Beth's belly had grown huge, swelling out so far in front of her that she could no longer see her own shoes. Daryl tied them for her. He finished lacing up her second boot and tilted his head to look at her. She smiled back down at him from her sitting position on the bed.

"Thanks" she said.

"Don't mention it" he smiled. Reaching up he placed a hand on the bump his growing child created under her shirt. Rubbing gently he felt small rolling movements meet his own, and then one hard kick into the middle of his palm.

"Ouch" Beth hissed.

A huge smile overtook Daryl's face. "It's the Dixon blood. Can't be helped" he chuckled.

"Sometimes I forget there's going to be two of y'all to keep an eye on now. I got my work cut out for me" Beth said as she reached down to place her hand next to his. Daryl squinted his eyes, he did not like Beth implying that he needed watching over, but he would concede that he sometimes he made less than brilliant decisions. He stood up taking Beth's hand with him and pulling her upright.

"Best get going, things need doing" he said.

She nodded and waddled past him toward the door. He watched closely behind smiling inwardly as he took in the sight. He could never tell her but he loved the way she had rounded out while carrying their child. She was soft and feminine in all the right places, her hips had taken on a nice heart like shape and her breasts had doubled in size. He licked his lips thinking about her beautiful form hidden under the baggy make shift maternity clothes she was wearing. He grabbed her elbow whirling her around to face him letting the half-open door fall back shut with a click. He pulled her in close one hand steadying her hip as the other slid across her shoulder and neck then up into her hair. Bringing his head down he crushed his lips to hers feeling them part beneath his pressure as a sigh escaped.

He pulled back just enough to speak softly against her "Things can wait" he breathed out with a low growl, quickly moving her back towards their bed.

XXX

Daryl stretched out on their bed with his arm thrown over his eyes blocking out the candle's light as Beth milled about their room straightening the baby stuff for the ten thousand and first time. He had read in a book he picked up on one of his runs that this was called nesting and it was something she couldn't control. He peeked at her from under his forearm and watched her waddle between the little white crib they had found the desk where they had set up a changing table of sorts. She was picking things up and moving them back and forth until they eventually ended up in the same place they had started. After a while she felt content and waddled over to pull on her pajamas. She pulled her shirt off her head letting it fall to the floor then reached down to slide her hands into the large piece of elastic at the front of her shorts. She pushed them over her belly and just as she began to push them off her thighs she froze and let out a sharp yelp.

Daryl scrambled from the bed frantically rounding to Beth. She stood frozen for a minute eyes fixed on the far wall, then she looked up at him eyes wide with realization.

"Its time" she shrieked.

He was paralyzed. This was it, this is what all the waiting had been for, she was going to have the baby, and he was frozen with terror.

"Daryl" she was shaking his shoulders "Babe, look at me".

He looked down at her and felt his body slowly begin to reanimate. He helped her back over to the bed, grabbing one of the over-sized t-shirts from her bag and helped her pull it on. He was headed toward the door for water when the second pain hit and she called out again. He was immediately back at her side forehead lined with worry. It passed quickly and she sent him for water and to let Bob know her labor had started. Bob had nodded and told Daryl to come get him when her pains were much closer together and strong enough that she could no longer talk. Daryl furrowed his brow and stalked back to their room. Hours passed and every ten minutes or so Beth would cry out in pain but it would pass and she would go right back to normal. She made him crawl up next to her for some sleep but he had only managed a few broken hours at best. When the sun started to rise Beth's contractions started to get closer together and a lot longer. Daryl ran for Bob, once he examined her he deemed she had a few hours yet but he'd be back every hour on to check for progress.

News of the impending birth had made its way around and a few people had dropped by to say their words of encouragement. Maggie had wanted to stay but Beth had urged her to go on about her day, much to Daryl's relief. He really liked his sister-in-law but it was one more person he did not need witnessing how terrified he was. Two more hours passed and it seemed like Beth was now in constant pain. Daryl was a frantic mess. Sweat glistened on his forehead, he did not like seeing her hurt and not be able to save her, he felt helpless and out of control. Beth was panting and gripping his hand tightly breathing through as best she could and when the pain finally subsided for a brief window she looked up at him with her huge blue eyes rimmed with tears then tried and failed to squeak out something before the next pain ripped through her and contorted her face under his gaze.

"Is this normal" he barked loudly at Bob.

"It is" Bob responded calmly "It's her first baby and she has to do it naturally".

Daryl felt the smug pride from the last few months fade and a guilt took hold. He had put her here, in all this pain, and now there was nothing he could do to help her. Beth let out a loud scream slamming his hand into an iron grip. The pain drug on for what felt to him like an eternity. Bob stepped over for a quick exam.

"Time to push" he said "Beth on your next contraction you take everything you've got and you push, okay".

Beth nodded, only having to wait a few seconds before the next pain racked her body. She screamed and Daryl watched as she forced all her strength downward. She threw her head back and tears began pouring down her face "I can't do this, the pain it's too much, I cant" she cried out towards the ceiling. Daryl winced at her words feeling all the guilt manifest in her pained expression. He wished he could take her place, absorb the pain. Beth would have been by his side filling his ears with comforting encouraging words and he would have been able to bear it. At that thought Daryl stepped forward and grabbed her face between his hands. "Yes you can. You are strong and beautiful. You can bring our baby into this world Beth Dixon" he said through strangled breath trying desperately to emulate what she would have done.

She nodded tears still streaming down her face and the next pain flooded her body, she bore down hard. Bob said he could see the head and asked if Daryl would like to finish guiding the baby out. He looked down at Beth and she shook her head wildly and forced a smile. The next pain came and Beth pushed harder than ever on Bob's instructions, and Daryl reached up to feel his baby's head land in his hand. One more push Bob coached and with the last pain Beth delivered the shoulders as the rest of their baby followed into his waiting hands. He pulled the baby towards his chest Bob stopping him only momentarily to suction its mouth and nose. It let out a loud cry and Daryl crushed it to him. Bob clamped the cord and Daryl snipped it with his free hand before walking up to Beth's side. He laid the newborn down in Beth's arms.

"It's a boy, we have a son" he said, and he felt hot tears begin to leak down his face. He watched as Beth smiled down at their son, glowing.

"Hershel Merle Dixon" she said softly as she smoothed a finger across the infants cheek. She looked up at him and it took Daryl's breath away. They had never settled on a name and she had never mentioned this one before now. He felt the tears spill down his face with renewed vigor as she placed her soft hand on his forearm and nodded. She held their son up to him and he took him gently from her arms.

"Go show the world your son Daddy" she said.

Daryl walked out of their little room and down the hallway to the conference room with his wriggling newborn wrapped in a blanket. He rounded the corner and saw everyone sitting there waiting. They all stood when he came into view and cleared his throat.

"This here is Hershel Merle Dixon" he announced proudly. Everyone was crying but smiling.