A/N Thank you all soooo much! We begin this chapter with some exciting news, then brother Shawn rides in on the stagecoach, we go to a barn dance where our couple observes many interesting behaviors, and...well...Enjoy!
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It was nearing the end of June and the day happened to be her husband's twenty-sixth birthday. That's when it started.
She woke feeling a bit queasy but certain once she got up and had a little food on her tummy she would be just fine. As she rose from their bed the nausea got worse and she hurried to the bathroom, praying she'd get there before it was too late.
He was right behind her and suspected what it was. He hated to see her sick, but he was hoping he was right about the cause of her distress. When she knelt in front of the toilet, he knelt next to her and tried his best to comfort his wife, rubbing her back and telling her over and over how much he loved her and how bad he felt that she was sick. It was the truth, yet he couldn't help feeling a little bit happy and excited.
When the sickness finally subsided she sat back, resting her bottom on the heels of her feet. She shook her head in confusion, looked at him and said, "I don't know what in the world could be the matter. I didn't have any strange foods to eat and I was fine when we went to bed."
He cupped her face in his hands and he couldn't help but smile as he shrugged and said, "I think it's happened Beth. Just like I hoped it would. I think you're gonna have a baby."
In spite of how bad she was feeling her own smile spread from ear to ear when she responded excitedly, "Oh my gosh, of course you're right. When my poor sister in law was expecting her youngest girl she was sick every day for two months."
They hugged and they laughed and he stated the obvious, "It ain't like I been bein' careful about…ya know, or like ya asked me ta be. I's hopin' for this Beth."
Her cheeks were pink when she answered back, "I was hoping too."
He helped her to her feet, stood by her as she freshened up, and then insisted she sit in her chair while he made them breakfast. She told him that wasn't fair, it was his birthday and she should be making him breakfast. He just smiled and said, "Happy Birthday ta me then, best one I ever had." She knew she couldn't change his mind about cooking, her husband got stubborn about such things and there was no point in arguing with him.
When he asked what she'd like she shook her head, "Thank you, but Daryl, I can't eat anything."
"Ya gotta eat, ya got a baby." He protested.
Once again she knew it would do her no good to argue with him. She smiled and agreed, "Well maybe just bread then," and so he wouldn't persist she added, "I'll eat more when my tummy settles."
They sat at the table talking excitedly about having their first child. What if it was a boy? What if it was a girl? By the time they were done with the meal they laughed about how they had already plotted out the child's entire life. Daryl's hand lay on hers when he smiled and said, "Well now that we got it all figured out, I guess we just gotta hope he or she don't have any plans a their own."
They also agreed they would tell only Merle's family for three month's time, until they were sure the pregnancy would hold.
He helped her from the chair and took her in his arms, kissed her and with a mischievous grin said, "I got one more birthday present in mind, kind of more a birthday celebration I s'pose…" then picked his wife up in his arms and carried her to their bed.
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It was a tradition and one that the people of Heavenly looked forward to every year. The last Saturday in July the Monroe's would host a barn dance at their ranch. Reg and Deanna would cook an entire beef and the women would all arrive bearing side dishes and desserts to share. There were barrels of homemade beer, and if you knew where to look, bottles of whiskey. There would be a wooden dance floor under a tarp where party goers of all ages would dance and sing along to the music of mouth harps, banjos, guitars and fiddles.
The Monroe's saw it as a wonderful opportunity to not only get together with their fellow ranchers, but for all the people of Heavenly to come together. It was perfect timing, the party took place between the calving and branding work of spring, and what was always a busy August. August was when haying would began, ranchers would be too busy to visit with one another, and all residents of Heavenly would be beginning their winter preparations.
Beth had not attended the big barn dance her first July in Heavenly. She'd been far too shy. She didn't know anyone and just the thought of the big crowd of strangers made her tummy uneasy. This year she couldn't wait. She would be accompanied by her husband and his family, and it would be the day after her brother arrived in Heavenly. A perfect occasion to introduce him to her friends and to show him how warm and wonderful life in the mountains could be.
It had caused them a bit of unhappiness, not with each other, it was because the situation just didn't feel quite right.
Daryl had always felt pride in his home. He'd done much of the building by himself and he believed he'd furnished it quite nicely with things he'd been fortunate to find in Billings. He even installed modern plumbing and he knew his outbuildings were top-notch. Since marrying Beth he'd acquired a piano for her, and she had fixed the place up real pretty with curtains and such.
Yet he worried it may not be up to her family's standards. He was aware she'd grown up in a big house filled with fancy furnishings and dishware, and that her family's property sat on acre upon acre of good farmland. Maybe his house would be just the first in a long list of ways he didn't quite measure up.
What reinforced those feelings was when Shawn Greene declined an invitation they extended him to stay in their home. It was their belief that families are supposed to stay together, but in his last correspondence her brother had insisted, he did not wish to be a burden to Daryl and Beth. He would stay at the hotel.
Her husband's response to the letter hurt her heart, "He's probably worried our place ain't fit ta stay in."
Her brow furrowed and she got after him a little bit, "Daryl, of course he doesn't think that. He knows better. I've described our home to him in my letters." She took a breath and calmed herself as she reached for his hand, and smiled when she reminded him, "He just doesn't want his visit to be an imposition on us. Keep in mind Husband, I love you and I love this house. I feel blessed to live here with you. That's what matters, nothing else."
She and her husband were there to meet the coach Friday afternoon. She was so excited and so nervous that she wasn't able to eat much breakfast that morning, and had only managed an apple for lunch. Standing there now she felt a bit lightheaded and her already often-queasy tummy was out of sorts.
Their first sign the coach was approaching was a cloud of far off dust. They exchanged nervous smiles, and she was full of emotion at the thought she would soon see her brother. It had been a year since she'd seen and spoken to anyone in her family, and although she was wonderfully happy in her life with Daryl, she missed her family. She held tightly to her husband's arm as she watched the dust cloud get closer and closer.
Her husband was filled with his own emotions. The blacksmith was not a man to seek out another man's approval, but because he knew it was important to his wife that her husband and her brother were on good terms, he did indeed seek to prove himself to Shawn Greene. He hoped there would not be family conflict, especially now that his wife was with child. Under no circumstance did he want Beth to feel troubled or anxious. He didn't let his wife see his nervousness and concern though, her husband simply stood by her side, strong and tall.
He was sure it was not possible for her to grip him any more tightly. He didn't mind, he liked it when she held onto his arm for strength. They stood together on the wooden sidewalk and watched the coach come to a stop in front of them.
The driver climbed down from his seat, opened the door and helped a woman down first. The woman called loudly, "Bethie!" And hurried toward them.
It was a shock and Beth felt her legs go out from under her, while her husband felt her grip suddenly weaken and her body slip away from him. He did not let her fall, he quickly scooped her up in his arms, then looked quizzically at the woman who had called Beth's name. Who was she?
The question didn't go unanswered for long. The woman smiled at his wife still there in his arms and now coming to. With a hand on her hip and a sassy smile on her face she stated, "You must be the husband. I'm the sister, Maggie."
By then Shawn Greene was standing with them, but before the blacksmith greeted her sister or her brother he first looked to his wife with concern and asked, "Ya okay now Beth? Ya want me ta carry ya or you wanna walk?"
"I'm fine, please put me down. I can walk. Thank you Daryl."
Her sister said, "Oh sweet little Beth, she's always been such the delicate one."
Even though her husband often thought of her that way himself, he did not let the statement go unchallenged, "She might appear ta be delicate but she ain't, she's strong. Even she don't know how strong she is."
Her brother had been paying close attention, not missing any of the exchange. Although he was not yet certain how he felt about this rough looking man his baby sister had wed, he did give him credit for having concern for Beth, as well as fast reflexes and for speaking his mind.
The hotel was just a block and a half down the street. Her brother carried his own valise and Daryl carried Maggie's, but he also kept an arm firmly around his wife's waist. In a loud whisper she assured him, "Daryl I'm fine. I promise it won't happen again."
There was worry in his eyes and a sternness in his tone when he loudly whispered in return, "I ain't takin' any chances on ya gettin' hurt, ya know that," but his tone quickly turned soft and loving when he added, "Please Beth, ya know how I worry about ya."
Her brother and sister gave each other a knowing look, their baby sister's rough-looking husband had a very tender way with Beth.
