Daryl's Broken Wings

Chapter 24:

He spent his night watching out his window and wishing someone would just drop the answers right in his lap. What should he do? Who knows what path to take? This morning, a knock on his door takes him by surprise. Wheeling across his flat, he opens the door and much to his surprise, Maggie is there holding Kylie and a bag of baby things. She says nothing, but plops the baby in his lap and leaves.

The child looks up into his eyes and he forgets everything. He hasn't seen her in almost two months and now he realizes that all he wants is her to be happy. He wants her to know her mother and father. Her blue eyes sparkle and he kisses her little head. He makes her smiles and it's the most comforting sound ever. Settling the child in his bed for a nap, Daryl goes to the computer and searches drugs thay are sold at the pharmacy that could act as a sedative or tranquilizer. He knows Carol mut have drugged him, but with what and why? It's not like he's the one who made Merle cheat.

He works tiredlessy for hours and well into the night, only taking breaks to feed and change Kylie and play with her a bit. A knock comes at the door, so wheeling over to it, after putting Kylie in her jumper, Daryl is taken back when he finds Beth angrily waiting outside his door. Before he can say anything, she barges into his apartment and starts in on him.

"What's wrong with me? Huh? Am I not pretty or old enough for you? Is it my candy? Or is it what Gareth used to do to me? Why don't you find me attractive? Why didn't you accept my dinner invitation?" She talked so fast, Daryl hears her gaspong for breath. He's never seen her like this before. Standing with her hands on her hips, she looks at him with distress and hurt feelings.

"Beth, now is not the time for this. It's late and..." She doesn't listen to him.

"I have been thinking about you all day, Daryl. You've made yer way into my head and I can't get you out. Last night I dreamt about you- I feel like I know you and I know I sound crazy, but..."
Wheeling over to her, he takes her hand and looks up into her eyes.

"Beth... Nothing's wrong with you. You are beyond beautiful, and I love your candy. I find you more than attractive and the reason I didn't accept your dinner invitation is because..." Kylie gurgles from the bedroom and Beth's attention is drawn in that direction.

Shit!

"You have a daughter? Oh my she's so beautiful." Going over to Kylie, Beth picks her up and holds her close to her. Daryl feels utterly screwed now. "You're so beautiful..."

"Kylie Rose." He sadly says and Beth fawns over the child. It saddens him that she doesn't even remember her own baby. Isn't it genetically programmed into mothers to instinctivly know their children?

"Kylie Rose. That's such a pretty name. You have yer daddy's hair and pouty lips. Hee hee." Holding her close, Kylie lays her head against Beth's chest and her hand grips the top of Beth's shirt. "She's so precious. You could have told me you have a child- we could've had dinner over here. Is it cause you thought I wouldn't want to be with a single dad?"

"No, it's cause I'm busy working on a case."

"Wait...the woman at the hospital- she's yer wife isn't she? Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I should've known." Handing him Kylie, she starts to leave. "Here I am, trying to figure out why yer not interested in me and yer married. I'm so sorry."

Before he can say anything, she's gone. As she walks across the park, she's crying from rejection and Hershel hides low in his truck so she won't see him creeping. He's not sure if he should go destroy Daryl or comfort his daughter.

What had Daryl said to her to make her upset?

Turning his truck on, Hershel decides it's better to just go home and figure it out in the morning.
Putting Kylie in her pillow fort, Daryl lays down and looms over her. If he doesn't think of something soon, he's gone lose everything all over again. The problem is, who should he be more scared of- Hershel or Himself?