Chapter Twenty-One
Daryl made a quick round through the house, noting Merle and that new kid on the roof. They were supposed to be on look out, but both seeming to be engaged in a conversation about Merle's make shift sword arm. The boy looked in awe as Merle tilted it left and right, smiling as he muttered, "hurt like a bitch, but well worth it if you ask me."
Daryl shook his head, almost rolling his eyes as he thought about his brother being chained up on that roof. Yes, he could admit now that it was his own brother's mouth that got him there, and if he'd just waited a little while longer he would have been fine. Still, he couldn't help but smile as Merle continued, "gives me that bit of edge in the fight knowin I can't loose my blade. Ya know?"
The boy nodded with his own smile on his face and Daryl walked away. Still thinking that Merle's a dumbass and how he's glad the asshole was back in his life. That, despite the odds, they found their family. Both immediate and extended. One that's been forged through blood and sacrifice, and something else that he couldn't place his finger on at the moment, but didn't mind trying to figure it out as he came to the master bedroom to find two sister's sitting on the bed painting their toe nails. Something so fucking mundane that Daryl wouldn't have guessed anyone would have found time for that.
Except these two. They carved the moment out for themselves as they sat laughing. A curious look on Maggie's face as Beth ducked her head. Trying to avoid the conversation and Daryl could almost imagine how beet red her face was. Could see her pulling her arms up around her head to hide the embarrassment despite having her back turned to him.
"Uh-huh," Maggie says, as she looks back at her nails. A grin spreading across her face as she tries to sound innocent enough with, "you're going to spill the beans eventually. You know that right?"
Daryl moves to head back. Realizing they're having a sister-to-sister conversation that he shouldn't be marching in on, much less hearing. He wouldn't have, either, if he didn't hear Beth's reply of, "there's nothing to spill. Seriously, we've done nothin but kiss a couple of times."
Daryl winces at Maggie's sharp reply of, "A night." The idea of Maggie knowing anything about their relationship causing his blood to run cold. It was inevitable. Daryl knew this. Knew that Beth would eventually seek advice from someone, being as she's so young and all. He knew that the first person she would head to was her sister. Of course she would. Who else was at the top of a girl's list to gossip about boyfriend's and ask questions to.
God, he felt like such a dick sometimes. Just the word boyfriend making him feel old and the need to run from this hallway took over him. Made him wish he hadn't heard this part of the conversation at all,but as he moves to leave again he hears Beth's say, "can't help it. He's a good kisser-" and the rest of the reply is lost on him. His guilt some what alleviated just cause Beth seems to enjoy their time together as much as he does. For a moment he allows himself to relax. Move at a slower pace until Maggie hollers from inside the room, "I know you heard that, Daryl Dixon. Don't think I ain't watchin ya just cause my sister enjoys your company."
Daryl flinches again, his movement's picking up to rush down the stairs, even as he hears Beth hitting at her sister, and Maggie's automatic, "what?" sounding behind him as the sounds fade away. Knows he's a coward for running ,but hell, the relationship is new. He's still treading through shadow waters around Beth trying to figure out how this shit works. Not to mention he'd yet to have a talk with her old man. To be fair, the guys been in and out of conscious for the past couple of days. Though, he wouldn't be surprised if he's heard about him and his youngest daughter. The whole house seemed to know the moment it happened. Rick even going so far as to say, "guess you're not going to be so beat up about going now, huh?" With a wink at the end as the group packed their things, preparing for the trip to the prison.
Daryl blanched at that. Coming up blank as to how Rick could have heard when Beth and him hadn't done anything else for the rest of the night before remembering Carl being on the roof with Beth. He needed to have a talk with that kid as well. Tell him a thing or two about gossiping and minding his own business, but the kid was smart. Every time he saw him, Carl was around one adult or another and Daryl couldn't get a word in. Not that it seemed to matter now. Everyone just knew, and it didn't seem like anyone really cared. He was sure her father would have a thing or two to say, and Maggie looked to be on his tail. Making him think twice about getting in her line of sight when the woman has a gun raised. Might wind up with another Andrea and her damn, "thought you were a walker" incident again.
Daryl barreled down the stairs, skipping the last step as he spotted a mop of gray standing outside the porch. Taking a quick peek into the living room to find it empty and the kitchen occupied with Lori and Carl being over what looked to be more homework -poor kid- Daryl popped outside to join her. Inhaling the fresh breeze and glad to be away from most of the woman and their insistent need to chatter. Not that Carol was the quiet type, but at least she didn't feel the need to threaten him at every available opportunity.
At least he didn't think so until Carol started with, "you know I think of her as a daughter."
Daryl hangs his head as he leans against the railing. Knowing Carol needs to speak her mind, and boy did the woman as she continues, ignoring his silent nod. "Guess my views a bit skewed, cause she's like a daughter to me, and your like a brother and you can guess how that's piecing together in my mind."
Daryl's face twisted, the imagery of filthy old pervert coming to mind and he can't stop when he whispers, "Carol," as a warning and looks up at the woman.
She shakes her head and gives him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it. I told you to fix it and you did. I'm happy for you. Really. We all need that little bit of happiness in this world."
He squints at her. Taking in her calm features, and the smile still splayed on her face. Slowly ,he stands up, waiting for the "but" that's ready to come. It doesn't. No outwards signs showing she's saying one thing, and thinking another. No matter that he waits several seconds. Watching her as she continuing smiling at him and then back at the yard before he asks, "you're really not upset about this? "
"Nope," she pipes back, grin widening ever bigger. "No one really is. Well, a couple of the newer folks mentioned a few qualms, but we silenced them. Said you'd been lookin out for that girl for a while now. It's not so surprising."
"We?" Daryl seemed to be slapped dumb with a one word replies. Trying to wrap his mind around the family being okay with Beth and him. Surely there'd be more out spoken rage on Beth's behalf, but Carol nods. Smiling at him in surprise as she takes in gaping mouth and furrowed brows.
"Yes, Daryl. We. As in the rest of the family. Rick was a little shocked at first, but he's gotten over it. Maggie says Beth's mother and their daddy were nearly twenty years apart and Merle mentioned he saw this coming weeks ago. So..." he r words trailed off as she shrugged her shoulders.
Leaning against the railing again as he took in this information. Looking back into the house, and to the yard again before giving a weak smile. Accepting that they were accepting and relaxing into another slow afternoon with his friend next to him on the porch.
"So, this prison..." he started. Ready to move on with the conversation when Carol shot up and pointed her finger at him.
"Hershel does want a word with you. Next time he's up and moving"
"Huh," Daryl grunted, chewing on his lip even as he nodded his head. Already seen that one coming.
Didn't argue though. Didn't offer anything up on the matter as he thought about what to say to Hershel about it. When Carol relaxed again, she nudged his shoulder. "And I do think the prison will be a good thing."
"Yeah," he mumbled. Mind still up stairs walking through a conversation with Hershel about Beth and him when sounds came from the gates. Looking up, he noticed Allen reaching for the gates, opening them up to reveal the old SUV with Rick in the driver's seat and the woman Michonne sitting next to them. Both seemed to be laughing at something. Getting along fairly well as they pull up to the front porch.
"Well?" Daryl asks, heading down til he was just at the bottom of the stairs . The smile on Rick's face tells him their good. That the prison is a go, but he waits until Rick nods his head.
"Got some inmates and guards inside the perimeter, but looks safe enough. As soon as your all healed up we'll head over and take care of it. Then we all go together and clean it out." Rick looks from one face to another. Waiting for the argument that's about to come like it always does.
"What about surrounding area? Anyone near by?" Allen asks, speaking for the first time and taking the group back. He looks at their faces as they turn to him somewhat stunned. "I mean. We don't want any hostiles coming at us do we?"
Daryl stands there wondering when Allen and his son became part of the 'us' he was referring too. The man was always getting upset when his son got to close to one of them. Surprised the guy didn't pull his son away from Merle even now, but if he's starting to trust them. Starting to realize this could be their family to. Well, Daryl wasn't going to argue with that. As long as the guy kept out of his business and out of his way.
Rick shakes his head in answer. Looking from Andrea to Michonne before saying, "Andrea says there's a small town of people, survivors like us, that are across the river. I figure if we stay away from them and them from us. We should be fine."
"We won't be trying to talk them, maybe make some friends after we settle in?" Allen asks and again the small group of people look at him and then each other. Daryl notices the hard look Michonne passes to Andrea before looking at Rick in an almost pleading gaze and the sheriff shakes his head.
"Nah, we'll be keepin to ourselves."
Daryl nods at the man. Not understanding the silent glances between him and the tw women, but trusting his judgment. Knowing full well that he wouldn't put this group, much less his wife and kids, in any kind of danger. Their first priority is the safety and welfare of the group. It's unspoken understanding. A rule that doesn't need to be stated to understand, so Daryl gives him a long look. Hoping Rick will explain the why later, but going with it for now.
He turns in time to see Allen's disapproving glare before the man turns, muttering something about having to find his son. Daryl mentions he's on the roof, and the man gives him a short glance. One that causes Daryl to narrow his own eyes on him before Rick's standing next to him. Nudging his shoulder with his own. When he looks over, Rick's shaking his head. Telling him without words not to start something.
That night Daryl found himself being the last person to head up the stairs for the night. Sasha having just appeared to take over for the early monring shift. Daryl popped his shoulder as he moved to the top of the stairs, thinking about soft beds and warm blankets.
They spent the day gathering up their supplies. Going over what they could take with them and what needed to stay. Someone suggesting that they hold a few supplies here in case something came up. Rather the prison became insecure or they got held back from a supply run. Daryl couldn't argue with the logic and they then seperating the supplies. Storing some of it inside the bunker at the bottom, and wondering how the rest of their shit got spread out so quickly.
He could have sworn he heard Carl cursing about some comic book that he needed to find before they leave, and Daryl rolled his eyes at the boy. Tempted to tell the boy to keep his shit stashed if he wished ot make off in a hurry with it, but knew the boy didn't need the reminder. The boy's sheriff hat was never far from his belongings. Hell, it wasn't far from his finger tips if Daryl was being honest, so he knew the boy didn't need the lecture.
Didn't stop him from thinkin about the hell it was going to be loading up all their stuff and packing it to the prison. Rick mentioned staying here at least another week, and that was something to be grateful for. Meant they had time. Time was always a good thing to have, even if it wasn't always on their side. With a shrug, he looked up the stairs, just passing his way toward the library where Beth and him agreed to sleep for the night. Allowing Andrea and Michonne a softer bed when he heard stumbling coming from Hershel's room and quiet curse filter out of the space.
Daryl rushed over, half expecting to find Hershel lying on the floor when he came across the man using one hand to balance himself on the bedside table while staring down at the makeshift crutch that fallen onto the floor.
"You tryin to break somethin else?" Daryl asked, moving to pick up the wooden stick and handing it back to the older man. Earning himself a chuckle as Hershel took it and readjusted it under his arm.
"Tryin to get the help out of this bed," he replied, wobbling around to point at the object in question. "Now I know why you and Rick cursed me when I told you stay in it."
Daryl smiled himself, remembering his own refusal to stay bedridden on the farm, and Rick's recent endeavor. "Not as grand as it seems, huh?"
The man let out another small laugh as he looked around the room. Looking at the bed before shifting his gaze out the door then to Daryl. "Take it you're still beddin down with Beth for the night?"
The question caught Daryl off guard. Coming out the blue as it did, and forcing him to snap his head up to stare at the old man. He could feel his cheeks heating up at the accusation and his stomach turning at the thought of the man's disapproval. Knew it'd been coming for weeks. Anticipated it even, and Daryl tried to force himself to be calm.
To act like it wasn't that big of a deal as he shrugged his shoulder. Mumbling, "she hasn't kicked me out, yet," from behind his fingers as his hand came up to chew on his nail. A nervous tick that was giving him away. His ears burning even more when the implication of what that could mean rang like a light bulb in his head and he shot up to look at the darkened scowl on the man's face. "We're just sleepin together. I mean, we're sleepin. That's it. Just...sleepin." The words spilled out of his mouth and he couldn't stop himself from inhaling a great big gulp of breath when the old man started laughing.
Face flushed, and hands clapping against his knees as he bent over laughing. Daryl wanted to laugh himself. Would have to if Hershel hadn't waved his arm and said, "you honestly think I don't know what's going on with my daughters?"
Daryl shook his head, studying the man now as he calmed down. Leaning more onto the bed. Still smiling. Still slightly amused by the situation, and Daryl would have called him an old bastard if he thought he could get away with it at the moment.
"I do have ears, Daryl. I know," he said, his finger coming up to whirl around the room. "I hear what's going on. Have to have good hearing when you got two teenage daughters that would rather confide in each other then with you. Not that I blame them."
Daryl nodded. Able to respect that Hershel kept an eye -and ear- out for his girls. Even as his stomach churned at what he might have heard. Maggie and Beth's conversation this afternoon alone was enough to make him squirm as he thought about Hershel sitting in here, one room way, and listening to them.
Dary closed his eyes. Swallowing the bile that threatened to come out as his stomach churned. His gaze focusing on the bed as he chewed on his finger, waiting for the inevitable. Waiting for Hershel Greene to pull out the shotgun and shoot him dead for even looking at his little girl like that.
Daryl bristled at the way Hershel shook his head. His heavy gaze moving up to meet his and Daryl could see the judgment there. The words already forming in the man's head as he took a step back. Wiping at his jaw, as he looked away.
"Guess now, you're gonna tell me to back off, right? To stay away from her cause I'm a no good dirty hick and Beth's too good for me." He looked up at Hershel. The unexpected anger at the words spewing from his mouth radiating from him. Almost shaking as he imagined himself just ducking his head and listening to the old man. Cause he respected Hershel. The man saved his life. Saved Carl's life, and he proved to be a valuable member of this group.
"Now, son," Hershel started, holding his hand up as his head ducked down. Daryl took a step back. The patronizing tone forcing him to bite his tongue as Hershle continued. "You're puttin words in my mouth. Thoughts that never even crossed my mind." Hershel looked up at him. Pinning him with those steel blue eyes that matched Beth's in so man ways, as he let out a heavy sigh.
Daryl himself let out a breath he didn't know he was holding until Hershel muttered those words. Alleviating some of his guilt as his shoulder relaxed and he took that step back toward the man. Waiting for him to gather his thoughts.
"Once upon a time, I might have thought those things and if you had tried something on the farm you would have found a shotgun in your face and a very unpleasant ultimatum, but," Hershel said, putting a heavy emphasize on the but as he ducked his head. His gaze growing harder as he forced Daryl to hold his stare. "Things have changed. We've changed. I've gotten to know you, and I've come to learn you're not a bad man, Daryl. Not in the slightest." His finger was pointing at Daryl now. As stiff and stern as the man it was attached to and Daryl swallowed. Continuing to lock eyes with the man and force himself to believe those words. "Circumstances have changed as well. I'm a crippled now, and I've got to think about who would take care of my daughter's."
Daryl opened his mouth, ready to state that everyone of the people in this house would watch out for them. For Beth, but Hershel beat him to it. "Yes, I know. There's a house full here, but who would really look out for Beth. Rick, who's got his own family to worry about, or maybe Glenn. Glenn's a good man and I know he loves Maggie, but that's it. He would go to the moon and back for my sweet Mags, but who would do the same for my Bethany?"
Hershel's gaze softened. His body relaxing now that his words spoken, and Daryl swallowed. Realizing the old man figured him out without having to say a word. That he already knew the answer to his question because Daryl already done it. He already proved that who would step in when Beth was in danger, even if that danger was from her own stupidity. Who held her together when she needed it and taught her what she needed to know so she wouldn't them.
"So, what? Just look out for her, take care of her and all that other...nonsense." Daryl grimaced at the last part. Knowing he was no good at all that romance novel shit. Never was and didn't see himself pulling no Glenn and Maggie bullshit anytime soon either, but for Beth.
"Just take care of her. That other 'nonsense' can come later," Hershel said, holding his hand out for Daryl as he smiled at him.
Daryl returned his grin, gripping his hand in a firm shake. "Yeah, alright old man. You got it."
"There you are." Beth's voice rang out from the door way and both men turned to face her. Hershel grinning as he greeted his baby girl, and Daryl heating up even more as he took in the knowing look on Beth's face. Realizing at some point she'd woken up and eased dropped on them. "Everything okay in here?"
Daryl nodded, his mouth suddenly going dry at the thought of Beth hearing him promise his father he would look out for her. Not that he wasn't already doing that. Not that he needed to promise anyone to do that regardless, but having admitted to the words and simply going through the motions were two different things.
"Yeah, just tellin your old man goodnight," he said, ducking his head and turning to nod at Hershel. The man returned the nod, an encouraging smile on his face as Daryl turned back to Beth. Finding her grin having grown in the span of a few short seconds.
"Mmhmm," she grumbled stepping into the room and walking past him to her father. "You're supposed to be resting, daddy."
"I've rested enough," Hershel grumbled, giving his daughter a short hug before pushing away her hands as she attempted to help him back into bed. "but since it's so late."
Beth chuckled at him, shaking her head as she stood back. Assuring herself that Hershel was lying down before walking past Daryl. Her hand brushing against his own before turning to look at him. "You comin?"
"Yeah," he muttered, ducking his head. Feeling the eyes of her father on his back as she smiled and nodded. Already knowing that he needed another minute before heading in. He turned to give Herhsel one more short nod. Reassuring the old man or himself that all was okay, he wasn't sure, but still feeling better when Hershel waved him off with a short, "night, Dixon."
Daryl grumbled his own "goodnight" and headed into the library. Finding the space surprisingly empty as he looked around for his brother, Allen and his son.
"They're downstairs. Said something about it being crowded up here." Beth shrugged, looking around the space with an air of feigned innocence. Daryl raised an eyebrow, wondering who's doing it was that convinced Merle of that as he headed toward their makeshift bed of piles of blankets and pillows. "Think Merle mentioned something about a bunker," she added, smiling up at him.
Daryl shook his head, sitting down on the blankets next to her to unlace his boots, and get comfortable for the night. Two slim arms wrapped around his shoulders, causing him to freeze for a moment before Beth kissed at the back of his neck. Sending goosebumps down his back before her head rested on his shoulder. "We good?"
Daryl leaned back into her. His hand coming up to run across her front arms as he turned to look at her. Her wide blue eyes staring up at him. "Yeah, we'll be good."
This is sorely in need of editing. I am fully aware of this, but I wanted to get this up before next week when I start moving and having everything shut off for who knows how long. That being said, I am making this the final chapter. I did plan on ending it at the last one but figured one more couldn't hurt. Now with everything else happening and summer coming up, this is good.
Thanks to everyone for sticking with this story, and I'm glad you all enjoyed it. I loved hearing your thoughts through out the whole thing!