As they strolled toward the hotel Daryl spotted the deputy standing in front of the sheriff's office, just up ahead. He also noticed the small smirk on the man's face as they walked that way, and he had a pretty good idea just what Abraham Ford might be looking at. He couldn't simply walk the group passed the big redhead, that would seem odd and quite rude. Especially after the deputy tipped his hat and said, "Afternoon folks."
The small group stopped and Daryl introduced the man to Beth's family. He was sure Ford had not even noticed Shawn, or Beth or himself. Abraham's eyes never strayed from Maggie Greene. But then, Maggie Greene's eyes never strayed from the deputy. Oh shit, thought the blacksmith. What kind of trouble has come to Heavenly now?
Once their belongings were secured at the hotel, Daryl helped Beth in the wagon while Shawn assisted Maggie, and they headed to Daryl's and Beth's home for a family dinner.
His wife had the roast cooking slowly in the oven since late morning, all that was left to do was to make the biscuits. While the ladies saw to that, Daryl showed her brother the property.
As they walked he spoke, "I started out with this eleven acres and I own it free n clear." He then told Shawn Greene the story of buying the business, the land and the foundation for a home back when he was 18.
"That's quite an undertaking for someone just 18 Daryl," Her brother seemed impressed.
Daryl shrugged, "Yeah, I'd been workin' there since I's 10, so it seemed ta me like a natural step."
Her brother remarked, "That must have been very difficult to work a busy and demanding job while still attending school."
Daryl didn't think a thing of replying, "Oh I didn't go ta school. I just went the one year. I quit when I got the full-time apprenticeship."
"You only attended one year of schooling?"
That's when Daryl thought about the company he was in and how that may not sound right to Shawn Greene. "Well it wasn't like I wasn't gettin' any schoolin' at all. I was. I's livin' with my brother and his wife and my sister in law was a school marm. She helped me keep up my studies after work at night."
"I see, well you're certainly an enterprising man Daryl."
He wasn't sure if that was good or bad, so he just moved along and showed Shawn the barn, the shop and even the coop and the root cellar. Then he made what he felt was as an important pledge, "I promise ya Beth ain't ever gonna go without and I damn sure ain't lettin' her go hungry. I keep us well-stocked in food and I'd starve ta death myself before I'd let her miss a meal."
Her brother simply nodded and said, "That's very noble of you, but it doesn't seem it will be necessary."
Shawn Greene had been studying the man, listening carefully to everything he said and watching everything he did closely. He'd always assumed his baby sister would end up living a quiet, genteel life as the spouse of a doctor, banker or perhaps even a preacher. Never could he have predicted she would marry an uneducated man and end up living the life of a pioneer, in a sort of nowhere-land high in the mountains. He most certainly could have never imagined his sweet Beth would willingly, and quite rebelliously, marry a man such as Daryl Dixon.
But in just this little time he'd spent walking the land with his brother in law, Shawn thought he now knew exactly what his baby sister saw in the man. He was obviously strong and hardworking, but even more obvious was his complete devotion to her. Taking care of Beth and her needs would always be the most important thing in the world to Daryl Dixon, and that endeared him to Shawn Greene.
Her brother also understood that just because Daryl Dixon lacked education did not mean he lacked intelligence. Shawn was quite impressed with his business sense as well as his plan to develop a ranch for himself and his family.
Meanwhile at the house, Maggie was flitting around looking at and touching everything, then she smiled and asked, "So where can I find myself a handsome and brawny mountain man? I've had my fill of city fellows and traveling men."
"Maggie." Beth shook her head, "What became of that traveling man? When you left Georgia with him I was sure we would never see you again."
"Oh he turned out to be quite the lying scoundrel. Why I nearly killed him when I found out he had a wife in New York City, and not just a wife. There were three children to boot. I decided to visit his wife and tell her what her husband was about, allowing her the privilege of killing him. But I don't mind telling you, it hurt to find out I was only a plaything."
Beth's hand was clasped over her mouth, her eyes big as saucers. She finally got the words out, "Oh my Maggie, I'm so sorry. Shawn said he didn't like the fella right from the start but I was hoping he was just being over-protective."
"Over-protective? I think you're describing your handsome husband." But she smiled and went on, "No, our brother was right. The guy was a no-good son of a bitch."
"Maggie Greene!"
Maggie just laughed, "Oh Bethie, you're just as pretty and sweet as ever, but don't try to convince me that handsome man you married doesn't know a foul word or two."
