A/N As always I thank everyone so much. Let's see, oh yeah, Sweet Little Mick Dixon dropped the "L" word right there in the kitchen. Now what? This chapter focuses on the aftermath of that simple statement, and the growing relationship of our favorite couple. I hope you enjoy.
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His jaw dropped at the words his daughter spoke but for now he couldn't think about it. Beth was crying and all he could do was hurry to her and his little girl. Mick was tucked in between them as he wrapped his arms around Beth and thought, fuck. I caused this.
Him getting angry hadn't solved one damn thing, he'd only made it worse and more complicated.
He didn't have time to dwell on all that though. Beth wasn't doing so hot and his first concern was to take care of her. "Shit girl, I'm sorry. I didn't mean ta make anyone cry. We can talk about all that later. C'mon now, both you girls. C'mon."
He had one arm around Beth's waist as he held her braced to his side while with his other hand he held onto Mick, walking them both down the hall to his room where he instructed, "C'mon now Beth, get them pajamas on n get ta bed."
As weak and unsteady as she felt she still tried to protest, "But what about dinner?"
"Quit. Please Beth, just quit." He shook his head in frustration and told her, "Just do like I say. Me and Mick got dinner handled. Ya need help gettin' them pajamas on?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Yeah well I'm stayin' right her til ya do and makin' sure ya get in the bed." He realized what he was saying and added, "I'll turn my back while ya do it, but I ain't leavin' til it's done."
Mick had seen Beth undressed a few times now, they bathed together. Still the little girl went to stand next to her Daddy and kept her back turned.
Beth was done arguing, at least for now, "Alright, I'll hurry."
"Don't gotta hurry, just gotta do it." She looked so weak he was worried she might fall as he stood anxiously waiting in the doorway with his back to her. She seemed in much worse shape than she had even when he brought her from the hospital.
He hadn't wanted to upset her, he wasn't looking for a fight. He was just so frustrated by her resistance to simply take it easy and rest. Why did she think she needed to be doing stuff around there? He felt angry with her for not taking better care of herself, but not nearly as angry as he felt at himself.
He shouldn't have lost his temper with her.
Those thoughts were running through his mind when in a voice so weak it tore at his heart she said, "I'm done."
He wanted her to know he wasn't mad and that he regretted getting mean with her. He turned the covers down on the bed but before she climbed in, he took her in his arms, "Darlin', I'm sorry. I shouldn't a raised my voice. I'm just worried about ya is all. Get in the bed now. I'll bring ya dinner."
His tenderness got her emotions going again and she was afraid to speak, sure she'd cry more. She simply nodded her head as he held the covers up and she slipped between the sheets. While he tucked the quilt in around her Mick spoke up, "Daddy I think I better stay right here an keep Beth company."
That made sense, Mick could let him know if anything went wrong. He bent down and picked the child up setting her on the edge of the bed. He slipped off her shoes and instructed her, "Alright ya just try n be still and don't bother her. If Beth needs anythin' ya run in the kitchen and get me. K?"
"I will Daddy. I'ma take real good care a Beth, you'll see I do."
"I know I can count on ya Mick."
As soon as he was out of the room the little girl scooted up the bed to lay close to her. She whispered in the woman's ear, "See? Don't feel sad. I told ya he loves ya. Ya got him worryin' about ya all the time."
Beth managed a small smile as she absentmindedly played with the little girl's hair. "I love you Mick."
"Ya do, for sure?"
"Of course I do."
"I love ya too Beth."
She was listening to the little girl sing to her while she wondered about what Mick said. Twice now the little girl told her that her Daddy loved her. Could it possibly be true?
It wasn't flowers and candy and dinner at fancy restaurants, but it was care and protectiveness, concern and tenderness…and when he kissed her and held her it did feel like love and caring and something more, something she couldn't put words to.
It made her think and question herself, was that what she'd been feeling? Did she love him? Could people fall in love so quickly? She knew she thought of him as everything a man should be. Handsome, hardworking and so responsible. Yes, he was all those things, but there was so much more. This man whether he realized it or not was kind and gentle, thoughtful and…yes, he was loving. And he was that other word too, "sexy."
She couldn't imagine ever having the feelings she was experiencing for anyone but Daryl.
He got to the kitchen, went straight to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of beer. He downed half the content in one big swallow, muttered, "Fuck," then tried his best to forget it all as he looked in the oven to see just what that aroma was.
