OMG I am the worst, I know. Sorry for such a long delay. Thanks for following and not giving up on me! Three fics at once is pretty ridiculous. Thanks for your patience.

I don't own the walking dead etc etc. OC and non canon storylines are mine.

ENJOY!

Daryl had no fucking idea what he was looking for. He had driven into the larger town nearby for a car part the auto shop needed but as he was leaving he saw the sign and had to pull over. It had been on his mind ever since their dinner at Carol's and now he stood in front of the long glass countertop faced with way too many choices. The black velvet trays displayed all types of jewelry but the one filled with shiny bands and tiny glinting rocks were the ones he stared at with a furrowed brow. He didn't have tons of cash but had been saving most of his paychecks. Daryl lived simply and since they split the bills, the majority of his cash sat in a savings account.

"Would you like to see any of them up close?" The woman behind the counter asked with a soft smile, her nametag reading Amy. Daryl grunted with a shrug before muttering, "No idea what I'm lookin' for."

"Well I'm guessing an engagement ring yeah?" She asked with a manicured eyebrow raised. Daryl bobbed his head and rasped, "s'pose... Don't know what she'd like."

The blonde leaned a hip against the counter and suggested, "Ok, tell me about her."

"Huh?"

"Does she wear jewelry normally?" Amy asked, "What does she do for work or hobbies? I can get you in the right direction."

Daryl chewed on his thumb a moment before describing the woman he adored, "She don't wear much, she's got a necklace with 'n old locket, was her mom's but that's 'bout all. She's a baker."

Amy tapped a finger on her lips then spoke thoughtfully, "Ok so probably not something to big or flashy since she works in a kitchen. She doesn't sound like she'd want a typical ring. Maybe something old like her locket. What's her birthday?"

"May 12th." He answered immediately causing Amy to smile widely.

"Good man, knows her birthday. I can't tell you how many guys come in without a clue. Ok so, you could go with her birthstone instead of a diamond."

Daryl's forehead wrinkled in confusion because he had no fucking clue what a birthstone was, "The fuck's that?"

Smirking Amy explained without any judgment, "Each month has gemstone. May is emerald, so... these might work."

The woman pulled out a tray of rings with many shades of green stones, the bands ranging in different types of material. Daryl scanned over them and saw a stone so similar to Jameson's eye color it was uncanny. Looking up at the clerk for permission and receiving a tiny smile, "Go on they won't bite."

Daryl's lips twitched and he pulled out the silver band with round green stone. The band was intricate, decorated with winding scrolls and engravings. It was delicate looking but the stone was set low and secure. It wasn't flashy but still very pretty and feminine.

"That one is an antique. Came in with an estate of a local family. It was the grandmother's I believe so it's fifty or sixty years old." The clerk informed Daryl as he turned it every which way looking at the tiny details in the carvings.

"Same color as her eyes." He spoke quietly without realizing it. The ring looked out of place in his large calloused fingers, he couldn't help but imagine slipping it on Jameson's delicate hand.

"Well that sounds promising. It's on the smaller size but can be resized if needed. Do you know her size?"

Shaking his head Daryl drawled, "She's got tiny hands though. Well compared to mine but I'm thinkin' it'll fit... I'll take it."

"Don't you wanna know how much it is?" Amy asked with a bemused expression. Daryl shook his head, "Nah, don't matter."

The clerk smiled widely and pulled out a ring box, "Lucky girl."

"Nah.. I'm the lucky one." He rasped quietly, his heart beating faster and harder as he began to realize just what he was doing. It wasn't fear. No, no it was excitement and longing filling his chest and head with a frenetic buzz.

Jameson turned on the mixer, the giant bowl of buttercream frosting turning a pleasant shade of pink as the red coloring churned in. She had another five-dozen cupcakes to frost before the Valentine's Day baked goods were done. The whole day was spent making various red, pink and white baked goods as well as two wedding cakes. She was exhausted but the end was in sight and the bakery would make a killing if all went as planned. Lori was working on the everyday items to take some of the pressure off Jameson. Beth was running the counter as their new hire, Olivia, helped decorate the wedding cakes. The nearby college's student union group was on their way to pick up the order for their yearly Valentine's Day ball. Jameson had worked out a catering deal with them after a frequent customer from the school raved to the dean about the cupcakes. Lori was ecstatic that Jameson had not only slipped into a managerial position easily but had realized a potential for a good business sense. Business had tripled since her promotion.

"Will these work?" Olivia asked showing Jameson the roses she'd been working on with the piping bag. Walking over from her station she inspected them with a smile. "Excellent. Thanks Liv."

The woman smiled and nodded before placing the decorative flowers in the cooler for safekeeping. The next project was piping everything onto the cupcakes and boxing them up in sets of four. The women worked efficiently and by closing time they were prepared for the following day.

"You're taking the day off James." Lori announced as they removed the dirtied aprons, frosting and flour splattering their arms.

"Wait what? I can't it's going to be a madhouse."

"You deserve the day off. Go spend Valentine's Day with Daryl."

Jameson laughed with amused eyes, "I'm not sure Daryl knows what Valentine's Day is, let alone has anything planned."

"Oh I wouldn't discount that man's ability to know these things. Who knows maybe he's got something planned for you."

Jameson narrowed her eyes suspiciously and put her hands on her hips asking, "What's going on? Are you being sneaky?"

"No I'm just saying Daryl adores you and I wouldn't be surprised if he's got something up those non existent sleeves."

Jameson laughed loudly and smirked, "Alright but if you three need more help you call me."

"Of course but it won't happen. We have everything we need and all we've got to do is hand it out. We'll be fine." Lori assured her and added with a teasing smile, "Make sure to take home a box of passion fruit donuts for the addict."

He was sweating like a man sitting on death row. Daryl wasn't sure why he was so goddamn nervous. Rick, Lori and Merle had all assured him there was no possible way Jameson would turn down his proposal. They all seemed surprised he was even doubting himself but he couldn't help it. He was a Dixon of course and Dixon's were terrible husbands. His pa, his grandpa and hell probably his damn great grandpa were all shit husbands and fathers. They were all good for nothing redneck assholes and that was what Daryl had always thought he was or at least what he'd turn out to be.

Now though? Well now he had Jameson and that woman had changed him. Not purposefully.

Not because she wanted him to be different.

No, just knowing Jameson had made him a better person. A better man. The woman had given Daryl something he never knew he was missing, let alone even wanted and he hoped he did the same for her. She was the only person, other than his brother, that he could honestly say he loved and Daryl knew she was it for him. Jameson was his one and he wouldn't, no couldn't let her go. So if that meant he had to nut up, get down on one knee and ask her to be his wife, Daryl would do it. All while praying she had low enough standards to say yes to such a redneck asshole.

Daryl wasn't the most creative guy and wasn't one for frilly emotional outpourings but he wanted to make it special. Jameson deserved some kind of effort from him so Daryl did what every emotionally dysfunctional male did, he asked a married guy. Rick was as close to a friend as Daryl had ever had and was instrumental at instructing the tragically lost man.

The sound of Jameson unlocking the front door had his leg bouncing again as he tried to look relaxed while watching some Tv show with houses and idiots buying them.

"Hey, how'd it go?" He asked standing up to take the grocery bags and bakery box. Jameson had explained the massive amount of work for the holiday and had been planning and stressing for weeks. She was tired looking but still smiling, a splatter of red frosting covered her chest and flecks of powdered sugar were in her hair. Daryl had never seen such a gorgeous girl in all his life.

"Good. We got everything done. It went smoother than I thought." She spoke with a sigh and added, "Liv was a good hire. Really talented."

Daryl helped put the groceries away before trying to peek in the pastry box. Jameson laughed and teased, "You'll spoil your dinner."

Pursing his lips he contemplated the statement before grinning, his hand sliding into the box pulling out the goddamn pink donut.

Jameson laughed again as he finished it in two bites, mumbling through a mouthful. "I'll make room. Now C'mere." He rasped pulling her into his chest, burying his face into her hair and inhaling deeply. "Fuck you smell so good James."

Laughing she arched her neck, her mouth tasting his skin and murmuring, "You taste so fucking good."

