A/N Thank you all so much. I think everyone agrees, Carl is the mature one. Also cute and sneaky. Beth agreed to go for pizza and that's a start. Now let's see if our couple can get it together.
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It certainly wasn't the kind of place where a couple would go to have an intimate conversation. The kid-friendly pizza joint was crowded and loud. There was an entire room filled with video games that were banging, clanging and some even had bells ringing. Then there was the noise the kids made. They laughed and hollered at each other, at the machines and at their parents for more money; and they ran around. She couldn't recall ever having seen that level of chaos in a restaurant, maybe anywhere.
Carl was quiet compared to most as he busily played some game he was very determined to win. She could tell by the look on his face it was serious business.
She and Rick were alone at the table, at least for a few minutes, and she was never more grateful to have been stuck in a back corner. It was the closest thing to calm and quiet the place had to offer. Rick was tentative but he did it, he reached across the table and took her hand. "I'm sorry Beth, I shouldn't have brought you here. I guess I didn't think."
She looked in his eyes and asked him point blank, "Do you feel like you want to try to be 'us' again Rick? Do you want to see if this can work with you and me and Carl?"
He tilted his head to the side as he looked right back in her eyes, "Well yes, that's what I'd hope for. I want that more than anything."
"Then I guess I'd better get used to this kind of thing, don't you think? My biggest concern right this minute is whether or not their pizza is at least halfway decent because I'm starving."
There was his smile, she was sure someday it would be the death of her. "Thank you Beth. I don't know what the hell I was thinking before you know, everything went so wrong. How could I have screwed things up so badly? I know this isn't the place to talk about all that, but I do want to talk."
Just as the words were out of his mouth a young waitress in a red and white check blouse arrived at their table. Rick did the honors ordering and apparently the place wasn't just for kids. Beth smiled when he also ordered her a glass of red wine.
When the waitress left Beth asked him, "Two large pizzas for just three people? Who in the world is going to eat all that?"
"I figured you'd have one slice, maybe two. I'll probably have three. Wait until you see what that skinny kid can put away, I'm expecting a growth spurt soon. And it's not just having pizza tonight Beth, it's very important to him that there be cold pizza for breakfast."
"Cold?"
"I know, but to Carl it's the best meal ever." He smiled and laughed and took her hand again, this time squeezing gently while rubbing his thumb softly along the back of it.
They'd no sooner gotten in the car than Carl suggested, "Beth you should come over to our house, it's only 7:15 and it's Saturday night. You and my Dad can fight about everything and then kiss and makeup. I'll stay in my room and play video games."
Rick glanced over at her and she shrugged and smiled, then he burst Carl's bubble. "That's an excellent idea son. At least it was right up to where you got to the part about the video games. I let you get away with playing a few at the restaurant but don't forget 007, you're grounded. I'll let you read a book in your room though."
"C'mon Dad it's a special occasion."
"A special occasion, just what would that be Carl?"
"Beth's finally coming to our house when I'm there!"
She was sure it was wrong but she just couldn't help it, she started to laugh and she turned to look at him, "You don't give up easy do you Carl?"
Rick just shook his head. He was defeated, but not completely. "Okay, I'll give you the special occasion and I'll compromise with you. You can stay in the den and watch TV for an hour while Beth and I sit on the back porch and talk. After that it's shower time and then right to bed, you can read for half an hour. Any deviation from the agreement and I'll add a week to your sentence."
"Deal."
His hand was on the small of her back as they walked toward the kitchen. He opened a bottle of Cab, poured them each a glass, smiled and said, "I'm on restriction too, just one glass. I am the sheriff and I do have to drive you home."
That brought more reality into the situation. There wouldn't be any sleepovers at the sheriff's house when Carl was home.
He took her hand and they walked out on the porch, but they didn't sit together on the little wicker settee. Maybe it seemed too close too soon. Too much like the "old days." They took seats at the table, across from each other. They each took a sip of wine, set their glasses down and then he took both her hands in his.
He was anxious to say the things he knew he needed to say to her, "I wasn't honest with you Beth, and I wasn't honest with myself. I tried to convince us both it was all about Carl. Although I really did have some concerns about introducing a new woman into Carl's life, I realize now I was more scared for myself. I know that sounds selfish, shit, it sounds weak and needy. And stupid, really stupid. I finally found the one person who could make me feel happy and whole and I was too chickenshit to just go with my heart."
She moved her hands to grip his and she looked right in his eye. She was going to let him say what he needed to say before she spoke, but when her turn came she'd have plenty to tell him. "I don't know why I waited so long to tell you Beth…wait, maybe I do. I was scared, just like I was about everything else. I waited until you were walking away from me to tell you I love you. I'm telling you again, now, no matter what happens I love you." They held each other's hands a little more tightly.
"Rick, you're right about so much, but there's plenty of blame to go around. I avoided the possibility of any conflict, I ignored every warning sign. I just wanted our time together to be special, to be about the closeness and the fun and the lovemaking. I didn't want to face any issues and to avoid them I kept getting deeper and deeper into denial. Then when I'd finally reached the end of my rope, instead of talking about it I went from denial to drama. I had you cornered in that hotel room in Savannah. It was my chance to make you finally talk to me about what was going on with you, and for me to finally talk about what was going on in my own head and heart. Instead I created even more drama when I left."
"Rick, I'm so sorry I shut the door in your face after that, or worse, I didn't even bother to answer it. I reacted like an angry kid, not even answering your calls. I apologize for that too. I do think you were finally ready to talk but by then I was too stubborn to listen. The ridiculous part about that was, I only hurt both of us more. I never told you either, but I love you Rick. I have loved you."
They were holding each other's hands so tightly now it was almost painful. He had tears in his eyes, she had tears in her eyes. He stood and leaned across the table, kissed her and said it again, "I love you Beth, I love you so much."
"I love you just as much."
They stayed on the porch and they talked about it all, their past and what they hoped would be their future and they made a big decision that was bound to be a big challenge. They would spend as much time together as possible, weekday evenings, weekends, all of it, with Carl. The physical intimacy was going to be put on hold until they were sure they had the emotional intimacy worked out.
Carl was in bed asleep when Rick left to drive her home. He walked her in the small apartment and they kissed deeply and hugged tightly, and they both ached for so much more, but he left.
They had lots of incentive to make it work. They knew just how badly it hurt when they were apart. They were in love, they wanted this with each other, they were determined.
Over the next few weeks the three of them went bowling, they went fishing, they played mini putt, they went to the park, they went to the Saturday market and to the fair. They cooked together, they went out to dinner together. They also had their alone time, together.
When Rick and Carl were watching sports Beth preferred to be in the living room reading a book or writing in her journal. While Carl did homework Rick and Beth cooked dinner together. When Carl had his friends over to play video games Rick and Beth had their quiet time together on the back porch, or even put a little soft music on and danced.
The hardest times of all were when Carl was over at a friend's and they could have let it happen, but they didn't. They wanted to be sure they were on solid emotional ground before they took that step again.
She had some explaining to do. After all the tears she'd cried and how she'd turned to them for support, she wasn't sure how her sister or her friend Jacqui would feel about the reconciliation.
The first one she went to was her sister. She told her what they'd talked about and she was pleasantly surprised when Maggie didn't raise hell. "You've been in love with this guy since day one, and I'm pretty sure he feels the same about you. You're just a couple of idiots who went about things all wrong right from the start. Kind of like me and Glenn. I hope it works out Bethie, but if it doesn't I have a whole closet full of wine and a freezer full of ice cream."
Jacqui was still feeling the anger. "You just be real careful Beth, I've always loved the sheriff but he got on my bad side. There's no excuse for that man's behavior. Imagine hiding things the way he did. Thank goodness his boy is bright enough to get his Daddy straightened out. You just be careful with your heart honey. We'll see if he can get it right this time."
It was six weeks after their dinner at the pizza restaurant that Carl would be spending the weekend with his grandparents. Rick and Beth decided that would be their weekend. She would stay at the house.
Something happened that surprised her and let her know beyond doubt, Rick was serious about them being a family. It was a Thursday night, the night before Rick would take Carl to stay with Lori's parents. He shocked her when he suggested, "I think you should come with me when I take Carl. I want you to meet his grandparents, he loves them very much and they, of course, feel the same about him. These people are part of Carl's life and you're a part of his life. I think you should have an opportunity to get to know each other."
They were wonderful people who'd suffered a tragic loss under very difficult circumstances. But first and foremost they were Carl's grandparents. The minute he arrived on their front porch the door opened and she could see the love. They hugged him and he hugged back, happy and smiling. It was very clear, if she was going to be part of the Grimes family these people were a big part of the equation. They were friendly and welcoming to her and Carl seemed so happy to have them all together.
She understood the significance of it all and knew they'd taken a major step forward.
It was funny really, how tentative they both were. The first time they'd made love it was so uninhibited, but this time they were both so nervous. Maybe it was because now they had a much clearer picture of exactly what was at stake.
He opened a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass, then took her hand as they walked to the back porch. They sat together on the little wicker settee, holding hands, sipping wine and chatting about nothing in particular.
He set his wine glass on the table and slipped an arm around her shoulders. He took the glass from her hand and set it on the table, and then he brought her close. His open hand caressed her cheek as he drew her in and kissed her deeply. It was warm and it was passionate, but not yet needy. It was the kiss of people in love expressing that love.
It got hotter as they continued their kissing and then his lips traced their way along her jawline, down the soft skin of her neck to nuzzle in the little curve. His hand slowly and lightly grazed her breast as it followed the contour of her body, until it made its way to the hem of her sundress.
It had been so long and the touching, although mostly innocent, was making them both feel the all over warmth of desire. He moved his hand a little further up her leg where his fingers softly teased her inner thighs, and she began to make a sound like a low hum.
When his finger touched the outside of her panties he felt the wetness. He kissed her, stood and held a hand out to her. "C'mon Sweetheart." He helped her up and smiled that killer smile at her, while one arm wrapped around her back and his other wrapped under her knees. Suddenly she felt so shy as she smiled at him, and she wondered why that would be. She didn't know the answer, she simply buried her face in the crook of his neck while he carried her to the bedroom.
He set her on her feet next to the bed. "It's been so tough not to have this with you Beth. I've missed holding you and touching you so much." He smiled as he admitted, "It's been a real strain to continue being a gentleman and stick with our agreement. But I know it was the right thing to do because now I feel so sure we're on solid ground. We met the emotional challenges and I want you in every way Sweetheart, not just this way. I love you."
"I love you Rick and I want it all with you too. I want the love, the sex and to be a part of yours and Carl's lives."
He gave her a little kiss then smiled and said, "We've got all night, we could take it real slow, but I don't think it will work that way for me." They laughed softly and when he held her close she agreed, "I don't think we can either."
"We'll plan that for the second time around."
"Deal."
He kissed her more deeply and the need was there, she could feel it, and her kiss held the same need.
He bent down and slipped off her shoes, stood again and his hands gently encircled her neck. He drew her close and his kiss was hot, deep and full of passion. He felt her responding as she began to make the low humming sound while she softly leaned her body into his.
He held the kiss while his hands moved to her back and he slowly unzipped her dress; then he drew back and smiled that smile as his fingers slipped it off her shoulders. She took in a breath as his fingers lightly skimmed along the milky skin and then along her outer arms, causing the dress to slip further down so that it now rested on her hips.
He dropped to his knees and carefully pulled the dress all the way down. He encouraged her to lean her hands on his shoulders as he helped her step out of it, and as he cast it aside he smiled again, but the smile was different. It was the satisfied smile of a man about to have his thirst quenched and his heart healed.
He kissed the warm skin of her thighs and she felt his fingers graze her panties, just before he began to tenderly run his open palms along her hips and bottom. He leaned in biting softly at her mound and she felt the moisture spread and her panties dampen more.
He stood, weaving his fingers through her hair then pulling her close and kissing her deeply on the mouth, and slowly he began kissing his way down her neck. He kissed across her shoulder and then crossed back and spent a little time sucking lightly on the sensitive skin of her throat, as his hand lowered and he cupped her breast.
He was holding her to him when he could swear he felt her body slump a little. He drew back, "Is it okay? Are you okay Sweetheart?"
She could hardly speak, she nodded yes, smiled and whispered, "We've waited and I feel like it all worked out and I'm so happy that I think I got a little overwhelmed," She turned a nice shade of pink and he knew she was embarrassed when she whispered, "Now I know what it means to get weak in the knees."
He smiled and teased, "Is it wrong that I feel good about causing that?"
She turned more pink as she smiled and shook her head no.
"Don't worry Sweetheart, I plan to keep a good hold on you," His kiss was sweet and tender as he began to gently fondle her breast. He could feel her hardened nipple through the delicate silk fabric of her bra and he leaned in to kiss and nibble at the nipple through the fabric. He needed more than that though, and so did she. He reached a hand around quickly popping the hooks, and just as he slipped his fingers under the bra straps she stopped him. She smiled at him and removed the garment herself, and while looking right in his eyes, smiled broadly and tossed it backward over her shoulder.
He softly laughed, "Well done."
His eyes were so focused on her that she felt as if he was committing her body to memory, but when his arms reached forward and he covered her breasts with his strong hands she was no longer able to think at all, just feel. His eyes were trained on hers as he tenderly caressed them and whispered, "So beautiful, so perfect."
She felt like she was on display and she was a little embarrassed, but so turned on. She kept her eyes on his as she began to unbutton his shirt. When it was done her hands slid inside and pushed it from his shoulders. Just like every time she'd been with him the sight of his body thrilled her.
