A/N Thank you everyone. In this chapter we're going to follow our couple, and of course Master Teddy, during their first few days as a family. It's all leading up to something.
I hope you enjoy!
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Neither one would ever say it out loud, but Daryl and Beth are both relieved when Merle, Enid and Amy don't stay long. Merle smiles that big knowing smile of his and says, "I gotta get Enid moved in, then take her n Amy out for a bite ta eat. You two have a swell evening." He can't help winking at his brother as he leans to kiss Beth's cheek and rough Teddy's hair.
Beth hugs Enid and smiles, "I left you a uniform in the closet, and don't worry, I'll be there in the morning to show you everything. Alright?"
"Oh that's such good news, thank you Beth, and thank you for helping me find a way off the farm." The women all hug and then they're gone, it's just the small Dixon family alone together.
It's only four o'clock but they've all had a big day and Beth asks, "Are you hungry Teddy? Daryl? I can fix us a little dinner."
Teddy smiles up at her, "Peez," then quickly runs in his room to get his truck and show her, "See Mama, I getted it for Crizmiss. It's red."
"I see it's bright red, and it looks so big and powerful. Why don't you take it in the backyard and play while I get dinner started."
"Yes Mama, Daddy, we can play?"
Daryl looks to Beth like he's seeking permission, she smiles, "I can take care of dinner Daryl, I think the two of you playing outside sounds like a wonderful idea."
She works a little magic transforming what's left of the wedding food into a meal that seems new and different and when it's ready, the small family sits, hold hands, and like he has every night since he moved Teddy to Smithton, Daryl says grace. It hits Beth then; she realizes the significance of this casual dinner of leftover foods. She smiles at Daryl and Teddy and says, "This is our first meal together in our home, as a real family."
Daryl reaches over and gives her hand a soft squeeze, while Teddy looks at her and says, "Yer my Mama, Bet," then shoves a big bite of roast in his mouth.
She smiles at him and says, "I sure am and I'm very happy about that."
After dinner his Daddy reminds him, "Okay now, we all gotta help clean up, then we can show Beth your Erector set. K?"
"Yes Daddy, I'ma keen it all. Mama, you wanna see my recktor set?"
Every time he calls her Mama it tugs at Beth's heartstrings and almost brings tears to her eyes. She can't help caressing his soft curls when she tells the little boy, "I can hardly wait to see it. I'm going to hurry with my work."
They're almost done when the telephone rings, Daryl answers, "Yes Ma'am, he sure did, made it home safe n sound and we just had dinner. Thanks again for sendin' us with all that food, we've enjoyed it. Yeah, I mean yes Ma'am, she's right here." He hands Beth the receiver saying, "It's your Mama."
"I won't keep you Bethie, I just wanted to make sure you all got home. Daddy and I are so happy for all of you, and my gosh, we just love that little Teddy to pieces. You bring him around again just as soon as you can, all right?"
Beth's smiling, "Yes Mama, and thank you. We're all here safe and happy spending our first evening together as an official family." Mama's almost as happy as her daughter. She worried about Beth and her sadness for so long, this change has been a gift from God.
There's playtime and shower time, but this time, it's Daryl and Teddy showering together. Beth will have her bath later. She's sorting through some of her fabrics while Teddy's Daddy is helping the little boy into his pj's, then getting their clothes set out for the next day. After all of that is settled it's time for what is obviously a nightly ritual in the Dixon home, a half hour television program. Daryl and Teddy always watch a western, but he realizes that might not appeal to Beth and asks her, "Ya all right with watchin' Hopalong Cassidy? We can watch sumthin' else if ya want."
"That sounds just fine to me, and besides, I wouldn't have any idea what else is on."
He walks to the set and turns the knob, and it takes a minute for the screen to warm up and the picture to come on. He fiddles with the small antenna gadget sitting on top of the set, and mumbles, "Next week I'm puttin' one a them big antennas on the roof," the picture is adjusted, the sound just right, and it's not much more than a minute later when the show comes on and the three of them are snuggled together on the couch watching Hopalong, and his sidekick Red, drink sarsaparilla at the saloon.
For Beth the best part of the evening is what comes next. They tuck Teddy into his bed and get the story book. Her and Daryl take turns reading the pages and they all talk about what's happening in the story as they look at each illustration. When the story is done there are hugs and goodnight kisses, and Beth can't imagine anything more special.
She takes a quick bubble bath while Daryl buttons up the house, and then there's a knock on the bathroom door. "C'mon in."
"Ya sure?"
"I'm covered in bubbles and yes, I'm sure."
He walks in, shuts the door behind him and leans against the counter across from her. He looks so nervous, like they haven't already explored each other's bodies quite thoroughly. His voice is not much more than a whisper when he says, "That looks kinda fun."
She smiles up at him, "It is kinda fun."
"Maybe I gotta try it with ya sometime."
"Maybe we make a plan to try it together some Saturday night after Teddy goes to bed."
Wow, he didn't expect to get an invitation quite like that, but he likes it, "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Then she smiles, "Did you come in here to ask me something, or did you just want to make sure I was really taking a bath?"
"Oh, oh yeah, I's wonderin'…I usually pack me n Teddy up a lunch ta eat at work. Now things are different, whaddya wanna do about all that tomorrow?"
"I'm only planning to work until noon. Why don't you and Teddy come by the Solo then and we can all have lunch together. Before you go back to the shop maybe you can help me get all the baking supplies home."
"Yeah, okay, sounds good. I'll bring the truck so ya don't have ta carry anythin'. Teddy will probably fall asleep before we even get home." Then it occurs to him, "I mean, is it okay if Teddy stays here with you after lunch? I could take him back ta the shop with me if ya want."
She realizes now, there is so much of this kind of thing they are going to be wondering and worrying about as they find their way in this new life they're building. "I hope you'll leave him home with me." She reaches a hand out to him, and wet and dripping or not, he takes it, "Daryl, I don't just want to say I'm Teddy's Mama, I want to be his Mama. I want to take care of him."
He doesn't have to say how relieved he is, or how moved. She can read it all over his face. "Okay, yeah. Well, these next two days let's do it like this. We can all walk down ta the café together in the mornin'. We'll have breakfast, then Teddy and me will be there at noon ta eat with ya, then I'll bring ya both home."
"That sounds swell. Something else I need to do too. I need to go grocery shopping."
"The keys ta the car are hanging on a nail by the backdoor, you're welcome ta take it and do what ya gotta do, or we can go when I get home from work. They're open til 6:30."
"If you don't mind, I think I'd like us all to go together this first time. After that, I can decide on a regular shopping day and Teddy and I can take care of all the errands on weekday mornings."
He gives her a hand stepping out of the tub, then wraps the big towel around her. He doesn't fail to notice how the ones she brought with her are so much nicer than anything he had. He's still standing behind her when he circles his arms around her and whispers in her ear, "I'm happier than I ever been Beth." It's not like him to whisper affectionate words that way, or any way, but what he said is true and he wants her to know it.
They lay in bed holding each other close and he whispers, "I guess I better put a lock on the door. I don't want Teddy walkin' in on sumthin' he shouldn't."
"Oh my gosh, that would be awful. Yes, please put a lock on it."
"Tomorrow, on our way ta the grocery I'll run in the hardware store real quick."
He cuddles closer, "Sumthin' else now that Teddy's gonna be here, when we're, ya know, makin' love, ya gotta try'n not holler and screech so loud. Gonna hafta try'n settle down."
She's confused, and a little angry maybe. It takes her a minute before she realizes he's teasing, that's when she pokes him in the side and says, "I'll do my best, and I suppose you can just seal your mouth shut with strapping tape, that should muffle the growling," and they start laughing so hard they have to bury their faces in the pillow.
No one's cooking or packing lunches so there's not much to do in the morning aside from getting dressed and making sure the house is locked up. Daryl comments, "When I stop at the hardware store I'll have em make me another key, one for the garage too. You should have your own set."
