Modern Love 2: The After Years

Saoirse Grace

Saoirse Grace

(Seer-sha)

Looking down at the tiny girl in his arms, Daryl feels on top of the world right now. Holding her close, he can't imagine the pain Beth went through with her and not even being medicated at that. Beth, who has fallen asleep after holding her, looks blissful and Daryl can't deny happiness flowing into his life right now.

"Hey can we come visit?" Hershel and Merle come in, Van in Merle's arms.

"Of course. She's just sleeping right now." Daryl says titling the little girl to Van's view.

"Baby?"

"Yes Van this is yer little sister."

"Tiny little." Van whispers and they quietly laugh.

"Yes she came early to see you."

"Do you end up naming her yet?" Merle looks at the girl and then at his brother.

"Yes. We decided on Saoirse Grace Dixon."

"Saoirse? How do you spell that?" Merle gives a questioning look.

"S-a-o-i-r-s-e. It means freedom in Gaelic. Which is an Irish language. Irish blood Beth has. Irish and well, French." Hershel rubs a finger against Saoirse's face.

"Odd way to spell it, but it's beautiful, just like her and just like her mom." Merle sets Van on the bed, when they notice Beth has woken up. "Speaking if beautiful. How ya doing sweetheart?"

"Oh, painfully good." Beth smiles as Van comes up and hugs her. "how's my best man doing?"

"Love you mommy! My baby?" He points to Saoirse and they all smile.

"Yes. Would you like to hold her. Her name is Saoirse. Can you say Saoirse?" Beth says the name slowly and Van repeats it. Daryl gently hand the baby to Beth who gently, supporting the head, hands her to Van. Looking down at the baby, they can see his eyes light up as Saoirse opens her eyes and looks at Van.

"My baby. Seer-sha!" Van gives her a little kiss and luckily or Beth and Daryl, Merle had been takin pictures, while Hershel filmed on his video camera.

"So good Van. Keep her close to you an support he head, Baby Boy." Van looks up at Beth and then back at the baby in his tiny arms. Saoirse, being very tiny, almost looks normal size in Van's arms. Daryl smiles and kisses Beth's forehead and then lips.

"You did so good today Baby. I'm so proud of you." Beth looks up and Daryl and just smiles. Wrapping an arm around his neck she kisses him and just feels all the love in the world beat in her chest.

After a few more visits from people, everyone pretty much leaves. Hershel an Annette took Van home with them, leaving Daryl and Beth at the hospital. Looking at Daryl holding Saoirse, Beth feels infinite and complete. He looks so natural and peaceful with her in his arms. Reaching up, Saoirse grabs Daryl's pointer finger he was using to stroke her cheek. In this moment he stops and his breath catches in his throat. A tear falls from his eye and rolls down his cheek.

"Daryl? What's wrong?" Beth softly calls to him. Walking over to her, he sits on the edge of the bed and she too knows why he's crying.

"It's just, we never named our last little girl. And she's up in heaven nameless. How could we do that?" She was shocked he thought of this. Daryl isn't one for religion, most of the time, but now he's sitting on the edge of the bed, crying and holding their daughter. "Are we bad people?"

"No. God no Daryl. We didn't know. We were hurting. We can name her now. Let's name her so she doesn't go one without our love and thinking of her. Because I never stop thinking of her Daryl. I never do and I never will." Beth's crying too and they sit there.

After a few brief moments of silence Beth finally speaks.

"She's probably with yer mom right now. Sitting on her lap. Can she be Annemarie Hope?" Looking up into her eyes, Daryl can see the sadness in her. All the pain replayed and all the tears that have already been shed.

"It's perfect. Annemarie Hope is our perfect angel." Daryl kisses Beth and they look down at Saoirse. A quick twinkling sparkle leaves her eyes and they know it must be their angel.

Before leaving, Daryl tucks Saoirse back in her NICU cradle and kisses Beth multiple time goodnight. Heading home, he stares at the foot print on the ceiling that last ear caused him pain and anger, but now gave him hope. Getting up he runs to the kitchen and grabs a black permanent marker. Taking it in he puts a wooden ladder up in his room by the beam with the print on it. Taking the marker he writes in his best hand writing.

"Annemarie Hope Dixon-Greene 2014-2014. Our loving Angel is always with us!"

Putting the ladder away and laying on the bed with the dogs, he stares at the beam until he falls completely asleep.