Side-by-Side

Chapter 23

Daryl's P.O.V.

Waking up to my chest pressed against Carly's back, our legs intertwined, my face nuzzled into her hair, one of my arms under her head and the other thrown over her waist, holding her against me was one of the most relieving things. My thumb was gently rubbing her still flat stomach, and a million thoughts were running through my head. Most of the thoughts consisted of the baby... Our baby. 

Carly had just found out that she was pregnant. Which means that she has been going out on runs alone and that really bothered me now. She could've gotten hurt, she could've died and taken the baby with her. Our baby. Then there is her eating habits, where she isn't eating as much as she should for one person, and now she needs to eat for two. Her mood swings are another thing, she is happy one second and pissed off the next, and I may not be an expert but I know that stress is not good for the baby. Our baby.

Other thoughts I've been having is whether I'd be a good father or not. I don't know how to take care of a baby, and I sure as hell didn't have a very good role model growing up. I promised myself that I wasn't going to be like my asshole of a father, rotting in hell. However, I wasn't sure whether or not I'd be good enough. I want to be able to give both Carly and our baby the world, but that is a lot harder in the world nowadays then it would've been years ago. 

Even though I can't give them everything that I wish to, I sure as hell promise to protect them and ensure that our baby lives a long life and will be able to experience even just a little bit of what a normal childhood would be like. Though we are behind these fences that Carly's father had put up in order to keep her in are acting as our safe haven right now, you can never be to sure when something can go wrong. I will be ready to fight like hell to protect my two favourite people in the world and I know that if someone were to have to go down that I would sacrifice myself to ensure that they will live longer. 

Carly began to stir in her sleep, bringing me out of my thoughts and focusing my attention to her. She turned around, her face now being buried in the crook of my neck. Her right hand was pressed to my chest, while her left arm was thrown over my waist. I ran my hand up her back until it was pressed firmly against the space between her shoulder blades. I drew small and different shapes on her back with my index finger and just admiring the beautiful girl who is entangled with me. 

Her white blond hair is tangled and pushed over her shoulder, exposing her face. Her eye lids were closed, hiding her beautiful and newly green eyes. She had small black bags underneath her eyes, but that was a normal feature these days. I could hear her inhale and exhale, just like I could feel her chest rising and falling. I pressed my lips to her forehead, thankful that at this very second, she is safe. 

My mind began to wonder again. This time the thoughts are all good. I being to thinking about Carly as the pregnancy progresses. The bump she will have, the frustration she will get when she realizes that she can't do anything anymore. I smile at the thought. She will be infuriated with herself and her eyes will turn into an icy white, a colour I have seen a lot of lately. Then she will place her hand on top of her swollen stomach and the icy white will change to green, a colour I wish to see when she awakes. My smile becomes wider when I think about that day at the prison. 

The day that she first developed the green in her eyes. The day I gave Lil' Ass Kicker her name. The night we first made love. That was the night that I proved to her that she meant everything to me. The way our bodies moved against the other was pure love. The feeling of her body pressed flushed against mine, and the way she touched my body had me weak in the knees. Carly made me weak, and I'm at her mercy. 

The beautiful blond in my arms was my weakness. Yet, at the same time, she was my strength. She made me want to keep fighting, to keep living, to keep trying. Yet I was at her mercy. She had me wrapped around her finger from the very beginning. Since the moment I connected eyes with her back at the quarry. I knew I loved her since the farm, when I ran to her aid. When I gave her my blood, some of the blood that is running through her veins this very second. The time we kissed when the tent fell. 

In every memory that I have of her, I knew that I love her more and more with each one. Each memory is filled with her. Perfection in my eyes. Even though we are both far from it, that is what we are. We are perfect. Perfect for one another, perfect with each other. 

"Why are you staring at me?" Carly's soft voice broke me out of my thoughts. I didn't realize that I was staring, nor that she woke up. 

"Because you're beautiful." I whispered. It was true, she was a good sight. 

She smiled and hid her face in my chest. I pressed a kiss to her head. She came out of her hiding spot and greeted me with her lips against mine. I raised my hand to hold her head in place, wanting the kiss to last longer than it would've. I wanted her to know that I love her. 

"I love you." I whispered to her as I pressed my forehead against hers. 

"I love you." She whispered back to me. 

I pressed my lips against hers again, and I felt her hands tug on my hair. She was smiling into the kiss and her hands began to travel down my neck and laid on top of my shoulders. She gripped them gently as she re-positioned herself to straddle my lap. 

My lips traveled down her jaw and against her neck, sucking softly on her sweet spot. A moan escaped her lips and I could already feel myself harden. I brought her closer to me, by picking her up by the thighs. I groaned as she grinds her hips down onto me. 

At this point, I know that we both don't want to leave the room yet, and when she reaches her hand down and palms me through my boxers I know that we are going to be here for a while, creating new memories.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!!

Guys, I am really sorry for the really long wait for the update, and I wish I didn't take this long but a lot has been happening lately. 

I am currently getting a really low mark in English and I'm sorry to say, but my school does come first. I am trying my best and I really hope you guys can understand where I am coming from.

Although I must say that you are all really amazing and I have been reading your comments, I am really glad you guys are liking my writing and how I am taking the plot into my own hands. 

I also want to thank you guys for helping me with my editing in both Together and Side-By-Side. I am taking your corrections into consideration and I will fix it when I do get a chance. But as I said, a lot is happening. 

You guys are really amazing readers and I love you all. 

So please do not forget to like and comment on my chapters and hopefully I can hear some input on what you guys are predicting in future chapters or what you wish will happen. 

YOUR OPINIONS MATTER!

Love you all!

~Chiara