A/N Thanks so much! It was a whirlwind but there's just no stopping love. What now though?

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They climb the three short steps, enter the trailer and he shuts the door behind them. They're alone now, they should be kissing and talking and making plans. But suddenly everything feels so awkward. The silence is awkward, the way neither of them seems able to move is awkward, the lack of eye contact is awkward.

He was perfectly happy just ten minutes ago, now he's not sure what's going on. He's just following her lead, and waiting for the ax to fall because that's what this feels like.

She finally breaks the silence. She has to, she can't take another minute of this or she's going to scream. Her voice is low and shaky when, without looking at him, she asks, "What did we just do Daryl?"

Shit, they haven't even gotten the license and she already changed her mind? He knew it was too good to be true. He fucked up and she can't forgive him. He doesn't want to let her go, but what's he going to do? If she doesn't want him what choice does he have?

He sighs so loudly he's pretty sure the folks in the RV next door can hear him. Then he gently takes her hand and reminds her how it all went, hoping she also remembers the feelings they had, "I'll tell ya what we just did girl. We said we were gonna get married. We talked to your folks and your sister. We set the time and the place and I's just gettin' ready ta call my brother."

He breathes in and digs deep for the strength to continue, "Talk ta me Beth. If you changed your mind you need ta tell me. I ain't gonna get mad at you. The only person I'ma be mad at is me. I'm the one who screwed everything up."

Her expression is all seriousness, well maybe there's a little anger there too, "That's it right there Daryl, that's what's bothering me. If we let it, it's gonna be what ruins everything for us. Don't you see? You can't go around acting like everything that I do is good and right, and that anything bad or uncomfortable that happens is your fault. Why? Because you made a mistake? You're human. Yes I suffered, but you suffered too. It's crappy and it's sad and we both hate it. Okay? Can we accept that and move on?"

She places her hand on his cheek and in a far calmer, more loving voice says, "Daryl, don't you think if we're going to have any chance of making this work we have to put what happened before where it belongs, in the past? You have to put that mistake behind you and I have to put it behind me, or this is never going to work. Ever. We'll have a relationship built on guilt and resentment. We can't let that happen, we have to start with a clean slate for both of us."

He can't quite believe she's saying these things to him. But then he can, it's her. It's Beth and she hasn't changed at all. She's still the same sweet person she's always been. Still he worries. It sounds good when you're just saying it, but can they really do that? Will it work? It breaks his heart to ask, but he offers, "Ya wanna put things off for a while? See how we do? See if we really can do that?"

"Put it off a while? Are you kidding Daryl? Really? I still remember everything about that night we shared, including the promise you made that we were going to get married. It's already been eight years and I've been heartbroken and missing you for so long already. How long do you think I should wait? How long is long enough?"

He can't help the small smile that comes to his lips as he teases, "Well one thing about you that changed is, ya got scrappier."

She doesn't want to give in and smile, but she can't help it, "You just keep that up Daryl Dixon and you'll find out how scrappy I can be."

"Oh yeah? Don't tempt me." Then his expression changes, he's more serious when he puts his arms around her, pulls her close and lets her know his heart, "You're right, I'm done waiting. It's already been way too long." He kisses her, draws back and smiles when he asks, "So, should I call Merle and invite him to our wedding, or what?"

She looks him in the eye, shakes her head and says, "Yes, we're getting married. Call Merle."

Before he can do that he feels the need to pull her close again. He needs one more hug and a little reassurance. He was so sure she was going to pull the rug out from under him. Then, like she's reading his mind, while he's holding her she whispers, "I love you Daryl. Now you say that out loud, Beth loves me."

He draws back, "What?"

"You heard me."

He has trouble with it, he's gone his whole life feeling like he didn't quite deserve love or the good things life has to offer, but he does feel her love and he does say the words, "Beth loves me." They kiss and then he tells her, "Now you say it Beth, Daryl loves me."

It didn't seem like quite as big a deal when she told him to say it. It's hard now. They've both had their of time feeling alone and unlovable. But when she looks in his eyes she knows it's there, and she says the words, "Daryl loves me."

They kiss again and then he says, "Let's sit down a minute, I'ma call Merle."

She opts for sitting on the floor again, leaning her back against the small sofa. He grabs the cordless phone from the counter and begins punching the numbers in the handset. He smiles as he sits down next to her and she can hear his brother's booming voice when he growls, "This here is Merle Dixon, who the hell are you?"

"Take a step back Merle."

There's loud laughter and again the booming voice, "Baby Brother, how ya doin' kid? Did ya get yourself all moved down there ta Clausenville?"

"Yep, all settled in. I found a nice RV park and I'm ready to start back to work in a few days."

"That's real good. Are ya just callin' ta checkup on me, or do ya need your big brother ta take care a sumthin' for ya?"

"I want you ta come to a wedding day after tomorrow."

"A weddin? Who the fuck do we know that'd be gettin' married? And why the fuck would I drive four fuckin' hours ta be there?"

Although she's not particularly surprised by how loud he is, or his language, it's still not anything she's used to and all she can do is think, 'Please don't say that word in front of my Mama.'

"Settle down Merle. It's me, I'm the one gettin' married and it's day after tomorrow at noon."

"What the fuck kid? I told ya a million times, ya ain't gotta marry em ta get in their pants, just romance em a little like I do. Ain't I taught ya nuthin' kid? Give it a try."

Daryl's smiling, some things never change, "Brother, I'm talking about my girl, Beth. The one I told ya about. Anyway, when I got back ta town I found her and we spent some time talkin'. I found out I made a mistake. She was never married; the baby wasn't hers." He's gotten so serious sounding when he adds, "Anyway, like I said, we been talking, I talked to her folks too, and yeah, we're gettin' married. It's what I want brother. What I've been wantin' for a long time."

It's not his words so much as the sound of his voice, the deep emotion that can be heard. Merle doesn't argue or tease, "Well then I'ma be there for ya brother. When n where?"

Daryl suggests he come to the RV park and they go together, "I'll wait for ya til eleven that morning. If ya ain't here by then ya miss out. Otherwise, I want ya ta stand with me, be my witness."

"I said I'd be there brother and I will be there."

Daryl feels the need to warn, "Merle, these people, they're good people, I need you to be straight, clean and sober."

Now it's Merle who sounds serious, "I ain't had a swallow or a taste in three months little brother. I ain't gonna embarrass ya."

"Proud of ya brother. You bringin' your girlfriend?"

"Can I?"

"Sure, I'd like to meet her."

The call ends and Beth's not sure what to say except, "I'm so glad your brother's coming, he sounds like fun."

Daryl's laughing when he half agrees, "Yeah, he's fun alright. If your idea of fun is big, loudmouthed and rowdy rednecks then Merle's got fun covered."

His tone changes when he takes her hand and says, "There's sumthin' I been thinking about, sumthin' I wanna show ya Beth. After we get the license and whatever else we gotta do tomorrow, can we take a little drive?"

"Sure. I just need time to call Amy and Jesus first thing in the morning and then I'll be ready. Oh, but I need to get a dress too."

"I can take ya shoppin'."

"We'd have to be careful, you're not allowed to see the dress until the wedding."

"Why?"

"I have no idea, everyone just always says that."

They share a laugh, and a kiss and the kiss gets deeper. Soon they're laying on the floor with arms and legs wrapped around each other and the temperature starts to rise. His hand slips inside her shirt, her bra pops open and soon his hand is on her breast. His fingers begin lightly pinching her nipple and they both begin to moan, until she pulls back and says, "Wait, Daryl, wait."

He takes the hand away like he's been burned, draws back and says, "What? Sorry."

