The light floated in to be witness to Alexandria's rebirth. Where before the cookie cutter homes were spread out a bit on lots, the new smaller more practical homes were springing up close together. With Hilltop's help, they had scavenged enough materials to rebuild all three settlements. Even though the Kingdom's population was all but decimated, the combined leadership council had opted to rebuild there as well. The three communities were now all considered "campuses" of sorts of a new free democracy. Leadership was decided by majority, although not much had changed. The residents still trusted Rick, Maggie and Ezekiel to provide the high up leadership roles. What HAD changed though was that each community had a cabinet of three people that represented their campus in a combined council of leadership. They advised the three heads of state, and in a pinch could overrule them in majority vote.

When the war was over, Carol came home to Alexandria to help rebuild. To her family. Most importantly, to Daryl. They lived together in peace in one of the smaller homes that they helped to build within the walls. They shared a bed, shared their problems, and shared their lives – simply put they were a unit. If anybody had a problem with them both being on the council, then nobody said anything, and they left it at that. The others in the communities had even taken to referring to Carol as Carol Dixon. They had shared in the pain of recovery from Negan, from the war. From the tragedy that was Mika and Lizzie. They healed.

It was all these thoughts of rebirth and rebuilding that were on Carol's mind as she walked through the streets in the early morning light. Her destination clear in her mind, her thoughts then went back to the loop of inner conversation going on in her head. How could she do this? How could she not have told him? He trusted her. He loved her. Would that be gone now that she had decided to confess? She hadn't shared everything with him. Not until just before she walked out the door. She quietly laid everything out to him, steeling berself for his reaction. When he didn't offer one, she kissed his cheek, told him she loved him, and that she would be back in an hour to talk more.

Her conflict was at the forefront of her mind when she tapped on the door to Denise's clinic. God, what was she doing? She couldn't lose him now. She wouldn't survive it, and then what would be the point in doing what she was about to do?

Denise answered the door and immediately her face went to one of compassion but not pity. She ushered Carol in and brought her into one of the side rooms so they could ensure they were alone for this discussion.

"Did you and Daryl discuss the options?"

"Um, well I told him the abbreviated version and the options we discussed. I told him what I needed to do. I told him about the four removals while I was with Ed. He didn't know before that."

"And, how did he react?"

"He didn't. It was too much I think. I can't force him to be part of this – it's mine to deal with."

"His too Carol. He loves you."

"I know, and we are going to talk later about it but he needs his time I think. It's why I am here alone. I didn't give him enough time to process it. I didn't want him to have time to think it out and feel like he had to help me choose. I can't put that on him."

"Did you tell him the risks?"

"No. He doesn't need to hear about all the ways things could go wrong."

"What did you decide to do Carol?"

Carol fought with herself for a moment, and was about to answer when the door flew open and Daryl was rushing into the room. He was flushed, breathing hard, and scared, but he was there. He didn't say anything, just grabbed for Carol's hand and steeled himself to remain beside her for this. She looked into his face, seeing the resolve behind his eyes. He still wanted to keep her safe. He wasn't going to let her do this alone. She crumbled then, the weight of her decision breaking her walls down in front of Denise. Her emotions betrayed the grief and difficulty of her decision. She couldn't speak.

Daryl squeezed her hand and put the other arm around her. He knew this decision could ruin any self worth she has managed to build up with him. Knew she was worried about his reaction, not about herself. He knew that he had to step up and make sure Carol knew he was all in this too.

"It's option one – all the way. No fuckin' around Denise, you best get both Dr. Carson's over here by tomorrow. We've got a lot to talk about, and I am not about to go into this half assed. I don't want her to go through more shit like that last time she did this. Get it done and gone."

Carol looked up at him and a wall of resignation slammed shut behind her eyes. It had been her decision of course, but he was backing her up on it. Is he going to hate me? Will he look at me differently, or just stop looking?"

"I already sent for them. They will be here by tonight actually. We will meet when they get here – all of us. I need to gather people here that can help. Rosita & Tara have to be filled in. They will be instumental in making this happen."

"Do what ya gotta do. Get the shit together to do this. With both of us on the council, it won't be a problem here at Alexandria even if Michonne ain't with us, which I doubt. I know Glenn and Maggie won't be a problem either. So that leaves Jesus at the Hilltop, Jerry, Nabila and Morgan at the Kingdom that could fuck this up for us. Make them understand Denise. I want them here tonight too. This can't go wrong."

"I will fill Tara & Rosita in first, and then have them send for the others." She nodded a goodbye to them, and walked out to find Tara and Rosita in the main clinic area to fill them in.

Daryl stayed where he was, offering his arms for her to curl up in. He wished he could make everything better. No matter what she had chose, their lives would not be the same – he knew that. No matter what, she was going to lose something. But he couldn't lose her. They spent a few minutes there composing themselves, and then walked out into the main clinic area together.

When they walked out, it was evident by Tara's tears and Rosita's determination that they had been told. He thought he was going to have to issue threats for them to get on board. But he didn't.

"Carol . . . . . how . . . . can I . . . . can we . . . " Tara stammered.

"Stop it now. Just get your asses in gear to get shit ready for this in case we have a fight on our hands." Daryl barked.

"We're on it Daryl" Rosita assured, and she walked out the door.

Tara stayed for a moment. She looked up at Carol and shook away her fears to be stronger for her. She nodded and went for the door.

Denise spoke then quietly. "Carol, I need to again make sure you want this. We could only do one . . . . that is an option."

"No – do both." Carol said.

Daryl squeezed her hand, looked up at her, nodded once and agreed. "Do both Denise" he agreed. "I ain't losing her now."

Denise nodded, went to the bookshelf that Pete had begun and took down a scavenged text.

"This is up to date to the newest technologies we had before the turn. Please understand that since we don't have those resources we have to treat this as we would any field removal. As you both know, we have done arms, legs, digits before. But this . . . . is not something anybody is prepared for. If there is an argument over resources, I will fight it. A double mastectomy during a zombie apocolypse is not something any run team can stock up for. But I will put together what we need to do the best work we can for you Carol. I promise."