HI everyone sorry about the late update again having real problems with my internet at the moment so much that i'm having to use my phone and a dongle. i'm not sure if anyone is still reading this story but if you have i thank you so much for sticking with me. i'm been thinking about starting to use a beta reader so if any one is interested please pm me. thank you

happy reading :)

January 25th

Daryl's POV

Chapter 30.

After Carol left Daryl decided to take a walk into the woods, seeing as he didn't really have anything else to do today. Max had gone into the garage earlier and told Daryl that he didn't need to come in today, seeing as the snow was only just clearly Max didn't think they would have a lot on. Merle had left this morning before anyone had woken up, which had made Daryl suspicious he knew that Merle was up to something, but he didn't know what. Daryl grab his crossbow on the way just in case he saw any game, not that he was excepting any with the snow but it never hurt to be prepared. The snow hadn't cleared all much in the woods it was still deep enough that he had to keep an eye out where he was stepping, which was easier enough for Daryl seeing as he was good at tracking and keeping quiet.

As Daryl walked through the woods, his thoughts turned to Carol, the last few days he had spent with her had been the best days off his life so far sad but true, when he was with her he didn't feel like a no-good redneck worthless piece of shit like his pa had told him, he felt like a man. Carol was beautiful, funny, kind and caring she made him laugh which was rare, she brought out the fun; teasing side of him and made him happy (just like when they had a snowball fight.) When he was with her it felt like coming home, he felt safe and relaxed so much infact that when he was holding her as they slept he didn't have any nightmares, she chased away the darkness in him bring light into his life. All in the short week he had known her, he could only imaging what it would be like longer down road, which scared the shit out of him. He had spent most of life keeping people at a distance because he learnt from a early age that people couldn't be trusted and would let you down, but Carol was showing him that it didn't have to be like that. She had got under his skin and into this soul and no matter how hard he had tried he just couldn't shake her off, but if he was really honest with himself he didn't want to.

Daryl got back to the house a few hours later, after coming to the conclusion that there wasn't any point in hunting in the snow seeing as there wasn't any game around, still at least he had got a few hours of peace and calm the woods always gave him and the chance to sort thought his thoughts about Carol. As Daryl walked through his back door he saw Merle sitting up at the breakfast table eating a sandwich. Daryl nodded at Merle as he shrugged his crossbow off his shoulder and placed it by the door, closing the door at the sometime.

"ya alright baby brother?" Merle asked before taking a bite of his sandwich.

"sure Merle, where ya been all morning anyway?"

"just out."

"mmmm" Daryl mumbled as he made his way over to the fridge to make himself a sandwich.

"Carol seems nice, I like her."

"stay away from her Merle, she's not some piece of ass for ya to chase." Daryl growled

"wow, baby brother." Merle said holding his hands up in surrender, "I didn't mean anything by it."

"mmmm" was the only response Daryl gave as he finished making his ham sandwich.

Daryl took his sandwich and went to sit at the breakfast table with Merle.

"ya really like her don't ya?"

"yep."

"that all ya going say?"

"yep."

"on come on." Merle said as he got up from the table to Fetch a couple of bottles of water from the fridge.

Daryl wasn't sure if he should tell Merle anything about Carol, sure he was his brother, but Merle normally would just call him a pussy or some shit, so it made him kind off suspicious that he was asking about Carol, still he was his brother and it wasn't like he had anyone else he could talk to. Merle placed a bottle of water on the table for Daryl, then sat back in his seat opposite. Daryl nodded his thanks as he finished his sandwich.

"so" Merle said taking a quick sip of his water while he waited for Daryl to answer.

"fine, but if ya start calling me a pussy or some shit, I swear I never tell ya anything again."

"I won't I swear, I really do just wanna know."

Daryl took a quick sip of his water, hoping that telling Merle anything didn't back fire on him.

"yes Merle I really do like Carol, she is different than any woman I've ever known and in the short week I've known her she makes me happy and makes me laugh and I can't seem to stay away from her for too long." Daryl said taking a deep breath as he eyed Merle.

"I kind off see that, it's nice to see ya happy for once ya deserve it. that's why I like her."

"that it, no smart-ass remake?" Daryl asked not quite believe the words coming out of Merle's mouth.

"nop." Merle smiled. " look Daryl I know I'm an ass sometimes, but really all I want is for ya to be happy and if Carol makes ya happy than I'm happy for ya, I'm glad ya found someone that ya can let get close to ya."

"thanks Merle." Daryl mumbled. Before taking another sip of his drink.

"ya think Carol's the one for ya?" Merle asked.

"yeah I do."

"wow, that's good so ya think ya get married and have kids one day?"

Daryl gobbed as all the air left his body and his face went white, shit he didn't even think about, sure it was early days but what if it was something Carol wanted.

"shit, ya alright?" Merle asked a little concerned about Daryl.

"yeah, just the whole marriage and kids shit."

"I know it's early days, but something tells me there is more to it than that, judging by ya face."

"I don't think I can do that shit Merle."

"why not?"

"what if I'm like our father and hurt her or any kids we have, or some other shit."

"ya nothing like him." Merle growled getting angry. "do ya really believe that shit."

"don't know."

"ya can get that shit out of ya head, cuz ya not like that."

"still."

"stop." Merle growled. "have ya told Carol anything about him yet?"

"nah, it's still early days didn't want to scare her off."

"I doubt that happen."

"don't want to fuck this up Merle, it's why we taking it slow."

"just how slow are we talking here?" Merle asked arching his eyebrow.

Daryl blushed and looked away.

"well shit baby brother, ya really do like her."

At 9.30pm Daryl and Merle headed over to Dixie's, Merle thought it would be a good idea to go, Daryl wasn't going to argue with him, he was secretly please that he was going to see Carol and he didn't even have to think of an excuse in order to get Merle to agree to go out. Daryl was still a little suspicious of Merle's behaviour lately especially with all the talk about the kids and marriage shit.

Daryl walked through the pub's doors quickly followed by Merle, it was busy tonight the music was playing and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

"go and get us drinks would ya?" Merle asked.

"sure." Daryl said as he made his way over to the bar.

Daryl pop himself up in one of the bar stools, placing one hand on the counter. He started to rhythmically tap his fingers as he brought his hand up to his mouth to chew on his thumb nervously as he looks around the pub, ignoring everyone else around him. As he scans the pub, his eyes meet Carol's. he drops his hand and stops tapping his fingers she is breathtakingly beautiful, she makes his heart skip a beat, he smiles a shy smile at her and watches as her whole face light's up, she smiles back while talking to her friend before making her way towards him.

"hi." Carol says.

"hey yourself." Daryl smiles as he gets that over whelming feeling of coming home he always seems to feel when he is around her.