Among the Unknown: A Daryl Dixon fanfic

Chapter 24: Just My Bucket and Me

Taylor's P.O.V:

  I practically lived in the bathroom the next few days. Puking my guts out hour by hour. There wasn't much food I could hold down either. Water and bread was about it.. Daryl occasionally fetched me more food and water while I made myself comfortable sitting in the floor.

There came a soft knock on the bathroom door before it slowly creaked open,

"Babe..?" Daryls head poked out from behind the door and scanned the room till his eyes landed on me. I gave a slight wave of my hand at him before leaning against the sink.

"Hey, how ya feelin?" He asked, he walked over and set down another glass of water and a plate full of bread beside me.

"I guess I'm feeling better." I muttered, my stomach made a gurgling sounded before the taste of bile ran up to my throat; I rushed over to the toilet as I once again emptied my stomach into the black abyss of the toilet. Daryl gently rubbing circles into my back as I calmed myself.

      Once I knew that no more surprise puke sessions were coming, I slumped against the nearby wall,

"Spoke too soon.." I groaned, I heard Daryl's dry chuckle echo off the tile walls stirring my headache even more. This sucked...

"Here, ya need to drink this." Daryl was then crouched down in front of me holding the water glass. I snatched it out of his hand and chugged it, washing that horrible, sour taste out of my mouth.

"Ya don't know how bad I feel fer me makin ya go through this.." Daryl's voice held all concern, he has been worrying about me like crazy these past few days.

"I'm fine Daryl, I'm fine! It'll all be worth it in the end anyway." He nodded,

"Ya.. Ya, it will.."

Daryl's P.O.V:

I could already imagine it, holding my newborn baby for the first time. It's short, sparse little hairs still damp and matted while it's eyes remained shut closed to the world.

      I could envision me tucking the fragile body away safely in my arms, rocking back and forth humming a soft tune. I would keep repeating to her/him how much I loved em even though they wouldn't understand.

      I also imagined how happy Taylor would be, holding our baby in her arms; a huge grin plastered onto her face as she stared down lovingly at the child. It was all I could think about.

-----

      I sat against the wall beside Taylor, she leaned her head on my chest as I snaked my arm around her waist, gently rubbing her stomach.

"Why don't ya go git some rest, ya look tired." I whispered, she sat still for a minute before sighing and getting up. Rick had brought a bucket into the bathroom for her to use if she needed.

"Just my bucket and me." She muttered, making me laugh. We both scurried out and to our perch, her laying down on the mattress after setting the bucket at a safe distance.

"Goodnight, Darlin." I leaned down and softly kissed her forehead.

    I started my way down the stairs when I stopped, I could tell Taylor was already asleep by the way she was breathing. She must have been real tired! I chuckled to myself and quietly walked away.

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"How's she doin?" Sasha questioned, Tyreese turned his head to glance at me, wearing the same facial expression as his sister.

"Still getting sick, she's asleep fer now."

"I hope she gets to feeling better." Her and Tyreese both returning their gazes upon the courtyard. I grunted, I wasn't even sure I wanted the conversation to continue. Their new people, strangers. I don't do well with strangers...

"That's very exciting." She stated, making me raise my eyebrow at her in confusion.

"The baby. That's very exciting, congratulations!" I nodded, now understanding what she meant. She had no clue how exciting it was, my own kid!

"Ya have no idea, thank ya!" She nodded and I awkwardly walked away towards the guard tower.

    I climbed the rusty ladder up to the guard tower and flung the door open to find Glenn leaning against the railing, turning to glance at me.

"I'll take over, ya can go on down." I called out, we switched positions; me leaning against the railing and him crawling down the ladder.

"Hey Daryl?"

"Hmmm?" He paused a moment before answering,

"Your gonna be a great father, I know you will." And with that, he was gone; back down the ladder to the group.

    I sat there a minute, trying to take in what he just said. Did I hear him right? No, I couldn't have. First Rick tells me how proud he is of me and now Glenn is complementing my future as a father? This can't be right...

    But no! I did hear him right, he said that; those exact words. I was going to be a good father, I know I was! I would work my ass off to get Taylor and that baby anything they need.

      I will NOT turn out to be like my father. A drunken bastard beating on his woman and kid, never! That's the absolute last thing I need is to be known like my father....