Chapter 33: Even A Hero's Heart Breaks

It had been a long night followed by a long day.

Daryl stayed busy caring for Connie and the new baby all morning, noon and night while repairing the fence and preparing to make the journey to Alexandria the following day. Despite the baby's terrifying beginning, he seemed healthy and strong now. But no matter how healthy and strong he appeared, his parents still wanted to take him to see Siddiq to be examined as soon as they could. Daryl knew just how strong his wife was but she'd just given birth and he wanted her to see Siddiq too.

They would leave for Alexandria first thing the next morning. Daryl wanted Connie to have a day to recover before they made the long trip to Alexandria.

It was 9 PM when his wife finally succumbed to sleep. She was physically and emotionally weary from the labor, delivery and subsequent trauma of nearly losing their precious baby. That was to say nothing of the terrifying near-tragedy with the horde outside. It had been a day full of pain, exhaustion and emotion but as she slept in bed, she was finally beginning to recover from it all.

James Riley Dixon had entered the world in dramatic form and was finally exhausted enough himself to let his mother sleep. The brand new baby boy slumbered with his mother protectively laying next to him.

Ruby lay asleep on the floor right beside the bed. The dog's head shot up as soon as she saw Daryl open the door to check on them. Ruby was the lightest sleeper in the family – always on high alert, even when she was at rest. Daryl leaned against the door frame and watched his wife and newborn son as they slept. His heart swelled with love and gratitude as he carefully examined them both, studying their breathing and movements. Once he was assured of their safety and comfort, he left the room and turned to walk to the sofa.

Ella lay curled up on the sofa with her favorite tattered blanket, a treasured keepsake from her Aunt Carol when she was a newborn baby herself. Daryl looked at the delicate floral stitching on the quilted green and yellow blanket.

The very minute Daryl told Carol they were expecting a baby, she gasped with excitement then said, "I'm going to cross stitch that baby the prettiest blanket ever!" Daryl chuckled under his breath. He had absolutely no idea what cross stitching was, but he was glad his friend, a battered and hardened warrior, was able to do something like make pretty blankets again.

Daryl reached down to lift Ella off the sofa. As soon as the little girl was in his arms she stirred and awoke from her sleep.

"Daddy what are you doin?" she asked with irritation.

"I'm puttin' you to bed."

"I want to sleep out here on the sofa."

"Nah, I want you in the bedroom with me and Mamma."

"But Daddy," Ella argued, "there's too many people in there. I need my own space so I'm gonna start sleepin' out here."

"Oh you think so?"

"Yeah, I'm big now so I'll be okay."

"Tell you what. You can stay out here for a little while longer while I'm finishin' some stuff up. But when I'm done, I'm gonna put you to bed with us."

"Alright," Ella replied with disappointment. Daryl set her back on the sofa and tousled her hair. He turned to walk away when Ella yanked on his arm. "Don't go, Daddy. Stay with me until I fall asleep again."

Daryl was dead tired, drained and still had things to do, but he looked at his little girl's big brown eyes staring back up at him and couldn't resist her pleas for him to stay. He collapsed on the sofa next to her and she immediately cuddled her body against his.

Daryl wrapped his arm around her and held her close to his side. "Hey, you wanna know somethin'?" he asked as he moved his hand up and down her arm.

"What?"

"You really are gettin' big."

"I know," she replied casually.

"You helped Mamma and me all day today. You helped with James and did all your chores."

"I had to Daddy. If I don't do my chores and help with stuff, I'll get in trouble."

"I guess that's true. But you're big enough that you already figured that out. Not only that, but you helped deliver the baby and helped with them walkers outside."

"I had to do that too, Daddy. I couldn't just sit around and do nothin'. That's just dumb."

"You're right," Daryl said with a chuckle. "I'm glad you ain't dumb then. A lot of kids your age don't know how to do all the stuff you know how to do. You're pretty special."

"Thanks Daddy."

Daryl really was so proud and wanted to praise and encourage his daughter. Growing up without those things, he knew exactly how vital praise and encouragement were...how much he could have used that when he was her age. But it was more than that. He really was impressed with Ella. "I can't believe how big you are. You're a strong little girl...you're brave too. You know that?"

"Like you and Mamma?"

Daryl chuckled. "That's right Sunshine. You're strong and brave just like me and Mamma."

"Daddy? That makes me think of somethin'."

"What?"

"A couple days ago, Mamma told me a story."

"Oh yeah, what kind a story?"

"She told me a story about a king, I can't remember his name but she said she learned about him when she was a little girl. Anyway, people were bein' mean to the king's people because they were black. But the king was brave and strong and he told them they should stop bein' mean and that black people were the same as all the other people. And then people got mad at him and they killed him. Isn't that terrible Daddy?"

"You talkin' about Martin Luther King? Was that the 'king's' name?"

"Yeah, that was his name!" Ella exclaimed with excitement. "You know that guy too?"

"Yep, sure do."

"Anyway, I thought it was sad he died because Mamma said he was her hero."

"Even though he died, he was still a hero to a lot of people."

"Well I told Mamma I thought a hero was only like Batman but she said a hero is anyone who is brave and strong."

"Mamma's always right, isn't she? Anyone can be a hero, even little girls. Were you thinkin' about that because I said you were brave and strong?" Daryl asked.

"No Daddy," Ella said in all seroulsness, "I was thinkin' about that because you're always brave and strong. You fought the monsters and you saved James. You're my hero, Daddy." Ella climbed onto Daryl's lap and put her hands on his face and squeezed his cheeks. She kissed him on the lips with a loud smack.

Daryl stared back at Ella as he contemplated what she had just told him...how important he was to her – to his family. Tears welled up in his eyes and he was filled with a rush of emotions. The tenderness he felt towards his little girl moved him. The love and devotion he felt for, Connie, Ella and James overwhelmed him.

This precious gift, this family that he'd been given, the magnitude of it all was almost too much for him to grasp in this one moment. All he could do was hold onto Ella and let himself bask in the gratitude he felt. God answered his prayers. James was still here. His family was safe. The Dixon family was whole and strong and surrounded by love.

"Daddy," Ella said, beginning to drift off.

"Yeah Baby," Daryl replied, trying to hide the cracking in his voice.

"I know you got things to do but could you just stay with me a little longer?"

Daryl's fingertips gently swept her hair from her face as he looked down at her pretty face. "I could probably do that."

Daryl reclined further on the sofa with Ella nestled comfortably against him. It wasn't long before they were both fast asleep.

…..

Daryl's eyes shot open when he heard James crying from the bedroom. He looked at the clock on the mantle of the fireplace and saw that it was nearly 4:30 in the morning. He couldn't believe that he had slept an entire 7 hours. More than 5 hours of sleep was a rarity for Daryl but after the previous day and the day he had in front of him, he knew he needed the extra sleep.

Daryl kissed the top of Ella's head then carefully laid her onto the sofa. He covered her up with her tattered blanket and stood to walk to the bedroom.

Daryl opened the door and peered inside. Connie was sitting up in bed, cradling James in her arms as she nursed. She looked over at Daryl and smiled through tired eyes.

I wasn't sure if you knew he was crying, Daryl signed.

Ruby woke me up when she heard him.

Daryl moved closer then sat next to Connie on the edge of the bed. How did you sleep?

Rough night but no surprise there, Connie answered. It wasn't as easy for her to sign with a baby in her arms but she managed just the same. James woke up twice before. Ruby licked my arm every time.

Daryl reached down and scratched Ruby behind her ears as she sat next to the bed. Of course she did. Dang dog is more useful than I am.

Not possible, Connie replied with a adoring grin. You slept on the sofa?

Yeah, Ella wanted to sleep out there and asked me to lay down with her. Guess I was more tired than I thought and spent the whole night out there.

I missed having you next to me.

Well at least you had this little guy to keep you company. Daryl stared gleefully at James and brushed his calloused fingers on the bottom of the baby's foot.

He's a sweetheart but I sleep a lot better next to you.

Daryl leaned over and brushed Connie's curls away from her face. He slowly pressed his lips onto hers as a euphoric warmth swept over him. He would have been happy to stay next to his wife and baby in bed for a little while longer but he still had a lot to do to prepare for the long journey. He kissed Connie again then leaned over to kiss James on his tiny hand.

I don't want to leave but I still got plenty of work to do. Daryl stood up and looked at Connie. The cart is packed up and we should hit the road by 7. We got a long day ahead of us.

We'll be ready.

You need anything before I go? Daryl asked.

Connie shook her head. She reached over and took Daryl's hand in hers. She laced her fingers through his and swung his arm. She finally brought his hand to her mouth and placed a kiss on it. She let go and looked up at him.

Love you Connie.

I love you back.

Daryl turned and left the room. He wasted no time slipping his boots and jacket on then taking a lantern down off the shelf. He reached into his pant's pocket and pulled his lighter out. He took the glass chimney off the lantern and lit the wick. He replaced the chimney, quietly opened the door and walked outside towards the stable.

Daryl reached up and patted Delilah on her side. "Hey there D," he said calmly as he moved his hand to rub the bridge of her nose. "You ready for the big trip?"

After he fitted the saddle and reins onto the horse, Daryl moved over to the cart and checked the hitch. He noticed a bit of rust and turned to grab some oil and a rag off the shelf. His eyes shot upwards when he heard a quiet but distinct screeching sound. He set the jar of oil down on the cart and grabbed the lantern. He held it above his head to get a better look. At least three sets of eyes stared back at him from the rafters in the stable.

Damn bats, he thought to himself then grumbled. Daryl set the lantern down on the ground and grabbed Delilah by her reins, pulling her backwards a few feet. As soon as the horse was far enough away, Daryl grabbed a garden hoe and went to shew the bats away. The bats immediately began to stir then quickly flew out of their corner in the rafters. Daryl continued to wave the hoe above his head as the bats circled around him. They finally flew out of the stables but one landed on Delilah.

The horse began to whinny as soon as she felt the bat on her neck. Daryl went to swat the bat off of Delilah but before he could, the bat sunk its teeth into her ear. Delilah brayed loudly then started to kick her legs madly. Daryl fell backwards onto the ground, narrowly avoiding being kicked in the chest by the animal.

"Calm down!" Daryl said loudly as he crouched in the corner away from the horse. Delilah continued to kick as she turned in circles within the small space. Her enormous body slammed against the cart and spilled the oil. Daryl watched as the horse's wild hoof kick the lantern up towards the wall of the stable. It crashed against the wall and the glass chimney shattered.

The lantern fell onto the stacks of hay bales lined up against the stable walls. The fuel inside the lantern spilled out and the dry hay was set ablaze. One haystack after another promptly caught on fire before Daryl could even get back onto his feet.

Delilah finally found her way out of the stable. Daryl watched her as she frantically ran out into the yard then jumped over the lowest portion of the fence. "Shit!" Daryl barked as he watched their horse disappear into the woods. He would have chased after her but putting the fire out was his priority.

Daryl tried his best to remain calm. He stood up and grabbed a bucket. He scooped water out of the trough and threw it onto the flames. He grabbed another bucketful of water and doused the haystacks with water again. He repeated the action two more times until the trough was empty.

It looked as if Daryl had gotten the fire under control but red-hot slag from the haystacks flew through the air. They landed throughout the stable but some landed where the oil had spilled out onto the ground. The oil caught fire near the cart and quickly set that ablaze.

Daryl watched in disbelief as the cart and the contents within ignited. He shook his head, unsure of what to do next. He grabbed the bucket and ran around the to the side of the house towards the water pump. He filled the bucket with water from the pump and ran back towards the stable.

By the time Daryl returned with the bucket of water, the cart full of all their food and belongings for the trip, was engulfed in flames. The entire stable was also on fire again. The raging fire had moved to the rafters and was slowly crawling along the roof that connected the stable to the cabin.

Daryl couldn't believe his eyes. How had this gotten out of control so quickly? He mindlessly threw the bucket of water onto the flames hoping to slow them down then turned to go inside the house.

Daryl dropped the bucket onto the porch then crashed through the front door. He immediately ran to Ella on the sofa and shook her awake. "Ella, get up! Right now!" he shouted.

Connie ran from the bedroom carrying James. I smell smoke. What's going on? she signed in haste.

Stable caught on fire. We got to get out of the house right now. We need shoes, weapons and water. We ain't got time for nothing else!

"Daddy what's happening?" Ella cried. "Is it the monsters again?"

"There's a fire Ella. Get some clothes and shoes on...right now!"

Daryl ran through the house in a panic. He grabbed his crossbow, gun and knives and swiftly attached them to his body. He ran into the kitchen and grabbed three full canteens.

Connie was dressed in a matter of seconds. She ran back into the living room with James on her chest in a sling. She looked at Ella's feet to make sure she had shoes on then grabbed her and ran out of the front door.

Ella broke away from Connie's grip and ran back to grab her beloved blanket off of the sofa. Her mother stepped back and pulled her arm again and rushed the girl out the door with Ruby at their heels.

Once his wife and children were out of the house, Daryl hurried them out into the safety of the open yard.

Stay here, Daryl told them. He dropped his crossbow and the canteens onto the ground then ran back up onto the porch to grab the bucket again. He sprinted with the bucket back to the pump and filled it with water. When he returned, he threw the water onto the flames. He began to run back towards the pump again when he felt Connie's hand on his arm spinning him around.

What are you doing?

What does it look like?

It's gone Daryl!

No I can save it! he replied as he broke away from her grip and ran back to the pump. When he returned he threw the bucket of water onto the house. He was about to go back to the pump for more water when Connie moved her body in front of him.

Get out of the way! Daryl shouted. Connie stood her ground and wouldn't move.

Look at me, Connie signed. It's gone. The house is gone and we have to get out of here. Do you understand?

It's our house, dammit! I can't just let it... Daryl couldn't continue as he heaved in and out breathlessly.

This fire is going to attract any walkers in the area. You know that, Connie replied calmly. We have to get out of here right now. The babies need you to keep them safe. I need you.

Daryl stared at the little cabin now completely engulfed in flames on one side. The home they had built, was being destroyed in front of him. It was Daryl's own piece of heaven that he'd created after a lifetime of a hellish existence. Now it was an inferno. He looked from the cabin to Connie and his children. He slowly nodded his head dejectedly. She was right. He couldn't save their home and they had to go.

Daryl cried out in anger and defeat as he hurled the bucket towards the house in frustration. It flew into the fire and he watched as it was swallowed up by the flames.

Daryl picked up his crossbow and their canteens. "Let's go," he stated with resolve as he took Ella by the hand. He walked swiftly away from the cabin with Connie, their children and Ruby right beside him. He didn't look back.

A/N: I hope this chapter finds all of you well. I hope everyone is staying healthy during these crazy times we're all facing together. I hope you are staying physically, mentally and spiritually strong. I'm always here if you need to talk so just PM me 24/7 if you need an ear.

Writing continues to be such a fulfilling and joyful pastime for me and I'm so happy you all are along for the ride with me. Drop a comment about what you though of this chapter and you'll make my day. Lots of love to you friends and God bless always!