She reached out to him almost tentatively as she touched his arm, tracing her fingers along his biceps and then she did the same with his chest. Her touch excited him even more than he would have thought it could, and he scooped her into his arms. He kissed her deeply while his hand move to her breast and he began lightly brushing his thumb over her nipple.
His light and sensual touches were getting her so aroused and wanting more. She pulled back just a little and pretending to scold him said, "You have way too many clothes on sheriff." He smiled and nodding his head worked at remedying that. It was her turn to watch as he stepped out of his shoes and then began unbuckling his belt, letting his jeans fall to the ground. She saw the bulge in his shorts and when she reached for it he moaned in pleasure.
He eased her to the bed and she gave no resistance as she slipped in and he followed, laying down next to her. He cupped her face in his hand and kissed her, softly at first but the kiss deepened as he moved the hand to her breast and began lightly pinching and pulling at her nipple. As happened with Rick, the moves became more and more aggressive, but he never hurt her. It was always right on that thin edge between pleasure and pain, and it got to her every time. She was beginning to squirm with arousal when he moved his mouth to cover the breast, sucking and lightly nipping at the nipple.
She started to moan and the sound of her pleasure and need thrilled him, while also increasing his own desire. When she hoarsely breathed, "Rick," his need became intense and he quickly pulled her panties down and off.
He rubbed his fingers in her wet curls as he tried so hard not to rush it, but when he felt the wetness waiting there he couldn't hold back any longer, he slipped a finger into that sweet warm center. She softly gasped and let out an "mmm," and he smiled as his finger began to play and his mouth went back to her breast.
She was writhing with pleasure and need as he slipped another finger in and his thumb began tracing circles on her sensitive little nub. His mouth moved down to kiss and suck softly on her flat tummy and mound and she could feel it happening. Her hips were rising and she was desperately grabbing at his shorts, trying to pull them down, trying to get at what she wanted. She couldn't hold out that long though, not once he huskily whispered, "I wanna watch you come Sweetheart."
He got what he wanted.
He hugged her tightly reminding her once more, "I love you Sweetheart." When she'd caught her breath she moved in closer to him, her thumb slid inside the waistband of his shorts and she softly laughed, "You need to lose these."
"I won't argue," He rolled on his back and they both pulled down and he tossed them across the room. "Better?" He asked with that great big smile, and she smiled back, "Much."
He was kissing her again as his hand slipped back between her thighs and they both knew they wanted it to happen, no more playing, they'd waited long enough. He grabbed the packet but she surprised him when she took it from his hand, "No, let me."
He smiled and nodded his consent. He'd never experienced it, he wouldn't have thought it could be so sexy, but as he watched her roll the condom on him he felt his need grow. When she was done she smiled and spread her legs for him, and he slid his body between them.
He had himself propped up on his hands and he leaned down and kissed her on the lips, the throat, and the breasts. He looked at her and asked, "You ready for this?"
"Rick you know I am, please." She'd never seen those blue eyes look more intense as he stared into hers,. She let her hips rise and he guided himself into her. They were both so ready for the intimacy and they knew each other's bodies, they quickly got into a slow but steadily building rhythm.
He was hungry for her, thrilled that they'd come back to each other and he just wanted her to know how much it meant. He kissed her, told her he loved her, told her how good she felt, how lucky he was. All the while he was pumping into her, his fingers in her hair or lightly grazing along her neck, or pinching her nipples. She responded with moans and occasionally managed to whisper, "I love you Rick."
When he knew she was getting close again, and he knew he wouldn't last much longer, he began to breath softly into her ear, "You're so damn beautiful, so hot and you're gonna make me come Sweetheart." As he spoke he was stroking faster and harder, while his thumb rubbed that sensitive spot. He leaned in again, softly biting her breasts and her humming intensified. He felt her body tense as she grabbed at his ass while back arched and her hips rose. He knew it was about to happen and when he felt her let go he let himself go and they came together.
His face was buried in the crook of her neck and they were both breathing hard, bodies quivering with little aftershocks. Suddenly he leaned up, blue eyes sparkling and a big happy smile on his lips. "Marry me Beth. Marry me please. Right away, this week. We'll take Carl, your sister if you want, whoever you want, wherever you want, we'll get the judge to do it. Please say yes."
"Yes."
The End
A/N I'd call that a happy ending ;) Again, thanks so much for reading along and for the great comments. I appreciate it all very much. Please leave me one last comment. The chapter photo of the happy couple can be found on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I promise to be back soon with more Rick and Beth. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee
