A/N Thank you so much for your comments, follows and faves, I appreciate it very much. You might need your playbook for this chapter, there's a lot going on.
Please keep in mind, Daryl and Beth are both 18 so (Beth excluded), other characters are also far younger than on the show.
They'd fallen asleep but he didn't stay asleep long. He woke to her lying there next to him, her head on his chest. He knew for a fact he was the luckiest guy around. This pretty, sweet and loving girl had given herself to him completely. And there wasn't even the slightest hint of a doubt in his mind how much he loved her. But he also had those nagging thoughts, the ones that told him he was never going to be good enough for her, that he didn't deserve this and he shouldn't have taken this step with her.
But when she seemed to be burrowing in closer to him seeking warmth, it just made him want her, need her more. She awoke to him nuzzling her neck and running his fingertips lightly on her upper arm. "Hey Baby." He had that little half grin and she thought he looked kind of nervous, "I want ya Beth, can we?"
She smiled and nodded.
He started kissing her then and his hand moved from her arm to her breast. Soon they were making love with an energy that said they hadn't just done this thirty minutes ago.
When they were again satisfied and spent he smiled at her, "Shit Baby I'm starvin'. I ain't hardly ate a thing all day I's so nervous 'bout all this."
"Me too and I didn't even think about bringing food."
"Ya wasn't s'pose ta worry 'bout that. I'ma order pizza, that way we ain't even gotta leave, sound good?"
"Perfect."
They ate their pizza in bed with the TV on low. He was drinking a beer and she was sipping on a hard lemonade. He looked at her and he seemed so serious and almost kind of sad, "I wish we could just stay here Beth, never leave this place. We'd be safe here."
She didn't understand, "Safe from what Daryl?"
"Everythin' and everyone. I could see just livin' right here in this little cabin if you was here with me. I'd never need anythin' more than this."
As good as that sounded to her, she was thinking he sounded like he might be going to that dark place of his. She tried lightening the mood. "Well you'll have to add-on a room or two, you know for Max, Wes and Anabelle."
He smiled back, but then he said, "Yeah we'll keep 'em safe here too, away from the world and people that could hurt 'em."
"Daryl there are more good people in the world than bad people."
"I know ya believe that but I don't know Baby, I ain't convinced there's many good ones left."
"Don't let yourself go there please. Don't convince yourself again that you and the world and all the people in it are bad. We're having a good time Daryl, a special time. Enjoy it."
That brought him back to her, he chewed on his bottom lip for just a minute and he nodded, "You're right Baby, this here has been perfect. Was it, ya know the love thing, was it like ya thought it was gonna be?"
She was a little embarrassed but she answered, "I knew what happens and all, but I didn't really know exactly how it would work and how it would feel, you know, with you inside me and I was a little scared. I like it Daryl, I like it with you. I can't imagine doing that with anyone else, ever."
"I can't imagine doin' it with no one but you Baby. Far as I'm concerned there ain't no one but you, you're always gonna be mine and I'm always gonna be yours." And with all of his heart that's what he wanted to believe.
They stayed up late and finished the beers and the hard lemonade, they snuggled and they talked about how perfect their lives would be in a little cabin a lot like this one. They talked about their future children, how they'd raise those children and what they wanted for them.
That's when he finally gave voice to one of the things that had been bothering him for so long. "Fuck Baby, what if I'm like my old man? I keep worryin' about that, what if I turn out like him now that I'm grown? What if I was ta start hurtin' ya an then hurtin' our babies?"
"Daryl please don't say that. If you were that way it would have showed itself by now. You've been plenty mad at me quite a few times, just like I've been mad at you, and never once have you ever raised a hand to me. I'm not worried and I don't want you to worry either. Please Daryl, please let yourself enjoy this life we're going to have."
When they woke in the morning he reached for her once more and she didn't turn him away, as long as they'd waited for this, played around the edges of it, they weren't going to pass up an opportunity.
She called her Mama and told her she'd be home sometime after lunch, that she and Amy were going to listen to some music for a while, then have lunch out. Mama didn't question it at all, and again Beth felt a little guilty for lying, but not enough that she wished she hadn't, or that things hadn't happened the way they did. She was happy to have taken this step with Daryl. She knew she'd never have any regrets about it.
At first they just joked about taking a shower together, and then they looked in one another's eyes, smiled and got in that small space together. It was a pretty tight squeeze but they weren't bothered by that one bit. They decided when they got married their house was going to have a nice big shower.
When he couldn't put it off any longer, when they had to leave, he felt a kind of deep sadness, almost a sense of dread. He didn't want to leave this place, this little cabin. He really did wish they could just stay right there, forever. Life would be good then, he knew it would.
They drove back to town with her sitting just as close to him as she could get. She sang along with the radio, ran her hand randomly along his thigh, and every once in a while she'd lean up and kiss his cheek or teasingly stick her tongue in his ear and laugh. Daryl was as happy as he ever allowed himself to be.
In spite of all his self-doubt and all his fears, he knew he loved Beth and that as long as they were together he could be happy. She kept him even, kept him on track.
He parked behind the diner, right next to her Mama's car. He quickly put her things in the backseat, and they went inside for lunch. They were so hungry their stomachs were rumbling. He had two double cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings and a chocolate milkshake. She had soup, salad and a grilled cheese.
He whispered, "Damn girl ya used up all my energy an all the calories I was storin' away. I don't think I'm ever gonna get full again."
She smiled and whispered back, "Yeah well don't you go blaming me Daryl Dixon I think I lost five pounds thanks to you!"
They shared a kiss out behind the little diner and found it difficult to separate, but they knew they had to and that they both needed to get home. "I'ma take a nap an do what I gotta do, then I'll text ya n see if we can go for a ride after while or sumthin'. Damn I don't wanna leave ya Baby. Love ya Beth."
"I love you too, and Daryl I'm always going to love you, I promise."
xxxx
Just twelve days later they attended Amy and Caesar's wedding. The ceremony was held in the small church Amy's family attended. Afterward her Mama and Daddy gave an outdoor reception in their yard.
The day was beautiful, not too unbearably hot. There were canopies and lots of shade trees and that helped keep things pleasant. Everything was decorated in shades of pale green and lavender, Amy's favorite colors. She looked so pretty in a simple tea length dress, and Caesar was a handsome groom in a dark tan suit and white shirt, and he was so in love with Amy he wore a lavender tie, just for her.
Caesar's Dad and his brother Javier had built a small dance floor, and Javier was the D.J. The mood was fun and celebratory just as it should be, but it was tinged with just a little bit of melancholy. Caesar would be leaving for boot camp in two short weeks.
They were hoping after boot camp he'd be stationed right here in Georgia. Amy's Daddy had a friend, a training officer stationed at Fort Benning, who was a higher up at The Maneuver Center. In an effort to keep Caesar close to home he'd put in a request for the young man to train under him, after he completed his basic training.
If it all worked out Amy and Caesar would be living in military housing at Fort Benning, only a couple hour's drive away. That's what the newlyweds hoped for. Beth hoped for it too so she could still be close to her friend.
After a two night honeymoon in Atlanta, they'd come back and stay with Amy's folks. Amy would continue living with them until Caesar got a post.
Her Daddy's Army friend attended the wedding. He was a big muscled looking man, older, maybe in his early thirties. He had a shock of red hair and the sort of presence that made it seem as though he was "in command" of the scene.
Beth noticed the man's eyes following her everywhere. It wasn't like he was leering, or being creepy or threatening in any way, it reminded her of that expression people use, "he couldn't take his eyes off her." Even though she had no interest in the big man, she found it flattering.
It was apparent Daryl hadn't missed it either, and what Beth noticed was that Daryl was practically glued to her. He either had his arm around her, or he was holding her hand constantly. When they danced he held her so close she was almost embarrassed in front of Amy's and Caesar's folks, but she didn't complain, she liked this attention from Daryl, and this little bit of jealousy. He even did something he never did in public situations, he kissed her, three different times.
Still it seemed the soldiers' eyes never left her. At one point Daryl had to leave her long enough to use the bathroom, he'd had two beers and nature was definitely calling. As soon as he went in the house the big soldier walked over to her. "Good afternoon Miss my name's Abraham Ford, I've been wanting to say hello to you."
She was surprised by how softly and quietly he spoke, she'd heard him talking to others at the party and it seemed he had a voice as commanding as his presence. "Hello Abraham I'm Beth Greene, Amy is my best friend."
"How nice. When Amy and Caesar get stationed at Benning, and I'm confident they will, I hope you'll be down for a visit. I'd be happy to give you a tour of the base."
"That sounds very nice. Thank you." And suddenly Daryl was there with his arm around her waist, and she swore he about crushed her he pulled her so close to him.
He thrust a hand out to the soldier, "Name's Daryl Dixon, I'm with Beth and she's with me." Abraham Ford just smiled, shook Daryl's hand and said, "Well you're a lucky man Daryl Dixon." Then he nodded his head once to her, "Miss." And he walked back toward Amy's Daddy.
"Shit, I knew the minute I left ya he'd be on ya. He wasn't makin' no moves was he Beth?"
"No Daryl, not at all. He just introduced himself that was it." There was no way she was telling Daryl about the offer of a tour. Even though she did kind of get turned on by Daryl being a little jealous, she wasn't going to let anything escalate.
As the young couple meandered around sipping on their drinks they saw something so disturbing they both gasped. Shane and Lori were behind the garden shed. They were kissing like they meant to do a whole lot more, and Shane was lifting the hem of her skirt and getting awfully personal.
Beth and Daryl were shocked, Lori and Rick were supposed to be getting married next summer as soon as he completed his police officer's training program.
Daryl was chewing that lip when he asked her, "Shit am I s'pose ta tell Rick? I don't know what the hell ta do or say."
"I don't either. Why don't I call Lori tomorrow and see what she has to say about this, we'll think more about what to do then."
As it turned out, they didn't have to worry about it. Rick got off work early and came by to help celebrate the newlyweds. He saw it with his own eyes.
Rick didn't want to cause a scene, ruin Amy and Caesar's wedding party. So he just took a deep breath and calmly walked over to the couple, held out an open palm to her and said, "Give me back my ring." Then he looked to Shane, "You and me buddy, count on it."
Daryl was in awe of his friend; he would never have been able to act that cool. But Rick could be like that, calm and cool on the outside even when that fire was burning in his gut. Shane's eyes were shooting darts at Rick, and Lori was crying like someone had broken her heart, instead of like she'd just tromped on Rick's.
Thankfully everyone else seemed to have missed the entire exchange.
Except the big redheaded soldier. He hadn't missed a thing because his eyes still hadn't left Beth.
xxxx
By midsummer they were exhausted from the hours they were working and from trying to find time to just to be together. It put a strain on them both, not on their relationship exactly, it was more that they felt pressured. Pressured to work hard, pressured to save money, pressured to find alone time and even pressured to try and find the time to sleep.
He was back to working 6:30a – 6:00p Monday through Saturday. The hours were long but he was glad to have the work. The boss had decided roofing was Daryl's best skill. He helped out with the other work as needed, but he was primarily being trained in roofing. He could already imagine someday owning his own roofing company.
With his crazy hours she'd taken on extra work. She was back full time at the day care and back to taking care of the infants, which she loved.
She did that Monday through Friday 7:00am – 5:30pm. But she'd also taken a Saturday morning job, working the counter at the dry cleaners. Who knew Saturday morning was when people liked to drop off and pick up their cleaning? The pay wasn't great but the work wasn't hard and it was that little bit extra. Plus Daryl was working anyway so she thought she may as well do something.
And then there was Amy. When she wasn't working, or with Daryl, or trying to get a few hours of sleep, she was spending her time with Amy. Her friend would be leaving before long, when Caesar got stationed somewhere for training or schooling or whatever happened next. Mostly it was all afternoon on Saturdays, before Beth had to get ready for her regular Saturday date night with Daryl. She and Amy would go to lunch, or go to a movie, or just hang out at Amy's and talk about Caesar and Daryl and what all their high school friends were up to now, especially Lori and Shane.
They'd gone public with their relationship. Amy had heard that Lori's Mama and Daddy were so mad they were spitting nails, they'd always thought Rick was a great catch and they genuinely liked him. But Shane? Well there wasn't anyone in town that didn't know about his reputation with girls.
Everyone felt sure that someday Lori would deeply regret giving up a great guy like Rick Grimes, especially for a ladies man like Shane Walsh.
For his part Rick was sticking with his training program and his part time job, and staying away from women altogether.
xxxx
The young couple was anxiously waiting for July 4th weekend. They both had three days off this year and they planned to spend the majority of that time at their special spot by the creek. Daryl had splurged on a two person tent that he was going to set up and leave for the weekend.
They were hosting a big 4th of July party, the only guests were going to be the two of them. They'd spend the weekend listening to music, cooking out, swimming, fishing and Daryl was bringing his crossbow.
Mostly they just wanted to relax and have the time to be together, alone. Of course she was still living at home, and there were still her parent's rules for as long as she continued to live with them. But there was a big stretch of day and night before she had to be home at midnight.
That first morning she drove to "their" spot in Mama's car, loaded down with a cooler full of hot dogs, macaroni and potato salads, and big chunks of watermelon. There was also a pan of brownies just for Daryl, a huge bag of potato chips and one of Doritos. She had her Ipod and her Pill, the blanket and the beach chairs.
He was there waiting. He had the tent set up with the sleeping bag laying spread open inside. He'd built the fire ring and he had wood stacked nearby. He had a cooler too, full of cokes and just one six pack of beer and one of hard lemonade.
He got everything out of her car and organized, and then he took her in his arms. "Damn girl I just miss ya so much. I'm always thinkin' 'bout that little cabin where we stayed, wishin' we could be there together."
"I know me too. At least we have our creek here and it's almost the same as there. And someday Daryl, someday we'll have a little cabin on a creek."
"Really Beth? Would ya really want that, ya wouldn't be disappointed ta not live in town, or in some bigger city?"
"Daryl I'm a farm girl, remember? I can't think of anything better than living in a cabin by a creek with you, Max, Wes and Anabelle."
He snorted then. "Yeah, them kids are gonna have ta go right ta work cuz I'ma be sittin' around on the porch, drinkin' beer an eatin' brownies all day."
Suddenly he took hold of her, wrapped her in his arms and kissed her hard and deep, "I want ya, I need ya Baby, I been needin' ya." And with that they crawled into the small tent.
"Did ya bring your swimmin' suit?"
"Well of course I did, I can't just keep losing shirts you know!" They laughed and then he shrugged a shoulder at her, flushed a little red and said, "Maybe we don't need swimsuits."
"Daryl Dixon you devil you!" She laughed and yelled, "Last one in is a rotten egg!" And they were stripped down and running naked into that water, laughing and grabbing and enjoying being 18 years old, alone at their creek making love and skinny dipping.
When she had to go home he figured he might as well too. "I'll pick ya up in the mornin' at eight, K?"
She smiled, nodded and he gave her one more deep kiss before they went their separate ways.
When he got home Merle and Carol were waiting for him. Damn it was midnight what the hell could be wrong? "Hey Little Brother have a seat, we need ta talk."
"Shit ya got me scared, can I get a beer?"
"Yeah sure kid."
He came back with the beer and his brother spoke, "It ain't nuthin' bad kid, it's just that things are changin'. Yer takin' next Friday afternoon an all day Saturday off work, I already squared it with the boss an we're cool. Friday yer meetin' Carol an me at the courthouse an me an her are gettin' married. Saturday you an me are movin' our stuff ta her house, it's bigger. You'll still have yer own room n all, an it ain't no further for ya ta get ta work or Blondie's place."
"Well shit I thought y'all was gonna tell me someone died or sumthin'. Congratulations Merle, an I'm sorry for ya Carol." And he snorted out a laugh.
"Yeah well that ain't all of it kid."
"What?"
"Seems yer Big Brother didn't practice what he preaches. Yer gonna be an uncle in 'bout six months."
Daryl could swear he felt his mouth fall open, wide. It wasn't like Merle was too old or anything, shit he was only 12 years older than Daryl, he'd just turned 30. It's just that it was something Daryl would have never expected, his big brother bein' someone's Daddy.
And his mind was working. "Well y'all ain't gonna want me livin' there, you're gonna be a family an all. Don't need a kid brother hangin' around. I'll look for a place on my own."
That's when Carol spoke, "No Daryl we want you with us. You are family and an important part of our lives. I want you to be a big part of the baby's life. Please. We love you."
She shocked Daryl when she spoke those words to him. He couldn't think of what to say, so he just nodded and said, "Thanks."
Merle stood then, put an arm around his brother's shoulders and got serious with him, "Don't go there kid, don't get all in yer head and go dark on me. Ya know ya mean the world ta me, I don't want ya off on yer own, I want ya with me." Daryl just nodded and chewed the side of that thumb.
He told her about Merle and Carol the next day at camp. "I think it's wonderful Daryl your brother's in love, that doesn't mean he doesn't love you too. We're in love but you live with Merle and you love him. And Carol's so nice and she's been good to us, and Daryl there's going to be a baby! Now that's exciting."
She always did have that way of making him feel better about things.
As soon as Mama and Daddy got wind of the impending marriage they insisted on having a little family celebration Friday evening.
Friday afternoon Beth managed to get someone to cover for her at the day care, long enough so she could slip out and attend the brief ceremony. Daryl, still in his work clothes, stood with Merle and it seemed Carol hadn't even thought about asking someone so Beth stood with her.
Merle and Carol both seemed happy when the judge was done and they were married. She'd never seen Merle smile so big. After he'd kissed his bride he shook Daryl's hand and said, "See kid, ya got a sister now. It's all gonna be good, I promise ya Baby Brother. Anyway, I s'pose you n Blondie here will be the next ta take the plunge."
Then he kissed Beth on the cheek, "Thanks for comin' girl, see ya later at yer folks."
Mama put on a real nice dinner for the newlyweds, she'd even made a small wedding cake. Everyone seemed happy and even Daryl smiled.
Saturday, as soon as she got off work, she went to Carol's. She was going to offer to help with the unpacking, but she was also anxious to see where Daryl would be living.
It was a cute little cottage style home, old but perfectly maintained. She was helping Carol rearrange things in the kitchen cabinets. Carol reached for something in a high cabinet, her shirt rose up and that's when Beth saw the scarring on her back, not unlike Daryl's. She was shocked and sad, but she'd never let on she'd seen it and she'd never ask about it. Maybe someday she'd hear the story.
They were in his new room. "This is nice Daryl and the house is so cute. You'll see, you'll be happy here."
He was chewing that bottom lip, "Yeah okay, it's just I ain't ever really felt like I have a home Beth, like I really belong somewhere. Not a house or an apartment, but a home. Ya know what I mean? Where I feel like it's home. I know Merle's been good ta me, an your folks an all. And I'm happy for Merle an Carol, I am. I just wish you an me could get married real soon, get us our own place, a home, an we'd never move again."
"We will Daryl, we will soon. We're doing so good with our savings, we're almost there."
A/N Lots happened for our couple, and not just in their own lives but also the lives of those around them. Next chapter we have a time jump. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'd very much appreciate hearing your comments and reviews. Thanks so much xo
To see the chapter photo please visit my tumblr blog bethylmethbrick See you next Thursday!
