These Awkward Moments

Chapter 51 Found

One month later
Delilah's POV
Immediately after the turn most people had been focused more on survival than on procreation. At that point it had been fairly easy to find birth control pills and condoms. Eugene had calculated that we were closing in on almost five years since the beginning. Condoms were now a very rare find, and most people didn't want to rely on the few expired birth control pills that had been found on rare occasions over the last several months. For a long time after the turn, babies and small children seldom survived.

So as reliable birth control became more scarce and people began to focus on rebuilding their lives and the communities, there was an increase in pregnancies and growing families. Several times over the last few months we had new families with small children and infants come into Alexandria. Teachers had been added to the school to accommodate this growth.

Bowyn was healthy and growing, and my body was recovering well from his birth. I had started back to work on a limited schedule and still felt fortunate that I was able to take him with me to work in the wrap each day. Rick had decided to open a preschool for the smaller children in the community, and Mercy and Judith now spent four days a week there.

Daryl and I really wanted to take the family back to the cabin, but no one had been there for quite some time. He and Roe talked to Rick and they decided to take a small patrol out to make sure the fence was intact and no one had broken into the place. Rick even decided to go with them.

Daryl planned on the trip taking at least four days, but we were both hoping for less. He didn't want me to end up as panicked as last time if it took longer. Max was going to stay home to help me with the babies, and Roe had arranged for Jesus to come and stay with us too. I suspected that this move was more to keep me from heading out on my own to search for them if they were delayed than it was to have him help around the house. But I was ok with getting to spend some time with him anyway, because we had only been to the Hilltop once since Bowyn was born. Jesus arrived the night before the patrol left.

They started out early in the morning. I said my goodbyes to Daryl at home instead of making a scene at the gate. I knew that my hormones were still a little shaky, and didn't trust myself enough to not break down in tears before he left. Turns out it was the right call. "It's ok Doc. Ya know we'll be back in a few days. I wish we had some way ta communicate so ya wouldn't worry so much."

I sniffled and tried unsuccessfully not to cry. I lowered my head to his chest and held onto his shirt as tears rolled down my face. "I'm just gonna miss ya so damn much Daryl. Ya know I don't sleep without you. Between that and the hormones, I'm a wreck this time. I know it doesn't make sense, but I just can't help it."

He chuckled and pulled me in tighter. "Well Roe got you the perfect gift for while we're gone. Ya get all the time with Jesus you could want. Just don't you two get into trouble sparrin' and tearin' up the neighborhood. Now, give yer ol' man a kiss and let me see a smile on that beautiful face before I go."

I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. I was beginning to have some serious cravings for his body as my body healed. I pushed myself as close to him as possible and brought my lips to his. He put his hands on my ass and pulled my hips to him. I smiled against his lips and played along by rubbing my hips against him, feeling his body respond. Daryl nibbled my lip and I opened my mouth to his tongue. We both groaned simultaneously. Daryl pulled back from the kiss and put his forehead against mine. "Two more weeks?"

I nodded and sighed. "Two more weeks."

He gave me another quick kiss and whispered into my ear, "Just don't forget my offer Doc. Anytime you're feelin' better I'd be more than happy ta take care a you the same way you been takin' care a me."