Chapter 38

"What exactly do you want me to do?" Rick asked. "I'm open to suggestions, I sent him to his room. I'll make him apologize but what else can I do?"

"What's going on?" Daryl asked coming down the stairs. "What happened?"

Beth looked at Rick, waiting wanting to let him handle the situation.

"I sent Carl to his cell again. He said something rude to Beth." Daryl clenched his jaw then stalked down the cellblock and into the cell that Rick shared with his son. Daryl came out a second or two later dragging Carl by the back of his shirt.

"You want to act like a big man? Tell me exactly what you said. You can say it now in front of me and your dad." Carl shrugged out Daryl's grasp and backed up a step or two. Daryl grabbed him by the front of the shirt and pulled him forward. "I don't make a habit of repeating myself."

"She got mad at me from leaving Judith on the futon alone while I went to get you, it's not like anything happened!" Carl said struggling to get out of Daryl's hold.

"All I said was please be more careful with your sister." Beth said reaching forward and loosening the hold Daryl had on Carl. "She could have fallen on the concrete floor."

"You still ain't answering me boy." Daryl said. Rick reached out and pulled Daryl back a few feet. "Fuck off Rick." Daryl said pulling his arm free. "I ain't going hurt him, but I ain't treating him with kid gloves either."

"Like I told Beth, I am open to suggestions."

"I need to know what happened before I suggest anything." Daryl said not taking his eyes on Carl.

"I told Beth that Judith wouldn't have been alone for long if she would have just came the first time I knocked." Carl said. Beth rolled her eyes.

"You think she's your fucking maid? She got to do everything on your watch?" Daryl asked.

"That isn't exactly how he worded it." Rick said. "It doesn't matter. He was rude it's not worth repeating. Carl go back to your room." Carl stepped back cautiously, only to stop when Daryl stomped past him into his cell, coming out later with Carl's gun and holster.

"Hey those are mine!" Carl yelled.

"Yeah well I don't trust you with weapons inside the prison. Just like anyone else I don't trust you can now only have weapons when you're out on watch or a run. You best be glad I'm going to give them back to you tomorrow, and that's only cause you're going to be protecting Beth." Daryl said reaching over and grabbing Carl's keys and knife. Daryl stomped off to the office throwing Carl's things in before slamming the door shut and locking it. "Start doing push-ups. That's what Merle had you do when you misbehaved right?"

"How many?" Carl asked snottily, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I didn't say now did I?" Daryl snapped. "Start counting them off." Daryl said sitting down at the table facing Carl. "I haven't heard that apology yet either. Later on when Beth tells me exactly what you said, and you know she will, you better hope that I find these push ups and your apology satisfactory, otherwise we'll be doing this same damn thing every morning, afternoon and night till I am!" Daryl yelled.

Rick looked at his son and nodded his head once, letting him know that he was going to let Daryl handle the punishment.

"You're a lucky little shit. You know what me and Merle had for punishments? We were whipped with a belt, burned with light cigarettes, locked in closets or beat with wooden paddles. Wasn't for being mouthy either. It would be cause it was Wednesday or cause the liquor store was out of cheap beer. Now get down and start with the push-ups." Carl reluctantly got down and started in on the push-ups slowly counting them off. Beth felt awkward and started to make a move towards The Cafeteria. "No Beth you stay here till he apologizes." Daryl said reaching out and pulling her into the seat beside him. Carl was into the 30's now pushup wise and he started to slow down. "I didn't say stop." Daryl said. Carl moved to put his knees down, and started to do "girl" pushups. "No bitch push-ups either. Are you a little bitch? Apologize and admit you were wrong like a man, don't bitch out and half ass your punishment." Daryl said standing up and walking over, lightly kicking at Carl's knees until he got into the proper position again.

"Beth I'm sorry I was rude." Carl mumbled into the ground. Daryl reached down and lifted Carl to a standing position.

"I said apologize like a man." Carl took a few steading breaths and wiped the sweat off his face before apologizing again. "So clean yourself up. Remember what I said. We might be doing this again before bedtime." Daryl snarled pushing Carl towards the bathroom.

"I think that was enough of a punishment." Rick said sitting at the table.

"I don't care what you think." Daryl said looking Rick in the eye. "Being sent to his room obviously isn't working. You know what he said, I don't. When I find out what he said Rick how mad am I going to be? If Tyreese or one of the prisoners had said that to Beth what would you have done? What do you expect I would do? He wants to be treated as an adult that means he had to have adult consequences. Tell me right now, if he was 20 would I be kicking his ass right now?"

"Probably." Rick answered honestly.

"He apologized, I'm the one that has to spend tomorrow with him in closed quarters. I'd like the matter dropped till after that." Beth said getting up from the table and making her way towards The Cafeteria. "This was supposed to be a relaxing day before hell tomorrow." Beth reminded both of them before shouldering the door open and leaving with the baby.

"Look once we deal with this problem, we'll deal with Carl." Rick said catching Daryl's eye. "I know something has to be done, but I'm a little lost here."

"He never acted out before?" Daryl asked. "Seems a bit of a 180 if he was a perfect angel before."

"He was never mouthy." Rick said grabbing a deck of cards and shuffling. "We were having such a good time on that walk. Judy started to fuss, I couldn't calm her. Carl was getting upset at all the attention I was giving her. She worked herself up to the point of being sick Daryl. She puked all over me. Carl ran off to get Beth, afraid Judy'd cry herself to death I guess."

"Yeah he knocked a few times, Beth told him to go away, then I told him to fuck off. I mean you now she would have came out eventually."

"I take it you weren't resting." Rick said.

"It doesn't matter what we were doing. If we sleeping and told him to go away he should have left."

"Yeah he should have and he shouldn't have snapped at Beth either." Rick said dealing out a hand of gin. He and Daryl were playing when Carl made his way back into C. He sat at the table beside his dad and tried staring down Daryl, only to look away when Daryl stared back and laid his hand down on the table.

"Gin." He said. Beth made her way back into C with a plate of sandwiches and a bottle for the baby. Maggie and Glenn followed with a tray of drinks, another plate of sandwiches and a few bags of chips. Hershel made his way in with a plate of raw veggies.

"Let's get this day of rest moving." Hershel said pulling up a seat. "What's a game all of us can play?"

"We can play poker." Michonne said making her way from the yard. "Texas Hold'em." Michonne took the pile of cards and started shuffling. "Anyone got anything we can use for chips?" Beth went into the storage room and pulled out baggie of buttons.

"Will these work?" Beth asked adjusting the baby into a feeding position and slipping the bottle to her mouth. "I used to play with Shawn and his friends." Maggie grabbed the buttons and started dividing them up evenly.

"I remember walking in on you and a few of Shawn's friends. You didn't play with chips." Maggie teased. "You had more hoodies and jeans that'd never fit you then you knew what to do with."

"Shawn was really mad at his friends for playing strip poker wit his little sister, but pretty proud that his sister was still fully clothed." Hershel chuckled.

"They shouldn't have let me deal." Beth said. "They had to have known Maggie would teach me to cheat." Maggie smiled when Glenn grabbed the deck and started to shuffle.

"I guess we can all agree that the Greene Girls don't get to deal." Glenn said shuffling.

"Carol do you want to come play?" Beth asked as the older woman made her way in. "I think I want to lay down on the futon with the baby and watch." Beth said getting up and settling down.

"Thank you Beth." Carol said settling beside Daryl.

"You feeling alright?" Daryl asked.

"I feel fine, just looking forward to our daily nap." Beth said snuggling against the baby.

"Alright, let's get the game on. Anyone not know how to play?" Michonne asked as Glenn dealt the card out. Daryl got up and covered Beth with the blanket on the back of the futon before sitting back down. He waited while Michonne went over the rules with Carl and Carol. They played a few practice hands and Maggie tried to explain bluffing. Pretty soon they were a few hands into the game, and he was the only one left on the turn with Glenn and Carl. Daryl raised and Carl quickly folded. Glenn tried to pick up a tell from the redneck, waiting in silence, hoping for any type of sign. The group listened to Judith sucking on her soother.

"Come on Glenn." Maggie said. Glenn re raised and Daryl quickly pushed him all in. Glenn looked back down at the board. He didn't want to fold his pocket 10's; he wasn't sure what Daryl could have. He reluctantly folded and Daryl flipped over he's cards. 7-8 off suit. He had been completely bluffing.

"How do you do that?" Glenn asked pushing the pile of buttons towards Daryl.

"You played online for fun. I played in back rooms for rent." Daryl said stacking his chips.

"Oh." Beth said from the futon, sitting up and clutching her stomach. "Daddy!" Daryl rushed over and grabbed Beth's hand.

"What's wrong?" Daryl asked. Hershel shuffled over with Carol and took out his pocket watch. Beth struggled to her feet and pointed to a wet spot on the futon.

"I think I peed myself." Beth said embarrassed. She picked the baby and handed her to Carol.

"Beth your water broke." Carol said. "Maggie go get Bob." Michonne came over and pushed Daryl out of the way.

"Beth have you been having any pains today?" Beth shook her head. She had felt fine today. "We need to get her to the infirmary. Carl you go get the jeep ready for tomorrow, Glenn you help him. We're going to need the other car seat put together. Extra baby supplies. Rick you need to talk the baby." Michonne said helping Beth towards the infirmary. Beth stopped and grabbed her stomach again leaning back against Michonne.

"Daddy!" Beth whimpered.

"Contractions are only 3 minutes apart. Baby will be here soon." Hershel said pocketing his watch. "Going to be a fast one." Daryl followed behind Michonne and Beth, helping Beth on the gurney. Michonne quickly pulled Beth's pants and panties off. Carol came over to check to see how dilated she was.

"Daryl get up behind her hold her hands." Carol said. "She's fully dilated. That baby is coming now." Hershel quickly started prepping his tools. Sterilizing them with some alcohol. He opened a fresh bundle of blankets and towels. He planned on assisting and letting Michonne, Carol and Bob handle most of the birth, he'd only get involved if they're was surgical need. Daryl moved behind her, letting Beth lean back against his chest.

"Beth look at me." Carol said. "The next time a contraction hits I want you to push." Michonne joined Carol at the end of the bed.

"I have to go to the bathroom." Beth said uncomfortably.

"No you don't, that's just pressure. Push." Michonne said. Beth grit her teeth and pushed holding her breath. "Good keep going. Deep breathes." Beth pushed for a few minutes before collapsing back against Daryl.

"You're doing great, on the next contraction same thing." Carol said wiping away some of the fluid and blood that had seeped out of Beth. She would have killed for a suction tool; she wanted a clear view of what was going on. Beth whimpered and cried at the amount of pain she was in. Hershel handed Daryl damp cloth to wipe the tears and sweat from Beth's face. Beth sat up again and pushed through another contraction, biting down on her lip and drawing blood. "Alright Beth. A few more pushes and you'll be a mom." Carol said. Bob finally made his way in and moved to the side, motioning for Michonne to get on the other side.

"Lift her legs up and brace them." Bob said, showing Michonne what he meant. "It'll help open the birth cannel, make things easier." Beth settled back against Daryl crying softly.

"Daddy just cut the baby out." Beth whimpered. Hershel chuckled and handed Beth a small sip of water.

"You're doing fine Bethy." Hershel said. Daryl kissed her cheeks and propped her back up whispering in her ear to breath.

"Shut up Daryl." Beth hissed in pain before bearing down and pushing. "I'm going to kick you so hard in the crotch when this is over every hour on the hour for a day! Then when I tell you to breathe through it you'll know how much of an asshole you sounded like."

"I can see the head." Carol reached for a towel, ready to catch the baby. "Don't stop pushing Beth." Beth gripped Daryl's hands harder and pushed, bracing her legs against Michonne and Bob. "Almost there Beth. A little more and I can pull the baby out." Beth exhaled loudly and pushed harder, Carol reached forward and pulled. Beth collapsed back against Daryl, instantly feeling relief. Carol tapped the baby on the back until a soft cry came from baby. "It's girl." Carol said handing the baby to Hershel. He quickly cut the cord and handed a small container to Carol for the afterbirth. "Beth just a few more pushes. You're almost done." Daryl eyes followed the tiny little baby in Hershel's arms. She was crying softly and frankly quite disgusting looking covered in blood and white stuff. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Hershel quickly cleaned the baby and wrapped her up in a blanket and brought her over to Beth. Daryl helped her hold the tiny pink bundle, that quickly clamed in her arms.

"Congratulations." Michonne said as Bob moved down, helping Carol check to see if Beth was still bleeding.

"Everything looks good. Hershel I think she tore pretty cleanly, she's just going to need some stitches. You want to handle that? I can do it." Hershel handed over a suture kit and some numbing agent.

"I think we'd both me more comfortable if I just stayed away from her personal area." Beth nodded her head, not taking her eyes off her daughter.

"Is she ok? She's so small." Beth asked. Daryl anxiously looked at Bob and Hershel.

"She might be a little early but she seems fine. Keep her nice and warm, try feeding her soon. She's going to be just as tired as you are. That was a lot of work for her too." Bob answered. "She seems to be breathing well."

"She's got a strong heartbeat." Hershel said. "I'm going to go let Maggie know that you're fine. You should rest here for a while, and then maybe we can get you up to the Office. You're going to want to rest for tomorrow. It'll be harder with both babies." Hershel said walking back to C with a smile on his face. Bob and Michonne followed. Carol patted Daryl on the arm and leaned over to kiss Beth on the forehead.

"I'm going to let you guys have a moment alone. Beth you should try nursing her now." Carol said handing her another blanket. "Just guide her to you, like you would a bottle to Judy. She'll know what to do." Carol said. "I'll come back in a bit to check on you."

Beth opened her shirt and lowered the bra she was wearing. Leaning back against Daryl she flinched when the baby latched on and started to suckle.

"Feels really weird." Beth whispered. "Good weird." Daryl ran his hand over the baby's head. "Look at all the hair she has." Beth said.

"She looks like you." Daryl said. "Except for her hair." Her hair was as dark as his. Beth moved the baby to her other breast wincing again before settling back against Daryl again. "You got a name?"

"Sam." Beth said. "You ok with that?"

"You know what I'm calling her." Daryl said. "Lil'Badass came into the world in less than 2 hours." Beth laughed, shifting the baby up to her shoulder and burping her. Maggie knocked softly on the door before barging in; Beth adjusted her shirt and called out that it was ok to come in.

"Can I hold her?" Maggie asked tearfully. Daryl placed the baby in Maggie's arms and slid out from behind Beth, helping her lie back before pulling a chair over for Maggie to sit on. Maggie sat contently staring at the baby. "I told you it was a girl. "

"Yeah you did." Beth said sleepily. "It hut so bad Maggie. I promised not to sugar coat it. Worse that when Nelly threw me into the fence and I separated my shoulder." Beth said. "Totally worth it, but so painful." Maggie smiled at the baby.

"She's beautiful. Glenn got her car seat together. I made got Judy in her swing. I'll try watching her tonight if you want." Beth shook her head.

"I'll take her to the office when we go. I just need her hot water thermos filled. I'll leave the door open though. If you hear crying you can come up and help."

"You think that's a good idea?" Maggie asked. Beth nodded.

"I'm going to have both babies tomorrow, I need to get used to it. Besides how much sleep am I going to get both you and Judy balling?" Beth joked. Maggie handed Sam back to Daryl.

"Glenn and I can handle Judith till bedtime then." Maggie said. "You rest up till then. If Judy is doing fine, we'll keep her with us." Maggie said stubbornly.

"I agree with Maggie. " Daryl said mesmerized by his little girl. "You need to rest. At least till bedtime." Beth swung herself and tested her legs, groaning as she tried to stand up. Maggie came over and helped her walk a few steps over to the chair she had been sitting in.

"You need to take it easy." Maggie said. Beth shook her head.

"I got to be able to move tomorrow. Help me walk to cellblock." Beth said pulling herself to her feet again. Daryl handed the baby to Maggie before slipping Beth's arm over his shoulder. "Wait. I need my pants back on." Beth said sitting back down. Daryl helped her pull her pants on before helping her back up and slowly making the way back to C. Beth was doing a lot better than she thought she'd be doing. Making it all the way to C before sitting down on the futon. Glenn, Rick and Carl came over to see the baby. "This is Samantha Lily Dixon." Beth said as Maggie handed the baby around to the group. "We're calling her Sam." Judy cooed from her swing. Beth smiled. "Daryl's going to call her Lil'Badass."