A/N Thank you everyone! These two don't quite know what to do about themselves or each other. Let's see if they figure anything out.
I hope you enjoy!
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His excited four-year-old son is skipping beside him and Daryl knows that's all he should be thinking about right now, how sweet it is to see his little boy so happy. Instead, he's angry. Not at Teddy, the little guy hasn't done a thing wrong, he's angry with himself. This is ridiculous and he's being stupid, they don't need any Jell-O and he sure as hell doesn't need to be sitting at the counter of the Solo Café sneaking looks at the waitress.
His thoughts don't stop his feet from walking that way.
As they enter the café the little bell on the door chimes, and when Beth turns to see who it is a smile spreads across her face. It's so warm and welcoming and he could swear her eyes are smiling at him too, but he knows she didn't mean to show so much feeling when she quickly turns away and starts filling their water glasses.
Her smile is still pretty, still friendly, but far more subdued than what it was, "Good afternoon gentlemen, am I right to think you've already eaten your lunch? Teddy?"
The little boy nods, "Yes 'em. I ate my whole sandish, now I like Jell-O peez."
She smiles, "Jell-O is the perfect dessert, isn't it? Would you like to have the cherry flavor or lime flavor? We have both today."
He looks to his Daddy and asks, "Line?"
"Nah, probably not for you buddy, better stick with cherry," Then he turns to Beth and says, "Two cherry Jell-Os please, and I'd have a cuppa coffee with mine, thanks."
"Good choice, coming right up." She sets the desserts in front of them, both parfait glasses are filled with Jell-O cut into cubes and topped with a dollop of whipped cream, and Beth has the same smile she gives everyone when she says, "Enjoy gentlemen." Daryl's scooping his whipped cream up with a spoon and stirring it in his coffee, while he sneaks a look at her walking away.
He wonders what she's feeling. He's not even sure what he's feeling.
of course Beth has no idea what's going on in his mind, she's just disappointed she doesn't have idle time to busy herself at his end of the counter. Maybe she and Daryl could exchange a few words.
Daryl hasn't missed the way the other fellas at the counter are extra nice and cheerful with Beth. Sure, those same guys were always real polite with Olivia, she was a good woman and a topnotch waitress, but this isn't quite the same. The way they're looking at, and chatting up Beth, it's a different thing altogether.
There's no missing how pretty she looks in that pink checked uniform; she's even got a little pink silk scarf tied around the band on her ponytail. It gets warm when you're hurrying back and forth in a busy café and the warmth has made her cheeks turn as pink as her uniform. The finishing touch is the way her soft blonde curls have escaped her ponytail and are now framing her pretty face.
Why wouldn't the guys be looking?
He can't blame them for looking, but still Daryl feels the jealousy well up in his chest. It's a feeling he's never had before, and now he's angry with himself. What does he think he's going to do about all this, start beating guys up because they're attracted to the waitress? Just like he is? Shit.
She's busy delivering slices of pie and Daryl understands she's moving as fast as she can, but he can't hang around the café any longer. It's five minutes to one and he has to get back to the shop. He doesn't even wait for the check, he just lays his money down and as he and Teddy are walking out the door, he quietly calls outs, "Money's on the counter, thanks Beth."
"Oh, okay, thank you Daryl, thank you Teddy." Darn it.
Once the rush starts to die down Beth walks to the end of the counter to clear Daryl's dishes and put the money in the till. He couldn't possibly have meant to tip her the 40 cents that's left over, he obviously overpaid. She'll give it back to him tomorrow.
In the meantime, on their walk back to the shop Daryl gives himself a silent and very stern lecture. He's got to knock this off. Shit, what he just saw at the café made it clear, half the men in town would drop everything else they're doing just for a chance to hold Beth's hand, and they'd be thinking about doing a lot more than just hand-holding.
In his heart he knows, there's no way Beth would want anything to do with him outside the cafe. He's got Teddy and he's got his past, she'd have questions and want to know about what happened and about Teddy, she'd have every right to know, and she wouldn't like what he had to tell her. Besides, as much as she seems to like Teddy, he knows that's just part of the job. It's one thing to nice and friendly with the little boy, it's something else altogether to take on another woman's child. Nah, she deserves much better than what he could ever give her.
He stops in his tracks, he's managed to stun himself. Why is he even thinking about all this shit? They don't even know each other, and that's how it's going to stay.
No more afternoon treats at the Solo Café.
She was serving a slice of pie on Tuesday and after cheerfully setting it down in front of the customer she went back to the kitchen and asked Jim, "Who makes your pies?"
"I get them from a bakery across town. They sure aren't a money maker either. I can't charge what I should, but I can't bake and you gotta have pie in a café, folks expect it."
Beth nods and she's all business when she makes her proposal, "Maybe I could bake the pies for you, what I can't get done on my shift, I can stay a little late to finish up. I'm going to brag about myself and tell you, when it comes to baking I really know my way around the kitchen. You'd be serving much better pie than you are now, so I bet you'd sell more and even make some money." Phew, she got it all out and she thinks her proposal sounds good.
Jim's brows raised and he agreed, "Oh yeah? All right. I tell ya what Beth. You make two pies today. I'm pretty sure I have everything ya need for chocolate and apple. We'll see how ya do, and if they pass the Jim taste test, well you got the job. I'll pay ya a dollar a pie and your regular wage for any extra time ya work. Deal?"
"Deal."
She baked the two pies and it just took one taste of the chocolate for Jim to agree, "Best darn pie crust I ever ate Beth. You got yourself a new job." She made Jim a list and he purchased the ingredients that she'll need to bake several pies over the next week. They're both happy with the deal.
Wednesday morning bright and early Daryl and Teddy Dixon take their places at the counter. Beth sets their waters down and smiles, "Good morning gentlemen, can I get you coffee and milk?"
"Yes, please Beth."
She brings his coffee and Teddy's milk, reaches in her pocket and slides the forty cents toward Daryl saying, "I know you were in a hurry yesterday, but you had change coming."
He looks in her eyes and says, "If I left it, it's cuz I meant for you ta have it."
Whether he intended to express it or not, Beth can feel the warmth in his look and it makes the blush rise on her cheeks, "Oh, well, um all right, well thank you." Oh for goodness sake Beth, calm yourself down.
She didn't expect his breakfast order to change, and sure enough it doesn't, but she calls it in to Jim like it's a surprise, and when she brings their plates she smiles again, "I hope you enjoy your breakfast," and begins to walk away, but Teddy stops her when he says, "Guess what Bet?"
"Well gee, I don't have any idea, what Teddy?"
"Daddy said he's gonna get me a fishin' pole real soon."
"Oh my goodness, that's wonderful news. I'm so happy for you Teddy, and I hope you catch a big fish."
"Tanks, I will, I'n sure I will. Daddy's gonna teach me."
Hell, even Teddy's chatting up the new waitress, and Daryl hasn't failed to notice how sweet Beth is with his son, or the fact she gives his little boy her genuine smile. That's just her being her sweet self though. Yeah, part of the job.
He's given himself several stern lectures now, but he can't seem to listen or do what he should. That very afternoon over peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, he hears himself say to Teddy, "Did ya notice the pies in the dessert case? I seen they had a peach one, that's my favorite."
Teddy already has many of his Daddy's mannerisms, and the little boy shrugs, "I like chocyute."
"Yeah, chocolate's good too. Ya wanna go over ta the café after ya finish that sandwich, maybe try a slice?"
Teddy sits up straighter and smiles, "Yes Daddy, yes!" And hurriedly chomps the sandwich down. All the while Daddy is asking himself, what the fuck is wrong with you Dixon?
So it happens that just like Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday afternoon the Dixon men are back on their stools and ordering dessert. Beth gives Teddy a big smile and asks, "What kind of pie can I get you Teddy?"
"You have chocyute?"
"I believe I have one slice left."
"That one."
Daryl's hand immediately goes to the boy's shoulder and he leans close, he doesn't so much get after the boy, he simply questions, "Is that how you're s'pose ta ask?"
The boy sits up a little straighter and says, "Sorry Miz Bet, can I have chocyute peez?"
"Yessir you can, and guess what Teddy?"
"What?"
"I made it myself. Yesterday I stayed a little late and I made a chocolate pie and an apple pie."
Daryl had his mouth all set on a slice of peach pie, but she just changed all that. He nods, "Sounds good, I'd like a piece of the apple and a cuppa coffee, please."
"Sure, and would you gentlemen like a scoop of vanilla ice cream with your pie?"
The little boy gives his Daddy a hopeful look, and Daryl shrugs and tells her, "Yes please. Being's how I'ma fry up some venison steak for supper tonight, and I usually manage ta get it about like shoe leather, we probably should have some a that ice cream and maybe we can spoil our appetites." What the hell's gotten into him?
She can't believe she would take it upon herself to tell this man how to cook, but she suggests, "I'd be happy to share a few ideas with you about how you could prepare those steaks so they're nice and tender."
Now he's floored, unsure what to do or say. If he was a thinking man, and a more self-confident man when it comes to this women, he might ask her to come have dinner with them tonight. She could show him firsthand how it's done. But no, as close as Daryl gets is, "Yeah, maybe some time we can do that." If only she knew what a huge step even that is for him.
She feels a twinge of disappointment, she was hoping maybe he'd want to talk with her after work. Then she scolds, stop it Beth, it's way too soon. Besides, you don't even know each other, and you're supposed to be concentrating on getting better.
Daryl and Teddy are halfway through their pie when she walks down to their end of the counter and begins wiping up some imaginary spill. Teddy has ice cream and chocolate all over his little face when he smiles at her and says, "it's licious Bet. You could make more."
Daryl stays quiet, silently agreeing with his son, while Beth smiles her genuine smile at the little guy and says, "Thank you so much Teddy. I love to bake. This afternoon I'll be staying on after my shift to make even more pies, peach and raisin and cherry."
"There's cherdee pie?"
She smiles, "There is such a thing as cherry pie, and it's sooo yummy."
Teddy looks at his Daddy like he's been cheated, "Daddy, there's cherdee pie."
Daryl's pretty sure he's lost his mind completely when he says, "Oh yeah? You better have some a that then. If ya would Beth, could ya hold back a slice of the cherry and one a the peach for me n Teddy tomorrow? We'll be in at the noon hour."
She can feel her face heating up, oh no, she must be as red as a tomato, but she tries not to sound as flustered as she feels, "Oh, well yes, of course. I'd be happy to do that."
When she clears their dishes she finds it under his plate, oh my goodness, 50 cents.
On the walk back to the shop Teddy is holding his hand and tugging on his arm, not because he wants something. The boy is just so darn happy and excited. It's got Daryl thinking, shit, how boring is life for this kid that he only has the prospect of having a piece of pie to get excited about? Things have to change. He needs to start doing more stuff with Teddy, more stuff that kids like.
When Teddy was born Daryl made a promise to himself and to the infant boy. He swore he'd be a good Daddy, that he'd never lay an angry hand on Teddy, or worse, yell at him and tell him he's worthless. He never has, but now it occurs to him, that isn't enough. There needs to be some fun in life too. Maybe they both need that.
It's not that Daryl isn't willing, it's just that he never thinks about that stuff. When he was growing up they never played or had family fun, shit…well…it was different. He went out on his own even as a little guy, or he went with Merle and they made their fun on their own.
He knows a place they could make a little start, and they could make that start Saturday. Daryl's walked by the park a million times, they have all kinds of stuff kids like. Swings and slides, a jungle gym and seesaws, Teddy would have a swell time, maybe he'd even make some friends. That's another concept that's a bit foreign to his Daddy. Making friends. But Teddy deserves that chance and now his Daddy has a plan. Saturday after they do their chores, he and Teddy are going to the park.
Wednesday afternoon there's a lull after lunch and it seems like a good time to get started baking her pies. Just like Beth promised Daryl and Teddy, she'll be making cherry, raisin and peach today. She's just about to put the pies in the oven when Amy arrives for her shift.
Amy's as excited about the idea of homemade pies as Jim is and she tells the boss, "I want a slice of Beth's pie for my shift meal, Jim."
He nods, "I got a feeling pie's about to become the most popular item on the menu." Then an idea comes to him and he asks, "Say Beth, do ya know how to make biscuits and dinner rolls? I been paying for those too."
"I've been baking with Mama since I was a little girl. With me doing your baking we could even add some things, like cornbread and breakfast pastry."
Jim's all smiles, "Beth, you just became the official baker for the Solo Café."
Mama and Daddy have always told her she has a special talent for baking, Mama would say, "It's just in you Beth, no one can make a flakier pie crust or a fluffier biscuit." But gosh, coming from someone besides her parents it's even more flattering. It feels good to be recognized for her skills, plus, she's going to be making a little extra cash. It's like she's gone in business for herself.
Finally Beth sits to have her shift meal, and Amy delivers the hot turkey sandwich and dinner salad to her, "Thank you Amy, I was about to faint from not eating."
Amy chides her, "You know Beth, you can have a little something during your shift, Jim doesn't expect you to starve yourself."
"I just never think about it until I finally stop and sit down, by then I'm sure I'm about to starve."
Amy nods and then leans in a little closer, whispering, "So, Daryl Dixon is one of your regular customers, isn't he?"
Beth can't imagine what this is all about, "Yes, him and his little boy, Teddy."
Amy smiles, "Gee whiz, half the women in this town are crazy over him, including my sister, Andrea. She just won't leave the guy alone, and she's not the only one, there are several others."
Beth looks down hoping Amy won't see how red her cheeks are, "Oh, well I guess they wouldn't come around here and bother him at 6:30am in the morning."
Amy laughs, "You're right about that. Besides, I think my sister's her husband is in here about that time of day. She can't be doing her flirting in front of him."
Suddenly Beth's tummy is in no mood to eat, "Oh, no I don't think that would do. Um, Amy, I need to get to something upstairs. Could you put some foil over these for me please? I'll bring the dishes back in the morning."
Upstairs in her room she sits at the little table with her foil wrapped dinner in front of her. She knows she has to eat, and she's doing her best to nibble at the food while she stares out the window at the street below. It's after five and the street is busy with folks heading home from work, and there he is, Daryl. It's just him and Teddy, there's no woman. Even if there was, what business is it of hers? And why is she feeling sad about other women being attracted to him? Why wouldn't they be?
After she eats she gets out her journal and makes a list of her accomplishments so far this week. The fact she's added a second job is certainly the biggest, but she's also got her own place and she hasn't even thought for a minute about giving up the job and the apartment to go back home to Mama and Daddy. She's all right with living alone. At least for a while.
Someday though, someday she might like to meet a nice man. She's always wanted to get married and have a family, and for some reasons she can't explain to herself or her journal, Daryl Dion just seems like a man she could care for in that way. Of course she likes his looks and his build, but it's other things about him too. It's the simple way he is. And although he's so strong and manly, and that's certainly attractive, it's something else that's not so obvious. It's the tenderness she can see when he talks to Teddy, and to her too.
Who's she kidding? A man like him would never be interested in a woman like her. From what Amy said, it sounds like he can have darn near any woman he wants. Besides, she knows he's seen the scar and she knows he knows what it's from. He'd want to know all about what she tried to do, and he'd want to know why. He'd have every right to know and she'd have to tell him. Boy he'd probably run like the wind when she was done with that one.
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A/N Aw geez. Please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I'll be back next week with more of Love at the Solo Café, and we're going to have some very interesting developments so, I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large, xo gneebee