~Sorry if this took a while to update ~
Daryl POV
It had been a couple weeks since the camping trip and so far things were going good.
Archer and I casually started dating. It wasn't anything crazy, we just would hangout at her house or I would give her company at the diner.
I also started spending time with Kenny. Archer said that he speaks very highly of me but I haven't told him that I am his father.
I wanted to but the timing just hasn't been right.
Archer POV
I was working at the diner when Kenny got dropped off from school. Usually he would stay here with me until my shift ended or I had my dad pick him up but lately Daryl has been coming over and eating dinner with him and would take him home for me so Kenny could do what he wanted.
Today though was a different story.
I was up at the front and would watch Kenny who was at his own small table doing homework. I walked up the gentleman who recently came in and when I got close to him, my heart stop. It was Will Dixon.
I couldn't ignore him since he was sitting in my section. Maybe he wont recognize me. I took a deep breathe and walked over.
"Hello sir, what can I get you to drink?" I asked.
"Coffee and make it dark." he demanded.
"Right away." I went over to the coffee machine and poured him a cup and from the corner of my eye I could see he was watching me. I ignored it and went back to him. "Here you go."
"You look very familiar." he commented.
"I dont think we have met."
"No you look really familiar." I gulped. "I've seen that piece of fine ass before...wait you're that girl who would hang out with my son. Artemis right."
"It's Archer sir." I corrected him.
"Right. Man you grew into such a babe." he was looking me up and down.
"Do you know what you're going to order yet?" I tried changing the subject.
"If you're on the menu can I order you?" he chuckled and it made me uncomfortable. "Just get me the dinner special sweetheart."
I nodded and walked away quickly. I put the order in and snuck a quick peek at Kenny before I went to the back room. I quickly got my cellphone and dialed the number.
"Archer? Aren't you at work?" Daryl asked.
"Will is here at the Diner." I quickly said.
"What!?" he yelled.
"I need you to come and take Kenny please."
"Will doesn't know he exists does he?"
"He remembered me that's for sure and wouldn't stop hitting on me but I dont want him to get close to Kenny!"
"I'll kill him!"
"No you won't! I'll be damned if the father of my child is in jail! If I wanted that I would have hooked up with Merle."
"You wouldn't even hug Merle! Why would you..."
"Damn it Dixon get your ass here and pick up your son now!" I hung up and went out just in time to get Will's food and serve him and quickly walked off to other tables to serve.
15 minutes later I saw Daryl hovering across the street. I went to the kitchen to wrap up the food I ordered for them then walked over to Kenny.
"Kenny sweetheart." I whispered.
He looked up at me and smiled. "Yea?"
"I need you to pack your things, take this food with you, and go outside and home with Daryl." I whispered to him then looked back to see if Will saw me which he didn't.
"Why?" he asked as he packed.
"It's not important." I kissed his forehead. "Just be good and let Daryl know there is plenty of food for you two and Merle. I love you."
"I love you too." He grabbed everything and walked out but stood by the door until Daryl picked him up and left.
I sighed in relief.
Daryl POV
After I got Kenny, I secured him in his car seat and then drove to Archer's apartment. She gave me a spare key to have whenever I have Kenny which was smart since she didn't like him being around Merle too much.
When we got to get apartment Kenny ran in and went to his room to play. I went to the kitchen to set down the food and call Merle.
He answered after a few rings. "You will not believe who was at the Diner..."
"Well hello to you too baby bro. You took off pretty early from work. Were you gonna go bang that fine piece of..."
"Shut up Merle. Our piece of shit father was there."
"Did you talk to the bastard?"
"No I just grabbed Kenny and left. Archer didn't want him there."
"Smart cookie but you left her there all alone?"
"She is more than capable of defending herself. Im sure she'll be fine."
"If you say so."
"Whatever. Archer ordered us food so get your ass here after work."
"You don't tell me what to do."
"She ordered your favorite dish...pfff...ungrateful."
"I'll be there." He hung up.
I rolled my eyes and went to the living room and turned the tv on. Kenny came out and sat down next to me on the couch.
"Hey bud." I smirked and ruffled his hair.
"Why did mommy want me to leave?" he asked.
"what do you mean?"
"She really wanted me to leave. Is she mad at me?"
"No bud. Umm...there was a bad person in the diner. Your mom wanted me to get you away from him."
"Why didn't she call the police?"
"It's complicated." Kenny frowned a little. "Dont worry about it. Why dont we watch whatevers on until Merle gets here."
Kenny nodded.
An hour later Merle arrived and we sat around the table eating quietly.
"How's your day so far little man?" Merle asked Kenny.
"It's ok." he shrugged.
Merle and I looked at each other. Kenny was always a talker but today he was just quiet.
"Something wrong bud?" I asked.
"When is mommy coming home?"
"Tonight at the time she always does."
"What if the bad man is still there?"
"Don't worry he won't be."
"How do you know?"
"He will know better. Your momma is a tough cookie. She wont be afraid to teach him a lesson."
"I wish I had a daddy..."
I coughed up my drink in shock. Merle smacked my back a few times til i calmed down.
"Why would you say that Ken?" Merle asked.
"Cuz a daddy would protect mommy but she's all alone." He replied sadly.
I looked at Merle for help and he just nodded his head at me. I sighed. "Ken there is something i have to tell you."
"What?"
"You do have a dad."
"I do?" I nodded. "Is he with mommy right now?"
"No because he is with you right now."
Kenny looked at me really confused.
"Daryl is your dad." Merle said straight out.
Kenny looked at me shocked then jumped out of his seat and ran to his room.
"He hates me." I muttered as I banged my head on the table.
"The kid is just shocked. Archer will come home and talk to him and everything will be fine." Merle said then slapped my back. "You need a drink." He got up and went to the kitchen to get us some beers.
After an hour I went to go check on Kenny. I knocked on his door. "Can I come in bud?" no response. "Ken?" I pushed his door open and looked around his room. He was no where to be seen. "Ken? Kenny!" I looked under his bed and his closet. "Kenny!"
I ran out his room and into the kitchen. "Merle, Kenny is gone!" I screamed.
Archer POV
My shift ended at 9 and I was so happy. Will lingered around the diner after he ate but he eventually left.
I got to my apartment and opened the door to a very distressed Merle and Daryl and my place torn to pieces.
"What the hell happened!?" I yelled as I threw my purse in the couch.
"I'll let you guys be." Merle patted Daryl's shoulder and left. I crossed my arms and glared at Daryl.
"I told Ken." he started.
"Told him what?"
"That I was his father." my eyes went wide. "He didn't like that the bad man was with you and wished he had a dad so I told him."
I sat down and took a deep breathe. "How did he take it?"
"He ran off and I let him be but when I went to check on him, I couldn't find him. Merle and I looked everywhere."
I got up and went to my room and pushed open my closet door. I pushed my clothes aside and open the secret door to find Kenny sound asleep.
Daryl came in and crouched down to my level furrowing his brows.
"My mom every now and then tries to get involved in my life. I would hide Kenny here if she ever made a surprise visit. She knows he exists, but she doesn't have a clue what he looks like." I whispered to him.
"Wish I had a secret little room like this when I was younger."
I smirked. I gently picked kenny up and then stood face to face with Daryl. "I'll tuck him in, and you get to cleaning." Daryl nodded and I put Kenny in his bed. As I tucked the blanket around him he stirred a little.
"Mommy?"
"Shh...baby. I'm here." I softly said as I touched his hair.
"Is Daryl really my daddy?" I nodded. "Where has he been?"
"He was trying to figure things out but he's here now and he's not going anywhere."
"Am I allowed to call him daddy?"
I nodded. "I think he would like that very much. Get some sleep kiddo." I kissed his forehead and he went back to sleep. I closed his door on my way out and went to help Daryl in the living room.
"Is he ok?" he asked.
"He is just fine." I leaned in and kissed him softly once. "We are all going to be just fine."
He smiled a little and we both cleaned the living room. It was getting late when we finished.
"I should probably head out." Daryl said.
"You can stay." I offered. He raised a brow at me. "if you want. Kenny knows now and we have been going out for awhile."
He nodded. I grabbed his hand and led him to my room. I got ready for bed then laid on my side. I heard him get ready and come to the bed slowly. He laid next to me but didn't cuddle at all. I wasn't going to push him. Him staying was a big step for him and well Daryl is Daryl.
He grumbled good night and then turned to his side and went to sleep.
"Good night."
~Hope you guys enjoyed it and if have any suggestions for the next chapter that would be awesome!~