Your Love Echoes

Rating; M

Warnings: mild course language, mentions of past abuse, under -age drinking, mentions of self -harm.

My beta spitfire 47 is helping with editing of chapters

Chapter 9: is she, can he?.

Beth head throbbed as she slowly raised the next morning sun high in her window. She knew it was late morning and wondered why her father would let her sleep in so long. Looking at the time it was ten thirty, out the window the group was carry out chores around their camp site. Rick probably was going out again to today to search for Sophia. Beth tried ignoring the warm feeling when thinking of

Rick, it was the last thing she needed, that was the last place she wanted to go, but she did promise herself she would talk - or try to talk to Rick today.

But Beth also knew she had some feelings for Rick she just couldn't explain them to herself yet or how deep or far they went. She knew there was something there between them, which also made her hesitate to approach him.

Beth had promised her father she would rest and take it easy today so she took a seat on the porch with a cup of tea . She was not the type of person to lie in bed unless there was a reason and her father knew it. Beth felt rough not just from yesterday events but the last few days her throat was raw. It was a cool morning and Beth loved the early morning breezes , she would rise early in the morning to watch the sun rise and feel the peaceful breeze waiting for everyone to wake up for the morning chores.

Closing her eyes trying not to remember but no matter how she tried it was one memory that stayed with her and changed her life for ever.

xxxx past xxxx

Nathan told Beth to wait in his study when the door opened both Nathan and Liam came in.

'' Now Beth it's Liam's birthday and we are going to give him a special present aren't we? You are going to spread your pretty legs for both of us, and be a good little slut aren't you? You are going to open your mouth suck his cock and ride mine. Then he will take you from behind and you will take it all won't you?''

Beth sighed in defeat and nodded, ''now be a good little slut and strip."

Not long after Beth was naked, she was on her knees taking Liam's cock in her mouth. It lasted through the night both Nathan and Liam both having turns.

"Now son not so rough, we don't want her to have any injuries now do we? Only enough for satisfaction '' Nathan said turning his attention away from his son and back to Beth. Beth whimpered as Nathan entered her again thrusting into her slow and hard pace making Beth whimper again. Liam was sucking and playing with her breasts and then there was poor Beth wishing herself away.

They dropped her home after they had their turns and satisfaction with her at dawn, not before Nathan grabbed her arm . ''Rest up my sweet Beth, we do it all again tomorrow. I get both your pussy and ass to myself again and I won't be wasting that chance''.

A month later Beth was at the hospital feeling very ill. Beth insisted it was nothing it was just a virus or something but her mother insisted, she go and see a doctor Beth told her parents she wanted to go herself .

She felt like she had been punched hard in the stomach her, mouth was dry and her throat was raw. She was convinced there was nothing wrong she can't be, she couldn't be please no, what they would do if everyone found out? Including her parents? And all the questions about them who the father was? Beth heart sank.

She had to go anyway and they did tests a few days later her whole world stopped the words she was dreading to hear came.

'''Beth your are at least 3 weeks pregnant'' the doctor sighs and leaves the room after no reaction from Beth figuring she must be in shock the doctor went to get some water for her . Beth froze in the chair in the doctor's office, Beth sighed as stunned tears ran down Beth face her life was over. Seventeen and pregnant her life was a living hell , no way she could tell anyone one, biting her lip as more tears silently ran down her face. That was also the first night she stole a bottle of cheap alcohol.

xxxx present xxxx

Beth shook her head not wanting to remember any more. She silently wiped away her tears, setting her tea on the arm of the chair, Beth pulled her knees in close to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Resting her chin on her knees, silently chastening and reassuring herself of her old promise to never fall in love again but then was there was Rick.

Something was drawing them together she felt safe with him. But if there was something there can she or will she trust him enough to let him in even if it was just as a friend? Or was there something more? It was question she would have to find out for herself before she could be sure and involve him or talk to him? But if talking to him is the way to find out can she or will she do it? There was only one way to find out.

xxxx

Rick was by the truck going through the search grids and plans for today's search with Daryl before everyone got there. They were planning to leave after lunch and do a search before sundown, but Rick was planning on staying today.

The news of his son recovering was spreading around the farm to everyone's relief. Carl has a few more days in bed before he was able to go outside, just had to take it easy. Rick was going to have a day with his son and maybe try and talk to Beth.

Daryl placed a hand on Rick's shoulder, '' I heard Carl is going is be up and around in a couple of days that's great man. Carl is strong a kid. ''

Rick sighed looked and looked at Daryl and nodded, "yes he is.''

Then Rick watched Daryl rub the back of his neck awkwardly, scuffing his boot . The hunter was no expert on the relationships but he could see something going on with Rick and Beth and Rick saw it too,

''Maybe it ain't my place but is there something going on with you and Beth?" There was an uncomfortable pause. "There is isn't there?''

It was Rick turn to shift as he rolled up the grids hesitating to answer the question, '' don't know maybe, I know there is something there… some feelings. I'm not...I'm not sure what I'm feeling for her. It might have something to do with knowing her from before and wanting to help her but I don't know...I need time to work it out...talk to her.''

Daryl nodded but didn't push it, waited then Rick spoke again.

'' I'm planning on staying back from the search today spend some time with Carl maybe talk to Beth.''

Rick watched the others start to approach to plan for the search then turned to Daryl,

'' I was hoping you could keep an eye on things for me? They know I want to stay behind for Carl, they don't need to know about Beth not yet, not until I work out a few things out first .''

Daryl watched them approach to go over the plan again. Daryl turned to Rick, '' sure whatever you need I won't say anything.''

Rick nodded and patted Daryl on the back in thanks and waited for the others to arrive.

xxxx

Meanwhile Lori and Carol were in the kitchen telling Maggie and Beth the plans, they wanted to make everyone dinner to thank them for what they have done the past few weeks with Carl . Beth and Maggie both Thought it was a good idea but convincing their father on the other hand was going to take work but they had

Patricia on aboard and if anyone could convince their father it was her.

Lori and Beth spoke away happily.

'' I heard Carl was going to be up and around in a few days, I'm glad. There is so much cruelty in this world, he is a very strong he takes after you and Rick. A lot like you some ways and like Rick in others''

Lori chopped up things for a salad for lunch, ''I would like to take credit for it but I think he is more like Rick in that sense, his strength is one, Rick never gives up, he is always finding another solution to problems. I think Carl is the same in that regard and their both so damn stubborn. Carl is more like his father in a lot of ways''

Beth smiles at Lori's comments but didn't say anything. It brought her thoughts back to Rick but quickly pushed them aside feeling slightly guilty. Lori was Rick's wife and nothing was going to change that fact even if there was something there. Beth knew she had to talk to Rick she knew that but how and when? Beth pushed the thoughts away for now.

Lori also mentioned that Rick was going to stay behind from the search today to spend time with Carl. It hit Beth like a ton of bricks Rick will be here all day? 'Will he try and talk to me?' She couldn't help but wander to herself. But tried not to react to the news too much not with Lori at least instead smiled she replied:

''I'm just glad everything worked out and he is okay," Beth responded receiving a smile from Lori. Beth and Lori kept on working.

There were glances at the two every now then then from Maggie and Carol but neither said anything they just kept working.

Beth and Lori seemed to like each other well enough, though Carol did have concerns she didn't voice them to Lori, not yet not until she was certain. If there was something to be worried about but she has seen the looks and concern Rick had for Beth, his charge in to danger for her, but it could be nothing right? Just rick wanting to help that's the kind of man he is, but then again the way he looked at her sometimes made her wander. But she will wait for now until she was sure.

xxxx

Later that day everyone gathered for lunch and Beth was nowhere to be seen. She had told her father she wasn't hungry. The truth was she wasn't quite ready to face Rick yet she needed to clear her head.

Beth sat under the shade of a big tree on the edge of the farm near the well where she fell in not two days ago. She needed time to think and clear her head. Beth was thinking on the past events and how she felt when Rick was around her. The days went by Beth healed, most of her injuries were fully healed though they did ache every now and then. Her shoulder and head still throbbed along with a little sore and so did her knee especially in the evening.

Focusing now on Rick, Beth needed to work out how she felt about him before she spoke to him. The thing was Rick made her feel things she hasn't felt in a long time, she felt safe and felt wanted. She felt warm when he held her, his soft touch, gentle words, his concern, generosity towards her. Beth doesn't even remember the last time she has felt that from anyone not even her own family. There was something familiar about the way he held her but she couldn't quiet place it.

Even if she did have feelings for Rick and wanted to be with him, and it wasn't in her head and he felt the same there was still the fact of age difference. She was 17 and he was in his mid -thirties and married with a son.

But Beth couldn't help but feel happy. When she thought of him and thinking he may feel the same way sent a shiver down her spine, but there was a lot of guilt as well, for Lori and Carl.

But if he did remember her, he listened to her and wasn't in her head? What if letting him in, letting him care for her, letting her self -care for rick would do good? Simply not being alone can heal her and help her move on, was it a risk she was willing to take? Even just as a friend and let the rest go?

Beth knew the answer deep down from the time she first saw Rick the answer: yes.

All Beth wanted to do now was talk to Rick, but it was getting late sitting under the tree awhile longer. Beth arrived home just before dark Maggie brought food to her room and Beth ate in silence missing the worried glance on Maggie face as she silently left the room.

Beth settled down with a book, the rest of it could wait until tomorrow.

xxxx

Rick sighed running his hand over his face, Rick knew Beth was avoiding him for the same reason he was avoiding Lori.

Unknowingly to both Beth and Rick the same thoughts were going through their minds, the feelings for the other, the way the other felt when they held them.

Rick remembering the way Beth held on to him and how soft her skin felt against his own. Beth was in his head the night, he heard her talking to Carl, he felt the drift between himself and Lori it hasn't been the same with Lori for a while now. They have their problems, it wasn't like when they first married, and it wasn't getting any better and he knew Lori knew it too, but they were trying to fix things for Carl.

It somehow was different with Beth. But the fact remained she was 17 and himself a mid- aged man with a wife and a son, but felt drawn to Beth. He knew things were going to change with her around and he wanted them to.

But he need to figure out how far his was willing to go when it came to Beth and if it wasn't his imagination and if Beth was the on the same page . The want to let him in to and help her start to heal, he wanted that for her ever since he first met her. He wanted her to let him in and a part of him knew Beth wanted to be apart of his life, the same part that knew from the first time he saw her, he wanted it too.

Settling into a chair next to his son, he will try and talk to Beth tomorrow.

A/N; so what do you think? Daryl and carol both noticing things are happening with Rick/Beth? Will one or both cause trouble with the information? How will it effect rick and Lori? will carol tell Lori? And what will happen when rick and Beth talk for the first time? Can rick get Beth to let him in? Stayed tuned to find out. Til then lovely readers, keep reading, reviews welcome. Deadlove ox.