My Exception (sequel to No Exceptions)

Eight

It took twice as long to get back home, stopping every time I felt the wave of nausea hit me. I'd felt perfectly fine this morning, I didn't understand.

I attempted to take small sips of water, but it only made me feel worse, feeling very green around the gills. "I don't know what's come over me!" I placed my trembling hand on his thigh, he then entwined his fingers with mine and squeezed.

When we arrived at the gate Aaron was on duty, eyes widened as he took me in.
"Jesus"

He quickly opened the gate, rushing to the passenger side. I shook my head at him, "I'm fine Aaron, just feeling under the weather is all."

He scoffed at me and walkied Rick, "Rick, it's about Rackel. We've got to get her to the Hilltop now!"

"I'm coming now" Rick's voice crackled over the speaker. Aaron ran to get his backpack as I turned to Daryl, my lip trembling as I held back my tears,
"I'm scared baby"
It came on so sudden I just couldn't place it. Memories of the virus at the prison came back to me; hoping I just had delayed food poisoning.
My rock grabbed my hand and squeezed it, "I won't let anythin' happen to ye!" I nodded, throwing my head back in exhaustion.

In a few minutes Rick, Aaron and Glenn ran towards the car. As Glenn reaches for the car door I yelled at him, "don't you dare Glenn! You've got Maggie to take care of, and we don't know what's going on with me right now!"

He tried to protest, "but Maggie said-"

"Glenn... no" I felt myself puffing at the limited chat we'd had and Glenn receded.

"Maggie and Skye are gonna kill me!"

Relief flooded me, knowing that Skye would always be looked after.

Aaron and Rick sat in the back as Daryl floored it towards the Hilltop; the jostling started my nausea again as Aaron taps me on the shoulder, handing me a sick bag. Thank you I mouthed at him before filling it up.

When we arrived Daryl held his hand on he horn, the man on guard promptly opening the gate. This was the first time I'd seen the Hilltop; it was a much smaller community than Alexandria.

The compound reminded me of a medieval festival, manual labor, baskets full of produce being carried to and fro. There was also a beautiful heritage house smack bang in the middle. I tried to stumble my way to the barrack the guard was leading us to but Daryl grew impatient and picked me up. I wouldn't admit it, but I was relieved.

Before we reached our destination a short spritely man intercepted us. He looked like a biblical figure, straight out of Sunday school. I could tell Daryl was trying not to snap at him, thrumming his fingers on my thigh. The man seemed to pick up on this and walked beside Daryl.
"Hi there friends, I'm Jesus"

Figures

"Rackel"
Despite my fear and nausea I couldn't help but nod at him, a positive aura flowing from him.

Jesus tapped on the door  until a middle-aged man opened up. As I took in his face he seemed impossibly familiar; I knew I hadn't met him before but I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew him somehow.

Jesus stood by the door and took on the responsibility of introducing me. "This is Rackel from Alexandria. She needs our help!"

The khaki wearing gentleman waved us all into the tiny space.
"Bring her in."

Daryl jogged into the room and gently placed me on the examination bed. The guy who I assumed was some kind of doctor placed a thermometer in my mouth and introduced himself.
"Hello there I'm Dr. Carson and I'll be taking care if you." He placed on a blood pressure cuff and placed the stethoscope under it.

While this was happening I stared at him, his facial features starting to make sense.
"Sanctuary?"

He smiled at me kindly but noticeably tensed at the mention of my old home.

"That's my brother." I nodded as he performed all the routine checks, the pressure of the cuff causing me to feel nauseous all over again.

He mouthed sorry and removed it.

"Well Rackel your heart rate is slightly elevated and your core temperature above average. Is it possible you could be pregnant?"

The whole rooms inhabitants eyes widened as Daryl and I clicked the pieces together. Words failed me, how could that not be the first thing to come to mind?

After a while Daryl decided to answer for me,
"Yes."

Dr. Carson smiled and became excited; pulling the ultrasound machine from the corner of the room.
"Well this machine is getting a lot of use recently!"

I lifted my shirt and slightly unzipped my pants at the doctors request. All the men apart from Daryl looked around the room awkwardly, not sure where to look. I shook my head as I put them out of their misery.
"You can wait outside guys, we'll let you know when we know!"

They nodded appreciatively and couldn't get out of the room quick enough. Carson pulled out the cool gel and put some on my abdomen as well as the wand. He pressed firmly on my belly, intently searching for signs of life growing inside me. I shut my eyes, trying to reign myself in. I was scared of the answer either way.

Daryl held my hand tight; both our palms noticeably sweaty. Dr Carson cleared his throat, requesting my attention. I finally opened my eyes, trying to prepare myself for either answer.

Dr. Carson didn't move his head away from the screen, although there was a grin forming.

"Do you have a history of twins?"

I barked a laugh at his tasteless joke; I didn't appreciate it one bit. He re-adjusted the wand and announced: "Well you do now! There must be something in that Alexandrian water." Carson chuckled as he pivoted the monitor into view.

We both looked over to the monitor and saw two little bouncing jelly babies wiggling around. I cried, unsure of how I felt in that moment. Daryl leaned over and planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

He laughed and rested his forehead on mine.
"Well holy shit Rackel!"

I giggled at his exclamation and Daryl yelled over his shoulder, "you guys, get in here!"

The news and what I now realised was morning sickness weighed on me. I looked up at my elated partner, fuelling my guilt fire.

This should be the happiest moment of your life Rackel! What the hell is wrong with you?

Aaron barged through the door as the other two followed, a look of anticipation on his face.
"What's going on?"

I looked at him and smiled weakly, pointing to the monitor as he leaned in closer. He scoffed at the image, absolutely incredulous. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head to re-focus.
"Am I seeing two?"

Rick then leaned in as his mouth dropped, doing a double take on the footage as well.

I nodded, "sure is."

Dr. Carson performed his routine measurement and estimated that they were 8-9 weeks old.

My face dropped as I did the math; luckily they were distracted with the hugging and congratulations they didn't notice my epiphany.

There was no way for me to know if Daryl was the father; I felt like the shittiest person in the world.