A/N Thank You and Happy New Year! Our couple has just shared a lovely wedding and wedding night. Now what? Well, a lot. I hope you enjoy!
00
He wakes sometime in the night with his arm laying across her small body. He's a little disoriented at first, but the confusion quickly fades and he's overcome with the warm and happy realization of where he is and who's in his arms. His Sweetheart, his wife.
Her skin feels cool and he pulls her closer to his warm body, pulling the cover up over her slim shoulders. She moans softly as he snuggles his face into her hair, kissing her blonde curls. Then he realizes something else. Something not nearly so pleasant. They're a mess.
Their lower bodies are covered in dry blood, right along with the proof of their pleasure. He kisses her again before propping himself up on one elbow and whispering, "Sweetheart. Sweetheart?"
She moans again as her body scoots closer to his, seeking his warmth. She's just as disoriented as he was and without opening her eyes she sleepily asks, "What?"
He hates to do it but this isn't going away, besides maybe they'll have a little fun, "We need ta get up and get in the bathroom Beth. We gotta get cleaned up, then we can come right back ta bed and you can sleep all ya want."
When he reaches his arm over and turns on the bedside lamp her eyes closer tighter, "Daryl that's mean."
He laughs softly and responds, "I ain't tryin' ta be mean Sweetheart but we don't wanna leave this stuff, especially not on your tender skin. C'mon, let's get cleaned up and get ya back ta bed."
Her brows furrow and she asks, "Together? In the bathroom together?" And he sees the color in her cheeks.
He kisses her forehead and reminds her, "Sweetheart, we've already seen each other naked there ain't nuthin' left ta be shy about, besides we got no secrets. Have ya forgotten when I helped ya use the bathroom?"
He's surprised to see her turn even redder, "Well I…but it's…I'm not sure why but it seems embarrassing."
"Alright then, if it'll make ya happy I promise ta try not ta notice how pretty ya are." He practically leaps from the bed and now she's wide awake and staring at him. She finds her husband's masculine body so attractive and so sensual, how can she help feeling the warm tingle of desire as she studies his manly physique.
He picks her up in his arms, pulls her close and states, "If ya won't come willingly, I guess I gotta get ya there any way I can."
The way he so easily scoops her up in those muscled arms proves to her once again, her husband is all man. There's no denying his strength or his power, and yet he holds her so tenderly. Still she makes a weak effort to resist, "Daryl! I…," But it feels too good and instead of scolding him she finds herself wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his chest.
Once in the bathroom he sets her on her feet and smiling suggests, "We could both probably fit in that shower…together."
She feels herself gulp as though she's consumed an entire glass of water in one swallow. She catches her breath and questions, "Together? Both of us at the same time? In a shower?"
She's so sweet and her shyness only makes him want this with her even more, "It ain't like we're doin' anythin' wrong girl, we're just washin' up together is all. C'mon now, Beth. I'm your husband, you're my wife. It'll be fun. I promise."
Looking at him now reminds her of the first time she saw him. Those eyes of his are still just as blue as a flint stone. They got to her then and they're getting to her now. How can she say no? Instead she asks, "Doesn't it hurt when that water hammers down on your skin?"
His lips curl into a small smile. He knows she's going to agree, she just wants to be coaxed a little more. His arms encircle her and he pulls her close when he promises, "Nah, it don't hurt. It's like a soft rain and it'll be better for cleanin' this mess up than soakin' in a tub would be. Besides, ain't I told ya a buncha times, I ain't ever gonna let anythin' hurt ya."
Once they're in the shower together with the warm water gently pouring down on them Beth begins to relax, and as soon as she relaxes she begins to enjoy this experience with her husband. Very much. As it turns out, not only does the shower clean them, but it cleans them in a most delightful way as they wash each other's bodies.
By the time they hurry back to the bedroom, with him carrying her in his arms once more, they're so filled with desire they don't want to have to change the sheets. But it has to be done and they do it together, and in record time. He promises, "We won't hafta do this every time."
They're giggling by the time they jump between the sheets and this time their lovemaking is so much more relaxed and so much more playful. When they reach the point of complete surrender they're blissfully satisfied and fully exhausted.
