Christmas dinner consists of me, Daryl, Liam and Travis. I think my mom is in her room, and I haven't seen much of Merle, but that's not a bad thing at all. I'm actually glad he's not here, last time ended in him pissing Daryl off. The two of them didn't have a good upbringing and Merle seems to like to rehash those awful memories at the worst times.

"I live for Christmas," Travis says with a mouthful of pasta.

I can't help it I laugh. There's zero tension at this table tonight so I have no reason not to let my guard down for a few while things are okay. Liam looks up, he's got some cheese on the side of his face. He signs excellent and goes back to digging in. I look next to me at Daryl who is quietly eating his food. He must sense I'm watching because he stop eating and looks over.

"I am very disappointed," he tells me.

My face drops in horror, the only person who doesn't like my Mac and Cheese. There's no way. Daryl smirks as he finishes what's in his mouth by swallowing.

"Disappointed that it took you so long to make this," he teases.

Daryl's smile literally takes up his whole face. It's a smile that for the short time I've known him I've never seen before. It's almost like the Daryl that was here when he first arrived was not the real Daryl. This right here sitting next to me eating a family diner at Christmas with a smile plastered on his face is the real Daryl. I think I more than like him.

"Funny Daryl," I say pushing at his shoulder.

He takes his arm throws it around my shoulders then kisses the top of my head. It's odd for him to act this way in front of Travis, but at the same time it feels almost normal. I like normal. Dread takes over when the thoughts in the back of my head start swirling around. It tells me things like how this can't last, and that it won't last. There is always the possibility that he will chose his brother over me.

"So we doing Christmas Story marathon tonight?" Travis asks.

He sets his fork down on his plate, his bowl is empty. That was his third one. He leans back and puts his hands behind his head.

"That's the plan," I say.

I stand to start taking the plates and Daryl stands too.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"Helping," he says reaching over to take Liam's finished plate.

"You don't have to," I tell him.

"I want to," he tells me.

He gathers some more of the dishes and heads towards the kitchen. Travis looks at me.

"Chloe, you look happy," he tells me.

"I am," I say.

"Good, it's nice to see someone smiling again in this house," he says.

I smile at him and leave the room with some dishes as well. Daryl's already at the sink. I stop in the doorway watching him. There's something sexy about a man doing dishes, and with Daryl's rugged appearance it makes it even sexier. I set the plates down next to him on the counter, he turns and smiles.

"You looking at my ass again woman?" he teases.

"Just thinking how sexy you look doing dishes," I say.

I feel my face flush, it's weird talking to him like this out in the open. I'm so close to him I can feel the heat radiating off his body. Something in me wants to just forget this whole Christmas movie thing and go to my room with him. I don't know what's come over me. I'm staring up at him when I hear a banging noise by the garbage. We both jump and turn towards my mother who has knocked over the trash can. Is she seriously drunk or high right now? Way to kill a mood mom.

"Don't get caught up with someone like that dear, you'll end up like me," she says.

She stumbles out of the room, I hear her yell something at Travis. They argue back and forth for a minute before I hear the door slam. It makes me jump. Daryl's thumb wipes at my cheek, I didn't even realize I was crying.

"I'll get you out of here," he promises. "I know it's a lot to promise," he says. "And I know you might not trust me fully yet, but just know that I'll try. Okay?"

I look up at him and smile, because right now in this moment I believe him. After the holiday is over I'm going to work my ass off. I will get custody of Liam even if I have to fight for it. I'd fight for my brother for him to be safe, I'd do anything.