A/N We had a lot going on last chapter, let's see what we can stir up this week :)
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They stayed just until the meal was complete and they'd said their "thank yous" to the host and hostess, and yet it was already two thirty by the time they started for home. "I feel bad Daryl you must be exhausted, are you sure you're up to a long drive home?"
"Yeah I got it. If I get too tired we'll stop but I'd like ta just get my ass home."
She smiled, "You were amazing today Daryl. Thank you for showing me how much you care and that you're proud to be with me"
"Ya don't gotta thank me. I'd be a real dick if I let people get away with treatin' ya like that. They were wrong an I just tried ta help 'em see that. An I want people ta know I love ya. I'm a lucky guy."
In spite of everything they'd shared his words still made her blush. "Well I think you went above and beyond and I'll never forget it. The thing with the place cards really got poor Beverly shook up."
"I meant what I said. I'd already put up with that crap last night, the sittin' apart thing they do. I come with the person I wanted ta sit with. An just like I told her, if she didn't wanna move them cards around an let me sit by ya, well we could just be on our way. Besides I told ya I wasn't leavin' your side an I meant it."
He was hard not to love.
They talked a lot about the art they'd seen, what they liked or didn't like and why. They both agreed with the old saying that if you like it then it's good art. And Daryl told her about the people he'd spoken with. "I got offered three more commission jobs an agreed ta two of 'em. One I'm doin' is a piece for a guy outta Miami who wants a tabletop sculpture of sea life on a coral reef. I ain't done that before an I like the idea. The other is for a guy from over in Pensacola. He has a young grandson an he wanted a child holdin' the string of a balloon lookin' up at it and laughin'. I don't usually do fanciful stuff an hardly ever a kid. But the way the guy talked about that little boy made me want ta do it."
"Oh I love both of those ideas. Can I ask what you turned down?"
"Sure. What the guy wanted was fine with me, a carving of a boat ta look just like his old wooden Chris Craft. But when I told him I had a lotta work an I was runnin' at about two an a half years lead time, he asked me to put my other jobs aside an do his first, he said he'd pay extra. I don't work like that, it ain't right."
Just hearing him say that, it showed more of the man he was, the goodness of him, and it reinforced for her how happy she was she hadn't just walked away from him in her hurt and anger. That instead she'd chosen to listen to his story. "You're a good man Daryl."
"I don't know 'bout that but I like ta think I'm a fair man. I don't put anyone in front a anyone else just cuz they got more money."
"Because you're a good man."
xxxxx
It was ten o'clock, and they were just about thirty minutes from home. He took her hand and quietly asked, "Will ya stay with me tonight?"
She didn't have to think about it, "Yes."
It was late when they got in but they'd agreed a glass of wine would definitely help them de-stress after the long drive and big weekend. They sat on the sofa just quietly holding hands and he began to speak, "I ain't been ta one a those things in a long time. I knew I didn't care for 'em but I always thought it was just the socializin' part that I didn't feel comfortable with. That an feelin' like I was s'pose ta be sellin' myself. But now I got a clearer picture. So many a them people are so fake, they just ain't good people."
"But there were good people there too Daryl. I met some nice ones. But I understand what you're saying and I do agree there were some particularly mean ones. We won't mention names."
They both laughed softly then, they'd managed to put the hurt behind them. He set his glass down on the coffee and she set hers next to it. They didn't have to talk about it they knew where they wanted to be. He stood and held his hand out to her and she smiled as she took it and they walked to his room.
His bedroom was like none she'd ever seen in person or in a magazine. Like the rest of his home it spoke to his masculinity and yet seemed so warm and inviting. She didn't see anything she didn't like. The floors were hardwood but there was a huge area rug that went to within inches of the baseboards. And she wasn't at all surprised to see he had a king size bed with a carved headboard. The design was simple, a sort of free form pattern that gave a sense like water flowing and imparted a feeling of tranquility.
The bed was covered with a unique and quite folksy quilt. She'd never seen one like it. The pattern itself was simply a traditional box pattern, but the various fabrics used all appeared to be from plaid flannel work shirts. It was the kind of thing that if someone had told her about it she may have scrunched her nose up, but she loved it, it suited him perfectly.
"Where in the world did you get this quilt Daryl?"
He smiled at it and her, "Different ain't it? I bought it from a lady up in Appalachia who made it from the scraps of her husband an boys' old work shirts. "
One entire wall of the large room was lined with thick wood shelves filled with books on every type of art a person could think of, as well as art periodicals and journals. There were also shelves of books related to woods and wood carving. He even had a collection of classic novels, Jack London, John Steinbeck and Mark Twain, and they all looked to be originals or close to it.
But it was what was placed between the rows of books that further endeared him to her. He had his carvings. Ones he'd whittled when he was just a little boy, all the way through to his present work. It was like his own personal art history. She wanted to touch each one, they were each a part of him, a part of who he was. Seeing his creations displayed this way made her feel even closer to Daryl.
He had a reading corner with a pair of overstuffed chairs and a beautiful antique bronze floor lamp in between. Each chair had a small side table and she could just imagine herself curled up in one of those chairs reading for hours.
She excused herself to use the bathroom, and as she walked in the en suite she was struck by the feeling it was too nice to be a bathroom. There was rich wood cabinetry, a beautiful six foot claw footed bathtub, and a huge separate shower. The dual vessel sinks had a mosaic pattern of stone in varying beige tones, broken up with occasional rich browns. The counter top was recycled glass like the kitchen, but in far more earthy tones.
When she came from the bathroom she saw he was just pulling the covers down on the bed. He turned to her wordlessly, simply looking into her eyes as he slowly and methodically began removing her clothes. As each article of clothing was discarded he paused to kiss the skin it had covered, gently running his fingertips and lips over the ivory skin, telling her without words just how beautiful he believed her to be, how perfect. This careful, slow process brought with it a heightened sense of longing and anticipation like she had never felt. With each touch she craved more.
When only her panties remained he lifted her up and laid her on the bed. Then she watched as he stood beside that bed and removed his own clothes, never taking his eyes from her. He slid under the big quilt and at first they just held each other, each softly gliding their hands along the others' body, enjoying the sensual feeling of skin on skin. As the touching grew more and more intense they sought to pleasure each other.
xxxxx
They'd fallen asleep sated and exhausted by their lovemaking, and so when her phone began ringing at seven a.m they were both startled awake. She glanced at the caller I.D. and had a moment of panic, "Maggie? Is something wrong?"
What her sister told her had her off the phone and talking to him in a nervous tone. "Apparently someone was taking photos at the brunch yesterday. There are pictures on the Internet of you kissing me, with Paula looking on, and I guess there's even one of you with your hand on my butt. Maggie says they're everywhere on the art blogs and even on mainstream social media." She'd been worried he was going to react badly to this news, he was such a private person. Sure he may have done those things in front of the few people at the brunch, but she'd bet he never anticipated the next day there would be photos on the internet.
She couldn't have been more surprised when he started to laugh. "Hang on I'll get the laptop an we'll check it out."
They sat side by side in his bed as he scrolled through the sites. There were plenty of snarky headlines and comments, "Has The Reclusive Sculptor Been Hiding Out With A Sexy Secret?"
The New York Post's "Page Six" had the photo of Paula looking on, with a decidedly sour glare, as Daryl was holding Beth close and kissing her head, it was titled, "Sculptor Scraps Sculptor for Pretty Painter."
Brief articles on various sites told of the party, who attended and how the Sculptor had made it very clear to everyone present he was with the painter and he would not be separated from her. There was even the story of him telling the hostess if the place cards weren't moved so he was seated with the petite blond painter, he'd be leaving.
They remembered thinking they were being sneaky when for just a moment, as they stood in a far corner, his arms had wrapped around her and they'd shared a passionate kiss. That photo title read, "Sculptor Announces Pretty Young Painter is the Love of His Life, Then Demonstrates."
He looked at her smiling, "Well I guess the word is out." He was stunned by his own casual attitude. He would normally be embarrassed and angry. By now he'd be trying to find who'd taken the photos and who'd posted them, just so he could kick their ass. But he found he didn't care one bit if the world knew he loved Beth Greene.
Her phone rang again, oh no, "Mama?"
Evidently Maggie had called Mama and Daddy to let them know their younger daughter was getting lots of publicity, and apparently had a very serious boyfriend. "Okay Mama, yes, yes, I'm so sorry, I had no idea. I'll call you in just a little while, I promise. Okay, I'll talk to him. I love you Mama, please don't be mad and don't worry. Everything is fine, better than fine."
The thought of a Mama calling had never even occurred to him. He hadn't answered to a parent in years. The worst he ever expected was Merle calling to razz him, but shit Merle did that damn near everyday anyway. He knew his brother was going to give him a ration over this, but he also knew Merle would be happy for him. He'd been telling him for years he needed to find himself a good woman.
But yeah, this parent thing, this was different. "Your Mama's mad at ya?"
"Definitely. Mad I didn't tell them about you, mad I would leave the state and not let them know, and mad I got my picture taken kissing a man in public. My folks are very conservative, old-fashion. I'm going to kill Maggie for this one. She probably thought she was being funny calling them. I know them well enough to know the only thing they ever look at on the Internet is the weather and the farm report."
"So now what? What do ya do ta get off Mama an Daddy's shit list?"
"That's where you come in. They want me bringing you to Sunday dinner next week. Mama didn't even ask if maybe you'd like to. She was so angry she just said, 'You bring that man to dinner next Sunday so me and Daddy can meet this fella you think you ought to be kissing in front of the whole world.'"
He couldn't stop himself, he started laughing then, "So how old did ya say ya are?"
That made her laugh too, "That doesn't matter one bit to them, I'm always going to be their baby girl."
"Well I think that's kinda nice. They're looking out for ya, could be worse, what if they didn't give a shit what ya did? So exactly what kinda wing ding do they throw down on the farm?"
"You'd go?"
"Well yeah, it seems fair. I sure don't wanna have your Mama pissed off. Your Daddy have a gun does he?"
"Yes, more than one."
"I'll try n be on my best behavior."
He fixed them coffee and eggs and they sat together at the table as she told him about her family, the farm and growing up in a very conservative household.
"K, I won't cuss, I won't kiss ya, I won't grab your butt an I'll try ta act like I'm a decent guy."
"You're much better than just decent Daryl. You'll really go?"
"Well I ain't exactly all excited ta go look down the barrel a your Daddy's shotgun, while he's givin' me the stink eye an your Mama hollers at me, but I will. They're your Mama an Daddy."
They tried to hurry across the courtyard unseen, him carrying her bags and both of them smiling happily. They didn't see Tara as she watched them from the office window. He opened Beth's door and walked her in the apartment as Tara continued to watch. When he came out again and his smile was even bigger all she could think was she hadn't seen him look this happy ever. She kept watching until he disappeared into his own place.
She was still smiling to herself as she turned from the office window and went back to her desk. She felt the tiniest bit guilty for spying, but not really. She'd seen the photos on the internet and she'd been pretty certain that the one of them kissing was legit, it hadn't been photoshopped. And now she knew for sure.
He no sooner got back in his door than his phone was ringing. Merle. "Hey brother."
"Hey yourself little brother, anythin' interestin' happen this weekend?"
"Not that I remember."
"Doncha be playin' them games with me, I'm your big brother ya gotta tell me everythin'. Besides if I don't find out everythin' Karen's gonna make me sleep on the couch tonight." And then he started in with that Merle laugh and Daryl just snickered and shook his head.
"Well I wouldn't wanna be responsible for breakin' up your happy home. Tell Karen that this may be the only time what she read an saw on the Internet is true."
"Well YeeHaw an Shit Howdy! I'ma tell her right now. Let's all have us a beer tonight an celebrate. Whaddya say?"
"Sure. See y'all about six."
As soon as he pushed the "off" button his phone started ringing again. He looked at the caller idea and went with it, not even giving her a chance to speak, "Yeah it's true Michonne it ain't photoshop. Y'all c'mon over an we'll have a drink in the courtyard bout six."
Then it dawned on him, he hadn't even asked Beth. He texted her and she texted back, "In the tub, yes, sure. xo"
He took his shower, put on fresh work clothes and was off to his studio to get serious about the big commission job, but he did stop in the office to see Tara first. Before she could get a word out he told her, "Yeah it's true. An no, I ain't givin' details. You're gonna have ta talk ta Beth. An tonight in the courtyard we're all havin' a drink. Let Denise know, k? Now I gotta go earn my keep."
He felt like his creative energy had been renewed, and he was excited about this thing he was building with Beth. But he also had a new sense of calmness. This was good, they were good together.
He began tackling his commission job head on.
She called Maggie as soon as she got out of the tub. "You're in so much trouble you're lucky to have Joey, otherwise I might disown you forever."
And that darn Maggie just laughed, "Well you brought it on yourself. You should have told me all about this thing with him before it hit the Internet, maybe then I wouldn't have had to call Mama. You can't just come over here one night and cry on my shoulder, drink my wine and make me feel bad because you thought the idiot had a girlfriend. You have to share the juicy goodness too. Otherwise I have to pay you back. Now share that juicy goodness."
"Daryl is not an idiot. Don't say that Maggie. It was a misunderstanding. And as far as the juicy goodness goes all I'm going to say is the relationship has moved quickly and I haven't had time to catch my own breath. So there."
"Joey and I will be over in an hour. I know you'll invite me in if I have him with me."
Maggie could be so pushy but she really was Beth's best friend and she was looking forward to sharing with her sister. Not everything, but a lot of things.
She wasn't in the courtyard and that surprised him. It was a gorgeous day and she'd said if she wasn't busy in the shop she'd be outside. As long as he got to have the usual late morning coffee with her he really didn't care.
He had a cup in each hand as he pushed her shop door open with his knee. A woman immediately said, "Daryl Dixon I'd know you anywhere, I've seen your picture all over the Internet!"
She was a pretty with a big friendly smile and a cute little boy on her hip. "Yeah nice ta see ya, that's right I'm Daryl, do I know ya?"
"Well Daryl I happen to be Beth's superior sister Maggie and this is my sidekick, Joey."
She was every bit the character Beth had said she was, and just as he was having that thought Beth came in from her living quarters. "Hi Daryl, is Maggie harassing you? She has a way of getting on people's nerves, especially mine."
"I ain't gettin' in on this one ladies. Beth I brought ya coffee. I'm sorry Maggie I didn't know you was here. You can have mine, I ain't touched it."
"Aw Beth was right you are quite the guy. Thanks but I can't drink any more coffee today. Joey gets up early and I'd already had a pot by seven."
"Well I'ma let y'all have your time together. I got a sculpture waitin' on me."
"Speaking of sculptures has Beth spoken to you about my friends and family discount?"
Beth thought she'd die right then but he just laughed softly while shaking his head, "Go have ya a look in the shop an make me an offer." He gave them a backhand wave as he walked out the door.
"I swear Maggie you are the most embarrassing creature on the planet."
"Thank you."
But the sisters got more serious as they sat to talk about Beth's quickly blossoming relationship with the Sculptor. "As happy as I am Maggie I'm scared, it's like it's all too perfect, too good to be true."
As only Maggie could do she totally switched gears, becoming almost philosophical as she took Beth's hand, "Bethie you can't spoil a beautiful gift by concentrating your energy worrying about all the things that could go wrong. Allow yourself to believe you and Daryl deserve this."
"You're right Maggie, I'm not going to let anything spoil this projecting."
He was at her door just before six, holding two bottles of wine in a carrier. His hand went to her hair as he drew her in for a soft kiss. "I's thinkin', if ya could get away this weekend maybe we could go ta the cabin, spend time there. We could leave there late Sunday mornin' in plenty a time ta get ta your folk's place for Sunday dinner."
"Oh my gosh that sounds just right Daryl. After the weekend we've had I think it's what we need, time alone." And now he smiled and wrapped her in a tight hug, "Thanks Darlin' I's hopin' you'd see it that way."
They got just what they expected from the group gathered in the courtyard, plenty of good natured teasing about being all over the Internet, just like a couple of movie stars. Even Denise teased Daryl, "Gee is the paparazzi going to start following you two around?"
But mostly everyone was just happy for the love and happy with the feeling their small group was now complete.
Merle quietly commented to his brother, "I's hopin' ya was gonna be proud brother an not worryin' bout the world knowin'. Ya deserved this an I'm glad ya got it."
xxxxx
They left as soon as they could on Friday afternoon, opting to take the SUV rather than the motorcycle. It wasn't just the cooler of food they'd packed. He teased her, "Can ya just see us pullin' up on the bike for this first meet? Your Daddy'd have my ass shot before I ever got off the damn thing."
"Stop it Daryl, Daddy's a peace loving man."
"Yeah well he's still your Daddy an he knows I touched your butt. Thank God he don't know for sure about all the other stuff I touched."
"You are so bad Mister Dixon, is that the kind of thing I'm going to have to listen to all weekend?"
"Nah Darlin' I hadn't exactly planned on makin' ya listen about it, I's hopin' you'd wanna participate in some of it."
She couldn't help herself he always managed to get a laugh from her.
They arrived just as the last light of day was fading. The night was supposed to be chilly and the first thing he did was build a small fire in the stove, the only source of heat for the little cabin. She stayed busy putting the food and the few clothes they'd brought away.
She'd been leaning down, putting the cream for their coffee and a carton of eggs in the fridge. Her back was to him as she stood and he moved in close, his arms wrapping around her. They were silent as he nuzzled his face into her loose curls and slowly his hand moved to her hair, gently taking hold of it and pulling it aside. He began licking and sucking at the delicate skin of her neck and ear, and the only sounds in the small cabin were the cracking of the logs in the fire, and the low moans coming from her.
He knew her body well enough to know her breasts were hypersensitive and she enjoyed his touches there. He slid his free hand under the thin sweater she wore, while continuing his attentions to her neck and ear. He gently caressed her breast before lightly pinching and teasing her already taut nipple, while her soft sounds of pleasure encouraged him.
Before she knew quite what had happened her sweater and bra had been tossed on a chair and he was whispering in her ear, "Ya ain't properly dressed ta be standin' out here in the cool air, we better get ya in bed an covered up."
She responded only with an "mmm," as she leaned her body closer into his. He reached his hands further down undoing the button on her jeans and lowering the zipper, wasting no time removing them and her panties, "Let's get ya ta that bed an see if I can't warm ya up."
He slipped in next to her and she smiled, "I'd love to share your body heat." The lovemaking was intense but also relaxed in this quiet cabin that seemed so far removed from everyday life.
They lay quietly afterwards as he held her close to him, lightly running his fingertips up and down her neck and arm and kissing her forehead, her lips and even her nose. She whispered, "I've been wanting to lay with you in this feather bed ever since the first time I saw it."
"Ya shoulda told me Darlin' ya know I always wanna make ya happy." She almost giggled, but he muffled that with a deep kiss.
When his stomach growled loudly they both laughed, "Ya made me work up a helluva appetite, I better feed us."
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As much as they hated to leave he sure didn't want to be late getting to the farm for Sunday dinner. He didn't just need to pass muster with her folks, he wanted to. He planned to have her in his life forever and they were her people, a part of her. That made them and their approval important to him.
He saw the front curtain separate slightly as they pulled up to the big farmhouse, and soon her Daddy and Mama, plus her sister, the little fella and another man Daryl assumed was Maggie's husband, were all on the porch.
His stomach felt like one big flaming knot of anxiety. Sure he'd been stuck in all kinds of social situations in recent years, but these people were Beth's family and he was feeling the pressure of that.
He nodded his head to her Mama while he shook her Daddy's hand, "Thanks for invitin' me Miz Greene, Mr. Greene, Beth here has bragged on ya both an I been lookin' forward ta meetin' ya."
Maggie introduced him to Glenn and as they shook hands Glenn whispered, "Welcome to life in1890's America." Daryl wasn't sure what that meant until he walked in the old farmhouse. It was a throwback to a different era and he loved it. The old wood plank floors, the heavy oak and mahogany furnishings, and the lace curtains, tablecloth and doilies. Glenn was right. "Ya got a real nice place here, lots of great old wood. I can tell ya take proper care of it too, that ya appreciate it's beauty."
Mama was officially won over. Daddy well he had to give him the business, at least a little, "Don't they have barbers down there in Savannah?"
Daryl smirked at the older man, "They do Sir, maybe sometime I oughta pay a call on one of 'em."
He didn't get flustered and that made Daddy smile, "Alright then. I hope y'all are hungry because I sure am." That's when Daryl saw even more clearly what Glenn meant, this really was a throwback to a different era. As the men sat down at the table waiting to be served, the women went to the kitchen to bring the food. Daryl had never seen anything like it. Glenn must have noticed the look on his face as again he whispered, "Maggie would kill me if I acted like this at home but it's the way they do it here."
He did think the prayer was nice, as far as he knew no one in his family had ever said a prayer out loud. And the meal was right up his alley, simple country fare and lots of it. Even her Daddy giving him the third degree about his work, the business in general and how in the world a man could make a living carving wood, he was charmed by all of it. He understood her Daddy was just looking out for her. He reckoned if he had a daughter he'd be worse. And he was pleased that everyone seemed to be okay having him there.
He was especially happy that Beth didn't hold back. She openly took his hand in front of them, and she'd insisted on sitting next to him at the dinner table. It felt like this had made it official with her family, they were together.
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On their way back to Savannah they chatted about their weekend and how romantic and relaxing it had been at the cabin. They agreed if they could figure a way to spend every weekend there they would.
They'd been out of cell phone range since Friday when they'd first started getting close to the cabin, so they'd just turned their phones off. They didn't bother turning them back on until they'd walked into his living room. She had a few texts but he had so many he didn't think he could read them all, so he just looked at the first one, from Michonne and the one from Merle. Michonne's simply said, "ASAP get on the Page Six site, unbelievable."
He hurried to turn on the laptop and went right to Page Six. There was the huge headline reading: "Scandal Rocks the Art World," beneath it was Paula's picture.
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A/N Thanks so much for reading along. I wonder what Paula is up to now?! Please leave a comment / review x gneebee
The chapter photo is posted on my tumblr bethylmethbrick please check it out. I'd also appreciate if you'd check out some of my other stories. I'll see you next Thursday for more of The Wood Sculptor. As always, I love ya large! xo gneebee
