An Unexpected Turn. (Entered for Wattys 2017)

Chapter 22~~the alarm

Rick came back. I smiled to see Thomas gone. Andrew, the short black one, ran off, and big tiny, he got scratched. Thought we could remove it like Hershel....

Then an alarm sounded. Beth, Clem, Hershel, and myself went one way. We ended up In The shower room, which was empty of walkers. We shut all doors we could find.

I felt a pain shake through my body

"Are you alright Georgia?"

"Ugh! I don't know"

"Is the baby coming?" Beth asked.

"Maybe"

"Daddy!" Beth got Hershel. He sent Beth and Clem to get towels.

~a few hours later~

I was holding the baby Dixon. We all walked back to the cell block. Then outside. That's when I saw Carl holding a baby, Maggie covered in blood, rick crying. I looked down

"Georgia?" I heard Daryl say to me

I turned to him "is she?" He nodded. "Is the baby ok?" He nodded.

"Boy or girl?" He looked at the bundle in my arms.

"Boy" Daryl smiled.

"A new Merle Dixon in the world."

"Merle Sophia Dixon" I looked at the bundle "that way we still include Sophia In the name"

He nodded. "I like it"

"You should hold him"

"Ok?" He seemed worried.

"Cradle him. Hand under his head" I handed Merle to Daryl. "I'll be right back"

"Georgia don't leave me-" I interrupted him

"I'll be right here, talking to Maggie"

"Georgia, I don't know how to do this"

"You'll be fine"  I smiled then walked over to Maggie, hugging her.

"Is Daryl holding your baby?" She asked

"Yep. He's mad at me for walking over here" I said

"He looks like he has no idea what to do"

"I'm pretty sure he doesn't know what to do"

"Oh.... well at least one baby in this community will have a mother"

"It's alright Maggie. Even before this, women still died from birth. It happens"

"I know..." I hugged her.

"Georgia" Daryl half yelled half said.

"Well. I guess I've got to go see what he needs now" she nodded. I hugged her quick and walked over to Daryl

"What?"

"Take him"

"Why? He looks so cute and tiny in your arms"

"Georgia please"

"Finneeee" I took Merle from him.

"So, any ideas of what we're going to need?"

"Formula? diapers? I don't know what else we might need" I said. "Ask someone with experience"

"Some days your aren't any help Darlin"

"You still love me" we walked over to everyone else.

"How you feeling Georgia?" Kenny asked

"Pretty good. Tired. But pretty good." I raised my voice a little "even though his father gave him back to me after five minutes"