A/N: This is my first Bethyl story. The title and the story are partially inspired by the song "Little Sweet Cigars" by The Trishas. If you haven't heard it, look it up. It'll definitely give a little insight into the story. And yes, this story is told in the POV of the characters.
Please review and let me know what y'all think.
Chapter 1
Beth-
Daddy had tried to keep me shielded from the world before but he couldn't. Now with this outbreak or whatever it is, he's tryin' even harder to keep me away from it. But he can't. I may be seventeen and I may not fully understand this world now but I was determined to not let it ruin me. I had already let that happen once before.
I looked out my bedroom window at the group of people out by the trees. Daddy had agreed to let this group stay for a little while since Otis had accidentally shot that little boy. They've been here a week but I hadn't met any of them yet. Just another way daddy is tryin' to protect me.
"Bethie?" Maggie whispered, she stepped into my room, "Are you hungry?"
"Yeah."
She walked over to the crib that was next to my bed and smiled.
"He's so sweet when he's sleepin'."
I smiled too, "He's not just sweet when he's sleepin'. He's sweet all the time."
"True. Just like his mama," she sighed and looked at me, "I shouldn't have taken you to that party but I love havin' a nephew."
"Everythin' happens for a reason, Maggie."
"I know but I still shouldn't have carried you." She reached for my hand, "I know you said it was consensual but I still feel like you were taken advantage of and it's my fault. Even if I am completely in love with that angel."
We both let out a small chuckle when he started cryin'.
"That's my cue to leave. I'll go get you somethin' to eat," she said before leanin' down and kissin' his head.
I picked him up when she left, "Shh baby boy. Mama's here."
I sat down in the rocking chair and started feeding him.
Maggie came back in with a plate, which she sat down on my nightstand, before sittin' on the windowsill.
"How are they?" I asked.
"Who?"
"Those people out there. Are they nice? Is daddy gonna let them stay?"
"They're nice. We haven't had any trouble with them but I don't know if he'll let them stay."
"Can I meet them?"
She looked at me and shook her head, "No."
"Why not?"
"Because..." she stopped and I could tell she was tryin' to come up with an excuse.
"Maggie, I can't stay in the house forever. I need to be able to go outside," I looked down at the baby in my arms, "So does he."
"I know, Bethie but daddy doesn't want you to."
I closed my eyes, "Maggie, I'm a mother now. Y'all can't keep treating me like a child."
"Yes, Beth. You are a mother now but you're also seventeen. You are a child."
I clinched my jaw, "What if I go meet them and you or Jimmy go with me? One of y'all could stay in here with him."
She rubbed her hands together nervously, "I'll go ask daddy."
"Thank you," I almost squealed.
She returned about an hour later with daddy.
"I'll stay in here while Maggie carries you out to meet everyone but do not leave her side, Beth," daddy said.
I smiled and hugged him, "Thank you, daddy."
On our way out of the house, we stopped at the door of the room where the little boy was.
"That's Carl and his dad Rick," she whispered and tugged at my arm, "his mother Lori is outside."
I didn't look in the room because I knew I would stare and I didn't want to do that.
Maggie held my hand as we walked out of the house and over to the camp. Everyone stopped and stared at us.
Two women stood up and met us halfway.
"This is Lori and Carol," Maggie said to me then she turned to them, "this is my sister Beth."
We shook hands and exchanged greetings.
Maggie was still holdin' my hand and Carol had a gentle grip on my arm with Lori beside her as they introduced me to the rest of their group.
I hadn't realized there was so many of them. I didn't actually meet Lori's son and husband but I met Andrea, Shane, Dale, T-dog and Glenn.
Carol tugged on my arm, "There's one more person but I'm not sure where he is," she said to me while lookin' around.
"Oh, there he is," she smiled and pulled me along. Maggie and Lori were followin' us and talkin'.
"Daryl!" she called out once and he stopped. She motioned him over.
"Daryl, this is Beth, she's Hershel's daughter, Maggie's sister."
I held out my hand but he didn't shake it. He just stared at me.
Daryl-
She held her hand out but all I could do was stare. I knew her.
She was someone I had been tryin' to forget. She was someone you couldn't just forget though.
Rick had introduced everyone to the Greene's but not her. She'd been inside and was the last person I thought I'd see.
"Daryl? Is everything okay?" Carol asked.
"Uh..yeah. Yeah, ever'thin's fine."
"Alright. Why don't you come back to the camp with us? We wanna get to know Beth."
I went with 'em but I stayed away from them.
I was hoping like hell she wouldn't remember me. How could she? I didn't even know her last name 'til today.
I watched her as she talked to Andrea, Carol and Lori.
"Beth," her sister Maggie yelled, "the baby's cryin'."
"Baby?" Lori asked.
"Yes ma'am. I have a son."
Then she walked away.
Beth-
As I walked to the house, Lori, Carol and Andrea followed me.
"How old is your son?" Andrea asked.
"6 months."
"What's his name?" Lori asked.
"Wyatt," they both looked at me funny.
"Like Wyatt Earp?" Carol asked.
"Yes ma'am. Like Wyatt Earp."
They all smiled and followed me into my room. Jimmy was already in there tryin' to get him to stop cryin' but was havin' a hard time with it.
I quickly took Wyatt from him and sat down in the rocking chair, "y'all can sit on the bed or windowsill." I told the ladies.
Jimmy didn't say anything, he just left.
Carol looked at me, "he doesn't seem to know what to do with the baby."
"That's because he doesn't."
"Do you mind if we hold him?" Lori asked.
"No ma'am, not at all."
They passed him around and cooed.
"He's so cute!" Lori said when she held him. I saw tears form in her eyes, "he reminds me of Carl. You'll definitely have your hands full when he gets older."
I smiled but I couldn't help feeling bad for her.
"How long have you and Jimmy been together?" Andrea asked.
"Not long. Maybe 5 months now."
"You've only been together for 5 months?" Carol asked.
"Yes ma'am."
"You said Wyatt is 6 months. So he's not..." Andrea stopped.
"No ma'am, he's not Wyatt's father."
They all stared at me incredulously and I felt the need to explain but not give any details.
"I was stayin' the weekend with Maggie and we went to a party, that's when I got pregnant."
"Oh, sweetie! I'm sorry for askin'," Andrea said.
I raised my eyebrows, "I wasn't raped or anythin'. I just never knew the guys last name and even if had of, I probably wouldn't have been able to find him."
I recall it clearly, like I'm seeing it today I never felt a thing until you looked at me that way Until I touched your skin, until you turned and walked away But I recall it clearly like I'm seeing it today
Your skin, it smelled of sweat and smoke and little sweet cigars The ceiling, stained with years of troubled hearts and covered scars Your hand, it held my own right through the corridor of cars And led me to the world of wishing wells and shooting stars
And I could have told you, darlin', it would end up like this When you're kissed by a fool, you're fooled by a kiss And I believed you, baby, and your silver, lying tongue You were handsome and older, I was foolish and young
We drove on through the night into that sticky Texas heat The moon was bright and shined down upon the vinyl seats The low light had you looking like a lover in a dream And you talked to me like I was something more than seventeen
And I could have told you, darlin', it would end up like this When you're kissed by a fool, you're fooled by a kiss And I believed you, baby, and your silver, lying tongue You were handsome and older, I was foolish and young
The morning light shone somber through a lonely window frame In the fading stars I wished that I could just forget your name Cut you from my past just cut the candle from the flame To look back at it now I may have done it all the same
And I could have told you, darlin', it would end up like this When you're kissed by a fool, you're fooled by a kiss And I believed you, baby, and your silver, lying tongue You were handsome and older, I was foolish and young
And I believed you, baby, and your silver, lying tongue You were handsome and older, I was foolish and young
["Little Sweet Cigars" by The Trishas]