Chapter six
The next day the rest of the group arrived at the farm. They all pulled up around the entrance of the house. Rick came out with Lori behind him to tell everyone about Carl. Alyssa walked over to the two of them quickly.
Alyssa: How is he, is he ok?
Rick: He's gonna be fine Alyssa.
Rick smiled at her and she sighed in relief giving him a nod.
Kasey: Can we see him?
Rick: He's still unconscious right now sweetheart.
Kasey: Oh…ok sorry.
Rick: No its ok don't worry about it you can see him as soon as he wakes up.
Lori: Yeah he'll pull through, thanks to Hershel and his people and…
Rick: And Shane, we would have lost Carl if not for him.
The group looked over to Shane but he just bowed his head and shook it off.
Alyssa: I'm glad he's ok.
Rick nodded at Alyssa and Dale hugged him and Carol hugged Lori.
Carol: Thank god, we were so worried.
Dale: How did it happen?
Rick: Hunting accident, that's all just a stupid accident.
Later that day the group gathered around a pile of rocks that were laid out in memory of the death of Otis. Alyssa stood next to Daryl feeling uncomfortable about all this. She hated seeing people upset, she never knows how to act or what to say. She thought back to when her grandmother Grace passed away with cancer. Alyssa was devastated her and her grandmother where so close but she couldn't even go to her funeral because she didn't want people coming up to her asking if she was ok and how she was coping. Alyssa never liked people feeling sorry for her. Growing up the way she did she didn't have any one to comfort her or to lean on so she wasn't use to it. Not to mention the fact that Alyssa's mother also attended the funeral and Alyssa refused to go anywhere near that women or ever speak to her again. Still not going to her own grandmother's funeral goes down as one of Alyssa's biggest regrets. Alyssa fidgeted with her finger nails as Hershel said a prayer for Otis and everyone one else looked on and listened. When Hershel was finished he asked Shane to say a few words in memory of Otis. Shane declined saying he wasn't any good at it. Then Patricia, Otis's wife asked him again because he was the last one with him to share his final moments and she needed to know that his death had meaning. Shane then spoke up but he looked nervous. Dale, Alyssa and Daryl watched him closely as he spoke. Shane told everyone of how Otis told him to run and that he would cover, you need to save the boy. There was just something off about what Shane was saying and Alyssa knew it.
Shane: If not for Otis, I would never have made it out alive. That goes for Carl too. It was Otis, he saved us both.
Alyssa and Daryl both shared a look with each other, they weren't buying it.
Shane: If any death had meaning it was his.
Patricia looked satisfied with Shane's answer but Alyssa knew he wasn't telling the whole truth. Alyssa knew Shane from when they were younger as he grew up with Rick so they were both close.
Later everyone was getting ready to go out and continue the search for Sophia. Daryl and Alyssa were talking before he left to go look for Sophia.
Alyssa: I don't get why it's just you going out to look for her.
Daryl: The other guys are no use, Shane has a bad ankle and Rick is too weak from all that blood he gave to Carl yesterday.
Alyssa: Yeah but can't…
Hershel: Excuse me, miss?
Alyssa: Yeah? It's Alyssa actually.
Hershel: Sorry to interrupt you both Alyssa but I understand that you are with child?
Alyssa glanced down at her huge baby bump and then looked back to Hershel smiling.
Alyssa: What gave it away?
Alyssa and Daryl both laughed a little. Hershel gave her a little smile.
Hershel: Well all joking aside, I would feel reassured in your condition to check you over to make sure everything is alright, with your permission of course dear.
Alyssa: Well that's really kind of you and nice to offer but I'm sure I'm alright.
Hershel: With all due respect mam…Alyssa, you have been on the road for some time now, I can only imagine your exhausted and getting weaker. Please I would feel better for my own peace of mind.
Alyssa paused for a moment looking over at Daryl.
Daryl: The man's right Alyssa, go check everything's alright with you and the baby.
Alyssa: Ok thank you Hershel, I'll be over in a moment.
Hershel left the two to talk.
Alyssa: As I was saying can't Glenn or T-Dog go with you?
Daryl: Glenn's going on a run with Hershel's daughter, besides they'll just slow me down.
Alyssa sighed a little.
Daryl: I'll be fine Alyssa don't worry about me, just go let Hershel check you over.
Alyssa: Alright fine, but when you come back will you come find me, just so I know you're ok.
Daryl: Yeah, fine.
Alyssa: Alright just be careful.
Daryl: I'll see you later.
Daryl smirked at her and walked off. Daryl never had anyone worry or care what would happen to him before. It felt weird but nice. Even if he didn't admit it to her, all Daryl did was worry and care about Alyssa.
Alyssa was lying down on a really comfortable bed in one of the spare rooms of Hershel's house. She almost forgot what a bed felt like. Hershel was checking her blood pressure, listening for the babies heart beat and feeling around her stomach.
Hershel: Have you been in any pain.
Alyssa: Not really, just the baby kicking and morning sickness, even though that usually hits me at night.
Hershel let out a small laugh.
Hershel: I'm sure that happens to most women dear.
Hershel finished up with Alyssa and she pulled her black tank top back down and put her red checked shirt back on. Hershel sat down next to Alyssa on the bed.
Hershel: Well Alyssa your blood pressure is fine and your baby has a strong heartbeat.
Alyssa: Ok that's good.
Hershel: My only concern is that when I was feeling your stomach, they baby feels like its sitting in a very difficult position. Now I'm no doctor but if that's true, it's going to be a huge strain on you to give birth naturally.
Alyssa: What does that mean? That you'll have to cut me open if I can't push?
Hershel: I don't want you to think like that Alyssa, it's not good for you to worry, especially when you are this heavily pregnant. We just have to be hopeful it won't come to that.
Alyssa: Yeah but what if it does, you will have to cut me open right?
Hershel: It's most likely.
Alyssa started to panic and Hershel did his best to calm her down by putting his hand on hers.
Hershel: Alyssa you have to understand there's a huge possibility that might not happen. You may still be able to give birth naturally it's just going to be very difficult. Don't over think this my dear.
How could Alyssa not over think it?
Hershel: Now another thing, I want you to move into this room permanently. A pregnant women should not be sleeping outside in a tent and when your child comes you can't have them sleeping in the tent with you.
Ally: I can't Hershel that too much, and it's not fair if the rest of my group have to sleep outside.
Hershel: Well everyone is not in the same position as you dear and I couldn't sleep knowing you were out there with a child, you will sleep here and I will hear no more about it.
Alyssa: Thank you Hershel you're a good man.
Hershel gave her a smile and patted her hand.
Hershel: Now while you're here, I want you to go and take a nice hot bath. It will help you relax.
Alyssa: Are you trying to say I stink.
Hershel and Alyssa both had a little chuckle.
Hershel: Yes you smell terrible. I'll leave you to it dear.
Alyssa: Ok and thanks again Hershel.
Hershel: You are more than welcome.
Hershel left Alyssa to it. She took him up on his offer and ran herself a hot bath. The hot water felt great against her skin and she relaxed for a few moments. That's until she started to think about what Hershel had told her again and she felt scared.
It was now early evening and Alyssa was sat on the bed of her new room, deep in her thoughts. Just then Daryl appeared at the open door. Alyssa looked at him and she could tell straight away that he was exhausted.
Alyssa: Hey
Daryl: Hey
Alyssa: No luck then?
Daryl: Nah, but I'll head out again tomorrow.
Daryl continued to linger in the door way. Alyssa patted the bed for him to sit down.
Alyssa: I don't bite Daryl.
Daryl scoffed but sat down next to her.
Daryl: How did it go with Hershel earlier?
Alyssa: Not great as it happens.
Daryl looked at her concerned.
Alyssa: The baby may be sitting in an awkward position, which means if I can't give birth naturally then…Hershel may have to cut me open to get the baby out.
Daryl looked completely shocked at the thought of this and he could tell she was worried.
Daryl: Well…I mean that's not for sure that will happen, you might still be able to do it the normal way right?
Alyssa: Yeah and he told me not to worry about it but how can I not?
Daryl: Well if Hershel says it's nothing to worry about then you shouldn't.
Alyssa: Daryl he's a nice man but he's not a doctor he's only a vet.
Alyssa put her head in her hands feeling so stressed out. Daryl moved over to her putting his arm around her pulling her in close to him, much to Alyssa's surprise.
Daryl: Hey, it's gonna be alright, well figure it out.
Alyssa: Yeah…I hope so.
Daryl stayed with his arm around her, trying his best to comfort her. Just then Alyssa pulled away, winching at a shooting pain in her stomach. Daryl felt worried for a moment.
Daryl: What's wrong?
Alyssa: Nothing the baby is just kicking again.
Daryl looked at her stomach for a moment but then looked away at Alyssa noticed. She couldn't believe that she had never let him feel the baby kick, it completely slipped her mind.
Alyssa: Here give me your hand.
Daryl was confused but did as she asked and Alyssa placed his hand on her stomach with her hand over his. Daryl felt a little uncomfortable for a moment, this was the most they had touched each other since that one weekend were they had sex. Just then Daryl felt for the first time his son or daughter kicking. Daryl was amazed at how much the baby was kicking. Alyssa couldn't help but smile at Daryl.
Daryl: Yeah, it's amazing.
Alyssa: Yeah well the novelty wears off after a while believe me.
Daryl couldn't help but laugh a little at her comment.
Daryl: He's got some kick on him.
Alyssa: Him?
Daryl looked at her to see her smiling at him and he smiled back.
Daryl: Oh yeah it's gonna be a boy.
Alyssa: And how do you know that? It could easily be a girl you know.
Daryl: Nah it's a boy, most of us Dixon's have boys.
Alyssa: May I remind you that I have two sisters.
Daryl: You can keep trying to deny it all you like but I'm telling you it's a boy.
Alyssa: Yeah whatever you say.
They both laughed. The two then looked at each other and smiled and had a little moment. It felt nice to be comfortable with each other again. Daryl then slowly removed his hand.
Alyssa: Well while we're on the subject of boys, we still have to come up with a name for this little one.
Daryl smirked and nodded at her.
Daryl: Well since we already know it's gonna be a boy.
Alyssa jokingly drew him a look and he smirked at her.
Daryl: I already thought of a name for a boy.
Alyssa: Oh yeah?
Daryl: I've always seemed to like this name…but umm you might not like it.
Alyssa: Well tell me.
Daryl: It's Rocco.
Alyssa thought of the name for a moment.
Alyssa: I like it.
Daryl: Really, you're not just saying that?
Alyssa: No I really do like it…It's different but it's classy. Yeah Rocco…Rocco Dixon, that's got a good sound to it.
Daryl looked at her surprised and Alyssa looked at him confused.
Alyssa: What?
Daryl: Nothing it's just uh…didn't think the kid would be taking my name that's all. I thought it would be taking your name.
Ally: No of course not, baby will be name after its dad.
Daryl smiled at her, he was so grateful to her and how involved she was letting him be and he loved it when she would refer to him as dad.
Daryl: Thanks Alyssa, that means a lot.
Alyssa: Yeah sure, of course.
They both gave each other another smile.