The sound of children's laughter never failed to bring a smile to Beth's lips. She sat on the top porch step and watched as her daughter managed to get the soccer ball away from her two older brothers.
"That's my girl Summer." she whispered under her breath as the girl sprinted away from the boys with a peel of giggles, dirt flying up behind her heels.
"She's a fast one."a deep voice commented from behind her and Beth grinned to herself as she looked over her shoulder where Daryl stood, his shadow falling across her. He reached down with a tall glass of lemonade and she took it with a grateful smile. The glass was warm to the touch and Beth knew the liquid in it would likely be no cooler than the humid summer air causing seat to bead at the nape of her neck. She found herself wishing longingly for ice and sighed to herself at how often she thought of something new that she took for granted before the turn.
Daryl settled down on the porch next to her and propped his elbows on his knees as he watched their children tear across the overgrown lawn, the grass a vibrant green in the Georgia summer heat. They sat in silence for a moment just watching before Daryl moved and reached his hand into his pocket. He fumbled for a moment before he pulled out his hand and held it out to Beth. She looked down at his closed fist before glancing back up at him, one eyebrow raised in question.
He sighed and grabbed her empty hand where it rested on her lap. Daryl flipped her hand so it rested palm up and before she could say anything he dropped something into it. She felt a cool metal slide across her palm and looked up at Daryl. He was resolutely looking away from her to keep an eye on the children, even with the recent scarcity of walkers one could never be too safe.
Beth opened her hand slowly and gasped at the sight of the small silver necklace resting in her palm. She held her breath as she rose her fist, letting the chain dangle down. A small silver music note hung from the end of the chain. A smile spread across her face as she turned to face Daryl.
"Its beautiful." she whispered as she turned away from him, "Help me put it on." she passed him back the chain as she bundled her hair on the top of her head. Daryl fingers were warm against her skin as he fastened the chain around her neck.
Beth clung to the music note as she turned back to face him, her eyes bright on his. "What's the occasion?" she asked softly.
Daryl shrugged before turning back to watch their children, the twins had managed to get the ball away from Summer and she was now laughing as they kicked the ball past her.
"Five years today." he grunted, taring his away from the kids to meet her eyes. "Since we." he shrugged again. "You know." he mumbled.
Beth blinked at him before a grin broke across her face. "Since we what?" she teased.
Daryl glared at her lightly before mumbling something at her. Deciding she had teased him enough Beth ran her fingers over the music note as she surveyed the yard where their children played. Five years ago she never would have thought she could feel such happiness as she did at that moment.
"Thank you." she whispered turning to meet his eyes again. "But you're wrong."
Daryl furrowed his brows at her in confusion before she continued with a grin. "Its five years tomorrow."