Chapter 36

Daryl and Glenn set off the following morning as planned. They didn't tell Beth and Maggie where they were going, nor what they were doing, they simply informed them that they had some business to attend to and would return within two weeks; at most.

Beth enjoyed staying with her sister and after the first three days, they had settled into an easy routine. Hershel often woke during the night at least once, so Beth always rose early to prepare the breakfast pastries before setting up the store. Maggie would then join her sister just prior to opening for the breakfast rush. Around mid-morning Maggie would then usher Beth off to rest for an hour or two whilst she tidied up after the breakfast customers left.

Each night, once Hershel was settled, the two sisters would fill one another in on their lives and things they had done over the years. Beth marvelled over the travels and sights Maggie had seen before finally meeting Glenn nearly a year after leaving home, and Maggie enjoyed hearing the stories Beth told her of their father and the way he still helped folks back home in Woodbury.

…

Daryl and Glenn assumed upon their arrival in Hilltop that they would just be able collect Hershel's body, pay for the coffin and be on their way. However, after they entered the undertakers they were informed that they would need to collect Hershel's belongings from the bank where they were being stored.

Booking a room at the nearby hotel for one night, Daryl and Glenn headed down for dinner. During their journey, Daryl had found he enjoyed Glenn's company and they were becoming fast friends. Finding a table near the back, away from the busyness of the place, they sat down before being greeted by a server, "Hi, my name's Karen, what can I get you two?"

Daryl looked up to the kind face of a woman, he now knew to be Karen. Quickly glancing at the menu, both himself and Glenn ordered the special; beef stew and dumplings. Immediately Karen spun to place their order before bringing each of them a beer that they had also ordered.

"Where are you from?" She questioned as she placed the glasses down in front of each of them.

Glenn and Daryl looked at one another before Glenn confirmed, "Westray"

Karen whistled "you boys are a long way from home" she lent against the table as she spoke "my brother moved up to Westray just last year, according to his last letter"

"What's his name?" Daryl quizzed, not missing the wistful look on the woman's face as she thought of her brother.

"Bob Stookey" she explained "he's working under the doctor there from what he tells me"

Daryl nodded and smiled as he thought of the man they were discussing and how much he had helped Beth in her recovery.

"Sorry" Glenn spluttered. He just couldn't see the resemblance between the woman and Bob "how is that…I mean, you don't look anything alike"

Karen smiled kindly before laying a hand on the young man's shoulder, "Bob and I were raised in an orphanage together right here in Hilltop" she gestured to the building around them as if it signified the whole of Hilltop "although we're not siblings by blood, he's been my brother almost my whole life"

"How is he?" she questioned as she shook off the emotions of her past.

Daryl smiled and gestured to the spare seat at the table. Karen looked around the room before sinking into the offered seat.

"He's good" Daryl confirmed "got himself engaged just a few days ago"

"Really?" Karen asked as she looked between the two men and received a "mmhmm" from Daryl before Glenn filled her in.

"So what brings you here?" Karen questioned after she had been filled in on Bob and his wife to be.

Daryl and Glenn looked to one another before looking back to the woman, "we've come to collect the body of our father-in-law" Glenn explained.

Reaching over, Karen squeezed Glenn's hand in reassurance "I'm sorry for your loss"

"Wanted to bring him home to his girls" Daryl added before both men filled Karen in on the reason they were brought to Hilltop.

"I read about him in the paper" Karen muttered, her eyes downcast as she looked at the table. The man's death at a boarding house had rocked the town for several weeks.

As they finished their meal both men moved to retire for the night before they tackled the bank to retrieve Hershel's belongings. Reaching the door, they stopped when Karen called their names, "do you think I might be able to catch a ride with you back up to Westray?"

Glenn smiled kindly before looking to Daryl who was already nodding his head in confirmation. After everything that Bob had done for his family, he would do whatever he could to reunite the man with his own.

…

"This is Mr Greene's things" the stern looking man explained as he pointed to two small boxes before retrieving some paperwork, "and these are the details of his accounts"

Daryl looked down at the papers the man held and took them gingerly in his own hand. Sensing his discomfort the man nodded, "we have taken the liberty of closing down the accounts. You can stop by my desk" he pointed towards his lonesome desk in the other room "to collect the funds as you leave"

Both men looked at one another, money hadn't crossed their minds and both felt a little out of their element.

"Please, take as long as you need" the man offered as he excused himself, leaving Daryl and Glenn in the small room.

Daryl stepped forward before crouching beside one box to lift the lid. There seemed to be a mixture of letters, clothes and other bits and pieces. Lifting out a few items he began to look into who Hershel Greene was, before being joined by Glenn.

…

"Lord Bethy, I thought I told you to rest" Maggie chastised as she held up the new shirts and trousers that Beth had been sewing for little Hershel, "not that I mind" Maggie chuckled as she took in the delicate stitching, "you always were better at sewing than me"

Beth smiled at her sister as she rubbed a hand over her stomach. The baby had been kicking a lot lately and she wasn't sure if it was because it missed Daryl as much as she did.

The bell chimed signalling someone in the store and Maggie lent forward to hold her hands out to Beth. Although her stomach was still barely a swell, Beth felt heavy!

Walking together they noticed three men lingering in the store. Maggie dropped Beth's arm at the sight of the unknown men and stepped behind the counter.

"Afternoon gentlemen" she called "anythin' I can help y' find?"

All three men turned and smiled, they seemed kind enough and one had already placed some items in the small wicker baskets that were usually housed near the door. One waved her off and she relaxed slightly at his gesture.

Beth joined her sister behind the counter before taking some items from underneath it to replenish one of the shelves that housed jams. She had just placed the last jar when the bell tinkled again.

"Hi Michonne" she heard her sister greet as she turned on her heel to walk back to the front of the store.

Over the days that Beth stayed with Maggie, Michonne often came by to see them. She was still staying with Andrea, which helped when she looked after Judith and Carl; although with Daryl out of town Carl had often been up on the farm helping Merle, something she knew the boy enjoyed.

Turning past the shelves of bread, Beth noticed Carl stood at Michonne's side; Judith squirming in his arms as Michonne retrieved a basket. Seeing Carl struggle with his sister caused Michonne to offer the basket at the same time she held her arms out to take the baby from him. Smiling Carl handed her over and took off to retrieve the items they had stopped by for.

"How's thing's in the Grimes household?" Maggie questioned as Michonne watched Carl walk off.

Michonne stepped up to the counter, little Judith wrapping a hand in her hair "it's good" she confirmed, "Carl's a good kid and Judith is just adorable"

Stepping up beside her friends, Beth ran a finger down the side of Judith's face and watched as she smiled at the familiar touch "I can't believe how much she's growin'. Each time I see her, I swear she grows at least another inch"

Michonne and Maggie chuckled as the baby cooed. She had recently begun to string sounds and was currently sounding "ma ma ma". Beth looked up at Michonne "she's talkin'?"

Shaking her head, Michonne smiled kindly, "not properly, but she says da da and ma ma" she confirmed.

Beth smiled widely as she ran a hand over Judith's growing curls "you are such a smart girl"

Carl walked up with a frown on his face as he placed the basket on the counter. Maggie began taking the items out and ringing them up before passing them to Beth to bag up. It was a routine they had fell into easily.

"You okay Carl?" Maggie questioned with a look of concern on her face.

Carl looked back over his shoulder at the men that were now approaching the counter "it's nothing" he replied before moving off to the side.

All three women watched him walk to the door with their eyebrows raised. This wasn't the same boy who was smiling not ten minutes ago.

"Well, lookie hear boys" one of the men said as he placed his items down in front of Maggie.

Each woman stiffened at his words but made no move to comment. Instead the man turned to face Michonne. Beth stepped to the side as if to stand beside her friend but Maggie caught her arm and subtly shook her head. Looking to Carl, she noticed he had turned back and was watching the scene with a pale face.

"That your baby?" the man questioned as he reached a hand out to touch Judith.

Michonne caught his intention and turned slightly so his hand touched her arm instead of the child in her arms. She stayed silent instead of answering his question and he recoiled from touching her as if he had been burnt; a look of displeasure on his face.

"Can't believe a good man would lay with a slave" he stated spitefully.

Maggie gasped at his words and felt Beth snatch her arm free before approaching Michonne's side.

"I think you need to leave" Beth stated as she steeled her spine.

The man looked her over and she sucked in a breath as a shudder ran through her.

"What do I got ta leave for?" He spat as he turned to his friends "darks shouldn't be allowed to shop with us white folk" he continued. Beth blanched at his words and felt Michonne starting to shake next to her, "they need t' have their own damn store" he finished before facing them again.

Slowly he approached the two women and ran a hand down Michonne's cheek, "tell me sweetheart" he whispered "do those titty's give regular milk or the chocolate kind?"

Beth watched as her friend flinched at his words. She had never heard such vile things in her life. Anger built inside her and before she knew what she was doing there was a resounding crack that filled the store and stopped each person still.

