Cat's P.O.V
Another wave of excruciating pain rolls through my body and I cry out in pain. I clutch at Hayden's arm as he continues to lead me out of the walkers reach.
"You're doing great Cat, just keep breathing." He says as calmly as he can.
I turn and see the walkers are fairly close now, "Hayden!" I cry out.
"I know Cat, just keep walking. I'll take care of them." He says.
One reaches for him and he turns quickly, pushing it away. He lets go of me and turns quickly taking down the walker.
"We need to find a safe place where we can get rid of these walkers and you can have a safe delivery." He states.
He looks around for a moment and points ahead, "Over there!"
I look ahead and see a barn situated further ahead in the woods, "What about the walkers?!" I ask.
"I'll lead them away." Hayden explains as he takes another down.
"You can't leave me!" I cry out as a walker reaches for me.
He rushes over and takes it down, "I have to if you're going to be safe. Go to the barn, I'll lead them away and come back for you."
"Please Hayden, I'm scared. I-" I begin to panic.
"Cat, you have to do this otherwise we'll all die. You have to do this for the baby. I'll find you, okay?" He says, looking into my eyes.
I look up at him completely frightened, tears streaming down my face. I nod my head, "Okay."
He nods his head and takes a few steps back from me, turning to the walkers, "Hey, over here!"
The walkers look at him as he walks and I hide behind a tree as Hayden attracts their attention. Soon they are following him and I sneak off into the direction of the barn. I quickly reach it and open the door, slipping inside. I look around wildly to see if there is anything I can barricade the door with. I see a log that can bind the doors together. I bend down to pick it up when another contraction overwhelms me.
"Ahh!" I scream out, clutching at my stomach.
I stand there for a moment, taking deep breathes through the pain. Once the pain subsides somewhat I drag the log over to the door and slide it through the slot. What seems like seconds later another contraction overwhelms me and I falls to my knees on the floor. I'm crying out in pain and I attempt to breath properly. All of a sudden there is a banging at the door and I scream out.
"Cat it's me, open the door!" Hayden's voice cries out.
I get to my feet and stumble to the door, sliding out the log. He pushes open the door and slams it shut behind him, putting the log back into place. He turns and leans against the door, letting out deep breathes. He looks at me and rushes over, "How far apart are the contractions?" He asks.
"Around three minutes." I say.
He nods, "Okay, let's get you over here and get your pants off. I want to see how far you've dilated."
He walks me over to a stable in the barn and helps me take my pants off. He takes off his jacket and lays it out underneath me before I lay down.
"Okay Cat, out your knees up and spread them apart." He says, kneeling in front of me.
I do as he says and another contraction overwhelms me and my hands grasp at the ground beneath me. The pain is indescribable as it rolls throughout my body, a throbbing sensation everywhere.
"Okay Cat, you are doing great. You are at eight centimetres which means you're nearly there. It's going a lot quicker than I thought it would but that's good. I alright I need you to just keep calm and breath like I taught you. You wanna breathe with me?" He asks.
I nod my head feebly as we breathe together. The tears fall down my grimy face to the ground, creating little patches of mud. My body is a bit mess with flying emotions and unbearable pain. I try to listen to Hayden's encouragement but I can't focus enough. I don't know how long I lay there before Hayden speaks clearly, "Okay Cat, you're at ten centimetres. Alrighty I'm going to ask you to do a big push for me, can you do that?"
Panic courses through my veins and I shake my head through the tears, "I can't I'm so scared." I cry.
"I know you are but its time to push." He soothes.
I think of Daryl and cry harder, "I can't. I want Daryl, I need Daryl. I can't do this without him." I sob.
Hayden reaches forward and grabs my hand, "Cat look at me."
I look at him as he speaks, "I know this is scary and I know you must be terrified right now. I know that you want Daryl here and you know what so do I. But he isn't and I'm sorry but he isn't going to be. Right now you need to think of that little baby. That baby needs you to push right now, can you do that for them?" He asks.
I look at him and think of the baby. I nod my head and he smiles, "Okay sweetie, now push."
I push with all my might and let out the loudest bloodcurdling scream as the pain ignites a fire within my body. I sob and slump back against the ground.
"Cat I need you to hold on." He says as another contraction wages through my body.
"What is it?" I ask panicked.
"The baby is breach, meaning it's coming out feet first. This is going to make it harder to push." He explains.
"How can this be any harder?!" I yell, another contraction consuming me.
"Just push harder, you're doing great." He encourages.
"Alright on the count of three. One, two, three!" He says as I push harder.
There's a banging at the barn door and I scream out in fear. Hayden looks at the door for a moment and then we both freeze at the sound.
"Cat!"
My rate increases immensely, "Daryl?" I cry out.
Hayden rushes over to the door and slides out the plank of wood and opens the door. Daryl rushes in along with Abraham, Rick and Carl. He and looks at me in a mixture of relief and terror and I notice that his jaw is red.
"What happened?" I ask worried.
He rushes over to me and kneels by my side, "That's not important, right now."
"Daryl- ahh!" I scream out, gripping his arm as another contraction rolls through me.
Hayden comes back into sight and turns to Daryl, "The baby is breach but she's doing fine."
Daryl nods and moves behind me, positioning himself so that I'm leaning against his front between his legs. He takes both of my hands in his and kisses the top of my head, "I'm so proud of you."
"Alright Cat, let's push again." Hayden instructs.
I grip Daryl's hand tightly on my own and push again hard, the pain so much.
"Cat nothing is happening. I need you to push harder." Hayden explains.
"I can't!" I cry, slumping back against Daryl.
He leans down and presses his lips to my ear, "Cat, I know you can do this. You're strong and you're brave. You need to push so that the baby... Our baby can be born. Can you push for me baby?"
I nod my head weakly, "Okay."
He squeezes my hand in comfort as I look back at Hayden and he counts down, "One, two, three!"
I push with all my might, putting everything I have into the push. I slump back and I look at Hayden to see him turned away from us. I look on in fear remembering Annie, "Why isn't he crying? Hayden is he okay? Is he okay?!" I yell, beginning to panic.
Hayden slowly turns and looks at me, with tears in his eyes.
"No, no, no!" I scream out, falling back on Daryl.
All of a sudden I hear a noise, the sound of a baby crying. I open my eyes and see the tiny baby is Hayden's arms, screaming out to the world.
"It's a girl." Hayden says, wiping tears away from his eyes.
"A girl?" Daryl asks, his voice thick and gruff.
Hayden nods and moves over, placing the baby in my arms. The baby is wailing as I press her against my chest, my hand running over her face.
"Hi baby girl." I whisper, placing a kiss on her head.
I feel Daryl wrap and arm around my waist as his other hand reacher forward and caresses the little girl's face. I feel something wet hit my shoulder and I turn my head to see tears falling down Daryl's cheek. I reach up and press my lips to his, my hand cradling his face. The kiss is slow and passionate and over too soon. I turn back to the little girl, whose eyes stare up at mine as she sniffles.
"Well, I guess I won the bet." Daryl says after a moment, still stroking her face.
I chuckle and look down at her, "Yeah, I guess you did."
"Welcome to the world little Amelia."