You are my lifeline

Chapter 4

Daryl walked briskly towards Carol. As soon as he reached her bedside he linked his fingers with hers. "I thought I lost ya." He said squeezing her hand lightly.

Carol gave him a weak smile, "You ain't going to get rid of me that easily."

Daryl chuckled, "Good. Listen, I gotta go get Dr. Greene." He said getting ready to turn towards the door.

Carol tightened her grip on him, "Please, don't leave me." She whispered.

Daryl leaned in and gave her a light kiss on her forehead. Carol sighed in contentment, "I'll be right back. I have to get Dr. Greene so he can check on ya." He said trying to pry her fingers from her grip on him.

Carol nods and lets his hand go. Daryl heads towards the door and turns around to look at Carol. "I promise, I'll be right back." He says to her.

He opens the door and heads into the hall. As soon as he shuts the door Dr. Greene is walking towards him, "Daryl, how are you?" He asks.

"I'm good. Listen, carols awake." He tells Dr. Greene.

Dr. Greene smiles big, "Well that's great news. Can you please wait out here while I go in and check on her? And have you told her everything yet?" He asks Daryl.

Daryl shakes his head, "No sir. I came straight out here to find you." He tells him.

Dr. Green nods, "Very well. I'll fill her in while I'm checking on her." He says.

Daryl nods and steps out of Dr. Greenes way. He watches Dr. Greene walk in and shut the door on him.

Daryl leans against the wall and a huge weight is lifted off his shoulders. 'She's alright' he thought to himself.

"Daryl!" Rick shouts pulling him out of his thoughts and walks towards him.

Daryl nods, "Hey man." He says.

"How's Carol?" Ricks asks.

"She's good. She's awake. Dr. Greene is checking on her now. How's chonne?" He asks.

"That's good to hear. Tell her we said hi. I'm gonna let you two have time alone. She's good. We actually found out we're expecting. No wonder she's been under the weather." He says chuckling.

"Hey congrats man." Daryl says patting him on the shoulder.

"Thanks, we're very happy. Hey, I stopped down to tell you that Ed is going to rot in prison for the rest of his life." Rick says.

Daryl starts pacing, "Good, that fucker deserves it." He says angrily.

Rick nods, "I know. I know. He also is filing for divorce. So Carol should be getting papers in the mail in a few days. And since I have connections, I'm gonna get it finalized as soon as possible." He explains.

"Thanks man." Daryl says nodding.

"You're welcome brother. I have to go. You take care of her now." He says heading down the hall.

Just as Daryl reaches carols door again, the door is opening and out comes Dr. Greene.

"How she doing doc?" Daryl asks.

Dr. Greene clears his throat, "She's good. We're going to keep her for about a week. She took the news well. I'll leave you to her."

Daryl nods, "Thank you for everything doc."

Dr. Greene pats Daryl on the shoulder, "Son your the one who saved her life." And with that he retreats down the hall.

Daryl grabs the door handle and walks in the room. Carols sitting up looking his way.

"Hey, how are ya?" He asks gently.

She shrugs her shoulders, "I've been better." She whispers.

Daryl sits down in the chair and carol grabs for his hand. "Carol, I should of never let ya marry him. We wouldn't be in this situation right now if I woulda stopped you." He says voice cracking.

Tears are streaming down her face, "There was no stopping me. I would of done it either way. I just should of known the first time he raised his hand to me wouldn't be the last time. I believed him every time he told me it wouldn't happen again." She says sobbing.

"Carol, why am I just hearing this now?" He asks tears pricking his eyes.

She sighs, "Because I thought trying to have a baby would make things better. But it would of just been worse. I know that now. And I'm upset about losing the baby. But at the same time I'm relieved, because I won't have something that reminds me of him." She said.

Daryl nodded, tears flowing down his cheeks, "Im sorry. I'm so sorry carol."

She shakes her head and brings his hand up to her mouth. She plants a kiss on each knuckle, "Don't be sorry honey. I'm okay. You saved my life. It it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here."

He nods and wipes his tears with his free hand. Carol tugs at his hand and he stands up. She places the hand she has hostage on his face and he places his head on her forehead.

Carol sighs and looks straight up into his baby blue eyes. There's a crackle of electricity that passes between them. He wonders if she feels it too. Carol tilts her mouth up and lightly kisses his lips.

Daryl stands completely still, just looking carol in the eyes. She pulls back just a little, but then her lips are on his again.

Her kisses are hard and eager. Daryl kisses her back. She runs her tongue along his bottom lip and he opens up for her.

Before carol can go exploring there's a knock on her door that makes them jump apart.

"Come in!" She shouts loud enough for them to hear.

Daryl slumps back in his chair avoiding carols gaze. When the door opens in comes Tara, Rosita, Eugene, Abraham, and a very Pregnant Sasha.

"Hi beautiful! We heard you were up and they said it was okay to visit. How you feeling?" Rosita asks, gingerly hugging carol.

"I'm sore. How are you?" Carol asks.

"Honey, I'm eight months pregnant and completely uncomfortable. But our concern is you." Sasha says hugging carol.

"Guys, I'm fine. Sasha, you shouldn't of came all this way! You should be at home resting. Abe, how could you let her out of bed?" Carol asks crossing her arms.

"Do you really think me saying 'honey stay in bed' would of stopped her from coming out to see you?" He asks planting a kiss on carols cheek.

"No, but you could of tried." She tells him.

Eugene and Tara hug her at the same time, "Were so glad your okay carol. We were worried sick about you." They say at the same time.

Daryl gets up and helps Sasha sit down, "I'm gonna head down and have a cigarette." He grumbled and carol furrows her eyebrows.

"Bye Daryl!" They all say in unison.

He nods and heads out the door. What the fuck happened? 'Carol kissed me. She kissed me.' He thought to himself.

His mind was reeling and he couldn't figure out what just happened, but he hopes it's a good thing.