…

Lori Grimes always told the parents that it wasn't necessary whatsoever but that rarely stopped any of them and when Christmastime rolled around, both she and Beth received little presents. Nothing extravagant – cash tips, chocolates, small tins of nuts, candles and gift cards. Beth was always so grateful for every gift given to her by the parents and children at the daycare center and Daryl always enjoyed the different snacks she brought home at this time of year.

Both Beth and Daryl loved the gift cards. There was always a gas card and a card to a fast food restaurant or two. But Beth's favorite gift card every year was the precious gift card to Starbucks. There was no Starbucks in their little town but there was one in the next town over, off of the expressway off ramp, in front of the Wal-Mart. Because of its location, it was always busy. No matter what time they drove past it, the drive-thru seemed wrapped around the building and the lot of parked cars seemed full. But Beth didn't care because she had a gift card and she was going to put it to good use – crowds be damned.

She knew Starbucks was ridiculous. It wasn't the best coffee in the world and their prices could be extravagant to people like her and Daryl who were always watching every penny they saved. They bought a tin of coffee – the biggest they could buy at Aldi because Beth loved coffee – and they brewed a pot every morning with their coffee machine and it was just as delicious. And far cheaper. But Starbucks was a completely unnecessary treat – like all treats should have been – and Beth was not going to waste a gift that a kind parent had taken the time to get her.

There was a hotel next to the Starbucks and Daryl wound up parking in a space there because the Starbucks lot was too packed. He lifted Luke up and held him in one arm as he and Beth headed – carefully – towards the front door of the coffee shop. He didn't feel like getting hit by a car today. He looked to his wife, smirking to himself because she was walking with a damn pep in her step just from being in this place. The line at the counter was a little on the long side but Daryl didn't mind. It would give him time to study the menu because God forbid he just order a small black coffee. He kept holding Luke because the last thing he and Beth needed was some Starbucks hipster snatching him away.

Finally at the counter, Daryl ordered first. "A Grande Pike Place Roast," he said and hated himself a little that he had to order with Starbucks sizes.

"A Grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte and one Tall Hot Chocolate," Beth added. "Can we also get a chocolate chip cookie and cinnamon coffee cake?"

Daryl admitted to not even looking at their total. Their gift card was for $25 and they better have enough to cover for everything because if that amount of money couldn't buy them three drinks and two things to eat, this place didn't even deserve to be in business because unless their order came with actual bars of gold, it wouldn't be worth it. Daryl had been poor for his entire life and sometimes, he imagined what it would be like if he did have money. He was pretty sure every poor person had the occasional dream of what it would be like if they weren't poor anymore. But even when he imagined what he would do if he had money, going to Starbucks never happened. Gift cards given at Christmas were the only way he would come in here.

In his arms, Luke was quiet as he looked around. He had never been inside of a Starbucks before. Just about every table was occupied with people on their cell phones or laptops. A few people were actually having conversations with other people but they weren't the majority. Daryl spotted a small table against the wall that was opening up and he carried Luke to it.

"Leave your coat on, alrigh'? The door keeps openin' and closin' and 's bringin' in the cold."

Luke nodded, still looking around. Someone had left a magazine on the table and he sat up, turning it towards him. He couldn't read the name but there was a man wearing a suit and tie on the cover with his arms crossed. Luke didn't know the man either but he seemed important.

"Here we are!" Beth arrived at their table with a drink tray and a small bag with their food.

There were only two chairs so Daryl and Beth sat down and Luke sat on Daryl's lap. The boy was excited. He had lived with them for a few months now and knew how much Beth loved coffee and she had been talking about this place for a week. He wanted to see what it was all about. His eyes widened a bit when Beth set the hot chocolate complete with whipped cream in front of him and he picked it up with both hands.

"Sip it slow," Beth told both Luke and Daryl as she handed Daryl his coffee cup.

Luke did as he was told and took a slow sip – almost scared from how hot it was. Beth took a sip of her own coffee and with a soft moan, she leaned back into her chair. Daryl smirked and sipped at his own coffee. He was pretty sure the pot they brewed every morning in their kitchen was just as good – if not better. Or maybe he was just being purposely stubborn.

Beth laughed and picking up a napkin, she wiped at Luke's nose who had gotten whipped cream on it. "Good?" She asked him.

Luke liked hot chocolate and Beth, knowing this, made cups for him at home. This tasted like the hot chocolates she made him but he didn't want to say that because he felt like Starbucks should taste different. He gave a nod. "Good."

Daryl took the bag and pulled out the coffee cake and then the cookie. He tore a piece of the cookie for Luke to have and took a bit for himself. It wasn't the best baked goods in the world and again, he was glad they had a gift card for this place because otherwise, they would never come and seeing the way Beth smiled as she drank her coffee, he almost wished they could come here every day like some people did even though it would be a complete waste of money.

But when she married him, she gave up her days of maybe being able to afford Starbucks and Daryl told himself that she was alright with that. They had a pretty good life without Starbucks and his wife was smart and his wife would know that. Still, he did think what it would be like if their finances were comfortable enough to afford overpriced things.

"You okay?" Beth asked and the question broke through his thoughts.

"Hmmm?" Daryl lifted his eyes to her and gave a single nod. "Yeah."

Beth broke off a piece of coffee cake and took a moment to chew and swallow. "I'm glad we can only come here once a year," she said and leaned forward to wipe more whipped cream from Luke's nose again.

"Why?" Daryl wondered.

She smiled and shrugged and took a sip of her coffee. "Because if we came here all of the time, it wouldn't be a special Christmastime treat like it is."

Daryl looked at her and didn't say anything to that but as she took another sip, she smiled at him from over the rim of her cup with her eyes. It was always amazing to him how Beth knew exactly what to say to him when he needed to hear it most; like she could read his mind. Daryl wouldn't be surprised if he found out that Beth actually could read his mind.

…

This was supposed to be a one-shot but I like writing Daryl, Beth and Luke's life, starting out.

THANK YOU for reading!