Slow burn (kind of).. I know. This is how it's supposed to go right? I drive you crazy and then give you what you want! If I had added what you all want this chapter would have been over 7,000 words! It's coming (literally) I promise! So just an FYI I know very little about horses and next to nothing about birthing them or the dangers of twin births… I did some research and if I make a mistake bear with me! Thank you for all the love! A couple of you are guests who made lovely comments that I can't respond to.. Thank you! Here's the next chapter! Rated M already, but this is where it applies even more… so.
Beth wakes up disoriented to her cell phone vibrating under her pillow. With one eye still closed she peeks at the screen and sees her Daddy's number.
"Daddy! What's wrong?" She's already pushing the sheets and blankets back and climbing out of bed when he assures her he's fine.
"It's the Lawrences Bethy, their other mare is in labor and it's an at-risk pregnancy." Hershel sounds tired and worried. He's dedicated to his practice, but like Beth, it's hard to deal with serious cases. He's just used to it now.
"Other mare? They never said anything about another horse being pregnant. I don't-"
"Bethy it's twins. The mare is pregnant with twins. We need to get out there as soon as possible. Can you meet me at the clinic in about 15 minutes?"
Beth holds her phone out and checks the time. It's 4:45 in the morning and a twin birth is rare and dangerous.
"Yeah Daddy, I'll be there." Dressing quickly she pulls her hair up into a messy bun and grabs her bag. She stops off in her tiny kitchen and looks longingly at the coffee maker but just grabs a granola bar and heads out.
X X X
The world is so different when it's dark. And it isn't a big deal, she feels safe enough besides it isn't far. She probably should walk every day, just to save gas and lessen her carbon footprint. And she could have, but Daryl, no a ride from him isn't a necessity, but it means she can see him and she wants to see him. A lot. Sighing she finishes the granola bar and pulls out her phone and texts Daryl letting him know she won't need a ride after all. Her phone vibrates with a reply seconds after she hits send.
D: everything okay?
B: Yes, we got a call on a pregnant horse. Meeting my dad at the clinic.
D: walking? it's dark Beth!
B: I'm fine Daryl-promise... I'll text when I get a break or I'm back at the clinic. xo
D: what's xo?
Beth laughs as she reads that text, imagining the confused expression on Daryl's face and the way his brow furrows when he's thinking hard. Coming into the parking lot she sees her Daddy waiting in the truck.
B: It's a kiss and a hug!
D: wth- that's what the hell- okay be safe. xo
B: I will.
Hershel gets out of the truck and hurries around to the passenger side.
"Beth I'm sorry, I forgot you don't have your car. I could've picked you up. I just needed to grab some meds." Hershel opens the passenger door for her.
"It's okay daddy, it's not far to walk." Hitting send on her phone she climbs up into the cab.
"Texting at this hour in the morning? Who gets up this early besides us crazy veterinarians?" He asks after he's behind the wheel and backing the ancient vehicle out of the parking lot.
"Oh, It's um, my ride to work. I was letting him know-"
"Ride to work? You just walked here in the dark. This friend, he's a boy?" Her daddy is perceptive, too perceptive sometimes. His eyes are on the road but he's definitely prying.
"He's a man daddy, a friend, uh his name is Daryl." Tucking her phone in her bag she leans back and watches the road.
"Daryl. Is he the same friend that helped you out after the fender bender at Kroger's?"
"Yeah, he is." She can hear and feel the change in her voice when she says that, remembering how relieved she was when he showed up and how nice it was to have him there with her.
"Am I going to meet this boy, I mean man?" Hershel is teasing her now, just a little and Beth is aware of that, but she still feels uncomfortable and awkward thinking about Daryl- really thinking while sitting here next to her daddy.
"Yes, daddy- tell me about the mare and twins! That's dangerous!" He goes right into explaining what's going on and doesn't bat an eye at the fact that she changes the subject, which is good. Because she very much needed to change it.
X X X
Daryl finishes up Beth's car before lunch and decides to head over to the clinic just to see if she might have come back. He feels silly doing it, but he wants to check on her. Her text that morning had startled him. When he saw it was her he didn't know what to expect- a good morning text? It was early, really early. Once he'd read it he had to admit he felt a little letdown. He'd been looking forward to seeing her, maybe kissing her. Still unsure how to navigate this whole relationship thing he's going with his gut. And his gut is telling him it's okay to call and text, hell even show up announced to see your girlfriend at work. Cause she is his girlfriend isn't she?
A bell rings as he pushes the glass door open. The clinic has a distinct smell, a cross between antiseptic and dogs. It's not a good smell. He's surprised to see Maggie behind the receptionist counter. She might be better than a stranger though. Well maybe. When she sees him her face breaks into a huge grin and Daryl wonders exactly how much Beth has told her sister about the two of them. He stands next to the counter, hands deep in his pockets.
"Hey, Daryl, what brings you here? You don't strike me as the kinda guy that has a pet." The sparkle in her eye is testament to the fact that she knows exactly what or who brought him here.
"I like cats," he says bluntly and then clearing his throat, "Was looking for Beth. She back yet?" He looks down the hall to the patient rooms, anywhere but at Maggie. That smile of hers is making him anxious as hell.
"No, not yet. It was a pretty intense call. The other doctor had to go out there too. We're running with just one vet tech today, which is why I'm here. We even had to turn a couple of patients away." Maggie has let up on the creepy smile and is just watching him now.
"Yeah she, uh, she texted, mentioned somethin' 'bout a pregnant horse. That a big deal?" he asks because he really has no clue, figured horses like humans give birth all the time.
"Not usually, but the mare is pregnant with twins and that can be dangerous. It doesn't happen often. I just hope they don't lose a baby or the mother. That'll break Beth's heart. She's an amazing vet, but her big heart is easily broken." Maggie raises an eyebrow at that and Daryl is pretty sure that was a vague warning issued in his direction. He feels something settle in the pit of his stomach as he thinks about how upset Beth was yesterday about a horse they had to put down. Now here she is the very next day on another call that could turn out bad.
"Damn! Girl jus' had ta put a horse down yesterday. Can you text me if she comes back before 3? If I don't hear from ya 'm gonna take her car home for her and maybe wait aroun', see how she is." Daryl feels his cheeks heat up, but Maggie is smiling and it isn't creepy at all. It's a soft smile, not unlike Beth's.
"That'd be nice Daryl. I think she'd appreciate that. Write your number down and I'll text if she comes back." He takes the post-it notes and pen and gives her his number and then nods and heads out.
He's glad he finished her car and that all he has is some cleanup to do at the shop because his mind is gonna be on Beth until he sees her, makes sure she's okay and if she isn't, well he'll try and do whatever she needs then too. She's his girl and he thinks that this is definitely part of the whole relationship thing.
X X X
Maggie never texted which is why Daryl is currently sitting on the step in front of Beth's apartment waiting. He's gone through two cigarettes and is just about to light up a third when he spots her a ways down the sidewalk. She doesn't see him because her head is down and her arms are crossed over her chest which is covered in mud splatters or blood? Looks like she's been battling zombies instead of delivering baby horses. He gets up and meets her at the end the little walkway to her apartment. When she first looks up and sees him, there's confusion in her red-rimmed eyes and Daryl feels a sharp pull in the general area of his heart.
"Daryl?" Yep, she's covered in blood and definitely been crying. Dammit! Her tears do things to him that don't feel good at all. And he's not sure what to do.
"I, uh, I brought yer car back, wanted ta check on ya... Maggie tol' me." Daryl's hands are itching to just grab her and pull her into his arms.
"We lost the mama and one of the babies. Had to leave a tiny, little motherless foal out there at that, that place." She's angry now and she digs in her purse, pushing past him towards the door. He follows behind her bewildered, but ready for whatever he can do to be there for her. He watches for about two seconds as she struggles with her key and then gently takes it from her hand, he moves so she's right up against him and he reaches around, unlocks the door and pushes it open. But she doesn't move.
"He was crying for his momma, he was hungry and… I don't know if I can do this Daryl." She leans into him and the anger is gone replaced by tears and shaking shoulders and somehow he steers her into the apartment and up the stairs into her room.
"Git them clothes off and take yerself a shower. 'M gonna go fer coffee and whiskey. Okay?" He's got ahold of her hands and he leans in and presses a kiss to her forehead. He can feel her nodding her head and then she's leaning over pulling off her shoes and tugging the band from her hair. She has her hands on the button of her jeans when she looks up at him with wide eyes.
Oh shit! He didn't mean for her to undress while he watched. Is that what she thought? Not that he wouldn't want to watch, just not now, not like this. Smiling and backing up at the same time he lifts a hand awkwardly.
"I'm gonna take yer car okay? And I, uh, I'll be back." Turning around he tries his best not to fall down the stairs and break his neck.
X X X
The shower helps, but she's still feeling pretty miserable. They talked about this in her classes while she was studying to be a veterinarian. People who truly want to work in this field are people who love animals. And Beth loves animals, enjoys taking care of them but has a very hard time losing them. Pulling on a pair of cut off jeans and an old band t-shirt she stares at herself in the mirror as she brushes out her hair. Maybe she just isn't cut out for this. Maybe she should have thought more about it before she just dove in head first ready to save the animals of the world.
She hears her keys in the door downstairs and the rustle of bags as Daryl returns from wherever it was he went, coffee she thinks he had said. Pulling her hair up into a messy bun she decides to tell Daryl to go home. She isn't going to be any kind of company and he's already done so much for her. She hears a soft knock and the gravel in his voice as he says her name.
"Beth? Ya good?" He's there in her room, looking uncomfortable and completely out of place and she suddenly doesn't want him anywhere except right here with her. Nodding she walks toward his outstretched hand. "Com'on down. I got ya some coffee." And coffee really does sound good right now.
X X X
They end up back on her couch, pillows pushed haphazardly to the floor again. She's got her knees tucked up underneath her and she's sipping the coffee that's hot, but perfect, she said so, even though it's probably 95 degrees outside and 100% humidity. He's sipping his too, well drinking it actually. And it's burning his tongue, but he's not sure if it's the temperature of the coffee or the shot of whiskey he topped it off with. Whatever it is, it's burning his tongue, but soothing his soul. She's talking and he's watching her. The way she uses her hands to emphasize what she's saying and her eyes, the way they light up at everything that matters to her. There's so much there her eyes.
He already knows a lot of what she's telling him, they spent quite a few nights on those barstools talking. But the familiarity of knowing some of these stories brings him comfort. He knows her, is getting to know her. She loves animals, loves taking care of them, grew up watching her daddy do the very same thing. But it breaks her heart when she can't save them, cause she'd save them all if she could. He knows that even though she doesn't come right out and say so.
"I don't know, I just, I'm not sure I can do this Daryl." She said that before, out on the sidewalk when she was covered in blood and upset about everything. She's still a little upset, but a shower and coffee seems to be helping. He'd like to think that maybe having him here helps a little too.
"What would ya do if ya didn' do this? he asks her, curious how she'll answer. He stretches an arm across the back of the couch and rubs her shoulder, making circles with his finger.
"Oh." It's a little sigh and she leans in just the tiniest bit closer to him. "Well, my degree is actually in music. The vet stuff came up later and I'm still working on that with my daddy. I'm really just a vet assistant now. But, ya know, I love music."
"Got a really pretty voice too," Daryl says gently- and she does. He's heard her do karaoke at the bar a couple of times.
"Thanks, Daryl." He likes the blush he sees on her cheeks. The fact that he can say things to her that make her blush that way makes him want to find more things to say just to turn her beautiful face pink. "I always thought I'd teach music. I had this piano teacher I loved, I wanted to be just like her. But I wanted to help my daddy too. Maybe take over his practice, you know, because Maggie won't." Daryl figured that was probably it right there. Obligation. Just like he'd always felt obligated to take care of his brother. Time and again. But it shouldn't be like that. Girl should do what she wants, follow those dreams. He's one to talk though. He's hardly following his dreams. He doesn't feel like it's his place to tell her what she should do, but when she talks about music her eyes light up in that way they do when she's happy- when it's something she loves.
"Never knew ya played the piano," he says.
"I do. I don't have room for it here, but I have one at my daddy's. But I play, oh hang on-" she jumps up and pads up the stairs and he hears a door open and shut then she's back with a guitar in her hands. She sits down beside him, closer now he notices, and she strums the strings, soft notes fill the air. It makes Daryl smile. She looks so right with that guitar resting on her lap, delicate fingers plucking at the strings.
"Play me somethin' " She's close enough now that he can play with the wisps of hair that escaped her bun and are curling at the back of her neck.
"You sure? I don't wanna annoy you." Teasing him and her eyes are lighting up at that too.
"Well, there ain't no jukebox so.." He gives her a smile and feels a thrill at teasing her right back.
She picks at the strings, a little melody, and hums to herself.
"And I've got my hands in your heart, you've got your hands in my hair
I don't know these people, let them stare
And I've got you wrapped around my finger, you've got me wrapped up in your chest
We keep whispering "Why aren't we together yet?"
She glances up at him from under her lashes and she's shy all of a sudden.
"That's just something, something I've been playing around with." She laughs a little and her cheeks are definitely pink again and he thinks she's the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. And he wants to kiss her again.
" 'S really nice Beth. Com'ere." Soft growl, he wants her closer. She leans the guitar against the couch and settles in next to him, but he takes her arm. "Nah, up here." She looks a little nervous until he pulls her up into his lap. This is where he wants her and he slides his hands up her back and into her hair. "Wanna kiss ya-" She's got him beat though as she takes his words and his breath with her own mouth. Something about the way she's taking charge all of a sudden has him aching in his jeans. She's situated herself so she's straddling his thighs, arching her back slightly to press against his cock, rocking gently, but not quite getting what she needs. He drops his hands to her hips and holds her there shifting himself so that friction they are both chasing is met with just the right amount of body contact.