It was some kind of casserole that looked good and smelled good, but he could also tell by looking at it, it wasn't quite done.
He needed to keep busy or he'd go crazy and there were still chores to be done. He went to the porch and got Mick's things from the dryer and threw his work clothes in.
There was no more escaping his thoughts. As he stood at the kitchen table sipping what was left of the beer and folding his daughter's clothes he had nothing but time to think about what Mick had said. Was it true? Was that the feeling he'd been feeling more and more? Was he in love with Beth? Shit, could it happen that fast? Did people really just meet and fall in love? It didn't seem possible, but then again he didn't know anything about love.
Of course there were people he loved. Two of them. He loved Mick. He'd loved her since the minute her Mother dropped her in his arms. And although it wasn't something he would ever readily admit to, he loved Merle. Those feelings of love for his daughter and his brother were different from each other, and he knew neither was the same as the love a man feels for a woman.
Yeah, it had been on his mind for a while and no matter how hard he tried not to think about it, there it was. Shit, the truth was it started the first time he'd seen her. It was a feeling, something from deep inside him and different than anything he'd ever felt for anyone.
In one way it seemed so natural and relaxed, and in another way it seemed almost desperate. It was like a yearning, a need that had to be filled or his life would never be quite right.
Shit, but he just didn't know if it was real and there was so much risk involved. What if she didn't feel the same for him? And what about Mick? Besides, he sure as hell wasn't ready to tell Beth things like that, those words of love. First he had to be sure of his own feelings, and there were so many other things he had to tell her first.
Then Mick said the words. He was stunned but that was the least of it. It was like he'd been slapped in the face with the truth. Shit, he did love Beth. That had been his problem all along. Well not a problem exactly. Not unless she couldn't find some way to love him back.
He wasn't angry with Mick for just blurting it out that way. She was a little kid and that's what little kids do, just come right out with whatever they're thinking. There was something else too, another truth. Mick probably knew more about love than he did. Probably.
He took his daughter's clothes to her room, put them away and then went back to the kitchen. He got the now piping hot casserole from the oven and a jar of apricots from the cupboard.
He grabbed an old towel off the back porch and a fresh dish towel from under the sink and walked back to his room. What he saw made his heart melt a little. His daughter was all snuggled up to her. Beth's eyes were closed as she lay stroking Mick's hair while the little girl softly sang to her, "Bah Bah Black Sheep."
Beth opened her eyes looking a little sheepish as she glanced over at him. Shit, she probably thought he was going to yell at her again. He did his best to sound calm and kind when he said, "Hey ladies, dinner's ready." He spread the towel down on the carpet and told Mick, "You an me are havin' a picnic on the floor right here. Beth's gonna sit up on the bed."
Mick was clapping her hands as she rolled onto her tummy and slid off the bed. She sat cross legged on the floor in front of the towel, all smiles at the thought of a bedroom picnic with her Daddy and Beth. Then Beth tried to protest, "Daryl, I can get up. We can eat in the kitchen."
He quickly answered, "No." In a tone that made it clear he was not going to change his mind. He propped pillows up behind her so she could sit comfortably, then lay the dish towel in front of her. "Be right back."
He dished up their plates with casserole and apricots, grabbed forks and napkins and went back to them. He sounded a bit like he was scolding her when he handed Beth the plate and said, "I didn't give ya much so eat it all."
He set Mick's down on the floor in front of her and said, "Try real hard not ta spill, k little girl?"
"I'ma try real hard Daddy."
"I know ya will Mick."
He came back from the kitchen with his own food and sat cross legged next to Mick. Beth was sure to wait until he looked up at her before sliding a forkful of the food in her mouth, he nodded, "Keep that up." Then asked, "Your sister bring this?"
"Yes, how did you know?"
He shrugged, "Don't recognize the pan and I seen her car earlier today. I keep a close eye on what goes on around here."
Of course he did she thought, that was his way, to always be aware of his surroundings and cautious with the people he cared about.
"It was nice a her. Glad she did it or you'da been tryin' ta cook sumthin' on top a everythin' else."
She bit her lip, nodded her head and admitted to him, "I was foolish and I know it. I'm sorry I worried you."
He corrected her, "Don't be sorry, it's…next time? Try'n remember I'm thinkin' about what's best for ya."
"I do know that, and thank you Daryl."
