Daryl didn't bring him flowers. He brought him seeds for the garden. He brought him a new knife. He brought him ammo. He started to teach Carl how to track. He found pacifiers for Judith. Daryl continued to have Rick's back. He provided food for the group. It made them feel safe when Daryl was around. And Daryl went out of his way to be helpful, albeit not always in the nicest way. But nevertheless, Daryl cared about these people. They were his family. Daryl Dixon may have been the sweetest man left on earth. And only Rick Grimes knew it.
Just yesterday, Rick was walking through the prison when Daryl's voice, low and calming, stopped him short. Who the hell was Daryl talking to? He never talked to anyone for any period of time unless totally necessary. Rick quietly crept to the corner and peered into the room. He was taken aback when he saw Daryl cradling his daughter. And Judith just stared up at him as if enthralled by his voice.
"You know what, Li'l Asskicker? You're easy to talk to. No asking me about my past or to talk about my feelings. No reason to drag up that shit 'cepting for someone to feel sorry for ya. But there is a point to our little talk." Daryl smiled as the baby's hands moved to his face, fingers rubbing the stubble on his chin. "See when I was little, didn't matter much to my pa. He was a mean sum'a'bitch and only cared 'bout getting drunk. He let me know I wasn't worth much, wouldn't amount to nothin'." Daryl shifted the baby in his arms and Rick quietly shifted from foot to foot. He always knew that Daryl had it hard as a kid, but to hear him voice it made it all too real.
"Only attention my daddy gave me was when he was whipping my ass. But you're daddy, he's special. He even makes a piece of shit like me feel like I matter. He makes me feel like…." Daryl swallowed hard. "Hell, he just makes me feel."
At that the baby kicked out, her little foot pushing against Daryl's cheek. He giggled, Daryl Dixon actually giggled. "That how you feel about it? Anyway, you're daddy…" Daryl paused as if trying to find the words and Rick held his breath. "Your daddy is the best man I know. You know what…I'll make you a promise, baby girl, you're daddy's always busy taking care of everyone else. Gotta tell ya, drives me crazy, feels like someone's gotta hold of my heart and is squeezing it every time he goes out." The baby smiled and reached for Daryl's face again and he kissed her tiny hand. "I promise ya to take care of him. God knows, someone's gotta." Daryl had spoken so low that Rick almost didn't hear the words. He peeked around the wall and saw Judith grasp Daryl's finger and stick it in her mouth. Daryl's laugh caught Rick by surprise. It was deep and rich and made Rick smile. "Come on, girl, gotta get ya back before Beth comes looking for you." Daryl strode out of the room and Rick crept back to his cell, a smile on his face.