A/N I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Posting a little later this morning because - yes - the holidays :) At the end of our last chapter Daryl had just tucked Beth in bed. We'll return as she begins to wake. They'll both have questions and doubts about what exactly is happening between them. Rick stops by with news, and when they're finally alone our couple share a tender moment. I hope you enjoy!
00
Her eyes felt so heavy she wondered if she would even manage to open them, and if she managed to would she be able to keep them open?
She remembered Daryl laying her in bed and the sweet conversation they had. Then she was out. For how long she had no idea.
She felt groggy and disoriented, unsure if it was day or night. Why? Why was she feeling so drained? Then she thought back to all that had happened these past few days. It seemed like one nightmare after another and the accumulation of all those nightmares felt like just too much.
On top of it all was the guilt weighing on her. Through everything that happened he'd been there for her. Right by her side. Caring for her and fighting for her. Now he was hurt and she was worthless to him. What was the matter with her? Why couldn't she have pulled herself out of the chair and tended to his cuts?
She'd just been so exhausted and she felt so weak. She'd been foolish. She set out to prove something yesterday and she did too much. She kept busy all day, including being on her feet too long making cookies with Mick. She shouldn't have pushed it, but it was so much fun.
That was no excuse. She should have been mature enough to follow the doctor's orders and to listen to Daryl. She'd been stubborn though. Why was she always so stubborn? There was the pride too. She'd wanted to prove to him she was fine, that she was strong. Now she was paying the price for being so pigheaded. She'd relapsed into feeling worse than she did that first morning.
Worst of all she'd let him down, she hadn't been able to return his kindness and his caring.
As she lay thinking of these things she became weepy. She was sick of crying all the time, she didn't want to cry anymore. The doctor told her she might become emotional, that it's quite common after a person is injured the way she was. He warned her she could experience melancholia and may find herself in tears for no reason.
No sooner did she remember the doctor's words than she felt more tears begin to pool in her eyes, and as she rolled on her side the tears began to spill out. She decided maybe it was a good time to have a good cry. She reached to clutch his pillow for comfort and she felt it, a paper. She forced her eyes open to see what it said.
She smiled at his large jagged writing. Nothing about Daryl was smooth, everything had an edge to it. The note was brief, he'd simply written, "Hey, I'm down at the garage just seeing about a couple a things. Me and Mick will be back soon. Don't do nothing except rest. Daryl."
As bad as she felt his note managed to make her smile. Did he worry about her every minute? It seemed like he did, but she worried about him too. What about his rest? What about him eating?
She glanced at the clock on the night table, 3:45. He'd be back soon. She needed to at least freshen herself up a little. She stood and straightened the bedding, then went in the bathroom to comb her hair and brush her teeth.
She saw her reflection in the mirror and just like every time she saw herself she reacted with a start. How could that woman in the mirror be her? The bruises on her face looked darker and the crescent shaped cut looked even worse than it had just that morning. She stared at herself and whispered, "Ugly."
She'd always tried to be a good person, but now as she examined her injuries, all she could feel was hate for the man who'd caused them.
As she walked down the short hall toward the kitchen she passed the telephone nook and realized she needed to call Maggie. If her sister were to hear from someone else about that terrible man and what happened, oh dear, she'd be spitting fire. Beth knew she needed to be the one to tell her.
She dialed the operator, asked to be connected to Margaret Greene at Phoenix 4476 and held the receiver to her ear as she slid her body down the wall. Her knees were up and her eyes were closed while she sat on the floor and waited for the operator to connect her.
Maggie sounded annoyed when she answered, she'd probably been busy with something. Beth's voice was weak and a little timid when she said, "Maggie, it's me."
Maggie's tone immediately changed, "Oh my gosh Bethie, sweetie, how are you? You sound too pooped to pop."
"I'm okay Maggie, I'm just really tired and very sore, and I'm ugly. I also have some news."
Now Maggie had that tone Beth always thought of as her, "I'm the boss" voice. Not that she'd ever tell Maggie that. "Stop that Bethie, you don't look ugly. You look like you've been injured. Give those cuts and bruises another week or two to heal and you'll be just as pretty as you've always been. Now, what's this news?"
Beth told her sister everything that happened that morning. She told her about the little apartment and what Daryl said about her car. Finally she told her about the dark-haired man. "Oh for heck sake Bethie. You should have called me right away. I would have rushed over here and finished that bum off myself."
Beth wasn't sure why but her sister made her laugh, "I think Daryl nearly had that done on his own, until his brother pulled him off the guy."
"Well thank God that dirty so n so's been caught. I'm going to give Rick a call right now and tell him justice had better be swift and harsh or I might have to go on a rampage."
"Now Maggie, if Daddy were here he'd tell you to calm down and let justice take its course."
"I'll let justice take it's course if it's a fast course. Otherwise I'm stepping in. Now what about you Bethie? Do you need me to bring over a casserole or some soup? Just come and sit with you? What can I do?"
"No Maggie, really. Daryl's taking very good care of me, but thank you."
"Aw yes, Daryl. How's he doing and how's your romance coming along?"
"Maggie! You know better, there's no romance!" She paused and added, "Hardly any."
"What does that mean, 'hardly any'?"
Beth admitted to a few things, "Well it is kind of romantic how he takes care of me and worries about me, and he did kiss me. Oh, and sometimes he calls me Darling."
"He kissed you? I want to hear about that. When? Where?"
The she heard herself say it, "I kissed him first and he kissed me back."
Maggie was almost laughing, "My gosh, you two are just so sweet. I said you might have to make the first move with him and I see I was right. On the other hand, the way that man looks at you I can't believe he's held back this long. I thought for sure he would have tackled you by now, Darling."
"Maggie! You stop that right now! Don't you dare say anything about that in front of him or I swear I…I…I'll punch you in the nose myself!"
Her sister's words only made Maggie laugh a little harder, "Well gee Bethie, I guess hanging around with the hillbilly has turned you into a little toughie. I'd better be good. I like my nose where it is."
"Maggie! I told you don't call him that."
"Sorry Sweetie, guess what though?"
For some reason Beth had a little sense of dread, she thought she may have even rolled her eyes when she said, "With you Maggie, I never have any idea."
"I was going to say that between the way he looks at you, and the fact he's kissed you AND he calls you Darling, I don't think he's even aware you have bruises and cuts."
Beth could feel herself blushing, "Maggie…"
Maggie got big sisterly, her voice calm and understanding, "Listen Beth, I know you're innocent and I know you're shy, but it's as obvious as the day is long, the man adores you. Sometimes a man needs a little encouragement. Daryl seems like the kind who has to know for sure you'd be interested before he takes a chance and makes a move. If you're as interested in him as I think you are, maybe you should try to make sure he knows that. "
Beth didn't argue with her sister because she was pretty sure there was nothing to argue about. She thought Maggie was right. "Thank you. I have to go now Maggie, you wear me out. I love you."
"Love you too Sweetie, tell Daryl I said 'Hi.'"
She felt like she should be doing something, starting dinner or making a pie, doing his laundry or sweeping the floor. But she also felt so weak and lethargic. He was right, she needed to take a couple of days and let herself rest. She reminded herself, for gosh sake you've been hit by a car.
Besides the accident there were all the other things that happened. She'd stood watching as the man she was starting to think she might be in love with, had nearly beaten another man to death. Then she kissed him. Then he kissed her back.
She did something completely out of character, she didn't tell the sheriff the whole truth. That was monumental, she'd always been so honest with everyone. She knew exactly why she'd done it though. It wasn't just to protect Daryl. It was for her own selfish reasons. She didn't want to take a chance Daryl wouldn't be there with her.
How was all that even possible? She didn't know and she decided maybe the best thing was not to question any of it, to just let it be.
What she needed to do was find something to clear her mind. She'd thought about sitting at that old piano a few times and now she told herself what the heck? She sat on the bench, opened it and began to play. She smiled, it could use a tuning and a couple of the keys kept wanting to stick. Those things didn't matter, she was enjoying just being able to sit and play again. She hadn't been able to since the farm.
