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Chapter Fifty-Two: Daryl

I loved having a family. Yeah, I know I have Rick and the others, but this is different. I have a son. A son that will never be brought up the way I was. He'll learn early how to hunt, fish, track and survive in this world, but he'll never know what it's like to have his father hate him. Oh, no fuckin' way. I love this kid so much that sometimes it overwhelms me.

And I have Taylor. The smart-as-hell woman who should have run as far away from a guy like me...but didn't. She waited for me to get my shit together and look at us now. I can't imagine a day away from her and Lucas.

Merle would call me pussy whipped. I was and I'm damn proud of it.

I ain't got nuthin' planned today. I looked at Lucas who was wide awake in his carrier and decided it was time to give my son a tour of Alexandria. At three months old, he should know where he lived.

And it would give me a chance to show him off...again.

"Taylor?"

"Coming," she called out as she emerged from the laundry room. She had one of Lucas's blankets in her hand. "Hey, what's up?"

"Gonna take Lucas out with me. We'll be back soon."

"Alright, but wrap him in a blanket. The days are getting cooler. "

"Yeah. I suppose anything below sweltering is cooler," I said to my son. "Still plenty warm out there, but we'll listen to your momma."

I picked him up from his carrier and wrapped him up the way Taylor had taught me. I took one step toward the door when she called out, "Did you check his diaper? And take the diaper bag with you."

Of course, I didn't check his diaper. So instead of unwrapping him, I slide a finger inside and it felt dry. "Good man. Let's keep it that way until we get back."

I was pretty sure his gurgle was him agreeing with me. But I wasn't stupid. I saw the diaper bag next to the door. There was no way I was gonna carry that thing around. I reached inside and pulled out a diaper and shoved in the back of my pants.

Now we were good to go.

We walked around for the better part of an hour talking to anyone we came to. Everyone seemed to love my Lucas. We were leaving the front gate after talking to Rosita and Tara, when I saw Carol come out of the house she shared with Tobin. That relationship was still a mystery to me.

But then again people may wonder why Taylor is with a guy like me.

"Give me Lucas," she demanded. She didn't ask but basically told me to give her my son. But when she added, "God, I love this little guy." I had no choice but to hand my son over to her.

He was a chick magnet for sure.

So not like his Dad.

Damn lucky kid.

"What are you two up to?" Carol asked as she smiled down at Lucas. "How'd you end up such a handsome boy?"

I think she just dissed me. "Hey there. I'll take my kid back."

Carol totally ignored me. "If you ever need me to babysit, just let me know. I would love to spend time with this little guy."

"And where do you think Taylor and I are gonna go? To the movies? On a damn date?"

"At some point, she's gonna need a break, even if it's just for a few hours to nap or whatever. When that happens, you bring this little guy down to Aunt Carol. I'm ready whenever you are."

"Alright. Got it. Thanks, Carol. I'll tell...Taylor." The air was suddenly filled with the pungent smell of shit.

Carol raised Lucas up to her nose. "Yeah, it's him."