A/N: First of all, the song I used last chapter is When You Can't Sleep At Night, by Of Mice And Men. It's one that I've been listening to nonstop since I started this story.
Also: I love the comments I got for last nights chapter.
To my beautiful guest reviewer from Uruguay: Thank you so much. I'm glad you took the time to read my story. The Carol/Joe line has gotten a lot of love after a lot of Carol hate. I love that you think that Beth and Daryl have a tender love, that's beautiful. It makes me so happy to hear that it moved you deeply! I sincerely hope that you succeed in becoming a writer in any way shape or form. Good luck to you! Also: Thank you for the appreciation of how I wrote Maggie. I'm infinitely grateful for your words, and thanks and appreciations. I hope the upcoming chapters don't disappoint you! Thank you so very, very much!
Chapter 29
Daryl POV
"Give him a break, Bethie. Yer not the nicest when ya don't feel good," Maggie said. I scowled at her. "Why don't cha go get something ta eat, Dixon. You've been hovering since Judith got sick two days ago, ya've barely ate anything, let alone slept. I'll keep an eye on 'em fer a bit," Maggie said from the doorway. I can't say I've ever been happier for an interruption in my life. I nodded at Maggie and kissed Beth on her forehead before getting up from the edge of the bed. I checked on Judith real quick before hightailing it out of there. I grunted in Maggie's general direction before I ducked out the door.
"How're you holding up?" Carol asked me as she sat across from me at the table.
"Fuckin' tired. Ain't never thought takin' care o' a sick kid and woman'd be so much damn work," I mumbled around a mouthful of rabbit meat. Carol started laughing, and I scowled at her.
"Her mood any better?"
"Which one?" I asked, still scowling, it made Carol laugh more.
"I seem to recall you being an awful patient, too,"
I stopped shoving food in my mouth and grunted in acknowledgement. "Worse mood I ever seen 'er in. An' up an' down," I shook my head.
"That time of month?" Carol asked and I felt my face heat up. I looked down at the table, letting my hair fall across my face.
"Nah, jus' sick an' cranky,"
I joined Glenn where he's getting ready to put up a shed for the generators. "Hiding out?" Glenn asked as I walked up.
"Hell yes,"
Glenn handed me a hammer and I got to work nailing the piece of wood in that he's holding up. "Maggie and I were talking about you're upcoming wedding, and Beth's plans when they were younger. Maggie wants to help make it as close to what Beth imagined it to be as possible,"
"We ain't talked much 'bout the weddin' yet,"
"Beth always wanted to have her wedding on the farm. Maggie suggested me walkin' Beth down the aisle, in Hershel's place. Said she was gonna talk to her today. I got put in charge of talking to you 'bout the wedding,"
"'S a good idea. She'd be lucky ta have ya do it fer 'er," I agreed.
"Got anything in specific you want done for your wedding?" Glenn asked, taking a step back from the half put up shed.
"'s long as Beth's happy I don' care," I said, grabbing the next board.
"You're smitten, aren't you?"
"Feelin' better?" I asked as I picked Ass Kicker up from the bed.
"Little bit," Beth mumbled. Her already pale skin is almost paper white, "'m really sorry I've been so mean the last couple o' days. I know I'm sick and tired, but you've been nothing but sweet and helpful. You've been amazin' with me and Judy,"
"'S nothin', ya ain't yerself," I tell her, as I sit next to her on our bed, "Maggie talk ta ya 'bout Glenn?" I asked, changing the subject. She'd keep apologizing if I didn't. She smiled at me, her eyes brightening.
"Yea, we talked a lot 'bout the wedding. More'n me and you have," She teased.
"What ya want ta do fer it is fine wit' me. Get it as close ta traditional as we can. Know ya wanted a traditional weddin', before the world fell 'part," I told her as I reached for the baby bottle.
"Well, I know there's a reason
And I know there's a rhyme
We were meant to be together
And that's why
We can roll with the punches
We can stroll hand in hand
And when I say it's forever
You understand
That you're always in my heart
You're always on my mind
But when it all becomes too much
You're never far behind
And there's no one
That comes close to you
Could ever take your place
'Cause only you can love me this way
I could have turned a different corner
I could have gone another place
Then I'd of never had this feeling
That I feel today, yeah
And you're always in my heart
Always on my mind
When it all becomes too much
You're never far behind
And there's no one
That comes close to you
Could ever take your place
'Cause only you can love me this way
Ooh
And you're always in my heart
You're always on my mind
And when it all becomes too much
You're never far behind
And there's no one
That comes close to you
Could ever take your place
'Cause only you can love me this way
Ooh
Only you can love me this way"
Beth sang as I fed Judith her bedtime bottle, "Ya gotta sing that song fer me at our weddin'," I told her. She smiled the first real smile I've seen on her since the morning Ass Kicker got sick.
"I'm going on a run in the mornin'," Maggie said when I walked into the kitchen. I just gave Beth some dinner and helped her put the baby down for the night.
"The fuck for? Jus' got a damn semi fulla shit!" I exclaimed.
"I need some thangs that ya'll didn't get. That we didn't need 'fore now," Maggie explained. I looked at her, then to Carol and then to Joe.
"Who ya got goin' with ya?" I questioned.
"Glenn,"
"'m goin' too," I stated, glaring.
"The hell ya are. Yer gonna stay here with yer sick kid and my sister," She said, stepping closer. If she got any closer her nose would be touching mine.
"Ain't gonna be tha one ta tell 'er yer leavin' fer a run when she just got ya'll back," I said, taking a step backwards.
"If it makes you feel better, son, I'll send someone else with them," Joe said, trying to settle me and Maggie.
"What the hells so goddamn important fer ya'll ta get right fuckin' now?" I asked.
"You don't need to worry about it, Pookie," Carol said, setting her hand on my arm. I pulled my arm back turning my glare on her.
"Somethin' wrong wit' my girls I dunno 'bout yet?"
"No," Maggie and Carol said in unison. I looked at them both, with suspicion.
"I'll send Jayne or Liam to go with 'em. That make you feel better?" Joe asked, before I could ask any more questions.
I scowled again. "So more o' the people she loves can go on some damn suicide mission?"
"We don't have many other options, Daryl. You're just going to have to deal with it, and focus on your family and your duties around here until they get back. They will come back and you don't have anything to worry about," Joe said with finality. I got up, grabbed my crossbow from the chair next to me and went outside.