She bites at her top lip while he watches and wonders what she's going to say now, "I'm sorry I asked you to stop. It's just…remember when we were young, I always said I wanted to wait until we were married?"

He has that small grin she loves so much when he answers, "Yeah, I remember. We didn't quite make it though, did we?"

"No, but I'd like to make it this time."

His hand is laying softly on her cheek when he whispers, "That's sweet. I ain't exactly saying I'd like to wait, but I will."

They sit up, backs leaning against the sofa again. He's been thinking about something ever since they agreed to get married, wondering if it could possibly work. He smiles as he takes her hand and asks, "You gonna be alright with living in this place?"

"Yes, of course, it's fine. I like it and it's not too much, just right. Best of all it shouldn't take much time to clean. We'll have plenty of time to go have fun when we're not working."

"Sounds good ta me, just lemme know when you've had enough of trailer life." Yeah, it'll do for now but maybe things will change in a big way tomorrow, he hopes so.

He walks her outside to her Dad's car. Waits until it starts and watches her drive off. He hates to see her leaving, and especially driving home alone at night. And it strikes him then, even though the car's not quite out of sight he already misses her. He tells himself it won't be long until he sees her again, he's picking her up at nine a.m. to go to the clerk's office. And once they're married he never plans to spend another night without her.

As soon as Beth and Daryl drove away from the farm, Maggie put a Disney movie in the player for Hershel. The four adults remained at the table and discussed the stunning turn the day had taken.

Maggie spoke first, "Ever since Glenn told me Daryl was back in town all I've thought about is that call I got from Daddy, 'come home, your sister needs you.' Everything changed for all of us the day Daryl got picked up, not just Beth's life. Me and Glenn, you two, it started a whole chain of events."

Daddy's so somber, "We almost lost Bethie over that mess, and I guess the truth is we never really got her back. Not the old Beth anyway. Since that day she hasn't been the same fun, playful and happy girl she was." Daddy's lips purse and he speaks from his heart, "I keep telling myself this is all happening too fast and too soon, but tonight at the dinner table I looked at my girl and I saw that spark again and I knew. My little girl is back."

Mama reaches over and takes his hand, "It's true. I saw it too, and I saw the spark in Daryl's eyes. I believe with all my heart, this is good. They both know exactly who they are and what they want. Besides, they're not children anymore. They could go downtown tomorrow and get married on their own, but they cared enough to ask our blessing, just like I care enough to make their day as special as it can be."

Maggie agrees, "I was all set not to like him. I was going to lay into him like nobody's business and show him no mercy. But the look in his eyes when he talked about Beth, and seeing the two of them together and how they looked at each other, I'm with you Mama. I believe it was meant to be."

Glenn gets them all chuckling when he says, "All I know is I just opened up a new business and my number one employee never even worked half a shift. Now my wife tells me I have to give her two weeks off."

The mood at the table lightens considerably.

Mama gets down to business then, "My goodness, we have so much to do and only one day to do it."

Hershel chides, "Now Annette, it's just family and young people who are like family. Let's not make it more work than it has to be."

Mama and Maggie proceed to ignore him and Maggie says, "Mama, you know Olivia who works for us in the kitchen at the bowling alley? She's a good cook, she could help you with preparing the meal and the cleanup."

Mama's wheels are turning and she agrees, "That sounds wonderful. And I have plenty of beautiful flowers in my garden and at least a dozen empty quart size canning jars, that and some ribbon will make lots of pretty floral arrangements. You can take care of those and Beth's bouquet Maggie, oh and those little flowers for Daddy, Daryl and Daryl's brother's lapels. What are they called, boutonnières? I'm sure Daryl will want his brother to be the best man."

Daddy scoffs at that, "I can't imagine Merle Dixon being agreeable to wearing a flower. I wouldn't even take any bets that Daryl will."

That's when Mama smiles and sets him straight, "Let's see, I recall a fellow named Hershel Greene who tried to get a little ornery with me, he said he'd never wear a flower. However, I also recall he did indeed wear one to both our wedding and our daughter Maggie's wedding."

Daddy just huffs, looks at Glenn and says, "I guess you and me will be on yard duty, and table and chair setting up duty, huh?"

Glenn just smiles, "I'll do what I'm told. I know better than to argue with these two."

By the time Beth arrives home the kitchen and dining room are clean, little Hershel is sound asleep on the sofa, and big Hershel is sound asleep in his chair. Glenn's out in the shed wiping the dust off the folding chairs and two picnic tables, and Mama and Maggie have the canning jars freshly washed and lined up on the kitchen counter. Right next to rolls of pastel gingham ribbon.

All the activity has Beth's eyes twinkling when she exclaims, "Oh my goodness Mama, Maggie, you two have been so busy! I'm even more excited now!"

Mama asks, "Have you thought about a dress Bethie?"

She shrugs and answers, "Daryl said he could take me shopping tomorrow if I want to get a new one."

Maggie sets a hand on her sister's shoulder and says, "Or you could keep a family tradition going. I wore Mama's when Glenn and I got married. Remember how I had the neckline and sleeves updated a little? Of course we'd have to get it shortened and taken in a little, but what would you think about wearing it?"

"Oh my gosh, are you kidding?! I didn't even think that was a possibility, I'd love it!"

Mama's all smiles as she pronounces, "That's that then. I won't have time to do the alterations myself but I'll call Lori Grimes in the morning. She's very handy with a needle and I'm sure she'll do this for us. In return I'll offer to help her with some stitching on that big quilt she's making."

Beth is still smiling, "Thank you Mama, that's wonderful." She gives the woman a hug then tells them, "Daryl's going to pick me up at nine to get the license. He said he's got something he wants to show me after that, then I can hurry back here and help."

Mama says, "There's no need to rush back Beth, you two enjoy your day. Maggie and I have everything taken care of here. Now, have you given any thought to what you'd like to have for your wedding meal?"

"Gosh, well, not anything too difficult. I don't want you going to too much fuss and you know Daryl Mama, he'll be happy with anything you fix."

No sooner are the words out of her mouth than the phone on the wall rings. Beth picks it up and it's Daryl calling to make sure she made it home okay. They chat a minute and then she asks, "Daryl, what would you like for our wedding meal?" She listens and responds, "Chocolate cake? Well that's more of a dessert Daryl, how about for the meal?" She's smiling, "Seriously? Okay, I'll talk to Mama. I love you too. Goodnight."

Mama's smiling and shaking her head, "Don't tell me that boy said chicken and dumplings."

Beth's a little concerned, "I guess there's a lot that hasn't changed, but is that okay?"

Maggie shrugs, "Why not? Country wedding, country dining. We could do a ham too."

They agree on that but Maggie questions, "Chocolate wedding cake?"

Mama nods, "I already have an idea about that. We'll make two chocolate layers and one white, the white in the middle. I'll make raspberry filling and we'll use white icing and it will be beautiful. No one will suspect it's chocolate until our newlyweds make that first cut. What do you think Beth?"

"I think it sounds so wonderful. You two are making this so special for me and Daryl."

They go over the finer points and just as Glenn walks in the kitchen door Mama says, "We'd all better get some sleep now, we have a busy two days ahead of us."

Once again Beth takes her Mother in a hug and says, "Mama, thank you so much for everything," Then turns and says, "You too Maggie and Glenn. All of you are always so good to me."

She's up early calling Amy first thing. They're both squealing as Beth tells her friend the whole story, all the while Amy just keeps repeating, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh." And when Beth's story is done Amy says, "Tell your Mama I'll be over to help her in an hour or so. I just have to get Caesar off to work and get myself dressed and organized. I'm so excited Beth, and happy. Caesar will be too. We've missed Daryl and we've missed you and Daryl together."

