A/N Daryl's home! Thank you all so much.
Our Mountain Home
Their lovemaking leaves them happy, satisfied and breathless, and they finally feel something they've been missing since he left, the peacefulness they feel when they're together. They've both worried this day might never come, so now that they're lying in each other's arms they're enjoying every second of it.
Daryl's open hand rests on her rounded tummy and he's all smiles when he tells her what he's noticed, "You're tummy's rounder. The little guy got a lot bigger while I was gone."
"I know, this baby's getting big. I had to make myself some stretchy pants, it was that or go naked, and I have a couple of new oversized shirts too." She lays her hand on his cheek and asks, "But Daryl, it might not be a 'little guy.' What if it's a little girl? Will you be disappointed?"
"Oh hell no, I even brought home a present for her," he pulls Beth closer to him, wrapping both arms around her and she rests her head on his chest, "Shit, I can just see it, some tiny blond girl runnin' around here actin' tough and bossin' everyone. That's good cuz she'll be surrounded by boys and she'll need ta let em know she's in charge."
Beth giggles but she's also concerned, "Are you saying I'm bossy?"
"Nah, not bossy. I do think you're in charge though, at least of me. What you say goes lady, and that's how it should be cuz you're a helluva lot smarter'n I am. I try'n at least be smart enough ta listen to ya."
"Well you don't listen to everything I say," Then her emotions rise to the surface and she gets very honest with him, "I don't want to be in charge Daryl. I don't want to be strong and brave and capable all the time. I want someone else to do that for a while, and I just want to make a home and work in my garden, and I want to rest. I feel exhausted."
He gets up on one elbow, looking down at his wife while he strokes a hand over her hair and tells her, "I can take care of all that bein' strong stuff. I'll do all of the worryin' and all of the tendin' ta the daily bullshit. I want ya ta rest Lady. I want you ta do the things ya wanna do. That's what I said from the start. Lemme be the one who takes care of you."
"I will," she sounds relieved as she breathes a deep sigh, but then smiles, "At least for a while, then one day I'll get back to being strong and bossy."
"I'm all for whatever the hell feels right to you," but he's worried, "Didn't Merle help ya out while I's gone?"
"Oh my gosh yes, I was so grateful to have him here. He really did do the work of two men, maybe more. It wasn't that I didn't have help Daryl, and it wasn't that I didn't feel love and support. It was just that after the first few days I got so scared you were never coming home and...I can be strong and brave about a lot of things Daryl but if I lost you I don't know what I'd do. I don't know if I could go on. I didn't want to let on about how I was feeling though, and I think maybe all the pretending that everything was fine was making it harder. I felt like I had to pretend though, I didn't want Jamie to know how scared I was, I didn't want Frankie to worry about it either. Toward the end I was sure Frankie and Merle knew, but I knew something too. I knew they were as worried as me. We were all just talking and acting like we weren't scared."
He's about to speak but as he's gathering his thoughts her forehead creases and she asks him, "Speaking of Merle, he's been worried. Does he know you're back?"
Merle's been a different man since the world ended and he moved on the mountain, and while Daryl was gone he hoped his brother would step up. Thank God Merle didn't let them down, "Yeah, he heard the truck comin' and he was outside when I pulled up."
He doesn't tell her the part about how his brother grabbed him in a bear hug and told him how fucking glad he was to see him, "I told him we'd all catch up in the mornin' when we're unloadin' all the stuff I brought, shit, wait'll ya see. I brought a ton." He smiles at her and kisses her forehead, "I told him I needed ta get home ta you."
She's all smiles, "I'm so happy you're here Daryl. I can't stop saying that, and I can't stop smiling because when I walked through the bathroom door and saw you standing there, it was the answer to a million prayers I've prayed every day since you've been gone."
It's then a scratchy little voice calls out, "Daddy?! Is that you Daddy?!"
Daryl quickly slides out of the bed and into his pants, and as he walks to the little boys' bed he says, "Hey Jamie, yeah it's me. Daddy's home and I sure did miss ya son."
Beth gets under the covers and quickly gets her nightgown back on, before hurrying over to her boys. When she gets to them she finds herself in the middle of a big family hug, "Yay! We're all together again." That's when she hears a strange whine coming from the direction of the woodstove, she looks over toward the sound and asks, "Oh my gosh, where did that dog come from?"
Daryl's a little sheepish "That's Jill, I found her, she didn't have no home and there was no one around ta take care of her, so I brought her with me."
Beth hears that slight fear in Daryl's voice like he thinks he might be in trouble. What he doesn't realize is, she knows a little something about the man he is. He rescued Jack, he rescued Jamie, and the biggest rescue of all was when he rescued her. He's warm and soft and caring whether he wants anyone to know it or not, "So now Jack has a girlfriend named Jill and there are probably going to be puppies."
Daryl smiles, "That'll be fun, won't it?"
As Daryl's speaking, Jamie is trying to wiggle out of his arms, "It's mine dog, mine."
Daryl looks at his wife and shrugs, "Shit, I guess I need ta go find another one." After the little boy gets a couple of good puppy hugs in, his Daddy tells him, "It's the middle a the night buddy. You give Jack n Jill each a hug, then get that little butt a yours back in bed. I don't want ya all tired and cranky tomorrow, we got work ta do."
As soon as they tuck Jamie in he's out like a light and Daryl and Beth crawl back in their own bed. They wrap their arms around each other and share a warm, gratified kiss before quickly drifting off to sleep.
The family of three has a breakfast consisting of the one thing Daryl brought in from the pickup last night, instant oatmeal, and he smiles as he takes a big bite, "I always liked this brown sugar and maple best."
Beth smiles, "These little packets sure make it a lot easier, don't they? Who would think that in the apocalypse we'd sit down to a meal of instant oatmeal."
Jamie really has no concept of what they're talking about, he's just happy, "Dis pocalyist oatmeal's 'licious. Thanks Mama."
"I think you'd better thank your Daddy for this meal Jamie, he's the one who brought it home." She smiles to herself, knowing it will take at least three of the pouches to make enough to fill up Daryl. That means they won't be having oatmeal more than a couple of days. They'll enjoy it while they can.
They're just finishing up when there's a soft knock on the door. Daryl calls out, "C'mon in brother," and here comes Merle, Frankie and the boys.
"I brought the whole crew," Merle happily chuckles, "And I'm ready ta get ta work as soon as you're ready little brother."
Daryl takes a minute to say hello to Frankie and give her a kiss on the cheek. Then take each baby and give him a cuddle. He hadn't really thought he'd miss those tiny ones, but he found out he did. He gives Mick back to his Mama and nods, "Now's a good time for me. Let's go." He turns to his wife and says, "Be back soon."
Beth looks at him like he's crazy, "Are you kidding? Me and Jamie are coming too. We can't wait to see what you brought."
They're all aware Daryl has a big story to tell about where in the hell he's been, and they're all dying to hear it. They also realize it's probably not suitable for Jamie's ears. Daryl has quietly told Beth, Merle and Frankie, "I'll tell ya everything when Jamie goes down for his nap."
For now they all head out to the pickup and Beth's jaw drops at the sight of it's cargo, "Oh my gosh Daryl, real baby furniture! Frankie, we have beautiful new baby furniture!"
Frankie sounds just as happy, "Oh my gosh, high chairs and cribs. I never would have expected this Daryl. Thank you so much."
Daryl's so fucking relieved everyone's happy that it makes the damn work of unloading all this shit seem almost like a fun thing to do. He's gratified he could make these women happy and provide something for the children. It makes him feel a little high.
He nods as he lifts a big gunnysack from the truck bed, "There's a lot more than just furniture, books, toys, clothes, a lot, but lemme separate the clothes up cuz some a them I got were in hampers. They gotta go in the wash before anyone could wear em. I'll take care a that after me n Merle get the woodstove in the new room. Sorry, I didn't see a fireplace insert and I didn't have time ta go out lookin' for one."
Beth's so happy, the things he brought are going to make a big and a good difference in their lives, "It's going to be wonderful Daryl, just perfect."
Daryl knows right where he stashed it, and everyone's too busy to notice when he slips the box off the pickups' back seat. He thought of it on his way up the mountain and he stopped the pickup and let Jill out to run around while he found the nightie, the fuzzy pink slippers, and the pink bathrobe. Those were the things he wanted for his wife. He doesn't feel bad because there's still plenty of nice things for Frankie. He sets the bible on top of the clothes and now he hurries from the pickup to the house with it, placing the in box in the corner behind the little bookcase. He'll give it all to her later, for now he's back to work.
