The Wedding Date

AN: It's time to MEET THE FAMILY! Let's see what happens shall we…


Chapter 5

Now Daryl Dixon wasn't a religious man by any stretch of the imagination. But when Beth leaned in and kissed him in full view of her father and sister, Daryl began to pray very earnestly that he wouldn't pull away to see the business end of her Daddy's shotgun shoved into his face. He stiffened up noticeably.

Beth pulled back and look at him with a raised eyebrow. "You look constipated right now," she told him point blank.

Daryl sighed. "Ya caught me off guard. Wasn' expectin' ya ta do that."

Beth giggled. "Well, we are supposed ta be datin', so makes sense we'll be kissin'."

Daryl felt his face heat up. He ducked his head down. "Coulda warned me," he said lowly.

"Ya better get used to it, cause we have ta be convincin', and right now I don't think their very convinced," Beth said, her eyes rolling toward the two silent observers still sitting on the porch. Her sister and father were whispering back and forth, and Beth saw her sister shrug and gesture toward the two of them. "I think Maggie is tellin' Daddy to behave himself. I'm sure he's already said somethin' about us," Beth said, rolling her eyes.

Daryl scoffed. "Only one somethin'? He's probably said a whole lot of somethin' I bet."

Beth leaned in again. "Let's make it more believable then," she whispered against his lips. Daryl leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Pulling her closer, he wrapped his arm around her waist. Beth moaned in the back of her throat, and Daryl felt his blood rush downward. His tongue traced her lips, and Beth opened up, letting his tongue sweep inside.

Suddenly, they heard Maggie yell, "ALL RIGHT LOVEBIRDS! SHOW'S OVER!"

Beth drew back, groaning. "Guess they bought it."

Daryl tried to adjust himself discreetly. Beth noticed and politely looked away. "Sorry about that. I'll give ya a minute ta get yerself together," Beth said, reaching for the door handle. Daryl grunted and Beth took that as a yes. She stepped out of the cab of the truck and closed the door before running toward the porch.

Daryl watched as Beth wrapped her arms around her sister, hugging her tightly before turning toward her father. She hugged him and he watched as Hershel gestured toward him and said something. Beth looked back at him and nodded at whatever Hershel had said to her.

Daryl took a deep breath. Here we go

He opened the door and stepped out. He walked toward the trio on the porch feeling like he was heading toward his execution. He watched as Maggie nudged Beth and smirked at her, causing Beth to blush. Hershel stared at him, a blank look on his face. Daryl noted with a small sigh of relief that Hershel's shotgun wasn't on the porch. He stopped at the bottom of the porch, waiting.

Hershel Greene looked at the man his Bethy said was her new boyfriend. He had been expecting someone younger. This was a grown man, his hair slightly longer than average and looking rather unkempt. Hershel figured he was at least in his thirties. The "young man" was standing there looking extremely uncomfortable and Hershel almost chuckled. Beth practically danced back down the stairs and slipped her arm through Daryl's.

"Daddy…Maggie…this is Daryl Dixon. My boyfriend," Beth said, a huge smile on her face.

Maggie scoffed. "Think he's a little old ta be called a boyfriend, Bethy." Beth just gave her sister a dirty look before looking toward Hershel, her face expectant.

Hershel pursed his lips and gave the couple a once over. Daryl met his gaze steadily, although his color was a bit high. Hershel nodded to himself. He held his hand out. Daryl and Beth stepped up together and Daryl reached out his own hand, pumping Hershel's swiftly.

"Pleasure to meet ya, Daryl. Welcome to our home. I hope ya enjoy yer stay here," Hershel told him. Daryl nodded once in answer. He realized Daryl had yet to open his mouth and speak.

"Well, Bethy hasn't told us a lot about ya, Daryl. What do ya do for a livin'?" Hershel asked him.

Daryl looked down; his face partially hidden by his hair. "M' a mechanic."

Hershel wasn't surprised by the gravelly tone of his voice. He smelled the scent of old cigarettes around Daryl, and knew the man was a smoker. He had also felt the callouses on his hand, and knew he was a hard worker. Hershel had also noticed the way Daryl look at his daughter. And the way she looked at him.

"Well, I'm sure you kids are tired and hungry after your trip. It's gonna be a long week, so better get rested up while ya can. Bring yer things inside. Bethy, why don't ya show Daryl here to Shawn's old room." Hershel turned around, heading into the house.

Beth smirked and shot Daryl an "I told ya so" look. He scoffed and headed back to the truck to grab his bags and a couple of hers.

"Lead on, Macduff.." he told her once he returned to the porch. Beth laughed. "It's Lay on, Macduff."

"What fuckin' ever…" Daryl grumbled under his breath.

Maggie laughed. "This is definitely gonna be an interestin' week…" she said as she followed the lovebirds into the house.