Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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Carol sat right beside him on the couch, Daryl could feel her leg right against his, and he was instantly uncomfortable. He didn't know why she was so close, but he knew it had to do with them arguing. Or her drinking. She didn't like to leave anything unresolved lately.
"I should call Shawn." She fought off a yawn. "Sophia will be worried."
"Shit, it is late." He dropped his phone onto the table. "We didn't solve anythin'."
"There's always tomorrow." She smiled a little for him. "And you'll have time with her. Maybe she can help."
"Hope so." He leaned back.
"I want to tell Paige about Sophia and you," she told him. "It can't be a bad thing."
"Do you wanna ask Amy? 'Cause that didn't work out too well last time."
"Well, I'm not sleeping with anybody." Amy came downstairs. "Talk to me about what?" She went into the kitchen and got a glass of water before taking a seat in the armchair.
"Um, did you tell Paige that Daryl's Merle's little brother?" Carol leaned toward her. "Or that Sophia is her cousin?"
"Uh, no. I haven't thought about it." She ran a hand through her hair. "I'll tell her tomorrow. She's been...really sad since Merle walked out, and I think knowing about Sophia will cheer her up. Since I no longer have a job, I have plenty of time to spend with them."
"What?" Carol and Daryl both softly exclaimed.
"I...quit at the preschool. I'm tired of the looks and rumors. Apparently, my boyfriend beats me." She rolled her eyes. "I just am done. I need to find my passion, and it's certainly not there...or here."
"What'd you mean?" Daryl searched her face.
"I'm going to move in with Andrea in a few weeks." She set the glass of water down. "It's really for the best. You get your house back, and Paige can get to know her aunt and...maybe her grandparents. I haven't decided yet, but I do know I want to reconnect with my sister and Dale." She also wanted to be out of Merle's reach. Merle was going to be around here, because he was Daryl's brother, and he liked to mooch off him. Now that he knew about Paige, he might not be by every single day, but he would still be here often. She didn't want Paige to see the man who walked out on her every other day. At Andrea's, they'd have space, and she wouldn't have to worry about him barging in. It was better this way.
"If that's what you want."
"It is. For the first time in about four years, I've been hundred percent sure of a decision. I'll help with the pipes as a thank you, and don't fight with me, because you won't be able to change my mind."
"Will Paige still go to the same preschool?" Carol asked. Sophia would be heartbroken to lose Paige. She's the only real friend Sophia's ever had.
"Yes. I intend to send her to the elementary school as well. If my parents get involved, they might try and get me to send her to a private school. Andrea and I said no, and I'll still say no." Paige and Sophia were really close, and Amy wasn't going to push her into a new school with a bunch of strangers. She just wasn't.
Carol nodded. "If you need help packing, I'm free after tomorrow."
"I might take you up on that offer." She grabbed her water and stood up. "Well, it's late. I'll see you both later. Night."
"Good night." Carol rose and grabbed her coat. "I have to get Sophia."
"Should you be drivin'?" Daryl was on her heels.
She paused. "Do I even have a car here?" She slipped her arm through her jacket sleeve. "I don't think I do. What the hell am I gonna do? Why did I not think this through?" Oh, right, Maggie. She was going to call Maggie. She might have to call a taxi now.
"I'll take you to Shawn's and then to Hershel's."
"You'd that to?"
"You don't got a car here, and I ain't lettin' you take the truck. You're already tipsy."
"I am not, but thank you."
The front door opened, Daryl stepped back from her and in walked Merle. They were both surprised to see him there, and they were glad Amy had gone upstairs, because she might try and kill Merle for walking out on Paige the other day.
"What the hell do you want?" she snapped.
"Amy." He glanced around the room. "Is she here?"
"No."
"Is the runt here?"
"Okay, let me ask you something, Merle." She met his eyes. "If they were here, do you really think I'd tell you?"
"Look, do you know where they are or not?"
"They are here, but they're asleep and shouldn't be bothered." She crossed her arms over her chest. "I think you should leave now."
"This ain't your house."
"I agree with her," Daryl informed him.
"Oh, do you now?" Merle scoffed. "She comes back for two seconds and got you whipped already. You screw her, at least?"
"Excuse me?" Carol glowered.
"It ain't 'bout Carol." Daryl looked at his brother. "It's 'bout Paige. How the hell could you just walk out on her? She's a little girl who wanted to meet her father, and you just walked out!"
"Oh, not this shit again. I ain't listin' to this." He walked by Daryl, going toward the back door, but he turned and went toward the garage door.
After a moment, they heard the motorcycle and they went outside as Merle rode off. Daryl didn't care; it was Merle's bike to begin with. He just wished he hadn't driven off angry, because that's typically how accidents happen. Merle was a good driver, but Daryl still worried.
"C'mon, I'll give you a ride." He grabbed his jacket and dug out his keys, going over to his truck.
"I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"For Merle. I know you had—"
"Don't worry 'bout it."
"But I care about you and worry comes with that."
"Merle just needs to figure shit out." He shrugged. "Get in, it's late."
She hugged him, surprising him, and she held him tightly before stepping back and getting in the trunk. Daryl's lip twitched, and he shook his head, getting into the truck, unaware of the man watching them across the street, hidden in the darkness.
– – –
"Stop cowering." Maggie moved her hands from her face. "Just see how my body moves and retaliate."
"Okay." Carol swallowed. "I'm not a fan of violence."
"Neither am I, but sometimes, you just gotta fight." She stepped back. "And it won't be organized like this."
"Yeah, I know." She wiped sweat from her forehead. "All right. Let's go again."
They'd been down in the basement since six o' clock in the morning, working nonstop. Maggie seemed motivated by more than just her job, but Carol wasn't sure what it was. She just had this look in her eyes, this need to make sure Carol could see what move was about to come next and how to dodge it without hurting herself. She was so determined, and she wasn't holding back. When she kicked, she really kicked. When she hit, she really hit. Carol could feel the bruises forming, but she knew how to take a hit.
She'd been hit by a man who was bigger and a little stronger than Maggie. She'd been kicked and slapped and punched and shoved many, many times. She kept telling herself to not flinch, to not scream, to not be paralyzed. It was difficult. She had done that so many times, and it was the hardest habit to break, but she looked into Maggie's eyes, not the floor, and saw a fire inside of them. She was beginning to see just where Maggie was going to move and when Maggie was going to step back. Carol was slow to respond, but she was getting better, moving faster. She'd spent years just taking it, and as she and Maggie sparred, she realized how sick of just taking it she was.
It was probably ten or eleven by now, but neither of them were tired just yet. Maggie was impressed how quick Carol was catching on. She was very intelligent, but not very physical. Carol could only run fast because Shawn used to chase her around the farm when they were younger, and Shawn was already a faster runner and he has long legs.
