Don't own TWD.
A/N: Was pretty happy with the first chapter's outcome. Thanks, everyone! Here's the second a bit early.
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2
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The motorcycle stopped just a few yards from the porch of the Georgia farmhouse. Its engine slowed down and slipped into a soft slumber. Daryl Dixon stood from the chopper in all his ruggedness. Despite his serious demeanor, he was a very handsome man and a good man at that, despite his failed attempts at fatherhood over the years. Beth had to admit that he intimidated her when they first met, in his boots and leather jacket. She was sure he was carrying a knife with him the night they met. But Daryl Dixon wasn't a bad man; he was far different than his brother, that was a given. Of course Beth had only met his brother once or twice but the interactions weren't the most pleasant.
"She's asleep." Beth said, referring to Charlotte who Maggie had just taken inside.
Daryl slowly went up to her, a bit hesitant of getting too close to her. "Suppose ya can't wake 'er?" He knew it was out of the question but it was worth a try.
Beth frowned, offended that he had the nerve to ask her that after being several hours late, "No. I can't just wake her. You were supposed to be here at two."
Daryl nodded in understanding. "I got caught up…" He looked away, hiding his shame from Beth. Daryl hid a lot of things from her and Beth never could understand why he was so closed up.
"She waited for you all evenin'." Beth shook her head, "The poor thing….Daryl, you can't keep doin' this to her. If you tell her you're gonna come see her then keep your promises."
Daryl remained quiet, unsure of what to really say. He was a man of a few words but he hadn't meant to miss his visit with his only child. To be honest, Daryl had been looking forward to seeing the girl. She was the only person that looked at him like he meant something. He truly did adore her.
"She thinks the world of you…" Beth trailed off, "Don't know why but she does. It ain't fair to her."
"Nah…" Daryl agreed, "It ain't."
"Beth you out here?" Came Hershel's voice as he opened the screen door. He paused when he met eyes with Daryl. "Daryl." He gave him one short nod.
"Hershel." Daryl did the same.
Hershel stepped out of the house and went down the porch steps to stand next to his youngest daughter. "You're here at an odd hour."
"Ran late." Daryl muttered, "Was hopin' to see Charlie for a little."
Beth flinched with annoyance every time Daryl called Charlotte that. She wasn't quite fond of the nickname "Charlie" but Daryl always thought the name "Charlotte" was a mouthful so he gave the little girl his own nickname just like Beth had.
"She's asleep. But I'm sure Bethy already told you that." Hershel's voice was calm and often welcoming. He had a hard time accepting Daryl at first but once he got to know him a little more, he could tell Daryl was trying his best. That was the thing about Hershel, he always tried to see the best in people and somehow he had managed to see something good in Daryl. Beth on the other hand wasn't so forgiving of her child's father.
Daryl nodded. "I won't wake 'er. Just wanna see 'er."
Hershel could see the honesty in the other man's eyes. Daryl didn't express himself much and it often appeared like he didn't care but Hershel had seen the way he was with Charlotte. The way they were with each other. It seemed as if the little girl managed to open him up in ways others just couldn't.
Hershel turned to Beth. "I don't see why not. Bethy?"
Beth crossed her arms and glared daggers at Daryl. "Just…don't wake her."
Hershel smiled and lead him inside. Daryl met Beth's eyes as he passed her on his way into the house.
The Greene home was always warm and welcoming. The lights were soft and framed photographs hung on the chimney mantle and on the walls. There was a piano in the living room and Daryl remembered that Beth played. Charlotte had mentioned to him that she was teaching her how. He remembered how she so proudly boasted that she could play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". Daryl told her that she should play for him sometime. The smile that spread across her face when he told her that was unforgettable.
The smell of dinner still lingered downstairs and Daryl's stomach grumbled something fierce. He hadn't eaten all day, having been running around like a fool for Merle. It wasn't until late that he remembered his visit with Charlie and hauled ass to the Greene farm. It felt like to Daryl that he was taking care of two kids. However, his actual child wasn't getting his attention the way it should have been.
