I do not own any of the TWD characters. More family fluff and fun.
Just Some Tourists
Daryl had finished up the kitchen and was now gathering some stray plates and glasses from the dining room table before he could wipe it down. It looked as if a bunch of school kids had eaten in there instead of a group comprised mostly of adults. Syrup was all over every nook and cranny of the table, dirty forks on the buffet, and a couple of waffle chunks on the floor. Okay, that was understandable since it was close to where Dre had been seated. And Negan. Damn. Could've been either one Daryl reasoned.
Andre was squeaky clean and had on a brand new set of clothes when he made his way to the living room attached to the dining room.
"Uncle Daryl" the little boy called.
"Yeh" Daryl answered him.
"Can I watch cartoons or something while you and Daddy get everything cleaned up?" Dre asked.
"Sure ya can" Daryl told him and he went into the other room to help the little guy find something. Actually, he just handed the remote over to him because he was fairly certain Andre could figure it out. Daryl heard Rick clanking around in the kitchen. He was scrubbing up all of the pots and pans that Daryl hadn't gotten to yet.
"Good grief. What a mess" Rick surmised.
"Yeh, she can tear a kitchen up" Daryl nodded in agreement. "Found a few dishes in the dining room I missed – we'll do em in the dishwasher this evenin."
"Sounds like a plan" Rick nodded. After a few minutes of the guys working together in silence, Rick turned to Daryl, "Beth seems really happy."
"I'd like to think she is" Daryl replied.
"You seem really happy too" Rick observed. "Guess married life agrees with the both of ya."
Daryl set to drying off the sheet pans and skillets completely before he found a place to shove them. He had no idea if he was actually returning them to the correct spot or not. He could tell that Rick wasn't finished talking.
"So" Rick began.
"So" Daryl repeated.
"Has Negan always been in the business?" Rick asked.
"The architecture business?" Daryl asked for clarification.
Rick looked into Daryl's eyes to try and get a read on him – make sure he wasn't being played. "Yeh, the architecture business" he finally answered Daryl.
"Well, yeh" Daryl answered. "Far as I know man. Why?"
Either Daryl honestly had no idea that there was more to Negan than met the eye right away, or else he was damn good at playin stupid Rick thought to himself. "He's sure crazy 'bout Beth ain't he?" Rick asked.
"He's said the same 'bout you" came Daryl's reply.
"Mmm" Rick said thoughtfully. "Guess we have something in common after all."
Andre entered the room at just the right time because Daryl felt a little weird right now, something he'd never experienced with Rick before. "We 'bout ready to go?" Andre asked.
"Yep" Daryl told him. "We sure are. Ya got a sweatshirt? And you're probably gonna need a toboggan on ya noggin."
Andre laughed. "You're so goofy Uncle Daryl."
"Yes he is Dre" Rick agreed with his stepson. "Yes he is."
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Again, Daryl knew that it was a very touristy thing to do, but Beth had really enjoyed the double decker bus tour. Of course they were making out most of the time, but still it was fun. It was a good way to take Rick and Andre to see a lot of places that were cool and stay on this side of the city at the same time. They could get off at the various stops and see lots of other things and it would cut down on the amount of walking they would have to do with a six year old. Daryl wasn't sure how long six year olds held up when walking city block after city block.
"We'll make our last stop at the Navy Pier before we head to Portillo's" Daryl told them. I want Dre to ride the Ferris Wheel and I gotta pick up something."
Andre loved the double decker bus ride. Even though the weather was cool they rode on top because that really was the best spot to be. Daryl pointed out, just as he had to Beth on their tour the first time she'd come to Chicago, all of the spots in town that Daryl's firm had had any influence on. They even went by the building where Daryl worked. Rick and Andre were equally impressed.
"Look up there Dre" Daryl pointed to the little boy "your Uncle Daryl's office is on the 15th floor."
"Whoaaa" Andre said. Rick chuckled at how easily Andre was amazed.
At each stop, they would get off the bus and Daryl would take them to a few spots specific to that neighborhood. And at each stop, people would mistake Rick and Daryl for a couple with a beautiful adopted African American son. Daryl eventually quit correcting everyone – fuck, he didn't care. Rick looked a little squeamish though. At one point, Daryl pulled Rick to his side and kissed him on the check and said something like "yeh, he's just the sweetest."
Once they'd made the entire loop - twice, Daryl texted Beth to see where they stood on meeting up.
Hey Baby D
Do I know you? B
Not what you said the other night. D
I'm teasing. How's the sightseeing going? B
Wrapping it up. Where are ya'll? D
We are finishing up at Wal Green's. Chonne needed wipes – long story! B
Watch for us – we're headed that way on a double decker bus. Andre has had a blast. D
Will do. Love you Baby B
Love you too. D
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The ladies were just walking out of the chain drug store when Beth spied the double decker bus pull up. She saw her man waving to her from his seat in the back. Andre was excitedly pointing at the McDonalds across the street. Beth and Maggie ran across the street with the stroller while Michonne and Annette took the crossing at a normal pace. Beth jumped into Daryl's waiting arms and planted a big sloppy kiss on his lips.
"Mmmmm" Daryl hummed. "Missed ya Baby."
"God" Rick sighed. "Ya just saw her a few hours ago."
Daryl grumbled at Rick. "It's been five hours and I didn't really get any private time last night if ya know what I mean." Daryl crooked his head towards Andre.
"What'ya mean Daryl?" Rick teased. "What's wrong with your neck?"
Rick put a kiss on his baby girl's fuzzy head and then gave Michonne a proper hello as well. "Ladies" he said to Maggie and Annette. "How'd the shoppin go?" he asked them.
"Oh, it was so much fun" Annette answered quickly. "I don't think I've been in a shop as fancy as that in all my life. And the dress Maggie bought for me! My goodness! Hershel Greene would probably roll over in his grave right now!"
Maggie laughed out loud. "Well, that makes it even better!"
"What 'bout you Chonne?" Rick asked her. "Ya get something sexy?"
Beth wasn't sure, but she thought Michonne may have been blushing. "Why yes I did. And you'll just have to wait until Friday to see it. And, you're Baby Bug is quite the sneaky one."
"That's not really news" Rick admitted. "What'd she do this time?" he asked looking directly at Beth.
"Nothin Rick" Beth said quickly. "I didn't do a thing. Chonne's bein silly. Let's eat. I'm dying for a beef sandwich. Andre, did you have a good time?"
With that, all eyes and attention turned to Andre and his retelling of everything he'd done and seen that day. He loved all of it but admitted to being scared to get on the Ferris Wheel.
"It was so big" Dre exclaimed. "I's 'bout to chicken out."
That's where the Cubs sweatshirts came in. And the Cubs baseball caps. And the Cubs beer cozies. Apparently, Andre nearly backed out of riding the Wheel so Daryl had to bribe the boy with a trip to the Cubs store afterwards if he'd get on. It cost Daryl two Cubs hoodies (one for Andre and one for Judith), two Cubs baseball caps (one for Andre and one for Carl), and beer cozies (those were for Rick). They also got Lila some Cubs footie pajamas and a Bears onesie. Michonne was a closet hockey fan, so Rick picked a Blackhawks jersey up for her.
"We got the ladies some treats too" Andre reported sounding just like his Uncle Daryl. "But, Uncle Daryl said it's for ya'll to take with ya on spa day" Andre announced.
Beth smiled at the boy. "Sounds like you had a really good time."
They'd all been here before – well everyone except Annette and Andre. Beth couldn't tell which one's eyes were bigger. The lunch rush was in full swing and the place was full. It was loud and busy and Andre was so excited. And Annette was just as excited or maybe even more so.
"Beth" her mother whispered to her. "I have no idea what to get. Will ya order for me?"
"Sure Momma" Beth told her. "I'll get some of everything I like and we can share. That way, next time ya come for a visit you'll know just what to order."
"Oh gosh" Annette said "I don't know 'bout that."
Beth looked perplexed. "Bout what Momma? Orderin yourself or comin back to Chicago?"
"Comin back to Chicago" Annette admitted. "I just don't think I'm cut out for city life."
"Oh, it's great" Beth told her. "You'll see. You've had a good time haven't you?"
"Oh yes" Annette replied. "I really have."
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Both Lila and Andre had gone down for naps just as soon as they'd gotten in from Portillo's. They had both gotten up in good moods and were playing in the living room while Daryl and Rick sat around and shot the shit. Daryl had enjoyed his time with Rick and Andre that day. Glen was going to entertain them on Wednesday though so that Daryl go in to the office and get a few things done.
"We're gonna have a late supper tonight" Beth announced to everyone sacked out in the living room. They all looked up at her. "I think everybody's still kinda full aren't they?" she asked them.
"Yeh, Baby" Daryl told her. "We'll be fine. What are we havin for supper?"
"I've got some chicken casseroles fixed up" Beth told him. "Just gotta put em in the oven 'bout an hour before we're ready to eat – veggies are ready on the stove. Got something special for dessert." Beth winked at Daryl.
Daryl tried to adjust himself setting on the sofa. He knew what he'd like to have for dessert – some of that pie he didn't get last night due to the fact there was a wiggly, little boy in their bed. Then he stretched out and pulled off a fake yawn.
"Baby, I'm tired" Daryl made a show of it. "Come lay down with me – let's take a nap" he begged. Beth looked around the room at Michonne and Rick, then her Mom and Maggie. They were all either smiling or trying their best not to.
"Go ahead" Michonne told her. "Maggie, what time do you think Glen will be here for supper? I know he'll probably be hungry regardless if we are or not."
"Oh, about 6:30 or 7 I suppose" Maggie answered.
"Beth" Annette spoke up "you two go ahead and take your, uh, nap. I'll get supper tended to."
Never let it be said that Daryl Dixon didn't know when to snatch up an opportunity when it presented itself. "Thanks Nette" he announced. "Preciate it." With that being said, he was up off the couch and was grabbing Beth by her arm and by all reasonable witnesses, appeared to have drug her back to his cave – locking the door behind them.
"Never seen a grown man so excited for a nap before" Rick said flatly.
"Uncle Daryl's funny" Dre stated as he kept at the task of stacking blocks so that his baby sister could knock them over.
"That's one word for it" Rick told his stepson as he slid to the floor to play blocks with his children.
After lots of snuggling and other stuff Daryl and Beth actually did sneak in a nap before supper time. The timing was perfect really. The couple were waking on their own but the ruckus coming from the living room would have been enough to awaken the dead. Apparently Negan had decided that he'd stayed away long enough. He was missing Beth. And Daryl. And quite honestly, he was missing the hub bub that hanging out with this group of people provided.
Beth stumbled into the living room wiping the sleep from her eyes, hair all over the place. Negan was in the floor with Andre where they were in the midst of building what appeared to be a pioneer village.
"There's my princess" Negan hollered out. "Damn Beth" he laughed, "Go brush your hair Baby Girl."
"Daryl likes it like this" Beth shot back at him without a moment's hesitation.
"I bet he does" Negan continued the verbal sparring session.
Rick snorted at the back and forth banter, the blunt nature of Beth and Negan's relationship. Rick was pretty sure that Beth was probably the only person allowed to speak to Negan in that manner.
"Where'd the Lincoln Logs come from?" Beth asked.
"Mr. Negan bought them for me" Dre piped up excitedly "He said every boy oughta know how to build shit."
"Ohhhhhhhhh" Beth gasped.
"Dre!" Rick chastised.
"Sorry – stuff" Andre said but had an evil little grin on his face – kind of matching the one on Negan's mug. Annette walked into the living room where there were toys and people strewn about everywhere. She stepped over building blocks, logs, stuffed animals, and Lila as if it were no big deal.
"Supper's ready ya'll" Annette announced. "We'll go through the line in the kitchen. Maggie, I thought I'd let you and Michonne sit in the kitchen with the kids."
"That's fine" Maggie told her. "I'm gonna miss these rugrats when I move next month."