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I Will Follow You Into The Dark

Chapter 52

~Author's Note: That midseason finale...that was the most tragic thing I have ever seen or read from an entertainment perspective, and I am being objective about it. I was completely devastated, I still am...and I don't understand why the show went there. I just wanted to let all of you guys know that I am going to continue both this story and "Wasn't Born an Angel" (for those of you who read that one too). I know it might be ridiculous to continue fan fiction, but I refuse to accept the ending that TPTB gave us to Beth and Daryl. I just want to ask you guys who read "Wasn't Born an Angel" to be patient with me on that one. I am not planning on changing the storylines that I have established in either story because of the events of the MSF, and because "Wasn't Born..." is much darker, well...I can't really handle sadness right now even though I clearly know what is going to happen in my works. I am not saying anything bad is going to happen to or between Daryl and/or Beth, it is just that there were some darker, more violent events in the near future of that one. It may take a while, but I plan to get back on a regular posting schedule as soon as I stop feeling so tragic! I know those of you still reading Bethyl fan fiction probably feel the same way. I want to thank all of you who have sent words of encouragement and assurances that you still want me to continue writing this/both of these fic/fics. I am clearly not ready to let go, and I need Daryl and Beth to live together and eventually be happy somehow. This chapter may be a little slow, but I wanted to include some of Daryl and Beth interacting with people they had been reunited with. I really needed a quiet chapter. There are better things to come, I promise! As always, thank you so much for reading and being so awesome. I hope you enjoy. ~


"What?" She could feel him watching her from the bed where she left him.

Turning around, her senses were affirmed, Daryl propped up on his elbows, taking her in.

"What?" Beth asked again, smoothing her hair back, trying to figure out what was wrong.

Well, she knew what was wrong...she was a mess. They'd watched the sun come up. Yesterday...last night...it was a lot, and there had been no sleep on top of that. In the end, everything...she had to fight for it...but everything worked out. Beth hoped this was it, hoped Daryl would understand or at least accept that he was good enough, that they belonged together. Nothing could ever change that. Beth didn't want to fight him on it again. A lifetime of pushing people away or not having anyone to start with made Daryl hard and deadly accurate at hitting people where it hurt. The things he'd said to her...they broke her heart, hurt her, scared her, even though she knew he didn't mean it...at least most of it...but he'd forced her to fight for him although that probably wasn't what he intended at all. She had to fight, be real, mature and strong, say things that were hard for her to admit even if they were the truth. Beth didn't want to have to go there with him again...but she would if she had to. He was worth fighting for, but she just wanted to be happy, to love him, enjoy him, have him enjoy her like they should be...there should be nothing stopping that...nothing.

Daryl shook his head, the only answer she was getting from him. He was just looking, and she was okay with that.

"Come here..."

This would lead to nothing good...well, good, but not at the right time. She went to him anyway, Daryl grabbing her wrist so she couldn't retreat. Beth didn't want to leave him, but the sun was totally up and everyone else would be up soon. Chaos could ensue with everyone being in a new place, and she'd worked hard making everything in their home right.
"Come here," Daryl insisted more aggressively, pulling her onto the bed.

Beth pushed her hand against his chest, stopping herself from being pulled even closer.

"I need to go..."

"You need to stay." He didn't even let her finish.

"I need to go. Judith will be up soon, and Rick will be looking for you," she finished.

"You need to stay," he was unyielding.

Daryl sat up, her hand against his chest doing nothing to keep the distance between them. He was too strong...Beth gave to him.

"Rick will find us..." Beth was losing to his strength, and she was losing her own resolve.

"Let him..." Daryl's voice was low and breathy. He meant what he said. He didn't care who found out. That was it for her.

Daryl was all encompassing, his lips needy on hers, on her neck, his hand in her hair ruining all the work it took to smooth it out...to be presentable, his other hand spanning her lower back, pressing her closer on his lap. Beth found his neck with her lips, a newfound confidence driving her. Maybe it was the fact that she came so close to losing him, or the ring on her finger, or that she was forced to be so open and real with him about her fears, but somehow she knew, no matter what happened, it was all going to be perfect.

"I'll stay if you want me..." Beth whispered in his ear, pausing and teasing just the smallest bit, "...to."

She knew he wanted her. That was a given. And he wanted her to stay, there was no way he didn't. When they had first come to this place, their new home, Daryl had promised her to stay with her in bed as long as she wanted once the house was in order...why not today? Everyone would survive without them for one more day. They seemed to have been surviving on their own since they were separated. Beth pulled back, away from him, pushing to be let go.

"No," Daryl protested.

"I'm going to go lock the door," Beth assured him, laying her hand against his cheek.

Daryl shook his head.

"No. There ain't no way people aren't gonna be knocking on that door all day long."

Just when Beth had been giving into fantasy, Daryl was waking up to reality. At least one of them was able to think logically at any one point. He sighed, not letting her go, but letting go of the idea of her...at least for now.

"How do you wanna go about telling everyone? I mean, do you wanna tell Maggie first, or, I don't know. I don't know how these things go..."

Beth thought about it for a second. Daryl sounded a little awkward in his question, but she figured it was probably because he was nervous and, like he said, didn't know how it should go. After last night's initial excitement at the reunion and wanting to tell everyone immediately, there was a part of Beth that wished they could hold on to it for a few days...keep it to themselves and enjoy. But Daryl, Daryl being broken because she didn't tell...she wouldn't do anything that would ever put a doubt in his mind. They all needed to know. Today. She wanted them to.

"No, they can all find out at the same time...unless you want...need to tell someone first. Rick...Carol..." If there had been something between Daryl and Carol, ever...she didn't know, didn't really think there was...but even if there had been, it was none of her business. Still, maybe he might want a chance to tell her first. And now she was being the self-conscious one.

Daryl narrowed his eyes at her like she was speaking a different language.

"I'm good. Do you want me to tell them? Maybe we can tell them together tonight?" Daryl was trying to figure out the right way to do it. He needed everything to be done the right way, and she loved him for it.

"We'll do it tonight."

"And you'll come to me tonight?" He was soft again...unassuming...innocent in his words.

That question didn't even have to be asked, but Beth nodded anyway, blushing, before her lips asked to be kissed again.

Beth was barely away from the bedroom door, hair fixed again, fingers gently caressing her swollen lips, smiling, when she saw Rick appear in the hallway with Judith in his arms.

"Morning Beth," Rick offered cheerily, pausing just in front of her.

"Good Morning..." Beth felt a little warmth rising in her cheeks.

She realized just how close she was to being caught coming out of their bedroom. She had nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of, but still, it felt like an awkward moment that she might have had in the old world, her Daddy not just knowing that she was sleeping beside a man, but seeing her come out of their bedroom in the morning. It was new.

"You okay?"

"Yeah...everything's fine...just a little tired," she tried to cover but realized that what she said made it worse if that's what anyone was already thinking.

Thankfully Judith stole the spotlight, cooing and reaching for her. Rick handed her over.

"She was looking for you this morning, so we had to come and find you," Rick told her, rubbing the back of Judith's head. "I swear, back at the prison, every morning when the alarm clock went off, she knew what it meant, knew you would be coming for her. There was no alarm clock today, but she let me know what time it was."

"It's funny how nothing changes even when everything changes." It wasn't sadness in her voice, just recognition and acceptance of what came before and being content and happy with what she had now.

"Where does Daryl sleep? I thought he'd probably want to get an early start on the day."

"The door at the end of the hall, that's where...he sleeps." Beth almost said we, and Rick picked up on her hesitation but had the good grace not to say anything.

"Coming up the stairs, I half expected to find him camped out on the floor in the hallway, after all that time he spent sleeping on the perch, no walls or anything, in the cellblock," Rick chuckled.

"Well, there are no bars, and the room's pretty big. I think that makes the difference."

Beth knew the real reason-the bars, the confinement, the prison, the connotation. Even though the prison had been home to Daryl, the stereotypes that people placed on him, promises he'd no doubt made to himself about the kind of person he was going to be, the way judgment was passed, he would never sleep in a cell.

"Is everyone awake downstairs?" Beth needed to change the subject before she gave away too much too soon.

"Michonne's up, prowling the kitchen. The rest of them, some of them are stirring, but I don't know if they're awake. Carl probably won't wake up until noon, or until he smells food. We've...the road's been a long one...hard. He needs some rest...they all do..." Beth touched his arm softly in an attempt to comfort.

Rick didn't need to feel defeated anymore. She didn't know all the details of everything that happened to them, she didn't need to, but they were all alive, so he shouldn't have felt defeated in the first place.

"We're safe Rick. You can rest a while. You'll see..."

There was a knock on the door. He'd just finished buttoning his shirt. It really didn't take long for real life to kick in.

"Come on in."

It was Rick...thankfully. Daryl didn't know if he could handle anyone besides Beth or Rick this early, this soon.

"Morning," Rick offered.

"Pfft...Mornin'? We should still be sayin' 'night after the day we had." And the night I had.

"Yeah, well, that's life for you." Daryl watched Rick scanning and appraising the room. "I saw Beth outside. I told her I thought I'd find you sleeping in the hall after spending so long sleeping in the perch at the prison, but with this bed, I can see why you're here."

"It's pretty ridiculous, isn't it? And it's too soft, but..." Daryl had to stop himself before he say Beth loves it. "And there's a princess bedroom. Judith will love it when she gets older." Save.

"So, you're planning on staying here for the long run, you think it's safe?"

"That's the plan. It's safer than anything I've seen for a good long time. We're stayin'." Daryl was speaking for Beth and himself. He knew it. They were safe. He had a plan. Beth and him, they had a future here. Didn't matter what anyone else thought.

"I trust you, Daryl."

Daryl wondered if he'd been too confrontational. It wasn't supposed to come out like that. And Rick trusted him. He knew that all along, but hearing it was different.

"Let me get my boots on, and I'll show you some of what's going on around here, what we've got to work with..." Daryl's words trailed off as he froze, watching Rick pick up the silver frame on the bedside table...the picture of him and Beth.

They'd decided to tell, but this...this caught him off guard. He wasn't prepared. And there was no way, seeing that picture, that Rick wouldn't know, wouldn't ask. Daryl felt anxiety building in his chest, standing very still, just waiting. Would Rick judge? Rick set the picture aside, casual, unfazed by any of it. That was when Daryl realized Rick already knew...how, he had no idea.

"Beautiful picture."

All Daryl could do was nod and wait for whatever came next.

"So, you and Beth?" He was unreadable, like Rick was waiting to measure his reaction.

Daryl nodded his head again until he realized it wasn't enough. There was no reason he shouldn't take ownership of his life, what he had with Beth. He'd fought...no, he and Beth had fought too damned hard.

"Yes." That one simple word meant everything.

Rick nodded, a knowing smile on his face.

"How did you know? You know...before the picture?"

"Hmmph...you don't have a monopoly on being observant. I was a cop. I might not notice as much as you do, but I'm not blind." Daryl listened, waiting to hear what the giveaway was. "Your new piece of hardware, mind you, I didn't notice it until we got here last night, but you're not just gonna pick up jewelry and start wearing rings."

Daryl's hand went instinctively to the silver wrapped around his finger, twisting it idly as Rick continued.

"And the way you couldn't keep your eyes off Beth, the way she kept looking at you...then I noticed she was wearing a ring too." God, Rick saw everything. "Is it new? The two of you?"

That was a really complicated question. He couldn't say exactly how long they'd been on the run, separated since the prison fell, somewhere close to two months? So, Rick knew, in the scope of things, they were only together for a short time. But in their world, time was always short. Now was all they really knew they had.

"Yes and no..." It was the only truthful answer he had. The marriage was new, very new, but the feelings were deep and rooted. "I know you probably think it's stupid...don't approve, but..." He didn't feel self-conscious around Beth anymore, not after last night, but Rick, Rick was a different story.

"Daryl, you don't have to justify anything. No one's questioning you. No one has the right to. And me not approving...far from that...I'm happy for you."

"Thank you..." Daryl wasn't sure how expected this conversation to turn out, but it wasn't like this.

"Just, is there some reason you and Beth didn't want to tell us?" Rick hesitated, like maybe he thought he was pushing too much.

"It was just all really overwhelming and unexpected. We haven't even really had time to...enjoy...it, and I don't know...yesterday, last night, it was all a lot." It was the truth minus his breakdown and their fight, and he sure in the hell wasn't gonna share that. "We want to tell everyone tonight...when everything's settled down...together."

Daryl finally crossed the room closer to Rick. There was no reason to keep the distance.

"Fair enough." Rick offered Daryl his hand, pulling him into a brotherly embrace when he took it. "Congratulations Daryl, to you and Beth. You're my brother, and now it looks like I have a sister too."

When Rick released him, Daryl saw that his smile had broadened. Rick couldn't fake a smile like that.

"You won't say anything. Beth and I, we wanna be the ones..." Then Daryl realized that if Rick saw, other's might already know. "Do you think anyone else knows already?"
Maybe it wouldn't be much of a surprise at all.

"I think most everyone's just really focused on what happened yesterday, sleeping, and eating. Michonne noticed though. Brought it up to me this morning since we were the only one's awake. I wouldn't have said anything if she didn't bring it up first, but you don't have to worry about us saying anything. Judith, now that's a different story."

Beth sang softly to Judith, heading to the kitchen, not wanting to wake anyone up. She couldn't wipe the stupid smile off her face. She didn't have to though. She was happy. Rick said Michonne was prowling the kitchen, but she wasn't there anymore, so it was just her and Judith, and Beth continued her song.

"She hasn't had anyone to sing to her in a long time." Beth startled, turning to find Michonne in the doorway. She was almost as silent as Daryl. Almost. "There hasn't been much time or occasion to sing anyway though."

"I'm just happy she remembers me." Beth kissed the top of Judith's head, the soft wisps of Judith's hair tickling her sensitive lips.

"Some things never change..." Michonne shared the same sentiment Beth had shared with Rick a few minutes before, "but some things do...people do. If they're lucky, they find happiness." Beth realized in addition to smiling, she was blushing. Michonne's first statement had been so general, but that last part...it felt so much more personal, forcing Beth into an awkward place. "They find a reason to keep smiling."

Michonne was smiling now. Her smiles were always genuine. Beth turned away, setting herself to task, finding something for Judith to eat, not knowing what to say to Michonne.

"I thought Daryl was going to shoot Abe between the eyes last night." Michonne was so talkative.

"Oh...I didn't notice."

"When he called you pretty. Good thing for Abe, Daryl didn't have his bow."

Beth went still and silent. She'd never really be guarded about anything in her life, but now that she had something she wanted to keep to herself, just for a little while longer...she was feeling the pressure.

"Why are you hiding from everyone?" It was a vague question that was looking for a very specific answer.

"Is it that obvious?" Beth turned back to Michonne, looking for honesty.

"Yeah, pretty obvious. At least to me. Maybe not to everyone, but I pay attention."

"Oh..."

Michonne was still smiling. She wasn't passing any judgment, not that Beth expected anyone to pass judgment...nobody had that right.

"You walk away from your family in the middle of the night, family you've just found again, you're not walking away to sleep alone." The emphasis Michonne put on sleep had the underlying meaning of more than sleep.

She thought they were...well, of course she did. If she knew, it...them doing that...would be normal...natural. That didn't mean that Beth was comfortable with that topic, especially since she and Daryl hadn't...the blush rose higher in her cheeks.

"And the way Daryl looks at you...he can't hide anything..." Beth knew that was the truth.

"Michonne..." Beth hadn't even noticed Rick and Daryl in the doorway until she heard Rick. "Daryl wants to show us some stuff."

Daryl looked at her with tired, sparkling eyes...bedroom eyes. He looked like he was about to say something to her, but just gave her a small nod instead. Leaving, Michonne looked back over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow at Beth as if to say See...I know what I'm talking about.

Notes

Comments

@Smokey85
Awww...thank you so much for coming back to read! You are amazing. I truly appreciate it!

Aireabella Aireabella
3/30/19

I am so happy you are back! I love your stories and always look forward to your updates! Thank you for sharing your work :)

Smokey85 Smokey85
3/26/19

@McDrogoInaNewWorld
So glad that you enjoyed it! It always makes my day when I can make people happy by doing what I love! Thank you so much!

Aireabella Aireabella
6/14/18

Yay!!! Another great chapter on the books, can’t wait to see what happens next!!

@blesdirishangel
Thank you so much for coming back to my fic and for your comment! I am glad that you love the update. You are amazing!

Aireabella Aireabella
6/7/18