I´m glad you like this story so far!
You came tumbling
in my life
and nothing is the same.
Nothing ordinary anymore.
They stay the evening at Tara´s, Ed and Beth talking, laughing, making plans. Daryl sits there, nursing his beer. He isn´t one for chit chat. But he listens. Learning how Ed wants to make Beth famous. It´s strange to hear these plans and to know: he isn´t a part of those plans. It hurt less than expected. In her dreams of fame and money and audiences there is no place for a husband and children.
His dreams aren´t her dreams.
Nothing ordinary in the way
you look at me.
The gaze of your blue eyes
sending shivers down my spine.
Nothing ordinary in the way
you touch me.
Melting my insides
with just the tips of your fingers.
They meet in church, the following day. Daryl sits next to Beth and her family. Her father Hershel insists on that routine. Sundays mean family, church and a cook out afterwards. That´s the plan for every sunday from her to eternity. But Daryl doesn´t mind. He feels safe within strikt structures. Life with Merle and their dad had always been chaotical. You can eat or drink or sleep in a bed, as long as there is something to eat or to drink or a bed. And if not...well...than not.
Beths´sister Meggie is in the church, too. And she brought Mrs Peletier and the daughter with her.
Daryl catches himself staring at Ed´s wife. Today she wears no sunglasses and he spots a faded black eye.
Her hair is short and greying, so much differerent from the pictures he saw in the internet. Just a few years ago they where long and curly and of a beautiful auburn shade.
Her skin is pale and dotted with freckles.
Daryl tries to concentrate on the sermon, but every now and than, his gaze wanders to Mrs Peletier again.
He takes in the way her head bends, while she sings a hymn, and he admires the bow of her neck.
He takes in the way, she smiles at her daughter, and god, it´s a beautiful smile.
When church is over, Meggie introduces Mrs Peletier and her daughter to Hershel and his wife.
"These are Carol and Sophia. They stay at ours untill their car is fixed up, so that they can go to Atlanta."
"Nice to meet you. My Beth told me about your husband, I suppose. The music producer? But she never mentioned a wife and a daughter."
"Well, we haven´t met so far. Ed mentioned, you and him meet today, to discuss business",Carol says to Beth.
Hershel looks disapproving at his youngest daughter. "You know, we spend sundays together. All together."
"But daddy, me might be gone tommorrow. When his car is fixed, he´s in the big city and I´m stuck here with you all. He might be my only chance. Please, daddy."
Hershel turns to Daryl: "Son, what do you think? You are as involved as we, maybe even more."
Carol arches a brow and looks at him questioningly.
Daryl explains: "Beth is my fiancee."
"AH, okay", she smiles, but this time the smile looks a bit troubled.
"I have a suggestion to make", Meggie throws in. "We all go to daddy´s farm, to enjoy a good meal and to be together. And Carol, you and Sophia join us, if daddy doesn´t mind. And Beth and Mr Peletier can talk about business and when they are done, they join us, too."
"My smart daughter", Hershel smiles. "It´s a good idea. So it´s said and done."
Beth kisses Daryl, says: "See you later", and walks to her car.
The rest of them drives to Hershel´s farm.
Sophia beams as she spots the horses. "Mom, can I go to the horses? "
Carol looks at Hershel, who nods in approval.
"Yes, sweety."
Carol smiles, as she watches her daughter running. It´s such a rare pleasure, to see her daughter behave like a carefree child. Ed never let her have fun.
"Hershel, it´s beautiful here. I have to thank you for inviting us."
"You´re welcome." He points to her eyes: "You had an accident or something like that?" he asks quietly.
Carol lowers her head in shame. "Or something like that", she mutters.
"Is my daughter safe with him?" Hershel asks sternly.
Carol nods. "Yes. He wants something from her. I heard, she has a wonderful voice. And that´s what he need. Someone, he can produce. Someone, he can build up, so that he´s gonna be great again. No, he won´t do anything to her. He will treat her like a star." She reassures him.
"Do you need help?"
"I can handle him."
Hershel looks in Sophia´s direction.
"He never laid a hand on her. I´ll prevent that."
"Good to know. And if you need help, call me."
Carol helps in the kitchen and Sophia explores the farm together with Glenn, Meggies husband, a young korean with a kind heart.
There is a lot of laughter and playful banter and teasing between all the members of the Greene family. And Carols heart is sad, because this is all she ever wanted. A home, full of love.