A/N: Happy Friday = Happy Story. Enjoy! Love, Lola and E xxx
The Hunger
Chapter 13 – Adjustments
Monday, February 7th 2005. Savannah, GA
Beth was running late. She'd slept in longer than she should have and was now pissed. Of all the days for things to go wrong, it of course had to happen today. She and Daryl had to be at Savannah Hospital at 2pm for chickpeas first ultrasound, Beth's thirteen week scan. Daryl had been climbing the walls with excitement the last two weeks, he wanted to see his little girl so badly and hadn't cared that everyone at college and work had been teasing him, saying it would just look like a black and white fuzzy blob, he just wanted to see her little heartbeat. He already knew what she looked like. He knew she was beautiful, he just needed reassurance she was healthy. That his Beth was healthy. Her morning sickness had lasted for another five weeks following Christmas but had finally subsided just this week. Beth had taken quite a bit of time off work and college because of how unwell she'd felt, even with medication. She couldn't keep anything down and hadn't even had the strength to walk until at least midday on most days.
After much persuasion, Daryl had finally agreed to meet Beth at the hospital rather than them going together. He wanted to go straight home from work and collect Beth but she said it was too much fuss, he should just go directly there and she would meet him. Except for work, Daryl hadn't left Beth's side. And even when she had been at work he would speak to her every hour just to see if anything had changed since the hour before when he'd checked!
Beth usually adored that Daryl was so attentive. Sex since he'd found out about chickpea had been just mind blowing, and just knowing he was there all the time made her feel safe and warm, but seriously sometimes she could have just throttled him. Her hormones were all over the place, and unable to stop herself on a few occasions, she had unintentionally flipped at Daryl, telling him to get out and leave her alone. She would then start to sob uncontrollably, beg him to come back and swear she would never do it again. It always ended in makeup sex though, fantastic makeup sex. Beth had started to suspect Daryl was winding her up on purpose sometimes just for that reason. But truthfully, she didn't care, so she carried on letting him.
The last six weeks had seen Beth's body change dramatically too. Her stomach had become distended and rounded and her breasts had almost doubled in size, neither of which Daryl complained about. In fact he found it all a massive turn on and he spent almost every moment he was with her trying to disguise an erection. He struggled to stop himself jumping her in public too, although to compensate he spent most of his time using his hands to either carefully caress his wife's stomach as he talked sweetly to his daughter or to gently massage her breasts as he whispered dirty things to his wife.
Daryl arrived at the hospital early and made his way to the obstetrics unit, feeling quite out of place as he took a seat amongst numerous women and couples of different ages and stages of pregnancy. They all looked up, expressionless, probably wondering what the hell a twenty year old redneck was doing on his own in the baby unit. Daryl dipped his head and busied himself with scrolling through his cell phone, until he saw the sign opposite him banning cell phone use and again noticed he was being watched disapprovingly and being judged. He just gave them all a sheepish grin and put his phone away as they went back to reading their baby magazines.
It was almost 2pm and he was starting to worry about Beth. He was just about to call her when he became distracted by a small figure further along the corridor. A familiar figure. It was Erika. She was walking towards him, dressed in a gorgeous emerald green dress that almost outshone the dazzling vividness of her sapphire blue eyes. Daryl couldn't help but grin at her, his heart starting to thump with excitement. But seconds later his mouth went dry, his thoughts turning to panic. Pure horrifying panic that flooded his body as if trying to drown him, as he imagined bad news. He hadn't seen Erika in almost two years and to be honest he thought he never would again. Surely she must only be here to share his happy news? She couldn't have anything awful to warn him about could she? No, he'd seen her after he was married and that had been a happy occasion. Erika's smile as she headed towards him was intoxicating though, it relaxed him. His heart started to slow as the panic started to subside. The safe warmth that he always felt when she was around him was present again, an invisible touch, like a blanket engulfing him as a mother would swaddle a child.
"Daryl…. Oh my precious little boy. It's so good to see you again. And what happy times." Erika outstretched her arms towards the young man that she'd spent the last twenty year's watching over.
Daryl almost scooped the tiny woman up, holding her on tip toes as he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed her tight. Suddenly he felt every eye on him again. He realized he and Erika were being scrutinized, so he walked her around the corner, still holding her in his tight embrace but out of view and out of earshot of the pregnant women.
"Shit Erika, what are…sorry… but what are ya doin' here? I thought I wasn't gonna ever see ya again." Daryl apologized for his language, he knew Erika wouldn't appreciate it.
"There, there, that's enough Daryl. And less of the profanities please." Erika patted Daryl on the back. She was happier than she'd ever let on and it never ceased to amaze her how loving and soft and gentle Daryl Dixon was, despite the sheer brutality he'd endured for years. Erika liked to think that was Beth's doing, it made her glow inside to know she'd helped them find each other "Uhm…Daryl...you can release me now, I can't breathe." Daryl finally relinquished his hold on the petite brunette and grinned at her.
"Sorry. I'm jus' so happy ta see ya is all." Erika gave him a huge smile that told him she was just as happy.
"So you're going to meet your baby?...I'm so happy for you Daryl, so happy that you've got everything you want. I'm so proud of you too. You've done so well, come such a long way." Erika looked like she was tearing up "Not so much my little boy nowadays though are you? You've grown into quite the gorgeous young man, not that you weren't a delightful little boy too, just now you are… beautiful… inside and out." Daryl started to blush at the compliment and dropped his eyes to the ground. He was used to Beth saying those sorts of things to him, but no one else ever had. Erika chuckled, partly to quell the tears and embarrassment but mainly because of the striking resemblance between Daryl and his brother Merle now, and the inappropriate images that were racing through her mind. Those thoughts made her catch her breath. She tried not to think on Merle Dixon too much, since she knew it would lead to wicked thoughts and memories of that night. She'd gone and fallen for him, not that she could ever admit it, and seeing Daryl brought it all back to her. Somehow she felt closer to Merle just by being close to his brother.
Although it was frowned upon for her kind to get too attached to their human charges, it didn't make it any easier for Erika not to. She had a tender heart and… well Daryl Dixon was special. Of all the humans she had shepherded, guided and sheltered over the millennia, Daryl was by far her favorite, which was another reason she'd become more involved than she should, turning up at times of happiness as well as the times of desolation in his life. She pushed and bent the rules where her precious boy was concerned, doing and saying far more than she should have. For him, Erika would brave any wrath from above that might be meted out, she was old enough and wise enough to know exactly how to deal with it, and he was worth the sacrifice.
"Erika, I already know she's beautiful but I wanna see her… for real, on the screen and movin'. I'm so excited."
Erika looked at Daryl strangely for a moment. He'd just said she. She thought maybe he meant to say he and it was just a slip. Erika knew Beth was carrying a boy. She'd seen it in one of her visions. He was a beautiful bonny little boy who looked exactly like Daryl except with blonde hair, gifted from his mother of course. He was all smiles and gurgles and just too adorable for words.
"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl, or do you find out today?" Erika thought she'd push it, there was something off about the whole of Daryl's demeanour and it was worrying her.
"I think they can tell us today if we want to know… but I've always known. It's a girl. We're gonna have a daughter." Daryl was far too excited to have noticed the shift in Erika's aura, the confusion and bewilderment on her face at Daryl's un-floundering belief the baby was a girl.
Erika lifted her hand and held it to the side of Daryl's face, as she looked at him intently. Their eyes locked for a moment and then a blinding flash of white light almost caused Erika to fall over. Another vision, but this time it wasn't one of her own…. She was seeing a replay of what Daryl had seen, she was seeing the little baby girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, the girl that was unmistakably Daryl's daughter, giggling as Daryl held her in his arms, twirling her around "We love ya daddy. We won't ever leave ya… just have faith…" Erika was experiencing an echo of a vision Daryl had seen weeks ago.
Daryl grabbed Erika to stop her collapsing, he held her upright and safe until her eyes flickered opened again "Erika…. What's wrong? Hey Erika…wake up… please!" Daryl was becoming panicked as he looked at the lifeless form in his arms, stroking her cheek to try and get her to open her eyes.
"Daryl?…. Oh dear…I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened. Maybe the excitement of seeing you again my boy. No really… it's nothing to worry over…I sometimes faint that's all, when I see things." Erika was back with him, trying to explain it away best she could as she stood and smoothed herself down, trying to regain her usual perfect composure.
Erika could sense Beth was in the building now, she needed to make her excuses and leave. She was totally unclear about what was going on though, and she just had to know. She had to know about the visions Daryl received. Why? Where were they from? What were they about? How many? When? How often? Erika couldn't be wrong, could she? Beth was having a boy, Erika's visions were never wrong. But then who was the girl she'd just seen? What did the message from her mean? If Daryl was having visions why did he see a daughter and not the son that Erika knew of? Erika was more than perturbed, she was at a loss. She did not like secrets, she did not like being kept out of the loop where Daryl was concerned and she most definitely did not like the feeling she was getting from this whole strange meeting with Daryl.
"Who's the little girl you see in your dreams, Daryl?" Erika couldn't stop herself from asking. She needed an answer and she needed to know everything was going to be okay for her precious boy.
"How?...Why?...ya can see huh?...I forget ya see everythin'. She's called 'Faith'. Or that's what I call her, since she started to talk ta me. Ya don't think I'm crazy do ya? She does talk ta me yunno. I didn't know what it was to start with, but she was always there, in ma dreams, in ma thoughts, ever since me and Beth had… well, yunno... when she started to become a real possibility." Daryl was crimson from embarrassment now, both from what he'd just admitted to his friend and what she would think of him.
"I don't think you're crazy Daryl, I think you're extraordinary. I've always known you were special and that you were meant for great things. I know you are going to be the best father in the world Daryl. You make sure you remember that." Erika leant forwards and stretched up to place a kiss on Daryl's warm cheek.
"I have to leave now. Beth will be here any moment. You need to concentrate on her… and your little… chickpea." Erika's eyes lit up as she lingered on the last word. She began to giggle as if she were a teenager once more, as she remembered what she'd heard in one of her dreams. She'd thought it just the cutest and sweetest thing she'd ever heard in her whole long existence.
"Ya really know everythin' don't ya? But I'm glad ya do…" Daryl snapped his head away from Erika to focus on the familiar figure moving towards him down the hallway. Beth. Erika thought perhaps she didn't know everything. God works in mysterious ways after all. Her job was just to watch and wait, so that's what she would continue to do.
"Daryl…I know, I know, I'm late. Sorry baby. Have we missed our appointment?... damned alarm didn't go off and I slept in." Beth interrupted Darylnas she breathlessly panted out an apology. Daryl beamed at his wife before turning back to Erika, only to find her gone. He could just about make out a flash of emerald green as she disappeared around the corner of the long corridor. Damn her, she was always doing that, not letting him finish. He couldn't help but smile to himself though, he loved seeing Erika, however long or short their interactions, but he wished she'd let him say goodbye sometimes.
"Who were you talkin' to baby?" Beth was finally catching her breath as she leant up to plant a kiss on Daryl's lips.
"Oh, jus' a woman that works here. She was askin' what I was doin' here on ma own…I suppose I looked a bit odd. The other women around there were starin' at me too." Daryl hated lying but he couldn't just all of a sudden tell Beth about Erika, not after fourteen years of keeping her a secret.
"Oh they were, were they? Well lets go sit down an' give 'em somethin' to stare at. Stupid women…. And I really am sorry for bein' late. I'm so glad we didn't miss our appointment. I'm so excited Daryl." Beth grabbed onto Daryl's hand and was just about to kiss him again when she heard her name being called.
"That's us Mr Dixon, ya ready to meet yer daughter?" Beth pulled Daryl round the corner, purposefully stopping to kiss him in front of everyone, before following the sonographer into her room, dragging her husband behind her.
Beth had to answer what seemed like a thousand questions before she was invited to lie on the bed and lift her top and move her pants down over her small bump. She let out a gasp as the freezing cold gel squeezed out onto her warm skin and was slowly moved around by the transducer.
"Sorry, there's no way of warmin' it I'm afraid. It always feels cold. It'll warm up in a minute." the sonographer gave a friendly smile to Beth. She knew this first scan was always nerve wracking for both parents, them not knowing what to expect and then seeing that new little person that had been faceless for so long become real. Daryl was holding Beth's hand as it lay next to her on the bed, stroking his thumb back and forth across her knuckles in a nervous slow rhythm.
"I think yer husband looks like he might explode with the anticipation." the sonographer gave a little chuckle at the man sat next to her patient.
"Yeah, he's more excited than me, ain't ya Daryl?" Beth looked at her husband, smiled and squeezed his hand. Daryl didn't answer, he seemed to be in a world of his own.
Daryl was transfixed to the monitor, the black and white fuzzy monitor that appeared to be empty. The sonographer had been moving the transducer around trying to find a heartbeat for an age. Daryl and Beth were now just looking at each other, eyes wide in panic.
"Hey, don't worry you two, it always takes a while, the baby's so small it just hides sometimes, thinks it's playing hide and seek with its momma and daddy. No one told 'em it's not a game." the woman could see how anxious they were and she honestly hadn't seen such a cute and in love couple as these two. She wanted to put them at ease, try to lighten the mood.
"Well... there it is. Look. On the screen, just there." Beth and Daryl both followed the woman's finger as she pointed to the almost invisible heartbeat "It's got a strong healthy thud goin' on, maybe takes after you huh dad, you look pretty fit." Beth burst out laughing at that comment, Daryl of course flushing crimson.
"Oh, I'm so sorry…I meant… healthy fit… not that yer not fit fit too…I...I'll just shut up now…" she nervously laughed hoping the couple hadn't taken offence. The woman went back to looking at the screen and all of a sudden swallowed hard, moving closer for a better look as she continued to move the transducer.
"Oh!" the lady couldn't help but gasp. There was another heartbeat, hidden by the one at the front. There was another baby, lying almost parallel to the first.
Beth and Daryl snapped their heads to look at the woman "What?!" Daryl snapped. "What's wrong? Is it the baby? Is she okay? Tell me." Beth felt sick, horrible thoughts flashing through her mind.
"No, they're fine... Both of them are absolutely fine!" the sonographer spoke slowly but was grinning like mad at them.
Beth and Daryl looked at each other blankly, trying to work out if she'd really just told them they were having two babies. They were lost in thought, staring open mouthed at each other as they tried to process it.
"Yes... yer havin' twins." Beth gripped onto Daryl's hand and a huge grin spread out over her face.
"Oh my God Daryl there's two. We're havin' twins." Beth almost squealed the words out.
"Two? Two lil' girls... Shit Beth. Two!" Daryl seemed to glaze over as he drifted back off into his own little world.
Beth and Daryl slowly calmed down as they turned to watch the monitor again, needing to see it for themselves.
The lady explained what they were looking at. The tiny hands and feet, the spines, the heads and eyes, the umbilical cords. They could even see that one of babies was moving its arm up and down towards its face, as though it was about to suck its thumb.
Daryl just sat mesmerized by the whole thing. He's never seen anything so beautiful, they were perfect. But then he knew they would be because Beth was their momma. Beth caught his eye after tearing herself away from the monitor, and mouthed 'I love you'. That was probably what caused the one solitary tear to fall from Daryl's eye, before he quickly blinked the rest away.
"Do you guys wanna know if they're boys or girls? I can tell ya if ya do."
"Yes, please… Daryl here thinks he knows what it is already… but now there's two I have no idea." Beth wanted to hear it confirmed. She'd never understood why Daryl had always been so sure it was a girl. Not that she cared either way, but it would be nice to know if the chickpea's were boys or girls so they could start to think of some names.
"Okay…well congratulations 'cause yer havin' a baby boy and a baby girl."
Daryl didn't speak or move. The words reverberated around his head as he continued to look at Beth. He was going to have a son as well as his little girl. He couldn't actually believe it.
"Are you sure?" Beth could see the look on her husband's face. A look of bemusement. The knowledge they were having two babies taking a while to process and be accepted.
"These things don't come with a guarantee but ya can say it's 90% sure. The main thing is yer babies are strong and healthy … absolutely fine and you look like yer blossomin' now too…I see from yer notes you've been on medication for bad mornin' sickness but that's passed now?"
"Yes, I've been fine for about a week now and am enjoyin' it much more." Beth smiled at the woman even though her mind was firmly fixed on Daryl.
"D'ya want copies of the scan? Most people take two or three just to show people, give the grandparents."
"Yes, three will be fine thanks." Beth was talking to the woman but looking at Daryl, stroking his hand until he looked up at her. Beth didn't speak, her smiling eyes told him it was all going to be fine. Daryl grinned back at her this time, the realisation that both his babies and wife were fine and healthy giving him a warm feeling inside. He realised nothing else mattered.
The sonographer wiped down Beth's belly and told her she could readjust her clothes and get up. She passed the copies of the scan to Daryl, who mumbled thank you as he still seemed to be in another world.
"Well, I'll see you both at the next scan. Take care a yerselves until then… and I'll wanna know what names you've picked for 'em both." the sonographer smiled kindly again and led the couple out of her room and back into the waiting area, immediately calling the next couple.
"Let's get outta here. I'll drive. I wanna go home." Beth grabbed for Daryl's hand.
Beth led Daryl along the corridor, into the elevator and back out into the fresh afternoon air of the hospital parking lot. They didn't speak, they both became lost in their own thoughts for a while. Beth was overjoyed that her two chickpeas were healthy. The thought of having a daughter and a son that looked just like her beautiful Daryl filled her with such happiness it made her heart sing.
"Daryl, are ya okay baby? Ya look dazed….I know yer were only expectin' a lil' girl, but yer gonna get a beautiful son too, a tiny version of you. I get ta have another Daryl live with me. Another thoughtful, carin', lovin' gorgeous little boy to keep our beautiful daughter company." Beth curled her arms around her husband's neck, and kissed him. A long lingering closed mouth kiss.
"I'm jus' shocked….I ain't disappointed or upset. Just amazed. I'm gonna love him jus' as much as I already do our lil' girl….it's jus' gonna take a while ta get used ta knowin' I'm gonna have a son too, is all." They both stayed quiet for a while, just holding each other.
"Fuckin' hell Beth we're gonna have two kids... at the same time. How are we gonna cope? How are we gonna afford it? Shit." Daryl started to laugh at himself and how he was panicking. It was his poor wife that was going to have to carry two babies around for nine months then give birth to them. Daryl was now holding Beth tight, his arms curled round her waist and his forehead pressed down into hers "Shit...I love ya so much Beth…. two babies...and they're ours, he's our lil' boy, she's our lil' girl. They're two perfect, wonderful miracles that are part you and part me…. And I love them both more than I can explain. And I love you even more."
Tears started to well in Beth's eyes. She wasn't quite sure if it was just her stupid hormones or the fact that if she became any happier she would burst. She pressed her lips into Daryl's, her tongue lightly brushing over his lips as Daryl opened his mouth to allow her in. They kissed slowly for a time, not bothered they were stood right in front of the hospital entrance or that everyone was looking at them as they passed by.
Daryl finally pulled back as eagerness and excitement took over from shock and panic. "Do ya wanna go shoppin'? I still got the afternoon off and I think we need to start buyin' our lil' boy and lil' girl some clothes…. Now we know they're okay and yer okay. Then when I get ya home I'm gonna show ya exactly how much this turns me on." Daryl was rubbing the palm of his hand around Beth's belly, gently stroking as she let out a groan, half relief and half anticipation.
"That sounds like an excellent plan Mr Dixon…. But the chickpeas say they want a teddy bear each as well as clothes...one blue and one pink!" Beth giggled, grabbing hold of Daryl's hand as she let him lead her back to the car.
Wednesday, April 13th 2005. Savannah, GA
Beth woke to Daryl bringing her breakfast in bed. It was her twentieth birthday and Daryl had taken the day off work to spoil her. Beth had also taken the day off, and even though she'd had so much time off lately, her boss had been really understanding, even buying her flowers for her Birthday. Beth had started to agree with Daryl that her boss did maybe have a little crush on her, although she didn't mind too much if it meant she could get away with slacking sometimes.
"Happy birthday gorgeous. How's my three favorite people this mornin'?" Daryl put her breakfast down on the nightstand and catapulted himself back into the bed next to Beth, lying down and cuddling up behind her as he wrapped his arm over his wife's now massive belly.
"Well Daniel and Faith are fine, as usual... but momma's achin'. I swear yer son spent all night kickin' a football around inside me." Beth chuckled, although her back really did feel like it was splitting in two.
"Don't be blamin' Daniel, it mighta been Faith yunno...always blamin' the boy huh?... Anyway they must be asleep now, I can't feel 'em movin' anymore." Daryl's palm was stroking wide circles over Beth's naked belly, following the contours of his children's tiny limbs. He'd lifted her nightdress and was kissing her neck suggestively.
"Daryl, don't ya ever stop!?" Beth playfully swatted at her husband to get him to leave her alone.
Due to how much bigger Beth had become over the last month, their sex life had changed beyond what either ever thought it would. There were certain positions that just wouldn't work anymore and certain things Daryl wouldn't do to his wife either, he said it didn't seem right to tie her up and punish her when she had two babies inside her. Beth missed that side of things more than she ever thought she would. But he made it up to her in other ways. He gave her oral sex almost as often as he actually made love to her. He said she tasted and smelt different; sweet, fragrant and just sexy as hell. Beth didn't complain, she just let him go down on her as much as he wanted. It felt different for her somehow too, the feel of his touch more heightened, her flesh more delicate and sensitive. When he trailed his warm wet tongue over her center it felt more delicious than she ever imagined it could.
"Nah…I ain't never gonna stop wantin' ya…ya shouldn't be so damn sexy Mrs Dixon. I hafta touch ya… all the damn time." Daryl wasn't put off by Beth's mock annoyance one bit. Of course he knew he was over the top with showing her affection sometimes, but he also knew Beth didn't mind. It was strange to him really. Wanting to touch and be touched. He'd had a lifetime of Beth touching him but it was only after they were married that it mattered so much. It had always connected them, but it was now the one thing he knew he could never live without. The feel of her skin on his, his body inside hers.
"Can I at least eat ma breakfast first? Yer kids say they're starvin' and yer wife's got a hunger like she's not eaten for days." Beth chuckled as she wriggled out of Daryl's grip, pulling her nightdress down and sitting back against the headboard "Yunno after labor we can't have sex for at least four weeks, longer if I get all messed up and have ta have stitches?" Beth looked at Daryl wide eyed, waiting for a response.
"Baby, why da ya think I'm gettin' in as much as I can now?! And ya ain't gonna get all messed up, everythin's gonna be fine, ma babies ain't gonna hurt ya. Daniel's gonna be a good boy… jus' like his daddy, and Faith...well she'll do as Daniel tells her!" Daryl smirked wickedly as he leant over his wife and passed her the breakfast he'd made, before placing a kiss on her rosy cheek. Beth just rolled her eyes at the man that meant the absolute world to her, unable to stop herself from smiling just a bit at how relaxed and confident her husband was nowadays. With sex, with her, with college and work and just life in general. He'd blossomed. When she thought back to how he was when they were six years old, her heart broke, but right now her heart just wanted to burst with pride and happiness.
Beth ate her breakfast as they sat and talked for a while about their future; about the babies, moving to Atlanta one day, finishing college next year and having more kids. Daryl told her he wanted at least four, Beth told Daryl he'd get what he was given, depending on how she liked labor! Beth seriously didn't mind how many children they had. If her husband wanted four, she'd give him four. She only ever wanted him to be happy.
"Beth, I ain't got ya much for ya birthday this year, 'cause we're savin' for the chickpeas and stuff but there is somethin' I wanna show ya. I've known 'bout it for a while but I only got the letter a couple a weeks ago."
"What Daryl, what are ya talkin' about? Tell me. It sounds excitin'." Beth was beaming at the man sat next to her who had suddenly turned nervous. She didn't understand why he still got nervous around her, like he thought she would be disappointed in him for some reason. She'd never be disappointed in him, but she supposed that was a trait ingrained in him by his bastard pa…. Will Dixon had never wanted his son to do well at anything and would punish him if he did.
"Uuhhhh….ya read it. I ain't no good at stuff like this." Daryl passed a fancy cream, handwritten and torn envelope to Beth and gave her a shy look from under his now shorter but still messy hair.
"Daryl?... okay hold on a minute… let me…" Beth noticed the postmark was from the UK. Why on earth would Daryl be getting letters from the UK? Okay her interest was well and truly piqued now. Beth yanked the letter out of the envelope and unfolded it. It was handwritten to match the envelope, in beautiful black calligraphy. It reminded her of something very old, but quaint. She went quiet as her eyes moved across the page, silently for a while, taking in exactly what was there.
"Oh my God Daryl Dixon…. This is amazin' baby. Why didn't ya tell me before though? Just to be nominated is wonderful… but ya… ya won baby. Ya came first…" Beth's voice trailed off as she started to get emotional.
The letter was from RIBA, The Royal Institute of British Architects, the oldest and most prestigious institute in the world representing architects and architecture. Daryl's head of faculty at SCAT had been invited to enter a student and their work into each of the Bronze, Silver and Gold Presidents Medals Students Awards. She had nominated Daryl and his 'dream home' project in the Silver Award category and he'd won. His work was being shown in RIBA's exhibition in London along with all other entries. The design was one he'd worked on for years, on and off. It was the one he'd started after sleeping with Beth that first time. It was the house he was one day going to build for her and their children.
"Yeah, well no one was more shocked than me. Hansen's are buzzin' 'cause of all the media attention they've been gettin', yunno in architect circles. It'll bring in lots a new interest and business for 'em…"
"Baby I'm so proud of ya, so so proud. And it's the best birthday present I've ever had… ever." Beth interrupted Daryl, she was just so excited "…sorry, carry on, what were ya sayin'?"
"They've… well they've offered me a permanent post once I graduate next year, still as an intern architect…." Beth almost shattered Daryl's eardrums as she squealed with delight "…and ya won't believe how much they're gonna pay me…I nearly passed out when they spoke ta me 'bout it." Daryl looked almost as excited as Beth now, all nerves gone, just a childlike eagerness to please his wife remaining.
"Oh God Daryl, arrrhhhh…I'm so happy. Tell me. Tell me what they said. Put me outta my misery."
"Seventy five thousand a year… they don't want me ta move ta Atlanta. They want me ta stay in Savannah and they'll match any other offers I get. They think I'll get head hunted now but I told 'em they were jus' bein' stupid." Daryl was now smiling from ear to ear and his wife was doing the exact same. They just sat staring at each other for a time, both thinking of so much they thought their heads might actually explode.
"Baby… it does mean we'll have to stay in Savannah for longer. We won't be able to move to Atlanta…. But we can move from here, somewhere bigger away from students. Somewhere with a yard for Daniel and Faith. And ya won't have ta worry 'bout workin' or money… you and the kids can have everythin' ya want…"
"Daryl I already have everythin' I want… or I will have when these…aarrrhhh." Beth grimaced for a second as she held her stomach.
"Beth what's wrong?" Beth grabbed Daryl's hand, she lifted her nightdress and placed his palm on her belly. On their baby's hand to be precise. Daniel or Faith, in the commotion had appeared to have woken and wanted to congratulate their daddy by punching momma hard in the belly.
"Can ya feel it? That's their little fist. I think they want ta shake daddy's hand and tell him well done." Beth giggled as she leant back, watching the look of amazement on her husband's face as he wiggled his fingers gently against the tiny fingers that were pushing Beth's belly into all sorts of strange shapes.
"It feels strange, does it hurt? It looks like it's painful." Daryl gazed at Beth for a moment, unsure, but in total awe at how utterly perfect his wife was.
"No it doesn't hurt, it just feels… a bit uncomfortable, different. Like a push or a strong flutter... a mild feelin' of pressure from deep inside. It looks worse than it feels I think…. Like that scene in the movie, where the alien bursts through that man's stomach." Beth started to laugh as Daryl quietly snuggled his head into Beth's shoulder, with a grin still plastered on his face. "Thank you… for givin' me everythin' I ever wanted Beth. I'm gonna take such good care a ya…all a ya."
"Daryl I'm so proud of you, the chickpeas are proud of ya too. They know yer gonna be such a great daddy, and I already know that yer a great husband, the best. I don't care about Atlanta, as long as we're all together and yer happy. We can move in a few years or we can always stay here, I don't care... I love you."
"I love ya too." Daryl carried on holding his wife for a time "Hey, d'ya want ya other present now? It ain't much but I thought ya'd like 'em." Daryl was now fishing around in his nightstand, retrieving the books he'd wrapped up for his wife.
Beth unwrapped the parcel, which wasn't difficult as Daryl's wrapping skills weren't really up to much, before throwing her arms around her husband "Aawwww, they're lovely Daryl. Thank ya. I'm gonna start fillin' 'em in straight away… and we need new pictures of us… one with me lookin' like a whale! And one with ya lookin' all gorgeous and proud with yer letter." Beth was already flipping through the pages of the baby record books, one pink and one blue. Daryl had had the covers printed with their children's names. DANIEL HERSHEL DIXON. FAITH SARAH DIXON. They had pages for photos and writing. Spaces for dates and times and all of baby's milestones for their first year. It would be a permanent reminder of the happiest time of her life, well, if she maybe forgot about the morning sickness part!
"Come on then, let's get up… I got plans for later and not all of them involve you and me naked!" Daryl jumped out of bed, kissing his wife's head.
Daryl told her they weren't going out anywhere today but she should put on the floral maternity sundress he liked because he had all sorts of ideas on what he was going to do to her later whilst she was wearing it, which included chocolate sauce, a blindfold, and icecubes. Beth couldn't help but blush when he whispered exactly what his plans were, although she was still curious as to what else he'd organized for the day.
"You've got about an hour before ya need ta be ready. D'ya want me ta give ya a back rub while ya take a bath?" Daryl was sat on top of the bedspread now, squeezed onto a small area next to Beth.
"Would ya baby? My back really aches after last night... and yunno ya got magic fingers." Beth giggled as she walked her fingers upwards along his bare thigh. Daryl just smirked at his wife's attempts to wind him up.
"Yeah, I'll be havin' words with ma kids when they're here yunno. I'm the only one s'posed ta make momma ache by keepin' her up all night!" Daryl chuckled at the image. Him reprimanding two adorable babies over moving around inside their momma.
Daryl's thoughts momentarily wandered to his own mom and pa. He wondered if she'd liked it when she felt him kick or move inside her, or whether his pa had just shouted and slapped her. He wondered if his pa had ever hit her belly while he was in there. He remembered from when he was little his pa telling him he'd tried to get rid of him. Lately he'd even wondered if his pa had raped his mom and that's why he'd hated Daryl so much, he remembered hearing screams from his parents bedroom often when he was little but didn't know what it meant then. Perhaps it wasn't just hitting that his pa did to his mom, he hoped he was wrong. He wondered how any man could be so cruel to his own family and then he wished his momma could be here to see Daniel and Faith. He wanted his mom to be proud of him but he knew that was an impossibility now. Now that she was dead.
"Daryl baby, are ya okay? Yer away on another planet again I think." Beth tried to snap her husband out of his trance by waving her hand in front of his face.
"Yeah, I'm fine… jus' thinkin' 'bout mom is all…I'd a liked her ta have met ya and the chickpeas. Yunno, she weren't bad Beth, she…. Well she jus' did what she had ta, ta cope with him."
"Daryl, I know she wasn't bad baby. I know she loved ya. And she did her best… but yer pa. Well he was just too much, he was horrid… evil, Daryl. Please don't think about them, don't get upset. I know it ain't the same but ya know mom and dad think of ya as their son too, they always have Daryl. Yunno ya can always talk ta them, go ta them about anythin'... and Maggie and Glenn and Shawn. They all love ya. And you've got me… you'll always have me… and yer two lil' chickpeas of course." Beth smiled, determined not to cry, as she held Daryl's face in her hands, kissing him tenderly across his lips and cheeks, along his jaw.
"I'm the luckiest man in the world, I know that. I ain't complainin'. I love yer family ta bits, they've never been anythin' but kind and lovin' towards me, and it is the same Beth. I do think of 'em as the mom and dad I never had." Daryl placed a kiss on Beth's lips before standing and going to fill the bathtub for his wife. He didn't want her to see the tears that were about to fall, not on her birthday, not when they were so happy.
Daryl had refused to tell Beth what was happening, as she'd find out in an hours' time anyway. So she and Daryl took a bath, Daryl gave her a back rub, they got dressed then sat and flicked through the baby books again for a while. Sure enough an hour later there was a knock on the apartment door. Beth opened it to find her entire family stood there with huge stupid grins on their faces and armfuls of presents. Annette, Hershel, Maggie, Glenn, Shawn and Amy. She couldn't have been any happier and bounded out into the hallway, throwing herself at them. She hadn't seen them since just after Christmas and they got quite a shock when they saw how big she'd become.
"Happy Birthday sis… oh my…are ya sure ya ain't havin' triplets really? Yer freakin' huge girl!" Maggie grinned and hoped Beth knew she was joking. She thought her sister looked glowing "If bein' pregnant makes ya glow like that, I might tell Glenn we need ta have a baby... but just one would be fine with me!" Maggie giggled and embraced her sister.
"It ain't bein' pregnant that's makin' me glow sis, it's the constant sex I have ta put up with. Daryl's been insatiable since we found out I was pregnant….I think it's my hormones or pheromones or somethin' makin' him horny as hell." Beth whispered to her sister as she squeezed her tight. Maggie's mouth just dropped open as though she was catching flies.
"Bethy, you look… radiant? Happy Birthday!...How's my little girl and my two little grandbabies then?" Hershel threw his arms around his youngest and held her tight as he kissed the top of her head.
"I'm good daddy, I ain't sick anymore. It's just the chickpeas keepin' me awake with their kickin' now. I reckon Daniel's gonna be a soccer player for sure, and Faith probably an Olympic hurdler, it feels like that's what she's doin' in there anyway!" Beth snorted as she moved along to her momma.
"Happy Birthday baby girl, ya look beautiful. But then ya always do. Ya feelin' better now? How's the babies?" Annette had grabbed Beth's cheeks and was babbling on at her.
"Yes mom I feel fine now. Don't worry, Daryl's been real attentive like always." Beth glanced over her shoulder to find Daryl, but he was already deep in conversation with Shawn and Glenn. That made her happy. Seeing how comfortable he was. Seeing how comfortable all the people she loved were with one another. Looking around, she noticed there was one thing, one person missing from the picture though. Merle. She thought how happy Daryl would be if he could see his brother again, especially now he had such happy news to tell him.
The afternoon soon disappeared as everyone talked and laughed. Of course Annette had brought food with her, when did she not? Sandwiches, pies, cakes and all sorts of lovely things. And Maggie had made Beth one of her trademark birthday cakes with pink frosting and a white wax twenty candle in the middle. Everyone had embarrassed her by singing Happy Birthday and had watched as she blew out the candle, closed her eyes and made her wish. She grabbed Daryl's hand and leant up and kissed him just as a bright flash went off. Glenn was on camera duty again. Beth wanted those new pictures for her books so had asked him for specific poses and people.
Glenn had just taken the umpteenth photo of Daryl and Beth holding up various baby stuff and birthday presents. Truth be told, Daryl was getting a little tired of posing for the camera and his smile was now only half-heartedly plastered on his face. He really just wanted another piece of Maggie's cake and then a long night of making love to his gorgeous wife. Daryl sighed in relief when there was a knock on the door and he was freed from the photo-taking to go answer it. He'd expected anything but what he found. Salespeople, Dale from downstairs, a friend from work, Mormons, a singing telegram... anything but Merle Dixon. But here he was leaning against the door jamb with his same ol' Merle smirk on his face. "Merle?"
"In the flesh, lil' brother." Daryl's face lifted from shock to pure delight as Merle stepped forward and embraced his brother in a squeezing bear-hug. Daryl couldn't help but notice that Merle's appearance had greatly improved. His clothes looked new, clean and pressed. They were nice, too. Merle was also a lot fitter than before. His color was good and his eyes clear and sharp. And he looked happy. Something had definitely changed about Merle Dixon.
"Hope I ain't interruptin', but I was hopin' ta see that lil' wife a yers... and my niece and nephew, I hear." Suddenly Merle looked unsure of himself, a reaction more suited to a younger Daryl than Merle. Seeing that hurtful emotion where it certainly didn't belong hurt Daryl's heart and he opened his mouth to reassure his brother that he was as much welcome here as Daryl himself. Daryl didn't get any of that out, though, before he was roughly pushed aside and a mass of blonde launched itself at Merle.
Merle laughed and looked at his brother over Beth's head as he held her tightly. Merle pulled Beth away from him for a second so he could take a good look at the mom-to-be, then pulled her back into another tight embrace. A silent conversation passed between brothers as Daryl grinned and shook his head as if to say "See, Merle, this is where you belong - with us". Daryl watched as Merle held Beth like she was a precious stone and kissed the top of her head gently. Daryl didn't miss the tears that threatened to invade the corners of Merle's eyes before he blinked them away and cleared his throat.
"Hey. Lil' sister went and got herself knocked up. How 'bout that? Who ya been messin' around with, ain't never had twins on our side 'fore?"
Beth swatted at Merle jokingly. "Don't tease. I'm so mad at you! Where have you been, Merle Dixon?" Beth stopped grinning for a second as she looked into Merle's eyes. "You're supposed to be here with your family. We've been missin' you. The family's not complete if you're not here." Then Beth reached out and pinched Merle hard on his bicep, just like she always did with Shawn.
"Oww! Dammit, girl!"
Beth stuck her tongue out at Merle as he grinned at her in disbelief. "That's what you deserve for bein' gone so long. Now come join the party... that you're late for, by the way. I think we left ya some cake, though."
"Wait, lil bit. These are for you and the lil' ones." Merle dropped two tiny things into Beth's hand. Daryl didn't get to see what they were before Beth was back into Merle's arms, hugging him fiercely again. When she pulled away, Daryl saw tears running down her face. "Hey now, girl, don't do that. They're just a lil' thang, nothin' special."
Beth took a shaky breath and started back into the house. She whispered back over her shoulder. "You're wrong, Merle Dixon, they mean the world 'cause they're from you. Come on. These damn hormones - I need some tissues." She smiled at both brothers and handed the gifts gently to Daryl before disappearing into the house. They were tiny felted wool angels in sparkling green dresses placed lovingly in fine cotton paper wrapping. They were exquisitely made with shiny blue eyes and brunette hair. They were beautiful and delicate, guardian angels to hang over the babies cribs. Daryl couldn't miss the resemblance to Erika.
Daryl embraced his brother one more time. "Merle..." Where should he even start? "How'd ya know...?"
"Oh, weeell...ya know." Merle winked and grinned at his brother. "A pretty lil bird's been whisperin' sweet nuthin's in my ear, lil' brother. Thought I better stick my nose where it don't belong and check up on ya. Looks like I didn't need ta though. Yer doin' jus' fine." Merle patted Daryl's face and shook his chin a little before looking around his brother's shoulder. "Now... that girl say somethin' 'bout cake?"
Beth couldn't wait any longer to tell everyone Daryl's good news, which embarrassed him beyond all reason, even though he'd never felt as much love and pride radiate out from one group of people in his life before. They all congratulated him, Hershel and Merle pulling him into big bear-hugs again, Annette and Maggie almost kissing his face off, one on either cheek and Glenn and Shawn shaking his hand. Glenn looking quite dejected over the job and the salary part, which wasn't helped by the way Maggie was looking at her husband either.
Beth took her sister to the side "Why d'ya make Glenn feel so bad? Money ain't everythin' Maggie… we should know. Daryl studies full time, holding down a 30 hour a week job and I work six days a week in a diner for a pittance, relying on the generosity of strangers to leave me a tip. Daryl deserves it, he deserves somethin' good, he works so hard and ya know what kinda life he's had. Maybe ya should give Glenn a break, he does his best for ya and he loves ya Maggie, yer his entire world yunno. He looks so sorry for himself, go tell him ya love him. Please…. For me, and yer niece and nephew?" Beth gave her sister her best pouty face and Maggie couldn't help but smile.
"Okay. But only 'cause it's yer birthday and I can't argue with a pregnant woman of twins!" Maggie went off to make Glenn feel better. She wasn't really mad or disappointed in him at all and it wasn't about money either. It was Beth. The older sister sometimes felt the tiniest pang of jealousy over her little sister. How she had absolutely everything; beauty, brains, married to her soul mate, two babies on the way, a now rosy future with money and a nice house, and on top of that she'd always been Hershel's favorite. Maggie knew they were all irrational thoughts but her brain went there sometimes anyway, whether she wanted it to or not. It made her feel awful to feel this way and she knew it made Glenn feel inadequate too, which she hated.
Before long, it was time for everyone to leave. They all said their goodbyes, hugged and kissed. Beth thanked them all again for the cards, presents, beautiful baby things, cake and food as they drifted out of the door one by one. Merle hung back until last to tell Daryl how proud he was of him, his usual swagger and bravado hardly there at all. He was just genuine and serious for once. Daryl made Merle promise he wouldn't stay a stranger anymore because Daniel and Faith would need their Uncle Merle to be around for them. Merle said he wasn't going far this time. He'd finally found a reason to stick in one place now. A tiny, pretty, brunette spitfire reason to be precise. Daryl just rolled his eyes at him, before pulling his big brother into another hug.
The couple sat back and flopped out on the couch, side by side. The apartment suddenly humming with a deafening silence that she'd never noticed before, but now all the noise and babble had gone and it was just Daryl and her left in the room, the silence was unbearably loud. Beth couldn't stand it.
"Ya still wanna do all those dirty things ta me?... the chickpeas are asleep." Beth sung the words as she turned to look at her husband with a wicked grin on her lips. Daryl grinned right back at her, his eyes dark and wide.
"I didn't wanna ask, ya looked tired….but yeah... yeah, I wanna do those dirty things ta ya." Daryl almost pounced on his wife, taking her breath away as his mouth crashed into her mouth and his body moulded around her body. The deafening silence of the room broken once again with noise. A joyful, happy, heavenly noise as a man and his wife made love.
A/N: Please don't forget to leave a note! See you guys again next Friday!