Maggie didn't want to tell Carol she was holding back. She didn't want to hurt her, but she knew sometimes she was. Maggie was used to sparring with Shane or Rick, so she wasn't sure how much Carol could take. Carol was so little and not as strong when compared Shane and Rick, who were two tall, burly men. She kept watching herself, making sure she held back, but she noticed how Carol just took it. It made her insides twist whenever she accident hit Carol with full force and Carol just took it. She knew Ed was abusive, but now she knew he never held back. He wanted to make her to feel all of his anger, and he wanted her to bleed. It made her see red, and she pushed her sister even more, smiling when Carol either dodge or fell and got right back up. Carol was just as determined as Maggie, and that was something to smile about. When the day comes, all of this would pay off.
Beth padded down the stairs to see if they wanted to lunch and almost screamed at them to stop. They were both a mess—sweaty, bruised, bleeding even—and they were just attacking each other. She knew Maggie wanted Carol to be able to fight just in case, and Beth wanted that too, but God, this was so horrifying! She couldn't imagine Carol just letting Ed beat her down and just watching him take Sophia. She knew Carol needed to defend herself and Sophia, but this was just... It was for the greater good. Carol would heal, and she would have the strength to take him on, just in case. She didn't want to think about Ed coming here, because the last time she did, she made a plan in her head on how to ax murder him.
"Oh, my God!" Carol exclaimed.
Beth ran over as Maggie fell on her butt, her nose bleeding. "Lemme see."
"It's fine." Maggie wiped blood from her lips.
"Here." Carol handed her the washcloth they were supposed to use to wipe off sweat, but they didn't get a chance to, they were working so hard. "I am so, so sorry."
"Don't worry about it." Maggie took the washcloth.
"It's not broken, so that's good." Beth sat back. "You two look disgusting, by the way."
"What's going on down there?" Hershel called, having heard Carol's shriek.
"Uh, nothing." Beth hurried over to the bottom of the stairs. "Nothing, Daddy. She thought she saw a spider, but it was just...a shadow."
He narrowed his eyes. "A spider?"
"Yep."
"Bring Mag up here and wipe the blood off your arm, Bethy."
She looked down and let out a nervous laugh. "They were just sparrin', Daddy. It really was nothing."
"We're done now anyway." Carol hauled Maggie to her feet, and Maggie headed upstairs with Carol and Beth behind her. "I'm fine. I'm gonna take a shower."
"What in the world happened to you?" Annette stared at her older daughters.
"Don't worry about us. We're fine." Maggie led Carol upstairs so Carol wouldn't feel the need to explain it to her.
"Beth?"
"Uh...um...they fell?" Beth lied. "Down the stairs, you see."
"I don't think our basement stairs are that big." She shook her head then called to the girls, "Bring your clothes downstairs when you're done! The blood will stain."
"I'm gonna go wash the blood off my arm." Beth headed to the bathroom.
They all got cleaned up, Annette tended to the blood on their shirts while they showered, and they sat down to have lunch. Patricia gave both Maggie and Carol ice for their achy shoulder and thigh, and they thanked her.
"All right. I'm clean and full and have to meet Karen." She shouldered her purse.
"Is she still coming over for dinner?" Annette walked her to the door.
"Yes."
"I can't wait to meet her." She smiled. "I've been wondering what you've gotten into these past few years."
"Not much, I assure you." She made a note to tell Karen to lie about Ed.
"I'd still like to know."
"Well, I will see you tonight. I love you." She hugged her then left. She hoped Karen and Milton were both awake. The last time Carol was supposed to meet them, they were still in bed, and unfortunately, they weren't sleeping. You'd think she'd learn to knock.
– – –
"We'll be back at five." Amy held the door open. "I'm sorry to cut your day short, Sophia."
"It's okay." She shrugged, not looking at Amy.
"I'll be back soon." Paige hugged her, but Sophia didn't hug her back. She caught up to her mom and left to go to the doctor's.
Daryl studied Sophia as she sat on the floor by the coffee table, drawing Finn, and he noticed how little effort she put into it now. He knew this was more than Paige, but he wasn't sure what it really was. She started to get distance after Merle walked out on Paige, so something happened that night that's depressed her. He wondered what it was. Carol didn't know, so obviously she didn't want to talk about it. How was he going to cheer her up? The runt didn't even cheer her up or Paige.
She let out a long sigh then set the color pencil down.
"What's wrong?" He walked over to her.
She shrugged a shoulder.
"That ain't an answer." He sat down on the floor beside her. "What is it?"
She didn't speak.
"You can trust me, Sophia. I won't tell Carol. I won't tell nobody."
"I'm a bad person."
"What? Bad how? You take somethin' you weren' supposed to?"
"No." She moved to face him and met his eyes. "Merle's gone, and Paige won't get to see him like I see you. I'm selfish."
"How does that make you selfish?"
"Because all I talk about is you and Mommy." Tears appeared in her eyes. "She doesn't have a daddy, and I still talk about you. I'm so mean." She started to cry, and he felt even worse than he did when Carol cried. He had no idea how to comfort her. At least he knew a little how to comfort Carol.
"It—you ain't—I—" he stopped. What the hell could he say? He didn't even know her well enough to comfort her. Maybe Carol should've taken her. She would know what to do, unlike him. He was just watching her cry and doing nothing to ease her guilt.
He could start to hear his father's voice, and he shook his head. No, he wasn't a bastard, wasn't a useless piece of shit. He was a good man. He could do this. He knew why she was upset, and he knew how to comfort Carol. It couldn't any different. She was just smaller. He would have to say something to her too. Damn, what the hell was he going to say to her? How was he doing to cheer her up? He only knew what everybody told him. He also knew she was his daughter and she was crying.
He picked her up, she was shaking, and he embraced her. He was silent for a moment then rubbed her back with his thumb. He knew what could say to her. "You didn't do nothin' wrong," he said. "Merle's always been stubborn, and he ain't ready to be a dad. Paige knows that."
She snuffled.
"But...don't always talk 'bout me and your mama, okay?"
"Okay."
"You ain't selfish, Sophia. You're a good person, like your mom. Don't feel guilty over somethin' you can't control. One day, Paige will have a dad." He wasn't sure if it would be Merle or not, but one day, Amy will find somebody, and Paige would have a stepfather. If that man is a jackass or even looks off, Daryl would beat his ass into the ground. No one was going to put his hands on his niece.
Sophia shortly calmed down, Daryl took her into the kitchen and got her a glass of soda. He noticed Amy had restocked the fridge again. He kept telling her she didn't need to. She was moving out in a couple weeks, and he wanted her to be able to afford whatever she needed. All the boxes and suitcases and shit. Her suitcases were destroyed when Carol flooded the basement, and she didn't have much money unless she was dipping into the Horvath bank accounts.
"Karen's gonna over to your grandparents' house for dinner, do you wanna go?"
She shook her head.
"Why not? Thought you loved Karen."
"Whenever we saw Karen back then, Mommy was badly injured." She stared at the dark, bubbling substance. "I don't wanna jinx it."
"You ain't gonna jinx nothin'." He leaned against the counter behind him. "I can...order somethin'."
"I'm not hungry."
"Well, not now. It's only...3:45." He crossed his arms. What the hell were they going to do for the night? Last time, they just watched TV, and they didn't have the full day. How did the whole bonding thing happen? He never had a relationship with his father, who had made himself scarce after he and Carol married, and his relationship with Merle was all right, but he wanted to have a decent relationship with Sophia. He wanted her to trust him and come to him if she needed help. He just had no idea how that happened.
A long beat.
"What'd you wanna do?"
She pursed her lips, thinking. "What do you want to do?"
"Don't matter."
"Well, I don't care what we do."
They both started thinking about what they could do, but nothing really came to mind. What he was interested in, she couldn't do because she was too young. She might get hurt, and Carol would kill him. He might be able to entertain her if she was boy. He could teach him about hunting and tracking and how to remove a bolt, but Sophia didn't like to hurt anything. Maybe if she'd grown up here or away from Ed... It didn't matter. Carol wouldn't have approved. Maybe when Sophia's older, she'll want to learn how to track. Maybe.
She knew he didn't want to play dress up or play with dolls—not that she had any with her. She didn't know what they could do. She wasn't really a fan of sports, so they couldn't play or even watch basketball and football and soccer. She knew he didn't like her type of music either, so they couldn't do that. He didn't like her movies either. Gosh, this was going to be a long day and night. Was it supposed to be hard to think of stuff to talk about? Mom always had stuff to talk about that Sophia was interested in. Umm?
"Where's Bella?" Sophia asked.
"Upstairs."
She nodded. "She's kinda lazy."
"Kinda, yeah."
A pause.
"How did you and Mommy met?" Sophia shifted on the stool. "She never told me."
"Uhh, we met on the school bus. I sat beside her the first day of fifth grade."
"Did you talk?"
"Not much. She just offered me some lip stuff and introduced herself to me."
"Oh... Well, what was your first date like?"
First date? He blanked. What the hell was their first date like? Did they even have one? Shit, Carol was the one who knew all of this. Balls, he had to tell her something. Maybe it'd come back to him. He met her at...the farm, he knew. They started dating a year or so after her biological father died.
Oh, tsh, yeah. "Uh, we met at Hershel's house..."
– – –
"Why're you so nervous?" Maggie picked through the trail mix, eating the peanuts and white chocolate chips, leaving the milk chocolate chips and popcorn to Beth, who was sitting on the floor. They were about to watch Lethal Weapon with Mom and Jacqui. Carol normally watched it with them, but tonight was her first date with Daryl.
"It's just... Nothing, forget about it." She wasn't sure if she liked her outfit. It was a brown halter dress parried with black knee-high boots that Maggie got some time ago and gave to Carol, because they didn't fit. She had braided her hair then flat ironed it and put it in a bun then she curled it, not listening to her mother tell her she was going to kill her hair. Now it was just down her shoulders in ringlet curls. She wanted to look just right, because not only was his her first date—it was Daryl. It was her first date with her first best friend, her first and only best guy friend. She was terrified, but the rash was staying away for now. She might need a paper bag. Possibly soon.
Annette walked into the living room with a bowl of chips and set it on the table. "Will you stop divvying up the trail mix? Some of us want it too."
"There's another bag behind the peanut butter," Beth replied.
She shook her head and turned to Carol. "Well, you've finally picked a hairstyle, have you?"
"I'm going to be sick."
"She's been fidgetin' for the past twenty minutes." Maggie handed Beth the chocolate chips. "She was pacing half an hour ago."
"Oh, pretty girl." She knelt down in front of Carol. "Just breathe. It's your first date, but you've known Daryl for—"
"This is your first date?!" Maggie exclaimed.
"Mom!" Carol blushed. "I didn't want her to know that!"
Maggie smiled, facing them with her full attention. "You've never gone on a date? Never?"
"No."
"That explains everythin'." She set the two bowls on the table and hopped up, grabbing Carol's hands. "We'll be right back." She led her upstairs to her bedroom, closing the door and going over to her dresser.
"What are you doing? Daryl could be here soon." She didn't know exactly when, because Daryl had been vague about what time he was coming.
"Hold your horses." She dug through the drawer.
Carol sighed and rubbed her hands together, going over to the window and peering out. "Maybe I should just cancel. I mean... I have that test, and I—I'm not good at this. I've never had a...boyfriend, and Daryl's awkward with stuff like this, so maybe it'd be best if I just..." She exhaled again, not even wanting to finish that sentence. "I just feel sick."
"It's Daryl. What's he gonna do to you?" She closed the drawer and bent down, checking the next one.
"That's exactly what I'm scared to know." She faced Maggie. "I mean, what do...people do on dates? We already know each other, so...what else is there to do?"
"Where are y'all going?"
"Uhh, I don't know. I think to the movies. The whole date is very vague." She twisted the silver ring on her index finger. "What are you looking for?"
"I need to remind Beth to stop snooping in my things." She stood up, closing the drawer with her foot, and she grabbed her backpack, pulling out a small tube. "Here, this oughta do."
"I have lip balm. It's in my purse." She needed to get it from her room before she left. "I should go get my purse."
"You have that gross, sticky crap," she corrected, opening the tube. "This is lip gloss."
"What are you doing?" Carol asked as Maggie grasped her chin.
"Pucker your lips." Carol did and Maggie spread the brush over her lips. "This is my favorite kind. It has a slight pink color to it, and it has a faint strawberry taste, not to mention it makes your lips look irresistible."
"Why does that matter?" She tucked hair behind her ear. She only wore lip gloss once when she ran out of her lip balm, and she hated it. She threw it away when her mom bought her regular lip balm.
"Have you ever been kissed?"
She glared. "Yes, of course I have!"
"Just checkin'." Maggie titled her head. "You're not wearin' makeup."
"I don't have any, and besides, I'm not allow to wear makeup until I'm sixteen."
"Sixteen? I'm allowed to wear makeup, and I'm younger than you."
"Just wait until you wear it in front of Mom. She'll freak out." Andrea did Carol's makeup for their eighth grade prom, and Mom flipped out when Carol got home. She made her wash it off and told her she had to wait until she was sixteen. She didn't know why, but she didn't want to question her mom. Besides, it was such a pain to sit there while Andrea put it on. She didn't want to waste the time to do that to herself every morning. She only did it once freshmen year on the first day. She had Andrea's makeup bag, so...she used some of it then gave it back to her that day.
"I have some." She pulled Carol over to her bed and grabbed her makeup bag from her bathroom. "Don't." She held a finger up when Carol began to protest. "I'm good with makeup. I'll put enough on to accentuate your features, but not enough for Annette to be able to tell you're wearin' makeup."
"It's your funeral."
Maggie opened it and dumped it out onto the bed, looking over the choices, and Carol remembered watching her mom get ready to go with her dad. She'd always ask Carol for her opinion, and she'd even put a little lipstick on Carol and give her a pair of heels that were too big. It was still fun.
"I think color matches your skin tone best." She opened it and picked up a brush. "Close your eyes.
"What are you doing?" Carol narrowed her eyes.
"Foundation. Close your eyes until—just keep 'em closed.
She closed her eyes, and Maggie went to work. She only had a few minutes until Daryl came, but she knew her father. He would talk to Daryl, lightly threaten that if Carol didn't come home exactly the way she left, he'd ensure the police never found the body, and then Annette would tell him to go and help Otis with the pretzels for his poker game with T and Otis. They never gambled with real money, it was just for fun. So she probably had twenty minutes.
"Have you been on many dates?" Carol asked, not opening her eyes.
"Not really." She brushed on some eyeshadow, happy to see it wasn't too easily detected. "I've probably been on three or four dates with different guys. It's mostly 'cause I feel bad, and they weren't really dates, just those silly little school parties to raise money for Beta and the eighth grade trips, you know. I think there only been one guy I've actually liked that I went on an actual date with."
"And that was?"
"None of your business."
"Why not?"
"It's just not."
"Fine. I'll figure it out eventually, so you might as well just tell me."
"It's not likely. He moved anyway."
"Oh."
"Okay, I have a question."
"What question?"
"Why are you so nervous? It's just Daryl. You've known him practically all your life, so you don't have to try to get know him or anythin'." She stepped back. "You can open your eyes now."
She opened her eyes. "I don't really know Daryl all that well," she confessed. "We're friends, and yes, we talk often, but...he always has a wall up. I don't want to push him, because I'll only end up pushing him away, so I just let him keep his secrets." She wanted to pick at the nail polish, but she twisted her ring again instead. "Now our relationship is changing, and I don't know what's okay to ask. I feel like I should walk lightly, but if I do, nothing changes. We're still friends, only occasionally we make out. That's not what I want."
"Then tell him." She grasped the mascara. "Don't worry so much. He's...very protective of you, and he'll do just about anything to make you happy, so just tell him. If he doesn't tell you right then, give it some time, okay? He'll tell you when he's ready."
"Carol, Daryl's here," Annette called.
"I have to go." She stood up and started to leave then stopped. "Thank you for doing this."
"Well, it was fun." She handed her to the lip gloss. "You look great."
"Thanks." She closed her fingers around the tube then left, getting her purse from her bedroom on the way, and she hurried down the stairs. She saw Hershel talking to Daryl on the porch, and she felt instantly bad for him.
"Here, hon." Jacqui held out Carol's sweater jacket.
"Oh, thank you." She slipped it on then shouldered her purse, seeing Hershel talking to Daryl on the porch. "Does he have to do that? He knows Daryl."
"That was before Daryl wanted to do things to you," Maggie teased.
"Hello, preteen in the room." Annette gestured to Beth, who stuck her tongue out for a second. "And I may change my mind about this date; I still think you're a year too young."
"I didn't even say it!" Carol exclaimed.
"I was seriously kiddin'." Maggie ran by her now angry older sister. "It's Daryl. He's like a puppy. He won't try anythin'. Probably."
"Maggie, shut up!"
Annette shook her head. "Try and have responsible fun tonight, okay?"
Carol nodded. "It's just pizza. We'll probably walk around the park after or something." She shrugged a shoulder.
"Be home by ten."
"You said eleven last night."
"That was before Maggie opened her mouth."
Carol sighed. "Okay, ten. I'll see you guys later. Bye, Jacqui."
"I love you," Maggie called. "You look great!"
"Mag, stop talking," Beth suggested.
Carol closed the door, hearing Annette chewing out Maggie for throwing a peanut at Beth, and she smiled at Hershel and Daryl. "I'll see you tonight."
"Just a second," Hershel told her.
"Yes?" She met his eyes.
"Have fun and don't do anything reckless."
She was surprised. She thought he would have this long lecture planned out, but he didn't. She nodded. "I promise." She hugged him then followed Daryl to his truck. She buckled herself in and glanced at him. "What did he tell you?"
"Nothin' much." He shrugged.
"He's not even my father, and he's talking to my date like he is." She shook her head. She respected Hershel, but he wasn't her father. He had no right to try. She would rather her mom talk to Daryl. She saw Beth and Maggie as sisters, because they'd always been close. Carol was just hateful to them after her mother and Hershel got married, because she was pissed at her mom and took it out on them too. She still wasn't sure how she felt about it, but being pissed wasn't going to bring her father back or change what happened. They were married, and last week, their names were changed. Carol Suzanne Greene and Shawn Tanner Greene. She knew in twenty years she wouldn't mind, but it was too much too soon, and how her mother didn't realize that was beyond her.
"You all right?" He studied her.
"Yes, of course." She smiled for him. There was no need to drag that up now. There was plenty of time later. "So, where are we going first?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
"The movies then, I suppose. I'm not really hungry right now."
"The movies then."
The drive that normally felt like it took ten minutes felt like it took fifty. She was nervous, and she wasn't sure what to talk about. She could only think of school and physics, and Daryl hated both, so she just kept her mouth shut. She would've turned the radio on, but Daryl hated the music she listened to. It was toss up between piano and pop; she was never a fan of country. She got that from her father.
At the movies, Daryl told her to get two seats in the very back while he got them something to drink and some type of snack, so she did. She waited for him, the previews playing. She crossed her legs, her purse in her lap and she made sure no one took his seat.
He found her and handed her a bag of popcorn and drink, and Carol spotted Andrea and Amy walking in. She slouched in her seat, hiding her face with the popcorn and cursing. She'd told Andrea she would be at home all day studying for her test in third. She didn't want them to know about her dating Daryl, and they would immediately know, because she lied to them. Normally, she'd invite them along, and it'd be awkward as hell, because Daryl wasn't too fond of Lori and Andrea. He didn't know them as well as she did or at all really.
She became close to Lori their sixth grade year when she started her period for the first time and didn't have anything. Lori had been friendly to her, so Carol wasn't too embarrassed to ask her for a pad. Luckily, the nurse had a few, and Lori got one for her.
As for Andrea, she'd always been in Carol's life. They weren't best friends, but they weren't strangers. They grew closer as they got older. Although Andrea wasn't always close to Lori, they would butt heads all the time, but Carol managed to change the subject if they were about to fight. They were like sisters and Carol was the middle child. That's another way they would know Carol was lying; they were all so damn close.
"What're you doin'?" Daryl eyed her.
"Andrea's down here." She peered over the popcorn as Amy found somewhere for them to sit in the middle and sat up.
"So? Ain't y'all friends?"
"Yes, best friends, but I don't want to them to know about us." She kept her eyes on Andrea's head. "I lied to her tonight and told her I was studying. I'd die if she saw me." Andrea would make a scene to make Carol blush then bust out laughing, and even though Carol knew, she still turned as red as tomato. She couldn't handle that embarrassment tonight. She was already awkward enough.
The theater went dark, she lowered the popcorn and lifted her eyes to the screen, and Daryl chewed his bottom lip. The movie was a remake of an animated movie about a princess, a winged "evil" woman and a sleeping curse, and it was really awesome. Daryl let her chose the movie—she wasn't a fan of horror, and she wasn't in the mood for a comedy or a depressing motivational movie—so they got this. It wasn't bad. Beth would've loved it, though Beth loves most things.
Carol noticed how quiet Daryl was, so very softly, she asked, "Are you okay?"
He gave a small nod.
"Lair." She turned toward him. "What is it?"
"Just watch the movie." His tone was cold, dismissive.
She stopped asking him questions and tried to watch the movie, but she wondered what she'd said or done that had pissed him off. She wasn't sure what it was, but she wanted to apologized. She didn't mean to make him angry or annoyed. She wanted to just try and have fun, because it was their first date and she wanted it to be good...but now she was just worried and sick to her stomach.
She tried to let him have the rest of the popcorn, but he even turned that down. She folded the top and slipped it into her purse, resting her hands over the bag. She'd lost interest in the movie, and she could tell he wasn't even paying attention to it. What the heck had she said or done?
When the movie was over, Daryl got up and left without even saying a word to her. She hurried after him, ignoring the possibility of running into Andrea, and she caught up to him as he crossed the parking lot.
"Daryl." She touched his arm, and he moved away. "Sorry, I didn't mean to...scare you. I just... What's wrong? Why are you ignoring? And why did you just leave me back there?"
"Figured you didn't wanna be embarrassed to seen with me. Made it easy not to."
"Figu—what?"
"You ain't deaf."
"Daryl, I am not embarrassed to be seen with you."
"Not when we were friends, you mean."
"Or now!" She met his eyes, searching for a reason, an explanation as to why he thought this all of a sudden. She had never, not once, said she was ashamed of him, because she wasn't. She would never care about anyone's opinion enough to not be with somebody she really cared for. So why—
Yes, best friends, but I don't want to them to know about us. I lied to her tonight and told her I was studying. I'd die if she saw me.
"You...you thought I meant—"
"I ain't stupid! I know exactly what you meant!" His eyes were searing.
"You are stupid! I wasn't talking about embarrassment!" She returned his look. "Well, I was—but I was just—I don't want anybody—Ugh!" She took a deep breath and looked into his eyes with no angry, just love. "I don't want my friends to know about you, and it isn't because of shame. It's because I've never had a boyfriend before, and I want you all to myself. Yes, they'll eventually know, but for tonight, only we know, and I wanted to keep it that way."
He was eerily silent, studying her.
"Why should I feel ashamed? I'm dating my best friend who I love and who I trust more than anybody." She closed the space between them. "To be honest, they'll be the ones feeling bad. They'll be jealous. They're boyfriends are too busy with their football practices and studies to make time for them, but my boyfriend is naturally intelligent, knows what he wants, is a skilled hunter and tracker and has the most beautiful eyes to match his handsome face."
She slid her fingers through his, never taking her eyes off his, and she leaned up, her lips hovering over his momentarily, their breath mingling. She leaned on the tips of her toes a little more, her lips meeting his, her eyes closing only then. She felt him pull his hands free, but only to grasp her hips and pull her closer. She snaked an arm around the back of his neck, her fingers tangled in his soft hair, and her other hand on his hip and grasping the rough material of his shirt.
His hands stayed on her hips for a moment. Soon his left hand went to her cheek, slipping into her hair, and his hand other pulled her right against him. He kissed her with a heat she had never known he had, let alone had for her, and she moaned softly against his lips.
"I know it's darkish, but I can still see you."
Carol pulled back, breathing hard, and she turned to Andrea, who was just grinning, and Amy was behind her, blushing from what she and Daryl were doing in the middle of the parking lot.
"You do know that's what the movie was for, right?" Andrea teased.
"Did I ask for your advise?" Carol mused.
"No, but my little innocent little sister shouldn't see you two pawing at each other. It's a little scarring to her young eyes, and a little hurtful to mine. When did this happen? And why am I only finding out now?"
"I will tell you tomorrow." She smiled. "Hey, Amy."
"Hi." Amy couldn't look at her fully.
"Tomorrow then. Good night and enjoy your date. Hopefully somewhere more private." She looped her arm through Amy's and led her away.
Carol giggled, covering her mouth with her hand, and she shook her head. "Umm, let's go eat." She stepped back and walked around to the other side of the truck, getting in.
––
"I have to be home in an hour and a half." She climbed into the trunk with his help and sat down on the blankets. "I can call if we're going to be a minute or two late, but any later, and my parents will kill us."
"Parents?"
"Yes, s." She smirked.
He lied back, arm under his head. "Do you hear that?"
"The frogs and crickets, yeah." She looked up at the night sky, able to see every star, every glittering constellation. "Do you come here a lot?"
"Some nights." He shrugged a little.
"Nights? What, do you sleep out here?"
"When it ain't rainin', yeah. It's better than...bein' at home."
"'Cause of Merle and his... Well, I don't want to be rude and call them whores, because I don't know them, so...I'll go with his woman?"
"Partly, yeah."
"Do you like the sounds or the stars?"
He liked that he wasn't going to get his ass beat for just being alive. "Both, I reckon."
"Me too. I also like the sound of running water, like a stream."
"Yeah, you told me once before."
"Did I tell you that the sound makes me thirsty?"
"Yeah, you stole my damn water after you told me."
She laughed.
His lips tugged, but he didn't smile.
"I have a question." She turned to look at him. "Have you dated anyone before?"
"No."
"Me neither, but you know that." She tilted her head. "Okay, this is really personal, so don't hate me for it. Umm... have you ever...you know, had sex?"
"Jesus, Carol!" He tried not to, but he was blushing.
"I haven't," she assured him. "Don't be embarrassed."
"I ain't," he snapped.
"Well, have you? I just... I'm not ready," she confessed. "And if my feelings for you continue to grow like they are, I want you to be my first. To be honest, that's what I've always want. You're my best friend, and I trust you more than any of my other friends. You're not a backup plan, I assure you. You're just... I wouldn't be scared with you... I just... God, I'm not saying it right." She buried her face in her hands. "I have no idea what I'm trying to say, but what I'm not saying, do you understand it? If so, please tell me now, before I seriously die of embarrassment." Her face on was fire.
"I do."
"Oh, thank God." She lowered her hands, her face still pink.
"Some first date," he muttered. "We've fought, made out in public and talked 'bout sex. I doubt we'll be able to have such a great time on our second date."
She giggled. "I know, right?" She exhaled. "I just wanted you to know that."
He nodded.
"Hey, you never answered me."
"What, you scared I ain't?"
"Tssh, no." Yes.
"Well, I ain't you. I ain't gonna tell."
"What? That's not fair! I was completely honest with you!" She glared. "You're just mean."
He was silent for a moment then closed his eyes. "I ain't ever done it before," he murmured.
She slowly smiled then leaned over and kissed him slowly. She caressed his cheek with her hand, shifting her leg so that one of his was in between hers, and he shifted, his hand grasping her back. He reached over and pushed her jacket down, gripping her upper arm and sliding his hand down, pushing her jacket sleeve down as well.
She freed her arm of her jacket, her hand moving from his cheek, and she pulled back to look into his eyes. She pressed her forehead to his then kissed him again, opening her mouth to his with a mixture of eagerness and nervousness. His soft tongue coaxed hers, and she discovered he tasted of peppermint and a little of garlic from the pizza they'd eaten.
He was so gentle with her, taking his time, never moving his hands anywhere he knew would make her uncomfortable. He was such a good kisser, and she lost herself, her mouth pliant to his and the world fell away. It was just him and her; time didn't exist. She was loving how he kept surprising her in the best ways. It didn't feel like a first date; it felt like they'd always been like this. She didn't want that to change ever.
––
Birds were chirping loudly outside the window, Carol wished they would shut up, because she was tired. It was Sunday, and she would eventually have to get up for church, but she wanted to sleep. After last night, she needed to sleep. She'd been up so late with Daryl, talking and kissing. Mostly kissing. She wasn't even sure... Wait.
She forced her eyes opened and saw blurry greens and browns. She sat up, rubbing her eye with the heel of her hand, and she blinked to clear her vision, her eyes so heavy, and she looked again. She gasped. Oh, no!
She and Daryl never went home! They were talking and just fell asleep together! He said he would drive them home if she fell asleep, but he must have passed out right after her. Oh, crap. Mom must be freaking out. She needed to call. She needed to get home.
"Daryl." She shook him. "Daryl, wake up."
He didn't wake or even move.
"Daryl, please, wake up!" She shook him hard. "Daryl!"
"Go to hell..."
"Daryl!" She shook him.
"What?" His eyes opened after a second. "Carol? The hell are you doin'... Oh, shit." He sat up. "Oh, shit!" He stood up and climbed out of the trunk.
Carol climbed out after him. "Take me home right now." She got into the truck and dug her phone out of her purse. She had no service. "Shit!" She pushed her hair back. "How did this happen?"
He started the car and backed up. "I don't know."
"This is the second time I've been out with you all night when I wasn't supposed to. How many times can this happen?" She looked for her hair brush, but it wasn't in her purse. She must have taken it out. Damn it, her hair was a mess, and knowing her mother, she would assume the worst. "Damn it. Do you have a comb or anything?"
"Check the glove box." He doubted it.
She opened it, but only found a switchblade and a bunch of junk. She sighed and gathered her hair, wishing she had something to use as a hair tie. She let it fall and ran her hand through her hair, her fingers catching in the tangles.
She tried her phone again, but still nothing. They were too far in the woods. By the time she got home, her mom will have called the police and tried to get a missing person report filed. She was going to have a hard time explaining why she was out with Daryl all night. She knew her mom didn't like the idea of her dating at fifteen, and this probably just added to the pile. She probably wouldn't be allowed to date again until Maggie—until Beth was sixteen. If she could climb into her room through the window, she might be able to work the whole "you passed out in the chair and missed me" thing, but knowing her mom, she was probably up all night with Patricia or Shawn. Crap, crap, crap!
When they got into town and she had service, Carol had no idea what to say. She didn't want to try to speak over her mom while she yelled at how irresponsible she was and at how she made her worry. She couldn't handle the tears and the guilt, but she had to let her know she was all right. She sent a simple text: I'm all right. I'll be there in fifteen to twenty minutes.
She turned her phone off the minute it sent, and she shook her head, biting her bottom lip. "If we never are allowed to date again, I want you to know I really enjoyed last night."
"What happened last night?"
"Daryl." She let out an airy laugh. "Shut up."
He smirked.
"And if Hershel threatens you, tell him to shut up, because nothing happened. We talked and kissed like five times then passed out. Tell him that." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Well, once would sound better, but I don't think he'll buy it."
"I ain't gonna tell him nothin'. I'm droppin' you off then gettin' the hell outta there."
"Well, I have the best boyfriend ever."
"I'm just kiddin'." Hershel probably put barbwire down so he couldn't escape. "We'll tell 'em together."
They arrived twenty minutes later, Annette was waiting on the porch, and Carol gulped at the look on her face. It was a mixture of very pissed off and extremely relieved. She had a feeling the yelling would come first then the hug and gentle nudge for her to bathe and eat. She just hoped Mag and Beth weren't home. She didn't want to have to talk about it to them, especially not to Beth. She was still a kid, and Mag too. She didn't even want to tell Andrea and Lori, but she would have to. If she survived this.
She slipped out of the truck, shouldering her purse and walking over to her mom.
Annette hugged her tightly and groaned. "You smell like wet dog." She released her. "Where the hell were you both?!"
"We went to the movies then to get pizza," Carol softly explained, not wanting her mom to think she was being smart or rudely matter-of-fact. "It was a nice night, so we um, went out to the woods to talk."
"And that's all you did? Talk? All night?"
"Yeah." Daryl nodded. "We passed out 'bout nine or maybe ten. I can't be sure, but it was gettin' around the time for me to talk her home. I was gonna, but...I fell asleep. It's my fault. I'm real sorry."
"Why the woods? Anything could've happened to you."
"He had his crossbow," Carol assured her. "We were perfectly safe."
"A—you have a weapon?"
"Yes." He glanced at Carol, wondering if honestly was the best policy. "It wasn't loaded, but if anybody was comin' at us, I woulda taken care of 'em. Uh, like shot in 'em in the leg or somethin'. Not kill, never kill."
She closed her eyes. "Go inside, Carol, and please take a shower."
"Mom, please don't. We didn't do anything, just lost track of time and fell asleep. Daryl was a gentleman all night, I promise."
"I don't disbelieve that." She looked at Daryl. "I do trust you, but the next time you two go out, it's going to be at the Greene Leaf."
"But that doesn't open for another two months," Carol reminded her then instantly caught on. "Two months?!"
"Do you want it to be three?"
"No, no, I don't." She repressed a groan. "Can I say goodbye to him, at least? Alone."
"Two minutes." She headed inside.
"Damn, she's strict," Daryl muttered.
"Well, technically, it opens in a month and a half, but the supplies and equipment have to be bought." She shook her head. "We still have other things: school, studying, the drives to and from."
"You're a glass is half full kinda girl, ain't you?" He smirked.
"I am." She smiled then leaned up and kissed him goodbye for the remaining time. When she pulled back, she smiled again then went inside, leaning against the door, and she heard his truck pull out. She giggled and set her fingertips on her lips.
"A smile." Shawn took a picture. "Aw, how cute. My little sister's back from her first date ever. I never wanted to know you like tongue."
"Shawn!" She grabbed an umbrella and went after him.
"Not in the house!" Hershel called after them.
– – –
He glossed over the kissing and sex talk. It was so strange how easy everything was with Carol. He never really felt that nervousness that made him pull away after he kissed her the second time in her bedroom. She was the only person who made him feel... He shook his head.
"Did you see each other at school?" Sophia asked.
"Yeah, we all four classes together." For most of the two months, he would wake up early to go and pick her up so they could spend time together before school started—he caught up on missed sleep in class. They'd also sneak kisses in her room whenever he came over to study, and when Annette caught them, she made Maggie and Beth go and study with them. Longest two months of his high school life. "We used to study together too, so we saw each other almost all the time."
"You still love Mommy, right?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Then why aren't you together? Why was Mommy with Ed?"
"It's complicated. Carol will explain it to you when you're older."
"Why older? Why not now?"
"'Cause you wouldn't understand."
"I'm not stupid!"
"I know you ain't, but it ain't 'bout brains. Look, just wait for Carol to tell you." He picked up her empty glass and filled it halfway.
"Just tell me. Please? Pretty please?"
"I can't. I'm sorry, but I can't break a promise." Especially an unspoken one. "Just...ask me somethin' else. What else do you wanna know 'bout me and Carol? Or just me?"
"Why didn't you find us?"
He sighed. "Carol wanted to get lost, and...I couldn't go chasin' after her, even if I wanted to. I didn't know where she went or that she was even pregnant. If I had..." Shit, what would have done? Burned the divorce papers? If she had known she was pregnant, would she have come back to him? Would she have even told him? He wasn't sure.
"What? What?"
"I reckon I would've tried harder to fix our relationship. I woulda talked to her 'bout...what happened, and I wouldn't have let her get away." He shrugged. "Let's... Let's talk 'bout somethin' else."
"Do you wanna watch a movie?"
His brow twitched. "What movie?"
"You pick."
"You sure?"
She nodded. "Then I get to pick."
Of course. "Sure."
– – –
"Childhood Carol. It's...nerdy as hell." Karen plopped down on Carol's bed. "I like this room nonetheless. It's...adorable."
"Thanks." She closed the door and sat beside her. "I need to talk to you."
"All right." She crossed her legs. "Let me guess: Daryl."
"No, actually Ed."
"Oh. I was hoping he wouldn't come up. I know you need to know, but it's been nice just not having him around or mentioned. Go ahead. What do you want to talk about?"
"Is he seeing anyone?"
"I don't think so. Why?"
"I just wanted to know." If he was, he might want to hunt her down so damn much. She licked her lips. "Is he...trying to get someone to find me? Would he, I mean. You couldn't possibly know if he sent someone after me."
"He probably has. He's crazed. You took Sophia, who he thinks is his, and he mostly likely won't stop until he has her and has killed you."
"I thought so." She shook her head. "Bastard."
"He's been very distant," Karen told her. "He stopped going to work; his assistant is practically in charge of the company. I never see him anymore either. Usually, I see him once or twice a day. If I see him twice in three weeks, that's pretty lucky. He's just gone crazy, I guess. He really is obsessed with you right now."
She sighed. "What else?"
"He's in bad shape, which is good and bad for us." She adjusted her wedding band. "He hasn't shaved, so he has this gross beard and he looks like he never sleeps or is a crackhead. He looks like shit every time I see him. I think businessman Ed has died and was replaced by this impulsive, alcoholic psycho."
She ran a hand through her hair. As if normal Ed wasn't hard to deal with enough. Sparring with Mag wasn't going to be enough. She needed to really find time to train herself, to prepare for the inevitable. Ed would never just leave her be, so she needed to be ready. She needed to know how to use a gun, how to get a weapon out of another person's hands, and she needed to learn how to detach herself.
When the time came, she knew wouldn't able to kill Ed. She wasn't that person, so she needed to just let that person go and be someone who could kill Ed, but only for that one second. Only long enough for her to pull the trigger and end his life.
A silence filled the room, Carol wasn't the person to take someone's life, no matter the risk, and Karen could see that war raging inside, so she changed the subject.
"Can I ask you a question?" Karen rested her hands in her lap.
"Of course."
"Why are you scared of being with Daryl? Don't use Sophia as an excuse, because I know that little girl will be damn happy if you and Daryl got back together. I want to know why you're scared. You've talked to him about everything, right?" She nodded. "So...why the fear? And none of that leaving crap either."
"I—I don't know," she honestly answered. "I—Maybe I'm scared I'll be happy and Ed will swoop in and destroy it. I don't want Ed to see Daryl as a threat, because he will not stop until Daryl is eliminated, and I couldn't live with myself if that happened."
"Okay, Caro, listen to me. Actually, listen because what I say is from the heart and is good for you." She set a hand over Carol's. "If you live in fear of Ed, even a little bit, he's still winning."
"I'm not—"
"Yes, you are," she interrupted her. "You are letting him win by not giving yourself fully or even partially to a man who you clearly love deeply. You're rejecting Daryl's feelings for you, and that's not doing either of you a bit of good. If you let yourself just give in, you'd realize there is strength in that love. Strength that Ed will never be able to break."
She dropped her eyes.
"I've seen you suffer for four years, so you owe me over fifty years of seeing you happy."
She rolled her teary eyes and smiled. "What, do I just go over to him and say, "Oh, by the way, I love you" or do I just kiss him?"
"That's up to you. He's your man. Now, I have to return to my man before your parents completely overwhelm him with farm talk." She smiled at Carol. "Oh, and when it happens, call me with details. Lots of details."
"Pervert."
"Prove it."
"I could spend my entire life proving it."
"I dare you tell me one perverted thing I've done every single day for a year when this is all over."
"Tsk, deal."
"Good, because they make Milton blush, and it's so cute." She stood up and walked over to the door. "Think about it then call me when I return from the land of people who will hate my crappy French."
"Fine, I will." She followed her down the hall. "But only if you tell me first when you're a hundred percent sure."
"Ooh, that's a promise."
Shawn took a picture of them when they stopped on the stairs. "Ladies, it's time for food."
"Great, I'm starving." Karen headed toward the dining room.
"Tell Mom and Dad I had to run, okay?"
"What?" Carol frowned. "I—Aren't you staying for dinner?"
"No, I have to meet someone. I'll explain it later. For now, just tell them Sasha called me and needed pickles or something."
"Sasha hates pickles. She gets sick at the smell of them."
"Then jellies. I don't care." He slipped out the door.
"What the hell?"
"I made your favorite casserole, and here you are, standing by the door." Beth crossed her arms. "I don't cook for fun, you know."
"I'm coming." She glanced at the door then caught up to Beth on her way to the dining room, thanking her for the making the casserole, and she took a seat beside Mag. She wondered how Daryl and Sophia were doing. She hoped they hadn't run out of things to do, because Sophia rambled on and on when she was bored. It was horrible, but Carol had learned to block her out.
––
Of all days for something of his to not work, it was today. The DVD player stopped working. It just...coughed and wouldn't do anything. He tried everything, but it was dead. It was the only one he had, and it was dead. At least he got out of watching Sophia's movie.
"We could take a walk," Sophia suggested, lying with her back on the cushion and her feet on the back of the couch with Bella on her stomach.
"It's sprinklin', might turn into rain." He tossed his DVD player. Something else he had to replace.
"We could listen to music."
"No."
"Oh! I can paint your finger—"
"Hell, no."
"That's a bad word."
"Yeah, so?"
"You owe me a dollar."
"No, that's only if your mom lies."
"And cusses."
"I ain't your mom."
"You're my dad, and the rule holds."
"Fine, I'll give you a dollar."
"Can I paint your toenails?"
He entire body was beginning to twitch. "How 'bout we go and pack up Amy's crap?"
"Pack up?" She sat up, Bella moved, and she looked at him. "Amy's moving?"
Shit. "Uhh... Toenails? Did you say—"
"Is Amy moving?" Her eyes were wide. "Where?"
"It ain't too...far."
"Why?"
"To be closer to Andrea and their family." He moved and sat down beside her. "Paige still go to your school; you just won't see her as often outside of school."
She frowned. "Oh."
"You still got Carl and...Lizzie."
"I guess."
"Think of it this way, it takes as long as it does to get from your granddad's to here."
"But I don't know Andrea. She probably won't want me around."
"Carol knows Andrea," he informed her. "And it's only temporary. They might move somewhere else soon."
She nodded. "Yeah, she'll move somewhere else that's further away, and I'll never see her." She looked at him. "My other cousin used to pick on me. Paige doesn't."
"Other cousin?"
"Penny. She was mean to me sometimes. Uncle used to say she was joking, but it was mean."
"Uncle?"
"Phillip. He's Ed's brother."
"Phillip..."
"He's a cop. Like Maggie."
"Did you like him?"
She shrugged. "I only spent time with Mommy and Penny and Auntie Eliza."
"Well, Penny and Eliza ain't your blood, you know that?"
"'Cause you're my daddy, not Ed." She nodded.
He looked at her. "Can I ask you somethin'?"
"That's a something." She smiled.
"Two somethings then. Why do you call your bear Dee Dee?"
She shrugged. "Mommy used to write it down all the time, and I liked it, so when Mommy gave me the bear, Dee Dee fit." She then gasped. "Oh, my gosh! Your name's Daryl Dixon, Dee Dee!"
Carol used to write his initials down? Why? "Huh." How strange. Why would she name the bear after him if she didn't know him? Did she really like the DD so much? He wouldn't surprise him. It was easy to really remember, really easy to spell too.
"Does Ethan mean anything?"
He tensed. "What?"
"Ethan." She watched his face. "I named the bear you got me Ethan."
Did Carol tell her about Ethan? Why would she do that? They were going to wait. They agreed she was too young to really understand all that happened. Wait, she asked about them today. She couldn't know. How the hell did she just happen to name her bear after her big brother? That wasn't a coincidence. Carol had to have told her the name or some story involving the name. It was...a good idea, he supposed. Sophia could hear about him growing up, even if he didn't spend a day with them, and when they told her, she would feel like she grew up with him there, because of the stories. That was more like Shawn though. Nosy as he is.
"Uncle Shawn told me about Ethan that day Mommy came to meet you for the second time," she explained. "He adds onto the story, and it's about me and Ethan. He's protecting me, and you're protecting Mommy."
He met her eyes. "I'm protectin' you too. I'll always protect you."
"But I have Ethan, so you have to protect Mommy."
"Okay, I'll protect Carol."
"Promise me."
"I promise."
"Good. Don't ever forget."
"I won't."
She nodded, so serious. "Do you like board games?"
Oh, Christ. "...do you?"
"Not really."
"Do you like cards?" He remembered the deck he had in the kitchen.
"Yeah."
"What can you play? Go fish?"
She glared. "No."
"Well, if you don't know more, I can teach you."
"I'm a faster learn," she assured him.
He went to the kitchen and dug through the junk drawer that really needed to be cleaned out. She got that Carol. Maybe when she's older, he'd really start to see what she got from him, apart from her eyes.
– – –
Carol hugged Karen goodbye, wishing her an early happy anniversary, while Daryl said a few words to Milton, telling him to be careful on the road, and Sophia waited her turn, holding the gift for Karen and Milton close to her chest.
"Drive safely." Carol released her. "Take a lot of pictures for me, okay?"
"We will." Karen smiled. "Take care of that little angel, both of you. I want to see her all tall and beautiful when all of this is over."
"That's a promise."
Karen went over to Sophia and lowered herself down to her knees, embracing her. "Oh, I'm gonna miss you."
"I'll miss you too." Sophia stepped back to look at her. "I'm sorry I didn't see you a lot."
"Oh, that's okay. We had that first day and breakfast this morning. Besides, we'll have plenty of time later. I promise."
"I guess." Sophia held out the gift. "Here."
"You got us something?" She took the small wrapped item. "Can I open it?"
She nodded.
She tore through the wrapping paper, revealing a small antique compass. "Oh, this is beautiful." She'd seen this before. She wasn't sure where, but she knew she'd seen it before. It was so old, but still so beautiful and the original colors were still there. It was well taken care of. "Oh, it's engraved. "May your path always lead you home". Aww, that's so..." She stopped and stood up, turning to Carol. "This...this was Axel's, isn't it?"
She nodded. "He gave it to me, but it belongs with you."
She blinked back tears and hugged Carol again. "Thank you." She motioned for Sophia, and she joined in on the hug. She'd been looking for something to remember Axel by, and that picture of them on New Years just wasn't enough. She was glad to have this. She knew how much it meant to him, and now it meant that much to her. "Thank you both so much. I will cherish this." She kissed the top of Sophia's head and gave her one last hug.
Carol walked over to Milton. "It was good to see you again." She shifted her weight and smiled at him. "Take care of her for me."
"Always," he promised.
"Enjoy your anniversary, and make sure she has fun. There's no need to worry about us."
"I'll try." He laughed.
"Oh, Daryl." Karen waved him over, and she handed him a copy of the play. They'd already looked over the pictures that morning over breakfast, and she'd taken the ones he liked and put them inside. She wanted him to know how Carol was in college, before Ed abused her, and she wanted Carol to remember it too. "It has some footage of us backstage and from rehearsals. The cameraman was a good friend of mine, and he loved to get us embarrassed on camera, so prepare for Carol trying to burn it."
"Thanks."
"No, thank you." She smiled. "Keep it hidden, because Carol will seriously try and destroy it."
He nodded. "Be careful."
"Don't worry about me. Ed won't try anything, because I have a gun collection at the house we're staying at. Well, it's my father-in-law's, but I call it mine." She shrugged. "We'll be safe, so you two just need to keep each other safe."
"Karen, what is that?" Carol peered over the car.
"Pictures!" Karen laughed nervously. "You know, from college. They're...blah, so don't worry."
"You reek of lies," Carol teased.
"Okay, I lie, but at least I'll admit it." She closed the door and opened the passenger door. "Well, we should be going. God forbid we miss our flight and can't make it to Paris."
"You'd think she'd be more excited about going to France," Milton murmured to Carol. "She acts like it's pulling teeth."
"Maybe it's because your mother planned all of this," Carol suggested. "She's not the...kindest woman, and she's so blunt. Don't worry, I'm sure her mood will improve once you're there."
"Carol, don't speak for me," Karen mused.
"Well, it's true."
"Do you want me to speak some truths?"
"Look at the time! You don't want to miss your flight."
"Well, until next time." He hugged her then got in the car.
Carol stepped back to where Daryl held Sophia, they watched them back out, and they waved as they drove off. She turned to Daryl and hugged him and Sophia both, and he didn't know what the hug was for, but he put his arm around her.