Sorry this took so long. I just haven't felt like writing and I'm pretty sure its because my writing buddy has lost internet for a few weeks, and won't be able to talk to me for awhile. :(

But how about that episode on Sunday?! I would love to talk with some of you about it, if you want. I'm just bursting with feels and I keep seeing gifs of it on tumblr, and I have yet to recover from it all, yet! So, if you want to talk or gush about that amazing episode(which is probably my favorite of the whole series), I would love to hear from you all!

I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Chapter Thirteen

Ed remained in the back of Carol's mind for the rest of the day, despite her attempts to fling them away. Most of the reason why the vile man still lingered was because Carol felt guilty. Daryl had given her the perfect opportunity to confess all and yet, she chose to keep some things to herself. Important things. She forced herself to believe that she had done the right thing. She told herself that if Daryl were to know the length Ed was willing to go to get her back, then he would realize how in over his head he was and how fucked she was, and he would run.

It wasn't just about protecting her, anymore. Carol wouldn't have been able to bear his leaving because she had come to care for Daryl, and she hadn't been lying when she said that she knew it would turn into love soon, if it hadn't already. She was just being cautious, though. The last time she had fallen in love quickly with a man, he had hurt her physically and mentally.

"What did you want to do today?" Daryl's voice came from her right. They had been sitting in silence on the couch for about an hour after her confession. Both of them were still wearing the same clothes they had fallen asleep in the night before, and Carol didn't feel like moving.

"C-Can we just stay here all day?" She didn't mean just on the couch, she didn't think she had the strength to leave the house and face other people. "I don't feel like doing anything." Curling her legs underneath her, she leaned towards Daryl and felt exhausted. The confession earlier had drained her.

Daryl moved until their arms brushed and moved to wrap one of his around her shoulders to pull her body closer. Carol sunk into his warmth. "We can stay here all day. I don't mind. As long as I have you for company, then I'm all right." He tugged her even closer and smiled. Tears misted in Carol's eyes at how safe she felt in his arms.

Daryl awoke with a jerk when he felt Carol shift beneath him. Together they had fallen asleep on the couch. Carol had curled into his side and Daryl had placed his cheek on top of her head. Now, it looked like Carol was waking up and when she did, she pulled away from him slightly.

"Hi." Stretching, she gave him a large smile. This time the sadness from earlier wasn't present in her eyes and Daryl felt his chest swell with happiness. It looked like they were getting somewhere, now.

"Hey."

"You hungry? I bet it's time for lunch." She stood from the couch and smoothed down her shirt, but not before Daryl got a glimpse of the pale skin of her abdomen.

"I could eat." Just at that moment his stomach rumbled. Carol laughed as his face flushed.

"I'll be right back with some food."

Daryl stood. "Do you need help?" He didn't care that he sounded eager.

"No. I'm just going to whip together a couple sandwiches. Thank you, though." Carol had smiled even wider at Daryl's offer and Daryl couldn't help but wonder if Ed ever asked to help or had he just forced her to everything around the house. However that wasn't a question he was going to ask. The less Ed was brought up, the less Carol would ever have to think about him.

Daryl sat on the couch and leaned his head on the back. He'd have to go home tonight. Tomorrow morning, he had an early start at work and he really needed a shower. It was shocking that Carol could stand to still be around him. But he didn't want to leave her here. Not that he was scared for her safety or anything, but because he didn't like to spend so much time away. It sounded a little...creepy to him and he hoped that Carol didn't think that of him. So, he would give her space. Maybe he would wait until Monday to see her, again. One day was a long enough break. Right?

Fuck. Just thinking about going a day without seeing her beautiful face caused his heart to sink. Shit, he had it so bad, and he sounded like a complete lovesick, sap. Merle would kick his ass if he were there. But Daryl didn't care. It was because of Merle not being there, that Daryl was finally able to act like to this. He was finally able to fall in love with someone and he was glad that it had been Carol.

"Daryl? Do you want some sweet tea to drink?" The sound of her voice nearly caused him to jump off the couch. He hadn't even heard her walk into the room.

