Here we go guys, Chapter 13. I hope you like it.
Once again, thank you for all of the reviews and story alerts. Tomorrow is Valentine's day and I may post two chapters as I have just finished chapter 16 tonight, so watch this space.
Zombielibrarian - It was a nod at my favourite movie too, Sweet Home Alabama, but I thought it suited the moment 3
If you enjoy this chapter please leave a review.
Chapter 13
Rick had brought Carl and Judith over first thing as planned. Judith had been fussy on arrival but Beth soothed her quickly, whilst Daryl and Carl dug in to the hearty breakfast that she had prepared for them.
Although only young Carl put a fair share of the food away before leaving with Daryl to start work on the barn. Daryl had explained that it would likely take them most of the day so Beth had prepared them a packed lunch to tide them over until supper.
Quickly setting to work herself, she cleaned the house, did the laundry and prepared their supper; leaving it to cool on the stove until she would reheat it later.
Finally done with her chores, she took Judith and retreated to the parlour where she had seen a pile of clothes in the corner that needed fixing. She had been meaning to start mending them since she had spotted the pile after her arrival, however Daryl had kept her thoroughly occupied.
Starting at the top she began mending rips and tears that adorned several of his shirts and wondered to herself whether he had any left with the amount that needed fixing. Next she reapplied buttons before finding a large bundle of socks. Sighing she began sifting through them, chuckling to herself when she found a pair that looked as though mice had been nibbling them. Eventually she had sorted out a fixable pile and a rag pile, that couldn't be salvaged.
After only a few minutes of starting the socks, Beth heard Judith begin to fuss. Placing her sewing next to her on the small sofa, she reached in and picked the baby up, cooing as she did.
Unwrapping the blanket that had been swaddling the baby, she noticed how tight the baby's grow had become; the little girls feet stretching the fabric as far as it would go. Slipping the wriggling baby's feet from confinement, Judith settled almost straight away and Beth knew that she had obviously been uncomfortable.
Glancing at the clock, as Judith fell back to sleep in her arms, Beth knew she had enough time, before Daryl and Carl returned, to put together something that would keep Judith more comfortable than her current clothing.
Placing the child back in her bassinet, Beth hurried to the bedroom to retrieve a bolt of fabric from her trunk. Holding it up to the light, she smiled at the cream material that was adorned with small daisy's and knew it would be perfect for the little girl.
…
Carl and Daryl had finished on the barn quicker than Daryl had initially thought. They had enjoyed their lunch outside, listening to the lands around them. Neither had felt the need to talk and neither minded.
Daryl knew Carl was likely tired from working so they headed back to the house after clearing their things away, noticing the sun dipping in the sky.
Arriving at the house, Daryl saw that the kitchen was empty so he followed the soft footsteps that he could hear padding around to the parlour.
Standing at the open doorway he couldn't help but see Beth, not with Judith in her arms, but their own child. A little bit of each of them laid in her arms. It was not something he had thought of before being married. He had never thought he would get married, let alone have children. But he had to admit that seeing Beth holding Judith was made him think of the possibility.
"Yer good with her" he stated and watched as Beth startled slightly, obviously not expecting him to be back so soon.
Crossing the room with a smile, she pecked his lips and looked back down at the child in her arms, "she's easy to be good to".
Ushering both Carl and Daryl to clean up, Beth prepared their supper and fixed a plate for Rick to have when he arrived to collect the children. She would just heat it up when he arrived.
Daryl's hands had covered hers as she had gone to lift the large pot of stew from the stove, "I got this" he told her nodding for her to go and sit at the table with Carl.
Heading to the table, Carl walked to where Judith lay sleeping and noticed she was wearing new clothes. Turning in surprise he looked at Beth with shock, "did y' make that?"
"I hope yer don't mind, I noticed her grow was getting a little tight" she explained as she ladled some stew for each of them in to a bowl, "once I get some more fabric I can make her a whole new wardrobe".
Lifting Judith, Daryl settled her in his arms and moved a hand across her head, before glancing down to the outfit Beth had made for her. It was a simple grow lined with Daisy's, but it also had a small collar that was finished with fine lace. It suited Judith beautifully and he could only imagine the clothes that Beth would lovingly sew for their own children.
Beth handed Carl his stew and noticed his own shirt was creeping up his arms, "could probably make y' some more shirts and stuff too!" she told him.
Carl was already shaking his head at Beth's offer before she had even finished speaking, noticing a look of confusion cross her face.
"Thank you Beth, but we can't ask you to do that" although he really wanted to accept her offer. Carl too had noticed that his clothes were shrinking on his growing body.
"Yer not asking, I'm offering and besides, we're family!" she replied firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
Daryl had sat quiet watching his wife. Just when he didn't think that Beth could be any more perfect, she had offered to sew some clothes for both his niece and nephew. Although not by blood, he was the closest thing they would have to an uncle.
"I've got some bolts of fabric in my trunk but I could probably use some heavier ones for the winter months" Beth continued as thoughts of what she could make ran through her mind, "Daryl, do y' think we could get some?"
Not evening needing to consider her request he nodded, "reckon we could go by tomorrow, if yer up to it?"
"I'm a Dixon now! Think its bout time I acted like one, wouldn't y' say?" she sassed, causing Carl to burst out laughing at the bemused look on his face.
It was then that he knew he would be teaching Beth to shoot the next morning before they left.
…
The next day, Beth and Carl had followed him from the house. Beth had tried to get out of it by making excuses that she needed to watch Judith, however Judith was now fast asleep in her bassinet and Beth had run out of excuses.
"It's so heavy" Beth remarked as she held the cool metal in her hand.
Daryl smirked at her words, remembering her making the same comment the night before when they had been behind closed doors, "Just hold yer arms higher and look down the top until ya can see the can on that fence over there"
Nodding, Beth steeled herself and raised her arms, before jumping as Carl began firing at his own targets.
"I can't do this Daryl" she whined turning to face him, a pout upon her lips.
Chuckling he stepped up behind her and took her arms in his own as he helped her to raise the gun to settle on the target. Feeling confident that she was lined up, he released her and stepped away.
Closing her eyes, she pulled the trigger and heard laughing coming from both sides of her. Opening her eyes one by one she looked to the target and noticed them still standing.
"Yer gotta concentrate" Daryl explained between chuckles. The damn bullet hadn't been anywhere near the target and he couldn't believe she had closed her eyes, "and keep y' eyes open" he stated as she went to squeeze them shut again.
"Why do I have ta do this?" she cried as she turned back to him, the gun falling limply to her side in her hand, "I can't do this….I'm never gonna get the hang of it!".
"I ain't always gonna be around Beth. What if me and Carl were down in the lower fields and something happened? How would ya defend yerself? And what bout Judith, she's just a baby?"
Beth gasped at the thought that she wouldn't be able to protect Judith. It was her motherly instinct and for a fleeting moment a vision of the Governor drifted in to her mind.
Seeing Beth torn at what to do, Daryl left her to think about his words as he stepped to help Carl correct his stance. He had just reached the boy when he heard the succession of several gunshots ring out behind him. Turning to Beth he noticed her chest heaving but a triumphant look upon her face. Following her gaze towards the targets, pride and awe swelled in his chest at the sight; she hadn't left one standing.
"Can we shoot yer bow now?" Came Carl's excited voice, pulling his gaze away from the now lying down tin cans.
Handing the pistol over to Daryl, she couldn't help but wince as the hot end brushed her fingertips, "You shoot a bow n' arrow too?"
"Not quite" he stated before jogging slightly to the barn to retrieve his contraption.
Beth looked at Carl who was now grinning as Daryl walked over to them with a large tangled bow in his hands. She had been expecting a bow and arrow similar to that which the Indians use, however this was more of a tangle of wood with a protruding handle.
"What is that thing?" she questioned as Daryl arrived at their sides, proudly displaying the device.
Seeing a frown mar her forehead Daryl proceeded to inform her, "it's my cross bow. I had Tyreese make it for me. Wanted sumthin between a bow n' arrow and a gun and this is what Sasha came up with".
Beth's small hands wandered over the string feeling the smoothness slip through her fingers.
"Show her Daryl" Carl encouraged as he bounced on the balls of his feet.
Smirking slightly at both, he nodded to Carl to run to the field and set a target. It had to be over fifty feet away.
Swinging his bow to the floor he pushed his foot down and pulled the device up to set the string in place before loading a bolt. He could feel Beth's gaze on him as he lined up the sight, before pulling the trigger and letting it fly.
He heard her gasp as his bolt hit its intended target.
Carl stepped in front of him and automatically reached for his bow, "my turn". Helping the boy, who had not yet mastered the pull back to reload, he handed the bow, now loaded, and was proud to see that Carl also hit his mark that had been set a little closer.
"Go get my bolts while I load up for Beth" Daryl directed as he started to stretch his bow one more time.
He could see Beth was apprehensive as he looped round her back, his arms coming round to help her hold the heavy weight. If she thought the pistol from earlier was heavy, she definitely wouldn't be able to hold his bow without help.
"Watch yerself now and keep both eyes open" he instructed, "keep y' fingers near the trigger or you'll catch yer fingers on the string".
He could feel Beth's head nodding against his chest and he placed a soft kiss to her hair.
When Carl came back to stand near him, bolts in hand, he released his arms from Beth and saw her falter slightly, now she was holding the bow herself.
Whilst the bow was more heavy, it felt more comfortable in her hands than the gun and she began to line up the sight as Daryl had done; keeping her eyes open as instructed.
"Don't worry if y' don't get it on yer first try Beth, it took me a while too" Carl said. She knew he was only saying it for encouragement however Beth felt that she had something to prove. Just because she was a woman, didn't mean she couldn't shoot a bow, did it?
Sucking in a breath, she felt her finger graze the trigger at the same time she heard Judith cry out. Surprised that she had forgotten Judith in the house, she turned her gaze to look back at where the cries were coming from and automatically pulled the trigger at the same time.
Feeling dejected at missing her target she handed Daryl his bow, without a word, and began walking back to the kitchen to see to Judith. It was only when she heard Carl laugh and Daryl mumble "Holy Shit!" that she turned around and saw her own arrow sticking out of a target. It wasn't just any target either, it was Daryl's target that had been set fifty feet away.
Feeling her smile broaden over her face as she stepped up the first step to the kitchen and couldn't help but call out, "pretty soon I won't need you at all".
Something that made Carl laugh harder and Daryl stand by perplexed at what had just transpired.
…
That night they had enjoyed the luxury of a bath. Thankfully Daryl had had the mindset to install indoor plumbing when he had rebuilt the farmhouse, something that Beth had been grateful for once the adrenaline from shooting had worn off.
"I don't know how y' lift that bow" she stated as she rubbed the soreness in her arms.
"Got used t' it I guess" he shrugged.
"Well I think I'm gonna go soak in the tub. Hopefully it will ease the soreness some"
Nodding in response, Daryl went to grab a cigarette but halted when Beth caught his hand, "I though y' might like to join me"
He didn't need to be asked twice although he felt nervous, he had never taken a bath with anyone before. He wasn't even sure people did that sort of thing together.
Seeing the thoughts run over Daryl's face Beth tugged him towards the stairs, without waiting for an answer and led him to the small bathroom.
Running the tap and feeling the hot water, Beth groaned in delight before turning back to Daryl who was stood awkwardly near the door.
Unbuttoning her dress she began to walk towards him, "yer gotta take off your clothes Daryl" she whispered as her lips grazed his own. He reached out a hand to pull her close only to miss her as she stepped back giggling "Uh uh. Get them clothes off first!"
Seeing Beth remove the last of her undergarments, Daryl wasted no time in stripping himself and stepping to her side, taking her hand to balance her as she stepped in to the steaming water.
She groaned and cooed as she submerged herself under heat, before pressing herself in to the backrest; opening her legs and gesturing for Daryl to join her.
Seeing her skin glisten from the water Daryl could feel himself hardening, All he wanted to do was take her to their room and not leave it for at least a week. However, Beth wanted this and he wanted to give her whatever she wanted.
Sighing slightly he stepped over the side of the bath and sat with his back to her front. He shivered when he felt her breasts brush against his back and her legs come round his hips to settle between his legs.
They just sat for a few moments enjoying the heat and the contact before Beth reached for the bar of soap. Bringing her arms round to his chest she began lathering the suds into her hands before rubbing them up and over his arms.
She knew what effect she was having on him, she could see it for herself, but it was the quivering that made her feel a dull ache low in her body. Forcing herself to continue to lathered up her hands once more before moving them to his hair.
Daryl had thought that her wet, soapy hands on his chest and arms would be his undoing, but then she had started washing his hair and massaging his head and he almost came there and then. He could feel her heart beating faster through his back and knew she was feeling the same.
Turning his head slightly and reaching a wet hand behind him to capture her hair, he pulled her down to him. His tongue plundering her mouth with urgency.
With no thought to his surroundings, Daryl twisted, grasping Beth in his strong hands and manoeuvring them both so that she was now on top of him.
Beth gasped in shock when she felt his thick shaft between her curls and she rubbed against him. Taking her gasp as an opening Daryl pushed even further towards her. He was vaguely aware of the sound of water hitting the floor but he was so lost in the moment that he didn't care.
Threading his hands through her hair he pulled he head back slightly allowing him access to her throat. With the slight tug, her whole body arched forward, her painfully sensitive nipples grazing his chest.
Wet kisses trailed over her skin and she could feel something building, making her dig her palms in to his shoulders as he continued to nip at her skin. When he lowered his hand between them locating her small nub she ground into him groaning, "Daryl…I…need…you" she panted.
Needing no further encouragement, he moved himself to her entrance. Feeling his shift into position her body sensed what to do, and she sank onto him in one stroke earning a groan from Daryl at her tightness.
Knowing he would not last long, Daryl urged her to move her hips and within seconds they had found a rhythm that suited them both. It was not as tender as the first night they had made love, nor the times that followed. This was different, more urgent, more frantic.
Feeling that Beth was close, as their skin slapped with each movement, Daryl urged her to let go, "Come with me". Instantly he felt her walls tighten around him and felt his own release spill inside her.
They had laid in the cooling water for several minutes before Beth had risen and brought them both a warm towel. She couldn't help but blush when she released the plug allowing the water to swirl down the drain.
Feeling Daryl dressing behind her, she hurried to slip on her shirt, before he tugged her hand and pulled her from the room.
Daryl knew from the way Beth had shivered in the cooling water that he needed to get her dressed and in bed. He didn't want her getting sick so he had pulled her from the bathroom the moment she had slipped his shirt over her head.
Tucking the covers around them, he pulled her close laying there listening to her breathing, wondering if he had the courage to ask her what had entered his mind the previous day.
"What's got y' thinking so hard?" she questioned.
He didn't know how she did it, but it was like she always knew what he was thinking. Not knowing how to ask, he decided to ask her bluntly, "do y' want kids someday?"
Beth was surprised at his question but knew they would discuss it eventually, they were married after all. Threading her fingers with his, she played with his wedding ring, "I'd love children Daryl, always have, but we don't have t' rush this, we just take it as it comes. One day at a time" she didn't know why she reassured him this way, but felt pleased when he relaxed behind her.
"You'll make a wonderful mama Beth" he stated as he kissed the back of her head.
Beth laid awake long after Daryl's breathing had evened out. He was everything and more that she could ever have wished for and she hoped one day he would love her the way she did him.
Twisting slightly in his arms, she brushed a stray piece of hair from his face, "I love you Daryl Dixon" she whispered before drifting in to an unsettled sleep.
