A Place Called Heavenly Chapter 13, a walking dead fanfic

A/N Thank you! I appreciate all of you so much. Everything was going so well until everything wasn't going well at all. The good news, Daryl is back at the schoolhouse and just maybe he and Beth can resolve their misunderstanding.

Also, hold on to your hats - its about to hit the fan.

He was holding her close and for the first time since they'd left Merle and Karen's on Saturday she felt warm. He spoke softly in her ear, "There's no excuse for me actin' like I done an leavin' that way. Ya got every right ta be mad, but Beth, if ya let me have a chance I promise I'll make it up. Please."

She too spoke softly, "It was my fault too Daryl."

"Nah, I got a hot temper an I'm pigheaded. I'm mad at myself for bein' that way with ya cuz I know, you're the one person I should never act like that with." He was holding her to him and even dressed in all those clothes she still felt so small. He also noticed the chill in the room and he drew away from her, "It's too cold in here girl, ya can't keep it so cold. Lemme see ta the fire."

He stoked the fire and then got a chair from the small table, setting it in front of the stove, "Here, c'mere and sit close to the fire, warm yourself. I'ma go light the stove in the schoolhouse, we'll leave this door open between em and see if we can't get this buildin' warmed up."

He came back in her little room and with concern he asked, "Did ya sleep in your clothes? Were ya that cold?"

She saw how worried he looked and she decided if they were really going to talk she should be as honest as she hoped he would be. "I did sleep in my clothes but not because I intended to. It was…I was so sad when you left and I didn't even think to add wood to the fire. I just laid down on the bed and cried until I fell asleep. I woke up two or three hours ago thinking I was frozen. I had such trouble getting the fire to start because the box had gone cold. I finally got it to catch but I still felt like I might freeze to death. I put my sweater and coat on and crawled back in the bed. I was laying there shivering and thinking about you, wondering what went wrong and asking myself how it had come to that, and I cried myself to sleep again."

He'd been watching her and listening to her with his heart in his throat, never had he felt so guilty. He'd done this, he caused it, it was his fault. He dropped to his knees next to her and sitting back on his heels he took her hands in his, "I don't think I can forgive myself for makin' ya cry. I know I never wanna be the cause a that again."

She looked at him so sweetly as she placed her hand on his cheek, "I never want to make you think I don't care, not ever, because I do Daryl, I care so much." She looked down and that pretty pink color came to her cheeks, then she looked in his eyes adding, "And if you still want me to be, I want to be your Sweetheart."

He was still holding her hands in his and he took a big chance as he lifted one to his lips and softly kissed the back of it. He smiled up at her when she made no objection. "A course I want that, I ain't ever gonna change my mind about it."

She had no objection and no complaint about him kissing her hand. How could she pretend she didn't want that kind of attention and affection from him? She was his Sweetheart now, that was what her heart had wanted since she'd first seen him.

Again he kissed her hand and he told her, "I took the chance of bringin' a few things, can I fix ya breakfast? I'm starved and I think I heard your tummy makin' noise too."

Her heart felt happy and she smiled back at him, he had that way of always making her feel that everything could work out. "That would be so nice and I can help, but I feel like, well I would like to clean myself up a bit first."

"Yeah, okay. Lemme go out n tend Blackie, get that saddle off him and move him round back, outta sight a the road. I gotta bring in the stuff too. I'll take my time."

She hurried to take off her wrinkled blouse, then shivered as she hurriedly washed her face and under her arms with the cold water from the sink. She put on her fresh blouse and was happy to note her woolen skirt had not wrinkled too badly. She brushed out her hair and put it in a long braid, fighting those curls around her face that she was never quite able to tame. She didn't think she looked anywhere near her best but it was surely better. The last thing she did was straighten the unmade bed pulling the covers up tight, hoping he hadn't noticed it.

He knocked softly and she opened the door and he smiled when he saw her, "That's my favorite, when ya wear your hair down like that."

He'd brought potatoes, eggs and a tenderloin from one of the deer. She got out some bread and jam and although she tried to help him prepare the food he wanted to do it for her. She set the small table and when they sat to eat she smiled, took a bite or two and told him, "I've never had a man cook a meal for me and I didn't even realize how hungry I was. Everything is delicious Daryl, thank you."

She thought maybe he flushed just a little when he shrugged and said, "Thank you for allowin' me this chance ta make things right Beth, an the chance ta fix ya a meal. I been thinkin' bout cookin' ya breakfast for a while now."

They ate quietly and after a few moments he reached his hand across the table taking hers, but it was she who spoke, "Daryl, I…I have so much I want to talk to you about and so many questions I want to ask you."

"I told ya I ain't plannin' on keepin' secrets from ya and I won't. Ya ask me what ya need ta ask an I'll answer with the truth."

She was tentative about asking though, she didn't want to be insensitive to things in his past that may have hurt him. Then again, he'd said it himself and he was right, they couldn't keep secrets. And she knew they had so much to learn about each other. She gave him a small smile, he smiled back and she asked, "Merle said you'd been alone for a year while he was away fighting in the war. He said you were just seven when he left. Why Daryl? Why were you all alone? Where were your folks?"

He did not expect such a question. He thought she would ask him about his work, or want to talk more about why he'd left, or his feelings or maybe even something about his hunting trip. He did not expect to have to tell her about his life before he arrived in Heavenly. But he told her he would answer her questions and he intended to.

"My Dad he got called to the confederate army as soon as the first bullet flew in that war. I ain't seen him since. I got no idea what ever became of him and I ain't concerned about him one way or the other."

His statement sounded so cold and harsh, she would not have expected him to say something like that, but for now she held her tongue and he went on, "Merle he got called when the rules changed and they started takin' young men, he was 17. That left just me an Mama." He paused then, looking down and chewing on his bottom lip, he continued, "I loved my Mama but she wasn't real good at takin' care of anyone, includin' herself. It was more me carin' for her. But I didn't mind, I ain't complainin'. Even bein' so young I had an understandin' about why. More than anythin' I worried about her. She wouldn't hardly eat n stuff. She just liked her wine."

He paused again, now chewing at the side of his thumb, and Beth waited. "I told ya I wouldn't lie and I ain't gonna. How me and Mama got by was I stole food and such. I took some fair and square, squirrels n rabbits, wild berries and like that. But I did steal fruit, vegetables an maybe a chicken or two outta some farmer's yard. Whatever I could find for us."

He looked at her expecting a negative reaction to his admission. She gave him a nod but didn't say anything. What could she say? It was a tragic story and she wasn't going to pass judgement on the actions of a hungry seven year old child.

Then the story got so much worse. She wanted to cry when he spoke of finding his mother and his home gone, and himself alone. But she tried to keep a calm look about her, only allowing herself to cover his hand with hers. He looked in her eyes, nodded and simply said, "It was hard but I's use ta takin' care of myself an I knew that's what I had ta do, that an hope for Merle ta come home and figure out what we'd do next. But, yeah since I'm tellin' the truth an all I'll tell ya, I was scared n I was lonely." He looked in her eyes and he saw her tears, but neither spoke. They just held each other's hand a little tighter.

He told the story of their trip to Heavenly, and he told it all. He did not hold back telling her of the stealing they did, or the outright lies that they told to get what they needed and wanted. Then he waited for her to act as if he was some kind of terrible criminal and tell him to leave her home and to never darken her door again, but she did not. She simply sat quietly and listened to his story.

Merle and his family arrived at Sunday services and they glanced around looking for Daryl, but they did not see their brother. They walked up to greet the preacher and Beth was not standing with him and Olivia. Merle and Karen shared a look, both of them suspecting something. They didn't know for certain, but they knew enough to suppose the two missing parties must be together.

Eastman asked the question of Karen, "Have you seen Beth? She's always here early and we're concerned."

Karen was not the storyteller in the family, thinking fast and making up stories was the long-held talent of Merle Dixon. He quickly answered, "Sorry for the inconvenience Eastman, ya know we got a lotta preparation goin' on for winter and Beth was a big help ta Karen yesterday. I'm afraid we tuckered her out pretty good an by the time me n my wife was takin' her home she was gettin' a little case a the sniffles. We shoulda known better than ta wear the poor girl out like that."

Eastman nodded and said, "Oh dear, well we'll say a prayer for her today." But Merle saw there was someone else looking on and listening, someone who looked as though she doubted his word.

