A/N Thank you all so much. Well our couple has reunited and now the question is, can they work it out? We have a couple of twists and turns here and I sure hope you like how it goes.
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It's everything they've missed. It's warm and loving and sexy. They're wrapped in each other's arms and wrapped up in the love, and his hand begins to slip up the back of her shirt where he lets his fingers gently graze over her soft skin.
It's nice, so nice and she feels her body responding to him as she leans into him and softly moans. She's desperately missed his touch. Then she catches herself and pulls away, "Daryl I…"
He's quick to apologize, "I know, I know. It's too soon. I'm sorry, I just…"
"You don't have to apologize, I get it. I want that too. It's just that I think we need to decide some things first, like where we're going and how we're getting there. And I think you need to talk to my Dad and Mom." Then the real honesty breaks through, "And…I just want to be careful Daryl. I don't know if I could live through what I went through before all over again."
He's pissed. Didn't he just tell her how he feels? Didn't he just make a promise? What? Is she calling him a liar?
No. Looking in her eyes he sees it there, the love and the sweetness that have always been who Beth is. Sure she's a little fearful, why wouldn't she be? And maybe she's right, yeah, of course she's right. As much as he'd like it, they can't just jump in bed and pretend that suddenly everything's peachy. He needs to talk to her folks, probably a few other people too.
It's like she read his mind when she mentions, "You said you were going out to the farm today, maybe we should go together."
"Yeah, yeah sure." Holy shit, now that the idea is a reality, he's not so sure he's ready to look in her Mama and Daddy's eyes and tell them the story. But he wants this with Beth enough that he'd do anything, "Okay, yeah, let's do it. Ya wanna take the bike or the pickup?"
She smiles, shrugs a shoulder and suggests, "I think I'd like to walk."
He softly laughs, not sure she's serious, "Six miles? Just like the good ol days, huh?"
"Yeah, something like that. It'll give us lots of time to spend together. Plenty of time to see if it's as nice this time as it was the first time you walked me home."
He bites his upper lip, smiles and agrees, "Alright, I'll walk with you." Shit, he'd pack her there on his back if she asked, and she's right, the walk might be good. Not only will they have lots of time to talk, it'll also give him time to psyche himself up.
He takes her hand and she smiles up at him when she says, "I remember the first time you walked me home. When you took my hand I thought you were such a gentleman. It was romantic too, my hand in your strong and protective hand, it felt so good."
He chuckles softly when he admits, "I didn't really think ya needed my help crossing the creek, you seemed to be doin' fine on your own. I was just looking for an excuse to hold your hand."
She's wondered about something for a very long time, "Tell me the real reason you didn't come in the house with me that day. I invited you. I knew you were hungry."
"I wanted to, and I was starving. But the deputy was there. I tried to avoid any kind of law enforcement or authorities back then; I knew what would happen if the guy figured out I was living alone."
"Rick Grimes is his name. It turned out he was very nice to us during those first few months after they took you from school. He came over the day it happened and explained everything, and he got your message to me."
"That's good. He didn't seem like a bad guy, it's just that I wasn't liking anyone that day." He smiles at her and adds, "Well, except for you."
As they walk along they share all the old stories. They talk about days spent at the lake, days in the back row of the movie theater, going out for burgers with Amy and Caesar, and all the hours they spent making out at the farm.
"What about now Daryl? How would we spend our time?"
He can't help but say it, "Well I'd still like to make out with you for at least an hour every day."
She bumps her shoulder into him and says, "Funny. Now be serious."
He laughs and says, "I was bein' serious!" But adds, "I'd still like to do all those things with ya. Go to the lake, go to the movies, out to eat. But I'd also like to do other things. I'd like ta go campin', I'd like ta take ya ridin' on the bike, and we could go hiking and shoot the bow. I'd like ta cook breakfast with you on Sunday morning. I'd like to lay under a blanket with you and watch an old movie. There's no end ta the things I'd like us to do together."
"That all sounds pretty wonderful to me too Daryl. That's what I always hoped for with you, for us to spend time together and be a family."
Family. That was a word they hadn't yet said, and for a minute or two the word seems to just be hanging there in the air. He stops walking and takes Beth in his arms, holding her close and tight. They're not kissing, he's not putting his hand up her shirt. That's not what it's about. It's about them and the emotional closeness and intimacy they once shared, it's something they've both missed so dearly.
They need a little time to soak it up.
Then Daryl says, "Ya know girl, as much as I'm worried your Mama and Daddy are gonna be mad at me, and thinkin' about your Daddy runnin' me off with a shotgun, I still can't wait to see em. I've missed em. They were more like parents to me than my own parents ever were. You and your folks, you've been my family."
This time it's more than just holding. He gently cradles her face in his hands when he tells her, "I hope you believe me when I say how much I love ya Beth Green. I've loved you for ten years and I'm never gonna stop loving you."
He softly presses his lips to hers and the kiss they share holds all the warmth and meaning of the words he just spoke. They come so close to getting carried away, but they both know they have to do what they set out to do.
Reluctantly they break the spell.
As they walk the talking and the reminiscing continue then suddenly, there they are, standing at the end of her driveway. They can see that up closer to the house the little boy is playing catch with a brown-haired woman, and under her breath Beth says, "Uh oh, Maggie's here."
He stops and looks at Beth, asking, "Your sister?"
"Yes, and I'm just warning you, she can get a little bit hostile. Try not to rile her up too much," but she can't help herself and she starts to giggle.
"What? You hopin' she hurts me?"
At first she assures him, "No, not really Daryl, it's nervous laughing," then she admits, "but I do kind of want to see what happens between you two."
There's a smirk on his face and his tone is sarcastic when he says, "Oh good, I can't wait either. Let's do this."
They're not five steps down the driveway when Maggie turns in their direction, and Daryl almost let's lose of Beth's hand like they're doing something wrong. He catches himself and half smiles, old behaviors. They're not kids anymore and he doesn't care who knows how he feels about her, or whether they like it. So he grips her hand a little more tightly.
Maggie calls to the boy, "Hershel, you go find Grandma and Grandpa, tell them we have a visitor."
The child doesn't have to go far to find his grandparents, they all knew as soon as Glenn knew, Daryl's back in town. They're worried, their girl's been through a lot. Mostly they're scared that if she gets her heart broken again they could lose her for good.
Mama's still Mama though. As soon as she heard that boy was in town she was sure he'd be out to see them. She's got the biggest pot roast in the county, complete with all the trimmings slowly cooking away.
They're just as nervous as Daryl, but they can't help being excited to see him. He spent a lot of time at the farm and they grew to love him like their own. Everything that happened was painful, heartbreaking and they lost more than a few nights sleep worrying about what had become of him.
In the meantime, Maggie and Daryl have come face to face. Beth's sister extends her hand in greeting and in a snappy tone says, "You must be the notorious Daryl Dixon, I'm Maggie Rhee and I can't wait to hear all about why you left my little sister waiting all these years."
He's just opening his mouth to speak when Mama and Daddy come hurrying toward him. He's expecting an ass-chewing and he's ready to take it, he's got one coming. Then Mama Greene grabs him in a bear hug and exclaims, "Oh my gosh Daryl, we've missed you so much and worried over you something awful. C'mon in and tell us everything," it's not at all what the young man expected.
He still hasn't let loose of Beth's hand, and they maintain a tight grip on each other as Daddy nods and says, "Son, it's good to see you looking so well, but now I want to know what's happened. I want to hear all about where you've been and why you didn't get hold of us all these years."
Her Daddy was an old man when he met him, and the last eight years seem to have taken a toll. But his eyes are clear and his voice is strong and Daryl's glad to have a chance to talk with him again.
