Contagion

Chapter Twenty

Contagion Chapter Twenty

Taylor who had headed into the Greene house just to get away from the lingering tension outside chewed his lip as he came to a stop outside the room where Beth was and he watched Hershel singing some song to her about doodlebugs and she too herself seemed in much brighter spirits.

He was still surprised about what Kate had done and he was sure that was the reason Zac had been in his and Mac's tent last night but whatever was going on between them wasn't his business nor did he have a right to pick sides so he'd just stay out of it for once. Hell, he already had enough on his plate with Maggie.

Seeing Hershel look up at him finally he raised an eyebrow, "How is she?" he asked his voice coming out soft. He did feel for Beth because he had been in her shoes once while at the CDC.

"She seems to be in good spirits today," Hershel answered as he dropped Beth's hand and stood from the chair he had been sitting in beside the bed. "Aren't you, doodlebug?" he asked Beth as he looked down at her briefly before walking to where Taylor was standing.

"Well, let me know if I can do anything," Taylor told Hershel as he walked away from the door and into the living room.

"Where's your family from?" Hershel asked as he watched Taylor walk ahead of him, soon stopping in his tracks at his question.

Taylor made a face at Hershel's question, "Tulsa, but uh before that probably Denmark."

Hershel nodded his head at Taylor's answer, "Our family came from Ireland."

"Maggie Greene...I kinda figured," Taylor laughed knowing he had figured that one out pretty quick.

Pulling out a pocket watch from the pocket of his pants Hershel looked down at it as he walked a bit closer to Taylor, "My grandfather brought this over from the old country. He passed it on to my father who passed it on to me. I pawned it to pay for a night of drinking I no longer remember."

"You bought it back," Taylor smiled as he looked down at the watch in Hershel's hand.

"My late wife did. Josephine, Maggie's mother," Hershel clarified as he looked at Taylor briefly and then back down at the watch in his hand. "She gave it back years later when I sobered up. She was a good woman, my Jo. Maggie's a lot like her. When we were in that bar and afterwards, I thought about a lot of things. You become a father someday, you'll understand. No man is good enough for your little girl... Until one is," he nodded knowing Taylor was good enough for Maggie and that was why he found himself handing the pocket watch out for Taylor to take.

As Hershel handed him the pocket watch Taylor felt a lump form in his throat for different reasons. Because he had been a father and Hershel probably didn't know that yet, because he wasn't sure if he'd have kids again and also because of how big of a step this was for the man, giving Taylor his blessing.

"Go on now, before I change my mind about you," Hershel spoke again as Taylor made no effort to take the pocket watch.

Taking the pocket watch, Taylor looked down at it briefly then back up at Hershel, "Thanks," he said knowing that was all he could say right now.
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Kate who was headed to the Greene house for the vote on Randall that was to take place soon, came to a stop as she saw Maggie standing on the porch and she heaved a sigh looking at the oldest Greene sister, "I..I'm sorry," she apologized knowing she owed Maggie an apology. "For leaving your sister when you trusted me with her."

At Kate's words Maggie looked at her, "I'm not sure I can forgive you right now," she said honestly as she ran a hand through her hair. "But I'll come around," she admitted knowing her dad had taught her to forgive others. "Just give me time...and for what it's worth I'm probably not the only one you should apologize to. Your husband...and my sister."