A/N: This is a pretty sad day for me. All of my hard work has paid off, but now it's time to say goodbye. I hope Norman and Melissa would be proud of how I have portrayed their characters. Writing this story has almost been cathartic for me. It made me realize that I have the capacity to handle bigger stories even though I'd convinced myself that I couldn't do it. I want to thank everyone who took the time to give it a chance, and especially my faithful reviewers. This goes out to you- Peta2, Lady Nebula, Dixonrocks, Allidon, BLulcy, peonies01, Ferdy63, BanannaFlvdSnow, vickih, AffairWithACrossbow, itsi3, HGRHfan35, Jasmin Jade XX, Rodgerse, adelicateflower08, Agcadx1, Effigy, marybethorama, ,maawwge, Lisab876, Shaniqua Nunyadambidness, Angelica Chibiula, and all the rest- you guys are the wind beneath my wings:*)

So, without further ado, I give you the final chapter of my saga. Cue the music!

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Ch24.

(Six months later)

"Do I really have to do this?"

"For the millionth time…yes."

Daryl grumbled. He hated getting dressed up. Well, it wasn't exactly a suit and tie, but he'd had to scrub himself down pretty good to look presentable. He only ever did it on really special occasions. In fact, there was only one other reason that he'd even consider doing it for.

Unfortunately, this wasn't one of those times. He knew he had to go, but Carol had argued with him all last night about making sure he looked presentable, and even though he'd made a big fuss about it, in the end she'd worn him down. When it came down to the little stuff, she always won. It was far beyond what he'd put up with from anyone else.

Only for her.

He'd barely been apart from her since they finally worked out their aggressions. They still had rough moments, but Rick had been right. Make-up sex really was the best damn thing in the world. There was still room for growth, but Daryl knew he was majorly improving in the ways that counted. She'd been more patient with him than anyone else ever had, which just proved her merit. Even now, as he stood grooming himself, he knew that he still owed it to her to do what she asked.

"Come on we're late." She folded her arms as she waited by the door. "I swear, sometimes you're worse than a woman."

"Keep it up and I'm stayin' here." He groused.

"Come on. It won't be a long party."

"Yeah, you say that now."

Carol sighed. "It's her first birthday. You need to be there."

Shit. He knew he couldn't miss Asskicker's first birthday. The fact that they had anything to celebrate after losing Beth was a miracle in itself. The kid had made it one year. He couldn't believe how quickly the time had gone by. He could still remember the first time he'd held her after he'd gotten back from the formula search with Maggie. She was a lot bigger now, and a lot more of a handful, but he still loved it. He and Carol usually took her a couple of times a week to give Rick a break, so in a way she was kinda like his extended family. He'd even been there when she uttered her first word, although Rick and Carol weren't too happy about it.

It's not like I meant to teach her how to say 'dumbass'. Coulda been a lot worse.

He'd eventually been forgiven, and promised to watch his mouth around her from then on. By the time her first birthday started approaching, Rick asked them if they'd mind if he threw her a little party to celebrate. To Daryl's surprised, Rick also asked if he could be there as the guest of honor. At the time, Daryl hadn't had a clue what the hell that meant, but Carol explained to him that Rick was asking him to be Judith's unofficial Godfather. He didn't know how the hell he was gonna live up to that kind of pressure, but he couldn't turn him down either. Besides, his one and only duty was to show up and keep the kid happy.

"All right, I'm ready." He huffed sullenly. "This'd better be worth it."

"It will be, and you know it." Carol reached up and kissed his cheek. "Come on. Let's go get Maggie and Glenn."

Daryl followed behind as they made their way further down the hall to the other couple's room. They had definitely bonded more since they were in close proximity to each other. Carol and Maggie spent a lot of time talking about girl things, while he and Glenn discussed hunting tactics. Glenn had even gone out with him a few times and was getting pretty good.

Carol knocked on the door, but it was interrupted by the sounds of shouting. Whatever was going on in there, it didn't sound too good. Glenn answered a moment later, a frown plastered on his face.

"Sorry, it might be a few more minutes. She's having a clothing crisis."

Carol chuckled. "Daryl was having a similar problem."

"Hush up woman." He scowled.

A few seconds later, Maggie came waddling up to the door looking frantic. She had surprised everyone with the announcement of her pregnancy not long after Beth had died, and Daryl was pretty sure that Glenn was the most surprised of them all. She was only about six months along now, but she already looked pretty uncomfortable. Daryl suspected she might be carrying twins, but if she was, they hadn't announced it.

"I'm so sorry guys." She looked like she was closer to tears. "I don't mean to hold anyone up. I just can't find anything that doesn't make me look like a beached whale."

Daryl looked away so he could roll his eyes, but Carol nudged him in the gut.

"Maggie, you're pregnant, not fat." Glenn said, sounding exhausted. "Anything you wear is going to look fine."

"Anything but what I'm wearing now?"

"That's not what I said!"

"Whoa guys." Carol broke up the fight. "Maggie, I think you look beautiful in what you have on. I love the pattern. It's very slimming."

Maggie sighed and made her way out into the hall. "Thank you Carol, I appreciate it." She looked back at Glenn, who was shutting the door behind her. "See, was that so hard?"

Glenn bit his tongue, which was more than Daryl could've done. They let the women take the lead up the hallway, falling back a bit as they yacked their way up to the C block like a bunch of old bitties sitting on their porch swings. Daryl looked over at Glenn, who still looked beaten.

"Couple more months and she'll be back to her ol' self." Daryl tried to encourage.

"I hope so." He sighed, looking over. "You're lucky."

"Why?"

"Carol can't have kids, so you get to be the cool uncle to Carl and Judith. I'd kill for a gig like that right now."

Daryl chuckled quietly. "You won't be saying that when you get to see your kid in a few months. 'Sides, you can still be like an uncle to the other ones."

"They all think you're cooler."

"That's cause I am cooler."

Glenn laughed. "Yeah well, you need to rub some of that coolness off on me. I need to learn how to deal with all these mood swings better."

He smirked. "Jekyll and Hyde huh?"

Glenn gave him a look. "You have NO idea."

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It was late spring, and the weather was finally starting to warm up again. Carol had missed being outside during the winter, but at least she'd had Daryl's strong arms to keep her warm during the cold nights.

The last few months with him had felt like a dream, but it didn't meant that reality wasn't always lurking around the corner. They still had regular arguments, but he was usually quick to apologize when he was in the wrong now. He had also been very supportive of her request to continue helping out on supply runs, but usually insisted on coming along to keep an eye on her too. She'd never admit it, but it made her feel better knowing he was close by.

They had come full circle in the relationship as well. Once he had figured out that sex wasn't as scary as he had been making it out to be, things had gotten a lot easier. They were careful testing the waters at first, but eventually found a pretty good pattern. It was the times they could be alone that she cherished most because he was almost like another person. He was still learning what she responded to best, but she always made sure to tell him when he was doing a good job. One thing that she absolutely loved was his attention to detail.

And boy is he is good with his hands…

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Daryl asked, cutting through her thoughts.

She smirked, grabbing his hand as they walked out to the courtyard together. "I'll tell you later."

"Is it really a good idea to have this outside?" He said, looking around at the perimeter. "Bunch 'o people standin' around holding food…ain't that tempting fate?"

"The fence is secure." She reminded him. "We checked it last night. Besides, it will only be for a few minutes. I know you're not big on celebrating things, but this means a lot to me."

He didn't answer back, but his face told her that he knew better than to argue. The rest of the group was starting to gather around one of the tables they had set up on the blacktop, and Michonne came out carrying a cake, followed closely by Rick. Carol watched carefully as Rick leaned down to whisper something in her ear before he pulled away. She wasn't sure exactly where they were in the romance department, but Michonne was trying desperately to cover up the smile that was creeping its way across her face.

"Looks like they're working things out." She noted, turning back to Daryl. "For a while there, Michonne was worried that Rick had decided to renounce women. Apparently she got his attention back again."

"She never lost it." Daryl confided. "Rick was having reservations cause of Lori. I told him he was bein' stupid passing up a good thing from guilt over somethin' that wasn't even his fault. Sides, s'not not like he's cheatin' on her."

"I agree, but maybe it was something he had to make right with himself first."

"Maybe, but I'm glad he figured it out."

"Took you a while to figure some stuff out too if I remember correctly." She pointed out, leaning in closer to him. "But it all worked out in the end."

Daryl gave her one of his grins that made butterflies erupt in her stomach. She wanted desperately to kiss him right then and there, but before she could act on it, Carl came walking out holding Judith.

Rick and Lori's beautiful child was the immediate center of attention as she came out for her party. She was wearing a special outfit that Daryl had picked for her on their last run, and her full head of curls were bouncing up and down as she was brought over to the table. It was amazing how much she looked like Lori, and it brought a tear to Carol's eye at the thought of what her mother had to give up in order to allow her to flourish. In the end, however, it had been well worth it.

"You should go help them with her." She gestured over to Daryl as everyone gathered closer together to watch. "That is why you're here."

"I will in a minute." He said, turning back to her with a look in his eye. "I told Rick I'd take guard duty tonight so he could be with his family. I was thinkin' maybe you could come help me out."

Carol was very confused. "Why? You don't need me to help you on guard duty."

"I know, but I'm takin' the guard tower, so we can have some time to ourselves." He grinned mischievously. "Whatdya say? Wanna screw around?"

There was a definite part of her that wanted to scold him, but the other part was starting to think that it might be a very fun evening. "We can talk about it later. For now, you need to go be a good uncle and take care of your goddaughter."

He chuckled, kissing her cheek before he walked over to help Carl out as they got ready to sing to Judith. Carol could only shake her head and laugh at the situation. They really had come a long way.

You're one hell of a man Daryl Dixon.

THE END!

A/N: GAAA! I can't believe it's really over!

Once again, I owe everything to my followers, and to my reviewers. You guys are the best and you mean the world to me. I promise I will be back with more stories soon, and I hope to talk to many of you again.

Keep supporting the fan fiction community and don't forget to worship next Sunday on the holiest of days...sorry God, but you take a backseat to Daryl next week! I plan to worship in a day-long marathon, followed by the consumption of all things edible until the bewitching hour comes around and I can stare at the masterpiece that is Daryl Dixon. I hope you will all join me in celebration, for it is a momentous time in the world of the dead. Even if you can't, just continue to support each other in the pursuit of a wonderful story, and as always-

LIVE LONG AND CARYL ON!