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Recap: Beth met Dixie for the first time and fell in love with her. Daryl took her to see Hershel to make sure Dixie was in good form. The two men bonded and Hershel gave Dixie the all clear. Hershel agreed to be Daryl's vet for free as a 'perk of dating Beth Greene'.

We're getting closer to the end of this story and I have to admit that it is bittersweet. I actually really love this story and I'm gutted that it will be coming to an end, however it just means that I will have the time to focus on another Walking Dead fic... one that I have just started writing. I'm excited about it and can't wait to post it for you guys. At the end of chapter 20 I will give you more details about it.

As always, thank you to everyone who is still reading this story; it means the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to follow, favourite and review.

Disclaimer: TWD and its original characters do not belong to me

Waitress: Chapter 18: Closer To 40

Beth
Today was a big day, it was Daryl's birthday! I love birthdays and I have been looking forward to this for the past 2 weeks. Daryl on the other hand has not been too keen on celebrating, he said that he didn't really do 'birthdays' and didn't understand why people celebrated getting older. Personally, I think he is started to feel a little insecure about his age, today he turns 35 and he's worried he's getting 'too old' for me. We've always known that there is a nearly 15 year age gap between us and I didn't think it really bothered him until I started talking about his birthday. It doesn't bother me that he's 35 and it shouldn't bother him that I'm 20 years old... he should feel damn lucky he was able to pull a 20 year old college student.

One thing I have come to know about Daryl; he can be insecure. When guys who are a similar age to me come into the bar and check me out or flirt he gets really jealous. I've told him that he hasn't got anything to worry about but he doesn't listen and I know that he trusts me and I trust him but he thinks I could 'do better'. He doubts himself a lot and I know it's because of how he was treated growing up, he's never thought he was good enough for anything or anyone and I think becoming 35 has made that worse.

He told me that he didn't want a party or fuss because he doesn't want to celebrate but 35 is a big birthday and I want to celebrate the day he was born. So, me and the girls are going to wait until the bar is closed and then we're going to have a small celebration, nothing too out there. We're just going to have some drinks and the cooks are going to do some food for us, Carol has got a cake and we're going to sing Happy Birthday... Ok so it's kinda like a party but not a big one. It was low key and no fuss, we're not even going to put decorations up like Megan suggested. She wanted to get balloons and banners and party streamers but I know how badly that would've gone down so I told her to abort that plan and just stick to what we had planned already.

I broke the news to Daryl last night about his 'party' and he grumbled about it but didn't tell me to cancel it, I guess he knew it was a fight he wouldn't be able to win. I had suggested that maybe he call Merle and invite him but he said it would be a bad idea, I did debate on calling Merle myself because he is his brother but knew it wouldn't go down to well and he's already having this 'party' that he doesn't want, I don't want to push my luck too much.

I am working today but that is fine with me because it means I get to spend the most of the day with him. I debated on giving him his gift when I got to work but decided to wait before giving it to him, I was so excited and I can't wait to see the look on his face when I give it to him. I thought long and hard about what to get him because there's not really anything he wants and he doesn't have too many hobbies but I'm hoping I did well.

I thought long and hard about what to get him and decided that as the only hobby he has is hunting, get him something for his crossbow. So, I got him 15 new bolts for his crossbow. The shafts are black and the fletching is forest green, his favourite colour, I got the letter D but on the fletching too as a little personalisation. They came in this nice black case and personally I think they look really good, I hope Daryl does too.

My parents knew it was Daryl's birthday too so they got him a birthday card and had put some money inside, they didn't really know him all that well so they wasn't sure what to get him. Giving him money meant he could buy something he needed or wanted, I'm sure Daryl will appreciate it. I don't think he was expecting anything from my parents so it will be a nice surprise for him.

Thank God everyone has gone. Now we can really celebrate Daryl's birthday.

Liz and Megan were going to be pouring the drinks, giving Daryl a break as he had been on the bar all night and I was going to get him to myself for a little while. I thought about drinking and Daryl's never seen me drunk... well I've never been drunk before because of my dad but I think I'll be ok and I want to have a couple of drinks with my boyfriend for his birthday.

"Happy Birthday," I said to him for the hundredth time and he rolled his eyes at me "Stop being a sour puss," I told him.

"I'm sorry," I replied with a cheeky grin.

"So, birthday boy, what will you drink?" I asked.

"Whiskey, neat... and a large if I gotta have this party," He answered.

"Liz!" I called and she came over to where Daryl and I were sitting towards the end of the bar "Daryl will have a large neat whiskey and I'll have... a beer," I told her, both Liz and Daryl looked at me in surprise "Yes I'm drinking," I stated with an eye roll.

"Comin' up," Liz walked off to get our drinks.

Daryl just looked at me in surprise "Is bein' with me that bad, that I'd drive ya t' drink?" He joked.

"I'm celebrating," I replied "It's my boyfriend's birthday, you being born is something I wanna celebrate," I added.

"Why?" He questioned.

"You really gotta ask me that?" Liz came and put the drinks down in front of us but she sensed the mood had changed between us so she walked away rather than sticking around "Daryl Dixon; I love you. You are my favourite person in the whole world. You treat me so well and you make me so happy. I never thought I'd get this with someone, after everything that happened in school. You're one in a million and you being born is something amazing, it means you get to be here now," I explained to him.

"I love ya too." He replied and leaned in to kiss me.

I met him halfway and kissed him back. His hands gripped onto my chair and pulled it closer to him without breaking a sweat, making me giggle. I heard the girls behind us making silly sounds, Daryl pulled away from the kiss and picked up his whiskey and took a large gulp. I picked up my beer and knocked it gently against his glass and took a sip, it wasn't that bad actually. I took another sip and Daryl laughed at me.

Daryl
I gotta admit I wasn't happy about it being my birthday, it means I'm getting older and I'm getting closer and closer to 40 whilst Beth is barely 20 years old. Turning 35 isn't a milestone for me but it's made me realise just how much older than Beth I really was, she had her whole life ahead of her and she could meet a guy her own age pretty easy, it'd be someone she probably has more in common with and someone who can understand what she's going through with college and stuff. She deserves so much better than what I can give her. I've tried telling her this but she won't listen to me and keeps telling me I'm being silly, I don't think she gets it.

When I am 50 years old she is only gonna be in her mid 30s... everyone is gonna think I'm some dirty old man or think she's some gold digger after money because that is what people think of others in age gap relationships. It'd be different if I was 35 and she was 25 but 14 ½ years difference is a lot. At 50 I'm gonna be wanting to slow down and I'm hoping I'll only be working part time here but Beth will still be young and living her life.

I love Beth, I really do and I wanna have a future with her but what if she wants to have kids, people might think I'm their grandpa or something. Say she wants kinds but not into her 30s, I'm gonna be old by then and having a newborn when you're nearly 50 isn't ideal. We're always gonna be in different mindsets about our lives, what we want and how we wanna live. One day she is going to realise that she is better off without me and she's gonna leave me, I can't blame her either.

There have been so many times during our relationship when I have thought about ending it with her. I feel like I'm being selfish with her, I know she'll never leave me unless I do something horrible. I just want her to experience life, enjoy life as college student and party with college friends. Not have to work and then spend the night at home with her old boyfriend. I want her to get everything out of life and never look back with regrets.

Taking a look at Beth I noticed the four empty beer bottles in front of her and a fifth half empty one in her hand, she was starting to go a little red from the alcohol and she had that look in her eyes that told me she beginning to get a little too merry. She was talking to Carol about something, Carol was laughing and nodding along with whatever it was she was saying.

A drink was placed down in front of me, Liz stood there with a smile on her face.

"Thanks," I muttered and took a big gulp.

"Can you stop brooding and have fun at your birthday party?" She questioned with a serious look on her face.

"I'm fine," I lied.

"Tell that to your face," She sighed and walked off.

I sighed and finished the rest of the drink.

"I'm jus' gonna get Dixie, she might need t' go outside." I stated, Beth just smiled and nodded at me but no one was really paying attention to me.

I went up the stairs towards the apartment and I heard Dixie on the other side getting up, she knew I was coming home; she loved it when I came home. I opened the door and she pounced towards me in excitement and I patted her on the head to greet her.

"Yer wanna come down?" I asked her, as if she was going to answer me.

I held the door open and indicated her to go down the stairs; she took off running as fast as she could. I thought she was gonna go for the backdoor so she could go out to pee but she didn't, she headed straight for the bar. I heard everyone make happy noises as she rushed in and as I turned the corner I saw everyone petting her and making a fuss over her... she loves that.

"Oh you are so gorgeous," Megan cooed as she rubbed Dixie's belly.

"Hi Dixie," Beth said in her baby voice and Dixie went rushing over to her and with the help of Carol, Beth got off the bar stood and knelt down on the ground to play with Dixie "Who's a good girl?" Beth asked as Dixie lay on the ground to play "You are my favourite girl," Beth said and rubbed Dixie's belly, it's her favourite thing.

Carol came over to me with a huge smile on her face, she wrapped one around me and hugged me "Happy Birthday Pookie," She said and pulled away.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"You gotta cheer up. Beth put this all together for you so we can celebrate your birthday. I know you don't like your birthday but Beth obviously does," She told me "Beth is a good girl and you're lucky to have got her, make sure you show your appreciation." She added.

"Can I ask yer somethin?" I asked her and she nodded "I want yer t' be completely honest with me," She nodded again "Do ya think I'm t' old f'r Beth?" I asked.

"What? What are you asking me that?" She asked in shock.

"I'm 35 years old, she's barely 20... I feel like an old man," I said.

"Pookie, you and Beth are both consenting adults. She loves you; you love her so who cares about this stupid age difference... apart from you? You said her parents haven't mentioned it, Beth doesn't seem to mind it and none of us here care about it. You and Beth are perfect for each other and I think you're gonna live a long happy life together," She explained.

"I'm scared," I admitted.

"That she'll leave you for someone younger?" Carol guessed and I nodded "Beth will never leave you. I know that for sure, that is a girl who is madly in love and without freaking you out I'm sure she's planned her wedding to you and knows what your children are going to be called," We both laughed lightly "I've seen the two of you together and I can see how much you love her too. Don't let your own insecurities ruin it, especially tonight," She told me.

"Ok." I agreed.

So Beth was hammered. It was actually quite funny to watch her, she trying so hard to pretend she was sober but her red face, glossed eyes, slurry speech and inability to stand by herself gave her away. Megan and Carol were the only ones left and Carol was doing her best to stop Beth falling over, Beth was dancing to some song and although she's drunk she looks hot.

"She's gonna feel awful tomorrow," Megan commented.

"About that, wanna do me a favour?" I questioned.

"Want me to cover?" She asked and I nodded, she winced a little.

"Double pay," I offered.

"Fine," She sighed.

"Thank you... now get goin', I'll try an' get Beth upstairs," I rolled my eyes.

"Good luck with that." Megan said with a laugh.

Dixie was lying on the floor by my feet and she was also watching Beth, I wonder what Dixie thought about what Beth was doing. To be honest, Dixie seemed to be watching her like she was watching a movie or something, she was interested in what Beth was doing and was trying to figure out what was going on.

I got up from the stall and made my way over to Beth and Carol, Beth smiled and launched herself at me. I grabbed hold of her and Carol started laughing, Beth was trying to get me to dance but I don't dance so I just let her do whatever it was she was doing.

"Ya can head off, I got her," I told Carol.

"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow," She said "Bye Beth," She said louder.

"Bye Carol!" Beth replied happily.

Carol left and then it was just me, Beth and Dixie.

"C'mon Beth... it's bedtime," I told her.

"One more song," She pleaded and hiccupped.

"Ya said that two songs ago, it's nearly three in the mornin'," I said.

"Is it?" She asked in shock and tried to look at her watch but she was having trouble.

"It is," I answered "Take Dixie upstairs an' I'll lock up," I instructed.

"Ok," She slurred and started making her way towards the stairs but she was really struggling "C'mon Dixie." She called and Dixie looked at her for a moment before getting up and following her.

I'm sure by the time I lock up, she's still gonna be trying to get up the stairs. Man I didn't think she'd get this wasted, I didn't think she was gonna drink to be honest because she doesn't normally. She is gonna be feeling this tomorrow.

So it seems like Beth enjoyed Daryl's birthday celebrations more than most people did, including Daryl himself. She didn't even get the chance to give him his present before she got drunk, I love drunk Beth... maybe if we're lucky we'll get to see a little bit more of drunk Beth in the next chapter.

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