A/N Thank you all so much! Well we found out what will likely be the final outcome with the claimers, but before we deal with all that, we have other pressing matters to tend to, namely some Bethyl Love.

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The late afternoon air had the biting feel of frost to it. She was making no complaint at all, but even though she wore both her sweater and coat, and he'd tucked the blanket in tightly around her, he could see she was barely tolerating the cold. As soon as they arrived at his brother's home he quickly jumped down from the wagon and went to her. Clasping his big hands at her waist he lifted her down and pulled her tightly to him. His hand clasped the back of her hair as his lips went to her ear and he whispered reassurance, "It'll be warm in the house," and her husband held her tucked closely by his side as they entered his brother's home.

The small house seemed to be brimming with people and the fire burning brightly in the hearth as well as the cookstove made the home so warm and inviting. As much as they both wished to be in their own home and alone with each other, the warmth, the happy smiles, the excited chatter of the children and the smell of dinner on the stove all served to remind them this time spent with family was quite precious.

After working at the mine all day Merle came home tired, hungry and ready to simply enjoy his family for a short time before bed. As she always did, Karen had dinner ready to set on the table as soon as her husband arrived, just moments after Daryl and Beth.

When the blessing had been said and the food served, Daryl shared what he'd heard from the sheriff. "Rick's expectin' the governor, the circuit judge and all their folks to arrive in Heavenly Wednesday. He says he believes they'll put the claimer on trial Friday and that the dirty...the outlaw will hang on Saturday."

Merle nodded, "Hangin' is far better'n what he deserves."

Although Beth didn't completely disagree with her brother in law, she was still taken aback by the casual manner in which they spoke of such things. She didn't question though, for now the men were talking.

Daryl also shared the news about the bounties and rewards. Karen immediately offered, "But Daryl you had the same idea as I. If I really do see the money I'll expect to share it with you."

"Nope, it was you and the sewin' ladies that brought the truth about that ornery old hide ta Rick. If ya wanna share your bounty then it's them ya oughta share with. And speakin' a Neudermeyer, Rick says her trial will be Monday and she'll likely be transported ta Deer Lodge on Tuesday."

Cyrus' eyes were big and round when he looked at his mother, "Mama, you're like one of those famous bounty hunters, they're gonna be writin' a story about you!"

Merle smiled at the thought, "Now there's an idea Dear One. You just get on your horse an head out to clean up the west. Ya get all them outlaws and such and we'll be rich in no time."

His wife raised her eyebrows to him, "Do you doubt that I can Merle?"

He simply smiled at her, "Not for one minute Dear One."

Daryl was careful not to tease his wife or say anything about how Beth had earned her share of the bounty money. He was aware how delicate a subject it was, and that she was still trying to reconcile what had happened and what she'd done. He opted for changing the subject. "There's gonna be a lot of excitement in Heavenly the next few days what with the governor, the judge and all them other folks that travel along with em comin' ta town. I expect Virgil and me are gonna be real busy takin' care of their horses and wagons."

That was Merle's opportunity to ask, "How'd my son do at work today?"

Daryl nodded as he swallowed the bite of stew, then answered, "You'd be real proud, he's a good hand and a fast study, he don't complain bout nuthin'. I'm real glad ta have him workin' with me."

"Well if he don't do like ya say you just come tell me an I'll have a talk with him."

"Nah, ya know I won't be doin' that. He's all growed up now brother. If I was ever ta have any trouble with Virg, and I don't expect I will, I'd talk ta him myself, man ta man."

Beth immediately felt anxious, worried Merle would get angry about Daryl's response and the brothers might argue. She was stunned when instead Merle laughed and nodding in agreement replied, "That'll be a whole lot harder on him," he turned to Virgil and still smiling he warned, "Ya best mind them Ps and Qs son cuz ya ain't never seen nuthin' like when your Uncle gets his dander up."

Beth looked at her husband, unable to imagine her husband being a mean man. She wasn't ignorant of the fact he could be rough, she'd seen that side of him more than once. But he was so tender and gentle with her, the roughness was a side of him she did not wish to spend her time dwelling on.

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They walked in the door and he hurried to add wood to the hearth. He was so anxious to spend time alone with his wife, he longed to take her in his arms and hold her to him. But first there were chores that had to be tended to. He carried in the goods they purchased that day, unhitched the horses and got them in the barn and in their stalls, and with the lantern as light he checked the surroundings, he needed to assure himself that all was well.

