That next morning Daryl saw a change happen in the pack, usually they were very aware of allowing Daryl to be in charge of himself. However he was now being doted over more than usual, "Y'all nothing changed from yesterday, quit it."

"Yes it has, you're pregnant."

"I've been pregnant since my heat, which was almost a month ago now. I went out to get Sophia pregnant and took an arrow, I'm fine, puppy is fine."

Rick's head shot up. A low grumble leaving his throat, Rick eyed Daryl and stepped towards him slowly. As soon as Rick got close enough Daryl was in his arms and being carried to Hershel. "What the hell put me down!" The archer yelped and hollered but everyone knew better than to get between a pregnant omega and their mate. Daryl was set down beside Hershel

"Check on pup." Rick grumbled.

"Is there a reason? It just a check? I have an ultrasound machine however it is just meant for dogs."

"Daryl took an arrow while pregnant. I need to make sure my pup is safe. If..If there is a chance that the dead no matter how they die become a walker and my pup dies inside of him..I don't want him to be eaten from the inside."

Daryl looked at Rick with wide eyes, that thought made his stomach flop. Hershel nodded getting the severity of the alphas concern, while it wasn't possible the pup was harmed having an alpha this on edge was the concern at hand.

Daryl saw the look in Hershel's eye, he didn't seem worried about the pup but was concerned about Rick. "Will you with me check the pup Daryl?"

"Yes."

The alphas eyes didn't leave his mate, the entire time Hershel worked Rick watched. As the cold gel for the ultrasound covered Daryl's stomach Daryl whimpered in surprise. A low growl left Rick's lips but Daryl was quick to silence him. "Was just cold, just cold."

Rick nodded watched the machine now, he wanted to see a sign of life. "Now it may be too early to see any sig-" Hershel went silent as he moved the machine to the left.

There was silence, Daryl panicked worrying something was wrong. He looked to Rick who looked like he was high, Daryl looked at the machine but couldn't understand the screen.

"You're healthy omega, my healthy mate and my pups. We've got two of them wriggling in there."

Daryl's mouth hung open. "Two?! You mother fucker."

"Language." Hershel tried to calm the panicked omega.

"What am I going to do with two? How..how am I supposed to..to push those out of me."

He was hyperventilating, Rick leaned close, his scent calming the omega. Daryl felt conflicted, he wanted these pups, but he was scared shitless, how could he carry these to full term? Would they come earlier than planned because they were twins? He had hundreds of questions and concerns but by the look on Rick's face he was ecstatic.

"You did this to me." Daryl grumbled. "So you get to stay up with them and..and you get to get up at night when I'm craving things."

Rick snickered. "I already planned on that." Rick kissed the omega. Carl came running in with Shane in tow, Shane stopped with a wide smile on his face looking over the screen.

"Well hell brother, you going to be able to handle twins?"

Rick smiled turning his head to see the alpha with his son. Carl began to chirp. "Two! You really mean it!"

Daryl nodded letting Hershel point the small early staged pups on the screen, it was for both himself and Carl. Daryl watched it dumbfounded as the small fetuses seemed to move. Male omega pregnancies moved faster but with twins it was always a waiting game.

Daryl adjusted with a smile, Rick kissed his son then his mate before he stood. "We should tell the pack hmm?"

"Does this mean they are going to be more all over me?"

"Yes and I'm fine with that." Rick smiled, Daryl rolled his eyes as the alpha nodded a thanks to Hershel and took Daryl's hand in his. The pack was waiting eagerly having watched Rick pick up the omega and walk off as if he was angry not that long ago.

As they emerged from the house Rick smiled, scenting of pride. Daryl smelt of excitement and fear. "We have not one but two pups inside my omegas womb." Rick barked in pure joy. Daryl eyed the pack, another howl of excitement beginning. Daryl flushed, how was it that all these people were excited for his pups birth. It was odd but he almost wanted to thank the apocalypse for giving him a family. A life.

He didn't know if he would have met Rick otherwise, he knew that the alpha and his ex were having marital problems before the apocalypse started but how would they have met?

Maybe Rick and Shane would have saved him from Joe and the claimers and Rick would have rehabilitated him. Or maybe they would have met when he went to bail his no good brother from jail, or he would be in a fight, or maybe they would have never met. That sent a wave or panic down his back. He shuttered, and Rick turned to look his mate over.

"What's wrong Daryl?" Rick asked.

"Just thinking, what would have happened if the apocalypse didn't happen. If we would have ever met, if we would have had these pups. If I would have been sold to Joe.."

"Don't be thinking like that!" Rick chimed. "I would hope we would have met Daryl. That I could have loved you this way in a normal world..but we don't get that. No point dwelling on it. Daryl, I love you."

Daryl smiled. "I love you too, Alpha. Rick." Rick smiled kissing his cheek. Carl and Beth were sent off to school, Carol was excited about the new additions and wanted to do a lesson on puppies for the excited young pups.

Daryl followed Rick checking on the pack mates, everyone was happy and felt good.

Another week passed and Glenn got curious about the barn. The curious beta climbed the back ladder, the hair on his back bristled as the scent of death filled his nose. He climbed the last ring and sat atop the hayloft when his heart felt like it almost stopped.

At least twenty walkers in a small space pressed against one another. Glenn nearly yelped when he realized that sound would call the walkers. He raced down the rings of the ladder running into Maggie.

"You weren't supposed to see that." The beta whined.

"Our alpha needs to know! We can't hide that from him! We have pups on the way, pups here, and an omega."

"Those are my family..friends in that barn."

"They are walkers."

"You can't say anything."

"I have to Maggie!" Glenn hissed.

"No.. you can't please.. my father."

"Is no longer Prime Alpha, his say doesn't matter anymore.. Maggie please let me tell my alpha."

"Come on a run with me..then okay."

"Maggie are your serious?"

"Just please, come on a run."

Glenn nodded, he followed the beta female closely. Daryl watched the two as they headed for a car, he smiled, he had seen the way they acted with one another he was hoping they were courting. Not that he completely understood the idea. Maggie and Glenn started up the car, Glenn turned his head towards Maggie. "We need to tell alpha."

——-

Maggie felt bad for lying to Rick, but she had to follow her fathers wishes. "Why won't you let me tell our alpha?"

"My father says not to..and those people aren't walkers they are just sick people."

"They are dangerous Maggie! They killed Sophia."

Maggie lowered her head. "No, Lori did that."

Glenn frowned, they pulled into the pharmacy parking lot. "We should get prenatals for Daryl." Glenn said, trying to hide his anger. "Would be good for us to do."

"You're right we should." Maggie replied, "Alpha would be proud of us."

Glenn nodded, they walked inside and began to collect as many puppy related things as they could. A book for Rick titled. Alphas, the all knowing guide to safe sex with a pregnant mate, prenatles, pregopops which they found were lollipops made for pregnant omegas and betas. Maggie went to check out more medical supplies when she screamed. Glenn raced to the betas side killing the walker that attempted to bite her.

"Told you. They aren't sick! The people they were are dead. They are just hungry monsters."

Maggie was breathing heavily and the beta panicked. Glenn held her, "shhh it's okay Maggie." Glenn held her. "Shh.." Maggie cried into Glenn. The betas held onto one another as they shivered. "I love you Maggie." Glenn whispered.

"Really?"

"Yes. Really." Glenn whispered. Maggie leaned up and kissed him softly. "We should get back to the pack, to the alpha and tell him the truth."

"You're right..my daddy is going to be pissed but....but it's the best thing for us. We need to tell the pack, protect the omega, the pups."

Glenn and Maggie were quick to leave. "I'll say it." Glenn replied. "First let's give these to alpha and omega."

Glenn and Maggie walked up the alpha, who was sitting on the couch with Daryl sleeping in his lap, with smiles. "We got gifts."

Rick smiled at them as he opened the bag. Daryl stirred and smiled at the betas reaching for the bag, Rick tsked and the omega lowered his hands. Rick pulled the book out first. The betas blushed as he winked at Daryl handing it to him to thumb through. Daryl was all shades of red. Rick pulled the prenatals out and smiled. "You two really care about our omega don't you?"

"Of course we do. There's one more." Maggie smiled.

Rick riffled through a few bottles of prenatals, and found the pregopops. Daryl swiped them with a smile. "Hell yeh."

Rick snickered as the omega pulled one of the wrappers off the lollipop sticking it in his mouth. He took one bite of it and Rick snarled. "Lick the damn thing, they are called suckers not biters."

Daryl rolled his eyes and began to suck on it. He gave Rick a look as he licked it a bit seductively, Rick eyed the omega then looked at the betas. They looked at one another as Daryl snickered, licking the pop. "Thanks. These are good."

The two nodded and then sat across from the prime couple. "We have something to confess Alpha, I learned this morning."

"I've known for a long time now." Maggie lowered her head.

Rick sat up eyeing the two betas, Daryl attempted to move when Rick pulled the omega into his lap. Daryl let out a humph as he gave up and relaxed, Rick watched the betas. "What is it?"

"There are walkers in the barn." Glenn managed. Daryl nearly choked on the sucker in his mouth.

"What?!" Rick growled, the hair on his back standing up. He moved his hand protectively over Daryl's stomach. Daryl whined as Rick set him in the couch and stood. "Where is Hershel?"

"I don't know..but Rick..my dad thinks they are sick. Not monsters!"

Rick looked between the two betas, then to his mate who was biting the sucker again. "I need to talk to Hershel."

Daryl paced as his mate left him inside with Shane, Shane watched the omega pace. "I want to be out there."

"There is a small hoard in the barn, he told me to watch you and keep you inside." Shane watched the omega. He was holding his stomach as he paced.

"S' fine."

"No it isn't. You could get hurt 'mega."

"I want to be with my mate."

"Daryl. You gotta stay inside." Daryl mumbled and continued to pace. Shane nodded watching the omega. "I'm sorry that you're upset."

"I want my alpha." Daryl grumbled. "I should be able to help protect the pack. It's my pack."

"We appreciate that Daryl, but you have two beautiful lives growing inside you. So you should stay inside, we need to protect those pups."

Daryl muttered and nodded. "You're right.." The omega muttered, finally sitting. Shane sighed as the sound of bullets went flying, Hershel watched acting as if he wasn't affected until his wife and son walked out of the barn.

"Daddy!" Maggie cried. "Stop."

Hershel fell to his knees. He had given him permission to shoot the walkers, and was regretting it. Daryl tried to open the door when Shane stood in front of it. "No. You stay here. Alpha's orders." Daryl grumbled but didn't push Shane to let him out. "Daryl sit please."

Daryl paced for a moment before don't as he was told. The door opened after a moment and Rick stepped in. "The barn is clear now."

"I could have been out there." Daryl snapped. "Alpha I could have helped!"

"No," the alpha repeated. "Please Omega, I want our pups protected. You need to be safe, I need you safe."

"You told me until I couldn't be on my feet or help I was allowed to help alpha. You promised."

Rick stopped and lowered his head. "I'm sorry, you're right. I told you that you wouldn't be trapped and that you would be able to help and I didn't let you. I'm just nervous about losing you, about losing our pups. I love you Daryl and I can't lose you."

Daryl gave him a lopsided smile as Rick lowered himself to his knees slowly lifting the flap of his shirt planting a kiss on his belly button. Daryl wanted to be mad but he couldn't be. "Alpha," Daryl mumbled running his fingers through his hair. "You're a pain in my ass. I love you too."

Shane smiled watching his alpha and mate. Maggie and Beth came inside sobbing. Daryl followed Beth trying to comfort the pup.

Rick and Shane shook their heads. They wanted to help comfort Beth and Maggie, maybe even Hershel but the elder was struggling and the beta was locked in her room. Beth sobbed into Daryl's arms. Daryl braided her hair back as he listened to her cry. "I'm sorry pup." Daryl nuzzled the girl once her hair was back and she laid against him.

"My momma died in a fire.." Daryl began. Beth looked up. "She was in and out of my life, didn't stay long but I remember it was before I presented so I could be out with the other pups. The sirens going, when I came riding on my bike I saw the window to her room engulfed in flames..she liked to smoke in bed." He nuzzled Beth, Rick was in the doorway listening, Daryl's life had been one hell after another. Beth cuddled the omega, her smile soft; but there was a smile. Beth felt content knowing the omega she clung to so desperately had also lost his mother.

"Will you tell me more about your life mom?" Beth asked, Daryl stiffened.

"Beth, you don't have to call me that you know. When Hershel agreed to combine the packs, pack law didn't require us to claim you or Jimmy. You don't gotta call me that."

"I want to." The blond replied, "Really I do."

Daryl looked her up and down before adjusting on the bed. "Arlight, what do you want to know? There isn't much good, not since I was eight, and then until the apocalypse began." Beth didn't know how to respond.

"Alright..first kiss."

"Rick." Daryl replied, smiling at the thought of the Alpha male. Beth thought for a moment but decided against her next question.

"Did you have a favorite food?"

"Ate a lot of deer or squirrel," Daryl replied, he laid his hand on his stomach thinking about how he would fight to ensure his pups were happy.

"I liked when momma made pie," Beth thought back, the scent of vanilla from Daryl catching her at the right moment. "Warm apple pie with homemade ice cream." Daryl smiled, he had never actually had ice cream but two of his pups seemed to be talking about enjoying it. Even before he was locked away due to being an omega he hadn't enjoyed many things in life. He remembered having pie once however, that was good shit.

"Do you have a favorite color?" Beth questioned, Daryl snickered thinking about it. Rick's eyes were a pretty blue.

"Blue." Daryl replied watching the young beta process and then she asked another question.

"Why blue?"

"Rick's eyes are a nice blue," Daryl smiled, "I just like it. Black too, wear a lot of black."

Beth nodded, she began to feel tired, the omega stood leaving her to sleep. He left the room slowly, Rick scared him nearly half to death as he exited her room earning him a punch to the face. "Shit sorry..sorry alpha. You can't startle me..hell."

"Jumpy are we?" Rick questioned readjusting his jaw. Daryl growled a bit and the alpha smirked, Rick growled back. Daryl narrowed his eyes but bared his neck trying not to cause issues, Rick smiled licking along his collar bone, Daryl muttered into the kisses. "Mine." Rick grunted, Daryl smiled and nodded, the group was calm again feeling the threat to their omega and pups gone.

The next day Maggie came running for Daryl, Daryl was watching Carl feed chickens with a smile on his face. Daryl finally felt like this place could be good for them, no threats, everyone happy. "Beth, it's Beth, she collapsed!"

Daryl stood quickly following the scared beta, Shane and Otis had gotten Beth to her bed but she wasn't responding. "Hey pup, come on look at me."

Nothing, the girl was frozen.

"Where is your father?" Daryl asked concern etched on his face.

"Daddy went out to town after the walkers in the barn, he left this morning."

"I'll go get him." Daryl began, he went to grab his crossbow when Glenn and Rick stopped him. "I am going to get him, you can't stop me."

"The town isn't secure, please Daryl, for me. Please stay here, keep an eye on our pups." Rick begged. Daryl could smell the fear on the alpha, he was concerned for his pups, including the ones they acquired. Daryl set the crossbow down and looked between Rick and Glenn.

"Fine..but you better bring him back safe."

The beta and alpha nodded, Daryl kissed Rick's cheek quickly trying not to make it a big deal and headed back to Beth. "Hey pup, just keep thinking about your mama's pie and ice cream. Maybe one day I will learn how to make it for you."