It seemed like hours, or maybe only a few seconds, before they broke apart. Katie found herself locked in his gaze. Her heart was pounding against her ribcage, and from how close Daryl was holding her she was sure he could feel it too.
"Hi." she whispered, feeling stupid as she said it. He grinned bashfully in response, and they both looked away from each other. Katie blushed an even deeper shade as she realized her fingers were curled into the fabric of his shirt. Glancing over his shoulder, Katie thought she saw something pass by the door to the cell, but brushed it off quickly as Daryl pulled her into a tight hug.
"Stop getting hurt, cripple." she heard him say. Katie chuckled quietly.
"I'll try my best."
He squeezed her tighter still, as though he were making sure she was real. Katie squeezed back, trying to make the moment last longer. He finally let go of her, but not before planting another kiss on the top of her head. Daryl exited the cell quietly, taking one last glance back at her before exiting. She smiled warmly, still red in the face. When the curtain fell back over the door, she sighed. It was a light-hearted, dreamy sort of sigh, and she sat on the edge of her cot. So I guess he likes me. she thought, giggling at herself for how silly she sounded. That was definitely not how I expected the conversation to go. She could hardly even remember why she was mad at him in the first place. It doesn't matter now.
Katie put her face in her hands, grinning despite herself. How long has it been since somebody kissed me? Memories of high school came up, and a boy with long hair. Katie made a face, falling back onto the bed. Biting her lip , Katie grinned and giggled again. Finally she pulled off her boots and crawled under the covers, closing her eyes with a smile.
"Someone's awful cheerful this morning." Carol said, folding some clothes in a small pile she had beside her. Katie grinned even wider as she tried to hide it. "What's gotten into you?"
"Oh, nothing. Just a good night's sleep I guess." Katie replied, trying to appear nonchalant. She peered into a pot on the stove; ramen noodles were steaming inside.
"I made this for y'all."
Katie jumped and turned around. It was Axel, standing behind her with a bowl. She saw his eyes flick up and down her quickly, then stepped to the side.
"I'll get some later, I think." she said. Axel grinned at her, getting the ladle to help himself to the soup. Katie heard the baby crying, and followed Carol as she went to get her. Upon seeing the new born baby girl she smiled, though it faded quickly as she realized Lori wasn't around to feed her.
"How's Rick?" she asked, as Carol rocked the infant in her arms.
"Nobody's seen him since yesterday. She needs formula or she'll starve."
"I can go." Katie suggested. Carol raised an eyebrow.
"In the shape you're in? I don't think so."
"I'll go."
The voice came from behind them. Daryl, crossbow slung over his shoulder, glanced at both Carol and Katie expectantly.
"Well, you can't go by yourself. Katie, watch the baby and I'll go with him."
With that she handed Katie the crying infant. The baby wailed on in Katie's face, eyes screwed shut and face red from crying. Katie, with no other way to comfort the child, held her against her chest and hummed. She saw a smile spread across Carol's face as the woman gathered her things. Daryl nudged Katie with his elbow, then moved to collect what he would need for the run. Katie walked along the top hall, humming a song to the child. Eventually she began to sing softly.
"Don't worry, 'bout a thing, 'cuz every little thing, is gonna be alright…" she whispered, looking down at the baby. She continued to cry, and Katie could almost hear her tiny stomach growling in hunger. Pity washed over her, and Katie ran her hand over the baby's head. Shushing her quietly, Katie began to speak to her.
"I know, baby girl, I know you're hungry. Hungry, and cold, and everything's so different. It's okay, you're going to be okay. Shhh, don't cry."
The baby began to quiet down; a smile stretched across Katie's face. She held the newborn so they were face to face. Opening her eyes, the baby hiccupped miserably. Katie continued her little pep-talk.
"That's it, it's alright. Oh, what a sweet baby girl. Shhhh, don't worry. You're going to grow up big and strong and brave. Isn't that right?"
She walked back along towards the stairs, rocking the baby in her arms. Carol had gone downstairs, but Daryl was watching her from the top of the stairs.
"Take care of Lil' Ass Kicker here. We'll be back before nightfall." he said, putting a hand on the top of Katie's head. When he removed it, she blew at the messed strands of hair, hoping they would fall back into place. They didn't. Daryl drew closer to her for a moment, brushing the locks back from her face. Katie drew in her breath, locked in his gaze again. The baby gurgled, and she looked down at her, bouncing her a little in her arms.
"Well, I'm going to see if I can get Lil' Ass Kicker down for a nap in the meantime." she replied finally, shooting a glance his way. Daryl gave a nod, then turned and trotted down the steps. Katie watched him go, noting the way the muscles in his shoulders moved as he walked. She blushed at herself, bouncing the baby again.
"C'mon, Ass Kicker, let's go take a nap."
Katie went to her cell, laying the infant gently on her cot. She fussed and waved her tiny arms, wrapped in a small amount of cloth. She hoped they would find her some clothes that fit. Katie scrunches up her nose, waggling her little finger in front of the baby. She started to laugh, and Katie gasped.
"Aww, is this your first laugh? Is that funny, baby girl?" she said in a sing-song voice. "Is it funny? Heehee, heeheehee."
She scrunched her face up even more, tickling the baby until both of them were outright laughing. Katie stopped, watching her giggle and spit, and suddenly begin crying again. Katie's shoulders sank.
"But I thought you were having fun?" she asked, feeling dejected.
"She's just hungry, that's all."
**Author's Note- Sorry I have posted in a while. I was at a family reunion over the weekend, and the posting part of this site has been acting funny for my computer. I tried uploading this chapter soon, but was having the same no paragraph problem as before.
