Look at me! Another chapter! Someone give me a gold star!

No, but really. I honestly was not expecting many reviews at all due to the fact that I haven't been around in so long. Really though, I'm surprised I received ten thus far! You guys literally are the greatest.

On a side note, I read through my story last night and holy shit is it cringe worthy… HOW IS IT SO POPULAR? MY WRITING USED TO SUCK. JESUS CHRIST.

Anyways…

Thank you to:

Amyleann, guest1, guest2, WalkerHarley,

Angelicedg, vickig75, Caitiann,

Guest3, guest4, and Beth fan for you reviews!

I also want to take the time to thank all of those who have followed and favorited this story. You guys truly rock.

Warning: Mild sexual content. Nothing too serious.

Disclaimer: I don't own, or claim to own, anything associated with The Walking Dead. I just like to play around with it!

Chapter 22 (No specific POV)

The two climbed out of the vehicle and casually walked to the convenience store. They knew that the place was completely walker free, considering on their previous run they had cleared it out and boarded it up as much as possible to keep from any new ones from filtering in. However, Rick especially knew that they still had to keep on their toes. Anything could happen. Once they approached the building, Rick unwound the chain that linked the doors together and opened it, allowing Beth to go in first so that he could get one last look around of the outside area, making sure that there weren't any walkers nearby. Or worse; humans.

Beth smiled at him as she passed and walked into the store, waiting for Rick as he wrapped the chain back around the handles to keep from any outsiders wandering in. "Alright. That should be good for now." The man turned to look at her, a soft smile on his face. "It's good to be out here with you again, Beth…"

She blushed and smiled shyly, giving a shrug. "We're just gettin' condoms, Rick…"

"I know." He couldn't help but let out a small laugh as he stepped closer to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "It's nice to be alone with you. Truly alone… That hasn't happened in ages."

Beth nodded and wrapped her arms his waist and let out a contented sigh. "I know… Maybe you're right. We could take advantage of this, if just for a little while. Spend time and talk together…"

He nodded and kissed the crown of her head again as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "How are you really holding up? You been okay?"

Beth knew that this conversation would come up, for it could not be avoided. She wasn't angry that he asked, not in the slightest, but he inquiring made her truly think for a moment. Was she okay? Was she ready to take this step again? The women let out another sigh, thinking things over for a long moment, and feeling grateful that Rick had not yet interrupted her thoughts. It had only been two weeks since the miscarriage, and she had time to properly mourn over her loss. She realized that he had to move on… There was no point in holding onto this tragedy forever, due to the fact that it would only make her more miserable in the end. "Yes…" She finally answered with a nod of her head, looking up at him with a genuine smile. "I'm fine. I have you, and that is what is most important. I'm okay."

Rick was relieved, leaning his head down to press their foreheads together and closing his eyes. "I'm glad, sunshine. I'm so glad…" He squeezed her gently before pulling away, kissing her lips briefly before taking her hand and walking to look for the condoms… Right. Condoms. The man did his absolute best to keep his obvious excitement contained, not wanting to make Beth feel rushed. God, what was wrong with him? He was acting like a horny teenager all over again! But then again, that is always how Beth would make him feel. There was just something about her…her youth, her obvious drive for sexual intercourse, her in and out beauty… She was the absolute perfect woman, he had decided, and this brought an even wider smile to his face.

Beth happened to be glancing up at him, raising an inquisitive brow as she saw his happiness. "What in the world are you so happy about?"

"I'm with the most wonderful human being in the world, of course. Who wouldn't smile about that?"

"Well aren't you just the charmer of the century…"

"Are you complaining?"

She smiled, looking at him for a moment before shaking her head. "Absolutely not."

