AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you for reading and thank you to malzateb, Guest, Guest and brinxb for your comments on the last chapter.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Walking Dead or its characters
Apologies in advance for any spelling and grammatical errors. Thoughts in Italics
The Journey
Chapter 50
Rick wipes the steam off the mirror and takes hold of his razor ready to swipe it across his cheek. He looks up, eyes meet his reflection and a small reflective smile pulls at the corners of his lips.
He had woken up before the crack of dawn to see a small lump under the covers and a mop of messy hair in the bed next to his snoring. When he walked out into the lounge, Shane and Glenn were sharing the pull-out bed snoring even louder and every so often, they'd be pulling at the covers. When he looked into the master bedroom, Olly and Judith were fast asleep next to Beth on the king sized bed. He could see two empty bottles on the nightstand, pink and blue which told him Beth had woken up and fed both Olly and Judith. He had woken up to give Judith her bottle but Beth had beaten him to it. His eyes slowly fell upon Beth's sleeping face. She had been through so much over the years but she was still the same kind and wonderful woman he knew and fell in love with. She welcomed his children with open arms and showered them with kindness. She didn't have to but she did and both Carl and Judith had taken to Beth like he knew they would.
He had stood at the door for a little moment just watching the three of them sleeping safe and soundly. Judith was snuggled next to Beth with Olly laying on Beth's chest holding her ear. Olly lifted his little head up, smiled sleepily and laid back down into the warmth of Beth. He couldn't help but smile unable to believe his own eyes that Olly is a piece of him - he was still pinching himself that it wasn't his mind playing tricks on him, but Olly is real and his. Such a good, happy natured and easy going baby who very well may look like him, but all his wonderful qualities and that precious smile were of Beth's which shone through. It was a beautiful moment and it gave him a sense of peace, like he had no worries in the world, the ones he had were forgotten and had evaporated in that instant whilst watching them.
Happy and contented, he'd fallen back into a blissful slumber when his head hit his pillow. No dreadful thoughts plagued his mind nor any old dreams that woke him up in a sweat. Each day, that pain and void he felt was easing away slowly to be replaced with a sense of calm and the beginnings of feeling whole again and stronger. The question of Judith's paternity had troubled him greatly but he doesn't accept that she is not his, she is - a test and piece of paper would not tell him otherwise and Shane had said the same, Judith is a Grimes. He never knew he could be so attached to anyone but he was, and they were all together under the one roof. This is what he had always wanted, he was ready to do what he had to do to make this a permanent reality - stability for his children, for Beth and stability for himself - not completely sure how but he was going to find a way or a way needed to find them.
Lori had emotionally blackmailed and manipulated him for far too long, especially when he was depressed. Took advantage of his love for his children and Beth and used them as leverage to get what she wanted and so he would never leave her. He had enough was an understatement - he was going to get his life back on track, wasn't going to mope and pine away anymore. He was going to man-up, be proactive and take back the reigns and free himself of the burden of Lori once and for all and prove himself to Beth so hopefully one day he'd be able to put that ring on her finger if she would ever take him back. He had lied to Sinéad. He never took the ring back, he still had it and kept it in his safe in the basement of his house where his office is along with all of Beth's personal possessions she left behind which he couldn't let go - he packed it all up into his truck and took it home.
Before he places the razor to his cheek ready to glide it along the foam, the door bursts open and the smacking of little bare feet running across on the tiled floor grabs his attention. Rick's eyes dart across the mirror but he doesn't see anyone. He turns, looking down to see Judith running past him and she hides behind the towel rail with the enormous towel dangling down covering her body. Before he can go over and ask what she was doing, in bursts Carl in his Deputy's hat holding a squirty toy pistol jumping here and there, pulling the shower curtain open giving out a mocking laugh which comes to an abrupt stop when he sees the bathtub empty.
"That Judith Grimes! slipped away again!" Carl complains in his cowboy voice and Rick can hear little giggles coming from behind the towel which pulls so many strings at his heart.
"There's a stink-butt-diaper in 'ere that needs changin'!" Carl says in his new adopted voice sniffing the air holding his gun, pretending to follow a smell as he pinches his nose together walking closer to the tiny giggles.
Rick watches Carl, then over at Judith and then a sucking noise makes him turn to face the bathroom door to see Olly crawling in sucking his dummy, zooming past on his hands and knees. Rick places his hands on either side of his hips watching Olly scurrying towards Carl, and then his ears pick up the soft humming approaching from the direction Olly had entered. Beth walks in with a tall pile of clean towels in her arms. He watches Beth stack them into the cupboard and as if a mommy instinct kicked in, Beth's head swings to the side to see Olly reaching to touch the toilet bowl to pull himself up, she jumps over grabbing him and lifts him up into her arms.
"Eeky! Yucky! No touchin' the potty Peanut!" Beth pulls a face pointing her finger at the toilet and wagging it as if to say no.
Carl opened the shower screen door grinning, stuck his head in and frowns.
"Carl, is there anythin' particular you'd like for breakfast?" Beth asks over her shoulder as she continues to tidy up the cupboard with Olly on her hip watching.
"You can surprise me, I'm cool with anythin' you make!" Carl answers shutting the shower door, he looks around and smirks when he could see little feet beneath the towel. He creeps up, yanks the towel off the railing and tosses it up into the air - it lands on top of Rick's head blocking his view of Beth and Olly.
"Found ya Judy!" Carl laughs making Judith shriek running away, hiding between Beth's legs.
"Hey sweetie!" Beth smiles looking down, Olly sucking his dummy looks down to see what was going on and when he sees Judith, he lets out a long laugh, leaning forward to get down to join her.
"Hey dumbass!" Glenn's croaky voice comes from the door as he stomps in stretching his arms behind his head "What are ya doin'?" He asks when he sees Rick standing there in a bath towel wrapped around his waist with another draped over his head but before Rick can answer, Glenn slips behind him at the sink and starts washing his face.
"I was usin' the bathroom, was tryin' ta shave before y'all busted your ways in!" Rick responds to Glenn hearing the water running getting Beth's attention from behind.
Beth's eyes catch the sight of Rick in just a towel. Feeling like she was staring too long at his body, she quickly averts her eyes away, mind in a whirl of thoughts wondering how long Rick was standing there. She was too busy with housework, she had barged her way in when he was using the bathroom. She was utterly embarrassed scolding herself for walking around Rick's apartment like it were her own.
If anyone could see Rick's face, he was smiling under the towel. He should be annoyed but he wasn't. He had many times had thoughts that mornings would be something like this with Beth pottering about tidying and their kids busy messing about whilst he tried to get ready for work and those longing thoughts becoming a somewhat reality hits him. There were no words to express how happy he was feeling right now. Another time, he'd have kicked Glenn out of the bathroom and possibly shouted at Carl for entering without permission. He felt bad, he had completely distanced himself from Carl and he vowed that he wasn't going to let that happen again.
"Ya snooze, ya loose daddio!" Glenn scoffs back splashing his face with water making Rick snort.
Glenn pats his face dry turning around, his eyes run over Beth wearing those big baggy unflattering clothes that drown her and her figure. He frowns shaking his head not understanding why she chooses to hide behind them. He decides it was time to take matters into his own hands - chuck away the frumpy clothes he wasn't used to seeing Beth in, enlist the help of Sassy Sinéad and Fashionista Guru Amy to take Beth shopping and give her a makeover and bring back the cute, chick and vibrant girl she once was before she moved to Atlanta. Glenn smirks knowing Rick won't be able to keep his eyes off Beth once they were finished with her.
"Daddy!" Judith points to Rick when she sees him "Daddy hide!" She says running over and grabbing his leg "Found!" she squeals looking up making Rick smile, he picks her up so they were now both hiding under the towel and nose to nose.
Rick inhales the baby smell of Judith, she was freshly bathed and dressed in a little pretty floral-print dress Sinéad had gotten her. He kisses the tip of her nose and sighs as he holds her. Judith giggles when she feels the prickle of Rick's stubbles and shaving foam when she touches his cheek.
Beth was lost in her thoughts remembering how she had completely zoned out last night when she and Rick were sprawled out on the floor in a compromising position. Very intimate and private moments between them came flooding back to her and she was sure Rick must have read her mind because he too seemed to be lost in memories. He had a look in his eyes, searching hers, like he had gone back in time with her to a particular moment when feelings were mutual and there were no boundaries between them. The thoughts heat Beth's face up, she hides behind Olly's back, she was sure she had a full on glowing blush evident over her cheeks. When Rick had come back to consciousness, she saw that look in his eyes - that look told her, he was still in love with her and needs her and being friends wasn't enough, impossible and something had stirred within herself. Her eyes dart over the floor conflicted - thoughts she had been blocking out of her mind for so long resurfacing, old passions re-igniting to be in Rick's arms again, holding her, loving her…
"Beth!" Carl calls appearing in front of her out of nowhere.
Beth practically jumps snapping out of her thoughts to look at Carl startled and feeling guilty of her thoughts. His dad was still married to his mother, possibly unaware of the divorce proceeding between his parents and here she was having selfish thoughts of being with his father again. Beth looks away, feeling ashamed of herself.
Carl was making funny faces at Olly making him laugh "Can we go to the restaurant for lunch today?" Carl asks jumping around Beth "T-Dog said I can help him make a foot-long Steak Sub Sandwich and Dale said we can make the biggest Sundae Surprise that'll make everyone's eyes pop out of their eye sockets!" He emphasises widening his eyes when he stops so they were now face to face.
Beth smiles when she sees Carl's eyes practically lighting up excited. She wanted him to enjoy his time in Atlanta, he deserved to have fun before he returned home and if Dale had invited Carl to the restaurant and T-Dog into his kitchen, it was okay with her.
"Count me in too little man!" Shane says walking in grabbing the towel off of Rick's head, pulling Judith's nose having heard Carl from the lounge "Wanna check out this fancy restaurant where you work and the fancy food and if it's for free, I'm there!" He says walking over to the shower and switching it on "Ya know I'm already there!" He says grinningly looking over at Beth.
Carl places his hands on Beth's arm and shakes it eagerly to regain her attention. When she looks down into Carl's hopeful eyes, her face softens. It was really hard to say no to as she sees Rick and Olly in Carl.
"…If it's okay with your dad but I think-" Beth momentarily hesitates answering turning to meet Rick's eyes.
He was standing not too far away looking at her intently. She wasn't sure how long, she adjusts Olly on her hip as she stares back uncertainly for his response.
Carl and Judith were going back home with Shane later that afternoon. Lori was expecting them back no later than 7pm and she assumed Rick wanted to spend as much alone time with Carl and Judith on their last day in Atlanta as he could.
As if Rick could read her inner thoughts, he gives a nod in agreement to Beth and smiles over at Carl who was jumping up and down celebrating making Olly bounce.
"Thanks dad!" Carl rushes over and hugs him round the waist and remembering the time "C'mon Olly, let's go watch Star Wars: Clone Wars!" He says rushing to take Olly and then he's making for the lounge stealing the remote from Glenn.
Seeing Rick needed to get ready and Judith looking like she was going to doze off again only having woken up not long ago, Beth approaches "C'mon Judith, let's go make pancakes and then you can have a little nap after ya got some in your tummy." She says holding her hands out to take the little girl so Rick could finish shaving.
"Daddy…pancake…mess!" Judith says rubbing her eyes reaching out to Beth to be taken.
"Did daddy try and make pancakes and made a big mess instead?" Beth enquiries taking Judith into her arms.
Beth was trying to keep a straight face but unable to, there was a twinkle in her eyes from memories of Rick always trying to help her in the kitchen or his epic failed attempts when he tried to surprise her with pancakes in bed but would come back with toast smothered with his beloved peanut butter.
"Big mess!" Judith chirps from resting on Beth's shoulder making Beth laugh wiping her face off of the shaving foam.
"Hey big mouth!" Rick says in disbelief at Judith for her disloyalty and her suddenly finding her voice to innocently humiliate him and then he looks at Beth for laughing seeing the amusement on her face when she caught his suddenly little boy face he was pulling. His lips twitch up remembering the pancake disasters and the toast that saved breakfast more often than once.
"And you're right Judith…daddy always made a big mess and I always had to clean up after him and I don't even know how some of those pancakes ended way up high on the kitchen ceiling?" Beth looks to Rick with a small smirk on her face for an answer.
"I was tryin' to flip 'em," Rick begins explaining "but they always got stuck to the pan so you have to flip 'em harder, put some muscle into it!" He defends when he see the two sets of eyes on him "…I blame the pan!" Rick shakes his head because none of his pancakes ever came out right and they'd be stuck to the ceiling nine times out of ten when he got frustrated tossing them up in the air.
Beth lifts her brow and tilts her head to the side "You're gonna blame the pan?" She asks disbelievingly and Rick can hear the taunting in her voice, he just fixes his gaze at her "The non-stick pans?" She asks and Rick nods his head yes.
"The same pans I used?" Beth asks for clarity and Rick fiddles with his shaver "From recollection, the pan seemed to work perfectly fine when I took over?!" She says matter of fact enjoying teasing Rick "The pans in my house and the pans in your house…doesn't that say somethin'?" She asks and looks at Judith for an answer, who nods her little head, they both turn back to Rick for his response.
"…They make it look easy on TV…you made it look easy but it's not!" Rick complains rubbing his brow and then folding his arms over his pecks with what looks like a little pout on his face.
Beth has to bite down on her lower lip. It's been a long time since she's seen a sulking Rick. She loved teasing him as much as he loved teasing her and the pacifying and making-up was always the fun part.
"I made great toast!?" Rick interrupts Beth's thoughts looking up to meet her eyes raising his brow in question.
They share a look and both burst out laughing simultaneously, remembering Rick even made a mess at toast sometimes, he burnt them to a crisp once and set off the smoke detectors all over his house. The guys from the fire department showed up and wouldn't let him forget the incident whenever they crossed paths on jobs or just yelled out "TOAST!" to him whenever they drove by in their big red fire trucks, it was harmless teasing.
"You were such a lousy cook!" Beth giggles over at Rick, who pretends to look insulted "…but you always tried and you did make great toast!" Beth sighs smiling intently at Rick and he smiles back remembering like she was.
"Yeah, Rick's the world's worst cook!" Shane says poking his head out from inside the shower.
"Dear god, Shane!" Rick shouts in alarm forgetting Shane was still in the bathroom with them and cursing himself for not realising Shane had gotten into the shower.
Rick chucks his shaver onto the counter, covering Beth and Judith's eyes as he turns them around, thankful the shower panels were frosted glass and blurred Shane's body.
"He even tried practicin' to make pancakes to impress you…he looked like a bag of coke blew up in his face more than once!" Shane snorts "What men do to impress chicks!" winking to Rick.
Rick sees the little rubber duck on the shelf, grabs it and chucks it at Shane's head to shut up. Before Rick turns around, Shane sprays water at them making Beth and Judith shriek. Rick pulls Beth and Judith into his arms, covering them from getting soaked, backing them out as he yells for Shane to stop who just drowns them out with his singing.
Beth smiles carrying empty plates to the trolley watching Dale holding Olly as he directs Carl, Judith and Sophia on how to make the best Sundae Surprise ever.
They'd finished eating their ginormous gourmet foot long sub-sandwiches and sides that Carl helped T-Dog prepare which was a huge success amongst the kids and grownups. Carl had announced to everyone he was thinking of looking into becoming a Chef which made all the men cheer, putting their thumbs up in support as they munched away at the children's leftovers. Carol had enquired what T-Dog was like as a boss because she was soon to be joining him as his part-time Sous-Chef and was a little nervous, it's been years since she's stepped foot into a professional kitchen. Carl had looked deep in thought and said, he was one hundred times better than Gordon Ramsey, he'll never need to be bleeped out and she would like working with T-Dog because he was hip and really cool and the best real chef he knows.
Beth walks over to see how the Sundae Surprise was coming along and covers her mouth when she sees the monster they were making.
"Ya can never have too much sprinkles!" Dale says knowingly shaking the sprinkles over the biggest Sundae Beth's ever seen "Isn't that right Skipper?" He grins slipping in a sprinkle into Olly's mouth and then into his own looking around hoping they don't get caught indulging.
Olly had a little tube in his hands shaking it like it were his maracas. Beth only hoped it was sealed, the guys would have a fit if there were sprinkles all over the floors that made its way into the heart of the restaurant, the diners were always welcomed to a clean and sparkling restaurant and that's how she wanted it to remain.
Carl, Sophia and Judith were giggling copying Dale who pours a generous amount of chocolate stars into his mouth and when he brings his face down, he finds they had been busted sneaking sweets as Beth stands there holding her hips in her mommy stance, tapping her foot on the ground waiting for an explanation.
"We're…erm?" Dale stutters with a mouthful trying to find an excuse looking at the nearly empty tube in his hand and then at Sophia "Er…."
"Testin' them to make sure they're okay Aunt Bethy!" Sophia jumps in flashing her teeth.
"Yea, testin' them to make sure they're okay!" Dale repeats nodding and then flashing his teeth too.
"Yep, we're the official sweet treat testers!" Carl grins flashing his teeth - Judith and Olly copy.
Beth looks from one face to the other and snorts because they've got chocolate smears over their faces and teeth.
"Just this once…I didn't see anything!" Beth lifts her face up into the air, smile on her lips, turns around and walks off leaving them to it "Just don't make too much mess!" She says over her shoulder knowing they most definitely will.
"Yes Siree!" They chorus together saluting as Beth walks off.
"Sheesh, I thought we were gonna get told off and sent to the corner!" Dale takes a deep breath shaking his head with relief at the kids making them laugh, he begins to scatter the chocolate stars over the Sundae as he sings.
Sophia, Carl and Judith pick up the chocolates that fall around the bowl giggling hovering them into their mouths and handing some to Olly who was sucking on them making pleasing sounds and licking his fingers.
"T'Dog hardly ever lets anyone into the sanctuary of his kitchen unless ya can chop a carrot - Julieene or Brunoise in less than sixty seconds let alone a child!" Amy says leaning on the counter holding her chin watching Dale with the children once Beth walks over to stand next to her behind the counter.
"T-Dog's a professional Chef but he's an uncle too, he loves kids and can never say no to them and Carl really enjoyed himself…we could be lookin' at the next amazin' Chef!"
Beth smiles when she looks into the kitchen watching T-Dog and his assistants prepping for the evening. The Chef's looked up to T-Dog and even the trainees did, they took on board everything he imparted to them. He was helping them work their way up the ladder in a professional kitchen and T-Dog was one of the best Chiefs in Atlanta, people booked months in advance for a table to be able to taste the meals on his menu and she knew Carol would be fine, she'd fit right in with the Kitchen Team.
"T-Dog is the best!" Amy agrees with a sigh pushing herself up off the counter to go check on her tables.
"Amy?"
Beth grabs Amy's arm making her stop in her tracks.
"Is everything okay?" Beth asks cautiously, Amy had been avoiding her calls, not once coming to visit her since she's been staying at Rick's. They used to hang out all the time, go for a bite to eat on days off but the past week, nothing.
Amy peers up at Beth from beneath her thickly mascaraed lashes. Her eyes flick over to Rick sitting at the large round table in the company of Shane, Glenn, Carol, Norman and Sinéad deep in conversation and smiling. She couldn't believe he had the nerve to be here and be all relaxed and comfortable, enjoying himself like the past twenty months never happened and then she looks back at Beth not believing she would let him back into her life after everything he did, abandoning her and running back to the woman he said he was divorcing. After everything Beth went through and having to watch her struggle on her own, upsets her and infuriates Amy.
Amy stands there, an internal battle rages inside of her trying to keep her thoughts and opinions to herself, not blurt out that everything is not okay and that Beth was making a huge mistake letting Rick worm his way back in, Rick Grimes was not good enough for her and Olly, they were fine before he turned up, they didn't need him or the others who followed Rick to Atlanta. Weren't she, Dale, Carol and Daryl enough – she thought all they needed was each other.
"Everything's fine, need to go check on Mrs Gilbert's table, she'll be wonderin' where I got to, it might be Sunday Lunch Spread but we still gotta provide the silver service!" Amy looks around at the many tables stocked with T-Dog's special roasts and accompaniments "you'd better get back to your party!" Amy replies with a forced on smile which disappears as quick as it appeared, takes back her arm and continues on her way.
Beth stands there taken aback watching Amy go. She lets out a heavy breath and suddenly feeling tears prickling at the corners of her eyes, she brushes them away before they fell not knowing why Amy was behaving the way she was. She makes her way towards the ladies before anyone saw her upset.
Amy's face drops, she wanted to turn around and apologise to Beth, cuddle her and tell her everything was okay but it wasn't. She was losing her best friend and her best friend didn't even realise it. She wished things didn't have to change but they were and she didn't see herself being a part of the party, a part of Beth's life and Olly's. The thought makes her stomach twist in knots, trying to swallow the lump caught up in her throat, she sniffs her nose and swipes her finger roughly beneath her eye. Beth and Olly were the closest thing to family she's had in years and if they went, she didn't know if she could bear it.
Everyone was laughing and cheering when Zach carried the biggest Sundea Amy's ever seen with Dale and the kids trailing along behind him. She sneaks a look back over at Rick who was clapping with the rest of them and his eyes begin looking around in search and she knew who he was looking for…Beth. She wished she could forget how much of a jerk Rick was, believe he was a genuinely good man who was dealt a crappy hand in life and would never hurt Beth again but she didn't believe him. Men only wanted what was good for the time but would eventually change their minds when they get bored or something better comes along, they'd drop you like a sack of unwanted potatoes.
"Whoah…watchit Barbie!" Daryl groans grabbing hold of Amy when she smacks into him.
"Sorry." Amy says quietly shrugging her shoulders out of his hands, no arguing back like he was accustomed to.
Daryl watches Amy go over to one of her tables, practically dragging her feet and now she was talking quietly to Old Mrs Gilbert who looks at Amy like she was an imposter and then looks to her husband who just shrugs his shoulder shoving in a slice of roast chicken looking up at their not so chirpy waitress. Daryl doesn't see the normal loveable larger than life, flirty hostess he and everyone knows Amy to be and it doesn't sit well with him to see her like this, deflated and lost. He sensed something was wrong and needed to get to the bottom of it, he needed to keep his ship afloat and if Amy was upset, then the whole damn place would just go down with her to meltdown.
"Zach!" Daryl snaps seeing Zach whistling as he goes.
"Yea, boss!" Zach says making his way over, his smiles instantly disappears when he sees the look on Daryl's face.
"Ya upsettin' Amy again?" Daryl asks watching Zach intently taking a step forward which makes Zach take two steps back gulping.
"Naw man, me and Amy are friends now, I swear I ain't upset her!" Zach swears holding his hands up in a calming way seeing Daryl scowling at him "Cross my heart!" He says earnestly "But, I think there's somethin' goin' on between her and that Detective Grimes?" Zach gestures behind Daryl having noticed Amy watching Rick like a hawk since he walked into the restaurant "Beth's baby's daddy!" He whispers slowly.
Daryl narrows his eyes confused and turns to look over at Rick who was leant back in his seat with Olly resting on his chest holding Woody in his arms. Daryl spots Beth making her way towards the table and when he looks at her closely, he noticed she looked a little upset. He frowns, wanting to go over and check to see she was okay, he starts making for Beth's direction but is pulled aside by Eugene asking questions.
Rick spots Beth, smiles and pulls out the chair beside him and Beth slips into the seat and sits there quietly looking around the table at everyone.
"You okay?" Rick asks resting his hand on her shoulder as he runs his eyes over her face. Daryl had stopped in his tracks seeing Rick had beaten him to Beth who seemed to be trying to console her.
"Beth?" Rick says gently as he sits up moving closer, his arm sliding behind her back in a soothing motion.
Beth looks up and just nods her head with a smile but Rick doesn't buy it, he can see she was forcing the smile, he knows she's upset about something but she didn't look like she wanted to talk about it, so he drops it not wanting to make a scene in front of everyone. He grabs his and Olly's bowl and hands it over to Beth. She takes the bowl and gives a small smile which widens once she's taken the mouthful.
"Cookies and Cream, my favourite!" She beams looking into the bowl and then she frowns to see it was now empty.
"Voila!'" Rick says smugly producing another bowl filled to the top with Cookies and Cream with sprinkles and magic stars, he grins seeing Beth's face light up. Olly watches and his eyes light to match wagging his spoon in the air, he begins to bounce.
"Don't you think you've had enough, hey?" Rick asks Olly lifting him up and down above him like he was a set of dumbbells.
Olly smiles and then it disappears, he pouts a little letting Woody dangle from his hand.
"I wouldn't do that!" Beth advises Rick taking a mouthful of her ice-cream as she pushes her chair back crossing her leg over the other.
"Shouldn't do wha-" Rick asks turning to face Beth and before he can finish Olly's pukes and it goes all over his face "that!" Rick says understanding.
Beth tries hard not to laugh as she helps clean Olly and Rick.
"Daryl!" Dale calls happily when he sees him getting a drink from the fridge.
Daryl looks up from beneath the bangs of his shaggy hair as he pulls the ring to snap off the can of cola and takes a slurp to see Dale walking into the staff room with Olly in arm.
"Darrrrrrrrr!" Olly puffs wiggling trying to get down to go over.
"Can you take Skipper whilst I grab a diaper out of the baby bag, if I can find it, it's somewhere round here?" Dale says scratching his head looking around and then remembering "I'll be back in two ticks!" He clicks his fingers remembering as he deposits Olly into Daryl's arm and rushes off mumbling his was losing his head.
"Whatcha starin' at trouble?" Daryl says gruffly catching Olly staring wide eyed at his can, the fizzy noise coming from the can grabbed his attention.
Olly's blue round eyes lift up and he pulls a cute smiley face. Daryl stares at Olly and his grouchy exterior breaks, his eyes soften like they always do when Olly is about.
"Ya ain't no trouble!" He says pressing his lips down onto Olly's temple and pulling him into a hug, he takes a seat on the round table.
Olly looks around the room and sees his red balloon still stuck in the corner of the room, he smiles sucking his hand and pointing up at it with his free hand.
"Ya don't write! Ya don't call! Jus' turn up to getcha nasty diaper changed!" Daryl complains putting the can down, turning Olly around to stand on his thighs, holding his hands to take a good look at him.
"Ya growin' like a weed!" Daryl says astonished - Olly was tiny but he had grown some since the last time he saw the baby. Olly's funky little red jeans were a little shorter than the last time he saw him in them, two new teeth had sprung out of nowhere and his little dark hair had a little more curl telling him his hair had grown a little more "Stop growin'!" Daryl orders Olly.
Olly just bounces up and down happily. Daryl doesn't think he's seen a happier baby as Olly.
"Ya happy?" Daryl asks as Olly leans in and presses his face into Daryl's cheek and gives out a happy squeal in response "Good!" Daryl says relieved rubbing his back.
"Anytime ya not or ya think ya Ma's not, whistle an I'll come getcha both!" Daryl tells Olly "…Maybe not on my beast, ya Ma will kill me, beat me to a pulp but I can hotwire Dale's Winniebago – we jus' won't tell her that part, keep that between us guys!" Daryl touches his nose and then Olly's.
They sit there together contentedly, Daryl listening to Olly's little breaths and hiccups, every so often talking. Daryl lifts his can and takes another gulp. Olly stares at the can and Daryl watches him as he sucks the drink from the rim. He lifts the can up and places it near Olly's ear who was listening intently to the fizzing and pops coming from the cola inside and then he feels the splash of one of the pops, blinks surprised, looks up at Daryl and lets out a hysterical laugh. Olly stops laughing and holds out his ear to listen to the fizzles again. It pops and Olly laughs and Daryl joins him. They sit there for a couple of minutes repeating the process over and over.
Beth walks down the corridor and slows down when she hears Olly's laughs coming from the staff room and then she hears a deeper manly laugh. She takes a few steps closer, sticks her head round the corner of the door to find Daryl and Olly laughing at a can. She smiles wondering what they were doing, walks in slowly and stops.
"Anyone else allowed to join in?"
Daryl almost falls off the table dropping the can on the table but had Olly clutched securely in his arm and into his chest as he stands up.
"Jesus woman!" Daryl moans picking the can up, chucking it into the bin and mopping the spillage with somebody's sweater left on the table.
When he dares to look up at Beth, he cringes wishing he hadn't because she was smirking looking at him and then at Olly and waiting for him to speak.
"We were, er-" Daryl mumbles looking at Beth and then down at Olly who was making popping noises with his mouth "What are ya doin'?" Daryl asks Olly trying not to laugh and trying to deflect Beth's attention off of him.
Beth can see the blush spread across Daryl's face and decides to let him be. It was nice to see Daryl and Olly goofing around, it was nice to see Daryl smiling and laughing, Olly seemed to be one of the only people who can do that to Daryl. They had formed a little bond between them.
"Dale got held up with sayin' his goodbyes to customers so I thought I'd better change Olly before he evacuates the place!" Beth scrunches up her nose at Olly and he tries to copy.
"Okay Mr Stinky, let's get your stinky butt clean!" Beth says holding her hands and taking Olly.
Once Olly was cleaned and changed, Sophia came running into the staff room.
"Aunt Bethy!" She says puffed out "Uncle Rick wants to introduce Olly to The Commissioner and his wife and he asked if you're ready to go home?"
Sophia rushes and grabs Beth's hand to hurry up and follow her. Before Beth could speak to Daryl, Sophia pulls Beth out the door as Carl and James come running towards them.
Daryl throws Olly a smile and wink when his little heads turns looking around, a smile back and then he was gone.
"Sucks don't it!" Comes Amy's voice from outside the door watching Beth and Olly go.
It was close to 4pm, Shane and Rick were placing bags into the boot of Shane's jeep.
"Thank you for a really fun weekend, me and Judy had a great time!" Carl rushes over to Beth and smiles up at her.
"Your welcome Carl, me and Olly had fun too didn't we Peanut?" Beth asks Olly who was smiling.
"Can I hold my baby brother one more time before we go?" Carl asks eagerly.
"I think Olly would really like that a lot!" Beth smiles handing Olly over to Carl.
"So, we can see each other every day on Skype, it won't be the same like now but it's better than nothin'!" Carl explains to Olly "Dad's really cool when he's not a worrywart so look after him and be a good boy okay?" Carl asks Olly.
Beth smiles watching Carl and Olly together, it was better now than never she tells herself, they were brothers and they shouldn't have been kept apart.
Carl looks at Beth and then down at the floor hesitating not sure if it was his place to say what he wanted to say but he's waited so long to say what he had to say since he found out about Beth. He takes a deep breath and bites the bullet.
"Dad still loves you!" Carl says suddenly "I want my dad to be with who he loves, I don't want him to be unhappy anymore!" He shakes his head "But you make him happy, I haven't seen dad so happy since forever and if you still love him, please can you give him one more try and if it helps, we won't be mad…me and Judy love you too."
Carl looks up apprehensively, he knew Beth wasn't mean or horrible but all the same, it was a personal and private matter between her and his dad and he hoped he hadn't just over stepped the mark and ruined things.
Beth was a little stunned not expecting that declaration from Carl. She crouches down taking one of his hands in hers and squeezes it, feeling a little emotional not sure the right words would come out. She swallows deeply and catches her bearings smiling at Carl.
"I've waited so long to meet you and I can see why Rick always spoke so fondly about you. He is so lucky to have you as a son and I only hope and pray that Olly is just as smart, strong, caring and becomes a wonderful person like you!" Beth says sincerely, she looks down at their joined hands not wanting to put any false hope into Carl.
"I don't know what the future hold for me and your dad, things are complicated, I've got to think about Olly first before anything else but to know that you're okay about me and Rick being together, means a lot to me, thank you for being so understanding and honest."
"I understand." Carl says not wanting to pressurise Beth "Can I ask you one question and I won't ask it again?" He asks.
Beth nods.
"Do you love my dad?" He asks.
Beth looks over at Rick buckling Judith into her seat and then back at Carl.
"Yes." She whispers so it's just between them.
Carl's anxious face spreads into a smile and he looks at Olly with a beam.
Shane starts clapping his hands to get everyone's attention.
"We head south in five, grab what ya need and get into the car, we only stop to take a whizz!" He tells them.
Carl hands Olly back to Beth and he gives Beth a hug "Everything's gonna be alright!" He says adamantly ruffling Olly's hair and grinning at Beth.
"You're so optimistic!" Beth laughs, thinking at point in her life she too was, Carl was so innocent.
"I'm a kid it's my job!" Carl says dipping his hat just like Rick was customary to do running backwards waving and then jumping into his seat next the Judith who had already fallen asleep.
"I'll be back late tomorrow night, Glenn's here, Sinéad and Norman over the street." Rick tells Beth making his way towards her having made the arrangements with The Commissioner to allow him a day off work to take Carl and Judith home, he had personal affairs to attend to, tie up loose ends and The Commissioner had agreed once Rick had informed him of his marital situation.
"Okay Olly, I leave you in charge, man of the house! Be good and look after your momma and make sure Glenn doesn't eat any cheese before bed, gives him gas, nightmares and he sleepwalks!" Rick says leaning down and kissing Olly's cheek and head.
Beth looks up and before Rick could question what was happening, he leans forward and kisses Beth right on the lips. It was slow and gentle and he should have stopped but he was lost in the moment just as Beth was. When Rick finally pulls away and opens his eyes, he sees that Beth's are open too, staring at him breathing gently.
"I'll see you soon!" Rick murmurs when Shane beeps the horn. He removes his hand off of her lower back and makes his way to the passenger's side of Shane's jeep, takes a look at Beth and climbs in.
Beth and Olly stand outside Rick's buildings watching the jeep back out the parking space. Shane beeps and then they were off down the street with Carl waving from the back of the window. Rick looks into his wing mirror to see Beth and Olly standing there getting smaller until they were out of sight. He leans his head back against the headrest staring out his window lost in thoughts wondering if that kiss meant anything to Beth like it had to him.
A/N:- Next chapter Rick is back in King County - Lori is happy to see him and Glenn is on a mission.
