A/N Thank you everyone. Daryl's never been in love before, but once he falls he doesn't waste any time, does he? Let's see what happens.
00
He's extended the invitation, but it seems neither of them is able to comment on it quite yet, not until Daryl shrugs, "I mean it Beth. I'll move ya in tomorrow, flowers, fancy shampoo, all of it."
They both smile at his mention of flowers, but Beth quickly turns serious again, "Daryl, it's…we haven't been together for very long and I don't know, do you think maybe it's a little early for a commitment like that?"
He's kind of hurt and a little pissed, "Really? I mean, what the fuck? We already been doin' what we been doin' in bed, so why not just share it every night?"
She's looking right in his eyes when she pushes a little harder, "You make it sound so simple, I'm not sure it is though. Let me put it another way, do you really think you're going to want me around all the time? All day, every day, and all night every night?"
"I ain't ever told ya I wanted ya ta leave here, did I?"
"Well, no, but…and I'm not mad about this, we're passed it, but for me it felt like the same thing as being told to leave. I mean really. You backed away pretty darn hard. What if I'm living here and you decide you don't want me anymore, then what do I do?"
"Are ya fuckin' serious right now? Shit Beth. Didn't I come for ya? Didn't I admit I was an asshole? Didn't I tell ya I love ya? I ain't ever told that ta anyone but you. Shit. I asked ya ta move in cuz I want ya here with me, and I's tryin' ta be nice, and practical. I guess I fuckin' blew the whole thing."
When she lays her hand lightly on his arm both his instinct and his bad mood almost have him pulling away from her, but fuck him, he doesn't want to fight with Beth, and besides, what she's thinking right now is on him. He's the one who fucked up royally and now he's the one who has to pay the price. He's the one who's going to have to make things right, "I meant the offer Baby, I want ya here with me n I'll move ya in tomorrow or whenever ya want, and I do love ya and I'll keep lovin' ya. That's all I got, it's up ta you.
She knew what she wanted this with him the minute the invitation was out of his mouth, but she shouldn't just jump into something so life-altering this quickly. The responsible thing to do is take some time to think about things, to let their relationship develop a little more, and to let the love they feel for each other grow deeper. She needs to consider all the changes and challenges this would mean for both of them, good and bad. Yes, that's the mature way to handle it.
She puts her arms around his waist and lays her head on his chest, squeezes as tightly as she's able to, and that's when her logical brain just flies right out the window, "Yes Daryl, let's get my things tomorrow and I can give my landlord the news."
A long, slow and very hot kiss seals the deal, then he draws back and gets practical, "I gotta figure out how many vehicles we need. Is all that stuff in the apartment yours?"
"No, it's furnished. I just have the bedding, towels, a few kitchen things, my clothes, sewing machine, fabric, my guitar and personal stuff."
"Sounds like we can get it all in one truckload, or ya think I should ask Abraham ta help?"
"I think between your truck and my car we can get it done."
He can't resist teasing, "Even all them bath products?" She pushes on his chest pretending she's angry, but he knows better and just smiles, "Okay. I gotta leave for work in a minute, but the good news is, Monday's can be pretty slow. I usually run outta customers by 10 or 10:30 and lock up by 11. That'll put me home here about 11:30. It takes me an hour or two ta unwind before bed, but if I get ta sleep by about two I'll be up by late mornin'. We should be able ta take off sometime before noon. Sound good?"
"Yes Mister Dixon, it sounds very good."
"K then Miz Greene," his fingers run through her hair as he reaches to cradle the back of her head and draw her in for a slow deep kiss. When their lips part he smiles, "Looks like we're doing this, huh Baby?" He seems so happy, but what can't be seen is the king-sized knot in his belly.
"Yes," she's smiling so sweetly, but her tummy is churning.
He gives her one more kiss, says, "Lock the door behind me n don't wait up," pauses and adds, "Call if ya need me."
"Okay."
Then he remembers one more thing, "Love ya."
Her smile seems so shy when she responds, "I love you too."
As soon as Daryl's gone, Beth goes to his big comfy chair, sits and closes her eyes. My Dear God in Heaven, what a day this has been. She got fired from her job because her boss doesn't approve of her boyfriend, and now her boyfriend has invited her to move in. And why did she say "yes" so easily? This is ridiculous. Come on Beth, the truth is, you and Daryl hardly know each other.
She's shaking her head as the self-lecturing continues and she begins to shame herself. Could you have made it any easier for him? Gosh, he didn't have to work for it at all, you just went right to his room and basically said, "here it is if you want it" what kind of way is that to behave? Oh my gawd. After all those years of being the good girl and saying "no" you caved to this man, practically from the get-go. Now he wants you to move in with him and you're so ready and willing. You haven't given any thought at all to the big picture.
Uh Huh, that's right, the big picture, just what do you think that looks like Beth? Do you really think Daryl is a man who wants the same things out of life that you do? Sure, right now you have a common goal, turning the Roadhouse into something so cool and special. What about after that? Do you really believe Daryl shares your dreams? Do you think he wants marriage and children, church on Sunday, family picnics and vacations? Hmm. It seems unlikely or he would have had some kind of relationship with someone by now. So, what if he doesn't want any of that? Are you willing to give up your own dreams to live his?
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, so much to think about, but she just can't think about it anymore tonight. She tries to take her mind off all of it by turning the TV on and tuning it to some ancient movie, then flipping the laptop open to search for the things she wants for updating the bar.
The call comes in late, well it's late for her. Daddy had a rule, no phone calls after 8:00pm unless it was an emergency, so she's startled when the phone begins to trill. Who would be calling her at 8:30 at night? No one except Daryl, but when she looks at the screen it's not him, it's her parents, "Hi Daddy, gosh what are you doing up so late?"
Her Daddy proceeds to apologize for the late call, and then tells her that although they had a wonderful time in Michigan with Maggie and Glenn, they got so homesick they just had to return to the farm, "We got off the plane a little while ago and took an airport shuttle to a motel close by. They told us we could take the shuttle back to the long term lot in the morning," he chuckles, "our car's been in the long-term parking lot for a very long term, it's probably wondering where we are."
Beth tries her best to sound cheery as she giggles at his little joke and says, "I'm sure everything will be just fine Daddy, and I'm so happy the two of you decided not to drive home at night. Get a good night's sleep and you'll be refreshed for the trip home."
"That's just what we thought. In the morning, once we get out of the Atlanta traffic, we'll stop and have a nice breakfast."
"That sounds good Daddy. I'm anxious to see you both and hear all about your trip."
"Good, because I'm going to put your Mama on the phone, she's already cooked up a plan."
Before Beth can respond her Mother is on the phone sounding tired but happy, "Hi Honey, listen now, I know you can't just come and go whenever you want. I know you're busy with work and such, but Daddy and I are hoping you can come for dinner on Sunday, of course, we'd love to have you go to church with us too, if you can make it. We just can't wait to see your pretty face."
"That's so sweet Mama, I can't wait to see you too, and Sunday dinner with you and Daddy sounds wonderful. I just don't want you going to too much trouble. Why don't you give me a call tomorrow after you get settled at home, we can talk more about the plan."
"That sounds good, I can't wait. You sleep tight my sweet girl, Daddy and I will talk to you tomorrow." The question hits Beth hard. If Mama had any idea what Beth's been up to since they've been at Maggie's, would she still call her "sweet girl"?
"Okay Mama, I love you both."
"We love you too Bethie."
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Beth has missed her Mama and Daddy so much, but holy cow, how is she going to explain everything that's happened since they've been gone? And what about Daryl? How will she explain him, and her relationship with him?
She's so keyed up she needs to talk to someone, but it's really too late to call, well maybe not. She texts Amy and asks if she's still up and if she has time to talk. Two minutes later her phone rings.
She tells her friend everything, What happened with Spencer and how he fired her, and then the juicy news about Daryl asking her to move in, then finishes up with the phone call she just got from Mama and Daddy, "When they get a load of Daryl I don't know what will happen."
"Oh my gosh, Beth, I can't believe all of this, and guess what, you're not alone. Merle has asked me to move in with him, I'm at his place now, and honestly Beth? I spend every night here anyway. It would make sense, but how would I tell my parents? Oh my gosh, and they know I'm seeing someone, they keep nagging me that they want to meet him. Can you imagine when they see Merle Dixon? Oh my God, but I'm like you Bethie, I love him and I'm proud to be seen with him and I just have to hope they can learn to at least accept him, even if they can't love him."
"You're right Amy, and this is our lives. We're grown up women, our parents can't dictate who we fall in love with."
Amy's nodding to herself, "That's right, so if it's what you want, I say go for it. Merle's moving my stuff over this weekend."
"Congratulations, I'm really happy for you Amy."
"Thanks Beth, I'm happy for you and Daryl too. Okay, so now let's talk about your creepy ex boss. I agree, I think what he did was illegal. You know my sister Andrea is a lawyer, but she's a tax lawyer. She does have this good friend though, a woman named Michonne Hawthorne who practices labor law. Andrea's told me some stories about her cases over the years and that woman is tough, she takes no prisoners. Do you want me to get her number from Andrea?"
"Oh gosh, that would be great, thank you so much Amy."
They talk for a few more minutes and then agree, it's time for bed.
Beth goes through all the motions of getting ready for bed. A nice warm bubble bath, an old t-shirt of Daryl's that makes a super soft nightie, she turns down the covers, crawls in bed and opens the story app on her phone. She can't concentrate on a story though, all she can think about is what in the world will her folks think of Daryl? How will she ever explain that she's living with a man she's not married to? They won't accept that.
This has all the elements of a family disaster.
Daryl arrives at the bar and there's the usual change of shift conversation about what's happened during the day, the gossip that was heard, and of course, the changing out of the till. It's all good and Daryl's a lot busier than the usual Monday evening, at least for the first two hours. That's a break for him because there's really no time to think about anything besides pouring beers, booze and ringing up the charges. Then things start to slow down a little and his mind kicks into high gear.
Fuck him. Did he really ask a woman to move in with him and into his life? Into his sanctuary? Shit, his house is where he goes to chill at the end of a long day, without having to think, or talk, be nice, or laugh at stupid jokes. He doesn't have to bother pretending to give a shit about stuff he doesn't give a shit about, and no one thinks it's okay to just take over his chair like they own it. Why does Beth think she can do that. And shit, now there will probably be flowery shit everywhere. What the fuck was he thinking. Shit.
He knows though, yeah, he knows. It's because she's Beth. Beth with her sweet way. Beth with her smooth, pale skin that always smells so good. Beth with her sparkling blue eyes and her beautiful smile, a smile that never fails to make him want to smile. Beth and her funny giggle and although he hates to see her cry, it's the way she gets all teary over those dumb romance movies. That's about the sweetest thing he's ever seen. And Beth, when she takes his hand, he's a goner. He'd follow that woman anywhere.
Yeah, she can have the chair, he wants her there with him. Flowers and all.
00
He's as quiet as he's able to be as he slowly turns the key in the door and walks in the house. The corner lamp is on dim so there's just enough light that he can find his way. He turns the lock and he's taking a step toward the kitchen when he sees her silhouette. She's standing in the hallway, leaning her shoulder against the wall, and as he flips the light switch he questions, "Hey Baby, everythin' alright?"
She's walking toward him and he's walking toward her and she softly replies, "Yes, I just need you to hold me."
He's there so quickly, wrapping her up in his big powerful arms as he whispers to her, "I got ya Baby. What's wrong?"
"Just hold me for a minute and then we can talk."
"Happy to." But after a minute or so, well he just can't help himself. He kisses her ear and her cheek, the curve of her jaw, and then he's kissing her neck and her throat and she begins to make a soft "mmm" sound and that inspires him to keep going. He teases as he grabs the hem of the old t-shirt, "Hey, I didn't say you could wear this, here, give it back ta me," and they're both smiling as he quickly pulls it up and over her head.
She looks at him so sweetly, so innocently, as she instructs, "Now I'm freezing and I might never get warm again if you don't carry me to bed and make love to me."
He nods, "I can do that," and Daryl lifts her into his arms and carries her down the hall to the bedroom.
He lays her in the bed and says, "I should take a quick shower."
"No, come to bed now."
"Ya sure?"
"Very."
He doesn't argue, he quickly removes his clothes and slips in next to her, "I guess if I don't want trouble, I better just do what I'm told."
She whispers so soft and sweet, "I promise, you'll be glad you did."
It's sweet and it's playful and he enjoys every minute of her, but he can't shake the feeling, something's wrong. As they lay back finally catching their breath he questions her, "What's up Beth? I know there's sumthin' wrong?"
If she's not going to be 100% honest with him, then who would she be honest with? "Oh Daryl, I…we have to talk."
Oh shit, that sounds ominous. He's heard it from a million guys, the worst thing your woman can say to you is, "we need to talk." What the fuck did he do? "A'ight, can I get cleaned up n maybe have a quick shower first?"
"Yes of course. Do you want me to make you a pot of coffee?"
Coffee at one a.m. to "have a talk?" Nah. "That's okay Baby, I'll get a beer in a little bit." Fuck him.
She's sitting on the couch nervously waiting for him, but when he walks in the room her nerves make way for other feelings. She could swear her heart takes a leap. It's not that he's dressed in some sexy leather, he's wearing flannel lounge pants, a loose t-shirt, and his damp hair looks even more disheveled than usual. None of that changes the fact, Daryl is just plain hot.
He smiles over at her, "Lemme just get my beer, ya want anythin'?" He's acting all cool and calm but that's not how he feels. He's full of dread about what's coming next.
"Um, no, I have a glass of water, I think I'll be fine with that, thanks."
He sits and they smile and then he has to ask, "Did I do sumthin' wrong?"
"No, no, not at all. It's not about anything like that."
Thank God, he can handle any other kind of shit from her that he has to take, but the idea of her scolding him about something makes his gut ache, "K then, what's up Baby?"
"I want to be honest with you," oh fuck, here it comes, she wants out, but it's not quite that, "I do feel a little anxious about moving in here with you, I mean I want to, it's just, it seems so soon."
He nods, "Yeah, it seems soon ta me too, and if we're being all honest? I couldn't believe when I asked ya too. I've had time ta think about it more though, and I…well shit, I know it's quick and it don't seem right ta rush into sumthin' like this, but fuck me, I know I want ya, I want ya here, and I know I ain't ever gonna want someone else so, why the fuck not? Why not be happy?"
She's giggling as she takes his hand and tells him, "My gosh Daryl, that's almost exactly what I thought. I just didn't think the bad words."
They both laugh, and they hug, and he takes a big swallow from his beer and asks, "So is that it then, we all good?"
"Well we're good, we're great, but there is something else," She takes in a long deep breath and says, "It's my folks."
His brow creases when he asks, "They ain't sick or sumthin' are they?"
"Oh no, no, it's nothing like that. It's just that they're home, well they're at the airport in Atlanta. They came home from my sister's place in Michigan, and it was a little late, and dark of course, so there staying at one of those airport hotels and they'll drive home tomorrow."
"Well, that's good news, ain't it? You been missin' em and now they're home, so what's wrong?"
"Well gee Daryl…" and she stops herself right there because it just hit her. For gosh sake Beth, Daryl doesn't know anything about old-fashion parents who will always think you're their little girl, and who would be shocked to see you with someone like him, and who will faint dead away when they find out you moved into his house. "Daryl, I have to get really super honest with you, and I hope you don't get offended, or worse, get your feelings hurt."
"Well fuck, this sounds bad. I better get another beer." When he returns he sets a glass of whiskey on the table, a fresh bottle of beer next to it, and plops down next to her, "A'ight, give it ta me straight," he picks up the whiskey, downing all of it in one swallow, and follows that with a big gulp of beer.
Oh my gosh, how's she going to explain things to him? "So, Daryl, I think you kind of know my parents are very conservative people, real old fashion, and besides being a farmer and a vet, my Daddy is also an ordained minister who preaches at our church every other Sunday. He's considered a bible scholar. Mama sings in the choir and is head of the Women's League."
He has no idea what he's supposed to say to all that, so he keeps it to, "Yeah? That's nice. Sounds like they ain't nuthin' like my folks, but then I think I had that figured out already."
Gee, this is going to be even harder than she thought, "Yes, it is very nice, but you know, they have certain ideas about the sort of men I should be dating and how I should act, and …"
It just hit him. He cuts her off right there, "And I'm exactly the kinda man your Mama n Daddy don't want anywhere near their baby girl." He nods, picks up the beer and takes a long pull, "right?"
"Well yes, that's how they would probably feel at first, I'm sure, but that's just because they don't know you. Once they do, they'll think you're just as wonderful as I think you are," her smile is unnaturally large, even she realizes she's having trouble believing herself, "I'm sorry Daryl, it's just who they are and I think we're going to have to be patient."
He tries to inject a little humor, "Shit, your Daddy's gonna see how old I am and shoot me on the spot just for that. They won't hafta get ta know me."
"No, he can't get angry about your age or he'd be a big hypocrite, he's twenty years older than my Mama."
"No shit?"
"It's true. They were actually both married before, both were widowed. Mama had a son, my brother Shawn, and Daddy had a girl, my sister Maggie. When they got married my Dad was already an older man, and then they had me."
This is going to go nowhere fast if she doesn't just tell him. She breathes deeply and continues, "But, well Daryl, you have to see it. Look at you, you're a handsome shaggy haired guy with whiskers and plenty of tattoos, and visible scars that…well they look a little scary. You are what you are, a biker. You dress the part, you look the part, you even walk the part. Then there's me, their youngest child, a girl from the farm raised very conservatively and mostly sheltered from the real world. It's always been expected that one day I would marry someone who was raised just like me. Some clean-cut guy, maybe a farmer, maybe not, but a good Christian man who's as conservative as my folks are and would be the spiritual leader of our home, and…well I don't know how to explain it."
He shrugs, he gets it, "Ya don't have to explain it, I got ya. I ain't the prince charming they always pictured for their little girl. Okay. What I don't know is what I'm s'posed ta do about that. Are ya ashamed of me? Whaddya want? Ya want me ta try'n be different around them? Dress different? Talk different? I can't change who I am or how I look Baby. I mean, well fuck...I don't know what I mean."
"Oh my gosh Daryl, no! I'm not ashamed of you at all. I'm so proud to be with you. When I ride on the back of your motorcycle I feel like a queen. I don't want you to change anything about yourself, Mama and Daddy are the ones who are going to have to learn to love and accept you just the way you are, and for the record, I think you're perfect the way you are. It's going to be very hard for them, but I think in time they'll come around," and then she takes his hand and smiles, "But please try not to say the 'F' word in front of Mama."
"Fuck. That would be bad, huh? So wait, what're we talkin' about here? Are ya plannin' ta have me meet em, like sometime soon?"
"Well yes Daryl. What did you think, that I'd try and keep you hidden?"
He shrugs, "Shit, I dunno. Maybe."
"Try not to say that 'S' word in front of Mama either, please. Anyway, they'd find out the first time they drove over to the apartment to visit and discovered I'd moved out. So, I think it's better if we just get this…well…not over with exactly, but we just need to get through it. If they're as good and as smart as I think they are, Mama and Daddy will catch on to what a good man you are in no time."
He's sure now, there's a plan in place, "So when is this big meetin' gonna happen?"
"They want me to come over Sunday, go to church with them and have Sunday Dinner with them after. What I thought, well in a way maybe this is kind of sneaky, but I think it would also be a good idea." She breathes in deeply again and that's Daryl's cue to swallow what's left in the bottle, and she seems to be suggesting it when she asks, "Do you want to get another?"
"Yeah, be right back."
When he sits back down he takes her hand and says, "Okay Baby, shoot me straight."
"I was thinking you could just drop me off at church, I'd go a little early and wait for them there. I could ride home from church with them and explain everything about how we met and how you took care of me, and what a terrific man you are, and then when you show up after about an hour, and they've heard all these great things about you, they'll be anxious to get to know you."
She's so sweet, and her innocence to the ways of the world is really shining through right now. She can't see it like he sees it, but he knows already, this is going to be a fucking disaster. Her ole man isn't going to want him to have anything to do with his sweet baby girl. It'll end up with Beth having to make a choice, him, or her family. This is what she wants though, and fuck, he'd do anything for this woman, "Okay Baby, my schedule is wide open Sunday, so yeah, whatever ya want." Fuck him.
00
A/N I know it's a bit of a cliffie, but I won't leave you hanging for long. Please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick, I hope you'll have a look. I'll be back next week for church, Sunday dinner at the farm, and so mucb more. I hope you'll be back too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee