Taking a time jump here.
Beth was fixing Chase's hair while he was trying to get away from her.
"You're gonna embarrass me, Mom," he grimaced. They were standing in front of his school and Beth was making sure it looked presentable.
"I wanna make sure you look good on your first day," she smiled back at him, standing up straight again from her kneeled position.
"Ain't like it's his first day ever. It's the second grade," Daryl piped in from where he was standing against his truck. Beth looked back at him and glared, knowing that she was going overboard, but it was her motherly duty to do so.
"Can I go yet?" Chase asked, pulling his bag full of school supplies higher onto his shoulders.
"Yes fine, go!" she waved him off. He smiled and ran over to his group of friends, leaving Beth and Daryl to their lonesome.
"You gonna be okay?" Daryl asked with a laugh. He knew that after an amazing summer together, the three of them, she was having a hard time letting go of him again.
"My baby is seven and in the second grade already," Beth whined, making her way to the passenger door that Daryl was standing in front of. He opened the door and helped her inside before making his way over to the driver's side to get in.
"Usually parents are excited to see their kids back in school. Give them some sanity back."
"I give you till the weekend before you start complaining how much you miss him during the day," Beth stated, knowing that Daryl did feel a little tug on his heart from the boy being back at school. He would never admit it though.
Since their kiss in his trailer, they had taken their relationship slow. He still took Chase for the day on weekends, stayed for supper and a movie, and eventually went home. They had a date night every week, where it was just the two of them. Beth was able to open up about the loss of her mother and brother, her father and eventually dumping Zach after she found out he had been cheating on her.
Daryl listened and could understand the abandonment she felt. He too felt that with how he was raised and his family leaving him to fend for himself. They connected on that front and although it was such a negative part of their lives, they were able to understand each other so much better.
Chase had taken their relationship in great stride and immediately thought they were going to get married. Beth made sure to have a long discussion with him about the relationship and how things would work. They were going to take things slowly, and if they decided to get married, it would be a long time from now. Chase understood, but was still ecstatic to know that Daryl would be in his life.
During the summer, Beth felt more comfortable allowing Daryl to sleep over at her house, and he started spending more and more time there. Merle was off on one his adventures and Daryl hadn't heard from him in months.
Their sexual relationship hadn't started till he moved in permanently, only four weeks ago. They agreed to take things slow and they had been. Him sleeping over was just for comfort, and although they weren't having sex, that didn't mean that other exploring wasn't happening.
They talked a lot about their relationship, Daryl always checking in with Beth and how she was feeling. He wanted to make sure that she was comfortable and that things were evolving at a good pace for them. This was his first real relationship, and he wanted to do right by Beth. He truly cared for her and Chase, and wanted to do everything in his power to be there for them.
Moving in together was a normal step and although Beth became a little anxious about the idea, she soon realised that she wanted him there. Zach had left such a bitter taste in her mouth that the idea of sharing a space with a man again made her want to vomit. But Daryl never pushed, and he didn't try and change everything in her home. He barely had anything he wanted to contribute to her home and what he did bring, only complimented her home more.
"Think about that contest I was tellin' you about," Daryl asked as they started their drive. They had both taken the day off to take Chase to school and pick him up later. They were going to run some errands for the house and go out for lunch.
"Yeah. If you think he's ready, then I'm okay with it," Beth replied.
"Kid needs to see what others are like. Learn competition."
"I guess if he was in soccer or something, he would have tournaments for that."
"Mhhhmm, "Daryl nodded. "My parents never had the money to put me into one of them but Chase could really go far with this."
"I guess this will help him learn sportsmanship too."
"Kid's gonna win this thing. I got him shootin' moving targets now."
"He's also seven. He isn't going to be against adults. He would be against younger kids. I don't call that too fair."
"He might be able to move forward faster because of it."
"Gosh, you're gonna be one of those showboating dads aren't you?" Beth laughed. Daryl just glared at her with a small smirk on his face. It wasn't uncommon for Daryl to be known as Chase's dad. Plenty of people had commented on their family, and instead of correcting them, they just smiled and nodded. Daryl knew that little boy had him wrapped around his little finger, and Daryl felt something so deep for him that it didn't even bother him. He kinda liked it actually.
"I's thinkin' we could go out for the weekend, three of us."
"Sound like a plan. Sign him up then," Beth stated.
"Need your signature on the forms," Beth rolled her eyes. She had kinda gotten so use to playing family, that she forgot that Daryl had no authority with Chase at all.
"Kay. We'll add that to the list of things we need to get done today," Beth replied. They were currently headed to the mall, where they were gonna go pick out some new bedding for the bedroom. She'd had the floral design for almost seven years now, and she figured he would appreciate the change.
Although they talked about their relationship, their future was something that hadn't touched on. They were so focused on the now, and letting go of the past, that marriage and future children were never discussed. They both had thoughts about it, but neither were willing to take that first step.
In the middle of their shopping, Daryl's phone rang and he saw the unknown number. Wondering just who it could be, he answered.
"Darylina, where you at?" Merle's voice boomed from other end. Daryl had to pull the phone away from his ear, just to bring it down to an acceptable level.
"Merle?" he questioned, even though he knew exactly who it was.
"You forget about your big brother?"
"Haven't heard from you in months,"
"Apparently, you haven't been in this trailer in months. Where's the grub?" Merle asked. Daryl sighed. Of course he would just show up at the trailer out of the blue.
"Don't live there anymore Merle. Moved in with my girl."
"Well she probably got food at her place, where's it at?"
"Really, is that what you need? They gotta' thing called grocery stores." Daryl was astonished at his brother's presumption.
"Well baby brother, little short on cash these days," Merle admitted although Daryl knew that was always the case. He knew Merle was gonna keep hounding him so he had to figure something out. Beth had stopped looking at towels and was now paying attention to Daryl.
"I'll stop by in a bit Merle. Can you survive till then?"
"Let's hope so. I'm wasting away," Daryl hung up and shoved the phone back in his pocket.
"Your brother back?" Beth asked, toying with the display in front of her. Daryl nodded.
"Needs a handout and frankly, I don't wanna give him one," he admitted.
"So don't then. You work hard for your money, shouldn't let your older brother take advantage of that," Beth explained.
"You mind if we buy this, I take ya back home and then go out to the trailer. Promised to take ya out for lunch, but I think I have a date with my brother now." Beth smiled and kissed his cheek.
"It's fine. I'll give you some leftovers for you both to share. You should also invite him over sometime this week."
"You want him around Chase?"
"He deserves a chance. He screws up, then he won't be allowed over anymore," Daryl kissed her forehead, as he brought her in for a hug. Although he had a love/hate relationship with his brother, he was still family, and he was glad that Beth was at least willing to give him a chance.
They finished up their shopping, and Daryl brought her back home. She made a little picnic lunch for the men to share and sent Daryl on his way. As he drove closer to the trailer, he couldn't help but think how different his life was now and how much he appreciated the change. Beth and Chase were his entire life now, and it was the best feeling ever.
Merle was lazing on the couch, staring at the tv, which only had basic cable on it from the rabbit ears. The image was fuzzy, but it still worked.
"Took you long enough," Merle groaned from the couch. Daryl rolled his eyes.
"We was out when you called. Had to take Beth home first."
"Never thought I'd see the day when you shacked up with a woman. She must be that good in the sack."
"Ain't about that Merle," Daryl brought over one of the plates that Beth had made up for them and put it on the coffee table in front of him. "She made you some food."
"Well lookie that, she can even cook. Got yourself a sweet deal there," Merle dug into the food at a rapid pace, like he hadn't eaten in years. Daryl just sat back on the couch, not feeling well enough to eat.
He remembered what Beth has said, about giving him a chance, he was just unsure if he wanted to give Merle the chance.
"She wants to have you over for dinner one night. She wants to meet you," Daryl said cautiously.
"Wants to see what the other Dixon has to offer?" Merle suggested with a waggle of his eyebrows. Daryl rolled his eyes.
"You're gonna treat her with respect Merle. She's important to me and I'm not gonna let you treat her like shit," Daryl threatened. It was one thing for Merle to piss Daryl off, but he refused to let that happen to Beth. Merle stopped eating and looked over at his brother. He was trying to get a read on him and what this girl had done to his baby brother.
"Could probably come for a free meal," Merle finally replied to the question. Daryl figured he should be completely honest at this point so Merle wasn't surprised when he arrived.
"She's got a son. Name's Chase."
"Knew there was something wrong with her. She got you playing baby daddy?" Merle laughed.
"Kid's already seven. And I ain't playin house. I love her, and I love that kid like he's my own," Daryl said angrily. How dare he belittle him.
"Whoa there partner. No need to get your panties in a twist."
"I ain't gonna let you screw this up for me. You wanna come over and meet them, fine. But you ain't gonna act like your normally do."
"I'll be on my best behaviour," Merle said, motioning a cross over his heart. Daryl wanted to believe him but there was still that part of him that knew who Merle could really be.
"You can stay here while you're around. I bring Chase out here on the weekend to go huntin."
"She lets you bring her kid out and kill things?"
"Kids a great shot. He was in that Archery class I was teachin. Damn natural," Daryl said.
"Might have to see for myself. I taught you everything I knew."
"And I'm still better than you," Daryl joked. Merle threw his fork at Daryl and put his plate on the table in front of him. Although they remained quiet, it was just what the two of them did.
Thank you for reading and please review.
To the anon who said that their relationship was moving to fast and it was getting a little too cheesy...sorry? And there's gonna be way more cheese coming up soon so yeah..sorry?