He said nothing. Just stared, mouth agape. I could tell he was panicking, never having to truly deal with this. Lori was the only pregnant lady he's been around, but he wasn't in love with her. Sure, he cared about her but not the way he does about me.
"Nicole… Labor…." He whispers, "Fuck, are you okay? Why are you here? We need to get you to Denise. Oh god." He blurts out, grabbing my hand. I stifled a laugh, but it didn't help. He just looks at me, confused.
"I'm okay, I've already been to her." I sign, watching him relax.
"Still, you need to stay near her. What if something happens? Like at the prison…" He whispers, frowning at the thought of Lori. It was tragic. Poor Carl. Poor Rick. Poor Judith.
"Hey, I'll be fine. We're safe here. We just got to monitor my contractions." I explain, as the others come over.
"So you are in labor!" Carol chimes in, smiling. "I knew it. Ah, I can't wait to see that beautiful baby." She cheers.
"I call dibs on babysitting!" Carl yells, rushing over to us. "Your baby and Judith can have play dates. Im sure dad would love that."
"You know, when I had Sofia, it was painful but God, hearing those first cries is so worth it." She reminisces about her baby. I flash a sad smile to her. I know she's still hurting. I wish there was more I could do for her. I wish we could have saved Sofia, instead of dad locking her up in the barn. I'm just happy she forgave us and isn't holding a grudge.
"I'm the God Father, right?" Merle asks, drunkenly. "Ye' know little brother, imma raise that baby right. Teach it old Merle's ways." Oh, oh no. No way in hell.
I worriedly glance at Daryl, hoping he'll get the hint. He sighs, shaking his head.
"Merle, you can be the God Father when pigs fly." He retorts, laughing at his idiotic brother. I snicker and Merle murmurs something before walking off. Sounded like "then i'll make them fly." Or something along those lines.
I gasp as another pain strikes. Carol, you better be right. It better be worth it. I hold my stomach, trying to hold back noises.
"Okay, no, you're going back to Denise and I swear, if you try to leave, I'm duct taping you to the bed." Daryl says quickly, grabbing me and yanking me outside. It wasn't hard, so it didn't hurt me. I know he's doing what he thinks is right. I wilfully follow, not wanting to stress him or myself out.
When we finally get to Denise's infirmary, the new people are thankfully gone. Daryl barge's in, seemingly pissed. He yells for Denise, telling her to come here.
"Oh God, is something wrong?" She rushes in from a back room. She comes right to me, looking between Daryl and I.
"Yeah, she's hurting?" Daryl questions himself as I laugh.
"Oh.. so you're okay?" Denise asks me. I nod, playfully rolling my eyes at Daryl.
"No, no she's not okay. The baby is coming!" He continues.
"She's just having contra- Nicole, you're bleeding!" Denise freaks, looking at my pants. "Hun, go lie down, I need to have a look." She demands, rushing back to the room she came from.
I gasp and look down, starting to cry. Daryl practically shoves me into the room. What's wrong? Is my baby okay??
"Lay down!" Daryl urges, "Denise hurry up!" He shouts at the poor woman.
She burst into the room, laying down some medical instruments and medicine. "Pants off, Daryl out." She instructs, pointing at me and then at Daryl.
"Bu-"
"OUT!" She yells. He unwillingly leaves. I stand and take off my pants, feeling severely uncomfortable. I lay back down so she can do her job. "Nicole, I see the head. Push!"
WHAT?!
I stare at her, trying to process what she said. The head?? I've only been contracting for barley a day. They're not even that close together. How is the baby ready? I'm not even ready. Oh god.
"Push, Nicole!" She demands again. I do as told and push.
*Time skip*
After hours of pain and stress, the cries and wails of a newborn fills the area. I wince and try to control my breathing. My baby. Carol was right. It's worth it. Daryl cups my hand, staring down at our baby.
"It's a girl." He smiles, lovingly holding her.
"Girl…" I smile, reaching for her. He hands her over, as I start to cry. She wiggles in my arms, still crying. She has a whole head of hair and the cutest button nose. Daryl leans down and kisses my head.
"Looks exactly like you." He whispers.
"Here, let me take her for measurements and weighing. You two get some rest. I'll watch her for now." Denise says, taking Koraline from me.
"You did it mama." He cheers, pulling up his chair to be closer to me. I just smile. Daryl. He's going to be a great dad. Our baby is so lucky. "Can't wait for Merle to go find a way to make a pig fly." He jokes. Well, kinda. That is something Merle would absolutely go and try.
I can see it now: Merle puts rockets on pigs. No, he builds some weird redneck contraption made 80% out of duct tape. Or he take a baby pig and tosses it in the air with some fake fairy wings on it. Yeah, that's Merle for you.
I snicker, shaking my head at the thoughts. I grab his hand and pull him closer, signalling to get in the bed with me. He obliges and hops in the bed, being careful to not hurt me.
"I love you girly." He kisses my head again, wrapping me up in his warm embrace and love. Ugh, I adore this man.
"I love you too." I sign before falling asleep in his arms, listening to Koraline's faint cries.
YOU ARE READING
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Fanfiction"You don't talk much, do ya girly?" Started 07/15/17 Completed 05/22/21
