In Another World (Kathryl One-Shots)

A World In Which They'd Go Camping

Daryl held Emma close against his side. The two were bundled up in a sleeping bag, Emma chittering on about her excitement to be going into kindergarten. Daryl had decided that this would be a tradition. Every year before school started, they'd go camping, even if it was only in their backyard.

Emma stalled her talking as a rustling could be heard outside. She let out a little gasp. "What if it's a bear?"

Daryl chuckled, and before he could say anything, Kathryn appeared in the tent. Emma rushed to her feet and wrapped herself around Kathryn's leg. "Mommy!"

"Hi, baby girl."

"See, Em," Daryl started, "ain't nothing but a mama bear."

Giggling, Emma returned to her spot. It was now Daryl's turn to rush to his feet to help Kathryn sit down. She gave him a grateful smile. Daryl smiled back, and then situated himself next to her.

"You ain't supposed to be joining us," Daryl said.

Kathryn shrugged. "Couldn't let y'all have all the fun."

"I'm having lots of fun, Mama!" Emma squealed.

Kathryn beamed. "I am so glad, and I'm sure your daddy is thrilled as well."

Daryl chuckled, and he looked at Kathryn with nothing but love. "Maybe next year we'll get farther than the backyard."

"You two maybe," Kathryn began, "but we'll have to stay back." Her hand rested on her stomach. She was about seven months along now. Daryl instinctively placed his hand on top of Kathryn's.

"Will the wittle baby like camping?" Emma asked, tilting her head to the side.

"I don't know. I guess we will have to ask once they have an opinion," Kathryn replied with a smile.

"'Course they'll like camping," Daryl said. "That's a Dixon in there."

Kathryn playfully glared at Daryl. "That's the reason?" Daryl grinned and captured Kathryn's lips in small kiss.

"Mama? Daddy?" Emma squeaked.

"Yeah, darlin'?" Daryl answered.

"Where did the baby come from?"

Fear struck the hearts of both Kathryn and Daryl. The two both froze under the innocent gaze of their daughter. Daryl gave Kathryn's hand a squeeze. "Kath?" he croaked.

"I uh..." Kathryn cleared her throat. "I think that's a conversation for another camping trip."

Emma stared for a moment before saying, "Okay, I'mma catch some lightning bugs."

Once Emma had disappeared. Kathryn let out a breath. "That could've been bad."

"Not ready for that topic," Daryl said quietly.

Emma's giggles reached the two's ears. "Hell, I'm not ready for her to go to school," Kathryn said.

Daryl pulled Kathryn close and pressed a kiss to her hair. "Me too."

"Mama! Daddy!" Emma called.

The two smiled at each other before Daryl helped Kathryn to her feet.

-:-:-:-

"And then Ms. Greene had us practice our alphabet!" Emma said.

Kathryn nodded as she continued to stir the pot of noodles. "That's wonderful, love."

"And then..." Emma was cut off as a cry could be heard. Kathryn's eyes flickered over to the baby monitor that sat poised on the counter. Her mind began to race as to how she could get the baby and keep the pot from boiling over.

Suddenly Daryl swooped in, pressed a kiss to Kathryn's cheek, and whispered, "I got 'im." A grateful look crossed her features as she looked up at her savior.

A few minutes passed, and Kathryn could hear Daryl's soft voice over the monitor. "Hey, dude, what's the fuss?" Kathryn grinned.

Emma continued her story, and just as Kathryn switched off the stovetop, Daryl appeared in the doorway of the kitchen with the baby in his arms.

"My baby brother!" Emma sang, delighted to see her sibling.

"He hungry?" Kathryn asked, walking up to Daryl.

"Don't think so," Daryl replied. "Once I changed him, he calmed down."

Kathryn placed a kiss to the baby's forehead, causing him to coo. "Hey, Ash."

Even at this age, Ash's feature screamed Dixon. He had Daryl's nose and cheekbones. His eyes were in the middle of changing however. His once crystal blue eyes were becoming greener with every day that passed.

Kathryn left Daryl's side to grab plates and silverware for dinner. Daryl watched Kathryn walk away, and a sense of overwhelming pride enveloped his heart. He glanced at both of their children and reveled at the life they had created.

They did this all on their own. They worked through all the bad and good times, and finally all of their hard work was paying off. Daryl never in his wildest dreams could have pictured his life this way. He never could have guessed he'd be the father of two incredible kids and married to the most incredible person to ever walk the Earth.

The future was bright. It held untampered possibility.

"Daryl?" He glanced over at Kathryn who was giving him an odd look. "What's going on in that head of yours?"

He grinned. "Thinkin' 'bout where we should go camping this fall."