I do not own any of TWD characters.

Back on the Boat

They pulled into the parking lot of the marina and once Daryl put the car into park he checked his watch. Yep, that was about par for the course. They were thirty minutes late. Daryl didn't think they'd been to a function yet, with the exception of the meet and greet, where they hadn't been running behind. Since Emily had been born, it had gotten worse and Daryl never thought that would have been possible. There wasn't even any sense in bitching about it anymore. No one even batted an eye – hell, Negan himself was all about making a grand entrance. Daryl figured Beth had just taken some pointers from him.

"Ready Babe?" Daryl looked over at his wife. Beth was checking her hair and make-up in the mirror on the sun visor.

"Yep" she answered and smiled at her reflection to make sure she had no lipstick on her teeth.

Daryl hopped out and crossed over to the passenger side to help Beth out. Daryl took Beth's hand in hopes of rushing her up a bit across the parking lot.

"What about our bags?" Beth asked as she struggled to keep up with Daryl.

"I'm gonna grab em when we come back in tonight" Daryl answered quickly. "They're probably waiting on us to head out Beth."

Beth didn't bother to respond – there was no need. She got the implied message.

"There they are" Negan announced to everyone. Negan grabbed Daryl in a man hug with lots of added slapping on the back. He then wrapped Beth up in a fatherly hug. "I don't care how fucking late you are Princess – you look like a million bucks and that's all that matters."

Beth blushed. "Negan, don't say that" Beth whispered. "Daryl's plenty pissed right now. He's just trying to act like he's not."

"Hell, he'll get over it" Negan snorted.

True to Daryl's thinking, they were waiting on them because just as soon as they were on board, the boat began to pull away from the dock. Taking a quick glance around the top deck, Daryl tried to get a read on what type of evening it would be. Ah, right there, bellied up to the bar already – Spencer Monroe.

Get your shit together Daryl he told himself. Don't let Beth outta your sight. Might have to knock him the fuck out tonight – I'm just in that kinda mood. Daryl turned around to locate said wife and damn if he hadn't already let her give him the slip. Where the fuck is she? Daryl fumed.

It didn't take Daryl long to find her. All he had to do was follow the crowd and listen for the laughter. Beth had a hold on these people like he'd never seen before. Hell, he didn't know why he should be surprised – she'd had a hold on him for a long time now. Daryl stopped at the bar – the opposite end where Spencer had apparently taken up residence- to get himself a drink. Daryl had forgotten to ask Beth if she was going to have a glass of wine or something tonight since she wouldn't be nursing until Sunday evening. It would probably help her loosen up for sure and Daryl was certainly for that idea right there. Daryl didn't know what came over him, but he threw caution to the wind and ordered a Cape Cod for Beth. He remembered back to the night he'd bought her that same cocktail. They'd been out on a boat that night too and look how that night turned out for him.

With drinks in hand, Daryl made his way over to where Beth seemed to be holding court. Men and women alike were gathered around her hanging on her every word. Apparently, the sleeping habits of an eight week old made for tantalizing conversation. Everyone laughed and laughed when Beth told the story of Daryl falling asleep standing up in the shower after they'd all had four sleepless nights in a row. Daryl stepped to where Beth was seated and handed her the drink.

"Yeh, yeh" Daryl laughed at himself. "Go ahead and yuck it up at my expense. I have never been so damn exhausted in my life."

Beth smiled up at her husband and thanked him for the drink. However, Beth held it like she didn't quite know what to do with it.

"I don't know what I would've done without my husband" Beth praised Daryl. "Of course, we had Neg and Lucy, and my Momma and Morgan for a good while. They were all wonderful and I think we just weren't real prepared for what happened to us once we were on our own with Emily."

"It's been a learning experience that's for sure" Daryl added. Everyone laughed. "One I wouldn't change for anything." And with that comment, Daryl placed a sweet kiss on Beth's pouty lips.

"Awwwwww" everyone around them oohed and ahhhd.

"Love you" Beth spoke softly so that only Daryl would hear.

"Love you" Daryl told his wife. "I think it's okay if you drink tonight. Don't you?"

"Gosh Daryl" Beth smiled. She really wanted that drink. "I don't know. Think I should call my doctor and ask?"

"Hell naw" Daryl snickered. "You can dry out tomorrow."

