This was like pulling teeth to get done. There is a time a time jump here from the last chapter. It is now heading into winter whereas the last chapter still had them in some warm weather. It should be understood that Sophia and Daryl are very close and she is considered apart of their family. I hope everyone had a good holiday. I'm trying to get back in the swing of things since the holiday break now that my fiance is back at work and not taking up all of my time. Hopefully I can everything else updated soon. Enjoy.

Mac woke up his entire body feeling like it was in an inferno. Groaning he went to roll over when a sharp kick connected with his leg. Cracking an eye open the sun burned and he rolled burying his head in the pillow face down.

"Wake up."

Mac growled but bit back his retort when he heard Brian's laugh. Merle kicked him again and he rolled over keeping his hand tight on the blanket around his hips.

"I'm awake now what the fuck do you want?"

Brian dropped on the bed towards the foot and flopped back. Mac watched him and smirked watching him swat his hair out of his eyes. He was like Daryl when it came to his hair. He would just go with it and let it annoy the shit out of him until Hannah made him cut his hair. Mac and Daryl had always fought about that shit.

Mac chuckled and kicked Brian in the side pushing him off his feet. Swinging his legs over Merle tossed his boxers into his face.

Mac caught them and slid them under the blanket jerking them up to his hips and standing once they were in place. Merle was scowling looking out the window his eyes tracking something and Mac watched the muscle in his neck tick. Merle was close to blow up.

"Me or Daryl?"

Brian snorted and stretched out more, "Both."

Merle turned and looked at Brian, "Mouthy little fucker."

"Fuck you." Brian snapped.

Mac jerked his jeans on and set down on the bed watching Merle argue with his son. It was amusing to watch how quick Brian could get him worked up.

"Just like fuckin' Mac." Merle snarled.

Mac smirked and Brian mirrored him leaning up his elbows hitting on his knees, "Thanks."

"Aint a compliment kid."

Mac stood still watching Brian as he kept flipping Merle off. He should probably say something before his brother tried to choke his son out but at the moment it was more amusing than it was dangerous.

"Why are you even bitchin' at me Merle?" Brian huffed looking to his dad. "Aren't you supposed to be pissed at someone else today? I thought yesterday was my turn."

Merle stepped forward and slapped Mac in the back of the head as he turned grabbing up his belt. Mac stilled and Brian's eyes widened looking at his dad.

"Go get your shit done for your mom." Mac's voice was firm.

Brian was up like a shot but flipped Merle off again before disappearing out the door. Wasn't like he could say much for how he acted. Hell by now Mac was in so much shit half the time that he was surprised he wasn't arrested and in juvie. By his standards Brian wasn't a bad kid.

"You know Hannah is going to kick your ass over him talkin' like that." Merle chuckled.

Mac nodded and pulled his shirt over his head not bothering to smooth his hair down. "When isn't she kickin' my ass over something?"

Merle hummed in his throat before turning serious, "Did Daryl say he was leaving today? Say anything at all about going out?"

Mac looked at Merle for a minute before snorting, "You knew he was going hunting."

"Did he mention NOT takin' Brian this time and Sophia instead?" Merle snapped.

Mac opened his bedroom door and walked out leaving Merle to follow him. "You trying to tell him what to do now with the girl? Best you've ever done even with me and Brian was just huff can't expect him to want to hear shit you got to say."

"Fuck you." Merle snarled grabbing his shoulder and spinning him, "I aint trying to tell either of you what to do. He just didn't say he was takin' her."

Mac glared at him and down at his hand but Merle tightened his grip bruising him, "She's as good as his. Fuck I've heard her tellin' those cunt women here that he was her father."

Merle nodded, "I aint arguing that. She's Dixon. I just want to know if she snuck out following him or if he took her. You know as good as I do that she don't like him leaving she freaks out until he's back."

Mac blew out a breath his anger leaving him and Merle looked off, "She would have told Brian."

Merle nodded and took off. Coming further down the the steps Mac raised a brow seeing Carter kicked out on the couch. He smirked at Mac and Mac sneered walkin' on by. A barking laugh followed him but he ignored it and walked on down the road.

If Sophia took off without anyone knowing then it was late in the day now. Hopefully if she did Daryl had realized it and turned catching her. He was quick and sure in the woods and Sophia was near as good as they were by her age. Mac swallowed down the wave of panic that wanted to consume him. If Daryl came back and she wasn't here he'd rip this place apart looking for her especially with winter so close.

"BRIAN!" Mac barked seeing him up ahead.

Brian spun as Mac's voice got the attention of everyone around. All were looking at him but he kept his eyes on his son. Even as Hannah appeared he ignored it and focused on his son. Brian walked over and raised a brow.

"Are you mad at me over Merle?"

Mac smirked at him, "No, not mad. You know where Sophia is?"

Brian nodded, "Seen her leaving with Daryl this morning while Briar switched shifts."

Mac felt his temper flaring, "Did he know she was going?"

Brian arched a brow and tilted his head looking so much like Daryl it was unnerving. "I'd guess fuck if I know."

"BRIAN DIXON!" Hannah snapped.

Mac smiled looking over Brian's head at her and she flushed. Brian looked at him wide eyed and stepped closer to his dad just dodging a hit. Mac smirked watching her and she glared.

"Does he always talk like that in front of you?"

"He is his father's son." Mac kept his voice level and his face smoothed out.

Brian mirrored him looking at her and Hannah huffed, "He's too young to be acting like that, it don't look good."

"You remember how me and Daryl were? Yet you have issues with him cussing?" Mac questioned crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yeah mom."

"Shut it." Mac snapped.

Hannah glared but Mac looked back down at him, "So your sure that Daryl Knows she is there?"

"Yeah they were talkin' as they walked to the gate."

Brian slipped away and Mac watched him go. He chuckled when he slammed into Merle's chest and tried to step back but he caught him. He wasn't worried about his brother hurting his son but Brian was worried and that was amusing.

"Something is wrong?" Hannah questioned moving closer to him.

Things had been back and forth between them for the past couple of weeks. Now they were nearing winter and she was still there. Still pushing him and wanting him there but he wasn't sure that was what she wanted really. He wasn't going to step into that fully until she came outright and told him what she wanted. He wasn't going to give that to Brian only to rip it away from him. He knew his son wanted them together and he wanted it but he wasn't going to do that until she made it clear.

"Merle wasn't sure if Sophia left with Daryl or took off after him."

Hannah sighed and he turned and felt her next to him immediately. "Are you avoiding me or the subject?"

"Neither." Mac shrugged, "Told you what I thought."

Hannah made a noise in her throat and looked at him, "What do you want me to do Mac?"

"Don't matter what I want Hannah, what the fuck do you want?" Mac growled and she shoved him up a set of steps. Mac knew whose they were and walked right in hearing the door shut behind him.

"I told you I wanted you." Hannah snapped shoving him.

Mac stepped away from her shaking his head and glaring at her. He walked into her living room and took a seat. She was right behind him and on him instantly. Her hand cracked across his face snapping his head side ways. Hannah had always been feisty and he'd liked it about her all those years ago, it was what caught his attention.

Mac leaned forward his tongue moving against the split she'd put in it. "Is that why Todd is still sniffing around you? Made it that clear did you?"

"You know me and him aren't together." Hannah met his eyes her own sincere.

"Does he?" Mac questioned. He wasn't accusing her but something wasn't right about that man.

Hannah moved fast knocking him back and her mouth was on his instantly. Growling as her hands jerked his shirt open he felt her smile the second her hands met his skin. Her mouth was hot against his and she body was already molding to his as she became almost feverish against him.

Mac groaned when she rolled her hips into him and he grabbed her hips. Pulling away from her for air he watched her face before she was ducking her head and her mouth was on his jaw making its way down it to his throat.

"Stop fighting me Mac."

Standing swiftly her legs went around his waist quickly. His arm banded around her holding her tightly to him the other tangled in her hair and pulling it back exposing her throat. Growling he shoved her bedroom door open and kicked it shut behind him just as they heard the living room door open.

Mac stilled but Hannah didn't let him linger long. She caught his belt her feet hitting the ground. She was shoving him towards her bed and he stumbled hitting the night stand and her stuff went crashing to the ground. Before he could say anything she had already knocked him back again and he crashed to the bed.

"Mom you alright?" Brian's voice called through the door.

Hannah caught his jeans and quickly undone them, "Just fine." Her voice was higher than usual.

Mac raised a brow at her and she smiled at him. Lifting his hips for her she caught both his boxers and jeans pulling them away. He wasn't a bit ashamed and tilted his head watching her. She smiled at him again her chest rising and falling quickly as she crawled up him. She had lost her jeans during the process.

The sound of Brian's retreating foot steps had her laughing, "I locked the door."

Mac raised a brow at her and she shrugged before her hand grasped him. "You do this and your mine...no going back Hannah not like before."

Her nod was all he needed before she was flipped around with him settling between her spread legs. He felt a weight lift from his chest and shoulders at actions. There was something in the back of his mind though but he'd handle that...it had nothing to do with just her anymore and he'd take care of it. Her roaming hands got his attention as she guided him to where she wanted him.

"I love you." Hannah panted looking up at him as he sunk into her.