Chpt 19: Not a Minute More
Beth finds Daryl on their little deck. Pauses when she sees him. "Were we supposed to dress up tonight?"
"Why ya' say that," he asks… But he's fully aware of exactly what she's talking about.
" 'Cause you're wearin' your "good" jeans," she air-quotes with a sweet natured giggle. Truth is, the way he looks leaning against the railing with all that casual confidence he exudes, has her contemplating skipping dinner altogether. Black jeans, steel-gray fitted button down, sleeves rolled up to expose tan muscular forearms…
"Took a shower when I got home. Thought I'd put on somethin' clean for dinner. Eric's kind enough to cook, so I thought…" he shrugs the rest of his answer.
"Well, I like it, Mr. Dixon. You look good enough ta' eat."
"Ain't got time fer that right now, girl" he says with a smirk, and Beth slaps him playfully on the arm. "You 'bout ready ta' go?"
"Well I can't go lookin' like this, now can I? Not when you look like that, anyway. Give me 10 minutes. I'll be ready."
"Hmmmm"
Twenty minutes later, Beth finds Daryl patiently waiting in the same spot on the deck. She is wearing a pretty, knee-length, light-pink sundress dotted with tiny white flowers and a white cardigan. Her hair is down and mostly loose, except for two small braids that frame her face and disappear into a little messy knot at the crown of her head. Daryl imagines her standing on the front porch at the farm, leaning against the post, watching the sun set. Prettiest damn thing he's ever seen. "Beautiful," he says and kisses her on the forehead. Takes her hand and spins her toward the stairs.
Aaron and Eric open the door rather dramatically. They're both all smiles, practically giddy, when Aaron makes a sweeping gesture beckoning Beth and Daryl through the front door. Beth giggles and asks if they've already dipped into the wine.
It's spaghetti and wine Wednesday. Beth and Daryl always eat with Aaron and Eric on Wednesdays. Tonight, the dessert is oatmeal and carrot cookies with icing. Not too bad considering a little less than a year ago, Beth and Daryl couldn't even count on a daily meal. They've come a long way in the last eight months.
The conversation is light and happy. Daryl doesn't say too much. No different than any other night, except Beth keeps catching him looking at her. Watching her interact with their two closest friends. He seems content, and his mood is downright jovial, so Beth lets it go for now. Eric announces, "it's the boys' turn to clear the table," so he and Beth retire to the living room. Aaron and Daryl are standing at the sink washing the dishes when Aaron bumps Daryl's shoulder and leans in close. Whispers, "Did ya' bring it with ya'?"
"Yeah, it's in my pocket."
"You gonna' ask her on the way home?"
"Thought I'd take her for a walk down by the pond. Ask over there."
"Per~fect," he sing-songs. "You should do it at the gazebo."
"Yeah, that's what I was thinkin'."
"You nervous?"
"Naw… She'll say 'yes'... I mean, she will… right?"
"You bet she will. I'm so happy for you Daryl. You two were made for each other."
"Yeah," Daryl says and looks over his shoulder at Beth. "Don't think I could survive without her."
They finish up the dishes, and Daryl plops down on the sofa next to Beth. Throws his arm over her shoulders and drops a soft kiss to her temple. Beth pulls her bare feet up beneath her and folds her knees across Daryl's thigh. Daryl thinks about how comfortable he has become with touch. Especially when it's Beth doing the touching. She's the one that taught him hands were not meant to cause pain. God gave us hands to soothe, to comfort, and to love.
"You two feel like a game of cards," Aaron asks around an overly exaggerated yawn.
"I don't know, honey," Eric says. "It's getting kind of late. Beth and Daryl might need to get home before too long."
They usually don't leave until closer to 9:00. Beth figures it's maybe only 7:00 or so, but she recognizes a hint when she hears one. "We probably should get goin'. It's already dark outside."
Daryl agrees and pops up off the couch like he's been pinched. Takes Beth by the hand and navigates her to the door.
