Still Breathing: Ch. 25 (Epilogue)

Title: Still Breathing Chapter: 25/25 "Epilogue" Relationships: Beth Greene/Daryl Dixon Summary: Ten years in the future, we discover what has become of Beth and Daryl and the community they call Haven.

His hands gripped her hips and turned her in his arms, pulling her back to the present, and Beth laughed as she opened her eyes and leaned her body into his. Her hands pressed to his chest, and the smile on his face was mirrored on her own as she looked up at him. Her husband, her partner, her rock. He had saved her life in more ways than one and, as he had whispered privately to her more than once, she had in turn brought him back to life, in a manner of speaking. She had shown him there was good in the world, and together, they had made more of it in the form of not just their two children, but the community as a whole.

His fingers traced over her cheek and around her to tuck a stray curl behind her ear, and then he whispered, “Love you, Beth Dixon.”

She smiled, head tilting into his hand as she murmured back, “Love you too, Daryl.”

[READ THE FULL CHAPTER HERE AT AO3 & at FF.net]

Still Breathing: Ch. 24

Title: Still Breathing Chapter: 24/?? "Dixon and Dixon" Relationships: Beth Greene/Daryl Dixon Summary: Beth and Daryl prepare for their wedding with their family and friends.

He ducked inside the house with a bit of trepidation, scanning the small space to look for Beth. When he found her, standing at the bottom of the loft stairs in jeans and a t-shirt, she didn’t look too upset with him, more bemused than anything else. Still, he was quick to clarify, “I didn’t see nothin’, just for the record. Kinda like a blur of white.”

“Hmm, so then you know the dress is white? The surprise is ruined!” She held the horrified expression for a moment before she burst into giggles.

Something about her laugh was so endearing that he couldn’t help stepping around Bear and crossing the room to immediately lean down and press a firm kiss to her lips. He would have kissed her more, except Annie-May chose that moment to babble ‘ba ba ba’ in a reminder that she was still wrapped to his chest and stuck between them.

[READ THE FULL CHAPTER HERE AT AO3 & at FF.net]

Idk if anyone who reads my fic checks here, but I do PLAN on updating this week. Last week I needed a break and was really busy at work. I did outline the whole next chapter (which, incidentally, is planned to be the second-to-last chapter), just didn't have time to write it. I PLAN to do it this week but it's still busy at work so we'll see if it calms down lol. Adulthood sucks. (Also okay, maybe a part of me is sad about finishing it and letting it go but I'm still gonna do it.)

Still Breathing: Ch. 23

Title: Still Breathing Chapter: 23/?? "Labor of Love" Relationships: Beth Greene/Daryl Dixon Summary: Maggie confesses her fears to Beth, and finally, the day they've been waiting for arrives.

As she did, Daryl came back up to the loft, pulling on his own sneakers and a flannel shirt over his t-shirt. As he grabbed the emergency bag they’d prepared for Annie-May, Beth found herself babbling on, “Make sure she’s got enough formula and extra bottles, and diapers…” She knew on some level that the bag had everything the baby needed, but she couldn’t stop the words from spilling out of her panicked lips.

Then Daryl rounded the bed to stand between her and the bassinet. When she tipped her head up to him, hands still occupied in braiding back her hair, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. His nose nuzzled hers for a brief moment, long enough for him to murmur, “You’ve got this, Greene. I’ll be back with Enid and Maggie as soon as possible, and I’ll be right by your side.” His eyes met hers, lingering long enough to make sure the words had gotten across. Only when she gave a nod did his lips brush hers in a kiss.

[READ THE FULL CHAPTER HERE AT AO3 & at FF.net]

Still Breathing: Ch. 22

Title: Still Breathing Chapter: 22/?? "Moonshine" Relationships: Beth Greene/Daryl Dixon Summary: Daryl provides Beth with a series of surprises to give her a break and show her how much he cares.

“I’ve never… cared for someone the way I care for you.”

Neither of them took a sip at that, and a more delicate blush stained Beth’s cheeks as she murmured, “Well that’s a far sweeter tack you’re taking. Hmm, let’s see…” Her eyes went distant for a moment, fingers drumming against the side of her mug before her attention returned to him. “I’ve never regretted falling for you.”

Again, neither of them sipped their drinks. The mood had warmed in a different way than a few moments ago. He felt like the light was changing, a golden glow sifting through the trees to illuminate Beth sitting across from him. He studied her, drinking in the sight of her in the afternoon sun, so angelic and beautiful. He had never met anyone like her, and he knew he never would. She was unique. She was… everything.

[READ THE FULL CHAPTER HERE AT AO3 & at FF.net]

I've resisted watching the Doctor Who specials since they came out because for some reason the thought of it was making me anxious even though I was fully spoiled so it wasn't that.

Anyway my husband and I watched the first two yesterday and hoo boy did it make me emotional lol. I was crying.

Still Breathing: Ch. 21

Title: Still Breathing Chapter: 21/?? "Haven Christmas" Relationships: Beth Greene/Daryl Dixon Summary: Beth and Daryl work to put together a special Christmas surprise for the kids of Haven, and have some special holiday moments together as well.

She hesitated a moment and then laughed. “Alright, yes, I’ll admit it. It’s nice. I was starting to go a bit stir crazy, honestly. It’s good to be on the road, feeling the breeze through the open window, going somewhere different.” Her laughter mellowed into a smile, and she couldn’t help but add, “But I’ll also be relieved to get back to her. Honestly, I can’t wait till she can come with us. Then the three of us will be able to escape now and then.” From behind her, she heard the sound of Bear giving a little ‘roo’ through the glass, as if he’d heard her and took offense. With a laugh, Beth added, “Sorry, the four of us.”

“That’ll be perfect.” Daryl said it easily, and when Beth tipped back up her head to look at him, she knew he meant it. That to him, there was probably nothing better than the thought of their family—once just the two of them but now, three (four, if you counted Bear)—spending time together, alone.

[READ THE FULL CHAPTER HERE AT AO3 & at FF.net]

Me: Alright, I've only got 5 more chapters of this fic left and it's done! Also me: Here me out okay but what if you added two more chapters just because. Me: ..... you know, this is a great idea.

Still Breathing: Ch. 19

Title: Still Breathing Chapter: 19/?? "Welcome Home" Relationships: Beth Greene/Daryl Dixon Summary: Beth and Daryl attempt to save a pregnant girl and her baby, and return home to Haven.

Beth stood facing Daryl. Her eyes were shut, so she couldn’t see him, but she could feel him standing in front of her in more ways than one. She could feel his hands on her arms and the proximal warmth of his body near hers. But she could feel his support, too, his confidence and belief in her ability to handle any situation. It grounded her; helped her to feel, at least somewhat, that everything wasn’t spinning out of control.

Closing her eyes helped too, but only so much. It saved her from the visual stimulation, but it didn’t make the room go away, let alone her problems. After all, she couldn’t see what was happening behind her, but she could still hear it. Brigid’s tired groans and pants floated to her ears, accented by Laila’s frantic murmurs as she tried to help her friend through her labor. She could even hear the murmurs and whispers of the others at the opposite end of the room as they wondered what she was going to do. How she was going to save Brigid.

[READ THE FULL CHAPTER HERE AT AO3 & at FF.Net]