A/N I never expected this story to get all the love and attention it has, you surprised me! Many of you know I expected this fic to be three chapters, what in the world happened? I appreciate all of you who have read along. Although we're calling this the The End, please read the A/N after the story for some other news. Thank you all again, you're the greatest.
Who would have thought that walking into a laundromat to wash a sleeping bag could change a man's life forever? There was a time he wouldn't have, but he did now.
He'd gotten that nursery painted just like she'd asked, all white. She told him she had big plans and she needed a "clean canvas." He didn't question her when she said things like that, hell as far as he was concerned she could do anything she wanted.
Apparently she wanted white, lots of white. The cribs were white, the dresser, the changing table, even the rocking chairs, yes two of them, one for him, one for her.
Her Mama had made the quilts, skirts and bumpers for the cribs. One was all in lavender gingham, one in yellow gingham. Beth had color in mind, lots of color, but she had a specific idea where that color should be.
He balked when she told him she was going to hand paint a mural on one of those walls in the babies' room, not because he cared about how she wanted to decorate, he loved her style, he loved everything about her, but she had the idea she was going to cover the whole wall, meaning she'd need to use the ladder.
"Sweetheart it's dangerous, you're five months pregnant, your sense of balance has to be a little off and if you were to fall, well I don't even want to think about it, it's just not safe for you or the babies."
Then she started to cry. Oh my gawd, he just couldn't deal with that. Nothing made him more sad than when she was sad. How the hell was he going to survive three women in the house? "But Rick, I have to do this, I just have to please. I'll be careful, I promise I'll be careful."
"I'm not trying to be heavy handed about this Beth, you know that, I'm just concerned. Can we compromise a little? I know you won't be on a ladder for the whole project, but when you have to be on the ladder if Carl or me, anyone was with you, someone willing to 'spot' you, then I'd feel infinitely better. Can we do it that way?"
And they did, everyone pitched in, of course he and Carl, but also Maggie, Glenn, Shawn, Daryl, Kathleen, Merle, Carol, Aaron and Eric, everyone did their part. It took a month, and in the end, everyone knew it was worth it, it was breathtakingly beautiful, she'd done such an incredible job.
The entire wall at the head of the twin cribs was painted with flowers, a huge concentration of color and beauty in the all-white room. "Sweetheart, I can't believe it. There's no end to the surprises with you. So many talents wrapped in one small package." He was smiling that smile at her, and she just leaned into him and held on tightly.
"The babies are going to be so happy Rick. They're going to be girls that always feel at home in a garden, they're going to be drawn to flowers, to color, I needed to give them what they love." He'd been with her long enough now that he didn't question, he believed she knew.
They stood in that beautiful nursery and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her tenderly. That's when Carl walked in. "Geez you two, it's not safe anywhere in this house."
She made a point to spend lots of time in gardens, her own, and also Daryl and Kathleen's and the gardens at the university. Anywhere there were flowers in bloom. She just said she loved it, and so did the girls. No one questioned it.
She seemed to be doing so well, she was stronger than anyone would have guessed, still Rick and Carl both doted on her. She teased them about their treatment of her, "If you two don't start letting me do more I'm going to forget how, and I'm going to get lazy!" But Daryl's words hung in Rick's mind, this would be her only pregnancy, he wanted to spoil her, take care of her. He knew he was often overly protective, he couldn't seem to help that, he'd do anything to keep his family safe, Beth, the babies, Carl.
Beth felt his concern, she knew he worried too much, that he seemed to take all the responsibility on his own shoulders. She tried hard to reassure him, "Rick I promise you this is going to be good, you'll see, I'm going to be fine and we're going to have beautiful healthy babies, and these babies and Carl, raising them with you, that will be everything to me. Please don't worry."
And she did try hard to prepare herself, she knew in her heart these were the only babies she would have, and she really was fine with that, it was the birth itself she feared. Not the pain, no, this would be a type of separation for her, when the babies left her body, her absolute care, that's what she feared, the emotion of it all. The physical pain and what she knew the doctor would tell them after the delivery, she could accept that.
She and Rick were at her doctor's for the seven month check-up, she hadn't told Rick yet, but she was feeling sure she knew what was coming, and she was right. The doctor prescribed bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy, he was concerned about problems with the placenta and a condition in which the cervix is likely to dilate prematurely. He wanted her to carry these babies as close to full term as possible.
The doctor explained to them what it would mean, "I know this is tough, but I think it's best to be cautious, we're so close now. Beth you've taken excellent care of yourself and the babies, you're a model patient and we don't want to stumble now. You're going to need to remain in a sitting or reclining position most of the time, only getting up to use the toilet or shower. You're not to do even light household chores until after the babies are born. The bed rest itself can cause some complications for you, joint pain and muscle aches are likely, Rick you can help with that, nothing beats a nice relaxing massage. I'd also recommend you lay on your side as much as possible, and keep a pillow between your knees, that will help reduce hip and back pain. I know it's going to be a challenge, but it's only for a short time and the result will be worth it."
Beth smiled, "I know, I plan to follow all of the rules, and believe me, my husband will certainly make sure of that."
Even though he was worried, Rick looked at her with that smile, "I love you Sweetheart."
As soon as they got home he made her get in that bed, he was fussing around making sure she had everything she needed.
He called her Mama and Maggie and told them what was going on, he'd barely gotten off the phone when Daryl showed up at the door. Rick looked at him, "You know?"
"Nah, I don't know what, I just know sumthin's goin' on. How's Beth?"
"I'll tell you what Daryl, why don't you go see her? You two probably need to see each other. I'll get us all something to drink." Rick no longer felt the least bit jealous of Daryl and Beth's relationship, he knew whatever this strange thing was between them, it worked. They did need each other in some way he didn't understand, but he no longer felt the need to understand.
"Hi Daryl, I knew you'd come," She smiled at him.
"Yer doin' okay, right?" He almost smiled.
"Yes, I really am, I'm fine, I knew this was going to happen, and I tried to get myself ready for it, you know. But I'm good Daryl, I know what's going to happen, and I've accepted it, you're not going to worry are you?"
"Nah, I ain't worried Beth, I know yer a strong girl, a survivor, yer gonna do just fine." They put their foreheads together and closed their eyes. He held her hand and they were quiet.
Rick was just about to the bedroom door when he heard Daryl speaking, he didn't want to eavesdrop, but he also didn't want to interrupt, so he just stood in the hallway.
"Ya know Beth, ya don't gotta be afraid a the babies gettin' born, I know yer scared, like yer gonna lose them, gonna lose that personal little connection ya got with 'em, but that ain't gonna happen. They're still gonna be yer babies, they're still gonna wanna cling ta you, they're gonna need ya like they always have. And what about Rick? Don't ya think he wants ta meet his girls, think about that, and Carl, and Mama and Daddy Greene, hell we all wanna meet 'em. It's gonna be good Beth. They're gonna have a great Mama, but they're also gonna have a whole family a people who love 'em. Gonna be great little sis, gonna be great."
"You're right Daryl, of course you're right. Thank you."
It was then that Rick walked in the room. Daryl was kneeling by the bed, they were holding hands and looking at each other. "I got us all a little something to drink," he smiled and handed Beth her cherry spritzer, Daryl a can of coke and he had ice tea for himself.
"Hey thanks Rick. Listen, me n Merle, we're gonna be back by after while, we ain't gonna hang around botherin' ya too much, but we got sumthin' ta do. If Katie ain't workin', might bring her too. Should we bring burgers or pizza or sumthin'?" Beth could tell Daryl was antsy to get going.
Rick smiled at his friend, appreciative of what he'd told Beth, "No, that's okay, I'm going to make a pot of spaghetti, how's that?"
"Sounds good, thanks brother. Beth, see ya in a while."
"Okay, and Daryl, you know you don't need to do this, I'm fine, I have things I can do." She smiled at him.
"Yeah, I need to do this, Merle will want to too. It'll be good, 'sides, I'ma make ya watch sumthin' with me little sister n it ain't gonna be baseball, I got ya trapped now." This time he gave her a real smile.
"No zombies Daryl, you know how just the thought of that scares me." Her eyes were huge.
"Nah, I don't want them girls knowin' 'bout zombies, I got motocross in mind, make up for all them ballgames ya make me watch. Gotta go, see y'all later."
Rick looked at her with that smile, "Is anyone going to tell me what he's up to?"
"He thinks I need TV," Beth smiled back.
"Did he tell you that?" Rick winked at her.
"No, but I would bet you a back rub that's what it is," She continued to smile.
"Sweetheart I'll give you a back rub any time you want. Right now though, I'd better put my money where my mouth is, I have spaghetti sauce to make. Can I get you anything before I get started."
"No thank you Rick, I have this giant book all about flowers I want to read through," She smiled and rubbed her tummy. He bent down, kissed her, patted her stomach and whispered, "My beautiful girls."
Sure enough Daryl, Merle and Kathleen did come by, and Merle and Daryl did mount a TV on the bedroom wall.
xxxx
Her days were more full than she'd anticipated, everyone seemed to want in on the action.
Kathleen came by several times, each time with something new to teach Beth. Beth learned every Irish lullaby and children's story, she learned how to make flowers out of tissue paper, and she learned more than she ever knew there was to learn about leprechauns and fairies. Mostly they had fun talking, laughing and sharing stories of their childhoods.
