A/N All characters belong to the writers and creators of The Walking Dead. Except those that arose from my own twisted imagination.
Ok, I caved. I'm moving ahead in the timeline a bit and incorporating some of the season four story. I'm afraid if I keep plodding along in real time, it will get boring and just be filler. I don't want to write that kind of story & I doubt you all want to read it. So…wibley wobley timey wimey…here we go!
Chapter 35-A New Hope
Dani opened the door to the chicken coop and smiled as the dozen or so chickens and two roosters ran out to greet her. She scattered the feed out on the ground and then walked over to the egg box, smiling as she found a half a dozen eggs. Maddie and Rachel had only found a few when they had collected the eggs this morning. After months of molting and not producing, the chickens seemed to be making up for lost time but so far only two of the hens had gone broody, meaning they would hopefully have chicks soon. More chickens, more eggs. When she stood up, she felt a twinge in her lower back and she quickly rubbed it away. Being nine months pregnant was about as much fun as she remembered from before.
"Everything alright Danielle?" She turned to see Hershel walking slowly towards her using just a cane. A couple of months ago, one of the supplies teams had found a prosthetic leg and he was still getting used to it. Dani opened up the gate and nudged one of the chickens back inside with her foot before closing it behind her.
"I'm fine Hershel, thanks." He reached out and took the feedbag from her.
"I thought I told you not to pick up anything heavy?" They both started walking across the field. Dani smiled at his concern.
"That feedbag isn't that heavy." Hershel raised his eyebrow at her.
"Don't you argue with me, understand?" Dani nodded and put her hand on her stomach.
"You're still feeling the baby move aren't you? I can see you've dropped down." She smiled and nodded, running her hand down over her stomach.
"Every single time I try to relax, he's movin' around. He won't sit still." Hershel smiled and nodded up at the tower where Daryl and Taylor stood watch.
"Must take after his father then." Dani laughed.
"Probably." Two of the kids from Woodbury darted around them, laughing as they played a game of tag. "It's weird seeing how many people are here now. How many did Bill say last week? Fifty?" Hershel nodded.
"Fifty-four at last count. I can't believe how many people have survived as long as they have out on their own. And it seems like every time they go out for supplies, they bring back more people. It's restored my faith in God's mercy." He patted her shoulder. "You take it easy now. Feeding the chickens is one thing but no more heavy lifting, understand? Get Beth or Maggie to help you." Dani nodded.
"Yes Hershel. I promise." He smiled and walked over to the shed. Dani surveyed the work that had done in the prison yard. It didn't look the same as it had the day she arrived. The temporary tent for the tools had come down and had been replaced with a permanent shed. A barbeque pit and covered picnic area had been built near the front of C Block and she could hear the sound of heavy equipment coming from the back of the prison where Bill was supervising the reconstruction of the back fence. When a team went out on a run a few months back, they had found a house with a backhoe and an excavator in the backyard about three miles down the road. Dave Saunders and Bobby Young had both worked construction and drove the equipment in. Bill immediately put his plan to secure the back part of the prison in action. Once the fence was completely fixed, the rest of the prison had been completely cleared of walkers. Now, the construction crew was working on reinforcing the side fences, working their way towards the front gates.
Dani walked back inside, handed the basket of eggs to Rachel, smiled at a couple of the new people and walked back to her room. Her feet were swollen and she needed to take her shoes off. She sat on the bed, kicked off her shoes and sighed in relief.
"You need to put your feet up." She looked up to see Carol in the doorway, smiling at her.
"Daryl got you to follow me around didn't he?" Carol shook her head.
"No. I just saw you come inside. How are you feeling?" Dani shrugged and propped herself up on the pillows before leaning back and putting her feet up on the bed.
"I'm feeling huge." Carol frowned.
"Sweetie, you've only gained twenty pounds. That belly of yours is pretty much all baby." As if knowing he was being talked about, the baby jammed a foot into Dani's ribcage and she sucked in her breath. Carol walked in, concerned but Dani held up her hand and laughed as she exhaled.
"He's just upset that I'm sitting down, that's all." She took Carol's hand and placed it on the top swell of her stomach. "Right here. Feel that?" The baby pushed his foot up against Carol's hand and she smiled.
"He's far more active than Sophia was." She looked up at Dani. "You're not going to be disappointed if it's not a boy are you? You've been calling him 'he' for so long." Dani shook her head.
"I'll be happy with a healthy baby, Carol, boy or girl. It's just…" she looked down. "..I know it's a boy." Carol patted her hand and stood up.
"I'll let you get some rest. You need anything?" Dani nodded.
"Would you mind getting me some water? I forget to fill my canteen before I came in." Carol nodded.
"Of course. I'll be right back." Dani waited until Carol left and then took a deep breath as her stomach tightened. This was the third one this morning and she was getting nervous. She knew she still had a while to go before she had to worry too much. In the meantime, Dani decided to just get some rest while she could.
Daryl climbed down from the tower and walked over to the barbeque pit where Carol was cooking the turkey he'd caught the day before. It was done and Carol was letting it rest before cutting it but that didn't stop Daryl from taking his knife and cutting off a wing. Carol shook her head and winked at him.
"Nice to see you eating again. You're usually the last one to the table." Daryl smirked and picked some of the meat off the wing, licking his fingers.
"You did a good job." He looked around. "Dani inside?" Carol nodded.
"She's lying down. Poor thing got worn out earlier just gathering eggs." Daryl nodded and looked towards the prison.
"I should go check on her." Carol sliced a few pieces of turkey and placed it along with some of the stewed spring greens on a plate and handed it to him.
"Take this in there and get her to eat. Either Alice or I will be in to check on her later, ok?" He nodded.
"Thanks." As he walked to C block, he nodded to the people who called his name. It embarrassed him that people looked at him the way they did. Sure he'd brought in some of the people but Rick, Abraham, Taylor and Tyreese had too. He passed by Beth who was holding Judith. The baby grinned at Daryl, showing off her new teeth.
"Hey sweetheart." He leaned down and kissed the baby's head. She squealed in delight and babbled back to him. Beth hitched the squirming baby up on her hip.
"She's waiting patiently for the new baby to get here so she has someone to play with." Daryl took another bite of the turkey wing and looked at Beth.
"Shouldn't be too much longer." He held up the plate. "I've got to take this to Dani." Beth nodded.
"Tell her I'll come by later with the baby if she feels up to it." Daryl nodded and walked down the hall to their room. When he walked in, Dani was asleep. He put the plate down on the table and sat down on the bed next to her. He put his hand on her stomach and felt the baby moving under his hand. Dani opened her eyes and smiled.
"Hey you." He stood and leaned over to kiss her.
"You feel ok?" Dani nodded.
"I'm just tired." She sat up on the bed and Daryl brought her the plate.
"Carol fixed you somethin'. Said you need to eat." Dani inhaled deeply when she smelled the turkey.
"God that smells so good!" She used her fingers to tear a piece of turkey off and popped it in her mouth. "I'm so glad you're hunting again." He smirked at her.
"Someone has to since the other hunter's knocked up." She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him.
"That's your fault mister!" She started to take another bite of food when she felt another contraction and froze. This one was much stronger than the others. "Daryl, help me get to Alice please." He helped her to her feet.
"Is the baby comin'?" Dani nodded.
"I think so." He didn't hesitate and picked her up. "Daryl! I can walk!" He ignored her and kept walking down the hall towards the infirmary. As he passed Beth and Judith, he met Beth's startled look.
"Go get Alice and Hershel now!" Beth didn't hesitate and hurried to go find them both. They made it to the infirmary ward and he put her gently on the hospital bed. It was then that Dani saw the look of absolute panic on his face. She reached over and took his hand.
"Hey, it'll be ok." He nodded and took a deep breath as Alice walked in smiling.
"Hey momma. Is the little guy ready to join us?" Dani laughed and nodded just before another contraction hit.
"Yeah, I think so." She hissed through clenched teeth. Alice nodded and walked to the sink to wash her hands.
"Daryl, go get Carol or Maggie. I need one of them get some water boiling and bring some towels in here." Daryl narrowed his eyes.
"I ain't leavin'." Alice raised her eyebrow and took his arm, dragging him towards the door.
"Yes you are. I have to get Dani more comfortable and I need one of them to help me out. Now move your ass!" Daryl looked at Dani and then glared at Alice before running out the door.
When Glenn and Tyreese got back from the supply run, they could feel the excitement in the air. Glenn took the full gas cans out of the back of the truck and put them on the ground next to D block. Tyreese hitched his rifle up on his shoulder.
"Wonder what's goin' on?" Glenn moved out of the way as the rest of the crew unloaded the truck and shook his head.
"I don't know. I should go find Maggie and Rick." Tyreese nodded.
"Go. I'll help these guys get stuff sorted." Glenn looked around the front yard and didn't see Maggie, Rick or anyone. He saw Taylor walking over to the covered tables and waved to him.
"Taylor what's going on?" Taylor jerked his chin towards C block.
"Dani's havin' her baby. I think Maggie's inside waiting." Glenn smiled and turned to run inside.
"Thanks Taylor!" He called over his shoulder. In the hall outside the infirmary he found Maggie, Rick, Beth and Carl waiting. Maggie quickly embraced Glenn.
"Haven't heard anything yet. Dad and Carol are inside." Glenn looked at the anxious faces.
"Everything's ok though right?" Maggie nodded.
"If something was wrong I'm sure we'd know." She put her head on Glenn's shoulder. "I hope Dani and the baby are ok." Glenn kissed her and squeezed her tight.
"They'll be fine." They had just leaned against the wall when they heard a baby crying. A minute later, Carol stepped out into the hall to a row of anxious faces and smiled.
"Dani was right. It's a boy." Rick smiled and ran his hand through his hair.
"And is Dani..?" Carol nodded.
"She's fine, Daryl's fine. Hershel's checking over the baby now while Alice takes care of Dani." Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"He's perfect." Dani cradled her son to her chest and he opened his eyes to stare up at her. Hershel dried his hands off and nodded.
"He sure is. Just shy of eight pounds, ten fingers and ten toes. He patted Dani's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "You did real well." Daryl was standing back chewing on his thumb nail while Alice and Hershel finished up. Hershel walked over and placed his hand on Daryl's shoulder. "You've got a handsome boy there, son. Congratulations." Daryl didn't answer but gave Hershel a slight smile and nodded. Daryl slowly walked over to the bed and touched his son's cheek. The baby yawned and Daryl just stood in awe looking down at him. He'd held Judith but she wasn't his. This little boy was the only blood family he had left in the world. Dani saw his hesitation and lifted the baby up.
"Daryl, why don't you take him for a minute?" Daryl looked over at her and she saw the fear in his face. "You won't hurt him, I know you won't." Daryl carefully took the baby from Dani's arms and stepped back, never taking his eyes off of his son's face.
"Hey Jesse." His voice cracked as he said his son's name for the first time. Jesse closed his eyes and then opened them again, wrinkling his forehead as he squirmed in Daryl's arms, struggling to free his arm from the receiving blanket. Daryl adjusted his hold so he could pull the blanket back and Jesse reached his arm out. Daryl took his hand and gently kissed it. Jesse yawned again and closed his eyes, stretching out as he went to sleep. Daryl looked at Dani.
"You're right. He won't stay still." Dani smiled.
"I told you. We're gonna have fun when he starts gettin' around on his own." There was a knock at the door and Carol poked her head in.
"Do you feel up to some company?" Dani nodded and Alice picked up the soiled towels.
"I'll leave y'all alone, take these down to get washed and come back to check on you in a bit. He's adorable Dani." Carol held the door open for Alice and then the group walked in. Maggie had tears in her eyes and Beth walked over to Daryl to pull the blanket back.
"Ohhh..he's beautiful." She looked from Daryl to Dani. "What's his name? You never would say what you picked out." Daryl looked back down at the baby.
"Jesse." He nodded over to Dani. "We named him after Dani's granddad." Rick nodded and laughed.
"Jesse Dixon. I like it. Congratulations." Beth held out her arms.
"Can I hold him?" Daryl nodded and carefully handed Jesse over to Beth. He stepped aside as Maggie and Carol moved closer and the women walked over by the bed. Maggie gave Dani a hug and Daryl stepped back with Rick, Glenn and Carl.
"Where's Hershel?" he asked. Glenn motioned behind him.
"He went to get something to eat. He said he'll come back by in a little bit." Glenn grinned as he watched Maggie take the baby from Beth. "So, how's it feel?" Daryl shrugged.
"Unreal. I mean, a few hours ago I just felt him moving inside and now he's here." Rick nodded and put his hand on Daryl's shoulder.
"I understand that." He ruffled Carl's hair. "Went through the same thing when Carl was born. It's amazing when you start to think about it." Suddenly Jesse started fussing and Dani took him from Maggie.
"I think he's gettin' hungry." Carol nodded.
"I think that's our cue to leave." She kissed Dani's cheek and squeezed Daryl's hand. "We'll see you all soon." After they left, Daryl walked over to Dani and kissed her. When they broke apart, he locked his eyes on hers.
"Thank you." Dani tilted her head, confused.
"For what?" Daryl ran his finger down Jesse's cheek.
"For him." Dani brushed the hair out of Daryl's eyes.
"He wouldn't be here without you." Jesse started crying, capturing his parent's attention and Dani laughed. "Yes, yes. I'll get you fed, just hold on."
Tyreese joined Taylor up in the tower at dusk. He knew Taylor had been up there most of the day and it appeared that he was going to stay up there all night as well.
"Did you take a break at all?" Tyreese asked, placing his gun down and pulling up a chair. Taylor nodded.
"I had something to eat a few hours ago. I'm good. How was the supply run today?" Tyreese looked out across the yard beyond the fence. The walkers were bunching up again.
"Pretty uneventful today. But I guess, you all had some excitement here. I heard Dani and Daryl had a baby boy today." Taylor smiled.
"Yeah I went down and saw Daryl when he came out to get something to eat for Dani. Dude can't stop smiling. Said they named him Jesse. I'll have to go congratulate Dani when she feels up to it." He looked at Tyreese. "Did I tell you how she saved my ass just outside of Atlanta?" Tyreese shook his head. "I'd tried to get my sisters out of the city but we got caught up by the Army in one of those refugee camps. Walkers got inside and both my sisters got bit. I put them down and got the hell out of there, I still don't know how. Made it out onto the highway and tried to flag down a car but no one would stop except for this one white woman all by herself with a little girl. I begged her for a ride and she picked up her gun. She told me she'd help me but if I tried anything with her or her daughter she'd have no problem putting a bullet through my skull. I thought she was crazy but I didn't have a whole lot of options at that point so I got in the car. We met up with Mark, Jamie and the boys later that day. They were already with a camp and we all pretty much stayed together, even to Woodbury. Dani's one tough lady, that's for damn sure." Tyreese glanced over at Taylor.
"You two never…" Taylor shook his head emphatically.
"No, no. It was never like that. All Dani wanted was to take care of her little girl and I was just happy she let me stay with them." He sat on the floor and leaned against the wall. "Let's hope Jesse Dixon is the only excitement we get for a while. I wouldn't mind goin' a day where I was actually bored." Tyreese laughed.
"I agree with you there. Go ahead and get some sleep. I'll wake you up in a couple hours."