Chapter 32: And This Is How It All Happened

Daryl pulled his Bowie knife from his belt as he closed the front door to his home. One walker was on his right and another was on his left. He stabbed his knife into the head of the body on his right then kicked him off the porch and into the yard. Its body toppled onto another one and pinned it to the ground. He quickly spun on his heel and stabbed the other corpse in the eye. That walker collapsed onto the wooden planks of the porch making a loud crash.

Dead bodies ambled through the rain-soaked yard. They were drawn towards Daryl by the sound and held him in their sights. There were more walkers than there were just moments before - nearly twenty in the yard now with more just outside the fence. They quickly moved in closer towards him, blocking the steps of the porch.

Daryl leaped agilely over the railing and landed in the yard. Ruby jumped over the railing too, following right behind him. The determined Labrador immediately charged one walker, taking it down with a vicious bite to the neck.

The rain poured as Daryl lead the walkers away from the house and into the open. "Over here assholes!" he shouted as he traded his knife for his crossbow. The dead immediately and eagerly followed his voice. He aimed his crossbow at one of the dead and fired. It crumpled onto the ground as Daryl reloaded. He fired his weapon again and another fell. He reloaded a third arrow but the walkers began to close in on him faster than he anticipated. He quickly shot the arrow off but it landed in the walker's shoulder.

Daryl swung his crossbow into one of the corpse's head and knocked it to the ground. He dropped his bulky weapon on the ground and pulled his knife out again, turning in a circle as he plunged his knife into one corpse after another in an adrenaline fueled frenzy.

The remaining walkers inched closer and Daryl became surrounded on all sides. One of the dead grabbed onto his arm and pulled it towards it's rotting face. Daryl felt its teeth on his arm before he yanked it away. He barreled through the small horde and made it through to the other side but once again, the vicious mob was at his heels. Daryl darted ahead trying to create some distance between himself and the walkers but he slipped in the mud and fell to the ground. The hungry horde shuffled towards him and surrounded him again.

…..

Okay Ella...are you ready to help me deliver the baby? Connie asked calmly.

I can't Mamma. I don't know how to do that, Ella signed as she cried.

No time for tears, my brave girl. The baby's coming and I'm going to need you to help me, okay?

Okay. But you're going to have to tell me what to do.

I will, Connie replied right before another contraction struck her. Connie contorted her face and body, trying to get her pain under control. She inhaled and exhaled quickly as the contraction and her body did its work.

Mamma what do I do? Ella asked in frustration as she watched her writhe in pain. Connie kept her eyes closed and didn't answer. Tell me! The little girl shook her mother's arm but Connie was in too much agony to even notice.

Ella ran to the bedroom door. She unlocked it, opened it and ran out of the room. The vibration of Ella's footsteps roused Connie back to reality. She looked up and saw the bedroom door open and her little girl gone from the room. She stepped out of the bed and followed Ella. She found her in the bathroom filling the tub with water.

Ella what are you doing out here? It's not safe, Connie signed. The little girl was too busy to reply and instead ran to the kitchen. She took a pot of boiling water from the stove into the bathroom. She dumped the boiling hot water into the tub and turned to go back in the kitchen.

Connie grabbed her daughter's shoulder and pulled her to face her. Come back into the bedroom.

Ella impatiently looked up at Connie and spoke. "If you're not gonna tell me what to do then I guess I'm gonna have to figure it out myself," she shouted. "Daddy told me to fill up the tub so you could have the baby in there so that's what I'm doin'."

Connie nodded her head as she followed her little girl back into the kitchen. They both carefully carried pots of water into the bathroom and dumped them into the tub. While Ella went to retrieve the last pot of water, Connie lit one small candle and set it low to the floor. Ella brought the last pot of boiling water in and dumped it into the tub. Connie reached down into the tub and swirled the water around. The water was cool but it would have to do.

Just as Connie was about to step into the tub, Ella ran into the bathroom and grabbed her arm. Mamma! There's walkers outside! There's a million of them and they're all around Daddy and Ruby! We have to help them!

Connie panicked at her daughter's words just as another contraction hit. She held onto the side of the tub, bracing herself and trying to keep from crumbling to the floor in pain.

She closed her eyes and pictured Daryl in front of her telling her to breathe...deep breaths in through your nose then blow it out through your mouth, Baby. She longed desperately to have him at her side now. She needed him and wasn't willing to pretend that she didn't.

