Well, this here is the end and I'm sad to see it go. Me and Jenn had so much fun writing this thing and we appreciate all those who took the time to read, review and favorite this little thing of ours.
"It's been a month since we moved in and we are getting ready to welcome our first guests," Michonne spoke, Rick nodding beside her. "We offered seven eighty on the property and they accepted. We were able to move in sixty days after."
"We wanted to make this place ours so we've shut down the place for a month to get it re-styled and make sure everything was going to run smoothly. We've kept a lot of staff and hired a few new ones including a professional chef, Eric Raleigh." Michonne explained as she moved through the kitchen. "He's brought with him some amazing recipes and food ideas that are going to blow our guests away."
"Daryl has been busy doing all of the handiwork, along with Rick on his days off. They've painted, changed out some outdated lighting and fixed some flooring issues on the second floor." Michonne pointed to the brand new hardwood floors that lay beneath her feet. "When he's not busy here, he's working on his own home,"
"Daryl purchased land adjacent to Michonne and Rick's property and is in the process of building a dream cabin for himself" spoke the voice-over, showing Daryl watching over the crew digging.
"It's gonna be a three bedroom cabin with an indoor and outdoor fireplace. I've had the plans adjusted recently to make it a little bigger," Daryl explained. "Permits went through quickly and now we're getting all the pipes run for water, gas, and electricity."
"This is probably my favorite room in the house," Michonne walked into the spacious lounge area. "We moved a wall out that separated this room from the dining room. Now we have a large entertaining area, where people can grab a drink from the bar, and sit down and eat a nice meal. This room will be perfect for small gatherings."
"We modernized this room with new furniture but kept all the moldings and moved this chandelier from the stairwell to here. It's such a statement piece and we want all of our guests to see it."
"Outside is where the most changes are going to be made, with the entire gardens being changed." The voice spoke again.
"We want this to be an amazing wedding destination for our couples so we are expanding the garden out and building a structure so that we have the feel of an outdoor wedding, with the added protection should the weather not cooperate," Michonne added as she walked around the grounds where the garden currently was.
"We also want to add on a reception tent that has a clear roof. Then people can watch the stars as they dance the night away. The bridal cabin will also be renovated so the newly married couple can spend their first night in seclusion." Michonne winked at the camera.
"We're putting a lot of money into this place but it's going to be worth it in the end. Already we're booked solid for the next six weeks and we've already had inquiries for weddings and private events. Once we have the renovations going, we'll be able to start booking those things." Rick explained.
"This is how we want to live out our golden years together and we couldn't be happier," Michonne and Rick spoke into the camera with their arms wrapped around each other.
A round of applause was heard all around as the guests applauded the end of the show. It's been eight months since they filmed it and it was so exciting to finally watch the end product.
They used the B&B for the showing and all their friends and family gathered around a large screen projection to watch. People were strewn around the room on couches and chairs, and even the floor for the younger people. It was a great night that was catered by the new chef and the staff had the champagne flowing.
"So how has business been for you Beth? I'm sure it's going to kick up a notch now that the show has aired." Carol fusses over Beth, as they talk in the corner of the room.
"It's been great. Really steady. Me and Maggie are constantly on the phones or at showings."
Beth replies. " We've had some out of towners looking for property to build their own getaways on so this town is going to be busy for awhile."
"Well I bet that Daryl was glad to get construction going on his place right away," she jokes with a smile on her face.
Beth giggles. "He sure was. He wants us in that house as soon as possible but with all the changes he's made, things take more time."
"Oh, what did he change?"
"It was originally a seven hundred square foot bachelor cabin. All open concept and tiny. Perfect for him. But then ever since we got together, he's changed it to a three bedroom, added an ensuite to the master, expanded the kitchen and dining area. It's twice the size now with a second story." Beth listed.
"Oh wow. No wonder it's taking so long," Carol says shocked.