Then Eastman asked, "What about Daryl? Is he home from his hunting trip?"

"Yeah he sure is but it was a rough one. He had a run in with a grizzly an he's got quite the mark ta prove it, plus a black eye. But the good news is, he made it home and we're all of us gonna have a better winter for it. I believe he's restin' now, ya know he lost a lotta blood n all." Karen Dixon never looked at her husband, she and her children just smiled pleasantly at the preacher and his wife.

It was the eagle eye and the sharp ear of Mrs. Neudermeyer that had been listening, watching and doubting.

"You ashamed a the things I done?"

"Ashamed of you Daryl? My gosh no, I'm amazed by you and Merle. I can't believe you two managed to make your way here with nothing to go on but your wits. I'm, well I'm so glad it turned out the way it did, that you're both alright and that Karen came into your lives."

He looked at her and smiled, turning their hands over and giving hers a squeeze, "I appreciate ya understandin' Beth an I want ya ta know, I'm an honest man now an I'm makin' my own way. I ain't a liar and I ain't a thief. Promise."

"I know that Daryl. I know."

"What about you Beth? Tell me about you growin' up."

Compared to his life hers had been so easy that she was almost embarrassed to tell him. But he asked and he'd been so honest. She told him her story. "There were three of us children, my brother Shawn, my sister Maggie and me. I'm the youngest. I grew up on a farm in a big white house with my Mama and Daddy. I was raised to be a proper southern woman and I attended Mrs. Carlton's School for Young Ladies until I graduated at sixteen."

"My Mama was sweet and she was always so patient when she was teaching me the things I would need to know, like sewing and how to cook. She was always kind to everyone. When I was 14 she came down with consumption and a few months later we lost her." Daryl saw her eyes mist over and his hand wrapped a little more tightly around hers. She gave him the smallest of smiles and went on, "When my brother and my sister in law got married my brother took charge of the farm; and I have been in my brother's care since my Daddy died a year and a half ago."

She decided the time had come to tell him and she stood from the table, "My brother was not comfortable with my decision to come out west. We quarreled and I begged him to let me try and make it on my own. He would not have considered it if my sister in law had not intervened on my behalf, and I had to agree to come back home if there was any trouble at all." She walked toward the armoire telling him, "While you were gone I received a letter. I think it's right that you should read it."

She took it from a fabric covered box at the bottom of the closet and handing it to the blacksmith she told him, "He's the head of my family and I should not be disobeying him."

His gaze was steady on her as he took the letter from her hand and slipped it from the envelop. He turned his attention to it. He could tell it was written by an educated man, someone much different than himself and he read the words on that paper with pursed lips and a solemn look to his face.

There was a certain paragraph of the letter which spoke of suitors and marriage, and as he read that paragraph it caused his heart to hurt and he felt his anger rise. But he was determined he would be thoughtful in his reaction, he would not act like a hothead again. He tried to calm himself and then he spoke, "Your brother's a good man, he's lookin' out for his little sister. He don't want no harm ta come to ya. But what he don't know is that I don't want no harm ta come to ya either, and I ain't gonna let it. He don't know he don't have ta find a man ta look out for ya, I want ta be the man who's lookin' out for ya. He don't know how much I care for ya."

Then he looked in her eyes and asked, "These men he mentions, do ya know em?"

"I don't know who he's speaking of and so I can't say for certain. If what you're asking is did I have gentleman friends, suitors, I did not. I was asked by a gentleman or two to accept them as callers, but I declined. I had no interest. What I know Daryl is, my brother has not been happy about me leaving Georgia and he wants me to come back and settle there."

That gave him one more important question, "What do you want Beth? Is Georgia still your home? Is that where ya wanna be, or do ya wanna make Heavenly your home?"

She did not hesitate in her reply, "Heavenly."

Merle took his family home from services and he told his wife, "I'll see if there's a problem, then I'll be home for dinner with you n our children. I appreciate ya waitin' on me Dear One."

"I know and I want you to go, I'm concerned too. As soon as we're sure they're okay we'll all enjoy our food much more." He smiled, kissed her cheek and mounted his horse.

He rode first to Daryl's and found his brother was not in the house nor in the workroom or the horse barn, and Blackie was gone. He rode to town but not wanting to call attention to the situation he deliberately rode passed the schoolhouse. He tied his horse up in front of his brother's shop, then slipped around the backs of the shops and houses until he was behind the schoolhouse, it was there he saw Blackie patiently waiting for his rider.

He was surprised his brother would be there, it was not like him to behave in this manner, and he was certain it was not Beth Greene's way. He thought for a moment about going to the door but did not. He slipped back the way he'd come, mounted his horse and rode back to his home. He told his wife what he'd found and she was as surprised and as confused as he, but like him she also thought it could not be what it appeared to be.

The conversation had taken a turn when Beth asked him about the bear, "Tell me the story Daryl, please."

"I will if ya want, but ya just keep in mind, I'm here an I'm fine, alright?"

"Yes, alright."

He told her the story and her eyes were big and her voice sounded so faint when she said, "Oh my goodness, I can't believe it, you must have been scared out of your mind."

And he continued to be honest, "I was, for a time I thought I's a goner and you flashed through my mind and I's so sad at the thought I would never see ya again."

"Not really, you thought of me?"

"I did Beth, ya always seem ta be on my mind." He shrugged and he smiled and he went on, "Anyway, I's hurtin' but happy ta be alive. It was all I could do ta finish quarterin' the moose and somehow I managed ta get a hind quarter up on Blackie. I got the lighter front quarter on Ginger and we all walked back ta camp. I thought it was probably best I walk anyway, I didn't need ta be bouncin' around on a horse."

"I got back ta camp and I left the meat on the horses, I had a pully goin' and I got it from their backs ta the tree branch. I cared for the animals and then I laid myself down. I rested for an hour or so before me, Blackie and Buck headed back ta get the rest a the meat. But that little girl wasn't about ta let Blackie leave her behind, she followed too. If she hadn't I wouldn't a brought the bear skin. I had her packin' another front quarter, Blackie the other back quarter and Buck packed the bear skin."

"I wanted ta leave the next day, a couple a years ago I'da been pigheaded enough ta do just that, but these days I know better. I knew I's hurt an the next mornin' I rested-in while I worked over in my mind how I could get everythin' home. I made a decision ta leave some of my stuff there. I put my campin' cookware and everythin' else I wasn't gonna need in the dugout. I don't think it'll get bothered an I'll be goin' back for it late spring."

"Then I set my mind on figurin' the best way ta divide the weight, ya know, how I's gonna pack the horses, which one would carry what. I fed the animals an myself good. Everythin' was ready. It was like we all had a kind of day off n we got a good night sleep. We were up early Friday morning. I packed them up, I covered the front a the dugout with more pine boughs n I rolled a couple logs in front of it. Then m and the horses made our way down the mountain."

"I'm lucky ta have such a good team, they never questioned, none of em ever got outta the string or give me one bit a trouble."

That's when she asked another big question he had not seen coming, "What are the scars Daryl? What was the talk of scars?"

He chewed the side of his thumb and she waited quietly, letting him take his time to answer. "My Dad, mine and Merle's. He was one a those men who believes in his right ta discipline his family how he sees fit. He was cruel ta my Mama n I always was sure that's why she tried ta drown herself with wine. My brother, he'd try ta stop the old man from hurtin' her an that's when he'd turn on Merle n strap him good. My Mama would be cryin' an I'd scream an beg him ta stop an he'd turn on me next. I got a few scars on my back from it, Merle has more."

"There's sumthin' I can promise ya right now, me or my brother, neither one a us will never lay angry hands on a woman or a child."

She was shocked and it hurt and she wanted to cry. Never had her Daddy taken a belt or a strap to them. He was strict and they abided his rules, but he was not mean or cruel. Her brother too was strict with his children and firm in his ideas, but never would he hurt his wife or his children.

"While I'm bein' so honest ya might as well know, that ain't all the marks on me." He seemed uncomfortable about what he would tell her, but he also seemed to want to get it off his chest, "I's 19, down in Billins on my own. I's drinkin' n actin' the fool. I ain't proud, that's just how it was. Anyway, I went ta see this Chinese fella I heard talk of in the saloon. They's all sayin' how he was the best at what he done. I don't know what the heck come over me, liquor I s'pose, but anyway, that's what I remember. I woke up the next mornin' with a couple tattoos on my back."

