We Belong Together

Chapter 8

Beth stood in front of the floor length mirror trying to decide on what to wear for her "talk" with Daryl that night. It was a warm night in November, the air was thick and foggy and she wanted something light but could layer it with something in case it turned colder. She had tried on several outfits and they all were now strewn about her floor and bed. Beth stopped and glanced around the room. It looked like there was a tornado that ripped through her bedroom. With a sigh, she went back into her closet to pick out yet another outfit to try on. After 2 more tries she settled on a pair of tight black jeans that showed off her firm behind and slim legs and a cute short sleeve top with peek-a-boo sleeves. It was made of a fabric that was light enough for the heat but warm enough if it got colder that night. After she was dressed, she went into the kitchen for a snack. If she was going to be drinking she needed something in her stomach. Hopefully the liquor would give her courage for what she needed to say to Daryl. Beth stopped for a moment. What was she going to say to him, she thought? She didn't really have a clue. She just figured that she would make it up as she went along. There were butterflies in her stomach making her extremely nervous as her heart was telling her one thing while her brain was telling her another. Suddenly the phone rang. It was Zach. He called her every night and morning to talk to her. Beth picked up the phone. "Hello", she answered. "Hey baby, how's my honey bunny?", he cooed into the phone. "I'm fine. I'm just hanging out here at the house", she said to him. "How was your day?" she asked. "Oh, we're still working on the house but I took a little break to get something to eat and call you", he said enthusiastically. "Sounds great." "Yeah, so what did you do all day?" her husband asked. I worked for a little while at the clinic with Daddy and Maggie and then I stopped by the shop to get the oil changed in the car." There was a silence on the other end of the phone as Zach searched for what to say. "Was he there?", he asked. "No, he wasn't.", Beth lied. She could have kicked herself just then. She never lied to Zach before. "Ok, well I miss you baby, I'll be home next week and we can spend some time together", he continued, "maybe we can work on having another baby", he said with lust in his voice. Beth swallowed hard. It wasn't that Zach was a bad lover or that she didn't enjoy having sex with her husband, it was just that every time he took her in his arms another man would come to her mind. She hated to admit that sometimes she would close her eyes and imagine it was Daryl who was making love to her. Once, she almost called out his name instead of Zach's. After that, she was very careful about not saying anyone's name. Instead opting for moans of pleasure or an "Oh, God" here and there. "Sure, that sounds...fun", she replied. "You sure, baby, it's not too early is it? Zach asked sounding concerned. "Yeah, the doctor said it was ok. I'm just...tired....I'm sorry". She lied again. Damn! What was with her today? "OK well, get some sleep and I'll call you later. I love you." "I love you, too", Beth said to Zach and with that she said her goodbyes to her husband and ended the phone call. Beth stared at the phone for a minute. She really needed a drink after that phone call. Looking at her phone to check the time, she realized that she needed to hurry up and get herself down to Joe's. She grabbed her keys and headed out the door. 

The bar was full for a Wednesday night. Beth pulled up to the dimly lit building that was Joe's bar and parked her car. It took her five minutes just to find a parking place as she circled the parking lot to find somewhere to park. As she did so, she noticed Daryl's motorcycle parked on the opposite side. She got out and made her way to the front door. The bar was busy but not packed and the air was smoky. The smell of alcohol was everywhere and permeated everything. She saw Daryl at the bar, sitting by himself on the far end and she went up to him. "Hi", she said. Daryl looked up from his glass of Jack and stared up at her. "Hey", he replied back. She took the seat next to him as the bartender moved over to where she was. "What can I get you Miss?", the burly guy on the opposite side of the bar asked. "Can I get a jack and coke?" Beth asked. The bartender nodded and went to work making her drink. "So how are you?" Beth asked Daryl. "You wanted to come here to talk...so talk." Daryl said gruffly. "I want to talk to you about what I said to you before I passed out in the parking lot", Beth said. "You didn't say anything to me...just went limp in my arms", Daryl said back to her. "No, I know what I said, Daryl. We have to talk about it." "I told you, I got nothing to say to you. Go back to your husband." Beth was becoming flustered now. "Would you just please listen to me? I know I told you I loved you. I still love you. I will always love you". The bartender came back over to them with Beth's drink. Beth thanked him and took a big swig of her Jack and Coke. "I know that you would drive by my house. I saw you one time. You even looked at me. I've been waiting for you to come back but you stopped." They both sat there in silence for a few moments. The weight of her words were heavy on him. He knew she loved him and he loved her. He tried to hide it. He tried so hard to stay away from her but he just couldn't. Beth was a drug. A drug that he could not quit. "Why'd you want to talk to me, Beth?" Daryl asked in his gravelly voice. "I thought I wanted closure but now I don't know what it is I want", she said softly. Daryl looked at her through hooded eyes. The 5 shots of Jack were starting to give him a buzz and he was starting to let his guard down with her. She was his blue eyed angel. The only woman that he had ever loved and she was sitting right next to him. Just like old times. The jukebox was playing in the back of the bar near the pool tables. The last song ended and then a song came on that sent chills down his spine. He listened to the lyrics for a moment. 

Tell me what I have to do tonight Cause I'd do anything to make it right Let's be us again I'm sorry for the way I lost my head I dont why I said the things I said Lets be us again 

Here I stand with everything to lose All I know is I dont wanna ever see the end Baby please, I'm reachin out for you Won't you open up your heart and let me come back in Lets be us again Us again 

Daryl couldn't think. He couldn't talk. It was almost like fate had a plan and that plan was to be with her. Beth looked over at the man that held her heart for all this time. He could see it in her eyes too. She was listening to the lyrics and realizing the same thing that he was....that they were meant to be together. "Want to dance?" Beth asked. Daryl didn't normally dance. He had no rhythm whatsoever but slow dancing he could do. He didn't say a word to her, instead, he took her hand and led her out to the middle of the bar near the jukebox. Their arms wrapped around each other and they began to sway to the music. Daryl held her tightly against himself, almost as if he was afraid to ever let her out of his embrace. It felt like time stood still as they swayed back and forth to the song. When it was over, Daryl looked down at the blonde that was wrapped securely in his arms. Tilting her head up with one hand, his head moved toward hers and their lips touched. Before they knew it they were in the middle of a passionate kiss as his tongue slipped inside her mouth. She tasted sweet, like honey, just like she always did. The kiss ended and Daryl placed his head to her ear and whispered to her where only she could hear his words. "I love you, Beth. I've always loved you