As promised, here is the second chapter, happy reading guys.

Chapter 15

Daryl hadn't slept well the past few weeks, not since the voice had woke him. He was constantly getting up throughout the night to recheck that everywhere was locked up tight and to look out on the lands surrounding their house.

He knew Beth had noticed his restlessness, not just from his heavy, tired eyes or the stubble on his chin that had grown longer, but because she had woken several times herself when she noticed the bed was no longer warm on his side.

"Y' okay Daryl?" she asked him just over a week after the voice had floated through his mind.

He had already checked the house three times and was now looking out towards the barn and the tree-line behind it, searching for what he didn't know!

All he knew was that the voice had sounded real and he had a heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Her voice made him jump slightly and he turned to look at her as she leaned on her elbow looking at him with a concerned expression.

He sighed and moved away from the window, lifting the blankets to climb in next to her. Automatically she moved her hair over her shoulder and rested her head on his chest, below his chin. His strong arm clutching her against him.

"What do yer keeping looking for out there?" she whispered, enjoying the way his arm stroked her back.

"Jus a got a strange feeling is all"

Beth wondered whether there was something more that Daryl wasn't telling her but shrugged it off quickly, letting sleep claim her as she snuggled into his warmth.

He wished he had talked things through, told her his fears about the voice that he had heard. But, he didn't want her to think he was crazy, so he had kept the information to himself.

Unable to push the strange feelings away, Daryl had ensured he was working as close to the house as possible during the day and when he had needed to check the lower fields for broken fences or signs of rustlers, he had always left Dog in the house with her. It provided him with at least a little bit of security that she would be protected.

Beth had been busy the last few weeks taking care of Judith and Carl, as well as making clothes for each of them to wear in the winter months, that were closing in.

Finally finishing the wool cloak that she had patterned for Judith, she pushed to her feet holding the deep red material in her hands, twisting it left and right to make sure the stitches and cuts were even.

Pleased with her handiwork, she placed it on the pile of coats and cloaks that they would be wearing later to the County Fair.

Carl had been excited for the last three days and she couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm for them to attend.

"Have yer ever been to a County Fair before Beth?" he questioned as he spooned another helping of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

"Once I think, when I was really little. Do they come through often?" she replied as she burped Judith.

Noticing Carl was still chewing, Daryl explained, "They come through at least once a year, normally close to Christmas wit' all the stalls they have"

'Perfect' she had thought, she had been trying to think of what to get Daryl as a Christmas present and hopefully she would be able to find something at the fair.

"Wait 'til ya see it Beth! It's so good. Food of all kinds, games, music…." Carl rushed as he tried to fill her in on what she had been missing.

She had seen the excitement in the boys eyes and could have sworn she saw a twinkle in Daryl's as well.

Rick arrived at their house earlier than usual. He had arranged to finish early to spend some time with them all as a family.

Rick had already confirmed with Daryl that he had organised for deputy Shane Walsh from Foolshope to be transferred, which would hopefully give him more time to spend with his children that were growing quickly.

"Y'all ready to go?" Rick shouted to an empty hallway as he entered Daryl's home.

Within minutes he heard Carl's footsteps coming from the back of the house, "Just waiting on Beth and Judith" Carl stated as he came in to view. Rick double took for a moment and saw not just his son, but the man he was becoming. He had been working so much lately, that his children seemed to change each time he saw them.

He had known that Beth was making new clothes for them all to see them through the winter, but he had never imagined that she would be creating a whole new wardrobe for his children.

Standing in front of him Carl ducked his head slightly and spun in a circle, arms wide to show his father his new navy blue woollen coat that Beth had made.

From the moment he had put it on, he had no longer felt like a little boy and he hoped that little Lizzie Samuels noticed it too.

"Carl..I….did Beth make that?" Rick already knew the answer, but needed the confirmation. It looked as though it had been brought from some upscale boutique in the city.

Carl nodded with a smile before adding, "wait 'til yer see Judith".

Walking to his son he pulled him in for a hug, "Y' look so grown up" he told him and noticed his son beaming. Clearing his throat he added, "I bet a certain Ms Samuel's will notice too".

Carl's face turned a brilliant shade of red and Rick laughed at the look on his son's face.

"Beth's almost ready" Daryl explained as he entered the room passing Judith to her father as he spoke.

"How's my baby girl, huh?" Rick cooed as he bounced her slightly on his hip. She had just started to sit with support and he had noticed her filling out slightly.

It was then that Beth stepped down the stairs to join the waiting party. Daryl let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding at the sight of her. She stood wearing a dark green woollen cloak with a small hood at the back. Her hair had been pulled in to some kind of up-do that sat low on the back of her neck with a few wisps of hair framing her face. She was breathtaking.

Before Daryl could speak however Carl stepped forward, "Beth, yer look beautiful!" he told her and Daryl smirked at the kids boldness. He was gonna break some hearts one day, that was for sure.

Beth blushed and stepped down to the floor, before taking Judith's red cloak from the end of the banister and walking over to where Rick stood to help put it on her.

Securing the ribbon under the baby's chin, Beth lifted the hood to cover the child's soft curls and stepped back into Daryl's waiting embrace.

Rick looked down at his daughter and tears welled in his eyes. She looked so pretty in the clothes that Beth had made and now she was growing, she reminded him of his wife more and more each day.

It was Carl that broke his thoughts as he pulled the front door open, letting in a blast of the cooling weather, "C'mon or it'll be over by the time we get there!" Carl fretted, causing them all to chuckle but follow him out to the wagon.

As Beth moved to step up in to the wagon, Daryl took her elbow. He felt that he had to tell her as well, "Carl's right Beth, yer do look beautiful!"

Daryl saw the surprise of his comment on her face, he couldn't remember telling her she looked beautiful before; not even on their wedding day.

Blushing slightly she looked down at the ground, "I tried t' find somethin' close to how yer described your favourite colour and this was the best I could come up with"

God, he loved this woman! wait, where had that come from? Did he even know how to love? Were the feelings he had felt since he had first met her mean that he was in love with her? He wasn't completely sure but if this is what love felt like, he would love her forever.

Tilting her head up, he felt the need to let her know the realisation he had just come to, however a subtle coughing broke his train of thought and he remembered they had an audience.

Bending forward slightly he placed a small kiss to her lips before hoisting her up to her seat.

They had been at the fair for a couple of hours and all of them were feeling quite stuffed at all of the sugar candied treats they had eaten.

Beth was enjoying herself thoroughly at the sight of all the stalls that lined their small town square, when she noticed a small sandy coloured horse near to the main stage that had been set up.

Following her line of sight, Daryl took her hand and they made their way over so she could get a better look.

"Isn't she beautiful" she cooed as she stroked the horses nose.

It was then that Daryl saw a small sign on the enclose surrounding the horse stating that she was the main prize for the talent show.

"Y' should enter" he told Beth as he shrugged to show her the sign.

"What?.." she questioned.

"Yer singing! I bet y' could win with that voice of yours"

She could feel her face blushing at his words. She had always enjoyed singing and had regularly joined her mother in the kitchen to sing whilst they cooked. But singing in front of an audience? Surely she wasn't that good, was she?

Daryl could see the looks pass over Beth's face as she contemplated his words. Surely she didn't doubt herself, did she? She had the voice of an angel!

Without waiting he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the small booth off to the side of the enclosure and looked down at the man who was writing in a small book.

"She'd like to enter t' talent show" he stated causing the man to look up at him.

"Okay, and what's your name dear?" the man questioned.

Finding her voice amongst her nerves she quietly replied, "Beth Dixon". Nodding his head, the man wrote her name down on the list in his small notebook, "and your talent?"

Noticing Beth's mouth open and close like a fish out of water, Daryl leaned down and pointed next to her name as he stated, "singing".

The man's eyes widened slightly at whether this woman could indeed sing. Most men assumed their wives could sing but then again most men were biased. She sure didn't look like a woman that could sing, that was for sure!

"Very well! she'll go on in about an hour. She'll be following the magician" he told them, adding the word singing next to her name.

Satisfied that he had entered Beth in the show, he stepped away and took her with him, only stopping when he felt her pull on his arm.

"Daryl…I can't…" she started

He saw the worry on her face and knew she was ready to back out, but she needed this. She was always doing for everyone else and he wanted her to do something for herself.

Cupping her cheeks in his hands he looked into her eyes, "Y' can Beth. Yer stronger than ya think" he felt her begin to shake her head, "Y' are! You gotta do this for yourself! You're always thinking of everyone else Beth, its one of the things I….lo…I like about you" he almost said love but changed it at the last minute, his own doubt creeping back in. What if she didn't love him back?

Deep down Beth knew what Daryl was saying was true. It was how she had been brought up. To show kindness and to instil hope. It was when he had started to tell her it was one of the things he liked about her that she realised he had been about to say love.

She felt elated at the thought that he had the same feelings as herself, but what if she was wrong? What if he hadn't been about to say he loved her at all? Maybe she needed to prove to him that he was someone worth loving. It was then that Beth knew she would swallow her fears and partake in the talent show; not to win, but to show him that she loved him too.

Covering his hand that cupped her cheek she nodded and pecked his lips, letting him know that he didn't need to say anything else. She would sing in the talent show!

They had been circling the stalls checking what each one was selling when Daryl had come across a riding stall. It sold a mixture of saddles and chaps but what really caught his eye was the riding vests that hung from the small tent poles.

Moving over towards them he released Beth's hand, to touch the heavy material. On his travels over the years, he had seen riders wearing such items and had always wondered where they had purchased such a thing. Made in soft leather similar to that used on a saddle they provided warmth and some protection, whilst still allowing freedom to move around, unlike when wearing heavy coats.

It was Beth that interrupted his thoughts, "S'cuse me sir, could we have a look at this, please?"

A man stepped in front of Daryl and brought the item down for them to look at.

"Why don't yer try it on?" she urged and he wasted no time in stripping from his coat and slipping the vest on.

It felt good and he saw the change in Beth's face as he stood before her. "It suit's you" she blushed.

Turning to the man that owned the stall he enquired about the price, "How much is this?"

Pulling out a notebook from his back pocket, the man skimmed the pages before confirming, "Twenty five dollars"

"For a vest?" Beth asked shocked.

The man smiled, "it's the cost of the leather that bumps up the price. I could probably go as low as twenty, but I can't go less than that!"

Daryl had already began to slip off the item when Beth lent in close, "Can y' afford it?"

He could afford it, but he didn't want to waste such a large sum of money just because he wanted it. He was saving that money in case of emergency. What if they needed that money further down the line?

Handing the vest to Beth for her to hold while he put his coat back on he explained, "We can, but I'll leave it. We may need the money for sumthin' else".

Knowing he was right Beth gave a curt nod and looked down at the material in her hands. Noticing a stitch she was familiar with, she started turning it inside and out, left to right. 'I could make this' she thought to herself, committing the pattern to memory. She would just need some leather, but hopefully Sasha and Tyreese could help with that.

When he had finished buttoning his coat they handed back the vest to the stall owner and left. Beth felt pleased at what had just transpired, she had just found the perfect Christmas gift for him, now all she needed was the materials to make it.

Hooking her arm through his, they set off to search for Rick so that they could all sit and watch the talent show.

They found Rick on the porch of the of the saloon that overlooked the main stage, Judith wrapped in his arms as he nursed a solitary bottle of beer.

Immediately Beth took Judith and went to sit by Carl who was talking to a young girl near to the stage.

Turning slightly, Daryl signalled to the bar tender for two more bottles to be sent over. Seconds passed before one of the girls brought them out.

"You look tired Daryl, everythin' alright with you two?" Rick questioned as he took a mouthful of beer.

The truth was Daryl had been hoping to speak with Rick about his concerns since he had heard the voice a few weeks back, however until now he hadn't had anytime alone with the man. But now the time was here, Daryl wasn't sure if he should mention it or not!

Seeing the conflicting looks cross Daryl's face, Rick grew concerned, "What is it? Has somethin' happened?"

Blowing out a breath, Daryl pulled at the collar of his coat trying to loosen the material that now felt like it was choking him,

"It's nothin' like that. I jus gotta bad feelin' is all" he replied.

Raising an eyebrow Rick looked over at his brother, "what kind of a bad feelin'?"

Looking to where Beth sat talking and smiling with Carl and the young girl, his brow furrowed, "The kinda feelin' that tells me Beth is in trouble!"

Turning to face him, Rick nudged his arm causing Daryl to look at him, "It's perfectly normal Daryl. When someone mean's sumthin' to you, you feel that you gotta protect them at all costs. Doesn't mean anythin' bad's gonna happen".

"Yer think?" Daryl wondered and noticed Rick nodding his head.

"Has she told y' yet? Rick asked

Daryl frowned at the question, "told me what?"

Chuckling at the clueless look on Daryls face he clarified his question, "that she loves yer"

Daryl was already shaking his head before Rick had finished speaking, "She don't love me Rick. No one is gonna love me!"

Rick knew that Daryl was wrong, he had seen the looks on Beth's face when she looked at her husband. How Daryl hadn't noticed was beyond him!

Taking a different approach, "Do yer love her?" Rick started, only to be cut off by the announcer taking to the stage to confirm that it was Beth's turn to take the floor in the talent show. Looking back to Daryl he mouthed 'later' before turning back to watch Beth walk up the few steps.

Daryl could see she was nervous in the way she walked to the centre of the stage, but he knew she would be fine once she started singing.

Hearing her name made her jump slightly and as she rose she could feel her legs shaking beneath her dress. Sucking in a deep breath she climbed the small stairs and walked to the middle of the stage where she could feel everyone's eyes watching her every move.

Scanning the audience, she looked for the one person who could ground her and when she caught his gaze all of her nerves melted away. 'This is it!' she thought, hoping that after this he would finally realise that she loved him.

Stepping back to face the small group of musicians behind her she whispered that she would be singing and hummed the notes to a song she had written herself. A tall, thin man holding a violin nodded and played a couple of the notes and she smiled when she heard the tune play how she had pictured it in her head.

Nodding back at the violinist she stepped to the centre of the stage hearing the other musicians join in behind her as she started to sing,

"Perhaps I had a wicked childhood,

Perhaps I had a miserable youth,

But somewhere in my wicked miserable past,

there must have been a moment of truth,

For here you are standing there loving me,

Whether or not you should,

So somewhere in my youth or childhood,

I must have done something good.

Nothing comes from nothing,

Nothing ever could,

So somewhere in my youth or childhood,

I must have done something good.

For here you are standing there loving me,

Whether or not you should,

So somewhere in my youth or childhood,

I must have done something good.

Nothing comes from nothing,

Nothing ever could,

So somewhere in my youth, or childhood,

I must have done something, something good."

Daryl's eyes had not left her the whole time she had been singing and he had felt his eyes sting at her words. He could feel the love she was directing towards him as if the crowd between them weren't even there. She loved him! The thought of her love for him filling his heart.

A heavy hand squeezed his shoulder, bringing him out of his thoughts and he looked across to Rick, who still stood next to him, "Don't love yer huh?" his brother chuckled, before slapping his shoulder twice and moving off to join his children in applauding Beth.

Taking a moment he lent up against the wooden post that supported the canopy above his head and just watched as all of his friends and family gravitated to his wife.

It was when he caught her smile across the square that he knew he would be honest with his feelings and soon. Hell, he wanted to rush to her, take her in his arms and profess his undying love, but he didn't want her to think that he was only saying it in response to her song. No he decided, he would bide his time. He would do something that would show her as well as tell her how much he loved her too.

He had been so deep in thought that he jumped slightly when a soft southern voice spoke from beside him,

"She sings like an angel, don't she!" it wasn't a question that the man had posted, it was merely a statement.

Daryl thought he recognised the voice but couldn't place it. Turning his gaze he noted an older man with long white hair, tied at the back of his neck. A round belly sat at his front, not from liquor but from good food. It was then that Daryl noticed strangely that the man was not wearing a coat or jumper in the frigid night air.

"You have a beautiful family" the man continued as he looked over at Beth, a familiar look in his eye.

Frowning slightly, Daryl started to open his mouth only for the man to look at him seriously, sending a chill over his skin,

"He's coming for her Daryl. Its just a matter of time"

Daryl's heart rate picked up at the thought of Beth being threatened and he stepped towards the unknown man, "Who the hell are you?" he growled.

The man didn't flinch, didn't even seem unnerved at his growling or close proximity; instead the old man chuckled.

"Now I see why she loves yer"

Daryl was shocked into silence, who the hell was this man, and how did he know so much about them?

Daryl watched the man as he looked over his shoulder into the night and smiled at emptiness before placing his cool hand on Daryl's arm, "My wife is waiting on me and I don't have long"

Daryl looked over the mans shoulder but saw nothing and no one. Turning back to the man, his confusion evident on his face, the man turned serious and stated,

"Keep my little girl safe Daryl"

Eyes widening in realisation, Daryl heard the voice from a few weeks ago float through his mind. Recognition spread across his face as the old man nodded and smiled in response.

"Hey-" Rick called, pulling his gaze from the old man to focus on his friend, "Beth won the show. Yer comin' down?"

Looking back to where the man had stood, Daryl jumped slightly when he saw it now laid empty. Looking to where the man had looked, Daryl searched the tree-line but saw nothing but darkness.

Shaking his head, that was now swimming with thoughts, he looked back to Rick who looked at him expectantly, "Y' comin'?" he asked again.

Placing his near empty beer bottle on the rail in front of him, he moved to follow Rick to where Beth stood. Seeing a concerned expression cross her face, he gave her a subtle shake of his head and stepped towards her.

Sliding his hands around her waist, he felt her back relax into his chest and he knew she was grounding him, "Yer okay?" she whispered loud enough for him to hear.

"Mmhmm" he replied as he placed a kiss in to her hair. But he wasn't! He was even more adamant something was brewing and Beth was somehow in danger.