Ch. 8
The next time Daryl came to, he found that he was lying on a bed.
Not the Governor's bed, or the one that he was usually tied to. This one felt different. Less soft.
Daryl cracked his eyes open. A middle aged black woman was staring down at him.
"Welcome back," the woman greeted him.
Daryl just stared at her. Where was he?
"He's awake?" Another voice - The Governor's - asked.
Hearing this, Daryl tried to sit up. The effort was too much, though, and he quickly fell back, groaning.
"Stay down," the woman told him, shaking her head. "You'll be in bed for a while. You're lucky to be alive."
"What?" Daryl questioned. He was shocked by how weak his voice sounded.
"Shhh," the doctor said. She briefly grasped his hand in an attempt to comfort him. "It's going to be okay. You and your baby are going to be just fine."
Daryl blinked.
"What?" He asked again.
"I said that you and your baby are going to be fine, so long as we treat your dehydration and malnutrition."
"My baby?" Daryl was sure that he was dreaming. This had to be some weird coma dream or something.
"Yes," the Governor spoke up. "Your baby. Looks like there's a reason for all the times you were ill. Morning sickness, the doctor says."
Daryl's eyes grew wide and a second later, he fell unconscious once again.
00
"Man, you gotta stop doing that!"
It was David's voice, this time. Daryl had just opened his eyes.
Rather than responding, Daryl chose to look around.
He wasn't restrained, but he did have two IVs attached to his arms. He also felt like he'd been hit by a ton of bricks.
"Where am I?" He asked, flinching as he moved and accidently pulled on one of the IV lines.
"We took you down to the infirmary after you passed out the first time. Had Dr. Stevens check you over."
"That's the black lady?"
"From before? Yeah. She said we got you here just in time."
Daryl nodded.
"She said something about a baby, too? Or was that in my head?"
"No, that was real."
"Well?"
"You're having a baby. Well you will have a baby. In seven and a half months."
Daryl snorted.
"Right. Good one, David. What's it - fuck with Daryl day today?"
"I'm not lyin'. Dr. Stevens did a blood test and an ultrasound and everything! Said you're a month and a half along."
"That's not possible. Only women have kids! Fuck." He tried to push himself up again, but had little success. "Little help here?"
David walked over and pulled on a lever on the side of the bed, pushing it into a sitting position.
"Thanks," Daryl muttered.
"You don't have to believe me. You can see the ultrasound pictures if you want. They're not that good… it's a basic machine, she said, but you can see them."
"It's. Not. Possible," Daryl reiterated.
"Yes, it is. Didn't you hear about it on the news? Right before the outbreak?"
"No."
"Well it was on there. A few guys started showing signs of pregnancy. The doctors were thinking it was a genetic mutation, that maybe it was related to the virus somehow. At least, it happened around the same time as people started turning. You really don't remember that?"
"I'm thinkin'. I sorta remember hearing it briefly. Didn't think it was real."
"It was. You're living proof. So am I."
"You mean… Elena?"
"I never said my wife carried her."
"Jesus…" Daryl rested a hand on his stomach. It didn't feel any different. Maybe a little bit harder than usual, but that didn't mean anything, did it? It was still flat and all.
"You knew, then?" Daryl asked. There had to be a reason that David had convinced the Governor to get him help. It wasn't like they were best friends, or anything.
"I had a feeling about it, yes."
Daryl took a deep breath, trying to let it all sink in.
"Fuck. It's his. There's a part of him inside me." Daryl said.
"It is," David agreed. "That part is unfortunate, I suppose."
Daryl glared at him, "All of it's unfortunate."
Daryl shook his head, "Do ya think they can… ya know… get rid of it?"
"Like an abortion? I don't know. It'd probably have to be done surgically. Even if they could, he's never going to let that happen. You should've seen the look on his face when he found out. Happiest I've ever seen him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a little nicer to you now."
Daryl didn't reply. He closed his eyes, wishing more than anything he would once again pass out.
00
David was right. The Governor did seem to be in a very happy mood the next time he came around. The doctor followed him into the room as well.
"Glad to see you're awake, Daryl," the Governor said. He was practically grinning, and it made Daryl angry.
"Yeah. Wish I wasn't."
"Aw, now don't be like that. This is a new beginning for both of us! Not to mention the life you've got inside you."
The man rested his hand on Daryl's stomach. That was when the hunter lost it. He shoved the Governor back, pulling out one of his IVs in the process. He didn't care, though.
Dr. Stevens came racing over and pushed him back down. She mumbled something along the lines of 'calm down!', but Daryl ignored her.
The Governor didn't even seem phased.
"Fuck you," Daryl spat. "You'll never get this kid. If I have to kill myself to make sure of it, I will."
To Daryl's chagrin, the Governor just laughed.
"Ah, now I know how it is. Mood swings and all. Tara used to get those too when she was carrying Penny. Don't you worry at all." The Governor looked at the doctor, and the two exchanged knowing glances. "Doctor, it may be a good idea to ensure that Daryl doesn't try to get up. He might pull on his lines or try to walk and fall and injure the baby."
The doctor nodded and held out her hand. The Governor passed her a set of handcuffs, and she locked Daryl's wrist to the bed.
Daryl had to smile, now. He really thought that things couldn't get any worse, and yet, here he was.