First Snowfall

Everyone was tired of cold wet rain. November had had some warm dry days but December started off cold and rainy. Michael and Alia were bored and restless but at times Carol thought that they were more mature than most of the men. They were jumpy and antsy. They didn't know what to do with themselves. There were plenty of walkers in the area but there had not been mega herds. They had found signs of other humans but there hadn't been any hostile contact. The weather was keeping them close to home, but they wanted out of the house. The barn had become the male hangout and they spent as much times as possible out there during the day. Winter was just starting and they were already missing the warmer winters of Georgia and wondering how cold it would be in the mountains this winter.

Carol, Michonne, Rachel, Sarah and Eugene went on a library run. They looked for books that would give them information to help their family survive. Rachel collected back issues of Mother Earth News and New Pioneers. Sarah filled a bin with books about solar power, farming, repairing machinery and anything that looked like it would have information that they could use. Carol looked for first aid books, medical books of all kinds, beneficial plants, food storage and preservation and healthy living. She also found some on making wine and beer. Then she had picked up some nature guides for the mountains of North Carolina. Michonne picked up a few novels and a few biographies. Eugene picked out books that he was interested in at that filled up a bin of its own.

Carol filled a bin with children's books for Judith, Michael and Alia. She also added a few books on animals because she remembered how much Sophia had loved to read about animals of all types. She went into the stacks and found books that might interest Carl and she tried to ignore books that Lizzie and Mika had loved. She stoically picked out adventure and fantasy books for Carl and blinked back tears until she saw Michonne pick up one of the picture books and look at it for a few seconds while tears streamed down her face. Carol hugged her and let her own tears flow.

"He made me read that book every night before he went to sleep at home. I was so sick of that damn duck. He never got tired of it. I packed it before we left for the refugee camp. Andre wouldn't go to sleep at the camp until I read it to him," Michonne put her face against Carol's shoulder and sobbed. Carol only held her; there isn't anything you can say that makes it better.

They unloaded their finds and put them in stacks according to subject around the living room and dining area. Carol found a book on delivering babies at home which seemed like a good thing to know something about. Sarah began reading about earth homes; her husband had wanted to build one by in the day. Rachel had grown up on a farm in the deep south but she wanted information on modern techniques to extend the growing season in colder climate. Michonne read a book about a duck to Judith.

Maggie and Glenn came by while they were settling into their books. They were greeted enthusiastically by everyone. Beth came out the kitchen with floury hands and Elijah followed her with a grin. Maggie hugged Beth and Beth returned the embrace. Maggie had been a regular visitor to her sister since Beth had refused to leave this house. She had made an effort to be friendly to Carol and Michonne and lately to Sarah and Rachel.

Glenn and Elijah decided to go out and talk to the men in the barn. Glenn had laughed and said that he had heard muffled cursing as he and Maggie came in the yard. So there must be some sort of problem.

Michael wanted Sarah to read a book with him and Carol wasn't surprised that Alia brought a book to her. She was surprised to find that the book was not a picture book, but a nature guide to identifying birds. Daryl had found a supply of birdseed on a run. He had brought it home and then built a bird feeder for the back deck off the dining room. The two children conscientiously fed the birds every day. Alia had been fascinated by the birds and wanted to know what kind they were. Daryl would tell her the ones that he knew, but he didn't know the name of all of them. Alia had looked at him suspiciously; she believed that Daryl knew everything.

Carol smiled at Alia and they moved to the little bench that Daryl had made for the children to sit on and watch the birds flutter around as they ate. She brought the pregnancy and birth book with her and sat it down at the feet. They opened the bird together and she and Alia began to identify the birds. Alia leaned on her as she looked at the photographs. The blue jays and the cardinals began to fuss over the seeds and Alia looked at her, "Which do you like, Miss Carol?"

"I love the bright red cardinals. The Cherokee believed that there were once a dull brown and they helped a wolf that had become blind from being covered in mud to see again by cleaning the mud from their eyes. The wolf rewarded them by painting them a beautiful red color." Carol smiled at Alia; she was incredibly bright and she loved any story about animals.

Alia grinned at her. "I like that story; what about the blue jays?"

Carol was just about to make up a story involving blue jays and falling pieces of sky when Maggie stood beside them. "May I sit with you two?"

Carol smiled and scooted over with Alia on her lap. Maggie sat down and her right foot bumped against Carol's book. There was a questioning look on Maggie's face as she read the title, but she slid the book back a bit. Maggie held the nature guide as they searched to determine if the bird in question was a Carolina chickadee or a black capped chickadee. Alia made Maggie read the identifying characteristics of each bird. She finally decided that it was a Carolina chickadee. Carol wondered if one of her professor parents had been a scientist.

Michael came in to tell Alia that Sarah wanted them to go upstairs and take a nap. Alia looked upset but Carol told her that she could take the bird book with her. Alia hugged Carol and grabbed the book and went upstairs.

Maggie grabbed Carol's arm, "Have you got time to talk?"

Carol smiled at her, "Of course, Maggie." Carol waited.

Maggie sighed and shifted around on the bench staring out at the birds, "You saved Dad when he was bitten cleaning out the prison. We had him in our lives for another year because of you. I was shocked when Rick told me that you had killed Karen and David. There was so much going on at the time that I forgot who you really were. I won't forget again." Carol didn't say anything and Maggie shifted again and made eye contact this time. "You and Morgan saved us at Terminus and I never thanked you enough. I was still so caught up in finding Glenn and our group getting back together that I ignored my manners and worse I ignored Beth. She told me what you did for her when you found her on that road. I thank you for your kindness to Beth while I was being a self-absorbed bitch."

Maggie had tears in her eyes. "I forgot that you are the matriarch, the mother figure for all of us. We women had to learn how to be warriors and sometimes we got so wrapped up in our badassery that we forgot how to be anything but fighters. You never forgot how to be kind and comforting; I know that you have been through hell, but you have enough love left to give to Alia to make her feel loved. I lost my mother, then my step-mother, and right now I could use a mother. Carol, I am pregnant and I don't have a clue how to do this. Will you help me?"

Carol had turned her gaze toward the birds as Maggie had talked about the past, but she had turned and hugged her when Maggie told her that she was pregnant.

"It looks as if I had better finish the book". Carol held her book up triumphantly. "How are you feeling?"

Maggie laughed, "I haven't had morning sickness yet, but I have taken three tests and they all say I am pregnant. It will be an early summer baby and you are the only one I trust to deliver the baby."

"Are you telling everyone yet?"

"I'm not, but you know Glenn can't keep a secret. Remember the farm?" Glenn was notorious for his poor secret keeping.

"I'll read this book and there are some more books on pregnancy that you and Glenn could read. I am happy for both of you. This time next year you'll have a baby and we'll be settled into our new homes".

The door opened and the men came in to check out the books. Glenn came in to the dining room and his eyes met Carol's and she remembered the quick thinking and moving boy who had become a man in the last two years. He hugged her and she kissed his cheek, "I am happy for you; you'll be great parents". Maggie went back to help Beth in the kitchen though it sounded as if Elijah was already there. They talked for a few minutes about the books.

Daryl came back in from hunting leaving his wet coat and boots on the front porch. "It's getting colder out there. We're going to have snow tonight. I got a deer and I field dressed it. I hung it in the barn. " He looked at Carol and gave his trademark nod. "I am going to change upstairs. Is Alialocks sleeping in our bed?" He pretended to be angry.

Daryl had nicknamed Alia "Alialocks" because she had a habit of taking her nap on their bed. Alia called Daryl "Papa Bear" in return. She referred to Carol as Miss Carol.

Carol said, "Probably. She has a new book to read. I'll walk up with you." They found Alia wrapped up in the red blanket looking at the photographs in the book.

"Papa Bear, look at my book. Now we can identify every species of birds". Alia sat up in bed and handed the bird book to Daryl.

Daryl looked at the book and Alia. "Looks great, but aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"

Alia grinned at him and Carol watched them smiling. Alia had him wrapped around her little finger and Daryl knew it. "I wasn't sleepy."

Carol said, "Give me the book, take your nap, and we'll take a walk after your nap. Papa Bear thinks it is going to snow."

Daryl went into the bathroom and hung his wet clothes up and changed into dry clothes. He came out to find Carol lying down with Alia and telling her a story about blue jays. Alia's big brown eyes were fastened on Carol's face as she told her a story. He pretended to tiptoe past them and was rewarded by the laughter of the two people that he loved the most.

The temperature continued to drop and most of the house emptied out into the yard before dinner to enjoy the sight of huge snowflakes falling down. Michael and Alia ran around trying to catch the snowflakes on their tongue. Then everyone trooped in to eat pasta with marinara sauce and canned vegetables. It went well with fresh deer steak. Maggie and Glenn stayed for dinner and it was a merry crew that ate dinner by lamplight that night. Rick drove Maggie and Glenn home after dinner. It was too dark for them to walk home.

Carol and Daryl talked in bed that night. She told him about Maggie being pregnant and that Maggie wasn't telling everyone but no one thought Glenn would keep it quiet for long. "Maggie is scared to be pregnant but she wants a baby. She wants me to deliver it".

Daryl looked at her seriously, "If I was pregnant I would want you to deliver it too".

Carol snickered, "I don't think I that is going to happen, but I wouldn't be surprised if we had more babies on the way."

Daryl looked at her, "Are you telling me something?"

Carol shook her head, "It's very unlikely, does that bother you?"

"Naw, if we want any kids I'll just find them in a cabbage patch or something. Right now we don't need any stinking kids". Daryl was serious. He had never longed for fatherhood, but Alia was special. "I wouldn't mind a whole patch full of little girls like Alia though".

"I love Alia. She is so sweet and smart. It's important to me that you are there to help me protect her. She loves us and I hope that we can be a family, but Sarah and Rachel have tended her through so much. They are her family too. Maybe we'll just be Papa Bear and Miss Carol to her." Carol was just taking it one day at a time.

Daryl kissed her, "I am pussy whipped by you and wrapped around a five year's little finger. That is exactly where I want to be, but Carol if you want it to be just us and no one else. Well, that is all right too. You come first with me, always will."

Carol smiled, "That last sentence sounds promising".

Daryl was puzzled and then got it, "You're a terrible woman. I am trying to be all serious and shit and you make it all about sex. Okay, then." He began pulling her nightshirt over her head.

The next day the children made a snowman and then the skies cleared and it turned cold. The roads were icy and everyone stayed home and read. Daryl had never read anything as carefully as the books and magazine articles in their library. The information might mean the difference between surviving and dying for the people he loved.

Gradually over the first weeks of December the group began to read and discuss what they read. They talked about the kind of home they were looking for. There might be a resort with a lodge and cabins that would suit them. Maybe find a farm and just settle everyone there. Maybe they would find a community that would welcome new members.

Daryl, Morgan, and Rick began planning a trip to the mountains to scout out the conditions. They would take a four wheel drive vehicle up the highway that led to the mountain and take a week or so to check the area out for the best place to settle.

AN

The cardinal story is a Cherokee myth.

Things have been going along peacefully so expect a few bumps in the road in the next few chapters.

It's Mother's Day and I decided that Maggie would have that baby she has been hinting at for a while. It was also time for me to give her a character adjustment.

Happy Mother's Day

You know the drill. Please review.