Hope's POV

When I was little, I never thought that I could love anything or anyone more than how much I loved my parents. That changed when I met my first boyfriend, and then I was convinced that was the most love I could ever feel. Meeting Daryl changed that, because I love him even more than I loved that previous boyfriend. Basically, my life has been a never-ending staircase of how much love I feel and what kind of love I feel for different people.

But this baby...this unsurmountable love that I feel inside me right now is nothing like I've ever felt before. I don't want to kill anyone, but I know right now that I would kill to protect him.

Elliot appears at the doorway, his eyes wide and Lightning at his heel. Carl looks up at him with a smile, gently holding my newborn back and forth.

"It's a boy," he says, a small smile on his lips.

Elliot grins and moves closer, looking between me and the baby. Carl hands him the baby, allowing the older man to hold him. My son's little hands wave at him, his eyes squeezed shut and his little feet kicking in the blanket Carl found for him.

"What...what did you and Daryl decide for a name?" Elliot asks.

I smile, feeling fatigued. "Theo...Theo Chase Dixon."

My friend's face floods with an almost ecstatic sort of relief. "Beautiful name." Guilt flickers in his eyes as he purses his lips. "I'm...I'm sorry I didn't get here sooner."

"It's fine, really," I say, just as a yawn escapes me. "Carl handled it."

The teen shrugs and hooks his thumbs in his belt loops. Elliot hands me Theo and I instantly cradle him against me. He makes little noises, his face still reddened and wrinkly. He's incredibly tiny for a newborn, but I have faith that he'll survive.

After all, he's Daryl's son.

"I've got to get back to the medical centre," Elliot comments as he pets Lightning's ears. "I left Denise in charge while I tried to get over here."

I look back up at him, finally noticing just what his appearance now holds. There's blood staining his clothes and hands, a bloody machete laying near the doorway. My lips press into a firm line.

"Did you..." I start, feeling horrible about what he might've had to do.

"I did what I had to," he answers, forcing a smile. "Buttons is safe too. He's in his stable."

Lightning barks a little, as though seconding the comment. I push myself up, the blanket covering my lower half shifting a little. Theo squirms, still sleeping soundly.

"Is Daryl back?" I ask, although I doubt I'll get the answer I want.

Elliot shakes his head. "I...I don't know. I haven't seen any of that group yet."

I feel my heart drop into my stomach, my thoughts travelling to Michonne, Glenn, Rick, everyone else who was on that clear out crew. I send a silent prayer up for their safety, trying to hold back anxious shakes.

"Okay...we'll keep an eye out," I say.

"You should go to the medical centre with Elliot," Carl suggests. "Have him check on Theo."

Elliot nods in agreement. I do the same.

"Sure. Just let me get cleaned up first."

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Theo's eyes open, and I instantly feel as though I've won another lottery with life. His eyes are blue, just like Daryl's, and the fine brown hair covers his velvety head is also just like his daddy's.

I feel tears prick at my eyes when I think of my redneck, clutching my son close to me as I look out my bedroom window. Theo tugs on my curls, cooing softly. He can hardly cry, he's so tiny, but Elliot said that he seemed healthy.

I lower myself onto my bed, gazing at Theo again. I already dressed him in a soft blue onesie with a squirrel on the front, something I hope Daryl will appreciate once he gets home. I want to sleep, but I know that I'd just end up laying in bed waiting for my husband to return. I'm going to stay awake, until he comes home.

I sigh, deciding to take a walk. Maybe that'll clear my head. As I look down at my slowly receding baby bump, I laugh to myself. Maybe it'll help get rid of this sooner too.

I get to my feet, getting the extra stroller that Carl had laying around his house. I set it up with a little bit of difficulty, still rather sore from childbirth. Theo reminds silent, his big blue eyes staring up at me with a sort of awe and admiration.

Outside, everyone is still recovering from the attack. I push Theo gently, walking at a leisurely pace. My light brown eyes scan the area, searching for any sign of the clear out crew. Rick, Glenn, Daryl...anybody.

I see the familiar form of Michonne up ahead, my body lightening with hope. She's talking to Maggie, their faces unreadable. I move a little faster, peeking at Theo quickly. He snoozes soundly, little spit bubbles appearing on his little pink lips. I smile lovingly.

"Michonne!" I call. "Maggie!"

The two women look to me, their eyes widening when they see the stroller. The two women move to me at a little faster than a walk, their faces softening.

"Hope...you had your baby," Michonne states the obvious, looking into the stroller.

I smile. "Yeah...he had quite the timing. This is Theo."

"Hey Theo," she greets with a weak smile.

Maggie's face flickers with something unreadable as she looks at my baby. Her hand flinches, as if to fall on her stomach, and her eyes flash with fear. I frown a little, feeling as though I know that look all too well.

"Maggie, are you alright?" I ask gently, worried.

She shakes her head. "Fine. Congrats on the baby. I'll see you later."

She turns and dashes away, head down and legs stiff. My face falls, as does Michonne's. I look at the dark-skinned women, wondering about the rest of the group.

"Mich, where's Rick? Glenn?" I ask. "The others?"

Her lips press together slightly. "Most of them didn't make it. Scott's in the infirmary, Heath and I got him here."

I swear I feel my heart stop, my throat tightening as a lump grows in it.

"And...the others? Michonne...please tell me," I request, my voice edging on pleading.

She shakes her head. "Glenn and Nicholas are gone. Rick is...off somewhere. No word from Daryl, Sasha, and Abraham."

I grip the stroller tighter, my knuckles going white as my eyes sting with tears. Glenn...dead? That can't be. If there's one thing I know about that Korean, it's that one does not simply kill him.

But, he isn't here.

My thoughts switch to Maggie instantly, sympathy bubbling in my chest like a rogue fountain. Tears run down my face uncontrollably, and I feel Theo squirm in his little resting spot.

"Hope..." Michonne starts.

"No, it's fine," I choke, my voice thick. "I'll...I'll be okay. Just go worry about everyone else."

Her smile is pained before she turns and walks away. I turn the stroller and walk stiffly back to my home, my held back sobs shaking my shoulders. Suddenly, it's like I'm reliving every memory of Glenn that I have, right from when we met in the department store.

It's unreal. I don't want it to be true.

I shake my head, wiping my face. I can't lose focus now.

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I stand in Theo's new room, his crib and everything else set up and ready. He hasn't cried since he took his first breath of the outside world, every noise he makes soft and hardly noticeable. It's as though he's waiting to use his first real outburst for some other time. I rock him gently, singing a quiet lullaby.

"Don't you dare look out your window, darling.
Everything's on fire.
The war outside our door keeps raging on.
Hold onto this lullaby.
Even when the music's gone.
Gone.

Just close your eyes.
The sun is going down.
You'll be alright.
No one can hurt you now.
Come morning light.
You and I'll be safe and sound."

Theo gurgles softly, his tiny pink fingers resting on his perfect little mouth. It's amazing how much of Daryl that I see in him already, how much I already see of me. He watches me with the same childlike curiosity that I always had as a child, but his eyes sparkle with Daryl's fire. He's a perfect mix.

"Don't you worry, baby," I whisper, looking out the window before back to him. "Your daddy's gonna fight to get back to us. I know it. I've never met someone who fights as hard as he does, and he's gonna fight for you." I kiss his velvety forehead, his little hands brushing my face. "Mommy loves you, Theo. I promise that I'll always protect you."

My gaze falls to the outside world again, listening to the sounds of the Alexandrians living their lives. I've got another life to protect, a whole little person who's going to depend on me for everything. I want to be the best mother I can be, because that's what he deserves.

"And...should this screwed up world take me away from you," I murmur, running a hand over his little head. "I'll still find a way to protect you."