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They'd had a big day and they should have been ready for sleep, but now they were too full of excitement and a heavy dose of adrenaline to rest.
They sealed the deal as they rolled around their small bed, and after, as they lay side by side they talked about the love they felt and the life they wanted. A life shared together, forever. He had an idea, "Since we ain't sleepin' anyway how bout we open a bottle a wine and figure out how we wanna do this."
They sat close together on their coach, him with his arm around her shoulders and her with a notebook in her lap and a pen in her hand.
They sipped the red wine and they talked about the way things had been for them so far. The way they'd met and the unplanned drunken wedding, which neither had much recollection of, and they talked about the unbelievable luck they'd experienced.
Not just winning a million dollars and getting rid of their own and their family's debt. There was so much more to it than that. The business had gotten the attention and the publicity to grow. Granted, the attention paid to them personally could get a little annoying, and sometimes they felt like they had no privacy at all. But there was no denying the money had provided them so many wonderful opportunities to help their family and themselves.
They smiled when they talked about the real luck they'd had. They met each other. They'd gotten married and they fell in love. Maybe they didn't do those things in the traditional order, but that didn't mean their love wasn't real or true.
Now they had the strong desire, a need really, to acknowledge that love in a sober and celebratory way, with their families present.
They talked about doing something like Maggie had done. Getting married in the little church and having a nice reception at a restaurant. They talked about getting married at the farm and having the party there. Daryl joked, "Hell they invented hipflasks for a reason. Guys can just sneak their own booze in, that'll save us some money."
They talked about getting married at home right in their own backyard. None of those things seemed quite right, not quite what they wanted.
It was like the idea hit them simultaneously. They smiled and agreed, it would be perfect. They would be surrounded by close family and friends, celebrating their love with all the people who they loved and who loved them.
They made another decision. They weren't going to tell anyone of their plans. No one would know anything, except one person. A person whose help, on agreement of strict silence, they would enlist in order to successfully pull the whole thing off.
They laughed as they finished the wine, secure in the knowledge their love was strong and would last forever and their wedding would be the perfect wedding for them. Maybe not for anyone else, but for them it would be perfect.
They were happy and exhausted and her husband took her hand, gave it an affectionate squeeze and led her back to the bed where the newlyweds had shared so much love.
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Carol made a promise to Merle and to Daryl and Beth, and she was true to her word. There were no more "extra" stories filmed, only the ones they'd agreed to when they signed the contract. The once monthly "How are they doing now" spots that were held right in their only living room.
Still, because of their "celebrity status" they did get the opportunity to do a couple of things they never would have gotten to do otherwise. Daryl was asked to throw out the first pitch at the Braves season opener that year, and Beth sang the national anthem. Other than that, they kept their personal lives as personal as possible.
Interest began to wane after the first couple of months. There were still days when a few people waited for them outside their home or at the shop, but there were many days no one came. For them that was good news. For the most part they were living their lives like they wanted to, like other people got to. Out of the spotlight.
They'd looked at a lot of property. Most of it was very nice, but none of the properties had been exactly what they had in mind. Until one was. It was in the mountains, up north and west of Smithton. Not far from a fly spec sized town called Payson.
It was just a two-hour drive from home, easily doable after work on a Saturday. Heck, if they left early enough on Tuesday mornings they could just go from their land straight to work.
It was ten acres of forested land with a nice flat spot for camping and there was a deep cold mountain creek that ran through it. As they stood by it he teased her, "I'ma be expectin' my wife ta catch me some tasty dinners outta a nice creek like that."
Beth just smiled and teased back, "I'm sure she will, in fact you're going to be pretty embarrassed by the way your wife can out fish you." Then she wasn't teasing at all when she added, "You'll be cleaning the catch of course. That's your job and I wouldn't dream of taking it from you."
They laughed and they hugged and they looked around, there was no one out there but the two of them. They smiled conspiratorially, both of them understanding the meaning of the look they shared. He gave her a quick kiss and hurried to the truck to get the blanket off the backseat, and there in the soft green grass of early spring they made love to the sounds of the creek flowing, the birds singing, and the leaves rustling. Those sounds provided all the background music they needed.
Afterward she asked him, "Daryl do you always carry one of those little packets in your wallet?"
He ran his hand softly down the side of her face, kissed her and answered, "I gotta, just in case ya say yes."
"Do I ever say no?"
"Not yet, and I hope like hell ya never do."
"I can't imagine I ever would."
He stroked a hand through her hair, kissed her deeply and said the words she knew she would never tire of hearing, "I love you Beth.
As soon they were down off the mountain they drove to the real estate office and made their offer. One month later they had the deed in hand.
Life was good and business was booming. Over the months the shop had expanded to include the snow machines Merle campaigned for. He laughed and clapped Daryl on the back as the delivery people moved them from the trailer and onto the new showroom floor, "This is just the beginnin' little brother, this time next year we'll have an even bigger shop and we'll be selling four wheelers too."
As the shop became more successful their income steadily increased plus, they still had money left from the contest. Yet their lifestyle hadn't change much at all. They still lived in the little house and there had been very few changes made to it.
She'd hung a few pictures on the walls, and ever since Maggie's wedding Daryl always made sure there were fresh flowers on the kitchen table. She'd asked him to paint the bathroom pale yellow and he did. She bought new towels, a new shower curtain and made new curtains for the window.
She asked him to paint their bedroom a soft blue color and he did, and she bought new sheets and new bed pillows. She sewed new curtains for the windows and there was a new bedspread. Except for those few changes, things remained unchanged in the little house.
He'd asked her a few times if she was sure she didn't want a larger, fancier house. The last time he did she'd gotten downright irritated with him. "I want you to stop asking me that Daryl Dixon. I love this house. I don't plan on leaving it. I fell in love with my husband here." She paused and smiled, "Well maybe I fell in love before we ever even got here, but that doesn't matter. This is our home and I'm not leaving."
He stood up straight like he was at attention, saluted her and said, "Yes Ma'am Mrs. Dixon."
She side-eyed him and he laughed as he got her in a bear hug and said, "I'll tell ya girl, you're the only person I know who's more stubborn than me."
They were happy and their home was happy, and for the first time in his life Daryl saw that his brother was happy. Not the joking around, glad handing and telling jokes kind of happy. Merle was genuinely happy and content with Carol in his life.
Except when Carol wasn't there.
That was the problem, Carol didn't live there. She lived far away where she had a big important job and a big fat paycheck. She didn't seem inclined to leave the job, at least not as far as Daryl or Beth knew. And Merle didn't plan to leave Road Ragin'. They were at an impasse.
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In just one month they would celebrate their first anniversary. Of course the casino was making a very big deal out of the occasion. One week before the anniversary they would be flying the newlyweds back to Las Vegas first class. There would be a large party, a series of interviews and they'd film one more commercial. They didn't mind it this time, they told themselves it was a very small price to pay for how well things turned out for them.
They had some plans of their own too. This time they were going to enjoy the honeymoon suite like they wished they would have the first time they stayed in it.
They were packing their bags when he grabbed her, got her down on their little bed and was tickling her when he threatened, "I can't wait ta get ya in that big ass shower Baby. I plan ta have all kindsa fun with your sweet self and there won't be no escapin' me."
She was laughing so hard she almost couldn't answer, "Who says I'm going to try Mister Dixon?"
The hype was in high gear just as it had been when they first won. Interest in the newlyweds had once again shot through the roof. Besides the entertainment shows and the magazines, every local news personality wanted to get in some time with the newlywed millionaires, who were just one week shy of no longer officially being newlyweds.
Carol scheduled a series of interviews one right after another and although it was grueling, it actually made it a little easier on Daryl and Beth. They lost that whole day and evening talking to TV reporters, magazine reporters and internet reporters, but when the day was done, so were they.
Except for the commercial.
Even it seemed to go pretty easy. They were a little more seasoned now, used to having cameras and phones pointed at them, and no one had to ask them to smile at each other, hold hands or kiss. It all came naturally and happily.
Of course it was also true that this time around they weren't hungover and wondering what they'd gotten themselves into, and what hell would end up happening next.
They'd invited their families and friends to join them for the first anniversary celebration, and everyone was due to arrive in Vegas three days before the big party. Originally the casino had agreed to fly the family there, but not first class as the newlyweds flown. The family would travel in economy class.
That didn't sit well with Carol at all. She decided she'd better have a sit down with the big boss and encourage him to see things her way.
She reminded him how beneficial it was for the casino to appear gracious and generous. She reminded him about all the money the young couple had helped put in the casino's coffers and his own pocket. She reminded him of how the country, and the world really, had fallen in love with them and their story. And that whole world would be watching one year later to see how the young couple were doing.
Did he really want to make her old Daddy, her pregnant sister and the brother in law, and her brother and sister in law and their new baby, travel in economy? Of course, who could forget the groom's one and only family member, his brother.
Wouldn't the casino look generous and wonderfully kind if they brought the group in first class? Maybe they could even do a little filming of Daryl and Beth meeting them at the airport.