"Sure is a pretty night," Eric says when they all make it to the front porch.
"Nice night for a walk!" Aaron comments enthusiastically. "You two have a good rest of your evening. We'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Beth kisses them each on the cheek, and she and Daryl head down the steps. When they make it to the street, Beth leans in close to Daryl. "What the heck was that all about?"
"Iunno," Daryl says with a shrug and pulls Beth along with him in the opposite direction of their home.
"Where we goin'?"
Daryl shrugs again. "Eric's right. Nice night for a walk."
Beth smiles at that and lets Daryl lead her in no particular direction.
The pond at the center of the community has a fountain in the deeper part that keeps the water from becoming stagnant. Like everything else here, it is powered by solar energy. Daryl had never seen anything like it. To be honest, he had never seen anything like this community, not up close and personal anyway. Not before the turn nor after. The fountain keeps the water moving and the algae at a minimum. Daryl discovered, quite by accident (but no one needs to know), that bluegill and bass enjoy the fountain as much as the Alexandrians. Turns out the fish are attracted to the oxygen and the circular current produced by the fountain's spray. He couldn't believe it when he first found out the pretty pond was actually stocked with largemouth bass and bluegill. Seemed too good to be true.
There is a big, circular gazebo in the middle of the pond that you can reach from either side by a long wooden walkway. Daryl first thought it looked like a waste of timber, but the longer he lives here, the more he appreciates it for what it is… A peaceful spot that's meant to be enjoyed. He and Beth have spent many early mornings with their bare feet hanging off that wooden walkway casting their lines.
Daryl thinks about how much his life has changed in the last two years. Oddly enough, it's not the walker apocalypse that stands out as the biggest change. His life was already a daily battle. He just became more useful once the turn happened. The thing that sticks out the most in his mind is, of course, Beth. For him, there is life before Beth, a life full of pain and constant drifting, and then there is life with Beth, a life full of family, purpose, and love. It's a damn mystery to him how he ever ended up where he is now.
"Ya' happy, Beth?"
"Yes, are you?"
"Never thought I could be this happy. Still can't believe ya' chose me."
"We chose each other. I love you, Daryl," she says and lays her head against his bicep. "Don't ever doubt that."
They walk a little further in silence. Beth can tell he has more to say, but she doesn't push. He'll tell her when he's ready. She trusts that about him. Sure enough, he clears his throat and unburdens his mind. "When we were hold up in that deer stand… right after we burned down that damn shack… We were all curled up together, hungry, and so fuckin' tired." He shakes his head against the overwhelming helplessness that he had felt back then. Angles them toward the wooden walkway at the pond, fingers tangled up with Beth's. "You were already asleep. Ya' looked so peaceful… like ya' didn't have a care in the world. Figured it had somethin' ta' do with all that faith you were always spoutin' off about. Got me ta' thinkin'… so I prayed. I closed my eyes and I prayed. I thanked God for you… I asked him ta' give me the strength and the smarts to keep ya' safe. Asked Him to help us find the others too. Then… I don't know… don't usually ask for nothin', but I must 'a been on a roll. I asked him to help us find a place where we could build a life together, ya' know? Some place safe and clean and pretty. Guess yer' rubbin' off on me, girl, 'cause a part of me wadn't all that surprised when I saw the houses… that pond."
"That's faith, Daryl. For sure."
"Yeah… and you." Daryl walks over to the railing at the center of the pond. Pulls Beth in front of him and settles her back against his chest. She leans against him and nestles her head in the bend of his neck the way she always does. It's comfortable and all together overwhelming at the same time.
"I love it here," she whispers, "but I love you more. If this place falls, as long as I'm with you, I'm home. You know that, right?"
"Yeah, I know. I love ya' more 'n anything, sweetheart… And I been thinkin'. I wanna' do right by ya', Beth. I wanna' marry ya'," he says, and Beth can feel the weight of his words in her chest. As she goes to turn, a box appears in her line of sight, wavy in her teary-eyed vision. "Whata' ya' say?"