"I'm sorry Sir. I owe ya a lot of apologies and even more gratitude. I know that. It's part of why I'm here. I'll tell ya everything, but I understand there won't ever be an excuse good enough for what I've done. There couldn't be one. I'm just hopin' y'all will understand a little and that someday you can forgive me."
The way he carries himself, the way he talks and looks directly in Hershel's eyes when he speaks, it's clear to her Daddy the boy has become a man. He tells him, "We're ready to listen Daryl, let's go on in. Mama's got some refreshments for us."
Daryl can't help but smile at that, some things never do change. He likes that they don't, and then he thinks he'll just say what he feels, "You've always been good to me Ma'am, you're a special lady."
That puts the period to it for Daddy, indeed, Daryl's become a man.
Daryl would prefer if they all sat around the dining table to talk, he'd have it to lean an arm on for support, and no one would see his legs shaking. That's not how it goes though, they take a seat in the front room.
Beth has seldom been more shocked than she is when her Daddy says to her sister, "Maggie, this is going to be a private talk between the four of us. If there's anything I feel you need to know I'll pass that on later. Why don't you take Hershel out to play for now?"
Beth's waiting for an explosion, and Maggie's just about to open her mouth to argue, but when she sees the pleading look in her little sister's eyes she decides there's enough drama. For Beth's sake she'll do what she can to keep the peace, at least for the time being, "Alright Daddy, c'mon Hershel let's work on your swing."
It wouldn't be polite to simply dive into a difficult conversation so Mama begins to pour everyone a tall glass of tea. Daryl stands and says, "You sit and lemme do that Ma'am, ya don't need ta wait on me."
Any concern Mama had about Daryl showing back up is quickly fading away. She smiles at the man he's grown to be. He's always been well-mannered and kind, but now he's also far more self-assured.
Daddy on the other hand, well of course he's thrilled to see that the boy he'd cared about and worried about is safe and healthy. He's grateful for the young man's return, however that doesn't mean he doesn't have plenty of hard questions waiting for Daryl.
He's witnessed his daughter's sadness and her struggles for far too long to forget this was the young man who'd never even bothered to so much as call her. Like Beth, Hershel Greene wants to know everything, the whole story from the day young Daryl was picked up at school, right up to this moment in his own living room.
Daryl is willing to tell it all. He continues keeping a hold on Beth's hand as he recounts the events of the past eight years, beginning with that moment in the principal's office when he knew they were going to take him. He admits to his bad behavior and the trouble he caused at the institution, right up to the day he finally decided maybe some help wouldn't be such a terrible idea. That was the day he became a patient of, and began talking to Doc Denise.
The story doesn't get easier and although he doesn't admit to her folks that he's sure it was his brother who killed their Dad, he does tell them his father was murdered while he was still in the institution. Both Hershel and Annette express their sorrow, and by the look in Hershel's eye Daryl is pretty sure he already knew.
When her Daddy asks, "So what's your brother doing these days?" Daryl's sure he knows everything. Maybe there's no proof and maybe no charges were never filed, but a person doesn't always require hard evidence to know what's what.
"He's living down in Florida near Jacksonville, working construction. He says his life is going good."
Finally comes the story of him mistaking Glenn for Beth's husband, and mistaking the baby for hers and Glenn's. On one hand it surprises her folks, on the other they see how it could have happened. Mistakes are made, especially by insecure young men. Her Sweet Mama says the same thing everyone else has said and thought, "If only you would have simply walked up to her and spoken, you wouldn't have even had to ask."
"I know Ma'am, I'm sure I'll never do anything as stupid as that again, not even if I live ta be a hundred. I messed everything up." But Mama sees the way her daughter looks at the young man and she doesn't believe he messed up everything. The love is still there.
Daryl's service in the Navy piques Hershel's interest the most, and he has lots of questions. He peppers Daryl with them, nods and asks more questions, and then asks, "What was the best duty you ever had?"
Daryl smiles, "That's easy. We resurfaced some older roadways and put in some new ones at Camp David. It was beautiful there and I even saw the president. Not right up close or nuthin', but one afternoon his detail drove by where we were workin'. Of course we all stopped and stood at attention for the Commander in Chief, and it was a thrill for us when he saluted as they went by."
They talk about his work for the state and how he got seniority right away because of his Military Service. And he tells them about his transfer to Clausenville and what his position will be and the work involved.
Daryl's answered all of their questions, Hershel can only think of one more to ask, "So Son, as Beth's Daddy I have to ask you, and I expect an honest answer. What exactly do you intend to have happen now? Do you think you and Beth are going to date? Is this just a friendly visit and you'll be moving on? Are you just curious to see if there's still a spark? What Daryl?"
He's not at all surprised by her Dad's questioning, he'd be surprised if the man didn't question him and his intentions.
He takes a minute to answer. It's strange the way his ideas of what he wants with Beth have changed in just a few short hours. He started the day thinking only that he'd visit her folks and find out how she was doing. He's embarrassed to admit it even to himself, but all he wanted then was to discover that maybe her young marriage hadn't worked out.
Then he saw her, and after he discovered his big mistake they spent a couple of hours at his place talking. That was followed by the long walk and more talking, more closeness. Through it all the thing that struck him most was how much hadn't changed. Yes, they were older, eight years older, and during those eight years they hadn't so much as spoken a word to each other. Yet once they began to talk it was as if nothing had changed. They still knew each other so well. Maybe not what TV show they currently liked or what their favorite place to eat was these days, but they knew each other in the way that counted. They knew each other's hearts.
Now, he asks himself the question again, the question Hershel has asked of him, what does he want?
Although he hadn't planned to say it, he hadn't even been thinking about it until this moment, the answer is quite simple. When it comes out of his mouth he knows it's because it's the absolute truth, and he doesn't have any hesitancy about the statement at all, "I wanna be with Beth. From now on, all the time. I've wanted that since I's 14 years old. I wanna marry her Sir. I'm askin' your permission and hoping you n her will both say yes to me."
Once it's said he feels the delayed rush of nervous adrenaline rushing through his system and the rapid pounding of his heart. He's got the urge to bolt. Not because he doesn't want exactly what he just said he wants. But because that energy's got to get out of his system somehow.
The thing is, he's a man now and men don't run. So he works at tamping down that nervous energy and the urge to run, all while maintaining a steady gaze in her Daddy's direction.
Beth is stunned, she hadn't expected those words from him any more than he expected to say them. But then again, she told him she didn't want to try and make it work. She was more definitive. She said they had to make it work.
She feels consumed by emotion and there are so many different emotions. She's excited, scared and nervous, and the truth is, there's still a little residual anger. But most of all there's love. So much love.
His hand is holding hers so tightly it's almost painful, but at the same time it seems warm, loving and protective. What a day this has been and as a single tear silently rolls down her cheek she wonders what could possibly happen next. What in the world will her Daddy say to all of this?
She looks first to Daryl and then to her Daddy, waiting for someone to speak. Hershel Greene is quiet for what seems like such a long time. Everyone's quiet. Finally he says, "Annette, Beth, let's go in my den. Daryl, we'll be a few minutes."
Daryl stands and says, "Yes Sir. I'll be waiting," as he reluctantly loosens his grip on Beth's hand.
She turns and takes one last look at him before the den door closes.
He thinks she seemed happy enough, maybe nervous though too, ah shit. He can't sit any longer, he needs to move. Maybe just a short walk around the front yard, a quick check on Miz Greene's flower garden.
He steps out on the front porch and there's the sister, Maggie. All he manages to say is, "Hi," before she starts.
There's an amped up and snarky tone to her voice when she asks, "So, when do I get to hear whatever your lame excuse is for never showing up, for never even calling Beth?"
He smiles at her while shaking his head and letting her know, "Ya already heard everything Maggie. Ya think I don't know you were standing under the window listening? For the record, what I told your folks is the gospel truth. I may be an idiot, but I ain't a liar."
"How the hell did you know I was listening?"
"Honest?"
"Honest."
"You look like the kind who would, besides that, I got a knack for sensing that stuff."
"Can you imagine all the anguish and bullshit everyone could have been spared if you would have just talked to Beth that day?"
"I ain't thought about much else."
"And now after all these years you just expect to show back up here and marry her? Is everyone supposed to just be okay with that?"
"No. I ain't expectin' nuthin'. Your Dad asked me what I want and I told him. I'd marry Beth today if that's what she wants, or I'll wait 50 years if she asks me to. I'm willing to do whatever she wants."
Maggie's twisting her mouth around, looking a little snarly when she says, "Well aren't you sweet."
He's done with this game, "No, not usually, but I can be."
She softens, "I'm glad you're back. Even if we could have managed to get her out and dating, Beth was never going to be happy with anyone but you."
"I was never even gonna try to be happy with anyone but her."
"Really Daryl?"
"Really Maggie."
Young Hershel's running happily toward them from the direction of the chicken coop, shouting, "Mama, mama I'm all done with my chores! I gave the chickens their scratch and fresh water, and I did just what you said. I put the eggs one at a time in the big basket. I was really careful Mama and I didn't try to carry it by myself."
As Maggie tells her son what a good boy he is and it's a job well done, memories of a time long ago come rushing back to Daryl. He smiles remembering how perfect the first day with Beth on the farm was, and all the things she taught him. His smile grows even broader when he thinks about that moment when her back was pressed against the barn and he leaned his body into hers and gave her a real kiss.
Just as young Hershel's feet hit the porch there's a convergence from two other directions. Glenn pulls in the driveway and right up to the porch. Hops from the vehicle and roughs his son's hair, "Hi son, hi Maggie," Then he extends a hand and says, "Daryl, Good to see you again," Just as Grandpa Hershel comes out the front door.
He too roughs young Hershel's hair then he informs them, "Maggie, Glenn, we're making some decisions in the den right now, we'll be out again in a few minutes. Mama says plan on staying for dinner. And Maggie, you get started on biscuits, Mama says two batches."
"Yes, Daddy."
He looks to an anxious Daryl and instructs, "You come with me."
Daddy's fresh from the conversation with his daughter and his wife, and doing his best to keep a positive and open mind.
It was a conversation he never expected to have when he woke up that morning. And now was no time for pussyfooting around. So, right off the bat he asked his girl what she thought about Daryl wanting to get married. She got a little teary-eyed and answered, "Daddy, I know it seems so sudden, but it's all I've ever wanted. I know it's crazy and out of the blue. Gosh, I guess not everything can be some perfect romantic story, but I know in my heart Daryl loves me and I know I love him."
She's heard the stories and she reminds him, "Things weren't perfect for you and Mama either, but you told me that your love for each other was what made everything perfect."
He shakes his head at his own words coming back to haunt him. Then he looks to his wife and asks, "Mama?"
"Call me silly if you want, but since the first time Daryl sat at my table I knew him and Beth were meant to be together. And Husband, you know he was a good boy and I have no doubt he's a good man. He has a good heart. And just think of all he's been through, and even when he thought our girl had married someone else, his love for her just wouldn't die. He still hoped things could work for them."
Daddy was grumpy about the way things were all happening so quickly. It was all too sudden for him. Yet there were still things to be positive about, "At least he's gotten himself a good job. I'm glad to know the Navy whipped him into shape."
Once again Mama jumped to Daryl's defense, "Now Hershel, you know that boy was taking care of himself long before he went in the Navy. Give credit where it's due." Then she got a little playful, pinched his cheek and teased, "And quit trying to act so rough and tough. You're as happy as I am that Daryl's come home."
Beth had hold of her Daddy's arm and with tears ready to roll she pleaded with him, "Please Daddy, please. You know how long I've waited, you know how much I love Daryl and I know how much he loves me. Please Daddy, please."
Hershel hadn't wanted to give in quite yet, he planned to maintain control over the situation and maybe he'd postpone deciding anything at all. But like a lot of Daddies are when it comes to their daughters, especially if that daughter happens to be the baby of the family, Hershel just couldn't bring himself to say no. Besides, if he was being honest with himself he'd have to admit, he wasn't that opposed to the idea. His wife was right, it always had seemed that Daryl and Beth were simply meant to be.
Beth has been standing up until that point, but as the realization hit her that this was really happening she had to sit. Her and Daryl? Really? After all these years? Was it too fast? Just this morning she'd been so angry with him, but she couldn't really stay mad. She knew she never would.
Besides, was she really willing to deny herself a lifetime of happiness because she wanted to be the tough one, not forgive, not move on from old hurts? What was to be gained by that behavior except to live in sadness over the loss of her one true love.
As Daryl follows her Daddy into the den he sees her sitting there, and he can see she's been crying. He can't keep from going to her. He squats beside her chair and takes her hand asking, "Ya okay Girl? Ya know I love ya, right?"
She smiles and tells him, "I do know, and I love you."
Daddy clears his throat louder than necessary and says, "Alright now, what exactly did you two have in mind for this ceremony?"
Beth looks at Daryl and then her parents and answers, "I just want family, you two first and foremost, Maggie, Glenn and little Hershel, Amy and Caesar, Aaron and Jesus. I know Shawn won't be able to make it home from their big cruise in time. What about you Daryl?"
He shrugs, "That sounds like everyone to me."
Beth has her suspicions about why he may be leaving his own family out and she puts him on the spot, "But Daryl, what about Merle?"
She can see he's nervous and avoiding eye contact, "Uh, um, I dunno."
Beth won't settle for that, "Daryl, we all know Merle's had a little trouble in his life, but he's your brother and we want him here."
He's not so sure, "Really? Y'all wouldn't mind?"
Mama smiles, "Daryl, everyone has their challenges, oh my goodness, I wish you could have met my brother. He was a pistol."
Everything seems settled and now Daryl just wants it all done. He doesn't want to take a chance anything will change. He mentions, "Countin' this coming weekend I got the next seven days off work. We could just get married tomorrow and then Beth and me can go camping for a few days."
Then he remembers he's not doing this alone. He looks at Beth and asks, "I mean if ya want, would ya want to?"
"Yes, to getting married and yes to camping."
Mama exclaims, "Oh my, that's not much time to plan a celebration, even a small one."
Hershel suggests, "Let's slow down the pace a little bit."
Beth looks at him and says, "Please Daddy, I don't want to slow down the pace. We can take tomorrow and get our license and stuff, but then the next day I want to marry Daryl. I want you to do the service, right here at the farm. Just something simple."
Daddy snarls his reply, "I don't know what the big rush is, and I don't appreciate for one minute the way you've all ganged up on me. What I want right now is to quit talking and have my dinner."
After the meal Beth asks, "Daddy, I'd better get Daryl home. Do you mind if I use your car? Mine's still in town."
She gets behind the wheel of the old Pontiac and Daryl slides in the passenger side. He takes her hand and smiles, "I guess I never thought about ya being old enough to drive." They both realize, there will be things to learn and things to rediscover.
He punches in the gate code at the RV park and when she pulls the Pontiac up next to his trailer he takes her hand again, asking, "Will ya come in a while Beth?"
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A/N That was a whirlwind. Please leave a comment with your thoughts. As always, there's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please check it out. I hope to see you back next Friday for another chapter of I'll Walk with You, until then stay safe and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee