Disclaimer- I do not own the Walking Dead

KEZZ1- Thank you, I'm glad you're still reading and enjoying.

Shadowoftheblackdeat- There's a little bit of a panicking/stressed Merle in this one.

Alwaysand- There really isn't. Thank you for the review.

I have never had a baby so trying to write the feelings and adoration of a new mother was difficult but I tried my best. I hope it's okay.

Enjoy and Review if you're able to.

Danny's POV

I think Glenn's the first one to realise, as the "oh" he lets come out of his mouth sounds just as surprised as mine did. He latches onto my upper arm with one hand and with the other he grabs the hand I'm giving to him. I squeeze his hand tight as a contraction hits me.

Daryl is immediately stood in front of me but he doesn't seem to know what to say and just sort of looks at me as his hands reach out for me.

"Maggie, get some water and those blankets that are in the back of our car", Herschel takes charge, "I'll grab my stuff so take her inside and get her settled".

Daryl takes my free hand and places his other against my lower back and starts steering me towards our block.

Merle is in front of us walking backwards, "Relax, just breath". He then takes a deep breath and after a beat lets it out again. He repeats a couple more times. "Relax... Don't forget to relax".

I roll my eyes at him. "Telling me to relax doesn't make me relax". Another contraction rocks through me. I stop walking and grip Daryl's hand so hard as I let it run it's course. When I get through the other side I immediately loosen my fingers but he refuses to let my hand go.

"Sorry".

He shakes his head at me, "Don't be sorry, Come on". With a little pressure on my back he gets me walking again.

We make it to our room with only one more contraction, as soon I get through it Carol smiles at me. "Just over a minute apart sweetie. Baby's coming quick".

Daryl shoves the blankets off of the bed but I shake my head, "No I gotta stand". I kind of expect some kind of resistance from at least one person but nobody says anything, instead Daryl just comes and stands right back in front of me so I can use him to hold onto.

As another contraction comes Merle groans. "Where's Herschel?" He looks out the door for a second before looking back at me. He looks unbelievably stressed. "Don't you dare push, ya keep them legs closed until Doc gets back".

I'm in a lot of pain but somehow he's till managing to make me laugh, even if it sounds a little strained.

Carol lays her hands on Merle and gives him a gentle push, "Merle, darling. You are panicking. Danny is okay, alright? Maybe it's best you just wait outside for now".

He nods reluctantly and walks out the door, his head suddenly peers back round. "Don't ya push, ya wait for the Doc". Daryl takes a step towards him but Merle's already gone.

"Why is he so stressed he's not the one about to have a baby?" I follow with another small strained chuckle.

Daryl shrugs and then starts pushing my hair away from my face. "He loves ya and apparently doesn't seem to actually know how child birth works".

Another contraction. When this ones done Carol kicks everyone else out so it's just the three of us.

"Lets get your underwear off, we need to see how dilated you are." She helps me step out of them and also helps me out of my boots and socks after I say I need them off to.

Herschel rushes into the room, "How we doin'?"

There seems to be no gap now between my contractions and I now have the massive urge to push but I just stare up at Daryl, my eyes pooling with tears.

"I'm scared".

His eyes snap down to mine, he caresses my cheek with the tips of his fingers, "I know, but you and me can do this and we won't be alone. We have Carol, Sophia.. Even Merle. As a family we can do this." He places a kiss against my lips. "Just think that it won't be long 'fore ya gettin' to hold our beautiful baby".

"She's fully dilated".

Daryl stands beside me stroking the hair back away from my face as I sit on the bed leaning up against a pile of pillows. Carol's back is to us as she holds the baby for Herschel who is currently checking it over.

I wait with bated breath for what feels like ages before she turns to us wearing the biggest smile. "It's a boy". I look up at Daryl who is already looking at me wearing the softest smile. He kneels down beside me as Carol brings the bundle of blankets over. She carefully places him in my arms. "Congratulations mummy".

Looking down at our beautiful baby has me filled with so many emotions. I feel euphoric, immense relief, like it's all surreal. I'm filled with pure joy and blissful adoration. This whole journey was terrifying but looking at him now makes every second of pain, discomfort and fear seem worth it. I feel at a lose for words as I stare at the man beside me. We did this, we created this perfect baby in this horrible world. Daryl's expression is one of pure love as he gazes at our baby.

"We're gonna give you two some privacy". Carol keeps her voice at a whisper. "Here." She lays one of Daryl's shirts on the bed. "Put this on when you're able to as it will give you easy access and allow for skin to skin contact. Remember what I talked about". With that she leaves the room before I can even say thank you.

I want to be selfish, I want to never put him down but Daryl's expression makes my heart soar. "Hold him".

I don't miss the slight panic that washes over Daryl but then it's gone and then he carefully takes him from my arms. Daryl stands back up as he gently rocks his arms. I grab the shirt and manage to pull my dress over my head and change into the shirt without trying to let the pain get the better of me.

"Are you okay?"

"I am, everything else doesn't matter".

"I am so proud of you. You are amazin'. I love you... So much".

"I love you to." I grin at him, "You're a dad".

He chuckles softly, "Who would'a thought that would happen". He looks down at the baby in his arms and his soft smile immediately reappears.

He brings our son back over to me and lowers him down into my arms, pushing the blankets off one side of his body so his skin is touching mine.

"We need to name you", I whisper at him. Without looking away I direct my question at Daryl. "Did you think of any names?"

He takes a seat on the edge of the bed, "I did, I thought of a couple. Noah and Riley. I couldn't pick out of those two".

"Do you like Riley?" I ask our baby, "I like Riley... I love Riley". I grab Daryl's hand and bring it closer so we can both touch our son. "Riley Dixon".

Daryl chuckles. "Merle wanted Mason". I furrow my eyebrows which makes Daryl chuckle harder. "Mason Dixon".

"Of course he did".