The man didn't move, instead he looked at Beth who was now holding her stinging hand. Straightening up he moved to step forward but Maggie halted him with the cock of the shotgun that she kept under the counter.

The man's hands flew up and he turned to where Maggie stood aiming at him, "ain't no need for that" he stated but Maggie interrupted him "Carl, go fetch the Sheriff"

Carl wasted no time and flew out the door. It wasn't missed on him that Maggie didn't tell him to get his father, she simply said get the sheriff.

"Good call lady" the man said with a smile as he lowered his hands, "let the sheriff deal with the slave"

Maggie and Beth snorted at his comment, but Beth realised that Michonne remained as still as a statue. Why did the man keep calling her a slave? Beth thought but was interrupted as the door flew open as Rick stepped in, closely followed by Shane.

He rose an eyebrow at the three women who all offered a small shake of their head to let him know they were okay. Beth watched as Rick's shoulders lowered in relief before he took in the man that was still stood in front of Michonne and Beth.

Shane stepped to Maggie and pushed the end of her gun down. Nodding she kept it within her grasp but no longer pointing at anyone.

"Simon O'Donnell" Rick chimed as he recognised the man "haven't had a warrant for your arrest for a while"

Simon chuckled "I've been a good boy lately officer friendly"

Rick and Shane looked at one another in disbelief before turning back to the matter, "what's this I hear that you been harassing these women here?" Rick gestured to three of them.

Simon scoffed, "I ain't been harassing these women"

"Bullshit" Beth yelled, she was so sick of men acting this way! They gave good men like Daryl and Merle a bad name, "you called her a damn slave and asked her if she produces chocolate milk"

Rick's head snapped to Michonne and he saw the defeated look on her face as she stared at the floor. But his gaze was pulled back to Simon as he watched Beth march over to him before poking him with her finger in his chest.

"You make me sick! She is a good woman, a good mother and you? Why you're jus' an arrogant asshole who wouldn't be able to get a woman in your bed who is half the woman she is!"

Michonne looked up as Beth ranted at the man "You come in here and start actin' like some king dick!" Rick looked to Shane who stood with his mouth open at the whole thing before moving closer to Beth. He gripped her elbow to calm her down and to put himself between her and Simon.

"Woah there sweetheart" Simon sang as he watched the sheriff move the woman back "stupid bitch" he muttered as he looked to his friends with a smug smile on his face

Beth ripped away from Rick and rushed forward, her skirts gripped in her hands. She looked up in to Simon's face who was smiling down at her as if she was something comical, however his face morphed into contorted pain as her knee connected with his balls. As he hunched over and began coughing Beth lent down, "I may be a stupid bitch" she spat "but I'm also a Dixon, dickhead"

Maggie watched with a shocked face, she had never known Beth to be so violent or to have such a mouth on her. However it was Shane that was full out laughing from where he stood. One look from Rick and he silenced but smiled proudly at Beth as she moved back to stand beside her sister.

Reaching down, Rick gripped Simon under his arm and helped him up, "think its time you and your men move on" he told him and watched as Simon nodded in agreement.

Catching Shane's face over the man, he too could not help but smile in wonder at the way Beth had just acted. If only Daryl had been here to see it he thought to himself before leading Simon and his men to their horses.

Simon and his men were petty criminals, usually only dealing in stolen goods. Rick knew them from when they travelled through town from time to time but until now hadn't really had any issues with them.

After Shane and Rick mounted their horses the rode alongside Simon and his men until they were on the outskirts of town. Just before they moved on, each man dismounted and Rick noticed Simon wince as his feet hit the floor. He couldn't have been more proud of Beth in that exact moment.

"One thing before you leave" Rick said as he looked at Simon, "that woman back there…that woman you called a slave…she's with me" the men looked at him sharply at his admission, "that baby she was holdin' in her arms is my baby… and I tell you something Simon, I see you back here I will put a bullet in you! Do you understand?"

Simon nodded, his momma would kill him if he got shot! Hell, she would probably kill him if she knew how he had just spoken to that woman!

"Good" Rick confirmed before him and Shane remounted their horses to return to town.

…

Daryl sat in the back of the wagon still reading and sorting through Hershel's things as they headed home. They left Hilltop three days ago and as long as they took driving in turns they should make it back by tomorrow. Karen sat on the other side and pulled out one of the man's shirts before pulling out another.

"You said Hershel had two daughters right?" she questioned.

"Mmhmm" Glenn answered as he looked over his shoulder towards her from where he sat on the bench seat, "Maggie, the eldest is my wife and Beth, the youngest is Daryl's"

Karen held up the two shirts before explaining, "I'd like to make them something using these, as a thank you for letting me tag along"

Daryl shook his head, "naw, y' don't need t' do that" he started but stopped when Karen spoke over him, "I know I don't have to, I want to"

Looking to Glenn who shrugged, Daryl offered a curt nod and watched as Karen began to twist the fabric of Hershel's shirts this way and that way before he refocused on the box in his lap.

Picking up a stack of letters, Daryl turned them over. None had an address on but they did have a name 'Maggie'

"Hey Glenn" Daryl called as he moved to climb up front with the letters in his hand "found these"

Glenn picked up the letters Daryl had chucked on his lap before handing the reins over to Daryl. Eying them carefully, there seemed to be six letters in total and they were all addressed to Maggie. Opening his jacket, Glenn placed them into his inside pocket for safe keeping.

…

"Thank you Beth" Michonne whispered as she approached the young woman "what you did back there…"

Beth waved her off, truth was she didn't quite know where her outburst had come from, so she blamed it on her hormones.

"I think Daryl is rubbing off on you" Maggie chuckled as she too approached her sister.

Beth laughed before her face contorted in pain and she doubled in on herself.

"Beth?" Maggie rushed as she laid a hand on Beth's back.

All she could do was moan through the pain that sliced through her stomach; it hurt to move and she allowed herself to slip to the floor.

Knowing that Beth could be losing her baby because of her, had Michonne thrusting Judith at Carl before she took off across the street towards the clinic.

"Quickly" she demanded when she spotted Bob "it's Beth"

As the two ran back to the general store, Rick and Shane slowed their horses before dismounting quickly to run inside. They were greeted by Beth, who was now on her side with tears streaming down her face as she moaned in pain.

…

"Is that it?" Karen asked as she pointed to the town they could see in the distance. Both men smiled at her and she looked back at their destination.

As they approached the general store, Rick came across from the clinic and waited for them to climb down. Daryl could see from the look on Rick's face that something was wrong and he wondered if it was one of the kids.

"Rick?" he questioned.

"Beth" Rick started, but Daryl's eyes widened and he looked over Rick's shoulder to the clinic before sprinting off before Rick could finish speaking.

Bursting in the door, he frantically searched the room calling for his wife, "Beth? Beth?" he yelled before he threw open the door to the back room.

There she was laying on the same bed she had laid on when the brought her back from the Governor. She'd looked so small and frail and he had visions of her from that day; all bruised and battered. But the woman that looked back at him now was smiling and her skin was glowing the same as it was when he'd left.

Frowning, he approached her side and took her outstretched hand as he sat on the bed next to her. He opened his mouth to ask what had happened but was interrupted as Bob walked in smiling.

"Hey Daryl, good to see you back"

Daryl nodded but could feel his heart beating with worry. Sensing the mood in his friend Bob sat on his small stool on Beth's other side.

"It's fine, Beth's fine" he reassured but still Daryl remained tense as he asked "the baby?"

Bob smiled, "baby's fine too. Beth here just had a little too much exertion and it brought on some pains" Daryl frowned at Beth who looked down at the covers sheepishly.

"No more fighting Beth" Bob joked before he took his leave to leave the couple to talk.

Beth gulped as she focused harder on the threads wrapped around her finger "fighting?" Daryl questioned before Beth filled him in on her antics during his absence.

…

"God Daryl, you should have seen her" Maggie chuckled as she served him some supper. Bob had suggested the Beth stay the night at the clinic so he could keep an eye on her; purely precautionary.

"And she called him king dick?" Glenn questioned with a smile on his face and received a nod of confirmation from Maggie.

Karen took a roll from the plate in the middle of the table. As they had arrived to chaos, Maggie had offered for her to stay the night so she could head over to surprise Bob first thing in the morning. "And then she just nailed him in the balls?"

"Mmhmm" Maggie confirmed as she finished her food, "but the best part was when she sort of lent down and said I may be a stupid bitch but I'm also a Dixon, dickhead"

Daryl couldn't help the laughter that spilled out of him at the words Beth had said. Whilst he was initially worried when he saw her at the clinic, he had finally calmed down after Bob had reassured him at least a hundred times that both Beth and the baby was fine.

Looking around at his friends and family, there were two things that Daryl knew for certain; one he loved Beth with everything he had and second, she was definitely a Dixon.