You are my lifeline

Chapter 3

A half hour later Dr. Greene came back and took Daryl to carols room. She was on the top floor and the last room at the end of the hall.

"She has a private room. I figured you'd put up a fight if we tried to put her with anyone else." Dr. Green says bringing Daryl out of his thoughts.

"I just want her to be comfortable doc." Daryl answered.

Dr. Green nods, "I know. Well here we are." He says stopping in front of carols door. "Remember she'll be out for awhile. And when she does end up waking up, I trust that you'll let one of the nurses know." He says questioningly.

"Of course. Thank you Dr. Greene." Daryl says nodding to him. Dr. Green nods and retreats down the hall. Daryl takes a deep breath and opens the door.

Her room is spacious. Her bed is right in the middle. She has a big window on the opposite wall, so she can see the city. The walls are pink with flowers on them and it smells like bleach. Daryls never like hospitals.

Daryl drags the blue plastic chair over besides carols bed and holds her left hand gently. Her face is black and blue and swollen. Her bottom lip is all stitched up from being busted open. There are bruises snaking up both her arms. Her right leg is in bulky cast.

Tears prick Daryls eyes, "I'm so sorry Carol. I should of never let ya marry that asshole."

Daryl rests his head on carols bed and closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Someone nudges Daryls shoulder, "Leave me be." He mumbles burying his face into the bed.

"Daryl wake up. It's me Rick." Rick nudges him again.

Daryl opens his eyes and picks his head up. He has a stiff neck from laying the way he was, "Hey man." Daryl says in a husky voice.

"How's she doing?" Rick says nodding to Carol.

Daryl shrugs, "I guess okay. Dr. Green said she'd be out for awhile. She shattered her entire right leg. So they had to put a plate and rod in it. Probably more. And they had to stitch up the gash in her head." He answers.

Rick looks sick to his stomach, "Oh my god. At least she's alive. That's the important thing." Rick says patting him on the shoulder.

Daryl leans back in his chair and glances at Carol, "Dr. Greene also said she was pregnant. But with all the trauma she went through, she lost the baby."

Rick kneels down next to Daryl and puts his face in his hands, "She's been talking to Michonne about how much she wants a baby and that she thought it would change things for her and Ed. She's going to be crushed."

Daryl just nods. Rick and Daryl fall into a comfortable silence, listening to carols faint breathing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Daryl, why don't we head down to the cafe and get some food. You probably haven't eaten since yesterday." Rick says eyeing him.

Like on que Daryls stomach grumbles filling the quite room, "Damn stomach, giving me away." He says standing up.

Daryl casts one last glance to Carol before heading towards the door.

"She'll be here when we get back. We won't be long." Rick says reassuringly holding the door open. Daryl nods and walks out the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Daryl and Rick decided to eat in the cafe. Daryl went with a salad and Rick took the chance on some chicken.

"So, how long have you been in love with Carol?" Rick asks in between bites.

Daryl chokes on his food and coughs until it isn't stuck in his throat anymore, "What are ya talking about?" He asks slightly out of breath.

Rick shrugs, "You know exactly what I'm talking about. How long?" Rick says eyeing him.

Daryl takes a drink of his coke, "I'm not sure." He whispers.

Rick nods and takes one last bite of his food, "Well if I were you. I'd tell her as soon as you get a chance." He says standing up. "I also hate to eat and run, but I gotta pick Michonne up at work. She has a doctors appointment. She's been a little under the weather. Call me when she wakes up."

Daryl nods, "Hope chonne is okay. And I will. Thank you."

Rick nods and leaves. Daryl finishes up his food and heads back to carols room. As he rides the elevator up, he can't help but think when exactly he fell in love with her.

He knew that he couldn't tell her just yet, not with everything that's going on. But when the time is right he will.

The elevator dings and he gets off and heads down the end of the hall. When he reaches her room he opens the door and sees Carol sitting up in bed.

"Hey pookie."