I decided to make this chapter the last one for this fic, because I felt that otherwise I would be repeating myself with my other Rick/Beth fic 'It Ain't No Sin To Be Glad You're Alive. That fic deals with a lot of the fallout from their relationship going public, and so I didn't want to get into that with this one too. This originally started as a one-shot, and then evolved into something that is completely AU. I will probably write more Beth/Rick stories; even though I know that realistically, that ship is never gonna sail on the TV show!

I had a bit of a dilemma about whether I should raise the rating for this fic to an M, because there is some adult material in this chapter. I worked hard to keep it toned down while still retaining the heat, but if anyone thinks it goes too far, then please let me know and I'll amend the rating accordingly.

I just want to say a final THANK YOU to everyone who has been enthusiastic about this fic, and has continued to read and review. All of you kept me going, and inspired me to try and be a better writer. Thanks again. - Mrs P.

All I Have

Rick continued to make nightly visits to Beth's cell. He tried to be careful and stay unnoticed but it wasn't easy in such a confined space. If anyone was watching his stealthy movements, then they didn't say so. He might have decided that he needed her, but going public with their relationship was another matter. The temptation for them to take things beyond hugging and kissing was strong. They had managed to resist so far, with Beth still being a virgin, and having Judith sleeping only a few feet away.

The cellblock was quiet as everyone was still asleep, except for those on watch duty. Rick stepped out onto the walkway for his shift, only to find Glenn pacing about restlessly.

"Everything okay?" He inquired.

The young man stopped in his tracks and turned around to face his friend. He looked troubled and he let out a heavy sigh.

"Maggie wants us to have a marriage ceremony, but I don't know if this is the right time," he said.

"What's the matter, you getting cold feet?" Rick jested.

"No, of course not, but when I asked her to marry me, I thought we were going to die," Glenn said and then realised he wasn't explaining himself very well.

"What I mean is I wasn't expecting us to have a ceremony as such. With the world being what it is, it seems kind of irrelevant now to be going through all the sickness and health stuff, don't you think?" He asked.

"I don't know about that, it seems to me it doesn't hurt to keep reminding folks of the old traditions every now and then. And I'm sure that Maggie would appreciate you standing up with her in front of everyone and making those vows. If you love her like I think you do, well then don't be afraid to let her, and everyone else know just how much," Rick said.

Glenn finally smiled and nodded.

"I guess we're having a wedding," he said.

He suddenly looked uncomfortable again and cleared his throat.

"Would you be my best man?" He asked nervously.

Rick grinned.

"It would be my honour," he replied.

The news of the wedding spread quickly around the prison and it seemed to lift just about everyone's spirits, after the troubles of the past week. Maggie was gearing up to go on a supply run with Daryl, Tyreese and Sasha, but she had an agenda of her own. She had spotted a bridal store on a previous outing, and although she knew it was an unnecessary frivolity, the notion was stuck in her mind. Beth was finishing up wringing out Judith's laundry when her sister approached her.

"We're gonna have the wedding tonight, and I would really love for you to be my maid of honour," Maggie requested as she reached out for her sister's hand.

Beth squealed with delight.

"Of course I will. This is so amazing," she said excitedly as she threw her arms around her elder sister.

"How would you like to come with us on the supply run? There's a bridal store in that mini mall we found the other week, and I'd love it if we could grab a few things," Maggie explained.

The prospect of getting out of the prison for a while was both an enticing and scary prospect for Beth. But she knew she wouldn't have thought twice about going if a certain someone had asked her to go with him.

"I don't know. D'ya think Rick, Daryl and Daddy will let me go?" She asked nervously.

"Let me handle it," Maggie said with confidence as she went off to sort out the arrangements.

Beth considered going to find Rick and asking him herself, but she wasn't sure how he'd react given the way their relationship had evolved.

She waited anxiously until her sister reappeared, and told her that Daryl had agreed to her accompanying them. Hershel wasn't overjoyed at the prospect of both of his daughters leaving the prison at the same time, but he didn't want to stop them either. Rick didn't say one word about it. However, the sad look in his eyes told Beth that he wanted her to stay. She hated to cause him any pain, but Maggie was so happy about them going out together, she felt she had no choice.

Beth couldn't bear to look at Rick as they drove away, for fear that she might beg Tyreese to stop the car so she could run back and throw herself into his arms.

They managed to get into the mall with the minimum of effort, but there were quite a few walkers milling about inside. Daryl wasn't too happy about Maggie's plan to hit the bridal store. He still helped clear the way, so that she and Beth could go and grab what they needed. They had to work fast, but they managed to get most of what they went in for. Tyreese and Sasha were loading up on essential supplies, and Daryl managed to grab some knives and other weaponry from an outdoors store. They had a couple of hairy moments on their way back to the car, but all in all, it was a successful trip.

Rick was still on watch when they returned and the relief on his face was evident when he saw Beth getting out of the car, unharmed. She smiled over at him and he returned the gesture as he helped them to unload their haul.

"It looks like y'all had a good trip. Maybe you'll have to come with me next time, and show me how it's done," Rick said playfully.

"I'll hold you to that," Beth flirted back.

Maggie noticed their exchange but she didn't comment on it, and instead she hastily led her sister away to begin the preparations for the wedding.