The dogs are jumping around and playing together, and Jamie's right in the midst of it, laughing and throwing sticks, and Beth can only smile as she looks around the property, in this moment everything really is perfect.
Jamie comes running over and grabs his Daddy's hand, "C'mere Daddy, see what I got. Hurry."
"Yessir." Daryl's busy, but Jamie's so excited and today, and probably for the next few days, Daryl will do pretty much anything the little boy asks. He's missed him, he's worried about him, and now he just wants to enjoy him.
The man and boy walk hand in hand over near the duck pen, and now Daryl sees that there are more than just ducks and turkeys, there's a rabbit hutch. He lets the little guy do the talking, "See Daddy? I got rabbiz. Me n Uncle Merdle builded the cage n he caught dem rabbiz and gived em to me. They're gonna hab babies someday too."
How the fuck did Merle manage to catch wild rabbits? Shit, Daryl would have bet that couldn't be done. This is good though. Another self-producing food source. He'll just have to quiz his brother later about how he managed it.
"That's great Jamie, just look at those guys, nice and fat n fury. Looks like you're takin' good care of em too."
"I yam. I feeded dem and the ducks every day."
"Good man."
The last things to come out of the pickup are the woodstoves. It's not any easier getting them out than it was getting them in, but Daryl and Merle get it done and take them one by one on the dolly, two will be stored in the tool shed for later use, and the one that's destined for Daryl and Beth's new bedroom. Installing it will be the very next project, right after Jamie's nap.
For now they have it set in place and they carry in the stove pipe and flashing and all of the other materials they'll need, along with their tools. Merle and Daryl have no doubt they'll get that stove installed this afternoon, and tomorrow Daryl and Beth can start moving in their new room.
The pickup is unpacked and everything stored, and there are two loads of wash hanging on the line and a couple more to go. It'll have to wait, it's lunch time.
They've been working hard and everyone's hungry. Maybe tonight they'll go a little lighter on the food, but not this afternoon. They're celebrating with a big meal. The outdoor fire's burning bright and Merle has some deer steak cut. Beth pounds the meat, seasons it and coats it in flour, before Daryl cooks it in a giant cast iron skillet over the open fire, along with some ducks eggs and potatoes.
They all sit around the big fire enjoying their hearty lunch and Beth can see her little boy is fighting sleep even as she chews. After he's eaten enough she says, "C'mon little man. It's time for your nap. As soon as you wake up you can help Daddy put the new woodstove in, okay?"
"I don't need a nap."
Daryl's insists, "Yeah, ya do son. Ya get in there and have your nap cuz when ya wake up, Uncle Merle and me got alotta work lined up for ya."
The little boy thinks about arguing, but thinks better of it, "Okay Daddy, but just a little one."
"Sounds good. Sleep hard and fast."
Once Jamie's down for his nap Beth returns to the group and everyone is anxious, "A'ight little brother, spill. What the hell happened?"
Daryl starts at the beginning, just like he promised he would, he doesn't leave out the part about having to kill a group of dead on the mountain, then being attacked by a live guy. Those facts are integral to the whole story, "Shit, I'd almost made it free n clear til that happened. Anyway, after that, I headed straight ta Dale's house. I knew he kept an old yellow pages phone book, and I knew where he kept it. I checked the book, found a store in Smithton where they carry inserts, and I was on my way. Almost."
"I remembered the family across the street had some kids, and I knew they'd left a while ago, but the way people were hurrying ta get out of own, I guessed they hadn't taken much stuff. I was right. There was the furniture and the clothes."
He goes on to tell of the rest of the goods he found there, and then his attempt to get to Smithton and the failing of his plan.
Beth mentions, "I might have been able to help you get around that. I went to a nursing convention in Smithton, and the nurse I went with drove a back way she knew of to bypass commuter traffic."
"Yeah? If I go back there you can make me a map, or come with me," he smiles at her.
