"Daryl!" Willow yelled
"What?" Daryl yelled back from upstairs
Willow rubbed her swollen belly
"I need your help!" Willow yelled irritated
Hearing his footsteps and then coming down the stairs, Daryl sighed
"Willow, I'm trying to put the crib together" Daryl pleaded but knew instantly it was the wrong thing to say seeing the waterworks start.
"Sh..sh..sh" he said quietly "don't cry, what's wrong? How can I help?" wrapping his arms around her
"M-my belly is so big I-I can't reach the glasses to get a drink" she sniffled.
Daryl looked at her and fought a smile. She was absolutely miserable and he felt really bad but she was so damn cute being this pregnant.
Scooping her up in his arms he carried her to the living room
"Daryl don't carry me you'll hurt yourself, I weigh like a million pounds now" she whined
"Hush" he said softly and laid her on the couch "stay here, I'll be right back...do you want water or juice?"
"Water please" she said quietly
Walking back into the kitchen, Daryl took out a glass and filled it with water and took it back to her, sitting down and watching her drink it. Taking the glass after she was done, Daryl eased her back on the couch and began rubbing her back
"Is your back hurting?" He asked softly
Willow nodded
"Everything hurts Daryl" she whispered
"I know sweetheart...you only have a little less than a month to go and then it will be all over with" he said softly which made her cry again
"I don't know if I can do this another month" she whispered
"Yes you can, I'll help you" he said pulling her shoulders back so she was resting against him. Rubbing her belly slowly she sighed
"I'm sorry I'm being so impossible" she said softly "I was fine up until a week ago then all of a sudden my belly got twice as big and my body just aches all the time. I can't do anything, I can't reach anything, I can't fix anything, I can't make love to you, I just feel so worthless" she said sadly
"Willow, you have my baby in your belly, you're one of the most amazing people I know. You're not being impossible, matter of a fact I think you're handling things pretty great, I know I could never handle this, and baby we have the rest of our lives to make love. I mean of course I miss you but that's not my focus right now...right now the only thing I care about is making sure you're as comfortable as possible and that our little one is doing OK" as he rubbed her belly softly again.
Watching her tummy jerk and move as the baby kicked they both smiled.
"I promise you, it will be worth it in the end" he whispered
Willow nodded
"I know it will...I'm just tired and frustrated and annoyed and achy and...a total brat" she giggled
Daryl chuckled
"No, not about this. You've been incredible the entire pregnancy...maybe this tough stretch just means the baby will come sooner. Doc did say you were past the point of danger if you went into labor early" Daryl said softly
"Now that would be a blessing" she smiled.
"OK, here, turn over and let me rub your back again while you get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow and I want you to get as much rest as possible." Daryl said turning her on her side and sliding behind her massaging her lower back listening to her moan softly
"That feels amazing" she said sleepily
Daryl watched as she fell asleep while softly rubbing her back. Looking at her, he was so amazed. He thought he loved her before but after watching her grow with his child in her belly, he felt such a love that words just couldn't explain. Pulling the blanket over her shoulder, he slipped off the couch hearing someone come through the door.
Running into the kitchen putting his finger to his lips, he looked at Merle standing there grinning.
"Little mama sleeping?" He whispered
Daryl nodded
Merle peeked his bed in the living room and came back
"Damn Daryl, how many kids she having? She wasn't that big last week" Merle laughed
"I swear to you Merle, if you say one word like that to her I will knock you into next week...or better yet, I'll tell Billie what you said" Daryl nodded knowingly
"Alright, alright, I was just kidding" Merle said putting his hands up "speaking of which, that's why I'm here. They want Willow at Boondocks tomorrow by 11am. Before the regular baby shower, Billie and Annie are having something like a diaper shower"
Daryl looked at him
"Huh?" Daryl said
"I don't know man! I'm just the messenger, just have her there by 11!" Merle said frustrated
"While I'm here, you need help with anything?"
Daryl thought for a minute
"Yeah, come help me with this crib, I swear the instructions are written in jibberish" Daryl said frustrated
"Alright, let's have a look at it" Merle said following Daryl up the stairs.
Willow blinked her eyes opened and smelled a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen. Rolling herself off the couch, she waddled into the kitchen watching Daryl cook dinner
"We're having your favorite" he smiled pointing to the freshly grilled burgers
"Have I told you how much I love you today?" She grinned
"Yeah, but I could go for hearing it again" he smiled and kissed her softly.
Daryl helped her sit at the table and brought her a plate but not before pointing out to her how he had moved several cups and plates to the counter top where she could reach them. Shaking her head and giggling, she ate her burger and fries happily.
"You look like you're feeling a little better" Daryl said looking her over
"I am, my back is better thanks to those magic hands of yours" she smiled.
Daryl winked at her
"I have a surprise for you when you're done" he said softly
Taking her last bite, Willow nodded saying
"I'm done" with a mouthful
Daryl laughed and shook his head
"You are impossible, you know that?" He teased "C'mon let me show you"
Willow took his hand and started up the stairs following him. Watching him walk into the baby's room she peeked her head in and gasped
"Daryl! You did it! Everything is put together and you even put the bedding on the crib! I love you so much" she cried "I know it's hard to tell the difference these days but these are happy tears" she laughed
Looking around the room as he slid his arms around her, she smiled seeing the classic Winnie the Pooh themed bedding and soft yellow baby blanket that was draped over the rail. Looking at the changing table, he had put all that stuff away as well. Everything was just perfect.
"I can't lie" he said softly "Merle stopped by and helped me out. I wouldn't have been able to do it without him" he said softly
"We're going to have to do something nice for them both. Billie has been a great help as well. I really like her, it's nice having a friend I can hang and chat girl stuff with" she smiled.
"Yep...we'll have a big dinner or something soon as brat number two makes an appearance" he grinned as she playfully smacked him "don't worry baby, you'll always be my number one brat" he laughed trying to kiss her as she put her hand over his mouth.
Finally kissing her deeply he asked
"How's your back?"
"It's OK.. .better than earlier but still a little achy" she said as Daryl rubbed it slowly
"How about a warm bath? Maybe that would help?" He said kissing her neck
"I will if you will" she said softly
"OK, let me run the water" he smiled
Willow sat back in the water and leaned up against him, feeling the warm water soothe her body.
"Now this was a good idea" she said softly as Daryl gently caressed her shoulders.
She couldn't help but feel bad, she knew this had to be kind of torturous for him, sitting there naked together but not being able to do anything...or at least he couldn't do anything to her...
Turning on her side and looking at him, she slid her hand up his thigh and gently touched his manhood that instantly came alive.
"Willow" Daryl said sucking in his breath "baby we can't...ohhhh" he moaned softly
"I can't do that, but I can do this" she said softly stroking his hard cock watching the pleasure pass over his features.
"Willow" he moaned softly as she raised up and kissed his mouth deeply stroking him harder and faster. Burying his fingers in her hair, he kissed her fiercely as he felt his body tense as his need for release intensified.
"Baby I'm going to cum" he moaned as her hand slid down the length of him and fondled his testicles as she slid her tongue deep in his mouth.
Feeling him moan loudly against her lips, she felt his body tense up and then shudder with his release. Pulling her against him and kissing her passionately
"You didn't have to do that" he whispered
"I know" she smiled kissing him "I wanted to"
Lifting her out of the tub, he wrapped her in a big fluffy towel and dried himself off as they got dressed for bed. Lying on the bed in each other's arms Daryl kissed her sweetly
"Not that I'm complaining but honestly sweetheart I can wait for you" he said softly
"I know" she said caressing his face "it's just that you do so much for me, I mean I call you and you drop everything to do whatever I need. I just wanted to do something for you and that was the best thing I could think of" she grinned
"Well, it wasn't necessary but it was amazing and very much appreciated... I would do anything, anytime for you, I want to do it, I love you" he said quietly, kissing her tenderly. "Here, let me see that back" he said rolling her on her side massaging her lower back.
"Now that is pure pleasure" Willow sighed
Willow sat at the dining room table and stared at the door. She knew they were having a party for her and she was excited but she really didn't want to go. The pain in her back was worse this morning than yesterday and she hated to even move. The thought of sitting in a hard chair in the heat of summer for hours, made her want to cry. Seeing Daryl's smiling face come through the door, she knew she just had to quit being a brat and deal with it and stop making him worry and do nothing but take care of her.
"Hi" he said kissing her
"Hi" she smiled and kissed him back
"You ready?" He asked as she nodded
Holding his hand walking to the truck, her knees about buckled from a pain that shot across her back.
"Willow?" Daryl said softly
"I'm OK" she smiled and slid in the truck.
Daryl started the truck and looked at her with concern. He knew she was in pain but was trying to be brave about it.
"Sweetheart...is it your back again?" He asked softly
Willow nodded slowly
"It's worse than yesterday" she whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek
Pulling into Boondocks Daryl sat there staring out the window.
"I'm going to go postpone this, I want you to be able to enjoy yourself sweetheart and right now, I know there's no way you would" he said quietly
"I'll be OK" she said softly
"No baby, you're not OK, at least not OK enough for this. They'll understand I promise" Daryl said rubbing her arm
Willow nodded
"I'm going in with you to tell them" she said looking at him determined
Daryl nodded and helped her out of the truck. Walking into Boondocks Willow was moved to tears at how sweet the place looked all decorated with baby stuff. Feeling a weird sensation, she stopped walking and watched Daryl walk over to her grandpa and Annie
"Willow?" He grandpa called
Willow looked down and watched as a rush of water ran down her leg. Either she had lost control of her bladder or...
"I think my water just broke" she said softly
Daryl turned and stared at her
"What does that mean?" He said looking at the puddle on the floor
"It means the baby is on its way and we now have a legitimate reason to postpone the shower." She said quietly
There was a moment of silence, then utter pandemonium
Daryl rushed to her side and helped her back out the door and back in the truck. Sliding in next to her, Willow looked at him and could see he was scared to death. Putting her hand on his arm, she smiled.
"We can do this dad" she said softly
Daryl looked at her and nodded and kissed her softly
"I'm going to need my hospital bag I left at the house" she said quietly
Seeing grandpa and Annie race out to grandpa's truck, Daryl yelled for them
"Can you guys swing by our place and grab her bag for the hospital? It's by the door, sitting on the ledge. I need to get her to the hospital"
Joe and Annie nodded
"We'll grab it, just go Daryl and drive safe" they yelled back
Daryl nodded and peeled out of the parking lot, flying towards Peach tree
"How we doing Willow?" Doc Mike smiled
"I've been better" Willow said panting a little from the pain
"Let me have a look her...Willow, when did your contractions start?" He asked her
"I don't know, I hadn't had many but my back has hurt terribly since yesterday" she said gritting her teeth
Doctor Mike nodded
"Well sweetie, you've been in labor since yesterday, probably why it hurt so much. You're fully dilated and the baby is here and ready, I see the head" he said softly
"Daryl…..I have to wait for him..." Willow said as the door opened and Daryl walked in holding her bag.
"Put that down and grab her hand Daryl, your baby is here and ready to meet you" Doctor Mike directed
Daryl dropped the bag and ran to her and grabbed her hand.
"OK Willow, push!" Doctor Mike commanded
Willow pushed as hard as she could trying not to cry and scream from the pain. Feeling something move, she pushed again hard
"That's it Willow, keep pushing, you're doing great, I have the head and the shoulders are just about out...one more big push sweetie" Doctor Mike yelled
Daryl stared at her and said
"Come on baby, one more, you can do this"
Willow nodded and pushed as hard as she could again and finally felt the pressure leave her body. Hearing a loud wail she began to cry as Daryl hugged her
"Mommy and daddy, I'd like you to meet your baby boy" doctor Mike grinned, laying him on Willow's chest.
Willow stared into the beautiful cherub little face and could feel the hot tears stream down her face. Looking at Daryl, he too had tears as he kissed the top of his son's head. Watching Doctor Mike take him again to get cleaned up and weighed, a frown passed across Willow's features.
"Something is wrong" she whispered
"What do you mean sweetheart? He's perfect" Daryl asked softly
Willow shook her head
"I need to push again" she said as the pain gripped her stomach again
"What in the hell does that mean?" Daryl asked the doctor
Doctor Mike sat down and looked at Willow again and then at Daryl
"It means you have twins. I see the head Willow, push sweetie" doctor Mike directed
"What do you mean twins? You never said there were two of them? How can there be two of them?" Daryl asked panicking
"Daryl!" Willow yelled "we'll figure that out later, a little help here please" she grunted
Daryl grabbed her hand again and talked her through pushing when finally she felt the last of the pressure leave her body. Hearing the second cry she smiled as Doctor Mike lay the baby on her.
"Twin boys Daryl, congratulations you two" Doctor Mike smiled
"You don't have any more in there do you?" Asked a freaked out Daryl
Willow smiled and shook her head
"No, that's it" she grinned
Handing her both the babies she stared down into their faces and couldn't believe how beautiful they were and how much they both looked like their dad.
"You have one tough little lady there Daryl, I can't believe she's been in labor with twins since yesterday and didn't collapse" doctor Mike said. "As for us not knowing, sometimes one twin will be behind the other and we end up only finding one heartbeat so we only look for one baby. Sorry I didn't prepare you better for this, but they are both healthy and a really good size for twins. Both just under 7 pounds"
Daryl stared at her
"No wonder you were so miserable, you were carrying an almost toddler in there" he said stunned
Willow giggled
"I wouldn't say that, but it does explain why my stomach got so big the last week or two. C'mere dad, hold your sons" she smiled
Willow handed him each little boy and smiled brightly at him as he walked around the room holding each one in his arms talking softly
"We're going to need another crib, another stroller, I'm going to have to get two dirt bikes, two crossbows, two fishing poles and I might have to think about adding on to the house" he said staring at his little boys.
"I think maybe we'll just start with an extra crib and go from there" she laughed softly
Daryl grinned at her very much looking like a proud papa.
"OK so this one here is Joseph Daryl...or JD...what about this little guy? Did we decide we wanted to go with Jacob after your dad?" Daryl asked softly
Willow nodded
"What about Jacob Merle?" She asked softly
Daryl grinned at her
"I think it's perfect and I think your uncle will think so too" he whispered to his son
Handing Willow back one of the boys, Daryl sat on the side of her bed and kissed her softly. Hearing the door open quietly, they both beamed as Joe and Annie poked their heads in.
"Is it OK we come in?" They asked
"Yes of course" Willow smiled. "Pops, I'd like you to meet your great grandsons, Joseph Daryl and Jacob Merle, or as I'm sure Daryl will be calling them "JD and Jake" she smiled as Daryl nodded
"Twins?" Joe and Annie both said at the same time
"Surprise" Willow said softly "but don't feel bad, we didn't know either until I had them"
Willow smiled as Daryl handed one of the boys to grandpa as he and Annie coo'd and spoke softly to him. Handing the other baby to Annie, Daryl sat back down on the bed next to her and kissed her softly.
"Knock knock" a voice came from doorway as Daryl and Willow turned to see Merle and Billie standing in the doorway
"Come in" they both said smiling
Merle walked in and looked at the two babies
"I told you Daryl! I said she had more than one in there" Merle laughed
"Oh did you really?" Willow asked with a raised eyebrow
Merle blushed as Billie smacked him and Willow playfully glared at him
"I mean...ah hell, let me see my nephews" he grinned
Taking the baby from Joe, Daryl handed him to Billie
"This is Joseph Daryl Dixon or JD" Daryl said softly
"Or Jack Daniels" Merle grinned as Daryl shook his head
"And this one" Daryl said laying him in Merle's arms "is Jacob Merle Dixon" Daryl said softly smiling at Merle
"Or the coolest kid on the planet" Merle said softly staring at the tiny face "we're gonna have some fun teaching these two all sorts of things brother" Merle smiled
Daryl laughed softly
"Yup, already told Willow I gotta get two dirt bikes now" Daryl said still grinning
Everyone looked at the door as it opened and a nurse popped in
"OK, I'm going to need everyone to clear out so I can talk to mom about this and help her feed the babies" the nurse said holding up a breast pump
"Why will I need that?" asked Willow
"Because sweetie, with two little tummies, daddy will have to help with those late night feedings. Once you figure out how to use it, you'll love it and daddy can feed them just as well as you can" the nurse smiled
Everyone kissed Willow and hugged Daryl and kissed the babies once more as they quietly left.
"You staying dad?" the nurse asked
"Absolutely" Daryl said looking at his sons
Willow let the nurse help her with the first baby as she watched amazed as his little mouth latched onto her and began drinking. Handing her, her second son, he too was able to latch on and eat.
"Well that couldn't have gone any better. Sometimes babies have a hard time latching on but these two didn't have any problems at all" the nurse smiled
"They are their father's sons" Willow giggled as Daryl blushed nudging her but watching in fascination.
"Soon as they're done, I'll show you how to use the breast pump so you can pump bottles so dad can help feed them" the nurse smiled
"That will be so cool" Daryl said softly watching his boys eat.
"You say that now, but just wait until I'm smacking your shoulder at 2am telling you to go feed your sons" Willow giggled
Daryl smiled
"I seriously cannot wait"
"Mommy come look!" Daryl yelled from outside
Willow looked out the door and grinned at her 3 year old toddler sons in their bright yellow life jackets and her overly large toddler husband. Rubbing her swollen belly and stepping outside, Daryl ran to her and helped her ease into a chair.
"Hi mommy" he kissed her
"Hi baby Amelia" he whispered kissing her belly
Willow smiled at her beautiful, wonderful affectionate husband. They decided they really weren't up for surprises for this one wanting to make sure they weren't having twins again and when the doctor asked if they wanted to know the sex, they both decided they did and were thrilled to hear it was a girl.
"Look mommy!" said her squealing son JD who was walking towards her with a wiggling fish on the end of his fishing line
"Ohhh that's a good one JD, daddy may have to cook that for dinner tonight" she smiled
"Daddy, daddy! I got one!" shouted her other son
"Here let me help you Jake" Daryl said helping him reel in the fish
"Look mommy, we can eat mine too!" Jake said running towards with as the fish flung water everywhere
Willow laughed and squealed as the water sprayed her.
"Yours looks good too sweetheart, you guys put them in the bucket so daddy can fix them for you" she smiled watching her two sons run back down the deck.
"No running by the water!" she yelled and watched them both slow down.
Feeling her stomach move, she grabbed it
"Oh Amelia" she gasped
Daryl looked at her curious
"I swear Daryl, she kicks so hard. I don't ever remember the boys kicking this hard." She laughed "Not to mention she's a week late and just keeps getting stronger"
"She's got her mommy's temper…she just wants to join the fun" Daryl grinned
Feeling a sharp sensation across her belly she looked at Daryl
"Looks like you were right….I think she might be on her way" Willow said softly "I think I just had a contraction"
"Boys!" Daryl boomed "C'mon, we'll get the fish later, I gotta get you to your grandpa's, your baby sister has finally decided she's ready to come meet you!"
Willow watched as Daryl scooped up both his sons and carried them inside to get out of their fishing stuff. Grabbing her bag sitting by the door, he kissed her sweetly as he walked them to their new truck with thankfully a back seat since he still absolutely refused to consider a minivan. Driving them to Boondocks, Joe walked to the truck and knew with one look at Willow, it was time.
"OK boys, give mommy and sissy a kiss and go see your grandpa" Daryl said softly, grabbing them one at a time from the back so they could give her a kiss then a kiss on her belly.
"Bye mommy, see you soon Meelie" they both said sweetly not able to say Amelia yet.
Handing the boys to Joe and Annie, Daryl smiled
"Give us a few hours and then bring the boys with you this evening to the hospital and hopefully you'll have someone new to meet" Daryl said.
Watching her grandpa go into Boondocks with the boys, she looked at Daryl and smiled softly
"You ready mommy?" he said kissing her softly
Willow nodded her head ready to meet her daughter.
Daryl and watched their tiny daughter's nursing mouth relax as she slept.
"I think she's done" Willow whispered, covering herself and moving her away from her breast.
Watching Daryl gently caress her small head Willow smiled
"Wow, would you look at all that dark hair" Daryl said quietly "She looks exactly like you….I am so in love with this little girl already" he smiled.
Willow laughed softly
"Well the hair would explain why I had seriously bad heartburn with her the entire time." She said yawning.
"You tired mommy? Here, let me take her" Daryl said as Willow handed him their baby girl. Drifting off she smiled listening to Daryl as he rocked their daughter and talked to her softly
"And daddy is going to get you a dirt bike, and a fishing pole, and a princess dress, and a doll house, and some dolls, and a big princess bed, and a pet pony, and a…"