Dinner was a lot of fun. While it wasn't anywhere near as good as the Christmas feasts her family used to make every year it was still better than what they usually ate. The turkey was good. She, Maggie, and their dad shared an enormous drumstick. Daryl had brought back turkeys bigger than she'd ever thought they could grow. There were mashed potatoes and gravy that Carol made, stuffing, canned veggies, and just enough canned cranberry sauce to go around. For dessert there was candy canes and mints that Michonne had found and brought back.

The gifts were nice too. Beth gave her father a history book she'd found while cleaning out one of the old office desks. Maggie and Glenn gave her a little radio that played thunderstorm noises for when she couldn't sleep. She gave them each hats she'd made herself out of an old wool coat too damaged to be repaired. She made two extra hats for herself and her father, too.

For Daryl she had a gift in her cell. She hoped he'd stop by. He barely spoke to her after the massage in his cell. She couldn't get over it, how she'd went from just liking him coming around to talk to getting so turned on by him. She hoped he wasn't mad. It wasn't like she meant anything to happen that night.

"Glenn. Am I pretty?"

He was stuffing his face with mashed potatoes and gravy but he nodded. "Yes," he said grossly around a full mouth.

"You just saying that to be nice?"

He frowned. "Huh?"

"Never mind. Just eat your mashed taters."

"Now what was that about?"

Carol was at the counter, scraping dishes. Nobody wasted anything. There were only bones and gristle left. Some people had even licked their plates clean which Beth found really gross. She still understood. Waste not want not.

"I just wondered. I mean, God didn't bless me in the boob department."

Carol laughed. "Boys don't care if they're big. They just wanna see them. They especially wanna touch them."

They laughed together and Beth felt herself flush at the idea of Daryl wanting to touch her breasts. She insisted Carol take a break. She'd helped cook. It was only fair somebody else did cleanup. That's what Maggie, Beth, and Carl did. Cleanup. With so many dishes it took forever to get everything straight. Beth's back was tired when she took her presents and went back to her cell.

She was changed and in bed when the sound of a real thunderstorm began to beat against the roof, and the windows across from her cell, so she didn't even need to try out her present yet. She just sat up and hoped Daryl would come by. And when she heard his familiar knock she felt that flutter Karen had told her about.

This time Daryl had a few items with him. A box and a thermos, as well as a pillow. A really good one that he handed to her.

"This for me?"

"No, it's for Maggie. Yeah it's for you."

"Don't be no smarty pants," she scolded but took the pillow and laid it over the two skinny, hard, pillows she was used to.

She opened the box and was surprised at all the goodies. A box of ink pens, a big bag of mints, and some hair ties.

"This is from Michonne," he said and handed her a paper bag. She looked in and laughed.

"Tampons?"

"I don't know I didn't look." He looked embarrassed and that made Beth laugh more.

"I got you something but it's not as good as what you got me."

"You ain't had to get me nothing."

"Sure I did."

She reached under her bunk and pulled out a green quilt with a white Diamond pattern.

"Where you get this?"

"Found it hidden in the tombs in an office when Maggie and me was looking for useful stuff. I fixed all the tears and cleaned it. There's a couple stains from mildew I couldn't get out. Sorry."

He looked uncomfortable like he wasn't used to getting things. He gave. Never seemed to receive.

"You should keep it for when the nights get really cold."

Beth shook her head. "I've got good blankets. I want you to have it. It's green like pine trees. It made me think of you because I know you like the forest."

Daryl set it aside and leaned against his legs. He fiddled with the thermos.

"Coffee or tea?"

"Cocoa."

She beamed at him, happy. "You found cocoa?"

He nodded and handed it to her. "You drink it. I forgot my cup."

"We can share."

He looked reluctant but she glared at him, not about to let him refuse.

"You think I got germs?"

"Everybody got germs."

She hit his arm and poured the cocoa. It was hot and delicious. Very sweet and creamy. "Mmmm. That's really good. Almost as sweet as you."

He shook his head and almost cracked a smile. Not quite but almost. "You flirting with me, Beth Greene?"

"Yeah. Do you like it?"

"You're too young to flirt with me."

"I ain't a little girl and you ain't old," she told him.

They sat beside we each other with just a single candle to push the darkness back. The cell block had settled down for the night. Some people were already snoring. Some spoke quietly, their voices barely loud enough to hear over the rain pounding on the roof and the windows.

Beth leaned close to Daryl and he held very still while she took hold of his hand and kissed his cheek.

"You don't know what you're doing Beth."

"I got some experience with Jimmy," she said. "I ain't a little girl. Don't keep looking at me like I am 'cause I'd really like to kiss you."

He turned to look at her. His eyes were wide, blue, like he was really scared. More scared than she shoulda been. She figured she could understand. He'd catch all the judgment and the anger if people found out. She was glad he took the risk and kissed her anyway.