…

Daryl wasn't sure what he thought of Shawn Greene. He wasn't a fan of him, that was for sure, but as he sat across from Beth's brother, eating his hot dog, he reminded him of Beth's mom. It had taken a few visits for Daryl to warm up to Annette but he saw how much the woman was trying and how sorry she really was for all the shit that happened in her family a few years back.

He wasn't sure if he would ever warm up to Shawn though. Relationships between siblings were different in ways that relationships between parents and kids just weren't. They were supposed to look out for one another and stick up for each other and Shawn hadn't done either of those things in regards to his sister. Yeah, Merle might have been a piece of shit for most of their lives but Merle had still been his brother and Daryl had done just about anything for him; because that was what he was supposed to do.

Daryl didn't talk but rather, listened as Beth asked him questions and Shawn asked his own. From what Daryl could gather, Shawn lived on the Greene family farm and was working to take it over as their dad got older in years. That explained his tan. It was a working man's tan. Daryl might had never done it for a single day in his life but what he knew of it, farming wasn't easy by any means and there was the slightest smidgen of approval from Daryl's side that Beth's brother wasn't some pansy ass who lived with their parents and didn't pull his weight.

When the brother and sister started talking about George, Daryl listened even closer; still not speaking himself. It wasn't his conversation to be a part of. He was just there for Beth and he wouldn't talk unless she pulled him specifically into the conversation. So far, she hadn't done that and Daryl was fine with just sitting there, eating his late lunch/early dinner.

The waitress came back and refilled Beth and Shawn's cups of Dr. Pepper and she got Daryl a fresh Coke. Beth took a napkin from the dispenser and then leaned into Daryl, wiping a stray drop of mustard from the corner of his mouth. She smiled at him, which eased his embarrassment of being a pig.

"Thanks," he said to her in a quiet voice, taking the napkin from her.

"Anytime," Beth said, still just smiling.

Daryl looked at her and forgot about her brother for the time being. It still amazed him that someone as pretty and good-hearted as Beth was actually loved him. And not just loved him but was in love with him. Loving her, he thought, would have terrified him but instead, it was just about the easiest thing he had ever done. Smartest thing, too.

He wondered where they were going to go from here. He had to wonder that. He'd be a naïve idiot if he didn't. First Beth's mom and now Beth's brother had found her and were here to see her – and George. If they worked her hard enough, was Beth going to go back to the Greene farm and take George with her? Would they stay or would they come back to Orson and the trailer park?

To the trailer park. Just saying that, no matter how nice his park was or who lived there, people still heard those two words – trailer park – and thought one thing just about automatically. Trash. If Beth's family had a big, successful farm, if she was to leave, why in the Hell would she ever come back?

"As soon as mom told me, it all clicked in my head. I had forgotten," Shawn was smiling and Beth was smiling a little, too. Her face was still guarded, Daryl noted, but when it came to George, she always smiled just at the thought or mere mention of her boy.

"Rhapsody in Blue was always one of your favorite pieces to play on the piano."

"It still is," Beth said. "My next door neighbor, Ms. Mackey, has a piano and she lets me come over and play it whenever I want it. It was her mom's and her mom actually has Gershwin sheet music. I've been having a blast with it."

"And What is Life by George Harrison," Shawn continued.

"Yep," Beth nodded, the smile still across her face. "I used to sing that song when I was pregnant with him all of the time." Her smile faded a little at the memory.

Daryl had been meaning to listen to George Harrison's music – especially knowing that George was partially named after the man – because besides the Beatles stuff, he didn't know any of his solo stuff. He just hadn't gotten around to it. He had to get around to it. Maybe he'd bug Cassie to see if she had any. That girl seemed to have all kinds of music.

And he should have done it a long time. George had told him that first drive into town what his mama had named him after and that had been five months ago.

"Do you guys still have my blue ribbon I won with Victor?" Beth suddenly asked. Daryl looked at her, not asking but clearly wanting to, and Beth gave him a soft smile. "He was a baby goat I raised and we won a blue ribbon through 4-H at the county fair," she explained before looking back to Shawn.

Daryl took a sip of his Coke. There was still so much about her that he didn't know. He knew the basics and other important things but he didn't know anything about her when she was growing up. It was information she hadn't been dispensing to him and Daryl didn't ask because he wasn't the sort to pry but if he's dating this girl and he loves her, does that mean he should start prying?

He didn't know if he had it in him to do that. If he pried in her life, that mean she could pry into his and though she knew the general story, Daryl admitted that there were just things in his life he didn't want to talk about because that would mean he'd have to think about them again and he had done his damn hardest to forget huge chunks of his life.

"It's in your room," Shawn confirmed with a nod. "I can bring it. Would you like anything else?"

"I don't even remember what was in my bedroom," Beth said before she could stop herself. She then seemed to hear her words because she shook her head rapidly. "I don't need anything from home."

Daryl's neck pricked at that. Home. She had called the farm home.

This time, Beth didn't seem to catch what she had said and she took a sip of her Dr. Pepper. Daryl had a couple of more bites of his hot dog, but honestly, he couldn't bring himself to finish it. He didn't feel hungry anymore and what was already in his stomach rested heavily down there like he swallowed bullets. He wasn't surprised and yet, it hurt all the same.

"Mom told me you don't have a phone," Shawn said. "And I won't just drop in on you again like this but… next week sometime? Would it be alright if I came to see you sometime next week? Either me or the next time mom comes, one of us will bring the ribbon with us."

Beth nodded. "Thursday. We can meet here again if you wouldn't mind."

"I'll meet you anywhere, Beth," he swore instantly. As if sensing that they had reached the end of this first meeting, Shawn took one more sip of Dr. Pepper and pulled his wallet out. He left a ten dollar bill on the table and then slid from the booth. "I'll see you next Thursday around three?" He paused and Beth nodded in confirmation. "It was nice to meet you, Daryl."

He left then, neither turning to watch him go but they heard the door push open and then close again. Beth turned to look out the window and she saw him get into his car. A moment later, he drove off and she exhaled a heavy breath as if she had been holding it in this entire time. She then turned back to Daryl.

Without saying anything at first, Beth turned her body more towards him and with her arms slipping around his shoulders, she hugged him as tight as she could at this less-than-ideal angle.

"Thank you so much for staying with me," she whispered to him.

In their booth, Daryl tried to hug her back like she wanted too but it really wasn't a good angle. He was able to wrap one arm around her waist, holding her to him, and his other hand came to rest on her arm.

"Anytime," it was his turn to say, and her head was on his shoulder so he couldn't see her face, but he heard her smile all the same.

…

Driving her back to the park, Daryl dropped her off at the Leesman trailer so she could get George and he then drove back towards his trailer, parking the trailer next to it rather than in front of it. Dog was lounging on the front porch as if he was soaking up the sun but as Daryl climbed the steps, he saw what his German Shepherd was doing. Even with his head down, his ears were at full attention and he was looking at Siddiq and Rosita's trailer across the grass field. It looked like Rosita had company – a woman on the slightly heavier side with golden hair and glasses, the two women sitting on the porch, talking. Dog was watching them – just in case.

Dog was like Daryl. He knew everyone who lived in this park – and he knew everyone else who didn't.

"Good boy," Daryl said, bending down to give him a quick ear rub, and Dog's tail thumped against the wooden planks but he never shifted his focus.

Inside, Daryl headed to his bedroom to take his boots off but he stopped as he passed the bathroom.

"What the Hell are you doin'?" He frowned at his brother as Merle stood at the counter.

"What the Hell does it look like?" Merle all but growled.

"Looks like you're actually trimmin' your nose hair."

"'cause I am, baby brother." Merle looked to Daryl and gave him a grin. "I got a date tonight."

"Yeah? What time you pickin' her up at the jail?" Daryl smirked a little, leaning in the doorway.

"Jailbirds attract jailbirds, Daryl. But don't be a smartass. She's never been in jail." Merle looked back to the mirror to continue trimming but then paused. "As far as I know. Not that that matters to me. Nah, I met her the other day. She came 'round here, lookin' to see if we had anymore trailers to rent. Told her we were all filled up but if she gave me her name and number, I'd give her a call if one opened up."

"You know, jus' 'cause a girl gives you her number in a professional situation, that's not permission to be callin' her," Daryl said.

"Even if she gives me the number with a wink and a 'Call me'?" Merle grinned. "I think 'm gonna be gettin' laid tonight, baby brother."

"So long are you're not gettin' laid here. Go back to her place."

Daryl pushed himself out of the doorframe and with Merle's laugh following him, he went into his bedroom. He sat down on the bed, unlacing his boots, looking out the window as he did. It tasted like fall in the air. The nights were just a little bit cooler and leaves were starting to fall. It was still warm during the day but not an oppressive heat like the height of summer. The woods would be teeming with animals, getting themselves ready for winter. He might go out this weekend and pick himself some rabbits; a deer. Cut up the meat and freeze it so he could have it during the coming months.

He could make Beth and George a deer stew. It was one of the things he made in the kitchen that he thought was actually pretty good and he bet they had never had it. George hadn't anyway. Beth, maybe. Maybe back on her family's farm…

Maybe he should ask her before he made it. Maybe deer stew was one of those things that would bring back all kinds of memories that she just didn't want to have anymore.

Still on his bed, he heard the screen door open. "Daryl?" George called out.

"Yeah!" Daryl answered the boy and just as he stood up, George came running inside and down the hall.

"Hi, Merle!" The boy greeted Merle as he passed.

"Wha's goin' on, Georgie?" Merle greeted back.

Daryl smiled as the boy came into Daryl's bedroom. "Hey, George. How was preschool today?"

"Good!" The boy beamed with an eager nod. "Miriam, Moses and me made paper plate snails!"

"Well, that sounds cool." Daryl had no idea what a paper plate snail was but he guessed it was pretty obvious what it probably was. "What else you do today?"

"Number one is like a stick! A straight line that is very quick!" The boy then recited. "Around and back on the railroad track. Two, two, two, two!" Daryl began to grin and seeing it, George smiled, too. He began bouncing on his toes as he continued. "Around a tree, around a tree, that's the way to make a three!"

"I like that," Daryl said, still grinning, and George beamed.

He didn't know the first thing about teaching or preschool – obviously – but from the sounds of it, Mrs. Leesman was a Hell of a teacher. And if she wasn't, it sounded like George was having fun anyway.

"Your mama makin' dinner?"

"Yep, and you're coming!" George said, grabbing one his hands with both of his.

And Daryl had just eaten less than a half hour ago but dinner with Beth and George was one of his favorite things to do and even if he didn't eat anything, just being with them was his favorite thing.

He had to wonder how many more dinners or breakfasts he would get with them. If Beth's mom and brother kept coming back and spending time with her and George, how long would it be before Beth decided to take George back to the Greene farm to show it to him? And if they went, would they stay?

He knew these were probably things he needed to talk with Beth about. He was in their life, too, even if he sometimes still couldn't quite believe it. If Beth was going to leave – and not come back – Daryl knew that he was one of the ones who needed to know about it.

He left his boots off – he was just going next door – and George was still holding his hand, pulling him from his bedroom, back down the hallway.

"Have a fun night," Daryl bid to his brother.

"Hey!" Merle called after him just as he and George reached the door. "You got any condoms?"

"Go buy some," Daryl growled back, getting George outside as quick as he could, but he knew it was too late. George had never heard the word before and now that he had, it made him start to giggle.

"Condoms," he then repeated. "Condoms!" He then said louder.

"George," Daryl ushered the boy down the steps. "You shouldn' say that."

Dog had still been laying on the porch, keeping watch, but as Daryl and George both left one trailer, heading for the one next door, he lifted himself onto his four legs and followed after them. The woman with Rosita didn't seem like she was a troublemaker.

"Is it a bad word?" George asked and he suddenly looked very excited.

Son of a bitch. Daryl grumbled to himself. Of course he was excited. He was four-years-old and most little kids loved the idea of saying bad words. Daryl lost count of how many Theresa had smacked one of the others in the park for saying a bad word in front of her kids and for a woman who went to church three times a week, that woman could smack someone hard.

"Nah, you jus' shouldn' say it."

"How come?" George decided that he didn't want to walk anymore and instead, he began to hop.

"You jus' shouldn'."

"Condoms!" George thought it was better to shout it.

"Christ," Daryl grumbled.

George scrambled up the steps and threw open the screen door. "Mama, condoms!"

"What?" Beth exclaimed and almost dropped the pan she was holding, about to slide it into the oven.

"Sorry. 'm sorry," Daryl came up behind George and put a hand over the boy's mouth, the boy beginning to laugh as Daryl's hand muffled it. "It was Merle. He said it, George heard and now it's… a thing."

It took Beth another moment to snap herself out of whatever thought her brain was trapped in. "You shouldn't say that word, Georgie."

George tried to talk but Daryl's hand was still over his mouth so everything was muffled and the more he tried to talk and hearing it muffled, he began to laugh. Hearing him, Beth broke into a smile until she was laughing, too. And at their reactions, Daryl smiled.

He finally pulled his hand away and as soon as he did, words flew from George's mouth.

"Daryl said it isn't a bad word!"

"Well, it's a bad word to me. It hurts my ears when you say that. You don't want to hurt my ears, do you?" Beth asked.

Daryl looked at her and then down to George. There's no way this kid would fall for that mom guilt.

"Oh." George paused, thinking that over, and then nodded. "I won't say it again, mama."

"Good boy," Beth smiled. "Go get your snail so you can show Daryl."

George took off for his bedroom, Dog hurrying after him, and Daryl smirked to himself as he went into the kitchen.

"I know you just ate but you are more than welcome to shake-and-bake pork chops and wild rice," Beth smiled at him. "Could you see if I have a green vegetable in the freezer?"

Daryl pulled a steamer bag of green beans from the freezer and after checking the minutes, he popped it into the microwave. "'m sorry about the whole condom thing," he said, turning back towards her.

Beth just smiled; almost laughing again. "Don't worry about it. The worst thing that will happen is he'll teach the Leesman kids and if he does that, you can explain it to Theresa." She patted his chest and then stood on her toes to give him a quick kiss.

"Hey," he said and gently took hold of her hand before she could step away.

"Is everything okay?" Beth looked at him, frowning a little with concern.

Daryl looked at her and he had no idea how he was going to say this. He was still getting used to this; having someone in his life – not just someone like Beth, but anyone – and having that someone love him and want to be with him. Daryl didn't know anything about this but he did know that in situations and relationships like this, the couple talked to each other.

He was never a talker. He remembered that his teachers in school, for the first couple of days of a new year, actually didn't even know if he could talk because he just didn't. Being silent – being a ghost – was the easiest way to survive in his house with his dad. (He still remembered how George had been when he first got here and how many memories slammed into him when he saw the boy whether he wanted to remember those memories or not.)

He stared into Beth's eyes and all he wanted to do was this; having dinner with her and George every night and breakfast with her and George every morning. He wanted this whole thing – living together and being together and nothing changing.

"Are you leavin'?" The question fell from his mouth and it didn't make any sense because it could actually mean so many things – leaving now? Leaving when? Going where? But Daryl didn't explain himself further. It was hard enough getting just that brief question out.

Beth got it though. She didn't at first but then he saw it settling in her eyes and she got what he meant.

At first, she didn't say anything. Instead, she stood on her toes again and kissed him softly.

"I'm home, Daryl. Why would I ever leave?" She asked him in a quiet voice, staring into his eyes.

Daryl stared at her and she stared at him and lifting both of his hands to her cheeks, he kissed her again. He kissed her until she was smiling against his lips and he began to smile at hers.

"Ta-da!" George jumped from the hallway into the kitchen just as the microwave beeped. He was holding a paper plate with a construction paper snail head and the plate – the shell – was decorated in all sorts of colors. "Look, Daryl! My snail!"

Beth bumped him aside with her hip so she could get the steamer bag from the microwave and Daryl gave a smile, crouching down in front of George, taking a closer look at the snail.

"This is one of the best things 've ever seen," he told the boy and he absolutely meant it.

And George knew that Daryl meant it because with a beaming smile, he stepped forward and threw his arms around Daryl's neck, hugging him. Daryl smiled and hugged him, too, standing up with George in his arms. George pulled back and was still smiling.

"The next paper plate snail I make, I'm giving it to you," George promised him.

"You better," Daryl smirked and George laughed before hugging him again.

"This is one for the fridge, right, mama?"

"You bet it is," she smiled.

Beth had just dumped the green beans into a bowl and she then took the paper plate snail and Daryl turned so he could watch. George did, too, and they were all smiling as Beth gathered some magnets and she hung the first piece of art on the refrigerator on proud display.

…

THANK YOU! And I know no one likes to hear this but I actually just have a couple more chapters planned.

And can anyone guess who was visiting Rosita? (Answer - Denise. I loved her. Her, Daryl and Rosita going on a run together is actually an episode from these later seasons that I really enjoyed. And it was one of the last episodes I watched before dropping the show altogether.)