The contraction finally stopped and Connie stood up straight. She knew exactly what she needed to do and nothing would stop her from doing it, not even hard labor.

Connie was pretty sure she only had three or four minutes before another contraction would hit. She didn't waste a second as she ran back into the bedroom, grabbed pants from the closet and quickly slid them on. She hurried over to her nightstand and pulled her slingshot and ammunition from the drawer, grabbing her knife too. She placed the knife into her back pocket as she ran back into the living room. She slipped her boots on as she turned the doorknob.

Daryl heard the door slam and looked to his right. The rain poured onto him as he looked over and saw his wife standing on the porch firing lead balls into the dead surrounding him. She fired with precision, landing the balls into the heads of each of the walkers around him. He saw more movement from the corner of his eye. Now Ella was standing next to Connie using her slingshot to fight off the walkers too.

When Connie looked over at Ella, her first instinct was to force the girl back inside but she didn't. Like her parents, Ella couldn't just cower in safety, while people she cared about were in danger. If her mamma and daddy were doing battle, that's what she had to do too. Connie watched as her daughter fired the lead balls from her own slingshot into the walkers. Ella wasn't landing them in the walker's heads but she was shooting them well enough to either slow them down or knock them to them ground.

Connie nudged Ella's shoulder to get her attention. She motioned her to shoot farther away from Daryl. The young girl was getting good but Connie didn't want her shooting in the direction of Daryl and hitting him with friendly fire.

The horde was beginning to thin out as the mother and daughter continued to do battle from the porch. Connie nearly forgot she was in labor until a sudden and brutal contraction brought her to her knees. She dropped her slingshot and held onto the railing beside her. Tears poured from her eyes as the sharp pain radiated through her back and abdomen.

As she laid there, a large walker began to walk up the steps of the porch.

"Daddy!" Ella screamed at the top of her lungs. "Daddy help!"

Daryl broke away from the last few walkers around him and spun around. He sprinted towards the porch as fast as his legs could move. He watched as the walker fell on top of Connie. "No!" he shouted as he leaped through the air and tackled the walker off of his wife. He was full of adrenaline as he wrestled with the corpse. He drove his knife into its eye socket then quickly stood up above the walker. He lifted his boot a foot above the dead man's head and brought it back down viciously stomping over and over again until it lay there motionless.

Are you okay? Daryl asked Connie as she laid on the porch. She nodded emphatically. What he really wanted to ask her was what they were doing out there. But he didn't ask. He already knew the answer. And as much as he wanted them safe and inside the house, he was grateful that they had come to his rescue. He had desperately needed the help.

Daryl helped Connie to her feet. As soon as he did, he looked resolutely at both his wife and daughter. I want you both back inside. I got this now.

I don't want to leave you out here alone, Connie signed desperately.

I'm alright. There's only a few left and Ruby's still with me.

You were surrounded. We could have lost you, she replied as she held back her tears. She moved both her hands up, placing them on either side of his face.

Daryl took her hand away and brought it to his lips and kissed her fingers. You didn't lose me. You and Ella came out and helped me and now everything's gonna be alright, Daryl assured her. Now it's time for you to go back inside and get ready to have this baby.

Connie didn't want to leave his side. She needed him and didn't want them to be apart for even another minute. She looked at Daryl trying to decide if she wanted to debate him. The look on his face was grave, and once she felt an advancing contraction, she decided to concede.

"Get Mamma inside," Daryl instructed Ella. "I'll be right behind you, promise."

"Okay Daddy," Ella replied.

As soon as he knew his family was safe inside their home, Daryl went back to fighting off the few remaining walkers in the yard. Once he had finished, he ran to the side of the house and slowly pulled Delilah's cart towards the fence, maneuvering it in front of the gaping hole. It wasn't easy but he finally managed to pull it through the mud and move the fallen tree out of the way enough to reinforce the opening in the fence.

Daryl rested for a moment, trembling as he caught his breath. He hunched over to clean the blood off his hands in a puddle on the ground, then wiped them on his pants.

The rain had stopped but lightening illuminated the dark clouds in brilliant flashes. They were followed by dull rumbles of thunder that he could feel in his body. Daryl stared up into the sky. The expanse above him felt immense...boundless and immeasurable, while he felt so small. Daryl trembled again as he breathed in and out slowly. Thank you, he said as he stared into the dark sky. Thank you. Daryl turned and hurried back inside to his family.

