A/N: The amazing idea for this story is courtesy of kevkye. It was all her idea and I am honored that she asked me to write it. And I could never thank her enough. This is only the first chapter but I hope it's what you had in mind.

Story background: This fic is completely AU. Daryl and Beth are the same age. Characters may be OOC but this is AU.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Walking Dead or it's characters.

The Heart Won't Lie

Chapter 1

Beth Greene walked up the long driveway to her family's farmhouse after getting off the school bus. She wasn't in a good mood and it was all because her best friend hadn't shown up at school today. Even though it was the last day of school before summer vacation, they had had plans.

"Hey, Bethie," her older sister Maggie greeted her when she walked up the steps. When she didn't say 'hello' back, Maggie followed her inside.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Her mother asked.

Beth shrugged, "Daryl wasn't in school today."

"Oh," her mother and sister said in unison.

"Well," Maggie sat down at the kitchen table and Beth did the same, "today was the last day of school. Maybe he just didn't want to go."

"No," Beth shook her head, "he wouldn't have skipped today."

Later that evening, after they had sat down for supper, Beth abruptly jumped up and ran out of the house with her parents and brother and sister yelling after her.

She ran out to the barn and sat down in one of the stalls.

Sittin' on the floor next to her was her best friend, Daryl Dixon.

Beth took Daryl's hand in hers and smiled at him, he smiled back.

"I heard your call," she said, "why weren't you in school today?"

Daryl shrugged, "I had ta stay at home."

Beth led Daryl inside where her mother fixed him a plate and he took a seat next to Beth.

"So, Daryl, do you have any plans for your birthday Sunday?" Hershel asked.

"No sir," Daryl responded and looked down at his food.

"Of course you know you're invited to Beth's party Sunday after church," Hershel continued, Daryl nodded, "Beth told us you weren't in school today. Is there a reason for that?"

Beth squeezed Daryl's hand under the table and looked up at her father.

"Daddy, is it alright if Daryl stays here?"

Hershel thought on it for a minute before giving her a slight nod.

"He can, but you both know the rules. He is to stay in the guest room downstairs, alone, Elizabeth and he is not allowed in your room."

Beth smiled, "Yes sir."

"Yes sir," Daryl said nervously. It wouldn't be the first time he stayed the night at the Greene's but he knew Beth almost never listened to her father. She always snuck downstairs to his room and they'd stay up most of the night talkin'.

Daryl and Beth spent all day Saturday in the woods and that night, she snuck downstairs.

"Daryl," she whispered and tickled his face with her hair, "wake up, Daryl."

She squealed when Daryl suddenly flipped her over, without opening his eyes and tucked her under the covers.

Beth giggled, "Daryl, happy birthday."

He opened one eye, "it's Saturday, Beth."

"No, it's not," she reached over and picked the alarm clock up off of the nightstand, "see, Daryl. It's 1:30, that means it's our birthday."

He smiled and kissed her cheek, "Happy birthday, Bethie."

Upstairs, Hershel and Annette were both awake, wrapping a few birthday gifts when they heard Beth squeal.

Annete smiled but Hershel started towards the door. When Annette placed her hand on his arm, he shook his head.

"Annie, she's our little girl."

"Hershel, they're not doin' anythin'. Beth may be defiant but Daryl is a good kid. He has never gone against our rules before and I don't think he will go against them now. It's their birthday so leave them alone."

Hershel looked at the door, then back to Annette, "Yes ma'am."

"Good, now help me finish wrapping these."

Sunday morning came early and after church they all went back to the Greene farm.

Beth knew her family was planning a party for her birthday but she didn't know what to expect.

Surprisingly, the porch was decorated when they returned, thanks to Otis and Patricia.

Inside, there were two small tables filled with gifts and a third, larger table with two cakes in the living room.

Beth, being curious, lifted one of the gifts only to have her hand smacked away by her mother.

"Elizabeth," she said sternly, "you can wait until after lunch."

"Patience is a virtue, mama and we know that is something Beth doesn't posses," Maggie said playfully.

Annette and Patricia had made a big lunch with two special dishes. Beth's favorite, baked macaroni and cheese and Daryl's favorite, chicken and dumplings.

Beth and Daryl were the first ones in the living room and again, Beth tried to peek at the gifts.

After everyone was in there, Annette took the lids off the cakes. One was decorated in pink with Beth's name, the other in blue with Daryl's. Each cake was topped with sixteen candles.

Beth held Daryl's hand while everyone sang happy birthday to him and he blushed redder than a tomato.

It didn't matter how many times the Greene's included him in celebrating his and Beth's birthday, he was still shocked.

His own family treated it as nothing more than any other day.

They blew out their candles, opened gifts and celebrated with Beth's family before they both ran outside.

"Daryl," Beth laughed as Daryl chased her through the pasture next to her house.

When he caught up with her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up, spinning her around.

He sat her down under a big tree to exchange gifts.

"Do you wanna go first?" Beth asked.

Daryl shook his head, "No."

Reaching into her boot, Beth smiled as she pulled out Daryl's gift and handed it to him.

"I didn't wrap it but I hope you like it," she said.

He looked down and opened the small box, pulling out a pocket knife with his name engraved on it.

"I like it," he smiled and kissed her cheek, "I love ya, Beth."

"I love you too, Daryl."

He looked embarrassed as he reached into his pocket to retrieve her gift.

She gasped when he opened his hand.

"It ain't much but it's your size an' it's..."

"It's beautiful," Beth interrupted.

Beth took the ring out of Daryl's hand and started to put it on her right hand but he stopped her.

He took her left hand in his and slipped the ring onto her finger.

"Will ya marry me, Elizabeth Greene?" he said it so quietly she wasn't sure she had heard him correctly.

After a moment of silence, Beth took his face in her hands.

"Of course I'll marry you, Daryl Dixon."