The house was quiet. It felt so different than when she'd been out there over the winter and even at the prison. You could always hear something. The sounds of birds or movement of small animals in the woods to the snores and creaking springs of people in the prison. You got use to it and it was how you checked in on everyone now days. There was no calling someone to see how they were doing because you knew. You were in close quarters non stop and it was reassuring.
Not to say she didn't appreciate the space she had. It went from a mildewed prison mattress that likely had a murdering rapist that slept nightly on it to her own room. She'd moved in with Daryl when she first got here but since then they were sharing a room. It honestly surprised her that he'd have his own place separate from his brothers. But then like her own daughter Daryl liked solitude. He didn't like the oppressive feeling of someone being right on top of him. His brothers could wear on you quick. There were few people that he didn't mind to have in his space and she was luckily one of them. He didn't mind Andrea and Carol was pretty sure she amused him.
Carol looked towards the street out of the window that was the largest in the livingroom. It was still barely lit up from the setting sun and unease was starting to creep in. Merle offered to stay here earlier after Mac and Daryl left quickly. Sophia was all for it and even her new ward Brian but she'd waved him away. She was a grown woman! Maybe Merle seen something in her that she didn't see in herself because Daryl being out there was starting to make her anxious. It was the first time she'd stayed here without him. She seen him and Mac communicate more times than she could count without ever speaking a word or even looking to each other. They were even more amazing in the woods. She had no reason to worry over it.
She had no doubts that he was a capable man. In fact she knew that he was formidable and with Mac there that nothing was going to sneak up on them. Least of a walker that bumbled around stupidly and loudly through the woods. No she just had a bad feeling about it all. It didn't even really have to do with him leaving. Mac wanted out of here to escape Hannah's stupidity. Of course it wasn't her place to remark on the woman's decisions but she knew that she'd hurt her son and angered the man that was keeping them safe.
Everything she'd gathered since being here clearly pointed to Mac being a wonderful father. He had amazing brother's that if he couldn't do something they'd step in and help any ways they could. Brian wanted for nothing in that department. How many times had she seen Merle talking to Brian and showing him something. Same with Daryl he was always working with him. Same with her own daughter these men made these children their top priority and that woman spit in his face.
Carol sighed and rubbed her hands over her face and into her hair. She didn't get it. It wasn't her issue though and she wasn't getting drug into it. That was all she needed being that she was with Mac's brother. No that wouldn't do at all. Mac was a sweetheart- he was a loud obnoxious lewd one but all the same he had a heart of gold. Carol cut her eyes to the window again watching as the lit finally disappeared and blew out a breath. Hannah was going to realize real quick that Daryl wasn't the only Dixon getting longing looks around here. The second these women realized Mac wasn't tied down they were going to be throwing themselves at him.
Carol's eyes shot to the door as it swung open. Andrea was there and stretching her arms over her head. "Midday watch sucks."
Carol smiled and waved her in, "Worst time for heat."
"Atleast I had Carter to keep me laughing." Andrea shrugged and took a seat, "It seems we aren't the only ones on edge."
Her eyes lifted to Andrea and she looked into the living room. Sophia was sprawled out over the couch where Daryl was usually at and Brian was on the loveseat. Both were sleeping like the dead having declared the day to hot to be out.
"What did he say?"
Andrea sipped her water, "Just that Daryl and Mac need to get back. Daryl told him something about a storm coming in before he left but Carter is all up in arms because Martinez was going on about other stuff. I think it's mostly that Mac left in a huff. His temper is well known and the men just worry, they're like a big family." She laughed airily, "He seems to be easily flustered."
Nodding along, "I've had the same feeling."
"You think they'll be okay?"
"Of course."
Carol's eyes jumped up suddenly when Brian appeared in the doorway. He was rubbing at his face his hair sticking up at odd angles. He looked the portrait of his father at the moment and Carol smiled at him. His shirt was only half way on and Carol raised a brow. She wasn't sure how that happened since she'd barely seen him move at all on that couch.
"You hungry?"
Brian finally finished opening his eyes and groaned. "I feel like shit."
Carol stood up and so did Andrea. Both women ushered him back to the table. Andrea was fluttering around him like she'd seen her do Amy before. Carol grimaced feeling the heat rolling off him in waves.
"I'm going to go get Hannah." Carol handed Brian some water.
He made a face and looked off, "I want my dad." His voice was every bit a petulant kid at the moment.
Andrea hummed and carded her fingers through his hair, "We can get Merle."
Brian huffed, "He'll call me a pussy."
Andrea snorted and nodded, "Probably but something tells me when he gets sick he turns into a whiny ass." Brian grinned at her and Carol watched as he dropped his head to her shoulder. He was sweating and Andrea gave her a worried look.
"I'm gonna be sick."
Andrea moved quicker than Carol figured and had him up and moving before he could puke all over the kitchen. By that time Sophia was there. She looked fine and Carol blew out a breath. Sophia cast worried eyes after Brian before coming into the kitchen.
"What happened?"
"Sophia run down and get Hannah for me." Carol nodded, "He's not feeling good."
Sophia's face clouded over but she nodded and slid her boots on. She was starting to do like Brian half the time and keeping them half laced. She was out the door and thudding down the street quickly. Carol just hoped the damn woman was home and not making the most of the night Mac wasn't here. If he came back to find out that she'd basically done what she got caught doing and what he would call in his eyes abandoned their son he was liable to go ape shit. Carol wasn't ready for that, hell she didn't think this entire town was ready for that man to turn into a feral wolf over his son. But she knew would just like she would over her own child, like Daryl would over Brian or Sophia, and like Merle would over anyone in his family.
The sounds of Brian getting sick echoed into the rest of the house. Carol grimaced and moved around looking at what was really in the cabinets. If she knew Daryl like she thought he would have something here to help. Even if it wasn't conventional he would. Carol startled when the door crashed open and heavy boots started into the house followed by lighter steps.
"Where is he?" Merle's voice halted her.
Carol turned and pointed towards the end of the hall where the sounds of his sick nephew were. She could hear Andrea faintly talking and watched him disappear. Sophia walked into the room and gave her mother a look. Carol raised a brow and waited.
"She wasn't there." Her voice was cold, "I didn't know what else to do so I ran to the front wall." Sophia looked towards the hall, "What's going on with Hannah and Mac?"
Carol grimaced but Sophia's face never wavered. Whatever Brian overheard she knew he'd finally relayed it to her. Sophia was more like Daryl than either of them realized sometimes. He was extremely protective and it was passed on to Sophia. She got defensive quickly over Brian and he done the same over her. She was pretty sure it was just today that he'd told Carl he'd stake him down and let the dogs get at him. Not that Carl even knew what he was talking about but she knew that Brian was close to hitting him.
"They're not together." Carol reasoned.
Sophia stared at her, "Brian heard her tell Mac she was seeing someone." her voice hissed out, "She's cheating on her family." Sophia's words were harsh and cold. "When I first got here she was with this complete creep! He was always threatening Brian and then when she didn't have him she clung to Mac. Merle hated her but Daryl tolerated her. Then me she just wasn't ever really there unless she knew Mac was going to be in the house. Me and Brian went there so many times before you got here mom...she was the closest thing to a mother either of us had. So we hung out there when Daryl, Melre, or Mac were busy."
Carol swallowed. She didn't realize this about Hannah. Sure she knew she could be a little flaky. She was supposed to help her and Andrea a few times only to disappear without an explanation and then show up later. Carol's eyes shot to her daughter and she felt like she was playing catch up. She showed up around the time she knew Mac was around and would notice she was there. So maybe it wasn't just an over exaggeration- maybe the woman did cheat on Mac.
"Me and Brian seen her a few times...we didn't think much of it at the time but then we seen her kiss another man." Sophia mumbled, "Brian never mentioned it because Mac was really trying but she lied to him. If looks could kill mom then what Brian had on his face was worse. It was like the devil came out of his eyes."
"Carol!" Merle appeared in the door, "Look around in here and tell me if Mac packed any moonshine or whiskey in here."
Carol raised a brow. Surely he wasn't about to give a sick teenager alcohol. Carol opened the cabinet and sure enough there was a bottle of whiskey. Merle seen it as she set it out and he walked over. He started pulling things out of the cabinets. Sophia was on the counter watching him not bothered by the thunderous look on his face.
"Sorry I had to get you off watch." Sophia lowered her eyes.
Merle's eyes shot to her and his face softened. He elbowed her knee and smirked, "I'm not."
Sophia smiled and like that the dark look eased from Merle's face. It amazed her how her daughter could turn such rough men into kittens. Brian walked back into the room absent a shirt and now in a pair of Daryl's sleep pants. He was leaning heavily on Andrea. She got him to the living room and he set heavily onto the couch. He grimaced and leaned his head back.
"What are you doing? Are you getting him drunk? I got sick and Daryl didn't get me trashed." Sophia chimed in.
Merle looked at her and raised a brow, "My brother is sweet and too sensible for that."
Carol watched as Merle poured some of the whiskey into the glass. He put some lemon juice, ginger, cinnamon, and honey all into it. He boiled some water before pouring that in with it all and watched as the mixture came together. He stirred it idly. Carol felt her mouth water at the smell and Brian watched as his uncle walked to him.
"You know what this is." Merle chuckled.
Brian smiled but coughed and nodded, "Bet you put more whiskey than usual."
Merle shrugged, "You're a Dixon; not a pussy. We like our shit strong."
Brian chuckled and Merle handed him the glass. He smelled of it and tipped it at Merle before taking a big drink. Carol leaned against the door frame worrying her lip. She could faintly remember a old timers remedy like this but wasn't sure. Though she knew that Merle would never do anything to hurt his nephew. Sophia crashed down next to Brian and took a smell of the drink. She recoiled and he snorted at her.
Merle turned to Carol and motioned her into the kitchen. Andrea followed closely behind. Her face was closed off and her mouth pinched. It took time but she'd learned to read Andrea and right now she was as mad as it got. Hannah was in for it.
"You keep him here even if that bitch shows up." Merle snarled. "He don't need to be up moving around. When he finishes that wrap his ass up in a blanket and keep him there. He's going to fall asleep and sweat that fever out." Merle's words left no room for argument.
Carol nodded and Andrea crossed her arms over her chest, "Where the hell is Hannah?"
That dark look she'd seen earlier that was a pale comparison to what she'd seen on Mac was back. He gave them both a look, "Choosing a fucking dick over her son."