AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thanks guys for reading and the comments; alliesmiley2, Guest, malzateb, DarylDixon'sLover, Kasey, Guest, Kaylah, Bethfan and Ameliya86 (",) here's the next chapter for you guys, it's up quicker than I intended to post it.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Walking Dead or its characters
Apologies in advance for any spelling and grammatical errors.
The Rookie and The Deputy
Chapter 10
Beth wonders around the shops, window shopping. She has no income for a whole week and she was fretting what she was going to do when her rent is due at the end of the month, how she will get groceries without a week's wages? She came to the conclusion, she'll have to dip into her savings to cover the shortfall, it was never meant to be dipped into she sighed, she was saving it for a new car or a deposit for a bigger flat. But she thanked god she had some savings, she thanked god she listened to her father!
Flashback
"Daddy! I GOT IN! I GOT IN!" Beth screams running down towards the house skidding to a stop.
"Where's your placement honey?" Her father asks rushing over and catching her in his arms before she fell face down in the mud.
"It's not here!" she pulls a sad face and so does he.
"It's in…it's in…King County!?" Beth reads scrunching up her nose never heard of the place.
Her father sighs with relief that it wasn't in one of the bigger cities, he's had nightmares his baby girl policing in the darker dangerous cities. King County was a good, safe and clean county, he's been there a few times, it was a picturesque place to live and he's heard good things about the Sheriff's Department so it has his seal of approval.
"It's a beautiful town Bethy, you'll love it!" Her father says hugging her and kissing her head.
"I hope Tara and Noah got a placement there too!" She hoped a little worried.
"I have my fingers and toes crossed and anything else I can cross, crossed for you honey!"
Her father shows her his crossed fingers and he crosses his eyes to make her laugh which she does.
He really hoped they did, it would be bearable to let his baby go and be a cop knowing the trio were together. He never liked the idea of this ambitious career decision but she had her heart set on it, she took after her mother.
"Daddy, you got to stop that, I'm not twelve anymore, I'm going to be an Officer of the Law!" She says proudly.
Tara had gone fishing with her father, sister and niece and Noah was helping coaching the little league football team and she was helping around the farm so she wouldn't be able to find out until they all got home.
Today was a significant day for the three and their families, they all put it in their diaries for their appointment letters to come through today, so they arranged to go to their normal hangout McGees to celebrate or commiserate with drinks. Beth would stay at Tara's so if she did get tipsy then her father wouldn't find out and witness his angel drunk, it happened rarely but she wanted to let loose with her friends whatever the letters said, they were going off to become cops.
"Honey, daddy's gonna impart some sound advice to you and I hope that you digest it and practice it in theory! Your sister has never been good at it and she learnt the hard way but she's lucky she has Glenn now who takes good care of her and now the boys! I want to see at least one of my daughter's being independent and stand on her own two feet without the help of a man!" He says determinedly trying to forget that rascal Jimmy who nearly set his baby back in her dreams.
Beth just nods waiting for him to carry on imparting that wisdom of his.
"Your moving into the big wide world and it's not goin' to be easy and the sooner you learn these lessons now, the better it will be for you to adapt to your new life of adulthood, independence and a world of self-reliance, there will be no daddy to run to for pocket money, whatever you make each month, you will have to budget and get by on it, do I make myself clear young lady?" He asks a bit military.
"Yes sir!" Beth stands straight and salutes.
"Make sure every month you put 10% of your monthly wages into a savings account for a rainy day, you never know when you might need it!"
"10%?" She repeats shockingly, that could be a pair of dazzling new shoes or a jacket or a good night out.
"Yes, 10% and times that by 12 and you'll see how much you can save in a year and if you can do that for many years, you've got some security and you can even make some investments with the right advice!" Her father waffles on "See your brother, he listened to me and now he and Amy and Little Belle can live a life with some luxuries and to this day, he keeps 10% aside just in case of a rainy day!" He says proudly crossing his arms over his chest.
"Daddy, Shawn's a doctor and he gets paid probably triple pay to what I'm gonna get paid!" Beth counters back.
"Young lady!" Her father frowns putting his hands on his hips.
"Ok! Ok! I'll put 10% away, anything else is just way too confusing, when I need advice on stock shares or whatever, I'll come to you or multi-millionaire Shawn!" She says putting her hands out to calm him.
"I really should have asked for babysitting money if he was saving so much money! Six months he owes me…darn it!" She mumbles to herself.
She looks up and smiles when she sees her father staring at her, he obviously caught on what she mumbled! She throws her arms around his neck and hangs off him hugging him to distract him and to acknowledge that she understood.
