We Belong Together

Chapter 22

A few days later, Tyrese called Daryl to see when he could come in and start working again as he had a backlog of work that needed to be done. Since he was down a guy and he didn't trust Martinez, he needed someone reliable to help out. Daryl told him he could be down there that day around 11:00 to help out as needed. Tyrese never fired Daryl and was kind enough to give him whatever time he needed off so that he could straighten everything out with his arrest and the new baby. Tyrese, in fact, was thinking about making Daryl a partner in his shop. Tyrese needed someone that was a leader and could help out with the expenses and such. This way, Daryl would have a steady income. Something that was very important now that Daryl and Beth had the baby to look after. Tyrese turned the video surveillance tapes over to the police and they were now investigating Martinez and looking more into Zach's background. Turns out that Zach, not only was doing drugs, but was a dealer himself. He got into a bit of trouble though when the supplier he got his drugs from was a rival of Martinez's supplier, the Governor. The Governor was a big wig in the world of narcotics and was the number one drug supplier that the cops wanted to get their hands on. Zach had gone to the shop to talk to Martinez because he owed him money from some drugs that he bought months ago. After Zach had paid Martinez the rest of the money he promised Martinez, the Governor had put out a hit on Zach and sent Martinez out to do it. Martinez had decided to frame Daryl for the crime because that was the easiest way to get the cops from snooping around and wouldn't connect anything to the Governor. The only problem was that Tyrese put a wrench in that plan when he installed the cameras in the shop and didn't tell anyone about them. Tyrese continued to closely watch Martinez and now that he had turned the evidence into the police, so were the cops. The vendetta against Zach was also a personal one to Martinez since Daryl was right and Zach had taken a liking towards Martinez's younger sister who was just 16. He would've killed him just for that reason alone but for the Governor's request. The police were now gathering up enough evidence to serve an arrest warrant on Martinez. Rick had called Daryl and told him that the charges against him would be dropped and they would go after Martinez. "That's great, Rick! Thanks!" Daryl has told Rick when he found out the news. Later, when Daryl told Beth, she hugged him tightly and kissed him on the lips excitedly. "Oh, Daryl, that's wonderful. I'm so happy", she said. "Yeah, we can finally move on with our lives now," he stated. Daryl looked at the happy blonde in his arms. He was now thinking about the future. One that included Beth. He had been looking at engagement rings for a few days when Beth was at work and he had the baby with him. He had to admit that the thought of being married did scare him a little but he never wanted his blonde angel to be lost to him ever again. As the idea of the future settled into Daryl's head one thing still bothered him. What happened to his brother? Even though Merle could be an asshole, he still didn't give up on him. The police were out looking for Merle as well but there was still no sign of him. Daryl was resigned to knowing that he would probably have to be the one to actively look for his brother since the cops didn't think it a priority to look for a sometime druggie who dealt drugs and was arrested numerous times. 

Beth was already at the clinic and Daryl was supposed to go into the shop at 11:00. Lori, Rick's wife, had graciously offered to watch the baby while he and Beth worked during the day. She told him that it would be "practice" for her and Rick's new baby that was to be born in a few months. Daryl left the apartment at 10:15 to drop off the baby and head over to Tyrese's shop. "What a sweet baby you have, Daryl," Lori said as she held little Jayden Dixon in her arms. "He's a good baby. Well, at least that's what Beth was telling me. I wouldn't know. I was never around them." Daryl put down the diaper bag on the counter and told Lori that Beth would be by later to pick him up around 5:30. "Oh, don't worry about us, we'll be just fine, right sweetheart?" she cooed at the baby. Daryl gave his son a kiss and thanked Lori again for volunteering to help out and headed out the door. When Daryl got to the shop, Tyrese pulled him aside. "Just wanted you to know, that Martinez didn't show up for work today. No one has seen or heard from him and the cops are out looking for him." Daryl gave his friend a concerned look. "Ya think he's figured it out and skipped town?" he asked. "Don't know. No way to really know for sure. I don't think he'll come after you but I would just watch my back if I was you, though." Daryl was already watching his back and that of everyone he cared about too. Until this was all resolved and he found Merle that was a given. "I really need your help from now on since I'm short most of my staff. Before you start though, there's something I want to ask you," Tyrese said nervously. "You ain't gonna ask me to marry ya are ya?" Daryl said jokingly. Tyrese chuckled. "No, nothing like that but I was wondering if you would like to partner with me as far as this shop? Everything would be 50/50 and it will give you a steady income for you and Beth, now that the baby is here." Daryl didn't know what to say. No one had ever done anything like that for him. Ever. "I couldn't do that. That's far too generous," he said. "Why not? " Tyrese asked. "Besides, you're my best mechanic and you deserve it after all the hard work you put in. " Tyrese looked at Daryl hoping he would change his mind. Daryl stood there glancing around the shop. Tyrese did have a point. He was good at what he did and he did need money for him, Beth and his son. "Mmmmm ok, you got a deal, partner," Daryl said as he shook Tyrese's hand. "Come in here. I got some papers for you to sign," Tyrese said as Daryl followed him into the office. A few signatures later and Daryl was a partner. "I can't wait to tell Beth about this. I know she'll be so excited." A few hours later, he received a text from Beth saying that she was picking up the baby. She also wanted to know what he wanted for dinner. He texted back and told her that anything she fixed would be fine with him. He also told her he would be a few minutes late getting home since he needed to run a quick errand. Beth replied and told him that she would see him home. 

Daryl completed his work around 6:00 that evening and waved good-bye to his new partner. He had somewhere he had to stop by to pick up something for Beth. It was a ring that he had his eye on. Now that he was partners with Tyrese he could afford the ring he saw. Stopping by the jewelry store, he paid for the piece of jewelry and stuck the box in his pocket of his winged vest. Now to figure out how he was going to pop the question. He wanted to do it soon, especially since Beth was free and clear to marry and he didn't want to wait. He had waited long enough for her to be his always and forever. He got to the apartment and opened the door but no one was there. "Beth!" he called out. "Are you home?" No answer. That was strange. He swore that she said that she was coming home right after picking up the baby. Just then his phone rang. It was Lori. "Daryl, is Beth on her way here? I haven't heard from her and she was supposed to pick up the baby at 5:30." Daryl's stomach started to fill with dread. Something happened to her. Something happened to his angel. She never was late like this without calling or letting someone know she was running late. Then, it hit him. Martinez! He must have Beth. He had to find her and fast before she was harmed. Running out of the apartment with his gun and knife, he got on his motorcycle and sped out of the parking lot. He hoped that it wasn't too late.