𝙴𝙿𝙸𝚂𝙾𝙳𝙴 𝚃𝚆𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚈-𝚂𝙸𝚇 - 𝚂𝚃𝚄𝙵𝙵𝙴𝙳 𝙴𝙻𝙴𝙿𝙷𝙰𝙽𝚃
Rick looked dazed as he processed the fact that Lori was dead. Daryl went to check on him whilst Maggie handed the baby to Carl. "Let me see the baby." Hershel said.
"What are we gonna feed it?" Daryl asked.
"He's right." Madelyn said as she wiped her tears. "Do we have anything a baby can eat?"
"The good news is she looks healthy." Hershel said. "But she needs formula soon, or she won't survive."
"Nope, no way. Not her. We're not losing anybody else. I'm going for a run." Daryl said.
"I'll come with you." Madelyn said.
"No, after everything we've just been through-"
"D, trust me. I've been through this. I know exactly what a new born baby needs." Madelyn said. She still remembered everything from when she was planning for her own child.
"Maggie and I will come too." Glenn said.
"Okay, fine." Daryl said. "Beth, Carl just lost his mom, dad ain't doing so hot."
"I'll look out for him." Beth said.
"Come on, we better get going." Daryl said.
"There's the Piggly Wiggly at 85." Glenn said.
"No, the baby section's been cleared." Maggie said. "Lori asked me to keep an eye out. I haven't had much luck."
"Is there any place that hasn't been completely looted?" Daryl asked.
"Glenn, didn't you tell me you saw signs from a shopping centre?" Madelyn asked.
"Yeah, just north of here." Glenn said.
"Yeah, but there's too much debris on the road." Maggie said. "A car will never get through there."
"That means I can only take one of you." Daryl said.
"I'll go." Madelyn said.
"Are you sure?" Glenn asked.
"Yeah, I've done this before. I know what to pick up." Madelyn said.
"Wait, you...had a child?" Maggie asked.
"I almost did....and we're not losing this one any time soon." Madelyn said before getting on the bike with Daryl.
"You sure about this?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah, I can handle it." Madelyn said. "I can handle it."
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After driving for a while, Daryl and Madelyn made it to a little nursery where they could find what they were looking for. There were swing sets and climbing frames. Madelyn sighed and pulled out her crossbow before they both began to walk inside.
When Madelyn got inside, she saw cribs and kids toys, making her heart grow heavy. There were kids who had to suffer in a world like this. She couldn't imagine how scary it must be for them. Madelyn shook her head and went over to one of the cupboards, opening it to find diapers and baby bottles so she quickly began stuffing her bag with everything they needed. Then one thing caught her eye. It was a little grey stuffed elephant.
"Oh god." Madelyn whispered to herself as her mind went back to a time when everything was perfect.
"We don't wanna buy too many toys for LJ." Madelyn said as she kept one hand on her swollen stomach and the other to pick up toys.
"Why not?" Landon asked. "He's our son, our first child. He can have anything his heart desires."
"Yeah, but we don't wanna spoil him." Madelyn said as she looked around the baby store.
"I hardly think we'll manage to spoil a baby." Landon joked.
"Are you or are you not an only child?" Madelyn asked.
"Yeah." Landon said, confused.
"And were you or were you not spoiled?" Madelyn asked, making Landon roll his eyes.
"Whatever. Maybe it can be a family tradition. When LJ has a child, he can spoil it." Landon joked.
"No." Madelyn laughed.
"And anyways, who said LJ will be an only child? I would put a hundred kids in you if I could." Landon smirked.
"Landon!" Madelyn gasped as she blushed.
"Look at this." Landon said, holding up a grey stuffed elephant. "This is the perfect first toy."
Madelyn looked up and smiled. It was cute. It was just the right size for a new born too.
"I love it." Madelyn smiled.
"Maddie? You okay?" Madelyn heard, shaking her out of her thoughts. She realised her cheeks were wet with tears as she stared at the little stuffed toy.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Madelyn said, wiping her tears.
"Hey, tell me what's going on." Daryl said, squeezing her hand.
"This toy just reminded me of Landon. He picked this exact toy out for our son, LJ." Madelyn said with a small smile.
"LJ, as in Landon Junior?" Daryl asked.
"Yeah. We thought it was a cute name. LJ." Madelyn said.
"It is." Daryl said.
"I know I need to get over it-"
"No, this is your son you're talking about. Take your time. Grieve." Daryl said, making Madelyn smile at him. "For the record, I think the baby would like that toy."
"I hope so." Madelyn said before putting it in her bag. Daryl smiled and kissed her cheek before going to check out the rest of the nursery to see if it was safe. Once the place was cleared, Daryl and Madelyn went to check the pantry where they found tubs of baby formula, just the kind that the baby needed.
"Yep, this is it." Madelyn said, taking the tubs and putting them in her bag.
"Hey, you did good. I'm proud of you." Daryl said, making Madelyn turn around.
"Thank you." She said.
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Once the pair had gathered as much as they could, they made their way back to the prison. They went inside where they heard the baby crying. Maggie and Madelyn both began to make the formula whilst Daryl took the baby to calm her down. Once the formula was made, Madelyn handed the bottle to Daryl who then began feeding the baby, even smiling.
"There we go." Daryl said. Madelyn couldn't help but smile. Daryl was good with kids. That was something Madelyn didn't know. It was always cute seeing a guy with a baby but seeing Daryl, it only made Madelyn fall even harder for him. It made her realise that there could be a future for them both.
"She got a name yet?" Daryl asked.
"Not yet, but I was thinking, maybe Sophia?" Carl asked. "Then there's Carol too. And Andrea, Amy, Jacqui, Patricia or Lori. I don't know."
"You like that?" Daryl asked the baby. "Little ass-kicker? Right, that's a good name. Little ass-kicker?" Everyone laughed as Daryl continued feeding the baby. "Little ass-kicker, you like that, sweetheart?"
Daryl looked at Madelyn who smiled at him as he fed the baby. "One day." Daryl muttered quietly to himself.