Left Behind (sequel to Not Alone)

Ch. 9 - Meet The Baby

Merle

Damn I didn't expect to see Anna ever again after getting left in Atlanta. I sure as hell didn't expect to find her pregnant. Wonder who the baby's father was, I know Daryl won't be happy to find out she got pregnant. Hell my baby brother was in love with that girl! "Knock, knock," I said as I knocked on the room door Anna was sitting in a few hours after getting her back to Woodbury, "how ya feelin' Butterfly?" She looked up at me and smiled, probably from hearing my nickname for her after so long. It was weird seeing her there, her stomach flat again, with her baby in her arms. "Like shit," she said smiling as she nodded for me to walk over, "come meet your niece." "My niece," I asked confused as I stepped forward into the room.

I watched as her smile grew more as I stepped into the room, closer to her. "Well you always said you saw me as a little sister," she said smiling at me then looking down at the baby in her arms, "so that would basically make her your niece. But that's not the only think that'd make her your niece." I looked from the baby to see she was looking up at me once again. "What do ya mean," I asked now standing beside her. She waited for a moment, looking back down at the baby as she thought about what to say before looking at me again. "Daryl's her father," she said staring dead into my eyes as she said it. "Ya shittin' me Anna," I asked as her smile grew even more as she started laughing. "No Merle I'm not," she said, "Daryl's her father which makes her your blood too."

"So you and Daryl," I said smiling, "since when?" "Um," she said thinking back, "the second day I was in camp? Technically that night." I started laughing as she looked down at the baby. "We me and him went out hunting that night," she said lifting only her eyes as she said it, "didn't help I teased him in the tent before you poked your head it." "No shit," I said watching her as she blushed. "Why do ya think he was on his stomach when you popped in and I walked out of the tent giggling," she said smiling as she lifted her head again. "Damn girl," I said laughing, "didn't know ya were like that." I said as she shot me a playful glare. "In your dreams Dixon," she said, "so you wanna hold her or not?" I looked at her in shock for a second. "Ya sure," I asked, "I don't wanna drop her."

"You won't Merle," she said smiling, "c'mere. It'll be okay." I watched Anna as she helped me hold the baby right then when I looked down, I was met with small blue eyes. "What's her name," I asked looking down at her in awe. "Diamond," she said and I looked up at her. "Really," I asked as I laughed. "Yes," she said, "think about it, diamonds are one of the strongest minerals out there. I want my baby to get her strength in this world from her name. I want her to be strong like her father and uncle. That's why I decided to name her Diamond Dixon." I smiled down at her, she really was like my sister, and her being with Daryl made that even more true. "I have to find him though Merle," she said, her voice saddened now, "as soon as I'm able to I'm leaving. I'm going to find my daughter's father."

"You never were a Murphy," I said as she looked up at me in confusion. "What," she asked as I handed her the baby back. "You never were a Murphy," I repeated, "ever since the day we met you on your road, I always thought of you as a Dixon. You'll find Daryl. If anyone can it's you." I handed her back the baby as I leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Thank you Merle," she whispered as I straightened up, "you're goin' soft on me." I sent her a playful glare as she sent me a wink. "Nah," I said shaking my head, "I've always had a soft spot for ya because I knew my brother like ya." "Uh-huh sure," she said giggling, "ya know he told me about how you'd always tease him after I'd leave." "Did he now," I asked smiling, "well guess it's no secret that I knew something might happen. Get some rest, my baby brother would have my ass if I didn't let ya rest." "Thanks again Merle," she said smiling as I exited out the room.

Guys I am so sorry for not posting yesterday so I'll post twice today to make up for it. Enjoy!

-Kenz