Who: Beth Greene, Avery Barkley, and Cadence What: Picnic Where: The Park When: Wednesday Warnings: Cuteness Status: Closed, Complete gdoc
It was a lovely warm day, with a bright blue sky and a cooling breeze. It was the kind of day that Beth had always loved growing up in Georgia, Before. Sure, they’d had similar days since then back home, but they’d lacked the carefree joy that they had before the dead had risen and Hell had come to Earth.
But here in Madison Valley, she didn’t have to worry about that. A day was just a day, and she could enjoy it without fear.
She’d texted Avery this morning and invited him and Cadence to a picnic in the park. She’d gotten there early to get everything set up and ready, and was sitting in the picnic table enjoying the sunshine when Avery arrived.
She raised a hand and waved, smiling warmly as she jumped from the table and ran to join them, picking Cadence up in her arms.
“I’m so glad you came. It’s so beautiful today!”
***
Avery couldn’t help but grin. Cadence squealed with delight when Beth picked her up. Avery just smiled and watched the two of them together for a minute.
“It really is.” He looked up at the sky, and then decided that wasn’t such a good idea, and instead looked at Beth and Cadence. Beth was a natural with the little girl and Cadence seemed to adore her.
They both made Avery feel happy and blessed. He was exactly where he wanted to be in life, and at the moment, he wouldn’t change a thing.
***
“I brought a picnic,” she said. “Nothing fancy, but hopefully it will fill us up.”
She led them to the picnic table and opened her basket, starting to put things out in the table.
“We used to have picnics all the time back home. Before everything happened, I mean.”
***
“It’s not something I did all that often back home,” Avery said. It just wasn’t a thing he did. He didn’t do it back in Mississippi, he certainly didn’t do it in Nashville. “But I think it’s great for Cadence. It’s a good tradition to start for her, with you,” he said with a smile.
Cadence had climbed up onto the table seat and was standing on it, and trying to look into the basket. Avery was right behind her, making sure she wouldn’t fall.
***
Beth was there as well - ready to catch her if she slipped, but she was also setting everything out and organizing a little meal for them. She’d brought sandwiches for herself and Avery, and a tiny little sandwich with the crusts cut off for Cadence. She’d also brought plenty of chips and fruit and even a pan of brownies for dessert.
“I remember the picnics with my family so fondly,” she smiled. “I hope Cadence will remember too.”
She wanted the little girl’s mind filled with happy things. She knew from experience that sometimes those things were all you had to hold on to when the world went sour.
***
“I’m sure she will.” Avery caught Cadence around the waist and swung her around as he sat, settling her in his lap. It didn’t last long, she was too restless to stay put. She pushed away until he let her down on the ground.
“I keep thinking I need to get one of those little kid leashes for her,” he laughed as Cadence took off at a trot. He was pretty sure she wasn’t going to go far, because there was food, but he wasn’t going to let her out of his sight and if she got too far away without circling back he’d go after her.
“I swear, she has more energy than a kid should be allowed.” Not that he minded, really. He loved his daughter, and thought she was perfect exactly how she was.
***
“I think those little kid leashes are a great idea,” she said. Of course, in her world, if a kid wandered away it was almost certainly a death sentence...children didn’t stand much of a chance against Walkers. Unless they were children like Carl...but that was a different thing all together. And a rather terrifying thing, if she was being honest.
“It’s good, though,” she said. “Kids should have energy. And be happy. That’s what being a child is all about.”
She’d had energy and a wonderful carefree life as a child. Sometimes it was the only thing that kept her going now, that she had that to look back on.
***
“It is,” he agreed with a nod. Cadence tumbled, but he didn’t react. He knew she tended to over react if he reacted at all when she fell or anything. He gave her time to process it, and to see what she would do. She looked over at him, saw he wasn’t reacting at all, and merely got up and made her way back to the table.
“And she is,” he continued talking to Beth. he was keeping an eye on Cadence, and was glad she was headed back toward them. “She rarely cries now. She’s getting so big. She laughs all the time, instead of crying.”
***
“That’s wonderful. I love to hear children laughing.” Another thing that they didn’t have much of back home. She’d stopped bringing that up, though, or she’d be saying it about just about everything. Her life wasn’t exactly roses back home.
But here...well, here was all together different, and she was pretty sure that she could - and would - be happy here. If t was the last thing she ever did.
“I’m happy you’re here,” she said softly. “You and Cadence both.”
***
Avery smiled. His hair fell down to his face and he pushed it away. “I’m glad I’m here too. That I’m here with you.” Getting close to someone was a risky thing. Thea showed him how easily it could be gone. But Beth, he decided, was worth it.
He moved suddenly, taking his eyes off Cadence for the first time, really, and leaned in to kiss Beth. As he did, Cadence reached the table and wrapped herself around his leg. He felt like that was a positive omen, like the little girl surely approved.
***
Beth was surprised by the kiss, but incredibly pleased by it as well. She leaned in and kissed him back, gently and slowly. She didn’t want to push things, but she also wanted this. Wanted him. But that could wait.
She kissed him again, softly, then pulled back, leaning against him as she looked at Cadence.
“I hope she likes me.”
***
Avery leaned down and picked Cadence up, and she immediately leaned away from him, arms stretched out toward Beth. “Oh, I think she likes you,” he laughed.
“Likes you,” Cadence echoed.
“See. Straight from her mouth.” Avery patted Cadence’s head.
***
Beth took her in her arms, gentle as she always was.
“I like her very much too,” she said to the both of them. She did, so very much. They were like the family she’d never had and had always wanted.
***
Cadence wrapped her arms around Beth. Avery leaned in for another quick kiss. He lifted a hand to her back, and let it slide down to the small of her back.
“All right, let’s eat,” he said, pulling back and looking over the food, ready to dig in.