These Awkward Moments

Chapter 57 Dry

Daryl's POV
We pushed the teams as hard as possible for the rest of the way home. The closer we got to Alexandria, the safer we felt. We didn't see any more walkers the rest of the trip. We slowed our pace a bit at noon to pass around water and food and make certain everyone was staying hydrated. "Hey Doc? You been sippin' on your drink?"

Delilah raised her head a bit and lifted her bottle towards her mouth to take a small swallow. Her lips were dry and cracked, and her eyes looked hollow. Her movements were slow and slightly shaky. I pulled our wagon closer to Roe's and gestured for him to look back under the tarp Delilah was laying under. He dropped slightly behind us so he could see. He shook his head and pulled back up even with our cart. "What ya wanna do brother?"

I shrugged. "It'll take a lot longer ta go to the Hilltop. Ya reckon havin' Rosita give her some IV fluids will be enough? I just keep thinking about that kidney problem she had when she got dehydrated when she was carryin' Bowyn.  I thought we were gonna lose her for sure then."

Roe shook his head and shrugged back. "I dunno man. I ain't no doctor. How 'bout we head for home and see what an IV will do. If it ain't enough, we'll tell Rick it's an emergency and take her in the truck to the Hilltop."

I nodded. Max was in the back of our wagon playing with the little ones. "Hey son, why don't ya see if ya can get yer mama ta take a few sips of water? She's been sleepin' a long time today."

Max moved over and tried to get Delilah to sit up enough to sip the water. He got several sips in over the next ten minutes. Then she sat up suddenly and leaned over the edge of the wagon, emptying the contents of her stomach. She groaned as she lay back down. Max tried again, but she turned her head away from him. He tried several times over the remainder of the ride. We were about thirty minutes from home when he moved towards me and whispered in my ear. "Hey Da. I been tryin', but mama won't wake up at all now."

I motioned for him to climb up front and take the reins. "Ride 'em as hard as they'll go son." I told him quietly as I climbed into the back of the wagon. I sat down and pulled Delilah into my arms. "Hey love. Can ya wake up for me? I need ya to drink a little more. C'mon Doc." I whispered in her ear.

Bowen and Maeve had fallen asleep, but Mercy looked at me in concern. "Mama ok Da?"

I smiled and nodded at her. "Yeah sweetie. Mama's just a little sick from ridin' in the wagon is all. We'll get her all fixed up as soon as we get her home." She smiled and snuggled up next to her brother. I continued to try to quietly rouse Delilah, and I also dribbled small amounts of water into her mouth every few minutes. The only response I was able to evoke was a quiet moan as she turned her head towards my chest to try to avoid my efforts to get her to drink. The final thirty minutes of the journey home was a nightmare for me. I felt completely helpless, and felt as if she was only slipping farther away from me.

I had never been so happy to see the walls of Alexandria. The watch opened the gate as we approached, and Max steered the team straight to the infirmary. I lifted Delilah down from the wagon, and carried her quickly inside. I laid her down on one of the cots. Max followed close behind supporting Magna. She sat on the sofa in the waiting area. "Max, Rosita isn't here. You grab your Uncle Roe and y'all go hunt her down as fast as you can." Max nodded and ran out the door.

I paced nervously while I waited for them to return with Rosita. The whole time I second guessed my decision to bring Delilah here instead of going straight to the Hilltop. What if it was more than dehydration? What if she needed more than fluids? Would Rosita know enough to figure all that out? It seemed like hours before they returned with Rosita, but it was probably less than ten minutes.

Max had filled Rosita in on the situation on their way to the infirmary. She rushed through the door and into the supply room to gather the equipment she needed. She came back in the room in less than two minutes with a tray full of supplies and a couple of bags of IV fluids. She hung a bag on a pole and attached some tubing. "How did this happen? Max said she's been really sick because she's pregnant again. But hasn't she been able to keep anything down at all?  She looks like shit Daryl!"