She smiled her sweetest smile when she promised, "I can guarantee you, if you fly them all out here first class and put them in the nicest rooms I'll make sure it's headline news: 'The French Riviera Hotel & Casino Treats Family Like Family.'" Another brilliant marketing plan was hatched.
Daryl and Beth paid the airfare for Jim and his wife Jill, Abe and Rosita, and Amber and her fiancé Alden. Their reason was simple, they wanted them there too. Carol again took matters into her capable hands when she arranged for their friend's rooms. She winked at the hotel hospitality manager, "They all look like high rollers to me. The casino always comps the rooms for big gamblers, right?"
He smiled back, "Why of course Miss Carol! Nothing but the finest the hotel has to offer for our special guests."
The morning of their anniversary a breakfast, very similar to the first breakfast they'd shared, was delivered to the room. He smiled at her as he dropped a strawberry in her champagne glass, popped the cork on the bottle and poured it for her. He poured his own, they clinked glasses and he said, "To us Mrs. Dixon, Happy Anniversary. I love ya Baby."
"And I love you Mister Dixon. Happy Anniversary Honey."
They enjoyed the breakfast and the champagne and then he got such a sweet and innocent look when he asked, "Ya think we oughta shower now? I mean, ya know, if we're gonna be spendin' the day with everyone we should probably clean up. Right?"
Between the champagne and his contrived innocence she was laughing again. "Absolutely, I wouldn't want to be smelly at my own party."
He was doing his best not to laugh when he picked her up in his arms and carried her that way, "Yeah, ya better come with me Miss Stinky. I'll get ya washed up."
The jets were hitting them in all the right places as he lathered up her hair, and it was all he could do to try and keep at least half his mind on what he was doing. He kissed her shoulder and her neck and got a mouth full of shampoo that didn't even phase him. He ran a shampoo covered hand over the curve of her bottom and whispered, "Nicest ass in the world."
She turned around in his arms and smiled, "I don't know about that. My husband's ass is pretty fine."
His shampoo covered hands slowly began to glide from her shoulders down her chest, where he rubbed his soapy palms softly and teasingly over her nipples.
She urged him, "We'll never finish our shower if we don't speed this up." He just smiled and kept teasing her breasts, then she made a grab for his manhood and said, "Now! I want you in that great big bed with me right now!" Her strategy worked, the rest of the shower went so much more quickly.
They enjoyed toweling each other off and when they were dry enough he once again lifted her in his arms. He wasn't done carrying her around. He liked the feel of her small body in his arms, and how her arms circled his neck as she pressed her body into his.
He laid her down on the big bed and she smiled as she spread her legs for him. He didn't hesitate to take her up on the offer. They'd done a lot of teasing in the shower and he was ready for her. Still, he didn't rush it.
He covered a breast with his mouth, softly sucked and then looked up at her, "Yep, smells sweet and tastes nice n clean. I done a fine cleanin' job."
She was laughing when she scolded, "Quit it Daryl."
"I can't, I ain't done checkin' for spots I mighta missed."
His tongue slowly slid down her abdomen and over her mound, and then it was on her and in her, tasting and flicking across her clit. She was wiggling and moaning and he was so ready. He scooted up on his knees, grabbed the condom off the nightstand, then paused. He looked in her eyes and she thought she might know what he was about to ask.
"Wanna just forget this thing and see what happens?"
Her smile and her eyes were sparkling when she said, "Yes, let's see."
He tossed the packet over his shoulder and said, "Alright, ready or not…"
Carol had the stylist sent up. A very nice fellow named Eric who had garment bags with the clothes they'd chosen. Before they dressed he helped Beth with her hair and makeup while Daryl sat in the chair, just quietly watching as the woman he loved got herself all prettied up. He spoke from the heart when he said, "Ya know ya don't need all that shit Baby. I like your look when we're campin'. When ya got no makeup and your hair's all crazy curly."
Before Beth could respond Eric chimed in, "I agree with you. Your wife is pretty enough without makeup. I promise I'll keep it light."
Her husband had already seen her dress so there was no need to hide it from him. The couple got their clothes on, smiled at each other and he took her in his arms. He'd just leaned in to kiss her when there was a knock at the door.
"I knew there was sumthin' I hated about this damn place and that's it. Someone's always knockin' on the fuckin' door.'
He opened it and a young dark-haired woman stuck out a hand to bump fists and said, "Hey, hi, I'm Tara. I'm just here to get a couple of photos of you two before we go downstairs. Alright?"
Beth was confused, "We're taking photos here? In the room?"
Tara smiled and explained, "It's Carol's idea. She thought a couple of posed photos of you two might be a nice thing for you to have. They're not for publicity, they're just for you. There's that living room area over there, and that really cool bar. I could get some great snaps."
Beth was excited now, "Oh yes, that would be wonderful. Let's do it Daryl."
"Sure yeah, why the hell not? I had my picture taken so many times in the last year it don't even hurt anymore."
After the photos Tara left with them, but they didn't go to the small ballroom where their friends and family were gathered and waiting, instead they went straight to the chapel.
Carol was waiting for them there and she smiled when they walked in. "You two look so beautiful, just like you always do. The difference today is, I'm pretty sure you're glowing."
Her words had them blushing. Daryl gave the woman a quick hug and said, "Hey, thanks for helpin' us pull all this off Carol. We couldn't a managed it without ya. No one suspects a thing."
Carol was beaming, "It's going to be so wonderful and I'm so happy you thought of this idea. It's perfect. Thank you for agreeing to let Tara take some photos during the ceremony. It will be 100% your choice which photos we give to Entertainment Tonight and People to use." She laughed softly and said, "You know your fans are going to want to see the newest wedding pictures of their favorite newlyweds."
Soft music was playing in the background as the couple took a moment to look around the room. It was decorated just as they'd planned. No cheesy Las Vegas glitz. There were white chairs for their guests and a white aisle runner, but most importantly there were huge bouquets and baskets filled with real flowers, not the usual artificial ones. They were just what Beth had chosen, white roses.
She loved the symbolism of the white rose, true love and unity and the pureness of an honest love. When she'd mention it to Daryl his response was immediate, "Yeah Baby, let's get those kinda flowers. Lotsa those."
Carol handed them each a box. Beth opened hers first, it was the smallest of the two. She removed the single white rose, Daryl's boutonnière, and pinned it to his lapel. He looked down at the flower then at her and said, "Damn Baby, I'm so fancy." He kissed her forehead and added, "But then I s'pose a guy marryin' a woman as pretty as you oughta try n look a little fancy."
He opened the box Carol had given him and handed his bride her bouquet of white roses. They shared a kiss and Tara took a picture of them on the small alter. Then Carol radioed her new assistant, "Hi Enid, you can bring our guests to the chapel now."
Beth scooted into a separate bridal waiting room with Carol, and Daryl stood by the door to greet the stunned guests. Maggie was all smiles as she pretended to punch his arm, "You're not! The two of you get to have two weddings when I only got to have one?! This is so not fair, so not fair." Then she got serious, kissed his cheek and said, "I'm so happy Daryl, you two deserve to have a special wedding."
She started to take a seat with Glenn but Daryl stopped her, "No Maggie, Beth said ya got a job ta do. Enid's gonna take ya to her."
He told her Daddy, "If ya could stand here and wait just a few minutes Hershel, Beth's gonna need her Daddy ta walk her down the aisle." He saw the tears in the old man's eyes when he nodded his head, and it made Daryl feel even happier they were doing what they were doing.
When everyone was seated he walked over to Merle and said, "C'mon brother, you're standin' up there with me."
It was not the usual wedding chapel preacher. The fellow who would officiate was a pastor at a real church in Vegas, Father Gabriel was his name. Daryl and Beth met with him the previous morning to talk about vows and what they wanted.
He stood on the small alter with Daryl and his brother, and Carol sat with Glenn.
The music changed and Daryl knew it was time. He stood straight and kept his eyes on the door, watching as Maggie came walking through. She was carrying a small bouquet of mixed roses and there was a big smile on her face.
The groom swallowed hard and kept his eye on the door, and then she was there. Her arm was looped through her Daddy's and she looked straight at her husband, the man she loved enough to marry twice.
He couldn't keep from smiling at the sight of the woman he was about to marry. She wore a simple white satin dress and she left her hair hanging down, like he liked it. There were little flowers twined in it, and when she smiled at him he was sure there had never been a woman more beautiful.
He remembered when she'd looked at the dress and said, "No, it would be silly for me to wear white."
He didn't let that go by, "What the fuck Beth, ya wear what ya want. If anyone don't like it they can kiss my ass."
She couldn't seem to tear her eyes away from him as she made the slow-paced walk. He looked so handsome. It was funny to her how different the two of them were, and yet how well they seemed to work together. Here she was all dressed in white, and there he was all dressed in black. Black shirt, black suit, even a waistcoat. He'd really turned it up for her.
The thought in both their minds though was how much this meant. Having a chance to say their vows again when they were both fully "present" in body and in mind. It was everything to them to make this commitment to each other because they knew beyond all doubt their love was true, they would be together forever.
They said their vows, the preacher pronounced them man and wife, and the small group of family and friends whistled and clapped happily when the groom kissed his bride.
Everyone made their way back to the small ballroom to toast the couple with glasses of champagne, and all enjoyed the steak and seafood dinner, the dancing and the chocolate wedding cake.
Daryl and Beth slipped the gift box to Carol as they quietly thanked her for everything she'd done for them. "Oh you two, I didn't expect a gift. Shame on you. I loved helping you do this, what's more exciting than being a co-conspirator? I appreciate that you trusted me, and I had the most fun I've ever had planning an event."
Then she whispered to them, "I hate to do this to you on your wedding day, but Merle and I have a little favor to ask you. It won't take more than a half hour."
Daryl's brow furrowed, "What? Is everythin' okay?"
"Everything is perfect. We want you to take a little walk with us, we're just going down the block. Would you?"
Daryl was confused by the odd request but Carol had helped them so much he didn't bat an eye about saying, "Yeah, yeah sure," he looked to Beth, "is that okay Baby?"
"Yes of course. What's going on Carol?"
"You'll see." She smiled that little smile that on the one hand was so sweet, but it also looked like she was up to something.
The guests began to drift away, back to their rooms or out to the gaming tables. When Maggie left with Glenn to walk Daddy to his room, Beth told her husband, "Okay, we can all go now."
They still had no idea where they were going, they just followed his brother and Carol. They got a half block down the street when they spotted it just up ahead, the Love Me Tender Wedding Chapel.
Daryl couldn't seem to help it, he started to laugh, "You're fuckin' kiddin' me ain't ya Merle?"
"Shit no I ain't kiddin' ya."
Carol laughed too when she said, "Daryl come on now, of all the people you know who do you think is the most likely candidate to ask the woman he loves to get married, by a preacher dressed like Elvis?"
Merle looked a little offended when he shrugged and asked, "Well who the fuck is more romantic than Elvis?"
Daryl and Beth stood up with the bride and groom as they took their vows, and they made as much noise as they could when "Elvis" pronounced his brother and Carol man and wife.
Beth just had to know and she asked, "Is this going to be a long distance marriage?"
Merle didn't wait for his bride to answer, "Hell no it ain't, I want this woman in my bed with me every night."
Carol was shaking her head, but she was also grinning ear to ear. A genuinely happy smile, "I'm going to start my own event planning business right from home." Then she got the biggest smile of her life as she patted her tummy and added, "I'll want to be at home when the baby comes."
Later that night, and finally alone in their room, Daryl was kissing her shoulder as he slowly unbuttoned her dress. He paused, wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "I love ya Baby. I'm so happy we done this today. We made good memories." He slipped his hands inside the dress and as he fingers skimmed along her warm skin he nuzzled her ear and added, "Let's make another."
Five Years Later
The little camper now stayed permanently in their backyard. Beth had it fixed up real cute with a brick walkway leading to the door and pots of flowers around it, there was even a small umbrella table and four chairs.
She loved sitting at the little table while she watched their children play, four year old Wes and his two year old sister Ruby. The camper was like their own fancy dollhouse where their Mama fed them their lunches and they played games at the little table.
As their family had grown she'd finally admitted they needed something a little bigger for camping, but she just couldn't let go of the little camper where so much love had been made those first couple of years.
He'd found something almost as special though. It was an old motor home, built heavy like things used to be made. Real wood and steal construction. It was in pretty darn good shape but he did fix up a few things, and of course he got new mattresses for all the beds.
That's what it had that they needed, separate bedrooms. One for them and one for the kids. They were small rooms, barely more than enough space to have a double bed in theirs and bunks in the children's tiny room. But that was all they needed.
Daryl built side rails on the bunks to keep the children safe, and when all was ready he and Merle moved it onto his and Beth's land. It was their little home in the wilderness where they would spend many happy days and nights.
The millionaire newlyweds had all that they could ever want, each other, their children, and a get-away place of their own.
The first night they stayed there, after they'd tucked the children in bed and crawled in their own, he told her. "Ya know, I used ta be a kind of miserable guy. I had a chip on my shoulder, I thought everyone hated me and so I decided I hated everyone. When the economy tanked and I thought I's gonna lose everythin' I had, shit. I knew it was true. I was the kind of guy who had no good luck at all."
He pulled her closer, kissed her hair and said, "Everything changed when me and Merle made a side trip ta Vegas, and I met my Lady Luck."
And They Lived Happily Ever After
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