Author's Note: THANK YOU so much for your feedback and support! I love seeing reviews from you guys :) I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Dr. Edwards walked out of the operating room while the nurses were prepping to move Beth to a room, and headed towards the group. The group walked hastily to meet him, Daryl bolted up from his corner.
Dr. Edwards smiled, "She's going to be okay."
Daryl blew out a breath that he had been holding in relief. He knew she would be okay. He knew how strong she was, but he was still scared as hell to lose her.
"She is still unconscious. She should come to within the next few days. She will be sore for a while so I would suggest you stay put until she heals," Dr. Edwards said.
Rick nodded and looked to the rest of the group for agreement. Everyone nodded back at Rick.
Office Shepherd stepped forward to shake Rick's hand, "Please stay as long as you'd like. We're all friends here. Like I said before, it's over. It was just about Dawn."
"We'll stay as long as it takes for Beth to heal, and then we'll decide our next move," Rick told her.
Officer Shepherd nodded and stepped aside.
Once Beth was settled in a room, Daryl never left her side. The nurses set up a cot for him to sleep in her room, but he barely slept. He wanted to be there to meet those beautiful ocean blue eyes when she woke up. He didn't want to miss that. He sat beside her bed for two days.
He whispered to her unconscious body, "Ya know ya really scared me, Beth. I don't think I've ever been more scared in my life. Please wake up for me, beautiful. I need ya to wake up and look at me. I need to know that you're okay and that this isn't a dream."
He sat for a few minutes, but all he got in return was silence. He leaned up and kissed her on her forehead, and then once on the cheek. He didn't notice that Maggie had witnessed the whole thing.
Maggie walked into the room and took a seat beside Daryl. Maggie looked at her sister's stitched face and neck, and then looked at Daryl.
"You really care about her, don't you?" Maggie asked as a fact, rather than an actual question.
Daryl nodded. "Mhmm. I've never cared this much about anyone. I've never been so scared to lose someone either."
Maggie smiled. "You love her," she stated.
Daryl's head shot up to meet Maggie's eyes, but before he could protest, Maggie interrupted him.
"I'm happy for you two, Daryl. I really am. I can see that you love her and that you're serious. Hell, you ran for days after that car when she was taken." Maggie stated.
Daryl nodded, "She deserves better though. I'm not a good man. She's a princess who deserves a prince. I'm no prince." He scoffed.
Maggie placed her hand on his. "You ARE a good man, Daryl. My sister is lucky to have you. The whole group is lucky to have you. You saved her life on more than one occasion. Hell, you've saved all of us. Your past doesn't determine who you are. You are a good man, a survivor, a protector. And now I see, a lover. Love looks good on you," she laughed.
Daryl chuckled a bit himself. "Ya Greene sisters are somethin' else."
Maggie smiled and laughed at his comment. Then she patted his hand and stood, "Let me know when she wakes up."
"I will." Daryl promised.
A couple of more hours passed by, and Daryl was getting beyond the point of exhaustion. He laid his head down beside her on the bed as he held her hand and closed his eyes.
He dreamed they were still at that funeral home at the kitchen table. When she looked at him with those dazzling eyes so filled with hope and trust, he could hardly breathe. Beth Greene made him feel things he had never felt before. Things he refused to feel. She challenged him, she fought with him, and then held him as he cried. He never had someone in his life like Beth.
She had asked him what had changed his mind, and with just a look she was able to understand. He had meant her. His eyes were fixed on hers, staring at her so intently. He leaned in towards her face, eager to capture her lips. Beth was leaning forward as well, and just about the time their lips met, Daryl felt his hair being moved.
Daryl woke from his dream and rubbed his eyes. Beth was staring straight at him with her big, doe eyes and a killer smile was spread among her face.
"Wake up sleepy head," she whispered.
"Beth!" Daryl exclaimed.
Beth chucked a bit, but then realized it hurt do so. She held her throat and looked at Daryl.
"What happened?" Beth asked.
"Ya stabbed Dawn in the neck with those scissors, damn girl. I thought I taught ya better than to make dumb ass decisions like that," Daryl stated with a joking matter.
Beth smiled, but still looked confused at the events. She looked at him for answers.
Daryl saw this and sighed, "I was only kidding about the dumb decisions part, Beth. I'm just trying to keep the mood light. But after ya stabbed her, she pulled the trigger on her gun. She nicked ya in the neck. I thought I had lost ya forever. Dr. Edwards saved ya life. Office Shepherd said we could stay here as long as we wanted so ya could heal."
Beth nodded, and then threw her hands to cover her mouth. "What about Dawn? What's going to happen now?" She was scared, and Daryl could tell so he quickly diminished her fears.
"She's dead, sweetheart. I shot her. She's gone." Daryl held her hand.
"You shot her for shooting me?" Beth grinned.
Daryl nodded. "I lost it, Beth. I couldn't control it knowing she had hurt ya. I thought she had killed ya. I just reacted. I couldn't bear the thought of losing ya. I actually prayed for the first time in my life." Daryl was looking down at the floor now, unable to meet her eyes.
"You kinda like me, don't ya?" Beth grinned her million dollar smile.
He blushed and looked up at her. "Somethin' like that, Greene." They both knew what he had meant. Beth knew he cared for her, but she wasn't going to push him any further.
"Lay with me?" Beth asked.
"I wouldn't rather be anywhere else, sweetheart," Daryl replied kissing her forehead.
He laid down beside her, and turned on his side to spoon her. "Maggie will want to know you're awake, princess."
Beth nodded. "Can we just lay here for a little while? I just want to be with you for now. I don't want to have everyone fussing over me."
Daryl smiled, "Mhmm. Get some sleep, sweetheart. I'll be right here to keep ya safe." He kissed her hair, and she held his arms that were wrapped around her.
What Daryl had meant to say was that HE felt safe for the first time in ages. Together they drifted off to sleep feeling content, loved, and at home.
Just a bit of Bethyl fluff! What do y'all think so far? I LOVE your reviews so please hit the button! ;)
-C