It was a challenge to look presentable in a post-apocalyptic world, but they did the best they could with what they had. Beth felt bad about getting all dressed up when everyone else, except her and Maggie, would be in their usual tatty clothes. But the thrill of being able to wear a beautiful bridesmaid dress soon made her forget her guilt. It was a strapless dusty pink floor length gown, with a split that went right up to the top of her thigh. She brushed out her hair and used her silver barrette to fasten it in an up-knot. Maggie had chosen a thin strapped white gown with a bead embroidered bodice and lace overlay that fanned out in waves below the thighs. She looked stunning and Beth had tears in her eyes as she helped to do up all the fastenings on it.

"Glenn is gonna just lose it when he sees how beautiful you look," she said carefully hugging her sister so as not to crease the dress.

"You look so pretty too, and so grown up," Maggie said almost wistfully, as she thought about the way Rick had been looking at Beth, earlier.

There was no time to dwell on it though, as Hershel came to see if they were ready. Glenn was already waiting with Rick at the makeshift altar, which was at the bottom of the cell block stairway. The rest of the group were gathered around in readiness and some of them began to hum the wedding march as Hershel, Maggie and Beth made their way down the aisle.

Glenn was open-mouthed in awe at the sight of his beautiful bride, and Rick couldn't help but notice how gorgeous Beth was looking. She blushed slightly under his appreciative gaze; it was flattering for her to see the effect she had on him. Fortunately for them, all eyes were on Glenn and Maggie, and so their looks of mutual desire went unnoticed.

Hershel performed the ceremony as he was familiar with the service from his years of bible study. Rick surprised them by producing a pair of wedding rings, which they had to presume, were procured in the same fashion as the engagement ring. But no one wanted to think such unpleasant thoughts on such a happy occasion. They soon reached the part where the groom was given permission to kiss the bride, after Hershel had declared them man and wife. The whole place erupted with the sound of applause and cheers as they embraced. Rick took the opportunity to hug Beth and he pressed his lips lingeringly to her cheek. He was the best man after all, and she was the maid of honour, it was allowed, he reasoned.

"You should get to have a first dance together," Beth said after everyone had done hugging and congratulating.

"I know just the perfect song too," she said enthusiastically.

The crowd parted so that Glenn and Maggie could take centre stage as the young blonde began to sing.

You can say you love me

And I'll believe that's true

Trusting you is easy

Cause I believe in you

There is nothing I would miss

As long as we're in love like this

All I have is all I need

And it all comes down to you and me

How far away this world becomes

In the harbour of each other's arms

I feel like I've known you forever and ever

Baby that's how close we are

Right here with you is where my life has come together

And where love has filled my heart

You know I'd go anywhere

As long as I have you to care…

[All I Have by Beth Nielsen Chapman]

It had been a happy day, and that was always something to be cherished, even more so in the world they now lived in. Beth retired to her cell alone for once, as Carl wanted to have Judith in with him for the night. She had actually been glad to see his willingness to take on more responsibility by caring for his sister. After their recent troubles, it seemed to her to be a good thing that he was occupying himself with more productive tasks.

Beth loved the baby like she was her own, but she had to admit that it was nice to have a night off from caring for her. She let her hair fall loose and began to reach around to feel for the zipper so she could remove her gown, when a strong hand stopped her.

"Rick?" She exclaimed with surprise as she turned to face him.

She hadn't expected him to risk coming to her cell again. The coast had been clear and he found he couldn't stop himself, after he'd been marvelling at her beauty all evening. Beth grabbed a sheet from her bunk and hung it over the bars to afford them a little more privacy. She was concerned that her father might hear them, as he was only in the next cell. But as they listened, they could hear him snoring soundly.

Rick's lips were soon on her neck as his hand hovered at the top of her zipper. She moaned with pleasure as he caressed her gently with his other hand.

"I want you, but I can wait if you're not ready," he said earnestly as he moved to where he could look deep into her eyes.

"I'm ready," she assured him.

"We'll have to be real quiet," he whispered in a seductively low tone next to her ear.

Beth nodded and gulped down a breath to steady her nerves. Her body was quivering with excitement and anticipation. This wasn't exactly how she had pictured her first time, but at least it would be with someone she loved. His beard grazed against her neck as he kissed the exposed skin around her shoulders. He shed his own shirt and then he began to slowly pull her zipper down, uncovering even more of her bare flesh as he did so. His lips travelled lower and lower as he helped her step out of her gown. She felt shy about turning around now that her breasts were exposed and she was only wearing her panties. But he slowly encircled her and embraced her tightly to his chest before he began to tenderly explore the rest of her body.

Rick removed his boots and the rest of his clothing and he guided her back onto the bunk. He helped Beth out of her panties and worked her gently to make sure that she would be ready for him. He paused briefly to look into her eyes to be sure that she wasn't having second thoughts. She nodded to signal her willingness and he pressed his lips to hers as he slowly joined them together. She gasped with pain and pleasure, and then he stilled to let her body adjust to his. He started to move slowly at first and then he gradually built up the pace as he reached down and used his fingers to coax her to her peak. He kissed her to stop her from crying out as the waves of pleasure rushed through her body. When she had caught her breath, he worked up to a frantic pace as he neared his own completion. He drew back just before his release and clenched his teeth together to prevent his ecstatic moans from escaping. He was panting from the effort and let her pull him down against the warm wet stickiness on her stomach as they exchanged languid kisses.

"I'm sorry, about the mess, but we have to be careful," Rick whispered in her ear.

"It's okay, I don't even care," Beth murmured back to him as she once again covered his lips with her own.

The future was uncertain, as it always had been, even before walkers took over the world. But they knew the good things in life were better when shared with someone who loves you, and that even the bad things were too.

THE END