It appeared to Mick they were all made up now and the little girl breathed a silent sigh of relief as she slipped a bite of apricot in her mouth. Her Daddy reminded her, "Ya know better Mick, that's for after ya eat your dinner."
"Sorry Daddy." Yep, as far as Mick could tell everything was back to normal.
She wanted to, but he didn't let Beth get out of bed to help with cleanup. He did the dishes and gave Mick her bath, then took one himself while Mick kept Beth company. He wouldn't even let Beth go upstairs and listen while he and Mick read their book, but she looked so disappointed he compromised. He brought the book down.
He sat on the edge of the bed while Mick lay next to Beth and he and the little girl took turns reading. As happened nearly every night Mick fell asleep midway through. He set the book on the nightstand, picked his daughter up in his arms and carried her up to bed.
Beth nervously waited to see if he would return, and he did. He didn't lay down with her like she expected. He sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand as he apologized yet again, "I'm sorry I got mad. I…sorry."
"Daryl don't. You don't have to be sorry, you were right. I don't know what I was thinking." Then she got honest, "No, that's a lie. I've had some time to lay here and think about it and I know what I was thinking."
His brow furrowed and he looked confused, "What're talkin' about?"
"I think. No, no, I know. I was trying to impress you."
"Impress me? Why in the hell would you have ta impress me?"
Her cheeks were on fire and she was embarrassed to admit these things to him, but she continued, "I know it sounds silly. It's…well…I didn't want you to think I was weak…that was part of it, but there was more to it than just that."
She bit her lip again and with a nervous quiver in her voice went on, "I wanted you to see how capable I am of taking care of a home, and that I could take care of Mick too. I was hoping that you'd think…well that maybe you might think someday…that someday you'd want me to live here permanently."
He wasn't sure he'd heard her right. Could it be true? He was almost afraid to ask, so he didn't. He stood, pulled the covers back and slipped in the bed with her. He was propped on an elbow, his face just inches from hers and his voice full of uncertainty when he softly asked, "Ya kiddin' me?" Nah, he had to be hearing wrong. But maybe he wasn't. "You'd really wanna live here with me an Mick for good?"
"I would."
It sounded too good to be true so he didn't push his luck asking any more questions. Anyway, he had something he wanted to do a whole lot more than sit around talking, and that's what he did. He kissed her like he'd just gotten the best news of his life.
She seemed so responsive like she wanted this moment as much as he did. He took his chances as he let his hand slide up under her pajama top, but not too far. Just enough so he could feel the soft warmth of her skin. At first her body tensed like he'd done something wrong. But then she relaxed and he heard that faint little hum in her throat, mmm. It sounded like it was urging him to go further but he forced himself to hold back. She was in no condition for more of him and he knew that.
He settled for kissing her and gently touching her cheek, her tummy and her soft hair. He told himself now that she'd let him know she cared for him everything he hoped for with her was possible, and that was all he could hope for this night.
It was enough, more than he felt he deserved. They fell asleep in the warmth and comfort of each other's arms.
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Friday when he woke he didn't hurry to get out of bed and dress. He thought he probably should, Mick would be down soon. First he just had to look at her for a minute. He still couldn't believe that what was happening could be real, that she'd ever want to stay.
In that moment he made up his mind, that night he would ask her to stay for good. He'd move in whatever she wanted to bring from her place and throw out whatever of his she didn't like. Shit, he'd do anything he had to do to make her happy.
Yeah, if he didn't chicken out he'd ask her that night.
He heard the floor creek upstairs and he hurried out of bed, quickly slipped into his work pants and turned to leave the room. He got as far as the door and turned back, went to the bed and softly kissed her forehead.
She opened sleepy eyes and he softly whispered, "Just wanted ta say g'mornin', gotta get breakfast started. Mick's up."
She smiled watching him as he left the room. Was this real? Was she dreaming? He felt like a dream. She started to get up but she still felt so sleepy she closed her eyes again. Just for a minute.
He was laying bacon in the pan when Mick walked in the kitchen holding her dolly in one hand and rubbing her eyes with a tiny fist. He smiled as she walked toward him, wrapped an tiny arm around his leg and said, "G'mornin' Daddy."
He slid the pan off the burner, bent and picked her up. He held her close, kissed her little face and said, "G'mornin' Mick. How's my girl today?"
"I'm hungry Daddy. How're you?"
"I'm hungry too. What say we have a little breakfast?"