"Beth, why don't you lead him up to the room? I'm going to check on your mother." Hershel stepped aside so Beth could join Daryl. It must have been Daryl's second or third time in the Greene home. Whenever he visited, he stayed outside.
"Yes, Daddy." Beth said politely to her father and lead Daryl up the stairs.
In the hall, Maggie was just coming out of the room she shared with Beth and Charlotte. Maggie had returned to live back on the farm after graduating from university and living in Atlanta for a couple of years. She had originally wanted to study law but ventured into another field. However, after her break up with a long-term boyfriend, Maggie decided to return back home until she got her life together again.
Now she shared a room with her younger sister and little niece. She had thought about moving into the guest room but never made an effort to do so.
When Maggie saw Beth in the hall, she smiled. When she caught Daryl behind her, she grew a little confused. She frowned lightly at the man. "Daryl?"
"Hey."
She then looked to Beth, "Everythin' alright?"
"Yeah…he's just gonna see her for a little."
"Alright. Holler if you need me." Maggie softly squeezed her sister's arm in reassurance and disappeared down the hall and downstairs without another word to Daryl.
Daryl watched her over his shoulder and then followed Beth into the bedroom. Beth turned the light on and stepped aside so Daryl could go in. He had never been into her bedroom before and it looked much different than he had imagined it to look like.
The room consisted of two beds side by side with their headboards pushed against the wall. There were nightstands on either side of them and a vanity desk with a lamp, make up, brushes and other little trinkets. Daryl also noted the toys scattered around the room. There was a stick horse, a little toy vanity, a dollhouse and a few stuffed animals and dolls.
Then he saw her. She was all bundled up on what must have been Beth's bed on the farthest end of the room. She slept on her back with her head to the side and one little clean foot sticking from under the blanket. Her heart-shaped lips were slightly parted as she breathed softly. Daryl had never seen her so still—or at least he didn't remember seeing her so. She was such a sweet little thing when she was asleep. Far different than the rambunctious little monster he normally dealt with.
Daryl looked to Beth who gave him permission to step further in and approach the bed where the girl slept. Daryl looked at the sleeping child over and gently sat down next to her, facing her. He watched her sleep for a moment, wishing he could wake her up and see those big blue eyes of hers but he knew Beth would be awfully annoyed if he did so. Besides, he didn't want to disturb her slumber.
"Had ya waitin' a long time, didn't I?" He spoke softly so only she could hear. Daryl then brushed her bangs aside and watched her for a moment longer until he felt Beth watching him. He softly caressed Charlotte's cheek, "G'night, baby girl ." He whispered to her and got up from the bed.
Beth led him out of the room and outside to the front of the house. Daryl rubbed the back of his head as he made his way down the porch steps. Beth followed after him but stopped at the last step, crossing her arms. She said she was going to yell at him for disappointing their daughter but when she saw him with her, Beth just couldn't bring herself to be as angry. Daryl always had a way of melting her anger and in times she couldn't deny that he had a way with the little girl.
"Thanks for not wakin' her. It would've taken me half the night to get her back to sleep…"
Daryl turned around and shoved his hands into the pockets of his torn jeans. He nodded. "Nah, thanks for lettin' me see her…"
Beth nodded and then cleared her throat and stepped down to be in front of him, "Listen, Charlotte really wants to see you but ever time you don't—"
"Won't happen again."
"Daryl, that's what you said last time."
Daryl fell silent knowing that Beth was right. She seemed to be right all the time. Now, Beth Greene wasn't usually the type of girl Daryl messed with. He had barely noticed her at the bar and the only reason he did was because someone else had first. When he fully set his eyes upon her, he thought she was awfully pretty but young and a little bit naïve and extremely innocent to say the least. She looked like the type of girl that made her bed every morning and separated her socks by color. She looked too pure to be in such a damned place but the temptation to taint her just a little bit grew with every single sip of moonshine.
"When can I see her again?" He glanced up at her.
"When will you show up?" Beth countered back.
"S'gon be like that?"
Beth sighed and let go of her arms. "If you really want to, you can stop by the day after tomorrow. Lottie's going with Daddy into town tomorrow. They'll be gone all afternoon."
"Alright. I'll stop by then. Same time okay?"
"Yes."
Daryl nodded and turned to leave when he felt Beth grab his wrist. He turned to meet her gaze. "Please show up." Her eyes swarmed with an emotion Daryl couldn't quite pinpoint. He didn't say anything, just gave her a solid nod. Beth let him go and stepped back, watching as Daryl hopped onto his bike and rode off into the night.
Once the sounds of the roaring engine disappeared, Beth turned her back and went inside.
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Dawn peeked over the farm with warm colors of orange and yellow. A rooster perched upon a wooden fence near the barn crowed, welcoming the morning. The same little bare feet made their way through the tall grass towards the pond, dimpled hands parting the long blades. When they came to a stop, bright blue eyes appeared over the foliage and set themselves on the goose nest just yards away by the edge of the pond.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen of the farmhouse, Annette was stationed at the sink, washing the fruit she was preparing to serve for breakfast. Maggie was seated at the table with a cup of coffee. She was looking through the paper she had brought in from the front porch. Her eyes scanned the news without much importance, but flicked up when she noticed Beth entering the kitchen with a yawn.
"Mornin' Doodlebug." She said teasingly.
Beth made a face, only a little bit annoyed but smiled anyway. "Mornin'"
"Your Daddy used to call you that and you'd laugh up a storm." Annette said as she set the fruit to dry. "Where's Lottie? She 'wake yet?"
Beth frowned at this. When she had woken up Charlotte wasn't in bed with her anymore. She figured she had gone downstairs in search of her morning juice like she did every single day. "I thought she was with you."
Maggie held the cup to her lips and paused. Her eyes flew again to her sister, holding her gaze.
Just then Shawn peered into the kitchen. He wore a cap, farming gloves and an old faded shirt with a logo of Southern Orchards. He looked to Maggie, "Pay up."
Maggie set the cup down and stood to her feet, hurrying out the door to the back porch. Beth and Shawn followed after her. "Christ." Maggie said when she glanced across the field.
Out by the pond they could make out a lgith brown head in overalls running from the body of water with a frazzled and extremely loud goose right behind.
Shawn put his palm up and Maggie dug into her jeans, pulling out a twenty-dollar bill and slapping it in his hand with a sigh of defeat. Shawn chuckled, "Should've known better."
"Oh, Charlotte." Beth sighed and went out to rescue her.
.
It was early morning when Daryl rode his motorcycle up to the shitty mobile home he shared with his brother. It sat above ground on large blocks of cement; trash and empty beer bottles riddled the crawl space below. Useless junk lay around the dying lawn Merle bragged about during drunken rampages, right before he'd smash his beer bottle against the gravel of the driveway. It wasn't the nicest trailer in the neighborhood but certainly not the worst. However, it was all they had and Daryl was glad he at least had a roof over his head.
Still, it wasn't quite the place he'd want to bring his child to.
Daryl killed the engine and sat back on his bike. The trailer park was barely waking and he could already hear a baby crying in the distance followed by a faint smoker's cough and the yapping of a dog. He could still feel the buzz running through his system after having spent the night at a bar. Daryl hadn't drank much but the guilt he had over missing time with his girl had left him rather unsettled. He figured a beer would drown the feeling.
Daryl reached into the inside pocket of his leather jacket and brought out his wallet. Out of the wallet, he brought out a small, crinkled photo of Charlotte when she was about six months or so. It was the first photo he had ever seen of his daughter. Maggie had given him the photo when she first tracked him down to let him know of the infant's existence.
He stared at the photo of the baby that had grown too quickly for his liking and exhaled. Beth had let him return on the day after tomorrow in the afternoon to see her but pleaded him to actually show up. Daryl swore to himself he wouldn't let anything get in the way of seeing her. Not even Merle.
