Too Far Gone // D. Dixon

chapter fifty-eight

Maren felt a sharp, stabbing pain through her abdomen yet again, making her bend over in pain. Daryl stopped, looking at her with concern.

She could feel the first twinges of labor as she started pacing nervously down the roads of Alexandria, trying to make it to the infirmary. Her hand rested on her swollen belly, and she couldn't help but worry about the daunting journey ahead. Daryl paced alongside her, his normally steady demeanor replaced with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Ah!" Maren grunted loudly in pain, "This fucking hurts..." As her contractions intensified, panic gripped Daryl. He had seen enough in this unforgiving world to fear the absolute worst, and the very thought of losing Maren and this unborn baby overwhelmed him. But deep down, he knew he had to be strong for her. This was a time that she'd need him more than ever.

"S'okay, we're almost there..." Daryl spoke to her, carrying her as she struggled to walk in pain.

"Daryl, he's coming!"

Daryl nodded, his grip tightening around Maren's hand.

As they made their way to the infirmary, Maren's worry intensified with every step. Siddiq, ever perceptive, noticed the fear etched in Maren's face. He approached her with a gentle touch on the shoulder.

"Maren, I know you're scared, but you're in safe hands. You're as strong as they come. We'll do everything we can to make sure you and your baby are safe." Maren managed a weak smile, finding some comfort in Siddiq's words. But it was only Daryl who was able to calm her fears.

"Maren, I'm here..." Daryl spoke in her ear, his voice filled with unwavering support, "You ain't doin' this alone, okay? We'll get through this together."

A sense of relief washed over Maren. She knew she had a strong support system to lean on, and it gave her the strength to face the challenges ahead.

"Daryl..." Maren spoke through her pain, gritting her teeth through her painful contractions, "I need you to promise me something..."

"Anythin'."

"If I don't make it through this-" Maren spoke, tears threatening to spill.

Daryl quickly stopped her, grabbing her shoulder gently, "Nah, you're gonna to make it, Maren-"

"No! Just listen to me, damnit!" Maren shouted, more harsh than she had intended, "If I don't make it through this, take care of our boy...take good care of him. Promise me..."

"I promise. And I promise ya that you're gonna be just fine, okay?" Daryl spoke, seeing her in a great deal of pain. If he could take it all away, he would. Even though he knew he couldn't, he knew the best thing he could do for her was to just be there.

Maren nodded, screaming her way through yet another painful contraction. Daryl's eyes narrowed, grabbing onto her hand. 

In the infirmary, Siddiq guided Maren through the long and arduous labor. Daryl stood close by at all times, his hand firmly gripping hers, offering words of encouragement and love. Both of them guided her through each contraction, making sure she was breathing through them.

As each contraction surged through Maren's body, she pushed with all her might, her determination unwavering, "Damn you, Daryl! You did this to me!" She yelled angrily, though he knew she didn't mean it.

"That's right," Daryl's voice filled the room, soothing and unwavering, "Damn me." 

Maren kept going, pushing with all of her might. She had never felt this amount of pain in all her life, but she knew she needed to keep pushing even harder now.

"You're doin' great, Maren," Daryl whispered, his voice filled with awe.

And then, in a rush of emotions and effort, Maren gave one final push. The room fell into silence as they all watched the miracle unfold before them. A tiny yet mighty cry filled the air, and tears welled up in Daryl's eyes as he caught his first glimpse of their son.

Siddiq quickly placed the baby boy in Maren's arms and a sense of awe enveloped the room. The weight of the world seemed to lift as they marveled at the precious life that had been brought into this harsh and unforgiving world.

"Hello..." Maren spoke to the crying baby boy, watching as he quickly grabbed onto her finger as she held onto him. 

As Daryl finally laid eyes on his son, the weight of Daryl's past seemed to dissipate, replaced by a newfound sense of belonging and purpose. His eyes were filled with nothing but fatherly warmth.

Daryl was at Maren's side, looking at her with a smile. The pair had a quick kiss, but a meaningful one. As their lips touched, the same electricity she had felt the first time had remained.

"So, does he have a name?" Siddiq asked, looking at Maren and Daryl as they smiled at their newborn son.

"Colt," Maren said with a soft smile, as she looked at Daryl, "Colt Dixon."

As the room filled with love and joy, Maren and Daryl shared a bond In that moment, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, their family would face them united, with unwavering love and support. And as they gazed at their little boy, they knew that hope could be found even in the darkest of times.

After all, there's gotta be something after. After everything they'd been through and had to do...they're not too far gone.