When the tasks were finally completed and he was back in their home with her, he did what he'd been longing to as he took Beth in his arms. His wife had been yearning for his touch just as strongly as he had yearned for hers, and when she pressed her body as close to him as possible he wished to never have to let her go. Though it had only been since that morning that they last held each other in this way, it seemed to each of them it had been forever.

The newlyweds both had matters of great importance they wished to speak about to the other. Issues that needed to be discussed and decisions that must be made. Each hoped to convince the other that what they preferred to have the outcome be was indeed the right choice. For Daryl there was more than simply the question of her employment, there was another important matter he wished to bring to her, a matter that would affect the rest of their lives.

For the present they chose not to think of these issues and so they put thoughts of them aside. In this moment they thought only of each other and the love they would make. When he picked her up in his arms and carried her to their bedroom all she could do was giggle softly in excited anticipation, thinking of nothing but the love she felt for him.

As he set her down his hands went to her hair and he loosened the tie of her braid. He fanned the blonde curls out across her shoulders as he gazed into her bright blue eyes, eyes that were so warm and inviting, and he smiled at his bride as he remarked, "There ain't a woman alive as pretty as my wife."

She cast her eyes down but she was smiling at his words. He cradled her slim neck in his strong hands and with his thumbs coaxed her chin up so her eyes were on his. He drew her close and when his lips went to hers and his tongue slipped in her mouth it felt so warm. She thought of nothing else, only returning his kisses in a way that would let him know the love and the passion she felt for him.

Her husband always managed to make her feel such powerful desire and this night was no exception. He kissed along her jawline to her ear and nuzzled in, his hands sliding around to her back where he began to loosen the buttons of her dress. He whispered in her ear, "I wanna see my bride. All of her." His words aroused her more and she softly moaned while moving in closer to him, her arms seeming to glide around his waist where her hands lightly caressed his bottom.

He stood back, his fingers reaching inside her dress to slip the garment from her shoulders and down. She offered no resistance but simply moved her hands to rest on his broad shoulders as she stepped out of the dress. He snickered, "I ain't gonna throw this one on the floor," and he carefully laid the garment across the back of the chair.

He stood before her, his eyes studying her as his hands slowly and lightly rubbed up and down along her outer arms. His bride looked both sweet and alluring in the billowy white undergarments and he found he couldn't hold back for long. He needed to see more of her.

He remained at arms length as he began to loosen the buttons of her camisole and his nearly unblinking gaze had her feeling self-conscious, again she cast her eyes down. He implored, "Don't look away. Look at me, please Beth."

Although feeling somewhat uncomfortable she did as her husband asked, holding his gaze as slowly, one by one he loosened the buttons. He did not slip the garment from her shoulders but rather opened it only enough to expose her bosom. To him her breasts always appeared quite delicate with their skin so pale and the nipples such a soft shade of pink. He reached out to skim his thumbs along those small nipples and her moan was low and needy as they became taut.

She wanted him to hold her and she wanted to hold and touch him, but it was as if he was purposely standing just a bit too far away, teasing and tantalizing. The longer he looked so deeply into her eyes while continuing to pinch and play with her breasts, the more the heat and the moisture between her legs grew. She whispered hoarsely, "Please."

He was so ready and he wanted her so much, her soft pleading was all it took to make his desire for her grow even stronger and he hastened his actions, doing as she asked. One arm encircled her waist and his mouth engulfed her breast, while his hand reached down and lightly grasped at the sweetness of her womanhood. He lifted his face and as he kissed her lips he pulled the ribbon that held her slip. The underskirt had no sooner fallen to her ankles than he had the buttons loose on her bloomers. In what was no time at all both garments were laying on the chair with her dress.

He got on his knees in front of her, resting his backside on his heels and smiling up at his wife. Slowly he began to roll down her stockings, first one then the other. He slipped them from her feet and as he rose he paused to kiss her mound while he so tenderly ran a finger along that warm wet place. Her plea was more desperate now as once again she moaned, "Please."

He smiled when he asked, "Do ya want me as much as I want you?"

The answer was in the blush on her cheeks and the smile on her lips.

She was naked save for the white camisole, opened slightly to reveal her breasts to him. He found the look appealing and left the garment in place. Once more he kissed her deeply and then pulling down the quilts he lifted her into their marriage bed.

She lay watching and anxious for him to join her and her husband was as eager as she. He hurriedly tugged the suspenders down, then made quick work of opening the buttons of his shirt. He had the outer garment and his underwear off in no time, not bothering to place them carefully on a chair. He simply cast his own clothes aside.

Next came the buttons on his trousers and he looked at her with a mischievous grin as he opened the pants and they, along with his long underwear, were off as quickly as his shirts had been. He gave a tug at his socks and then all of him stood exposed to her. There had been a time she feared she would find the sight of a man's naked body unattractive, perhaps even frightening; but as he stood before her now there was nothing about her husband's nakedness she did not find enticing.

He crawled in the bed, took her in his arms and began kissing her with a hunger so fervent it was as though he were starving for her. His fingers pinched and played with her nipples and he began to kiss his way down her neck, taking time to lightly suck and nibble at the sensitive skin of her throat and shoulder. Her hunger for him was just as ardent, and her small body seemed to be seeking him out while soft humming noises rose from somewhere deep within her.

Knowing his touch was bringing his bride such deep pleasure, and that her squirming and moaning were signs she desired more of him, caused the intensity of her husband's hunger for her to grow. He nipped and licked at her soft white skin and soon his mouth again covered her breast. He circled the hardened nipple with his tongue while his hand slowly slipped down her body and gently grasped her mound. He paused, remembering, and inquired of his wife, "Ya alright? Do ya need the cream?"

"I'm…it's fine." And on her words he let his finger slip inside that warm wetness, smiling to himself when he felt the further proof of her desire. His sweet wife was every bit as anxious for his body as he was for hers. He thought he should pay more attention to her needs and bring her to her pleasure before the act, but she had other ideas as she spread her legs and unashamedly whispered, "Now husband, please, I need you now."

He moved his body between her legs and when he propped himself up on one arm she did not wait for him to act, she took his manhood in her small hand and raised her hips as she guided him into her. She made it even more clear that she had no thoughts of feigning tentativeness or modesty when she wrapped her slim legs around his hips and her fingers tangled in his hair. He'd never heard her voice so thick and needy as when she confessed, "I've been thinking of this with you all day."

He was surprised in the best of ways and he confessed as well, "I been wantin' ya too. It seems I always do, always have." He slid an arm under her back and lifted her close to him, kissing her while she kept hold of his hair moaning sensually as he moved inside her. As their bodies rocked together their skin became damp with the heat they were feeling, and he let his hand slip down to where they were joined. He found the little bump and her husband gave it the attention he knew brought his wife so much pleasure.

Her movements soon became more frenetic and he pumped harder, giving all of himself to her. As her body began to tense and then quiver he could feel his own body start to stiffen, a sure sign he would soon surrender and lose himself to her completely. She let out a low squeal as with abandon she let herself go and he went there with her, only pulling himself from her at the last moment.

They were both too breathless to speak, they seemed to simply fall into each other as they tried to catch their breath and slow the pounding of their hearts.

He was startled when he woke and found himself alone in their bed. He couldn't believe he'd slept so soundly that his wife was able to slip away unnoticed. He smelled the coffee and breakfast cooking on the stove, and he tried to recall the last time he'd woken to someone cooking him a meal while he slept. He thought maybe it had been Merle, back when he was so young and they'd been on the trail to Montana. Even when Karen came into their lives he was up long before breakfast doing his chores.

As nice as waking to his pretty wife preparing his morning meal may be, he thought he'd much rather have her there with him and in his arms.

He dressed only in the long underwear before making his way to their kitchen. There she stood in her gown, a shawl pinned across her shoulders and her hair tied back in a messy ponytail. "What're ya doin' up so early Sweetheart?"

She smiled at him, "It's not so early, it's five-thirty, and what I'm doing is making breakfast for my husband."

He walked behind her, setting his hands on her hips as he leaned in and softly kissed her neck. "I'm a lucky man but ya know ya didn't have ta. You coulda stayed in bed, I can make my own meal."

As nice as his touch felt and as sweet as his words might seem, she felt now was the time to begin settling into their roles. She turned in his arms and she seemed almost angry with him when she responded, "Mister Dixon, do you think I would be such a poor wife to you that I would not take care of your needs? I am not here just to keep you company in your bed. You said I was to be your partner, I'm doing my share and I intend to continue to do my share. Now let me get you a cup of coffee."

He had not expected this strong reaction from her, but he enjoyed seeing this feisty side of her nature, "Ya got me all wrong Missus Dixon, I got no doubts at all that you're capable a doin' anythin' ya might set your mind to. Ya saved my life twice now. But by all means, yes Ma'am, coffee please."

