The crisp cool air was doing nothing for Andrea. She lay in her tent with Merles large arm draped protectively around her belly. She was just beginning to notice the changes in her body. The slight swelling of her belly, the light tenderness in her breasts. The one thing that wasn't coming on slowly however was the morning sickness. She wasn't sure why they named it morning sickness, hell some asshole man probably named it that back in the 50's. He saw his pregnant wife throw up in the morning before she made his coffee, fed him breakfast, gathered his briefcase and umbrella and pecked his cheek on his way out the door. Asshole probably didn't know that Betty Homemaker was puking her guts out all day long while he was having martini lunches with clients. All he cared about was that she was there to greet him at the door when he got home, with the same peck on the cheek, and a roast on the table. Fucking asshole.
Ok, as it played out in her mind she knew the hormones were raging too. She actually wanted to go back in time and kick that son of a bitches ass. She needed to calm down, get some air. She carefully tried to extract Merles arm from around her. After they left the farm, Merle had become even more protective of her. In some ways she appreciated it, but she was a capable woman, she had killed walkers, faced down armed men and he treated her like a china doll.
She needed air now. She crept from under Merles arm and left the tent. As she felt the slight breeze on her face she instantly felt better. They had found this small clearing in the woods about 60 miles from the farm on their third day of travelling. everyone had been grateful for being released from the confines of those vehicles. After 3 days on the road and sleeping in the cars at night, they were all starting to go a little stir crazy, not to mention they all smelled pretty damn bad. The had found this spot after Lori and Carol had gotten out of the rv needing to go to the bathroom. Daryl had spotted a small pond and plenty of tree canopy overhead to hide them for a while. After everyone had taken a bath, washed clothes and had a decent meal they felt almost human again. They had set up watches, now looking out for walkers and other groups, wary of all outsiders now. Andrea didn't want it to be like that, she wanted to help wherever they could, but they needed to be careful.
She stretched her back, walking toward where Rick was keeping watch. He heard her come up behind him and immediately set his worried eyes on her.
"You ok Andrea?" he asked in a panicked tone.
"Yes Rick I'm fine, calm down. Just needed to get out of that hot tent and out from under Merles big ass arms."
Rick sat back down and chuckled. "Yeah, he's been hoverin quite a bit huh?
"A bit? I'm surprised I made it out of that goddamn tent without waking him up. I swear that man has a sixth sense where I'm concerned."
"I'm glad."
"Glad why?"
"Well, Merle DIxon wants to protect you and your child. That means aint nothing ever gonna get through him to hurt either of you. Your lucky."
She sighed and looked back at the tent. "I know I'm lucky. I love the big meat heat, but I just need some air."
"Beth brought some coffee out a while ago, instant, but it aint too bad."
"I'd love a cup, but not supposed to do a lot of caffeine, Herschel's orders."
"Ok, no coffee. How about some water? Beth took some little powder packs of fruit punch, you can add that have a little flavor. Might settle your stomach a bit."
"I don't think anything can settle my stomach, but Ill give it a try. Where she keep them?"
Just as Rick was about to speak, Beth came out from behind her tent and handed a packet to Andrea along with a bottle of water. Andrea glanced at Rick who was blushing .
"Hey Beth, what you doing up so late?"
"Oh, um , nothing, just couldn't sleep figured I'd keep Rick company. I can go if yall want to talk some more."
"No sweetie, I should really get back to Merle before he realizes I'm gone. Don't wanna deal with him when he's being an ass. Well, more than usual at least. Besides, gotta get up early and see my man off to that prison you found this evening. You really think it could be ok Rick?"
"Well, as long as all the inmates are still behind bars or dead, we'll just have to see. High walls, gates, bars, locks, all good things when ya got shit after you I guess."
"God, I hope so. We need a break. Never thought I would get comfort out of knowing I was going to give birth in a prison."
As Andrea went to get up, she felt her head spin and her stomach roil. In one split second she had fallen to her knees retching on the ground in front of her. Rick rushed over kneeling by her side.
"Shit, Beth go get your dad."
Beth ran towards her tent rousing Herschel and Maggie.
"Calm down. No need for that Rick," Carol said as she emerged from her tent putting a sweater on. "She just needs some rest and a little bit of food. Andrea you need to eat, no more of this you hear me? I know it tastes worse coming up, but some of it will stay in your stomach if ya eat."
Carol crouched down and rubbed Andreas back, shooing Rick away when he tried to help. Everyone who had woken up all began to talk at once, worried about Andrea.
"Will everyone calm down? Now!"
Everyone stopped and stared at Carol, shocked she had yelled at them.
"What?"
Rick spoke. "Um, just never saw you take charge so much before is all."
"Oh, well you people act like you've never been around pregnant women before, were not handicapped."
Carol hadn't caught herself in time, she just hoped no one had caught the slip. She started to help Andrea up.
"Come on sweetie, lets get you cleaned up."
"Hold on a second there Cookie," Merle yelled from the entrance of his tent.
Carol froze. Shit, Merle couldn't have been the one that caught it. He was, well, Merle.
"Ya said WE aint handicapped. Not THEY aint hadicapped."
"Merle, shut up, I don't know what the hell you are talking about."
He chuckeld, seeing the blush creep up her cheeks. "Holy shit, Im gonna be a daddy and an uncle. Holy fuck."
Daryl came out of his tent, scratching his head and rubbing his eyes.
"What the fuck yall doin up? Aint we leaving at the ass crack a dawn to go check out the prison?"
Everyone turned to stare at him as Merle just chuckled.
"Whats everyone starin at?"
Carol kept her back to him, afraid to turn around. All the others stared at their feet or off into the distance. Everyone except Sophia. She was vibrating with happiness.
"Mister Daryl, Andreas gonna have a baby."
"Yeah, kiddo, I got that part."
"Carls gonna have a new brother or sister."
"Yeah, know that too."
"And guess what?"
"What?"
"I'm gonna have a baby brother or sister too! Can you believe it?"
Daryls head snapped to Carol, whose squared her shoulders, preparing to turn around and face him. She heard a loud thud and Merles cackle echoed through the trees. Daryl Dixon, hunter, warrior, redneck, had fainted.
Carol put her hands on her hips and chuckled. She saw Merle out of the corner of her actually rolling on the ground clutching his stomach.
The laughter it seemed was contagious, by the time Daryl raised his head from where it sat on Carols lap, everyone was laughing. He looked up at Carol and cupped her chin, bringing her down to him for a kiss. He smiled up at her, his eyes shining. She returned his smile.
"That better be the last time you faint on me Dixon."
"Dont worry woman, it will be."
Herschel chuckled. "You people are sure going to keep me busy. You all mate like rabbits. As if something just hit him he froze and jerked his head, staring at Maggie.
"Girl dont think I won't still put you over my knee"
Maggie blushed. "No daddy, I'm fine I promise."
Herschel saw Glenn trying to sneak back to his own tent.
"Hold it right there son. You and I are gonna have a little talk."
Glenn slowly turned around, shoulders drooped. "Yes sir."
As everyone dispersed, Beth went over to Rick. "Well another baby. How do ou feel about that?"
"Well, more people to protect, but I think I can do it."
Beth took his hand in hers, slowly turning it and placing a kiss on his palm.
"You arent our protector Rick. You can't take all of the responsibility on yourself. If you feel responsible for us, teach us how to shoot, to fight."
"Beth I've always taken care of people."
"Well Rick we all need to take care of each other. This isnt one sided, it can't be." She went up on her toes giving him a small kiss on the lips. "Night Rick."
"Night Beth."
After his watch was over, Rick fell asleep to dreams of a certain blond and a prison overrun by little babies with prosthetic arms and crossbows on their backs.
But mostly of the kind, beautiful blond.
But those redneck babies still scred the shit out of him.