"That's my girl, I'm really proud of you and so is your mother! Will you go see her tomorrow?" He asks looking down.
"Yep! I can't wait to tell her!" She says squeezing her father tighter.
End of Flashback
The rainy day has come and thank goodness she had a wise and knowledgeable father, now if only he could have imparted some common sense and assertiveness into her she thought miserably, she wouldn't be where she is. Delete that she thinks, it's not her father's fault she's an idiot, pushover and just plain stupid, she tells herself. She knows everyone at the station must be thinking she was a joke. She never used to care how hyper and bubbly she used to get and now thinks maybe she needed to cool down and act more serious to be taken seriously. It was going to be hard to change herself, she sighs miserably.
She decides to stop worrying and go get a coffee, it wasn't going to bankrupt her, she could at least afford to splurge on some caffeine. Tara had locked herself in her room as soon as they got home and didn't seem to want to come out, she remembered it was her who jumped, wanting to switch duties when Beth had thought it was a bad idea, so she was pissed with herself. So Beth decided to get some air, Tara usually needed some alone time. She ended up at the boulevard of shops.
The little café was busy much to her surprise, she locates a spare table and jumps at it and slumps down as does a lady who looked to be in her early sixties.
"Oh sorry dear, I didn't see you!" The woman says and makes to leave.
Beth watches the lady looking around sadly and she scans the seating, there wasn't a single table spare and she looks at the chair opposite her, it was going spare.
"Ma'am, we can share the table if you like, I don't mind!" Beth suggests standing up.
The woman breaks into a smile and makes her way over.
"Are you sure dear, I don't want to cramp your style!" She asks as she stands by the table with her gift bags.
"I insist!" Beth smiles and pushes the chair out for her to take a seat.
"Oh ok, thank you!" She says smiling.
The waitress comes over and asks for their orders.
"I'd like a cappuccino please and my friend would like…" Beth turns to look at the lady.
"I'll have a sweet tea and if you've got some scones with clotted cream and jam, I'd like some please and can you bring two plates," She says and looks at Beth "You don't mind joining me? I'd probably eat the whole lot and feel guilty later but if I share, I won't feel so guilty?" She asks raising her eyes hoping Beth would join her and help her eat the scones, there was always enough for two.
"If you're sure, I'd love some!" Beth says with a grin on her face, memories flashing back to her.
Beth hasn't had scones in ages. She, Maggie and their mother used to have scones with clotted cream and an assortment of jams for tea when she was little, it was what the Irish did at 5pm, they call it their "Tea Time" when they visited Ireland and they continued the tradition when they returned home until things changed a few years later.
"Great!" The woman replies back and the waitress leaves to get their orders.
They get comfortable in their seats, look around and then at each other, they smile.
"I'm Elizabeth by the way but everyone calls me Beth," She says reaching her hand out.
"Olivia but everyone calls me Liv," The woman introduces back shaking Beth's offered hand.
Their hot drinks and scones are presented in front of them.
"Dig in Beth, because I can't hold back!" Liv nods to the gorgeous plate of heavenly baked scones.
"Oh god, there's are great!" Beth mumbles in between bites, she covers her mouth for talking with it full.
"I know!" Liv says munching on hers rolling her eyes and they both laugh.
"I shouldn't be eating these," Liv says shaking her head looking down at her body "A moment on the lips…"
"A lifetime on the hips!" Beth finishes and they burst into laughter as they take another bite.
"You look great! You don't need to diet!" Beth says looking at the beautiful older woman. She was a similar height to herself, slim, dark brown hair with streaks of white going into her beautifully clipped up bun and she was dressed in smart jeans and a nice blouse with a broach, she looked casual but classy without even trying.
"Oh, you're too kind, my son is a fitness junkie! He wants me to stay fit and healthy, he's got me one of those cross trainers when I said I was feeling a bit heavier than normal so I'm on it near enough every day! When I get home, I'll be on it for an hour just trying to burn off the scones! My body's not as young as it used to be!" She says shaking her head.
Once they finish, practically licking their fingers and finishing their drinks, they sit back and enjoy the fullness feeling in their bellies.
"That was what I needed after this morning, a pick me up!" Beth smiles resting her face against her propped up arm.
"You've not had a good day I take it!" Liv asks noticing the young blonde trying to mask her sadness with her smile, it was clearly evident in her eyes.
Beth shakes her head looking down as her hand fiddles with the napkin.
Liv leans forward and puts her hand on top of Beth's.
"You want to talk about it, a problem shared is a problem halved and we've just shared scones and I'll only have to do half a workout thanks to you!" She nods looking down at the smeared jam on their plates.
Beth's smile was genuine this time and she looks up to meet kind crystal blue eyes, eyes she thinks look familiar.
"A humiliating and embarrassing day, the worst kind of day imaginable when you're trying to prove yourself and you end up showing you're the loser they think you are!" Beth sighs heavily.
"Oh c'mon honey, it can't be that bad and I highly doubt they think you're a loser!" She says patting Beth's hand.
Liv waves the waitress over "Can we have another cappuccino and a sweet tea please!"
"Now start from the very beginning," Liv encourages Beth to unburden herself.
Beth takes a deep breath and begins from the beginning and when she finishes, she looks up at Liv anticipating to see a look of pity in her eyes or just laugh like everyone else had.
"Well that wasn't fair, did you put forward your side?" Liv asks taking a sip of her tea shaking her head in annoyance.
"We didn't get a chance, I lost my voice from the sheer embarrassment and Tara got real mad, she was yelling, we were shot down and had to listen to how unprofessional we were. We were given our punishments for fighting. I should have stood my ground when Jessie twisted our fingers to wear those outfits, I should have said no, I shouldn't have lost it because I was jealous because she flirts with the guy I have this major crush on and he doesn't even know I exist! He'd laugh in my face if he ever found out! I got jealous because he doesn't mind her flirting and I proved I'm immature and too young for him!" Beth looks down now realising how stupid she sounds.
"I got childish and jealous and now my career is hanging by a thread because I let myself get talked into something I didn't want to do and I get distracted easily just by this guy's smile! He's real nice and supportive, don't get me wrong, any skills that I do have, it's because of him!" Beth sighs.
"I've been suspended without pay for a week and then when I go back, I'm gonna be on night shifts!" She frowns looking up "So, my life is just dandy!"
"Oh dear, I'm sorry, all I can say is, I don't like the sound of this Jessie and this guy doesn't know how lucky he would be to have a girl like you on his arm and you're not those things you say you think you are, you're young and you'll learn, you shouldn't change for anyone, be yourself and just think before you act and react, speak up for yourself, be assertive. You learn from mistakes and experiences, it doesn't make you a loser!" Liv tries her best to reassure Beth.
"If you're a loser, then I must have been the biggest loser, I said and did cringe worthier things when I was your age and trust me this was nothing in comparison!" Liv scoffs leaning back in her chair.
"Like?" Beth nudges forward interested.
Liv reveals a few of her younger years and some of the things she used to get up to.
Liv was laughing at herself and Beth laughs with her realising the best way to get over it was to laugh at herself and move on, remembering to think twice before doing anything in the future. Now when she thinks about it, she gets stitches in her stomach.
"One for the grandkids!" Liv points to Beth and she agrees.
"Oh, I got a list long as my arm of those to tell them!" Beth fans her face with a napkin.
"Oh that will be my son wanting to know where I am, I was supposed to meet him by the toy store!" Liv says flustered and grabs her phone as it continues to ring.
Beth sits there waiting for her to finish, she sees the big smile on her face and she starts to miss her mom, she'll go and see her tomorrow she decided.
"I better get going and thank you for listening to me Liv!" Beth says standing up hugging her.
"Oh, it was really nice speaking to you Beth and I hope everything works out for you!" She rubs Beth's back.
"Sorry I'm late mom, madam just had a mega tantrum, didn't you, hey!" Comes a husky voice.
Beth opens her eyes letting go of Liv and turns around to see Rick walking up with Judith in his arms pretending to be munching on her fingers with Judith bopping up and down. When Rick turns to face them, his strides have slowed down on seeing her and he stops goofing around with Judith, he stares at her puzzled and then to Liv.
Beth looks back at Liv, she's smiling and waving to Rick in recognition and she can only think the face Liv was pulling, is for Judith's benefit.
Rick stops in front of them and he smiles at Beth. Liv's cooing distracts them both when she reaches for Judith who's frantically bouncing her hand in the air.
"Oh how is my precious little Judy? Granny has missed you! Come here baby, come to Granny!" Liv kisses Judith's cheek and then reaches over and caresses Rick's cheek pulling him down to kiss the clean shaven skin.
"And how's my big boy, looking handsome as always and you've shaved!" She coos in approval and Rick's face turns pink as he looks over to Beth internally cringing at his mom to be displaying her mommy love out in public, in front of a rookie, especially in front of Beth, he's a grown man for goodness sakes with kids of his own.
"I'm good mom, you look pretty!" He says leaning down and kissing her on the cheek.
"Beth," He nods acknowledging her presence and Liv turns to her.
"Hey Deputy Grimes, hey Judith!" Beth grabs Judith's foot and shakes it making Judith turn around and look towards Beth.
When she sees Beth, she starts to bounce excitedly and begins to lean over pulling her arms out to be taken. Liv follows the direction where Judith wants to go and Beth is beside her and she takes hold of Judith and holds her in her arms. Judith rests her head on Beth's shoulder. Beth looks up giggling and loving the attention that Judith was giving her, she needed some cuddles today.
"Oh I missed you too Jellybeans!" Beth strokes her chubby cheek and Rick, hands on hips stands there smiling.
"You two know each other?" Liv looks at Beth holding Judith like she belonged in her arms and then up at Rick looking confused.
Rick clears his throat looking at Beth and Judith to his mom with a nod as confirmation.
"Beth and I work together." He tells his mom.
Liv looks over at Beth completely taken aback.
"You know, all this time we've been gossiping, I never asked you what you do for a living! So you work with Rick at the Sheriff's Office? You guys get younger each year!" She says surprised.
Beth looks over to Liv and then pulls Judith closer to her. She gets that reaction a lot from people who don't know her, she wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing, Maggie said it was definitely a good thing, her assailants won't know she's coming and she'd be good for undercover Ops.
"Yep I'm a Rookie!" Beth clarifies.
"Oh Beth, I didn't mean it like that, I was just surprised that's all, ignore me, I know with the guidance from Super Cop over here, you'll make a fine officer!" She pleads forgiveness and Beth accepts.
Liv looks at Beth and registers why she was embarrassed and felt humiliated, she lacked confidence and she completely understood the pressures she was under and with her sweet personality she probably gets taken advantage of. Her son works at the Sheriff's Department and her late husband started off there before he became Sheriff so she knew how much the officers get scrutinised by their superiors and their peers and how much they had to work hard to get to where they are and Beth's a woman, it will be more of a struggle to be taken seriously especially when you've got a bubbly personality. The incident to have happened to Beth in front of everyone, she could see how humiliating Beth must have felt. She looks at Rick hoping he wasn't one of her superiors who made Beth feel belittled, if he was part of the unfair punishers, she would put him over her knee and spank him right there in front of Beth and his daughter in the middle of a fully packed café.
"Rick, please tell me you were not one of the supervisors who suspended Beth?" His mother turns around crossing her arms over her chest.
Rick looks over to his mother lifting his brow at her and then noticing the way she was standing and staring at him, the way she stood when he used to be in trouble when he was younger and he knew a lecture was coming his way.
"Richard Grimes! stop stalling and staring at me like your father used to and answer me!" She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes staring at him.
Beth looks at Liv and then to Rick, her eyes widen on realisation, Rick gets that head tilt she's so fond of, from his mother! Beth marvels watching mother and son, her mouth was open wide in disbelief. She wondered what Liv looked like when she went ape shit mental and flipped because Rick when he was in a full outrage, it was quite intimidating and she has to say sexy so long as she wasn't on the receiving end but watching him on the sideline.
"Wow Jellybeans, I love your Gran, she's a firecracker! I've never seen anyone talk to your daddy like that! It's the most fantastic scene I've witnessed!" Beth whispers and Judith sighs playing with her hands watching her dad getting told off by her Gran.
Rick scoffs and crosses his arms the same as his mother.
"You alright there Judge Judy? You taken your meds this morning?" Rick asks his mom sarcastically with amusement in his eyes and Beth giggles covering her mouth.
"Don't you sass me Richard Stanley Grimes!…answer me…did you suspend this sweet girl with no pay and your goin' to make her work the night shifts when she returns from her suspension?" His mother asks.
Beth has to cover her mouth, looking around to see where she can go, hide and just burst out laughing.
Oh my god…Stanley!
The waitress was going to clean their table but seeing Deputy Grimes getting scolded by his mother, she does a U-turn back towards the counter.
Rick looks over to Beth who's hiding her face behind Judith laughing and peering over to him, he gives her a look of thanks!
Sweet girl? Rick scoffs to himself. The same sweet girl grabbed his leg and threw him on to his back and was ready to pulls out his hair with her sweet gentle hands.
"Mom, it's really none of your business, this is work related but no I did not suspend Beth. I've spoken to The Chief and it has been decided Beth and Tara go back to work the day after tomorrow and they'll be on front desk, bookings and dealing with admin. The suspension has been lifted from a week to a day and a half and they're back to normal payroll and there will be a couple of night shifts but that's expected!" Rick says turning to look at Beth.
Beth moves her head out from behind Judith and looks at him to make sure he wasn't teasing her, it was final when Deputy Jackie was yelling and slamming files down in front of her and Tara that they were suspended, she wondered what changed their minds?
Rick gestured with his eyes and Beth took his meaning, she smiles and takes a few steps and throws her arm around his neck with Judith still on her hip. Rick catches her and holds her looking down.
"I tried calling you but your phone is switched off. I've spoken to Tara and she'll fully aware, you're to report to The Chief Wednesday sharp at 7am!" Rick clarifies.
When Beth hears Judith fussing she was being squished, Beth pulls away quickly embarrassed not able to look up but steps back next to Rick's mom.
Liv pats Rick's cheek and air kisses him, he looks at his mom in disbelief and looks away as she puts a comforting arm around Beth.
"I insist you join us for dinner, we're goin' to grab some dinner for Shane's birthday! You know the lanky muscle meat head with a heart of gold" Liv tells Beth "Where is the birthday boy and where's Carl?" She asks Rick.
"They're parking the car, they're meeting us in the restaurant." He replies.
"Beth?" Liv asks.
"Oh thank you but I should get home," Beth tells Liv looking up at Rick and then trying to hand Judith back but Judith buries her face into Beth's neck again looking at her necklace.
"I think Judith's made up her mind!" Liv says running her hand down her granddaughter's hair.
Beth stands there deliberating what to do, this was awkward, she told Liv what had happened, she was a kind stranger, she didn't think she'll see her again, turns out the nice lady is actually Rick Grimes' mother and she told her, she had a crush on a guy at work and the guy is none other than her son! She was sure Liv will gradually know it's Rick she's crushing on if she catches her staring starry eyed at him tonight, especially since she was sure it was because of him, her punishment is being lessened. It was a bad idea, she would slip and Olivia Grimes would catch her. Beth was about to turn down the offer.
"Beth, this woman will not back down, it's best you just say yes!" Rick says breaking her thoughts and finalising her decision.
They stare at each other and then Beth agrees.
"Great! I'm just going to nip to the ladies!" Liv flashes a smile and disappears.
"Deputy Grimes?" Beth calls.
"Yes Beth?" Rick answers looking over at her.
"Thank you!" She whispers embarrassed but thankful.
"You're Welcome Beth," He says looking at her, she needed cheering up he thought.
"You need to forget about today and concentrate on tomorrow and the next day and so forth. You need to assess situations, know right from wrong, speak up for yourself and don't get walked all over on. You're gonna come up against tough situations and you're gonna have to make the call…you're gonna have to think smarter if you want to be taken seriously and make it in this business," Rick advises her trying not to be harsh.
"You don't need to change who you are, you just need to make wiser choices" He says honestly.
"I know!" She sighs looking at him.
"My last advice and then we can pretend today never happened?" He asks and Beth nods.
"Just don't go agreeing to do anything without knowing how it will impact you and if you don't feel comfortable, voice your opinion and if need be, say no! Jessie shouldn't have pushed you and I should not have let it unfold the way it did and I'm sorry!"
They face each other staring, Beth smiles down to Judith who was yawning. Rick leans over to take a look. Beth wanted to say something but she forgets when he looks up. The waitress finally comes back and puts down the bill on the table and leaves. When she reaches for it, Rick grabs it.
"I got it!" He says smiling and looks down at the bill.
"You guys drank how many hot drinks and ate how many scones and chocolate cake! You seriously goin' to be able fit in dinner?" Rick asks looking up shocked.
"I have a fast metabolism!" She shrugs and Rick rubs his hand down his face.
There's a long silence as Rick looks at the receipt not believing how much Beth and his mom had eaten and drank in a few hours.
"Thanks Deputy Grimes!" She smiles not just for paying the bill.
"You goin' to call me Deputy Grimes all night?" He asks her getting out his wallet.
"Thank you…Stanley!" She bursts out laughing, she couldn't help it.
Rick's eyes narrow at her laughing two can play that game! He smirks.
"You're welcome Moira!" He grins back flipping out his card and the waitress takes off with it.
"How did?" Beth mumbles looking shocked.
Rick's mouth twitches looking at her because she looked really cute looking stumped, her lips pursed out confused.
"I write up some of your evaluation reports Miss Greene, and I was curious to know what the M in Elizabeth M Greene stood for and well I found out Moira!" He crosses his arms looking smug.
If only I could just wipe that smug look off your gorgeous smug face! Her eyes say staring straight into his ocean blue eyes and his eyes sparkle back playfully.
"I once knew a Moira, she was a sweet little old day," He says smiling and Beth gets a little embarrassed.
She had hoped the "M" would have just remained anonymous, she made it all the way through high school and college without it coming out! Tara and Noah were the only ones who knew apart from her own immediate family but seeing Rick smile widen, he was now privy to her secret! She feels exposed to him, she lifts Judith up higher and stands tall.
"Moira is an old Irish name, it's been in my family for generations and it happened to be my Grandmother's name and I was lucky enough to be given it, it means "The Great"!" Beth smiles brightly at Rick, she shouldn't be embarrassed, it was a great name, she should embrace it.
"And great you are!" He nods agreeing.
Beth didn't know whether to take it as a compliment of whether he was teasing and making fun of her.
"So MR Grimes…why did your folks decide to give you the middle name Stanley?" She asks.
Rick didn't look embarrassed, if anything he looked proud at the name.
"Stanley was my grandfather's name, my father wanted to keep his father's name connected with the future and he wanted to keep the name connected to me, his first child in honour of the fallen soldier in our family, my grandfather! Sergeant Stanley Grimes fought and died in the Second World War and I'm proud to have the name connected with mine…I hope one day I can be half the man he was!" Rick replies.
Beth's face suddenly drops, she looks over to him, her eyes big and suddenly teary, her lips trying not to tremble.
Rick watches her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive and make fun, it's a name that I wouldn't recognise with you because your, your - Rick Grimes!" she says stepping forward looking up trying to convey her sincerity moving Judith onto the side of her hip.
Rick smiles and brushes it away "I poked fun at your name, you poked fun at mine, we're even!" He smiles genuinely not taking Beth's teasing serious, he knew she was joking around.
Beth continues to stare and then she pulls out her phone and taps into it.
"It's buffering...buffering...still buffering! the wifi is bad in here!" She says moving her phone around in front of her and then waits as the bars goes up and then there's movement on her screen, she smiles.
Rick watches her wondering what she's doing and then he sees her mouth start to move.
"Stanley - the most calmest, cutest, sweetest, nicest, funniest guy you'll ever meet. He knows how to treat and look out or take care of best friends and people. He's talented with what he does and a bit weird. You can trust him with everything and he'll help you out as much as possible. He's one of those people you just want to be best friends with him and sometimes he doesn't know what he's doing. Take my word, he's the best hugger out there and loves to cuddle. He always goes out with friends but always makes sure he has time for someone he likes. He acts stupid in the funniest ways. His hair is so amazing like you just want, people love touching it and can't stop loving it. If you meet him your one of the luckiest persons out there even though you think he's shy and quiet and won't talk, he will. You won't regret having him, if you come across one of him, make sure you never let go, he's amazing just make sure it's the right Stanley!"
Beth reads aloud having searched the name and smiling up in disbelief! That's how she feels about him, it's like whoever wrote that snippet on the Internet had read her mind! Rick was a Stanley or Stanley was Rick! She bites her bottom lip.
Judith was happy in Beth's arm, like she understood looking at the screen.
The waitress returns with the machine and Rick punches in his pin number and then the receipt comes out and Judith marvels as the waitress tears it off and hands the receipt and card back to Rick.
"You kids ready?" Rick's mom says reappearing.
"Yeah, we're ready," Rick says putting his arm around his mom's shoulder.
"You ok with Judy, I can take her if you want?" Rick asks looking at Beth waiting for her to respond.
"We're ok, aren't we?" Beth asks Judith and she just leans her head back into Beth's neck.
The party finally leave the café and make their way to the restaurant. Beth and Judith follow behind. Beth was deep in thought watching Rick and his mother in deep conversation. There was so much she didn't know about Rick and there was so much she wanted to know.
Every so often, Rick would look over his shoulder to check everything was alright when he doesn't hear Beth giggling or Judith's babbling. The girls were both comfortable in their silence together. A few times he catches Beth in thought and Judith just rests on her head on her shoulder sucking on her dummy playing with Beth's loose hair. Judith hasn't had one of her regular fits and he was glad, he really wanted to spend more time with her and Carl and seeing Judith happy, he knows he wants more of this family time.
Liv was asking Rick a question and when he doesn't answer, she squeezes his linked arm in hers and again when he doesn't respond, she looks up and notices Rick busy watching behind. She follows his gaze, his broad smile and eyes were focused on the girls. She didn't think much of it, it was nice seeing Rick smiling and she didn't want to break that little bit of happiness he has until he has to hand Judith and Carl back to Lori in the morning. She turns back around and concentrates on the path ahead.
Shane and Rick were in high spirits laughing and joking with Carl was joining in. Rick was the designated driver so he was keeping to soft drinks. Shane was going to drink a couple of beers and the heavy drinking was going to take place on Friday night after work at the bar and then clubbing and more drinking until the early hours of the morning.
Beth and Olivia were in full discussion about The Greene's Farm. They swap stories as Liv reveals that, she was also a girl born and raised on a farm, so she was used to being knee deep in mud and riding a horse which she missed, they had a lot in common. Beth pulls out her phone and shows her Nelly and Liv and Judith gush over the beautiful horse.
Beth found out that Liv wanted to watch the new Dwayne Johnson film, San Andreas but none of her friends were able to go so she was deliberating whether to go to the pictures on her own which she's never done before and then Beth tells her she's got nothing to do tomorrow during the daytime and that she wouldn't mind watching and she admitted, she loved herself some Dwayne Johnson and Liv giggled agreeing. So it was fixed, they were going to meet up for late breakfast and watch the movie at the first afternoon showing. Beth giggles finding out that Liv admired the ex-Wrestler and when she hears her say something about his muscular thighs and The Rock, they erupt in laughter. Rick watches them from across the table in disbelief.
Now his mother is hanging out with Beth!
Is there anybody who's not hanging out with Beth? He thinks to himself and then he remembers…ME! He sighs to himself thinking about the last couple of months, Beth Grimes was always on his mind, he didn't know when she had begun to preoccupy his mind, she just crept up on him and made her own space, now he couldn't get her out of his mind. Then he realised he just thought Beth Grimes instead of Beth Greene! He looks up shocked looking around the table hoping nobody could read his thoughts because that was completely unexpected!
"You know I might just get myself suspended and I'll come and watch the movie with you gals!" Shane pipes up snapping Rick out his confusing thoughts.
"Sorry honey, it's girls only!" Liv tells him.
Carl was leaning on his elbows with his chin in his hands staring at Beth. He had a tiny smile on his face and a glint in his eyes.
Liv was looking around and then sees Carl quiet, she smiles, he was really well behaved tonight, polite and helpful, whenever Beth wanted something, he would jump to help just like Rick was doing, both her boys were gentlemen, they take after her husband she smiles proudly.
When she looks back at Carl, she notices the corner of his lip lift higher to one side. She recognised that look and she then follows his line of sight and it lands on Beth sitting beside her. She smiles to herself, Carl had a crush on Beth, she thought it was the sweetest thing she's seen in a long time. She goes to get Rick's attention for him to see his son get his first crush and then she stops when she looks at Rick.
Father and son, side by side, postures similar sitting the same, facial expressions the same, eyes lost to everything around but solely focused on Beth!
She turns her head sideways, Beth and Shane were looking through his photos, Beth was giving her opinion on something and they were laughing.
Maybe she had drunk more than she thought, she thought to herself. She was on a detox for a couple of weeks and this was the first time she was drinking alcohol. She looks at her wine glass and her glass of water, her wine glass was still near enough full but she had drunk more from the glass of water. She blinks her eyes and then looks back up.
Rick and Carl were still staring at Beth. She couldn't believe it as her focus shifts onto Rick, her son who went through the painful divorce, never shown any interest in any woman apart from Lori all those years ago and then there was nothing. It was the kids, work and the kids, he didn't have time for anything else or he didn't want to make time for anything or anyone else. But here he is, her son staring at the young beautiful blonde girl beside her, requested her to join them, his eyes all bright and sparkly and when she looks closer, she is speechless when she sees more than just friendliness there for Beth, she actually swears she can see longing nestled in Rick's eyes.
"Oh my God!" Liv says under her breathe "Oh my Boy!"
"You ok?" She hears beside her and sees Beth's hand resting atop of hers.
Liv looks up to see Beth's questioning eyes, they were so soft, gentle and considerate and beautiful Oh my God, my son has feelings for you! She wants to yell but obviously doesn't dare.
She smiles to Beth and Beth just smiles back as she turns to Judith and lifts her out of her chair. Shane has got up to show Carl the pictures as Rick goes over and rifles through the baby bag locating the bottle, he hands it over to Beth and she places the bottle to Judith's mouth who eagerly sucks on it, chugging it down like she was starving. Rick crouches down beside Beth and they both laugh.
"Whoa Judy, nobody's gonna steal your milk sweetheart!" Rick says playing with Judith's foot which was hanging off Beth's thigh, he reaches over and rests his other arm around behind Beth's chair.
"I wonder what she'll do when she discovers chocolate milk!" Beth says looking down at Judith and to Rick, he laughs.
"I think she'll be more of a strawberry loving girl," He suggests.
"She looks more chocolate to me!" Beth replies back.
"She looks…more chocolate to you?" Rick scrunches up his nose finding it funny.
"Yep! A chocolate girl knows another chocolate girl and me and Jellybeans…we're chocolate girls!" Beth says definitely nodding her head.
"That so?" He lifts his brow.
"Aha!" Beth hums.
"Shall we lay down a wager?" Rick turns his head up teasingly to Beth.
"Why not, it'll be me who'll win, so if you wanna lose…I won't stand in your way!" and she gives him an angelic smile.
Rick looks up at her smiling "So what shall we bet?"
"Loser has to buy the winner their chosen flavoured Milkshake!" Beth puts forward.
"Deal!" Rick says holding out his hand.
Beth reaches out using her chin to hold the bottle in place and shakes Rick's hand as she whispers to Judy.
"Pick chocolate, chocolates better than strawberry! Strawberry yucky, chocolate..hum…yummy!" Beth whispers to Judith.
"That's cheating!" Rick replies.
"What?" Beth asks looking around.
"Brainwashing my child in your favour!" Rick blinks up to her and Beth shakes her head.
"Excuse me…we're having a private conversation…I'm talking to my chocolate buddy, strawberries over there!" Beth points to Rick back to his seat as the cake was being made ready to make it's way to their table.
He gets up smiling, backing away.
"Trust me Judy, pick chocolate, chocolates way better than strawberry!" Beth whispers.
She looks at Rick going back to his side of the table although strawberry's looking pretty scrummy tonight, if strawberry was to offer himself, I definitely wouldn't say no" she grins to herself.
Liv sits there watching confused with what was going on before her and the penny drops.
Oh my! Rick is the guy Beth's sweet on! The guy she was talking about in the café!
She sits there thinking and slowly a tiny smile creeps up her lips and reaches her eyes.
Shane looks over catching Liv's smile across Beth, he watches her smiling at Rick and then looking adoringly to Beth and sighing.
"Psttt…Mrs G!" Shane whispers.
"Hmmmm?" She says looking over, Beth was too busy with burping Judith to realise the talk around her.
"Do you know, what I know but they don't know, that I know?" Shane asks her.
"What do you know, that they don't know, that you're asking me whether I know?" She asks back.
"I know what they want but they don't know what each other want!" Shane mouths back.
"You actually know?" She looks at him.
"I'm havin' the time of my life teasin' the crap out of him!" Shane smirk evilly looking at Rick.
"Well I want in on some…Let's not let them know, that we know, let's…let them play this for a little bit longer and we can play as well!" She grins back.
"Mrs G, you're my kind of woman!" Shane winks.
"Shane?" Rick calls over.
"Yeah man!" He answers.
"Stop hitting on my mom or I'll be hitting on you on your birthday - 35 birthday bumps!" Rick smiles menacingly holding up his scrunched up fist and then his eyes soften when he looks at his mom.
"Shesshhh, sorry to let a beautiful woman know she's beautiful, wouldn't you like a guy to tell you every day that your beautiful!" Shane turns around and puts his arm around Beth.
She shrugs her shoulders laughing.
"I think you look mighty pretty tonight Beth, you always do but tonight you're practically dazzling!" Shane leans closer and Beth nudges him blushing.
"When we get married, I have it circled in my future calendar, I'll tell you everyday!" Shane winks.
"Forget that pretty boy fireman? Cameron, Cody, Cauliflower whatever…you want a real man in uniform!" He gestures down to himself.
Liv has to stop herself from laughing, she turns to look at Rick and he was frowning, it was all the confirmation she needed and she looks over at Carl to check in on him, he'd become suddenly quiet. She sees, he too had the similar expression on his face as his father at Shane.
"Oh boy!" She says to herself.
The cakes comes out and everyone sings "Happy Birthday Dear Shane" and Shane sings "Happy Birthday to Me!" and kisses Beth, Judy and Liv on the cheeks and blows out his candles.
A/N - That was a long chapter! I'm going to concentrate on The Journey and Loved Back to Life so there might be a break on this fic which was only meant to be a oneshot and then chapters added for fun but I do have some stuff I want to happen before we get Brick but if you still want more then I'll try and find the time to write more.
Take care all (",)