Among the Unknown: A Daryl Dixon fanfic

Chapter 20: Off Guard

Daryl's P.O.V:

"Rick, I gotta talk ta ye!" I called out, I stomped over to the garden Rick had recently started working on. As I neared closer to him, I found him on his hands and knees placing something in the ground that looked to be seeds.

"Is everything alright?" He pushed himself off the ground and made his way to me.

"Not really... It's Taylor.." I paused, not quite sure how to bring this up. I knew that Rick had to be the first person to learn about Taylor's pregnancy. He was the leader and my closest friend, more like a close brother than friend though.

"Go on, what is it?" He snapped, getting impatient with me. I remained silent for a minute, dropping my head to the ground and shuffling my feet a little, suddenly becoming nervous. Why was I nervous?

"Taylor's pregnant!" I blurted, I continued to look at the ground afraid of Rick's reaction. I flinched when I felt a pair of warm hands on my shoulders, lightly shaking me, reminding me of my dads beatings.

"She's pregnant! That's great, Daryl!" He shouted continually shaking me by the shoulders. He was happy, he wasn't mad, or angry even. I shot my head up and stared at him with wide eyes.

"Yer not mad? It's a danger ta the group though, ain't it?" I asked, when Taylor did get close to her due date, that will be a hard time moving around and such.

"Not a danger, maybe when she is about to pop though. Daryl... This is amazing! Your gonna be a father." He dropped his arms from my shoulders and took a step back.

"Daryl...." He paused, "I-I'm proud of you.." His tone serious. Proud? He's proud of me? Nobody has ever been proud of me. Nobody!

    I shifted my weight around, feeling a little uncomfortable. How am I supposed to feel? Do I thank him? What do you do in this situation? I was clueless! I've never had someone tell me that before. This was all new.

"T-Thank ye..?" I meant for that to come out a little more like a statement but it ended up sounding more like a question. I mentally kicked myself for that, I should have better control of this type of stuff! Rick laughed,

"Did I catch you off guard?" He asked sarcastically. I chuckled nervously and nodded, yeah he did catch me off guard. We stood there in silence for a minute, me not knowing what to say.

"How's Taylor? She excited?" He looked at me, concerned, worried, and a little bit of pity. I hated when people looked at me like they were sorry for me. Nobody should feel sorry for me, not even myself! I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck,

"Well, she's scared... Scared she'll end up like..." My voice trailed off, I couldn't tell Rick that Taylor thinks she'll end up like his wife. I might as well just rip out my knife and stab him right through the chest if I was to say that.

    He dropped his head, nodding slowly. I knew he would understand but it still felt wrong to say anything. Especially when he has to deal with the heartache of it all. It's just not right.

"No, I get it, I get it. I would be to if I were her. Something that we just can't control nowadays." He replied, he brought his face up level with mine and gave a sad smile. I gave a slight nod in return,

"Now get back in there, you got a pregnant girlfriend waiting on ya!" He called out and motioned me back to the prison. I chuckled lightly,

"That I do." I muttered before turning on my heels and heading up the trail back to the cell block.

    I was so surprised that he took it so well. I would have figured him to be a little disappointed in me for not using "protection". I would be if our positions were switched, I'd be pissed! Though I can understand because this sort of thing already happened to him way in the beginning with Judith. He's experienced, he knows what to do and how to take care of kids. I respect him highly for that, and for taking it like a champ. Caring for a kid that's possibly not even yours, that takes one damn good man to do that!

    Though this is MY kid, and I have to be its father. I know  I don't know nothin about being a dad or even caring for a little one, but I'll learn. I will step up and take full responsibility, I could even ask Beth for some advice maybe even lessons. I laughed at myself, lessons on taking care of a baby? That sounded ridiculous, though it still sounded like a good idea in a way.

      My mind continued to wander off, refusing to come back. Will it be a boy or girl? What will we name it? Will it have my ocean blue eyes or Taylor's emerald green ones? Who will it look like most, Taylor or me? All these thoughts and questions flooded to my head, without any answers leaving me lost and frustrated.

"Dare?" That one voice immediately tugged my mind back from fantasy land and brought back here to earth. The sweet, beautiful sound of my dear sister's voice, Hanah.