A/N: Alright, so this is my last chpt. There will be one more but that will be the epilogue. I have enjoyed writing this story and having everyone follow and comment. Maybe there will be more in the future(Different TWD fanfic) but as of right now this is the end to Lakely's story. Enjoy!
-Sixteen-
"What is it?" Daryl's arrow hit dirt only inches from his target. He straightened, just as the rabbit darted away, and blew out a frustrated breath. Turning, he glared at the blonde who was hiding her mouth in her hands. "Oh, I'm sorry." Her eyes held honest regret but at that point Daryl could have cared less.
"We ain't gonna catch anythin' if you keep stompin' around and talkin'." Carrie threw up her hands.
"I don't know why Wes made me come with you." Daryl knew she knew why Wes had suggested she come along. She caused such a ruckus the other week that Wes said she needed to make amends with both Dixon's before they reached Lake and Mason. Trailing him through the forest on one of his hunts wasn't exactly what Daryl would have suggested but, for Lake, he would bear with the bimbo for as long as it took.
"Juss keep quiet." He followed the rabbit's tracks hoping to find it again before nightfall. Behind him, he could hear the crunching and rustling of the forest floor under Carrie's feet. Rolling his eyes, he prepared for the long day ahead.
Lake ignored the look in Mason's eyes as he stared down at her from where she laid on the bed. She didn't look as bad as he was making her out to be.
"Mason, stop looking at me like that." The teenager ran his fingers through his long blonde hair.
"You good?" He asked again for the hundredth time. His blue eyes were two shades deeper as the worry lines in his young face were beginning to become more pronounced.
Another pain contracted through her abdomen. It was something that started the previous night and continued even now as she bore through it. She had tried to tell herself the pain wasn't what she feared; that the baby wasn't coming.
"I'm fine." She bit out.
"No you ain't. I'm going to drive the road back. Maybe he is on his way or sumthin'." Mason turned but Lake reached out a grabbed his arm in a steel vice.
"You listen to me," She was pissed. "He's dead. I can't have you out looking for someone who doesn't exist anymore. I need you here. Understand?" Mason shook his head but stopped as her grip tightened. "I can't…I can't do this without help." A tear slid down her cheek. "I need this baby. It's all I have left of him." She released Mason's arm and ignored the red imprint of her hand on his skin.
"I'll stay around here but I hav'ta run tonight. We won't have food if I don't." Lake placed both her hands on her aching stomach and nodded.
"Just hurry." Her eyes flicked to his. "Time is running out." Mason paled at her truth. The final minutes of light slowly faded as Mason readied for another run. Lake watched him as he readied his weapons. In the dim light, the stubble on his cheeks and jaw made him look years older. His hair fell into his eyes which he shifted to the side with a shake of his head.
Lake slipped into unconsciousness just as the door closed behind him, leaving her alone.
Daryl sat around the fire he built and watch the others in the group. Carrie and Trisha sat huddled together whispering about whatever woman whispered about. Wes and Henry sat together discussing old military days while Gun and Davis took the first watch.
"Fuckin' idiots." He turned to see Merle watching the others also. "Bunch of morons. None of 'em would make it a day without Wes."
"Ain't you learnt nothin'? Keep yer voice down." Daryl advised his loud mouthed brother.
"Ahh," Merle waved him off. "I'm not scared of any of these pussies." He started sharpening his blade with a rock. "Saw you took blondie in the woods with ya earlier. I ain't gonna save yer ass when Lake gets ahold of it."
"Lake ain't got nothin' to worry about." Was all Daryl offered. He turned to the faint sound of a motor. "Hear that?"
Merle looked about. "I don't hear nothin'." He continued to stare into the darkness as Daryl stood and walked to the edge of their campsite.
"What is it?" Wes walked up to Daryl's side—his voice low.
"An engine." Daryl started to move but Wes stopped him.
"We don't know who it is." Daryl was about to object just as Mason drove through the trees. He stopped the engine and swung a leg over but stayed standing next to the bike. Daryl stood in awe.
Before he knew what he was doing, he was running. Mason had grown so much in the months that they had been separated. As he reached the boy, he could see the tears running down his face. Grabbing his arms, Daryl shook his head. "She ain't dead." He pleaded.
Mason shook his head causing Daryl to choke and drop to his knees. From behind, he could hear Merle cursing at the others as he hurried to them.
"Daryl we ain't got the time. Lake…" When his head jerked up Mason stepped back. "She is havin' the baby. It's early and I can tell she is worried but you know how she gets…"
"What the hell did ya do to our girl, boy?!" Merle was outraged as he lunged for a shaken Mason. Daryl stopped his brother and made eye contact. Merle gave a sigh of relief. "She ain't dead then?" He nodded appreciatively when Daryl shook his head.
"Daryl?" Wes interrupted as he stepped closer.
"This is Mason. He is staying with Lake." Daryl watched smugly as Gun and the others realized how young the guy with Lake actually was. "She's havin' the baby."
"Go then." Wes urged. "We will follow with the cars." Turning to the others, Wes shouted out orders. Henry helped Merle as Daryl wrapped his hands tightly around the motorcycle's handles.
He fought against his emotions as Mason climbed on and gave him quick directions. Lake was in trouble and that's all he could think about. He wasn't prepared to lose her, not after all this.
He would get to her on time or die trying.
Lake screamed as her stomach constricted. It had been two hours since she woke to a soaked mattress. Since her water broke, her contractions had been getting progressively worse. The baby was coming.
Flicking the switch to the generator, she slowly made her way to the bathroom and turned the faucet. Water poured out into the tub as she sat on the floor and allowed it to warm. She had read somewhere that women who wanted drug free births chose water births because it relieved some of gravity's force. At this rate, she would take anything to dull the pain although she'd rather drugs and lots of them.
Wiping at the cold sweat on her forehead, Lake plugged the drain. She struggled to undress herself as the pain picked up again. How long was that? She thought to herself.
The water rose as she sat in the tub. Panting in short breaths, she listened to the sound of the running water and prayed Mason would return. As she leaned to turn off the faucet, Lake froze. A rush of blood circled within the water.
"No. No…no…no." Her fingers that touched the bloodied water blurred as her vision faded. Another pain rippled through causing Lake to scream in agony. She tried to reach for the towel near the tub. When her fingers touched the cotton, Lake lost consciousness.
Daryl rode like the devil. There was no way he'd fought this hard to lose everything now. When the little home Lake and Mason had been staying in came into view, Daryl almost rode the bike through the front door. Scattering dirt all over the front porch, he jumped from the motorcycle and ran inside. When he found the room empty, he turned to a shocked Mason.
"She was here I swear." The kid's voice shook with emotion. "She hasn't left the bed in days."
Daryl walked around the small room but stopped when his boots splashed in a water puddle. "Water?" He asked.
Mason's eyes widened as he ran past. Daryl followed but slammed into Mason's back as he stood frozen in a doorway.
Pushing past, Daryl choked. Lake lay naked in the bathtub, her arm hanging over the side with her hand limply on the floor. "Get out!" Daryl screamed before grabbing her and pulling her up in the water. "Lake?" He moved her hair from her face before noticing all the blood in the water. "My God."
A commotion sounded outside the door before Merle shoved through the door with a terrified Mason clinging around his waist. "Fuck." He let out a exhausted breath.
Daryl looked to his brother. "Help me." He shifted Lake in his arms. "There's so much blood Merle…I…" Tears poured down his face as he tried to get her to wake up. Laying his head against her chest, he listened to the faint beating of her heart. "She's alive!" Daryl screamed. "Help me!"
Merle turned and left only to come back with Trisha. "Help him." Merle ordered before standing in the doorway blocking her escape.
Trisha took in the scene before her eyes fell to the bloodied water.
"Please." Daryl whined. "Just fuckin' help her." Never in his life had he begged for a single thing. For Lake, he'd give every ounce of pride he contained.
Trisha nodded before yelling orders to the others outside. Bending down, she pulled off her shoes and jeans before standing in her underwear. "No one hears of this." She stated.
Uncaring, Daryl nodded.
Trisha stepped into the tub and crouched; placing one of Lake's legs around her and the other over the side of the tub. "You keep her head above water no matter what okay?" Daryl nodded again frantically. Carrie ducked under Merle's arm and almost dropped what she held.
"Oh my God." Daryl buried his head in Lake's neck at Carrie's words.
"Shut up and get over here." When Carrie obeyed, Trisha jerked her head towards Lake. "Pour that on her." When Daryl objected, she rolled her eyes. "You want her awake? Can't deliver the kid with her out…"
Daryl held Lake as Carrie poured the cold water on her face. His heart leapt when Lake sputtered and opened her dark brown eyes.
"Wha-" She stopped when she saw the two women watching her.
"It's alright, I just need you to push Lake. The baby needs out now." Lake nodded and did as she was told. Her screams echoed throughout the room as her chin pushed into her chest. Trisha coached her as she pushed.
"I see the head. Don't stop now." Daryl craned to look just as Lake's final pushes brought his child into the world.
Trisha held up a bloodied infant and smiled. "It's a boy." Daryl kissed Lake's cheek as she cried. It was then that she looked at him.
"Daryl?" She asked. Her hand touched his cheek before her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell silent. A strong wail of new life spread throughout the house.
It was a dream. A very raw and emotional dream. She had pushed through the worst pain of her life to be rewarded with the smallest, purest gift. A little boy. She never got to hear him cry. Never got to see whether his eyes were brown like hers or blue like Daryl's. Daryl. She remembered the feel of his lips on her cheek. Recalled the words of encouragement he whispered into her ear. He was there. He came back to take her home. She was dead.
Lake struggled to open her eyes against the light of the room. As her vision came into focus, she noted the people scattered around the room.
A large black man stood leaned against a wall, his arms crossed over his chest. One other man, a curly headed—attractive man in his forties sat at the kitchen table with Mason discussing something about cars.
Two women huddled together until the brunette saw Lake watching. "You're awake." She stated as she leaned over the bed and placed a hand over Lake's head. "Fever broke." She sat back. "I'd say it was a miracle for sure.…I'm Trisha." Lake stared at the woman.
"I'm one of six." She pointed off each individual as she named them. "That is Carrie, Wes, and over at the table is Davis." She helped Lake sit up before continuing. "The others, Henry and Gun are outside on watch."
The door opened and Merle froze in the threshold—eyes on Lake. Her heart thudded as reorganization set in. She looked around frantically before trying to get up.
"Woah…" Trisha started as she lightly pushed Lake back. Merle yelled out the door before stepping aside to a dark figure.
Lake didn't fight the tears as she made out every detail of the face she had missed so dearly for the past six months or so.
Daryl walked in cradling a small bundle in his arms. Lake wiped her nose as she watched him move and sit on the edge of the bed. No words passed as they sat staring at each other.
Finally, Lake lifted a shaking hand. "Is…is he okay?" Daryl nodded as he handed her the tiny newborn with tender care. Teardrops fell onto the blanket as Lake smiled down at the chubby red cheeks of her firstborn son. "He is beautiful."
"I missed you." Daryl's voice was almost a whisper. Lake looked up into his watering eyes. She patted a space on the mattress and was relieved when Daryl immediately laid out next to her placing his head on her shoulder.
"I missed you every day." Lake told him. She looked to Mason who sat watching them. "He never gave up on the fact you were alive." Mason smiled when Daryl turned to look at him.
Turning back, Daryl allowed their son to wrap his tiny hand around his long finger. "What we gonna call him?"
Lake stared down at her son and wondered what name would carry him through this world. It needed to be strong and yet kind. More than anything else, he needed a name that meant something in this world. A reminder to live everyday to its fullest and never forget his heart.
"Bo." Lake suggested. "It means 'to live'. I always want him to be reminded not only to survive but to live as well."
"Bo Dixon." Merle tested. "I like it, but its bout the most redneck name you could saddle a kid with."
Lake laughed. "It is isn't it?" Shaking her head, she cooed at Bo. "You just better not turn out as stinky as your daddy."
Daryl scoffed but kissed her cheek. Lake smiled as she rocked Bo. The newborn's eyes fluttered open.
"He has your eyes." Lake giggled to Daryl; amazed that one little thing could mean so very much.
With this new beginning, she was overwhelmed with the sudden feeling that everything would be okay. No matter the obstacles they faced, Daryl Dixon and Lakely Owens could take on anything.