A/N Thanks so much - you make me smile! Our couple is finally back in Georgia! Yay! This chapter they'll have their first night in their home. Let's see how that goes...
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The newlyweds weren't exactly frequent flyers so it hadn't occurred to them just how busy the airport in Atlanta would be. It also hadn't dawned on them that as Georgia's own, their story would be bigger there than anywhere.
Although Daryl still believed he was the best one to protect Beth, with all the folks rushing up to them he was glad to have T-Dog running interference as they made their way through the busy airport. He and Beth had been well-schooled and they did their best to be patient, smile and let all the people who wanted to have a photo with them.
The night before, when they were finally left alone, they'd spent a lot of time talking about their situation and they'd made their decision. It was a cold hard truth they couldn't deny, her Dad needed help and Daryl and Merle's business needed a shot in the arm. It would be stupid to just kiss a million dollars goodbye. They were committed now, they were going to do this and try to deal with whatever they had to, even if they hated it.
Still, the only thing either of them could really think about in the moment was getting home and locking themselves in the house. Away from the world.
The previous evening Carol did her best to assure the couple they would be left alone for a week while they "adjusted." Except of course for T-Dog keeping an eye on things and Frankie getting everything ready for their "home interview." She seemed so understanding when she said, "Don't worry. It's going to be very simple. Right there in your own living room and just a few questions."
She'd gotten that big smile on her face when she told them, "You have to realize people are dying to see where the happy newlyweds will be living."
Daryl immediately expressed concern, "I been livin' there alone for five years. It ain't exactly all done up or nuthin'. It's small and it's real simple. I's just gonna let Beth change it however she wants."
That was the first Beth heard anything about that and she smiled as she wrapped her arm around his. He was enjoying her touch when she whispered, "Thank you for that Daryl, you really are the best." She wasn't just saying it either, it was how she'd begun to feel about the man she never intended to marry.
Carol was positively glowing at that point and she threw in a little something else, "Don't worry Daryl, since it's going to be on TV we have a crew who will come in and stage your living room. Frankie will have a look around when you arrive home tomorrow and she'll take care of everything from there."
Daryl was feverishly chewing his bottom lip, then he let it all out, "Listen, I know we signed a contract an all, I get it. We gotta do all kinds a shit whether we wanna or not, that's the deal. But we gotta have a little time away from all this stuff. We need ta get settled in."
"Of course you want time alone and like I said, I'm going to make sure you have that. Frankie will only be in your home a few minutes when you arrive. The setup for the interview won't happen until six days later, the morning of the interview. It doesn't take home stagers long, they do these sorts of things all the time and it's just one room. Two hours tops."
Beth had been considering what it all meant and she asked, "Isn't that kind of dangerous? Showing our home? People will know where we live, it's like sending out an invitation to come by our place."
Daryl was was impressed, his wife was a smart one, he hadn't even thought of that. He turned to Carol and simply asked. 'Yeah, what about that?"
"Don't you worry now, we'll be careful not to show the street name or the house numbers, and no distinguishing neighborhood features. We don't want strangers bothering you in your home any more than you do."
So now they found themselves in a limo with Frankie and the photographer, finally on their way home to Smithton. T-Dog was in a rental car and following close behind.
With other people around the couple didn't feel free to talk, not about anything that mattered. The whole trip had been so stressful and she was exhausted. Now that she was home in Georgia she felt like she could finally relax.
She laid her head on his shoulder and he smiled to himself as he lifted his arm to let her get more comfortable. Her head now rested on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bent down and kissed her pretty blonde head. She snuggled into him a little more and he leaned his own head back, closed his eyes and him and his bride slept all the way to Smithton.
He woke just about a mile from his place and when the limo pulled up to the curb he muttered, "The hell, someone been messing around my house?"
Beth stirred, sat up straight and asked, "What? What's wrong?"
He was already looking at Frankie, "Did your 'people' do this?"
"Now don't get upset, please Daryl. No one went inside your home. Carol asked us to have someone spruce up the exterior and all they did was add some flower baskets on the front porch, put a nice little wreath by the door, and they replaced your lounge chair with a very pretty wicker loveseat, matching chair and a small table." She was smiling big and talking fast, hoping he wouldn't be mad, "I think it looks really nice and inviting, don't you? And we still have your chair, it's in storage."
It did look pretty, like something Beth might like, and he asked her, "Whaddya think Baby?"
"I think it's nice, but I love this house. I can't wait to see inside!" She wasn't just saying that, she did love it. Someone may have added a little furniture and some flowers, but the house would have been perfect without those. It was a 1950's American Bungalow Style home with stairs leading up to a sweet little front porch. The small house was surrounded by a beautiful green lawn and there were huge shade trees. It looked like the idyllic place to begin her new life with Daryl.
She caught herself and her mood turned a little sad as she remembered it would only be her home for a year.
That was the thought in her mind when Daryl took her hand and led the way to the front door, the others in tow behind him. Already there were neighbors out on their porches and milling around on the sidewalk. They were anxious to get a look at their suddenly rich neighbor who'd always seemed a bit rough and sour, and his beautiful new wife.
Daryl reached in his pocket for the key and the photographer snapped a photo as he unlocked the front door. He wasn't paying attention to the photographer though. He was looking at his smiling bride and he wondered if he should do it. There was a small grin on his lips as he asked himself, why the fuck not? He wanted to. He pushed the door wide open, swept her up in his arms and carried a happy, giggling Beth into her new home.
Frankie immediately turned to the photographer, "Did you get that?"
The guy was grinning from ear to ear when he answered, "Now that's the money shot, it'll make the front cover."
Her husband had been honest, it was small. As soon as they walked in, there they were, in the living room. There was no entryway, no little foyer. The room spanned the width of the house and she could already imagine just how cozy it could be. For now it was fine though, everything she'd thought it would be. Manly and comfortable with not much of anything that wasn't necessary.
There was a brick fireplace on the far wall, a leather sofa, a leather chair, a coffee table and a TV. There were also three beautiful side by side front windows that she instantly fell in love with. The tall narrow windows were wood-framed and the edges of the panes were beveled glass. They looked right out onto the pretty front porch and yard.
Frankie had already pulled some little gadget out of her purse that took room measurements just by pointing it. She was also making notes and even made a little drawing. "Got it," she smiled.
The living room was as far as her husband let the visitors go, "The rest is private, it's our home. Carol said they was just gonna have the interview in the front room here."
Frankie assured him, "That's right. We won't intrude any further. I have my measurements and a couple of photos and that's all I need for now. I'll try my best not to bother you until the night before the interview. We'll arrange a time for early that morning when the professionals will come to stage the place. I can promise that as soon as the interview happens we'll put everything back just the way it was and we'll all be gone. After that you won't see us again for a month, when we catch up with you again."
He had a question he kept to himself for now, he'd save it for his brother. Would Frankie and Merle be shacking up while she was in Georgia? Shit, Daryl couldn't see how that could possibly end well.
For now though he set his mind on something else, he had to show his new bride the rest of the home they'd be sharing.
He turned the deadbolt on the front door, looked at her and they both breathed a deep sigh of relief. At last, it was quiet and they were alone. "Daryl I just love this house. It's…well I hate to keep repeating myself, but there's no other way to say it, it's perfect." He didn't doubt she meant what she said because she sounded so happy. Not like she was just trying to make him feel good about things.
He was still a little nervous when he asked, "Now that all a them are gone do ya wanna see the rest?"
"I do! Please."
From the living room they entered a hallway. On the left side there was an old-fashioned phone nook, complete with a black wall phone, then a linen closet and on the other side of that the bathroom. The next door she assumed led to his bedroom. On the right was the doorway to the kitchen and two other doors beyond that she assumed were the second and third bedrooms. It was the kitchen Beth wanted to see next.
it didn't disappoint and she couldn't stop smiling. The kitchen still had the original 1950's metal cabinets. They were painted a sunny shade of yellow and the bright look made her feel happy. There was also some open shelving where he had his plates, cups and bowls neatly placed. Rather than lower cabinet doors hiding whatever might be under the kitchen sink, there was a pretty yellow curtain. It was like something her grandma had. In fact, everything about the small kitchen looked like something her grandma might have had, including the appliances.
It was hard to guess which might be older, the stove or the refrigerator. She was sure the age didn't matter. Whether they were old or not she had a feeling Daryl was a man who would keep everything in good working order.
After the kitchen came the two smaller bedrooms.
The smallest of them held what looked like a miniature sporting goods store. There was a wall mounted gunrack with a shotgun and three rifles, on the opposite wall hung a compound bow and a recurve bow. There was a large bowstand with a huge crossbow and containers filled with arrows and the slightly shorter bolts. He told her the tall metal safe held pistols, ammunition and knives. Hanging from hooks on the wall were a set of camos, a hunting vest, game bags, a fishing vest, a down filled coat and there was a rack with four fishing poles. Hunting boots and fishing boots were in the corner on a rubber mat.
She could see he was embarrassed, "It ain't that I'm the violent type Baby. I promise. I just like gettin' out n huntin' or doin' some target practice. I like fishin' and tubin' too."
She nudged his shoulder with hers and said, "I feel like I'm going to be very well protected here."
She was joking but he was serious when he responded, "Baby, guns and bows or not, anyone who tried ta hurt ya wouldn't live ta tell about it. C'mon."
Next to the kitchen was the second bedroom, it was empty. "I ain't ever used it for nuthin'. I kept thinkin' I should get a bed or sumthin' in case I ever had company, but I couldn't think a any company I'd ever have."
They were both quiet as they stood staring into the empty room, knowing it would soon be her bedroom. She softly sighed and she sounded a little melancholy when she said, "Well it looks just fine for my things. Everything should fit."
His sigh was heavier when he answered, "Yeah okay I guess. I don't have Caesar comin' ta help me move ya til mornin' . He's already put in a full day's work today an it'll be dark in an hour."
She sounded even less enthusiastic than him, "Okay. Sounds good. We'll manage for a night and I'll get officially moved in tomorrow."
Neither moved, they still stood staring at the empty room. When he turned and looked in her eyes she was looking right back into his and he said, "I'll just sleep on the couch tonight."
"No Daryl, that's not fair. Besides, we've been sleeping in the same bed for three nights. I don't think one more night is going to make much difference."
"Serious?"
"Serious."
When she said it she had yet to see his room, and the size of his bed. As they walked the few steps across the hall he sounded apologetic, "It ain't much." She stood silently taking it in while her tummy kind of clinched. It wasn't because the room 'wasn't much.' The room was fine. Simple yes. There was a bed, a dresser and a night table. No décor of any kind. That wasn't the problem.
The problem was the bed. It wasn't a great big king size bed like they'd been sleeping in. This bed was far smaller, full size at most. There would be no room for a pillow down the middle. Her throat felt dry and the only word she could manage to say was, "Oh."
His brow creased and he asked, "Everythin' okay?"
She was momentarily saved from answering that question when her phone started to ring. At least she thought she was saved. "Hi Daddy. Yes, we just got home a few minutes ago. Yes, I was going to call you but we haven't even had time to sit down yet. Everything is fine, it's wonderful Daddy. Well yes, of course I want to see you but we've been traveling all day and I'm just now getting a little tour of my new home."
She looked at Daryl with her brows furrowed and her voice strained when she continued, "We're going to my apartment tomorrow to get my things. Why don't we come by after we do that?"
She was worried she'd overstepped, telling her Daddy they'd visit without asking Daryl first, then her husband motioned her to give him the phone. She was both happy and scared to do so. "Hey, yeah hello Mister Greene, yeah okay, Hershel then. Yeah, I got a guy ta help me move Beth's things over here ta the house. How bout we take care a all that first thing, then we can come by and see ya. We'll have a nice long talk. Supper? Uh, well yeah okay. Uh huh, we'll see ya just as soon as we can get there."
He pushed the button on the phone, handed it back, and she quickly said, "I'm so sorry I put you on the spot. Are you sure about this?"
"Ya don't gotta be sorry Baby. I'm startin' ta get it now. You're your Daddy's little girl and he's worried. I can't blame him. If you're askin' do I wanna go out there ta the farm, get my ass handed ta me by your old Daddy and then eat some supper with the man? Probably not, but it's the right thing so we're doin' it. Lemme call Caesar again, remind him ta come early."
The call was short and as he put the phone back in his pocket he smiled that small, crooked and almost embarrassed smile as he suggested, "Wanna go ta the store? I wiped out all the food before I left and I'm hungry. I'll pick out the meat and taters, you pick out the yogurt and berries."
She smiled and pretended to punch at his arm, he was funny. She was also happy to get anywhere else for a while and quit thinking about the bed situation, "Yes let's. What kind of car do you drive Daryl?"
"The pickup kind. It's an old Ford but she runs good and like the song says, the radio works."
They went out the side door from the kitchen and walked along the single car drive to the garage in the back. When she saw it she smiled, "It looks brand new." And she meant what she said. The deep blue 2000 F-150 shined, and there wasn't a scratch or a dent to be seen.
"That's not old and gosh, it's gorgeous."
He smiled and he sounded so proud when he told her, "Ya think? She's the first and only brand new vehicle I ever bought, I mean besides my motorcycle. I saved every nickel I made for two years and had a real good down payment. Got her paid off in just 18 months."
She felt proud for him, but she had a question, "Why is it a 'her'?"
He looked at his wife as he let his finger glide softly along her jawline, shrugged his shoulders and answered, "Dunno. I guess cuz before I married you she was my Baby." That's when he caught himself doing what he was doing and quickly pulled his hand away from her face. He opened the passenger door, cleared his throat and said, "Alright lemme help ya up."
She already missed his touch.
As they backed out of the drive Daryl saw them. It seemed like the whole neighborhood, and quite a few folks he didn't recognize, were milling around on the sidewalk out front. He also spotted T-Dog watching from the black sedan parked across the street.
As Daryl pulled onto the road T-Dog followed right behind him. He didn't like it, especially strangers in the neighborhood gawking at him and especially at Beth, but he still felt sure the curiosity would die down soon. He also reminded himself for the hundredth time, putting up with shit like this meant having Beth with him and a million-dollar payday. He'd just keep dealing with it.
T-Dog did his best to be discreet, keeping a few paces behind as he followed them through the store, while Daryl kept his arm protectively across Beth's shoulders as she pushed the cart. There were quite a few people who just wanted to say "hi" or wish them good luck, and a couple who wanted a picture of them. All in all it was a pain in the ass but at least it was chill.
While the clerk rang up the groceries Beth leaned up and whispered so no one else would hear her, "I'll pay you for my half when there aren't all these people watching us."
He looked at her like she was crazy and whispered back, "Bullshit." Then he smiled and softly bumped his shoulder into hers, "'Sides Baby, ya ain't even got a job."
She tried not to laugh when she bumped his shoulder back, "You don't look like a comedian but I'm starting to think that's just what you are."
It was already getting dark but he had lights in the backyard and while he grilled the chicken, she made a salad. She knew some things about him though and she smiled as she also made him a quick batch of biscuits and a baked sweet potato. She was happy she'd done those things when she saw the smile on his face.
What he did after dinner surprised her, but then again she supposed maybe it shouldn't. He'd been living alone for years and he was obviously the tidy kind. Still it was a nice change to see a man get up after dinner and start clearing the table, and filling the sink with suds. He asked, "You the washer or the dryer?"
"I think I'll be the dryer. I'd like to keep this manicure looking nice as long as possible."
"What about my manicure?" They both laughed and it was fun, just the two of them in the little yellow kitchen doing dishes together. "Dinner was real good Beth. Thanks for doin' all that."
"Thank you Daryl, the chicken was awesome."
They took turns going in the bathroom to put their pajamas on. When she came out, he went in, and while she sat on the sofa waiting for him she tried not to think too much about how things would go later.
All those worries temporarily left her when he walked in the room, lifted his arms straight above his head, yawned and stretched. She got a real nice view of that bare upper body, all the way down to and including his happy trail. Even though he didn't catch her looking, she still felt her cheeks turn pink.
He plopped down next to her, took her hand and smiled, "Well so far so good with this livin' together stuff, huh?"
He did it to her again, she laughed a little and played along, "Indeed. I don't see why so many people have trouble with it. Maybe they just know each other too well."
"Ha, yeah. That's it." He grabbed the remote off the table and said, "I don't think I can stay up long enough ta watch a movie. These last couple a days kinda wore on me." Then he did something she'd been told no man would ever do, he handed her the remote. "Why don't ya pick sumthin' out. As long as it ain't a show about fashion models or housewives in Beverly Hills I'll be okay with it."
She had no idea, but he was feeling just as nervous as her about the bedtime situation. Never in a million years would he have suggested she sleep with him in his bed, then she just said it. Like it was no big deal. Shit. He couldn't help having thoughts about the way things could be with her and him. That unopened box of condoms he brought home from Vegas? He'd slipped it in the drawer of his night table, it was just waiting. Then he reminded himself not to get excited. She was there to keep up a show so they could keep the money. That damn box would no doubt still be sealed up tight in a year.
They watched an old episode of some crime drama and when it ended, without even thinking about what he was doing, he patted her thigh, "Ya ready for bed. I sure as hell am, but if ya wanna stay up the TV noise ain't gonna bother me."
"I was yawning through that whole stupid show. Yes, I'm ready."
She used the bathroom first and as she walked out he told her, "Go on ahead n get in bed, I'll be there in a minute Baby." Shit, listen to him. He needed to get a grip.
"Oh. Okay, well which side is yours?"
"I dunno. I usually sleep in the middle. Ya pick a side I'll pick the other." Shit, now what?
He went in the bathroom and she walked in the bedroom. She stood next to the bed, took a deep breath and pulled the covers back, closed her eyes and crawled in. She lay on her side looking toward the wall and away from the other pillow, his pillow. She was so close to the edge she was scared if she sneezed she'd fly off. She waited.
She heard him walk in the room but she didn't look that way, she squinted her eyes shut. He flipped off the light and crawled in the other side, laying on his back as close to the edge as he could get. Barely hanging on. He was anxious, he thought he should say something. All he managed was, "We'll g'nite Beth."
And all she managed was, "Goodnight Daryl."
She'd been sure she'd never be able to fall asleep, but she was so tired she was out almost immediately. He was the same.
The next morning, just like always, he woke early. When he realized what was going on he panicked. He was spooning her and she was snuggled back into him, and he had a killer case of morning wood. But that wasn't even the worst. His hand was on her breast.
He flew off the bed like the mattress was on fire and the words rushed out, "I'll go put some coffee on." And he was out of there.
She thought they must have started waking up at the same time. She remembered dreaming he was holding her close and it felt so good. It was so comforting, but also hotter than any feeling she'd ever had. She could feel him, big and manly and hard and pressed so close to her. Just thinking about it had a warm feeling rushing through her body, and she felt her cheeks turning red with embarrassment over her own thoughts of what might have been. If only he'd stayed there with her.
Oh my gawd she thought, this has trouble written all over it. It's a good thing I'm getting my own bed today. Except it would be so lonely. She'd miss sharing the bed with him, having those big strong arms wrapped around her and their bodies pressed close together.
She walked in the kitchen just as the first of the coffee was beginning to drip in the pot, and she could see by the look on his face he was as embarrassed as her. She decided to just put it out there so hopefully they could move on. "Hey, Honey it's…"
That's all she managed to say before the words rushed out of him, "Shit, I'm sorry Baby. I didn't…it wasn't…I just…ah fuck. I'm sorry."
She walked to him and took his hand in hers. As embarrassing as it was and as tough as it was, she was determined to try and get the words out. She wasn't much more articulate than he'd been, "Hey, Daryl, I was there too and I wasn't exactly fighting you off. We'd been sleeping close, we…well we must have been having…well whatever. It happened and I'm not mad at you." She sighed and held his hand tighter when she said, "It's probably a good thing I'll be sleeping in the other room. You know, in case we have those kinds of dreams again."
She wished more than ever she wasn't moving into the other room. She wished he'd ask her to stay with him, to sleep with him in his bed. Even if all they ever did was just hold each other close.
He didn't though. He just looked at her and said, "Yeah, right, I gotta get ta the bathroom." Neither seeing her pretty face nor hearing her sweet voice were bringing him any comfort. The only thing he could think of that would, would be holding her in his arms again. He was pretty sure that was never going to happen. Not like that. Not curled up in bed together.
He hated the thought of her sleeping in the other room and away from him. He'd almost let himself hope she might want to just keep sleeping with him. Except maybe not really sleeping at all. Shit.
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A/N Confusion and denial abound :) Please leave a comment or review and let me know what you think. If you'd like to see their house and the little yellow kitchen, there's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I hope to see you back next Friday for more of Lady Luck as Beth gets officially moved in and Daryl meets Hershel. Until then remember, I love ya large and appreciate you so much! xo gneebee