"Daryl's very polite and gentlemanly about his language in my presence." On that the sisters looked at each other and burst out laughing until they had tears, then hugged and acknowledged how much they'd missed one another.
Maggie raised an eyebrow and asked, "So now, tell me about this big red-haired deputy. He looks like the kind of trouble a girl might enjoy getting into."
"Maggie, you're just being terrible and you're going to get yourself in a worse situation than you were in."
"Why? Is he married with a brood?"
"No he's not married. He's the deputy and he has a pig farm, and for a while he lived with a woman, without the benefit of marriage."
"Well then he sounds free enough to me!"
The talk stopped when the men returned.
The four stood around the small table and like he did every night Daryl Dixon held his wife's hand while he said the blessing, concluding with, "Thanks for bringin' our family here safe."
Dinner together was pleasant and as they enjoyed the food Shawn spoke frankly, "I had no idea what to expect when I made my plans to visit you here. I don't want to insult you Daryl, it's nothing to do with you personally. Not at all. But I was concerned for Beth and her safety and comfort. I can't begin to express to you how pleased I am to meet you and to know she is in good hands. Your home is lovely and I'm impressed with all the plans you've made. Will you show me your house drawings after dinner?"
The table was cleared and Daryl rolled out the plans and the men studied them together. Shawn offered, "I'm going to be here two weeks and I'd like to help as much as I can in that time." He thought he saw a skeptical look in Daryl's eye and he promised, "I know you probably think of me as some kind of fancy fellow, but I assure you, growing up Hershel Greene's son I am no stranger to hard work."
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He seldom attended a barn dance or party of any kind. There was always work to be done and for Daryl Dixon work had always come first. That changed with her in his life. She'd been looking forward to the day for weeks and he would not disappoint her. He would have gotten her to the barn dance if he had to carry her on his back.
Since her sister and brother would accompany them Beth had made two dishes. A large basket of assorted sweet breads and dinner rolls and a big tray of deviled eggs.
She and her husband were not dressed as formally as for church, but they were much more dressed up than everyday wear. She'd begun making her new dress in April and was happy to have not completed it until the end of June. By then she discovered she was in the family way and she'd left a bit of growing room around the middle.
She worried but her husband promised, "No one can tell Beth, ya look as thin as always. Hell, heck I can't even tell and I know that little body a yours pretty good." He smiled when her cheeks turned such a nice pink color.
Her husband wore his good trousers with a new shirt she'd made him. He'd balked at first, "Beth, it's blue. What kind a man wears a blue shirt?"
She looked at him, her chin pointing up, eyes sparkling and a big smile when she answered, "The kind of man I love. That's what kind." He laughed and put on the shirt.
There was already a good-sized group assembled when the family arrived, including Mary Ellen who ran to greet them, "Uncle Daryl, and Auntie Beth, I'm so happy you finally got here. We been here at least five minutes already. I was waitin' on you."
Her uncle put his hand on his chest, "Five minutes?! I can't believe ya lasted that long girl."
"You're just bein' silly now, but I like your shirt and you sure do look pretty Auntie Beth."
By then her Mama, Daddy and brothers had joined the group and Merle held out a hand to Shawn, "Name's Merle Dixon. Don't mind my daughter, she has a lotta trouble bein' quiet."
Daryl made the formal introductions and then they took the food to the big tables that were set up in the barn, and greeted their hosts.
A group of local fellas were making music and folks had already begun to dance. It didn't take the deputy long to find Maggie Greene and ask to take her for a spin. Shawn shook his head from side to side and muttered toward Daryl, "You married the sweet sister. Maggie is all fire and sass."
He might not have said it if he didn't have a couple of beers in him, but Daryl looked at his wife and smiled, "Beth can get a little fiery herself, but only with me," and no sooner were the words out of his mouth than he and his wife both turned a lovely shade of crimson.
Her husband wanted to make sure his wife ate and so, together with her brother and several other guests they enjoyed their meal at the dining tables set up in the barn. Afterwards Shawn got involved in a conversation with the Monroe's and a few other ranchers. Beth was happy to see her brother making new friends and seeming to enjoy this place she loved and now called home. She wanted him to love it as much as she'd grown to, and the people of Heavenly were the biggest part of what she loved. As Shawn chatted with the ranchers, Daryl and Beth wandered back out to the music and the dance floor.
It was as they stood near the dance floor watching the merriment that Daryl and Beth observed a few things they had not expected to see that day, or ever.
Beer was flowing and the food was plentiful, and as happens, when two or three couples began to dance quite a crowd seems to suddenly feel inclined to join in.
It wasn't the custom of the time for men and women to dance pressed so close to one another, but the barman Dwight and the shopkeeper's sister Sherry, didn't let custom be their guide. Daryl overheard it said, "it's a good thing they're wearin' clothes or he'd be gettin' her in the family way dancin' like that."
In the meantime, Eugene was doing his darndest to talk with Rosita about some matter he found quite important. Rosita had no desire to listen. She was there to have fun, and perhaps to make a little mischief. She'd had just enough beer, and she'd had just enough of him following her around like a puppy dog, and she'd certainly heard more than enough of him talking. She grabbed a handful of the front of his shirt and firmly admonished, "Eugene sometimes you just have to shut up and kiss a woman!" When she tugged him toward her and put her lips on his, Eugene Porter finally quite talking.
Carol Peletier was at the barn dance, as was Ezekiel King, and even though you'd be hard pressed to find a citizen of Heavenly who wasn't fully aware something of a romantic nature was going on between the pair, they kept their distance. Perhaps it was the times they were living in and the difference in their races, but the acted as if they hardly knew one another. But the blacksmith didn't miss the looks they exchanged.
Merle was doing a fine job of twirling Karen around the floor and Mary Ellen was dancing along with her parents. Carl Grimes joined in and tried to twirl Mary Ellen, everyone smiled, they were such adorable children. He soon ran off to play with Cyrus and Mary Ellen went back to dancing with her folks.
Who could have guessed it back then? Someday, when they had just a few more years on them, the miner's daughter and the sheriff's son would not only dance together, they would raise a family together.
Beth had lost sight of Maggie. She was feeling a bit concerned and glancing about anxiously. Her husband was not so concerned. He'd seen Maggie Greene and Abraham Ford wander off together and he assumed the pair had found some way to entertain themselves. Sure enough, just as he'd suspected there would be, there were signs of what could be trouble. When they reappeared they both looked quite disheveled and there were several bits of straw in Maggie's hair. He also noticed the deputy had what appeared to be a permanent smile on his face.
Milton Mamet was well-liked and highly respected. Folks appreciated how he treated others with respect, from the wealthiest rancher to the most-humble of homesteaders. What no one thought about Milton Mamet was that he was the type to attract beautiful women to him. But one beautiful woman seemed positively intrigued by the man. The banker arrived escorting the attractive new librarian, Amber.
He seemed shy, awkward and his movements were tentative. But when he brought the lady a cool drink and she smiled at him, he smiled back as he cautiously took her hand. She moved closer to him and when he thought no one was looking, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.
It was what happened next that made the blacksmith's eyebrows rise. It wasn't as if he didn't know there was an attraction, but he'd thought it was just a couple of 12 year olds getting an eyeful of each other. Then he spotted Virgil and Sophia over by the corral, and Virgil had his mouth on hers. He didn't intervene, he thought he'd wait and caution the boy at work on Monday. The problem was, he wasn't the only one who saw Virgil Dixon and Sophia Peletier's first kiss, her mother saw it as well.
He watched Carol make a beeline toward the young couple. He couldn't hear what she said, but he could tell by the way she was wagging her finger and the look on her face, it wasn't pleasant. He couldn't help being pleased to see the way Virgil stood proud and straight, looking right at the woman who was taking him to task, but not back-talking.
He'd still have a talk with the boy though. He wasn't angry and he didn't plan to scold Virgil. Daryl was simply concerned. Twelve was mighty young to be kissing a girl, and once the kissing started sometimes it was hard to leave it at just that.
In her quiet way Beth was very much like her husband, observant. He kept hold of her hand and he watched as she watched. He knew she hadn't missed what was going on with her sister and the deputy, he was sure she'd want to talk about that with him later. He knew she'd noticed Virgil too, because her grip on his hand had suddenly become much tighter. He smiled at the way she smiled when Milton shyly took Amber's hand in his.
Something else he'd noticed was the way her body moved to the music and her toe tapped. He knew she'd probably like to dance. He knew she'd never ask him if he would agree to. When she'd first mentioned coming to the party he warned her, "I don't dance Beth, ever. It ain't me." She told him it was alright, she just wanted to go watch the others and visit with her friends.
Now though, as he stood there with her, he felt bad. He was spoiling her fun. And shit, if Merle could get out there and make a fool of himself Daryl figured he could too. So, even though it was one of the last things he wanted to do, he looked at his wife, smiled and said, "I don't know how to, and I'll probably step on ya or sumthin', but if ya still wanna dance I'd be proud ta dance with ya."
The smile on her face made him happy he'd asked.
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Just shy of two weeks later, when it came time for Shawn Greene to return home, so many things had changed.
Lori had her baby. A sweet little girl they named Judith. The baby was doing well but her Mother's health was not good. Olivia had spent two nights with Lori, Andrea and Amber had each stayed two night's as well. Carl was staying with Merna and Jim and the whole town was praying for the best.
It was just a few days later and early in the morning when a knock came to the sheriff's door. He opened it to find Tyrese, Lozen and their children standing there. The buffalo soldier explained. "We ain't come ta bother or ta idly visit. Me and my children are gonna wait out here. My woman wants ta come in, give your wife some special tea and say a little prayer, if you'd allow it."
Rick was at the point of desperation. Lori had been sick and weak for so long. The doctor couldn't seem to help her and he knew the possibility of him losing his wife, and Carl and the baby losing their mother was very real. He answered, "Yes, please. I could use the help. You're all welcome to come in."
Lozen brewed the tea and she lifted Lori's head from the pillow as she drank the bitter liquid. All the while she chanted a prayer no one but she and her children understood, and she slowly moved her hands just above Lori's body. When she was done she simply nodded her head and said to the sheriff, "It will take time, but she will heal."
The woman seemed so positive it gave the sheriff hope.
There was another birth as well that late July. It was the first time Beth had ever experienced the sight of a horse dropping a foal. She stood back waiting and watching in anxious anticipation as Daryl soothed Ginger and helped the horse deliver the little black colt. He smiled at his wife and said, "He looks just like Blackie. I'ma name him Junior."
While he was there Shawn proved that indeed he was not just a fancy fellow. He peeled logs like he was born to do it and Daryl and Merle were grateful for the help.
The night before he left Shawn told Daryl and Beth, "I came here with no idea what to expect. I was concerned for my sister and my mind was made up, if I felt the situation warranted such action, I was ready to take her home. I couldn't be more pleased or more relieved Daryl. After meeting you and getting to know you, I know Beth is in excellent hands."
They told him about the baby they were expecting to arrive in February. He promised in two year's time, he and his family would come to visit, see their new home and meet his niece or nephew. "We'll be proud to stay with you if you'll have us."
It had been a bit of a family quarrel when Maggie said she wasn't going back, she'd be staying with the deputy. Shawn put his foot down, "Maggie, I cannot stand by and allow you to make the same mistakes over and over. You get too close far too soon with these men, only to have them abandon you. It's time you outgrew this behavior, came home and found yourself a respectable suitor."
The blacksmith hadn't said a word, this was not his fight and he had no desire to make it so. He squeezed his wife's hand a little too tightly, letting her know he'd like her to stay out of it as well, and she did.
They didn't need to say anything at all, because Abraham Ford said, "Well shit, if ya want me to marry your sister I can do that." He turned to Maggie with a a big wide grin and asked, "Whaddya say Firecracker, ya wanna tie your wagon to a hotblooded pig farmer?"
"I believe I do."
Eastman presided at the brief and hurried wedding that morning. Before the stage carrying Shawn Greene left, and with all the Dixons present, Maggie Greene did indeed tie her wagon to Abraham Ford, becoming the newest resident of The Town of Heavenly, Montana Territory.
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A/N We covered a lot of territory in that one, phew! We have a pregnancy, we have a new colt, we had romances, a surprise wedding... Please leave a comment / review and let me know your thoughts. If you'd like to see the chapter photo it's on my tumblr blogs, A Place Called Heavenly, gneebee and bethylfanfiction. Hub and I are on vacation, but I still hope to post a new chapter next Friday. In the meantime remember, I love ya large and appreciate you greatly! xo gneebee