One Shots Part 13

Back in the Saddle

Daryl smiled as Beth walked into the kitchen and started on breakfast. Things were finally getting back to normal; or they were defining their new normal. Jack was finally acting like a human being. He slept through the night, had gotten the hang of nursing and had decided that he liked other people. Things were going so much more smoothly that Daryl had convinced her that they should get a baby sitter and he'd take her on a date. Hershel had eagerly agreed to drop in and watch Jack while they did some running around and grabbed a quick lunch.

"Are you excited to spend time with your grandfather?" Beth asked as she placed the baby in his little bubble seat on the table in front of Daryl. Jack smiled at her and watched while she started mincing up some veggies for omelets.

"I don't think he'll actually notice we're gone." Daryl said reaching forward and letting the baby hold onto his fingers. "He's probably going to sleep, right?"

"I think he'll be excited to see his Grandpa!" Beth said as she added some bacon to a skillet. "After our breakfast Mommy has to go get ready, but Daddy will play with you." Beth added as she finished up Daryl's coffee.

"I might take him for a little walk." Daryl said. He had taken the baby out just around the house last weekend and had really enjoyed it. The baby had rested against him in his little carrier and Daryl had enjoyed the silence and Beth had enjoyed the time to herself. She had given herself a little spa day at home.

"That'd be nice!" Beth said as she slid their plates onto the table. "It'll give me time to get ready for our date."

"Don't really think we need to dress up to go run errands." Daryl said. "I didn't even shower this morning, do I need to?" he asked as he dug in to the food.

"No." Beth said smiling. "But I've been wearing maternity clothes, sweat pants and your old shirts for the last 3 months so I am going to glam it up." Beth teased as she pulled the baby closer. "I might even wear my prom dress."

"I'm wearing work pants and a Henley under my plaid." Daryl said. "Maybe even one that still has sleeves." Beth laughed out loud and the baby gurgled at his mother's good mood. "Are you against me too Lil' Man?" Daryl asked.

"No he loves your sleeveless shirts. Your skin is so soft against his face." Beth said running her hand across the baby's cheek.

"That so?" Daryl asked as he drained his cup. Beth nodded and let Daryl clear the plates. "You going to get him ready?" Daryl asked. "I got a feeling I need to clean up a bit for our outing."

"I'll get him ready. Do you want to take the stroller or the carrier?" Beth asked as she lifted the baby up over her head to make him laugh.

"Carrier." Daryl said making his way down the hall.

"What are you going to wear for your hike?" Beth asked the baby as she made her way to his room.

Daryl pointed to a few things in the woods, explaining to the baby how to track animals and how to tell if they were going east back towards the house. Jack just yawned against his chest and sucked on the fist that he had twisted around the blanket Beth had stuffed around him in his carrier. "Your mom's gonna feed you before we head on out. Don't fall asleep." Daryl said as he climbed over their fence. Hershel was pulling into the yard so he walked around to the front of the house to greet him.

"Hello son!" Hershel boomed as he climbed out of his truck. He opened the door behind him and pulled out a bag with a few fresh things from the farm and a book. "Jack I thought I might read you Charlotte's Web today." Hershel said. Daryl fought back a laugh as Hershel held a one-side conversation with the baby as they made their way into the house. He stopped in his tracks when he saw how beautiful Beth looked. It wasn't even like she had over dressed or piled on makeup either. She had on a pair of her skinny jeans, flip-flops and v-neck long sleeved shirt. It was the new curves and how they looked in the tighter clothes that caught Daryl's breath. Sure he had skimmed his hand over them in bed, or caught a glimpse of them when she changed, but it was nothing compared to how she looked clothed.

"Hi Daddy!" Beth said leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. "I made a few sandwiches, they're in the fridge. Help yourself to anything else we have." Beth added reaching for the baby. "He might fall asleep after I feed him, did you bring anything? We have Netflix."

"I'll be able to keep myself occupied honey." Hershel said as he settled into their rocking recliner. "You bring that baby out to me once he's had his fill." Beth smiled and headed off to the nursery. "You'll have your cell with you in case I need you?" He asked as Daryl sat on the couch.

"Yeah. We're heading to the lunch counter at the Pharmacy and doing a bit of shopping." Daryl said. "Beth's really looking forward to the homemade ice cream they have."

"I bet she's a little anxious. It's been almost half a year since she's been out, aside from groceries and doctors appointments without the baby."

"Yeah we've taken him the few times we went out to eat." Daryl said. "We figured he's finally only eating every 4 hours, it'll give us the chance to go out on little outings again. Well give her the chance. I get to head out hunting on the weekends."

'Bethy said you've taken the baby on nature walks. Does he seem to like the woods?" Daryl nodded and chewed on his thumb. "You'll get to teach him all you know about the woods. Have camp outs and cook outs."

"I don't know if Beth will let him." Daryl said. "She might think it's a bit dangerous."

"She'll ease up on her paranoia." Hershel said with a laugh. Daryl grinned and stood as Beth made her way back with Jack.

"He's still awake. Should we stay home?" She asked as she patted his back.

"Honey he'll be fine." Hershel said reaching and plucking his from her arms. "You go have a good time." Beth leaned up and kissed the back of the baby's head before smoothing her hair back and following Daryl out to the truck.

"Girl it's fucking criminal how good you look." Daryl growled as he opened her door for her. Beth looked him in confusion. "Don't play coy. You've always been fucking beautiful but you fucking glow now." Daryl said knowing not to mention how hot her body was. It was hot before and it'd be hot for the rest of her life but he planned to fully enjoy the baby curves she currently had.

"It's just a bit of makeup." Beth said with a smile. "And I actually had time to dry and curl my hair a bit." She added running her hand over her ponytail nervously while Daryl climbed in the drivers seat. "Is it too much for the pharmacy?"

"You look too good to be seen with me, but you always do." Daryl said as he backed out of the driver way.

"I do not. You look ruggedly handsome." Beth said tapping her fingers against her leg before reaching over and checking the cell phone to make sure it was on. "There's only 79% battery left. We should go home and get the charger." Beth said looking over.

"79% is plenty. I got a few quarters if we need to use a payphone." Daryl said reaching over and grabbing her fidgeting hands. "He'll be fine. We'll be an hour, two hours tops." He added as he stroked his thumb over fingers to calm her down.

"You're right." Beth said with a soft smile. "It's going to be nice to just sit and relax while we eat our ice cream. Maybe we'll run into a few friends, get to talk about grown up things." Beth added.

"Maybe we'll just get to enjoy the peace and quiet. Have a cup of coffee while it's still hot." Daryl said as he pulled into a typically busy Saturday morning in town. Daryl hunched his shoulders when he realized that he wasn't the only one that was going to eye fuck his wife today. Three different men eyed Beth as she pulled her purse across her body and stood on the sidewalk in front of the shops and stores and waited for Daryl to join her.

"Do you want to walk around a little before we have lunch?" Beth asked as she fished a pair of sunglasses from her purse and put them on. "It's only 10:45. I'm not hungry yet." She added sliding her arm around his waist and waiting for him to decide which way they were going to walk.

"Sure." Daryl said sliding his hand over her shoulders and leading her towards the Hippie store he hated, but he knew she loved. They sold homemade soaps and lotions, scarves and long pieces of material that Beth would twit and fold and turn into beach cover-ups, skirts, shirts, or a baby carrier. She even used the fancier blue ones to wrap the baby in when they were going out instead of a regular blanket. Not to mention Daryl knew that Merle had bought certain herbs from the backroom of the store when he was on the outside.

"This is pretty." Beth said approaching a bin outside the store and holding up some blue material. She checked the price tag and draped it over her arm. "I wish they'd just price things instead of saying that all prices are negotiable. I'd like a starting point." She added before picking up two bars of glycerin soap that she used to bath the dogs. Daryl walked with her to the cash, watching while she trailed her fingers over a some handmade earrings, she paused for only a fraction of a moment before smiling at the dreadlocked blonde behind the counter that reeked of pot. "Hi, how much would you like for this?" Beth asked holding up the blue material. She already knew that she'd pay about $4.00 for the soaps.

"How much do you want to pay?" The man asked, not even bothering to stand.

"Look she doesn't want to sit here and barter all day. She don't want to be ripped off by offering more than you'd take or insult you by offering too low." Daryl said taking the soap and material from her and placing it on the counter. "Just how much for all this and these?" he asked placing the earrings she had looked at down.

"How about $40.00?" The guy said suddenly all business. He recognized Daryl. Daryl had stormed into the shop after Merle had bought weed that was laced with something once and cussed them out something awful. Daryl looked over at Beth. She had bought earrings and other shit here before. She nodded her head, knowing he was asking if that seemed like a fair price. He took out two twenties and dropped it down.

"I can put it in my purse, we don't need a bag." Beth said taking the items and handing Daryl the receipt. She followed him out of the shop. "Baby I'm sorry. I always forget that you particularly hate shopping there."

"Wasn't on you. I led you there." Daryl said leaning over and quickly kissing her forehead. "You mind stopping at the fish and game store?" Beth shook her head and smiled up at him. Daryl started to led her across the street towards the only place that he didn't hate shopping at. Beth stuck close to him in the store, all the rough looking men browsing and talking eyed her while Daryl looked over the bolts and eyed the crossbow he was saving for. He had enough but he was waiting till he had a bit more in their emergency fund before buying. "I need some stronger bolts for big game and some more wire." He added Beth nodded and held his hand as they walked over to look at the new boots, and then the knives, and then the oil. Daryl grabbed some more cleaning supplies and nodded to the man at the cash as he placed his purchases on the counter.

"We don't get many pretty girls like you in here." The man said as he added up the items. "Got a special girl here if she's willing to keep you company in a place like this." Beth blushed and thanked the man turning slightly and pressing her face into Daryl's shoulder. "She shy?" He ask as he handed Daryl his change and his parcel.

"Yeah." Daryl said turning pulling Beth along. "Modest too, doesn't know how pretty she is." He added with some humor. "Told you." He said as they strolled along the side walk back to where he had parked to dump their purchases.

"What?" Beth asked as she unloaded her purse.

"That you were fucking beautiful. Guess I got to tell you more often." Beth blushed again and adverted her eyes.

"Thank you." She said again. Daryl looked at her.

"You don't believe me?" He asked pulling her to his chest and making her look at him.

"It's just—I don't look the same anymore." Beth said looking down.

"You look just as pretty as you did that first day I met you." Daryl said leaning forward and kissing her. "My hot little blonde." Beth flinched and adjusted his hands moving them from her hips back up to her waist.

"I'm not so little anymore." She said walking towards the Pharmacy. Daryl stared after her. He hadn't realized just how hard she was taking the tiny bit of weight she still had to lose. He blamed those goddamn celebs and their goddamn magazines. Almost every week she was reading about one trick or diet. Daryl quickly caught up with her and pulled her against him again, leaning down to whisper in her ear.

"You're tiny and perfect and every single guy and a few girls we saw today want to bury their faces in your sweet tits or between your creamy soft thighs. Beth's eyes widen and she glanced around to make sure nobody was listening to them. "Too bad I'm the only one that gets to do it." He added, letting her lead them back to where the small lunch counter was. Beth was still blushing as they sat down, and Daryl just couldn't resist teasing her a little more. "Love it when you're all flush like that." He rasped out quietly as the person working the counter made his way over to take their order.

"What can I get for you folks?" He as asked flipping open his notebook.

"She wants vanilla ice cream and cherries. Lots of them." Daryl said. "Couple of ice waters and I'll have coffee and piece of peach pie." The worker repeated the order before walking away to fill it. "Love me some pie." Daryl said to Beth.

"Stop that Daryl." Beth whispered looking around. They had beat the after lunch rush and were pretty much alone. Daryl smirked at her and leaned over, motioning her closer. Beth rolled her eyes and leaned her ear into his mouth so he could no doubt whisper something filthy to her.

"I know you love that I love eating pie too." He said just loud enough that Beth had to worry if the waiter heard as he dropped off their waters, coffee and desserts.

"What's gotten into you? You didn't eat a cookie or brownie from that store did you?" Beth asked as she took a big bite of ice cream and cherries.

"Course not." Daryl said as he cut a bite of pie. "Can't a man make conversation?" Beth smiled at him and turned back to her ice cream.

"It's nice that the baby smiles now ain't it? Won't be too long till he's saying Da-Da." Beth added.

"If he's smart he'll say Ma-Ma first." Daryl said taking another bite. "I usually sleep through his crying."

"No you pretend to sleep through his crying to toughen him up. I run to make sure he isn't being kidnapped or to make sure the dogs haven't jumped into his crib again."

"I told you we should make them outside dogs." Daryl said. "You seem to think they need air conditioning, heat and furniture." He added. "You want to take a walk through town before we head back?"

Beth shook her head and sipped her water. "I want you to take me right home to my baby after I have seconds." She said waving her hand to the waiter. "Can I have another bowl please?"

"Certainly. Would you like anything else Sir?" The waiter asked as he filled their water and Daryl's coffee.

"No he has pie to eat at home." Beth said with a straight face. Daryl smirked at her and shook his head.

"Got to get rid of your dad first." He said softly holding his fists in front of his face, watching while she finished her first bowl of ice cream.

"He'll be anxious to leave. I bet Jack is trying to raise Jesus with his crying." Beth said pushing the second bowl between them so Daryl could help her eat it.

"I bet his snug in the crook of your dad's arm, sleeping while Hershel reads to him."

"Wanna bet?" Beth asked raising her eyebrow at him.

"What are you betting?" Daryl asked turning to her and taking another huge bite of the ice cream.

"I bet the baby is awake when we get back, if I'm right, as soon as I get him down, you have to take a bath with me."

"That it?" Daryl asked. "You really like taking a bath with my smelly, dirty red neck ass?" Beth nodded. "Alright, but if he's sleeping? We do what I want to do."

"Which is?" Beth asked spooning another bite into his mouth.

"Wait and see." Daryl said dropping a few bills on the counter and pulling her back to the truck. "No being noisy either to wake him up. If your dad says he was sleeping till we opened the door that counts."

"No way, it's a tie and you at least have to shower with me before we do whatever is on that mind of yours." Beth said as they quickly grabbed the few items they needed and walked to the checkout.

"No ties." Daryl said taking he paper bag and following her to truck. "Scared you'll lose?"

"Not really. I mean there's not a lot I won't do." Beth slyly said as she slid into the passenger seat. "I hope he was a good boy though."

"I think he was. I mean he didn't cry when we left." Daryl said patting her on the leg.

"Doesn't mean he didn't start up after he realized we weren't coming right back." Beth said.

"Are you going to be sad if he didn't miss us?" Daryl asked. "I bet even if he behaved himself as soon as he sees you he's gonna be all excited and kicking his legs."

"Another bet?" Beth asked. "Daryl Dixon it's a good thing you don't actually gamble. I think we'd be on the street." Beth joked.

"Don't got worry about that. I don't watch sports, I hate cards and I don't ever want to see a horse face to face again." Daryl said over Beth's giggles. "You're damn gentle horse threw me down a ravine."

"You lit a cigarette on her back Daryl. The smell of fire freaked her out. I don't even know why you and Glenn wanted to go riding. Here I was stuck on the farm, 8 months pregnant and you and Glenn leave me there with Maggie and Daddy to go exploring."

"We got away from the baby shower." Daryl corrected as he drove back to their place.

"Well Glenn coming back without you and you walking across the field covered in mud and blood certainly made for an exciting, one of a kind baby shower."

"I was fine. I beat the horse back to the farm didn't I?"

"Daryl Nellie can't open the gates." Beth said unbuckling almost as soon as he pulled into the driveway. She hopped out of the truck and quietly made her way through the garage, right to the living room. Daryl gathered their bundles and started to make his way to the house. Beth met him in the garage with a smiling baby in her arms. "Bath time starts in an hour Dixon. Pants off."