Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Author's Note: Thanks for reviews on my previous works, I am super grateful. I think someone has linked to "Maternity Bras..." somewhere on the internet as I noticed yesterday it has gotten an insane amount of hits. Thank you so much, whoever you are.

It's been pointed out to me that Georgia doesn't get much in the way of snow. For the purposes of this story universe we shall either say it does or they are in a more northern state. If I decided the latter, I'll be sure to write about it at some point. I live in Wales, we get pretty much only rain...ever.

Super thanks to ShazzyZhang for awesome accent advice.

Yes, the title is taken from the amazing Cyndi Lauper song. "I wanna be the one to walk in the sun" is my new favourite lyric.

Have some more fluffy fluff!

The group had been set up at Swift Resorts for some weeks now, arriving just a few weeks before winter really took hold and sent them running for warmth. The snow arrived three weeks previous, a few flakes here and there that gradually turned into a snowstorm that buried them into the lodge they were now calling home. Although, for how long, no-one knew.

Every morning, two members of the group would brave the biting sub zero temperatures to clear the paths between the main lodge, where they would all spend most of their days, to the out buildings where they stored two jetskis scavenged on the last trip of the autumn season and a second building that housed their excess wood for the fire. Carol had initially volunteered for this task only when it was absolutely her turn, dreading having to wear half a dozen layers, only for it not to be even close to enough. She usually made a complete ass of herself by slipping in slush half a dozen times in the hour or so it took to complete the task. Everytime she paired up with Daryl for the chore he usually spent most of it laughing at her, no mean feat for a man who's facial expression almost never changed from "bored". But, as the snow climbed higher and there became less things to do in the lodge, she found herself incredibly grateful for a break in the monotony. There was also the added bonus of a bowl of hot water to soak her numb feet afterwards. Yes, that was definitely worth it.

Other than this chilly task, the main other job equally shared among the group was watch duty, which was performed on the top floor of the lodge, the former penthouse suite. With walls mostly comprised of glass and two balconies, it provided the perfect view point to spot any unwelcome visitors, dead or undead.

Daryl became very restless as time went on, unable to hunt in foot deep snow. Even if he could, there would be little to find. The group were very lucky to have stockpiled enough food to last them several months if need be. He often paced around the lodge in circles, tapping his hands against any surface as he went. He volunteered to do more guard duty than the others, although Rick tended to shoot this offer down frequently, wanting everyone to do their share. He cleaned his crossbow everyday, Checked the guns every other. The winter was clearly slowing down the Walkers, they hadn't spotted one in two weeks, even through binoculars. Everyone seemed to be letting their guard down somewhat.

Carol had discovered some wool and needles in one of the staff rooms just the previous week and settled herself down to knit some things for the baby, filling some time. It was a hobby that she had enjoyed as a child, taught by her grandmother and she found it quite a pleasurable way to fill an hour or two in the evening.

"How many feet do you think this baby is gonna have?" Daryl asked her one day, as she was finishing up the last few rows of her fourth pair. He sat on the floor in front of the fire, resting against Carol's knees, picking up the ball of yellow wool by Carol's feet and tossing it from hand to hand.

"As many as I need to keep the boredom away." She told him, needles clacking. "Why? Haven't you found something to do yet?"

"Naw. Cleaned all the guns. Cleaned my bow. Wood is done. Path is done." He started to unravel the ball of wool.

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few moments, before Carol noticed what he was doing. She looked down as him, exasperated. "Hey, don't tangle it up or you can sort it out."

"Somethin' to do then." The man muttered, although he stopped and started to roll it back. "We would not be havin' this problem if we stuck about in Georgia."

"Enjoy it Daryl! Come Spring it'll be back to running for our lives. I think this is the first time in months I've slept through the night."

"'S too good to be true. Don't stop being prepared Carol. We don't know if there could be a herd of Walkers ploughin' through here tomorrow." He stoked the fire a little, before standing up.

Before she could reply, Maggie came bounding into the room, bouncing up and down with excitement.

"It's November 18th tomorrow!" She told them. They looked at her blankly. "It's Beth's 18th birthday! Eighteen on the eighteenth!"

"Maggie, birthdays...well, they're kind of not a big deal anymore." Carol told her gently. "I mean, does Beth even know what date it is?"

"No, so we should surprise her! I saw some of that instant cake stuff in the stores. Can you help me make it? I'd ask Lori, but she's got her head down the the toilet again. I think the smell of coffee set her off today."

Daryl muttered obscenities under his breath, at Maggie or Lori, or even both, Carol couldn't be sure. She turned and shot him a look of warning anyway.

"Sure, after all, it's not every day a girl turns eighteen. She's on watch tomorrow right? We'll do it then, smell shouldn't rise up that far. We can keep it in my room. In fact, remember those things I brought home from that outlet?" She gave Maggie the smallest winks and a look of recognition crossed her face.

"Girls night in?" She asked.

Carol nodded. "Why not? We'll have a private party. Think we can get your dad to go in another room for the night? We can all camp in with you then."

"It'll happen! Thank you so much Carol, she'll be so pleased!" With that she turned and bounced back out of the room.

"What the hell is that all 'bout?" Daryl asked, a look of bafflement on his face.

"Enjoying the fun while we can. So, if you're bored, do you want to learn how to make a cake?" She put her knitting in the basket on the side table, deciding to finish it after making the cake.

He snorted, extending a hand to help her up. "If it ain't squirrel, I ain't cooking it. I don't go in for that shit. But I want some of that cake." He told her, following her to the kitchen.

Carol had successfully managed to bake the cake in secret, without any assistance from Maggie at all. No mean feat with Daryl sitting himself on the countertop, dipping his fingers into the mix everytime she turned her back. Back in the old days, she enjoyed making cakes from scratch, but now, with no fresh ingredients she was hoping a liberal spread of frosting would disguise the artificial taste somewhat.

She ended up giving him the frosting bowl when she finished and like a small child, he eagerly set to clearing it. She spelt of the number 18 in chocolate drops and ate the last few whilst watching him scrape the last dregs from the bowl.

"Couldn't do that in Georgia now, could you?" She smirked, taking the bowl from him, reaching out and wiping a smudge of chocolate from his top lip. He harrumphed and drew her into him, using his legs to pull her close.

"You're not really spendin' the whole night with the women are you?" He asked, running his fingers down her sides and stopping to twirl the tie of her cardigan round his fingers.

"Yup. You'll have to keep your own company tonight."

"Warmer than your icebox feet anyways." He told her.

"Quit whining like a woman. Honestly, I change my mind, I can't wait for this snow to disappear so you can stop moping."

Daryl didn't even bother to deny it. "A whole night of Glenn telling me how much he loves Maggie. Carl bugging me to play cards. Rick'll be bangin' on about the baby. Pfft. I'm going to see if Hershel will let me take his watch tonight."

Carol chuckled, pulling away to put the mixing bowl in the sink.

"It's one night, you'll live."

Daryl wasn't sure he would.

Part 2 shall be with you in the next day or two. :)