing is your fault, but they were wrong. Carol, the only life you have any control over is your own. What happens to anyone else is because of them, not you."
"But you weren't sick before," Carol stammered, her voice small and shaky.
"I wasn't this sick," Annette informed her, "but I was getting weaker. This happened to my mother as well. It wasn't you, Carol. It was never you."
Carol covered her mouth to keep from whimpering.
"And Shawn? He made a mistake and didn't want to have Sasha question him in their marriage. It's not always you, pretty girl."
"I know it's not, but—"
"Carol, you can't worry about Shawn or Daryl or me. Or your sisters. Everyone has their path to walk down, and you leaving didn't make any of them step off it."
"I feel like everyone blames me," Carol admitted. "Beth's upset, and I don't know why—none of us do—Maggie thinks I'm a slut, and Daryl... God, I'm pretty sure he hates me."
"Beth's always upset about something. She hasn't had it easy either. She's been working and studying her butt off since she graduated, and she lost her mother so young. There are things only Joe can help Beth through, but I did my best and so has Maggie and Hershel." Annette paused. "I don't want to know why Maggie thinks that."
Carol laughed a little. "She was drunk when she said it."
"I see. Don't believe anything Maggie says when she's drunk. She's ridiculous when she's drunk."
"All right, I won't."
"As for Daryl, I don't believe that. He doesn't hate you. He probably tried to, but most likely, he can't."
"I was such a bitch to him," Carol told her. "After we lost Ethan, I shut down and blocked him out. I never let him near me, because all I saw was Ethan, and it hurt so much. I wanted to make it work, but I couldn't, so...I stopped trying, and we both suffered. How could he not hate me? Everything I told him, all of my promises... I abandoned him just like his father, just like Merle, when I swore that was the last thing I would do!"
"It seems you hate yourself enough for the two for you."
She averted her eyes. "He deserves better."
"How is beating yourself up over the past going to make anyone feel better?" she demanded. "All you're doing is making yourself feel like dirt, that is the last thing Daryl wants you to do, and you know that! You made his life better, even if it was for a short while!"
"Mom—"
"No, I don't want to hear anymore of this! What happened these past five years happened because that's life. All you can do now is make the most of your life and raise my sweet grandchild." She searched Carol's face. "All right?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Now give me a hug and watch Golden Girls with me."
Carol let out a small laugh. "Is Sophia still your favorite?"
She nodded. "And Shawn's."
She hugged her mom. "I love you, Mom. I love you so much."
Annette stroked her hair and placed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you too, pretty girl. No more tears...on more tears."
––
Carol prepared dinner for Daryl since he'd just gotten out of the hospital with a clean bill of a health and since Sophia kept bugging her about him. Apparently, Daryl was awesome and a good babysitter. Sophia wouldn't tell Carol what they did, but Lilly was irked when Carol came to pick Sophia up that day. She only hoped they didn't do anything she would have to pay for, because money was getting tight.
"Pick a song," Carol begged when Sophia kept skipping over them. "Please."
"Okay." Sophia let Little Bitty Pretty One by Earl Palmer play. She loved the movie Matilda, like Carol did as a child. Sophia loved the part where she made the cards and poker chips and such float around, especially the song.
"Yes, you can toss the salad."
"Into the trash?" Sophia smiled sweetly.
"If you don't want dessert, sure."
Sophia stuck her tongue out and took the small tongs her mom was holding out to her, and Carol laughed before turning her attention back to the chicken. "You're happy, aren't you, Mommy?"
"Yes, I am." Carol added butter to the rice.
"Why weren't you happy like this with Ed?" She sprinkled shredded carrots over the salad. "Was it because he yelled at you?"
"Yes, Ed yelled at Mommy a lot." She leaned against the counter. "Did you like him?"
She shrugged.
"Well, we won't see Ed again," Carol promised. "It's just you and me now."
"And our family," Sophia added.
"Yeah, them too." She smiled.
The front door opened and Daryl walked in. He looked over at Carol and Sophia and frowned; Carol was also frowned and looked at her watch. He set his jacket on the couch, kicking off his boots. He walked over to them.
"I'm so sorry. I was going to pick you up," Carol explained. "We were making you dinner, and I guess I lost track of time."
"It's fine." He looked over her shoulder. "What're you makin'?"
"Baked chicken, rice and green beans," Sophia answered. "And we made lemon cake for dessert."
"I made lemon cake," Carol corrected, "but she did bug me to death to make dessert."
"I see. Thanks, kid."
"All right. Dinner is ready, so get down three plates and three bowls, please."
He opened the cabinet and glanced over as she walked away. "Where you goin'?"
"To bring up the table from the basement." She headed downstairs, and she heard him behind her. "I don't need help, Daryl."
"It's heavy," he insisted.
"It's a folded table." She weaved her way through the junk and found it in the back, but Daryl slipped in front of her and grabbed it. "Daryl, you're supposed to get the plates down. I can do this."
"Too bad. Already got it."
"Sexist." She followed him up the stairs. "Women can lift heavy objects too, you know."
"Last time you tried to carry this up, you damn near broke your neck," he reminded her.
