Well figured out what was going on, and it is my fault. I am re-posting this now that everything is figured out!
As always I own nothing!
"Come home early," Maggie suggested from the other end of the line, "Daryl is gonna be gone for a few days. Might as well be here with us. Besides I wouldn't mind a few more days with my nephew."
"Okay," Beth said, "We'll be there tonight."
"Can't wait to see you, give that sweet boy a kiss for me." Maggie said and they hung up. Beth focused back on Hunter who was playing with his trucks.
"How would you like to go to Grandpa and Grandma's house a little early?" Beth asked and Hunter grinned.
"When Da 'ome?" Hunter asked.
"Soon, baby," Beth replied. "Now come, let's get packed."
Beth buckled Hunter into his car seat. They got ready pretty fast. Beth hated being in that apartment without Daryl. There were a couple times where he had to leave overnight for work and those were the worst. Beth found she hated sleeping alone. Even bringing Hunter with her she slept restlessly. Daryl always came home though. Beth tried to call him but ended up hearing the phone ringing in his bedroom. He had forgotten it again. He wasn't used to carrying a phone. Never needed one until now. Nearly missed the call that Beth was going into labor. So Beth wrote a note and put it on the fridge saying she was heading up to the farm early.
Beth and Hunter sang along with the radio as Beth drove the familiar path to her father's farm. She was excited to see everyone. Beth didn't make it home as often as she liked. Their lives were pretty busy in Atlanta. Daryl was doing good work and Beth was taking her online classes while taking care of Hunter. Thankfully she and Daryl could afford to have her not work. Beth couldn't imagine being away from Hunter all day. Her Daddy helped too though. Whenever he visited after Hershel left Beth and Daryl would find hundreds in Hunter's diaper bag and in the cookie jar. When they went to the doctor for Hunter's check-up the bills would mysteriously be paid.
Beth couldn't imagine any of it really. She didn't imagine finding love so soon. Not kiddy love like her high school boyfriends, but real love. Love like you miss them even if they are only away for a few hours, or the world is brighter simply because they are sitting next to you. That is how Beth felt about Daryl.
Not at first. At first he was just the cute quiet man with great looking arms who worked on the barn the summer she graduated from high school. He didn't talk much. Only a thank you when Beth brought him out something to drink or a snack. He was older, but Beth didn't worry too much about that. Her mama was nearly two decades younger than daddy and they were really happy. Beth was drawn to Daryl from the start, and when his job was done Beth couldn't bare not seeing him again. So she lied. Said it was her 18th birthday and she wanted a date with him. Truthfully her 18th wasn't for two weeks, but she wasn't about to let him go. Her Daddy had been the one to say she had to make the first move. Shy men like Daryl weren't good at rejection so he wouldn't ask. And on the subject of age Hershel had said that Daryl was a good man who would treat her with respect. It was up to her. And, of course, that he would shoot him if Daryl hurt her.
Though her parents were okay with their relationship, they thought it was moving way too fast. Beth didn't. She saw Daryl and she knew he was going to be important to her, and when she got to know him she fell in love with him. Why prolong what was going to happen eventually because it was the proper thing to do? They spent all their time together so Beth moved in. Beth knew she wanted to be with Daryl forever, so when she accidently got pregnant she didn't freak out as much as she thought she would. This was the direction the two of them were heading in, so what if things were happening progressed rate? Love was love. Daryl was scared shitless, but he was on board. Her parents weren't too thrilled when Beth told them she was pregnant. Beth never knew her Daddy could glare like that. Although very uncomfortable Daryl sat with Beth as she told her folks the news.
Her father was less than pleased. Hershel started on Daryl saying how he took a chance on him. Giving him the benefit of the doubt concerning the age difference. Beth stood up and blocked Daryl from her father's gaze, but Daryl pulled her back down next to him. He was going to face up to her Daddy and take responsibility. That changed things. Hershel was big on respect. Her Daddy didn't say anything for a while after that. Just looked at Daryl until he finally spoke again.
Beth will never forget how bright red Daryl got when Hershel asked now that he had knocked his baby girl up when were the two of them going to get married. Beth said they weren't, which made Hershel turn purple and walk out of the room. Even he had a breaking point. Annette went to go speak with him and she must have given him a good talking too because her father had been nothing but supportive since. Of course he still asked when Beth and Daryl were going to get married at almost every family meal. Sure marriage might happen someday, but they were really happy how things were.
Her mother and father were waiting for her as she pulled up the drive. Hunter started clapping upon seeing them.
"Let me see my grandbaby!" Annette said taking Hunter away from Beth the moment she got him out of his car seat completely ignoring Beth. "Oh, he is gettin so big!" Annette then proceeded to plant a hundred kisses on the kid's face. It didn't faze him. Hunter was used to kisses. He got a whole bunch from Beth and Daryl. She finally smiled at Beth, "Come on in." Hershel waited for Beth.
"So Daryl is getting his brother," Hershel said putting his arm around his youngest and she put her arm around him in return.
"Yeah, gonna set him up somewhere then come on home," Beth said. "Should be back in time for Maggie's birthday."
"How are you doing?" Hershel asked.
"Merle is Daryl's family, so that makes him my family too," Beth replied, "I'm gonna meet him soon. After Maggie's birthday. Merle was a drug dealer. Once he gets straight then he is welcome to meet and spend time with Hunter. I'm sure he'll love him considering how much Hunter is like Daryl."
"Hey little sister," Shawn said coming out of the house. Beth let go of Hershel. She smiled and hugged her big brother. He lifted her off the ground. "I missed you."
"Missed you too," Beth said.
"How's Daryl, with his brother and all?" Shawn asked.
"Okay I guess, Daryl left his phone at home again so once he figures out he left it he will check in and let me know how he is doing," Beth told him.
"Is Daryl gonna tell him about Hunter?" Shawn said.
"Of course, he is Merle's nephew too," Beth said, "But Merle just got outta jail. It's gonna be a while before they meet face to face, but it will happen. I'm gonna meet him soon."
"If you're sure," Shawn said, "I like Daryl, a little too old for you, but I like him. His brother sounds like bad news though."
"It will be fine," Beth assured him, "Now let's go stop Mama before she gives Hunter too many treats and he'll be too hyper for bed."
Hunter never liked to go to bed. Which was funny because he slept like the dead. Beth would spend a lot of time trying to get him to calm down. Daryl offered to help, but he was always so tired after work that Beth said she had it. Of course when Hunter was being at his worse Daryl would come in and take Hunter from her. He would whisper a few words into his ear and set Hunter back in his bed. A minute later the boy would be out like a light. Daryl never told her what he says to Hunter to go him to sleep. Said it was a "man thing." Like right now. Hunter didn't want to go to sleep. He wanted to wait for Daddy to come home.
"He'll be here soon, baby," Beth assured him.
"Why n'now?" Hunter wined.
"Come on now, love, go to sleep," Beth tried again.
"S'ing to me mama?" Hunter asked. Beth smiled and started to sing one of her mother's favorite songs. Thankfully Hunter nodded off quicker than normal. Playing with his grandparents and Shawn had worn the boy out. Even the little ball of energy needed to recharge. Giving Hunter one last kiss on the cheek Beth went down to the living room. Her family was surrounding the television.
"We advise no one to panic," The newscaster said. "Stay indoors and everything will be fine. We will have another report when we have more information. It is important that you do not panic and stay indoors."
"What is going on?" Beth asked.
"Riots in Atlanta," Shawn said, "The military is goin' around shooting people!"
"Why?" Beth cried.
"Don't know," Maggie said biting her nail, "But they are not letting anyone in or out of the city."
"Daryl is out of Atlanta, at the prison upstate. He'll come look for me," Beth said and started to shake. "What if he goes into Atlanta to come get us and gets shot!" Beth was hyperventilating now.
"Everything is going to be fine," Maggie said, though her eyes said otherwise. Whatever was happening now was not good. Beth watched as more people got shot in the streets. She let out a sob. What if Daryl is there right now? Beth looked up at the stairs where Hunter was sleeping.
She should have never let him go.
She should have told Daryl to stay with them and not go to his brother.
Letting him leave was something Beth would never forgive herself for.
….
What do you think? I really hope people were able to read this. If not I will just keep updating for the 10 people that were able to get an alert on the story.
So the first two chapter were kind of a prologue, now we get into the actually story.
