A/N Thank you all again. Guess what, we might actually have a wedding this chapter. First though, we have other business to take care of. I hope you enjoy!
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"So, where exactly are we going Daryl?"
"Not far, 'bout a forty-minute drive. I got a little cooler in the back with water n coke and some snacks. You want anythin' else before we go?"
She gives him a partly flirtatious, partly suspicious side-eye when she answers, "No, it sounds like you thought of everything for wherever the heck we're going. Are you going to tell me where that is?"
He's smiling but also nervously biting at his bottom lip, "Nope." Now she's even more curious, but she'll let him keep his secret for now.
They chat as they're riding along and she tells him about all what Mama and Maggie are up to today and the pizza dinner this evening. "It all sounds real good, and pizza always sounds good. I feel guilty though, like I oughta be helpin' do sumthin'."
"Me too, but Mama says we shouldn't have to do the work for our own wedding and she does have lots of really good helpers. Amy's there."
"Oh yeah? I'm looking forward ta seein' her and Caesar."
Daryl's holding up his side of the conversation but it's not easy. His mind is somewhere else. At one time he had some big dreams about Beth and him and this place. Those dreams got crushed six years ago. He'd given up on them so completely that just this last week he'd decided to sell. He didn't think he'd ever really use it, why pay the taxes and the road upkeep?
If all he wanted was to spend a couple of nights alone in the woods there were plenty of places he could go for free.
Then yesterday everything changed so quickly, especially their big decision to get married. That started him dreaming again…maybe the little plan he'd cooked up so long ago could work.
He turns off the highway and after just a couple of hundred yards they're in a heavily forested area. It's not completely undeveloped though. There's a nice road cut in and graveled over, at least for most of their drive. It's not until they get within a mile or so of their destination that they branch off onto dirt track.
She's beginning to think he wants to show her where he'd like to take her for their honeymoon. Some camping spot he discovered. How sweet, he wants to make sure it's all right with her.
This last part of the ride's a little bouncy, but not too bad. Anyway, she's used to dirt track and gravel roads. She's a country girl. They go a short distance and something comes into view. It's an old cabin. She points and asks, "Is that where we're going?"
"Yep, that's it."
"What is this place?"
She sounds a little bit excited and that makes him smile, "C'mon, I'll show ya."
He pulls up in front of the cabin, puts the truck in park, hurries to her side and helps her down. "Let's have a look around and talk some."
She takes his hand and steps out of the truck, but again she asks, "Daryl, what is this place? Do you know the owner?"
"Yeah, c'mon." He's holding her hand and she can tell by the way he's griping it he's amped-up. So, even though she just wants him to stop this and tell her what's going on, she lets him lead her up the front steps and onto the porch.
The cabin has obviously been badly neglected, but she can easily imagine how at one time the porch might have been nice. It could probably be nice again if someone bothered to make repairs and then took care of it.
The setting couldn't be more beautiful. The trees, the plants and the wildflowers, the quiet whistle of wind through the trees, the sounds of birds chirping. She closes her eyes and a warm peaceful feeling seems to wrap itself around her.
She wonders again, who owns this place and why are they here?
He forgot, "Wait, wait here, lemme get the cooler. We can sit out here on the porch and talk."
"Daryl, you're making me crazy. C'mon now."
"I'ma tell ya as soon as I get us a coke."
He sets the cooler on the porch but before opening it, asks, "Ya wanna have a look inside?"
She does want to see inside, very much so. Her curiosity is piqued but she's still not sure what's going on, "Well I guess, if you think we should and you're sure it's okay."
"Yeah, I'm sure."
Like the porch the interior of the cabin has been terribly neglected. It doesn't take a genius to know it hasn't been lived in or cared for in years. There's trash scattered everywhere, the curtains are faded and torn, there's old rotting furniture, and she's pretty sure those are gunshot holes in the walls.
