Little Dixon (Daryl Dixon)

The Perfect Father

(( Avery's POV ))

Daryl stared at me for a moment, his baby blue eyes were full of mixed emotions, and I couldn't read them. After a moment, Daryl grabbed his hair with his hands and shifted his weight. I looked down and swallowed nervously. I had a feeling this wasn't gonna end well. I heard Daryl sigh and I looked up to see him walking away, the gravel crunching under his feet.

"Hey, baby brother, whatcha up to?" Merle asked, standing up. Daryl ignored him. He pushed past his brother, grabbing his crossbow, and disappeared into the woods. I stared after him in shock. I knew something like this was gonna happen, but I expected him to say something.

I closed my eyes and sighed before walking over to Carol. She was sitting with the other woman, talking and laughing. But as soon as I sat down next to her, the amusement disappeared from her eyes.

"Did you tell him?" She asked quietly. I nodded and buried my face into my hands, trying to keep my tears from falling. Carol rubbed my back comfortingly.

"Tell who what?" Beth asked, bouncing Judith up and down on her knee.

"Nothing, honey." Carol said sternly. "She doesn't wanna talk about it."

I shook my head, "No." I choked out. "They're gonna find out sooner or later..."

"Find out what?" Maggie asked. The women all seemed terrified, and I understood why.

"I'm..." I sighed and swallowed, bracing myself for the disappointment and lectures from the women. "I'm pregnant."

Silence took over us. It was like time just stopped right there. I couldn't even hear anyone breathing. The women all exchanged uneasy and worried glances. After a while, Cathy finally spoke.

"Are you fucking crazy?! You know what happened to Rick's wife! And now you're pregnant?!" She gasped, raising her voice. Carol shushed her, but Cathy ignored her. "It's bad enough Judith is attracting walkers, but with another baby? Jesus, Avery..."

My heart broke at what she said. I didn't know someone would just go out and yell at me... I felt horrible. I was putting these people at risk by bringing a baby into this world.

"Don't listen to her, Avery," Beth said softly. "Bringing babies in this world is a sign that life can continue. I'm sure you'll be a great mother."

I smiled weakly, "Thanks Beth."

"Does Daryl know?" Maggie asked. I nodded. "What did he say?"

"Absolutely nothing. He just stood there for a moment before disappearing into the woods..." I explained softly.

"What? And you didn't go after him?!" Carol exclaimed. "Avery, he needs you to go after him. Talk to him, make him tell you how he feels."

"But- but he doesn't want this baby," I cried. "Especially when the world's gone to shit!"

"He wants the baby, Avery. He just needs you to talk to him," Beth said. I nodded weakly and stood up. I went to leave, but turned around and glared at Cathy.

"Don't you ever say anything about Judith or this baby again!" I growled, narrowing my eyes. "Maybe you're the one attracting walkers with all your whining about how they're just 'different'.You're insane if you think they're people."

Without waiting for an answer, I turned around and stalked away in the direction Daryl went. Carol and Beth were right; I needed to talk to him.

I tracked Daryl easily. I wasn't a good tracker, but with the way Daryl was walking, it wasn't hard to track him. I found him sitting under a tree. His crossbow was by his side and his face was buried into his knees. I walked towards him slowly, the leaves barely making a sound under my feet. I stepped on a twig and Daryl's head shot up. Instinctively, he grabbed his crossbow and pointed it at me. His blue eyes were full of confusion and it scared me a little. I held up my hands in surrender and began to back away. If Daryl wanted his privacy, he'd definitely tell me, and I'd welcomely give it to him.

But he didn't tell me. Instead, he sighed and put his crossbow down before burying his face into his knees again. I stood there awkwardly, waiting for him to say something.

After a while, I got sick of his silence.

"God dammit,Daryl, say something!" I spat. Daryl's head shot up and his eyes betrayed his hurt. I felt bad for a moment, but I quickly pushed it away. Now wasn't the time for guilt.

"What are you gonna do? Just leave me to raise this baby by myself? I wouldn't blame you, but you have to say at least something!" I yelled. "You can't just disappear and avoid me for the rest of your life!"

Daryl stared at me with his mouth slightly open. He never saw me yell like this before and I knew he was surprised. Tears brimmed my eyes as I glared at him.

"Go on, say what you have to say," I spat, leaning against a tree. I felt a tear fall from my eye as Daryl spoke.

"Yer definitely pregnant?"

"Yeah," I said coldly. Daryl sighed and buried his face once again. I shook my head.

"That's all you have to say?" I scoffed. "Thought you'd at least say 'I'm leavin' you'."

Daryl looked at me again, and his eyes were brimmed with tears.

"I-I don't know what to say," He whispered.

"Like I said before a simple 'I'm leaving you' would be just fine." I spat again. Daryl shook his head and looked away. "I'm scared," He admitted softly. I stared at him, waiting for him to explain.

"Yer pregnant with my baby that ya probably don't want, but now yer stuck with it." He said. "I've always wanted a child..."

My heart softened at what he said, the anger inside me disappearing a little. But I braced myself, trying not to give it.

"I'm happy... I really am. I just don't know how to react to being told yer gonna be a father," Daryl went on. "I just don't wanna be like my father..."

When he said that, every single bit of my anger vanished. Daryl was scared. He was scared he was gonna hurt his child. He wanted this baby!

I walked over to him and sat down, my legs brushing his.

"You're not gonna be like your father," I said softly.

"Ya don't know that!" Daryl yelled. A single tear fell from his eye. Daryl was crying! "I have my father's blood. I have horrible anger problems. What if I take it out on our baby?"

"You won't," I insisted sternly. "I know you won't. You're gonna be a great dad."

Daryl smiled a small, weak smile.

"I'm sorry I made ya think I didn't want it," he sighed. "I want our baby."

I smiled and kissed him softly, "I'm glad." I whispered.

"I love ya," Daryl said. His blue eyes stared intently into my brown ones.

"I love you too," I said and kissed him again.

Together, we walked back to our makeshift camp. Daryl's hand would occasionally brush again my belly. I knew he was doing it on purpose, but he claimed it was an accident.

I couldn't stop smiling as we walked into the camp.

Daryl wanted his baby that was growing inside me. I knew right then that he was going to be the perfect father.