A/N: This is a new Meth story. I hope y'all enjoy it!

Hold On and Let Go

Chapter 1

Beth pulled her car up in front of an old familiar trailer. It was just as worn down now as it was back then. She slipped on her sunglasses and stepped out of the car, almost stepping on a plastic princess tiara. She hadn't been expecting that.

She sighed and carefully stepped over the toys that were scattered in the yard as she made her way to the front door.

Raising her fist to knock, she stepped back as the door swung open.

She stood there staring at the man in the doorway who in turn was staring back at her.

Daryl opened his mouth to speak but before he could get the words out a little blonde girl ran past him and wrapped her arms around Beth's legs.

"I knew you'd come see me, mommy," the little girl smiled up at Beth.

Beth looked down at her for a moment before looking back at Daryl.

"Umm," she cleared her throat, "is Merle here?"

Daryl grunted. "Why tha hell ya askin'?"

"I just...I wanted to talk to him."

"Lil' late fer that, don't ya think?"

"Mommy," the little girl jumped up and down, "pick me up. Please, mommy."

Beth took a deep breath and looked down at her.

"Annie, get inside," Daryl said to the little girl.

"Annie?" Beth's voice cracked.

"Yeah," Daryl said, crossing his arms, "Merle named 'er."

Beth looked down and wiped her eyes.

"I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have came here. I'm sorry I bothered you."

She quickly turned around and all but ran to her car.

Daryl huffed as he watched her.

"That's right, bitch. Run like ya did before," he called out just as she was getting into her car.

An hour later Beth found herself parked in front of her father's house with tears running down her face.

She tried to dry her eyes and calm herself down before she went inside but the moment she looked up and saw her father and sister standing on the porch, watching her, she lost it.

Opening the car door and getting out, she ran towards the house.

"Bethie, are you alright?" Her father asked when she reached the top step.

"He named her Annie!" She cried out. "He fuckin' named her Annie!"

She watched as Hershel lowered his eyes and Maggie hung her head, shifting uncomfortably.

"Oh my God! Y'all knew?"

"Yes, Bethie, we did." Hershel replied.

"I...," Beth shook her head, "I can't believe it. Y'all knew!"

"Elizabeth Joanna Greene, don't you dare try to put the blame on us for anythin'," Hershel spoke sternly. "None of this is our fault. You only have yourself to blame."

"Yeah, I guess you're right, Daddy. I'm the fuck up." Beth looked at her sister, "You should have told me!"

"It's not my fault, Beth. You need to quit blaming everyone, including Merle for what's happened. You made the choice to be with him. It's your fault you ended up pregnant by a Dixon at sixteen."

"I'm not tryin' to blame anyone else, Maggie!"

"Elizabeth, maybe you should leave," Hershel reasoned.

Beth rolled her eyes. "I'm not leavin', Daddy. I'm here...I'm here to fix things."

"Alright then," Hershel nodded, "get your things and put them in your room then you can help Maggie with the horses."

"Yes sir," she mumbled before going to her car.

Later that night, while lying in bed, Beth tried to think of ways she could right her wrongs.

She had made so many mistakes, some bigger than most, but she didn't know where to begin.

Maybe she should begin with trying to fix her biggest mistake, and quite honestly the thing she regretted the most, but that would mean speaking to Daryl again but maybe she'd get lucky and Merle would be there. All she'd have to do is bat her eyelashes and he'd be wrapped around her finger again. But no, she couldn't do that. She wasn't sixteen anymore and it wouldn't fix a God damn thing, it'd only make it worse.

Daryl rubbed his eyes, poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table.

He and Annie would be going to visit Merle today and after the surprise visit from Beth the day before, he was not looking forward to telling Merle.

"Uncle Daryl!" Annie shouted happily as she ran into the kitchen, "I'ma see my daddy today!"

He smiled and picked her up, "Yep, ya sure are. What ya want fer breakfast, Princess?"

"Umm," she tapped her finger against his chin, "Mickey Mouse pani-cakes an' scrambled eggs."

"Ya got it, Princess."

After breakfast, Daryl and Annie cleaned up and got ready to go visit Merle in prison.

Both were silent the whole two hour drive, until they pulled into the parking lot.

"Listen 'ere, kid. We ain't tellin' yer daddy who came by yesterday. Ya got it?"

"Yes sir," Annie nodded and both climbed out of the truck.

Inside, they had to wait twenty minutes before they'd get to see Merle. He was set for release in two months so Daryl figured he could deal with the Beth situation then. No need to mention it right now.

When Merle sat down across from them, Annie's face lit up and she started rambling.

Daryl and Merle didn't try to stop her.

Merle's own face lit up with a smile as he listened to his little girl talk about school and the new dress her aunt Lori had bought her for church.

Daryl looked up at the clock to see their time was almost up.

"We gotta go soon. Go 'head an' tell yer daddy bye," he told Annie.

Annie crinkled her nose and gave a little huff. "Bye, daddy! I love you."

"Bye, baby girl. Love ya, too."

Daryl and Annie stood but before they walked out, Annie turned back around to face her daddy.

"Daddy," she called out, "mommy came to see me yesterday."

Daryl's jaw tightened as he turned around to face his brother. If looks could kill, Daryl would have died in that moment and he was sure that when Merle got out, he would be.

Both of Merle's fists were clenched and he looked as if his head would explode.

Annie's eyes were wide and fearful and she had one hand over her mouth and the other gripped Daryl's tightly.

"Don't ya dare let that bitch 'round her," Merle growled. "I don't care what ya gotta do but keep 'er away from my kid!"

A/N: The title was inspired by "Hold On and Let Go" by Sam Riggs and the Night People.

This first chapter may move a little fast but there will be more so please be patient.

Please review!

* I will have updates for some of my other stories soon. :)