BETH'S POV
I DO NOT OWN THE CHARACTERS.
A/N: Your reviews I love, honestly ya'll make my day ;) Here it is! Birthday time! Hope its everything you were hoping for!
He loved me. The moment he had uttered the words the tattered walls around my heart that I had been building over the past few days, shattered, allowing my heart to swell so much it felt like it might just burst out of my chest. I spent so much time trying to push him away, anyone away, but then Sasha came over the night before and let me cry, just cry. She hadn't probed me with questions, she just listened to me cry. After the crying finished she told me about her conversation with Daryl and told me she could see he cared deeply for me but until he uttered those three little words today I hadn't really thought too much into it.
"Things look serious between you two." Daddy said as I was walking up the stairs to my room. I paused to turn towards him, "So he is your boyfriend then?" he asked and I nodded to answer his question. "He seems like a good guy, invite him to dinner one night, I'd like to get to know the man." he stated and then walked into the kitchen. I walked up the stairs to text Sasha.
'Daryl just dropped by ~Beth'
I jumped in the shower, deciding I was going to go to work tonight. The shower had been my 5th one in the past 2 days but this one wasn't spent scrubbing until my skin was raw like the times before. No this time was the shower was actually enjoyed. I dried myself off quickly and wrapped the towel around myself and laid down in bed. I had about 2 hours before I had to be to work so I decided to take a much needed nap since I hadn't really slept much. Just as I was drifting off to sleep my phone dinged with a text message from Sasha asking me what happened. I called her but got her voicemail. I got a quick message from Sasha saying she was busy and couldn't answer. I wrote her back telling her I would just talk to her later and then closed my eyes drifting off.
I woke up to 3 missed phone calls from Michonne and realized I was an hour and a half late for work. I jumped up throwing my unbrushed hair up in a messy bun and throwing on a pair of boyshort underwear, sports bra, my gray shirt with the angel wings on the back, my baggy worn flare jeans, and slipping my flip flops on as I ran out the door. I sped the whole way to work, thankful no cops were around. I ran into the building, pushing my way through bodies and made my way behind the bar. I mouthed 'I'm Sorry' to Michonne who just nodded and continued helping customers. The band started and the crowd migrated to the dance floor, giving Michonne and I a small break.
"Whats up with you and Dixon?" she said walking over to me.
"We're together." I stated simply.
"No, he was in a foul mood yesterday. You guys get into a fight or somethin?" she asked. I shook my head rubbing the light bruises on my wrists. "Did he do that to ya? I am gonna beat his ass, boss man or not!" she said smoothly. I laughed a little at her protectiveness and told her what had actually happened. The night went by pretty quickly since the bar was packed. Daryl hadn't showed up tonight which was odd because I cant really recall a night he wasn't here since I started. I helped Michonne close up the bar and headed for my Jeep. There was a single red rose propped under my windshield wiper with a piece of paper.
'Had some stuff come up, see you at 6:30pm Darlin. Love, Daryl.'
I smiled, looking around the parking lot just incase he had still been there but was met with nothing. I chuckled to myself, for someone that hasn't done relationships before, he never ceased to amaze me with this sweet caring side that he never knew existed within himself. I got home and quietly climbed the stairs to my bedroom. I placed the note and rose on my nightstand before changing into sweatpants. I laid in bed closing my eyes and letting my exhaustion wash over me before falling asleep.
I woke up the next morning and walked in the kitchen for breakfast before I had to head to the shop to work. I made myself a bowl of cereal and sat at the table. The house seemed too quite and it was weird. Usually Daddy would be reading his newspaper with the radio on some talk show. I finished my cereal and decided to go get dressed for work at the shop. I got to the shop early but Dale was already there pushing Daryl's bike out to a parking spot.
"Hey Beth, you are going to have to run the front alone today, I am working in Daryl's bay. Anything that doesn't get done today he will take care of tomorrow." he said as he kicked out the kickstand and released the bike.
"Is he not coming in today?" I asked and he shook his head. It was lunch before I realized the date. A customer asking for the date to write on her check. It was my birthday. Wow, how had I not realized this already! I caught a glimpse of the almost gone bruises on my wrist and realized I knew exactly why I hadn't realized it was my birthday. My mind had still been racing over that night and the more I thought about, the more I realized I really needed to learn how to defend myself. A ringing of the bell on the front door awoke me from my thoughts and I looked up seeing a young boy, he couldn't have been older than 13. The boy was holding a small vase that had a mix of brightly colored orchids and lilies. He sat them down on the counter and gave me a small nod before turning and walking out the door. I grabbed the small card that was stuffed in the middle of the flowers. It read Happy Birthday but no name was written. I looked up towards the boy's retreating form and found Dale talking to Rick. It had to have been Daryl because even though Rick was a nice guy, I barely knew him so flowers for my birthday would've been odd. I plucked a lily from the bouquet and slid it over the top of my ear, taking a picture and sending it to Daryl. He replied with a smiley face. I pushed Daryl's bike back into his bay at the end of the night before Dale locked up the shop. I rushed home knowing I would get home and only have 1 hour to get ready for work before Daryl would be picking me up. I curled my hair, putting it half up, tugged my light pink skinny jeans up my legs, putting on my flowy white tank top with the big sequin heart, chucks, and leather jacket. I took one last look in the mirror and decided to put on some eye liner on with some mascara. I skipped down the stairs and grabbed the pink lily from earlier and placed it above my ear as a reminder of how sweet Daryl was. There was a light knock on the door and I ran to answer it. I opened the door to see the most dapper Daryl I had ever seen. He was wearing a nice pair of fitted jeans that I couldn't wait to stare at his ass in and a untucked black button down dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
"Hey." he said shyly.
"Hey." I said as I leaned up to place a soft kiss to his perfect lips. "Well don't you clean up nice!" I smiled against his lips. I pulled away to see the shy grin spread across his face along with a light blush. He was so damn sexy.
"You ready to go?" he asked as he stepped aside to let me walk out the door. I nodded closing and locking the door behind me. He held my door open to climb into the truck closing it lightly and hopping into the driver's seat. His arm was resting on the center console so I tangled my fingers in his to hold his hand. Once I was comfortably holding his hand he lifted our entwined hands to his lips and kissed the back of my hand without breaking eye contact with the road.
We were walking up to the front door of the bar when he gently grabbed my hips and pulled my back flush against the front of his body, asking me to close my eyes. I closed my eyes and he guided me into the front door. Daryl still had his hands gripping my hips firm but gentle. I could heard his breathing in my ear and felt his grip on my hips tighten and I was hoping the place was empty and he was going to reenact our first night together, but he whispered a low 'Happy Birthday Beth' and released his hold on me. I sighed at the loss of contact and stepped backwards to press myself against him again. I wanted him, no, needed him. His arm wrapped around me, his hand stretched out and placed firmly in place on my stomach. He let out a small chuckle by my ear.
"Open your eyes now." he whispered before adding, "Before you start something I cant bring myself to stop." My center pooled with heat but then I opened my eyes and my blood went cold. There were atleast 50 pairs of eyes staring at Daryl and I. Including Daddy who was standing front and center of the group, watching the whole thing unfold. My face felt on fire, I had never been more embarrassed in my life! I stepped away from Daryl and his hand dropped from my stomach and was stuffed into his pants pocket. The nervous half smile on his face made it apparent that he was just as embarrassed as myself. I lost Daryl in the crowd of people that surrounded me with 'Happy Birthdays'. It wasn't until later that I found him manning the bar and pouring drinks with Michonne for guests.
"Who is that tall drink of sexy?" Rosita asks me nodding over to Daryl who was talking with Rick and Lori.
"That's Daryl." I smile.
"Goodie goodie Beth has herself a bad boy girls!" Sasha jokes. I smacked her playfully and Tara walked over.
"So that's the mystery man that Sasha has been blowing my phone up about." Tara said smiling.
"Shut up guys! Sasha I am so kicking your ass and your loose lips!" I joked.
The place looked amazing. There was streamers drapped all over the place with balloons taking place of the ceiling with the strings hanging freely. Part of the bar was lined with different snack foods and presents.
"I wonder who decorated?" I wondered aloud.
"That would be me," I heard from over my shoulder and seen Carol with a huge smile on her face.
"It looks amazing. Doesn't look like the same place!" I said as she gave me a hug unexpectedly.
"Thanks Darlin' but you should really be thanking your man over there. He is the one that planned all of this." she said looking over towards Daryl. I couldn't believe it, but then it all made sense, him not being at the bar last night or at work this morning.
"Yes, I will definitely have to thank him." I said thoughtfully knowing I had just the right way to do so. "Well happy birthday sweetheart. Ed and I have got to get going we have to go pick up Sofia from her Grandma's" she said starting to walk past me but she stopped and looked back at me, "You're special Beth, don't forget that. I hope you realize how in love Daryl is with you. He deserves someone good. I am glad he has finally found it." Then she grabbed Ed's hand and headed for the door waving a goodbye to Daryl. I walked over to Daddy who was talking with Glenn and Rick.
"There's our Birthday Girl!" Daddy said giving me a hug. "Enjoying yourself Bethy?" he asked and I nodded excitedly. "Good! Daryl did a good job. I have to say between this, your happiness, and the opinions of these two, he seems like a Dad's dream boyfriend." he said chuckling with a hearty laugh and I had to laugh too glad my dad didn't know how we had ended up where we were now. Glenn and Rick just smiled at me.
"I think Beth is special, I have never in my years of knowing Daryl, seen him so happy and sweet on someone." Rick said serious, making eye contact with me to make sure he got the point across. This was a big deal, because this wasn't a normal thing for Daryl. I nodded to him and he gave me a gorgeous smile before Lori pulled him out to the dance floor for a slow dance with Glenn and Maggie following.
"I am headed out baby girl its getting late and I gotta wake up early for Church in the morning." Daddy said giving me a hug and kiss on the top of my head. "Have a good time tonight Bethy."
A fast paced song came on next and soon the couples that were on the dance floor were joined by Rosita, Patrick, Tara, Sasha, Gareth, Lizzie, and Mika. It was so odd seeing everyone outside of the college life but it was refreshing at the same time, knowing all the friends I had would be willing to travel to out little town to celebrate my birthday made me feel so blessed.
"You having fun?" Daryl asked as he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
"You are amazing you know that?" said looking back at him. He just shrugged his shoulders and gave me that adorable crooked grin. "Come one lets dance!" I said pulling him to the dance floor.
"Beth I don't dance. I'm no good at it." he said playfully resisting me.
"Its just like sex Daryl." I said pulling him up behind me and putting his hands on my hips. "And I already know you are good at that." I said flirtatiously. He groaned and moved with me following my hips with his. "See not so bad." I said teasing him.
"Beth." he said in a warning tone when I grounded my ass against his crotch. The music stopped and he turned me around fast in his arms, cupping my face and putting his forehead against mine. "Girl, ya can't be doing shit like that to me in public. I can't promise I'm always going to be able to resist and be a gentleman." he whispered to me before the next song started. I smirked at him knowing he would see it and know that was accepting the challenge. He grabbed my hand pulling me to the office and closed the door behind us. He pushed me against the door with force and slammed his mouth down on mine, nipping at my lips and his tongue begging for entrance. I moaned against his lips pushing myself against the large bulge in the front of his pants.
"Beth? Daryl?" Michonne broke us apart through the door, "We have to open in 30 minutes, we doing the presents and shit?" she asked. Daryl groaned in frustration and pulled away from me, tucking a stray hair behind my hair.
"I'll be out in a minute. Gotta calm down first." he said motioning towards the bulge in his pants. I bit my lip looking up at him through my lashes. "Get outta here, ya aren't helpin the problem." he growled turning away from me. I turned pulling the door open and taking a step out of the door when he spoke up, "Don't start without me." I shot him a smile and closed the door behind me. Michonne had turned the music of the jukebox down and was standing on the bar trying to get everyone's attention. Daryl had emerged from the room before everyone was gathered at the bar. The first gift I opened was from Rick and Lori, a pair of black riding boots.
"I guessed on the size, I hope they fit! Rick insisted you needed some since you are hanging out with this one." she said gesturing to Daryl. I thanked them and received the next gift from Merle and Carleen, there was a makeup case full of different Mac products and a shirt that said 'I'm with stupid', the shirt obviously from Merle.
"Do I wear this when I hang out with you?" I asked giving him some sass. He laughed one of his hearty laughs.
"Touche! Happy Birthday Goldielocks." he said and smiled. Maggie and Glenn had gotten me a spa day at one of the nice spas in Atlanta and Sasha had gotten me a Lifeproof case for my new phone. The rest were cards holding money and gift cards. I thanked everyone for coming out and for the gifts and cards before everyone started singing Happy Birthday as Michonne appeared from the cooler with a birthday cake. I closed my eyes hard, thinking of my wish and blew out the candles. Daryl pulled me off to the side handing me a large rectangular box shyly. I gently opened the box, 4 tickets sitting neatly on top of the tissue paper.
"Guns N Roses? And John Mayer? Daryl these are first row!" I squealed giving him my brightest smile.
"Keep goin'"he said gesturing to the box. I pealed the flaps of the tissue paper back revealing a leather book with a large B.G. on the front. I lifted the book finding there were ties on either side of the book to keep it closed. I pulled the tie and opened the book, blank sheet music pages staring back at me. "Fer yer music." he said softly. I could feel the tears starting to sting my eyes. This had to be the most thoughtful gift I had ever received in my life. I sat the book down throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him. He pulled back with a chuckle, "Ya like it then?" and I nodded a yes unable to form words for the beautiful man in front of me. He pulled a smaller box from his pants pocket and opened it showing me the beautiful silver necklace with a guitar pendant that had a music note in place of where the strings would be. He looked up at me hesitantly and a tear I had held back rolled down my cheek. His face fell and he placed the box on the bar next to us and wiped the tear away. "Did I do somethin wrong? Of course I did, yer cryin." he said pulling away from me and running his hands through his hair with frustration with himself.
"Daryl, its perfect... You're perfect... Everything is perfect." I said to him grabbing the box from the counter and pulling the necklace out. "Will you put it on me?" I asked holding it out to him with my most earth-shattering smiles. He took the necklace from me and I turned around lifting my hair out of the way. He secured it around my neck and kissed the exposed skin at the crook of my neck and shoulder.
"I love ya Beth." he whispered to me before pulling away and gathering all the gifts and taking them out to load them in his truck. It wasn't until I watched him disappear out the front door that I realized everyone was staring, and I was sure they had been watching our entire interaction.
A/N: Sorry for the break. But as you can tell I had my work cut out for me this chapter. I struggled with a gift that wouldnt be too corny, thank you Carowen for your brilliance! Thank you guys for all the reviews and love! I would love to make Bethylmas an everyday thing but being a mom of twin 3 year olds and working full time kinda gets in the way of it :( Being an adult sucks ;) lol jk But anywho, hope you guys loved the chapter and it was worth the wait. I always feel SUPER guilty making you wait longer than a day for an update so I seriously cannot apologize enough to you guys to make me feel better about it being 2 days with no update. Much Love & Bethyl On my lovelies :)