A/N Thank you all so much! We had a lot going on last chapter and we'll pick this one up right where we left off, Daddy just told Daryl about the truck.

xxxxx

He looked uneasy and confused, "Ya sure? I appreciate it an all, but why ya wanna just give that ta me?"

Mama put her hand over his, "Daryl when someone gives you a gift you don't question it, you try to find happiness in knowing that someone thought enough of you to give you that gift, no matter what it may be."

Mama saw his neck flush as he told her, "I'm sorry, I didn't know nuthin' about that Ma'am. No one ever give me a gift before." And Mama felt her heart break a little at his words. She was fighting back tears as she thought of this 17 year old boy who'd never had someone give him even a simple gift.

Daddy came to the rescue, "Well then that's all the more reason to enjoy this one. Come on then, let's all go out to the barn and have a look. Daryl I've set up an area where you can work on it."

He didn't mean for it to happen, but when it did and her Mama and Daddy didn't speak a word of disapproval, he was glad it did. He'd taken her hand, smiled at her and said, "C'mon Sunshine, come with me." And he'd continued to hold her hand as they walked to the old barn.

Mama and Daddy just looked at each other and gave a little shrug. Handholding was nothing they didn't expect. They knew the young couple had a serious attraction and there were a few things they had to accept.

Daddy had the spot in the barn all swept out and the truck was there, just waiting for Daryl. There were two hanging work lamps and Daddy told him, "You're welcome to use any tools I have, I trust you to take good care of everything."

"I will Sir, I promise."

They could all see the young man was overwhelmed as he looked at the truck. It wasn't new by any means, and it certainly wasn't pretty. It was 60 years old and had been used as a utility vehicle. It'd hauled equipment, animals, and crops. It had its dings and rust spots, all the obvious signs from years of hard use. And yet he walked toward it almost reverently as he lay a hand gently on the hood. He swallowed hard and turned to her Daddy, "Ya sure?"

"Yes Son we're sure."

No one wanted to embarrass him and so they all pretended not to notice the moisture in his eyes. When he'd regained his composure he asked her Daddy, "Can I work on it at night after supper?"

"Just as long as your schoolwork is completed I don't see why not. It's why I have the work lights for you."

He surprised them all when he went to her Mama, gave her a quick hug and said, "Thank ya Ma'am."

Then he shook her Daddy's hand, "Thank ya Sir I'ma try real hard ta make ya proud ya give it ta me."

Hershel Greene clapped him on the shoulder, "I already am Son."

As soon as they'd had their supper Friday night he was out in that barn working on the old truck's engine. Him being out here working, rather than them sitting at the dining table, actually gave them more time alone so Beth didn't mind at all. She sat on the milking stool watching him work, they talked a while and then he asked, "Ya lookin' forward ta tomorrow?"

"Yes, but I thought maybe you wouldn't want to go, that you'd rather work on your truck."

His head rose up out of the engine compartment as he locked eyes on her, "Seriously? Why ya thinkin' that? Thought ya knew by now Sunshine, I'ma always choose ya over anythin' else."

She walked over to him, putting her hand on his forearm, "I'd always choose you too Trouble."

He glanced toward the barn doors, then bent to kiss her. "Now quit it, I'm s'posed ta be workin' on this truck. When it's done I'ma takin' ya ridin' round town showin' you an it both off."

xxxxx

Their date that Saturday started off much like their first. Mama dropped her off at the movie where he'd been pacing the sidewalk waiting for her. And again, as soon as Mama was out of sight he had her in the back alley where she changed into the boots, jacket and helmet.

What was different this time was he also had his crossbow with him. "I thought maybe ya might wanna try an shoot it Beth. I ain't never let no one else near it, but I sure would like seein' ya give it a try."

"I'll try, if I can even lift it. It looks really heavy."

"Don't worry I'ma be helpin' ya Sunshine. We'll shoot it together 'til ya get a feel for it."

They made the ride to his spot, and as they got off the Bike and held each other close they were consumed by a heady feeling. They felt just a little bit of power and freedom asserting their independence this way. Slipping off together. They saw themselves as all grown up, making their own decisions and doing things the way they wanted to do them. They knew how to take care of themselves, they were practically adults. That's how they felt in that moment, he was 17 now and she'd be 16 in just three and a half weeks.

He loaded and cocked it first. He didn't expect her to even try this first time. He just wanted it to be fun for her, that's what would make it fun for him. He could do his serious shooting in the morning when he was hunting rabbit.

He put the crossbow in her hands but he kept hold of it, knowing she wouldn't be accustomed to the weight of the weapon. "Okay? Ya feel like ya got it?"

"Yeah but I don't know if I can lift it up and hold it steady on my own."

"That's okay, I'ma help ya til ya can." He stood behind her and stretched his arms to help her lift the bow into shooting position. It felt like his body couldn't get any closer to hers. Holding her that way, smelling the delicate fragrance of her as his face lay right against hers, it was making it nearly impossible for him to keep his concentration. He wondered if she was having the same difficulty.

With him standing there behind her and feeling his body so near to her, and his cheek on her cheek, so close she could feel him breathing, all of it excited her. She felt the warmth in her lower body and she knew it was desire. The warmth spread through her and she didn't know if she'd be able to concentrate at all on shooting the big bow. All she could think about was Trouble.

They managed to keep it together long enough to get the bow raised, "Just try an take aim at that tree Sunshine, and when ya do, keep both eyes open. That's the way it's done with a crossbow. When ya think you're ready lemme know, we'll pull the trigger together."

"I think I have it in the sightline, let's try." He helped her shoot and when the bolt flew it actually skimmed the side of the old tree's trunk.

"Damn Sunshine you're gonna be good at this." But as he was saying it he was already taking the bow from her hands and setting it on the ground. And then he was laying her down on the sleeping bag.

They were feeling intoxicated with longing, each desiring to feel the others body next to theirs. His hand went to her bottom as he lightly rubbed and caressed it. Soon the hand had moved up, and this time it was inside her thin t-shirt and feeling the warm skin of her back. The sensation of it made him feel an even a greater need. Soon his hand had moved to the front of her body, although it was over her bra he was touching her breast, moving his palm along it and caressing it gently in his hand, fearful he might hurt her. At the same time he'd let his mouth travel to her tummy and abdomen, kissing and sucking at the delicate white skin.

When they'd become almost lost in their need he remembered himself. As badly as he wanted her, as much as he knew she was having all the same cravings he was experiencing, he was overcome with the feeling he needed to protect her. She wasn't quite 16, should they be doing this stuff? He wasn't sure. All he was sure of was he wasn't taking any chances of doing wrong by her.

"Sorry Sunshine, I got myself all carried away. I ain't gonna push ya, I promise."

She rested a palm on his cheek, "It felt good Trouble, and I was liking it. That's why I didn't ask you to stop."

He buried his face in her neck, holding her close to him, "I know I didn't wanna stop, I just thought we should. I love ya Sunshine an I gotta do the right thing, take care of ya. I promised ya I always would."

xxxxxx

The following Saturday he left right from work for the prison in Atlanta. He missed his brother and was anxious to see him and share what little time they could together. He often imagined how different his life would be if Merle hadn't gone to prison. He could live with him instead of his Dad. Everything would be so much better.

Sure, Merle could be the world's biggest asshole, there was no doubt about that. His brother was one rough son of a bitch, and to Daryl's mind the world's biggest hard ass. He was certain there was no one meaner or tougher. But the fact remained, no matter how much shit Merle gave him, no matter how loud he yelled at Daryl or how much he cussed, Merle would never lay hands on him, never hurt him like his Dad did. What Daryl knew to be the truth was Merle would never let anyone else, including his Dad, ever hurt him either.

"How ya doin' there Little Brother?" Merle always felt the bile rise in his throat when he saw those bruises on his brother's face. It was the hardest thing he'd ever dealt with, being trapped behind those prison walls, not being able to rescue his brother from the hell Merle knew he was living. He'd rather detox off the crystal a thousand times than see Daryl hurt even once more.

"I'm doin' real good Merle, everythin' okay for you?"

"Ya know it kid ain't none a these punks gonna give your Big Brother no shit."

Daryl just grinned that small half smile, there was no doubt in his mind about that. Nobody messed with Merle if they didn't want their ass beaten.

His brother had that wall to wall grin when he asked, "So ya ready ta tell me yet or ya still holdin' out?"

Genuinely confused he simply replied, "Tell ya what?"

Merle laughed hard enough that the guard trained his eyes on the man. "Thought ya knew by now kid, ya can't hide nuthin' from ol' Merle. You're gettin' a little sugar. I can see that look a love all over ya."

Daryl hated that he felt his neck turn hot and he knew it was red. And what his brother said was true. He never could hide anything from Merle. "Shit. Okay, yeah I got me a girl. A real nice girl. An I ain't just playin' Merle, me an her, we're serious n all."

"Ain't that nice. Tell Big Brother about her. She all sweet an pretty is she?"

And that neck wasn't getting any cooler but he was feeling a little cocky, hell he knew something about girls now. "Yeah she's real sweet an she's the prettiest girl I ever seen. Even her family's been treatin' me real nice. Her name's Beth."

"Well now that does sound sweet n pretty. But Little Brother ya gotta be careful with this young love stuff, ya can't forget the things your brother told ya, ya know 'bout makin' sure you an her don't have no babies ya ain't ready ta raise."

Now Daryl felt that color go all the way up to the top of his head. "We ain't doin' nuthin' like that Merle, ain't gonna be makin' no babies."

His brother did it again, let out that laugh that seemed to come up all the way from his toes, "Yeah well boy it's only a matter a time til neither one a ya can hold out no more. That's a time ya gotta be ready for. Ya get them things like I told ya before an ya keep a couple with ya all the time. Ya keep em in your pocket an ya keep a couple with ya on the Bike."

Daryl was chewing hard on that lip and looking down, too embarrassed to look in his brother's eyes, but he knew the man was right. He gave a nod of his head.

"That's a good man there, a man who looks out for himself an his girl. An ya make sure she says 'yes.' Once they say 'no', even if they said 'yes' at first an no matter how disappointed ya are, ya gotta stop. Ya get it?"

Again Daryl had his eyes down, now chewing hard on the side of that thumb, but he nodded his head and spoke softly, "I already told her ain't makin' her do nuthin' she don't wanna do."

"There ya go then. As long as everyone's agreeable then when it happens, well kid it's pretty much the best thing goin'. Have ya some fun."

When he left the prison Daryl did stop at a store and he bought a box of those things. It was the most embarrassing purchase he'd ever made and he was grateful no one in Atlanta knew him.

xxxxx

Sunday morning he was at the farm before Beth and her family even got back from church, working on his truck. They all walked in the barn to say "hello," and Beth walked right over close, smiling at him as he looked up, "Hey you."

When they did that thing where they looked at each other like that it was a little bit hard on Mama and Daddy. It wasn't that it didn't make them happy to see the young couple were so happy, or that they had this connection, this bond. But there was no getting around the fact it made them nervous. Those kids had a lot of life in front of them and Mama and Daddy wanted them to have a real good start on that. They didn't want them to find themselves in any "adult situations" at such a young age.

Daryl interrupted their worry, at least for the time being. "I hope ya don't mind Ma'am, I got some rabbit this mornin' an I put em in your kitchen sink. They're all clean, I done all that out in the woods."

"Thank you Daryl that's wonderful. Tomorrow I'll make you some rabbit and dumplings how does that sound?"

"Sounds just right, thank ya Ma'am."

Daddy reminded them, "Y'all be at the table and washed up for Sunday dinner in an hour."

"Yes Daddy."

"Yessir."

xxxxx

A few days later Beth celebrated her 16th birthday and Mama made her just what she'd asked for, fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. The cake was cherry chip and the ice cream was chocolate. No one had any complaints about any of that.

He was embarrassed to give her the gift in front of her Mama and Daddy but he knew how they did things. And he'd never bought anyone a present, much less a girl that he loved. It was hard for him to tell whether he was more excited to give her the gift, or more nervous she wouldn't like it.

He handed her the little box and she smiled, but the look of that small box in their daughter's hand gave Mama and Daddy a temporary feeling of panic, surely Daryl wouldn't. They were mighty relieved when she opened it to reveal the small heart shaped locket. "Oh Trouble it's beautiful!" She exclaimed, while Mama and Daddy looked to each other, they each know what the other was thinking, "Trouble?"

"I want to wear it right now, will you help me?" She smiled at the young man.

"Sure." And Mama just looked on as he helped her. That had always been her job.

"Oh I'm sorry, I almost forgot, I got so excited seeing your new necklace. Let me get your gift." Mama disappeared into her room and got the package. "Here you go daughter."

She quickly tore the paper off, hoping it was what she thought it was. "Yay, finally my own phone!" It wasn't a fancy phone, not one of those smart phones. This phone could not have been more basic. But it would call and it would text and it was hers. Her very first phone. "Thank you so much Mama and Daddy, I'm so happy to finally have my own phone."

Later she and Trouble would talk about that and they decided he'd get one of those phones where you just add minutes when you need them. The thing was they were together most all the time, they really didn't need this method of communication. It was just the idea of it. It was another little step toward their independence. Now they felt just a little bit more like adults.

xxxxx

Saturday they got to have another "movie date," to celebrate her birthday. This time he didn't bring the crossbow, thinking maybe that would be safer, they wouldn't be so tempted. Instead he planned to show her how to find a rabbit warren. She'd picked up on it real fast and he was proud. "You're a regular outdoor woman Sunshine."

But later, when they lay back down on that sleeping bag, it didn't seem to matter one bit that they hadn't shot the crossbow.

This time he didn't stop himself when his hand slid up the back of her t-shirt. He fumbled around and it took him a minute, but he'd soon popped open the clasp of her bra. He expected her to ask him to stop as he slowly moved his hand to her bare breast, but she didn't. And she didn't stop him when he pulled her t-shirt up a little and moved his mouth down on her tummy. She knew he was looking at her and she was surprised she didn't mind, that she didn't feel embarrassed.

But then his mouth went to her small breast and he let out a moan as his lips went to her nipple, at that same moment she let out a gasp. He immediately stopped what he was doing and looked at her, "Stop?"

"Not yet but soon. Okay?"

"Okay." And he did.

xxxxxx

Later that night when he'd gotten back to his spot he was still too keyed up to sleep. He got the drawing pad and the color pencils and by the light of the small propane lamp, he began. It was like these emotions he was feeling, his desire for her, went to his hand and that hand put those feelings on the paper.

He didn't even have to think about it really, it all just seemed to flow right from him as he completed the drawing.

When he finally slept he dreamed of her, like he did most every night, and like most every night he ended up with one of "those" dreams. He woke early, cleaned himself up and then walked around for just an hour or so before getting on his Bike and heading for the farm. He wanted to work on his truck, and mostly he wanted to see her.

After Sunday dinner and helping with the dishes they went to the barn and he worked while they visited. Soon he stopped. He'd taken to keeping a red shop rag in his hip pocket and he pulled it out to wipe his hands.

"I got sumthin' for ya Sunshine, sumthin' I done for you. Well I guess it's kinda for the both of us. I hope ya won't be mad, I hope ya like it."

He went to his backpack and pulled the drawing out. When he gave it to her, her hand immediately went to her mouth and she let out a little gasp. Her cheeks were rosy as she tried to find her words, "Trouble, I, I, I…I don't know what to say."

"Are ya mad? Did I do wrong?" He had that anxious tone in his voice.

Her face was red but she told him, "No, no. I'm not mad, it's beautiful. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I'm going to take it in my room right now. I'll hurry back." He looked around and they shared a romantic kiss before she ran toward the farmhouse, holding the drawing close to her chest.

Daddy was dozing in his chair and Mama was doing needlepoint when she ran in the house, "Just getting my iPod she softly called, before running quickly up the stairs to her room. She got a spiral notebook from her desk, and then looked at the picture again. She lightly rubbed her fingers over it, and just looking at it gave her that warm sensation.

She slipped it between the pages of the notebook and carefully slid the notebook between her mattress and box spring. She grabbed the iPod and quickly ran back to the barn, to him.

"I love it Trouble, thank you and you know I love you."

Again he stopped and wiped his hands on the rag before pulling her close, "I love ya Sunshine. I want ya ta know that. You're bout all I ever think about anymore. You're damn sure in all my dreams."

"I dream about you all the time too Trouble."

They looked in each others eyes, smiled and then he kissed her. They were taking their chances but they just didn't want to stop.

10 Weeks Later

Saturday afternoon the smile on his face could not have been any bigger and brighter as he washed up in the utility sink. He had the old truck running and it was running smooth, as smooth as a '56 Chevy truck was ever meant to run. He was so proud and he asked her Daddy, "Can I take Beth for a little ride, please Sir? I promise I won't go far an we'll be real careful."

Daddy clapped him on the back, "Alright Daryl but now stay off the main highway this first time out. Make sure it'll stay running good and that you feel comfortable driving it, these old rigs aren't quite the same as a newer one."

"Yessir, I think that's maybe why I like it so much. And I will be real careful, I'll take it real slow. I'd never take a chance a hurtin' Beth."

As much as Daddy didn't care for the idea of his baby girl having a boyfriend, if she had to have someone he was grateful it was Daryl. He just wished the young man didn't have such a rough go at home. That and he prayed hard daily that the two would not get themselves into "trouble."

"Be back in an hour or so, alright?"

"Yessir I'll have her back safe."

As soon as they were out of sight of the driveway she unbuckled that seat belt Daddy had made him install, and slid all the way over next to Trouble. "Gosh Daryl, finally. We're finally getting to drive around in your truck. It feels good."

"Yeah it does Sunshine. An just wait'll I get the body work done. I think I can do that part myself, and by the time it's done I'ma try an have enough money ta get it painted. Then later new upholstery. By the time I graduate next year it's gonna be lookin' real sharp girl, real sharp. You're gonna be proud ta be seen with me."

"Trouble you know I'm always proud to be seen with you. And does this mean you've decided for sure you're going to stay in school and graduate?"

"Yeah I sure am gonna try. I gotta do it for ya Sunshine, an I gotta do it for my job, an ta make your Mama an Daddy happy."

"What about for you Daryl? To prove to yourself that you're just as good and just as smart as everyone else." She knew she'd embarrassed him, just like she knew he needed to hear it.

"Yeah Beth thanks. I learned a lotta things just bein' around ya. An damn Sunshine, we'll be done with this school year in just a week. It went by faster'n I thought it would. Must be cuz I had ya ta look at every day."

After they'd driven for twenty minutes or so, he pulled off the road just far enough he hoped they wouldn't be seen. And not so far that they might get the old truck stuck in the red earth. "We got twenty minutes ta get close." She smiled her approval and they did what they'd been wanting to do in the old truck for what seemed like forever. They made out like a couple of teenagers.

When they pulled in the driveway of the old farm she was back in her spot, seat belt on. She smiled over at him, "I hope we get to go driving regular now."

"Yeah I's hopin' that too Sunshine."

They walked in the house and her Mama and Daddy both look nervous, pale, and not at all happy. Immediately Beth and Daryl thought they were in some kind of big trouble. Beth barely got it out in a whisper, "Mama is something wrong? What's wrong Mama?"

Mama took in a deep breath, "I heard from Rosita's Mother, Maria. We're all invited to a wedding at their home next Saturday afternoon"

"A wedding? Whose wedding?"

"Caesar and Rosita. Her Mother didn't try to hide it, she came right out and said there's a little one on the way."

xxxxx

A/N I think we all knew things were looking that way for Caesar and Rosita. We'll attend the wedding next week, and Daryl and Beth's first summer as a couple will be upon us. I hope you enjoyed this week's chapter, and that you'll leave a review / comment. Thanks so much! x gneebee

The chapter photo is on my tumblr bethylmethbrick, as always they're adorable! I'm going to be posting a bonus Christmas chapter for Love's Highway Monday, and I hope to have some other Christmas stories for you next week. We'll see how my times goes. I hope you all have a wonderful week and I'll see you for more Trouble next Saturday, Christmas Eve! I appreciate you all so much and you know I love ya large! xo gneebee