A/N Thank you all so much! Let's see...Andrea acted up and Beth got hurt, Daryl doesn't know what to do, Teddy brought a flower, and Erma came though for the win. Yay Erma!
Enjoy!
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Beth's head is spinning, she never expected anything like this to happen. Her plan had been so simple, go to services at a new church and see if it was a fit for her. After that, she was going home to change clothes and rest a little before going downstairs to bake. She really has no excuse for not going to Sunday dinner, and although she feels a bit anxious, she doesn't want to make an excuse, "Thank you so much, Miz Horvath. That's very thoughtful of you. I'd be happy to join your family for dinner."
If Beth said what's on her mind, and if she were being real honest about that, she'd admit she's excited to spend some time with Daryl and Teddy apart from the Solo Café. Then again, she's also a nervous wreck who can't bring herself to look his way.
Oh my gosh, but what about that woman he was with yesterday? Is there something to that? Beth's glad to be going to church, she has a lot to pray about.
Oh no, then she sees that same blonde woman, oh my gosh. She's sitting in the fourth pew on the right side, and the man she's with must be her husband. Amy said her sister's husband comes to the café every morning for breakfast, and Beth is sure that's him. His name is Negan Smith. He's beyond flirtatious and…no, stop Beth. She's not going to let herself think gossipy thoughts in church.
She's seen it at her own church back home, the unspoken rule about which pew belongs to which family. Although the church has filled up, the third pew on the left is empty. Erma leads her right up to it, then steps aside as Dale Horvath steps in, Erma follows, and then Teddy take's Beth's hand and says, "Come Miz Bet," and she follows the boy into the pew and sits next to him. Daryl's right behind her, and oh my goodness, she's going to spend the next hour or so sitting between Teddy and his Daddy.
He's trying to be as sneaky as he knows how to be, but Daryl can't stop looking at her. He just can't believe this pretty woman is sitting next to him. Even though her delicate hands are folded in her lap, he can see they're shaking and he's fighting the urge to take her hand in his and whisper, "It's okay." What's okay? He has no idea. And why wouldn't she be nervous? Shit, she kind of got railroaded into this whole deal. She's going along though, and for a minute he let's himself hope it's because she wants to be here.
The service won't start for another five minutes, and poor Beth's tummy is twisting from the nerves she's feeling. Her palms are damp and her heart is beating so hard, while the other congregants seem to be keeping quite busy whispering among themselves. No doubt they're speculating about what in the world Daryl Dixon and this pretty blonde woman are doing side by side at church. Hmm. Some of them know who she is, the new waitress from the Solo Café. That information makes the rounds quickly, and from there, there's almost as many ideas about Daryl Dixon and Beth Greene as there are congregants.
Beth holds Teddy's hand because…well she's crazy about the little guy and the human touch brings some comfort to her. Finally, the preacher walks in and everyone quiets and sits up straighter. His greeting has Beth's face turning bright red, "Good Sunday morning and blessings everyone. I hear we have a newcomer with us this morning, Beth Greene has joined us." She's afraid she'll faint when he adds, "Please stand Miss Greene, so everyone can say hello and welcome you to our faith community." There is courteous applause from the congregants, and Beth is just hoping this all ends quickly.
It doesn't end there, the preacher says, "Let's all hold up our hands toward Beth as we pray to the Lord for blessings…" and he goes on with lengthy words of prayer. Beth forces herself to keep smiling, but Daryl sees the discomfort behind her smile, and then he sees her legs tremble and he's worried she might tip over. For just a moment his hand moves to the small of her back, like he's trying to steady her, and he whispers, "Almost over."
It may only be a small gesture, but it does make everything so much better. And then Beth wonders if the blonde woman saw Daryl touch her, and she hopes she did. That hope is immediately followed by a pang of guilt for thinking about those things in church.
Thank goodness the rest of the service is uneventful. Afterward, just like with most churches, the congregants mingle out front talking about the week they've had and the week to come. Daryl stands near her, and so do the Horvaths, as they all keep an eye on Teddy who's running around with some other children. Beth smiles at Daryl, "He's having so much fun."
