So, tonight I am feeling generous and have uploaded both Chapter 11 and 12.

Also, because I had today off work it has given me extra time to write. A long weekend to type, type, type more of my favourite story yay!

If you enjoy the chapter(s) please leave me a review to let me know your thoughts.

Happy Reading ;-)

Chapter 12

Beth was sore the following morning and had a dull ache between her thighs. It wasn't a bad pain, but it did give her some slight discomfort.

Rising from the bed, she knew she should get a move on to start the day. Daryl had already woken a few hours before and was likely nearly done with his morning work. Feeling too tired to don her dress, she picked up her discarded nightshirt and slipped it over her head.

Noticing the slight blood stain that stood out in contrast to the rumbled white sheets, Beth felt herself blush.

"So I can kiss yer anytime I want" she had told him. The look that had come over Daryl's face had been enough for Beth to know that he was surprised, not just to find her behind him, but by the truth she had spoken.

His lips had caught hers in a frenzy, teeth banging together as he kissed her with such a need.

She had squeaked in surprise when he had lifted her into his arms, but felt her legs willing wrap around his waist, as if they knew where they wanted to be.

Laying her gently down on the bed, never breaking their contact, his kiss had changed from urgent to gentle whilst his hands caressed her face.

Feeling his arousal pressing in to her naked core through his thin shorts made Beth blush, but as he rocked against her it was all but forgotten as a groan slipped past her lips.

Daryl pulled back slightly looking in to her eyes, "are y' sure?" he asked. Without answering Beth had slowly sat up, making Daryl move backwards to sit on the heels of his feet, a look of doubt on his face.

With shaking hands she unbuttoned two of the buttons that were closest to her neck and could feel Daryl's gaze as he watched her.

Keeping her eyes on his she crossed her arms to the hem of the shirt that was pooled around her waist and pulled it up and over her head. She heard him release an intake of breath before her hair had even settled back around her shoulders.

Daryl sat for a few moments taking in the beauty that was Beth. She was baring herself to him in all her glory and he could not help but marvel at her.

He noticed her attempt to cover herself with the shirt and realised he had sat too long and she was likely feeling self conscious.

Standing up he pulled his own shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor before looking back to where Beth had sat, only to notice the space was now empty.

It was only when he felt her hand touch his back that he realised she had come to him and it made him nervous. No one had really seen his back, other than his brother and Rick, and even the latter had been by accident, but no one had ever touched it skin on skin.

"Beth…" he started only to watch her shake her head at him.

She walked behind him and stroked his longest scar, a jagged, raised one that ran almost the length of his entire back. He could feel himself fidgeting under her touch but remained still as she explored the pains of his past.

Beth almost cried when she saw his back up close. There was not an inch of his back that didn't have some kind of mark or scar upon it and it broke her heart. Not out of pity for the man but for the monster he saw in himself because of them.

Her fingers traced the largest one and she followed her hand with her mouth, pressing a kiss to it before moving on to the next. Daryl shook beneath her touch.

One scar started at the top of his shoulder and looped round to his chest. Feeling bold she kissed where it began and moved around his body to follow it to his front.

Daryl could not believe she was touching his scars, let alone kissing them. They were hideous, but he had held still and let her continue, needing to give her this as well as himself. He could feel himself shaking each time her lips made contact with his skin, fisting his hands so that he would not just grab her and plunge into her over and over again to relieve the feelings inside him that were clawing to get out.

He felt her soft breast graze his arm as she followed the scar on his shoulder to his chest and could not help turn his head to follow her as she came to stand directly in front of him.

Raising her hand she cupped his cheek and felt him lean in to her touch. When she looked in to his eyes, she saw the love he felt for her, whether he knew it was there or not.

Unable to restrain from touching her, Daryl slid his hands around her waist once more and pulled her flush along his body. Their skin tingling at the touch and their hearts beating in line with each other.

Walking her backwards, he laid her back on the bed and bent to kiss her neck, feeling her lift her head to allow him more access. His hand lowered to her soft curls and she moaned when he made contact, bucking her hips slightly as his fingers slid along her folds.

Bending to kiss her deeply, he found that she was returning his kiss with every fibre of her being. One of her hands clutched his back whilst the other locked in to his hair, trying to pull him even deeper towards her.

Kisses trailed down her neck as he lowered to her breast where he sucked her pink round nipple with slight pressure causing her to arch off the bed.

Knowing that he wouldn't last much longer, he removed his shorts with his free hand and settled himself between her legs, taking her lips once again as he did.

Beth looked at him and hoped that she was conveying just how much she trusted him, "its gonna hurt lil' bit" he told her.

"I trust yer" she replied firmly. Carol had already explained that the first time was painful.

Hearing her words hit him deeply, but it was the trust on her face that nearly undid him. She trusted him completely.

Taking hold of himself, he positioned himself at her entrance. Kissing her deeply her began to push into her. He saw the moment on her face when he met her resistance and hesitated, only to feel her hand pull at his back urging him to continue.

Lowering to her breast once again, he began sucking and pulling and felt her begin to writhe under his touch and slowly he began to push, feeling himself filling her completely.

The pain had been there, but not as badly as Beth had imagined. It was more the feeling of being so full that had felt strange, until Daryl had begun to move. It was only after that they she experienced a pleasure she had never known existed.

At one point it felt like his hands had been everywhere and nowhere at the same time, before they had both found their release together.

Quickly stripping the bed as her thoughts plagued her mind, Beth headed to the kitchen, a smile on her face and a spring in her step.

It was just after lunch when Daryl had returned to the house and he could not help but want to get there a little quicker today.

His brother would likely call him out on his feelings, but to Daryl last night had been perfect.

The details had been replaying over and over on his mind all morning and soon he would see her. He just hoped she didn't have any regrets, she certainly hadn't this morning.

Seeing her on his arrival, once again barefoot and still in his shirt, he couldn't help but feel his body stir.

Beth jumped slightly as he circled her from behind but soon settled back in to his chest.

Neither felt the need to speak in that moment and were just happy to enjoy one another. It was only when the bacon started to spit that Beth snapped out of her thoughts and ushered him to the sink to wash up.

Daryl cleaned his hands and stood resting his back against the sink. Placing his hands in his pocket he felt the coolness of her wedding ring still in his pocket.

Pulling it out, he stepped forward and dropped to one knee. He was sure this is how it was supposed to be done, he remembered it from the stories that his mother used to tell them.

Beth had filled a plate for each of them and placed them on the table, before returning to the counter to collect a jug of water. When she turned around her heart leapt out of her chest. The jug connected with the floor and sent tiny pieces of glass tingling around the room as both of them stood looking at one another.

"Will y' wear my ring Beth?"

Tears sprung at her eyes at his gesture and she nodded her head, afraid that she would cry if she spoke.

Jumping up before Beth could make a move, he gripped her hand and slipped the ring on to her finger and wiggled his own left hand to show her that he was wearing one too. Beth choked at the sight of a set of gold wings holding a small clear stone and thought it represented them both beautifully.

Reaching up on her tip toes she pecked his lips only for him to snake a hand round her neck pulling her in closer.

Without breaking the kiss, Daryl bent and swept his hands behind Beth's legs picking her up bridal style before stepping over the broken glass to the door.

Blushing, Beth pulled back from their kiss, "Daryl, your food" she stated as she looked back to the kitchen.

With a smirk pulling at his lips he growled, "ain't hungry for food Beth"

Merle had frequented the Prison Tavern several times since they had sent Beth to his brother, searching for any clues that the Governor was looking for her. It hadn't escaped his notice that the Governor's henchmen, Gorman and Caesar had often been missing and knew it was only a matter of time.

As he walked along the edge of town to the tavern that night, he could not help but think of his brother and hope that he was wasn't pushing the girl away. He hoped that Daryl would finally let some good into his life. Hell, they deserved it for all they had suffered in the past.

Merle and Daryl hadn't had a good childhood and whilst many scars marred Daryl's body, they were no match for his own. Carol often told him that scars weren't necessarily just the ones you could see and he had to agree with her.

Whilst Merle had met Carol and formed a bond with her, the same could not be said for his brother, he was always pushing people away. He didn't blame him, they were never taught what love was or that it even existed. It was Carol that had shown him how to, and now it was time for Beth to teach Daryl.

Merle hated the short walk to The Prison as it often gave him too much time to think and lately his brother had plagued his thoughts the most.

"STOP IT….YOU'RE HURTIN HIM!" their mother had screamed as she had tried to stop their father from taking his belt to Daryl.

The poor boy hadn't even done nothing but both boys supposed that just being alive was the problem.

Merle watched with wide eyes as their father had brought that belt down on his six year old brothers back over and over again. A pool of red puddled under his younger brothers body that was growing more and more limp with every stroke. The cries had ended after the fourth or fifth strike.

His mother was only a slight woman and no match for her husband but she had slapped, and grabbed at their father as she had tried to protect her youngest son. "YOU'RE GONNA KILL HIM!" she cried as she moved to take the lashing herself.

Seeing the look of disgust cross his fathers face at the woman that now laid over her child, Merle watched as the man grabbed the woman, wrenching her away as she screamed Daryl's name over and over.

"He needs ta be punished woman!" he spat as he shook her violently, "Yer try and stop me again and it'll be you that see's my buckle next, yer hear?"

Merle was pulled from his memories at the ruckus coming from the nearing tavern and moved to pull his collar up to ward of the chill that was settling over him.

Daryl had almost died that night, their father only stopping his tirade after tiring himself out.

Their mother had stayed in their room, not even venturing out after the sound of the strap hitting Daryl's skin had ceased. It was then that he knew no one would look out for Daryl apart from him.

It had been Merle that had scooped his small, broken body from the table he had been forced to lay on and take him to the nearest doctor. Having no money, meant no one was willing to help but Merle had persevered and eventually he'd found someone that had helped him save his brother.

After being lost in his thoughts Merle knew he needed a drink or two to take the edge off and he hoped it may help him sleep that night.

Parking himself on the nearest barstool, Merle hunched in on himself, not in the mood for company.

He hadn't been there long when Caesar burst in and stomped to where the Governor sat surrounded by the ladies that worked at The Prison, forcing Merle to sit up straighter to try and listen.

"We found them…next town over"

The Governor nodded and Merle noted a vindictive smirk cover his face.

Picking up his glass, Merle downed his drink and swallowed hard, feeling the liquid burn his throat.

"Bring them in. I want to know everything!" The Governor stated.

Merle felt his throat constrict slightly and knew he would be running home instead of walking.

Although he had struck a deal for 'friends' to help on the day that Beth had left, he wouldn't really call them friends. They were acquaintances that had owed him a favour. He knew they were not faithful and would likely roll over on his sorry ass, meaning him and Carol needed to leave town and fast!

"Keep safe little brother" he whispered as he left the tavern.

"Rick, what brings you by?" Beth greeted with a smile as she opened the front door to let him in. It had been several days since he had come over for dinner.

"Daryl home? I need t' speak with yer both bout sumthin" Rick explained as he followed Beth through to the kitchen.

Looking over her shoulder Beth blushed, "he's been down in the pasture with the horses, but should be back soon. Coffee?"

"Coffee would be great" he told her as he took a seat.

Daryl arrived home hoping he could pick up where he had left off this morning.

Stepping up behind Beth as she fixed some coffee, he moved her hair off her neck and placed a kiss upon it, "not hungry" he mumbled against her skin and she giggled trying to escape his grasp as a coughing came from behind him.

Releasing Beth quickly he turned and spotted Rick, who sported a massive grin.

Clearing his throat he whispered to Beth, "Coulda told me we had guests"

She giggled and bumped him with her hip, "Yer didn't give me any time to" she sassed as she walked over to fill Rick's cup.

Daryl settled in his chair and pulled Beth down on to his lap, noticing Rick's raised eyebrow at the gesture.

Rick had never seen Daryl be so comfortable with someone but made no move to comment, instead he sipped his coffee and just watched the couple, a slight envy pulling at his heart.

"Kids okay?" Daryl asked already seeing Rick nod before confirming, "Better than good! I gotta say, I don't know what yer did the other night Beth, but Judith… well she's slept right through every night since"

Beth beamed at the confirmation that she had been able to help and Daryl felt pride swell in his chest, "and she's feeding?" he questioned.

"Whole bottle" Rick replied, "that rose-hip on the teat…she takes it straight away".

Daryl could feel Rick's relief. They had all been worried when Lori had passed that Judith wouldn't take well to the bottle and up until now it had been a real struggle.

"What brings yer by?…Weren't expecting y' til the weekend" Daryl questioned and saw Rick swallow,

Rick cleared his throat before speaking, "Seems Amy, Andrea's sisters, had a baby. She wants to go and help her out for a while and well….I….I was wondering if Beth here would mind watching Judith for a few hours during the day?" Beth looked at Daryl and he already knew the answer. Truth was he would enjoy seeing his lil'asskicker a bit more too.

"Yer don't have to let me know right away….take some time to think…" Rick continued, oblivious as to the agreement the couple had silently made between them.

"What bout Carl?"

"I'll take him to the office with me" Rick explained as his shoulders slumped knowing that Carl often hated being cooped up in the Sheriff's office for too long.

Daryl was shaking his head as he wrapped an arm around Beth's waist so he could manoeuvre them to sit up a bit more.

Noticing the gesture, Rick shoulders slumped as he let out a deflated breath, he didn't have anyone else to ask. Sure Irma and Dale could watch them, but they were getting on and weren't quick enough in their older age to watch two children. He would just have to take them to work with him until he found an alternative. He didn't blame them for wanting to spend time on their own, they were newlyweds after all.

"Carl can come on over too! Need some help mending the barn anyhow" Daryl stated and saw his brothers head snap up.

Looking at the pair, Rick knew his face didn't conceal his surprise. "You go on and bring them over on ya way t' town" Daryl continued, "Beth'l fix 'em breakfast so don't worry none bout that",

Beth was already nodding her head in agreement as a smile spread across her face and Rick couldn't help but stand up before rushing to embrace them both, placing kisses on both of their faces.

"Cut that shit out!" Daryl grumbled with a smirk as he tried batting Rick's mouth away from them both whilst Beth giggled.

After all of the details had been worked out and Rick had agreed to bring both children by the following morning, Daryl and Beth followed Rick to the door to see him off.

"County Fair's coming through in a few weeks and the first drink's on me" Rick stated in gratitude as he mounted his horse and left the couple to get back to the activities that Daryl had been hoping to resume since the early hours.