Chapter Twenty-Five: His Little Blonde-Haired Heart And Soul
Beth awoke to the sound of rain and darkness outside. She was still groggy but she became aware of her right arm that was cradled to her chest in a cast and sling. Then she remembered the fence and all the walkers. Her mind immediately went to Daryl. Where was he and was he alright? She didn't remember anything after hitting the ground. She then heard a soft grunt. She looked down to find Daryl asleep with his head cradled on her stomach. He looked so tired but otherwise unharmed. Beth breathed a sigh of relief. She untangled her left hand from his and brought it up to caress his head. She saw the thick bandage that was wrapped around her forearm and the IV that was in her hand. She smirked to herself. At least they'd been able to patch her up after her badass moves she thought.
Daryl began to rouse from his sleep upon her touch. He looked up at Beth and blearily blinked himself into consciousness. "Beth..." he breathed out in relief when he saw she was awake. "Hey baby." Beth whispered to him. Daryl came up to kiss her lips before he took a shuddering breath and lowered his head to her chest. Beth brought her one good arm up to cradle his head. She knew he was crying. He pressed a wet kiss to her breast bone before looking up at her again with watery eyes. "Please don't ever do that again. My heart can't take it." he pleaded in a raspy voice. Beth gave him a soft smile. "You're alright though. That's all that matters." she said as her thumb traced the dark circles under his eyes.
Daryl closed his eyes and leaned into her palm. He wanted to argue with her but he knew it would be futile. She did what she did for the same reason he'd took the bullet meant for her. They loved each other more than their own life. It was still so overwhelming to him that someone could actually love him. He opened his eyes and saw that her brow was furrowed. "Are ya hurting?" he asked. Beth shook her head. "No...I can't really feel anything right now. It's just uncomfortable." she said as she shifted her broken arm slightly. "How bad am I?" she asked. "Ya got a lot of cuts and bruises...your arm's broke...and ya got a concussion." he said. Beth hummed in acknowledge. "Ya had a seizure too...scared me to death." he said softly looking down. Beth could see that he was beating himself up. "Hey." she said getting his attention. "I'm alright Daryl. I ain't going anywhere." she assured him. Daryl couldn't help the breathy chuckle of relief he released. "I'm holding ya to that girl. I love ya." he said as he kissed her again.
When the kiss broke, Beth gave him a tender smile and then sucked in a sharp breath. She was still so exhausted. "Ya alright?" Daryl asked with concern. Beth nodded. "I'm just so tired Daryl." she whispered. Daryl stroked her hair as he leaned down to kiss her again. "Get some sleep sweetheart. Ya need to rest and heal." he told her as he settled himself in the chair by her bedside again. Beth's eyes were already drooping shut when Daryl took her hand again. "Please stay..." Beth breathed out without opening her eyes. "I ain't going nowhere. Ya just rest. I'll be right here when ya wake up." he assured her. Beth gave a small hum of acknowledgement before sleep overtook her again. Daryl never left her side. He was perfectly content to listen to the rain and keep watch on Beth. A few times, Beth would twitch and whimper in her sleep. Her IV was getting low and he summoned Rosita to give her more morphine. He'd take care of her and protect her at all costs. Their earlier conversation about a baby never left his thoughts though. Considering the scare that Beth had given him, he couldn't imagine what it would be like if she were pregnant. Daryl didn't know if his heart could handle nine months of constant fear for Beth and a baby. However God had answered his prayers and let Beth be alright. He had faith now which was something he'd never known until his little blonde-haired heart and soul came into his life. If she wanted a baby, well then damn it she was going to get one. Daryl was going to give her whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. He was wrapped around her finger and he honestly wouldn't have it any other way. He was suddenly grateful for the fact that she hadn't been pregnant yet. That fall would've most likely caused a miscarriage. Daryl knew that it would've broken his heart if he had lost his unborn child let alone the heartbreak it would've caused Beth too. No everything had worked out for the best. It was up to fate now and he truly believed that God was working things out for them. A baby would come when it was meant to come. He leaned down to press gentle kisses to the scars on her face. She was so beautiful. He then resumed his vigil over his fighter of a wife.