Walk With An Angel

Chapter 29: Return the Favor

The fourth of July was approaching and Beth was ready to get back to any resemblance of the life she had before.

She had gone wig shopping in Atlanta the day before with Maggie, Carol and Sophia. Beth wanted to get to know Carol better, since it looked like they would be sister in laws soon. Carol told her she didn't expect Merle to marry her and when he asked the day he got out of rehab, it took her by surprise.

Carol didn't want a big wedding like Beth and Daryl were planning, she and Merle were going to the courthouse and tying the knot. The thought of her own wedding played over in Beth's mind, her dress, the decorations and the reception. She had it all planned out, except where they would live.

Daryl's little apartment was alright for a single man, but for a married couple not so much. Beth pondered it over if she should go apartment hunting or just make the best of it in the apartment they already had.

As she combed back the thin, fine blonde hair she had left, she gave the girl in the mirror a quick smile and put on her new wig. The lady at the wig shop had asked for a picture of her before her chemo and Maggie pulled up one of her from last summer. The lady went to the back and came back out with a long blonde wig that looked like it was made from the hair Beth once had.

The silky strands glided through her fingers as she raked her hand through it. They put it on her and Maggie put it up in a ponytail, with one single braid on the side.

She knew this was the one, but the price tag said otherwise. Carol and Maggie both pitched in, telling her it was her bridal shower present.

Beth couldn't wait to wear it for Daryl. She picked out the butter cream yellow dress she was wearing the day she met him in the church, fixed the wig on her head and put on just the smallest amount of makeup.

Her mother broke down in tears when she came down the stairs, Hershel nodding his head and pulling her into a hug. "Soon you won't need that. You're still beautiful to me sweetie, my little bald Beth."

"Daddy... I'm not completely bald. I do have some hair." She teased him and he hugged her tighter.

She went out on the porch and waited for Daryl to get off work. She played with the braid in her hair, her mind on the man she loved. When she heard his motorcycle coming up the dirt road, she hopped down the steps and walked out towards him.

He parked the bike and dismounted, his smile widening as he walked toward her. "Damn."

That's all he said as he stared at her and Beth knew she had made the right choice. "So... you like?"

Daryl's hands rested on her hips, his lips sliding over hers in a too brief kiss. "Yeah... a lot."

They walk back up towards the porch when Beth turned to him, her mind still buzzing with so many questions.

"We're getting married in a few months and I was wondering... are we moving into your apartment?" She stopped when he did, Daryl's eyes scanning her face.

"Never really thought about it. Merle and Carol are livin' in the cabin, so I don't know." His free hand rubbed his chin, his fingers brushing hard against his scruff.

They sat on the top step, Beth still holding his hand. "Your place is fine... we can save up and get a nicer place later."

"No... I ain't havin' you live there. We'll go lookin' this weekend." He kissed her temple as he let out a heavy sigh.

"Can't... Saturday is the 4th and Daddy has a lot going on. I can't wait for you to have a proper 4th of July... with a big picnic and ice cream and fireworks. There a lot of things you're gonna do Daryl Dixon, I'm gonna make sure of it." She let go of his hand and stood up. He looked up at her and his crystal pools shimmered like diamonds in the evening sun.

She had to take a moment before she went inside. The vision of her man sitting there looking at her like that was doing things to her, things she was all too ready to explore.

Maggie stopped her in the kitchen as she took out the pitcher of tea. "I heard you talking to Daryl and I was wondering, if you want to come looking for apartments with me and Glenn Friday. I'm sure Martinez will give Daryl the day off."

Beth turned her gaze up to her sister, not sure if this new development in her relationship with Glenn was a secret or not. "Does Daddy know you're moving in with Glenn?"

"No, but I'm gonna tell him. I know we'll get married someday, but I'm not like you Beth. I'm not the romantic type that believes in love at first sight. Glenn, he's my soulmate, but I need this time alone with him to really make sure marriage is right for us. Don't get me wrong, the sex is great, but we can't be all about the sex." Maggie took a glass out of the cupboard, waiting for Beth to pour the tea.

Beth blushed slightly as she sliced up a lemon. Her sister was always so self-confident with boys and sex was never a taboo thing for her. She remembered finding Maggie's birth control pills once and tossing them in the pond.

"Do you think me and Daryl are rushing things. I hope he isn't marrying me because I had cancer." She poured the tea as her eyes started to narrow.

Maggie rubbed her shoulder, giving her a comforting smile. "I'm sure that's not the reason. That man loves you... with all of his heart. I got an idea. Remember how Daddy would pack us up after the 4th and take us camping. Let's get our men and go on a camping trip. Daryl will love it and Glenn needs to get out in the country. So... how about it little sister?"

With a giddy smile, Beth and Maggie agree to make plans to go camping the next weekend.

Daryl and Beth spend the evening cuddled up on the couch, talking about their wedding and where they want to live. Daryl pulls her in his lap, kissing her neck softly. Her fingers brush over his face and then she sees it, that look of pure love.

"Daryl, you came into my life and gave me everything. Things I never thought I'd have and things I didn't know I wanted. My list is nearly complete because of you. It's time for you do some taking." Her lips crushed his with a kiss so deep, so loving that Daryl went lax under her touch.

Hershel cleared his throat as he entered the room and Daryl took that as his cue to go home for the night. They walked out to his bike, Beth not ready to see him go. "I have to help Merle fix the cabin up after work tomorrow. It might be late before I get to come over."

"Daryl, about that. Can you get Friday off? Maggie and Glenn are moving in together and they're looking for their own place. I want to go with them, find our own place too." His hands cup her face and she closed her eyes as his thumbs caressed her cheek. His lips were on hers again and that tightening in her belly squeezes all the way down to her core.

His lips take hers and released just as quickly. "I'll ask. Sure Martinez won't miss me for one day. Call me tomorrow and let me know when?"

He's on his bike and gone while she stood there with that tight ball in her belly and an ache throbbing between her legs. She loved him, the quick pace of her heart when he was near told her that, but she needed him to. Needed him in a way that scared her and elated her all at once.

Beth went to sleep with thoughts of Daryl and dreamt of him all night. Tomorrow without him was going to be hard, but she would surround herself with her family and knew Daryl was just a call away.

The decorations for the big celebration at the farm were hanging everywhere. Beth loved the sparkle in her father's eyes when he got into celebration mode. They finished setting up the last tent when her cell rang in her pocket. She pulled it out, her smile beaming as Daryl's picture flashed on her screen.

"I was just thinking about you." Beth let out a giggle, her heart beating faster.

"Me too, angel. I got tomorrow off." She could hear the longing in Daryl's voice, that being away from her was hard on him too.

"Good. I'll ask Maggie when she wants to leave." She looked at Maggie and saw her sister was in a deep conversation with their father.

Daryl didn't say anything for a moment and Beth wondered if he was still there. "Beth, I need to see ya. Can you come out here… to the cabin?"

"Yeah. On my way. See ya in a bit." They hung up and Beth started to worry if something was wrong.

She jumped in her bug and headed towards the little cabin in the woods. When she arrived, she didn't see Merle's truck or Daryl's bike. She parked the car and looked around. As soon as she stepped out, Daryl walked out on the porch.

"I thought no one was here." She smiled at him as he walked towards her, his arms wrapping around her.

"I've missed you." They held each other for a long moment until Daryl finally let her go.

"What's up?" Beth's curiosity was evident in her question. She brushed his hair back from his face, needing to see those piercing blue eyes.

"Carol and Merle, they're leaving Georgia. Merle got a job in Virginia. That's why he really asked me to come out here. How would you feel about fixing up this old place? I promise I'll make it nice fer ya." Daryl let go of her, his eyes on his feet.

Beth placed her hands on his face and made him look at her. "Yes."

"Yes what?" He had that look of a child, lost and frightened.

"Yes to you, to our lives, to this cabin. Yes to everything Daryl. You love it out here. This cabin is your home and it will be ours too. I told you, it's time we do something for you. I'll call Maggie and tell her I don't need to go with her tomorrow. Tomorrow we start working on our home." She laid her head on his chest while he stroked her back.

"Daryl… where's your bike?" Daryl let out a chuckle, his lips kissing the top of her head.

"Merle has it, went for a ride. Carol's out getting' thangs for the move with Sophia. They gonna get hitched in Virginia. They're moving on Saturday. Sophia is bummed she won't get to come to the farm for the party. Lot of shit is happening all at once." He rested his forehead in the bend of her neck. Beth stroked the back of his neck, letting her fingers play with his hair.

"I know, babe." She held him, the two of them realized a lot was about to change and a lot already had. One thing was for certain, neither of them had to do any of it alone.


A/N: As always, thanks for the follows, favorites and reviews. They are inching closer to the big day and a lot is happening for them. The next chapter will be less fluff and Beth will be testing Daryl's iron clad will. Much love and Bethyl on!