Ruins

54

Everything from below my neck was numb. My eyes went heavy, and I couldn't help but let a sob escape.

I couldn't put together one logical thought until I watched Daryl kneel over Noah's trembling body. Daryl lifted his shirt and went to lift him off of the knife, piercing through his side.

"No, no, no!" I reached out stopping him. "Don't take it out yet." I breathed, ripping the scarf from around my neck. I fell to my knees, motioning for Daryl to sit him up, earning a yelp from Noah.

"I know, I know. I'm so sorry." I breathed. I circled the scarf around his waist, securing the knife in place. "We have to get him home now." I lifted my hand, dragging it across my wet cheeks. "Now Daryl!" I pushed myself up.

"Go, just go!" Carol nodded. I pushed Daryl froward and glanced back at Lydia, beckoning her to follow.

I followed as quickly as I could, pushing myself behind Daryl, but the sight of my son's limp legs swinging as Daryl carried him.

I let out a sob, and couldn't catch my breath, but before I could stop a body collided into my back and scooped me up.

It was only until the sight of the walls of Alexandria appeared that I realized it was Negan that was carrying me.

I sat up, pushing myself away from his chest. I felt my feet hit the ground and barely caught myself. I ran ahead of Daryl, hitting the gate.

I watched it slid open, revealing Marco from Hilltop.

"Come on!" I called, hitting the gate. He opened it and I pushed through, guiding Daryl then Lydia inside. Negan followed and I pointed at Marco. "You stay here. Wait for the others!"

I rushed behind Daryl and Lydia, ignoring the fact that I was beginning to grow cold. We ran through Alexandria, not even acknowledging the carnage the Whisperers had left for us.

"Lay him down!" I yelled before getting to the infirmary. I pushed through the room, grabbing at a cart. I took the scissors cutting my scarf and shirt from him. He looked pale, but I could see his chest rising and falling.

"Okay." I blew a breath out. "Turn him to his side." I spoke, calming my trembling hands. "Lydia go to that cabinet and give the gauze pads." I pointed, before holding my son's side and sliding the blade out as gently as possible. It had punctured through his back and barely poked through his stomach.

"Now Lydia." I breathed reaching out to grab them. I pressed the gauze against his stomach, reaching back to the drawers for the medical tape. I secured the gauze on his stomach first then had Daryl turn him to his stomach.

My lip quivered at the sight of his unconscious, limp body being moved so easily.

An overwhelming heat seared through me and I hunched forward, holding the table he was on. I let out a groan and crossed my ankles.

"Oh shit. Daryl." I heard Negan's voice.

I sat up, and poured alcohol over the next gauze pad, cleaning the area on his back. It continued to pulse blood out, so I held it tightly against him.

"Samara." Daryl spoke lowly. He watched me with worried eyes, through his bangs.

"My water broke." My voice shook. "I know." I nodded. I replaced the pad until it stopped seeping through. "Lydia, I need the sutures in that same cabinet, all the way at the bottom." I ordered slowly.

"Sam you need to be sitting down-"

"I need to be taking care of my son!" I snapped at Daryl. "I'm-" I stopped, feeling a heat sear through me again. "I'm okay." I forced out.

I took the suture from Lydia dousing it in alcohol. "If he comes to, I need you to hold him down." I breathed. "Do not let him move."

I looked at Daryl's troubled face.

"Okay, Daryl?"

"Okay."

I moved the gauze, beginning to tie the first stitch.

I heard his little moan and stilled my hands.

"Mommy-"

"It's okay, little man. You're gon' be fine."

"Mommy!" He thrashed against the table.

"Daryl!" I warned. Daryl's face crumpled as he held Noah against the table. I sent a glance passed Lydia to Negan begging him with my eyes. He moved across the room, hunching over the lower half of his body, holding him still. I finished the next stitch and Noah's cries died down.

"What happen- what happened!" Daryl shouted.

"He just knocked out. It's okay." I breathed, focusing on the stitches. I secured a bandage over his back and had them flip him to close the wound on his stomach. I watched my hands tremble as I secured a bandage, and let out a breath. "Okay." I nodded.

Daryl shook his head, and bent forward to kiss Noah's head.

"Thank you." Negan breathed, standing up, over where he was holding Noah down.

"The hell for?" Daryl growled, moving around the table. "Huh? S'my kid! You get that? He will never-" Daryl grunted as he shoved Negan in the chest.

"Daryl!" I warned. "We don't have time for this!" I yelled.

I stumbled back from the bed Noah was on to the doorway of the first bedroom on the infirmary.

I could feel Daryl's hand find my sides and help me the rest of the way to the bed.

"I've only had one contraction so far." I steadied my breathing. "Just get some towels, and get Jules in here as soon as they get here."

I watched Lydia move to retrieve towels.

"Daryl." I grabbed his hand from the side of the bed. "Focus, okay? I need you here. When Noah comes to he's gonna be in pain and scared and confused and I'm... I'm about to push a baby out, so I'm gonna be busy."

"I'm here." He nodded. "I am."

"Good, roll Noah in here on that table."

I laid back, wiggling my toes to assure I could still feel everything.

Daryl rolled Noah in beside me, and sat on the bed with me.

"Thank you." Daryl spoke, dropping his hand on my side. He rubbed his hand up my back. "I-I- can't- I don't know what I'd do without you."

I lifted my hand over his.

"I can't believe he would do that." I breathed. "I mean he- he just-"

"He was tryna' protect you." Daryl cut in. I laid on my back and shook my head.

"I love you Daryl." I moved my hand up his arm. "But you owe me the absolute best honeymoon ever." I spoke, making him chuckle.

"Yes I do, and I promise you as soon as you're all healed up I'll give it to you." He smirked.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "White sand beaches, warm ocean water, nicest little bungalows."

I chuckled and sucked in a hiss as a contraction tore through me. "Oh God this was a lot easier last time." I groaned.

"You got this baby." He breathed, he moved away from the bed to pull a folded sheet from the shelf and lay it over me. He lifted it to pull my boots off, then my jeans and underwear. "I uh- I don't know what to look for?" He shook his head at me.

"A-A head." I let out a chuckle, feeling an odd burning sensation rip through me.

"I don't see-" I cut him off with a toe- curling groan. "Oh, I- I see it." He nodded.

"I don't think I need to push yet." I huffed, laying back.

"I'm sure they're almost here." He rubbed his hand up my leg.

I laid in agony for hours, just watching Noah sleep and holding Daryl's hand. The others had made it and Jules came in and took over for Daryl.