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Lady in Red

Red

I decided I didn’t like how this chapter first came out. Well, I did when I first wrote it – it was supposed to be a one-shot, but now, two years later, has taken on a life of its own and has even spawned a side-by-side story, Man in Black, which you can read one after another or simultaneously. Anyway, when I first posted this, it showed both Beth and Daryl’s POVs, but now that the other story is an actual thing now, I needed to go back and make these first two chapters strictly from Beth’s POV.

The day had finally arrived. After what felt like years of planning, Maggie and Glenn were at long last going to tie the knot. Beth couldn't be happier for her older sister.

The farmhouse was a flurry of commotion as the caterers prepped the food, musicians tuned their instruments, florists and decorators set and adorned the guest tables under the tent in the spacious backyard with beautiful displays of daisies, gladiolas and tulips.

Annette was fussing over Hershel's tuxedo, making sure everything was just so, straightening his tie and making sure his boutonnière was firmly attached to his lapel. Beth turned her attention to Maggie, setting her hair in delicate curls, double checking her make-up, fluffing her dress. When she was satisfied that her sister looked as perfect as could be, she double checked in the mirror at herself, straightening her dress and readjusting her necklace.

Sasha walked in the large bedroom carrying the bouquets for all the girls to carry. She was wearing a dress the same ruby shade of red as Beth's, but a different style to accentuate her long legs. Beth felt the tiniest pang of jealousy toward her. She felt so short, so underdeveloped…like a little kid playing dress up to try to fit in with the big girls.

She shook the unpleasant thoughts away, focusing on the bittersweet happiness of the day. This was a huge step for Maggie, and Beth was overjoyed for her, though a part of her didn't want her big sister to go. She thought of how happy Maggie was with Glenn, how wonderful they always were together. She wasn't losing Maggie at all, and she knew that, but she also knew their relationship would be forever changed.

Carol knocked on the door before entering the bedroom and announced, "It's time! Let's get this wedding underway!" A thrill of excitement filled the room as they all hugged one last time before heading downstairs.

Sasha went down first and met Rick at the bottom of the steps. He offered his arm to her and led her out to the side of the house where the ceremony was to take place. Beth followed shortly after, taking her time down the stairs, never taking her eyes off her feet for fear of falling. When she finally made it to the bottom, she raised her eyes to meet Daryl, who looked absolutely gorgeous in his tux. She noticed his hair, which was usually disheveled at best, was neatly combed back, allowing all of his handsome face to show. "Wow…" she whispered. She'd meant for the comment to stay safe in her head, and blushed furiously when she heard it actually voiced.

Daryl chuckled as he offered his arm to her. Great, she thought. He heard that. Way to go. It would be one thing if he was just some guy Glenn knew, but Beth had met Daryl quite a few times when a big group had gotten together. They hadn’t talked much, but they were at least friendly with each other. She always thought he was attractive, but really quiet; she rarely heard him string more than a handful of words together at a time. She just knew he’d never want her, a flat-chested little thing, not even out of college yet. Still, it was nice to stand here with him, slipping her arm though his, and what’s more, she’d have pictures to remember the day she got to walk around with Daryl Dixon as if they were an actual couple.

As they walked outside, Beth stammered, "I…um…I just meant…you look really nice. I've never seen you so spiffed up."

Daryl smirked down at her. "Yeah, working in the garage doesn't really lend itself to this fancy attire." His voice took on a mockingly pretentious accent. "Besides, grease stains are a bitch to get out of the silk tie."

She giggled at that, and felt a rush when she saw his smirk grow into a full on smile. There was an odd look in his eyes, but she chalked it up to him just thinking she was some giggly thing who would laugh at anything. If only he knew that she reserved her true laughs, like the one she’d just given him, for things that she really enjoyed...and she really enjoyed being with Daryl.

They finally made it outside, to the end of the aisle, catching up with Sasha and Rick. Annette and Hershel joined them; Maggie waited inside for her grand entrance. Carol gave the signal and the musicians started playing the processional music. Hershel and Annette walked down the aisle first, smiling and waving at their guests as they passed. Once they were in their seats, Sasha and Rick stepped down the aisle.

Beth squeezed Daryl's arm slightly, trying desperately not to react to the muscles she felt beneath her fingers. He looked down at her. "Ready?" he asked gently. She could only nod as he led them down to join the other attendants. As they reached the end of the aisle, Beth felt Daryl lightly squeeze her hand. She looked up at him; the look on his face was undiscernible. She could only smile at him as they split off to the opposite sides of the small altar.

The musicians modulated into Maggie's entrance music and the crowd rose to their feet and turned to watch her slowly walk down the aisle. She was nothing but smiles as her gaze focused on Glenn waiting at the altar for her.

The ceremony itself flew by in a blur. She vaguely remembered the minister asking for a moment of silence to remember those who had gone before them – for her brother Shawn, for Glenn's parents, for Maggie's mother. Before Beth knew it, the minister was pronouncing her sister and Glenn as husband and wife, allowing the groom to kiss the bride. Glenn laughed, "Finally," before planting a kiss on his wife.

The guests erupted in applause. Beth couldn't contain the laughter that had bubbled up inside her as she clapped. The musicians started playing Mendelssohn's Wedding March and Mr. and Mrs. Rhee all but ran down the aisle, hand in hand.

Beth moved to the center of the aisle, meeting Daryl once again, and slid her hand into the crook of his elbow. He guided her back toward the house, releasing her to hug her sister as he heartily shook hands with Glenn in congratulations. They were soon met by Sasha and Rick, then Beth's parents, until there was a flood of guests seeking to wish good luck and congratulations on the newlyweds before heading to the tent in the back yard.

The wedding party took their places at the head table. Once everyone was seated, the toasts began. Beth stood nervously, hoping her voice would carry. Even with the help of the microphone and sound system, her nerves were wreaking havoc on her voice, not to mention her memory. She would hate to embarrass her sister by "umm-ing" her way through her speech. She took a deep breath as she picked up the cordless microphone. She brought it to her mouth to speak, clearing her throat before beginning; she was interrupted by the whine of feedback screeching through the speakers.

Beth couldn't stop the blush from overtaking her neck and cheeks. Her hands and forehead broke out in a cold sweat and she could feel her knees start to weaken. "Um," she began, silently berating herself, "Hi, everyone. We're all just so glad you could come out here today to support my big sister as she married her best friend. Maggie has always been there for me. She always said she was the only one who got to pick on me, and watch out to anyone else who tried." The crowd chuckled at this, which helped relax Beth's nerves, but only slightly. She smiled as she continued, "And now, I've got a new big brother. Glenn, I could not have picked a more perfect match for my sister. I've seen you bring out the absolute best in each other. Now, before I start getting all mushy and all, I've got a little surprise for the newlyweds. I hope you like it." Beth turned to the DJ and gave him a nod. "Soul Sister" by Train started playing through the speakers. Beth took a deep breath and started singing.

Here's Glenn Rhee, we were all praying and finally
Mags knew that when she met you, she would never let you out of sight.
She's such a dream, and she's rarely ever demanding.
The day that you collided, together you decided to spend your lives.
Hey my sister got herself a mister, he's from Michigan, he's wonderful, and he is Maggie's superman!
Hey my sister got herself a mister and they're gonna honeymoon tonight!

Hey big brother, I couldn't find another who could absolutely perfectly fit right in with our family,
Hey my sister got herself a mister so let's toast the bride and groom tonight!

The crowd applauded loudly as the song ended. Beth raised her champagne glass and said, "To Maggie and Glenn, may you find every happiness in each other." She took a sip of the bubbly liquid and walked behind her sister and brother-in-law to hand the mic to Daryl.

Daryl chuckled nervously into the microphone, "Man, oh man, how the hell am I supposed to follow that? Guess I'm just gonna have to try. I wanna start by sayin that Maggie, you look absolutely beautiful…and Glenn, you don't look so bad yourself. When Glenn asked me to be his best man I had lots of questions, naturally. I started with, 'So who backed out? Is there gonna be an open bar? Just how crazy do you want your bachelor party?'" He paused as the crowd laughed, and Daryl continued, "Don't worry, Glenn. What happens in Atlanta stays in Atlanta. Glenn told me he wanted me up here mainly to increase my chances with the bridesmaids," He looked right at Beth, who immediately started blushing, "so I guess I'm pretty lucky there. He also asked me to keep it under three minutes, so I guess y'all are lucky, too." He raised his glass and faced the couple, and the rest of the guests followed suit. "Glenn, Maggie, it's obvious you two were made for each other. I only hope I find someone who can make me even half as happy as you two are together." He toasted them, then looked straight at Beth before raising his glass once more and bringing it to his lips.

A quick blush flashed over her cheeks when their eyes met over their champagne flutes. Why on earth does he keep looking at me like that? She glanced at his left hand and found his ring finger was bare. Okay, he wasn’t married, but surely he had a girlfriend or something. He couldn’t be looking at her, could he? She swallowed and mentally shook the thoughts away before she could really dwell on them and focused on enjoying the party.

The reception continued, caterers serving the guests their salads, followed by the main course. Once everyone had finished eating, Maggie and Glenn cut the cake and fed each other, effectively stuffing frosting up each other's noses. Next was their first dance, followed by the couples' dance, where all the couples joined the newlyweds and were weeded out until only the couple who had been married the longest was left dancing.

As the party went on, Beth looked wistfully at the couples swaying back and forth, wishing and praying she would be able to find someone like Maggie had; someone to sweep her off her feet and make her deliriously happy. She tried not to let her face show how bummed she was, wanting to keep a happy smile for her sister.

She suddenly heard a low voice from behind her, "Hey." Beth whirled around and found herself looking up at Daryl. He had removed his jacket, now just wearing his tie, which he had loosened from his collar, and his vest, which emphasized his broad shoulders. "You know it's illegal for the maid of honor to sit alone when she should be dancin'." He held out his hand to her. Beth hesitantly placed her hand in his and followed him to the temporary dance floor set up in the middle of the lawn.

Daryl slid his hands to rest on the small of her back as she placed her hands on his shoulders. They started swaying to Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight." Daryl bent his head to murmur in her ear, "Nice job with your speech."

Beth smiled and blushed for what felt like the millionth time today. "Thanks," she mumbled. Lord, what this man did to her nerves. She looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes. "You did good, too."

Daryl looked at her skeptically and scoffed, "Yeah…especially after you serenading everyone." He gave her a friendly smirk and chuckled as her blush deepened.

"I'm sorry about that. Didn't mean to one up you," Beth answered. She felt her cheeks warm with blush, sure they were as dark a shade of red as her dress by now.

"Nah, s'alright," Daryl shrugged it off. "You sing real pretty. I, uh…I wouldn't mind hearing you sing again sometime." He paused, just momentarily, then spoke again. "There's a bar in town, has a karaoke night every week. You oughta go. Show off a little."

Beth felt her knees get weak. "R…really?" she asked incredulously.

"Yeah. Why not? I could, ya know, go along with ya. Be yer body guard," he grinned down at her and readjusted his hands on her, pulling her just a little closer.

"A body guard? What kind of bar is this?" she smiled up at him, moving her hands so they were clasped behind his neck. She swallowed again to try and keep herself from grimacing as she felt how sweaty her hands were.

Daryl laughed softly, "Not as bad as what you're thinking. Just don't want a pretty little thing like you getting scared all by herself."

"You think I'm pretty?" Beth asked demurely, grinning up at him.

She thought she saw him blush, but figured it must be the DJ lights creating the effect instead. "Well…yeah…ya know…" he trailed off, and she wondered just what he was getting at.
Feeling suddenly very brave, quite possibly a result of her two whole glasses of champagne (though it was certainly not the only cause of the bubbles in her stomach right now), Beth pulled gently, bringing Daryl's head down next to hers. "You know, if we're being honest, you're pretty darn handsome yourself," she said softly, her lips grazing his ear.

Daryl pulled back suddenly, but Beth kept her arms wound around his neck, holding him close. "It's the suit," he tried to explain.

This time Beth was the one to pull back, to look him directly in the eye. "No, it's not," she said decisively. Daryl cocked an eyebrow at her, like he was trying to decide something about her. Apparently, he had made up his mind.

He jutted his chin out, just slightly, almost testing the waters. His nose came close to brushing against hers. Her breath quickened, but she held her ground, not moving. She briefly wondered when they had stopped dancing, but that question flew from her mind when he pressed his lips to hers.

It was over in no time, lasting only a second, maybe two, but it was long enough for Beth’s heart to skip several beats and flutter wildly all at once. He kept the kiss quick and innocent, and pulled away, then looked down at her, gauging her reaction. Beth blinked her eyes up at him, and gently smiled; Daryl grinned widely in return. She pulled him close and rested her cheek on his chest. Daryl held her tightly, lowering his head so his lips were near her ear. Beth could hear him singing, soft and low, "I said my darling, you were wonderful tonight."

Notes

And there we go! Bethyl week prompt #2 - Red. I wasn't going to do a prompt today, but the muse kicked me square in the butt and gave me the ending...I just had to figure out the beginning.
Happy Bethyl Week!

Comments

@Jubilee124

I will definitely keep this story going. Right now I'm working on Man in Black, the companion story to Lady in Red. Exactly the same things happen, but it's all from Daryl's point of view. I've left it neglected for far too long, so I'm working on getting that all caught up, then I'll post for both stories at the same time. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment!

rckyfrk rckyfrk
7/27/16

OMG....after so long I finally got more. I love it. But it's not enough!!!!! Please say you will keep this story going? :-D

Jubilee124 Jubilee124
7/14/16

@Tripper

The story will definitely continue. I'm working on getting Man in Black caught up to this one, then update them simultaneously. It'll take a little while, but I'll get there, I promise. Thanks for reading!

rckyfrk rckyfrk
7/10/16

I know I just stumbled across this story, but does it continue beyond chapter 17?

Tripper Tripper
7/9/16

I can't believe I didn't realize this was you @rckyfrk lol!

Piper97 Piper97
7/21/15