Hey guys.. so I have no idea how this chapter got deleted but it did so here it is again.. sorry to get you're hopes up but the next chapter is just being edited so it will be here shortly.. If you haven't read this I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to R&R

Chapter Nineteen

Joelle's POV

Joelle knew she should rest as much as possible before she was fully dilated but the steady pains were making it hard for her to get more than two hours at most. Every four hours Roxie would wake up and check to see how many more centimeters she needed before giving birth but it seemed so slow. Not that she really minded, she wanted Daryl to be there so bad and even though she couldn't stall the birth too much she hoped he would be back in time.

It was midday when her contractions began to quicken, coming sooner and sooner until she could barely breathe. Roxie came up to her then and ordered her to open her legs, even though she had been doing this for over twelve hours the invasion was still uncomfortable but Jo sat through it waiting for Roxie's usual 'nearly there now, not much longer' but instead she received an answer much more terrifying.

"You're at ten sweetheart, you're going to want to push at the next set of contractions. That's when you need to push, it means the baby is ready," Roxie explained quickly. Jo's frightened eyes met Lucas's and then Merle's who had, until then, been resting their bruised hands. They came quickly to her side; Lucas luckily, had two hands… so he offered a fresh one to his little sister, smirking at Merle as he winced and offered up the same hand.

"Baby brother better show soon, I don't know if I want to lose my second hand," Merle grumbled, Roxie and Lucas laughed loudly while Jo just scowled.

"I have an idea how about you push this baby out of your dick and see how you do?!" She forced out obviously tired and in pain.

"No, no, you wouldn't wanna see old Merle in pain, I'm good," the redneck amended at her fierce gaze.

The contraction crashed over her hard and Joelle couldn't help the scream of agony that tore through her as she began to push.

Daryl's POV

The ride back to the prison was quicker than they expected but they didn't question their luck as they rode through the gates. Rick greeted them before pulling Daryl aside "you need to shower quickly," he spoke hastily, "Jo's in labor."

A thrill of fear and excitement washed over Daryl, the baby was coming, without a word he quickly ran to the showers, washing away the blood and gore and changing into clean clothes in record time before he ran towards the offices. As he neared the door Elle's screams reached his ears and even though he knew it was normal his blood turned to ice. He surged forward moving faster until he came to the right door.

Daryl felt unsure as he stood before the room that held his screaming love, another wail broke through the door and without thinking Daryl walked straight in.

There she was, covered in sweat and screaming to high heaven, looking utterly exhausted yet completely determined. Lucas and Merle were either side of her and Daryl noticed the bone crushing grip Jo had on each of them whereas Roxie was in-between her legs, coaching her through the birth.

Her eyes locked on to his and together they smiled, the pain seemed to drain out of her for a second as she looked him over for any injury, finding none her eyes once more found his. Pain swamped through her eyes as another contraction hit her, a groan of pain leaving her lips.

Daryl moved to her without thinking wiping the sweat from her eyes and kissing her cheek, "I'm here Angel, I'm here," his whisper seemed to calm her a little and for that everyone was grateful.

"You're doing well, Jo but I need you to really push for this next one, the baby is crowning but let's see the face okay, sweet?" Roxie's instruction seemed to give Joelle a little more energy as she nodded, face set.

"Keep goin' Angel, yer nearly there love, our baby is nearly here," Daryl spoke while stroking her cheek like only a lover did.

Another wave of pain flashed through her eyes and as the next contraction hit, Joelle cried out, face contorted in pain and resolve, "I have the head Jo, the next contraction the body will follow," Roxie called out.

"Come on firecracker, the baby's nearly out, then you can rest," Merle's gruff voice added fuel to the fire and soon all three men were speaking words of encouragement.

Daryl's sweet whisperings were the clearest though and as he spoke those honeyed words, she couldn't help the smile that grew on her face.

The next contraction hit her like a train but she screamed and groaned her way through and as she relaxed an infant's cry filled the room. "Here Daryl help me cut the cord," Roxie's command tore through the moment, making it seem even more real.

He kissed Elle's sweaty cheek before moving to where Roxie was holding their child. Following her instructions, he cut the cord where she directed and moved back so the baby could be cleaned and swaddled in blankets. Roxie walked back to him "here Daryl," taking his child from Roxie's arms was different to when he had held Judith. This child here was his, this beautifully fragile, sweet child was his. It would grow to call him dad, he would teach it everything he knew, he would keep his baby safe.

His eyes met Jo's once more and he couldn't help the pride filled smile that was currently situated on his face, he walked over to Jo, who held out her arms and without hesitation he place the baby in her arms.

There was his Angel exhausted yet overjoyed at the bundle she held, and Daryl couldn't help but think that she was the most amazing vision, sitting there holding his child. She moved some of the blankets covering the child, she looked at Daryl tears welling in her eyes.

"Artemis," she breathed, "our baby girl Artemis," she whispered before covering the child again. Merle and Lucas looked at each other excitement and love filling their gazes.

"We'll tell the others while you two have a moment," Merle said before dragging a reluctant Lucas with him.

Joelle moved her top and bra and held up Artemis so she could feed, "she's perfect, absolutely perfect."

Daryl sat down in one of the seats that had just been vacated. He was a father. A father. Never before had he imagined that it would ever happen. Not with the childhood he'd had, not with the father he'd had, but he was and he was so damn happy.

It didn't matter that the world had gone to shit, it didn't matter that every day was a fight for survival, his daughter would make it through everything, just like him and just like her mother.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but the afterbirth is about to follow, it's messy and bloody, how about you take little Miss Artemis to the others. Joelle will be back in your cell in no time," Roxie said slightly timidly, after all everyone knew to not get between the two lovers. As much as Daryl refused any claims to leadership or being an 'Alpha' he was one and here was his Joelle tired and in pain; Daryl was bound to be protective and territorial.

Daryl looked hesitant, his first instinct to say no and stay nice and close to his Angel. Jo saw him about to refuse but she shook her head, "go love, take our baby girl to the others, Roxie will come get you when we're done," he could clearly see how tired she was but there was a certain stubborn glint in her eyes that he couldn't ignore.

"Love ya Angel," he said before kissing her forehead and taking Artemis for her arms, "I'll see you soon Elle."

Beth appeared at the door then, "Lucas sent me to help with the rest and clean up if you need it at all Ma'am," she spoke confidently, a change from the timid young girl they had first met many months ago.

"Thank you sugar and how many times have I told you to call me Roxie? Come, Daryl was just leaving," her tone booked for no argument and soon Beth was at her side.

Artemis who had begun to whimper at the loss of her mother soon quietened as her father's rough, soothing voice washed over her, "C'mon Little Hunter, time ta meet the rest of 'em."

Artemis cooed and gurgled in response causing Daryl to grin, "See that Elle, she's a Daddy's girl," Daryl smiled triumphantly before kissing Jo's lips and swaggering out the door.

He made his way back to cell block C slowly wanting to savor the time he had with his daughter before she was passed around to everyone. Merle and Lucas were sure to hog her even with Lucas spending much of his time with Judith.

"I won't let nothing happen to ya or ya Mamma Artemis, I'll keep ya safe," he whispered quietly not wanting to startle her, icy blue eyes much like his own smiled back at him and if possible Daryl's grin widened.

As they entered the cell block he was immediately crowded by their original group, namely Rick, Merle, Lucas, Daniel, Carl, Michonne, Maggie and Hershel.

Glenn and Carol were missing which Daryl had anticipated, Glenn was still sick and Sophia… Sophia hadn't made it. Daryl hadn't been quick enough to save her and he knew if it weren't for the tiny bundle in his arms, he would be in a rage that only Elle could cool.

"Back up, back up give them some room," cried Merle and the group soon backed up.

As Daryl predicted she was soon handed around, everyone itching to hold her, Lucas and Merle holding her the longest. It wasn't long before Daryl was impatiently tapping his leg keen to have his baby girl back. After all he had barely held her and she was his Little Hunter, he took a deep breath trying to draw in patience.

However the moment she began to whimper in Merle's arms Daryl was there and quickly scooped her up. He bid the group goodnight and walked into his cell. Gently he placed Artemis into a nappy and then proceeded to dress her in a lilac baby grow, he silently thanked Judith for giving him the practice he needed with Artemis. Once she was dressed he kicked off his boots and removed his shirt before lying back on the bed, his Little Hunter lying on his chest. It wasn't long before she was breathing heavily, Look at that she sleeps better than I do! Daryl thought smugly his joy and love never ending when it came to his baby girl.

There was a rustle of movement towards the door and Daryl looked over to find Lucas carrying in his Angel. She was dressed comfortably in sweats her head resting against her eldest brother's shoulder. Lucas laid her down gently before kissing her forehead; with a kiss to Artemis and a nod to Daryl he left them, the curtain swaying back into place.

Joelle slowly took of her top, bra and sweats before turning to Daryl and smiling softly. She had taken to sleeping only in her panties during her pregnancy and obviously still found it the most comfortable. Gently he placed Artemis in between them (Joelle making it abundantly clear early in the pregnancy that she would not have her child away from her even if the crib was right next to the bed). Joelle kissed her daughters cheek before moving them both closer to Daryl. He pushed himself up and kissed Elle soundly on the lips, "look at the beautiful girl we made Angel, isn't she somethin'?"

"She's completely perfect," her voice was soft and tired but saturated in happiness. She stretched her back wincing as she did so. Daryl with his keen eyes noticed her flinch of pain and he moved to the other side of the bed, pushed her down onto her stomach and proceeded to massage her back.

She sighed in relief as his hands worked through the knots, his fingers ghosted along the lines of her wings and she sighed again. It had been three nights after she found out she was pregnant that he had asked about the large tattoo. Daryl had wondered what the angel wings had meant since the first time he'd seen them on the farm so many months ago. "Freedom," had been her answer "it means freedom and peace and rising above those who harmed me." He had cherished the tattoo ever since, it had been the prompt for his nickname Angel, along with the fact that she'd saved him from himself, she was his guardian angel.

He worked the muscles until she was completely relaxed and in fact asleep much like her newborn daughter, he chuckled, it was nice to know that his massaging skills were just that good. He kissed the corner of her mouth before climbing back into bed on the other side.

"Love you Little hunter, love you Angel," he said softly to his girls. Sleep took him quickly but he knew in a matter of hours Artemis would make her hunting call.

A/N: Daryl is fucking amazing.. Literally amazing don't you think? I most of you have read this chapter but some reviews and comments on how it went would be awesome? Did you like how this played out? What could have been done better? Things like that! I love constructive criticism as long as it's not intentionally mean :) Credit for the name goes to ytdollface ! I really liked Artemis so I used it.. I know it's slightly stereotypical and corny but whatever. Thank you for EVERYONE, Readers, Favorites, Followers, and a special thank you to the amazing people who review I love you! I really hope you liked this chapter and the next one is currently being edited and will be up soon I think.. :) R&R XX