The two made their way through the store, taking their time looking at the picked over items that were left. It almost felt…normal…but then again, wasn't this the norm now adays? They managed to find a few articles of clothing for Judith, and Rick couldn't contain his smile when he saw that Beth was overjoyed to do so…

After Beth's arms were full of little clothes, they made their way over to the condoms. Rick cleared his throat awkwardly and picked out a box that didn't look like it was too old, smirking as he looked at his woman. "Will these do for the lady?"

Beth almost visibly shivered at the deep tone that was in Rick's voice, eventually nodding. "I think they will do just fine, Mr. Grimes…"

He chuckled darkly and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling their bodies together and kissing her lips heatedly, making Beth squeak in surprise. Though, she didn't complain. Instead, she dropped the clothes on the ground and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss with a soft little moan. Rick growled and pulled away, looking at her with dark, lust filled eyes. "Beth…as much as I want to take you right here, you deserve better. Especially after the couple of weeks you have had… Let's wait till tonight like you suggested earlier."

Beth whined, a pout tugging on her now swollen-kissed lips, though she didn't fight it because she knew he was right. It would be best if they waited. "Alright…alright. Tonight then. Is Carl on watch?"

Rick thought for a moment, then cursed under his breath in disappointment. "No…he ain't."

"Perhaps…he can bunk in Judith's room tonight? He's old enough now to care for her for short amounts of time, and she's been sleepin' through the nights now anyways. She shouldn't be a problem…"

He pondered for a moment before nodding and pulling away gently so that he wouldn't risk kissing her devilish lips again… "That would be fine. That would work." He smiled and took the condoms out of the box and stuffing them into his pocket in an attempt to make them more subtle.

Smiling, Beth took his hand and pulled him out of the store, waiting patiently for Rick to lock it all up before they both walked back to the car to drive home.

Later that evening, Beth and Carol were in the kitchen cooking dinner together. Carol had been mostly silent, but she had a little bit of a mischievous smirk on her lips, and it made Beth suspicious… Carol was different lately, seeming to have some sort of glow about her. The older woman just looked so damned happy, and Beth had to know why.

"Alright." Beth placed the spoon she had in her hand down on the counter before turning to Carol and crossing her arms. "What is it?"

"Hmm?" Carol hummed in question absentmindedly, not even bothering to look at the blonde as she continued to peel the potatoes.

"Don't play games! There's somethin' goin' on that I don't know about… Why are you so happy all of the sudden?"

"I surely don't know what you mean, Beth…"

"Bullshit…"

Carol giggled – actually giggled, for Christ's sake – and turned to finally look at the younger woman. "I don't believe I need to share all my secrets with you."

"Come on, Carol… I won't tell anyone. Are you high or somethin'? Jesus, you looks so happy…"

"No! God no!" Carol laughed and waved a dismissive hand. "Unlike some people, I can be happy without having to do any sort of drug." The older woman looked around to make sure the coast was clear before stepping over to Beth and whispering. "Daryl and I…had a little rendezvous…"

Beth gasped, swatting her on the shoulder and looking at her in disbelief. "What? You dog! When did this happen?"

"When you and Rick were on your little run this afternoon… How did that go, by the way?"

"Don't change the subject! I want details!" She leaned in closer, asking the obvious question outright. "Well was it any good?"

She laughed merrily and shook her head fondly at Beth. "Sweetheart, I haven't had sex in years. At this point, anything would have been satisfying." She paused and crossed her arms, giving Beth a fond smirk. "But yes. Daryl is…talented."

A blush covered Beth's cheeks and she giggled softly. "God… I'm so happy for you, Carol. You deserve that kind of happiness. And can I say that I saw that coming from a mile away? I'm surprised it took y'all this long!"

Carol scowled playfully and tugged on Beth's pony-tail before turning back to the potatoes, humming merrily as she did her work. The blonde woman shook her head fondly as she watched Carol for a moment before turning back to her own work.

A few moments later, Carl came into the kitchen with little Judith in his arms. "Beth! Judith was callin' for you…"

"Mama! Mama!" The little girl squealed, grabbing the air with her little chubby hands towards Beth.