She nods, "Okay, thank you," but she doesn't mention the two little decorating items she plans to take care of right away. The keys will not be hanging on that ugly old 16-penny nail by the back door for much longer. Beth plans to make a nice little key holder to hang them from. The other small project will be the list of telephone numbers on the wall by the phone. He's got them scribbled on a half-torn piece of scrap paper and stuck right on the wall next to the telephone with yellowing scotch tape. She'll come up with something a little nicer.
It's still dark as they begin the short walk to the café, Teddy in the middle and Daryl and Beth on either side of the little boy holding his hands. Teddy's happy and chatty and a little loud. His Daddy tells him, "Keep it to a low roar kiddo, some folks are still asleep."
The child seems genuinely surprised by that, "Really?"
Beth smiles, "Not everyone is as full of energy as you Teddy."
It's early but Enid is already there, dressed in Beth's blue uniform and looking like she might tip over any time. She's gone pale and she looks a little shaky and Beth just has to hug her and say, "Hey, it's going to be all right, I'm here and we're going to do this together. You're going to be great. C'mon, let's start with making a fresh pot of coffee. The one Jim made has probably been sitting there for two hours. It gets so dark and terrible looking."
Daryl and Teddy take their almost usual seats at the counter, but things are different now and they save the space at the end for Beth. Teddy immediately declares, "I sit with Mama."
His Daddy smirks, shrugs and asks, "So that's how it's gonna be, huh? Ya gonna try n keep her all ta yourself?"
Teddy's little brows furrow and he looks so serious and confused when he shrugs back and states, "She's my Mama."
It's all Daryl can do to simply nod and hold in the urge to say, "Oh yeah, well she's my wife, kid." He just pats the boy on the back knowing, they're all going to settle into this new life soon.
In the meantime, Beth has been giving Enid guidance on working the big commercial coffee machine, the table setups, and what to say to the customers. She suggests, "Before the morning crowd starts to arrive, why don't you practice on Me, Daryl and Teddy. We'll be your guinea pigs."
They little family of three enjoy their breakfast together, Teddy's having pancakes, Daddy stuck with his old standby, and Beth's having a scrambled egg and a piece of toast. She gets up every once in a while and goes to Enid's aid, but the young woman is managing pretty well and the customers are patient, they all know this is her first time waitressing. Beth's feeling very good about all of it, she won't have to feel guilty about leaving Jim, and it looks like once the breakfast rush slows down, she'll be able to get her baking done before Daryl and Teddy arrive back for lunch.
There's just one problem. When it's time for Daryl and Teddy to leave for Dale and Erma's, the little boy gets upset. He doesn't want to leave without her. He tugs at her hand and says, "C'mon Mama, c'mon."
"I'm sorry Teddy, I made a promise to stay and help. I'll see you and Daddy soon and we'll have lunch together, and then we're all going home and I'm not leaving the rest of the day, all right? I promise." She wraps him in a hug, kisses his cheek and asks, "Please don't cry. You'll have fun playing with Uncle Dale and it will be time for you to come back for me before you know it, all right?" He sniffles and wipes his nose with the back of his hand, Beth doesn't correct him, that lesson can wait for another time.
For now, Daryl leans in, whispers, "I ain't gonna cry, but I kinda wanna," they smile at each other and he kisses her cheek, "I best get outta here, see ya at noon."
There was no baking done all weekend, but with Enid handling the diners Beth has time now. She's as busy as she could be making biscuits and dinner rolls, bread and pies. She also slips in a double batch of snickerdoodles and asks Jim if she can pay for a dozen to take home. He shrugs, "Just take em. I'm gonna make up for that few cents of ingredients when I sell em for 25 cents each. Everyone wants a cookie, even when they just ate pie or ice cream."
When Daryl arrives she's a little disappointed, she wishes they were just going home to have a quiet lunch together at home, but she tells herself that's how all of her days will be going soon. Maybe she should think about being grateful that this noon hour she doesn't have to fix a meal or do a dish.
They do change it up this time, they sit in a booth rather than at the counter. Daryl already knows he's never going to win this battle with Teddy, so he slides in one side of the booth and Beth and his son slide in the other. The lunch special today is a small side salad, a big bowl of chili and a side of Beth's fresh baked cornbread, and that's what Daryl orders. Beth chooses the chef's salad, and Teddy asks for the hot dog and potato chips. She thinks to herself, "When we're eating our meals at home I'll be able to give them more healthy foods, and they probably won't even notice."
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Wednesday is a new day, a completely different day. They won't be going to the Solo Café for breakfast, Beth's got breakfast on the stove. It's ham, grits and eggs, but there's no lard in her fry pan. There are fresh biscuits, and a little twist. Each of them has a few fresh strawberries on their plate and cut up cantaloupe is in a bowl at the center of the table. She's anxious to see if anyone besides her actually eats the fruit.
She's delighted when a strawberry is the first thing Teddy picks up, and pronounces, "it's a strawderry Mama."
"Yes, and they're so delicious. It's a special treat for you to have with your breakfast. Give it a try."
She cheated just a little and sprinkled a touch off sugar on the berries, so of course Teddy loves it and eats his three right away, just before diving into his eggs. Daddy is a little hesitant too, Beth understands, he's a meat and potatoes man and she wouldn't dream of trying to change him, but she does smile when she watches him take a bite, nod his head and quickly devour his strawberries.
He smiles over at her. She has a small bowl filled with cantaloupe and strawberries and a soft cooked egg. Shit, he'd starve if he ate like her, but he gets it. Small woman, small appetite. When he's done he leans back in his chair and pats his stomach, "That's the best breakfast I ever had, no kiddin'. Don't tell Jim though, I wouldn't wanna hurt his feelins."
She smiles, "Thank you, I won't say a word."
Teddy takes a cue from his Daddy, leans back, pats his little tummy and says, "Dat was best breakfast ever Mama. I like strawderries."
Daryl gives kisses and hugs goodbye and tells Teddy, "Ya mind your Mama now, k? I'll see ya for lunch." He looks at them both and adds, "I wish I was stayin' home with ya." But he smiles, gives them both another kiss and hug and he's out the door.
Teddy goes in the backyard with his truck and some little green soldiers to play, while Beth does the kitchen clean up and makes her and Daryl's bed, then straightens the bathroom. It all takes barely a half hour, and the whole time she's thinking about something she saw in the window at the dime store. She gets in the drawer where she keeps her underthings, gets the small coin purse from under them, and checks inside. She has more than enough money tucked away, and it's something she's sure will be well-used and well-loved.
She goes to the backdoor and says, "Come in now Teddy, I'll help you make your bed and then we're going to walk over to the dime store before we start our baking."
He begins walking her way asking, "The dine store? Why?"
"There's something there I think we need to help you with your baking."
She could make the bed herself in two minutes, but she's patient. It will be worth it when Teddy is able to truly do these little chores himself. Fifteen minutes later she declares it, "That's very nice Teddy. I'm so proud of your good work. Now, shall we go potty before we go to the store?"
He's smiling big, he's proud of himself, "Yes, Mama."
She's relieved to see it's still in the window, a child's baking set, and not some flimsy toy. It's a real miniaturized version of adult baking equipment. Perfect for a child's hands. There's a rolling pin, measuring spoons and a measuring cup, two each single serving cake pans and pie pans, cookie cutters and a pastry cutter, spatula and more. It's a bit expensive, but treated with care it will last until he outgrows it, and maybe by then, there will be another child who will be using it.
She's still holding Teddy's hand as they walk in the store and she approaches the clerk to ask, "I'd like to purchase the child's baking set you have in the window, please."
The clerk says, "Certainly, I have one in the back that I can get for you, and it's on sale this week, two dollars off."
"That's wonderful." It's still going to be very expensive, fifteen dollars, but again, she believes it will be worth every penny.
The clerk returns with the new set, Beth inspects the contents of the box and says, "Yes, it's perfect. I'll take it."
That's when she's caught off guard. The clerk casually remarks, "This must be for your daughter," then looks down at Teddy and asks, "What're you gettin' sonny?"
No, no, Beth quickly replies, "This is for my son. You should know many of the greatest chefs in the world are men, and Teddy already has a very important baking job."
Now the clerk is dumbfounded and only says, "Yeah, okay, anything else today?"
"We're going to look around the store for a minute." She knows exactly what she wants, and she finds the perfect one on the sale table. It's a wooden frame for an 8X10 photograph. The glass is nice and clear and the frame is in perfect shape. It's probably a little too plain and old fashioned for most folks, but it's perfect for Beth. There's just one more thing she has in mind, and she finds it in the hobby section. It's a small set of oil paints, there are only basic colors, but that's okay. She knows how to mix color.
She makes her purchases and she and Teddy make the short walk home, and when they arrive she unboxes the baking set, lays all the pieces out on the table, and then lays her own baking pieces right across from his. "You see Teddy, now you have yours and I have mine and it will be perfect when we're working together."
He seems delighted, and says, "I'na made cherdee pie."
"Oh yes, we'll make one for Jim for the Solo in my big pie pan, and you can make two in your pie pans, one for yourself and one for Daddy. How does that sound?"
"Good, but where's Mama's pie?"
She runs a hand over his head, "Well thank you for your concern, Teddy, that's very nice of you to worry about me. I plan to have a roll with honey at dinner tonight and I think I'll be too full for pie."
"O'tay."
It takes every bit of patience Beth can muster to bake with the little boy who simply has no clue what he's doing. She reminds herself over and over that he's just a small child and that he's trying very hard. It makes her realize what her own mother went through when she so patiently taught Beth to bake.
One thing she won't allow is for Teddy to get anywhere near the oven. She puts his little pies in the oven, sets the timer and then gets a cookie sheet out. She waits for him to get what's left of his pie crust rolled out, and then she shows him how to use the cookie cutters to cut the dough into shapes, and put the little cut-outs on the cookie sheet.
She tries not to look around the kitchen as they work. My gosh, it's a complete disaster area. There's flour everywhere, the sugar canister tipped over and quite a bit was spilled, two eggs have been dropped on the floor, and oh my it seems that she's used every towel there is cleaning up after him. It can't possibly get much worse so she decides to let him try cracking the egg in a bowl so he can brush a milk and egg mixture on his cookies, then dust them with cinnamon and sugar before she puts them in the oven. He manages to get about half of the egg in the bowl, probably a little shell too, the rest of the egg is on the counter, or spilled down the front of the cabinet and on the floor. She only says, "Next time we'll try to be more careful," as she wipes up the mess.
Beth pours a bit of milk into the bowl with the egg, then puts the little whisk in Teddy's hand and tries to show him how to beat the mixture together, "Slow down a little Teddy, try just doing it in a circle, see?" That's when her timer goes off and she hurries over to get his two little pies out of the oven. She puts on the oven mit and retrieves the pan with the pies, smiles over at him and says, "Oh Teddy, they look perfect!" As she set them on the cooling rack.
He jumps down off the chair to run over and see his pies, and when he does, he knocks the bowl of egg and milk off the counter and when it hits the floor it shatters into what seems like a million pieces. Milk and egg, flour and two other utensils are on the floor, and that's not all of it. It's a huge mess. She's covered in flour, Teddy's covered in flour and cherry juice, and that's when Daryl walks in. Oh no! She looks up at the clock, it's 10 minutes past twelve. She hasn't made his lunch or…oh no...
He looks at her and Teddy, takes in the mess the kitchen has become, and says, "looks like I missed a pretty good party." Then he sees the panic in her eyes, what does she think is going to happen? Does she think he's mad? Shit.
She sounds almost scared when she says, "Daryl, I'm sorry. I'll get your lunch right now."
His tone is stern at first, but turns a little playful, "Stop it Beth. Whaddya think I'ma do? Cuz I'll tell ya what I'ma do. I'ma help ya clean this mess up, then I'ma clean Teddy up. Then I'ma help ya throw together a couple a sandwiches, and by the time I eat em, one a them little pies oughta be cool enough ta eat too. That's what I aim ta do. Eat a pie. Now let's get to it."
Teddy agrees with the plan, "I'na eat pie too. Mama's havin a rolled with honey."
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A/N If you've ever cooked with a small child, you know. Please leave a comment. As always, the chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethymethbrick, I hope you'll check it out. Next week our domestic bliss may bump into some drama, I hope to see you back for that. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee