Hello my lovely reviewers! Thank you all so much for the positive feedback last chapter! I fucking love you all! So! On we go to CHAPTER 1!


It was uncomfortably cold when Beth awoke, and the bright sun through the window did nothing but blind her. She knew Daryl was home. She could hear him in the shower, singing lightly. Beth almost grinned; she never had heard him sing before. He almost sounded happy, relaxed. But those thoughts quickly diminished when she unconsciously wrapped a pale arm around her middle.

Beth immediately sat up at the sight of Daryl, standing at the foot of their bed with a black towel hanging dangerously low on his hips. His dark hair clung to his face and water dripped down his chest. He gave her a small smile, much to her relief. She had been worried that Maggie had already told him. But Maggie would never do that. Her sister knew better than to take her place. But God, what is he going to say? Would he leave? She couldn't bear the thought of waking up to find Daryl's things packed with nothing left behind but a note saying 'Goodbye.'. Her head began its intense pounding again before he offered a worried frown.

"Ya okay?"

Beth yawned widely and smacked her lips together, swallowing to try to get rid of the sudden feeling of being sick. When that failed, she quickly darted to the bathroom.

She spotted the toilet and clutched its sides, throwing up any remaining juices in her stomach. Her nerves were completely shot at the mere thought of telling the man she truly loved that she was carrying his child. It was odd, really. Wouldn't he be happy? Truth be told, Beth really didn't want to see him. She would much rather tuck herself away in her own little world until the baby came.

Warm, strong hands gripped her shoulders. "Beth?"

She washed her hands and brushed her teeth, looking up into the mirror and seeing the concerned look in Daryls eyes. Smiling slightly, she spun around and kissed his warm lips sweetly. She used her index finger and lightly traced the stubble on his chin. "I'm fine. Just think I'm getting sick."

Daryl snorted and kissed her forehead. "Ya tell me that after ya kiss me? Thank ya." He chuckled. "Seriously though...are ya okay?"

Beth never felt smaller in her life. She could only nod. "I'm fine. Just tired."

He worried his lip, but nodded anyways. "Do ya wan' me ta go ta the store fer ya? I can git ya some medicine fer yer tummy. 'M outta smokes, too."

His breath smelled minty fresh. "Yes, please."

It was only minutes later when she heard the roar of his bike come to life and the sound of tires speeding off pavement. Beth squeezed her eyes shut, never feeling so guilty before. She could ingest all of the medicine he could possibly find her, but none of it would cure the bundle of cells growing in her belly.

The next day, Daryl left extremely early for work. Beth vaguely remembers a soft kiss to her cheek, and a soft 'I love you' echo in her ears. The words still made her tremble and shake. She knew Daryl was the only man in the world she would ever want to be with. Beth just hoped he would feel the same after she told him the big news. That is, if she told him the big news. Abortion was always a Plan B, but the image of a dying fetus was just revolting. As strong as Beth really was, she knew she wouldn't be able to take an innocent life away. Then there was adoption. It seemed like a good idea at first, but Maggie had strictly told her 'No'. Simply because she knew that Beth would always and forever regret that decision. The idea of not knowing who your child is, who it became, and where it was in life was almost sickening.

She hadn't realized that she'd dozed off on the couch until a knock at her door roused her. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was just past ten in the morning. She didn't hear Maggie leave, and Daryl had a key...so who was at the door?

The knocking persisted on. Beth stood up and stretched, her head had a dull throb from her awkward sleeping position on the couch. She stumbled over to the door and opened it cautiously.

"Why didn't you tell me you were knocked up?!"

Beth's body immediately reacted to the statement. Without a second wasted, she grabbed Carl by the collar of his shirt and slammed the wooden door shut. "How the hell did you find out? Who told you?!" Beth glared.

"The fucking Easter bunny, who else?! Maggie told me," Carl grinned and reached an arm out to hug his friend. "Congrats!" He added.

Beth flared her nostrils and ran a slick hand through her hair. "Thanks...But-"

"There's no time for small talk," Carl interrupted her. "We have things to discuss," he pushed passed a shocked Beth and walked into her apartment, leaving Beth alone.

"I don't feel like talking." Beth scathed.

"I swear it'll only take a minute!" He plopped down on the couch, feet resting on the coffee table. "So?" He looked at her expectantly.

"So, what? Beth crossed her arms.

"What did he say?"

Beth sat down next to Carl. "What did who say?"

Carl actually smirked a little. "Daryl! What did he say about the baby?"

She felt sick again. "I uh...haven't told him." She mumbled behind her hand and glanced at her friend, who was utterly confused.

"What?"

She grumbled and removed her hand from her face. "I haven't told him."

Beth expected him to scream, shout, and persistently ask her why, but nothing could ever prepare her for what happened next. Carl shot to his feet so fast, it almost gave Beth whiplash. Throwing his hands in the air, he shot her a look of exasperation. "You WHAT?! What the hell you mean you haven't told him, Beth?! This is his child too, you know! You're a goddamn therapist for Christ's sake, you know what kind of damage you're setting yourself up for by not telling him! What the hell are you thinking?!"

The blonde felt tears spring in the corners of her eyes as the rage built inside of her. "Fuck you. " She spat bitterly. "You couldn't possibly know what the hell I am going through right now. You don't think I know I'm risking everything right now by not telling him?"

Carl rubbed a hand over his face, sighing loudly between his fingers. "Why would you risk that? What you and him have is so fucking rare, Beth."

Beth ignored the comment and walked over to the window. "You wouldn't understand."