Chapter 17: Best Childhood I Never Had

Brooke was seven months pregnant and working with Herschel in the new facility that Woodbury had been working on before the rebellion. It had more rooms for the patients, more medicines, and more materials to make medicines. Herschel was working with the patients as Brooke worked on trying to make the medicines they once had before the outbreak. She hissed a little when he came in once.

"Brooke, are you okay?" he asked and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Yes Herschel I'm fine." She said. "It's just my back that's all."

"Mildred had the same problems when she got pregnant. It was always the hormones and the back problems." He said. "If you ever need anything, just come to me alright?"

"Thanks Herschel." She said and the older gentleman smiled at her."Here are the antibiotics you needed for Mr. Henderson."

"Thank you Brooke." He said and walked out. Everything had been going well. Rick, Andrea, and Michonne could actually talk to Daryl now and it seemed as if everything was moving so fast. She was already seven months. That meant only two more months until the baby would be there. She was nervous. How could she not be nervous? She was going to be a mom and the new world they lived in didn't make her feel any better. She knew that with Daryl there, they could raise the kid to live in this new environment as best as they could. Daryl was able to find a stroller in the baby store in the town and he was able to find other things as well. He was excelling at all the jobs he was given and so was she. He tried his hardest to make his baby feel comfortable, and make his baby feel welcome to them. Brooke was taught by Carol how to sow so Brooke was able to make a few stuffed animals.

Two months later:

It was almost closing time for the office and Herschel, Beth, Maggie, and Brooke were about to go their separate ways for the night. It was a beautiful September night and it was cool with a breeze flowing.

"Oh." Brooke winced a little. Herschel turned around and went over to her. She grabbed at her stomach as another little pain went through her. "Herschel."

"I'm right here, is it time?" he asked.

"I think my water just broke." She said. "I need to get Daryl." she said.

"I'll go get him." Maggie said and Herschel nodded. He led her back into one of the rooms and got her a sheet to cover her with. He got everything prepared as Maggie got a horse from the nearby stables and rode to her and Glenn's house, where the men were having a guy's night. Daryl of course refused to go so close to her due date but she assured that tonight wasn't the night. She opened their front door and the men stared at her.

"What's up?" Glenn asked.

"Brooke's going into labor." Maggie said. "Come on Daryl, you can take the horse." Daryl ran out of the house and jumped on the horse. He was going to be there for Brooke. The horse breathed hard as he went to the office. Beth took the horse to the stables and told Daryl which room she was in. He ran in and saw Brooke on a hospital bed. He walked over to her and gave her a kiss.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. The baby isn't coming for a while." She sighed. "This is going to take forever." She said and he smirked. "Are you okay?"

"You told me tonight wasn't the night." He teased.

"Eh, you need your guy time." She said with a smile. He sat down next to her and held her hand. "Oh, this one's a big one." She said and he got ready. Her eyes squeezed shut and she tried not to squeeze his hand too hard. After it was over she rested her head back on the pillows. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He said.

"Daryl, I'm scared." She admitted.

"You'll be fine." He said and made her look into his bright blue eyes. "I promise, we'll be okay." He said. He was scared too. There was a chance he could lose Brooke and lose the baby. He kissed her palm and she smiled. "I love you Brooke."

"I love you too Daryl." She replied.

Twelve hours later:

Brooke was exhausted and so was Daryl but neither of them complained. Everyone from the group was waiting. She had terrible contractions but she tried not to make too much noise during them. She would breathe through them and he would rub her back. The pain was awful but Brooke toughed it out. Herschel came in and Daryl knew what that meant. Maggie followed behind him.

"Alright, let's see if you're ready." Herschel said and checked her. "It's time to start pushing, Brooke. We've timed your contractions and your next one should come in a little bit. I need you to hike up your knees to your chest and I need you to push for how long Maggie counts." Brooke nodded. "Alright Brooke, you need to start pushing now." He said. She held her legs up and pushed. Maggie started to count. Maggie counted for a full fifteen seconds and Brooke made herself push. Her head rested back and she looked at Daryl with a weak smile.

