Beth Greene never considered herself a strong woman but she was a smart one. She never considered herself fearless but she was brave. Acclaiming her love for none other than the timid hunter, Daryl Dixon, left her in a situation she was not prepared for. One certainly she never expected.

She stammered, "I- I love you, Daryl…"

Beth loved him with every part of her heart and soul and she thought he loved her too but she was wrong. Daryl didn't say a word and she found herself scared and embarrassed for the words she just spoke. She knew that he was a man of few words but she found herself highly disappointed when he wouldn't even spare her a look. Her eyes began to glisten with tears and her hands began to shake because how could she be so stupid for thinking he loved her back.

She didn't expect him to say anything at all but when he did, a spark of hope fluttered in her heart, only to be completely destroyed.

Looking at his ashen face she knew what was coming. "Beth- I don't. I don't even know what love is. I don't know if I would ever be capable of loving another person." She knew it was a lie, a lie he was telling himself because he was afraid.

And there it was every single scenario she pictured herself loving Daryl for the rest of her life made her laugh bitterly with tears running down her face because she had been living in a fantasy all this time. She didn't regret any part of it but for once in her life she didn't find herself being the smart, brave woman she was considered to be - she was just Beth Greene, ordinary farm girl who had been living her life in a daydream.

Beth nodded but she couldn't meet his eyes. "I'm sorry for loving you."

Daryl choked back a sob, "I'm sorry I can't give ya what you want. I'm sorry I can't be that man for you Beth."

She had one last question that she wasn't looking forward to hearing the answer to, "Is this the end of us?"

" 'fraid so. I don't think you were meant for a man like me. You deserve better."

She was angry now, " Don't tell me what I deserve, I want you! But here you are running away again because you're afraid. You're afraid to say you love me. You're afraid because here I am declaring my love for you but all you can do is say that you are sorry. You're afraid that your wrong and that you do love me and no matter how much you say you don't, you do!"

He growled, "I AIN'T 'FRAID OF NOTHIN'."

She shook her head with tears trickling down her cheeks. Her last words to him were haunting but the truth, "You're gonna miss me so bad when I'm gone, Daryl Dixon."

That brutally cold winter was the last time she saw Daryl Dixon before she moved to Atlanta.

2 years later

"Bethie, it's so good to see you!"

"Thanks, Daddy! I've missed you so much."

Hershel took in the tired appearance of his daughter and the glimmer that once was in her eyes has been long gone.

"Doodlebug, I know he's the reason you haven't been home in almost two years but I have something to tell you."

Beth looked hesitant but nodded anyways.

"Daryl's engaged."

Her mind was racing and her heart was crushed. Suddenly there wasn't enough air. She pushed her way out the door and ran- ran as far as her legs would take her. She came across the field of lavenders where Daryl first kissed her. The place where he learned to trust her. The place where she was certain he was falling in love with her. She spun in circle and could imagine every part of the memory.

Beth was giggling. "Daryl, this is the most beautiful place I have ever seen."

"Yah' came across it while I's huntin', it reminded me of you."

She tilted her head and gave him that smile that he loved so much, "Why?"

Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked nervous, "Well lavenders represent refinement, grace, and elegance. All those things remind me of you."

She blinked, she didn't know how to respond so she wrapped her arms around him. He took her face in his hands and said, "Lavenders are often considered the most delicate and precious flowers…" He placed his lips on hers and slowly moved them. Her heart was beating so fast she thought he would be able to hear it. Breaking the kiss he whispered in her ear, "You're special, Beth. Never wanna lose ya."

She screamed because she was angry, so very angry. Angry at Daryl for not feeling the same way she felt for him. Angry at herself for loving him too much that she still couldn't get over him. How truly pathetic was she? She collapsed and wept. Her lungs hurt from the lack of air and her head was pounding but most of all her heart felt broken into a million pieces. She laid for a long while when she heard a twig break. She closed her eyes and drew in a long breath. She wasn't ready to face anyone or anything just yet.

She heard that gruff voice that she thought she would never hear again, "Beth?"

Not ready to wake up from this dream or nightmare whatever it was because in reality that is all she wanted. She just wanted to see him one more time.

"Beth."

She opened her eyes and there he was, crossbow in his hands and not much had changed. His hair was longer almost covering his eyes but he was still the most beautiful man she ever laid eyes on. Her stomach had butterflies and suddenly the urge to scream was becoming very distinct.

She sighed, "Please just go."

"Beth."

"WHAT DARYL? I TRIED TO CONTACT YOU BUT YOU NEVER ANSWERED YOUR PHONE! I CAME BACK HERE TO FIND OUT THAT YOU'RE ENGAGED TO SOMEOTHER GIRL." She was furious but so crushed.

She started crying, "I waited so long for you to say those words to me but I find out that you already declared your love for some other girl and committed your future to spending it with her."

The silence was deafening. "I'm so tired Daryl. Why can't I stop loving you?"

"Beth, I never declared my love for her. I never even proposed."

She shook her head, "My daddy sa-

"Stop. Listen to me."

She looked at her feet.

"Jena went around town saying that we were getting married, I never disagreed."

She choked back a sob.

"But I never agreed either. I didn't say nothin' cause all I wanted was for you to come home."

Shaking her head, "Stop Daryl. We both know that's not true."

"Oh but it is- you were right. I was so scared for loving ya, so scared because ya deserved better than some lowlife redneck. I's afraid I'd turn out like my pops but after you left I knew with every bone in my body that I loved ya."

She gasped.

"I hated that you moved to Atlanta. I hated that you would probably find someone better than me. I hated that you told me you loved me and I couldn't say it back. I hated it because you were right…I missed you so bad when you were gone Beth Greene."

Tears flooded her vision but for a different reason entirely.

"I's afraid then but I ain't now…I love you, Beth. Only you."