"Uh, sure. That sounds good."

"Okay. I finished lunch, and I'll be right back." Daryl didn't say anything as he heard her leave the room. A few minutes later, she was back and handing him a plate with a sandwich and a glass filled with tea. Together, they ate in silence.

"I'd like to buy you a ring." Carol had just returned from taking their empty dishes to the sink. Daryl jerked his head to look at her, surprise written all over his face.

"You don't have to do that," he said.

"You got me one...and I want to make it official, you know?" Her thumb ran absently over the ring on her left hand. The weight of it had worn off, and now, she didn't even notice it, anymore.

"All right." Daryl slowly nodded, a hint of a smile curling at the corners of his mouth. He looked pleased. "We can get one. When did you want to go?"

She shrugged. "Whenever you're free. I want you to have a ring so all them pretty girls you probably see will know you're taken." Carol teased.

Daryl stood and walked until he stood right in front of her. "You're the only pretty girl I ever see and I can't wait to let everyone know I'm taken." He leaned down and claimed her mouth in his. Carol moaned and clutched him tighter, arms wrapping around his back. Daryl tensed under her touch, but quickly relaxed.

"God, I love you. So much." He whispered in her ear before catching her lips, again. Carol was the one to break the kiss first, and it was to grab his hand and lead him back to the couch. She pushed him to sit down and then, straddled his hips. Daryl took a sharp breath and his hands were like vices on her hips.

"Carol...?"

Carol bit her lip, suddenly unsure. "Is this okay?"

"God, yes."

"Good." Carol gripped his head to pull him closer and they resumed kissing. She could almost physically feel the wall built around her heart slowly start to chip away.

They kissed for what seemed like hours, and when they finally pulled apart, their lips were red and swollen. Daryl wanted to do more with this woman. Wanted to be with her in every way possible, and in a short amount of time, he would be able to.

Carol slid from his lap and he felt the loss immediately. She fixed her hair from when his hands had run through it. His own hair probably didn't look much better.

"I think we should talk about what we're going to do after we get married," Carol said after several minutes, both of them had been trying to catch her breath.

I'll finally be able to make love to you was the first thing to come to Daryl's mind, even though he knew that wasn't what Carol had been talking about. Had it?

"Will-Will you want to stay here? Or do you want me to come live with you?"

"My house is a piece of shit compared to yours," he said. "We could live here. I would hate to take you away from the home you finally found your freedom in." Daryl watched as her eyes filled with tears, but he knew they weren't sad ones.

"Okay." She smiled. "M-Maybe over the week you can start bringing of your stuff over...or is that too soon? I mean, we could do it together after the wedding if you wa-"

Daryl gently placed a finger to her lips. "I'll start bringing stuff over. I'm looking forward to it, actually. It makes all this," he took her left hand and ran a thumb over her ring. "Seem more real."

"Will you miss your house when you stay here?"

"Naw," he shrugged. "It was just a roof over my head. Merle can have it when he gets out of jail."

Carol took his hand in hers. "You don't talk about your brother much."

"Ain't much to tell. He's in jail because he's a dumbass." Merle wasn't someone he thought Carol would like very much, most people didn't. He was loud, obnoxious and rude when he was sober, and a hundred times worse when he wasn't.

"Do you visit him much?"

"Not really. I'm due for one, though. Haven't seen him in a few months." The last time he had been there, Merle had made him so angry that Daryl had cut the visit short. His brother always talked about the same thing. Getting high, fucking women and getting into fights. It got old.

"Can I come the next time you go?"

Daryl was shocked. "You'd really want to go?"

"Well, he is going to be my brother-in-law real soon and I'd like to meet him." She offered him a smile.

"Okay," he agreed. Merle was probably going to die of shock when Daryl announced that he was married and that Carol was his wife the next time he visited, and for some reason, that excited Daryl. To announce that Carol was his wife.

"I doubt you'll like him," he added.

"He's your family." She smirked. "I'm going to have to learn to like him. Right?"

Thanks for reading! :)