Beth held her drink out to Daryl and they clinked glasses gently. Daryl pulled Beth to standing and wrapped an arm around her waist as they continued to visit before dinner was to be served.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Beth was relieved that they weren't serving prime rib again – she didn't think Daryl would survive another close encounter with red meat like what she witnessed last year. Instead, the social committee in charge of this year's outing had selected a Mexican themed menu and it was top notch. Beth was the glutton this go round – she nearly stuffed herself silly with fish tacos, the best damn guacamole she'd ever tasted, and smoked chicken tacos with a mango and cilantro salsa. Daryl did draw the line, however, when Beth made a pass for the ceviche.

"Nuh uh" Daryl whispered to her.

"What?" Beth asked and looked at her husband.

"Ya ain't eatin that shit" Daryl told her. "It ain't cooked."

"Daryl" Beth whined. "The lime juice cooks it – it's fine, really."

"Nope" Daryl told her and put the dish of seafood in front of Negan who promptly tore into it. "Can't chance it Beth – don't want you gettin sick Baby." Again, Daryl couldn't keep his hands off of his wife – he place a not so innocent kiss on her mouth.

And since he'd cut her off from her beloved ceviche, Daryl topped off her glass with some Sangria that was being passed around the tables.

"If I didn't know better Daryl Dixon" Beth quipped "I would think that you're tryin to get me drunk and take advantage of me."

Daryl only smiled when he told his wife to drink up. He could barely remember having sex and how fucking good it felt to be with his wife in that way. Yep, tonight was going to be his lucky night. He was being super attentive, not that he didn't always take good care of Beth, but he was going the extra mile tonight.

"Oh my God Daryl" Beth gushed as she made her way back from the dessert table. "Have you seen the selection over there?"

Daryl tried to keep his face from saying What the hell Beth? when he saw what all she had on her plate, but wasn't very successful in doing so. Immediately Beth said," This is for both of us!"

"I didn't say anything" Daryl told her.

"You didn't have to" Beth laughed.

On the dessert plate Beth had two small servings of flan and a stack of churros. There was also a little saucer of a thick brown sauce.

"What's that?" Daryl asked. His interest rose, because damn, that shit looked good.

"It's cajeta sauce – Mexican caramel sauce" Beth answered. "I think it's for the churros. Well, that's what I'm doing with it anyway."

They both dipped a churro into the golden brown goodness.

"Mmmmmmmm" Beth moaned.

"Fuck, that's good" Daryl agreed.

"Then I'm gonna drink what's left" Beth joked.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The dishes had been cleared and people were starting to disperse a bit. Some had returned to the top deck to enjoy the stars and breeze while others stayed down below to talk shop and the upcoming charity events. Beth made nice with all the other spouses, but she had to admit that with the two cocktails before dinner, all of the sangria she'd had with dinner, and the food Beth was a sleepy girl.

Daryl caught her eye from across the dining area and he could read her like a book. He and Negan were problem shooting a certain project with some other guys when Daryl excused himself.

"I'll be right back guys" Daryl told them.

Daryl made his way over to Beth who was doing her best to hide a yawn from the spouses at her table. "Excuse me" he told everyone at the table. "Could I borrow my wife a few minutes? I'd like to show her something out on the deck."

Everyone was agreeable of course. What could they say to Daryl Dixon? No, you can't. Ha! Good luck with that.

"Everything okay Daryl?" Beth asked with concern in her voice as they stepped away from the others.

"It will be" Daryl told her. Instead of taking Beth out on deck like he'd said, Daryl escorted Beth to their cabin, led her in and locked the door behind them.

"Daryl, are you sure you're alright?" Beth asked again.

"Ya sleepy Baby?" Daryl asked as he pulled her into a hug.

"Yes" Beth admitted and melted into her husband. "I'm so sleepy. I can hardly keep my eyes open."

"Listen" Daryl told her as he started rummaging through the drawers of the dresser in their cabin. "Here's a t shirt" Daryl turned to her "I want you to get undressed, slip into this, and crawl into that bed. Take yourself a nap."

"What?" Beth asked in disbelief. "Daryl, I can't do that. What will people say?"

"Fuck em" Daryl told her. "I'm your husband and I want you to rest for a while." Then he winked at her, "Didn't say you's completely off duty."

Beth smiled because she got exactly what he was trying to tell her. "Thank you Daryl" Beth told him as he helped her out of her sundress and then slipped the soft worn shirt over her head. Daryl patted her on the bottom and then pulled the covers on the bed down.

"I'll be back down after while" he told her and kissed her forehead. "Love ya Girl."

"Love you too" Beth mumbled. She was snoring before he stepped out of the room.