The main area of the cabin consists of one open room with a kitchen area to one side and what must be a living area to the other. There's one bedroom with a broken old bed and a small bathroom. Everything is such a mess, but she can't help imagining how cozy the little cabin could be. She softly bumps her body into his and asks, "Okay Daryl, we've looked around. Now are you going to tell me why we're here?"
"Yeah, right now, let's go sit out on the porch. It smells better out there."
They sit on the porch leaning their backs up against the railing, he reaches in the cooler, pulls out a couple of cokes and pops the tops. He hands her one, smiles and says, "There's some moonshine hidden under the floor of that old shed. If I didn't have ta drive us back we'd open a jar."
She looks at him with raised eyebrows and says, "Go ahead and have some, I can drive us back."
"Nah, I don't think so."
"Why? You don't trust my driving?"
"Oh I trust your driving, it's me drinking moonshine I don't trust. I can be a real dick when I'm drunk."
"Daryl," She shakes her head in mock disapproval, and then insists, "If you don't tell me why we're here I'm liable to go get in that pickup and drive home anyway. By myself."
"Alright, alright. I wasn't try'n to make ya mad, I just thought maybe it was a good idea if you had a look around first." He takes in a breath and continues, "When we decided to get married and talked about where we'd live, it got me thinking about an idea I once had."
She's beginning to get the picture. "Yes?"
"Remember I told ya about my Dad's moonshine cabin? This is it. I always thought the old man was just a squatter here, making moonshine and hiding out in an abandoned cabin. Then when he died the county got hold of Merle, it turned out the old man owned this place and me n Merle inherited it. My brother paid up a year's back taxes on it and that was that. We owned it outright, this cabin and five acres."
"Oh. Oh my gosh, well that's wonderful Daryl."
He nods, anxious to spit it all out now that's he's started, "Merle said he didn't want nuthin' ta do with it. He said he didn't need it and didn't have any use for it. I tried ta pay him for his half, but he wouldn't take money from me. He said he owed me for leaving me behind. So anyway, I stole his bankbook and paid off what he still owed on his motorcycle." He laughs when he admits, "Man, we had a big ass fight over that one."
"So your Dad built this cabin?"
"Nah, he got this place in some kind of shady deal, that's the only kind of deal my Dad ever got hisself involved in. Merle thinks it was sumthin' ta do with the shine and drugs, but we'll probably never know and I don't s'pose we really care. Anyway, the guy he got it from? He's the one who built this place, I guess it was some kinda of getaway place, sumthin'."
He's chewing his lip and nervously rubbing his chin, and then he finally tells her what's been on his mind, "So, I got five acres and a cabin that needs work. There was a time when I was first getting outta the institution I thought maybe you and me could live out here. But I was a dumb kid, what did I know? Anyway, lately I decided I'd just sell it. Now everything's changed again, we're getting married. It got me to thinkin', if you didn't think you'd mind living this far out, how about we just stay here? I could start working on it and maybe we could make it nice."
Her eyebrows raise, her mouth drops open a little and she exclaims, "Are you kidding? Fix this old place up and live out here?"
He doesn't blame her for thinking he's nuts and he starts talking faster, trying to explain, "Well I only meant if you wanted to. I mean, I was just thinking we could live in town in the trailer until I got the house done. This place has a good well and the septic seems to be in good shape. I'd have ta pay to have electric brought it. But anyway, it was just a thought."
He has her complete attention as he furiously gnaws his lip and continues, "I know the cabin seems rundown, but it's real well built. I's thinking ta make repairs to what's already here and then add-on a little. Maybe another couple bedrooms and a bathroom. Oh, and a mud room. A person would need one a them out here. But it's up to you Beth. I want you to want it or we'll just sell and we can buy a house in town."
Now she's biting a lip as she tries to put her feelings into words. "I know it sounds strange, but ever since I graduated from high school I've had a lot of trouble feeling like any place is really home to me. I just can't seem to settle in anywhere." She leans up and takes his hand and he scoots closer, "Then you brought me here and I knew I could stay here forever, that it was perfect. It's not just perfect for me either Daryl, it's perfect for us. Of course I want to live here."
His heart is beating fast with excitement, he can't quite believe they're going to do this, "Really Beth? Well then there ain't nuthin' stopping us. If you're sure, then we'll do it."
She's as excited as him, "Yes, I'm sure. Look at this place, it's beautiful. What I'm trying to figure out is why the heck you parked the trailer in an RV park. Why don't we just move it up here and live in it while we work? It's got propane and 12volt power, and you said there's water and sewer here. That's everything we need." She's anxious, excited and adds, "I'm handy you know, I can work on it too. Gosh, and there's a nice sunny spot right over there, I could even have a garden."
She smiles at him and asks, "When do we start?"
She's never seen his smile any bigger than it is when he scoots even closer, takes her in his arms and kisses her. He's still smiling when he says, "Damn I love ya girl. I can't wait ta do this with you."
She smiles back, "And then we'll have a baby."
"Hell yeah."
They hold hands as they sip their cokes and walk the property. Lost in the beauty, lost in their dreams and lost in each other.
They manage to get back to the farm by 4:30, and immediately begin apologizing for not getting there earlier to help. Maggie shakes her head, "We were glad you didn't show up. You'd just get in the way."
Amy walks in from the living room, sees Daryl and hurries over. They smile, hug and she tells him, "Gosh we've missed you Daryl. I'm so happy you're back and I'm so excited for you and Beth. You two getting married is the way it was always supposed to happen. Caesar is thrilled too. He's coming straight over from work; he'll be here about 5:15."
Daryl can't stop smiling, "Missed you too Amy, and just look, you got a baby on the way. That's good stuff."
She's practically giggling, "I know, just three more months! We can't wait. Caesar already has the baby's room painted and the crib put up."
Everyone else seems to have migrated toward the kitchen and there's lots of chatter and laughter, but neither Daryl nor Beth mentions a thing about their house plan. For now the wedding is the most important plan they have.
Patrick arrives with a huge stack of pizzas and they stay warm on top of the stove while plates and forks are set out and they wait for Caesar to arrive from work. It's not long before he walks in the kitchen door and the two old friends see each other.
Daryl feels the emotion well up in him and he worries he might have tears. He knew he missed his friend; he just didn't realize how much until he saw him again. Caesar must be feeling it too because the two do something they've never done before, they hug and slap each other's backs and say things like, "I missed ya man," and "We got alotta catching up to do."
It's Amy who lightens the mood when she says, "I don't know about the rest of you guys, but me and this baby are starving."
Shortly after the meal is consumed her Daddy says to him, "Daryl, I'd like you to come out to the barn with me for a minute."
Daryl doesn't think a thing about it except that the older man must need help with something. He follows him to the far corner of the building where Hershel pulls the tarp off the things he rescued from the old shed and trailer. Once again Daryl is nearly brought to tears. "Sir, I…this stuff, how did you…?"
Hershel shrugs, "I stole it." They share a laugh and her Daddy tells him, "I wanted to help you out somehow and it was the only thing I knew I could do, get your things. I know there's not much here, and you probably don't have any use for most of it, but I wasn't letting anyone else have it."
In that moment their relationship changes forever. Daryl sees this man in a whole new light. He'll never be just "Beth's Daddy" again, Daryl now realizes he and this man have their own bond.
He can't thank Hershel enough. It's true, the few clothes are long outgrown and most of the other things were never worth much to start with. They're worth even less now. But there are some treasures among the odds and ends.
There's his old crossbow, smaller and lighter than the one he now uses. It will be just right for Beth. A warm memory fills his heart at the sight of the notebook where he wrote, Beth Dixon, he'll treasure it. And pictures. He never had many and then he had none. Now once again he has a picture of his Mom and an old one of him and Merle.
It's been a good day but also a long day, and tomorrow will be his biggest, best and most important day. He doesn't want to leave her, but again he reminds himself, once they're married he'll never spend another night without her. They say their "I love you's," share one more kiss and she watches until his taillights disappear down the old farm road.
The Wedding Day
He's up even earlier than usual, and the first thing he does is scoot the mattress over a little, exposing the safe concealed in the wood foundation. He retrieves a small jeweler's box from inside, locks it again and repositions the mattress.
He's been carrying the little velveteen box around for years. It's worn from its travels, and from being stashed away in various hiding places. A time or two it even spent the night in his hand, held tightly as he drank himself to sleep. He opens the lid and the sight of the simple ring makes him smile. Yeah, it's good. It's Beth. Pure, simple and beautiful.
He makes himself breakfast because he knows it would be a mistake to go without, and when he's done eating he takes care of the job him and Beth talked about.
He loads the camping gear in the pickup, including two coolers. One for food, one for beverages. Everything from juice to beer. They'll stop at the store on their way out of town and fill them up.
He also includes fishing gear and the two crossbows and absentmindedly wonders if she'll still remember how to shoot. It doesn't matter if she's forgotten, he'll be happy to give her a refresher course.
When everything's secure he goes in the house to shower and dress for the biggest day of his life. He expected to be nervous, but he's not. He's excited and a little worried something could go wrong, but he's not nervous about making the promise. He loves her and he's waited so long for this. He just wants it to happen.
He neatly lays his clothes out on the bed. Dark slacks, a white shirt, his only tie and a nice sweater. Clothes reserved for attending a shipmate or workmate's wedding. It's the dressiest thing he's got and she assured him it would be perfect, "My dress isn't that fancy Daryl. We're getting married on a farm, not in a palace."
He trims his facial hair and a little hair out of his eyes, gets in the shower and no sooner steps out than he hears that familiar booming voice holler from the other room, "Don't come outta there nekked kid, I got my lady with me."
He calls back, "Merle you shithead," but he's smiling. His brother showed up.
"Be nice now little brother, I come a long way ta see ya."
He slips on pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. Opens the door and nearly falls down, "Carol?"
She and Merle are both on their feet and she's smiling at him, "I just knew it had to be you, how many Daryl Dixon's could there possibly be?"
They share an awkward embrace as Merle slaps them both on the back and laughs, "It's old home week in Clausenville!"
Daryl asks, "How'd ya end up down in Florida? Better yet, how'd ya end up with Merle?"
"It was about six months after you left and one day I just decided I wanted a change. Florida always sounded nice to me so I quit my job and took a management position with a restaurant down there. That's where I met your brother, it was about six months ago when he came in the restaurant for dinner."
Daryl can't quite believe it, but it's right there in front of his eyes, "I guess it's true what they say, small world. Well, cool, I'm happy ta see ya again. Sorry I left ya high and dry that way."
"Well it certainly wasn't your fault, and Hershel Greene called me right away and explained what happened."
Daryl nods, knowing now just how her Daddy really did take care of business.
He visits with them a few more minutes before saying, "Alright, well you two hang tight, lemme just get dressed."
"That's right little brother, ya get yourself all dolled up now. I like ta see ya lookin' pretty."
"Fuck you, Merle." "Sorry Carol."
Beth's up earlier than she planned. She was hoping to sleep just a little later. The aroma of morning coffee tells her, Mama didn't sleep either. She slides into her slippers, pulls on her robe and heads downstairs.
Just as she suspected, Mama's in the kitchen fussing over this and that and as Beth pours herself a cup she says, "Mama, come sit. Let's have a cup of coffee together."
Mama insists, "Bethie I don't have time for that. There are a million things to do."
Beth lays a hand on her arm and says, "Mama, this is the last morning I'm going to be living here with you. C'mon, we have time for a cup."
Mama turns to her with eyes glistening and says, "You're right baby, let me just pour myself a fresh cup, and by golly let's have the real cream too."
They sit together holding hands as they sip their coffee and talk about the many times over the years they've sat at the table. The holidays, the schooldays, the troubled days and the everyday days.
It's not long before they hear a car pull up, smile and say almost in unison, "Maggie." The three women take the time to sit at the table and visit over their coffee before the day becomes too busy.
Mama insists on making her breakfast, "I won't have my daughter faint from hunger on her wedding day!" Beth hasn't even finished eating but her Mother and her sister have begun to work. She wants to help but they refuse to let her work on her wedding day. She drifts back up to her room, thinking it would be better if she were busy, the morning would go faster.
Once in her room she turns to an old friend, her diary, and gets lost in writing about what this day means to her and the life she hopes to have with Daryl.
When she glances up at the bedside clock she's stunned at how much time has passed. She quickly makes her way to the bathroom to begin getting ready for the biggest day of her life. She bathes, washes her hair and does as good a job as she can trying to roll the damp hair in Mama's old curlers, hoping to tame her own curls.
She's heard stories about nervous brides and fainting grooms and yet she doesn't feel nervous. Not exactly. She's excited, and she hopes everything goes smoothly, and she's a bit anxious about meeting Merle Dixon.
As for the prospect of making a lifetime commitment to Daryl? She has no nervousness and no qualms. Her heart has been committed to him since she was 13 years old. Now it will be an official commitment in front of God and her family. Some say it's only a piece of paper, she can't wait to hold that paper in her hand.
She hears a vehicle pull in the long drive and a few minutes later Maggie and Amy show up at her bedroom door. They fuss over her dress and over her hair, they tell her how beautiful she is and tease her about the wedding night. She smiles because for a minute she really does feel like a princess, and the teasing is all in good fun.
They hear another vehicle in the drive and Maggie peaks out the window, "It's Lori, Rick and Carl. I'd better get downstairs and help Mama." No sooner are those words out of her mouth than they hear another car. Maggie looks again, "It's Jesus and Aaron."
She kisses her sister's cheek, says, "I'll be back for you when it's time!" And rushes out to help greet the guests.
Amy hugs her, kisses her cheek and smiles, "It's finally happening Beth, we're doing what we all agreed on that day we sneaked out for burgers and shakes. Caesar and I are married, you and Daryl are getting married and we're all going to be best friends forever!"
It's not long before she hears two more vehicles approaching. She knows who it must be. She pulls the curtain back just far enough to see, and just in time to see Daryl stepping out of his pickup. He looks so handsome. He always does, but today it's even more so. Maybe it's because the day is so special.
Daryl walks around to the other pickup and a man steps out. He looks something like Daryl, but far older. The man holds the door for a woman who exists the passenger side and Beth recognizes her, but can't place her at first. It takes a minute, then she remembers where she's seen the woman. It's Daryl's old boss from The Rancher's Cut.
Although she can't quite distinguish what's being said, she hears all the greetings, the introductions, the talking and the laughter. She hears a loud thundering laugh and knows immediately it must be Daryl's brother.
She's starting to think she's being left out of the fun of her own wedding when Maggie walks in her room and with a big happy smile says, "It's time Bethie."
The sisters lock arms and descend the stairs together, their Daddy waiting for them at the bottom. He leans in and kisses each of them on the cheek, then asks Beth, "Are you ready Sweetheart?"
"Yes Daddy, and thank you for everything."
Maggie hands Beth her bouquet, straightens her Father's boutonniere and leads the way, ten paces ahead of the bride and her Daddy.
Him and Merle are standing at the gate to the flower garden. Someone has wrapped garlands of flowers around the wood entryway and its beauty is not lost on the groom.
When Daryl sees Maggie exit the front door he takes in a long slow breath. He's been waiting ten years but the time has finally come.
It's only seconds later when he sees his bride and feels the smile take over his face. She looks so pretty in the simple white dress. The gentle drape of the fabric softly hugs her slim curves and the slight V of the neckline and the capped sleeves show off her creamy skin.
She's smiling back at him so happily, and that's enough to put to rest any nervousness he may have had.
His brother rests a strong steady hand on the groom's shoulder and quietly tells him, "She's just as pretty as ya said little brother."
The bride and groom face each other, Maggie standing next to the bride and Merle standing next to the groom, and her Daddy between them with a bible in his hands.
The small group of onlookers stand close by and even the children are quiet as Hershel says the words and the young couple are pronounced Husband and Wife.
They're both a little shy, but this has been too long a time coming for them not to share a romantic kiss. As they share their first kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Dixon the group erupts in cheers and applause, and the two little boys begin happily running around.
His brother hugs her and she almost feels like all the air is being squeezed out of her, and then he says, "I'm happy ta have ya for my sister Beth Dixon. You ever need anythin' from me I will not hesitate." And she knows he means it.
It's easy and comfortable, as if Daryl, Jesus and Aaron have been friends for years. He thanks them for being there for Beth, and he feels sure they'll all remain friends for many years to come. But it's meeting up with Rick again that really touches him. The Deputy actually begins by apologizing, "I'm so sorry for that day…"
Daryl interrupts, "No, you got nuthin' ta be sorry for. You were doing your job. I'm sorry I kicked ya." They share a laugh and some pleasant conversation and agree on a fishing trip real soon.
Daryl and Beth and Caesar and Amy make a date for burgers and shakes the very next week and Caesar laughs, "The difference is this time I'm grilling the burgers and Amy's cooking the fries. We'll all work on those shakes together.
It's a beautiful day and the wedding meal is just what they'd hoped for, homestyle and delicious. When the bride and groom cut the cake he laughs, "Y'all did it! It's chocolate."
Maggie tells him, "You can thank Mama for that."
Daryl looks at his mother in law and says, "I got so much more than cake to be grateful to ya for Mama Greene."
It's exceeded anything they could have hoped for. Surrounded by people they love who love them, making a lifetime promise to each other and the happiness of the day. As much as they haven't wanted to appear to be in a rush, they're anxious to spend a few days alone with one another.
After the cake she slips away to her room. She doesn't want to wear the wedding dress on a camping honeymoon. She changes into a pair of jeans, a casual t-shirt and boots. In her brother's room her new husband changes into his jeans, a t-shirt and an old pair of work shoes.
They say their goodbyes, share many hugs and kisses, and the groom notices the bride whispering something in his brother's ear. Then his brother nods and whispers something back.
As soon as they're done with the last of the goodbye waves, and out on the rural route, he takes her hand and asks, "What were you and my brother tellin' secrets about?"
She giggles and replies, "It wasn't secrets. I thanked him very much for not saying the 'F' word in front of my Mama, and for agreeing to wear the flower in his lapel. He said," She pauses, stifles a giggle, and then does her best to mimic Merle's gravelly voice, "I thought the flower really brought out the color of my eyes. As for the cussin', thank you for noticin' little sister. I put a lotta work into behavin' myself today."
He shakes his head and mutters, "Merle," but he can't help smiling. His brother came through for him today.
Now that they're alone it's her turn to ask a question, "Daryl, I love my ring, it's beautiful. I wasn't even expecting one. When did you find the time to go shopping?"
He takes her hand when he says, "It was just over six years ago, when I got outta that place. I was walking to the bus station to catch the bus here. I passed by a little jewelry store and it was like something called me in. I saw the ring and just knew it was the right one. I had it in my pocket and I's ready to ask you to marry me as soon as I saw ya, but...well it didn't happen then but it happened today, and I'm happy."
She makes him pull the pickup over and kiss her.
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A/N I hope you enjoyed visiting the cabin and attending the wedding. Please leave a comment. There's a photo on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick if you'd like to have a look. I hope to see you all back here next Friday for the final chapter of I'll Walk With You. In the meantime, if you celebrate Easter I wish you a Happy one. If you celebrate Passover I hope you have been able to do so with family. I wish all of you a great week ahead, and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee