Beth

Inside Aaron and Eric's house we are hit with the wonderful aroma of garlic bread. It makes my mouth water. It smells so good. The house is laid out very similar to ours. It's a little smaller than our house but still it's a huge house for just two people.

"We have dinner guests." Aaron calls out as we enter the living room.

"Oh?" We can hear Eric respond from the kitchen area. From the living room we can see inside the dining room area and a wall separates us from seeing the kitchen. A moment later, Eric pokes his head around the corner to come see his guests. "Beth! Daryl! Come in, come in." He ushers us into the living room. "Dinner will be ready in about five minutes. Just make yourselves at home."

He disappears back into the kitchen in a flash, leaving Aaron, Daryl and I alone in the living room. Aaron clears his throat and gestures for us to sit. "You guys thirsty? Would you like some wine?"

I smile. "Sure that would be great. Thank you."

Aaron looks to Daryl who gives him a firm nod. "Okay I'll go get us a glass."

I shift a little on the couch to look at Daryl beside me. He looks uncomfortable but no more than usual. His eyes meet mine and I smile at him. His lips twitch and I can see his whole body visibly relax. He gives me a smile and puts his elbows on his knees. He nudges me with a knee. "Didn't you have drink at the party?" He asks in an amused tone.

I mimic his position, putting my elbows and my knees and lean my body into his slightly. I giggle softly. "Mhmm. I didn't drink much. The beer was gross." I wrinkle my nose causing him to huff a laugh. "I've always wanted to try wine. That okay with you Mr. Dixon?"

He gives me a pointed look. "Don't start that shit."

I giggle again. "That's right, I forgot you don't like it when I call you that."

"Didn't say that." He responds quickly. As soon as it leaves his mouth, he looks as though he regrets it when he sees my smile grow wider at the information.

I lean into him a little more. "Oh so you do like it?" I ask flirtatiously. He bumps my shoulder with his and looks away. His face is turning a little pink so I continue to tease gently. "I'm allowed to flirt with my fiance just a little bit."

He laughs softly. "Is that what you're doin'?"

"Well clearly it's not working if you can't tell." I joke.

He looks down at his feet with a ghost of a smile. I notice his ears peeking out from under his hair are even more red now. "Stop."

I sigh, a little disappointed. I like to flirt and I love when he flirts with me, but I can tell he is reaching his limit so I agree to stop. "Yes sir."

"Beth." His tone is frustrated.

"What?" I ask, a little defensive. "You asked me to stop and I did."

He huffs. "You know damn well what."

I'm super confused now. "Uh I really don't. Why don't you tell me?" His eyes search my face and he must can tell I mean it when I say I have no clue what he's referring to. He sighs and looks toward the kitchen. I roll my eyes. "You can hear them talking in there. They can't hear us."

He contemplates this for a moment and finally gives in. "This ain't the place t'be discussin' turn ons."

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Turn ons? Have I been doing something that is turning you on?"

"E'erythin' you do turns me on, woman." He growls.

"Oh really?" I ask with a smile, leaning a little more into him.

He faces me more accepting the challenge. He leans into me more. "Yeah, you can't go around lookin' like that and sayin' shit like that."

Grinning, I ask. "Shit like what?"

"Callin' me sir and Mr. Dixon."

"That turns you on?" I ask quietly. He hums a mmhmm. "I had no idea that it affected you like that." I say sincerely.

"I'd have to be dead for it not to." He responds. One of his hands reaches out and starts rubbing my knee.

I giggle. "Anything else?"

"Yup but I ain't tellin' you."

His hand moves up from my knee to my lower thigh. He has never touched me this openly before and quite frankly it is becoming a distraction but I push through. "Why not?"

"Can't give ya any more ammunition than ya already have."

His touch lightens, ghosting my thigh, making me shiver. The movement catches his eye. A wave of heat washes over me as we stare into each other's eyes. "Now who needs to stop?" I say to him.

His eyes look hungry and he gives me a small smile. "I don't know what you're talkin' about."

I lean into him and whisper. "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

Our noses brush and my eyes close. I melt into him as his lips touch mine. A large hand cradles my face and I sigh. The kiss is slow and sure. Unfortunately it doesn't last long. It stops abruptly when Daryl hears Aaron approach.

"Dinner is ready guys." He says cheerfully as he places our glasses of wine on the table, completely oblivious.

Dinner went fairly smoothly except for Daryl reenacting the scene from Beauty and the Beast where the Beast eats soup. I kicked him under the table and mouthed manners to him. He didn't seem to catch on until I rolled the spaghetti on my fork and took a bite without slurping. I mouthed slow down and then he seemed to understand. He ate the rest of dinner less like a neanderthal. It still wasn't great but definitely better than before. Eric and Aaron didn't seem to mind and did their best to make us feel at home.

The small talk was nice and easy. Eric, Aaron and I did most of the talking but Daryl did contribute here and there when necessary. I like hanging out with them. Someone besides our normal group. It was a nice change of pace. I love our family but sometimes it's refreshing to mingle with other people.

"So how was the party?" Eric asks curiously.

"It was good." I lie.

Aaron and Eric chuckle. "You don't have to lie Beth. This is a safe space. We know how dull those parties can be." Eric reassures me.

I smile and look at Daryl briefly. He doesn't give me anything so I decide to tell the truth. "It wasn't that it was dull or boring. It was… overwhelming and weird if I'm being honest."

Eric nods with understanding. Aaron speaks up. "I'm sure it was but I know it meant a lot to the community that you came."

I don't know what to say so I decide to stay quiet. Eric keeps the conversation going though. "Did Mrs. Nuedermyer corner you at the party and talk to you about the…"

"Pasta maker." Eric and I say it at the same time and we bust out laughing. "Yes! She did. Spencer warned me that would happen. She seems like a sweet lady though."

"She is." Eric says with a smile. "So while you are on your travels if you happen to see one and bring it back that would really make her day."

Daryl and I both look at each other to verify we heard him correctly. I can tell by the way he stops eating and wipes his mouth that we did. What does he mean by our travels? We just got here. Are we being kicked out or something? No, because he said if we could bring one back. We look over at him and Aaron who are looking at each other with a silent conversation happening between them. Aaron has a look on his face when he shakes his head at his husband.

Eric suddenly appears to be unsure. Then whispers to Aaron. "You haven't asked them yet?" Aaron again shakes his head no. The air in the room changes from uncomfortable to awkward real quick. "I thought it was a done deal." Eric hangs his head with shame that he ruined our fun by spilling the beans.

I sit and wait patiently for an explanation. Daryl's deep voice breaks the heavy silence. "Ask us what?" He drawls.

Aaron looks at the both of us then down at our plates. We are both done eating which is what he seems to be checking on. He pushes his chair back. "Come with me."

He leads us to his garage. It is full of motorcycle parts and an unfinished motorcycle frame. He explains that the person who used to live there built them. Daryl points out that there are a lot of parts for just one bike. Aaron nods and explains whenever he goes outside the walls he looks for spare parts and brings them back. He says he figured eventually he was going to try to learn how to put it together. But until then he has no idea what to do with the parts.

He looks at Daryl and says, "I get the feeling you already know what to do with them." He waits for Daryl to respond and of course he doesn't. He stays silent and keeps looking around the garage with me. "The thing is you're going to need a bike."

Daryl's eyes dart to me then Aaron. "Why?"

"I told Deanna not to give you two jobs because… I think I already have one for you." Daryl and I exchange the briefest of looks. "I would like you two to be Alexandria's other recruiters. I don't want Eric risking his life anymore."

Daryl bristles up a little bit. "You want us riskin' ours, right?"

Aaron doesn't hesitate. "Yeah because you both know what you're doing. You are good out there. But you don't belong out there." I look at Daryl with a silent I told you so. He ignores me and nods at what Aaron is proposing.

I am surprised Aaron asked me but I'm not surprised he asked Daryl. It's one of the things he used to do back at the prison. He brought so many of them in and it made him a sort of celebrity at the prison. Everyone respected and admired him so much. He hated the attention but he deserved it. This job is perfect for him.

Daryl seems unconvinced so he asks, "Why us?"

"The main reason is because you both know the difference between a good person and a bad person."

My heart melts at Aaron's words. I'm touched and flattered. I'm also really happy that there is someone else besides me or our family reassuring Daryl of who he is. Aaron doesn't know us well. We are acquaintances but he can see the good in Daryl in the short time he has been around him. Maybe hearing someone else say it out loud, it might finally get through Daryl's thick skull that he is good. He isn't a dern outside cat anymore. He matters.

I look up at my fiance. He is clearly affected by Aaron's words. His eyes find mine. He looks apprehensive but hopeful. More hopeful than I've seen him in a long time. I smile at him to let him know I'm on board. Daryl nods and finally speaks, "Well it's not like we got anythin' else t'do."

It's late when we make our way home from Eric and Aaron's house. Judging by the position of the moon it's around 1 am. Our house is dark and quiet. We must be the last ones home. It's funny we wereone of the first to leave and now we are the last to arrive home from the party. We go to the basement and into our bedroom. It occurs to me that this will be the first night that Daryl and I sleep together… in the same bed. It's a big step for Daryl. I think it's the first time either of us are sharing a bed with someone. Butterflies flutter in my stomach and nerves race through me. I remind myself we are just going to be sleeping, but still.

Daryl shrugs off his vest and I can see in his movements, he is apprehensive. I know he will unintentionally make it weird if I am acting nervous. I internally shake away the nerves and decide to fake confidence. I pretend we have done this tons of times and I take off my sweater and exchange it for one of his tshirts. I take off my jeans and fold them neatly beside the bed next to my shoes. We are safer here which means we can sleep more comfortably. I can't remember the last time I slept without pants on. I pull back the covers and slide in.

Only then, do I glance over at Daryl. His back is turned to me. He is standing there in his undershirt and jeans. He looks like he is debating whether or not to take off his pants. He sits on his side of the bed and takes off his boots. Then he pauses for a moment. He finally lands on sleeping in his jeans. He lays on top of the covers and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

I roll to face him. "You can get under the covers, you know." I tell him gently.

He stares up at the ceiling. "Yeah I know."

This is all new for him and I know it's going to take him time so I decide not to push him any further. I'm a little disappointed but I know it's nothing personal. He will get there eventually. I roll over and face the wall.

"Goodnight Daryl."

"Night Evergreene."

I feel him get off the bed and turn out the lights. Then I feel the bed sink again. He shifts and makes himself comfortable. I close my eyes and wait for sleep to take me. "Hey." He rasps.

I turn to face him. In the dark, it's hard to make out his features. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust but when they do, I can see the line between his eyebrows that tells me he's deep in thought. I reach out and touch his cheek. His eyes close at the contact. When he opens his eyes, I give him a small smile of encouragement. I rub his cheek with my thumb. He takes a deep breath. "I love ya." He simply says. His tone is so sincere and sweet, it makes me want to cry.

"I love you too." I say back with a cheesy grin.

"It ain't cause I don't want to."

Sleeping under the covers is a big deal. "I know."

"We said we'd go slow. I don't trust myself."

My smile returns. "We did. But we are engaged so I think that entitles us to a little fun." I put my hand around his neck and draw him closer to me. My lips find his and my tongue licks his upper lip. He opens his mouth and his tongue swirls with mine a couple of times but I don't deepen the kiss.

After a minute more, I pull away with his lips still chasing mine. "See." I say triumphantly.

He huffs a laugh and his strong hand holds my hip over the covers. I want to keep the contact so I put my head on his shoulder. His hand moves to my lower back and I settle into the crook of his neck. He doesn't seem to mind so I let out a content sigh.

After a few minutes, I can't help but tease him. "Hey Daryl guess what?"

He groans, "What, woman? I'm trying to sleep." He says half jokingly.

"We're snuggling." I giggle and nuzzle his neck for good measure. I feel his face pull into a smile but he doesn't respond with words. Instead he holds me closer. I smile into his neck and give it a tiny peck. "Night."

"Night."