A/N Thanks so much you guys, golly you make me so gosh darn happy :) No one seemed to feel even the tiniest bit sorry for Mama and Daddy. Let's see how they do. We're picking up right where we left off.
He looked her Daddy hard in the eye and he said what was on his mind, "No it ain't too late ta talk so long as talkin's what ya aim ta do. But I'm sayin' it right now, I ain't gonna let ya upset my wife. There's been enough a that goin' on an I won't be havin' her mistreated. This is our home an ya gotta play by our rules."
Her Daddy nodded, "I understand and I promise you we just came to talk, to try and resolve this."
"Alright then, c'mon in an have a seat I'll get Beth." He was wondering why she hadn't come out there, he knew she had to have heard everything, she must have heard them talking.
He went in the kitchen and there she stood like she was frozen in place and with a nervous look in her eye.
He went to her and put a hand on her cheek, he spoke softly to keep it between the two of them. "I'ma be right there with ya Cream Puff, ain't lettin' no one yell at ya or hurt yer feelin's. If that shit starts I'll make 'em leave, I promise ya. One a the things I love about ya is how sweet ya are, always nice and polite an worried 'bout everyone else, but Beth ya gotta stick up for yerself, speak up and speak yer mind. Ya got a right ta that n ya need ta learn ta face up ta people. I know ya, you're stronger than ya think, but if ya need me I'ma be sittin' right there next to ya."
He put his arms around her then and she whispered, "I'm going to try really hard Daryl, I'm going to be strong."
He kissed her, took her hand in his gave it a squeeze and they walked to the living room.
Her Mama and Daddy were still standing where he left them, looking lost and uneasy. Their eyes immediately went to Beth.
She took a deep breath, steeled herself, "Mama and Daddy you're welcome in our home if you came to apologize to Daryl. You've been very mean and unfair to him. He's my husband now if you can't be nice you have to go."
He squeezed her hand harder and softly said, "Nah Beth, you Beth."
"No Daryl, they need to apologize to you. Mama and Daddy, I love Daryl he's the best thing in my life. He treats me like I'm special and he also treats me like a woman, like a grown up, like I have my own ideas and opinions, like I'm able to make a decision on my own, and we make decisions together. He respects me."
Daddy swallowed real hard, and he swallowed back some of his pride. He held a hand out to the Biker, "I'm sorry for judging you without even knowing you. I'd like to get a chance to know you now."
Mama took her own deep breath, she'd taken stock of herself and she knew she had a lot to apologize for. "I apologize for the way I've behaved, for the names I called you Daryl and for sitting in judgment of you. And Beth, I'm sorry for being so mean to you and for not treating you like the adult that you are. I know it's going to take time but I'm hoping eventually you can both forgive me."
The air was getting a little too thick for Daryl he wasn't used to all this family bullshit. He and Merle just punched it out if they got pissed off enough, or left it at a simple "fuck you."
He cleared his throat. "Let's sit down. Y'all want a drink? We got sweet tea, water and beer."
Mama and Daddy declined and he was going to just let it slide, forget it. But Beth rose, went to the kitchen and got him a beer. She knew her husband liked a beer when he got home from work, and she didn't want him changing just because her folks were there.
"Thanks Cream Puff, ya didn't have ta wait on me, I coulda got it." He lightly touched her arm.
"You're welcome and I wanted to." She smiled at him.
That little bit of love, consideration and appreciation that passed between the young couple was not lost on her Mama and Daddy.
Daddy asked what may be the universal first question one man asks another, "So what is it you do for a living Daryl?"
Daryl shrugged one shoulder and kind of looked down, but just for a minute. He was proud of what he did and proud of his job. "I'm lead Bike mechanic at Dirty's here in town. I also do all the custom chopping of Bike's there. I'm real proud ta say riders from all over the state come see me ta get their Bikes chopped."
Of course then he had to explain to them what that meant exactly. His wife was smiling at him proudly.
About that time his stomach was growling. "I ain't ate since lunch an Beth didn't have any time ta cook sumthin' before ya got here. We could grill up some hot dogs real quick, but man I gotta eat."
Beth immediately stood, she knew how hungry her husband got, how he needed to eat.
Mama chirped in then anxious to be of some kind of use in all this. "I can help Beth get everything else ready."
Daddy went out with Daryl while he lit the coals and waited for them to get hot, and they talked more about Daryl's time in the Army, his work at Dirty's, and what he liked to do in his free time. Daddy had to admit he was impressed with the man. Hershel knew who Daryl's father was, and Will Dixon sure didn't set any kind of good example for a young man.
And this man, his daughter's husband, his son in law, had something to say. Daddy could tell that talking face to face was not something the younger man did easily, but he had something he needed to get off his chest.
"I knew the first time I seen Beth walkin' down the street she'd be easy ta love. But I also knew I's too old for her, not good enough, I knew I didn't have any business tryin' ta get close ta her. But when that asshole grabbed her outside a Ripley's that day, shit I had ta step in, he was tryin' ta force her in his car an she was scared. That's when it started for her an me and I ain't ever been happier than I am with her. I love her an I ain't ever gonna mistreat her in any way. I don't think I should have ta keep sayin' that to ya or her Mama. I think how I treat her an how I live my life with her make it clear. Ya either gotta accept what this is or ya gotta walk away from us, cuz I ain't ever walkin' away from her."
Right then Daddy knew and it hurt. It hurt that he hadn't been more open to talking to the man, hadn't bothered to get to know him. He regretted that he'd just assumed he knew the kind of man Daryl Dixon was. He was ashamed of himself.
"I can't apologize to you enough Daryl. I don't know how or even if I can ever make it up to you or to my daughter. There's no excuse for my behavior or that of my wife. I'm the one who needs to ask you for a chance, to ask you to let my actions and the way I treat you both make it clear I accept and respect you."
"I'm willin' ta work it out but I'ma do this however Beth wants, yer her people and it's her decision."
Daddy nodded and then the question came to him, "Who was it that was trying to force my daughter into a car?"
"Some sumbitch name of Jimmy she used ta date. Hell I've had ta run him off a couple times now. He's some kinda slow learner that boy."
It was another shock for Daddy. Jimmy? Now he was really thinking he was a very bad judge of character. He'd always thought Jimmy was such a nice young man.
Inside Mama and Beth had gotten the table set, put out condiments and Beth was opening a big bag of barbecue potato chips. She smiled as she poured them in a bowl, "These are Daryl's favorite. I'm sorry to be serving hot dogs on your first visit, this was supposed to be his lunch on Saturday. We were going to eat left over fried chicken tonight but there's not enough to go around. I do have plenty of potato salad though."
"This is all fine Beth. It's just good to be together. I can tell you're happy, you love this man very much don't you?"
"Yes Mama, gee whiz I love him more than anything and I'm so happy. I wish I could have talked to you about him before."
And that's when a tear escaped from Mama's eye. "I wish you could have too. I made a terrible mistake Beth. I know that and I'm so sorry. Please tell me about Daryl and how you met, how you became interested in this older man who I would have never guessed was your kind of fellow."
Beth shared with her Mother how she and Daryl had met and the progression of their relationship, and she freely admitted to all the lying and the sneaking around. She saw no reason to pretend anymore, she and Daryl were married now.
"But we never did anything wrong Mama. Gosh Daryl wouldn't take advantage or anything, he was real respectful and always a gentleman. He takes good care of me Mama."
"Tell me about the wedding."
And Beth told her about the plan they'd made and about Maggie and Abraham, Merle and Cassandra and the surprise of Virginia and Smitty. She told her about the luncheon after the wedding and how she and Daryl had spent two days in the little bungalow.
Again Mama had tears in her eyes. "If I hadn't been so darn self-righteous and just plain mean I could have been there, shared that with all of you. I guess through my own stubbornness I've been taught a hard lesson."
"Aunt Virginia did take her camera so at least there will be pictures for you. And golly, I wish you could have been there too Mama. It would have meant a lot to have you there and to have your blessing."
And Mama had an idea then but she'd bring that up another time.
They ate their hot dogs and it was a little awkward all of them sitting down together for the first time. Daddy said, "This is a real nice house you have Daryl."
And the man corrected him right away, "Well it's Beth's house too, an thanks we like it."
Mama remarked, "I just love the kitchen, it's so pretty with the modern colors and countertops. Everything is so new and fresh."
Beth smiled and let her hand glide over her husband's. "Thank you, Daryl did all the work on it himself. Golly he's just so gosh darn talented he can do anything."
He let out a snort at that, "I don't know 'bout that girl but havin' ya here has sure brightened up the place."
When they were done with their dinner and Beth had set out a plate of cookies, Mama brought it up, "Christmas is in just over two weeks and Daddy and I want to bring the family together. Not like the fiasco we had at Thanksgiving, that was all our fault, but a real family Christmas."
Daryl looked to her, "We ain't never had Christmas in our family. Well hell I don't even know for sure where my Dad is these days. But Merle an me, we never did have one. I'm leavin' it up ta Beth. If she wants ta go I'll bring her, if she don't we don't."
Daddy was starting to get kind of a kick out of his son in law's straightforward approach to things.
Beth looked to her husband and smiled, then turned her attention to her parents. "I think it could be wonderful, as long as everyone makes up their mind ahead of time there isn't going to be any kind of fighting or raised voices. Except for Abraham's, I think his is just naturally raised. And of course, Merle and Cassandra would have to be invited. They're my family now too. And I guess Merle's voice is naturally raised too."
Daryl came close to laughing out loud at that.
"Well of course we'd want your brother and his wife Daryl, that would be really special, a big family Christmas. Our house has gotten too empty, it needs to be filled with some joy for a change."
Before they left Mama told them she and Daddy had a little travel plan. They were leaving in the morning for Augusta to apologize to Shawn and Peggy and see if maybe they'd agree to come to Christmas dinner. From there they were driving down to Savannah. They'd spend a night or two with Aunt Virginia and try to smooth the water with her and Smitty. She was hoping to get them to agree to Christmas dinner too. Finally they'd drive over to Macon and try their best to make up with Maggie and Abraham, and hopefully get them to come to for Christmas dinner.
Daddy chuckled but there wasn't any happiness to it. "In other words, over the next few days we will be eating enough crow and humble pie to last us a lifetime. We've gotten ourselves in a terrible mess. Now we're going to try and dig ourselves back out, get our family back."
He came out of the bathroom and she was there in her gown, her back was to him and she was fluffing the bed pillows. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close into him. He kissed and nuzzled at the back of her neck and that always got them both feeling the heat.
"I's real proud of ya tonight Cream Puff, ya done good. I knew ya could."
And he quit talking and he went back to nuzzling and kissing that pretty little neck. Soon he moved a hand to cup her breast and his fingers teased her nipple. She was moaning softy and he loved those sounds she made when she was aroused. He lifted her gown up and off and turned her to face him. He kissed her while continuing to tease and tweak at her nipple, and then he moved his mouth to her breast while his hand held firmly to her bottom pushing her into him. She could feel his excitement pressing on her and he whispered, "Damn Cream Puff, ya always make me so hot."
Soon he had her lying on the bed and he was snugged right up there next to her. Her head was cradled on his arm, while his mouth was teasing at her breast and his hand had made its way between her legs. They were both breathing hard and he looked at her then. "I wanna try sumthin' with ya Beth. I ain't ever done it but I want to with you. If ya don't like it ya just tell me ta stop, k?"
She was a little nervous now but she trusted him. "Yes."
He began to move his mouth slowly down her body, stopping to kiss and suck at what felt to her like every inch of skin she had from her neck to that area where his finger had entered her. When he moved his face between her legs she gasped, so surprised he would do that, put his mouth there. But he was kissing, licking and softly sucking her there, and once she started to relax it felt so good.
He stopped long enough to look up at her, "Okay Cream Puff?" She could only nod. He smiled and his mouth went back to bringing her these new sensations. When she came he held her close into his face and she never would have believed that something like that, that had seemed so strange, could bring so much pleasure.
He moved back up her body then and he was smiling at her. "Ya feelin' good?"
She smiled back, nodded and whispered, "Oh gosh Daryl I can't believe you did that, but it felt so good."
He smiled at her then and entered her, his hands slid under her bottom holding their bodies as close together as he could. They moved together and after a few minutes he whispered into her ear, his voice husky and full of lust, "Yer so good Beth, feel so good, always make me so happy." And the words he spoke and the feel of him moving inside of her made her come again and she called his name, "Oh Daryl." And that was all it took to bring him his own finish.
He held her close and when they'd caught their breath she asked him, "Golly, do people usually do that Daryl?"
And he couldn't help himself, he laughed out loud. "Well I sure have heard a lotta guys talk about it but this is the first time I ever done it. Wouldn't a done it for no one but you Cream Puff."
She cuddled up close into him then and they were soon sleeping soundly.
xxxx
She wanted to get a Christmas tree and he said he'd agree if she'd agree they ought to go up in the woods and get their own. He thought she might argue about that, but she got excited. "Oh that sounds perfect Daryl. And we could find some pine cones and I can make decorations. It's going to be beautiful and the house is going to smell so good.
"It can't smell no better than it does when yer cookin' bacon. I never did get the idea a why people want a dead tree in the house, but if that's what ya want we'll leave early Saturday mornin'. We'll take the pickup an the crossbow an throwin' knives, make a day of it. Sound right?"
"It sounds perfect! I'll pack us a picnic. I can't wait, thank you Daryl!"
"Ya ain't gotta thank me Beth an it's gonna be fun."
They had the little truck loaded and were pulling out of the driveway by 6:30 Saturday morning. He drove her to a spot he knew in the woods and they went in search of their tree.
"Oh Daryl that one looks just perfect can we get it?"
He looked at her from the corner of his eye and said, "Cream Puff that tree is about 15 foot tall. We'd never get it in the house. This first year let's set our sights on sumthin' a little smaller, maybe four or five feet."
She was laughing now, "Oh my gosh, I guess I didn't realize how big it was, it's just so pretty and perfect."
"Well let's see if we can't find ya one every bit as pretty that'll fit in the house."
They walked for what seemed like miles to her, but he told her it hadn't been quite a mile. "Gee whiz Daryl I had no idea we'd be doing all this walking."
"I s'pose yer gonna want me ta carry ya now, is that it?"
"Well shoot that sounds really nifty Daryl, sure."
He surprised her by leaning forward and saying, "Hop on."
She wasn't even sure he meant it, "Are you serious?"
"Yeah, it's a serious piggyback."
She only let him carry her for a few feet and then she told him, "You'd better put me down now Daryl, you need to save your strength to carry my tree."
He reached behind his back then and started tickling her, "What? Ya think I can't carry ya both? Ya don't think I'm man enough? I'll show ya." And he was really tickling her now and she started laughing so hard she slid off his back and landed on her butt.
"Shit ya okay Cream Puff? Fuck I'm sorry."
"It didn't hurt, I landed on my feet before I landed on my bottom. That was fun Daryl, you're just like a silly little boy sometimes."
"I see how it is with ya now, first ya think I'm a weakling now ya think I'm a silly kid. I guess I gotta prove to ya I'm a man. Is that it? Cuz I'm in a mood ta do just that."
And he got down there next to her, put his arm around her and pulled her into him. "Damn girl, I don't know why it is I just can't get enough of ya."
They started kissing and when it got heated he told her, "Yer gonna have ta be on top girl, I don't want ya all scratched up from these pine needles."
That was another new one to her and she found she liked it just fine, in fact she liked it a lot. She was finding she liked it every time she and her husband were close like that.
They found what the Bobby Soxer was certain was the perfect tree. The Biker stopped at the general store on the way home and they got lights to string on it.
While she made dinner he took the tree to the garage and made a quick stand for it with some scrape wood he had. He carried it in and set it in front of the living room window.
"Oh my golly Daryl it's beautiful! It's perfect! Gosh I just love it so much!" She was bubbly and he thought if he'd have known how happy this was going to make her, he'd have taken her out to chop down a tree months ago.
After dinner he strung the lights on the small tree, and when he plugged them in and they all came on twinkling there in the darkened room, she started jumping up and down and clapping her hands. He laughed out loud, "Damn Cream Puff, yer a funny one. The littlest things make ya so happy."
And she giggled and said, "It's you Daryl, you make me happy."
A/N Well Mama and Daddy came hat in hand, the Biker and the Bobby Soxer got all loved up, and eventually they found a tree :) Thanks so much for reading this story, I'd appreciate you leaving a review / comment xo
To see the chapter photo please visit my tumblr at bethylmethbrick