She adds, "I almost forgot. Remember those yellow tablecloths from my wedding, the ones with the white lace overlay you loved so much? They're all cleaned and pressed and hanging in my hall closet. I'm bringing them with me."

As soon as Beth hangs up with Amy, Mama's on the phone with Lori. When she sets the receiver back in the cradle, she tells her daughter, "The dress is in a clothes bag hanging in my closet. Run up and put it on real quick Bethie, Lori's on her way."

Lori, Maggie, Glenn and Olivia all arrive at the same time. Maggie and Olivia immediately get busy and Glenn announces, "Little Hershel and I will see you about three to get the tables and chairs set up, and with all this cooking going on for tomorrow I've made an executive decision. About five o'clock I'll have Patrick bring plenty of pizza over for everyone."

It's welcome news to the kitchen crew, they have enough going on.

The fitting goes well and Lori promises, "Don't worry, I'll get it done. You're going to make a beautiful bride Beth, and I can't wait to tell Rick about the wedding. What happened at school that day still bothers him, he's worried a lot about what happened to Daryl."

Even though she has no real reason to feel bad, Mama's ashamed she didn't think of it sooner, "My goodness, this has all happened so suddenly I haven't been thinking. Lori, you and Rick are invited to the wedding. The service is at noon. We're having lunch afterwards and we'd love to have you two here. Oh, and Carl too of course, he and young Hershel can entertain each other."

Lori's all smiles, "Really? Are you sure?"

Beth takes her arm, "Yes Lori, please. You and Rick should come. I want you here and I think it would be nice for Daryl and Rick to see each other after all this time."

Beth has one more call to make after Lori leaves, Jesus. She catches him just before he and Aaron leave for work at their martial arts studio. She tells her friend an abbreviated version of the story, then tells him of the wedding plans. He's stunned and asks, "You're sure? I mean, you've thought about this Beth, that this is forever?"

"Yes. Jesus I've been thinking about marrying Daryl for 10 years and we weren't apart because we wanted to be. Bad things happened but now we're putting those things where they belong, in the past. We don't want to lose another minute of the time we can have together. In fact, we're going to try hard to make up for the time we've lost."

"You make it sound perfect Beth and you know if it's going to bring you happiness, then I'm happy for you. Aaron and I will make arrangements to have someone cover us at the studio. We love you and we can't wait for tomorrow."

She just has time for a quick bowl of cereal before Daryl arrives promptly at nine. They stay only long enough for him to greet everyone, exchange some niceties and thank them for all the work they're doing on his and Beth's behalf. Then they're on their way.

The first stop is the clerk's office for a wedding license. They have their documents and the office isn't busy this Tuesday morning, they're done in half an hour.

They get back in his pickup and for a few minutes they just sit looking at the document. He smiles at her, "We did it Beth. We're gettin' married tomorrow, you're gonna be Mrs. Dixon. Ya still want that?"

She shakes her head, "You know I do Mister Dixon. I've been wanting to marry you for most of my life."

They hug and he kisses her, but not too much passion is displayed. They're in a public parking lot and that's just not his style.

He asks, "You want me to take you to the mall or somewhere for a dress?"

She smiles, "No, I won't need to get anything. I've decided to wear something I already have."

His brow wrinkles, "You sure? I can afford to buy you the dress you want Beth. I'm happy to do it."

"No, it's okay. It's not the money, but thank you Daryl. I'm very happy with the one I have, it's special and I think you'll like it too."

He smiles, "I'm sure I will. I like ya in anything, or nothing."

It embarrasses them both, but they laugh and she says, "Stop that Daryl. Now what's this place you're taking me to?"

He starts the pickup, smiles over at her again and teases, "You'll see."

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A/N We didn't quite get to the wedding yet, but we're headed that way. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and that you'll leave a comment. As always, there's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please check it out. I hope to see you all back here next Friday for more of, "I'll Walk With You." Until then stay safe and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee