Chapter 29: There's A First Time For Everything
Daryl and Connie bumped into each other as they moved through the tiny kitchen. Daryl pulled bacon out of the frying pan and laid the slices in neat rows on a plate. Connie took cinnamon rolls out of the oven, set them on the stovetop, then poured creamy icing on top. They carried the bacon, sweet rolls and a dish of fresh cranberries into the cabin's cozy sitting room and set them on the trunk they used as a coffee table.
Connie scooped a cinnamon roll out of the pan and onto a plate with a delicate daisy pattern on it. She put three pieces of bacon and a handful of the berries next to it then happily handed it to Daryl. She served herself up next then reclined on the sofa curling her feet under her legs.
Daryl shoved a piece of bacon into his mouth then quickly set his plate back on the table. Don't eat yet! I forgot, I have a surprise for you, he signed anxiously. He opened the door to their bedroom and came back out holding two mugs. He set the mugs on the table in front of them and Connie's eyes widened.
Is that coffee? she asked. Daryl nodded his head and smiled proudly. I thought I smelled it but I didn't see it so I thought it must have been in my head.
"Taste it,"Daryl said as he put the warm mug in her hands. I even got sugar. Connie put the mug up to her face and inhaled with her eyes closed, taking in the bold, sweet aroma. Daryl beamed with satisfaction as he watched her take a sip.
Perfect! Connie replied after setting the mug down. What a great surprise! Where did it come from?
"Got it at the fair. They started growin' coffee beans at Oceanside a few years ago and they finally got a harvest. I had to trade an entire doe for one pound of coffee."
Expensive! Connie replied.
"I don't know that sign."
E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E, Connie spelled out. Once she spelled the word out, she did the sign for it again.
"Expensive," Daryl said out loud as he signed the new word he had just learned. "Was it worth it?" he asked. Connie took another sip of the hot coffee then nodded enthusiastically.
The two sat in the quiet as they ate their special meal, savoring each bite of their Christmas breakfast.
Daryl chewed his food as he looked from the crackling fire over to the Christmas tree set up in the corner of the room. A week earlier, Connie had asked him to go out with her to find the perfect tree.
A Christmas tree? Daryl asked with skepticism. Why would you want a Christmas tree? Connie didn't bother to answer. She just grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the cabin.
That's the way it was with her. She had Daryl wrapped around her finger and he usually followed eagerly. He'd scoff at her ideas and act like he wasn't interested or on board but Connie knew it was all part of the tough-guy act that was quickly diminishing. She rifled through their tools in the shed and found their ax. They walked hand in hand through the woods for nearly an hour until they found the perfect tree.
Now on Christmas morning, Daryl studied the delicate decorations adorning the branches of the young spruce tree. Connie collected pine cones, scraps of colorful fabric and paper and made decorations out of them. The tree looked as beautiful as any Christmas tree Daryl ever remembered seeing.
Daryl's eyes continued to move around the cabin. In a matter of a few months, Connie had transformed the drab, little shack into a warm and inviting home. A safe haven Daryl couldn't wait to return to after a long day of hunting or hard work.
There were red gingham curtains on the windows and framed paintings on the walls. Paintings of trees and deer and flowers. Paintings of rolling hills and sparkling lakes that made Daryl happy when he looked at them, although he couldn't explain why.
There was a small table in the kitchen with a tablecloth made from more of the gingham fabric and a bowl of fresh fruits and vegetables atop. Their cozy double bed was adorned with a quilt with a crown and star pattern and fluffy pillows, while candles and dried flowers in a vase sat atop the chest of drawers.
They had scavenged dozens of homes together for anything of value but Connie always managed to find some treasure inside too. Then when they'd bring it back to their home, she'd find just the right place for it, breathing new life into the forgotten item and breathing more life into their home.
That's how she was. She made everything beautiful. Everything she touched was better because of her. That was certainly true of Daryl too.
Since being together, Daryl had a content and peaceful nature. He had even become carefree and playful...attributes he'd never possessed. The blissful existence was vastly different from the anxiety and isolation he'd lived with for years. Yes, Connie made him a better man and he knew it. Not only did she give him the happiness and home life he'd never experienced before, she gave him a clear purpose too.
Daryl had to love her. That was his purpose now. Not just running. Not just breathing. Not just making it from one day to the next. Daryl had a greater purpose than all that. He had to love this woman. And what made it even better was that it seemed to be her purpose to love him back.
As he continued to stare mindlessly at the decorated tree, Daryl remembered his Christmases as a child. Even poor, neglected, abused children still had a Christmas every year.