"Yes please, can I go say hi to Beth?"
"Yeah, she's up but don't go botherin' her, k?"
"I won't Daddy. Besides, she'll want me there. She loves me. She said so."
He couldn't believe how her simple words grabbed at his heart, he only answered, "Well ain't that a nice thing," but it meant so much more to him than his casual remark implied.
The second time Beth woke was when she felt Mick's tiny hand on her cheek and heard the little girl say, "G'mornin' Beth."
Her eyes weren't even open when she answered, "Good morning to you Mick."
"Daddy's cookin' breakfast an I sure am hungry."
"Me too. Shall we go see if we can help?"
"Okay but I don't think Daddy's lettin' ya do one darn thing."
As expected Daryl didn't let her help. He made her a cup of coffee that was at least half milk with a generous amount of sugar. She slowly sipped at it while she and Mick sat at the table drawing pictures, but she couldn't manage to stop sneaking glances at him while he cooked.
Everything about breakfast seemed so different that day. It wasn't the food that was different, it was the mood at the table. Daryl and Beth couldn't seem to keep from looking at each other and sharing small smiles.
Mick didn't miss any of it including when her Daddy reached under the table for Beth's hand. She wondered if they knew how silly they looked with their arms stretched out under the wood table top, trying to eat with the other hand and just staring at each other.
They were pretty funny looking she thought, but she didn't mind. She was hoping her Daddy would ask Beth to stay there with them. Then they could just keep holding hands all they wanted to.
After breakfast Beth tried again, "Daryl I can help clean up, please."
"No. We got that doctor appointment at nine and ya ain't doin' nuthin' til we see what he says."
"Fine then, but I'm not going anywhere until I have a bath." She sounded just a little irritated when she added, "You're so stubborn Daryl Dixon."
He turned his head looking at her over his shoulder when he calmly asked, "Ya wanna see someone stubborn? When ya get in the bathroom have a look in the mirror."
She fought the urge to stick her tongue out at him, darnnit, but he was right. She settled for saying, "Come with me Mick, I think I'm at least capable of helping you get dressed and your hair combed."
As she and Mick left the kitchen she heard him grumble, "Always gotta have the last word," and it only made her smile.
It was the first time she'd bathed alone in days, and the first time she had the opportunity to exam the cuts and bruises on her face and body. No wonder he was concerned. She looked like…well like she'd been hit by a car. Maybe even a truck.
She almost cried but not because she looked so bad. It wasn't vanity that nearly had her in tears. It was the realization she very easily could have died that morning. She closed her eyes and said a prayer of gratitude.
There was someone else she felt she owed. When she came out of the bathroom he was in the bedroom making up the bed. She wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing him tightly as she rested her head on his back. He was stunned, wondering what had brought on this display of affection. In a quiet voice she told him, "Thank you Daryl. Thank you for taking such good care of me, you've been wonderful and I should have been listening to you all along. You were right and I was wrong."
He slowly turned and gently clasped her face in his strong hands, "Hey, don't be sorry and don't feel bad. Today is a new day." He kissed the top of her head, smiled like there wasn't a thing to worry about and told her, "We'll see what the doc thinks and do like he says, k?"
"Yes, that's right, you're right." And that's when she almost told him about her feelings, "I…I…um, just thank you Daryl. For being so good to me."
He wanted to say it too, but he couldn't. He simply told her, "I said it before and I meant it. I'ma always take care of ya." It sounded good to her.
As nervous as she was about going to the doctor she was relieved it would soon be over. She'd find out if she could go back to work. She needed to, her rent was due soon and she'd already missed a whole week. Plus they might not keep her job open if she didn't go back soon.
There was something else though. If she was well enough to return to work she was well enough to go home. The thought of that made her stomach hurt and her head pound.
He was glad they were finally going to this appointment. She hadn't heeled up as quickly as he thought she should. Maybe it was just that her complexion was so pale and fragile looking. Maybe that was why the bruises still looked so dark and the cut like it had just been stitched. No. It was more than that.
Mick kissed her goodbye and said, "Don't forget Beth, I love you an you love me. K?"
"I could never forget anything that important Mick. Me and Daddy will be back real soon. Don't you worry."
Daryl nodded to Beth, "Be right back," then took the little girl's hand and lead her down the path to the shop. Mick thought she should go with them to help take care of Beth but her Daddy said not this time. She had a little bit of consolation knowing she'd be staying with her Uncle Merle and he'd let her know he had some jelly beans he needed help eating.
When he returned Beth was waiting for him, clutching her handbag and looking apprehensive. He bent and kissed her cheek, "It's gonna be alright."
"I know. I just hate everything about all of this." Then she corrected herself, "Except for you and Mick. You're the good that's come of this."
He took her in his arms and the closest he got to saying what he felt was when he whispered, "Ya mean so much ta both of us."
He insisted on lifting her up in the truck, "Daryl, I can do it."
He smiled knowing she was never going to quit, "Yeah ya can. Or I can just do it for ya."
She didn't really mind. She liked the way he cared for her and as soon as he was in the truck she slid over to sit close to him. He hadn't expected it but he liked it. His hand came to rest on her knee and he asked, "Ya ready Darlin'?"
"Yes, I guess so."
"It's gonna be fine. All he's gonna do is tell ya what I been tellin' ya all week. Rest so your body can heal."
Daryl insisted on staying with her when the doctor did his exam. She'd been fine with the idea too, neither of them realizing that except for her bra and underpants the doctor would have her undressed during the exam. It made perfect sense, they just hadn't thought about it.
As much as he enjoyed seeing her in those modest panties and while cotton bra he felt sorry for her. He could see by the blush on her skin she was embarrassed. The doctor would have never suspected why, the man thought they were married.
As worried as he'd been Daryl hadn't even realized the extent of her injuries. Seeing the bruises that covered her body made him angry all over again. That bastard would not get away with what he'd done.
He was distracted from his thoughts when the doctor noted, "I thought you'd be further along in your recovery Beth. Your injuries look almost as bad as they did in the hospital and you look weak and drawn."
Daryl was already upset and it came out in that moment, "It's because she won't rest. She keeps thinkin' she has ta take care a stuff when she don't. I told her, I got it handled."
The doctor nodded his head and turned back to Beth, "You're a lucky woman Beth. I don't hear too many husbands so readily volunteer to take on the responsibilities of the home so their wives can rest. You should be taking advantage of that."
She was biting her lip, she felt like a guilty child, "I know. I already promised him I was going to do better."
"Good. You're going to have time to prove that to me. I'm writing another note to your employer. You can't return to work next week and I want to see you in this office next Friday. I'll expect there to be a vast improvement."
He might have thought it but he didn't say, "I told you." Instead when they were in the truck and she was seated next to him he said, "I'ma stop at the grocery and stock up. You can wait here in the pickup and relax." He reached behind him, pulling out a magazine that was tucked in the back of his pants. "Here, I borrowed this from the doc's office." It was a copy of Ladies Home Journal.
"Daryl, I'm perfectly capable of walking around the store."
"I know but don't ya wanna rest?"
She knew he was right. and it was only a short trip but she just wanted to be with him. "I'll be fine to go in and when I get home I'm going right back to bed. I promise."
Home. The word struck them both.
He was right. It only took half an hour or so for him to fill the cart and get the groceries paid for. He didn't need a list and he didn't waste a second aimlessly looking around, he knew exactly what he needed.
As they walked from the store she mentioned it, "You're fast."
"Yeah well I had someone with me who oughta be restin' and besides, it don't take long when ya buy the same stuff every time." He dipped his hand in the sack and handed her the little package, "Except this. I never buy this."
She took hold of the small bag of Hershey Kisses and smiled at him, "I didn't even see you put these in the cart. They're my favorite. Thank you Daryl." He quickly nodded and just as quickly had her back in the pickup and the sacks loaded in the pickup bed.
It was later that night after Mick was sound asleep in her bed and Beth was tucked in his bed. He went to her and just as he had the night before, he sat on the edge of the bed. He took her hand in his, he'd gathered his courage and he'd rehearsed in his mind just what he would say, "Ya know, ya ain't gotta ever go back home Beth. You could just stay here. Live here with me and Mick."
Yes, he would say those words to her.
He was just about to when she looked at him with tenderness and asked, "Daryl, now that we're getting closer I wonder if you'd mind telling me...well I'd like to know, what happened to Mick's Mother?"
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A/N Oh yeah that. Please leave me a comment with your thoughts. Next Friday we'll see what they both have to say about it. Also, we'll finally see what the heck happens to the dark-haired man. As always, the chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please check it out. I hope to see you all back next Friday for more of It Matters to Me. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee