From Now On (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

Exposed

That night was wonderful and terrible at the same time. Being pregnant was taking a toll on my body. I felt so swollen. I was getting night sweats. The baby wouldn't stop kicking. I felt nauseous every couple of minutes. I was ready for this baby to be out. Daryl has been the sweetest husband through all of it. He did everything he could to make me comfortable so that I could get some sleep. He rubbed my feet, fanned me when I got too hot, and massaged my back. I couldn't ask for a better supportive husband. 

The morning came quickly and I felt like I got little to no sleep. Poor Daryl got even less sleep than I did trying to make sure I was comfortable. We were up early though because I was hungry. Again.  

We were having a peaceful quiet morning when Sasha came running in, "There's walkers in cell block D!" she yelled running through trying to get everyone's attention.

I stood up as fast as I could worried about everyone, " How did walkers get in!? I thought we secured the place?" I yelled back to her. Daryl ran to grab his bow and everyone was awake now scrambling to find a weapon. 

"I don't know! I closed off the door that connects the cell blocks so we are safe here, but they need help," she said running outside to get Rick and the others.

Daryl ran down the stairs while I waddled down slowly. Daryl handed me my rifle," Stay here with Hershel. Help him keep guard the place, I don't want you near any of the walkers," he said before running off with Glenn.

I sat with Hershel watching to doors to make sure walkers stumbled in. I want to be there helping them, but I can't run too well right now. I should have kept active, but Hershel said I needed to rest as much as possible because adding more stress could hurt the baby. This is not how I wanted to be pregnant. I wanted to work out so I could be strong throughout all of this. I wanted to be the badass mom who could fight off walkers all the way up until I gave birth. But after being shot and all of the other trauma I have gone through, exercise would only increase the inflammation and stress already in my body.  And I blame the governor for it all.

I wouldn't be helpful trying to take down walkers if I am waddling around. So I get to sit here with my rifle and wait to shoot down any walkers that come in here. I could hear all the gunfire from the cell block next to us. It made me worried about Daryl. Who knows what they walked into. All I want to know is how walkers get in the cell block in the first place. 

We waited for what felt like forever because of my constant worrying. Finally, Maggie came running in, " It's over. No walkers left. Hershel, Rick wants you. They are trying to figure out how this happened since there are no walkers from the outside. It somehow started in cell block D."

Hershel stood up, " I'll take a look. Lauryn you want to come with? I know you've been itching for some action, and at least you shouldn't be in any danger in there with all the walkers dead."

I smiled and pushed myself off the seat to follow Hershel and Maggie into the cell block. We saw Daryl and Rick on the second level looking into one of the cells. They must have found something important in there. Daryl noticed me and had a confused look on his face, "Why is my lovely and very pregnant wife here? She needs to be resting."

Rick leaned over to him," I think you're being a little too overprotective." Daryl rolled his eyes at him and watched as I took my time walking up the stairs. He immediately ran over to the top of the stairs probably worried that I would fall or somehow hurt myself. He has been a little overbearing lately. It's sweet because he cares, but he's worried if I do anything besides eat and sleep.

"Daryl, I asked her to come with me. You know she's been wanting something to do and I figured she can help us figure out what is going on. She's a great problem solver. I'm here in case something happens to her," Hershel reassured him and Daryl stared at Hershel for a moment before giving a slight nod of approval.