The Dixon family would eat a canned turkey breast, stuffing and potatoes from boxes and gravy from a jar. But for dessert, Melinda Dixon would make a homemade sweet potato pie. It was her mama's recipe and one of the only things she knew how to make from scratch. Daryl loved that sweet potato pie.
Daryl would receive a few Hotwheels or maybe a football as a gift. One year his mama got a Christmas bonus and surprised Daryl with a bike. It was the last gift she had given him before she died. Wade Dixon would usually have some extra cash of his own and he'd stay at the bar all night and leave his family in peace. Until his mama passed away, Christmas had actually been a happy time for the young boy.
But as Daryl kept his eyes laser focused on the tree, he thought back to his childhood again, and for the life of him, he couldn't remember ever having an actual Christmas tree in his house. Maybe some old tinsel strung around the window but never an actual tree. He picked at his food as he studied the tree before Connie nudged him with her foot. He was immediately shaken from his thoughts.
What are you thinking about? she asked.
Daryl sighed. It was such a joyful morning that he didn't want to taint the perfect moment with some childhood sob story about not having a tree. But Connie was asking him a question. She never asked just to be polite or out of obligation. She wanted to know and he knew her well enough to know that she expected nothing less than the truth from him. Not only that, Daryl was relieved to finally have someone he could tell that truth to.
I ain't never had a Christmas tree before, he said with an ache in his expression.
Never? Connie asked with a look of genuine surprise. Daryl shook his head and looked away, almost as if he was ashamed of that fact. Connie reached over and brushed the side of his face with her soft hand. She cupped his cheek and drew his wistful gaze to hers. You have one now. We have one, Connie replied with a warm smile.
Daryl smiled back up at her as he pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed it. And guess what? he signed excitedly. There's presents under it!
Daryl hopped up from the sofa and hurried over to the tree. He returned with three small boxes wrapped with cloth and ribbon. Daryl put two of the boxes on Connie's lap and kept the third in his hand.
Daryl shook the box next to his ear. Is this one for me? he asked. Connie grinned and nodded. Alright, you go first though. This one, he said then pointed to the package in her left hand.
Connie untied the ribbon and unwrapped the gift. Her eyes lit up as she looked at the soap she had asked for at the fair. She put the bar up to her nose and inhaled deeply. She put it to Daryl's nose next and he took in the rosemary and mint scent also. Doesn't it smell good? she asked. Daryl nodded.
Connie set the soap down then placed the gift she got for Daryl into his hands. Daryl could read the excitement all over her face as she waited for him to open it. He shook the small box again as he looked at her. "It's not a new crossbow and I don't think it's clothes," he spoke merrily. "Could be a new carburetor for my bike. Of course my bike won't work without gas so unless it's gas, a carburetor won't do no good. I guess it could be new boots since you say my old ones smell bad. Wait, wait...I don't think any of those things will fit in a box this size."
Just open it already! Connie replied anxiously, then tickled his ribs. Daryl finally stopped kidding and started to unwrap the package. He lifted the box's lid and looked down. It was a small collar.
What's this? Daryl asked.
What's it look like? Connie replied. Daryl stared at the collar then back at her with confusion. Connie grinned then stood from the sofa. She yanked Daryl up and pulled him to the front door. They both ran out of the cabin and onto the porch in their bare feet. Connie led him down the steps and into the small stable they had built for Delilah. They opened the door and went inside. Connie walked to the back of the stable and picked something up out of a box in the corner. When she turned around, Daryl saw that she had a puppy in her arms.
Daryl's jaw dropped as he moved closer to his wife and the small animal she was holding. Is that for me? Daryl asked. Connie happily nodded her head as she placed the tiny Labrador mix in Daryl's arms.
The puppy squirmed in Daryl's firm grasp as he held it in front of his face. Daryl pulled it into his chest and it licked his chin. Connie grinned as she watched the exchange.
"How the hell did you get a puppy here? And how have you been hiding it from me?"
Not too hard, Connie signed. At the fair there was a mother that had just given birth a few weeks earlier. You go hunting every day from seven until noon. At the fair I asked Luke and Yumiko if they would bring it to me on Christmas Eve while you were gone.
"So that's why you didn't go with me yesterday. And why you insisted on takin' care of Delilah this mornin'." Connie nodded with a look of pride on her face, quite pleased that she pulled off such a big surprise. "I need to step up my game if I'm this easy to fool."
Daryl held the little dog in his arm as he took Connie's hand in his. He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips. He pulled away and gazed dreamily into her eyes. "I don't know what to say about this," he said as he shook his head. "Thank you."
You're welcome. I'm glad you like her, Connie happily replied.
Daryl and Connie walked back inside with the puppy. Connie sat on the sofa and Daryl sat on the floor with his new pet. He set her down on the rug between his legs where the young dog jumped and pounced playfully.
Daryl reached onto the sofa and grabbed the box with the collar inside. He placed the small collar around the puppy's neck. This is going to take some getting used to, Daryl signed.
Everything does, Connie replied.
Daryl looked from the puppy up towards Connie. I think there's one more present to open.
Connie picked up the last small box from the coffee table and looked at the green ribbon delicately tied around it and smiled. She slid the ribbon off of the package then pulled off the red paper. She stared down at a small wooden box with a heart and an arrow carved into it. Her fingers moved across the engraving before she finally opened it. She picked up the silver ring inlaid with three brilliant sapphires. She looked from the ring to Daryl with wide eyes.
Daryl set the puppy down on the sofa next to Connie and knelt down in front of her. A nervous energy moved through his body as he looked lovingly into her face. I told you months ago I wanted to be with you forever. You said the same thing about me. And since then, I've been happier than I've ever been in my entire life. Hell...I didn't even know a person could be this happy but I am...and it's because of you. When I said forever, I meant forever and so I got this ring so there'd never be a doubt. So that every time you see this ring you'll remember you got me wrapped around your finger too. Daryl chuckled. I got it so that every time you see it, you'll be reminded of how much I love you. Is that...is that still what you want?
Tears ran down Connie's face as she nodded emphatically. Of course! Daryl took the ring from her hands and slid it down her delicate finger. He got up from his knees and sat down next to her. He pulled her legs onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. Daryl slowly moved his lips onto Connie's.
The pleasant scent of the Christmas tree filled the room and the fire crackled in front of them as their embrace and the kiss continued. Warmth, calm and joy brimmed all around them as Daryl held Connie in his arms.
Connie held out her hand and stared down at the sapphire ring on her hand, sparkling in the afternoon sunlight. She looked down at the puppy on the other side of Daryl. The little dog went from bouncing around to sleeping on his lap in minutes. Connie gazed into Daryl's face and grinned as she began to sign. So we're officially married and have a dog and a house. The only thing missing is the white picket fence.
Daryl released her from his embrace and signed back to her. I could build you a white picket fence or we could do one even better.
What? she asked.
Daryl hesitated as he stared into her big brown eyes. Connie stared back in anticipation before Daryl finally answered her. This Christmas is perfect but just imagine what it would be like if next Christmas we had a...a baby to celebrate with.
Connie's jaw dropped as she sat up straight and looked back at her husband. Everything stood still and it was just the two of them in the moment. A baby? she signed. Do you really mean that? Is that what you want?
Daryl hesitated again before he answered. I never once in my life thought about bein' a daddy – not once. But then I found you. I never thought about Christmas trees and pictures on the walls and weddin' rings neither. But then I found you...and I fell in love with you...and now anything seems possible.
Connie said nothing as she gazed back at Daryl. She was captivated by his mere presence, swallowed up by the love she felt moving in and all around her. A baby. A new life with the man she'd fallen in love with. The hope of more to come...something beyond just the two of them. What better gift could the two of them give each other...or give to a lifeless world?
Connie leaned forward and pressed her lips hard onto Daryl's. She ran her fingers through his curls and pulled him closer to her as the untamed kiss continued. She leaned her head back and Daryl moved his lips to her neck, wildly devouring her body with his mouth. She reached her hands down his muscular back and lifted his shirt up and over his chest and head.
Daryl moved his mouth from her neck to where she could see his lips speaking. "So I guess this must mean your answer is a yes," he said with a sly half-grin. Connie smiled back before she pulled her shirt over her head. Daryl wasted no time as he slid his hands under her behind and lifted her into his powerful arms. Connie wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again and again as he carried her into the bedroom.
"Okay," Daryl said nervously and breathlessly between kisses as he stared into her lovely face. "We're doin' this then. We're makin' a baby." Connie nodded and smiled.
Yes, we're making a baby. Are you ready?
Daryl nodded. "I can't wait."
A/N: Hey everyone! I hope this latest chapter finds you all well! I've really missed being here but there are only so many hours in the day for me to write. Anyhow I'd love for you to drop a comment to tell me what you thought of this latest chapter and the prospect of a Dixon baby. Love to you all and God bless!