"Beth… " He breathes deeply before kissing her again.
"Daryl, I want you, want you so bad-" Frustrated mewling in the back of her throat has him smiling against her mouth cause god does he know the feeling. It's definitely mutual. His hands slide up to the small of her back, underneath the t-shirt she put on after showering.
"Take it off," she's whispering and he isn't sure he heard what he heard, so he leans back to look at her, the question in his eyes, but she's nodding and fumbling with his belt buckle. He pulls the shirt up and over her head and she isn't wearing anything underneath and he can't help himself, he wants to touch her, see if she's as soft as he thinks. Hands wrapped around her ribs cage, he cups her breasts, one in each hand and she's small yeah, but she's a small woman and these are just perfect. He leans down and swipes his tongue across the tops of them, dusty pink nipples harden at the sensation of his rough tongue on her silky smooth skin. He knew she was soft. Probably soft all over. He stops what he's doing and focuses on her hands. She has his belt buckle undone, fly unbuttoned and her hand on his belly. He hisses as she slips her hand into his jeans and takes him in her hand. Her eyes flick up to his face.
"This okay?" Her voice is shaky when she asks.
"Yeah, fuck yeah." Hand on her breast, he pinches a nipple, hard, hard enough to make her whine.
"Daryl, yeah, like that." She's breathing faster now and there's a little smile on her face as she stares at him.
There's a noise in the background, irritating, like a mosquito and his brain registers that it's her cell phone buzzing on the arm of the couch. She looks away from him, over at the phone.
"It's, it's my daddy- I wanted him to call, let me know-" Daryl reaches out and grabs the phone and hands it to her.
He smiles as she leans back, phone to her ear. She's talking to her daddy while she's straddling his lap, his hard cock out, trapped between his jeans and his stomach, she took it out and now she's all innocence and sweetness. Daddy's little girl. He got the gist of the conversation just from her side of it. She's looking at him now her eyes all lit up.
"Daryl my daddy has," she says but he puts a finger to her lips.
"Better put that shirt back on. Guessing we're going somewhere?"
X X X
She looks at him in wonder. This guy, he's so amazing and she kind of wants to fight it, everything she's feeling, but she can't, she's falling in love with him.
"This means you'll be meeting my daddy Daryl, is that I mean.." They never really talked about it, not yet. Him meeting her daddy. Going out to the farm. Obviously, it would've happened eventually. He's a part of her life now.
" 'S fine." She can see it makes him a little uncomfortable though. "Ya need ta see tha' little horse."
She justs nods at that because if she tries to say anything she's gonna cry. It's too much, first the horses, then this, all of it from him sitting on her porch to being here on the couch with him and wanting him so bad.
"Ya gonna take care of this when we get back?" He's got a little twinkle in his eye as he glances down where his (still) hard cock is pressed up against his stomach. It makes her shiver, looking at it. Another reason she's in awe of all of this and of him. She never wanted a man, never felt the desire she feels with Daryl. It makes her body ache n the best way. And she hopes like hell it never goes away.
Biting her lip, she nods and with his gaze still on her she brushes a fingertip across the head of his cock, rubbing the precome pooled there around and around until her groans and grabs her wrists.
"Girl," he growls, " gonna fucking kill me!"
X X X
After she changes into jeans and her boots they take her car to the farm. Daryls driving and Beth keeps glancing over at him, trying to gauge his mood. He's been awfully quiet and once or twice he's been biting on that thumbnail like he does. She hopes he wasn't irritated being left in the state she left him in.
"You okay?" Please just let him be okay. Nothing can mess this up now, this is as close to perfect her life has been for quite awhile.
"Mmhmm." He reaches over and rests a hand on her thigh. "Just don' get it," he muses. Her stomach feels funny when he says that. It's a nervous feeling because she doesn't know exactly what he's going to say.
"Get what?" she asks tentatively.
How ya do this ta me?"
"I'm sorry Daryl! I never meant, I wasn't trying to tease you and you said-"
"Hey stop- best fucking thing thas' happened to me in, hell I don' know, a long time."
She just sits there in the passenger seat next to him, his hand on her thigh, blinking slowly as a smile spreads across her face. She's definitely gonna take care of him later. She's gonna show him just how much she appreciates everything he's done for her.
X X X
The farm is exactly how Daryl figured it would be. He's never actually been up to the house. He's driven by, dropped Maggie off at the end of the drive once, years ago when she was too drunk to be driving. They park in front of the house and Beth makes a beeline for the barn. Hershel's in there sitting on a bale of hay feeding a little black and white foal from a huge bottle.
"Oh.. oh daddy! Lookit him, he's precious!" Beth is talking quietly, but it's impossible not to hear the excitement in her voice and when she kneels on the ground beside the foal Daryl can see how much she just wants to wrap her arms around it. Hershel chuckles and lets Beth have control of the bottle.
"Well, he is certainly being a good little guy. He's been up moving around and is taking to the bottle." Hershel stands up and brushes his hands off on his pants. "Where are your manners Bethy? You planning on introducing me to your friend?" Hershel winks at Daryl and holds out a hand.
"Hi there. I'm Hershel, well I'm sure you know that." The older man has a kind smile and Daryl, who felt himself tense up when the man first stood, relaxes.
"I'm sorry daddy, I just saw this guy and I couldn't help myself!" Beth is crooning to the foal and Daryl smiles, cause hell it's cute. He remembers Hershel and shakes his hand.
"Daryl Dixon sir."
"Well Daryl you might have some competition for my daughter's affection," Hershel says. "I thought you looked familiar. I believe I knew your daddy Will Dixon."
Fuck. That wasn't exactly what Daryl was hoping to hear. If Hershel knew his dad then he probably knows their history or at least whatever this small town has come up with. Rumours have a way of getting twisted around. No matter the twisting, Daryl's history isn't pretty.
"Will was my dad. I'd tell ya not to believe everything ya hear, but I got a feelin' it's mostly true." Daryl says.
"I know he was a rough man and I imagine that means you had a rough life. But it's not my place to judge. I heard that you came to my daughter's rescue the other day and I appreciate that. I also know that my older daughter might have you to thank for a few things in the past. If you're good to my family, you're good to me." He's looking at Daryl seriously now and he's just given him a compliment. This man knows the Dixon name and he's not letting that cloud his judgment. He can see where Beth gets her goodness from. He nods and looks back to Beth and the horse.
"I had a good momma," he says quietly. Beth turns and looks at him, a sweet smile on her face. One he's beginning to recognize as her smile that just for him.
"I'm gonna go up to the house and make a couple of calls. Beth, I got Patricia and Otis coming to help with feedings and what not. Maggie is gonna do what she can too. I figure you might wanna be out here instead of in the office for the next week or so." Hershel is heading towards the barn door.
"Yes, I do daddy. And I can come out on the weekends and help. I just want him.." Beth gets a little choked up, Daryl can see the way her eyes are glistening with unshed tears. "I just want him to make it is all." She runs a hand up the foal's neck and damned if that little guy doesn't lean into her touch and close his big old doe eyes. Yep, Hershel was right, Daryl has some major competition here.
"He's already proven he's a strong one. Don't you worry none Bethy." With that, the older man heads out of the barn leaving them alone. Daryl doesn't hesitate. He goes over and eases down beside Beth.
"He is pretty cute. Can I touch him?" Daryl asks.
"Yeah, sure. I'm sorry I didn't introduce you to my daddy." Beth says as Daryl reaches out and rubs the little guy's ear.
"Ain't nothin'."
"You good now? He didn't scare you none?" Beth is teasing him and he likes it.
"I was scared! Thas' yer daddy. He's a good man. Proly wonders why a dirty ole redneck like me is even comin' around." That's one thing that has been nagging at the back of his mind. He's a lot older than Beth and from a whole different world. He could care less about the rest of the world, but her family's opinion, well her daddy's mainly, matter to him.
"Daryl! Stop it right now. You aren't dirty and maybe I have a thing about rednecks that I never knew I had! And you're a good man, one of the best I have ever met." Beth lays a hand on his cheek. Her blue eyes are so fucking kind and maybe he does deserve this. She makes him feel like he does.
"I can be dirty if ya want." He can tease her too. Make her blush and giggle.
"Yeah, you can. But Daryl, I can be dirty too.." She whispers and that hand being so sweet caressing his cheek ends up in his lap caressing something else, coaxing it into an uncomfortable, hard lump in his jeans.
"Goddamnit Beth!" he moans. She's a force to be reckoned with. And she's his. He's gonna make sure.
So Daryl has competition in the form of a horse. This is Beth, so it's only fitting. And that darn Hershel! Who else reads his dialogue in his voice? You are all my best friends! Thank you for taking time out to read and comment, review, favorite, hit the kudos button and make art for my fics! (talesofanasalea thank you for the gorgeous "Borrow Me" art!)