The first few minutes he hadn't even noticed how damn cold it was outside today. It was still snowing these big, thick snowflakes down on the already white covered country and the wind was blowing next to Daryl's already trembling body.
With his hands deep inside his pockets he trudged trough the high snow. He didn't know himself where he was going, but he just needed a break or his head will explore otherwise.
His feet definitely had leaded him into the wrong direction, when Daryl suddenly found himself in down town again. He was almost alone on the streets, of course he was. Everyone was at home by such a bad weather, but Daryl's room wasn't much warmer than outside, so it didn't make much difference.
While he was walking trough the lonely streets, Daryl got again the confirmation, why he hated Christmas so much. The many lights, the happy faces, the great toys in the store windows he will never afford himself, on every second corner you could read Merry Christmas and the few people he passed by with bags full of presents for their loved ones.
Daryl didn't know what made him suddenly feel this way, when he could unwanted feel some tears burn in his eyes. He asked himself, what he had ever done wrong to deserve a life like this? He would change with everyone's, really with everyone's life, so he could get away from his.
What did the future bring for him? Nothing good, that was for sure. But Daryl also didn't want to become like his father, he had already decided this a long time ago. No one will ever give him a chance in his life, because he was stinky Dixon.
Without even really realizing it, teardrops were already running down Daryl's red, cold cheeks and finally fell on top of the snow in front of his feet. The second his tears broke free from the corner of his eyes, the wind cooled them down and an uncomfortable shiver ran down Daryl's back every time a cold tear made its way down to his chin.
They all always said, that Christmas is the celebration of love, but where was the love for him? Why didn't he deserve any love? Daryl didn't care about the presents, the Christmas tree, the meals or anything at all. He just wanted to get some love, at least once in his life. Was this really too much to ask for?
Daryl suddenly stopped his steps. With so many tears swimming in his eyes he couldn't see where he was going any more, so he lowered himself on the stairs to his right. There he cried out all his sadness, disappointment, just everything. He didn't know, how long he was sitting there in the cold, but his whole body was almost frozen.
A few people had walked by him, but no one had stopped and asked him what was wrong. But Daryl was already used to it, that no one cared about him, that was his life. Slowly the tears stopped running uncontrollable out of his eyes and finally he was just sitting next to a lighted store window.
The clocks of the village's church belled and Daryl had to force himself to stand up or otherwise he will get frozen here. Standing up was difficult after such a long time sitting in the cold and the bright lights of the store window made Daryl blink a few times.
After his eyes had got used to it, Daryl scanned the store window still sad with the knowing, that he won't ever be able to buy anything of these things. He just wanted to turn around and leave, when he suddenly caught something in the very corner of the window.
It was a snow globe. Daryl had seen already many behind safe store windows, but he had never seen such a beautiful one before. The base looked like a tree trunk, with little wooden stars, like Daryl had curved them for Beth. Inside the glass were two little children, a boy and a girl. They did wear thick caps, gloves and jackets, standing close in the middle of the snow.
In front of them was laying a little present and even when the girl had long brown hair, she still remembered Daryl about Beth and right then in this moment he exactly knew what he wanted to give her for his final Christmas present to her.
And then Daryl saw the price tag and the smile in his face and the already excited thought about when Beth will open her present, were as fast away again as they had come. How could only one little thing be so expensive? Not even never, Daryl will be able to buy it for her.
He had saved some money, the change he got, when he was able to get into the supermarket, when his father had finally given him some money. But that was way too less to get the snow globe.
But what should he do? How could he get to the money in such a short time? Because he really, really wanted to buy it for Beth. Daryl just couldn't rob his father or brother the money. Or?
Of course, he could. It was for a good thing, not even for himself. It was for Beth. And he will pay it them back one day. He just had to take the money from them, just a little everyday, so they won't notice it and without getting caught, that was all.
As fast as possible Daryl ran trough the high snow home, feeling as happy as never before today.
The next few days Daryl really robbed some money from his father and Merle, always with the knowing, that they would beat the hell out of him, if they would catch him. But he accepted that, he really wanted to buy Beth the snow globe.
On Tuesday Daryl asked his father to get some money to go shopping. To his surprise he even got some, but Daryl just bought himself just a few things, so he could save as much money as possible.
And on Thursday it was finally so far, when Daryl ran trough the high snow into down town, his pockets full of the money he had saved the whole week long. Hopefully the store still had the snow globe.
With a wild pounding heart and a fast breathing, Daryl almost stormed through the door of the store, causing the shopkeeper to look confused at him. Daryl still needed some moments to catch his breath and he could already see in the man's expression, that he just wanted to go over to him and drag him out of the store, because this young boy with his old, dilapidated clothes just hadn't the money to buy anything inside here.
"I.. I have.. money.." Daryl finally managed to say, while his lungs still searched urgently for air. "Here." He showed the man in front of him the money, before Daryl went on. "I want the snow globe you had in the window. Do you still have it, Sir?"
After seeing the money in his palms, the shopkeeper's expression softened and got also a little surprised, before he answered "Of course. Wait one minute, I will take it." Daryl's mouth formed a big smile, when he watched the man taking the globe over to the desk.
Three minutes later he already left the store again and even when his pockets were now empty, Daryl still was the happiest boy on the whole world. Not running like before, he instead protected the snow globe now, like the treasure it was for him. Carefully and slowly Daryl made his way home.
Like the last times before, he wanted to be in school earlier than the other tomorrow, so he could hide Beth's present. But when Daryl entered the expected empty class room that morning, three of his classmates were already inside, causing Daryl's mood to get bad.
Till the school bell rang, he didn't have the chance to play one last time his role of Beth's secret Santa, especially after the blond girl had also entered the room. Hours went by and Daryl got more and more nervous with every second. Today was his last chance to give Beth her present. He just had to find an opportunity.
When the fifth hour began, Mrs. Roberts entered the class room and told the children to build a circle with their chairs. Daryl was always annoyed about doing this, because that meant, that they had to do something all together, do something in teamwork and no one wanted to be together with him.
Like all the other times before, the girl and boy to his left and right had more distance to him than to the other, but Daryl didn't care about that any more. His bad mood only got a little better, when he got it, that Beth was sitting exactly opposite to him.
She even smiled shy at him, before she gave her whole attention to the teacher like the well-behaved girl she was. Also Daryl tried to listen to Mrs. Roberts, who was talking about their Christmas game. "So, today is the day kids. Hopefully you all have played along the rules, because today you will get to know who your secret Santa is."
Daryl couldn't believe his ears. No, he had to misunderstood his teacher. With an opened mouth and widened eyes he looked shocked at his fingers, trying to process what that meant. Not only will everyone get to know, that Beth was Daryl's secret Santa, they will also get to know, that Daryl was Beth's and worst the pretty blond girl will also get to know it and maybe she won't like her presents so much any more then.
With sweating hands and a nervous heart beat, Daryl tried to find a way out of his uncomfortable situation. But what should he do? Should he just stand up and run away? He knew the teacher wouldn't care, wouldn't stop him, because she didn't give a damn about him. Daryl was the worst student and no one was interested in to make his notes better or what he was doing at all.
Should he say, that he was feeling ill and needed to go to the doctor? Or go to the toilet and spend the rest of the morning inside there? What the hell should he do?
Absently and still not knowing what to do, Daryl watched desperately how his classmates had already begun. Everyone was smiling bright and had fun. Expect of him, like always. Thankfully Daryl was at least the last one, but that didn't make it any easier.
And before he could even notice it, it was Beth's turn to go to her protege and wish her or him a merry Christmas. Still damn shocked Daryl could just watch how Beth slowly stood up, her beautiful opened hair was falling over her shoulders, like he adored so much and determined she got into his direction.
He could hear how some girls gasped overacted shocked, while some boys whispered its stinky Dixon to each other. In front of him, Beth finally stopped and looked softly down at him. Just then Daryl got it, that he had never seen her from that near and damn her eyes were even more pretty, than he had expected.
With an overwhelmed expression Daryl looked up at his secret Santa, before Beth even stretched her hand down to him and said with the sweetest voice he had ever heard in his life "Merry Christmas Daryl."
Still absently he shook her warm, soft hand, while Daryl watched with big eyes the beautiful, truthfully smile on her lips. And then everything was already over again, when their hands got separated and Beth got back to her seat.
After a few more moments the amused looks on his classmates' faces finally got away, also their nasty words, before the next one was on turn. And suddenly Daryl really began to feel damn ill. His cheeks blushed badly, he could exactly feel the warmth in his whole face. His throat was completely dry, while his whole body was shaking.
But he couldn't do anything, couldn't change it any more and finally it was his turn. Everyone looked at him with big and already amused eyes, excited about who had got stinky Dixon as secret Santa.
If they had given enough attention, they would know, that it was Beth. And like the clever girl she was, she already knew it, when she waited with a wide grin for him to come over.
To see her like that, Daryl just couldn't disappoint her, not her. So he took his whole courage together and finally he stood up. With shaking legs he made his way over to her and he exactly knew, that right now his whole face had to be red, so damn embarrassed he was.
The whole class room was silent, the time seemed to have frozen, when Daryl finally stopped in front of Beth. She was looking so beautiful, like a Christmas angel. With a shaking, almost inaudible voice he finally said maybe a little too fast "Merry Christmas."
Beth just wanted to shake his hand and say something, when everyone started to laugh out loud. Sad and uncomfortable Daryl looked from his left to his right. "Stinky Dixon, oh that's way too funny." One girl laughed. "I would burn the presents, if I would be Beth." Another one told loud her friend. "Wait. That meant, that stinky Dixon has made that one drawing of Beth." A boy realise loud.
Normally Daryl would scream at them back to shut up, maybe he would even start a fight with some boys, but in this moment he was just standing there frozen, while his eyes got from one of their nasty comments to the other.
"So stinky Dixon has a crush on Beth. Stinky Dixon is in love." Half of the class screamed amused, while the rest whistled that one stupid sound or just laughed from the volume of their lungs.
Damn ashamed Daryl's body began to shake and right now he knew his whole body was blushing like the colour of a tomato. Tears began to burn in his eyes, even when he didn't want so. Never in his whole life Daryl had felt so ashamed, embarrassed and uncomfortable like right now.
This was the worst day of his life.
"Daryl." Beth's soft voice suddenly got to his ears and with his glassy eyes he caught hers. She was looking so sorry and compassionate up at him, but it didn't make it any better for Daryl, in contrast.