Beth smiled fondly, wiping her hands on her apron before taking the babe out of Carl's arms, not catching the surprised look on Carol's face… Judith is calling her 'mama' now…?

"Hey there, little girly!" Beth giggled and kissed Judy lovingly, then Carl's forehead. "What have you guys been up to?"
Carl shrugged. "We were outside watching Daryl practice with his crossbow for a bit while you and dad were gone, then we went upstairs to play with some toys."

"That sounds good…" Beth said softly as she bounced Judy in her arms. "Hey, Carl…do you mind stayin' in Judy's room tonight with her? Your dad and I…we could use some alone time."

Carol snickered behind her and Carl ignored the obvious… He wasn't stupid, and he definitely was old enough now to know exactly what that meant. "Yeah, sure. I don't care."

"Thanks, champ." Beth smiled and passed Judy back to him. "We gotta finish dinner, so do you mind watching her for a few more minutes? It would mean the world."

Carl nodded and smiled and took his little sister out of the kitchen to play, leaving Carol and Beth alone once more to finish the cooking. They did so in silence and in sort of a rush, knowing that it was getting late and others would be getting hungry. Sure enough, not long after Carl had left with Judith, the other members of the group began trickling in and eyeing the food hungrily.

Beth squeaked as she suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, giggling softly as Rick kissed her cheek. "Hello, there. Ya hungry?"

Rick continued to kiss her cheek and trailed his lips towards her ear, murmuring so that no one else would hear. "Hungry, yes. But not for food…" His voice was a sensual purr, sending shivers down Beth's spine.

"Rick… Not now…" A little giggle escaped her lips as she wiggled out of his arms and took food to the dining room, winking at the former sheriff saucily.

Oh, she'll pay for that teasing later…

Once all the food was on the table, the group took their seats and started plating their portions of food, murmuring words of gratuity and compliments to the cooking as they began to eat. Beth took her seat next to Judith's high chair, feeding her in between her own bites of food with a happy smile on her face.

"Ay, Chinaman," Daryl teased with a smirk after taking a bite of his food. "How's 'bout we round some others up and get a poker game goin'?"

"Korean…" Glenn corrected with his own smirk, indicating that he caught on that Daryl was only calling him 'Chinaman' to grind his gears. "And sure. Who's in?" Maggie briefly raised her hand and Carl chimed in, as well as Tyrese and Sasha. Even Hershel nodded to show that he was interested as well. Glenn looked at Beth. "You in?"

"Uh…" She looked over at Rick, not wanting to accept since she wanted to be with him, but also didn't want to be rude… Before she could even answer, Carol spoke up.

"Actually, her and Rick were going to have some alone time tonight, I was going to watch Judith for them. But hell…I can juggle a baby and play poker at the same time. I'm in."

Daryl winked at Carol and took a swig of his drink, and Beth could've sworn that she saw a blush on the older woman's cheeks. She also heard Rick let out a quiet sigh of relief next to her, and it made her grin coyly, knowing that he had been thinking the exact same thing that she was.

Dinner finished rather quickly after that, and the group had gathered in the living room to set up for their game while Carol and Beth finished cleaning the kitchen up. Rick, instead of joining the rest of the group, waited patiently against the wall, giving Beth a heated glance the entire time she worked.

Hershel walked past, giving Rick somewhat of a warning glare. "You mind yourself, Grimes. She's still my baby girl, and I ain't stupid…"

Beth groaned. "Daddy…I'm an adult, you know…"

Beth and Hershel got into a little back and forth spat, but honestly, Rick was not paying an ounce of attention. Beth said that word…that word her hadn't heard fall from her lips in what felt like forever…

And he'd be damned if he didn't make her say it again.

Yay! Another chapter! And a long-ish one! It's really good to be back, kiddos, and please; keep the reviews coming. It's what made me want to do another chapter for you lovelies. Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy! Much love!