Chapter One - Day One

They have been seeing each other for a few months now. It came as a complete shock to the rough redneck and the sweet farm girl but obviously nobody else. They had always been close friends. She was the only person who could get him to open up about things that he intended to keep closed away forever. He helped her feel brave and because of him she became a little more adventurous. They had a way of understanding the other in ways that everybody around them didn't. They could read each others emotions just by looking at them. It seemed like when they were together, they were constantly laughing. They were best friends and they were there for each other, no matter the time, no matter the reasons. They always had this unbreakable bond from the moment they met. It was a few years ago when Herschel Greene had passed away of a heart attack, that bond had only strengthened.

Of course, everyone had been so kind to Beth and she did appreciate it. The passing of her daddy was only the hardest thing she ever had to go through. So, when people would show up at the farm with a casserole or dessert, she would accept with thanks. But, more than anything, she was thankful for Daryl. He was caring and so supportive but not smothering her like everybody else. She knew they weren't trying to be but because they don't mean to, it doesn't mean it wasn't annoying. Which, she felt bad for even thinking that when those people were being nice. But, she didn't feel bad enough to stop thinking that.

So, Daryl would come over after work with a case of beer and he would help her all the food that she had. Once that stopped, she would either cook them dinner or he would pick something up for them on his way over to her house. They would eat, clean and then grab some beers and head out to the barn where they would sit up in the loft and talk for hours. The barn had always been her favorite place on the farm but since her daddy died, she was there more now than ever. She had leaned on Daryl more than she ever had. And, she started to apologize to him for taking up so much of his time.

"Why are ya apologizing girl? Ya ain't done nothin' wrong."

"Well, I mean, I have been dependin' on you a lot lately and that's not fair. I'm sure you have better things to do than spend all your time with me," she said with a shrug then looked down in front of her.

He watched her face in the moonlight and his heart jumped into his throat at the mixed emotions he read. Sadness from missing her daddy. Embarrassment at showing her vulnerability. And, even worse, the guilt she had for depending on him so much. He mentally shook his head. Stubborn girl didn't get it. She has no reason to be sorry or to feel guilty. He would do anything in the world for her.

"Hey," he spoke softly, "look at me."

Of course, she didn't.

"Beth."

After a couple of more seconds of silence, she finally looked up at him. A strand of hair had fallen into her eyes so he leaned forward and softly brushed it behind her ear. But, he didn't move his hand away. He placed his hand on her face, gently rubbing her cheek with his thumb.

"There ain't nothin' I'd rather be doin' than spendin' my time with you."

He heard her quick intake of breath and saw her baby blue eyes widen, surprised at his admission. He moved his hand from her face and leaned back against the post behind him, stretching his legs out in front of him. He took a sip of beer before continuing.

"Do ya remember that night before your daddy died, when we took my bike up to the quarry?"

Her only response was a head nod.

"Remember I had told ya I had somethin' I wanted to ask ya?"

He didn't get a verbal response. Again, only a head nod.

"Well, I was gonna ask ya to go to dinner with me that weekend but I chickened out. Then, everything with Herschel happened and it wasn't the right time."

"Daryl…" she whispered his name, but he didn't let her finish.

He was now staring intently at the beer bottle in his hand.

"Don't ever apologize for me spendin' time with ya. Because, there ain't any other way I'd rather spend my time."

He looked back up and saw her staring at him. They sat looking at one another in complete silence for a couple of minutes. She was the first to break the silence.

"Daryl?"

"Hmm?"

She playfully rolled her eyes at his response.

"Just so ya know, I ain't sorry for all the time you've spent with me, either. Because, there ain't no other way I'd rather spend mine."

He gave her a smirk in which earned him a smile from her.

"Oh, and Daryl? One more thing."

"What's that?"

"I would've said yes."

He only hesitated for a second before taking a quick, deep breath before he asked, "Well, what would ya say if I asked ya now?"

She smiled.

"Well, if you want to know, you'll have to ask me."

He let out chuckle.

"A'right," he said, sitting his beer on the floor beside him and leaning in towards her. "Would ya like to go out this weekend with me? I mean, on a date?"

Without missing a beat, she gave him an enthusiastic, "Yes!"

They went out that Friday. He took her to dinner at her favorite restaurant. Nothing too fancy because it is King County, Georgia after-all. The closest fancy restaurant was three counties over and close to an hour drive. But, that didn't matter to him. He'd drive how ever far she wanted him to. But, there wasn't much he wouldn't do for her. The only reason he didn't bother with that one hour drive was because neither of them were big on anything fancy. They liked their casual, laid back, simplified way of living. (It was one of Daryl's favorite qualities about her. A lot of women lived for the high class living with the fancy dresses, jewelry, and expensive dates. But, Beth Greene wasn't most women.) After dinner, they both decided they could go for a beer. (The restaurant they had dinner at was an alcohol free establishment.) So, they went to the local bar, owned by their friend Tyrese. He took her completely by surprise when he asked her to dance once a slow song came on the jukebox. From there, they went back to his cabin so they could take his motorcycle out for a ride.

He drove them to a secluded spot he found a few years back and they sat and talked for hours. Eventually, they got back on his back and he drove her home to the farm. Like the gentlemen he was, or at least the gentlemen he was to Beth, he walked her to her door. Neither of them were ready for the date to be over so he was happy to accept when she invited him in for coffee. Finally, late into the night (or early in the morning, depending how you looked at it) they finally called it a night. She walked him to the door. Before leaving, he had asked her on a second date, which she accepted. It was then that they shared their first kiss.

It was nothing too over the top. He had taken a step towards her, his hand going to the side of her face, hers resting on his wrist. They leaned toward each other to share a quick but gentle kiss.

At that moment, he doesn't think he has ever seen such a beautiful smile as the one that she was giving him. He smirked and gave her a wink before saying, " G'night, Beth."

"Good night, Daryl."

She watched as he walked down the porch steps, got on his bike, started it up and drove away.

"Best first date ever," she squealed once he was gone and the front door closed behind her.

Fast forward to six months later and he was on his way once again to pick her up. But, this time would be the last time because today is the day they move in together.

After Herschel died, Maggie wanted nothing to do with the farm. Not that she didn't care about it but because she knew nothing about running one. And, Shawn, well he was off doing whatever the hell it is that he does wherever he does it. And, Beth. His Beth, she couldn't handle all the memories here. At least not alone. So, when they decided to move in together, they decided to move into the farm house together. Beth couldn't bring herself to sale it. But, what she could do was redecorate and that is why he was picking her up. He was dropping the last of his stuff off and then they were going shopping for the house. Everything from paint, to furniture to new appliances. Along with anything else that she came across and her little heart desired.

He drove the truck down the long, dirt driveway. He smirked when he saw her sitting on the top step of the porch, her head buried in her arms that were resting on her knees. She never had been a morning person. Especially not a 7:00 in the morning type of person. He put his truck in park and turned off the ignition. He got out and made his way towards her as she stood up.

"G'mornin', baby," he greeted her, as he leaned in to give her a kiss.

"Mornin'," she mumbled.

He knew she wasn't being snappy with him. Because, when he says his girl isn't a morning person, he means she really isn't a morning person. He gave her a once over and thought she was the most adorable person he has ever seen.

Her hair was still somewhat messy, most of it tossed over on one side of her head. She had left her face bare of makeup except for eyeliner and mascara. Lord knows, no matter how tired she is, she will refuse to leave the house without applying those two. She was wearing a white hoodie with black letters that read "this is my I woke up 10 minutes ago hoodie" on it. She had on a pair of her black yoga pant and a pair of black flip flops on. She was more than adorable. She was beautiful. Yup, he was the luckiest damn man alive.

"Ya ready to get the day started?" He asked her, trying to hide his smirk because he already knew how she would respond.

She gave him a sideways glance as she took a sip of her coffee that she had had sitting beside her when he had pulled up.

"Ask me again at noon."

He laughed and pulled her against him with one arm and placed a kiss on her temple.

"Do you want some coffee? I made a whole pot," she offered to him.

"Sounds good. Besides, we need to get you more coffee so I can get my nice girlfriend back," he joked.

"Ha ha," she said in a sarcastic tone.

He laughed again as he led them into the house and into the kitchen. He went to pour them both a fresh cup but she stopped him and told her she got it.

He sat at the kitchen table and watched a she poured him a cup and handed it to him. She then poured herself one, adding her favorite creamer to it. When she went to sit in the chair beside him, grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down into his lap.

"Are ya sure you're ready to take me on full time?" he asked, looking up into her eyes.

"Definitely," she responded with a smile.

"You say that now."

He faked hurt when she playfully punched him in the arm.

"I'm more than ready, Mr. Dixon. It's you who should worry about living with me."

"'S that right?"

"Mhmm. I mean, you get to wake up to this every morning," she motioned to herself.

"You're damn right I do and I can't wait. Getting to wake up beside the most beautiful woman in the world sounds pretty damn amazin' to me," he replied. He then kissed her before she could argue with him.

They finished their coffee and started to unload the last bit of his things that he had to move in. They placed the boxes in the living room, deciding that they would unpack those once they got back home. Daryl had never been one big for shopping but shopping for the home he was going to be sharing with Beth was, dare he say it? Fun. But, he was thinking it had more to do with Beth herself than the actually shopping. They went to a countless number of stores and got more than they thought they would actually able to get. There had been too many sales to pass up. By the time they finished shopping, it was past two and both were starving. They stopped by their favorite diner and grabbed a quick bite to eat. Once they got home, they got to work on unpacking the rest of Daryl's things. Finally, after hours of hard work, the couple collapsed onto the living room couch. The pair exhausted from the day.

They sat on the living room couch, too tired to move to go to bed. Their fingers laced together while he gently rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand.

"I'm impressed with how much we got done today, hun," she said, looking up from where her head was resting on his shoulder.

"We work pretty well together."

"I agree."

Silence returned between them and they started to wonder if the other had fallen asleep.

'As comfortable as I am here, I would be much more comfortable in bed," he whispered.

"Yeah, But Daryl?" she whined in the playful way that Daryl always found so adorable.

"What's the matter, angel?"

''The bed is all the way upstairs and that is so far."

He laughed at how cute she was. Just like she wasn't a morning person, his girl also wasn't a night person. She didn't handle being tired very well, at all. Without saying a word, he stood up and turned towards her.

"C'mere, baby," he said, as he bent down and picked her up bridal style.

"Daryl, put me down right this second. You can't carry me up the stairs. I'm too heavy."

Stopping mid-step, he kissed her and said, "Woman, would you hush. I got you."

Once inside the bedroom, he sat her down on her feet and they got ready for bed. They knew they needed to take a shower after their long day but they were too tired. She changed out of her clothes and traded them in for a pair of small cotton shorts and one of his t-shirts. Which, in his opinion, looked a hell of a lot better on her than it ever would on him. She threw her hair up into a messy bun before crawling beneath the covers. He tossed his clothes and slid in beside her in his boxers. He turned off the light beside the bed and then pulled her into his arms. Her head rested on his chest with her arm thrown over his stomach as he ran his arm up and down her back.

"Good night, Daryl. I love you," she said, raising up to kiss him on his cheek.

"G'night, baby. I love you, too."

With that, they tightened their hold on one another and fell into a peaceful sleep. It might not be the first night that they spent together but it was the first night in their home. It was the best night sleep either of them had.