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

Big News

Chapter 50—Big News

Two weeks later

We've been busy the last few days, finishing the modifications to the bus and packing. We've also done some last minute reinforcing to the fences and the gate, Rick wants to leave this place locked up tight in case we return. I've been busting my ass and I'm exhausted, of course so is everyone else.

Daryl and Abraham have spent the last couple of days adding a second gas tank to the bus and welding together a metal box in the back of the bus to hold guns and ammo. Today they are welding metal plates on the sides bus and also a wedge on the front that can be used like a battering ram in case of herds of Walkers or other trouble on the road. It's beginning to look a lot like those vehicles they made on episodes of the "A-Team". That makes me chuckle every time I think about it; god I miss TV.

I've been packing the pantry from the list the Rick and Carol made, anything on the list goes to D.C. and everything else stays put in storage. I sit on a stool in front of the pantry shelves packing a plastic tote that's at my feet. I've been nibbling on saltines most of the morning and can't wait for this day to be over so I can go to bed. I've been attempting to get some time with Daryl for the last three days but he's been so busy that by the time we're done, he's fallen asleep before I could talk to him. It looks like we'll be ready to leave in 48 hours and I need to talk to him today.

I fill another tote box with food and slide it over so I can pull another empty one to me. I start packing MRE's in the tote and grab another saltine off the shelf; I'm almost done this package. They're a little stale but they're settling my stomach. I'm so engrossed in my task that I don't hear Carol behind me until she speaks, "When are you going to tell him Rowan?" I sigh as I realize the cat's out of the bag, "I've been trying to talk to him for three days but it's been crazy and he's asleep by the time I catch up with him; I don't want to tell him in front of everyone." She places her hand on my shoulder, "I agree this is something the two of you should celebrate in private, but you need to tell him before we leave." I nod, "Yeah I know, we need to talk 'bout this; it changes a lot of things." She bends down behind me and hugs me tight as she whispers, "Congratulations, Rowan." I smile for the first time in days, "Thanks Carol."

She gives me a final squeeze and lets me go asking, "When did you find out?" I sigh, "I had a feeling last week and three days ago I used the remaining 4 pregnancy tests, even though they are expired. I figured if they all came out positive, it was a pretty good indicator. Well the lines were pink as shit on all of them. Combine that with my tiredness and my upset stomach, it's honestly a no brainer at this point. Though I'm pretty sure I'm farther along than last time, my jeans are starting to get uncomfortable. I just wish my period had been more consistent, I have no idea when I'm due." I look up and she's smiling down at me; she shrugs, "I'd guess that you're at the end of your first trimester since you're nauseous but not showing. That would put conception around the beginning of March, which is very likely. We'll have a better indication as time goes on. You need to refrain from lifting anything heavy among other things." I nod, "Yeah I ain't bringing these totes upstairs, someone else is gonna have to do it." "I'll take care of it Rowan, you just get them packed up" she says as she starts to leave.

I finish what I'm doing and by the time I'm done the list I've got 6 tote boxes filled and ready to be packed into the bus. I double check my list before I walk back upstairs to find Carol. She's talking to Trey at the table in the main room. "Hey Carol, I'm finished. The boxes are ready for the bus" I say. She smiles, "Okay, we'll get them. I think Rick was looking for you; he's out by the bus." I give her the list and walk outside to find Rick. He's working on putting metal grates over the bus windows. I approach him and he asks, "Did you get everything packed up in the pantry?" "Yeah, it will be out here shortly, Carol and Trey are going to bring the boxes up. There's 6 totes but I think they'll all fit in the bus" I say as I watch him line up the grate to the window. He looks down at me, "Can you hand me the screwdriver?" I pick up the screwdriver off the ground, handing it to him. "Thanks. After I get this piece secure can you hand me the next grate?" he asks. I look over at the stack of steel grates and let out a deep sigh; I shouldn't be lifting these. I'm still staring at the grates when Trey and Carol come outside with a couple of totes. Rick hollers down to me, "I'm ready for that next grate Rowan." I look at the grate and take a deep breath, wondering how to explain this without telling him before I tell Daryl.

