Thank you all for reading and reviewing! I know I say this every chapter but it really means a lot to hear from y'all. I am really happy Frank has been taken care of. Phew!
I don't own the walking dead, its characters or storylines. OC and non canon stuff is mine.
Thank you all again and ENJOY!
Jameson was stroking Daryl's hair while he slept bent over the side of her bed, his temple resting on her hip. She couldn't look down at him well with her neck brace on but could smooth his shaggy bangs out of his eyes. Feeling him twitch slightly while nuzzling into her waist Jameson smiled.
'So fucking adorable,' she thought while tracing his eyebrow with her thumb. Daryl stirred soon after, his head rising with a groan as he massaged his neck.
Daryl's shadowed eyes instantly looked up and smiled, "Darlin'."
Jameson smiled feeling more awake than the last time she opened her eyes. Daryl moved up, kissing her forehead, "Ya in pain or anythin'? I can get the nurse."
Jameson shook her head slightly and squeezed his hand, pulling him toward her again. Daryl's lip curled and he leaned over her, kissing her gently on the lips.
"God James," Daryl rasped, "So glad your awake darlin'"
Jameson gestured for a pen and paper then watched Daryl search the small bedside table. He grunted out a few curse words before stepping out to check at the nurse's station. Jameson looked around the hospital room and saw a couple vases with flowers and a hand drawn get well card from a kid, she was guessing Sophia. The board had her information written down, restrictions and a list of her doctors. She noticed Daryl's name written and his cell number for emergency contact. It made her smile to know if anything happened he would be the first notified. Catching a flash of movement Jameson cut her eyes toward the door and saw Daryl come in with a pad of paper and pen.
"What's wrong with my throat?" She wrote down, turning for Daryl to read. He scrubbed his face and drawled, "Basically it was crushed. They had to go in and fix a part I can't remember what. It's all swelled up so they had to keep the tube down your throat. Now ya just gotta rest and let it heal. They say talkin' will hurt it so none a that until next week, if ya gotta talk to whisper."
Jameson nodded and motioned to the brace, silently asking when it could come off. Daryl sat down heavily and shrugged, "Think it depends how the swellin' does. They want to keep ya still and safe."
"Nose?" she wrote feeling a creepy tugging from her nostril. Daryl pursed his lips and explained, "That's a feedin' tube. Ain't eatin 'til your throats healed up more." Jameson frowns at the information and seemed to notice just how uncomfortable it felt. Daryl bit his lip, his hand going to her cheek, "Ain't forever. Said another day or two. Can't have ya wastin' away."
Swallowing back the emotions threatening to spill over Jameson wrote, "Did anyone call Johnnie?"
Daryl gave her a nod then forwarded her brothers message. "Called 'im earlier. Told 'im ya'd call when ya could. He said he loves ya and misses ya."
Jameson smiles sadly and asked, "Cops?"
Daryl shook his head and crossed his arms, "Self defense. Rick's gonna come by and see ya at some point for a statement but it's all just paperwork he said. Bastard tried to kill ya, again. Deserved more than he got."
Jameson relaxed a bit, her arm feeling tired already from writing. She had been pretty sure she wasn't in trouble for the event but wanted to double check. Her memory was hazy in spots but she knew he attacked first.
"Get some more sleep darlin'" Daryl instructed his body leaning back as if he'd find a comfortable position in the visitor chair. Jameson wrote out, "You too. Go home, sleep in a bed."
Shaking his head Daryl rasped, "Nuh uh. Ain't leavin ya."
"Please. You look so tired."
Daryl chewed his cheek while contemplating her request. Finally giving her a stiff nod he bartered, "Just for a few hours. Then I'll be back and Imma make sure they call me. They got my number up there."
Jameson nodded as well as she could with the brace and wrote, "I'll be ok. I love you."
Daryl's lip curled and leaned over, kissing Jameson on her forehead and then gently on her lips. "Love ya darlin'." He rasped his nose brushed against her as he pulled back, "Promise I ain't gonna be gone long."
Jameson patted his cheek trying to reassure him. Daryl struggled to leave for a moment, his feet glued to the laminate tiles but finally exited with a tiny anxious smile and head bob.