"Tattoos? You mean like drawings? Ink in your skin? Permanent ink?" Although she'd heard of several cultures marking their skin with tattoos, and she'd even seen pictures in books, she'd never known anyone who had such markings.

His skin flushed and he looked down, shrugged and said, "Yeah, permanent." He was sure then she would ask him to go but she didn't. She just looked confused and she was honest when she said, "I can't imagine why anyone would do that. It seems like it would hurt so badly."

He smiled just a little, "I's so drunk I didn't feel nuthin'. I want ya ta know though, I don't drink like that no more Beth, I ain't a man ta drink til he can't remember. Not since I woke up with flyin' dragons on my back." They both laughed and the mood lightened.

From all of the stories he told she could not help but think, he was a man of whom her brother would not approve. She knew that and she knew she was being disobedient, but that didn't matter to her because Daryl was the man she wanted to know better. Not some unnamed suitor whose credentials pleased her brother.

They'd been so busy talking and sharing that time had gotten away from them, it was only the empty feeling in his belly that had Daryl pulling the watch from his pocket and checking the time. "It's three o'clock and I got so much ta get done before tomorrow. I'm sorry for keepin' ya all day an ya missed services. I should know better."

For the second time that day she placed her hand on his cheek, "I wouldn't trade what we had today for anything Daryl. It was so nice to have time together and to share. I'm so happy we put our quarrel behind us."

"We'll have more time together Beth. We'll figure it out how we can, n how you can still keep workin'. I won't talk ta the old hen til ya tell me I can, but ya just say the word an it's done."

He added wood to both fires and reminded her, "Be sure ya keep wood in em, ya can't be lettin' yourself get so cold."

"I promise and thank you."

"I told ya Beth, I want it ta be my job ta care for ya."

He held her close to him and before he left he took her hand again and he softly kissed the back of it, and he looked so shy when he whispered, "My Sweetheart."

She had so much to do too and she knew she couldn't do it all, and she was tired from the big weekend and the lack of sleep. She decided to simply wash the work blouse she'd slept in and hang it near the stove to dry. Then, since she'd had no bath on Saturday, she began heating water for her bath, smiling as she thought of him while adding more wood to the fire box. After her bath she had her dinner of the leftover meat he'd insisted on leaving for her, and every bite she took reminded her of him.

Before bed she stoked the fires again, and then she took the time to write in her journal about Daryl Dixon and how happy she was to be his Sweetheart.

He got home to find a note from his brother pinned to the door, "More than one person missed the two a you this morning. Come talk to me."

He mumbled, "Shit," to himself, rubbed Blackie's muzzle and said, "We ain't home yet boy, sorry." He got to his brother's, greeted them all and then he and Merle went out by the shed to talk. They rolled a smoke and Merle lit his brother's and then his own. That's when he told Daryl about showing up for services, about Beth not being there, about how he made up a story, and about how it might have looked to a few folks who like to talk. "I know Beth ain't the kind a woman to allow ya ta do what it could look like you was doin', but ya know brother, folks talk."

Daryl gave him the short version, "Shit Merle, ya know it wasn't nuthin' like that. I ain't even ever kissed her 'cept on the hand. I made a mess a things last night, I acted like an asshole. I went over there early this mornin', real early, ta try an fix it. I needed ta talk ta her an that's what we done. That's all we done."

"I believe ya brother but ya know how folks are, I'm just warnin' ya there could be talk." On that thought they both took a deep drag, Daryl muttered, "Fuck," and then Merle asked, "So the two of ya are all fixed up now, not mad no more?"

Daryl couldn't help a small smile as he confirmed, "Yeah it's fixed. I ask her would she be my Sweetheart and she told me that she would."

Merle smiled big then, clapped Daryl on the back telling him, "Now that there is good news little brother, I'm real happy for the both of ya."

Monday morning she was feeling so happy, she and Daryl had such a nice talk and now she was his Sweetheart, and he'd kissed her on the hand and the memory made her smile.

She got both fires stoked good, straightened her desk and looked over her classroom. The children's desks were arranged from left to right. The youngest children sat in the desks furthest to Beth's left, and that's where seven year old Mary Ellen Dixon sat, right up front. The two center rows were the children in the middle grades, that's where Cyrus Dixon sat second from the front and right behind him was Carl Grimes. To her far right were the oldest children, and that's where Virgil Dixon sat.

She rang the bell at 7:50 and the children started streaming in and taking their seats. She loved seeing their happy, smiling faces and after the Pledge of Allegiance and their morning prayer she sat at the piano and played a hymn and sang for them. Then class officially began.

Daryl got to work early that Monday morning and he'd just gotten his fire built when Jim walked over from the store, "You doin' okay Smithy? I heard ya tangled with a grizzly."

"Yeah I'm doin' fine. Thanks ta Blackie I managed ta get the upper hand an that bear's a goner now."

Jim nodded, "That's good," and then he lowered his voice, "Just so ya know, there was a lotta talk after services yesterday. There were a couple a folks, mostly that busybody Shelly Neudermeyer, who seemed hellbent on making a big ta do about you and Beth both being absent. I didn't come ta question you Daryl, I'm just here telling you so ya know. I'm also tellin' you Merna and I think the world of ya both."

He had two more visitors that morning who told him the same thing about Mrs. Neudermeyer. That's when Daryl Dixon made up his mind that talking to the woman wouldn't keep. He thought he'd stop by after work and tell Beth the things he'd heard and ask her if she would object to him paying a call on her.

The day had gone so well and there were only about thirty minutes of class time left when Shelly Neudermeyer barged in the schoolroom door. She was red-faced, stomping her feet as she walked and obviously in an extremely agitated state when, right in front of the children, she pointed her finger and raised her voice to their teacher, "You! You! I knew the first time I laid eyes on you just the kind of loose woman you are. Don't think for one minute you had me fooled. I know you and that blacksmith have been engaging in all manner of immoral behavior. I have it on good authority he was here all day yesterday and that you and him stayed cozied up in your room. No one has to tell me what kind of shenanigans were going on."

It was all so unexpected and Beth stood there in a state of shock and embarrassment. She was confused, her stomach was queasy and her head had gone light, as though she might faint. She felt the blush rise from her toes to the top of her head and she couldn't speak, she couldn't respond. Then the woman yelled as she pointed to the door of Beth's room, "You get back there and you get your things and you get out of my school!"

Beth was so shaken she wasn't even aware the tears had begun to fall from her eyes, and she was still so shocked that she simply did what the woman had commanded. As she walked in her small room she began to cry harder.

The children were as shaken and confused as their teacher. Mary Ellen Dixon was crying hard and she was scared for her teacher. She stood and spoke loudly to the woman, "You stop it! You just quit that right now! You can't be mean like that to Miss Beth, you can't! You need to stop being so mean and you need to say you're sorry!"

Before the last of the words were out of the little girl's mouth Shelly Neudermeyer had her by the shoulders, shaking her and yelling into her face, "You're the one who'd better stop young lady or I'll get the paddle out." And Cyrus had gotten to her and was taking hold of his little sister and pulling her away from the woman. In the next moment Virgil Dixon had made his way to them and was standing tall between the woman and his brother and sister. In an angry voice the boy told her, "Don't you touch my sister. My Daddy don't believe in layin' his own hand on his children, he damn sure ain't gonna allow the likes a you to do so."

That's when Shelly Neudermeyer slapped Virgil Dixon hard across the face.

And that's when Carl Grimes jumped from his seat and ran straight to his Daddy's office to tell the sheriff what had happened. Beth heard the screaming and the cries of her students and came running in from her room, just in time to see Virgil Dixon take a hold of his brother's and his sister's hands and hurry them outside.

He instructed his sister and brother, "Mary Ellen I know you're sad n scared but you quiet yourself down now and soon you'll be home with our Mama. Cyrus, ya keep a tight hold of our sister's hand and the both of ya run all the way til ya get home. You tell Mama what happened. Our Daddy's gonna be home within the hour and he'll take care a things. Understand?"

"Yes Virg."

"Alright then, hurry now, and tell Mama and Daddy I went ta tell Uncle Daryl."

A/N hmm we'll see how the Dixon brothers feel about all that. On a happy note, we did have quite the chat between Daryl and Beth and they both seem to have made their feelings clear. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'd appreciate you leaving a comment / review. As always, the chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I hope to see you all back next Friday for more of A Place Called Heavenly. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee