A/N Thank you all again! Daryl's badly injured, the whole family is at the hospital, and Beth has had a very long hard day. What next? We'll see how it goes, heck, by the end of the chapter maybe we'll even hear from Daryl :)
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She doesn't want to leave her husband there alone, but Merle's got ahold of her arm as he reminds her, "C'mon Beth. We all need some rest. Ya know Daryl'd want ya ta take care a yourself, and he'll be right here waitin' for us when we get back tomorrow. C'mon now."
She knows Merle isn't going to simply leave her. She also knows he's right, they all need their rest. She feels a little twinge of guilt, she isn't being fair to the rest of her family.
Once she's in the pickup she realizes how truly exhausted she is, and by the time they get to their room she barely has enough energy to wash her face and brush her teeth before crawling into bed. Still she's convinced she won't sleep. How can she possibly rest knowing Daryl's laying in some hospital bed badly injured? And he's alone.
On their way from the hospital to the motel Merle reminded her over and over, Daryl's out like a light and he'll have no idea whether she's there with him or not. She doesn't argue with her brother in law, but she doesn't think it's all true either. She's sure Daryl knew she was there with him holding his hand and telling him how much she loves him.
She's happy to be sharing the bed with Sophia, that should help her not to feel so alone. The younger woman reaches over and takes her hand as she whispers, "'Night Aunt Beth. You rest now, I just know tomorrow's going to be a much better day."
From the other bed Carol whispers agreement, "Sophia's right Beth, you need sleep now. Remember what the doctor said, it's a long road ahead and you'll need your strength."
It's only seconds later she hears Merle's soft snoring and the sound brings her comfort; it's just like Daryl's sleep sounds. That's all it takes and she's out like a light herself.
She dreams and it's all so real and so vivid. It's as if she's on the outside looking in, watching herself as the scene unfolds.
In the dream she and Daryl have been separated for a long time and she's missed him so much. Her heart aches to see him and she still believes that somehow he'll find her. Suddenly, just as she prayed he would be, he's here with her.
They're in the hallway of some hospital, but now it's not Daryl who's hurt, it's her. Carol's there too and so is Rick, but it's Daryl who's been searching and searching for her, and finally he's found her.
He's so rough and dirty looking it's like he's been on the road for days, and he seems older with much harder edges. She's wearing badly bloodstained and worn out clothes, and her wrist appears to be injured. She's bruised and there are deep red and poorly stitched cuts on her face. It almost looks like whoever put the sutures in deliberately intended to scar her.
As soon as she and Daryl see each other they immediately try to hurry into one another's arms, but there's a woman blocking their way. She's a stern looking woman Beth recognizes right away as the cashier from D&L. For some reason though, in her dream the cashier is wearing a police uniform.
The woman has a smirk on her face as she stops Beth, "No," she says, "You can't leave." Beth looks over at her husband for help and Daryl doesn't hesitate, he draws a gun from his waistband and shoots the woman in the back of the head like it's no big deal, like it's something he does every day.
What's more surprising to her is that she's not at all shocked by his actions. She feels glad he did what he did as she rushes over to him, they hold each other tightly and he tells her, "Nuthin's ever gonna keep us apart Beth."
She wakes from the dream with his statement playing over and over in her head, "Nuthin's ever gonna keep us apart." She feels the truth in the idea that even though she's not right there with him, they're never really separated. Each always carries the other deep within their heart.
Although the family was up until nearly two in the morning they're all awake again by 6:30a. The first thing everyone notices is they no longer hear wind and rain. Merle pulls the curtain open and it's sunny and calm outside. Except for some debris scattered here and there, you'd never know there had been a storm at all.
They flip the TV on and listen to the news a minute. The storm has cleared out but there's been a lot of damage in some areas of Georgia, and all over the entire region. Thankfully their county has been mostly spared. There are also power outages all over the state and surrounding states, but they're lucky there too. It appears that where their homes are located the utilities are still on.
The plan for the day is simple. Beth and Merle are quickly taking their showers and getting dressed to leave. They'll stop by the front desk and reserve the room for another night. From there it's straight to the hospital for a quick breakfast, and finally to Daryl's room. They'll be there in plenty of time to talk with Dr. Jenner when he does his rounds.
Carol and Sophia will stay in the motel room for now, taking their time getting ready. They'll have breakfast at the coffee shop on the other side of the parking lot, then call an Uber to take them to the bookstore at the mall for magazines and books.
Unless something changes with Daryl before then, the family plans to meet up again at one o'clock for lunch in the hospital cafeteria.
As he helps her in the pickup Beth notices how Merle sounds a lot like Daryl. It's the way he says, "I ain't gonna mess around today Beth. You're comin' back here and havin' a nap after ya see little brother and have your lunch. We can go back and see him some more later on."
She's hiding a smile when she responds, "I know, you're right Merle. I'm sorry about yesterday. I promise I won't be so much trouble today."
He reaches across the seat and pats her hand, "It ain't that I think you're trouble Darlin', I just worry about ya is all." Then he takes in a breath and says what's in his heart, "I'm glad Daryl's got him such a good woman."
She really is hungry and when they get to the cafeteria she goes for foods she knows will go down fast and easy, and will also be good for the baby. A small bowl of oatmeal, scrambled egg and a piece of toast. Merle gets almost the same, except a sausage patty instead of oatmeal. She's noticed he doesn't eat nearly as much as Daryl, but he's also a older and his work's maybe not quite as physical.
They're both anxious to get to Daryl's room and when they arrive they see there's been a recent shift change. He has a new nurse, a man named Aaron. He's tall and nice looking with curly brown hair, a warm smile and a friendly nature.
They all introduce themselves and he tells them, "Daryl hasn't been awake yet and that's exactly what the doctor wants. He's got him heavily sedated right now. There's a risk of him re injuring himself if he moves around too much. By keeping him immobile we eliminate that risk, it also helps get him through the first couple days and the worst of the burn pain."
"The night nurse says he had a good night and I just finished checking his temperature, blood pressure and oxygen levels. Everything looks good. I'm sure Dr. Jenner will have more to tell you when he gets here. In the meantime, if you need me for anything just press the call light."
Aaron leaves the room and there's not much for Beth and Merle to do except look at her husband. Beth is again on one side of the bed holding Daryl's hand, and Merle is on the other side of his bed, a pained expression on his face. She's concerned and asks, him, "Are you okay Merle?"
"It ain't right little brother should be goin' through this shit. He's had enough. He's worked damn hard ta change the life he used to live into sumthin' good." It's not the first time Beth's heard him say those words.
She has one hand still holding Daryl's as she reaches across the bed and lays the other on Merle's hand, "He does have a good life and we're so happy Merle, that's not over. You heard the doctor say he'll be fine. This is a big nasty bump in the road, but I know we're going to get through it. Remember, it's just going to take time."
She's surprised how much the words of comfort she's spoken to Merle have brought her the encouragement and comfort she needs too.
It's as that thought is in her mind that Dr. Jenner walks in the room. He smiles, greets them and says, "Daryl's already had a quite a busy day. He had an MRI at 6:30 this morning, and I'm pleased to tell you we didn't find any further complications. The hip is bruised but there are no fractures." He looks at Beth and in an understanding tone adds, "I know this has been very frightening. None of us want to see the people we love badly hurt."
Beth smiles at both the good news and his kindness, "Thank you Doctor and thank goodness, I kept wondering what would happen if his hip was broken too. Poor Daryl, enough is enough."
Merle then asks the big question, "Do ya have any idea how long he'll have ta stay here in the hospital?"
"I think we'll wait and decide that when we see how things progress over the next two days. We should have a clearer picture by then. I can tell you he's obviously a tough one, and again, I expect him to recover quickly and fully, as long as he follows orders."
She and Merle look at each other like that might be a problem and Dr. Jenner picks up on the exchange, "I'll see if I can't help scare him into compliance."
They step away while the doctor conducts his exam, and when he's done he tells them, "I have one bit of good news, after today I don't think you need to wear the mask, the gloves or all the rest." He smiles at Beth again and says, "You'll be a lot more comfortable, but I'm still prescribing plenty of rest for you. You can't wear yourself out."
The doctor leaves and once again they sit on either side of the bed, moving out of the way as various people drift in and out of the room, cleaning people, someone taking blood, another checking his oxygen levels again and on and on. They're all nice people and Beth appreciates the work they do, but she's also starting to feel almost grateful Daryl's knocked out, how would he get any rest otherwise?
She asks Merle a big question that's been on her mind, "How long do you think you want to stay here Merle?"
"Ya mean right now? I thought we was stayin' til lunch."
"Yes, but what about at the motel and stuff, how long are we staying? Will it be until Daryl is released?"
Although he doesn't expect her to be happy with his response he's straight with her, "Nah, we'll spend the night tonight n go home in the mornin'. The roads are all clear, the weather is good and we'll be able ta drive over here every afternoon and say 'hi' n check on him, but we'll all rest better at home."
It's just as Aaron has come in to check Daryl's vitals again that Beth responds, "Alright, I'll go home with you to get my car, then I'm coming right back. I'm going to stay here with Daryl until he's ready to go home."
That idea doesn't sit well at all with Merle, "Ya can't be doin' that Beth, ya need your rest and ya need decent food. Besides, they ain't gonna let ya just sleep here with him."
"I'm going to stay Merle. I won't leave Daryl."
Of course, Aaron has heard the whole conversation. He can't help enjoying how this small pregnant woman is telling the older rough-as-hell looking man how things are going to be. He also can't help taking up for her a little, but he deliberately avoids looking at Merle when he says, "Actually, that big chair in the corner almost fully reclines, it's like a small bed. The hospital started that set up a couple of years ago. You'd be surprised the number of people who won't leave their loved ones alone in a hospital. I can get you bedding for it and everything."
Merle doesn't give her a chance to respond, "No Beth, I can't allow it. It ain't a good idea you bein' here alone."
Beth doesn't want to fight with her brother in law, the man's been there for her in every way, but her mind is made up. She shocks both him and Aaron when she says, "I appreciate everything you've done for me Merle. I don't know what I would have done without you, but I've made up my mind. I need to be here with my husband. Besides, don't you think that after living on the streets for three months I can survive a few nights in a hospital room?"
He wants to argue with her but he can't quite think what to say to that. Not yet. He's sure it'll come to him soon, in the meantime he gruffly mumbles, "I thought ya said you wasn't gonna be any trouble today."
It happens later over lunch and it's not Merle that brings it up, it's Beth, "Carol, Merle tells me he wants to go home tomorrow and I don't blame him. I'd like to ride with you guys and pick up my car, but then I plan to come back to the hospital. I've been told I can stay in Daryl's room and that's what I want. I'm not going to leave him."
Carol doesn't even glance over at her husband when she says, "Well as long as you have somewhere you can rest, I agree with you. I wouldn't leave Merle alone here either, and he knows it." And that's the end of the discussion.
The following morning they all get to see Daryl for a few minutes before they drive back to Smithton, and even though she knows she'll be returning shortly it's still hard for Beth to leave her husband.
When they pull up to her house Merle helps her out of the car, opens her front door for her, and tries one more time, "Ya know you'd be better off sleepin' in your own bed. I'll come for ya first thing in the mornin' and we'll go back n visit."
She thanks him but she's resolute. She's going to stay with Daryl. As the door closes behind Merle the feeling hits her, she's exhausted. Nothing sounds better right now than crawling in bed for a nice long nap, except being with her husband when he opens his eyes.
With that in mind Beth hurries to move the leftover spaghetti from the fridge to the freezer, along with all the other food that can be frozen. She's so anxious to get back to the hospital it seems like there's just too much to do. Plus she feels like she's working at a snail's pace, but it's just that everything seems so much more awkward with this belly she's not used to having.
She takes a shower, gets dressed and starts packing her toiletry bag, wondering if and where she'll get a chance to shower again. She's not worried though, if she can't, well then she can't. She also packs panties and a couple sets of fresh clothes. Not too much, no one is going to be paying any attention to what she's wearing.
Just before she zips the bag shut she thinks of something else. She adds her book about newborn babies, and the two magazines Carol got her to the bag. Before leaving she sets the thermostat, packs a reusable grocery bag with the fresh fruit that was in the fridge, a box of granola bars, a box of crackers and a quart bottle of orange juice.
She's still not quite ready to leave, first she has to look in their baby's room for just a minute. She opens the door and for a moment simply stands there gazing in. It was just over two weeks ago Daryl painted it and put the baby's crib together. With all that's happened since then it feels like it was two years ago.
Still she smiles thinking about how he complained, "It ain't even time yet. I think ya just don't wanna lemme go fishin'," and then they started laughing. Both of them knew he was as anxious and excited as her. Her emotions get the best of her and she feels the moisture in her eyes as she walks over and rests her hands on the crib rail. She smiles at the little blanket with the baby animals on it, and winds the matching mobile and closes her eyes as she listens to the lullaby it plays.
Then she tells herself he's waiting, quickly shuts the nursery door, grabs her things and hurries to get back to him.
When she's back in his room she slips a magazine from her bag and sets it on the chair. She stashes the bag with her clothes, along with the grocery bag, in the patient closet in his room. Then she stands by his bed for a while watching her husband sleep so peacefully. She's noticed how her eyes always seem to track right to Daryl's chest, making sure it's still rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
She's just whispered, "I love you," when Aaron walks in and she voices a concern to him, "He seems to be moving a little more but he's still not waking up. Is this normal? Are we sure everything's okay?"
He assures her, "Yes, don't worry Beth. If he were just asleep and didn't wake up for two days we'd all be plenty worried, but don't forget all of this good rest he's enjoying is drug induced."
She knows how much Daryl still worries about Merle and that has her asking, "You don't think he'll get addicted, do you?"
"No, I don't think we need to worry about that, besides, the doctor's been having us slowly weaning him off today." He smiles and says, "By morning he should be fully awake and I'm anxious to officially meet this guy you're so crazy about."
She's pretty sure he's not supposed to, but when dinnertime rolls around Aaron gives her the tray that was meant for Daryl. He shrugs when he tells her, "Apparently the cafeteria didn't get the memo, you might as well enjoy it Beth." Although it's not the best meal she's ever had, it's certainly not the worst. She leaves the roast meat, drinks the milk, eats the vegetables and the mashed potatoes and especially enjoys the chocolate pudding for dessert.
Later, the lady who comes to straighten his bed is kind enough to help her with the recliner and make it up, and Beth is pleasantly surprised to find out it's reasonably comfortable. She watches TV for a little while, then shuts it off and turns to her magazine, quickly falling asleep.
It's sometime late into the night. The usually noisy hospital is quiet when she wakes to the sound of a raspy and rough voice calling her name, "Beth, Beth? Am I dreamin'? Is that you girl?"
She's trying to get up as fast as she can but she gets tangled in the covers. She scolds the blanket, "Quit it!" breaks free of it and hurries to him.
He's trying to smile as she takes his hand, "Daryl you're awake."
He closes his eyes again as he gives a slight nod and softly says, "C'mon up here with me."
"I don't know if I should, I might hurt you."
"You're only gonna hurt me if ya don't."
She doesn't protest anymore because next to him is where she wants to be. She's as careful as she can be when she slides close to him. "Daryl, be careful, you have some bad burns."
"I can tell, it hurts like a sumbitch."
"I should get off the bed, I'm probably making it worse."
"Nah, nah you're the only thing that can make it feel better." She can tell it takes an enormous effort on his part, but he manages to reach over and softly rub her tummy as he asks, "Are you two okay?"
"We're just fine, much better since you woke up."
They lay quietly for a minute and then he begins to ask questions. What day is it, what time is it, what happened exactly. He tells her the last thing he remembers is jumping from the bucket, landing hard on the ground and hearing his leg break. The words have her cringing.
She tells him what Merle told her, and then he asks, "Yeah? Okay, so give it to me, how bad is it?"
She isn't going to gloss over it, her husband is not the kind who'd appreciate that. Still she starts off easy, "It's not the end of the world, you'll heal, you're just not going to be happy when I tell you how long it's going to take."
"Give it to me Beth."
She tells him about his injuries one by one, trying to remember every detail the doctor gave them, then she tells him how long it will be before he can go back to work. He tries to joke, "Shit, ya mean I gotta be home with you all that time? That's enough ta kill me right there."
She starts to cry and he thinks she took him seriously, "Hey, hey Beth, girl, I's just kiddin'. Don't ya know that? I love ya."
"I know you're joking. I'm crying because I'm so happy you're alive to say dumb things to me." She touches her finger to the end of his nose and says, "I love you too Mister Dixon, but don't you ever scare me like this again."
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A/N Phew, well he's awake! Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. If you'd like to see the chapter photo it's on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I hope to see you all back next week for more of Love On The Line, when our couple head home. Until then remember, stay safe, take care and I love ya large! xo gneebee