I am so sorry for not updating in forever! I had such bad writer's block on this story it was unbelievable. I think I got that all situated now. Anyways, this chapter is a little rough - more of just a filler chapter. But every story needs those, right? Anyways, I hope you enjoy and aren't too mad at me! Leave a review please! (:
"Ready?" Daryl asked, his voice buzzing through Beth's ear. She nodded excitedly. She was seated between Daryl's legs, his arms wrapped around her waist and her hands resting on his. She smiled as she felt him push off.
They were sitting atop a steep hill on the outskirts of town. It was a place not many local kids knew about. She was taken back to her childhood, coming to the same hill when she was a little girl. It had been many years since the last time she had been sledding. Maggie had always been the person to take her and their relationship was crumbling.
They took off down the hill, the breeze chilling Beth's face and numbing her features. Giggles radiated from her as they approached the bottom of the hill, going over a slight bump. They slowed to a stop and rolled off the sled. Daryl scooped Beth up in his arms as he fell back in the fluffy snow, his hat going askew.
Beth rested her gloved hands on his shoulders, adjusting his hat for him. She gave him a light kiss. "Feeling better?" He asked, arching a brow at her. She could feel his heartbeat under her palm.
"Much," she said, leaning her head down and resting it on his chest. They stayed wrapped up in their moment for a while. They listened to the wind swirling around the branches, the light cawing of birds and the hum of the cars off in the distance. Nothing could touch them when they were together.
After awhile, Daryl leaned forward, keeping Beth in his arms. She snaked her arms around his torso. "How 'bout I treat you to some hot chocolate? Warm yah up a little," Daryl suggested. Beth nodded slowly. Hot chocolate was one of her weaknesses. Daryl stood, still holding Beth in his arms. They started the trek back up the hill to where Daryl's truck was parked. Even if they only went down the hill once, Beth would be all right as long as she was with Daryl.
She sat in the cab as he ditched the sled in the bed of the truck and made it around to his side. She blew into her gloves, trying to warm her fingers up. Daryl climbed into the cab, turned the key in the ignition and fired the engine up. They pulled out into the street and drove back into town.
Daryl wasn't going to take her back to the Hearth. He didn't want her around there just yet. She would only have to work tomorrow night. On the drive back to town, Daryl thought about Jimmy. He tried to vision him striking Beth. It made him tighten his fingers around the steering wheel. It made him sick that he could actually imagine it. Beth was skinny, and Jimmy, he was much bigger than Beth. It wouldn't be hard for him to overpower her.
He wondered how many bruises she tried to cover up in the time they had been together. He wanted to let her know that she would be okay with him. He would never treat her the way that Jimmy treated her. He shook his thoughts out of his head when he saw the stoplight come into view. There was a coffee shop around the corner from the garage – a Starbucks.
Beth was gazing out the window. She thought about Jimmy. She would just have to make it through the New Year and he would be gone. He would go back to Texas and she would be left to enjoy her time with Daryl. To be honest, she felt bad for Daryl. They had just met and he was thrown into the complications of her only ex boyfriend.
If only she had met him at a different time. But she would have to deal with the cards she had been dealt. Daryl pulled up in front of the coffee shop, throwing the truck into park. He jumped out, opening her door and helping her onto the sidewalk over the small mound of snow.
The Starbucks was smaller, a small amount of people inside. They approached the counter. "What can I get for you?" The barista asked, wiping his hands off on a rag. Daryl gave their order and the barista went to work. Beth chose a table, shrugging off her coat, scarf and taking off her gloves.
Daryl returned to the table with their hot chocolates. Beth cradled the cup in her hands, warming her tingly numb fingers. "Thank you," she said. "For everything, Daryl. You didn't have to do this," she said, a blushing burning her cheeks.
He shook his head as he sloughed off his jacket, hanging it over the back of his chair. "You're right. I didn't have to, but I wanted to. I don't like to see you all sad like that," Daryl admitted. He took a sip from his drink, watching her carefully. It scorched his tongue.
"There's something you must understand," Beth said, her finger tracing around the lid of her hot chocolate. "When I was with Jimmy, it was ruining my life. When we broke up, I started working at the diner. It made me happy. My coworkers made sure he wouldn't come around. He's getting bold, Daryl. He's up to something," she revealed. "I don't want you to get wrapped up in this."
Daryl reached forward, taking ahold of her fingers in his. "Beth, please," he said, blue eyes shining. "Let me help. You can't do this alone. I'll do whatever I can to help," he said. Beth closed her eyes as he spoke. It was what she wanted to hear but was too selfish to ask for. They had only just met a few days ago.
Beth laughed. "Sometimes I wonder if you're real. I wonder if you really are here because it seems too good to be true," Beth said, her thumb swiping over Daryl's hand.
"I find myself thinking the same thing," Daryl said. "I've been in a few relationships, but nothing like this. This feels different. Good different," he grinned, squeezing her hand. Together they finished their drinks and sat talking, getting to know each other until the sun went down.
They learned a lot about each other. Where each of them went to high school, how Daryl got into cars, favorite colors, foods and movies or shows. Daryl wasn't into movies or television as much as Beth was, but he still liked the classics.
Long after they finished their drinks, they decided it was time to go home. A lot had happened that day. They discarded their cups in the waste can and headed back outside to the chilly night air. Beth watched as the streetlights flew by as they drove towards her house. It had been a good day despite the blow up with Jimmy.
Daryl pulled into her driveway behind her car. He killed the engine, turning to look at Beth. "I'll walk you to your door," he said as he climbed out of the cab. Beth did the same and walked up her driveway next to him.
"Thank you, again," she said, facing him in front of her front door. Daryl shrugged. It was nothing to him. She would have done the same for him. Beth unlocked her front door, pushing open the door and stepped inside. Daryl turned to walk back to his truck. "Wait," Beth said. "Will you stay?" She asked, her hand resting on the doorknob.
Daryl stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Of course," he said, turning back to her. He locked his truck and ducked inside behind Beth. She locked the door for the night and shrugged off her coat. Daryl did the same, draping it over the chair at her dining room table.
Beth discarded her gloves and scarf on the table and toed off her boots. Daryl did the same. It wasn't the first time he was staying over at a girlfriend's house but he could sense it was the first time for Beth. He could tell she wasn't happy with Jimmy and they dated when she was younger, probably still living with her parents. "My room is this way," she said walking down the dimly lit hallway.
Daryl admired the photos hung up in the hall. Her with her parents, with a girl with short brown hair. Others with people from the diner, all in which Beth was grinning from ear to ear. Daryl wondered if he would ever make it to the wall. Beth pushed open the door to her room, looking back to make sure Daryl was still following her.
He was. "My room," she murmured as they entered. It was mainly white. White walls, white bedspread, white furniture, white body length mirror. She had trinkets spread across the surfaces, little things that she had collected over the years. Candles, photos, figurines, a jewelry box. It was very plain. But Beth liked plain.
"I like it," Daryl said, wandering inside. He sidled up to the dresser, looking at the contents decorating the surface. One thing stuck out to him in particular. It was a drawing – of him specifically, and his eye. He picked it up, inspecting it closer. "You did this?" He asked, turning the sheet of paper towards Beth.
Beth gasped, a blush burning her cheeks. She had forgotten the drawing was still on her dresser. It was from the first night they met. "Yes," she admitted. "The first night you came to the diner. You asked me what I was drawing. I told you I was drawing eyes, I didn't exactly lie," her blush intensified. She stood next to him, looking at the blue ink drawing.
Daryl smiled. So she had noticed him like he noticed her. "I wish you would have shown me this then," he said, placing it back down on the dresser. "I like your room," he said. Beth thanked him.
"I'm going to get changed into my pajamas. I don't have anything for you, I'm sorry," Beth said. Daryl shrugged. He didn't expect her to.
"I'll be all right," Daryl said. Beth nodded. She couldn't get hung up on a little thing like clothes to sleep in. Daryl was in her house. Everything was going okay. She opened a dresser drawer, pulling out a baby blue V-neck and fleece pajama bottoms with ice skating penguins on them.
She ditched out of her room and into the conjoining bathroom. She slipped off her clothes, bra included. That was one thing about Beth, she could never sleep in a bra – and pulled on her pajamas. She threw her dirty clothes into the hamper next to the toilet.
When she returned to Daryl, he was tucked into her bed. His jeans and shirt were pooled on the floor at the foot of the bed. His arms were folded underneath his head; he was gazing at the ceiling. "I see you made yourself comfortable," Beth teased.
Daryl turned to look at her. "I hoped this wasn't the side you liked to sleep on," he said, sitting up slightly. Beth shook her head and crawled in next to him. She liked that they could be like this with each other. It was only going to get easier.
She tucked her feet underneath the covers as Daryl curled his arm around her. She snuggled into his bare chest. He smelled like fire. "Sleep now," he said. "I'm here, Beth," he said. He wasn't sure why he said it, but he thought she needed to hear it. He was right. She did need to hear it. Beth let her eyes fall shut as sleep overcame her. She wouldn't have a problem sleeping tonight.
Daryl finally found the drawing of him! (: So what'd yah think? When do you think the trouble will start happening? It might be sooner than you think!