Chapter Three: His Girls
Daryl sat in a rocking chair holding his newborn daughter while Beth slept across the room. Beth and Hope had been released from the clinic earlier that day after Hope's birth two days prior. Daryl was more protective of Beth now than ever after watching the pain she went through to have their child and almost die from it. Now she was home still recovering and Daryl was insistent that she get as much rest as possible.
This meant Daryl spent most of the time with Hope cradled in his arms. He couldn't seem to put her down. The first time Beth had held Hope, her eyes had sparkled as Hope reached up her tiny hand to Beth's face. Hope giggled and Beth was smiling the biggest smile as she cried tears of joy. "Hey baby girl. You remember me don't you?" Beth had cooed to her. Daryl thought his heart would burst from the overwhelming love he felt for his girls...HIS girls. Daryl still had a hard time believing that something so beautiful and perfect was actually his. He felt unworthy and in awe of them.
Daryl looked down to the sweet baby in his arms who sleepily yawned as she continued to gaze up at her father. "Hey darlin. Ya gonna go to sleep any time soon for Daddy?" he softly whispered to her. Hope just continued to look at Daryl. With a contented sigh, Daryl looked up across the room at Beth's sleeping form again. "Ya sure gave your Momma a hard time when she was carrying ya." he told Hope. "Almost lost her when ya were born too." Daryl said as his stomach churned just thinking about it. "Your Momma...she's the best thing that ever happened to your Daddy." Daryl continued with his voice breaking slightly.
Hope's little blue eyes were beginning to slide shut. Daryl took his finger and gently stroked Hope's cheek. "Let me tell ya somethin darlin. I love ya and your Momma more than anythin. Y'all are my everything and I'm gonna do whatever I have to do to keep y'all safe." Daryl said. "Ain't gonna be no prick like my old man. Nah...I'm gonna take care of ya. Your Momma's the one who made me believe in myself...believe in God and goodness. But...mostly I believe in her. She gave me faith." Daryl cooed to Hope. Daryl cradled Hope, who had finally drifted off to sleep, closer to his chest. "She gave me ya darlin. She gave me a reason to live. I love ya both...so much." Daryl vowed.
Daryl knew his overt displays of emotion here lately were unusual for him but he couldn't help it. When it came to his wife and daughter, who were his entire life, he was rarely able to hold himself together. "My girls...my angels." Daryl whispered to himself as the conviction of those words washed over him. He slowly stood up from the rocker and placed Hope in her crib. He tucked her in as he softly cooed to her "I love ya darlin. Sleep tight."
He crossed the room and crawled into bed with Beth careful not jostle her as she was still sore from the birth. He tenderly wrapped his arms around her waist as he rested his head on her chest. Daryl could hear and feel her heartbeat and it was precious to him. Beth's arms wrapped around him and he felt her fingers begin to run through his hair. She placed a soft kiss on his temple as he raised his head to look at her. "How long ya been awake?" he inquired. "Long enough." she smirked. Daryl's face reddened as he looked down sheepishly. "Ya heard everything I told Hope?" Beth nodded. "Yes and I love you Daryl. You're the best thing that ever happened to me too." she said kissing his lips. Daryl sighed "I ain't never been good enough for ya Beth but ya saved me from myself. I love ya and I love our lil girl. Y'all are it for me. I just want ya to know that." Beth gave him a tearful smile. "I know Daryl. But you're wrong. You ARE good enough. You're the best man I've ever known and I love you with all my heart."
Beth leaned up and kissed his forehead as she guided his head back down to her chest. She felt his arms hold her just a little bit tighter as she continued to stroke his hair. "I'd die for ya Beth. I'd die for Hope." she heard him quietly murmur into her chest. "I know." she whispered. "I'd do the same." Daryl was about to lift his head and protest but Beth shook her head. "We can't think about that Daryl. Not right now. We're here together and we're safe. That's all that matters." she told him. Daryl nodded his head accepting her words. He closed his eyes while placing a soft kiss over her heart. He felt Beth kiss the top of his head as he began to drift off. Then he heard her softly begin to sing to him. He was content, happy, and knew he was loved. And for once in his life he actually felt worthy of that love. He was somebody and he was good enough. His girls...his everything. They were Daryl Dixon's reason to live and he was going to protect his beloved angels until the day he died.