Keep Singing, Songbird

Chapter four:

Sing on

Her shocked blue eyes just continued staring the man down, confusion seeping through her pores and becoming one with her entire being. It just didn't make sense! She wished that she understood what he was telling her, what possibilities he was giving her!

"Excuse me?"

She thought that he was mistaken, that he had been wrong about the words that he just spoke and that Beth was going to just follow her father to where her family was staying in the white abyss of perfection. Wherever they were hiding...

Smiling brightly at his youngest daughter, he mysteriously moved his hand, and, suddenly, as if by magic, a park bench appeared in the center of the blinding white. He sat down, motioning for Beth to follow his lead and used his head to gesture next to him. "Have a seat, Bethie."

"Daddy, how did you-"

"Bethie, the power of God and his love knows no bounds. He has given us the ability to do anything we wish, and we use that everyday. It's just like down there." His smile brightened considerably.

"And that's what he's giving you, Bethie. He's giving you the ability to do what you truly want to, whether it is to stay here with us or return to Georgia."

She had to have been dreaming... Or going crazy. Things like this didn't just... happen. You weren't just given a second chance.

"Bethie, I know what you're thinking. Some people are given a second chance, especially people as unique and special as you. Bethie, if you choose not to return, you will only be shy of a twenty year old young woman. You've hardly had the opportunity to go out and experience a life, and, to be perfectly honest, your calling in life isn't complete. The Lord has recognized your great sacrifice and has given you two perfectly fine options, no matter what you choose to do, it will all be okay. You can stay or go as you wish, just know that the lord, is with you. And when you know that, you will know that I'm with you, too."

With all the information Beth was absorbing, she felt as if she was being driven over the edge. However, she wasn't as much confused as appalled. "What did I do that was considered a sacrifice?" She was just normal, blonde, tiny Beth Greene. She hasn't done anything that ever amounted to much in her brief years on planet earth. She was just your average, run of the mill, teenager. Why would she stand out further than anyone else? Especially a man like her daddy? If she didn't even have to do anything to be given a second chance, why didn't he get to stay too?

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, staring intently into her eyes. "Bethie, you rescued Noah and your group from harm's way. You allowed those people who were being held captive by that young lady in that hospital find a new way of life, find a saving grace. Had you not sacrificed yourself for the love of your people, there is no guarantee that Daryl or Rick would have gotten out alive. You know those knuckleheads, Bethie. When she said she wanted Noah back, she was challenging them, and those are two alpha males who do not take challenges lightly. Your loss is the reason they were able to walk out of there. Your loss is the reason these people will find solace. Your loss is the reason that Judith will grow up to have a loving father, a strange and caring redneck of an uncle, even a wonderful godmother such as Maggie and godfather like Glenn. You've given them all this, just by being your normal and sweet self. Baby girl, you are more valuable than you give yourself credit for."

She never thought about it that way. And boy was he right. If you challenge Rick, he will take you down. In the time that Beth spent with Rick and his family, she felt like she gained a second father. Of course no one could replace her daddy, but it was nice having that comfort from Rick. He was a good man. But a stern and just one. There is no way he would have let anyone be held against his or her will. He was too kind for that. He was nearly going to go in there, guns blazing, just to save her and Carol from harm's way.

And Daryl... There's no telling what Daryl would do. That hot head infuriated her to no end, but he was an amazing and honorable man that had stolen her heart. He would go through Hell and back just to rescue his family and those that mean the most to him. He would have done anything to keep one of his own safe, especially Carol. And... Hopefully, as egotistical as it sounds, herself. No matter what, though, he probably would have full on attacked that woman... And probably would have gotten injured in the process... Now that she thought of it, Beth pictured Daryl standing in her place and receiving her twisted end.

Tears began springing free from the confines of her eyes.

"Bethie, don't cry. I know it's scary thinking about what could have happened, but it didn't. It didn't because you saved them. You're their bringer of salvation, whether you know that or not, and same goes for them. They might not ever know of your sacrifice, but I believe they know. All of them."

He slowly wrapped his arms around his daughter, holding her as she once again cried her heart out.

"Only you can make this decision, Beth. And you will not be judged for it, no matter what."

"If I go, will I ever see you again? And Mama and Shawn? And everyone else? I miss you guys so much..." Her misty eyes glazed over as she thought about the possibility of not seeing her father again. She already had to adapt to it once, she didn't know if she would be able to survive if she had to do it again.

He squeezed her before pulling away. "Of course you will, Bethie. We are always with you, but when you reenter those pearly gates, wings and all, you will be welcomed by all of them with open arms. They are all waiting for you Beth. But if you choose to go, they have no problem waiting a while longer."

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she approached her conclusion. "I love you so much, Daddy."

She wrapped her arms as tightly as the little things could manage, letting out the emotions she's been holding in for the last few months. When she said that she didn't cry anymore... She meant it. But then, she realized that it's... Okay. It's okay to cry. It's okay to just cry and be every once in a while, because, in the end...

It will be okay.

She felt weightless, as if every single stress in her life had been lifted off her shoulders, allowing her to breathe for the first time in ages. There's a sure difference between hoping everything will be okay... And knowing for a fact that everything was going to be okay.

No matter how her melody ended on earth, she knew what counted. Whenever her beautiful score made it's powerful end, she'll be singing her notes in a heavenly forte for all her earthly family to hear. But now she was okay. She accepted fate as it was thrust upon her, and even when life is difficult and painful, or even unbearable, there's always a wonderful sound of love and eternal happiness to look forward to.

Her sonata had just begun.

"I knew what you would decide the moment you met his eyes, Bethie. So you keep singing, my little Songbird. And let your words of love and praise sing out to even the highest of high and the lowest of low. So devils and angels alike can hear you. Keep singing."

And just like that, her world was gone.

It was dark. All of it. Never has one felt so trapped or suffocated. Alone. That is, until...

In her blackened presence, she could hear a very distinct sobbing, shaking her heart of care and concern, threatening to cave it in. That breed of sob is the very same that rips your heart from your chest and slams it up against the wall, forcing you to watch as it splatters in front of you. It kills you at your center. It was a wrecking ball of anguish and despair.

It's the miserable, grieving sob of a truly beautiful and heartbreaking creature.

Even in the darkness, Beth knew who that deadening cry belonged to, that's what killed her more than anything else. She couldn't bear hearing his miserable pleas and earth-crumbling, pitiful whimpers any longer. Mustering all the strength she possibly could, she forced herself to follow her daddy's words. She would sing out her song, not letting a single coda stand in her way. She managed to rasp out a weak, "D...ar...yl..." before losing complete concentration and thought.