From Now On (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

Delirious

Lauryn's POV

I sat beside Carl's bed as Hershel hooked me up for another transfusion. Rick has already given two transfusions but is too weak to give more blood. This will be the second transfusion that I have given to Carl today. I'm starting to feel a little weak, but that won't stop me from doing all that I can to save Carl. Shane and Otis had gone to a high school in search of medical supplies. Lori came through the door practically in tears when she saw Carl. She looked over to see me next to him and I gave her a weak smile. 

"Lauryn bless your heart for doing this for Carl," Rick said holding on to Lori for support. 

"Anything for you guys," I said weakly as Hershel unhooked me from the transfusion. " That's enough from you today young lady, you've helped this little boy so much already, and you need what blood you have left."

"I can give more," I said trying to stand but ultimately falling back into the chair. 

"Maybe tomorrow, but for now you need to rest as your body replaces the blood you lost," Hershel said as he checked Carl's vitals. I nodded while looking down at Carl. I hope he survives this. I don't know what will happen to Rick or Lori if he doesn't.

"They're here," Maggie said looking out the window and making her way out the front door.

"Who's here?" I asked still a little delirious from the blood loss. Rick just shrugs. "I think it's the rest of the group," Lori said comforting Rick who looked a bit nauseous and worn out from the transfusion.

"Daryl's here?" I asked attempting to stand again, but Beth sat me back down as I was a little wobbly trying to stand.

"Yeah I think so, what's going on between you two?" Lori asked, but I never got a chance to answer since Daryl came busting through the front door. " Lauryn?" Daryl shouted and saw Lori standing next to Rick. She nodded in my direction. I see Daryl take a couple of steps into the room with a worried look on his face. " You're okay?" he asked still looking worried probably because I was very pale from the blood loss.

"Yeah, I'm good, just low on blood from all the transfusions," I smiled weakly lifting my arm to show him the wrap around my arm where Hershel took blood.

"I was worried something happened to ya when I heard the gunshot," he said making his way over to me.

"Carl was shot by Otis who was hunting a deer. I ran Carl here and Hershel's family has been very kind taking care of him," I said as I tried to stand again, but this time almost falling over. Daryl caught me and I started to giggle. " Yeah she's delirious, I think they took too much blood from her. Ya need to rest," Daryl commented looking down at me before looking over to Rick and Lori.

" Hershel told her to take it easy since she gave two transfusions which is a lot for someone so petite. But you know Lauryn, she can't just sit by while someone is hurt," Rick said more confidently as he started to feel less lightheaded. "Maybe you should take her to your tent so she can lie down,"

Daryl nodded, " Alright, Lauryn let's go," he said as he tried to help me walk towards the door, but I kept stumbling too much. He picked me up bridal style and walked me out of the house.

"Do you know something I don't?" Lori asked Rick who just smiled at her, " I don't know for sure, but one thing I do know is I haven't seen Lauryn this happy in a very long time."

Daryl set me down on the ground against a tree to keep me from falling over so that he could set up his tent. It took him less than 5 minutes to get it all set up with the sleeping bags inside. He picked me up again which caused me to giggle before setting me inside the tent on his sleeping bag. He turned around and was about to leave the tent when I whispered, " Daryl wait". He turned back around waiting for me to say something more.

I patted the ground next to me inviting him over. He came over and sat next to me, " thank you for taking care of me," I said yawning. I stretched out my arms before getting into the sleeping bag trying to get cozy. I didn't realize how tired I was until I lied down. "Did you mean what you said back at the CDC that morning?" I said sleepily as my eyes were getting heavy.

"You heard that?" Daryl tensed up realizing that I was awake the entire time.

"Yeah, I did. I just pretended to be asleep because I didn't want that moment to end," I yawned again looking up at him. 

" Yeah I meant every word I said," Daryl said in a faint whisper just loud enough for me to hear him. He looked down at his hands scared of what I might say next.

"Daryl, I love you," I said closing my eyes and instantly falling asleep. Daryl sat there in shock. He couldn't believe what he just heard. Did she really love me? He thought to himself. 

He leaned over pressing a kiss onto my head, " I love you too Laur."