And that was the last night they spend together. He caught her on the stairs just before she lost her balance.
"Last time?" Sophia asked.
"When I was here last." Carol grabbed the plates. "It was a long time ago, before you were born. Um, Daryl, could you get the chairs too? I'll set the table."
Sophia watched as her mom filled the bowls with salad and set them on the table then placed a slice of chicken with rice and green beans on the plates and place them on the table. Sophia sat down in the first chair Daryl brought up and drank from her cup while her mom and Daryl moved around each other in the kitchen, getting drinks and dressing for the salad and salt and pepper. She narrowed her eyes.
Carol poured dressing over Sophia's salad and sat down. "What is it?" She noticed the look on Sophia's face.
"Nothing."
They ate in silence momentarily, Sophia was picking around her salad while Daryl ate like he'd never had food before in his life, and Carol kept looked at Sophia, trying to think why she had that look on her face. Luckily, it wasn't too awkward.
"Do you feel better?" Sophia asked Daryl when he gathered the empty and semi-empty salad bowls.
"Yeah, a lot better." He set the bowls in the sink, noting that Carol had cleaned as well.
"I'm glad." She ate a forkful of rice.
"I reckon y'all didn't just come here to cook for me." He sat down. "Did you?"
"We did come to cook for you," Carol said, "but I wanted to let you know tomorrow I'm coming over to clean and then paint. While I'm out getting supplies, I need you to watch Sophia."
"Why?"
"Because I trust you, and she likes you."
"Beth has classes, huh?"
"Yes, but Sophia requested you."
"Really?" He looked at her.
She nodded. "I had fun yesterday."
He shrugged a shoulder. "Fine by me. T wants me to take two days off, shake the last of my sickness off. Truth is, though, he don't want me 'round 'cause he gets sick easy."
They finished eating, Carol and Daryl gathered up the dishes and put them in soapy water then she let him and Sophia slice the cake while she went to the bathroom. She slashed cold water on her face and around to the back of her neck. She reached for a towel and pulled it away from the others, wiping her face and hands.
Returning to the living room, she found Daryl on the couch with Sophia on the rug beside him, watching something. She wasn't in the mood for sweets so she began to put the food away. Luckily, he had a lot of contains, which was strange, but people did bring a lot of food after they lost Ethan. They probably brought more after they divorced.
"Somethin' on your mind?"
She jumped, letting out a startled breath through her teeth. "God, you scared me." She closed the lib to the rice. "Why do you think there's something on my mind?"
"'Cause I know you. Only time you ever turn away dessert's when something's on your mind. What is it?"
"It's nothing." She put the chicken into a container. "I'm just tired, I suppose. With Shawn moving out, I've been up helping him. You know Beth. She wants to have party to celebrate their baby and moving in together, so I'm trying to help." She wanted to be as close to Beth as possible. She was worried about what Beth said the other day, about fading into the background and how they got everything they wanted. She wanted to know why she said that and what happened to make her so bitter. She was hiding it well, but Carol knew her sister. She was holding something back. Carol saw it every time Beth spoke of Sasha's baby. It was brief, but it jumped out at her. It was eating Carol up to know Beth was in pain, and she couldn't do anything to help, because Beth was keeping it hidden. After all Beth's done for her...Carol had to do the same for Beth. She wanted to.
"Heard 'bout that. I meant to tell him congratulations, but I can't seem to find my phone."
"I have it in my pocket. Hold on." She placed the last two pieces of chicken in the container and closed it, but Daryl wasn't patient, so he dug it out of her pocket. "Daryl!" she hissed softly. "I was going to give the phone to you!"
"I needa check on somethin', and you move so damn slow."
"Personal space, Daryl!"
"Really, Carol?"
"Really, Daryl." She slammed the chicken container down on top of the rice and opened the fridge. "Oh, my God!" She covered her mouth with her hand.
"What?"
"The inside of this fridge isn't supposed to be furry, Daryl! God, that is so disgusting!"
He rolled his eyes. "You're over exaggeratin'. That's just some shitty casserole I never ate."
"Why didn't you throw it away?" She groaned. "It stinks!"
"I forgot. I have other stuff to do than clean, Carol."
"Obviously." She thrust the containers into his arms. "Do you have gloves, at least?"
"In the garage."
"At this point, I don't even care why kind of gloves they are. I am not touching that thing with my bare hands." She retrieved the gloves from the garage and threw the casserole dish in the trash, along with almost everything else. "I forgot how...dirty you let things get."
He closed the fridge and crossed his arms. "It ain't that bad."
"Uh-huh." She crossed her arms now. "I swear if I find rats or roaches, you're dealing with them."
"Fine."
"Fine." She met his eyes and slowly smiled.
"What?"
"It's just something my mom told me." She shook her head. "I'll have some cake now. Do you want some coffee?"
"Yeah."
Sophia peeked over the couch as Daryl and her mom, and she noticed the smile and slight smile. She was beginning to wonder why she was just meeting Daryl and her aunts and uncle and grandparents now. She wondered who Daryl was. Her mom never mentioned him, not even when they got into town or on the way over that first time. This was the only time Sophia had seen her mom smiled like that. Who was Daryl to her mom?