A/N Thank you to everyone! Let's see now, our couple got quite a bit "closer" in the last chapter. Shall we see how things work out for them?

00

He woke to a new sensation and he could feel himself smiling. There was a soft warm body pressed up against him and his arm was around her. Everything about it felt so good. He leaned forward and nudging her hair aside with his nose, he kissed her soft shoulder. His lips kissed along her body from her shoulder and down her back until they were on her neck. She moaned softly and wiggled in closer to him as he sucked at the skin, his mouth moved closer to her ear. He kissed and nibbled the lobe whispering, "Mornin' Darlin'."

"mmm, morning." The sound of her sleepy voice added to the desire he was already feeling and he let his hand slowly glide up her abdomen to her breast. It didn't take long for things to get as hot as they'd been the night before.

He was on top of her as they moved together and as he pushed deeper inside her, her hands and fingers grasped and kneaded at his back. He was again amazed at her lack of any hesitancy in touching the scars; but for the moment he simply enjoyed the sensation of their bodies moving together.

When they lay back on the bed, spent from their early morning lovemaking, he pulled her close smiling when he told her, "That's the best wakeup call I ever had." She playfully slapped his tummy and agreed, "Me too."

It was then he finally asked, "Beth, don't it bother ya? The scars on my back? Ya know, touchin' em?"

"Touching them? No. I'm not touching them I'm touching you and I want to touch everything about you, inside and out. It hurts me a lot to know someone did that to you, but I love you Daryl, all of you. The scars inside, the scars outside, all of it. Do my scars bother you?"

"That you'd think ta hurt yourself hurts me. But I love you scars and all. Like ya said, all of ya, the ones that show and the ones that don't." They lay quietly then, still trying to catch their breath and thinking over what they'd shared and what it meant. They knew their love ran deeper than just physical beauty and that it was unconditional.

When they'd caught their breathe he patted her arm, "Well I'm back ta the open air bathroom, ya know what ta do."

"And I will, then it's my turn."

"Next weekend girl, we're takin' care of it."

"I can't wait, but not just for that. Mostly I can't wait to be here with you again." He kissed her forehead and whispered, "Me too."

When he was done he went in the kitchen area to make their coffee, his back was to her as she did her thing in the bathroom and then slipped his t-shirt back on.

She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and laying her head on his back as she told him, "Next weekend I'm bringing bubble bath and we're using that tub."

He slowly turned around and smiled down at her, "We? Ya mean it? For real? Or are ya just toyin' with me now?"

"Oh I'm very serious. Seriously interested in getting in that tub with a certain gunsmith I know."

He smiled and squeezing her tightly teased, "I hope ta gawd I don't drown tryin' ta make ya happy." That called for another early morning kiss.

He apologized, "I don't have anythin' ta cook for breakfast. I had no idea what this weekend was gonna turn into or I'da planned better." He kissed her again and promised, "Next week I'll go shoppin' 'fore we come up."

"Don't worry we won't starve, we can finish off that package of girl scout cookies with our coffee."

"I like the way ya think. We'll stop on our way home and have a real breakfast for dessert."

There was a little early morning frost but that didn't stop them. They took their coffees and cookies out to the porch, sitting close with the big furry blanket wrapped around them. They both felt the excitement of this being all new, and yet it was so comfortably familiar they were relaxed into it. They were sipping the warm liquid as they watched the sun slowly bathe the hills in light, then he got a very serious tone to his voice, "If I'da known how perfect this was all gonna be I'da brought ya here that first day."

"I'm just glad you finally did, and I think it all happened just like it was supposed to."

They didn't want to leave the beautiful place and leave behind the time they'd spent there and how much it meant; but hunger and responsibilities were getting to them and they did what they had to. Once they'd dropped down off the mountain road it wasn't far until they came to a small town and he pulled in the lot of an ancient looking diner. "The food here is big, good and cheap, don't tell 'em it ain't 1930 anymore, k?"

His sense of humor always caught her a little by surprise and she smiled, "I'll try my best to keep the secret."

It really was a throwback to another time with its art deco black and white tiled flour and pale green subway tiles on the walls. There was a long counter with a row of short black stools and just four booths by the window. He led her to the last booth and slid in the bench across from her.

No sooner had they sat down than a white-haired waitress, who looked every bit as old as the diner, was at their table with waters and plastic covered menus. Beth was surprised when, as the waitress handed him the menu she greeted, "Hey Daryl how are ya Hon? I haven't seen ya in couple weeks now. And who's your lady friend?"

"Hey there Miss Maude, good ta see ya and I been fine, just couldn't get up this way. This is Beth, Beth meet the best waitress in the south, Miss Maude." She'd never seen him interacting with people in this way and it was sweet and he seemed so relaxed and she realized, he didn't see himself as a danger to Miss Maude. She was just passing through his life.

He was right, the plates were loaded with good food and although he wouldn't let her chip in, she saw how reasonable the bill was. As they finished their coffee she asked, "So you stop here a lot?"

"What tipped ya off? Was it the fact the waitress knew my name, or was it the way I ordered without lookin' at the menu?" He smiled taking her hand, "Sorry, just bein' a smartass is all. See there? There's those things about me that are liable ta drive ya nuts."

She was stifling her own grin when she told him, "Honestly Daryl? The last thing I suspected about you was that you had a sense of humor so I'm kind of enjoying it. At least so far I am. I'll put you in your place if I think you're getting out of hand."

"I appreciate the warnin'."

She sat as close to him as she could get on the way home, her hand on his thigh and her head on his shoulder. They talked about their plan for the following weekend and he asked, "Any way ya think you could take either Friday or Monday off? I'd like ta have the time ta get that bathroom done and all, but what I'd really like us ta have our time together."

"That sounds good to me. I ship a big order on Friday but I could take Monday. I can bring some things to work on over the weekend."

Again they slipped into that familiar territory, like they'd planned things together many times. "It'll be good, me and you havin' that time of just us." He leaned in just long enough to quickly kiss the top of her head before getting his eyes back on the road.

They talked about the groceries they'd need and different options for enclosing the bathroom. Then they teased about the fun they'd have in the tub, and if they had a drop of energy left after that, maybe they'd even go for a hike.

Everything seemed so perfect and they were feeling that warm comfortable all-in-love feeling as he opened the gate and they drove in the yard. That's when they saw them all, Merle, her Daddy, her Mama, Shawn, Maggie and Glenn, all standing over in her outdoor space and all just watching them.

He could hear she was upset by the edge her voice took on, "Oh no. No. I didn't want this." He felt the hair stand up on the back of his neck while his heart was dropping to his stomach, she was ashamed of him. She didn't want her family to know. That was where his mind went.

When he spoke, at first she didn't understand the sharpness in his tone, but then she saw clearly how he'd interrupted what she said, "Hey, ya don't gotta tell em about me. Ya don't have to admit you was up in the mountains with some redneck asshole. Make sumthin' up real quick. Cover for yourself."

He'd never seen the spit in her eye before and it caught him off guard, "Daryl I am so mad at you right now I want to scream, but I'm saving that for later. For now I'm just going to say you should have more faith in me, I thought you did. I think it's pretty obvious to them what's going on with us. I'm certainly not ashamed of you, it's just that yes I'm 26 years old, but that doesn't mean I'm not my parents' little girl. I would have liked to talk to them about you. I'd like to have had the chance to tell them about our feelings for each other, before we showed up looking like we're wearing yesterday's clothes and in need of shower. I'll handle it though and you just think what you want."

He got it and he felt like a jerk. "Shit, I'm sorry Beth. I can be such a dick when my mind starts workin' and my mouth starts talkin', before I really take the time ta think things through." He squeezed her hand, "Let's get through this now and then you can tear me a new one as soon as they all go home, k? Please."

She knew him, she understood him and she loved him and so she couldn't say anything but, "Yes."

That's about the time Merle pulled Daryl's pickup door open. "Shit little brother, ya almost had me scared. I come over here ta wish ya a happy Monday and get on your nerves a little when bam, I seen Beth's whole fuckin' clan is here and worried sick cuz they don't know what's come of her. I go in your place and you're run off too." Then he smiled that devilish little grin and asked, "The two of ya have a little fun did ya?"

"Shut the fuck up Merle, we got things ta smooth over."

"I guess I best hang around for this, I'm the only one here with ya little brother, representin' our side a the family n all." That's when she saw it, Daryl was trying hard not to laugh, but he still tried to sound half-pissed when he said, "You just keep quiet dumbass, we got enough trouble." Then she saw the look that passed between them and she knew. She wondered why it hadn't dawned on her sooner. Despite the way they acted with each other they'd been through so much together, the bond the brother's shared was tight.

Daryl didn't hesitate to take her hand as they took the walk of shame to her little outdoor area, and her waiting family. He whispered as they got close, "It's gonna be okay Darlin', lemme take the lead."

She was surprised but she did like he asked, figuring things probably wouldn't get any worse. He let go of her hand as he approached her Daddy and extended that hand to him, "Sir, I hear you're Beth's Dad, I'm Daryl Dixon. Sorry ta be meetin' like this and sorry for causin' ya any worry. I take responsibility for everything. I took Beth out for a little hikin' and target practice yesterday up at a place I got in the mountains. We had some dinner and things got late. I thought it best we wait and come back this mornin'." Then he nodded his head to her Mama saying, "I'm real sorry Ma'am."

Her Daddy gave him the full on deadpan look when he said, "I'm old, not stupid, but I do appreciate your efforts. So how long has this been going on?"

Although they felt like they'd shared more with each other in the short time they'd been together than most couples share after years together; neither of them were inclined to let on their very first official date had turned into an all-nighter. Beth took the helm, "It's been awhile Daddy. We both noticed a strong attraction when I moved in and he came home from a work trip."

Merle was doing a real good job of denying himself the right to laugh, but he thought maybe now that it was obvious they weren't going to ambush his brother, he should go. He cleared his throat and announced, "I'm sorry ta say I'ma have ta go now. The woman at home, well she has a whole list a chores waitin' on me. She'll be beatin' me black and blue if I don't get home and get after 'em."

He said his goodbyes, shook his brother's hand and winked at Beth. She was looking forward to meeting his wife sometime real soon.

"Mama, Daddy, everyone, let's go inside, we can talk and I think you'll be more comfortable."

That's what they did for the next three hours. Her Mama and Daddy had a little tour of her shop, and then everyone wanted to hear all about Daryl's business and see his shop. Mostly it was about her family getting a chance to know this man she was obviously quite close to. As they were saying their goodbyes, and Daryl shook his hand again her Daddy couldn't resist. He looked real serious and told him, "Son, if you ever need the name of a good barber I know one."

"Well thanks I'll keep that in mind sir." He smiled good naturedly and Beth was just happy everything had gone as well as it did. She supposed her Mama would be calling with plenty of questions and advice the next morning and that was fine. She didn't feel the need to hide anything about her feelings for Daryl from her family.

As soon as her family pulled out of the gate he looked at her contritely, "Okay, I'm ready for my ass whooping. Fire away Darlin'."

"I'm letting you off the hook but only because I think I know how your mind works, and I get it. But remember Daryl, it's me and I love you. Besides, you were so great with my family today. Thank you for that."

"Hey, it's important ta me too, those are your people. Right now though all I can think about is gettin' a shower."

"Me too. I've been wanting one since this morning."

"My shower or yours?"

She hadn't seen it coming but the idea didn't sound bad at all. "Mine, and you get to wash my hair."

"This shower is soundin' better all the time."

That night they unlocked the big steel door between their units and it was never locked again. He installed a security system in her unit just like the one in his. She understood how important it was to him and she didn't object.

They alternated, some nights they stayed at her place, some nights they stayed at his. He taught her a little about gunsmithing and she went with him to a couple of gun shows. She taught him a few things about jewelry making and together they took a little road trip, hitting every antique, second hand and junk store they came across.

Through it all they grew closer and closer and more and more certain they were meant to be together. He began to see himself as less of a danger. He was letting himself relax in that light of hers more and more, and she began to see the darkness that had surrounded him slowly fading away.

00

They decided against building walls around the bathroom, instead they did what Beth had done in her shop, they hung a heavy drape around the toilet and sink area. After their first bubble bath they'd agreed, they wanted to keep the area with the tub open and close to the woodstove. Winter would be coming soon and they knew how much they'd enjoy laying in that tub together watching the fire burn.

They began spending nearly every weekend in the tent in the mountains and they found they didn't miss the world below. They missed their people yes, but they kept those ties close. The important thing for them was just being together and sharing the love and comfort of each other. They felt the ease of knowing that whatever they had to do battle with in life they had someone in their corner, ready to fight beside them.

It was eight months after their first night together. She started to suspect something was wrong. Everything felt different and at first she thought maybe it was just her imagination, how could this be? They'd always been so careful. But when her period was three weeks late she couldn't take it anymore, she had to know. She bought the test and the test showed what she suspected was true, she was pregnant.

She waited to tell him until they went to the mountains that weekend. It was Saturday in the late afternoon and they'd been hiking all day. They were taking some time to relax before dinner, laying on the sofa together. He was reading a trade magazine about antique pistols and she was reading her novel, but not really, mostly she was trying to figure out when would be the best time to tell him their big news.

He bent down, kissed her head and asked, "I'ma get myself a beer, ya wanna glass a wine or sumthin'?"

"No, I think I'm fine." When he came back to the sofa she was sitting up and he wondered what was going on. He sat down next to her and she took his hand, that's when he knew something was up. "I won't be having any wine, or beer or jack for a long time Daryl."

He didn't get it, "Oh yeah Darlin'? Ya goin' on the wagon? I didn't think you was that big a drinker."

She laughed, nudging his shoulder with hers, "It's not that silly. It's something we didn't expect."

Immediately a worried look spread across his face, "What the hell Beth, what're ya talkin' about?"

"I'm talking about our family. You, me and baby makes three."

He just stared silently for a minute. When he finally spoke his voice was low and he sounded on edge, and she saw the hint of darkness in his eyes, "How? I used protection every time. See? This is what I do, I bring trouble."

"Daryl what in the world are you talking about? I think it's beautiful. It's a gift, and it must be meant to be. If those things are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, what are the chances it would be us? Our baby must really be a fighter, like it's Daddy."

Her smile was ear to ear and then he got it. While he was all caught up in what was negative she was wrapping herself up in what was positive. "So ya ain't mad or unhappy? You're glad about this?"

"If I had the choice maybe I would have done things a little differently but I know this is how it's supposed to be, it must be. Things are happening the way they were always meant to happen. At first I was stunned but yes, I'm glad. I always wanted to be a Mom but I especially want to be the Mom of our baby Daryl, our little miracle we made together."

He took her hand, that worried look still on his face. "Ain't ya scared Beth, scared I might cause sumthin' ta go wrong?"

"Daryl, I thought we worked through most of that. I'm no more scared of you doing something wrong than I am I'll do something wrong. We're going to be learning this together. If you're asking me if I think you're going to be a danger to our baby just because it will be a person you love, then no. And I don't want you to think that either. I want you to be happy, like I'm happy."

"Aw girl, if you only knew how happy I am. It's sumthin' I never thought would happen in my life, and it still hasn't quite sunk in, but yeah, I'm happy Darlin'." His hands caressed her face and he kissed her deeply, tenderly and then pulled his lips away and smiled, "I guess I better get the baby a pup tent, huh?"

She worked real hard at not laughing, "Yes, perfect, it'll be like a room addition."

"Should we just get in the truck then, run ta town and get married and stuff?"

She had to smile, "Daryl, as special as that sounds it's not the romantic marriage proposal I've always dreamed of."

"Oh yeah, shit." He slid off the couch and onto one knee, "Beth Greene, do ya wanna hop in the truck with me, head ta town, get married and live with me for the rest of your life? I promise ta be a much better husband than a proposer. And ya gotta know how much I love ya. Whaddya think?"

"First of all, yes, I do want to marry you. As for the wedding, as truly special as your idea sounds I have a little different idea. How about we get married here? We'll keep it very simple, just us, my family and your family. My Daddy can perform the ceremony."

"Sounds good but I'm ready now. Next weekend work for you?" She'd never seen his smile any bigger.

"Yes Mister Romance, it does." Then it was her, she caressed his face and kissed him deeply and smiled when she whispered, "I couldn't find a better man than you Daryl Dixon."

00

The following Saturday Merle and Shawn loaded everyone in their vehicles and got them all up the mountain. Mama and Maggie had a cooler and boxes full of food, and Shawn had smuggled some of his homemade Sangria up. At least he thought he'd smuggled it until his Dad smiled while he dropped the truth, "If you think I don't know what you have in that tote then you're dumber than you think I am." Then he just laughed and walked away.

The wedding site was a small clearing next to the pond. The wildflowers were in bloom and Beth felt that was all the decorations they needed. She wore a pale yellow knee-length dress with white sandals and carried a small bouquet of the wildflowers; Daryl wore a white shirt with black jeans and boots. The added touch was matching leather cuffs she'd made for them.

It was just what they wanted it to be, easy on ceremony and fuss, big on love, family and commitment. Merle stood with Daryl and Maggie stood with Beth.

Beth had wondered what they should do about vows, everyone seemed to be writing their own these days and she thought maybe they should. She did until Daryl was sitting at the table, struggling while he tried to write his out, and asked her, "What more is there ta say than I promise ta love ya, respect ya, be true to ya and ta stick around no matter if ya get sick or go bankrupt. Ain't that all of it?"

She had to smile and agree, "It sounds like everything that matters to me." They decided to go with the traditional vows.

The whole ceremony didn't even take ten minutes, but like so many other things in their relationship time didn't really matter. What mattered was what they felt and they felt like their lives together had truly begun. They'd made a big promise to each other and neither had any intention of ever breaking that promise.

With Merle, Shawn and Glenn's help they moved her shop into his unit and turned her unit into their home, making the kitchen a little bigger and building a real bedroom. They laughed and called it their "city home."

They'd reached a big decision on their mountain home. Now that there would be a baby, and maybe someday another, they thought the time had come to build their cabin. It would be nothing like what Daryl thought of building back when he was alone. This was a family home. Not fancy, neither wanted fancy. They wanted comfortable and warm, not the temperature so much as the feeling.

Beth agreed she didn't want debt any more than Daryl did. They would take the construction slow, paying for things as they went along and doing as much of the work themselves as they could. They wanted three bedrooms, an eat-in kitchen where their family could dine together, a living area with a woodstove, and they both laughed and agreed on an enclosed bathroom.

They waited until after their baby was born, a healthy and happy blue-eyed boy they named Tanner Lee Dixon, to begin construction. Tanner was three and his baby sister, Lily Rose, was three months old when the cabin was complete enough for them to stay in. Their dream home in the mountains felt so right, like the mountains were always meant to be their home.

They kept the tent as it was, they had to, it held way too many memories and they just didn't have the heart or the inclination to take it apart.

It was two in the morning and he was watching her, smiling as she held their baby girl to her breast. There was no reason he had to be up too, he couldn't feed the little girl, but he wanted to be part of these special times with Beth and their daughter. He knew how fleeting it all was. Children grow up so quickly, they were already seeing that with Tanner as he became more and more independent.

He noticed it. He'd always noticed it but he was sure that the glow around her had grown even brighter, and warmer. He knew where it came from, it came from her heart. She was so caring and so full of love. She was all things that are good, the things that really matter.

Beth had watched it happen to him over the years. She knew she wasn't imagining things, it was as real as everything else that had happened between them. Slowly and surely the dark aura that had surrounded her husband had been fading away until now it was gone. They had their struggles like all people do, but that didn't tarnish what they had that was good. Love, light and family.

The End, For Now

A/N Thank you to all who have read along and especially for taking the time to comment. As I have hinted, there will be more to the story coming soon. To see the chapter photo please visit my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I'll be posting a new story next week and I hope you'll be on the lookout for that. Until then I thank you again and remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee