AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you to those following and reading, and thank you to; malzateb, brinxb and Guest for your comments on the last chapter.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Walking Dead or its characters
Apologies in advance for any spelling and grammatical errors. Thoughts in Italics
You, Me, We are Family
Chapter 3
The landscape is so vast, green and endless, Rick was bewitched by his surroundings. He was finding it hard keeping his eyes on the long stretching tree-lined road at the best of times wanting to stop and scan his eyes across the horizon as the sun begins to go down illuminating the sky a burnt orange, just taking in the glorious views and colours he never gets to see back home, imagining what the countryside sky looked like when the stars come out.
Inhaling the clean, fresh air, he just enjoys the gentle breeze hitting his face, neck and arms. He feels light and clear headed - like he could just drift off into the calm and tranquility the lands are offering him. Spotting a silver glistening lake hidden off behind the tree line, he had an irresistible urge to swerve the truck down the little narrow path leading right down to the lake and park up and sit there watching the sun go down and the moon come up. This was a million miles away from the hectic life of King County and the idea of a quiet life in the countryside was seductively appealing.
Rick's eyes dreamily smile and he glances over at Beth, wanting to reach over and entwine her fingers within his and just hold her hand. He stops when he sees her body slightly curled facing away from him, resting her head on the headrest staring out her window, staring into the faraway distance. He closes his fist and places it back on the steering wheel and concentrates on the journey straight ahead. Beth hasn't spoken since they set off from King County apart from asking him to stop at the rest stops to use the bathroom. Other than those requests, no conversational words were exchanged between them, the radio was filling in the heavy silence. She had become closed off, distant and withdrawal from him.
Rick glances back at Beth, his eyes trail down to her fuller chest and the obvious bump beneath them. In two months, the baby would be here and in the seven months of growing, he hasn't connected with his unborn child nor has he touched Beth. Today in as long as he can remember, he placed his hands on Beth's stomach to feel his son or his daughter and he or she didn't respond. He or she can sense his mother's distress and sadness and holds him accountable and thus paying no heed to him like he'd paid none to them.
Beth felt emotionally drained wanting to just fall asleep, the weeks of sleepless nights finally catching up with her and she was now nearly home. Tears were pricking at the corners of her eyes as they near the farm but she fights and holds them back. She didn't want to cry and especially not in front of Rick, she'd cried enough and didn't want him to see and think of her as weak. Her eyelids lift to the side, she sees her childhood home and she has mixed feelings of happiness and sadness because this was it, this was where they'd part and go their separate ways. She was going to make this easy for Rick as he didn't have the guts to just do it himself and get it over with – she was going to set him free, he was free from all obligations to her and the baby, she'll do this herself.
Lowering her eyes, she places her hand on her expanding bump and thinks back to the moment when their lives collided in the diner, of how their romance had started. It was an instant attraction which blossomed and turned into heated passion and they were inseparable and she asks why? why if this was what the outcome was going to be - it was now nothing. She was and meant nothing to Rick Grimes and yet she still loved him regardless and all that was left of him was this little replica of him growing inside of her. She'll love him or her and never let the absence of Rick affect them.
Rick follows the curved road leading onto The Greene's Farm and drives through the open gates, continues to follow the long graveled pathway that leads up to the side of the house. He eases off the gas and breaks gently, slowing the pace of the truck seeing the big white house lit up ahead, silhouettes can be seen moving around inside and he can hear laughter sweeping through the open windows. Everything was finally dawning on him and he feels like his world was slipping away from him and he just sees darkness, the light of his life was leaving. He had the urge just to swerve the truck back and go back the way he came. Before he stops the truck, the front porch door bursts open and multiple bodies emerge out of nowhere and Beth sits up and for the first time in months, he sees Beth smile and a tear just escapes from her eye, drops and lands on her stomach.
Rick parks up and switches the engine off and sits there gripping the steering wheel. His heart begins to thump harder and faster like it was going to jump out of his chest. He subconsciously reaches forward grabbing the key to fire up the truck, and before he can turn on the ignition, Beth's door is wrenched open and the man he was introduced to as Otis appears.
"Bethy!" He smacks his hands together and pulls her into a hug and kisses her cheek.
"Honey, it's so great to see you and, oh my!" He gasps pulling back to take a better look down and an enormous smile spreads across his chubby cheeks, he shakes his head but ecstatically, lifts Beth's chin up to look at him having overheard a part of a conversation between Maggie and Glenn about Beth and her worries "You're gonna make one fab little Mama and munchkins here is gonna be spoilt so much, she's gonna think she's a real princess, one like out of those fairy books we used to read over and over!"
"She?" Beth repeats smiling in question.
"Yup and we've all put down wagers and I'm guessin' Maggie's havin' a boy!" He whispers and looks around "Don't tell Patricia!" He taps his nose and Beth giggles knowing Patricia will most definitely find out and Otis joins in chuckling along knowing nothing gets past his wife.
"Deputy Grimes!" Otis exclaims cheerily seeing Rick sitting in the driver's seat watching them quietly, reaches in and offers his hand for a handshake and Rick leans over next to Beth and shakes Otis's hand with a nod in greeting.
"You've got ta stop workin' so hard and chill, whenever ya can or whenever ya want, just roll on down to the farm, you're always welcome here, we've all been missin' this one, place hasn't been the same without her!" Otis puts his arms around Beth's shoulder and gives her a squeeze and she leans her head on him and takes a moment before coming face to face with her parents, more apprehensive of her father.
"C'mon missy, ya Mama and Daddy are waitin' and don't worry!" He reassures Beth and she gives a weak smile "Here, lean on your Uncle Otis and I'll help ya down." Otis helps Beth down and walks her over and Rick watches and Otis waves him to follow.
Rick rubs his face with his hands, takes a deep breath and climbs out, slamming his door shut and follows behind Beth and Otis towards the house.
Beth sees her Mama and Patricia standing near the screen door, both giving her a warm and loving smile, and her Mama gives her a wink and that eases her nervousness a little and then she sees her Daddy pushing himself off the porch swing and makes his way down the steps and stands there with a blank face, hands joined behind his back.
Beth stops and stands there frozen to her spot, waiting for what was to come. The last time she and her Daddy were face to face was four months ago and she left the farm in tears. The disappointment etched on her father's face and nearly collapsing was too much for her to bear, she didn't return not wanting anything bad to happen to her father because of her and her life choices which is disapproved of.
Herschel's face softens, lips turn up and he smiles with teary sorry eyes pulling out his welcoming arms and without a second thought, Beth lets go of Otis and rushes over and buries her face into her father's chest and lets herself cry. Herschel wraps her arms around Beth and rocks her to settle down apologising.
"Hush now Bethy, all this cryin' is goin' to upset my grandbaby, no more tears!" He says caressing Beth's stomach and feeling a kick, lets out a laugh and moves his hand to the left and feels another kick "She's a tough little thing just like her Mama!" Herschel kisses the tops of Beth's head and just holds her.
"I'm sorry Bethy, forgive this silly old fool, I made a terrible mistake and every day I've been regretting how I behaved and letting you leave that day like you did, you can punish me for not standing by you when you needed me, I deserve whatever punishment you see fit…I accept whatever it is you decide!" He pleads forgiveness.
"Hard as a whip, stubborn as a mule, but underneath all that lies a softie who hasn't slept a wink since his little girl left hurt and upset and for that we are truly and deeply sorry!" Annette stands beside Herschel and runs her hand up and down Beth's back "I'm sorry Beth for everything you've had to go through and endure!" She sniffs and leans in and hugs Beth from behind kissing her "I'm so sorry darling, but I'm so happy you had Rick there with you!" Annette stifles her sob and Beth silently cries.
Rick was looking down at the floor not able to meet Herschel and Annette's eyes.
Herschel looks up over at Rick and considers him standing there before him. He had been rude and called Rick every name under the sun. He hands Beth over to Annette and makes his way over to Rick. Annette is consoling an emotional Beth and Patricia is over joining in the reunion. The two elder women cannot believe Little Beth was going to become a mommy and they're excited.
"I've been knitting and I've knitted hats, socks, mittens, cardigans and jumpers!" Patricia lists.
"Oh Patricia, you didn't have to!" Beth wipes beneath her eyes smiling.
"Oh but I did!" Patricia strokes Beth's cheek.
Herschel stands before Rick and places his hand on Rick's shoulder, startling Rick as he's now face to face with Beth's father.
"Son, I'm ashamed of the way I behaved and treated you, I ran you off my property and I shouldn't have done that. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive the insults and all that I have said!" Herschel apologises.
Rick just stood there unable to form any words thinking, if only they all knew the truth, he was sure Beth's father would kick his ass black and blue and possibly kill him and he would just stand there and let him get on with it because he felt like the biggest, good for nothing asshole to have walked the earth.
"My Bethy loves you, I understand that now, formalities of marriage aside, I've had time to think and I'm adjusting, I'm old fashioned but I'm adjusting to the modern ways but it's puts my mind to rest to know you've stood by Beth and taken care of her, you haven't strayed or shirked your responsibilities, you've taken care of my daughter. You're a good man Rick and I couldn't ask for a better man to take care of my little girl. Today, here in front of everyone I want to welcome you to our family, we are family!" Herschel states and pulls Rick into a fatherly hug.
Rick holds on and places his other hand on Herschel's back and stares over the older man's shoulder at Beth who was standing there cuddled in her mother's arms watching sadly and he tries to implore her with his eyes that he was deeply sorry for what he has put her through. His eyes have become moist; he swallows the dry knot caught up in his throat. He wanted to go over to Beth. He was now realizing just how much he has hurt her but honestly never meant to. His insecurities got the better of him. He was afraid of committing his life to another person, the first time round didn't work out and caused him more pain than he could explain. He was afraid of ruining Beth's life, knowing he wasn't worthy of a sweet and caring women such as her. She deserved someone a whole lot better than him. There was so much bottled up inside of him, he needed to get it all off his chest and he needed Beth to give him one chance to explain and make her decision of what she wanted, he was ready to give Beth everything and anything she desired.
Beth unable to understand the mixed signals she was getting from Rick but knowing what the reality actually was, seven months of experiencing it, she finally got it. She averts her eyes and looks away. She didn't want to make a scene in front of everyone and thought it best to just let everything settle.
"My baby's goin' to have a baby!" Annette erupts and everyone crowds Beth gushing and marveling at her bump.
The screen door bursts open and a very heavily pregnant Maggie waddles out with Glenn one step behind her.
"Maggie!" Glenn shrieks "Babe, you're supposed to be resting!" Glenn reaches for Maggie trying to turn her back around into the house.
Maggie just wiggles out of Glenn's arm and swats his hand and begins to climb down the stairs. Glenn jumped in front of her holding out his hand ready to catch her if she fell.
"Watch ya step! The step! There's a step there Maggie!" Glenn points nearly having a heart attack when she took two at a time.
Beth turns around to see Maggie and Glenn and she gives a small smile, they were such a cute and funny couple. She loved her brother-in-law and she loved him more for the amount of love, care and attention he gives Maggie even when Maggie doesn't appreciate it, Beth really does knowing her sister doesn't have to do this on her own, Glenn was always there for her and he'd catch her before she fell, falling himself.
"Glenn, get out the way, seriously man, I'm gonna flatten you if ya don't!" Maggie complains.
"BETHY!" Maggie squeals skipping down the stairs now holding out her hands for Beth to come to her "Let's meet in the middle!" Maggie waves over to Beth to come to her.
Glenn lets out a shriek and falls down the stairs and lands on his front, face in the dirt. Maggie just laughs "Watch ya step Glenn, there's steps!" She leans down and scruffs his hair.
"Herschel!" Glenn cries out kicking his feet.
"Those two, Dear Lord, you seriously know how to pair 'em!" Herschel shakes his head "Margaret, how many times we need to have this conversation!"
Rick looks at Herschel and then over at Beth.
Beth holding her stomach makes her way over and Maggie waddles holding her back and they both burst out laughing when they meet in the middle and try hugging one another which makes them laugh some more. Swollen Belly rubbing against Water Mellon Belly.
"Stoppit, I'm gonna pee my pants!" Beth crosses her leg over the other when Maggie teases her.
"Get used to it, it only gets worse!" Maggie whispers that she did pee herself and Beth covers her mouth and Maggie pulled a face "I actually sneezed and it was like Niagara Falls and Glenn and Daddy thought my waters broke, you should'a seen their faces!" Maggie was in hysterics and crosses her leg over the other.
"Do ya gals need buckets?" Jimmy asks making his way over and giving Beth a hug "You look great Beth!"
"Thank you Jimmy, and you don't look so bad yourself." Beth smiles to her childhood friend.
Glenn comes over with a skateboard and tells Maggie to get on and orders Jimmy to hold Maggie whilst he holds her on the other side and they can wheel her over to the outdoor toilet.
"See what I have to put up with!" Maggie rolls her eyes to Beth waddling off herself "Glenn, do not follow me, or else I will pee all over you!"
"Dear Lord, Maggie, we do not pee on each other!" Annette shakes her head walking over to Rick giving him a hug "C'mon into the house, dinner should be ready soon." She tells him.
"Thank you for the invitation but I should be on my way back." Rick replies looking at his watch and then over at Beth, who was standing there.
"Nonsense, you'll eat dinner with us!" Annette orders "In you get!" She tells Rick and gestures to Glenn to help Rick as she rushes over to Beth.
"Bethy, you want me to skate you over to the bathroom?" Glenn asks giving her a hug.
"I'm fine Glenn, I can make it." Beth smiles accepting Annette's assistance.
Glenn sees Rick standing there and makes his way over.
"I bet Beth doesn't give you trouble like Maggie gives me?" Glenn asks.
"No, she doesn't." Rick answers watching Beth reunited with her family who have made her laugh "Beth gives me no trouble, it's the other way round!" He sighs.
Rick follows Glenn into the house and watches everyone chatting away happily, laughing and all because Beth had come home to visit. He sees the large dinner table covered in food.
"Rick, take a seat next to Beth!" Herschel instructs as he take his seat at the head of the table with Annette beside him, he take his wife's hand and kisses it and everyone coos over them.
Rick slips into the seat beside Beth smiling watching Herschel and Annette, they seemed like the model couple and this is what Beth recognises. Their knees touch and neither of them jump to move. Beth takes a quick look at Rick and he catches her hoping she wouldn't look away but she does.
Herschel tells everyone to join hands to say grace. Everyone joins hands whilst gossiping and Rick takes the opportunity to slip his hand into Beth's and clutches it under the table. Beth sits there feeling Rick's touch and doesn't push him away.
