The Wedding Date
AN: So I'm not sure if the last update went through or not. I posted it a week or so ago but as of yet, I have not gotten any hits on it. Anyways, in case it isn't obvious, the story is wrapping up very soon. This is actually the second to last chapter. I have enjoyed writing this story very much, but have found that I am lacking ambition for it now. Thankfully, I've essentially had the last two chapters already written for months, so all I have to do is tweak them a little and post. I hope everyone enjoys the chapter. It is a very long one.
Ch 6
"Where's Mama and Glenn?" Beth asked once they were inside. She had figured her mama would come running once she realized that Beth was home. Daryl was standing quietly by the door, taking everything in.
"Her and Glenn ran into town for some last-minute wedding preparation's. They should be back any time now. They've already been gone for a couple of hours," her daddy told her. Beth nodded her head and headed upstairs towards the bedrooms. Daryl followed behind her, dragging suitcases.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Beth pointed to a room across the hall. "That room is my brothers," she told him. "You'll be sleeping there." She pointed to another one across the way. "That's my room, so at least I'm close by." Daryl put down the bags he had carried upstairs for Beth before he walked into the room she had indicated was her brothers with no comment. Beth watched as he carefully closed the door behind him. That's weird. Maybe he's just tired. Brushing off what had just happened, Beth entered her room and started unpacking.
Just as she finished putting the last of her clothes away, Beth heard a car pull into the driveway. She looked out her window and saw her mama and Glenn getting out of the car. Beth raced downstairs, and threw her arms around her mama as soon as she walked in the door.
"Oh, Bethy! I'm so glad to see you, sweetheart! I've missed you so much!" her mama exclaimed.
Up in his room, Daryl could hear the women talking excitedly. Mus' be her mama's back. Daryl took a fortifying breath. He opened the door and walked back downstairs. Beth's mama looked up as he descended the stairs. "Oh! You must be Daryl. We're so happy you could join us." She seems much nicer than Beth's daddy. As he descended more into the room, he saw another man standing by Maggie. Mus' be Glenn. Time to put on the game face…
The rehearsal dinner was going well and everyone was relaxed and content. Daryl kept sneaking glances at Beth as she stood talking with her sister and some family friends. His head was in turmoil. He knew he needed to talk to Beth, but he couldn't even begin to think of how to bring it up. All he knew was that he was tired of pretending that this wasn't real. Whatever was between them had been building from the start of all this. He shook his head. What a fuckin' mess…
Daryl was brought out of his thoughts when Glenn sat next to him. He looked over at his bride to be and smiled. "Somethin' about those Greene women, isn't there? You're just going along in life, and suddenly Bam. You get smacked in the face with the realization that your life isn't ever gonna be the same. Know what I mean?" Glenn said, oblivious to Daryl's inner thoughts.
Daryl looked over at Beth again. He watched the way her head tipped back as she laughed at something Maggie had just said to her, her tinkling laughter carrying across the barn. He saw the graceful way she held onto the glass of champagne in her hand. His eyes caressed the curve of her body, the sway of her hips as she moved. She looked up and caught his eye. Suddenly, she smiled and waved at him. Daryl nodded and gave a small wave back.
His eyes landed on Glenn. "Yeah. Yeah, I know exactly what ya mean," he said, just above a whisper.
A slow version of Cascada's 'Everytime We Touch' started and Glenn jumped up, heading toward Maggie. He pulled her out on the dance floor, and then everyone else around them faded away as the couple lost themselves in each other's eyes. Beth made her way over to where Daryl sat. She took the seat next to him.
I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me.
I still feel your touch in my dream. (in my dream)
Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why,
Without you, it's hard to survive.
"Oh! I love this song. It sounds so haunting when she sings it slow like this," Beth said, swaying slightly in her seat. Daryl watched her for a few seconds and then stood up, offering his hand. Beth stared at it.
"Wanna dance, darlin'?" he asked.
Beth was shocked. "You told me you don't dance," she whispered.
Daryl shrugged. "I don't," he told her. Beth looked even more confused. "But for ya, I will."
She looked into his eyes and reached for his hand. He pulled her onto the floor and pulled her tight against him. Her arms wound around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around her, settling his hands at the small of her back. She placed her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat under her ear. Daryl wasn't even sure what he was doing, so he just swayed back and forth. Beth didn't seem to mind though.
'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling.
And every time we kiss, I swear I could fly.
Can't you feel my heart beat fast?
I want this to last.
Need you by my side.
Daryl inhaled sharply. He bent down until his mouth was level with her ear. "Gotta talk to ya 'bout somethin' important."
Beth looked at him. "Okay. What did ya wanna talk about?"
Daryl shook his head. "Not here. Too many people. Come ta ma room tonight. After ever'one goes ta sleep."
Beth was confused. "Alright. I'll come."
Daryl nodded. "Thank ya," he said before pulling her close again.
Your arms are my castle, your heart is my sky.
They wipe away tears that I cry. (that I cry)
The good and the bad times: we've been through them all.
You make me rise when I fall.
Daryl thought about how appropriate the lyrics to the song were in deference to the feelings in his heart. He felt like the words were being pulled right from his soul. Now that he had gotten the hard part out of the way, asking Beth to come to his room so they could talk, he hoped that the night wouldn't end in a total disaster.
'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static.
And every time we kiss, I reach for the sky.
Can't you feel my heart beat so?
I can't let you go.
Want you in my life
Daryl held her tightly until the song ended. Pulling back, he saw the flush of her cheeks. He leaned down and gave her a tender kiss. Beth responded, but Daryl pulled back before she could comprehend what was happening. He stepped away and walked off the floor.
Beth stared after him, wondering what he wanted to talk about. She couldn't help the fear that was curling into her belly. He didn't want to leave, did he?
Later that night, Daryl heard a knock on his door. He opened it to see Beth standing there, biting her lower lip because she was nervous. He stepped back, and she walked in. He closed the door, before leaning against it. Beth stood in the middle of the room, not sure where he wanted her to go. Daryl pushed off the door.
"Let's sit on the bed," he said, gesturing. Beth sat on the edge and waited for Daryl to do the same. He sat down and reached out, grasping her hand loosely. His other hand pushed through his hair, and Beth could see that he was also nervous.
"What did you want ta talk about?" she asked, trying the break the ice.
Daryl blew out a breath. "I ain't good with words. Ain't good with any o' this, but I got stuff needs saying, so I need ya to hear me out, okay?" he asked her. Beth nodded. Daryl took another deep breath.
"When this started, it was a favor ta ya so yer sister wouldn't play matchmakin'. Me pretendin' ta be yer boyfriend. Thing is, when ya asked me, I never had any intention of tellin' ya no. I couldn' do that ta ya. I always knew ya was summin' special. Spendin' all this time wit'ya has just proved me right, and shown me what an amazin' person ya are."
Beth gasped, starting to grasp what he was saying to her. He dropped his head and continued. "I've had feelins' fer ya fer awhile, and the more we pretended ta be a couple, the more I wanted it ta be real. I need ta know if ya feel the same about me," he finished, looking up at her through his bangs.
Beth couldn't even speak. Her jaw dropped open slightly and she stared at the man across from her. When several minutes passed and she didn't respond, Daryl looked at her more fully. "I know ya dumbshit ex messed with ya head, but I promise ya, I wouldn' ever do that to ya. I ain' good at relationships, but fer ya, I wanna try. So, if this is som'thin' ya want, all ya gotta say is 'Yes'."
Beth dropped her head and inhaled sharply. Daryl stared at her, willing her to say something. Anything. Finally, she raised her head and he saw the tears in her eyes.
"Daryl….I heard every word ya said, and I know how hard that all was fer ya to say, and I know what you want from me. Yer right, my ex messed with my head, and I asked ya ta come with me for all the wrong reasons. I shoulda never asked ya ta do this. It wasn't fair ta ya. I'm sorry…. but…. I can't. I can't get hurt like that again. And I can't let you get hurt because of it either."
Daryl pulled his hand back, standing up. Beth watched him curl into himself. He didn't say anything for a few minutes. Finally, he looked at her. "I figured ya was probably gonna say that. I had hoped…." He cut himself off. "Don't matter anymore anyway."
Daryl walked to the closet and pulled out his bags. Beth gasped when she realized he had packed all the things he had brought with him. Bags in hand, he turned to face her again. "Look…a deals a deal. I ain't gonna abandon ya just before yer sisters weddin'. I'll still be here for ya tomorrow. And I'll still act like ya dotin' boyfriend. But, tonight.." Daryl broke off, his voice catching. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Tonight, I can't be here. I can't stay here in this house. Not with you here. So, I'm gonna get a room in town for the night. Already called ahead, and they got a room waitin' fer me. And then… after the weddin', we'll go back home and go back ta just bein' neighbors. And just so we're clear, ya won't have ta worry about me darkenin' yer doorstep either. I know when ta cut ma losses."
Daryl walked toward the door. Beth reached out, but he brushed past her, opening the door and stepping through. He turned and looked at Beth one more time, as if he were memorizing her features. She gave a small gasp at the shattered look on his face. Then, he gave a slight nod and walked downstairs. She heard the front door open and close and then a minute later, she heard the truck door open, and then slam shut. She heard the roar of his truck engine. He put it in gear and she listened as the sound of the engine grew quieter the further he drove away.
Beth stood in the middle of the room, trying to process what had just happened. She looked around the room, suddenly realizing how empty it looked. If she hadn't known it, she wouldn't have realized any one had stayed there. Daryl hadn't left anything behind. It was like he hadn't even been there.
Without even realizing it, Beth sank to the floor, her arms wrapped around herself. Tears spilled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry…come back…" she mumbled to herself. But she knew he wouldn't. Daryl Dixon was definitely a man of his word.
She didn't know how much time passed before she felt arms wrap around her. Beth looked up quickly but dropped her head back down when she realized it was Maggie. Her sister held her tightly.
"Beth? Where'd Daryl go? I heard his truck take off," Maggie asked.
Beth shook her head. "He left."
"Is he comin' back?"
Beth shook her head. "Not tonight."
"Did ya have a fight?"
Beth started crying harder. "Oh Maggie! I messed up so bad. I think I've lost him for good."
Her sister stroked her hair. "Bethy, I've seen the way that man looks at ya. He loves ya. I don't think ya have ta worry 'bout losin' him."
"But I have. He tol' me how he feels, and I tol' him I couldn't do it. I messed up, and I can't take it back."
"Do ya love him?" Maggie asked gently. Beth nodded her head.
"I do. So much. I just…Zach messed me up so bad. I don't want ta feel that way ever again."
"Now you listen to me Beth Greene. What Zach did to you is on him. Not you. He cheated on you. Not the other way around. That was his mistake. But this….not tellin' Daryl how ya feel, that's your mistake."
"Maggie, ya don't even know the whole story. What I did…I really screwed up."
"So, what's the story?" Maggie wanted to know.
Beth looked at her sister, wondering if it was a good idea to tell her or not. Doesn't make any difference now, anyway.
So Beth told her the whole story. Maggie, to her credit, didn't bat an eye at her confession. When Beth was done, Maggie squeezed her tighter.
"That man has been in love with you even longer than he realizes. I don't know too many men that would do what he did. That alone means something."
"It doesn't matter. I already lost him. Cause I'm a coward," Beth told Maggie. She put her head down, ashamed of herself. A jingling sound caught her attention, and when Beth looked up, she saw that Maggie was dangling her car keys in front of her. When had she gotten those?
"I'm gonna give ya the best sisterly advice I can give ya. Ya go find that man, and ya tell him exactly how ya feel. Don't overthink it, just say what's in yer heart. I guarantee ya that he will give you another chance."
Beth stared at her sister. She grabbed the keys and stood up. As she hit the doorway, she heard Maggie say, "Oh and Beth? Make sure you take an overnight bag with you, 'cause something tells me you won't be coming back to the farm tonight. And make sure ya get some sleep after, cause I don't need ya lookin' like the walkin' dead at my weddin' tomorrow."