Parallel Lives Chapter 45

Beth stood back and examined the nursery. The judge had denied Jax bail and his lawyer was expecting some argument and delay in a suitable plea being arranged so Beth was pretty sure she'd have the boys until sometime in the new year at best. She wanted to maximize their space and still keep her guest room. Opie had come by with her baby-sitting payments and it was triple what it usually was.

"You have them 24/7 now." He had explained handing her a thick envelope of cash. Beth had taken the money and bought Christmas gifts from the boys. She had already gotten so much for Davey; she didn't want them to feel left out. Daryl had quickly put together bunk beds and Beth had pushed the crib against one wall and the bunk beds against the other, leaving as much floor space for them to play as she could. Daryl had promised to work on the bunk beds a bit more over the Christmas break, Dale always closed from Christmas Eve to Jan 2 and Daryl had taken a few more days in January off too. So far this pregnancy was just as difficult as the first had been morning sickness wise. Beth had actually gotten even smaller after Davey somehow; she had started the pregnancy at around 99 pounds, which he just couldn't explain based on the size of her chest alone. Thankfully she seemed to be gaining weight with a bit more ease. The doctor wanted to see her every month and was getting her to check her blood pressure herself at the pharmacy once a week. So far so good.

"Beth?" Abel asked as he helped arrange the toys that had been brought over on the ledge around the nursery.

"What is it sweetie?" Beth asked as she stepped up on the bottom bunk and put clean sheets on the top bunk.

"Do we have to sing in the school concert next week?" Abel asked walking over to hand her the pillows and the quilt so she could finish his bed. Thomas and Davey were both napping on Beth's bed while she set up the room. She sat on the bottom bunk and waited for Abel to make his way over and sit beside her.

"Why don't you want to sing in the concert?" Beth asked letting him climb on her lap.

"All the other kids make fun of me. Call me orphan boy and charity case. I don't want to spend any time with them that I don't have to." Abel said.

"I'll talk to your teacher about the other kids. I know Gemma was looking forward to seeing you sing. I know I was. Davey, Daryl and I had a whole night planned." Beth said. "But I won't make you. I want you to think about it ok?" Abel nodded his head and slid from Beth's lap and she stood up. "I'm going to make up your bed, will you go check on the baby? Make sure he isn't trying to get off the bed?" Abel nodded and ran quietly down the hall. Beth quickly changed the beds and bundled the sheets together and carried them to the basket she had in the hall. She looked up and smiled when she heard tiny little stomps making their way down the hall towards her.

"Ma-Ma!" Davey said smiling as Abel held his hands and helped him walk down the hallway. Davey had started to grab hands and take a few tentative steps. He loved holding Abel and Thomas's hands, but still knew he was fastest crawling.

"Hello sleepy boy." Beth said softly not wanting to wake Thomas. "Was he trying to dive off the bed again?" Abel nodded and let the baby lower himself to his hands and knees so he could crawl to his mother. "You need to stop trying to fly without Daddy." Beth said pulling him up to her hip. She kicked the basket along the hall to the living room. "Do you guys want to watch Planet Earth?" Beth asked as she squatted down and picked up the basket carefully.

"Drop it." Daryl said as he made his way through the front door. Beth let the basket fall to the floor again and smiled at him.

"You're home early." Beth said waiting for him to take off his boots. Daryl smirked at her and ruffled his hand through Abel's hair on his way over to give Beth a kiss.

"You know you're supposed to be taking it easy." Daryl said picking up the basket and taking the baby from her.

"I am. We're going out for supper." Beth said following him down the stairs. "I even took a nap after lunch with the baby. After I rearranged furniture." Bath admitted sorting through the basket once Daryl had set it on the floor.

"Where are we going?" Daryl asked as he turned on the TV and flipping through the channels till he found something about Pandas. Beth shrugged her shoulders and put on the first load of laundry and settled beside them on the couch.

"Maybe pizza?" She said. "Abel, do you guys like Chinese food?" Abel nodded his head.

"We like chicken balls and rice."

"We could go to the diner." Daryl said. "I mean it is wing night. Everyone likes wings." Beth turned her head towards the stairs and pushed herself off the couch and made her way up. She came down a few minutes later with Thomas. He was wiping his eyes.

"I won't leave you." Beth promised letting him climb on her knee. "I just wanted to let you nap." She said kissing the back of his head. "Where do you want to go for supper?" She asked Thomas.

"Jacqui's." He said. Daryl smirked. Having a house full of boys had some advantages. They usually out voted Beth if she gave them a choice."

"Abel you ok with that?" She asked. Abel nodded and Beth looked over at Davey.

"Ba-Ba?" He said reaching over for her. Daryl laughed and let the baby crawl across the couch to her.

"You can have some fries for supper." Beth said letting him climb up with Thomas. "I'm not nursing you at the diner anymore." Daryl smiled at her scolding the baby. The last time they had gone to breakfast the baby had reached up and pulled her shirt down while they waited at the counter for a seat flashing the Sunday morning crowd. "We can head on out as soon as I get the laundry in the dryer." Beth added turning to watch the Pandas.

"Is Santa going to be able to find us here?" Thomas asked leaning back against Beth. "The big kids told me that since Daddy was bad Santa is not going to bring us anything. I don't want coal."

"You know what? Saturday, before we go visit your daddy, we'll go see Santa at the mall." Beth said shaking her head. "I know that he'd never punish good little boys." Beth added. Daryl stood up and made his way up the stairs. "Daryl?" Beth asked craning her head around.

"I'm just going to get cleaned up so I'll be ready to leave." He said from the stairs. Thomas slid from her lap to the floor with his brother and worked on the puzzle they had been working on. Beth had bought a whole bunch of National Geographic Puzzles and the boys really liked them.

"Did you guys tell your teacher about the big kids picking on you?" Beth asked relenting and letting Davey settle into her arms. She undid a few buttons and throw the throw she had on the back of the couch around them.

"Ms. Stewart told me stop to whining." Thomas said.

"Mr. Tate told me that it wasn't bullying if it was true." Abel added as he worked on the puzzle. Beth turned her attention back to the baby and already decided that she would he heading in to the school in the morning to talk to both teachers. She'd let Daryl know he'd have to stay home with the baby. She didn't want Davey seeing her make a grown man cry.

"I want you guys to go wash your hands and faces." Beth said once the show ended. "We can head up and get out coats and boats on." Beth added as she lifted the baby to her shoulder and buttoned up. "I'm just going to go talk to Daryl."

The boys followed her up and went to the bathroom while Beth went into the master bedroom. Daryl was standing at the dresser with wet hair and his shirt off.

"I'm almost ready." He said lifting a t-shirt from the drawer.

"You alright?" Beth asked sitting on the bed with the baby. Daryl looked at her in the mirror.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Daryl asked as he swiped on some deodorant.

"I know you felt bad when the boys asked about Christmas and you heard about them being teased." Beth said. "Don't worry. I'm going in to talk to the teacher tomorrow. I'm leaving Davey with you."

"No, I'll handle the teachers." Daryl said. "You can come too. But I'll be doing the talking." Daryl said pulling on his t-shirt and sitting on the bed to put on a pair of socks. Beth smiled and kissed him on the side of the head and made her way to the living room to help get the boys ready. Ollie made his way out of their bathroom. "You better not have been taking Beth's panties from the hamper again." Daryl said pointing at the dog as he made his way out of the room. Beth was crouching on the ground putting Davey in his seat and helping Thomas into his boots.

"You want to take my new car?" Beth asked. "That way we don't have to move the booster seats." Daryl nodded and grabbed his keys. They had sold Beth's Jeep to Rick, but he was only picking it up on Christmas Eve. It was a Christmas/early graduation for Carl and he wanted it to be a surprise. Daryl had promised it was in pretty good shape and that if anything went on it within reason in the first 6 months he'd fix it for free. Daryl had picked out a Land Rover since it had 7 seats. They had to dip into their savings a bit more than Beth liked, but Daryl didn't want a mini van and he was sure that Beth would like the Rover. He picked the car seat up and let Beth lead the boys out ahead of him before locking up. He watched while Beth helped Abel into the back and supervised him buckling himself up before lifting Thomas into place and buckling him. Daryl helped her into the passenger side before walking around and settling Davey in. Beth was leaning over and moving the seat back for him.

"Thanks." Daryl said adjusting the mirrors. "You boys ready?" He asked as he started the car up and looked in the rearview mirror. Davey smiled at him and threw his hands in the air. "I'll take that as a yes." He said pulling from the yard. Beth started singing to the boys. Daryl pulled into the parking lot and circled around looking for a spot. "I might have to park across the street." Daryl said making his way around the lot.

"We can walk." Beth said with a smile. "We'll have to wait for a table too." Daryl grunted and pulled back into the street and into the parking by the park entrance. Beth slid from the Rover and opened the door. "You boys need to hold my hands alright?" She said helping Thomas and Abel down. Daryl grabbed the diaper bag and lifted the baby from his car seat. "We might not get a high chair either." Beth said following behind Daryl as he led them across the street.

"I can go back for his seat." Daryl said holding the door open. Beth reached up and took the baby once they were inside and the boys let go of her hands.

"It's alright. He likes sitting on my lap." Beth said standing on her toes to see if there was an empty spot for all of them. Abel and Thomas ran to the back and gave Gemma a hug. Beth waved and stood in line waiting for a table. Beth was relieved that there wasn't enough room at the table for them; she was already having Gemma over for supper the next day, like she usually did on Thursdays. She was sure Gemma would be coming with her when she took the boys to visit Jax on Saturday. Carol came over and smiled at Davey and promised to get them a table. Davey was turning on his charm at anyone that smiled at him, shyly turning away and peeking around smiling back at them.

"He's hitting on middle aged women." Daryl said keeping an eye on Gemma and the boys. Davey leaned over when Beth stepped to the side to let a lady by and reached over and grabbed a handful of Eugene's mullet.

"Ouch! Beth, make your baby let go!" He cried as Davey twisted his hands. Beth eased his hand open and stepped away. Abraham shook his head from across the table and Rosita rolled her eyes.

"Eugene you just got your ass handed to you by an infant. He isn't even mobile." Rosita said.

"Hair pulling is illegal." Eugene mumbled. Carol finally came over and led them to a booth. Beth waited till Thomas and Abel slid in before settling on the end with the baby in her lap.

"What can I get you to drink?" Carol asked as she handed out the small wing night menus.

"Coke." Daryl said dropping the menu on the table.

"Can we have soda too?" Thomas asked looking up.

'Not dark soda alright?" Beth said letting them order Sprite. "I'll stick to ice water." Beth said looking over the menu. "I think we better get some regular breaded wings with sauce on the side and some of the dry spice ones too. Maybe a dozen of each?" Daryl nodded his head. "I'd like a small side salad and some waffle fries for the table too. I think just sweet and sour and hot sauce." Beth said letting Carol take the menus. Davey grabbed at the sugar packs on the table so Daryl took them away and put them on the bench beside him. Davey looked up at him and his lip started to tremble.

"No. You're not hurt no crying." Daryl said handing him a teething ring from the diaper bag. Davey threw himself back into Beth dramatically and Beth laughed at him.

"You listen to your daddy. Just cause your bored doesn't mean you get to trash Jacqui's restaurant." Davey shoved the teething ring in his mouth and turned so he could look over Beth's shoulder. Beth rubbed his back as he continued to flirt with the tables behind them. Carol came over and placed the food in the center of the table and Beth turned the baby around.

"Alright do you guys want to try some of each?" Daryl asked sliding one of the empty plates in front of each boy. Beth gave them two of each wing and a small amount of waffle fries to start. Davey grabbed for a waffle fry and started to suck on it. Beth kissed the top of the baby's head and nibbled on a few wings and ate her salad quietly listening to the boys talk to each other.

"Did you guys like the lunches I made for you?" Beth asked as she sipped her water. Davey reached for another fry and smiled when Beth put a few in front of him on the table.

"They took my lunch." Thomas said. "They took the snowman sandwich." Beth frowned. "I liked the fruit skewers you made."

"Someone took your sandwich?" Daryl asked taking his wallet out and dropping some cash on the table. Beth wiped the boys hands before helping them into their coats. Thomas nodded.

"Don't worry. I'm going to talk to you teacher." Beth promised as she eased Davey back into his coat and hat. Thomas tried to climb up into Beth's arms too but Daryl scooped him up and let Abel take his hand as he started to weave them through the tables and line of people waiting for a table.

"Carol I left the cash on the table." Daryl called over his shoulder as Shane held the door open for them. "Keep the change." Beth waved over her shoulder to their friends and followed behind Daryl. "I got to stop for some stuff at the hardware store. Do you guys mind?" Beth shook her head and let Daryl led her across the street, she waited beside the Rover while he arranged the boys before handing him the baby. "Hang on I'll help you up." He said when she moved to get in to the car on her own.

"What do you need at the hardware store?" Beth asked as he opened her door and held her arm as she stepped up.

"Some more sandpaper, varnish and some nylon rope." Daryl said raising his eyebrows. Beth nodded her head. He needed supplies to finish the rocking horse for the baby. "I'll be quick, when we get back I'll get the beds ready."

"Oh don't worry about it. I got the mattresses on the bunks and made the beds." Beth said as they pulled back into traffic. Daryl looked over at her. "It was fine Daryl. Keep doing what I was doing before." Beth said. "I propped the mattress for the top up and pushed it into place. I barely lifted."

"How'd you make the top bunk?" Daryl asked as he made his way towards the stores.

"I stood on the bottom bunk." Beth said with a smile. Daryl gave her a dirty look. "I have to stand on something to do most things." Beth said defensively.

"I don't want you doing shit like that. Just make me a list, I'll work on it on the weekends."

"Daryl I can't do nothing." Beth said. "I'm taking it easy, I'm napping with the baby at lunch, I'm only doing yoga. I won't be rearranging any more furniture till after the baby comes and I will wait to change the sheets till Sunday from now on. I'm not going to leave everything to you though."

"Look just do what I ask you to do alright? I know you like to spread everything out, but we can get everything done together on the weekends or when I get home from work. I can't focus thinking about you at home falling or overworking yourself. I poured oil all over the floor at work because I hadn't put the stopper back in after draining the old shit out today! Just sit back and take a 9 month vacation." Daryl said as he parked and slammed out of the truck.

"It's alright guys." Beth said turning around and smiling. "He's just worried. Thomas can you give the baby his soother?" Beth asked handing back a pacifier.

"Why does he want you to take it easy?" Abel asked. Beth smiled. They weren't telling anyone besides her family that she was pregnant till she finished the first trimester.

"I've just been a little tired lately and you know my stomach's been upset. He wants me to get better." Beth said. Daryl came back and shoved the bags in the trunk. He stood outside and lit up a cigarette. Beth frowned. She didn't realize he had been so stressed that he had started smoking again. "Have you guys finished those Christmas pictures for your visit this weekend?"

"No we still need to work on them." Abel said. Davey started to cry loudly at being stuck in the car, loudly enough so that Daryl could hear him. Beth watched as he tossed his unfinished smoke away and started the car. Davey quieted down once they were back on the road again. Beth reached across and grabbed Daryl's hand. He threaded his fingers through hers and squeezed.

"Everything is going to be fine." Beth promised again. "I'm going to let you finish the laundry, just bring it upstairs and I'll fold it after I go over their homework with them." Beth said with a smile. "Will you take the baby down with you while the last load dries?" Beth asked.

"Yeah, he'll want to watch Glee." Daryl said turning off the main road. Beth blushed. "You left it queued up and he clapped at the screen shot." Daryl said as he pulled into the garage. Beth waited till he walked around to get out of the truck and followed him and the boys inside.

"Alright go get your book bags." Beth said taking the coats and hanging them off the backs of the kitchen chairs. She reached out and took the baby. "You boys get in your pajamas. I'm going to change the baby." She said making her way to her bedroom, Daryl hung his coat in the closet and let Ollie out. Beth made her way back down the hall with the baby resting against her shoulder. "You go see Daddy." She cooed handing him off to Daryl. Daryl settled the baby in the crook of his arm and left for the basement. Beth settled at the table and read over the boys agendas. "Alright you both have math worksheets and Thomas you need to draw a picture of your family. Abel you can read to me at bedtime alright?" The boys nodded and Beth started reading over the worksheets one question at a time with Abel while Thomas worked on his picture. Beth smiled as Abel breezed through is math worksheet. Thomas needed a bit of help but soon Beth was helping them pack up and tucking them in bed. Abel read her a story about a lost mouse in the city for a while but the boys were exhausted. Beth eased her way to the kitchen and started on their lunches. She heard the noises on the steps went to investigate and was shocked to see Davey crawling up the stairs.

"Ma-Ma." He mumbled as he slowly climbed.

"Where's your daddy?" Beth asked hurrying down the stairs to meet the baby and scooping him into her arms. Daryl was stretched across the couch snoring. Davey's soother was setting on his chest and his blanket was stuck between Daryl's body and the couch. Davey had obviously climbed off Daryl once he had fallen asleep and made his way upstairs. Beth reached down and picked up the soother and gave it to the baby before carefully covering Daryl with the throw. She knew he had to be exhausted to have slept through Davey's escape and her covering him. Beth turned on a small light and made her way up to her bedroom and changed the baby and settled in the armchair with her feet curled underneath her. "Time for sleep." Beth said kissing his forehead while he nursed.

Daryl sat up suddenly and felt around beside him on the couch. The TV was off and the baby was gone. He ran up the stairs and found the kitchen and living room dark. He made his way down the hall and checked the nursery. Abel and Thomas were sound asleep, but the crib was empty. He knew if the baby was being fussy Beth had likely put him down in the pack and play in their room so he hurried down the hall. The lights were on in their room. He rushed in and found the baby asleep on Beth's shoulder and Beth curled up in the armchair fast asleep. He let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. Beth opened her eyes and smiled.

"You lose something?" She asked stretching her legs in front of her.

"He escaped." Daryl said sitting down on the end of bed and rubbing his eyes. "You hear him from upstairs?"

"He was trying to crawl up the stairs. He made it halfway before calling for help." Beth whispered as she stood up and made her way towards the door. "I put the pack and play in the spare room. I figured you'd sleep better having the room to ourselves again." Beth said with a smile. "Turn on the monitor for me please." She said motioning to the side of the bed before making her way down the hall.

"You moved the pack and play too?" Daryl said when she made her way back to the room and eased the door closed.

"Yes. It's not heavy." Beth said pulling off her jeans and folding them over the back of the chair at her vanity. They were her only pair of maternity jeans, she had finally admitted that they were much more comfortable even in the early stages of pregnancy, but she refused to buy another pair. She'd just wear them when they were going out and wear her yoga pants at home.

"No more moving shit." Daryl said tossing his clothes towards the hamper. Beth pulled off her shirt and sighed before taking off her bra and turning her back. "Seriously. Promise me you'll actually start taking it easy." Beth pulled open her drawer and grabbed her stretchy lace nightgown and pulled it on. "Beth?"

"I promise to not move furniture anymore." Beth said climbing past him to the head of the bed. She grabbed her bottle of cocoa butter and folded up her nightgown. "I'm not going sit around eating candy and doing nothing though." Beth said smoothing the cream into her stomach and sides. "I got things to do."

"You got too much to do." Daryl said settling beside her. "After Christmas we'll slow down." He added. Beth tossed the lotion on her night table and turned out the lights.

"Well until the baby's birthday. Daryl it's his first. We need to have a party and invite everyone we know." Daryl groaned and rolled over and shoved his face into the pillow. "We could take some of our savings and take all the boys for a long weekend at Disney. I'll have to ask Jax if it's ok if the boys miss school, but that could be a good time. We wouldn't have to do anything but bring his present. They'd have the cake and Mickey and the gang would sing to him. Or we could go to some all-inclusive resort somewhere really hot and spend the week on the beach. Like a babymoon."

"What the fuck is a babymoon?" Daryl asked rolling to his back and running his hands up and down her leg.

"A vacation you take before the baby comes. We'll just be taking it with 3 other kids." Beth added sliding closer and placing her leg over his so he could rub the inside of her thigh. "You think that's something you'd want to do?"

"Maybe we wait till Spring Training like we had planned. Go to the same hotel, get a suite this time so the boys have their own bedroom." Daryl said sliding his hand further up her leg. "Got a pool. Let's save the special trips." Daryl said sliding his fingers along the along her hip. Beth grabbed the material and pushed one of her legs free and left them dangling off her other leg. "You want something?" Daryl asked dragging his fingernails lightly over her. Beth scooted closer and shook her head.

"Stop teasing." Beth said. "I don't tease you." Beth added snuggling into his side.

"Just can't keep my hands off your soft skin." Daryl said pulling her on top of him. "What are we going to say to the teachers tomorrow?"

"I'm going to say not only are they letting the boys be bullied and have their lunches stolen, they are making my husband use his mouth in bed for talking instead of kissing." Beth said nipping at his lower lip. "I'm going to talk to the principle too." Beth said tilting her head back so he could kiss her neck. "What did you plan on saying?"

"I had teachers that didn't do nothing when I was going to school." Daryl said. "I was going to tell them to get their heads out of their asses and stop trying to relive their school days through the popular kids." Beth settled her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him for a hug.

"You're so sweet." She said. Daryl grunted and tried to pry her off him. "I'm comfy." Beth said straddling him and squeezing her legs tightly. Daryl rolled over so he was on top. Beth smiled up at him and kissed him.

"You're nighty's pretty." Daryl said kissing her neck.

"You bought it for me for our anniversary last year." Beth said with a laugh. "You don't remember? When we were in Atlanta?"

"Nope. I just walked into the store and grabbed the first XS thing I saw and handed them my Amex." Daryl said. "Felt like a pervert in there."

"I told you you didn't have to buy me anything. Let's just buy for the baby." Beth said reaching into his boxers and squeezing him softly.

"You just spent like $200 on me for my birthday." Daryl said hissing when her thumb circled around his head.

"You can help me wrap all the presents for my birthday. Chibs brought over all the gifts Jax had hidden at the clubhouse for the boys and you know I went crazy." Beth said guiding him into her. She arched her back and planted her feet against the mattress and moved against him.

"Already bought you something." Daryl said as he moved. Beth tried to frown at him but her eyes rolled to the back of her head and her mouth fell open while she whimpered. Daryl covered her mouth with his hand. "I'm not stopping if you wake up the boys and they come to see why your crying." Beth bite at his palm as she came.

"It was that one time!"