He's not one to make the same mistake twice. He kisses the top of her head promising, "Be right back Sweetheart," and hurries to the bathroom. He cleans himself up and prepares a warm cloth for her, and he thinks about the chances he's taking.
He hasn't been being careful. He knows better. Unless he wants a baby real soon he's going to have to either start pulling out when his finish comes, or he's going to have to start using rubbers. Neither of those things appeals to him in the least. She's his wife and he wants to be fully with her. Dammit.
He doesn't share those thoughts with her. It's not hers to worry over. He's the man and it's his responsibility to take care of these matters, and to take care of her. So he doesn't mention anything, he only brings tender love as he gently cleans her with the warm cloth.
When the cloth is in the basket and he's back in bed with her they lay side by side. He's holding her hand as he tells her, "I love ya Beth. Get some sleep now."
She replies, "I love you too Daryl," but then adds, "I don't know if I can sleep though, I'm so hungry. Is it okay if I have something to eat?"
"Is it okay? Beth, this is your home. Everythin' here is yours. You eat what ya want when ya want, and if there's ever anythin' we don't have ya tell me and I'll get it for ya. C'mon now, let's go get ya fed. I could eat myself."
They rise and for the first time she slips into her new satin nightgown. He smiles at the sight of her and teasingly warns, "If ya keep on lookin' so good we might never get any food or rest."
After a very eventful night Sunday morning comes. They discover they've slept in later than either of them ever has, it's 8:30 in the morning. That's not a problem though, they're in no hurry. This is their day. The one day they have together, just the two of them alone here and enjoying each other.
Winter has officially arrived and brought with it a definite chill in the air. He holds her robe while she slips her arms in the sleeves. While she steps into her slippers he slips into flannel pajama bottoms and a flannel shirt.
He asks her to watch him as he builds a fire in the woodstove and then the cookstove. "I know ya done it lotsa times in the past, but they all got their little differences. This old cookstove, it's a dandy, it's easy ta get your fire goin'. The woodstove is a little more temperamental. If the box gets cold it has ta be babied along."
He winks at her when he adds, "I usually make a habit of gettin' up in the night and stokin' it. I can't understand why I didn't think ta do that last night."
She only shrugs and shakes her head at him in response.
She's yet to unpack her Mother's things, wash them and put them away in the big kitchen cabinet. She didn't feel it was proper to do so until she was officially his wife and this became her home. They'll be using whatever things he has today.
He checks in the icebox and smiles, "Our weddin' guests left enough food that ya won't half ta cook for a week."
She nods as if in agreement. She looks forward to cooking for Daryl and there's not a chance of her serving him the same old thing every night. That ham will take on new life as ham and potato casserole, creamed ham and peas on biscuits, ham and beans with cornbread, and so much more.
He takes some of the leftovers from the icebox and remarks, "Looks like I'ma need ta stop and get a fresh block of ice on Tuesday. That'll put me twenty minutes late gettin' home."
She knows how hungry her husband is after work, she'll have his dinner ready "Alright, I'll plan on that."
"And tomorrow's the day I stop at the laundry in the mornin'. You gather up whatever ya got that needs ta go."
"Why Daryl? I saw the washing machine. I can do our laundry right here."
His tone is firm, "No. I don't want ya puttin' anythin' through that wringer. Women and children mangle fingers, hands, arms all the time in them things. If anyone ever comes up with an automatic machine I'll see about gettin' ya one. Til then I help ya and we use the Chinese laundry."
It seems silly when they have a perfectly good machine right here, but his tone leaves no room for argument. She won't go against her husband's wishes, she quietly agrees, "Yes, alright Daryl, if you think that's best."
He doesn't want to be a bully or act like he's her boss man, his tone softens as he explains that, "I ain't try'n ta be bossy with ya Beth, I just ain't willin' take chances with ya gettin' hurt."
They eat heartily and then dress for a walk. She's smiling with excitement, she's anxious to see the property however, he has some concern. He's no doctor but he saw plenty of injuries during the war and he's fully aware her ankle is still bad. He believes it will get somewhat better with time, and he makes a point to give her plenty of encouragement. But he's sure it will never be quite right.
She'll probably always have a slight limp and maybe she'll be a little limited in how far and how fast she can walk. He feels bad for her but he won't mind helping her along or carrying her when she needs him to.
He's got a pistol tucked in his jacket pocket just in case they encounter any particular danger, but he didn't bring his rifle and he didn't bring his bow. This isn't that kind of walk. He's only interested in sharing with her the beauty of this land they share.
He's walked the property hundreds of times and never has he needed to stop and rest, but this day he's got more on his mind than just himself and he stops many times so she can rest. They sit and he shares with her stories of his adventures on the land. He tells of clearing it to make room for their home, the hunting trips and the walking around trips, and the many times he just wanted to get out and breath the air trips.
She smiles at her husband. She knows why they keep stopping. She knows her ankle is never going to heal properly. She knew that almost from the start. She's certain he knows that too, but they're not going to talk about it now. She simply makes her promise to him, "I'll never stray far from the house without you Daryl."
He leans in, kisses her lips and makes his own promise, "I'll take ya walkin' anytime ya wanna go, anywhere ya wanna go."
Although she grew up on a farm she is not so well-versed on what grows wild, what's edible and what to stay away from. He shares his knowledge with her but asks, "Please don't try nuthin' on your own, show it ta me first. I don't think any of this stuff is gonna kill ya, but it could make ya mighty sick or ya could break out in a bad rash."
"Don't worry, I'm not that adventurous. I'll always ask you."
When Monday morning comes he wakes to find her already up. The fires are burning and breakfast is on the stove. She smiles when he walks in the kitchen and says, "Good morning Mister Dixon, are you ready for some coffee?"
All he can do at first is stand there and ask himself, how the hell he got so lucky. He walks to her and kisses her cheek, "Yeah, I'd like a cuppa coffee. Thanks Sweetheart. Can I help?"
"No, you do what you need to. Your breakfast will be ready in five minutes, your lunch is packed and in your lunchbox."
He kisses her cheek again and whispers, "You're gonna spoil me."
"I'm just doing my job." Then tells him, "I enjoy doing things for you. I know how blessed I am to have such a good man."
They linger over their goodbye kiss, both wishing they could have more time together, alone. Maybe someday but for now he has a family to support.
She goes in the bathroom, washes and dresses and then sets about her day. She cleans the kitchen, sweeps in front of the woodstove and the cookstove, makes their bed and tidies their room. She's working fast, she has a task she's been looking forward to so much.
Finally, she begins to unpack her Mama's dishes, flatware and kitchen linens. Everything is just as she remembers. It's not fine china, it's just simple pale green glassware, and the flatware isn't fine silver, nor are the linens handmade and imported from Italy or Ireland. None of that matters because to her they're all indescribably beautiful, precious memories she feels so blessed to have.
She washes and dries every item, then cleans the big cabinet thoroughly from top to bottom before carefully storing the dishes and flatware inside. Rearranging them three times before deciding they look just right.
She'll wait to wash the linens. She promised her husband she would not run anything through the wringer, and she won't ask him to help with washing after he's worked hard all day. The linens will just have to keep.
The drive home seems longer to him than usual and he knows it's because he's so anxious to get home to her. When he walks in and sees her he can't help but smile, he knows he'll never see anything or anyone as pretty as Beth.
It's not that she's fancied herself up. She's wearing a dress and apron he's seen her in many times. Her ponytail is slightly off center and there's not a speck of makeup on her face. None of that is important because her cheeks are flushed pink from the heat of the cookstove and her eyes twinkle happily when she says, "I'm so glad you're home. I missed you today."
It's simple, beautiful, perfect.
As he leans in and places a soft kiss on her cheek he says, "I bet I missed you more."
He doesn't mind at all the part about sitting and holding each other's hand while they say grace, it's fine with him. All except the part about her believing that it's him who should be leading the prayer, "You're the man of the family Daryl."
He is and he doesn't want to deny her this simple request. He knows it means something to her, "Be patient with me Beth, I'll work on it."
That's all she needs to hear, that he's going to try. She's always heard women say, "men don't notice anything." Her husband does. She's delighted when he says, "These are nice dishes, your Mama's, huh?"
She smiles, "Yes."
He adds, "They make a pretty table Beth and I see ya got em in the cabinet. It all looks real nice." Then she's reminded that he is indeed, a hardworking man, "So does dinner, let's eat."
She knows he doesn't really care about such things as what the dishes look like, but he knows she cares. It's one of the many things she loves about him, he has a kindness to him he's not even aware of. "I hope you like creamed ham."
He's chewing a big bite when he swallows and answers, "It's hittin' the spot just right. Thanks Sweetheart."
He's noticed something though. Her limp has been far more pronounced this evening, and he saw her wince when she carried the biscuits to the table. She's been on her feet too much, doing too much. Before they get up from their seats he reaches for her ankle and gently sets her foot on his leg. He massages the slightly swollen ankle and mildly scolds, "There ain't nuthin' around here that won't wait ta get done, ya gotta take it easy. Ya ain't healed yet Beth."
They go to bed early; they have good reason to. They've been missing each other's bodies. They make love and he forces himself to be careful not to get her in the family way, he's been being careful since he scolded himself this past weekend. Afterward they lay close, holding hands and ready for sleep when out of the blue she asks him, "How many children do you want Daryl?"
Shit. He has no idea. He never planned to even have one. He's not sure how to answer so he asks back, "Well how many do you want?"
"I could be happy with just two, but I think I'd like three or four. Maybe even five."
Now he's really stymied, but the words that come out of his mouth sound like he's joking, "I ain't sure we can get five beds in that spare room. Maybe three tops."
She thinks he's kidding and giggles, "We'll find room."
Daryl's unsure how he feels, is it selfish to just want her? To just want the two of them to be together, not worrying about anyone else.
00
Over their first several days as a married couple they've slipped into a routine. They both find comfort and happiness in that. Their country and their world is experiencing a great economic depression. These are difficult times for many, impossible times for others.
They feel blessed to have their piece of ground, their home and each other. He hasn't mentioned it to her, he has no desire to worry his wife, but he's given plenty of thought to how they'd survive if he, like so many others, were to lose his job.
He feels sure they could survive. He can always find food right there on the land. He'd just have to find enough work to pay the yearly taxes and keep them in milk, flour, potatoes.
With those thoughts always at the back of his mind it comes as a pleasant surprise to him when one evening that week she mentions, "Daryl, come spring do you think we could plant a garden?"
At first he's unsure, maybe she means something else. He knows how much his sweet wife likes flowers, "A flower garden?"
She smiles, "Well that would be lovely too, but I was thinking of a vegetable garden. I think one would do nicely right behind the house. The soil is rich and if we till it up it should be perfect. We could grow tomatoes and corn, carrots and even potatoes. There are lots of possibilities. What do you think?"
It's as if she's been reading his mind, "I think it sounds like a real good idea. Why don't ya draw it out the way ya want and come spring, I'll get it ready for ya."
"I was also thinking about getting some chickens, just a few."
She has him smiling, "So I guess I'm buildin' a chicken coop then too, huh? I s'pose you're gonna want me ta get ya a cow next."
She's pursing her lips, trying not to laugh when she answers, "I would love that, but I don't think we have enough pasture."
This Saturday two weeks after their wedding is a day Beth may never forget.
The couple are busily getting ready for a big celebration. Their friends are due to start arriving at noon and preparations have been underway all morning, some even began last weekend.
Last Saturday morning Daryl dug a pit and then got busy turning many a downed tree into charcoal. This morning he got started early building a fire in the pit, and getting the coals just right before lifting the deer onto a homemade spit over those hot coals. With the help of a small motor the spit has been slowly turning all morning. Cooking the meat low and slow.
He's made a ring of rocks and readied more wood for a large campfire. There are bigger logs around the campfire spot for everyone to sit while they drink and visit.