Glenn was using her as the test subject for some video games, looking for glitches and sharing ideas.
She had Sudoku challenges with Aaron, and crossword puzzle challenges with Eric.
Maggie always loved board games, they played round after round of all their old childhood games. But what Beth loved best was Maggie brought over their old copies of Little Women and The Secret Garden. They took turns reading chapters aloud.
Shawn came and he told her the news she'd been waiting for him to tell her for months, there was a woman and he was in love. He had some concerns because she was older and he wasn't sure how that was going to go over with Daddy and Mama. Beth assured him they would be accepting, happy for him, "They love you Shawn, they'll be happy you're happy, and it's only five years, that's no big deal. Are you aware how much older than me Rick is?" He said, "Well yeah, but he's the man, it's different." She'd smiled and said, "Shawn, quite being a dinosaur and bring her home for the family to meet."
Mama and Daddy would show up with old photo albums and scrapbooks, which Beth found wonderful and usually downright hysterical.
Daryl hadn't been kidding, she was forced to watch so much motocross and X-games she'd actually started to love the stuff. He'd been bugging her to watch Sons of Anarchy for years, but now he said, "Nah, don't want ya watching that around my nieces, might scare 'em."
Merle was big on playing dominos, he was fast and impossible to beat, even though Beth thought her counting skills were going to make her a shoe-in. He smiled at her, "Let this be a lesson to ya Little Sister, don't ever get ta playin' dominoes with an ex con, it's a money game and a blood sport in the pen." And he laughed that Merle laugh, and she couldn't resist that, she laughed right along with him every time.
Carol taught her to knit and they made several pairs of tiny booties.
She helped Carl write a computer program to organize all of his school work and have easy access to his notes and research, and for fun she gave him endless tips on beating various video games.
Her favorite time was evenings with Rick, they'd lay on the bed together, sometimes watching old romantic comedies, sometimes just talking about their babies, their life, their good fortune in having each other. Carl would join them and they'd all watch baseball, or play gin.
The time passed quickly and two weeks before her due date she told Rick, I think I'm about 60 hours away from going into labor. He had no reason to doubt her and they started getting ready. He talked to the people at work, her family, and their "extended family."
Sure enough, the labor began as she had said it would. He'd never seen anything quite like it, she'd cry and whimper, but not from the pain, she apologized to the babies that they had to leave the safety of her body, she encouraged them to be brave and to face the world head on, not to hide from it like she had for so many years. But the moment they were actually born, she cried harder than he'd ever seen, it was the most dramatic and emotional moment he'd ever witnessed.
She quieted when she got to hold the babies, confirm for herself that they were healthy and happy. The babies were so calm, pink cheeked and they both seemed to just want to burrow into their Mama.
Then something went wrong, the doctor was obviously concerned, and there was so much blood it frightened Rick. The doctor assured him that everything would be fine, but that he and the babies would have to leave the room, Beth was going to have some minor surgery.
She looked at him, "It's going to be fine Rick, I promise, I knew it was going to happen, I'll be alright, and we have our beautiful girls, they're perfect Rick."
They let him stay in the nursery with his babies while she was in surgery, everyone came to the window and looked through to him and the girls, and he did step out a couple of times to let everyone know what was happening.
Finally she was in her room and he and the babies could go to her. She looked so small, so frail, her beautiful white skin was even more pale than usual. He put his hand to the top of her head, bent down and kissed her. "Hey Sweetheart, how are you?"
"I'm fine Rick, just tired, everything is okay though. It's what I thought Rick, there was damage, I won't be having any more babies Rick I'm sorry, I hope you're not disappointed."
"Sweetheart, I'm just so happy to have you, for you to be healthy, and our beautiful little girls, our healthy son. I have everything I could ever want. I could never be disappointed in you Beth. I love you."
"And by the way my beautiful wife, you still haven't told me the girls' names, do I finally get to know?"
She smiled up at him then, "They're our little flowers Rick, Violet and Daisy." He smiled that smile at her, put a had to her cheek and said, "That's perfect Sweetheart, just perfect."
It was just a few days until Beth and the girls were home. They were the calmest babies Rick had ever seen. He and Beth were in the nursery with them, they were standing facing the beautiful flower covered wall, he was holding Violet and Beth was holding Daisy. He leaned down to her, "I love you so much Sweetheart." He kissed her tenderly.
That was when Carl walked in, "Oh my gawd you two, not in front of the babies."
A/N That Carl, you have to love him. This is the official end of this phase of Tiny Cords however, I do plan to do a follow-up chapter or two, when the girls are a bit older. Give me a few weeks on that. In the meantime, I'll be posting more Brick stories, in the form of short fics and one shots. Thank you so much for reading, please review. xo