A Redneck's Wicked Game (A Daryl Dixon Story)

All In?

Chapter 26—All In?

*Adult Content

Daryl's POV

I wake up and realize Rowan's not beside me. I roll on my back and stretch before I look around the room. I see her curled up in the chair next to the bed. It's chilly even with the afternoon sun pouring through the large windows, she has to be freezing. I reach out for my shirt that's on the floor next to the bed and notice writing on inside of my forearm. I focus in on the writing, realizing what it says. I look back over at the beautiful sleeping girl curled up on the beat-up leather chair and take a deep breath. I was so sure she was mad at me, and she had every right to be. I could have been a lot more patient and understanding to her earlier but I let my worry and fears take over.

I sit up and put my tank top back on before getting up off the bed to search for a flannel shirt with sleeves. It's still chilly even though it's mid-afternoon and I'm actually dreading the cold weather that's coming. I pull the flannel on and grab the blanket off the bed, walking over to Rowan and covering her. I know if I pick her up off the chair to move her to the bed she'll just wake up and she needs to catch up on her sleep. I gently tuck the blanket around her and lean down to gently kiss her forehead. I find my boots and pull them on before quietly leaving the room. I leave my crossbow behind but since I'm not leaving the mill, it will be okay.

I walk into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and notice Carol sitting at the table reading a book. I pour myself a cup and sit down across from her. She glances up and gives me a small smile, "Where's your shadow Daryl?" I take a sip of my coffee before answering, "Rowan's still sleeping." She nods, "How's she doing?" I shrug, "Better I guess. She may not be in the greatest mood when she wakes up though." Carol gives me a disapproving motherly look, "What happened Daryl?" I set my coffee cup down and lean back in the chair as I mumble, "I think I screwed up." Carol closes her book and gives me a long look, "What did you do?" I shrug, "I gave her a lame-ass excuse." She nods, "Are you going to explain or am I supposed to guess?" I sigh, "I ain't good with type of shit." She fiddles with the edge of the book before saying, "I think you're better at it than you think." My face is full of confusion and she smiles, "You realize you screwed up, so that means you recognize the problem. You can always talk to me Daryl, you know that." I nod and mumble, "Noah's death made her realize everything she's missing out on. She's tired of having everything in her life dictated by what's happened. She doesn't want to waste her life anymore." Carol smiles, "I get that, so what's the problem?" I sigh, "She wants a baby." Carol surprises me by saying, "You'd both be great parents." I shrug, "She would be a great mom. I don't know about me though." She gets up out of the chair and grabs the coffee pot, refilling my cup as she says, "You'll be a great father Daryl, don't you think otherwise. You're not like your Dad."

I stay silent for a few moments before I mumble, "I don't want to lose her like we did Lori." Carol sighs and sits back down, "You don't know that will happen. Lori had issues before Judith came along. If Hershel had been able to do the delivery, Lori would probably still be here. Rowan is a different person and she should be just fine." I rub my hand across my chin as I think about what she's said. Carol softly asks, "Do you want a child?" I nod my head, "Yeah, I guess I've always wanted a family." She gives me a small smile, "Well sounds like you need to talk to Rowan some more. This is a big decision and you both need to discuss this. I'm gathering that you didn't talk about it earlier." I shake my head, "No I just shut her down with excuses when she told me. She didn't even fight back; she just nodded her head and went to sleep. I thought she was mad at me but I woke up to find this." I unbutton the cuff of my shirt and push the sleeve up to show Carol the writing on my arm. She smiles, "She didn't fight with you because she loves you Daryl; that girl has been in love with you since she first met you."