"It's almost to the point of being livable, we just need to finish some drywall and tiling. He wants to get our bedroom and the kitchen done first so he's really pushing those out."
"Well, I'm sure he wants to start working on those babies to fill up the other two rooms with," Carol laughed. Beth blushed in embarrassment.
"We haven't really talked marriage, let alone babies so I don't think that will be happening anytime in the near future." Beth joked. Carol gave her a sly smile.
"I don't know," Carol glanced to the side where Rick and Daryl were talking aways from them. "That boy is head over heels for you, has been since day one so I wouldn't put it past him." Beth took a look to where they were and sure enough, Daryl's eyes were directly on her, even though Rick was talking away. She blushed and smiled in his direction which caused him to give her one of his small smiles from the corner of his mouth.
That smile that made the butterflies fly around her stomach, her heart beat faster and her eyes shine brightly. If he's been head over heels for her this long, then she was right there along with him.
The party went late with everyone excited to celebrate. They had already started getting phone calls for reservations so Michonne was constantly having to run back and forth to the phone as her staff were busy already.
Beth and Daryl ducked out and made their way to her car. They were both exhausted from their days and couldn't wait to curl up in bed and sleep.
Daryl yawned as he sat at the dining table and open up Beth's laptop. Beth was putting her bag away in the closet and removing her boots as she watches him open up his emails.
"Thought you were going to bed?" Beth asked as she walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
"Just checking on the guys tomorrow." he replied.
"You already confirmed with Tyrese before we left. I'm sure they are still going to show up tomorrow." Beth stated. She knew he was stressing out but he had no reason to. Everything so far had been great and their contractor, Tyrese Williams, had been the best foreman they could ask for.
"I know. Just trying to see if they can be done faster. Wanna move in there already."
"You don't like my place?" Beth joked which only caused Daryl to hang his head in frustration.
"It ain't that Beth…" he started to defend himself but Beth just hugged him around his shoulders from behind him.
"It's going to get done hun. I think you just need to stop worrying and relax for a little bit,"
"How you suggest I do that?" he asked while staring at the computer screen.
"Oh, I don't know…" Beth grabbed her shirt by the bottom and started lifting it over her head. She swayed her hips a little extra as she made her way into their bedroom.
Once she threw her shirt at Daryl, he quickly followed her.
They've been working on Daryl's cabin on the weekends and he spends all of his free time during the week plugging away at it It's really turning out to be beautiful. Beth is in awe of the things he can do with his hands and the pride he takes in perfecting every detail. The last couple of days though, he's seemed off. Kind of quiet and lost in his head. Beth brought him dinner last night and he picked at it, hardly ate anything.
"Is everything okay Daryl?" Her stomach wasn't feeling that good and she'd been afraid to ask, afraid of what he might say. He'd taken a minute to think before answering and she watched him closely. He'd shrugged his shoulders as if he wasn't sure himself.
"Got a lot ta do. Jus' stressed I guess." That hadn't been much of an answer and it left Beth feeling nervous for reasons she hadn't understood. He'd told her she didn't have to hang around. There really wasn't anything for her to do. He was just going to get things ready for the painter that was coming early the next day and then he was gonna crash there on the floor.
They'd been living together for the past six months, as a way for him to save money on his rent and them to spend as much time together as they could. It wouldn't be the first time he's slept at the cabin but this time made her worry.
She'd left and spent the rest of the night tossing and turning trying to figure out what was going on with him. She refused to think the worst. Not yet anyway. The next morning she woke up determined to get him to open up. She doesn't like how she's been feeling and he's obviously feeling something too.
She shows up at the cabin with coffee and muffins and finds him already hard at work. But when he sees her, he stops what he's doing and pulls her in close for a hug and a soft kiss that's way too short as far as Beth is concerned. Taking a bite of a blueberry muffin and a big drink of his black coffee, he wipes his mouth off with the back of his hand. And he smiles at her which makes her heart soar.
"Thanks, Beth, hits the spot." Then he'd shut back down again and went back to work. Beth grabs a broom and cleans up a little giving herself a pep talk on just how she's gonna approach Daryl. Her chance comes when the painter shows up. He needs everyone out of the area while he does his work.
"You got everything prepped man! This won't take long at all!" The guy had come highly recommended. Abraham Ford was his name. "This is a beaut! Building it for you and your wife?" he asks innocently enough, but Daryl's ears and entire face turned bright red.
"Uh…" he'd stammers.
"Oh, we're not married." Beth says. Glancing over at him she smiles a little letting him know it's okay.
"Nah we ain't. Com'on Beth, les' let the man work." He'd reached for her hand and led her out of the cabin and towards a path through the trees that would take them to the gardens by Michonne and Rick's. It was a bit of a walk and she was curious as to why he was going there now.
"Daryl, I… Where are we going?" He doesn't respond though, just keeps walking, hanging onto her hand. When they came to an opening in the trees Beth notices the expanse of green lawn. Rick and Michonne have almost finished the work out here and it's breathtaking. It was going to be a beautiful place to get married.
Daryl stops just past the tree line and she notices he's chewing on his lip. But he's still holding her hand so that was good right? Finally, when she can't take it anymore she gently removes her hand from his grip. "Daryl please to talk to me. What's wrong? Don't say nothing either. Is it me? Did I do something, or-" She can feel her eyes filling with tears and the last thing she wants is to start crying. He's looking at her with a look of fear on his face.
"No it ain't like that, it's- com'ere, just right over here." He starts to reach for her hand and she pulls back just a little.
"No Daryl, we need to talk, I can't stand this feeling-"
"We're gonna talk just come on over-" She can tell he's getting frustrated now and she's feeling the exact same way.
"Why do we have to go over there? Just tell me, Daryl, is this not working for you? Am I.." That shuts him up and he just looks at her with all the fear she's feeling.
"Wait, what? Nah, Beth dammit girl I'm trying' ta give you this, an ya know ask ya.." He pulls a small black box from the pocket of his jeans and holds it tightly in both hands and suddenly it dawns on her. All of it. The gardens, the bench, their first kiss and he's been so quiet because he's nervous. Because is he going to propose?
"Oh! I…" And she lets him take her hand again and goes with him to the little bench where they ate the ice cream he bought her from that truck that showed up out of nowhere on a very hard day. Sitting down she looks up at him and he sits beside her and then suddenly seems to remember something because he stands up the kneels down on the grass in front of her. And she can't help herself, the tears that threatened to fall earlier start falling and she's laughing and he's giving her a look, raised eyebrow and all.
"Girl ya gonna let me do this?" She covers her mouth with a shaking hand and nods at him.
"I ain't sure how- Beth I told ya I hope ya never wanna leave an I meant it. Can't imagine anyone else I wanna share this with, 'cept you. I got this ring here, and I want ya ta be my wife. Cause, yeah, I love ya Beth." She's crying happy tears, but Daryl, he looks so nervous and his hand that's holding that little black box is shaking just as much as hers.
"Oh, Daryl.."
"Will ya Beth? Will ya be my wife?" Reaching out she brushes the hair from his face and slides off the bench so he's not kneeling there looking uncomfortable and out of place.
"Yes, Daryl. I'll be your wife. And I don't ever wanna leave either." Throwing her arms around his neck she can feel him laughing against her too. They both turn their heads when they hear the whine of a weed eater. Rick comes out from behind a bush and sees them both there on the ground.
"Hey, you all okay? What happ-" Beth sees the minute he notices the little black box Daryl's holding. "Oh? Hey! Is that what I think it is?" He has a big smile on his face and Daryl's nodding and trying to stand up and help Beth at the same time. "Well alright! Hey, Chonne! Com'ere! I think we got our first wedding!"
YAY! ENGAGED COUPLE!
Thank you for reading and please review!