She surprises everyone a little when she says what's in her heart, "I hope I never have to leave our mountain home for anything, but I'd go with you if you wanted me to Daryl." Her words make him feel some kind of way, like she got to his heart. Shit, she really is happy here and this really is home for her, but she'd leave it for him if he asked. Daryl's well-practiced at hiding his emotions though, and he does that now.
He tells the family about the subdivision, of staying the night and the things he found there, including Jill, and then his decision to go back to Jack Knife Pass and get woodstoves there. That's when the story gets creepy and Daryl realizes that. Merle will be okay, but he's a little concerned about Beth and Frankie.
Daryl tells it like it happened, including the words that Gareth spoke about roasting and eating him. Beth's hand covers her mouth and tears spill from her eyes. Daryl doesn't like to upset her, and the story's a rough one. He goes to Beth, kneels on one knee in front of her and says, "Hey lady, I ain't tryin' ta upset ya. If you want me ta stop tellin' it, I'll stop."
"No. I don't want to hear it but I think you have to tell it. We need to know what's going on down there. Besides, it's probably good for you to talk about the whole experience," she smiles softly, lays her hand on his cheek and says, "you keep too much inside."
He snorts and shrugs, and then tells how the woman with the sword saved his life. "Her name's Michonne and I think someday you'll all meet her. She's a real nice person, but I'd never wanna have ta go up against her, she's badass through n through." Then his face turns deadly serious when he tells them what Michonne told him about the cannibals.
Even Merle has a shocked look on his face when he mutters, "Shit, I wish I coulda been there ta help ya kill them muther fuckers."
"I's wishin' the same thing brother." He tells about the dynamite and the Molotov cocktails, and the woman named Carol and the fireworks. Finally he tells them how they blew the place up, how they fought, and how they made it back to the prison. "When the fightin' was done we scavenged the place, picked it clean, and finally got outta there and got back ta the prison. I took a shower, got a night's sleep and then Rick, Michonne and me started back ta Jack Knife Pass, but we made a quick stop at a county children's home on the way. We got some food, clothes, another high chair, all that, and then we had a little trouble."
Beth can't help but wonder, more trouble? Does it ever end? Daryl tells his family about the young gang of outlaws and the way it all ended, and although Beth and Frankie don't like hearing about all the killing, they're also aware that the world's in a state of total anarchy and it's every man for himself. If Daryl, Rick and Michonne hadn't done what they did, they would have been killed themselves.
Finally he tells of the return to Jack Knife Pass, collecting all the goods and starting home, "I'm glad I didn't see no one on my way back up the mountain. No live people, no dead people. I need a break from all that shit, y'all can't believe how good it is ta just sit here with ya, look at your faces and feel that feeling like I'm finally home."
It's late by the time the woodstove is installed, but it's done and they're happy and Frankie has dinner ready for everyone at hers' and Merle's home. They eat and talk about the day and about the things they'll accomplish tomorrow, while Daryl and Merle enjoy a couple of swallows of moonshine. After the meal Daryl slyly asks Frankie, "Can Jamie hang around here a little while? I got sumthin ta talk ta Beth about."
Frankie's all smiles, "Sure he can. You'd be surprised what a big help Jamie is with the babies. He keeps them entertained for me. You two go on."
When they walk in the door he tells her, "Sit down there in your chair a minute lady, I brung ya home sumthin' and I hope ya like it," and Beth smiles as he hands her the box. Daryl's not a man who's accustomed to giving women gifts, he never had until Beth came into his life, and he's still not exactly practiced at these things. His presentation may not be polished, or seem particularly romantic to anyone but her, but to Beth it's a warm and wonderful showing of affection by this mountain man she loves.
"Oh my gosh Daryl, these are so nice, thank you so much for thinking of me, and oh how special this is, it's Erma's bible." She looks at him with love and tears in her eyes and says what's in her heart, "No one could be more loving and thoughtful than you Daryl Dixon. I'm so blessed, and I love you so much."
He's red-faced and embarrassed by her words, but he likes hearing them from her and he leans in and kisses her with all the love he's feeling.
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A/N I think homecoming went pretty darn great. Please leave a comment. The chapter photo is on my tumblr blogs, gneebee and bethylmethbrick. Please have a look. I'll be back next week with more of The Man on The Mountain, and I hope you'll be here too. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee