Chapter 26

Beth POV

It was really nice of Carol to offer to keep Judith so me and Maggie can talk, while everyone else was out unloading the semi. I felt kind of bad, going off to talk to Maggie right now while every one is unloading, but who knows when we'll have the chance to again, without everyone butting in and hearing our business.

I took Maggie into mine and Daryl's room. I jumped right into what I had to say. I know my sister and if I don't say my piece first I won't get the chance. "Daryl and I got outta the prison together. We ran 'til we found this funeral home. We got a herd on tha front porch and Daryl told me ta run, get out the back way. I was hurt, got my ankle stuck in a small trap day 'fore. Anyways, this guy grabbed me, drugged me and stuffed me in a car. He took me to this cabin in the woods. I was drugged for days. Still not sure exactly how long he had me," Maggie's eyes were wide and she opened her mouth to say something. I gave her a look, telling her not to interrupt me. If she interrupts me now I won't ever tell her. I won't tell this story again. I want it behind me. "I don't know everything, cause I wasn't there. But Joe told me a lot 'bout how he met up with Daryl and what Daryl told him about before they met. Daryl ran after that car 'til he couldn't. Till he literally couldn't run any more. Joe found him in tha middle of a crossroads, cryin', apparently. Didn't even notice Joe's group come up ta him. Anyways, Joe and his group offered ta help Daryl find me. They looked for a couple days and found where the Preacher was keepin' me. Daryl killed him. We kissed for tha first time when he unchained me. We didn't jump right inta bed together or nothing. Joe gave us a room together. Ain't either of us wanted ta be separated again. He tried to sleep on tha floor and I told him that's ridiculous and ta get in the bed. When we found Carol me and him were a bit rocky, cause I got jealous. We worked it out with tha help of Liam, and Carol set me straight. I love him, Maggs. He's a good man. He's been nothin' but amazin' ta me and Judy. And he asked me ta marry him. And he's Judy's daddy in all ways that matter,"

I waited for everything I was saying to sink in, her face had so many emotions cross it. Anger, pain, love, horror. Finally, acceptance. "I'm so sorry, Bethy," She said, a tear trickling down. "I'm sorry for yellin' at ya both. And fer jumpin' ta conclusions. Yer my little sister. I'm always gonna worry 'bout ya and try ta protect ya no matter what,"

I stepped close to my sister and wrapped my arms around her. My face pressed into her neck. "I know. I love ya for it. But I'm not a little girl anymore,"

"I know ya ain't," We hugged for a couple of moments more. We pulled away from each other. I went and sat down on the end of my bed, motioning for Maggie to sit too. "So, yer getting' married?" She asked. I knew I had a big goofy grin on my face.

"And he finally admitted ta wantin' to be Judy's daddy. Joe called him out on it. Me'n Carol were makin' bets on how long it'd take him ta admit it. All the guys 'round here call him her Daddy. When I talk ta Judy and have ta say anythin' bout Daryl I call him daddy. And her first steps on her own, she walked ta him," I knew I was rambling a bit, but there's nothing better than talking about your boyfriend and daughter, love life, and family life with your big sister. Me and Carol have talked, but that's more a mother and daughter talk than anything. It's just not the same.

"I know he's a good man, Bethy. Just shocked me a bit, not gonna lie. He'll be a good daddy to that little girl, just like ya make a good mama for her. I'm real proud of ya, and Daddy would be too," She reached over and took my hand in hers. "C'mon, let's go get stuff done. I still wanna talk ta Daryl, though,"

I laughed and stood up, tugging Maggie up with me.

"Let's talk," Maggie said, when she saw Daryl as we walked into the kitchen.

"Inna second, gotta talk ta Beth first," He said, motioning for me to follow him. I followed him back upstairs to our room. He pulled four rings out of my pockets. He held out two engagement rings. "Engagement rings, or weddin' rings. Don't matter none ta me which ya want. We can have a weddin' if ya want, or just go 'bout 's if we are," he murmured, eyes on my face.

"Let's have a wedding," I said, "Let all of our loved ones celebrate us too," He put the wedding rings back into his pocket, leaving the engagement rings in his hand. I held out my hand for him, and he put the ring on my finger, his hand shaking. Soon as it was on my finger I reached out for the other ring, grabbing his hand to put it on. When we both had our rings on I kissed me. I kissed him with a possessiveness that I've never shown before. He broke our kiss off.

"C'mon, 'fore your sister kills me," He joked.

My eyes narrowed and I grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling his face down close to mine. "Careful wat'cha say, Dixon. Maggie's got a temper worse'n yours," He ducked down, kissing me again.

"I know, baby," he said taking my hand, and walking with me back to the kitchen. I had a silly little grin, and I couldn't help but stop him to kiss him on the cheek.

"Let's sit outside, have a little fire," Jayne suggested. Everyone's crammed into the living room and kitchen and despite the fact that we're happy everyone made it home safe and we have everything we wanted and more, we were all a little cramped. After dinner we all spend some time together in the common areas of the house. Some times we'll play games, or just sit and talk. Some nights I'll sing for everybody. Now that Maggie and Glenn are with us the living room is still comfortable for everyone, just a little more cramped, especially till we get used to having a couple more people in the house.

"That's a great idea!" I exclaimed. One of my favorite things to do back on Daddy's farm before the Dead started wandering around was to have a fire and sit with Daddy, Sean and Maggie. Maggie and me usually ended up singing for Daddy and Sean. We've had a warm couple of days, so it won't be too cold outside, especially if we've got a decent fire going. Winter won't last much longer the days are getting warmer and warmer. I'm glad we haven't had a very hard winter. But, this is still Georgia and the weather can turn around and bite me in the behind for thinking about how calm it's been.

"We'll go get the fire set up," Carol offered, motioning to Joe. Her and Joe have been nearly inseparable since they got back from the run this morning. I let out a small laugh and Carol gave me a mock glare. It made me laugh harder. As she walked past me she swatted my shoulder.

Jayne got up and followed behind them, I raised my eyebrow at him in question. "I gotta get something," He said, wiggling his eyebrows at me. I shook my head at his antics and leaned into Daryl.

I turned my face up towards his, my mouth next to his ear, "Wanna formally announce us getting' married?" I whispered.

"Sure, baby," He said as he reached out and started playing with the ends of my hair.

"Maggs, you good with Judy for a bit? Gonna get the play pen from Carol's room ta bring outside for her," I asked a few minutes later.

"Yup," She said, tickling Judy's belly. I tugged on Daryl's hands, pulling him up to come with me.

A/N: I can't wait for you guys to see next chapter. It's going to be very cute, I think. And very much Daryl/Judy feels.

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Thanks for all the kind words last chapter, and if I didn't respond to you personally I'm sorry!