Jameson lay back and stared at the ceiling tiles. She had never been a fan of hospitals but was happy to at least be alive. Her head was pretty fuzzy about what happened passed Frank choking her. She recalled being desperate for oxygen. The thumping in her head and lungs screaming in her chest had consumed her. Jameson remembered stabbing him in the stomach and then things got blurry. There was no recollection of who found her or what happened beyond gasping for air. She chewed her lip thoughtfully trying to put the pieces together but came up empty.
A nurse walked in moments later and checked over her vitals. The older woman, named Nora, smiled softly at her while pumping the blood pressure cuff.
"You in any pain dear?" Nora asked after unwinding the velcro band. Jameson wrote out, "I'm ok. How long have I been here?"
"This is your fourth day in the hospital. The first two days you were in ICU. Once they took your vent out they moved you onto the regular floor." Nora replied as she wrote down a few numbers off the machines blinking and beeping. Jameson nodded and relaxed back, watching the woman change a bag of fluid and push a couple buttons.
"You're a lucky girl. Your husband has been here every minute, of every day. Poor guy was so upset when you weren't awake." She chatted setting the binder down and looking up at Jameson with a tiny smile, "All the girls were gabbing. Handsome and a sweetheart. He's a keeper."
Jameson was listening but the phrase 'Your Husband' was stuck on repeat in her head. It rolled around like a dropped plate on a wood floor. The phrase whorled getting distorted until it bottomed out with a clatter. The nurse patted her hand and left the room before Jameson could ask why they thought he was her husband.
'Probably just did it to stay with me,' she thought, feeling a hint of disappointment settle in her chest. 'What you think he wants to get married James? Jesus girl you haven't known him that long.'
Jameson's head spun with the connotations of phrase and the mere idea she was even thinking about it. She questioned if that was something she wanted at all and if so would she want it with Daryl.
'Who the fuck are you kidding Jameson? If there were anyone in the entire world you would marry it would be Daryl Fucking Dixon. Don't try to lie.' Her no nonsense self snarked.
Sighing Jameson let her eyes slide around the room looking at the flowers and cards again. She wished she could reach the hand drawn card taped to the wall. Jameson wanted to know if was Sophia's. A knock on the doorframe brought her eyes to the hallway. Rick and Lori stood both looking nervous about entering.
She gave them a smile and raised her hand slightly in a wave. Lori burst into tears and came over to the bed, her body hugging Jameson's gently. She patted Lori's shoulder and looked at Rick giving him a tiny smile.
"Oh James. I'm so glad you're awake." Lori said while wiping her wet cheeks, "We were so scared."
Rick patted her shoulder, squeezing it slightly "We're happy you're awake. Daryl told me ya can't speak yet so when you're feelin' better we'll talk about everythin'. Ya got nothin' to worry 'bout."
Jameson picked up the paper and pen, waving it with a raised eyebrow. Rick smiled and nodded, "It can wait for awhile. We just wanted to check in with you and Daryl."
"Made him go home to sleep. Looked terrible." Jameson wrote then smiled. Lori laughed lightly, "Yeah he's been here by your side. He is a sweetheart. Gruff but sweet."
Jameson smiled and nodded once. Lori told her about the bakery and the orders she'd had. She reassured her that her job was there when she got better and not to worry about anything money related. People were pooling money to help with her medical bills. Jameson's eyes teared up at the thought of people thinking of helping her.
"Thank you!" Jameson scrawled on the pad of paper.
Lori smiled and patted her hand, "Of course. Its what family does."
The three chatted for a few more minutes until Jameson got tired, her eyes drifting closed every few seconds. Rick and Lori said their goodbyes and promised to see her in a day or two. Rick let her know Daryl had his cell phone number and to call with any questions at all.
Daryl unlocked Jameson's apartment and kicked off his boots while removing his dirty clothing. His body felt heavy and groggy as he stumbled toward the bedroom leaving a trail of laundry. He could've gone to his little apartment but truthfully he felt more at home at Jameson's.
Falling face first into her bed Daryl groaned with pleasure. The blankets were soft and the mattress comfy but the best part was the smell of Jameson all over the sheets. Tucking his face into her pillow Daryl inhaled, his eyes sliding shut and chest warming pleasantly. Humming deeply he curled his tall frame around Jameson's pillow and tried to fall asleep.
His mind had other plans though and Daryl couldn't help but replay the last few days of hell. Jameson's bruised face flashing behind his eyelids and the sound of the mechanical ventilator still echoed in his head. Growling he flung himself onto his back, his arm still squeezing her pillow and stared at the water stained ceiling.
"She's ok Dixon. Sleep already." He ordered himself while scrubbing his face roughly.
Jameson was safe and sound, Frank was dead. Yet Daryl couldn't shake the fear. The dread he felt the first time he saw her in the hospital bed. He wouldn't be able to rest until Jameson was home tucked into bed next to him. Sighing loudly Daryl climbed out of bed and decided to take a shower and eat, both things he hadn't done recently either.
He stood under the warm spray, the noisy shower head pounding on the back of his neck. Daryl let his eyes close as he took slow deep breathes. Raking his hand through his dirty tangled hair he pictured the last time Jameson was in the shower with him. Her deep green eyes flashing through his mind causing his breath to hitch at the mere thought of her gaze.
Daryl's eyes clenched shut at the tightness in his chest. 'Fuck I love her so much,' he thought with such awe.
Everyone at the hospital thought he was her husband. Daryl knew he had to tell her what they thought and he wasn't sure how she would react to it. His typical reflex was to assume she wouldn't want to be married to no dirty lowlife redneck, especially a Dixon. The other part, the part that had been getting stronger since Daryl met Jameson, knew she felt the same about him as he did her. There was a buzz between them since the moment they met. He'd felt it the night she charged into the middle of a brawl with nothing but a baseball bat and a mouthful of sharp words. Jameson had pulled him in with her strength and sweet soul. Daryl knew he loved her the moment they sat next to each other eating cupcakes in the rain.
The faucet ran cold when Daryl realized he was standing there having not washed himself at all. Scrubbing down quickly while shivering he finally climbed out to towel off.
After making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich Daryl stood leaning against the counter mechanically chewing and swallowing. His eyes drifted over her stark apartment. Grunting at the idea flitting across his mind he absentmindedly nodded to himself.
'Ain't no need for two places,' he thought deciding he would move in.
Daryl knew that was probably something Jameson should invite him to do but he couldn't see himself leaving her alone. Even after she was healed Daryl couldn't imagine walking out the door at night. It would be wrong.
That thought brought him back to the whole 'husband thing'. Daryl pictured Jameson's petite hand, a little something extra on her finger. He smirked at the idea of Jameson being his wife while chewing on his thumb.
'Fuck… ' Daryl thought slightly nervous but the overall emotion flooding him was longing.
The concept was foreign but felt perfect. Well, perfect for her that was. Jameson wasn't like anyone else he'd met or ever thought would exist. Daryl hadn't expected to meet a woman like her and he sure as hell would never have dreamed she'd enjoy someone like him. Blinking through the fog in his head Daryl felt exhausted again. He shuffled into the bedroom, setting an alarm for a few hours and crashed into the sweet scented pillows.
Jameson woke suddenly, her heart racing and breathing rapid. Alarms were sounding off and she heard footsteps pounding toward her.
"Calm down Jameson," a voice ordered softly, the nurse from earlier holding her shoulder firmly. Jameson's eyes jumped around the room looking for Frank. Her chest throbbing in fear.
"You're safe. Take a slow breath." Nora said calmly. "It was just dream."
A doctor came in moving to her monitors and began checking over her vitals. The nurse told him she had been having a nightmare. Jameson was finally breathing easier but her mind was still racing. She dreamed Frank had been in her room, his large shadow looming over the bed. He had pressed a pillow into her face and started smothering her.
"We're going to give you something to relax Jameson," the doctor said his hand patting her shoulder. Jameson nodded slightly feeling completely all right with being drugged, the nightmare still giving her the chills. Nora put a syringe in her IV and soon Jameson drifted back to sleep.
A warm hand was brushing across her forehead, the rough fingertips comforting and familiar. Jameson blinked her eyes slowly and saw Daryl's handsome face looking down at her. His lips curled up on one side and he rasped, "Mornin' darlin'."
Jameson smiled and tugged on his shirt. Kissing her gently Daryl laid his forehead against her, whispering, "Love you girl."
Jameson pointed at her chest and placed her warm against his scruffy cheek. She watched his eyes slide closed for a moment before the striking blues were watching her carefully again.
"Ya feelin a'right?" he rasped sitting down next to the bed, his hand picking up hers. Jameson nodded slightly and looked at his bruised eyes and pale skin. He was still sleep deprived and probably starved. She removed her hand and searched for the paper.
"You need more sleep Dare." She scribbled then raised an eyebrow. Daryl snorted and leaned back, his hands clasped behind his neck, "Ain't sleeping good 'til you're home. Ain't leavin' neither."
"Leaving?" she asked her brow furrowed.
"M'gonna move in." he announced a shy smile creased his face.
Jameson tried to laugh but ended up coughing. She winced at the pain and raised her hand to her throat. Daryl jumped to his feet looking frantic, "Shit darlin' ya ok? Nurse!"
Jameson reached for his hand but was too late, his back disappeared out the door. She could hear him flagging someone down. Jameson had stopped coughing and tried to swallow through the pain. It wasn't terrible but it was not pleasant that was for damn sure.
"How are you doing Jameson?" Nora asked while strolling in with Daryl following her.
"I'm fine. Just coughed. I am ok Daryl." She wrote and tapped the pen on his name. Daryl rolled his eyes and chewed on his thumb, his cheeks blushing. Jameson looked at Nora who was biting her lip through a smile.
"Well I had to check your vitals anyways. Its good you got me Daryl I nearly forgot." She reassured him, patting his shoulder before checking Jameson's blood pressure and oxygen levels. "You in any pain dear?"
"My throat hurts. Can I have water?" Jameson scribbled her hand getting tired already.
Nora shook her head and said, "I can give you little ice chips. Gotta go really slow. I'll bring those back, Daryl do you need anything? Water or coffee?"
Daryl looked up from his spot by the window with surprised eyes, as if someone offering him something to drink was foreign. Shaking his head he declined, "No ma'am." Jameson smiled at Daryl's polite answer. 'God he is so fucking cute,' she thought to herself.
The nurse came back in with Jameson's tiny cup of allotted ice chips and started adjusting her bed. After a few buttons and the sound of the hydraulic bed lifting, Jameson was sitting propped up. The neck brace still holding her head secure but her view remarkably improved. Daryl smiled at her as the nurse backed away and handed him the cup of ice.
"Go slow. A couple at a time and no more than a few spoonfuls." The nurse instructed with a stern look. Daryl looked worried about even attempting it now with the lecture but the older woman patted him on the shoulder, "Go on. She'll be fine."
Jameson smirked at him and motioned for him to get on with it. Picking up her pad of paper she wrote, "Come on man servant! I'm fucking dying of thirst!"
Daryl barked out a laugh and scooped a few ice chips to get her hydrated. Jameson moaned at the first feeling of cool liquid. Her eyes closed and she enjoyed something she never thought she could miss so much. When her eyes opened she saw Daryl's amused expression and raised eyebrow.
"You have no idea how dry my mouth and throat are." She scribbled before motioning for another spoonful. Daryl pursed his lips but relented.
A knock on the doorframe interrupted Jameson third and finally scoop. Abraham ducked his head slightly and Jameson could see the guilty riddling the man's eyes.
She picked up her pad and instantly wrote, "It's not your fault."
He huffed out a indignant breathe, "Fuck if it ain't. Seriously wouldn't be surprised or blame your brother for puttin' me a shallow grave for this fuck up."
Jameson rolled her eyes and wrote, "Don't worry about Johnnie. You didn't do this."
The man shook his head obviously struggling with the fact he hadn't prevented Frank from getting to Jameson. They spoke for a few minutes where Abraham recounted what happened that night. Jameson had no idea he had been hurt by Frank and she hadn't known Rick was at the bar after Abraham called the cops upon waking. Abraham explained how he had tackled Frank to keep him from kicking her again and Rick had restrained him. Jameson had been given CPR by Rick and Abraham until the paramedics showed up. Jameson thanked him for saving her life, which Abraham of course blew off stating, "If I hadn't screwed the pooch on protecting you, you wouldn't have needed it."
"So what now are ya leavin' town?" Daryl asked from his spot next to Jameson's bed, his thumb brushing across the fading bruises on her wrist.
"Actually…." Abraham started looking somewhat embarrassed, "I may be stayin' awhile. Kinda met someone."
"Who?" Jameson wrote with a grin.
"Nice girl at the diner. Rosita." He said her name through a grin. Jameson saw the man was obviously smitten with Rosita. She knew her from the diner and had spoken a few times when she had come into Dales. She knew Rosita was a sweet girl but also a firecracker. Jameson had witnessed her punch a guy in the balls for touch her ass once.
"That's great. Rosita a sweetheart if she likes you." Jameson wrote and then smirked. Abraham barked out a laugh and rubbed his neck, "Yeah she's a spitfire that's for fucking sure. I think she can actually handle my bullshit."
Soon they said their goodbyes and Jameson relaxed back into the bed, her eyes getting heavier by the second. Daryl stood up and kissed her forehead before rasping, "Let's get ya layin' back down to sleep, darlin."
Jameson didn't argue with him, she was exhausted and silently hoping the more sleep she got the faster she healed. The whole 'not talking and not eating' thing was getting awfully old.
"I miss cupcakes," Jameson said quietly, her doctor finally giving her the ok to starts whispering again. Daryl smirked and her and drawled, "Soon. Now eat the rest of your soup."
"This isn't soup. It's fucking broth with nothing in it. I want cupcakes goddamnit." She rasped before drinking the last of her 'soup'. Daryl laughed at her irritation but really did feel for her. He couldn't imagine going through what she had and be on such restrictions.
"Soon, James. I'll go t' Lori's and get one of ever single thing in the place 'n we'll eat it all." He told her feeling absolutely serious about the statement. There wasn't one thing in the whole world he wouldn't do for Jameson if she asked him. Well, except something that would hurt her like feeding her cupcakes against doctors orders.
"Ok. Promise?" she croaked her voice sound especially raw. Daryl nodded and advised, "No more talkin'. It sounds like it hurts."
"Oh it does but my hand hurts from writing." She quipped with a grin. "When do I get to go home?"
"Doc said a couple days." He told her feeling just as eager to get her out of the hospital. Jim had been amazing about letting him have the time off with Jameson. He wasn't getting paid at all but the job was waiting for him which was more than any other employer would probably do for a new employee. Rick had told him that the town had started collecting money for Jameson's medical bills, which were going to be staggering despite the health insurance she had through Lori's business. Daryl didn't think Jameson realized how many people seemed to care for her. She had a way about her that drew people in but she seemed to be completely unaware of it.
"Sooooo. Nora called you my husband the other day." She rasped her eyebrow raised. Daryl felt his cheeks burst into flames like some embarrassed school girl. Looking away from her deep green eyes, Daryl cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Yeah uh…. I had t'say that t' get back 'ere. The old lady at the desk wouldn' let me in or tell me shit so I kinda…. Yelled it at her." He explained feeling guilt about lying and yelling at some woman just doing her job. Jameson laughed quietly, the sound was more of a wheeze but still made Daryl smile to hear it again.
"I figured. I'm not upset." She whispered and squeezed his hand, "Besides. From what I've been told I have the sexiest and sweetest husband in town."
Daryl scoffed and leaned back crossing his arms, "Who said that?"
"All the nurses on this floor.. literally.. all of them." She joked with another wheezing chuckle. Daryl rolled his eyes and drawled, "Bullshit. Ain't no pussy."
"Being sweet doesn't make you a pussy dumbass. It makes you compassionate which you are and you didn't deny the whole 'sexiest husband' thing are you admitting how fucking hot you are?" she asked before biting her lip and looking him over.
Daryl chewed his lip holding back a grin and rasped, "Well when ya got it, ya just got darlin'."
Thanks for reading! I hope I am not boring you with recovery time etc etc. Next chapter will get back into the swing of regular and some cool new exciting things to come for Jameson and Daryl.
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