While she finished cooking their meal he got himself dressed and told her, "I know ya wanna care for the chickens but it's frigid out there and you're cookin'. I'll take care of it, sharin' the work just like ya said. I'll get supplies from the root cellar too." When he opened the door she felt the blast of icy air and it seemed so much colder than just the day before. She was relieved he'd been the one to go out in it.

It was while he was out doing the morning chores that a thought came to her, a thought of something that could make their lives even better. It would be so nice she couldn't imagine he would not consent. She made up her mind to seek his agreement that very morning over breakfast.

He returned as she was setting the food on the table and he mentioned, "Any vegetables or like from the box had all turned, I give that ta the chickens. There's this meat left but it ain't gonna be good much longer."

"Well we won't waste it, I'm sure I can think of a way to use it for our dinner."

The last thing he did was set the wire basket of fresh eggs on the counter and noted, "Speakin' a the chickens, with this cold they ain't layin' quite as much."

He said the blessing and they sat to eat, and she watched as her husband dished up the food first on her plate and then his own. She'd given it more thought and now she was not at all sure he would be agreeable to the idea. She waited until he'd enjoyed some of his meal before she ventured, "I was thinking Daryl, it would be so nice if we had a milk cow."

"A milk cow?"

"Well yes, I think it would be wonderful to have fresh milk, cream and especially butter. It's quite expensive to buy. What we aren't able to use I'm sure Merle and Karen would be happy to have."

He didn't say yes and he didn't say no, he simply continued to eat his meal while he shrugged and asked, "Ya know how ta milk a cow and churn butter?"

She was sure he was being condescending, certain he thought she did not know these things and for the second time that morning when she spoke to her husband there was an edge in her voice, "Daryl Dixon you know very well that I grew up on a farm. Although I admit, I was not tasked with many outdoor chores, I was still taught how they're done. The answer is 'yes', I do know how to milk a cow and I am not afraid to take that job on as my responsibility. As for churning butter, yes to that as well. And you might be interested to know, my butter cake is considered quite delicious."

He was pursing his lips, trying hard not to let himself laugh when he responded, "Seems my wife is feelin' a little aggravated with her husband this mornin'. I's just jokin' ya know, I thought I's bein' clever."

"I'm not aggravated with you Daryl, I just want to be your wife in all ways. I love that you are always so careful and protective of me, and that you always concern yourself with my needs. But I want to care for you as well. As for the cow, I would enjoy having one and I thought you might see the benefit too."

He reached for her hand and reminded her, "We talked about this, didn't we? That it would take some time for us to learn each other's way and become accustomed ta this new life we're gonna have together?"

"Yes Husband, you're right."

"Ya just gotta let me know what ya want and need and I'll try hard ta do the same with you." He thought maybe he shouldn't say it to her, but he just couldn't seem to keep himself from smiling and adding, "You try an remember I got a smart mouth, and I'll try real hard ta remember not ta tease ya first thing in the mornin'."

She didn't want to but she couldn't help it, he made her laugh, "That would be a very good idea Daryl."

She cleared the table as he put the big boots back on, grabbed the heavy coat from the hook, slunk into it, wrapped a wool scarf around his neck and buttoned up. He pulled the gloves on his hands and she handed him the lunch bucket she'd prepared for him. Before he put his hat on he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, kissed her and smiled, "Thanks for breakfast and the lunch, and when I see Reg this mornin' I'll ask about the milk cow. I know they keep a few. Don't get your hopes too high though Sweetheart, this is cattle country not milk cow country."

His back was to her, hand on the door lever when he stopped and turned, looking at her one more time, "Ya sure do look pretty first thing in the mornin' Beth." She smiled as she reached up, took the hat from his head and ruffed his hair. He took her face in his gloved hands and once again he kissed her goodbye, then smiled, "Course ya look mighty pretty last thing at night too."

The door closed behind him and she stood for a moment just taking in her surroundings. For the first time she was alone in their home and she smiled because, being there was just where she wanted to be. Of course, she wished her husband was there too but there were so many things she was looking forward to getting done. She was sure the time would pass quickly as she began to do the small things that together would help to turn the little house into their home.

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A/N We're going to pick right back up there next chap, and I promise they will discuss all the matters on their minds. I hope you enjoyed. Please leave a comment / review. As always, to see the chapter photo you can visit my tumblr blogs gneebee, bethylmethbrick and A Place Called Heavenly. I hope to see you all back next Friday for more of Heavenly and until then remember, I love ya large and appreciate you all so much! xo gneebee