A/N Thanks so much for reading. Here we go on the second date. There's plenty of fluffy feelings, but also a serious matter to consider.
Dale and Erma had asked to take Carl to Atlanta Saturday for a Braves game. Of course Carl couldn't wait, not only was he a huge baseball fan, but Dale and Erma were like the grandparents Carl didn't have, and they always spoiled him rotten. Rick was sure Carl would come home with souvenirs, and probably a bellyache from too much ballpark junk food. Truth was they were the three most important people in his life, he'd never deny any of them the opportunity to share a little fun.
So when Beth agreed to give it another try he immediately asked, "If you're not busy this Saturday maybe we could go to lunch and an afternoon movie. Would that work for you?" There was that smile of his, and there were those smiling crystalline eyes, and that head tilt, she couldn't decide which was her favorite.
He was looking at her thinking she was the prettiest woman he'd ever known. Her beautiful white skin, and those big blue eyes, but the smile was what really got to him. When she smiled that smile he could swear her whole face lit up, even her eyes twinkled.
And she was such a sweet woman, you only had to chat with her a few minutes to know she was a truly nice person, she was good, genuine. She was everything a man could want, and that scared him.
He wasn't sure if he'd be able to ever fully commit to another woman. He'd been so invested in his life with Lori. He had firmly believed in the sanctity of marriage and family. He thought Lori felt the same. And when she had broken the vows she'd chosen to do that with Shane. That was salt in the wound. He and Shane had been best friends since middle school. Shane had been Rick's best man when he and Lori married. He'd been double-betrayed. It had taken a lot of therapy for him to get to the point of forgiving them both. But that didn't mean he felt like he could ever sign on for that level of commitment again.
Still, if a guy was going to pursue any kind of long term relationship, Beth seemed like the woman he'd want to trust with his heart.
"That sounds very nice Rick. Lunch is actually my favorite meal. Maybe it's my farm upbringing, but I've always preferred to eat my biggest meal midday. And a movie sounds wonderful; I don't even remember the last time I went to a movie. What a treat, thank you for asking." And it was there, the smile of all smiles.
"How about you pick the movie and I'll pick the restaurant, and I promise, no Sushi." And there was a little laugh to his smile.
He was just so nice, and she couldn't help it, she knew she was feeling too much way too soon, but she knew she was already wrapped up in him. She realized that was a big part of what had gone wrong the first date, she wanted a relationship with Rick Grimes. Maggie had been so right, she wanted that, was anxious for it, and she'd let things happen way too fast.
She'd gotten along just fine without a man in her life. She had a job she loved, an apartment that was just right, her music, and she was close by her family if she got lonely.
But something had happened when she met Rick Grimes, it was like a big flashing light alerted her, something was missing from her life, and that something was him.
He was everything she'd ever thought a man should be. He was honorable, kind, thoughtful, and in spite of what had happened, she knew he was a gentleman. He'd proved that. Of course, it didn't hurt a bit that all of that was wrapped up in such a handsome package, a package that included the best smile ever.
He picked her up promptly at 11:30, and it seemed he made it a point not to enter her small apartment, as if it was forbidden territory. Still, he smiled that sweet smile and said, "Hi Beth, are you ready for lunch?"
Oh she was ready, she had been on pins and needles, so anxious to see him, but she was also determined to look and act casual, "Hi Rick, yes, let me just grab my purse."
The restaurant had a diverse menu and she was happy to be able to order a Cobb Salad. Rick went for the bacon cheeseburger. There were no lemon drop martinis, or any other alcoholic beverages, they each had the sweet tea.
And they talked, soberly. He told her about his work, and the way he talked about it told her he was doing something he loved, something he found rewarding.
She told him about her love of music, how she enjoyed writing songs and singing them, "I seem to require a lot of creative outlets. The baking is very creative for me, and the writing and singing give my heart and soul a voice. Does that sound corny? It seems so true for me."
"No, not at all, and gee I'd love to hear you sing sometime Beth. Now I'm kind of imagining that voice. Um, my son has basketball practice on Tuesdays until seven, do you think maybe you and I could go to the park while he's there? You could play me a song or two. I'd have you back early of course, I have to pick up Carl."
"Sure, I'd like that. You know, I do sing at church on Sunday, you could bring your son to services tomorrow and hear me then, if you'd like." And she felt her cheeks turn bright pink.
The look on his face turned serious, and he knitted his brow, "Well that's very sweet of you Beth, I'm sure we'd enjoy that, but I don't know that I'm ready to have Carl meet you. That's a big step, I don't believe any of us are quite there yet." He was trying to smile reassuringly, but the atmosphere had definitely shifted, it had become a little uncomfortable.
Beth felt her heart rise in her throat. She understood the logic of that. He was right to protect his son, he couldn't just introduce him to every woman he dated, but logic didn't alter the fact that it hurt. Again she knew, she was ready for this relationship, but he was the more mature one, he was taking it slower. She was going to have to talk this over with Mama.
He switched topics in a hurry, "Did you have horses on the farm Beth? I always loved horseback riding." His smile was back, and although she couldn't help feeling that pang of hurt, she didn't want their second date to go awry.
"Oh yes, I love horses. I have a horse named Nellie. She's a very stubborn girl, in fact no one can ride her but me. She'll take a nip out of other people if she's given half a chance, and she's been known to throw a rider or two." And she couldn't help but laugh a little remembering Shawn coming home bruised, scuffed up, and madder than a hornet when Nellie bucked him off down by the lake.
"I can see why she'd prefer someone sweet and gentle like you riding her Beth."
"I'd be happy to take you to the farm sometime and we could ride, maybe when your son has other plans or something." She smiled and those pretty round cheeks flushed pink, and he felt like an asshole. He knew he was doing the right thing by Carl, but still, he didn't want her to somehow misunderstand.
He couldn't figure out why in the world she'd picked this action/adventure movie. It certainly didn't seem like her type of film, hell, it wasn't his type of film. But watching her try very hard not to watch it, while trying to pretend she was interested, was all the entertainment he needed.
After the movie, as they walked through the park, he couldn't help himself, he asked her, "What made you choose that particular movie Beth?"
"I thought it sounded like something you might like," she looked embarrassed.
"Beth, I asked you to choose the movie, something you might want to see. And just for the record, and at the risk of losing my 'man card', let me just tell you the way it is, I'm a Rom Com guy." They both had a laugh and it did help ease the tension that had started over lunch.
So what the hell, might as well bring that up again and see if the air could be cleared.
He stopped walking, and touched her lightly on the outer arm, she turned and looked at him, "I'm sorry it's just that, well Carl went through so much hurt and emotional upheaval when Lori died. For the past three years I've devoted myself to helping him, and me, deal with the loss and move on with life. Beth, you're the first woman I've dated since Lori passed. I don't have any idea how Carl will react to me dating, much less introducing him to a woman I'm dating. I feel like its best that, if I'm lucky enough to keep seeing you, if it does develop into something, then that's when we bring Carl into the picture. Does that make sense?"
It did make sense, she got it, and she knew her feelings were all about her and what she wanted, but she wasn't going to mess this up, not this time, "That makes perfect sense Rick. I admire you for considering your son's feelings and how he might be affected, I accept it completely. If the offer is still open, I'd love to play some music for you Tuesday."
After he dropped her off she headed right to the farm, she wanted to talk this over with Mama. After all Mama was widowed, and she had Shawn, when she and Daddy started seeing each other. She was sure she'd be able to help her better understand the situation, from Rick's perspective.
She told Mama everything except the part of the first date where it got physical, and the aftermath of that. No sir, Mama didn't need to know about all of that. Mama listened quietly and then took her daughter's hand, "I would say Rick sounds like a very loving and devoted father, doing the right thing by his son. And my sweet daughter, it may be hard for you to see, but he's protecting you as well. What if you developed feelings for Carl? You do have an abundance of maternal instinct, and then the relationship with you and Rick didn't turn out? You'd be sad about losing Rick and losing Carl. I think Rick has good instincts here. Let's see if a relationship develops, and if that relationship is serious and on firm ground." Mama hugged her close and Beth was so glad she'd talked to Mama.
After he'd dropped her off he did his Saturday chores, the shopping, the cleaning, the laundry, and the whole time he did those things all he thought about was her.
He hadn't even wanted to date anyone, but then he'd seen her in the bakery, and damn if he didn't want to give it a chance. He sure didn't want to just jump into a serious relationship, but fuck it, he felt the pull and he didn't know how long he could hold out.
It was way too much, way too fast, but damn, he wanted her in his life and there was just no point in denying it.
A/N To all you single parents, my hat is off to you. I thank all of you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. xo