A/N - Thank you all so much for the reviews, alerts and favourites, they are much appreciated and I'm glad so many of you are enjoying the story.

St1der2015, Lisa570 and Walk3r, I cannot say enough thank you's for your reviews - you guys are awesome.

So, its been asked where Daryl is and without given too much away at this point I wanted to clarify, he left…you will find out hows and whys through Hershel's memories as they age, but you will have little Daryl for the time being. However, I am trying to incorporate adult Daryl somewhat before…please bear with me and I hope you continue to enjoy. I do not write unless the end is a HEA btw.

Chapter 3

It had been a long four days for Enid as she waited for Monday to roll around. This was the only part of her job that she hated. Her rota often had her working three days on and four days off before switching. It just so happened that her last shift with Hershel Greene had been the day in the park and since then time had seemed to slow with the anticipation of seeing himself and Beth the following Monday.

Sometimes she'd had patients that she saw every day, however it was on a needs and cost basis and she knew that Beth's funds were already stretched as far as they could go.

She'd spent the better part of her time re-telling Hershel's story of Daryl and Beth to both her boyfriend, Alden, and her mother; with the latter becoming just as caught up in it as herself and she'd spent the entire night milling it around in her mind to refresh everything ready for Hershel to tell her the next chapter.

Unlike her first visit to the house, the door opened to reveal a tired looking Beth before Enid had even finished knocking. Her smile fell as she took in the tired bags under Beth's eyes and the dishevelled state in which she stood.

Quickly, Enid entered and placed her bag down before automatically reaching for Annie, who was resting her own tired head on her momma's shoulder. It was the first time she'd touched the child but smiled gently and stroked her soft hair as the baby molded her small body against her own.

Looking back at Beth, Enid noticed that it didn't even seem to have registered that she no longer held her daughter in her arms, she just stood still, before emitting a large yawn.

"Is everything okay?" Enid asked gently.

Beth looked at her, seemingly surprised that Enid was stood in her house before shaking her head to rid herself of the tiredness she felt.

"Hershel's not been doin' so well the last few days" Beth admitted "between this one" Beth stroked her daughters head affectionately "and Hershel, I didn't get much sleep the last few nights"

Enid frowned in concern, "It's my fault" Beth looked at her in confusion causing Enid to clarify her thoughts, "I shouldn't have kept him out at the park all day."

Beth smiled gently and shook her head, "He enjoyed it and it's good to see him smile…Besides, I don't think I've seen him that happy in a long time."

Enid nodded once but still couldn't shake the feeling that it was all her fault.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Enid questioned, changing the subject slightly.

Beth shook her head before stepping back to lower herself on to the bottom of the stairs, "You're doin' enough with Hershel and I appreciate that…it's just, I feel so tired all of the time and I had so much to do whilst I was off, ya know" Enid nodded as she recalled the 'to do' list on Beth's fridge.

Bending down in front of Beth, with Annie on her hip, Enid offered to help, "Why don't I watch this one why you go and grab a shower and get ready for work?"

Beth looked up from where she'd been staring at the floor, her thoughts on everything that she needed to do, from laundry to grocery shopping, "Are you sure?"

Enid nodded before inclining her head towards the top of the stairs. Beth jumped up and hugged her before turning on her heel to go and get ready.

When Beth came back downstairs, Enid could see that she already looked more refreshed. Her hair was slightly damp, but was now brushed and in a neat ponytail, and her eyes seemed to have their usual sparkle back, regardless of the dark circles that were beginning to form beneath them.

"Are you at the café today?" Enid enquired as she handed over the now sleeping Annie into Beth's waiting arms.

Shaking her head as she pulled her daughter against her body, she grimaced, "Unfortunately not, today's my shift at 'Beaters'."

Enid had heard of the place but had never frequented it. From what she was aware it was some sort of biker bar that often served food during the day before turning into drinks only at night; it was the sort of place that was known for becoming rowdy during certain hours.

Waving Beth and Annie off, Enid turned and headed upstairs. She cracked open the door to Hershel's room and spotted the man in bed. For the first time since she'd met him, she saw how ill he was.

Noticing his eyes were closed and a soft snore floated from his direction, she slipped into the room and began tidying his bathroom before putting his laundry in the small basket in the corner of the room. He was still asleep as she finished, so she decided to head to Beth and Annie's room to collect their laundry as well.

When she returned to Hershel's room, she saw that he was now awake and that he smiled at her entrance.

Straightaway, she apologised as she had done to Beth, "I'm sorry Hershel, I should never kept you out so long the other day"

She stopped when his hand rose to wave her off, "Now, don't you get worryin' yourself, I just had a blip is all. It's bound to happen until…" he trailed off and she knew what he wasn't saying, "besides, it was a good day and for a small while, it made me forget that I'm dying."

A lump formed in her throat at his words so she quickly busied herself with preparing his medication. As he swallowed the last pill, he sank back against the pillows, "Beth's dead on her feet" he told her.

Enid nodded in agreement, "Yeah, she said as much before she left this morning. I saw her list on the fridge and have already collected the laundry."

Hershel smiled at her gratefully, "You didn't have t' do that Enid."

"I know, but I want to help" she replied honestly, as she started moving around his room, tidying up the bits and bobs that lined his shelves.

As she moved the photo album she watched as a photo fell from within the pages and fluttered to the floor. Tucking the book under one arm, she bent and picked it up as Hershel followed her movements with his eyes.

"When was this?" Enid asked with a smile as she walked to Hershel's side to show him the photo.

He grinned as he took it from her fingers, the familiar image of himself, Beth and Daryl sat around his old wooden table in the kitchen at the farm; a homemade birthday cake sat in front of him as they all smiled at the camera.

"This was my sixty-fifth birthday. Beth had taken upon herself to make me a cake. She was only nine at the time."

Hershel chuckled as the memory came back to him, "The cake was terrible" he admitted and Enid looked at him in shock. Seeing her face, he continued, "She spent hours making it, think she used just about every pan, plate and utensil in my kitchen too. It wasn't until we took the first bite that I realised she'd used salt instead of sugar" Enid laughed, she'd done the same thing once.

"I remember Daryl's face and how Beth watched us both eagerly as we tried it. Neither of us had the heart to tell her, so we quickly ate our slices as quick as we could. Felt sick for a couple of days after that and have never had salt on my food since."

"Did you ever tell her?"

Hershel shook his head, "After they headed home, I scraped what was left in the bin and told her that the cat had come in and when I got up the entire thing was gone."

Passing back the photo, Enid took it and pressed it back into place where it belonged inside the album.

Whilst Enid was busy, Hershel sat contemplating the list on the fridge and how tired Beth was after the last few days. Finally, he turned to Enid, "Do you think you could help an old man out of bed?"

Enid smiled gently and moved to help him, "You want to help me with Beth's 'to do' list, don't you?"

Instead of answering her, Hershel took her offered arm and simply looked at her with his best 'you know me too well' face, as he began to swing his legs off the bed.

"Okay, so what's left?" Hershel quizzed.

Enid scanned the paper in her hand, each item they'd completed now crossed off. Seeing each one done, she smiled, "Just got to get the sheets and nets in once they're dry."

Hershel sat on the bench that overlooked the small garden as Enid weaved in and out of the hanging laundry; taking down each sheet before folding it neatly and bringing it to the basket that sat at his feet.

"What'd you think?" Enid asked jokingly as she wrapped one of Beth's net curtains over her head as if it were a bridal veil.

Hershel smiled, as he recalled a memory, "Beth used t' do the same thing when she was little."

Sensing a change in the man, Enid removed the net from her head and folded it before sitting next to him on the bench. Each of them watched as the remaining sheets blew in the wind like sales on a ship.

"It was almost nine months after I first met them. They used to come out and visit me at the farm every few days by that point. Frankly, I was grateful for the company. After my wife died, the farm became lonely and the laughter that once filled it was gone."

Enid turned her head and watched Hershel as his eyes glazed over from the memories within his mind.

"It was a Sunday and the sun was shining higher than it had in months. I'd been working on my 1953 black Chevrolet under the cover of the barn when they arrived."

"Hey, Hershel" Beth called as they stepped round the open barn doors to where he stood covered in oil under the hood of his vintage car. It was the same car he'd once drove his wife Annette in whilst they courted.

Standing, he wiped his hands on an old rag that was tucked between the hood and the windshield.

"You two hungry?" he questioned before receiving two small nods.

It was always the same question he started with and he often wondered just how much these kids ate when they were at home, but judging by how much they both looked underweight, he guessed they didn't eat too much. Which is why he always made sure that he kept the fridge stocked and food ready for their arrival. They tended to come and see him most Wednesday's and Sunday's, so it was no surprise that they stood before him.

"Well, I guess that's a good thing cause then I won't have to waste all this food, huh?" he told them as he walked over to an old barrel where he'd left a tray of covered food.

He smiled as they both stepped closer to inspect the items before they all sat down to eat.

Beth was the first to finish and began exploring the barn and its contents. Hershel watched her with a smirk when she started tugging and pulling at one of Annette's old sewing trunks. Standing up, he dusted himself off before approaching to help lift the heavy lid.

Inside were layers of different cottons, net curtains and even off-cuts of fur. He watched as Beth's eyes went wide before she turned to him. He already knew she was about to ask if she could play with them, so he beat her to it, "Why don't you play with these and dress yourself up some."

Beth simply nodded in awe before pulling out a large net curtain that she wrapped around her small shoulders.

"Look at me, Daryl, I'm a princess" she told them as she spun around.

Hershel didn't miss the small smile cross the boys face before it disappeared at Beth's next words.

"You wanna play princes and princesses with me?"

Daryl left the rest of his sandwich uneaten before moving towards the trunk that Beth had found. Hershel had already made his way back to the engine he'd been working on, but watched the interaction with a small smirk at how the young boy would react.

"Boy's don't play dress up, Beth" he told her, sounding older than his years.

Beth's smile didn't falter and Hershel had to hand it to her, she was stubborn when she wanted to be, "But, what if a dragon comes?" she pressed thoughtfully.

He stood slightly, watching them and the look Daryl displayed at feeling torn of whether to play or not, "If a dragon comes" Beth continued as she rearranged her 'curtain dress' "then I'm gonna need a prince to save me"

"Oh yeah?" Daryl questioned, obviously enjoying the girls imagination.

"Yeah" Beth confirmed, "And once you've saved me from his fiery breathe, we'll get married and live happily ever after."

Hershel could imagine his wife Annette standing with him and watching the scene and how she would be gushing on the spot at how cute they were. But then he watched as Daryl stiffened before dropping the material he held, back into the trunk, "There's no happy ever after for people like us, Beth." Daryl told her.

Watching Beth's face fall at the boy's words, Hershel grimaced. He couldn't believe that someone as young as Daryl didn't believe that they could have their happy ever after.

As if hearing his wife's voice in his ear telling him to do something, he stepped forward towards the two children, "You ever learnt about fixing cars son?" he questioned causing Daryl to turn away from the upset girl in front of him with a frown.

Hershel watched him expectantly with his eyebrows raised in question, "No sir" Daryl replied as he shook his small head. His longer hair swishing across his eyes as his head moved.

"Good" Hershel told him, "Then you can come help me mend baby over here, whilst Beth plays princess."

Daryl nodded and moved to follow Hershel but stopped at Beth's pouting face causing Hershel to turn in her direction, "Don't worry Bethy, if those dragon's come round here bothering you, we'll sort them out, won't we Daryl?"

Beth beamed at his words and looked to Daryl who offered a small curt nod of agreement before she bent and continued rifling through the trunk for more layers of material to add to her dress, allowing Hershel and Daryl to focus on the car.

They'd been busy working for a few hours with Hershel explaining each and everything he was doing. He noticed Daryl watching with rapt attention each time he told him what part they were working on and what it would connect to, along with what the problem possibly was.

Music played in the background as each of them enjoyed their day, when a familiar tune began to sound from the old radio that Hershel kept out in the barn to keep him company.

"What song is this?" Beth asked as she approached them. Her head slightly cocked as the song floated through the air.

Hershel frowned, "You don't know this song?"

He looked at them both as each of them shook their head, "It's 'My Girl' by the Temptations" he explained. It was one of Annette's favourites and a song they'd danced to often under the stars at night.

"Don't you kids listen to music?" Hershel quizzed when his revelation of the song generated no register with them.

It was Daryl that shook his head, "We don't have a lot a music on at home" Beth nodded in agreement before adding, "When we do, it's usually just a lot of screaming and guitars."

"Well" Hershel started as he walked towards the radio to turn it up, "how about we have a little fun, huh?"

Once the song was turned up, he twisted to face them and bumped his hip along to the beat; his hands twitching as he sang the familiar words. Beth giggled when he approached her and took her small hands in his before spinning her around.

"C'mon Daryl" she laughed as she gestured for the boy to join in.

It took several minutes and the song of 'Stand by Me' starting before he joined them.

"Hoowee!" Howled a voice from the open barn doors, startling them all into standing still, "What'd we have here?"

"Merle" Daryl yelped before scrambling over to the man, who was likely ten years older than him, give or take, "It ain't what it looks like" he tried as Beth moved to turn down the radio.

Merle sauntered past Daryl as he took in the barn and the scene in front of him, "Really, lil' brother cause it looks like ya was jus' dancin' like some damn pussy"

Hershel looked to Beth who was slowly inching her way to his side as she watched the interaction in front of her unfold.

"Daryl?" Hershel asked gently.

Daryl turned his head to look at Hershel and grimaced in apology, "This is my brother, Merle" he admitted before looking down at the ground as if he'd done something wrong.

"How'd y' find us here anyhow?" Daryl questioned as the clink of his brother kicking a bucket out of his way reached his young ears.

Merle stopped his investigation and focused on his brother, "Followed yer damn tracks" he tsked, "Ya losin' your touch Darylina, could'a tracked y' from a mile away."

Daryl simply shook his head in stupidity and vowed to be more careful from now on. The last thing he wanted or needed was his father following him to Hershel's farm the same way Merle had.

"What ya got goin' on here, old man?" Merle questioned with a frown as he addressed Hershel. He felt Beth's small hand slip in his own and he offered her a reassuring squeeze.

"Beth and Daryl, here, were just helping me with some work" he replied.

Merle's head snapped to Hershel in anger, "Ya got the boy workin?" Hershel nodded, "And y' ain't payin' him?" Merle looked to Daryl who's ears turned red in shame.

"What is this? Some sort of slave labour or somethin? Merle shouted as he continued to move around the barn before noticing a plate of food. A whistle blew through his teeth as he picked up the uneaten sandwich, "Well, at least he's gettin' fed, s'ppose that's somethin!"

Hershel frowned and grimaced at the man eating what was left of Daryl's meal.

"Would you like me to make you something to eat?" He tried and saw Daryl smile gratefully behind his brother.

Merle scowled, "What? You think I'm gonna work for ya like some damn chump jus' for some grub?" Hershel simply shrugged but said nothing, "I'm not some pussy like my baby brother over here" Merle gestured to Daryl who hung his head, "Got some Dixon moral's even if he don't, old man"

Daryl's head snapped up at the comment, Hershel may be older than most people he knew, but he had been nothing but kind to him and Beth since they'd met him, "Don't call him that" Daryl yelled as he pushed at his brother with as much might as his small body would allow.

Merle gripped the front of his shirt and pulled Daryl towards him like a rag doll, "Who ya think y' pushin' there, little man?"

Daryl simply kept quiet and pulled himself free before stepping back towards where Beth and Hershel stood.

Dropping the rest of the sandwich in his mouth, Merle turned as if the small outburst hadn't just happened, instead his eyes lingered on the classic car in front of him. Hershel didn't miss the greediness in the man's eyes at it swept over his vehicle, but didn't voice his concerns.

"Ya know" Merle started as he brushed a hand over his chin in thought, "I know a guy that could get ya a real good deal on this here car."

Hershel was already shaking his head, "it's not for sale."

"I hear ya man" Merle offered but still his eyes roamed the vehicle. As if reaching a decision, he snagged Daryl's juice box from the same tray as the food before walking heavy footed to the door.

Turning over his shoulder he looked at his brother with a scowl, "Make sure ya home by nine or I'll be lockin' the door."

Daryl nodded, he knew his brother would lock the door if he was late because he'd done it several times in the past, leaving Daryl to sleep outside. He also knew that it wasn't because they would be settling down for the night, it was because Merle was locking up to go out and get high with his friends.

As soon as Merle disappeared from view, Daryl slowly turned to face Hershel, "I'm sorry about that" he started before hanging his head, his shoulders slumping, "I…I understand if y' don't want me t' come out here no more"

Hershel released Beth's hand and made his way over to Daryl's side before squeezing his shoulder in tenderness causing Daryl to look up at him. He offered him a small, kind smile, "You two" he glanced at Beth who now stood at Daryl's side "are welcome here anytime, day or night" he watched as Beth interlinked her hand with Daryl's before giving it a small squeeze.

"Now c'mon, we gotta get baby fixed up before we lose the light" he stated and with that they resumed their day as if Merle Dixon hadn't shown up.

"And, they did, didn't they?" Enid questioned before standing up to collect the rest of the laundry, she watched as Hershel frowned in confusion so she clarified, "they came back"

Hershel nodded, "After that day, they would come over almost everyday" He smiled widely at the happy memories, "Over time, I taught those kids what it meant to have a childhood. Daryl learnt to make and fix things, hell, that boy could just about strip an entire engine and put it back together again but the time he was twelve. And Beth, I taught her anything she wanted to learn."

Enid came over carrying the now folded sheets in her arms before placing them in the basket that still sat at Hershel's feet, "And, what did they teach you?" she asked surprising him.

Hershel looked at her as if looking into her very soul whilst he thought over her question before answering honestly, "They taught me that life was worth living."

…

Since the story on Monday, Hershel hadn't told her any more memories of Beth and Daryl or their time on the farm, but she didn't mind. She actually found that he enjoyed listening to her as much as she enjoyed listening to him.

As planned on the Friday, Enid arrived with a cake in hand. When she opened the box, she couldn't help but smile at the gasp from both Beth and Hershel when they saw an exact replica of the cake from the photo; minus the salt.

They spent the whole day celebrating Hershel's birthday and listening to sixties music, as per Hershel's request, before Hershel turned in for an early night. Enid and Beth couldn't blame him, they knew the day had likely taken its toll.

Enid moved around the kitchen tidying up their plates, cups and leftovers as Beth put Annie down for the night. It was almost dark outside when Beth joined her to finish up.

Closing the box that housed the birthday cake, Beth turned to Enid with a sad smile on her lips, "Hershel's tellin' you about us growing up, isn't he?"

Enid nodded, "He is, and I hope you don't mind…."

Beth waved her off, "I don't mind. Most of my best childhood memories are of that farm"

From each story that Hershel had told her, there was always one thing she didn't understand, "What happened to the farmhouse?"

Beth sighed and picked up the cake box before walking to the pantry, "He sold it and we moved here"

Enid didn't miss the way that Beth's body slumped or the tears filling her eyes and whilst the answer created even more questions and left her feeling even more confused, she kept quiet.

Hershel could hear Enid and Beth talking downstairs as their soft voices floated up to him through the floorboards. Smiling, he looked down at the photo album that sat opened on his blanket covered legs as he reclined in bed and for the first time in a long while, he hoped he'd live long enough to finish telling his story.