Maggie's POV

This was somethin' special.

It goes without sayin', of course. We just escaped a town full of cannibals and found ourselves on the cusp of another attack. I knew they would run or burn tryin' to stay, but Rick held strong onto the idea that we'd only be safe if we saw it to the end—their end.

And as we're all still thrivin' on the adrenaline built up over the last two days, out of the woods comes Carol. And just when I thought the day couldn't get any crazier, I was thankfully proven wrong.

Daryl I-Can't-Stand-A-Shoulder-Brush Dixon, sprinted full force towards her and swept her off the ground and into his arms. Had Glenn not been telling me "they'll hook up eventually" for months, I might've fallen over at the spectacle.

There was a weight in my stomach, remembering the last time I'd openly talked about Carol was to Rick right after her banishment. I had never meant what I said about Rick doing the right thing. I had only said it at the time because we had a prison full of sick people to focus on and he needed a clear conscience to concentrate and get the job done. We didn't need him envisioning Carol everywhere he went—his guilt had a thing for hallucinations.

The memory burned because along with Carol's banishment, came the government attack and…No, this was a moment for hope, and new beginnings. If I thought too long about that moment in time, I might start crying from sadness.

I had tears of happiness working my way down my cheeks. Just like Daryl did.

Glenn wasn't the only one to predict Carol and Daryl ending up together in one form or another. Daddy had mentioned something too. And it was a long time ago, back when I was deciding if eleven minutes with Glenn was really worth my time.

I remember slicing vegetables in the kitchen and overhearing Daddy and Carol talking in the dining room right after Daryl came back, bloody, impaled, and slightly shot because of Andrea.

"You need to keep an eye on him." Daddy told her, like a doctor giving a prescription. "His body can't handle any exertion right now. He's got too much drive though, and he'll push himself into a further state of distress."

"What makes you think he'll listen to me?" Carol said softly, doubting her authority over the hotheaded redneck. "I can barely get him to eat a decent portion of food at lunch. How am I supposed to make him stay on the property?"

"The same way you get him to eat." I could hear the smile in Daddy's voice. He always saw something before anyone else could see it. "Your devotion and loving nature always comes through in the end."

"Why not just get Rick to do it?" Carol denied her influence over the Hunter. "He listens to Rick."

"He listens to you too." Dad pushed. "Believe me. Just tell him what's best for him and why you need him to stay. He might throw a tantrum, but he'll oblige."

And he had. I remember seeing Daryl limp into the stables, Carol follow after, and him promptly exit a few minutes later. He'd looked pissed and aggravated, but he'd stayed.

He'd stayed 'cause she asked him to.

Back then, I never got it. I'd asked Daddy how he knew Daryl would stay if Carol had talked to him and he just gave a knowing grin.

"Both of your mothers have always had a subtle influence over me."

"Subtle?" I'd laughed. "They could get you to bend over backwards for pretty much anything."

"True." His smile grew in remembrance. "And do you know why?"

"You ain't a fighter." I'd quickly responded. "You just wanna make people happy."

"While that is the case, I always do what's best for my family first. Why do you think I'm giving Rick a limited time offer on his stay here?"

I'd stayed silent, partially wanting to fight for his group, and Glenn, to stay here as long as possible. He continued.

"I didn't just listen to them because I wanted to make both your mothers happy." He went back to answering his question. "I did it because they were both loving, selfless, and caring ladies. I knew they had nothing but the best interest for me. Doing whatever I could for them not only made them satisfied, but I knew I would end up better because that's all they ever wanted for me."

My eyes grew wider, realizing the truth of that statement.

"And I've been around long enough to see it for my own eyes." Daddy's face creased from the smile. "I can see it when it's happening to me, and when it's happening to others. Daryl cares about her, and while he might not know it to the fullest yet, she truly worries and wants nothing but the best for him. Hopefully, he can see what an amazing woman he has in his life. In time."

I watched Daryl pull Carol into him as he panted into her shoulder, looking the most relieved I'd ever seen him before right now in front of me.

I glanced up towards the clouds.

Not that you'd be surprised, but I think he finally figured it out, Daddy.