"Yeah, he has a much easier time gettin' to know people than I ever have. I think that's probably good."
Hmm, is he trying to tell her something? What about the blonde woman, Andrea, what's going on between the two of them? Oh my gosh, Beth doesn't want to think about that right now, everything has gone so well. Then she watches as Andrea and Negan Smith come walking toward them.
Negan Smith is loud with a big smile that Beth's not convinced is genuine, and she's heard rumors that he's a womanizer. She's also heard he likes to belittle other men, even get in fistfights with them. Again she tells herself, stop it Beth, that's gossip. Then Andrea starts to speak and Beth can't help noticing the woman is practically purring like a cat when she says, "Hi Daryl," then like an afterthought says, "and you too, Beth is it? And of course, Mister and Miz Horvath. I hope you're all well."
Dale knows what the Smith's are about and he's in no mood to converse with them, "I think I can speak for all of us when I say we're doing just fine. We'll be leaving now to have our dinner. You two have a blessed Sunday."
Beth has never been so happy to be leaving church. Daryl rounds up Teddy and they all get in the black sedan, Beth, Erma and Teddy in the back, and the men up front. As Daryl makes the short drive he wishes he could think of a way to let Beth know that there's nothing going on between him and Andrea, there never will be.
Erma doesn't want Beth to lift a finger, "You're our guest," but Beth won't sit idly by and watch another woman work, together they get the food from the kitchen and set it on the dining table. There's pea salad and a Jell-O mold, creamed potatoes, deviled eggs, sliced tomatoes and fresh pickles, stuffed celery and cornbread, and a chocolate cake for dessert. Beth could have easily lifted the platter with the ham, but Erma smiles, "No Dear, we have to let the men do a little something too, and besides, they need to feel needed." Then she calls to Daryl in the living room, "Honey, would you carry the ham to the table please, it's a little heavy." Beth fights a smile, Miz Erma is a bit of a character.
"Yes, Ma'am."
The food's on the table and Erma smiles as she takes Beth's arm "Come Dear, let's sit."
Beth's not surprised Dale will lead them in a blessing, but what Beth didn't expect was that she'd be seated next to Daryl and that he'd be holding her hand during the prayer. They're all holding hands while the blessing is said, she likes the nice tradition, although she has a little difficulty focusing on grace when Daryl's big powerful hand is wrapped around hers.
The dinner conversation is pleasant, and although Dale and Erma ask her some questions, none are overly personal. It's all things like where she grew up and what brought her to Smithton. It seems warm and friendly, like they genuinely want to get to know her better. They ask how she likes her work at the Solo Café, and she tells them how much she enjoys working there. She hopes she doesn't sound like she's bragging when she tells them about her new job as the baker for the café, "Pies, rolls and biscuits. I love to bake so I think I'm going to enjoy it."
That's when Teddy looks up from his plate, smiles at Beth and says, "Yum, cherdee pie."
Erma can see the affection the little boy has for the young woman, and it warms her heart. She asks Teddy, "Is that your favorite now Teddy, cherry pie?"
"Yes Antie Erm, it's licious."
It surprises Beth to see Daryl help clear the table after their meal, men don't usually do that sort of thing. Daryl even has Teddy carrying little handfuls of this and that to help, napkins and spoons, things that can't break or hurt him. In the meantime Dale's setting up the checkerboard in the living room.
Beth starts washing dishes as Erma's packing up the leftovers, and the woman says, "I always send Daryl and Teddy home with enough leftovers to last them a night or two. The poor man isn't much of a cook. I'll pack you up some too."
Beth smiles, "I appreciate that Ma'am, but I ate so much at dinner I know I won't eat again today, and I get a dinner meal every day at work."
"Really? How nice. Well, I'll at least send you home with a slice of cake for a snack."
Beth smiles, "That's very thoughtful, thank you."
Once the kitchen work is done, the women go to the living room. The men are each sitting in a wing chair, facing an occasional table with a checkerboard, and it appears they're in the midst of a serious match.
Teddy's laying on his tummy on the floor playing with little cars and even making car noises, but when the women take a seat on the sofa, he walks over to Beth, pats her leg and holds out his arms to her. She's delighted he would choose her to hold him, "Hi Teddy, yes, come and sit with me." She lifts him, he settles in on her lap and her fingers softly comb through his hair. It's not more than a minute or two when he's sound asleep.
Erma and Dale notice the way Daryl looks at Beth holding his son, and the older couple smile at each other as they observe the feelings between these two and think, they just need a little encouragement.
It's only twenty minutes or so later that Beth says, "I've appreciated spending this wonderful day with all of you so much, but I'm afraid I have to leave. I promised to meet Jim at the café."
Dale speaks up, "Daryl, why don't you lay Teddy in his bed, me and Erma will keep an eye on him while you walk Beth home."
"Yeah, yeah, okay."
As soon as Daryl leaves the room with the sleeping boy, Erma says, "Come to the kitchen with me Beth, let me give you that slice of cake."
"Oh, yes, thank you Ma'am." She's still trying to get used to the idea Daryl is going to walk her home.
Erma hands her the dessert plate wrapped in foil, then reaches for her other hand, "I would not presume to interfere in your personal life Beth, all I'm going to say is, you will never find a man with a bigger heart than Daryl Dixon."
Beth feels the warmth in her cheeks and all she can say is, "Yes Ma'am."
She's so grateful when Daryl pokes his head in the kitchen door, "Ya ready Beth?"
She responds, "Yes coming," then turns to her hostess and says, "Thank you again Ma'am, it's been a lovely day." Then it comes to her, "Wait, what about your plate..."
The older woman smiles, "Let's plan on you bringing my plate back to me next Sunday. We'll sit together at church and then, of course, you'll come to dinner."
"Well, thank you, but only if you'll let me bring something."
Erma smiles, "It's not necessary dear, although I think there's someone who would be delighted if you brought a cherry pie."
He carries the plate on their walk home, and she wishes he'd take her hand. Maybe he doesn't because of Andrea. That's a thought Beth doesn't want to have, so she cheerfully comments, "That was a wonderful meal."
"Yeah, Miz Erma is a real fine lady and a good cook. People don't come any better than the Horvaths, they're like family to me."
Ah, "like family," so they're not really his family, hmm.
As they near the café she tells him, "I need to go home first, I want to change before I start baking." She smiles, "And I have to put my cake away for later."
"Yeah, okay, I'll walk ya around."
"You don't have to."
"No, I will."
She can't invite him up, that would seem so forward, and besides, she's going to be changing her clothes, "All right, thank you. I'll hurry."
"Nah, take your time, I'll wait."
While she's upstairs scurrying around so she doesn't keep him waiting, he's leaning against the brick wall of the building and enjoying a smoke. He won't smoke in front of Teddy, and he won't smoke inside the house or the shop, or in front of the Horvaths. That's knocked his pack a day habit down to one or two cigarettes a day.
He's just put the cigarette out as she emerges from the building, and damn, she looks so cute. She's wearing capris and a blouse with the shirttails tied together at her waist, bobby socks and penny loafers. He'd like to take her in his arms right now, explain to her about Andrea and that he has no feelings for the woman, and then give Beth a kiss. Instead he asks, "Ya ready?"
She smiles so shyly, "Yes, I'm ready."
They walk around to the front of the building and when they reach the door she says, "Well…um…thank you for walking me, Daryl. I guess I'll see you in the morning."
Dammit, he wants to tell her and he wants to kiss her, but all he does is say, "Yeah, all right, I'll see ya in the mornin' Beth," and he turns to go.
Beth's shoulders slump a little as she watches him walk away, then she turns to the door and reaches for the knob. That's when she feels his strong hand on her elbow, "Umm, hey, Beth, I…I just wanna say, Andrea? She don't mean nuthin' ta me. I keep telling her ta leave me alone, but she won't listen." He breathes in deeply and adds, "Anyway, I wanted you ta know, I ain't with her. I ain't with anyone."
"Oh."
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A/N Well it's a step in the right direction. Please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, please have a look. I Hope to see you back next Thursday for more of Love at the Solo Café. Thank you all so much, and remember, I love ya large xo gneebee