…..

Once Connie and Ella were back inside, the little girl carefully helped her mother into the tub. Once Connie slid her body into the water, the first of many fast and painful contractions hit. They came one after another with less time int between to recover.

Daryl was back inside, and their home was safe and secure once again. Ella sat on a stool next to the bathtub, barely able to keep her eyes open. Daryl laid a thick towel on the bathroom floor and had the poor girl lie down. He sat down on the stool next to the tub and held Connie's hand, finally ready to coach her through her labor.

Between Connie's contractions, Daryl managed to slip away and boil more water, keeping the temperature of the bathwater warm and comfortable. After another 50 minutes of the hard labor, Connie felt intense pressure between her legs. She recalled the feeling clearly and knew what it meant. The baby was coming and it was time to push.

Connie was calm and relaxed. She looked out the bathroom window and gazed at the warm, amber, glow of the rising sun outside. It was a brand new day and she felt good. The fear and anxiety she was feeling just a few hours ago was gone. They had fought off the dead and the nightmare she had wasn't real. She was ready to bring this new life into the world. Connie was absolutely exhausted but she smiled at Daryl through her tired eyes. It's time for me to push.

You sure, Daryl asked. Connie nodded confidently. Okay, good. We got this. You got this. I want you to try and sit up a little okay? Daryl took her hand and pulled her upright. When your next contraction comes, you're gonna push real hard – as hard as you can. You just hold my hand as tight as you need to, Baby. Then when it's over you're going to stop pushing. Got it?

Connie nodded. She already knew all these things but she was grateful to have Daryl reminding her. It eased her mind to know that he was confident of what needed to happen. She breathed in and out slowly, trying to relax before she had to start pushing.

Connie felt the first contraction coming and she grasped onto Daryl's hand. She started pushing as the contraction intensified.

"That's good. You're doin' so good!" Daryl said out loud as Connie squeezed his hand. Her body was tense and she clenched her teeth until the contraction was over. She looked over at him through glazed-over eyes. That was perfect, Daryl signed, then kissed her on the forehead. Now rest for a minute. Take some deep breaths and get ready to push again.

Before long, another contraction hit Connie hard. Daryl held onto her hand as he watched the tears pour from her eyes. He was filled with awe and admiration as he watched his wife, the strongest woman he knew, work tirelessly to bring their child into the world. "You're almost done and then you can rest again, okay?" Daryl said although Connie was too delirious to read his lips.

"Is the baby finally comin' yet Daddy?" Ella asked, stirring on the floor.

"Sure is!" Daryl replied. "And me and Mamma are gonna need some help. Think you can you do that, Sunshine?"

"Uh huh. What do you want me to do?"

"Go and get a clean sharp knife from the kitchen drawer and bring it to me. When you come back, you're gonna hold Mamma's hand."

"What are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna catch the baby when it comes out. Now hurry and go do what I say."

As Ella ran out, Connie felt another contraction coming. Her body quivered and tensed as she pushed as hard as she could. Daryl looked into the bathwater and could see the top of the baby's head. By the end of the contraction, the entire head was out.

Once Ella returned, she handed the knife to Daryl and looked into the tub. "I see it Daddy! I see the baby!" Ella exclaimed in amazement.

"Pretty cool, huh?" Daryl replied calmly. "Now come and take my place and hold Mamma's hand."

Daryl moved to the bottom of the tub. He reached his hands into the water and examined the baby. Okay, he signed as he looked back up at his wife. You probably only have one more push. You just got to get the shoulders out and then we have ourselves a baby. You ready?

Connie nodded. She took a few deep breaths as she held onto Ella's hand. Seconds later, she was pushing again. Daryl reached into the water and gently held the baby. He wrapped one hand around the head and cleared the umbilical chord from around the baby's neck with his other hand. He reached farther down to hold onto the shoulders as Connie continued to push as hard as she could. Seconds later, Daryl held the baby securely in his hands. He lifted the newborn out of the water and examined the sex.

"It's a boy!" Daryl happily exclaimed as he placed his son on Connie's chest. She beamed from ear to ear as she cradled the baby boy in her arms.

But Connie's joy was short-lived when she looked at his tiny face. It was a dusky blue color and his eyes were still closed. The baby lay still and heavy against her chest.

He's not breathing! Connie signed frantically as she still held the baby. Daryl, he's not breathing. Oh God, is he dead?

Daryl immediately took the baby from her again and rubbed on his chest. Nothing happened. Daryl turned him upside down in his powerful arms. He pounded the palm of his hand against the newborns back again and again. Connie felt like she was about to pass out as she watched.

It was happening again. The nightmare was real and she was going to have to bury another baby in the dirt. Oh God, no..., she thought to herself. God please don't take this baby! Please, not again!

The baby still made no movement as Daryl patted his back. He turned the baby over in his arms and placed his mouth over his nose and mouth. He blew into his airway then rubbed his chest again.

"C'mon little guy," Daryl said quietly as a full panic set into him also. "C'mon and breathe." He repeated the action again, blowing into his son's mouth and nose.

"Daddy what's wrong with him? Is he dead? Is he gonna turn into a monster?" Ella began to cry. "I don't want my baby brother to die!"

"It's alright. It's gonna be alright." Daryl said the words but he wasn't sure that he believed them. He flipped the tiny baby over in his arms again and pounded on his back. He turned him over again and gave the baby more breaths. As he did, he began to pray to himself again. Please God, don't take this boy. Don't let Connie lose another baby. I can't watch her heart break and I know it will. My heart will break too...and Ella's. Please God, please...just answer my prayer right now. Please!

Daryl didn't know how it worked. Did God really answer prayers like that. Before Daryl went outside to fight off the horde of walkers, he called out to God for help. His prayers were answered and they had safely overcome the dead. Surely some unseen, larger than life, booming voice in the sky wouldn't be bothered to help him again. Surely Daryl had reached his quota of answered prayers. Was anyone even there to listen to those prayers?

Tears quickly gathered in Daryl's exhausted eyes and his mouth turned down painfully as he looked from his crying wife then to his crying daughter then to the lifeless baby.

"I'm sorry," Daryl uttered softly. "I'm so sorry, Connie." He turned the baby boy over in his arms and cradled him against his chest as his own tears fell. Daryl closed his eyes. He couldn't bear to look at the baby. He couldn't look at Connie or Ella either. He'd failed them. Of course his head told him there was nothing he could have done differently but his heart felt heavy with guilt.

Connie sat up in the tub and reached for Daryl's arm. Daryl opened his eyes again and looked back at his wife. Give him to me, she signed as she wept. I need to hold him. Daryl bent over and gently placed the newborn in his mother's arms.

As soon as Connie pulled the tiny baby into her chest, she thought she felt him move. She was sure it must have been her imagination. She flinched as she looked down and saw his arms began to flail. He had turned already? No, that was impossible. She'd never seen anyone turn that fast. Maybe he died much earlier - before she'd even delivered him - and now he was finally turning? She stared down into his tiny face in confusion then watched him open his mouth and let out a loud wail.

Daryl heard the baby's cry and immediately wiped his blurry, tear-filled eyes as he turned to look. He gasped as he put his hands to his head and stared down at the baby in disbelief. He was alive. Blood had rushed into his tiny face and his cheeks and lips had become pink. Connie was still so confused. This couldn't be real. He was gone just moments ago and she wasn't about to get her hopes up that he was really alive. But when she looked at her husband and saw the stunned look of joy on his face, she knew it was true. He was alive. Their baby boy was alive. He squirmed and cried as Daryl and Connie looked on, this time with tears of joy.

Connie watched the baby boy continue to cry until she lifted her shirt and put the baby instinctively to her breast. He calmed down as he began to suckle. Connie quivered as tears continued to fall from her eyes. She cradled him close to her body while he nursed, immensely grateful that he was alive.

Daryl fell to his knees and rested his arm on the edge of the tub as he focused his eyes on his newborn, baby boy. He wrapped his other arm around Ella and pulled her into an embrace. Their family was safe. The baby was alive. It was a miracle. Once again, his prayers had been answered.

A/N: My goodness! I can't remember ever having a harder time publishing a chapter. I've been so busy and this chapter was rather long and it just took me forever to write and edit it. There were many nights I would get on my computer and literally only have time to write just a couple of sentences. Anyhow, I'm really just rambling. I just want to thank you for your patience and tell you that I really appreciate everyone's devotion to this little story. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of this chapter. I haven't named Baby Boy Dixon yet so feel free to give a suggestion! Until next time, God bless friends!