From Now On (Daryl Dixon Love Story)

The Queen Desires

Daryl's POV:

My heart was racing and tears were streaming down my face. The road was starting to become blurry. I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse from yelling and crying. I was finally able to muster a whisper, " Beth... is she breathing?" I look in the rearview mirror to see Beth leaning down closer to Lauryn. She nods her head, " Yeah, she's breathing." I let out a sigh of relief.

I drove for another few miles until we made it to a clearing that seemed to have no walkers in sight. Little Dixon finally stopped crying probably from exhaustion. I need to find this little guy something to eat soon.

I threw the truck into park and ran to the back passenger door. I slid in the backseat lifting Lauryn's head so it was resting on my legs. " Sweetheart please wake up... don't leave us... you can't leave us. We need you," I look down at her beautiful resting face hoping to see her eyes open. Nothing.

"Laur... please... You've scared me one too many times. Stop knocking on heaven's door, okay?" I sniffled as I brushed her beautiful blonde hair. " Little Dixon, he needs his mama. I can't do this alone. He don't even have a name yet..." I frowned staring at my wife, the amazing mother to my child. You can't leave us, you just can't.

Beth whispered, " What about naming him Merle? After your brother?" she said looking down at the sleeping baby. I chuckled, " Hell no. I loved my brother, but that is a terrible name. No way is Lauryn going to agree to that."

"You're right," Lauryn whispered blinking a couple of times to adjust her eyes, " Merle is a terrible name. No offense Merle, rest in peace," she said a little louder regaining her voice.

Tears started to pour down my cheeks whether I wanted them to or not. I cradled her head, " I thought we lost you. I was so scared." She tried to sit up, but was still too weak so I helped lean her against me.

"I was just taking a nap... okay maybe I passed out, but I'm not going anywhere. I am really tired though and pretty weak and hungry. And I need food and some water first, if I'm going to be able to feed him," she said opening her arms and Beth gently placed our little man in Laur's arms without waking him.

"He's perfect," she said admiring his features. He definitely had my dark brown hair, but had Lauryn's cute nose. He had some of the prettiest blue eyes. They were like ocean blue, which he could have gotten from either of us. "Yeah, he is," I said supporting Lauryn so she could hold little Dixon better.

I had this feeling rush over me, that I have never felt before. I knew what love felt like when I met Lauryn, but this love feels even stronger, if that's possible. I feel like I can and will do anything for my wife and my son. There is nothing that could stop me from protecting them and loving them. I don't care about anyone else. All I care about is my little family.

I wish I could stay in this moment forever. Holding the love of my life, while she holds our incredible creation. She caressed his cheek causing him to wake up and instantly had a smile on his face.

"You guys are so cute," Beth said, "So if Merle isn't his name. What will you name him?"

Both of us sat in silence trying to think of what to name our son. "What about William? After your grandfather?" she asked and I shook my head, " Nah, he left for war and died not long after. And that's my dad's name too, so no. What about Noah, after your dad? He was a good man right?"

She nodded," Yeah... he was the best. I miss him so much. He would have loved you," she said smiling at me before looking back down at our son. I shook my head, " I doubt it. No parent would have loved me. My own didn't even love me."

"You had a different life growing up Daryl. You've changed and become the most incredibly caring, hardworking, selfless man I know, that will do anything for his people. My dad would have loved you so much, because you take care of his little princess. He only wanted happiness for me and someone to love and take care of me, and you do," she explained. I love that she thinks of me that way, but I still don't feel like I am worthy. I've done so much wrong, I don't know if I'll ever be able to do enough good to replace it all.

"Noah Dixon," I said thinking for a moment, " I like that sound of that. What about you little man? Is that your name?" I asked looking at my boy who had a huge grin on his face. Seeing that smile will never get old.

"Noah Dixon, I like it. Okay, now what about a middle name?" Beth asked and Lauryn just laughed, " It took us until now to pick his first name, I think I'm going to need some time to decide on a middle name. Can we get some food now? I'm starving and I know this little guy is too."

"Of course. We'll keep driving until we find some more houses to scavenge," Daryl said opening the door and walking over to get in the driver's seat when a walker came out of nowhere. Daryl swiftly took his knife and stabbed it in the head before getting back in the car. A whole hoard of walkers emerged from the trees, so Daryl jumped in the truck and sped down the road as fast as possible to get out of sight of the walkers.

" Can we also find some clothes for me to wear? I'd really like to get out of these clothes that are soaked in my own blood," she asked and I just chuckled, " Anything else the queen desires?"

"Clothes for Noah too," she said not even looking at me because she couldn't stop staring at our beautiful baby boy. I smirked, "And we'll find clothes for Noah too."

I sped down the highway looking for an exit hoping to come across a neighborhood that has everything we need. Noah started to cry and I knew it was because he was hungry. I need to find Lauryn food and fast. I only had about a quarter tank left so that means I really need to find something soon. We cannot go on foot with Lauryn being so weak and little man crying so hard that he will attract all the walkers in the area.

I turned on some music to hopefully soothe Noah for the time being. Guns and Roses started blaring through the speakers. I forgot Lauryn had a burned CD with a bunch of Rock songs she loves still in the CD player.

I turn back to look at little Dixon, thinking he would be throwing a fit with this loud music playing. Instead, he was snuggling up in Lauryn's chest about to fall asleep. He is definitely her kid.

Author's note: Hope everyone is enjoying the story so far! Any ideas about what the middle name will be?