Beth felt Daryl's hand tightly hold onto her own. They sat at the table with Carol, Tyreese and Lizzie on the other side. Carol looked pissed, Tyreese was shocked and Lizzie had a blank face, obviously not realizing the seriousness of the situation.

"So how long have you been…..?" Tyreese trailed off, not wanting to say the word.

"About thirteen weeks," said Beth. Carol spoke up and said

"And whose decision was it?"

"It was an accident," she said, "Took the Plan B pill but it didn't work."

"Well you should get rid of it," she said, "Not only is this extremely inappropriate but you remember what happened to Lori. Do you want to end up like that too?" Daryl jumped to his feet in defense, seeing Beth's shocked expression.

"Hey! Don't talk to her like that! This ain't your decision and it sure ain't your place to tell her what she should 'n shouldn't do!" Carol rose out of her chair and talked back to him.

"I'm just looking out for her! Besides she's probably lying! Told you she took the pill when she didn't!" Beth wished she had the same streak of snappy courage that she'd had last time with Carol but instead she felt overwhelmingly scared and wanted to run back to their apartment. Tyreese must have seen the fear and distress in her face and rose from his chair, moving around a still screaming Carol. He took Lizzie's hand and came over to her and gently pulled on her arm.

"Come on, you shouldn't have to watch this." She let him bring her to her feet and lead her out of the apartment. She had never talked much to Tyreese but she knew he had a soft spot. He brought her to the apartment. She pulled him into a hug and said

"Thanks Ty." The screams of Carol and Daryl could still be heard through the walls so she decided to try and block it out. "You're probably really shocked about this whole thing too." They went and sat on the couch. She let Lizzie go into the kitchen to find something to eat.

"I have to admit I thought Carol was joking when she told me earlier. When were you guys planning on saying something?"

"Tonight at dinner," she said, "But after Carol found out earlier there was no hiding it anymore."

"So how long have you and Daryl been together?"

"Since I got pregnant," she said with a laugh, "Got to the bottom of our feelings that night." He smiled and said

"Never thought it would be you two." Beth smiled and said

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I never thought you two would be the ones to fall in love."

"Me neither," she said, thinking back to the prison. They fell silent again and she could still here Daryl's raised voice. "I just want everyone to reunite."

"I keep hoping that Sasha will turn up. Every time I go out I look for signs of her. I think about running off and going to find her but I know this place is safe and I shouldn't leave because if I do find her, I could bring her back here."

"I feel that way about Maggie," she said, "I wonder if she's still out there, looking for me and if she's with Glenn. That's the most I can pray for. That she's with him and she's happy and safe wherever she is."

Daryl was losing control over his temper as Carol kept yelling nonsense about Beth tricking him into a relationship by getting pregnant.

"I saw her take the damn pill right in front of me!"

"It doesn't matter! She knew we had a thing and she got in between us!"

"What the fuck are you talkin' about?! We never had a thing!" Carol wasn't listening and said

"You decided to fuck her thirteen weeks ago and now you two are 'in love' with a baby on the way?! You just want her cause she's young and willing!" It was the last straw. He slammed his fist down onto the table, making her jump.

"DON'T YOU FUCKIN' DARE TALK ABOUT HER LIKE THAT! SHE'S GOT WAY MORE RESPECT FOR HERSELF THAN YOU DO! YOU'RE THE ONE THROWIN' YOURSELF AT ME LIKE A BITCH IN HEAT!" To his surprise her face went into a calm expression and she said

"Fine whatever, but mark my words, she's gonna regret everything." He moved closer to her and with all the venom he could muster he said

"If you ever touch her I won't even hesitate."

"What? You gonna hit me? Just like Ed used to do?"

"No," he said, "I'm gonna reveal to everyone what a monster you are. I'll tell Tyreese about Karen 'n have you kicked outta here." He was done fighting with her and turned for the door.

"I won't have to lay a finger on her," said Carol, "A fatal childbirth will take care of it for me."

When Daryl returned to the apartment he looked extremely pissed off. Beth got up off the couch and went over, taking his face in her hands. She could see the veins in his neck. She didn't think she'd ever seen him so riled up. Tyreese took this as a sign to leave and got up.

"Come on Lizzie," he said, "Time to head back over." He stopped by Beth before leaving and said "See you tomorrow."

"See you," she said, watching the two of them leave. Once the door was shut Daryl said

"That evil bitch." She could feel him shaking with rage.

"Relax," she said, pulling him over onto the couch.

"Tell me what happened." He quickly explained to her what Carol had said about her, leaving out the last part about fatal childbirth.

"I won't let her touch you," he said, pulling her to him. "And when little Beau comes out she ain't gettin' near him either."

"Beau?"

"Ya Beauregard," he said, "that's what we're naming' it if it's a boy." Their conversation took a lighter turn and Beth laughed

"Whoa, whoa, what if I don't wanna name him that?"

"Well that's too bad," he said, "Cause that's the name my son's gonna have." She gave him a playful shove and said

"Where'd you come up with that name?"

"You should know you got more schooling then me."

"No I don't have a clue."

"You ain't never heard of P.G.T. Beauregard?" Beth shoke her head.

"He was a famous confederate army general. Didn't you learn about the Civil War?"

"Where'd you hear about him?" Daryl shrugged and said

"My dad used to have a buncha old books about the civil war and a confederacy flag hangin' on the side of the house. He never read 'em but sometimes I'd take a look at them." She laughed and said

"I would have never guessed that you were a history buff."

"I ain't," he said, "Wanted to know what everyone was talkin' about when they said that the south shoulda won." She laughed again, wanting to tell him that maybe he really was a redneck. She switched subjects and said

"Well what about if it's a girl?" He shrugged and said

"Annette? After your mother?"

"No," said Beth, "I don't want the baby named after someone who died."

"Well how about a variation of that? Somethin' that ends with –ette or begins with Ann?"

"Maybe," said Beth, "We have time to think about it."

Daryl left early that next morning with Tyreese to go out and hunt. Tyreese needed training. He was getting better at his aim but with Daryl's guidance he'd be able to shape up in no time. He didn't know how he was going to act around him now that the truth was out about he and Beth. He didn't care if he disapproved their relationship.

He met him out in the parking lot by the truck.

"Hey, ready to go?" Tyreese nodded and went around the other side of the truck while Daryl slid into the driver's seat. He turned it on and drove towards the gates. When the guards saw him coming they opened it up for him and let him drive out. They were quiet for most of the ride until Tyreese spoke up and said

"Congratulations."

"Thanks." There was a moment of silence again before Tyreese said

"Is Beth excited?"

"Ya, she's pretty happy. I'm sure if she could go back and redo things she would, but since there's no fixin' it no point in gettin' mad or upset about it."

"Maybe a baby will be a good thing. You know the place we're in now is safe; a baby could be just what we need to cheer things up."

"Well let's hope everythin' stays stable for the next nine months and goes smooth."

"Sorry about Carol last night."

"Why are you apologizin'?"

"I could of spoke up to her too, made her see she's the wrong one and it was two against one. Last night after you left she was in a terrible mood."

"Well it's good you took Beth outta there, don' need her stressin' out any more than she already is."

When Beth walked into Brenna's she planned on telling her about her pregnancy. When she walked in Brenna had clearly already heard the news. She was standing in the kitchen, a big smile on her face, holding a basket full of baby supplies.

"Brenna what's all this?" the woman came forward and pulled her into a one armed hug, holding the basket in the other.

"Congrats honey! Carol told me all about it!"

"She did?"

"Mhm, here I got all this for you." She handed Beth the basket. Inside were bottles, diapers, onesies, and some toys. Overwhelmed she said

"When did she tell you?"

"Earlier this morning, she seemed super excited about it, went to tell some other people after she left." Beth almost dropped the basket.

"Do you know who?"

"Just some kids she said you're friends with." She quickly put the basket on the table and said

"Thanks so much for everything Brenna, I'll be right back! I just need to go check on something!" She ran out the door, leaving Brenna confused.

She ran down the street, looking around for Carol. She started heading down to the pond, figuring she'd be there doing laundry. As she continued down the street she saw Steve coming up towards her. She thought about darting behind a bunch of trash cans but he'd already spotted her. He attacked her instantly.

"I heard about your news, I was right the whole time about you and that redneck!"

"Fuck off!" She saw red as he smirked at her.

"I feel bad for you," he said, "You could have had me or anybody but instead you got knocked up by an old man. No doubt he's just fucking you for fun." He grabbed onto her arm. "You're spoiled goods!" She tried to yank away from him but his grip tightened.

"You're a fucking psychopath, I don't know what I ever saw in you!" He pulled her against him and said

"You're just a dirty whore!" He leaned in and tried to give her a rough kiss but before he could she kneed him in the groin sending him to the ground yelling in pain. She took off back up the street, tears streaming down her face. She didn't know where to go. Should she go back to Brenna's and act like nothing had happened? Or go back to the apartment? She decided to go knock on the door of the only other person she knew she could trust.

When Lily answered the door her smile quickly fell to a frown when she saw the tears on Beth's face.

"Hey what's wrong?" She pulled Beth into a hug.

"It's a long story." Lily moved aside so Beth could walk in.

"My mom's not home, so cry as loud as you want if you need too." They sat on the couch and Beth told her the whole story from beginning to end. Lily listened closely, a look of shock on her face. When Beth was finished she closed her eyes and waited for Lily to ridicule her for getting knocked up by a much older man. Instead she felt Lily pull her into another hug.

"Everything's gonna work out," she said, "You love this guy right?"

"Very much."

"Then don't worry about anything else. You're safe here; you can have the baby in a happy, secure place. Age doesn't matter anymore anyway. None of society's expectations do. If it's love it's love." An uncontrollable smile broke out over Beth's face. "And for Steve and Carol, don't pay any attention to them, they're just jealous." Beth put a hand over her rounded stomach and said

"Thanks Lily."

"Can you feel it move yet?" To Beth's amusement she crammed her ear against her stomach. She laughed and said

"No not yet, I'm not far along enough."

"What's pregnancy like?"

"It's alright," said Beth, "The first few weeks sucked cause of morning sickness but otherwise I just get really hungry and crave certain foods."

"Like what?"

"Mainly jerky and ice cream. Since there's no ice cream anymore I've had to settle for jerky. When I get bigger I suppose I'll start to hate it."

"It's beautiful," said Lily, "You're lucky, not many woman get to experience pregnancy anymore with the way things are."

Daryl and Tyreese returned earlier than usual. They brought in a deer and a whole bunch of squirrels to the kitchen and then headed back home. They parted ways and Daryl went into his apartment. Beth wasn't there with Gwen so he assumed she was still at Brenna's house. He put his crossbow down and sat down on the couch, taking a deep breath and letting himself relax. He guessed he had about an hour or so before Beth would return. Maybe he should go over and help her out with Gwen. It was in his best interest to start getting used to caring for a baby. He had time though, for now he'd stick to reading the books. He opened his eyes and pulled one off the coffee table and started to skim through it. Beth was already three months pregnant at this point. She had six more to go meaning the baby would be born in the spring which would be nice and warm. He tried to imagine what she would look like on the ninth month. He had to admit there was something about the way her body had changed that turned him on. It was more than just her tits getting bigger. He liked the baby bump; he liked knowing that she was carrying his child. It was a raw, instinctive feeling. A sharp knock on the door brought him out his sexual fantasies and he quickly got up and opened the door. There was a girl standing there. She had brown hair and a ton of freckles. She looked to be a little bit younger than Beth.

"Are you Daryl?" Confused he said

"Uh ya,"

"I'm Lily," she said, "I'm Beth's friend." He continued to stand in the doorway. They were both silent for an awkward amount of time.

"Well nice to meet you." He started to close the door and she stopped him.

"Hey wait! I have an idea. Beth came to me today and told me everything. She was talking about how she's been craving ice cream but there's been none."

"Ya?"

"And I know how to make it. Sometimes on special occasions they make it for the kids but since we have limited baking supplies it's not often."

"Will we get in trouble?"

"I can sneak in and get all the stuff and come back here and make it." Daryl couldn't say no. He thought about how happy Beth would be if he got her a bowl of ice cream.

Twenty minutes later they stood in the apartment kitchen with a whole bunch of baking supplies laid out in front of them. Lily walked him through the recipe. She poured milk, sugar and some flavoring into a plastic bag while he crushed a whole bowl of ice. They mixed that into the bag next along with some salt. She then put the smaller bag into a bigger bag and started to gently shake and massage the bag. Daryl looked at the concoction with disgust and said

"You sure that's gonna work?"

"Positive." Sure enough fifteen minutes later the contents of the bag looked like regular vanilla ice cream. Daryl opened it up and scooped a bit out to taste. He was surprised to find that it did taste like vanilla ice cream. He smiled at Lily and said

"Thanks for all this."

"No problem," said Lily, "If she tells me anything else she wants I'll let you know." Daryl laughed and said

"I'm sure they'll be a long list of demands."

Beth came home from Brenna's feeling much better. Talking to Lily had calmed her down but she was still a bit shaken from what Steve had said to her. He'd tried to force himself onto her as well which worried her much more than any of the verbal abuse. When she walked into the apartment Daryl was there waiting for her, a grin on his face. She suspected something was up immediately.

"What? What's going on?"

"What are you talkin' about? Nothin's up."

"Oh ya," she said with a smirk, "You're trying to hide something I can tell." He shoke his head and said

"Nope, just couldn't wait to see you."

"As sweet as that is I know that's not what you're smiling about." His grin seemed to impossibly widen. She'd never seen him so happy looking.

"It's in the kitchen."

"What's in the kitchen?" He shrugged and said

"I don't know why don't you go check it out?" She put her bag down and the basket Brenna had given her and then went into the kitchen. She looked around not seeing anything out of the ordinary. That was when she spotted the bowl sitting on the table. Inside were four big scoops of vanilla ice cream. Daryl came into the kitchen still grinning.

"How'd you get that?"

"A little birdie told me you've been cravin' ice cream so I made it." Lily. She was a great friend. Turning around she jumped onto him, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Thank you so much!" She gave him a quick kiss and then sat down at the table and started shoveling the cold creamy goodness into her mouth. She ignored her brain freeze, savoring the favor. Then she remembered Daryl standing there. She put the spoon back in the bowl and said

"You want some?"

"Nah I'm good." It didn't feel fair that he'd made all of this for her and didn't get any of it.

"Come on," she said, "When was the last time you had ice cream?" He didn't answer her but just gestured for her to continue eating. She crossed her arms and said "Nope, not until you take at least a couple bites." After a couple of seconds he sat down next to her and scooped some out for himself. Everything seemed so perfect in that moment. Daryl was clearly happy and proud of himself so she decided to keep what had happened with Steve a secret for now. She didn't want to ruin his mood and cause more problems. If he came after her again she'd tell him and let him do whatever he saw fit.

Thanks K. Lynn Perks, Caitiann, daywalker28, and all the guests for commenting :) Only two more episodes left! Hopefully Daryl will find Beth and they'll ride off into the sunset together lol No matter what happens I'll be continuing this story :)

Thanks for reading,

Wanderlustt