Beth reaches for the blue, velvet box cupped in Daryl's hands. Inside there are two matching rings, each with three braided cords of white gold. Beth's fingers cover her trembling lip. "Daryl," she breathes on a choked whisper.
"Reminded me 'a you and that damn sweet little braid ya' always wearin'," he says as his nose ghosts across one of the braids at her crown.
Beth swipes at the tears freely flowing down her cheeks. "Where did ya'… I mean, when… how," she asks as she pulls the box to her chest and looks over her shoulder to find his eyes.
"When we were in Atlanta gettin' Carol back. Saw a store down by the hospital. Me and Merle went back while you was catchin' up with Maggie."
"Atlanta? Daryl, that was like a year ago," she says with something akin to awe in her voice.
"Guess I been thinkin' on it for a while now." His eyes are locked on hers, so full of love and hope, it fills her to overflowing.
Beth tucks her lip between her teeth and gives him the sweetest smile he's ever seen. "I wanna' be your wife, Daryl Dixon."
"Yeah?"
Beth nods emphatically and wraps her arms around his neck. "Yeah," she says and settles her lips against his. When they break apart, Daryl immediately recognizes that mischievous glint in her eye. The one that makes his brain say, "oh, shit," and his heart say, "hell, yeah!"
"What are you thinkin', Beth?"
"I'm thinkin' I don't wanna' wait a minute more, Mr. Dixon. I wanna' be your wife now… tonight."
Like always, Daryl is putty in her hands. "Let's go find the preacher man."
"Really!? Tonight?"
"Hell, yeah, girl! I didn't put my good jeans on fer nothin'."
Beth hops up and down on her toes. Tells him she loves him, loves him, loves him, and peppers his mouth with kisses. Daryl is feeling half giddy himself when Beth grabs his hand and pulls him with her at a trot. Father Gabriel is all smiles when he answers the door. Tells them in his calm, quiet voice he will meet them at the pond in 20 minutes. They find Maggie and Glenn next. Maggie squeals and pulls Beth into a big hug. Hugs Daryl too, maybe a little tighter than he is comfortable with but, "what the hell," he thinks, "I'm getting' married!" Maggie says something about getting busy planning a wedding, but Beth shakes her head. Tells her and Glenn to get dressed and meet them on this side of the pond in 30 minutes.
They sprint next door, hand in hand, to tell Merle and Carol. Merle whoops at the top of his lungs and swings Beth around in a big circle. Claps a hand on Daryl's shoulder and says, "Ya' done good, Lil' Brother. Blondie here is one of a kind... and so are you. Ya' deserve ta' be happy. Ya' both do".
Carol has her arm around Beth's shoulder. Squeezes her tight when the brothers step out of their hug, both men swiping at their eyes. Carol says she will let the rest of the family know and shooshes them off to get ready for their wedding. Rick and Michonne are on guard duty at the gate. Merle tells them with a wink, he'll call in a favor or two and get their shifts covered. Beth and Daryl circle back to Aaron and Eric's. The door flies open before they make it all the way up the stairs to the porch. There are more quick hugs before Beth and Daryl are finally heading back toward the pond.
Daryl stops when they reach the foot trail leading to the edge of the pond. He drops Beth's hand, and tells her to "hang on a sec," while he inspects the colorful overgrowth of wildflowers that paint the hill. Beth's heart fills to bursting as she watches him carefully pick a bouquet of Goldenrods, pink Nerine Lilies, and Wild Baby's Breath. He carefully bunches them together, blending and arranging the blooms until he is satisfied with the bunch. He pulls out his knife and trims the stems. Ties them up neatly with a long piece of twine he borrowed from Aaron. It's the most beautiful bouquet Beth can ever remember seeing. She's crying again when Daryl shyly presents them to her.
Father Gabriel is waiting at the foot of the wooden walkway with a genuine smile when they arrive. Together the three of them make their way to the gazebo in the center of the pond. The moon is nearly full, set high in a black sky clear of clouds. There is just enough light from the moon to streak the pond and highlight the ripples from the fountain. The solar lamps that line the gazebo and its walkway bounce off the water and illuminate the whole thing from above and below as if God himself hung tea lights just for this occasion. Father Gabriel asks them a few personal details and gathers their preferences for the ceremony. But it isn't long before their family starts to gather along the walkway, keeping at a distance for now.
"You ready," Father Gabriel asks.
Daryl lifts their tangled fingers and places a soft kiss on the back of Beth's hand. "We're ready."
They take their place on one side of the gazebo while Father Gabriel beckons their family and friends to join them. Their smiling faces fill in the space behind the bride and groom. Rick and Michonne, Carl, Judith, and Noah sit on the floor while Maggie and Glenn and Carol and Merle stand in the back on the wooden bench next to the rail with an unimpeded view. The others are situated in the in-between, some spilling out onto the walkway on either side. It took some doing, but everyone is here including Dr. Denise, Reg and Deanna, and a couple of Daryl's buddies from patrol.
Father Gabriel garners everyone's attention and welcomes them to the gathering. Beth slides her hand beneath Daryl's bicep and together they turn to face the preacher man. "First, thank you for being here. This long awaited yet spontaneous union is the most pleasant of surprises. Tonight, on this picture-perfect evening, the promises of two people as much in love as I have ever witnessed, become a permanent bond. Best friends are united as husband and wife in the eyes of God and with the blessing of every single person who loves them. This evening is not about the words spoken or the vows exchanged between Daryl and Beth. This evening is entirely about the love story that is being uniquely written by the two of them.
I asked Daryl and Beth, not 10 minutes ago, to give me some words to describe their love. This is the list. Love is genuine, honest and open, compassionate and kind, gentle, respectful, attentive, passionate and blind. Love is hope, forgiveness, protection, trust, and faith. It can't be delineated by space or time because it is all encompassing and goes on forever. Reading through the list, I would say they nailed it. Simply put, as Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthians, love bears all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. Love never dies.
It is obvious Daryl and Beth love each other clear down to their bones. It is evident in every look, in every touch, in every grunt and in every smile when they are together. It is important too, to recognize they also love one another as friends, best friends. Their love, their deep seeded friendship and the love and support of friends and family, will sustain them as they continue their journey together."
Father Gabriel nods to Daryl and Beth, and they turn to face each other. Their hands automatically join across the narrow expanse between them. "Daryl Wayne Dixon, do you take Elizabeth Leigh Greene to be your wife?"
"Yeah… yeah, I do," he says with a nod, eyes locked on Beth's.
"Do you promise to love her, protect her, care for her, and walk through life side by side with her until the Lord decides to call one of you home?"
"Yeah, 'course I do."
Beth echoes Daryl's promises, bouncing up and down excitedly on her toes. "Yes, yes I do," she says with the biggest, most beautiful smile painted across her face. They place the braided circles on each other's fingers. Father Gabriel calls the rings a symbol of their love, a circle of braided gold with no beginning and no end. As soon as the rings are on, Daryl leans in and kisses his bride, not bothering to wait for Father Gabriel to give him the signal. Everyone chuckles when Gabriel clears his throat theatrically and the two lovebirds finally part lips.
"Daryl… Beth… It is my honor and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife. You want to kiss her again?"
Daryl grunts at the preacher man and sends him a less than lethal glare. Beth giggles and Daryl can't help the genuine smile that spreads across his face. He takes Father Gabriel up on his offer and wraps Beth up in a sweet lingering kiss. Everyone is clapping and cheering and wiping wayward tears from their cheeks. Daryl takes the opportunity to kiss his wife again.
Rick is the first to make it to the newlyweds. He wraps him in a hug. Says, "I'm happy for ya', brother. You deserve this. Ya' both do." He kisses Beth's cheek and swipes at another tear. Once Beth and Daryl make it through the crowd, they are just about to wave goodbye when Beth hollers for Merle and Rick. She pulls a couple of blooms of each color from her bouquet and hands them to Daryl. "Hold on ta' these for me? I wanna' wrap 'em in wax paper and dry 'em so they'll keep. Can I borrow your knife?"
Daryl takes the blooms and opens his pocket knife for her. Beth undoes the bow and cuts the twine in half. Divides the bouquet into two small bunches. Hands one to Daryl and has him tie the twine around it while she does the same to the other. Rick and Merle are wordlessly watching the two work in tandem, slowly figuring out the game that is afoot. Beth takes a bundle in each hand and presents them to the two men. "I didn't wanna' toss 'em so I thought I'd just hand 'em to the two of you. You gotta' grab on ta' the ones ya' love and hang on for dear life. In the end, love and how we lived it is all that matters."
Both men are speechless. Merle sniffs and turns ta' Rick. Claps him on the shoulder. "Blondie's got a point, Officer Friendly. Maybe me and you otta' listen."
"Maybe so," Rick says. "Maybe so."
Daryl takes Beth's hand and they back a few steps down the wooden walkway before turning and trotting the rest of the way. When they hit the street, Daryl stops and scoots in front of Beth. Hands her the pink, yellow, and white blooms. Turns and bends his knees a bit in a shallow lunge. "Hop on."
"You serious," she asks with a chuckle.
"Serious piggyback, Mrs. Dixon. Hop on, girl."
Beth snuggles in close to Daryl's back and wraps her arms around his chest. "I love you, Mr. Dixon," she whispers in his ear.
"You better," he teases, " 'cause yer stuck wit' me for sure now." When they get to the bottom of the stairs leading up to their home over the garage, Beth slides down Daryl's back and tangles her fingers with his. Leans her head against his shoulder. "What a' ya' thinkin' about, babe?"
"I'm thinkin' I'm one lucky sumbitch'. Never ever would a' dreamed this could be my life. You changed ever'thing, Beth. Ya' changed me. I meant ever'thang I said back there. I'm gonna' love ya', and protect ya', and be yer partner 'til my last breath."
"I know. You should know that you changed me too. Ya' make me brave. Ya' fill me up with love, Daryl. And I'm gonna' love ya', and protect ya', and be yer partner 'til my last breath too."
He kisses her softly, reverently. Rests his palm against her neck and kisses her again. Lays his forehead against hers and takes in a deep shuddering breath. When he pulls away to look at his sweet bride, his Beth, there is so much love staring back at him it nearly buckles his knees.
They climb the stairs lazily, hand in hand. When they reach the door, Daryl turns the knob and swings it open wide. Sweeps his hand behind Beth's knees and lifts her effortlessly into his arms. Carries her over the threshold and kicks the door closed behind him. He doesn't stop until Beth is laying on the bed in front of him, hair fanning out around her head like a halo.
Their first time together as husband and wife is slow and deliberate. They are unselfish in the way they make love, much like the way in which they live and love daily. Beth is wrapped around Daryl's arm, snuggled in close to his side. She is watching the fingers of her left hand dancing in the air. "It's so beautiful, Daryl. I couldn't have designed a more perfect ring myself. Reminds me of angel wings."
Daryl lifts his hand to inspect his matching ring. "Yeah, I knew it was the one when I saw it."
Beth rolls to face him, and Daryl lifts his arm to accommodate. She props herself up on his chest and pins him to the mattress with the intensity of her gaze. "I love you so much, Daryl Dixon. Whatever happens, we handle it together, right?"
"Always, sweetheart"
A/N: One more chapter will do it! This has been so much fun to write. Thank you for reading. Reviews are most appreciated.