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Amy, you asked and I will provide! I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 8

Awaking to the smell of coffee Beth sat upright slightly confused in the room she had woken in, until she remembered she was now a wife, and this was her house, their house!

Feeling the space beside her was now cold she looked to the window and noticed that the sun shone high, alerting her to the fact that she had indeed slept in.

Huffing out a breath of frustration with herself she threw back the covers and hurried to dress. She had hoped to be up first thing to prepare breakfast for Daryl and to show him that she was a good wife.

"Good morning" she chimed as she walked in to the kitchen, finding Daryl sat at the table drinking a cup of coffee.

"mornin" he replied

Helping herself to a cup Beth turned and smiled at Daryl, "thank you for letting me sleep. I guess I was more tired than I thought" she said

The truth was Daryl had watched her when he woke and hadn't had the heart to wake her, so he had just continued to watch her sleep, memorising each part of her face.

"S'all right. Thought you needed your rest more than I needed breakfast" he explained as he stood and approached the sink to place his cup, "I gotta go finish fixing the fence today, lost us three chickens already" he stated as he shook his head.

Beth felt awful, she should have made more of an effort to ensure she was on time to make his breakfast. It was hard work tending a farm fulltime and she knew he would need a good meal to keep him going.

"I'm sorry Daryl, let me fix y' some food real quick" she rushed out, as she began clanging pots and pans.

Feeling a hand touch her shoulder Beth stopped and looked at the man it was attached to, "y' don't need t' pologise Beth. I left yer to sleep and b'sides I can fix my own food when I need ta"

Beth's heart melted at how kind he was being to her and she lifted a hand to cup his cheek. She couldn't help but notice his eyes widening so she stepped forward slightly so that they were almost touching chest to chest,

"Thank you" she told him as she reached up on her toes and placed a small kiss to his cheek.

Heart beating wildly Daryl stood stiff and shocked that Beth would so willingly come to him, let alone place a kiss upon his cheek. Not realising he was doing so, he caught her wrist as she went to move away and pulled her back, lowering his mouth fully to hers.

At first Beth was shocked at the suddenness of his lips crashing to hers but she recovered quick enough and fisted her hands in his shirt pulling him closer, their mouths moving together as if they had been made to perfectly fit together.

Several minutes had passed but Daryl could not seem to pull his lips from Beth. Hell, he wanted to stand here all day kissing her silly, but he knew that the chores would not do themselves. With a reluctant groan he pulled back and placed a soft kiss to her forehead "I'll be back for lunch" he told her in a throaty voice, before releasing her to leave to their house.

Beth had stood for a while after Daryl had left, a hand pressed against her bruised lips and a smile on her face and she hoped that kissing Daryl would always be so wonderful.

Turning to face the kitchen, Beth pushed up her sleeves and began pulling out ingredients. If she couldn't make him breakfast, then she would just have to make him the best lunch and dinner he'd ever had.

A smile had graced Daryl's face for most of the day at the thought of his sweet Beth. His, he thought to himself and he didn't quite know where the thought had come from. Sure they were married but he didn't own her.

Not even the clammy heat had dulled his mood and he almost ran into the kitchen when he arrived back at the house for lunch.

"You can wash up first" she told him as he entered "the rolls ain't quite brown yet".

Doing as she had advised Daryl moved to the sink to wash his hands, before turning and taking his seat at the table, "sure smells good" he told her and received a smile in return.

"I hope y' like it. It ain't much, but I put together what I could with what was in the pantry"

Daryl nodded and knew he would need to take her in to town soon so she could stock up on the items she needed, "I could take yer to town tomorrow, if y'want?"

Placing the now brown roles on the table, Beth smiled at him as she took her seat, "I'd like that, as long as yer sure" she quizzed.

He had to move the cattle soon to the higher field but it could wait an extra day, "s'no trouble" he confirmed earning himself yet another smile.

It was whilst she was eating that he knew he would do anything to keep that smile on her face.

…

That night they laid in bed more comfortably. Beth was still in the shirt Daryl had lent her, but there was no awkwardness between them as there had been the night before.

Daryl felt more comfortable than he had in a long time and it was all thanks to the girl that laid with her head in the crook of his arm.

"I got all the chores done an' the fence fixed" he told her as his hand stroked her back slowly, "We could prolly ride t' town after breakfast if yer want?"

Beth's hand stilled from where she had been messing with a lose thread from Daryl's vest as she lifted her head to face him, "I'll be ready" she confirmed.

Both laid looking at one another in silence, until Daryl's husky voice permeated the air, "can I kiss yer?" he asked.

Without answering Beth moved towards him and laid her lips upon his. She felt a tingling from her head to her toes as he deepened the kiss, his arms coming round her and pulling her more closely than she thought was possible.

When they broke apart panting Beth laid her forehead on his and looked in to his deep blue eyes, "y' don't have to ask to kiss me Daryl. Y' can kiss me anytime you want" she said, ducking her head so he did not see the blush spread across her face.

Daryl smirked to himself at her words and knew she was feeling shy at being so bold with him. Placing his fingers under her chin he forced her to look at him once more, laying a small delicate kiss to her lips, "y' may regret saying that" he told her pecking her lips once more.

…

The next day Beth awoke shortly after Daryl and followed him down to the kitchen. He had already explained whilst they were changing that he would need to milk the cows and collect the eggs before they eat breakfast.

Beth had already begun to prepare breakfast and a snack for them to take with them to town, when Daryl left to complete his chores. By the time Daryl had re-entered the house Beth had had his plate ready for him on the table. It was laden with bacon, eggs, biscuits and toast, and he could not wait to dig in, having already built up an appetite from his morning chores.

As he passed her to wash up he lent over and placed a quick peck on her cheek surprising them both. Immediately, as he had known, a red blush filled her cheeks making him smirk in return.

Beth had smiled wide when Daryl had bit in to the warm biscuits and groaned, "they'll taste even better once I make some butter" she told him before questioning whether he had a churn.

"I got a churn in the barn, but I don't know whether it still works" he said as he thought of when it may have been last used.

After they had finished Daryl made sure the wagon was secure and helped Beth to climb up before taking his own seat, clicking for the horses to walk on.

Remembering it was the end of the week Daryl felt the need to inform Beth that they would likely have visitors soon. Rick and the children would normally visit him to have dinner three or four times a week, however Rick had told him the day Beth arrived that they would back off and allow them some time together as a married couple.

Daryl had tried to protest but Rick wouldn't hear of it and told him that he would stop by on the following Saturday.

"I wanted to ask if yer would be alright with some visitors comin by on Satday?" he asked her.

"It's your house Daryl, y' don't need to ask me"

"It's our house and I thought it best to ask m' wife" he stated, seeing a smile fill her face when he called her his wife.

Nodding at his answer Beth turned to face him, "who's coming over?" she quizzed.

"Rick usually drops by w' the family for dinner" he replied as Beth slipped her arm in the crook of his own.

"it'll be nice to see Andrea again" she explained as she rested her head against his shoulder.

Daryl's brows furrowed in thought, he hadn't mentioned Andrea. What was Beth talking about? And then it dawned on him, Beth had seen Rick and Andrea together at the wedding, Andrea had been looking after Judith and Carl whilst Rick met Beth at the train station. Did she really think they were together? Just wait until he told Rick about this!

Chuckling slightly he shrugged his shoulder, "Rick ain't married to Andrea, Beth"

Confused, Beth sat up, "but at the church….I just assumed… she was holding the baby" she started.

Nodding in agreement, Daryl could see where Beth would have gotten the idea that they were married.

"Rick's wife Lori passed away around four months ago now…." Beth's hands shot to her mouth as a gasp escaped her throat. 'Those poor children without a mother' she thought. Seeing Beth upset, he hurried to continue, "Andrea watches t' kids for Rick whilst he works"

"I'm sorry" Beth fretted "I just assumed"

"Don't matter none. Anyone woulda thought the same" he told her pulling her close to his side

Beth had been quiet for quite a while thinking of Rick losing his poor wife. Although Daryl hadn't said it, she was sure looking at the age of the child that Lori must have passed away during childbirth or shortly after. Remembering Rick's words about him and Daryl being like brothers, Beth vowed to help in anyway possible.

"I'll make fried chicken with all the trimmings" she blurted, "with a chocolate pie to follow".

Daryl had been letting Beth ponder the information he had provided about Rick and felt best to leave her to her thoughts, when she had suddenly blurted that she would cook fried chicken for their guests. He had pulled on the reins at her sudden outburst and the horses had tugged, weaving their wagon across the dirt road.

"Sorry…..I dint mean to spook yer" she giggled after he had struggled to calm the horses.

Pulling back heavily on the reins, Daryl stopped the wagon and looked at Beth who now had a worried look on her face. "think that was funny d' yer?" he questioned, keeping his face straight.

"I didn't mean….." she flustered, but was interrupted as Daryl's fingers circled her ribs, causing her to laugh out loud when they hit a sensitive spot. After a few moments of tickling her he stopped and looked in her eyes, "now that were funny" he told her as he leaned if for a kiss that she was all too eager to return.

When they arrived in town, Daryl parked the wagon outside the general store and helped to lift Beth down, leaning in for quick peck of her lips before he released her. He just couldn't see to get enough of her lips and swore that she must be slathering them in something for them to taste so good.

Turning to grab her basket from the bench seat, where it had sat at her feet, he noted that the door to the sheriff's office was open.

"Y' go on in and see what yer need, I'm jus gonna go let Rick know that he can come on over on Satday" he told her as he placed a hand on her back urging her towards the door of the general store.

Beth looked at him with a worried look, "is there a budget?" she asked and he shook his head, frustrated that he had not discussed this with her on the way here.

"Jus get what yer need and I'll be in t' add y' to my account once I seen Rick"

Smiling, Beth took her basket from him and hooked it over her arm before turning to enter the store.

Daryl watched her go before turning and taking himself across the street to see Rick.

…

"Hoooohee" Beth heard from behind her as she placed some chocolate powder and flour into her basket.

Turning slightly she noted a man with a strange scar on the side of his face. It wasn't from a knife that she was sure of, but she couldn't think of what could have caused such a raised, heavy set mark.

"Ain't you a pretty little thang" he drawled as he stepped closer and fingered a lock of her hair that had worked its way loose.

Feeling uncomfortable Beth straightened her back and made to move past him towards the counter.

Chuckling under his breath, the man released Beth's hair and allowed her to walk to ahead of him.

Pressing the bell to signal that she was waiting she could not help but shake slightly at the way the man had behaved. As she went to press the bell again a hand came down on top of her own and she looked up in to the face of the man that had just been looking at her as if she was his next meal.

Surely this man could not be the owner of this store, not with the way he had acted towards her? Store owners were usually kind and respectful.

Trying to tug her hand free from the man's grasp, Beth looked to see if there was anyone around to help, but realised she was the only person in the store. Dread filled her stomach, she didn't even know how long Daryl would be talking to Rick for.

Steeling herself, Beth straightened "I'd like my hand back please" she told him. Although she had tried to sound strong it had come out as more of a weak request.

The man laughed and let go of her arm before moving as quick as a snake. Before Beth had realised what had happened she was pulled, swung round and pushed roughly up against the wall that had a second ago been in front of her.

"Let go of me" she shrieked as she pushed against him as hard as she could.

Leaning his head close to her ear she stilled as he whispered "keep fighting me pretty. I like it when yer struggle"

Beth balked as he ground his hips in to her, allowing her to feel his arousal. At one point she wondered if all men were the same, first the Governor and now this beast. But then she thought of how gentle Daryl was with her each time he caressed her cheek or laid a kiss upon her mouth.

Seeing the man's face lowering to her own, she turned her head to avoid his lips only to feel them scrape roughly over her cheek. She felt his arm move and his fingers grip her chin hard as he tried to force her head back so he could kiss her.

She began to slap at his hands, trying to free her aching jaw and noticed that as she did, his grip loosened at her waist ever so slightly. Seeing her chance she raised her hand and slapped his face with as much force as she could, pulling her stinging hand back to her chest,

The man, seemingly surprised, fell back slightly as the sting of her slap caught his tender scars, but before Beth could make her escape he glared in her direction and stalked her like a hunter stalking their prey.

"You stupid bitch" he shouted as he backhanded her face forcing Beth to fall to the floor.

Her head swam with dizziness and her knees were throbbing where she had fallen to the floor. She had seen stars when the Governor had taken his hand to her, but had seen only blackness when this monster had struck her.

Shaking her head to try and clear the haziness from her mind she noticed him advancing on her and raised her hand in front of her as if to protect herself.

…

Carl Grimes had been at the sheriff's office when his father had given him some coins and instructed him to go to the general store to purchase some milk and eggs for their supper.

He had been in the store far longer than he should have, becoming pre-occupied looking at the small clothes that he longed to buy for his sister. Since their mom had died and his dad didn't sew, clothes for Judith had been few and far between.

It was as he was fingering a cream lace dress that he heard a shriek come from near the counter. Standing up and looking around the beam of wood that supported the ceiling he noticed Dwight, the owner, grappling with a young woman.

Slipping behind the beam, Carl did not know whether to go and get his father or continue to hide, until he heard a familiar voice call out, "let go of me".

Although he had only heard her speak fleetingly at the church a few days ago, he would recognise her soft voice anywhere and knew he could not hide.

Dropping his items on to the shelf next to him, Carl kept low and moved behind the shelves to the front door. He turned to check that he had been unnoticed and saw Beth putting up a struggle.

Opening the door ajar, so as not to disturb the bell he slipped out and ran as fast as he could to his father, not even noticing Daryl's wagon or horses outside.

…

"Honeymoon over already?" Rick quipped with a chuckle as Daryl walked into his office.

Daryl glared at his friend, "Hardy har har" he retorted, "and not that its any of y' business, but things are good" he stated, earning a raised eyebrow from Rick.

"Came ta tell y' to come on over for dinner Satday" Daryl said as he picked up one of Judith's hats from Rick's desk.

Leaning back in his chair Rick eyed Daryl and asked, "s'not squirrel and rice is it?"

Daryl chuckled and balanced on the edge of Rick's desk, not quite sitting and not quite standing, "naw, Beth's offered t' cook fried chicken" he explained and watched as Rick began to salivate.

Groaning Rick closed his eyes, "haven't had fried chicken in a long time" he stated before leaning forward on his forearms to look at Daryl.

"You good?" Rick questioned.

Giving a single nod of his head Daryl looked at his best friend, "we're taking it slow. Getting t'know one 'nother a bit, y' know!"

Rick smiled "Yer seem happier than I've seen in a long time" he remarked.

"She makes me hap…" Daryl started only to be interrupted as Carl came barrelling into the room.

Rick quickly rose from his seat and approached his son, "woah boy, where's t' fire?" he demanded at the look on his son's face.

"Dwight….Beth" Carl panted from running so fast.

Rick glanced to where he had seen Daryl last standing and was not surprised to see the spot empty.

Grabbing his gun and his hat, he turned to Carl, "Stay here and don't move" he ordered before rushing out the door.

…

When Carl had burst in on them Daryl had known something was a miss and the boy had not even fully said Beth's name before he was up and out of the door, running for the general store.

Daryl had expected that Dwight was likely causing a storm with Beth wanting to pay on his account, but as he burst through the door, what he saw turned his blood to ice.

Beth, his Beth, was on the floor holding a hand up in front of her in fear. He could see blood dripping down her chin and the distinct track of tears that flowed down her cheeks.

Seeing red, he stalked up behind Dwight and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck pulling him away and spinning him round to face him.

The movement had shocked Dwight who stood panting as he sneered at the woman on the floor.

Daryl bent and helped Beth to her feet and felt her arms wraparound his neck. He could feel her trembling under his touch.

Unwrapping her arms from around his neck, he lifted her chin to look at her face. Seeing her split lip and bruised cheek he turned to face the man that had hurt his wife and in a split second he was on top of him, rolling around the floor as punches were thrown.

Rick entered the store as the two men crashed through a row of shelves. As he moved to step towards them he noted Beth holding on to the counter, her hair dishevelled and blood dripping down her chin. Hell, if Daryl wasn't punching the shit out of Dwight, he would have done it himself.

He'd already had to warn Dwight on several occasions for getting too handsy with the women at the local tavern.

Switching to sheriff mode he stalked forward and grabbed Daryl, slipping his hands through his armpits and resting his hands on his head halting Daryl's movements.

"You're done!" Rick declared before leaning forward and whispering in Daryl's ear, "don't let her see you like this".

Hearing Rick's words and knowing Beth needed him, he let the fight leave his body and felt Rick's grip on him loosening.

Snatching himself free completely he rushed to Beth who was now looking very pale. Slowly he reached out a hand to her cheek "Beth?" he inquired.

Hearing his voice Beth looked up into his crystal blue eyes and let her tears fall, "I'm sorry Daryl…. He just….he…." she stammered.

Angry with her words of apology he bent down to look at her, "y' got nothin to 'pologise for, yer hear?"

Beth flinched and moved to hide behind him as Rick moved a cuffed Dwight towards the door.

"Fucking bitch" Dwight spat as he looked their way.

Daryl stepped forward but could feel Beth's hand fisted in his shirt, "the fuck you say?" he fumed.

Rick shook his head at Daryl, urging him to calm down.

"How was I t' know she was fuckin married? Ain't like she got a damn ring on her finger" Dwight slurred through the blood that marred his mouth.

Rick shoved him hard in to the door, "married or not Dwight, I told y' before to listen when no means no"

Daryl watched as Rick dragged a struggling Dwight behind him to the sheriff's station, where he knew he would be placed in the cells. It was only when they were out of sight that he turned back to Beth, who fell in to his arms.

"Hey now, show me those baby blues" he asked as he titled her face up.

Seeing the fear still upon her face he bent and grabbed her basket, shoving in the items that had fell out, before placing his arm around her shoulders to steer her back to the wagon.

A/N - so please don't hate me that Beth got hurt AGAIN! It is a necessary evil in the grand scheme of things and will become clear in future chapters.

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