All plans of how the night was going to go went out the window when Jameson's hands slid underneath his t-shirt. She traced his ab muscles, blunt nails leaving goose bumps across his flank.

"Jesus." He groaned as her body pressed against his rock hard cock. "Woman you're killin me." Daryl devoured her mouth, his lips teasing Jameson as she moaned deeply.

Backing Jameson up against the wall Daryl framed her body, pinning the writhing woman. He kissed along her jaw and down the curve of her neck, lips and teeth worshiping the soft skin. Hands began pulling off clothing, both stripping each other frantically. Jameson lost everything while Daryl was left with legs tangled in denim. He hoisted her up against the drywall, her legs gripping tightly to his waist.

"Gonna take it darlin'?" He asked huskily, his dick sliding against her wet heat.

"Fuck." She groaned, rolling her hips, "Yeah. All of it."

Growling loudly Daryl thrust into her with one hard stroke. He couldn't help but release a deep sob, the feel of her griping him so tightly making his chest clench.

"Motherfucker," he snarled while rolling his hips in between her soft thighs, "Darlin' I can't… Imma cum too fast."

Jameson moaned as he snapped his hips faster, her fingernails clawing into his shoulders as she gasped, "Oh god baby. Fuck me too. Deeper. P-please."

"Jesus beg me baby girl."

Jameson's head thumped against the wall as she moaned, "Daaaaryl. Please. M-more."

As he sped up Jameson's whole body tense, her thighs squeezing the air out of his lungs as her whole frame vibrated. Her hot wet walls flexed rhythmically, pulling Daryl's orgasm out of him forcefully. He let out an animalistic growl while plunging into her heat as deep as he could get. All he could hear was the pounding of his rapid heartbeat and the heaving pants from Jameson.

"Woman, I swear to god you're gonna kill me."

Jameson laughed breathlessly, "Best way to go ever."

After a quick shower Jameson got dinner started as Daryl leaned against the counter watching. She wasn't sure but something seemed off with him but she couldn't put her finger on it. He was nervous for some reason and Jameson couldn't help but think about Lori's teasing at the shop earlier.

'What if he's got something planned?' she worried inwardly feeling terrible since she had only gotten him a small gift. They hadn't discussed do anything for Valentine's Day but she had seen the tiny gift in a shop near the bookstore she frequented. The window display had a variety of funky trinkets and doodads but the wood box in the back was what caught her eye. Inside the smooth walnut box was a hunting knife with deer antler handle. Intricate designs were inlayed in the hilt, while the blade was razor sharp. Daryl had recently complained about the knife he had being to small for deer season. She bought it instantly and then headed to the local jewelry store to get it engraved with his initials. It was perfect and she just knew he would love it. Hopefully it stood up to whatever secret he was hiding.

"I'm off tomorrow." Jameson stated while sliding the roasting pan out of the oven. Daryl grunted, chewing his thumb nervously without commenting further. Jameson hid a smile and decided she would have to just wait and see what her boyfriend was up to but that didn't mean she wouldn't tease him.

"Did you have plans? Because I was thinking of going shopping for new kitchen supplies for the shop." She asked while keeping her smile hidden downwards. Jameson knew the last thing Daryl would ever want to do was go shopping, let alone at the giant restaurant supplier in Atlanta.

A choked out cough brought her eyes up to his wide ones. Daryl cleared his throat, "Nah… I uh.. well I kinda thought we could um."

"What?" she asked coyly watching him shift his feet awkwardly. Daryl sighed and grumbled, "Just… its Valentine's Day and I kinda… planned something but if ya don't wanna."

"Of course I want to." She strolled over to him and teased, "Lori kinda hinted at you having plans, I had to fuck with you."

Daryl narrowed his eyes at her and grumbled while smirking, "Jerk."

"Sooooo. What's the plan?" she asked serving up the baked chicken pasta meal. Daryl shrugged with a noncommittal grunt, "Nothin' special."

"Whatever Daryl. If you planned anything its special and I'll love it. You know it."

He rolled his eyes and huffed out embarrassed laugh, "Whatever."

It was cold but the pair dressed warmly, Daryl in his leather and Jameson in her thick winter jacket. They took his motorcycle on a long ride, stopping at Tyreese's new barbecue restaurant and bar. It wasn't what Jameson was expecting but good all the same. They hadn't ridden his bike in awhile because of the weather and despite the chill rushing past it was invigorating. Daryl steered them up the mountain curves, the sharp turns and dipping hills making the ride thrilling. Jameson held on, her hands sliding under his shirt to feel the warmth radiating from his stomach. His muscles ticked but he didn't stiffen, rather he melted into her as they rode. Dropping a hand off the handlebar, Daryl squeezed her thigh affectionately, his thumb brushing back and forth across the denim.

Far to soon they pulled off the rising road and parked in the emergency pull off. Jameson recognized the spot instantly, the bench that they like to visit lay a dozen feet into the thick woods. She smiled widely at him as he pulled out a box of desserts from the saddlebag.

"Where'd you get those?" she asked with a cocked eyebrow. Daryl smirked and shrug slightly, "Lori may've hooked me up while ya weren't lookin' yesterday."

Laughing she took his outstretched hand and followed him into the woods. The wind was whipping around and it would eventually be too chilly as the sun began lowering but for now they enjoyed the view. Daryl sat and opened the box, Jameson seeing the two cupcakes they had enjoyed the first time visiting the exact spot. It seemed as though Daryl was recreating their first date of sorts. The first day they spent hanging out because they wanted to not because she needed a ride.

"You remembered," she murmured looking up at him with a curled smile. The gruff man rolled his shoulders lazily and grunted, "Remembered everythin' 'bout ya Darlin'."

Smiling even wider Jameson leaned forward kissing him softly. Leaning back they watched a few gust of fog sweep by the high mountaintops and the few cars driving through town. They could see the smokehouse at Tyreese's billowing into the sky and could hear the sounds from the lumber mill a few miles away.

"Still nice up here." She spoke quietly, taking a bite of the offered cupcake. Daryl hummed and looked over, wiping his mouth of frosting. Smirking she teased, "Still so messy."

"Shuddup." He rasped with a grin turned away.

The couple sat together, Jameson curled into his chest until Daryl started bouncing his knee. Looking up at him she cocked an eyebrow causing him to shrug.

"Whats wrong?"

"Nothin'." He answered immediately before huffing out a breath and standing up. Jameson sat up straight and watched him pace a moment before he spun around and marched forward. Daryl cupped her face and kissed her firmly before dropping to both his knees in front of her. Jameson pushed the hair off his forehead and opened her mouth to ask what was wrong when he interrupted her.

"Ain't never had this. Never even wanted it." He muttered his hands resting on her thighs. "Now I can't see ever not having it. Not havin' you."

Jameson started to assure him he wouldn't live without her, he shushed her with a shake of the head. Clearing his throat he traced his eyes over her face and then drawled, "Ain't good at this shit, ya know that but I figured for you I had t'try."

"Daryl…"

"Will ya stop woman," he grumbled with frustrated eyes making her chuckle.

"Well if you'd spit it out already I wouldn't be getting impatient." she snarked with a grin.

"Fine." he grunted, "Marry me… I mean will ya marry me?"

Jameson's mouth opened and she felt her chest constrict. With watery eyes she peered down at him as he pulled out a tiny wood box, his large fingers opening it deftly. Inside a delicate band, curling and engraved silver holding a round deep green stone. It was unconventional yet utterly perfect.

"Dare." She gasped, blinking slowly at the jewelry before looking up into his dark cerulean eyes. His face was tense, creases framing his worried eyes. One hand held her left hand while the other held the tiny ring.

"Yes. Of course sweetheart, yes." She murmured pulling his face to hers. With a desperate mouth Jameson poured everything she was feeling for the amazing man into the kiss. A deep groan vibrated from his chest, rasping, "Darlin' I wanna… I wanna make ya mine." Pulling back he slid the cool metal onto her finger and brushed his thumb across her knuckles softly.

"I am yours Daryl. Always was."

Ahh. Finally right? Hopefully it was worth the wait. Thanks again for reading and reviewing!