Ahem...well here we are at the last chapter. I know I said like one or two more but this felt right and it felt like time. I'm sorry it took me so long to update I've had some personal things going on and just couldn't. Thanks to everyone for the favorites, follows, reviews and for just reading. You all are amazing and I hope you enjoyed the ride.

Carol turned her eyes out to the yard hearing loud laughter and seeing Merle double over. Mac was standing next to him looking like a soaked cat and glaring hard towards who she could only guess was Daryl. He seemed to be the only person who could get such a nasty look from the man.

"Goddamn." Merle hooted and stood up straight before his laughter roared again.

Mac lashed out hitting Merle hard and snarled looking the other way, "YOU get to explain this bullshit to Andrea."

Carol grinned and heard a low chuckle before Daryl rounded the house. Her eyes ran over him as the sun was at his back and she felt that burning that came with loving him. It had been four years since they'd come to the farm and four years had changed everything. In those four years they had prospered but things had been hard at times and she expected that was always going to be the case with the way the world was. She was still stunned about things but it wasn't all bad.

"What's got you thinkin' so hard?" Daryl questioned towering over her blocking the sun from her.

Carol smiled up at him squinting to see him better, "What's Mac going on about?"

Daryl squatted quickly and caught her wrist pulling her hand into his larger ones, "He's a whiny ass bastard is all."

Sophia raced by but skidded to a stop suddenly when she seen Daryl. She slid up to them and Carol was struck with just how much Sophia how grown up. She knew without a shadow of doubt that had it not been for the Dixons that they might never have survived. Her girl was fifteen now and from the look on Daryl's face she knew he was thinking about how much Sophia had changed.

"Tell Carl to quit being a son of a bitch." Sophia snapped her voice coming out like a hiss like Mac's could do when he was getting ready to throttle someone.

Daryl snorted and raised a brow, "Why the hell I need to say something to him? Go tell Rick."

Sophia crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him but her face smoothed suddenly and she looked down. Carl was close by Carol noticed watching the interaction that was between Sophia and Daryl. He looked like he was about to stroke out and Carol raised a brow at his clear fear.

"Dad please tell him to leave me alone." Sophia pouted looking at him through her lashes.

Carol smiled but looked down hiding it from him knowing that Sophia had already won. Poor Carl. Sophia grabbed his arm dragging Daryl away from her and she watched as Sophia spoke softly to him and Carl started trying to slink away his eyes going wide when Daryl's eyes locked on to him.

Merle caught Carl at the same time Rick did and she seen him pale further, "I didn't do it on purpose!"

Sophia's face was flushed and her eyes watery as she set down next to Carol. Annette stepped out of the big house about the time that Daryl caught up to Carl and all the men disappeared around the side of the house. Rick looked furious with his son but also rigid with Daryl's anger like a living breathing person with them.

"Sophia sweetie what happened?" Carol prodded as Annette set down next to her.

None of them were paying attention to anything around them as she started talking, "He walked in on me!" She whined, "Mom he walked in on me changing."

"He fucking what?" The voice that whipped through the air cracking like thunder caused them all to jump. Mac's eyes were only on Sophia as Andrea tried to grip his wrist but only had one hand free.

Sophia met his eyes her own wide and embarrassed. She opened her mouth to speak but he was gone before anyone could grab him and Carol was hit with the need to track Daryl down. Daryl's temper was bad enough but when him and Mac were both worked up it became dangerous both feeding off the other. Carl might not live.

Andrea set down and huffed shifting three-year old Olivia Dixon on her lap as she stared after where Mac went. Olivia's little lip quivered seconds before her cries sounded and Carol watched as Mac's steps stalled and he looked over his shoulder towards Andrea and the little girl crying her heart out on her lap for her retreating father. Andrea waved him away and he disappeared around the house.

Annette smiled and shook her head, "Never thought I'd see the day that Mac had a kid..."

Carol grinned and when Annette took Olivia Andrea waggled her eyes at Carol, "I keep telling Carol she needs a baby too."

