A/N: So glad everyone loved the feels in the last chapter… you are sure to enjoy this one then. There is dancing… there is talking… there is kissing. Enjoy!
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Chapter 25
As the wedding progressed into the reception, it was a whirlwind of people, food, and music. Daryl found himself purposefully seated with the Greene family, next to Hope and Hershel at reserved table with several other important guests. Beth smiled at him from her honored seat at the head table with the bride and groom. It might have been a little awkward but strangely filling to be seated with the Greene family; Daryl finally understood he was welcomed.
There were speeches from more people than Daryl could count; each person with a different story to tell and a toast for Maggie's and Glenn's future happiness. Pictures flashed while the towering cake was being cut, followed by dances with the fathers and mothers. Daryl didn't mind the traditions that seemed to go on and on. Everyone seemed so happy and the food was good, he was full and content while he watched it all unfold.
Despite requesting a dance from the mother, it was the daughter that first dragged him to the dance floor. Daryl danced with his small daughtered planted squarely on his new black shoes, adding a few scuffs. Little Judy Grimes joined him as an eager partner as well. Rick came to relieve him more than once from the dainty dancing girls, allowing his own feet a moment's rest. Daryl caught a few moments with Beth between his dancing with the girls as she checked in with them as she mingled with the large number of guests.
It wasn't long before the excitement became too much for the young girls. Lori and Beth both came to collect their small, tired children. Arrangements had been made for Hope and Judith to rest in the farmhouse will the party continued. Carl would watch over them while they slept; the teenager was looking forward to charging his fancy cell phone anyway.
"Good night, Daddy," Hope said from her mother's arms as she rested her head on Beth's shoulder. Her blue eyes already partially closed.
Daryl leaned over and kissed Hope on her head. "Night, baby."
"Love you, Daddy," Hope murmured as Beth walked towards the house, leaving the boisterous party behind her. Lori followed closely with Judith in her arms as well.
Daryl knew what love was. The moment he saw his daughter for the first time it had surged forward in him, awakening a part of him he hadn't even realized he had. He had spent a good part of his life utterly void of the notion, never really knowing the power behind it. Daryl had heard the words more than a few times from his daughter. Still, each time Hope declared the words to him, Daryl felt his chest tighten around his heart. Someone loved him.
Rick tapped him on the shoulder, breaking his attention from watching his girls disappear into the farmhouse. Rick motioned with his head toward the bar. It was an idea he could get behind so Daryl nodded and followed the man. Hershel knew how to throw a party for his daughter; more than one guest was enjoying the open bar happily.
Daryl and Rick both ordered their drinks. Daryl wasn't drunk or even buzzed, but he definitely felt his bourbon whisky as he swallowed his first taste of his glass. Rick, on the other hand, was taking advantage of his wife driving him home that night and had the happy glow of someone who was a drink or two over his driving limit. The other man's face was flushed slightly and paired with an infectious grin, wagging his brows as he tasted his brew before him.
"So you and Beth… you two doin' this thing or not?" Rick asked, setting his beer down with a small jolting force.
It was a thoughtful moment before Daryl nodded slightly. "Yeah, I guess we are," he responded confidently as he tipped his glass up again for another sip.
Rick gave him the biggest shit eating grin before draining the rest of his beer. "Then stop pussy footin' around and get that woman on the dance floor." The off duty sheriff straightened his tie before he left Daryl at the bar in favor of his returning wife, swinging the smiling Lori onto the dance floor.
Beth walked up to Daryl and took Rick's spot next to him, gracing him with a smile as she leaned against the bar rail with him.
"Drink?" Daryl asked, looking over to the busy bartender.
"No," Beth replied with a sharp shake of her head. "I had more than enough last weekend. I'm fine."
Daryl smirked as he sipped at his amber liquid again.
"Hope is already asleep. I barely got her out of her dress before the poor little thing was out. Judy too. Carl is on the couch with the TV and phone both going so everyone'll be fine," Beth informed him.
Both Beth and Daryl allowed their attention to be draw back to the celebration happening behind them. Rick twirled Lori in dramatic fashion on the dance floor. Glenn had Maggie in his arms alongside Sasha, who was laughing as she danced with Bob. Their friends were having so much fun amidst a sea of other dancing people. Daryl was nervous; he knew he just needed to man up and ask for a dance from Beth, but it didn't seem like he could manage to get his mouth to form any words.
Beth stood next him, close enough that he could tell her body was swaying ever so slightly to the pounding music. Daryl could tell she wanted to dance. Why was he being such a coward about it? Fuck it. Daryl slammed the rest of his whisky and set down his glass hard. There was a burning sensation in his chest, setting fire to his courage.
Daryl turned to ask, but Beth beat him to it. "Dance?" she asked gently, her eyes imploring him.
He swallowed thickly and nodded quickly. Daryl didn't know what the hell he was doing, but he knew he'd at least try. Rick made it look so easy with his wife in his arms, crooning the song drunkenly as he held Lori close. The same with Glenn as he swung his new bridge around with a flurry of her dress swirling around Maggie, catching her close to him at the end. Damn, Daryl knew he was up against a lot.
Beth grabbed his hand, an electric jolt from the first touch of her that night. Why the hell had he waited so long to touch her? Beth pulled him willingly to the crowded dance floor. A new song started to play, one that wasn't too fast and nothing Daryl knew since his usual choice of hard rock wasn't something people generally danced to at weddings. Beth leaned into him, her face titled up to his as she laced her fingers with one of his hands. She then reached around and placed his other hand on the small of her back. Beth seemed to know he didn't know what he should be doing. She was always knowing that… what he needed, when he needed it, how he needed it. This woman knew him so well, how had she missed that he had wanted her too for so long?
With his hand at her back, Daryl pressed her against him a little more, loving the way she felt against him. They moved together to the music. It wasn't quite right, Daryl could tell. Their feet fumbled with one another more than once. However, Daryl also knew that neither of them cared about that; not the way they were looking at one another. It didn't matter they weren't exactly in time with the music or the face another drunken couple had bounced into them accidently. All that mattered was them… like that… together.
It was easy how one dance stretched into another song and then another, more than Daryl took notice of. He couldn't pay attention, not with the most beautiful woman in the world locked firmly in his hold. Beth didn't seem to notice, or perhaps she just didn't care either, she continued to smile and enjoy herself in his arms.
Finally, the couple took a small break from the dance floor to grab a few drinks. Nothing too hard, just enough to wet their throats while mingling with a few people from the party. Beth and Daryl laughed with friends, got over exuberate hugs from Glenn and Maggie for coming, and grabbed a midnight snack when the pizza was delivered. Hershel wanted no on going home drunk and driving from his daughter's wedding so along with the open bar he provided there was a second, sobering meal offered to guests.
After the latest break to fill up on the offered snack, Beth and Daryl were once again relaxed against the makeshift bar. The music changed, slowing as the lightened softened as well. Beth caressed a hand from her hair down along her neckline, rubbing absently at an ache found there.
Dancing in the dark
Middle of the night
Taking your heart
And holding it tight
Beth eyes brightened at the song starting to play. She offered him a suggestive smile as she nudged her head toward the dance floor with a raised, questioning brow to him. Hell yes, Daryl wanted to dance with her again, to have Beth pressed against him. This dancing thing wasn't half as bad as he had thought. Daryl switched to water during their last break; he gulped down the last of his glass readily.
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I've just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does something to me
Those words of the song struck a chord with him, freezing him in place as he set his glass down. Was this… Beth and him… was it forever? Daryl was hit with the same exhilarating feeling he had felt during the wedding while starting at Beth and the concept of their family and the ideal struck him. The dim gathering softened the edges of her face, creating a radiant glow surrounding her as he turned to face her. Her large blue eyes stared up at him expectantly. Does Beth know what Daryl wanted? They had kissed once recently and under irregular circumstances, not moving much further beyond that moment and a shared revelation that they both wanted a relationship. How could Beth possibly understand what he was thinking, how ready he was to further what they had?
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love
Beth reached a hand out to him, her hand grasping onto his tightly when he reached for it. "C'mon. It's only a dance," Beth teased as she tugged on him. If only she understood it wasn't… not for him. A step forward with her meant so much more.
Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By taking your hand
Daryl allowed himself to be led to the dance floor. Once there, he wrapped his arms around Beth as he pulled her tightly against him. It felt so natural to wrap his arms around this woman. Daryl loved to have her close to him, the rich, sweet smell of her filling him. He valued the way Beth looked up at him, the way she sighed, letting him know she enjoyed this too. Beth draped her arms around his neck, the expression in her eyes meant Beth knew he was finding meaning in this dance. Still, Daryl couldn't tell if she understood just how much this all meant to him.
And who I am now
Is who I wanted to be
And now that we're together
I'm stronger than ever, I'm happy and free
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
And if you ask me why I've changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name
Beth leaned in and pressed up on her toes, a motivated twinkle in her eyes. She had been waiting long enough for him to make a move, the same as when she'd finally asked him to dance after a long wait. Daryl knew she wasn't drunk, having only one glass of wine with dinner. Daryl recognized Beth knew what she was doing, but did Beth know what she was doing to him? This was everything to him. She needed to know that, she had to know that going into this path they were on.
It was a soft kiss, simple and sweet and not too lingering as Beth touched her blips to his for a few brief but amazing moments. As she pulled back, Beth could see the conflict on Daryl's face and guessed the wrong reason. Daryl knew Beth thought it was too much for him again, not understanding it would never be enough. Daryl knew he would never tire of her, that there would never be enough time with her even if he was allowed the rest of his life with her.
It's your love
It does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love
Beth breathed out a soft, easy breath as she gazed up at him. "You know, Daryl, it's only a dance. It's only a kiss. I'm not askin' for a ring or a house or a lifetime. Just a dance and just a kiss from a good lookin' fellow… that's all I'm askin' for," she explained as she offered him a gentle smile. It was her attempt to lighten the mood, hoping to put him at ease.
Daryl removed a hand from her back and brought it up to brush an errand strand of hair from her face. "No, it ain't. Not with me."
Beth gave him a confused look, not understanding what he was trying to explain.
Daryl look a deep breath in before he answered her, she needed to know. "For me, this is it. I've fucked up so much in my life that I only get this one try. I don't get another sunset with someone else if this doesn't work out, it's only you. And I don't even deserved another chance with you, pretty sure I'm just gonna mess it up again. I blew that chance years before. This is it, Beth."
A realization hit her. "This… you don't want to try? You don't want more?" Her voice wavered as she posed the question.
He shook his head tightly, that was the furthest thing from what he wanted. "No, I want to try… I want more," Daryl returned, sending a terrifying shudder down his spine at his own admission. Daryl was horrified of hurting Beth all over again, of messing up before they even had a chance to start. "I don't know if I can…"
As she always did, Beth had an answer for him. "You can." Beth titled her head to the side, blinking at him.
"Beth… it ain't that simp–"
She interrupted him quickly. "Daryl, it is. I have hope," Beth stated simply and honestly.
Daryl arched a brow at her. "Do you mean faith? Or our daughter?"
Beth let a small laugh escape her, not realizing her little play on words. "I guess a little of both really. Our daughter showed me the man I guess I always knew you were, the one that we both forgot for a while. Hope showed me to love someone; it has to be unconditionally, to love them wholly with all that makes them special and all their faults that drive you crazy." Beth rubbed her delicate fingers along the back of his neck, caressing him gently.
"I love you, Daryl Dixon," she breathed the admission, her blue eyes locked with his. "I love you for the man you are… not the man you think you need to be for me. You've always been that good man at your center, it just took a bit longer to shine." Beth smiled up at him, relaxing him at the same time sending desire straight to his center. Everything that woman could do to him, it all still amazed him.
Hope had said the words to him. She loved him from the very beginning, very much like he had but not completely realized it. His daughter never stopped even when Daryl hadn't exactly been worthy of her love.
Beth had just said it to him. This woman before him just declared herself to him. She seemed to have an endless well of understanding for him.
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love
It's your love
It's your love
Daryl had to be worthy of both of their love. If not, then damn it, he was going to die trying. Daryl lowered his lips to hers, opening his mouth against her waiting one. He kissed her, feeling confident for the first time. Beth melted against him, letting the tip of her tongue graze along his bottom lip. Daryl relished in the moment, enjoying the taste of Beth because for once in this damn miserable life, Daryl Dixon actually believed he had time. There was no need to rush; he wasn't going to lose this woman in his arms. This woman, this amazing and beautiful woman actually loved him. Beth loved him.
He was loved.
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A/N: So, I'm going away on a long Gals Pals weekend so this is the last update until sometime around turkey time (Thanksgiving for everyone not in the States). Sorry, I know that's cruel since everyone knows what's in the next chapter and I've already made you wait soooo long. Well, you know me… I love me some cliffhangers… and I love angst
The song is excerpts from It's Your Love – Tim Mcgraw and Faith Hill, written by Stephony Smith.