Trey walks over, "I got this Rowan, do what ya came out here for." I'm relieved but I also know Carol must have told Trey. I need to tell Daryl before everyone knows but him. I walk around to the other side of the bus to find Abraham and Daryl welding on a steel plate. "Hey, Daryl I need to talk to ya" I say over the loud sound of the small portable generator running the welder. He looks up, "Can it wait?" I shake my head adamantly, "Not this time." He gets up off the ground and pulls the welding helmet off, "This better be important princess, I'm trying to git done with this." I nod and start to walk away. He curses and yells, "Where ya going? I thought ya needed to talk." I keep walking, "Not here." I hear him curse under his breath, "What the hell has gotten into ya woman?" I don't respond and open the Mill door and walk inside, knowing that he's following me. I notice Rosita and Eugene in the main room so I walk up the stairs, Daryl bitching behind me the whole way.

I open our bedroom door and walk inside. Daryl slams the door behind him, "Well what is so damn important that we had to walk all the way up here?" I turn to him, trying to keep my anger in check but he's pissed me off with his pissy attitude, "Give me a damn break Daryl! How many times have I interrupted you and pulled you away from work?" He stares at me not saying a word. I cross my arms, "Yeah, just what I thought. The answer is NONE, so stop with the damn attitude Dixon. Ya ever stop to think what I have to say is important and private? Or ya just think I'm here to waste yer damn time?" He shifts his feet a little but doesn't back down too much, "What is so important Rowan that it couldn't wait a couple of hours?" I sigh, "I needed to tell ya before Rick asks me to pick up some of the sheet metal." He raises an eyebrow, "Tell me what?" He walks closer to me as I mumble, "I'm pregnant." He shakes his head, like he didn't hear me correctly, "Say that again princess." By now he's within a foot from me and I look up into his eyes; repeating myself only louder, "I'm pregnant, Dare." I watch the expression on his rugged face turn from shock to a full-blown smile, "Really? I'm gonna be a Dad?" I let out the breath I've been holding, "Yeah, if everything goes right you'll be a Daddy in 'bout six months I think." He wraps his strong arms around me and squeezes me tight, actually lifting me off the ground. He buries his face in my neck as he whispers. "I love ya so damn fuckin' much." I chuckle, "I love ya too ya moody ass redneck." He sets me down on the ground and loosens his hold on me as he apologizes, "I'm really sorry 'bout bitchin' at ya Rowan." I sigh, "It's fine, I've been trying to tell ya for three days but you fall asleep before I can. I know ya been working your ass off trying to git everything done but this couldn't wait. Carol caught me eating saltines to settle my stomach and then Rick wanted me to pick up the steel grates and help him." He shakes his head, "Ya ain't lifting shit. You're on light duty and I ain't taking no for answer. I don't want us to go through the hell we went through when ya lost the first one. I want ya both safe and healthy." I nod, "I agree, I will do or should I say "not do" whatever it takes to keep this baby." He leans in, kissing my lips gently as he pulls me against him, hugging me tightly. He nips at my lower lip and I open my mouth so he can slip his tongue in. His tongue dances with mine as I try to hold back to quiet moans his kisses always cause. He eventually breaks the kiss; touching his forehead to mine, his voice husky, "Guess we need to tell everyone." I give him a small smile, "Yeah Daddy I guess we do."

***And there it is Angels! Looks like Daryl's gonna be a Daddy. Of course we haven't got there yet have we? Only time will tell. I'm not only working on the next chapter but I've been getting things together for another story (& I think you'll like what I have planned for that). I've been working my butt off lately with writing and hopefully you are all enjoying the regular updates. Please comment and vote, it means so much to me! XOXO

v