She started with some hymns she used to sing at church, her Mama's favorites. Then she began to play a tune she'd heard that told a story about a couple, a couple who couldn't seem to make up their minds whether they were meant to be friends or lovers.
As Daryl and Mick were walking up the path toward home he heard the music. At first it took him aback, he wasn't sure what was going on. Then he realized Beth must be playing that old piano. It made him smile, and that smile grew as they got closer to the door and he could hear her softly singing.
He looked at his daughter and held a finger to his lips, letting Mick know to be quiet. The little girl smiled back, nodding her head as her Daddy quietly opened the door. He stood leaning against the jamb while he and Mick watched and listened to Beth sing and play.
The lyrics of the song made him think. Was it time for him to quit acting like he was just a caring friend, to quit acting like he might be interested but wasn't sure. Or was it time to start acting like a caring lover? Was it still too soon? Was she even really interested in that with him?
She sensed their presence and looked over her shoulder, "Hello you two," she smiled.
In that moment he felt sure he could have asked her. If Mick wasn't there, if he'd left his daughter with Merle like his brother offered, he would have gone to Beth. He would have sat on the bench beside her and asked her what she wanted from him. Did she see him as the man she desired? Or was he the man she only wanted as her friend?
He had no doubts what he wanted. He wanted to be the man in her life. His only questions were, was he good enough? Did she think he was good enough? And what about Mick? Would a woman of just 19 really want to take on a five year old child to raise?
Maybe it was probably good that Mick was there. He wasn't sure his heart could take the hurt and disappointment if all she wanted of him was friendship.
As it was, Mick scampered over and sat with her, so excited as she spoke, "Beth, ya know how ta play the peenano! I always wanna try but Daddy says someone's gotta teach me. Can ya teach me?"
Her Daddy's voice was stern, "Mick."
Mick looked at Beth with the saddest eyes and said, "I'm sorry. I ain't s'posed ta be askin' you ta do stuff for me Beth."
"That's okay Mick, I don't mind." She looked at Daryl, certain she knew what he was concerned about. "I'd like to Daryl, I'll enjoy it and all I have to do is sit. I promise I'll stop if I get too tired. I've learned my lesson."
On that he was next to her, his hand was on her shoulder and there was concern in his eyes when he asked, "Whaddya mean learned your lesson? Ya feelin' okay?"
"I'm fine Daryl. I'm just tired. I think I might have overdone it yesterday and then all the…the excitement that happened today was a lot."
He was immediately consumed by guilt, "Hey, I'm sorry if what I done upset ya."
His hand was still on her shoulder and she lay her hand atop his as she tried to assure him, "No. It didn't. It wasn't that way at all. Maybe I shouldn't feel glad you did it, but I am."
Now it was relief that washed over him and without thinking he bent and kissed the top of her head, "Alright, I'ma go cook some dinner and you ain't gonna help. Mick, Beth's tired. Ya don't whine or beg. If she wants ta teach ya a little that's okay, but when she says done, you're done. Got it?"
"Yes Daddy. I'ma be real good and do everythin' like you an Beth say. You'll see I do."
"Beth, ya tell Mick if ya need ta stop. Promise?"
"I promise. And Daryl…"
"Yeah?"
"You don't overdo either. You've had a hard day. Please, just something very simple would be perfect."
He wasn't used to anyone worrying over him, and he wasn't sure exactly how he should respond. He simply nodded his head while lightly running his hand over her soft blonde hair.
Mick was so anxious to try and Beth was pleasantly surprised by how fast the little girl caught on. By the time her Daddy came in the room and said, "C'mon ladies, dinner's on." Mick could do a pretty good job with the Major C Scale.
"Wait Daddy, listen!"
She played it and then beamed at him as he applauded, "That's real good Mick. You're catchin' right on. C'mon now, wash up. Dinner's waitin'."
He'd kept it easy like she asked, hamburger patties, buttered noodles and corn. As always there was a stack of bread and a dish of butter at the center of the small table. Beth made herself a silent promise, someday soon she'd make him fresh bread. "It looks and smells so good Daryl. I didn't realize how hungry I was."
His look was so serious she almost felt like he was scolding her, "That's cuz ya didn't hardly eat nuthin' for lunch. Ya can't be doin' like this Beth. How ya gonna get better?"
As soon as he spoke the words he felt guilty, worried he sounded mean when what he meant was to sound concerned. And she looked almost sad when she answered, "I know Daryl. I'm going to try to be a better patient."
He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze, "Hey, I ain't mad at ya Beth, and I sure don't wanna be mean. I just worry about ya is all."
"I know and you're right Daryl. Like I promised, I'm going to do better."
Mick came running in the room then and climbed up in her chair. "Oh Daddy look, ya made all my favorites."
"Yeah well ya lucked out, Beth said simple and your favorites are all simple. Now, I best see the both of ya eat all your dinner."
Beth felt like she was a little girl back at her Daddy's table but she wasn't insulted or angry, she understood. Daryl was worried and just doing what he always did, doing his best to take care of her. She made up her mind she'd try her best to eat everything he'd put on her plate.
As they ate he told her the news, "Hey, your car's doin' good. I'm just waitin' on one part I had ta order, once that comes in she'll be runnin' like a top."
"Oh my gosh Daryl, I can't believe it. Thank you, thank you so much! It's going to be so nice not having to walk to and from work. I tried not to think about it, but it was pretty scary."
"Yeah well whether the car ever runs again or not, ya ain't ever walkin' again."
She didn't argue.
When they were done with their meal he told her, "I'll get the dishes."
Before he could get up her hand was on his, she had something to say, "I appreciate how much you care. It means so much." Then she smiled and offered, "Why don't Mick and I go in and have our bath while you're doing dishes."
"Ya sure your up ta all that?"
"Yes I'm sure. I want to have a bath and I don't mind helping with Mick, I want to Daryl. I enjoy my time with her."
He liked to tell himself he wasn't afraid of anything, but ever since Mick came into his life he worried about her all the time. He was afraid of something bad happening to her. Now he had a new fear, losing Beth.
As he did the dishes, he turned the question over and over in his mind. He was tired of thinking about it, tired of wondering. Besides, what could be worse than all this worrying and wondering? Why not just ask her? Because there was a risk of being hurt? There was also a chance he wouldn't be hurt. There was a chance she'd tell him she wanted them to be more than friends. He had to know.
He thought he had a pretty good idea what he would say to her when the time came. He was working it over in his mind as he walked to the living room, just as Beth and Mick walked out of the bathroom.
He smiled at the sight of them, they made a sweet pair and he wondered if Beth cared for his girl as much as she seemed to. Surely she must, a person couldn't pretend like that. Even if they could Beth would never do that.
He sent Mick upstairs to pick her story, then he mustered his courage and asked her, "Can we talk about a couple things after Mick goes ta sleep?"
She only thought he was going to scold her a little more, insist that she rest. She smiled and told him, "Yes, of course."
Beth laid in the bed with Mick while she and her Daddy read the story, and it was all she could do to stay awake. She was determined. Daryl wanted to talk and even though she thought she was only in for a little scolding, she wanted to talk with him too. Maybe it would be a good time to do what Maggie said, maybe she would show him she was interested. She'd given him a kiss already, maybe she should try taking his hand, and maybe she should kiss him again.
They walked downstairs and he asked her, "I'ma grab a beer, ya want anythin'? Tea? Water?"
The thought of what might happen next already had her throat dry and she answered, "Just a glass of water please."
They'd just sat down on the sofa, no more than six inches separated them, and yet she seemed so far away. He had it all set in his mind, just how he'd ask her. He was about to speak when he heard the sound of a vehicle approaching. Shit. He stood, looked at her and said, "Someone's comin', lemme check."
She was in her pajamas and he worried about her modesty, but he realized something else. He didn't want to take a chance some other man might see her in her nightclothes. He pulled the lap blanket from the back the sofa and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"Thank you Daryl."
The man at the door turned out to be the sheriff. Now, instead of their personal and intimate discussion, it was a discussion with Rick about the dark-haired man and what was to happen next.
The sheriff told them, "We've identified him as Len Schmidt. The fella's been a loser from the get-go. He started out with the usual petty crimes as a kid, and steadily worked his way up to the more serious stuff."
"He didn't stay in one place either. He spread his misdeeds around so, it's outta the hands of any one county. I can't say for sure yet, but it's looking like the state will transfer him to Atlanta. He'll be incarcerated and tried there."
He seemed nervous and uncomfortable when he looked first at Beth and then at Daryl. They soon knew why. "You should know, it wasn't just you Beth, and it wasn't just the woman he put in the hospital down in Switzer county. It's much worse."
"The car, hitting women and running off, it seems that's something new he started up recently. Probably trying to give himself an extra thrill. Guys like him do that stuff, escalate to worse and worse crimes."
"The worst offense he commits is what I'm sure he had in mind for you Beth. As it turns out he did it to the woman down in Switzer County, and a few others. He chooses a victim. Always a young pretty woman who lives alone. He watches them, he doesn't even try to hide that he is. The sheriff over in Switzer told me they think he gets some kind of excitement knowing he's making women afraid."
At this point Daryl was on his feet pacing and biting his lip, sure he knew what was coming next.
"He makes an advance, like when he spoke to you in such a crude way Beth. He knows the young woman will reject him, but she'll also be more frightened. Keep in mind, he thrives on that and he knows where the women live." He pursed his lips, looking even more nervous and more uncomfortable when he said, "Sorry Beth. I don't know how to say this delicately, but he'd break in at night when they were sleeping and take what he wanted, by force."
Daryl was the one who said the word, "You talkin' about rape Rick?"
The sheriff nodded and said, "Yes."
Daryl's was gritting his teeth so tightly his jaw ached. He couldn't remember ever being so angry. He wished more than ever Merle hadn't stopped him from killing the son of a bitch. If his brother had known what Daryl knew now, Merle wouldn't have stopped him. He would have thrown a few punches of his own.
As angry as he was he kept his head. He knew enough not to make threats against the guy to the sheriff. All he could do was say, "That bastard is gonna burn in hell." And silently make plans for later. If they were going to transfer the guy there would be a period of at least a few minutes where he was outside and exposed.
Rick had one piece of good news to share before he left. "Beth, your things have been processed. You can pick them up at the station tomorrow afternoon."
Her voice was shaky when she answered, "Well I'm happy for that good news, thank you, sheriff."
Daryl walked him to the door, shook his hand and then he and Beth were alone.
He knew she was shook, shit, the idea of what could have happened had them both shaken.
He lay his arm across her shoulders and pulled her close, "I'm sorry Darlin'. I'm sorry the guy ever existed. I know I keep tellin' ya the same thing but it's true. I ain't ever gonna let anyone hurt ya again. Not ever."
She lay her hand on his thigh and resting her head on his shoulder she softly said, "Thank you Daryl. I feel safe with you." Then she turned her face up and looking at him added, "I know you wanted to talk. I know you wanted to tell me I have to quit trying to do so much, and I promise you, I will."
He shook his head "no." That wasn't it, then he tried to tell her, "I wanted ta ask ya sumthin'…I wanted ta tell ya sumthin'…" The words he'd rehearsed over and over in his head just wouldn't come out of his mouth right.
He gave up, and this time when he kissed her it was in a way that would leave no doubt how he felt about her. Her response told him not only that she welcomed his kiss, but that she wanted him as so much more than just a friend.
00
A/N It seems like they should be done doubting and I think we'll start seeing this romance truly blossom. Please leave a comment. As always, there's a chapter photo on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I wish you all a Very Happy New Year, and hope to see you back next Friday for more of It Matters to Me. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee