Hi everyone!

I'm SO sorry for the delay. Grad school and work have kept me busy. I hope you enjoy the chapter! Thank you SO much for the wonderful reviews! Thank you guys! Much love!

-M

Chapter Eleven:

Annette's funeral had finally come to pass. Beth didn't want to be there, but she had to be. She had to be for her mother. For her father. For her brothers and sister. For her niece and nephew. She had to be there, she had to make it up to them. She had to be strong. She couldn't check out. She had to grow up and be there, even if she didn't want to be. It would be hard, yes, but she knew she had to be there. She didn't want to answer the questions, or receive condolences. If anything, she just wanted to crawl in a hole.

But alas, she could not. She had to be strong. Like her father often said, they all had jobs to do.

And so she sat there, listening to Brother Gabriel's eulogy, absentmindedly squeezing Daryl's hand as tightly as she could with one hand, and Maggie's with the other.

"I first met Annette eight years ago, when I came to preach here from Tennessee. I'd never had a preaching job before, I didn't really have any experience, and I guess Annette could tell, you know? She was the first one to welcome me in, and she showed me kindness. That woman knew the Bible like the back of her hand, in some respects, she knew it better than me. One of her favorite passages was the ending of Romans chapter 8, which reads: "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." She was such a wonderful woman. And, one thing that I loved about Annette was that if you messed up, she'd tell you. She was kind about it, but she was always firm. I don't believe in my eight years here that I ever once met anyone who was brave enough to cross Annette Greene." Brother Gabriel said. The crowd laughed, even Beth cracked a smile.

Brother Gabriel continued, "Annette took me and my wife, Carrie, under her wing. She really showed us kindness. And, she loved her children. You didn't have to know Annette long before you knew about Shawn and Sadie. And Maggie and Glenn. And Lori and Rick. And Beth. And you certainly didn't have to know her long before you knew about Carl and Judith. She missed Lori so much. I don't think a day went by that she didn't miss Lori. But, she loved her children. She had such a huge heart. She was always there for everyone. I don't think anyone in this congregation got sick without Annette knowing about it. She took care of everyone. She loved everyone. And though I know she's reached her reward, but I'm going to miss her, so very much. And I know everyone else is, too."

By then, tears streamed down Beth's face, her face hot. She felt Maggie's hand on her shoulder, and Daryl's gaze was stuck on the front of the church. Beth just wanted the funeral to be over, that way they could go home.

An hour and a half later, the Greene family was eating lunch in the church annex. Beth sat quietly as Maggie and Shawn talked with the rest of the family. Beth felt physically exhausted, she pushed the food around on her plate as she feigned interest in conversation. She wanted to go home; she wanted to go back to Atlanta and lose herself in work. However, all she could do was sit there as Daryl sat down next to her, handing her a plate of dessert.

"Uh, found some pie. Figured you might like it." Daryl muttered. Beth shrugged.

"Thanks." Beth mumbled, taking a sip of sweet tea.

"Ain't been in a church in years." Daryl said, trying to break the tension.

"Really?" Beth asked.

"Mhm. When me an' Merle got adopted, we used to go to church all the time. Dale 'n Irma were Episcopal. We used to go, 'til I reckon I got to college." Daryl said, taking bite of pie.

"I've slipped recently. I guess I just got busy." Beth said, her voice filled with melancholy.

"We should go to Six Flags. When we get back to Atlanta." Daryl suggested. Beth looked up, her eyebrows raising in surprise.

"Yeah? Why's that?" Beth asked.

"Wanna ride the Goliath." Daryl mumbled.

Beth smiled lightly, "I'd like that, very much."

"We had a wake for my mom—Irma. Seemed like it drug on forever." Daryl said.

"With Lori, all of us just wanted to go home." Beth replied, "I hate funerals."

"Me too. I don't want one when I go. Just stick me in a pine box and throw me in a hole." Daryl said.

"I have no idea what I want." Beth said, "I figured I'd be dead, I won't really care much."

"True. 'Course, you could always just get cremated." Daryl muttered.

"I have a phobia that I won't actually be dead when they cremate me." Beth replied quickly. Daryl looked at her, his eyebrows slightly raised.

"That's kinda weird." Daryl said, his lips twitching slightly upward.

"I know." Beth replied, smiling lightly, though it only reached her eyes. Daryl nodded, and continued eating his pie. Beth sat quietly beside him, trying not to stare at Daryl's arms as he lifted the plate closer to his face. Beth would never admit it, but Daryl was extremely handsome. There was something about his quiet demeanor that made him extremely attractive.

Beth and the rest of the Greene family went back to the farm to decompress from the day's events. Her aunt, June, and her daughters joined them, coming back to spend time with the family. Beth, in all honesty, just wanted to go back to her old bedroom and sleep. She was exhausted, and she didn't want to deal with her aunt or her cousins that afternoon.

She managed to steal Daryl away, and they went into the study to look at pictures. It helped to remember her mother, to look back fondly and recall the memories she shared with her.

"I was about six here. This was Easter Sunday, after church. Maggie was nine. Lori was sixteen. Shawn was twelve." Beth explained, running her fingers over the picture.

"That's nice, Beth." Daryl said. The two continued to look over pictures, until Beth heard her aunt and cousins rummaging through something, with Maggie following them. Beth lifted her head, and followed the sound into Hershel and her mother's bedroom. She looked into the doorway and noticed her aunt putting boxes on the bed—and putting Annette's clothes inside.

"Uh, Aunt June? What are you doin'?" Beth asked, her eyebrows furrowing together.

Her aunt June, who looked just like Annette except for her green eyes, looked up. "Oh, I'm just goin' through her things. Gettin' rid of some stuff. Puttin' stuff away."

"And who said you could do that?" Beth asked, her voice raising an octave, "That's my mom's stuff. That's Maggie's mom's stuff. We should be goin' through that."

"Well, I figured I'd do some of that for ya. Plus, there's some of her jewelry that I'd like to have." June replied.

Beth looked to Maggie, whose eyes widened in surprise, and then stepped into the room.

"June, my mama has been dead since Friday. Don't ya think it's a bit soon to be riflin' through her things?" Beth asked.

"I'm with Beth. You want her jewelry, you can go through it after we're done. That's our mother. Judith's grandmother. That stuff belongs to us and to daddy." Maggie said firmly.

"She's my sister. I don't see why y'all are getting so worked up. I want some of her things." June replied, her voice raising slightly.

"I don't see why you guys won't let her pick out what she wants." June's daughter, Stephanie, said.

"Because that's our mother." Beth said, her voice a bit sharp, "At least let 'em put 'er in the ground before you start peddlin' her stuff."

"I'm not!" June said, offended.

"June, I know she's your sister, but you need to leave." Maggie said matter-of-factly.

"No, I most certainly do not. Hershel!" June yelled. At this, Beth suddenly lost it. She walked forward, picking up the boxes, and threw them into the hallway.

"Get out. Get out right now. Leave. Or I will make you leave." Beth said, nearly shoving her aunt out the door. Maggie aided her, showing June and the girls to the car. Daryl stood in the kitchen, talking to Hershel, Rick, and Glenn, smirking slightly until her saw Beth and Maggie tromp into the kitchen.

"You girls alright?" Hershel asked, drinking a glass of milk.

"Didn't you hear that? June was already riflin' through Mama's stuff. I made 'em leave!" Beth exclaimed, sitting at the breakfast bar.

"Yeah, Bethy through their boxes out in the hallway an' kicked 'em out. June an' those snotty brats of hers." Maggie huffed, standing next to Glenn.

"She made it seem like you knew." Beth said.

"I didn't. If I did, I'd be throwin' her out. You all wanna go through your mother's stuff, that fine. But I don't want June touchin' it. She'll take all the stuff I want y'all and Judith to have." Hershel said.

"Isn't June rich?" Glenn asked.

"Yeah. And she's the one Mama never got along with. Only cared about money." Beth huffed.

"She told me you were too good for me." Daryl said, causing everyone to look up.

"What?" Beth asked. Daryl shrugged.

"Yeah. Said she didn't like me." Daryl replied.

Hershel chuckled. "Don't pay her any mind, Daryl. We've enjoyed your company. Wish it were under better circumstances, but we've enjoyed you."

"Thanks." Daryl mumbled.

"I think I'm gonna go out to the stables. Go out for a ride." Beth said.

"Alright, Bethy-bee. We'll see ya later." Maggie said. Beth went upstairs to change her clothes, throwing on a pair of jeans and an old t-shirt, and putting her hair back in a ponytail. She hopped downstairs and out the back door, headed to the barn.

"Greene! Wait up!" Daryl called, running after her, in a pair of jeans and a sleeveless shirt.

"Daryl! What is it?" Beth asked.

"Wanted to know if you wanted company." Daryl replied.

"Sure. Wouldn't mind at all. Ridden before?" Beth asked, tromping down the gravel road to the barn.

"A few times." Daryl said.

"Alright, then. I'll put you on Mack. He's a good one. Jake's behind you, right?" Beth asked, looking for her puppy.

"Yeah. He is. Jake! Come on!" Daryl hollered. Jake, the now six-month-old, came trotting behind Daryl, his tail wagging as he followed. Beth entered the barn, getting Mack, the old Appaloosa horse from his stall, and saddling him up. Next, she grabbed her favorite horse, Traveler, the gray Belgian draft horse, and got him ready. He was her horse, always had been. He was large, sturdy, and Beth had always loved him, even if she did need a step ladder to reach him. Daryl smirked as he watched her climb onto the massive horse, Jake getting in between the horses and waiting for the go ahead. Beth led the way, staying quiet as they left the barn.

"Sorry 'bout your aunt 'causin' trouble." Daryl said as they traveled down the gravel road.

"What? It's not your fault that she's a greedy witch." Beth replied, leaning back slightly.

"Just wish it didn't have to go down like that." Daryl muttered, holding the reigns for Mack in his hand.

Beth missed this. She hadn't ridden Traveler in months, and she missed being on the farm. She missed having Traveler and her family so close. More than that, she missed her mother.

"My mom used to ride all the time. She used to compete, had her own horse, Nelly. She loved it. She taught Carl to ride as soon as he was big enough to walk." Beth laughed, recalling her mother.

"Sounds like quite the lady." Daryl said quietly.

"She was. She was...Everything I ever wanted to be." Beth admitted.

"You turned out well." Daryl said. Beth smiled slightly, as they stopped to survey the land from a large bluff.

"Beautiful land you got here." Daryl commented, smiling slightly as they stopped to view the land near the creek.

"It's my favorite place. Mama and I used to come out here all the time." Beth explained, wiping her eyes.

"Hey." Daryl said, catching Beth's attention, "I know it sucks right now. But it'll get better."

"I still miss Lori. Every day." Beth whispered.

"So does Rick." Daryl replied.

"Rick and I, we almost wouldn't say 'er name for months. It was like if we mentioned her, she was really gone. But with my mom, I'm afraid I'll forget her." Beth admitted, tears in her eyes.

"You'll be alright, Beth." Daryl whispered.

"I just wish I had more time." Beth admitted, her head dropping.

"Everyone does." Daryl said. The two were quiet for a moment, looking out at the land that had been in Beth's family for years. This was her home, and yet, it still somehow felt empty. Beth didn't know what she would do without her mother, just like she still didn't know what to do without Lori.

"Maybe we should get back. 'S gonna be dark soon." Daryl said quietly, turning to face Beth.

"Okay. I'm right behind you." Beth said. Daryl led the way, slowly, as Jake trotted along beside them. Beth kept her head up, viewing the sunset from the pasture.

"This is my favorite pasture." Beth told him, pointing out the tall grass that danced in the field, framing the tall oak and maple trees on the edge of the property.

"I can see why." Daryl replied, "This would be a nice huntin' place."

"Shawn hunts out here all the time. So does daddy." Beth said, "Our freezer used to be full of deer and rabbit. I don't think we ever bought meat from the store."

"I like that. Sounds like my freezer." Daryl said, "I come down here to hunt every couple of weeks."

"You haven't been down since you've been livin' with me." Beth teased.

"Yeah, 'cause you've got food in your fridge." Daryl laughed, a smirk teasing his lips. The two rode back to the barn, washing down Mack and Traveler, and giving them apples. For Beth, going horseback riding was cathartic, and she was glad that Daryl had decided to join her. Even in her time of grief, he was giving her butterflies. She almost didn't want the time to end, because that meant that she had to go back to the real world.

"I'm not ready to go back yet, but I know I need to." Beth said. Daryl nodded, following her as she walked back to the house.

"We've got a big case to work on. It's gonna be a bitch to finish, but it's gonna be worth it. I promise, Beth." Daryl assured her.

Beth knew that solving the case would be good for her. She knew that working with Daryl would be a lot easier now, much easier than it was in the beginning. She knew she didn't need to be distracted. She was tired of taking a step back; she was ready to be working again.

As Daryl and Beth walked back to the house, they walked side-by-side, Jake leading the way. Daryl gave Beth a small smile. Beth could see that he wasn't used to this; trying to give comfort to a girl he barely knows. She knew he was out of his element, but she was thankful for him.

Strangely enough, though Annette was gone, the Greene family was closer than ever. Carl had suggested that everyone play Cards Against Humanity, being one of Annette's favorite games. Beth and Daryl reluctantly sat down at the table and began to play. Admittedly, Daryl had never played this game before, but seeing Beth light up as Carl revealed his slightly inappropriate card made the night memorable. At first, Beth was just an extension of Rick; and Daryl loved giving her a hard time. However, the more time he spent with her, he began to see the empathetic, kind, brilliant person she was. In truth, he had never felt this way before, but it was Beth. Beth who worked in the morgue. Beth, the blood spatter analyst. He couldn't be falling for her, could he?

Beth and Daryl left for Atlanta the next afternoon. Beth didn't want to leave, but she knew they had to head back for work. She promised her father she'd be back in a few days, and he assured her that he'd be fine, that Shawn and Sadie were staying with him for the time being. Beth still wanted her father to know she'd be checking up on him, and he appreciated the thought, shooing her to the car after telling her that Daryl was certainly a catch and that he approved.

"I like your family." Daryl said on the car ride back.

"I do, too." Beth joked. Daryl smirked, noting that she seemed to be doing better.

"So, we've got case files to go over when we get back." Daryl said.

"Yep. Any news?" Beth asked.

"Nothin' important. Not right now, at least." Daryl replied.

"Where was Michonne? I thought for sure she'd be here through this whole thing." Beth mumbled, looking out the window.

"She's in Savannah, searchin' for anything remotely tied to Phillip Blake." Daryl said, "Seems he's got a few ties to a few other violent crimes."

"Is she undercover?" Beth asked, biting her lower lip.

"Kinda. She's workin' for the FBI right now." Daryl explained, taking an exit that led to Beth's apartment in Atlanta.

"I hope she's safe." Beth whispered, mostly to herself.

"She can take care of 'erself. I've seen 'er do it." Daryl said. Beth leaned her head against the window, closing her eyes. She felt as if she'd run a marathon, and if she were being honest, she wasn't sure if she would ever fully feel rested again. She appreciated that Daryl was letting her enjoy the silence, because in that moment, she needed it.

They arrived back at Beth's apartment just before dinner. Beth sat on the couch, propping her feet up, and closing her eyes. She felt drained; utterly exhausted. Daryl seemed to sense this, and walked over to the refrigerator, getting her a can of Mountain Dew and setting it on the coffee table. Jake laid in the floor next to her, his dark eyes watching her every move. Daryl sat in the chair opposite of her, quietly tapping his hands on his knees.

"I'm goin' to work tomorrow." Beth declared, sitting up, and taking a sip of soda.

"You sure?" Daryl asked.

"Positive." Beth replied. Daryl nodded, sitting back in the chair.

The two sat in silence, just like that, for what seemed like hours. Beth didn't feel the need to say anything; and Daryl knew she'd talk if she needed to. She appreciated that, because she didn't like to be prodded. Daryl seemed to know exactly what she needed, and Beth loved that she didn't have to say anything. She knew that in the morning, life would go back to normal. She knew that she'd be back at work. But for right now, she just needed to sit down in silence. She had Daryl, and she had Jake, and she knew she'd be okay. She knew she'd make it, but in that moment, she just wanted to enjoy the silence.