Hello everyone! So sorry that this is a couple days late. I've been having a lot of medical issues lately and I just haven't had the time to post. I hope that you all can forgive me! It's kind of a sappy chapter…sorry. It's needed though.

Thank you to:

texasbelle91, jaimek45, narutogirl12,

classykazmiller25, ZombertHunter, ElenaBillings,

Guest, mrsreedus69, Crowgrl13,

HeartoSteel, and kathymoonstone for your wonderful reviews!

As always, last but not least, thank you to those who took the time to follow and favorite the story. I REALLY appreciate it. Anyways, I really hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.

Chapter Nineteen (Rick POV)

A few days have passed since everyone found out about Beth and I, and they all seemed to accept it, even Maggie. We now could hold hands at any given time and not have to worry about Maggie wanting to whip her gun out and shoot me then and there. Of course, Hershel talking to her about it also helped. God bless that man.

As for Aaron, he has been healing rather quickly. I've had a couple opportunities to have some sit-downs with him to interrogate some more, coming to the conclusion that he is a good guy in a dark place psychologically. He hasn't really come to terms with the fact that his family was brutally murdered right in front of him, and he would say things like "I can't wait to introduce you guys to Joan", or "Ya know, Rick, my son Jeremy and my daughter Chelsea would really get along with your Carl".

I, of course, sympathized with him, much to my dismay. As much as I wanted to be harsh and cold towards the new-comer, I just couldn't. I've been in his place once before, but then of course I didn't lose my entire family. I was lucky enough to gain a beautiful daughter from it, but Aaron, unfortunately, didn't gain anything.

Although Aaron spoke so much of Joan and his kids, he didn't hesitate to make a pass at Beth whenever he could. Again, I tried to give the man the benefit of the doubt and blame it on the tragedy, but it irritated me. I figured it was just Aaron's way of attempting to forget about everything that has happened to him, so I attempted to brush it aside. But if he so much as lays a finger on her, I won't hesitate to add one more gunshot wound to the mix.

As for the present, we were all currently gathered in the living room listening to one of Hershel's many great talks. I at times lived for these moments, knowing that I would learn a thing or two from such a wise man.

"Although this world is harsh and cold," Hershel said firmly, "we musnt forget who we are. We can't forget our humanity." The corners of his lips twitched up into a small smile. "That's why I love you all so much."

"Why?" Maggie said from next to him.

"Because," Hershel started, leaning down and kissing his daughter lovingly on the head, "this group, even though we have been through one hell of a ride, hasn't forgotten themselves. We haven't forgotten to act like people instead of Walkers."

Beth hummed in agreement next to me on the floor. Her head was currently leaning on my shoulder and she had her arms wrapped around my right arm tightly, as if I were to blow away at any second. I kissed the top of her head chastely and looked back at Hershel to find him looking at us, smiling warmly. I smiled back.

"You guys are the world to me," The old man went on. "When this started, I was in a family of only three. Now my family has grown significantly, and I would give my life to save any one of you right now." He looked over at Aaron. "Even you."

Aaron nodded solemnly. "'Preciate that, Hershel. I owe every one of you my life." His gaze moved about the room until he made eye contact with everyone. "You guys took me under your wing even though you had no idea who I even was. Words can't even begin to explain how grateful I am." Aaron looked over at Beth and I expectantly. "I owe you an apology, Rick. Beth is your woman and I haven't been very respectful towards that." He visibly gulped and averted his gaze to the floor. "It's been really hard for me to…to accept the fact that my family is gone." His voice cracked slightly and he sniffed back tears. "I thought maybe if I tried to push it out of my mind, or pretend like it never fuckin' happened, that it would make it easier."

I sighed. "Aaron, I understand. My wife passed on while she was giving birth to my daughter, and I let the guilt consume me. I lost myself for quite some time, and it took a while to get me back. It was actually Beth here that made me snap out of it." I looked over at her and we smiled at each other.

"Well you were acting like a real jerk," she joked, giving me a peck on the cheek.

"I guess I was," I said, chuckling.

"My deepest condolences, Rick," Aaron said, sending me a small smile.

I nodded, smiling in return. "Same to you."

"Well since everyone's apologizin'," Maggie said, letting out a sigh. "I guess I should say sorry to you and Beth." I opened my mouth to speak but she held her hand up to stop me. "I was being…irrational. I didn't even give ya a chance before I jumped the gun. I see now that you really care 'bout my sister and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted y'all. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt her."

"I appreciate that, Maggie," I said smiling, "but I don't blame you. I would've questioned it too."

Carl came over next to me and sat down with Judith, leaning on my free shoulder. "We're a family," he said softly, making my heart swell.

I blinked in surprise before reaching over and taking a giggling Judith out of Carl's arms and planting a kiss on her forehead, doing the same to Carl and Beth. "Yeah, we are." An idea came to my mind and I looked at Hershel. "Hershel, would you mind if Beth and Judith moved into my room?"

Hershel thought for a moment. "I don't mind. I appreciate you askin' me first."

I nodded and almost laughed when I felt Beth jump in excitement next to me. "That way when Aaron gets up and movin' he could take Beth's old room instead of sleepin' on the couch every night."

Aaron's gaze snapped over to me in shock. "You mean…I'm stickin' around?"

I shrugged. "That's your decision of course, but yes. You're more than welcome."

He smiled appreciatively. "Thanks."

(Beth POV)

That night Judith and I were moved successfully into Rick and Carl's room, just like a family. It made my heart swell at the thought. Judith and Carl were asleep while Rick and I spooned in the dark talking quietly amongst ourselves.

"I'm so glad that we can do this now," I whispered. "I'm so glad that we don't have to worry about someone walking in. I can just…be with you and I love it."

Rick kissed the back of my head affectionately. "I love it too, baby girl. And I love you."

I turned in his arms to face him, kissing him tenderly on the lips. "I love you too."

His hand reached up and brushed a stray lock behind my ears, mumbling something I couldn't quite understand.

"What was that?" I asked.

"I said you're right." His gaze roamed my face in what seemed to be pure amazement while a small, genuine smile playing on his lips.

"About?"

"There is a God," he said very matter-of-factly, shocking me into silence for a few moments while he continued to play with my hair absentmindedly.

I cleared my throat and willed myself to finally speak. "Why do you say that?"

"How else would someone as beautiful as you come to love me?"

Tears threatened to blur my vision but I pushed them away, not wanting to seem like a blubbering baby. "I've been saying that to myself ever since the first day we have been together," I said honestly. "I cared for Jimmy, but I never loved him. As soon as this world went to shit, I thought that I would never find my someone. Then you and your group had to trump onto our farm," I teased.

Rick chuckled in disbelief. "I'm an old, graying man way past my expiration date, but you, blondie," he wrapped his finger in my hair, "how are you so incredibly perfect?"

I swatted his chest. "Oh, stop. You're the most amazing person I know. You're handsome," I kissed his cheek, "extremely caring," I kissed his other cheek, "and incredibly sexy." I planted a firm kiss on his lips earning a groan.

"I wish we were alone," he whispered low. His hand trailed down my back and cupped my ass under the blanket. "I need you."

I giggled quietly and pulled his hand away. "Behave yourself. Doing stuff in front of Judy is one thing, but with Carl in the room-"

He chuckled, silencing me. "Relax, baby. I can behave myself."

I snuggled into his chest and sighed in contentment. "Goodnight, Rick."

Rick kissed the top of my head and wrapped his arms tighter around me, making me feel more secure and loved than ever before. "Goodnight, Beth."

AUTHORS NOTE: Another chapter kind of on the down low. Only because I have HUGE plans for next chapter. I'm REALLY excited about it. Anyways, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE review, follow, and favorite! It is much appreciated! Thanks, loves!