"We're almost there." She said and he smiled at her. He kissed her sweat covered forehead. They continued like this for thirty minutes. She wouldn't scream, knowing that would increase the risks of attracting walkers. She would cry but again, she suppressed her noises. She would bury her face into Daryl's chest but he would push her to keep going, encouraging her every step of the way.

"The head is coming Brooke!" Maggie said excitedly. "Just a couple of more pushes!"

"Full head of hair too." Daryl told her and she smiled. Tears streaked down her face when Herschel guided the shoulders out. She got another contraction and pushed with all of her might.

"Daryl." She whimpered and Daryl held her up, massaging her back and kissing her temple.

"You're doing great Brooke." Herschel said. "Just a few more." And that's exactly what happened. They laid the baby on Brooke's chest where the towels were and cleaned the baby off.

"What is it?" Brooke asked with tears running down her face.

"We have a boy." He said and he laughed a little. He cut the umbilical cord and the baby cried and Maggie carried their son to be cleaned. Herschel stayed to deliver the after birth and Daryl walked over to the table. Maggie cleaned him up with a smile and Daryl unconsciously let a few tears loose. He was so proud of Brooke, and he was a father. His son cried a little less and it toned down. His son reached his hand out and Daryl stuck out a finger. The baby clamped on to it and he was overwhelmed by everything that happened. Maggie smiled at Daryl and wrapped the baby in another blanket.

"Here's your daddy, Dean." She cooed and handed him to Daryl. Daryl held Dean in his arms carefully. Dean moved a little and Daryl couldn't believe how much he meant to him. He walked back over to the chair and sat down. Herschel had just finished and Brooke looked over at her husband and her son.

"You should get some rest Brooke." Daryl said. "I'm so proud of you."

"I love you." She said.

"I love you too." He said with a grin.

"And I love you too." She told their son who grunted. She started to cry again but closed her eyes hopefully to fall asleep. Dean squirmed a little but relaxed in his father's arms.

"Hey Dean." Daryl began. "I've been waitin' for you for a long time. You're so perfect, don't ever let anyone else tell you different. Don't let anyone bring you down or degrade you. You'll always know that me and Momma love you. We'll never stop and we'll never hurt you." Dean whined a little when Daryl kissed his cheek. "I love you Dean." He said and Dean fell asleep and it didn't take long for Daryl to fall asleep too. He woke up a little a while later when Maggie grabbed Dean and handed him to Brooke. He saw her suck in her bottom lip as he reached up for her.

"Hi there Dean." She said softly. "I'm your momma. Oh my gosh you're so perfect. You have Daddy's eyes, beautiful bright blue ones. You have my hair though. I can't believe your actually here." Dean grabbed her chin and she laughed. Some tears went down her face silently. "Do you like Dean Shane Dixon?" she asked and he made a cute noise. Her smile broadened while she chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes." She looked over at Daryl who was smiling at her. "I cannot believe how much he looks like you."

"You think so?" he asked.

"Yeah." She replied and looked back down at Dean. "How can you love someone so much you just met?"

"I'm askin' myself the same thing." He replied. He got up and kissed Brooke.

"Well, you got what you wanted." She said.

"How do you know I wanted a boy, I could've wanted a girl." He defended.

"But you wanted a boy." She smiled. "You know, someone to hunt with."

"I have you for that and I could teach a girl to hunt." He smirked.

"Won't be able to go hunting that much now." She said and Dean started to whine.

"You think he's hungry?" Daryl asked.

"I think so." She undid her nursing bra and Dean latched on. It felt weird to Brooke and she had an awkward look on her face. Dean looked up at his mother while he ate.

"Those eyes are goin' to kill me every time." He said and she chuckled.

"Yeah, me too." She said. She scooted over a little bit. "Come sit with us, there's enough room." Daryl hesitantly sat down beside her and kissed her shoulder before he rested his head on it to look at his son. He was done eating so Brooke covered herself up again. Daryl lifted his head up so Brooke could lay her head on his chest while she held Dean. She held him so that his head could rest against Daryl's stomach and Daryl's hand supported his head. Brooke fell back asleep and Daryl talked softly to Dean. He would react and look up at Daryl and Daryl was close to tears a couple of times. He looked over at Brooke and kissed her forehead. He had a family of his own, he would decide if Dean had a great childhood and Daryl would try every day to give him the best childhood that he himself never had.