Annette hummed at them both pushing the dark hair from Olivia's face causing her sharp blue eyes to shine more. "Maggie, Olivia, and now you're saying Carol needs a baby too? Sophia isn't enough?" Annette was smiling soothing Olivia still. "Poor woman this little girl has the same temperament as her daddy did at this age." Annette's eyes went to Carol's and she flushed looking away.

The sound of a barking laugh met their ears as Merle and Martinez walked around the house both men talking low as they walked towards the area they had been building onto. In those four years the group had grown some and more cabins built on also a wall was built up. There were a few places that allowed you to slip out but it wasn't without work. The main exit and opening was the drive but the gate that kept it blocked was sturdy and serious.

Sophia was smiling at Olivia and then Andrea looked over at her, "Wouldn't you like a little brother or sister Sophia?"

Her eyes lifted to Andrea and she huffed, "Mac was right."

Andrea made a face, "I think you are the only person to ever say that."

"No...Mac was right you are pushy and nosy." Sophia growled.

"Sophia!" Carol warned.

Annette chuckled, "And that right there is Daryl perfectly at that age. Lord y'all got work on your hands."

Daryl appeared around the side of the house Mac walking with him. Their steps were mirror images as were their smoking. Both in sync as their hands lifted to their mouths and they inhaled. The second they were in sight of Olivia she started calling out to them but looked past Mac to Daryl her little hands grabbing at the air. Annette lifted her and Daryl flipped his cigarette away taking her while blowing smoke high above him.

Olivia laid against his chest her whimpers and cries stopping immediately. Mac was next to him glaring after Rick and Carl heatedly. He looked over at Sophia suddenly and growled, "No more running off together where no one can fucking see you Kit."

Carol raised a brow at him and looked at Daryl he was hiding his face in Olivia's neck trying to stop his silent laughter. His eyes met Carol's and she swallowed at the heat there.

"It wasn't like I planned it out Mac." Sophia hissed.

"I don't give a good goddamn." Mac snapped.

Sophia stood her hip cocking out, "I'm not your KID!"

Mac raised a brow but Daryl silenced them both with a look. Mac shot a look at her and Sophia flinched slightly realizing she'd hurt his feelings but Daryl motioned to the house and she walked in.

"Don't know why I'm getting lectured when everyone is out there trying to get mom to have another kid with you." Sophia huffed walking by the women.

Daryl stiffened and avoided looking at any of them and merely grunted handing Olivia to Carol. He was through the door following Sophia. They were in there a few minutes before she seen Mac walk in.

"Think you better go monitor the kids." Annette grinned at her.

Carol nodded and stood watching as the sun set against the deep thicket of trees. Carol walked in and seen Sophia setting on the couch talking to Mac and both looked up shooting her matching smiles. Mac's eyes went down the hall and Carol followed the sounds of the shower. She stepped into the room and the steam hit her at the same time Daryl's arm brushed the glass as he turned clearing some of the fog.

"You gonna stare at me or say something?" Daryl questioned his head ducking under the water.

Carol swallowed and stripped her clothes off. Daryl looked over his shoulder at her and shifted letting her step in front of him directly in the water. She hissed at the heat and he chuckled at her his eyes dark and watching her.

"What's going on with you?" his voice was low.

Carol licked her lips rinsing the soap from her body as his eyes followed her hands before coming back to her face. Carol forced herself to take a breath and got mad at how she was reacting. Four years. Four years and he'd yet to do anything to ever make her doubt him. Four years and he'd never acted like. Trust she searched for and she found it in him, every day for them had been something new so why was this so hard?

Daryl nodded at her, "Know something is wrong Carol..." He looked off and pushed off the wall grabbing the handle to the shower door to swing it open. "When you get ready to say something I'll be here."

Carol grabbed his arm stopping him and pulled, "I'm pregnant."

He stilled his knuckles turning white on the handle as his breathing picked up. She felt worry flash through her as she watched him. His face was shut down and impassive. His eyes were turned from her so she couldn't see how he was feeling unless he let her know.

"How long?" His voice held no anger just a simple question. Carol pulled again and he let go turning quickly stepping into her backing her into the wall. "How long have you known you were pregnant with my kid Carol?"

She looked up and smiled, "Found out for sure this morning."

Daryl let out a breath and looked down at her and she felt her heart go into over drive at the emotion in his eyes. So clear, crisp, and more than she had expected. He wrapped his arms around her quickly and her feet left the ground seconds later. His mouth was on hers and she gasped suddenly when her back touched cold tiles and he was inside of her at the same moment.

Clinging to him Carol panted at the feeling of hot water sluicing over their bodies moving together. Daryl's voice was rough and in her ear the entire time and his words were her undoing. She tightened her hold on him as his knees buckled and they sunk down to the ground. He kept his head bowed as his hands ran over her entire body smoothing and kneading her. She watched as struggled to get his breathing under control and his eyes lifted to hers.

"Love you." Carol smiled.

Daryl leaned in his body shielding the water from her, "Never thought I'd be happy bout the world going to shit but I would never wish for that shit back then back."

Carol nodded, "This is our life." Her finger linked with his and he pulled her standing rinsing them both off before shutting the water off.

"Hershel know?" Daryl questioned the towel going around his hips.

Carol looked over and shook her head, "Just Annette and you."

Daryl nodded watching her wrap the towel around her and she seen his eyes focusing on her stomach. He didn't look like she had expected. She thought he'd be mad or unhappy but he seemed calm, more calm than her. He was good with kids that was apparent from the moment she had met him but she didn't think he'd ever want one of his own. Sophia was half-grown when he came into their life and changed it forever. Now she was telling him he was going to be a father and he was taking it in stride like she was telling him the weather.

"Stop waiting for me to freak out Carol." Daryl met her eyes as he pulled his jeans up. "Aint shit accomplished by that...just fucking hope it's a goddamn boy."

Carol laughed and wrapped her arms around him, "Why is that?"

"Surrounded by mouthy women."

Daryl swung the door open and she retreated to the bedroom to get dressed while he disappeared down the hall. Carol heard a loud thump and then Mac's loud laughter and fast foot falls. Sophia walked in her eyes wide, "Your pregnant?"

Carol looked over and smiled, "Yeah."

"You didn't tell me first!"

Carol shook her head, "Don't you think Daryl should have known first?"

Sophia huffed, "Mac knew before me! He's an asshole mom."

Carol laughed at the look of both men behind her. Mac was looking down at Sophia his eyes bright, "You always talking shit about me and then coming around demanding shit. I think I already like the new kid better."

Sophia grinned and wrapped her arms around him and then Daryl jerking them both to her, "Then how would you get excuses to harass Carl?"

Daryl's face twisted into a sneer, "Don't push me."

"Yeah Kit stop stripping and don't push him, keep ya ass clothed." Mac taunted throwing her over his shoulder.

Carol watched them go and shot Daryl a look, "How is it that I feel like we're raising your twin brother?"

"Cause we are."

"Now some men like the fishin' and some men like the fowlin' and some men like ta hear, ta hear cannon ball a roarin'..."Mac's voice carried through the house with Sophia's mirroring him.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP MAC!" Merle barked from outside as the door opened.

Mac's laugh was loud and obnoxious, "Me I like sleepin' specially in my Molly's chamber but here I am in prison, here I am with a ball and chain yeah."

Carol slept that night easier knowing that Daryl was onboard with her without fear of a new kid. Another baby for the group. Another Dixon. Carol smiled rolling towards him and feeling his arms wrap around her instantly. He grunted and mumbled something hushing her before he was out again. She ran her fingers over the scars that littered his chest memories of him being hurt, memories of him defending them.

Things weren't always going to be perfect but so long as she could remember the times they were dealing with things now days was easy. She would always be thankful for Mac's foul mouth that had caught her attention when they first got there and for Sophia's bravery with going over to them. It was those moments that opened her eyes seeing her little girl so open with two men who were rough and tumble. It was those men who rescued her and their daughter from Ed, from Shane, and sheltered them even now from the hazards of the world.

Carol tightened her arms around Daryl, "I love you."

His breathing was thick with sleep but his mumbled love you back wasn't missed and she smiled burying her face against his neck and letting out a breath. His arms tightened around her and she felt sleep calling her. They could do this and would continue too. It'd dawned a new day for them so long ago but it always felt new and exciting never losing that spark or hope.

End note...if you can name the son Mac is singing without googling then Kudos to you. ;)