Chapter One
"Where ya goin', lil brother?" Merle asked from across the table as he brought the bottle of beer to his lips and took a long swig. Daryl held up his ringing cell phone and stepped outside, looking at the unfamiliar number on the screen before flipping it open and pressing it to his ear.
"Hello?" he asked as he took the cigarette he kept tucked behind his ear and placed it between his lips, expecting to hear the voice of one of his one night stands on the other end.
"Is this Daryl Dixon?" a sweet and soft voice asked as he brought his lighter to the end of his cigarette.
"Yeah." he answered and cradled the phone between his ear and shoulder, cupping his hand over the flmae to keep the spring wind from blowing out the flame.
"I saw your ad in the Iwana just a few moments ago, for the house you have for rent. I'm moving out on my own, and I was wondering if it was still available." She sounded shy and nervous and he couldn't help the small grin on his face as he took a drag off of the cigarette, flicking the ashes off the end.
"Yeah, it's stil available." he answered before blowing the smoke back out and watching it disappear into the night sky.
"Is there anyway I could take a look at it?"
"I can meet you there in about an hour." he said and leaned against the window of the bar.
"That's wonderful!" she answered with excitement before clearing her throat, "I'll meet you then."
"What's your name?" he asked before she could hang up the phone to rush and get ready.
"Beth. Beth Greene."
"I'll see you soon, Beth Greene." he said before hanging up the phone and tucking it back in his pocket so he could enjoy the last of his cigarette. He stomped the butt out on the sidewalk and walked back inside of the old bar, stale alcohol and cigarette smoke filling his nose. This was a second home to him since he spent most of his free time there.
"What's goin' on?" Merle asked as Daryl slid back into his seat, propping his feet up on the empty seat next to him and picking up his beer bottle.
"Got someone interested in the house. Gonna go meet her in an hour to show her 'round the place." he said before turning the bottom up and taking a long sip.
"Want me to head out there with ya?" Merle asked and Daryl shook his head as he set the now empty bottle down.
"Nah, bro you'll jus' scare her off." he said with a laugh and Merle flicked him off.
"Fuck ya, too." he said and hailed a waitress down, asking for another beer before smacking her ass and sending her on her way.
The car crept up the gravel driveway lined with old oak trees adorned with Spanish Moss, sunlight creeping through the branches and leaves. She smiled and placed her hand to her stomach, clenching her shirt as she saw the house at the end of the long driveway. The yard was closed off by an old wooden fence that was falling apart in some places, the house painted with a faded Hunter's Green that was peeling and chipping off in many spots. The screens that enclose the front porch were ripped in and falling off, some only hanging by a corner.
"If you only knew you'd be just as excited as I am." she said as she rubbed her belly, giving it a small and loving pat before pulling up next to the house and turning off her engine. She stepped out of the old black Honda Civic, closing the door and walking around to the front.
She walked through the old wooden and chicken wire gate, hearing it creak behind her as it started to close. She went around the side of the house, seeing overgrown flower beds along it and knew she could rip out the weeds and plants and start fresh. The grass in the yard was overgrown and she was hoping she wouldn't step on a hiding snake or other woodland animal. She reached the backyard that was also surrounded in the same old fence and saw a large, healthy oak tree just like the ones along the driveway. It too was covered in Spanish Moss and helped to shade most of the yard.
By the looks of the outside the house obviously hadn't been used in a long time but that didn't change her mind about it yet. She perked up at the sound of a loud engine in the distance, looking down at her watch and smiling.
"Right on time, Mr. Dixon." she said with a grin as she started back around to the front. She stepped outside of the gate and let it close behind her, hearing the engine grow louder and seeing a single bright light coming up the drive.
Daryl's first sight as he pulled up on the motorcycle was bright blonde hair illuminated by the Georgia afternoon sun that belonged to a surprisingly pretty young girl. Usually the people who called to look at the house were rough and usually dealing or lying on their backs to make rent money. This one though looked far from what he usually saw. She wore a knee length white skirt that fluttered weightlessly in the breeze, a blue shirt clinging to her slender frame. She had on a white cropped denim jacket that ended just above her waist. Her pale blonde locks were swept up into a high ponytail, a small braid mixed in with it. He pulled up behind her car, cutting the bike off and seeing her shade her eyes from the sun as she gave him a small wave.
"Beth Greene?" he asked as he walked up to her and saw her hold her hand out.
"Yes, you must be Daryl Dixon?" she said and he took her hand, surprised at how soft and small it was in his rough grip, "It's good to meet you. I'm excited to see the inside."
"I'm surprised the outside hadn't scared you away yet."
"Ain't nothin' I can't spruce up myself." she said with a smile as he opened the gate, letting her go through first and following behind her quickly.
"Careful, the steppin' stones are broken and it's all overgrown. I can get out here and mow for ya if you'd like, I guess I shoulda done it before showin' you around." he said and fished the key out of his pocket. He led her up the front steps and pushed the screen door open, holding it open and watching her as she observed the front porch.
There was outdoor carpet along the screen porch floor and Beth made a mental note to ask if she could rip it up and get rid of it. It was something she knew her brother would help her to do, as well as replace the screens along the front. After unlocking the front door a strong stale smell met her nose and made her wrinkle it up. She stepped inside and Daryl flipped the light on, the room lighting up and Beth smiling as she stepped in. Even though the outdated wall paper was peeling off the walls, and the wood floor was in need of a good sweeping, she still found the size perfect for herself and her little one. She moved farther into the room, walking over to a window and sliding it open to invite the cool, fresh breeze in.
Daryl watched her walk through the room, her eyes going over every detail and at this moment he felt embarassed for her to even be in this house.
"Did you grow up here?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen, running her finger along the countertop and looking at the dust that piled up on it.
"Nah, I inherited it after my grandpa passed, well my older brother Merle and I did, but we made more money off rentin' it than livin' in it."
"Looks like it's been empty for a while." She said as she opened a cabinet and saw a few mouse droppings, closing it back and moving to the hallway.
"I can get someone to clean it for ya before you get moved in." he said and she walked into the smallest of three bedrooms, flipping the light on. And old bed was shoved against the wall opposite the window, a quilt spread across it with a dingy pillow lay waiting for someone's head.
"My sister and my mama can help me start cleanin' it up as soon as I sign for it." she said and he raised an eyebrow, leaning against the opening to the hallway.
"You still interested?"
"Well, if we can make a few agreements." she said and flashed him a grin over her shoulder as she moved to the second bedroom, turning on the light and stepping inside. He heard that window slide open too and walked down the hallway as well.
"What would that be?" He was amused by her, and liked her take-charge way as she wandered the house, acting like it was her own already.
"You let me paint and do a little fixin' up around here. Now I'm not gonna go all crazy and turn it into a total girly house, but, I would like something cute, clean, and safe. Especially when I bring home Baby Greene in November." Her hand went straight to her belly and he was surprised at the sudden feeling of disappointment in him. Who the hell was he kidding? Of course this cutie wouldn't be interested in him, and of course she had someone else.
"Is the, uh, father excited?" Daryl asked and saw anger flash in her eyes quickly before she turned a forced a half-hearted smile.
"No. He hasn't been around since I told him." she answered, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear and moving to the master bedroom.
"Oh. I'm sorry." he said and leaned against the wall in the hallway.
"Eh, not your fault he's a jerk. So." she said and popped out of the room, smiling and straightening out her skirt, "When do I sign?"
"So, it's gonna be four hundred a month, and I'll cut you a deal. Anythin' you do to fix up the house on your own, I'll take off of your rent each month." he said and saw her smile widen as they stood in the kitchen going over the contract.
"Sounds perfect." she said as she tapped her lip softly with the back of her pen.
"I'll come mow tomorrow mornin', and call someone out here to set traps underneath the house for mice. I can take care of mowin' the yard for ya for no extra charge when it needs it." Beth looked up at him as he was reading over the contract with her, her large blue eyes studying the older man. His shaggy, muddy brown hair brushed against his face and along the back of his neck. He reached up and scratched his goatee with rough calloused hands. His stormy eyes looked over at her and she looked down quickly at the papers, a blush creeping across her cheeks.
"You gon' be okay out here on your own?"
"I'll be fine." she answered and signed a paper he laid in front of her.
"I don' live that far from here, so if you need me at all, if anythin' happens, don' hesitate to call. I'd hate for you to feel unsafe."
"Thank you." she said and signed the last of the papers, Daryl sliding the key over to her.
"Well, Miss Greene, welcome to your new place."
"Thank you, Mr. Dixon." she said with a wink and a smile as he shook her hand, "I'm looking forward to this."