Suddenly his whole body was awake again and without even thinking about the consequence, Daryl turned around, quickly got to his bag, threw it over his shoulder and rushed out of the classroom. When he got trough the door he could hear one more time Beth saying into his direction "Daryl. Wait!"
The whole way home Daryl had run like he got tracked. Cold tears were running down his cheeks, while his lungs searched urgently for air. Thankfully Merle wasn't at home and his father still slept out the hangover from yesterday, when Daryl stormed trough the front door and hurried into his room to fall still crying on top of his bed.
What had he thought? Why had he even done this? No one cared about him, especially not someone like Beth. Why did he make himself all that effort? It was all for nothing. At least now were holidays, but Daryl already knew right now, that after Christmas, school will be like hell.
They will tease him even more than they already did. They will all make fun of him like a few minutes ago. Laugh at him, show their fingers at him, mumble and giggle behind their hands about him and that all because he wanted to be nice. He couldn't go back there any more.
After the tears of sadness were gone, Daryl began to feel damn angry about himself. It was all his own fault and couldn't give the blame on the other. He had even spent so much money for the snow globe. The snow globe.
Shocked Daryl looked at his bag laying careless on the floor. Hopefully it hadn't broken, when he had thrown it there. Nervous Daryl got to it on the cold floor and quickly searched inside the bag, just to find it all well.
Thankfully Daryl looked at it from every side. He had totally forgotten about it. What should he do with it now? He couldn't give it to Beth any more. Yeah, it was pretty, but she would have liked it more than him. And Daryl also couldn't keep it, he had to hide it, so his father and brother won't find it.
Carefully he hid it under his bed, before Daryl laid himself on top of the old mattress again. First he beat into his pillow to make room for his anger, but then he fell powerless forward and started to cry again.
Since he had left school, Daryl was laying like that sad in his bed, when he could suddenly hear their door bell ring. The first three times he simply ignored it, not in the mood to find some people outside, who were looking for donations. After the fifth ring, his father screamed from his room, that he should open the damn door.
Without his will, Daryl finally got up from his bed to do what he got told to. While he went over to their front door, he whipped the still present tears away from his cheeks. And damn he really wasn't expecting it, when after he had opened tired the door, he saw Beth Greene standing on his porch.
With widened eyes and an opened mouth he was looking unbelievable at her. "Hey." Beth finally said softly to break the silence. After a few more moments staring overwhelmed at her, Daryl finally found his voice again, when he answered "What.. what are you here?"
With her big angel eyes Beth was looking sweet up at him, when she told him "I just wanted to see, if you are okay, after.. you know." Feeling how his head began to blush, Daryl moved his palm uncomfortable up and down his upper arm, while his eyes were fixed on his shoes. Hopefully his eyes weren't that red and swollen any more, when he lied "Yeah, it's okay. I'm used to it."
"It's really not okay, Daryl. They are childish, nasty, stupid and so unkind. I have told them, that they should be all ashamed about what they have said to you, because you haven't done anything wrong." Her kind words made him speechless, just speechless.
"You have really told them so?" Daryl asked shocked, he couldn't imagine a mad Beth screaming angrily at her classmates. "Yes, I have. And I have also screamed at the teacher, that she should have done something. That just wasn't fair and I wanted to tell you so."
His cheeks probably had the colour of a tomato again, when Daryl tried to give her a little, thankfully smile. "Thank you." He finally managed to whisper, earning a big, bright smile from Beth for it. "And I also wanted to tell you, that I really, really loved all your presents Daryl. You are so talented, especially your drawings. No one has ever given me a drawing about myself before."
Daryl knew, that his body temperature was probably shortly before simmering, so damn embarrassed he was. Best he wanted to shrink like a mouse and disappear in the next little hole. "I.. I'm glad you like them."
The two kids were looking into each other eyes for a few moments, Daryl even tried to response Beth's sweet smile. She was so incredible beautiful. Her long blond hair falling over her shoulders, like angel hair. She was wearing a thick cap and even warmer gloves. The tip of her nose was red, because it was so cold outside.
Her beautiful, light blue eyes were framed from long, dark eyelashes and on her nose and cheeks were little freckles everywhere. Daryl could really see them, so close they were standing to each other.
"So.. What are you doing this afternoon?" Beth asked curious. Her voice finally got Daryl away from his thoughts and back into the reality. "Ehm.. Nothing. Nothing at all." He answered unsure, while he had placed his hand uncomfortable on the back of his neck.
"Maybe, but only if you want, we could do something. Together." Beth said, also a little embarrassed now, while she bit down on her lower lip. And Daryl just couldn't believe his ears. Beth Greene wanted to spend her free time with him, Daryl Dixon.
"Yeah." He cleared his throat, before he went on "I.. I would like that." Earning a big smile from Beth, she looked up at him with glistening eyes. "Alright. It's getting dark soon, but we could still go for a walk, if you want."
"Sure. I will just take my jacket." Daryl told her, before he quickly left inside and almost jumped all happy to pick up his jacket. Less than one minute he was back by the door, back to the beautiful girl waiting for him.
Together they got for a little walk, before it got dark. Beth told him, that her parents always said, that she had to be at home, with sunset. When she asked him curious, if he also had to be at home before it will get dark, Daryl just shook his head and answered with a small voice, that his father didn't care about that. He could come home whenever he wanted, he could even be away all night long and no one would care.
His truthful answer made Beth looking up at him with a mixture of shock and confessing, which caused Daryl to get damn uncomfortable. Slowly she got to know, that he and his family weren't the same one as hers. They were different, in so many ways.
They were walking in silence for a few moments, till Beth said with her soft voice how sorry she was about the lost of his mother. Also that the other kids in school did tease him about it, even when it really wasn't his fault, he just hadn't chosen the life he had.
Thankfully Daryl smiled a small smile down at her, while he thought about the day back this spring. He wasn't good with words, he never was, but Beth was, when she went on and tried to cheer him up after everything what had happened today.
And Daryl just listened carefully to her words. She told him how wrong and stupid the behaver from their classmates was, how much she hated it, when the teacher did ignore him. The things they said to him, the names they gave him, the things they did or didn't do to help him.
And Beth also told him, how bad she was feeling about herself. That she hadn't done anything sooner to help him, that she had kept quiet for so long. Surprised that she was feeling this way, Daryl told her, that she didn't have to worry about that. He was used to it. That was his life. No one cared about him.
With a big, bright smile Beth looked up at him and told him truthfully, that from now on, he had someone, who cared about him. That caused a surprised and also shocked expression in Daryl's face. No one had ever said something like that to him before.
Beth had always thought, that he didn't want any friends, because he was older than most of them and probably just didn't like them. She thought, that he wasn't feeling good in his new school, missed his old friends and of course his mother.
She had tried it sometimes to smile at him, but he had always looked away so quickly. Beth had really wanted to talk to him, but sometimes she was also afraid about him, because she exactly knew, how strong he was, when she had watched him fight with some other boys of their class.
But now Beth knew Daryl better, and she got to know that he wasn't scaring. In contrast, he was pretty kind and especially his presents had showed her, how sweet he could even be. He wasn't one bit, like the other had said. He was more than just alright.
The tip of Daryl's ears had already blushed again by her words and finally when he caught her eyes and said, that she was also alright, his whole body was on fire.
Time passed by too quick and on half-way to their homes, they said good by to each other. But before Beth turned around and trudged trough the snow into the other direction, she asked with her sweet voice and big eyes, if they wanted to do something together tomorrow.
Being half in trance because of her big, angel eyes, Daryl just couldn't say no to her suggestion. He really wanted to spend some time with her together. They made up to meet tomorrow after lunch here again and with that Beth said good bye and even waved at him and Daryl just couldn't act any different from doing the same.
Even now Daryl couldn't wait to see Beth again, he really had to force himself to stop to smile that bright and happy or otherwise his father and brother will get suspiciously. He couldn't believe how much luck he had, about all the things that happened to him in the last time. He had won a friend, the first friend in his life and he had never thought, that it would even be a girl. But Beth was just perfect, so sweet and compassionate.
Tomorrow early afternoon couldn't come fast enough and because Daryl hadn't got anything for lunch like every day, he was at their meeting place already twenty minutes too soon. By the end he really doubted, that Beth would come any more anyway, but finally her blond locks appeared on the horizon.
They spent the whole afternoon together, till it got dark and she had to get home again. They made a snowballing, a big snowman, played in the park or just laid in the snow and made snow angels.
By the end Beth told him, while they were still sitting in the snow, how excites she already was about tomorrow. First Daryl didn't get it what she meant, but then he finally got it. Tomorrow was Christmas.
Finally she asked him curious, if he was as excited as herself about it. Sadly but truthfully Daryl shook his head and told her his kind of Christmas. With an opened mouth and shocked, compassionate looking eyes Beth listened carefully to his words and when he was finally finished, she was speechless for the first time.
Daryl told her, that she didn't have to feel sorry for him. That was his life and he was already used to it. It was just a day like all the other. Nothing more. He was almost surprised, when Beth finally answered him with a determined voice, that it hadn't to be like that for him. At least not this year.
If he wanted, he could spend Christmas with her and her family together. More than just shocked Daryl shook overwhelmed his head, already knowing, that her parents wouldn't be okay with, that their daughter had invited someone like him to celebrate Christmas with them together. He didn't fit inside there.
She asked him curious why not? Their farmhouse was big enough for one more guest, he wouldn't even get noticed by all the other. All her relatives and some other people will come over to them and she was sure, her parents really want to get to know him.
Beth just couldn't celebrate tomorrow any more, with the thought that Daryl was sitting all alone in his cold room. She really wanted to celebrate Christmas with him together. And she still had her final present for her protege and she wanted to give it to him so bad.
Only then Daryl remembered about the snow globe hidden under his bed. He also still wanted to give it to Beth so badly. And after ten more minutes talking him into it, Daryl finally agreed with her suggestion. It was just impossible to say no to these beautiful, begging eyes. But still he felt already damn uncomfortable by just thinking about tomorrow.
The second he got home that day, Daryl rifled trough his closet to find the most festival and clean looking second hand clothes he could find. Taking the snow globe from its hiding place, Daryl put it into a little, fitting box and wrapped it into one of the Christmas wrapping from one of Beth's presents, he had kept.
In his head he already tried to imagine the conversations he will have with Beth's perfect relatives. The uncomfortable questions they will ask him. He even tried to imagine their confused and also grossed expressions, to get already used to them.
While laying in bed, Daryl talked to himself. Introduced himself over and over again, till it did sound good enough for him. Hopefully nothing embarrassing will happen to him tomorrow. He had to show himself from his best side in front of her family and of course also because of Beth, because even his best side still won't be enough for them, for her.
That night Daryl hadn't slept more than three hours. He was tensed, nervous and desperately all the time. But whenever he left his room, he tried to not show that, so his father and Merle didn't get sceptical.
And then it was time. Shortly before sunset Daryl left the house, without getting seen or even heard. No one will question or even notice his absence. As much time as never before in his life, Daryl had spent in the bathroom. He even showered a second time today, before he took on his hopefully good enough looking clothes.
Like Daryl had promised Beth, he was at their house by sunset. The farm looked even bigger from near. It was an old, but well-preserved farm house with many barns, other buildings and fields around it.
His heart was beating so fast and wild against his chest, it did almost hurt, when Daryl pressed the bell. He could hear the blood rushing fast trough his ears and also his breathing was irregular. Daryl could already see the guest's shadow's trough the closed curtain and hear their conversations and laughs.
Best he wanted to turn around and ran away as fast as his feet were carrying him. But he had promised it to Beth, his new and only friend. She had already done so much for him and now it was his part to do something for her.
It felt like a half eternity for him, till the door got opened and Beth stood with a red, festive dress in the door frame. "Hey Daryl. I'm so happy you are here." She welcomed him sweet and before he could do anything or just realize what was happing, Beth threw her arms around his neck. She even had to get on her tiptoes to reach him.
Shocked and overwhelmed Daryl didn't know what to do, so he just stood there planless, with a blushed face, till she pulled away again. When Beth got his discomfort, she took her hand on top of her mouth to hide her smile and giggles and said a truthfully sorry.
Only then Daryl's body got to life again and finally he said still damn embarrassed "Hey Beth. You still sure you want me to be here?" While rolling her eyes dramatic, she took his hand and leaded him simply inside, while telling "Don't be silly Daryl. Of course, I want. You are my special guest. C'mon, almost everyone is already here."
Daryl couldn't stop to stare with widened eyes and an opened mouth at the Greene's home. It was so comfortable warm in every room, everything looked clean and had its own place. It smelled like cookies, tea, the firewood and the Christmas tree. The kind of homes, Daryl had only seen in Beth's Christmas book.
Finally she leaded him into one big room, it was almost like a hall. It had to be their living room, because in the middle was the biggest and most beautiful Christmas tree Daryl had ever seen in his life. It was even prettier, than the ones in the Christmas book.
Everything was decorated so lovingly, especially in this room. The music was playing in the background and even the warm light inside here gave him the feel of comfort. Still overwhelmed about everything, Daryl almost hadn't noticed that Beth was still holding his hand and leaded him directly into the direction of a woman with long, blond locks, like the one from Beth and an older man with white hair and a grey beard.
"Mommy, Daddy this is Daryl. My secret Santa and protege at the same time." Beth introduced him with a big smile in her face to her parents. And Daryl's body frozen completely again, when he looked up at her parents.
They really didn't look like he had expected. They didn't look strict or stiff at all, in contrast. "Oh, yes Daryl. Finally we get to know you. It's really nice to meet you." Mrs. Greene said, while she shook Daryl's hand. Still overwhelmed he just stared up at her, already forgotten all the things he had tried to teach himself yesterday evening.
And then Mr. Greene stepped right in front of him and somehow Daryl got scared. What if the man will start to yell at him, like his own father was doing so often? What if he won't like me, Daryl thought, because he had prayed to God that somehow Mr. Greene will like him, at least a little.
"So you are the youngest Dixon, who can carve so well and about who our little Bethy talks so much in the last time." Mr. Greene said with his deep but also kind voice. "Daddy. Don't listen to him Daryl, he lies." Beth said, but her red, blushed cheeks said something different.
"I'm just telling the truth, sweetheart. Anyway it's nice to meet you Daryl." Mr. Greene answered still amused and also shook with a good-meant pressure Daryl's hand. Only then he got it, that still now he hadn't said even one word to Beth's parents.
Taking his whole courage together, Daryl stammered with a small voice "It's.. It's also nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Greene. Thank you for having me tonight." With a knowing look the two adults looked at each other, obviously touched about Daryl's nervousness.
"You don't have to thank us Daryl. It's really nice from you to join us. Just eat and drink as much you can tonight, we have enough for everyone. And we are Annette and Hershel to you, alright?" Annette Greene said with the same soft voice than her youngest daughter to Daryl, while she had laid her hand on top of his shoulder to take some of his nervousness away.
Daryl wanted to thank them for everything, but he was still so damn overwhelmed, that he just nodded understanding his head. And in the very next second Beth already took his hand again and leaded him trough the room. She introduced him to most of the people inside the living room. Also to her aunts, uncles and grandparents.
But Daryl's heart began to beat much faster again, when they got to her brother, sister and her boyfriend. But they were all as nice as Beth's parents. And slowly Daryl's nervousness and tenseness really stopped.
After Daryl had got to know most of the people, Beth leaded the two of them over to a table and they took themselves some children tea. At seven o'clock and when all the guests were here, Hershel gave a little speech to their family and friends about how happy he was to celebrate Christmas with all of them.
After the little speech, Beth leaded Daryl into another room with one, big covered table. It smelled so delicious, that his mouth began to water instantly. The two of them took seat next to Shawn, Maggie and Glenn, before Annette and one of Beth's aunts entered the room with the dinner.
Never in his life before Daryl had eaten something as delicious as in this evening. Annette Greene was more than just a great cook, the best for Daryl. He even began to feel comfortable around Beth, Shawn, Maggie and Glenn. They had fun and also laughed much. Maggie even told Daryl, that she admired his drawing and talent.
When they were all full and couldn't eat even one more bite, the Greene's children and also Daryl helped to get the dirty dishes into the kitchen and as a reward they got the biggest pieces of the cake.
They ate them right next to the fireplace in the living room and Daryl really liked to listen to Beth's older brother telling them some stories about his education as a policeman. When Daryl really thought, that he will burst with the next bite, Beth and he took the plates back into the kitchen and instead of getting into the living room again, she leaded the two of them away from the hurly-burly and upstairs into her room.
It was like Daryl had expected. All nice and sweet like her and she obviously liked horses. Photos of her and probably her favourite horse were hanging everywhere. Even one big soft toy horse was sitting on top of her bed. On her desk, next to her lamp was laying the green stone, Daryl had given her as his first present as secret Santa.
The carved rabbit and snowflake from him were laying on Beth's window cell and his two drawings were hanging next to each other on the wall in a nice looking frame. Daryl's cheeks began to heat up again, just by the thought, that Beth really liked his presents so much. Hopefully she will like her last one as much as the other before or maybe even more.
"I still have to give my protege his last present, right?" Beth said softly, while she followed Daryl's bewildered and also curious look wandering trough her room. Her words finally got him back to life and he followed her to sit down on top of the mattress.
From the little table next to her bed, Beth picked up her last present for Daryl. Again wrapped into a nice looking Christmas wrapping and this excited tingle inside his belly came back, when Beth handled him the present, while wishing "Merry Christmas Daryl."
He didn't even try to hide his blushed face any more, when he carefully opened the wrapping. Beth had already seen it so often the last days. "I hope you like it and it also fits you." Beth told him hopefully, while she watched him with a soft smile.
Finally Daryl held a self-made sweater in his arms. It looked so warm and fluffy. The dark blue clothe had almost the same colour as Daryl's eyes and a big D was embroidered in it, for his name.
"Wow, this is.. It's.. Have you made it?" Daryl asked all surprised. Still with a smile on her lips and shiny, expectant eyes Beth was eyeing him, when she answered "Yes, with the help of my mother. Don't you like it?" Her voice changed into worried with the last words and Daryl just decided then, that he hated it to hear her voice like that.
"No. Really, no. It's just.. No one has ever given me something like this before. Your presents were the first ones in my whole life." Daryl told her truthfully and with a compassionate look and lovingly eyes Beth was looking up at him, before she whispered "That's over now Daryl. That was your past. Your future doesn't have to be that dark. You can do whatever you want in your life. You can become whatever you want, no one will hold you back any more. And you deserve so much more presents Daryl."
Tears were burning in his eyes then, even when he didn't even want to feel this way or show them in front of her. But Beth's sweet words, everything what had happened the last weeks and especially tonight, it was too much for him to handle. So many new, strange feelings, impressions and Beth telling him, that this could also be his life, if he wanted, it was just too much for him.
"So, do you like your sweater or not, Daryl? Or do I have to give it to my uncle Daniel, even when it won't ever fit him." Beth said teasing, trying to stop the silence and Daryl's worried thoughts. "Of course, I do. I really, really like it. Thank you so much Beth." He finally told her and to show her how much he really did, he pulled the fabric over his shirt and heat and with outstretched hands he showed it to her from every side and caused her so to giggle amused.
"But I also still have the present for my protege." Daryl finally said, before he gripped for his bag, he had taken from the wardrobe, before they got upstairs. "Merry Christmas Beth." Daryl wished her, while he handled her the wrapped present with shaking hands.
With an excited expression Beth carefully opened the heavy present laying on her lab, while Daryl watched her all excited. Her eyes widened unbelievable and her mouth opened in unbelievement, when she finally held the unwrapped snow globe in her hands.
"Oh my God. Daryl, it's.. this is.. so beautiful." Beth told him with a shaking voice and like a few hours before he still couldn't realize what was going on, when she suddenly threw her left arm around his neck and pulled him closer, while she still held the snow globe secure with her right hand.
"Thank you so, so much Daryl. It's beautiful, the best Christmas present I have ever got." Beth whispered with her lips so close to his ear, while she was still hugging him that tight. Because Daryl never got used to closeness like this, he had never got something like this in his life before, he was first frozen, just shocked and overwhelmed. But finally his arms got soft and carefully he wrapped them around Beth's small upper body. For the first time Daryl hugged someone and he had never ever thought that his first real, good-meant hug will be with Beth Greene.
"You don't have to thank me Beth. I'm just happy, that I got you for my protege." Daryl whispered back, while he even closed his eyes to enjoy this almost magical moment even more. "And I can't tell you how happy I am for being your secret Santa, Daryl. From now on you won't ever have to be alone again. We are friends now, right?"
Beth whispered with her big, angel eyes up at him and even when he would have never contradicted her, he already knew right then, that he won't ever be able to say no to these eyes. A lovingly smile got on his lips, when he answered her truthfully "Yeah, we are friends now."
Suddenly they could hear the music getting louder from downstairs and Beth's eyes began to shine even more then. "Oh, it's finally time. C'mon Daryl. I'm waiting for this already the whole year long." Beth told him all excited, when she already gripped for his hand and dragged him, still with the self-made sweater on, downstairs to the other.
Everyone looked so happy, high spirits were in the whole living room, when the two of them finally entered it. Some were already dancing to the now louder music. Many clapped boisterous and you could hear someone laugh every few seconds. The mood was contagious, because soon Daryl was as happy and excited as Beth was, even when he didn't know why.
Finally they ended up with standing right next to her parents and Hershel told Daryl, how surprised he was, when Beth had showed him his carvings and told her father, that it was him, who had made it. Daryl obviously really had talent and if he wanted he could show him some tricks and handles, because the man was also an avid carpenter.
Daryl could feel how the tip of his ears got all red and he asked himself what his brother or father would say, if they would see him right now. In the middle of the Greene's wonderful house, all the nice people around him, in this dark blue sweater, he had just got from a girl. They would probably laugh at him and say, that this was all just an illusory world and they all didn't even like him, were just nice to him, till the evening will be over.
But somehow Daryl had the feeling that they really liked him, especially Beth's family. Her mother had almost tears in her eyes, when she saw him with the sweater already on she had made with her daughter together. She looked at him from every side and said at least twenty times how grateful she was, that it did really fit him.
From one second to the other everyone got silent suddenly, when Hershel stepped into the middle of the room and told them all, that now it was time for what they were all waiting so long. Excited and not knowing what this big something was, Daryl looked curious around, when Beth suddenly whispered "Wish me luck." and got next to her father's side.
All confused Daryl watched her, not knowing what was going on. With a proud voice Hershel said to his youngest daughter, when she had finally reached his side "The stage is yours sweetheart."
Sweetly and also looking a little nervous Beth thanked her father, before she turned around and nodded to the band behind her. In the very next second they already began to play and even when Daryl couldn't name the song, he still knew that it was a famous Christmas song and everyone began to shine bright by the first notes.
And then Daryl finally got it, when Beth quietly and shy began to sing. The whole room was silent then, listened carefully to her singing voice and everything seemed so magical.
Slowly Beth's voice became stronger and louder and Daryl got goose bumps everywhere on his body. He hadn't known that she was such a great singer and that she had such a beautiful singing voice. Now she really looked like an angel, while she was standing there in the middle of the room, with her long, golden locks, the heavenly music and the many candles around her.
And obviously Beth took her whole courage together and stopped to look at one random point in the living room, when her nervousness was finally completely gone and the first thing her eyes caught were Daryl's.
They were looking at each like the other weren't around. Daryl probably looked like a dork with his shocked, opened mouth and widened eyes, but maybe that caused Beth to form that lovingly smile on her lips.
Daryl's eyes were probably shining as bright as hers, when he finally returned her smile. This evening was already the best he ever had in his life, but this moment was almost magical. Maybe it was the magic of Christmas. No, that was exactly what the people were calling the magic of Christmas.
Daryl's eyes were still spellbound to Beth's, when Hershel and Annette stepped together on the obviously dance floor and began to dance all happy. Moments later other couples also began to dance around the room. Even Maggie dragged Glenn on the dance floor.
Shawn finally got next to Daryl's side and said "That's nothing for man like us, right?" Daryl quickly nodded his head, before he had only eyes for Beth again. He had never ever seen something more beautiful, than this sweet girl.
Finally Daryl sat down on a chair close to the fireplace and kept on watching Beth with dreamily eyes. His eyes were spellbound to her the whole time. He couldn't look at anything except her any more.
After the fourth song Beth had sung, everyone clapped excited and also Daryl did as loud as he could, before she thanked them all with blushed cheeks and instantly made her way over into his direction. "Hey." Beth said almost shy, like she had done something wrong.
"Hey." Daryl answered simply, while she took place right next to him and dreamily she looked into the flames. He just couldn't bring himself to stop to look, almost stare at her. Beth was so damn beautiful. So sweet, so innocence, so lovingly, just everything he wasn't, but still she wanted to be his one and only friend.
The flames were dancing in her face, made it look so warm and fairy like. Her golden locks were falling over her shoulders like a golden river and Daryl really had to force himself not to touch them and feel how soft they were. Her eyes were sparkling even brighter than usual, while Beth was obviously waiting for him to say something.
"You.. That was.. I didn't know, that you can sing so beautiful." Daryl finally told her, even when his own cheeks got some colour then, but not from the warmth of the fire. "Thank you, Daryl." Beth answered him truthfully, before their eyes met for a few moments and they looked at each other like no one was around. "I have my singing voice from my grandmother. But she can sing way better than me."
"For me your's is the most beautiful voice I have ever heard." It really was for him, the voice of an real angel. Beth's lips formed a big, lovely smile, because of his statement and then she did something, that made Daryl's heart jump.
Even when she just placed her hand on top of his for a few moments, it was like a firework was exploring inside himself. Daryl was never used to touches, except the ones that did hurt, but these from Beth were all so new for him. But with the tickling everywhere on his body, Daryl decided already right then, that he loved Beth's touches.
They spent some more time with sitting next to the fire with talking, looking into the flames and at each other, till Beth's eyes began to widen suddenly. Daryl just wanted to ask her what was wrong, when she said all excited "That's my favourite song. Oh, I love this one so much. C'mon Daryl, let us go dancing."
Before he could even answer her, Beth already gripped for his hand and leaded him to where everyone was dancing. "But I can't dance." Daryl whispered with an already blushed head, when Beth had finally stopped. "Don't worry Daryl. It's very easy. I will show you." She said with begging eyes and like always he couldn't say no to them.
Daryl didn't want to know, how he was looking, while dancing around the room with Beth. But somehow he also didn't care, because the two of them had so much fun. Beth's bright smile, her shiny eyes, her giggles, her hands in his were enough for Daryl to go on. One time he almost crashed against Shawn, who was now also dancing with a girl, even when not oven thirty minutes before he had said, that he didn't want to dance. Daryl had to smile to himself then.
He had lost his sense of time since how long they were dancing, till they got too thirsty and got over to the drinks. Beth and Daryl talked with Maggie, Glenn and Shawn, got dancing two more times and Hershel asked Daryl, who had learned him how to carve and was very surprised, when he told the man truthfully, that he had learned it himself.
Shortly before midnight they all sang together the famous Christmas song holy night. Beth was standing right next to him then and her beautiful angel voice gave Daryl again goose bumps everywhere on his body. This evening was just too magical to be true.
Slowly the guests started to leave the party and Daryl was one of the last ones, when he got the feeling that he should also better leave now, even when Beth told him the opposite. But of course she understood and even accompanied him to the door, after Annette had given him three boxes full from the rest of their dinner into his bag.
"Thanks again for the invitation. That was the best Christmas in my whole life. And also thank you for the great sweater." Daryl said, while he was already standing in the cold. "You don't have to thank me for anything Daryl. But I should thank you for your beautiful present and that you have joined me at the party tonight."
Because Daryl didn't know what to answer, he just smiled at Beth and she did response it instantly. "Be careful on your way home Daryl. Good night." She finally said sweetly, before Daryl also wished her good night and started to go into the darkness.
He had thought, that she had already closed the door, when Beth's beautiful voice suddenly filled the air again "Daryl. Wait." The second he turned around she was already running into his direction, just with her socks on.
Daryl just wanted to ask her what happened, when Beth already reached his side and whispered, so a white cloud was see able in front of her lips "I know there isn't a mistletoe, but still."
He couldn't even process her words, when Beth already got on her tiptoes and placed a warm, sweet kiss on his already cold cheek. Being damn confused and surprised, he looked down at her with widened eyes, after she had got on her feet again.
"Merry Christmas Daryl." Beth's cheeks also blushed then, but still she smiled up at him with these beautiful angel eyes. And suddenly Daryl's body wasn't frozen any more. It was tickling everywhere, he also felt damn warm and he couldn't act any different than smile bright down at her and whisper into the night "Merry Christmas Beth."
Right there in this moment Daryl realized the real meaning of Christmas. All the presents, the money you have spent, your need the get the best things, breaking your head while thinking about what to give, really wasn't it. But the love, the time you spend together with the ones you care about, being there for each other, not thinking about what will come tomorrow and just being peacefully wasthe real meaning of Chrsitmas.
And the beautiful girl in front of Daryl, made himself realize it all.
Like Beth had promised him, the two of them got best friends. Nothing could bring them apart any more. She even sat herself next to him at school and simply ignored the other looks and words. She defended him always, was evermore next to his side and didn't let herself tell any different.
Daryl spent his whole free time with Beth together and it never got boring with her. He also got to know her family better and spent almost everyday by the Greene's. Hershel and Annette treated him like their second son and the man learned him everything about woodwork.
Beth also spent some time by Daryl at home. She wasn't one bit afraid about his father and hell if he had touched her only once, Daryl would have killed him. One time Daryl even lived over three weeks by the Greene's, when Merle was in prison and his father had simply left him alone, being gone with some waitress.
Beth was the most important part in Daryl's life. He couldn't imagine only one day without her beautiful eyes and sweet smile. The things she had done for him, he won't ever forget and he in contrast he will do everything, just everything for her.
And how much he really cared about her, he showed her on their sixth Christmas together, when Beth just wanted to close the door behind herself, after they had said good bye to each other. He simply called her name and the second she had turned around, he was already in front of her and excited he whispered "I know there isn't a mistle toe, but.." And without even thinking about it, Daryl pressed his lips lovingly on top of Beth's.
First he could feel how surprised her lips felt against his, how tensed her face was, but then her whole body softened and she gave in his kiss. Daryl couldn't force himself for just one second to not look at her that evening. Beth was wearing a long, dark red dress, her hair opened like he adored so much and the soft flesh of her lips tasted better than he had ever dared to dream about.
Exactly one year later, he got on his knee for her, while they were standing in the snow in the middle of the night. Beth had just sang to the guests and they wanted to have some time on their own. Wrapped into thick jackets, they were standing in the middle of nowhere. The stars were shining down at them and reflected in her glassy eyes, before Beth threw her arms around his neck and said all happily yes for at least ten times.
And two years later, Beth gave him the best present ever, when on Christmas evening she gave birth to their little daughter Nicolina. While Daryl held his baby girl protective in his arms, looked outside the window into the snowy holy night, Beth sleeping peacefully behind them, he shook unbelievable his head, smiled down at his little daughter and said to himself "And that all because of that stupid Christmas game."