Beth has made lots of corn pudding, a big pot of beans and potato salad. Abe was over during the week and told them Sasha was planning to bring deviled eggs. Daryl and Beth objected, reminding him it was supposed to be a thank you celebration. Abe just smiled and said, "Yeah, well you tell Sasha no, I'm scared to."
Carol's another one who insisted on helping. She's bringing succotash and macaroni salad. Sophia won't be coming with them, she's staying with the Horvath's for the night. There's going to be a lot of drinking going on, it's no place for children.
Daryl's got a huge barrel of beer and several jars of hooch. They've warned all the fellas ahead of time. If they're planning on getting pie-eyed they better have a sleeping bag with them. There will be no driving home drunk.
It's just after noon when the guests begin arriving. Carol and Merle are first and he's got several bottles of homebrew as well as a couple jars of hooch. Aaron and Eric arrive next with some sliced breads they got at the bakery and a bottle of corn whiskey they secured from a friend.
Abraham and Sasha turn up and Abe makes the introductions. Beth can see the woman is nervous, surely she feels out of place and Beth and Carol do their best to make her feel welcome.
Shortly after Abe and Sasha it's the doctor, Steven Edwards and his ladyfriend. Daryl's old army buddy and his wife come driving in, having entrusted the baby to the care of her Mother. The rest of the fellows from the boarding house arrive and everyone is in a cheerful mood and ready to raise a ruckus. The last to make his appearance is Dr. Eugene. Everyone is a little surprised when the awkward doctor introduces them to his date, a very attractive woman named Frankie.
No one has arrived empty-handed. There's an abundance of food and vast amounts of alcohol.
She and Daryl are sitting on a log like everyone else, surrounding the campfire. Her husband's hand is firmly clasped around hers as he drinks his beer while. The radio blasts and the drinking has reached great intensity. She supposes this could be what is meant when folks "blow off steam."
Whatever it is Beth has never seen anything like it. She knew there would be beer which she assumed they'd drink with their meal. She knows now just how wrong she was. No one's eaten a thing, but plenty of beer and hooch have been consumed.
She watches as a laughing Merle hands Abe a bottle of beer and tells him, "Get busy." The big redhead stands and Daryl starts chuckling, Beth has no idea why. The big fellow tilts his head back and the bottle up, and somehow he seems to simply pour the brew right down his throat without so much as stopping to swallow. The other men hoot and holler encouragement, and laugh and applaud at his beer drinking prowess.
Beth has never been around drinking and all she can do is stare in disbelief at the spectacle of their drunken friends. Several of them take up what must be a challenge. They attempt to drink a bottle of beer just as Abe has, including her husband who seems to be having a grand time as he downs the beer.
The more everyone drinks the more coarse the language becomes, right along with the subject matter of their conversation. She's stunned by the way they talk, and what she finds most amazing is the women who are present laugh and join in the "fun."
No one seems the least bit embarrassed or shocked by any of it. No one but her.
As the drinking continues and the music seems to get louder several of the guests get up and start dancing. She knows of the dances but never has she witnessed inebriated couples doing the jive or the shag. Then something happens and she's certain she'll never forget the sight of it.
It's Daryl's buddy and his wife and they're doing the jive. They're not doing too badly for two drunken people dancing on uneven ground. Then as the fellow hops and spins he loses his balance and falls flat on hisback. He has hold of his wife's hand and she falls on top of him.
They're laying flat on the ground now, but instead of trying to get to their feet they laugh and start necking passionately. Beth has to turn away from the sight when his hand slides up to his wife's bottom and he starts to squeeze and rub it, as if they're alone.
The part that has her really horrified is how several of the men and women are egging it along, catcalling, whistling and hollering for more.
The problem is, when she turns away from that spectacle she spots Aaron and Eric. They've wandered off in the trees but they're still clearly visible to her. Eric's back is pressed against a tree and Aaron's whole body is leaning into him. That's not all, Aaron is kissing Eric like Daryl kisses her when he wants more than just kissing. She's never seen such a thing and never really believed it happened. She believes it now.
After a goodly amount of such shenanigans several of the revelers appear to become suddenly ravenous, and they swoop in on the food like vultures. However, the eating doesn't appear to have deterred their drinking at all.
She's seen her husband sit and have a drink a beer or two. She's seen him drink some whiskey on occasion. Never has she seen him drunk, and she's certainly never seen him like this. Never has she seen anyone act like these people are acting. What makes it particularly unbelievable is she thought she knew all these men. They've always been such perfect gentleman, and now alcohol has caused them to lose both their minds and their inhibitions.
Eight o'clock rolls around and they're still at it. Everyone keeps drinking and there's an awful lot of kissing, suggestive talk and plenty of touching. Beth is the only sober one at the party and she doesn't think she can take a minute more of it.
She whispers in Daryl's ear, "I'm tired, I think I'd better go to bed."
He looks worried, "Ya ain't mad are ya?"
"No, no I'm not mad. Just tired."
Once in their room she takes a deep breath and tries to calm herself. She doesn't feel comfortable taking her clothes off, what if she has to get up and go out there for some reason? So she only removes her shoes and slips in under the spread, not wanting to crawl between the sheets while still dressed. She's only there a few seconds when she gets back up and locks the door, worried one of their drunken guests may accidentally stumble in.
As tired as she is there's quite a bit of noise and she finds herself having trouble falling asleep, but eventually exhaustion gets the best of her. She falls into a deep sleep until sometime very early in the morning when there's a tapping on the bedroom door. Her eyes open as she hears her husband call to her, "Beth, Beth, I'm sorry, lemme in, please."
She doesn't realize he thinks it was him she meant to lock out. As soon as she's got the door unlocked, he's in the room and shutting it behind him. He reeks of beer, whiskey and the campfire, and she thinks she might even smell a cigar. It's not that she doesn't want him to hold her, but the smells are making her a bit queasy and when her tries to hug her she says, "No Daryl, not now." Never did she think she would tell her husband no. He hoped she never would.
He misinterprets the meaning for her refusal and he promises, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean ta get so snockered. Please don't be mad. I's just havin' a little fun, that's all. It ain't gonna happen again anytime soon."
She repeats herself, "I'm not mad Daryl. I said I wasn't and I'm not. We'll talk when we're alone." She means what she says. She has questions she'd like to ask and things she'd like to talk about, but she's not mad at him.
What he thinks is that as soon as everyone has left he's in for a helluva tongue lashing. Shit, he might not even be allowed in their bed.
Carol and Merle are asleep on the living room floor. There's people out sleeping in their automobiles. Aaron and Eric even have a small tent. The most shocking sight is Dr. Eugene and the woman named Frankie. They have their bags zipped together and they're laying cuddled up beside the dying campfire.
Eventually the guests all rise, but they don't shine. They're not at all festive this morning as they gather up their things, help pick up their messes, thank their hosts and leave.
It's just the two of them now and he hurries to try and tidy up the messes that are left behind. When his bride begins to follow suit he tells her, "No, I'll do it Beth, you just rest."
She responds, "No Daryl, I can help clean up." He's more certain than ever, she's mad.
As if that weren't bad enough, his head is pounding, his gut is wrenching and all he wants to do is to crawl in bed. Preferably with her. But for now he thinks it's best for him to continue cleaning up, she's mad enough.
When it's all mostly cleared up he says again, "I'm sorry Sweetheart, and I just can't take havin' ya so mad at me."
"I'm not mad Daryl. I said I wasn't and I'm not. But I have made a big decision."
Oh shit, here it comes. Still he bites the bullet and asks, "What's that?"
"I need a drink."
As bad as he feels he can't help laughing when he asks, "Can we maybe wait and do that next Saturday night?"
"Yes, that's what I was thinking. We could sit out on the porch and have a drink and talk."
Never has he been more relieved. He wants to kiss her and hold her, but he knows what he needs to do first, "That sounds real good Sweetheart. I think I'll just go ahead and shower now."
And he's sure a light breeze could knock him over when she says, "That's very good news, and I'm coming with you."
00
A/N It was a good morning, a good party and nobody's mad. Thank goodness. Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I hope to see you all back next week for a drink with Beth. Until then, I wish you a Very Happy New Year, and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee