Sorry for the late update, real life has been crazy but I hope you all enjoy. Big thank you to my beta Jaded79 for getting this back to me let me know your thoughts

Chapter 32

Road to recovery.

It was weeks before the doctor allowed her to leave the hospital. She had found herself restless and wanting to get up, but the doctor insisted she needed her rest to heal. So she decided the best thing to do was behave, stay in bed like ordered and heal so she could finally go home to her little girl and Daryl.

Andrea and Rick had returned to the prison with Carl and Lily but promised to return and visit soon. Beth and Merle had decided to stay. Merle wanted to stay near Daryl and Rose, and Beth just wanted to be wherever Merle was. Beth hadn't been surprised when Hershel had arrived to see them.

Carol had left the hospital in a wheelchair under great protest but when the doctor told her she either used it or stayed in the hospital another week, she quickly shut up and sat in the chair silently. Daryl had pushed her home; people coming out of their homes to greet her and tell her how glad they were that she was alright. She knew she had made an effect on these people's lives but she never realized just how much they cared for her and she couldn't help but smile.

Once they had arrived home, Daryl led her inside, picking her up from the wheelchair and carrying her into the bedroom. Beth pulled back her covers and Daryl laid her in the bed.

"Daryl I have been laying in a bed all week, I want to be up and about," she sighed.

"The Doc said you had to rest or would you rather me take you back to the hospital?" he asked raising an eyebrow at her, a smirk on his face as she huffed at him.

"Don't worry dear, Beth and I are going to stay to look after you and Rose while Daryl and Merle do the rounds and go hunting," Hershel smiled at her.

"You're going hunting? Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked worriedly, she didn't like them going without her.

"I was hunting long before you woman, I taught you to hunt remember?" She smiled at this. "I'll be fine don't worry so much," he leant down kissing her gently before pulling back to look at her.

"Just please get some rest."

"I promise," she smiled as he walked out. Sighing, she moved to lay down. It still hurt to move at times. She knew she was still healing and that whether she liked it or not, she had to slow down, at least for a little while.

One month later

Carol stood, holding Rose as she slowly walked down the aisle in the small chapel in their zone. She couldn't believe it, Beth and Merle were about to get married. Carol smiled at Daryl who stood by his brother on such an important day as his best man. Daryl smiled looking her up and down; she was a vision in her long, strapless red bridesmaid's dress. Carol stopped, standing beside Maggie and turned to watch as Hershel walked his little girl down the aisle.

The wedding had gone off without a hitch. They had both said I do eagerly, exchanging their vows and Carol wasn't ashamed to admit that when Merle had said his vows it had brought a tear to her eye. Who would have thought he could be so sweet and tender, and he loved Beth so much; his words had made that clear.

Now they were at the reception. Daryl had gone out and caught a large buck to cook for the meal and it was more than enough to feed the whole camp. Andrea and Rick had made the trip with the kids and so had Glenn and Maggie. Andrea and Rick had announced they were getting married within the month as Andrea was pregnant and she wanted to be married before she was too big to fit into a wedding dress.

Hershel had announced that he was staying here at the zone full time; he wanted to be close to Beth, and Merle wanted to be with his brother; and of course, Carol couldn't leave her zone. She was needed there, the people relied on her, looked to her for comfort and support.

Now Carol sat at table looking at Rose who was fast asleep in her pram even though there was music going and people talking. Rose just slept through it. Daryl moved to stand beside Carol reaching out his hand to her.

"Dance with me?" he asked her smiling.

"I'll watch Rose," Andrea piped up. Nodding, Carol stood taking his hand and letting him lead her to the dance floor. Now that the first dance was over, the dance floor was packed with happy couples dancing lovingly in each other's arms. Carol and Daryl joined the couples wrapping their arms around one another, dancing slowly.

Pray God you can cope. I stand outside this woman's work, this woman's world. Ooh, it's hard on the man, now his part is over. Now starts the craft of the father. I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left. I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left.

The song was soft and sweet but powerful; Carol loved listening to it, moving to it, she closed her eyes leaning her head on his shoulder and just enjoying being in his arms. Daryl inhaled deeply; he had missed that smell in their year apart. Lavender, he decided then and there that it was the best smell in the world. He placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head; he wished this was their wedding, that they were enjoying their first dance as a married couple tonight. He was jealous of Beth and Merle; they were where he wanted to be right now.

I should be crying, but I just can't let it show. I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking of all the things I should've said, that I never said. All the things we should've done, that we never did. All the things I should've given, but I didn't.

They had gone through so much together, so much loss, so much time and so much love, love for each other, love for Rose and love for the people closest to them. Daryl grasped one of her hands, holding it to his chest, he looked into her blue eyes.

"I want to set a date," he smiled at her.

"A date?" she asked confused.

"You have been wearing this ring for over a month now while you got better but now you're all healed, you have even started going on missions again…. despite my objections."

"Daryl…," she sighed but he cut her off.

"I get it, I do now, you're a leader, a fighter and I'm so proud of you and I would never stop you from going, not when I go out myself with teams, I'm no hypocrite… I just want you coming home to us safe and for you to be careful."

"Of course you know I am," she smiled placing a soft kiss on his lips.

Oh, darling, make it go, make it go away. Give me these moments back. Give them back to me. Give me that little kiss. Give me your hand.

"I want us to set a date for the wedding; I want it to be official, for you to be my wife." She smiled, loving hearing his words, how had she managed to get so lucky?

"Well I already have the dress and shoes, you have a suit now," she said running her hand along his suit covered chest. "We have a chapel, a priest… so I'm ready when you are." He smiled smashing his lips onto hers.

I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left. I know you have a little life in you yet. I know you have a lot of strength left. I should be crying, but I just can't let it show. I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking.

"Alright... ah... two weeks, wanna marry you in two weeks, woman," he smiled brightly, holding her tightly to him still swaying slowly to the music.

"Two weeks it is," she smiled. She felt the girl part of her take over, thinking about bridesmaids and making a run to get them dresses and shoes; she giggled softly.

"What's so funny?" he asked looking at her confused.

"Nothing, just started thinking about bridesmaids and dresses, so girly of me," she laughed softly.

"Well you are a girl, love; no matter what anyone else says when they see you fighting and being a bad ass." She gasped, slapping his chest playfully.

Of all the things we should've said, that were never said. All the things we should've done,
That we never did. All the things that you needed from me. All the things that you wanted for me. All the things that I should've given, But I didn't. Oh, darling, make it go away. Just make it go away now.

"Well I love you, woman, no matter how bad ass you think you are, I know the real you." She couldn't help but smile at his words.

"That's why I love you because you see all of me not just what you want to see," she said looking into his eyes.

"I always will, you loved me when no one else did, not even my brother and you helped make me the man I am today, I can't live without you, Carol, you or Rose."

"I promise you never will have to again, and in two weeks you'll be my husband and I'll be your wife and you won't be able to ever get rid of me then."

"Just how I want it," he smirked, kissing her with all the love and devotion he felt inside him, she meant the world to him, and come two weeks he would stand in front of their friends and family and say just that went he took her as his wife.