A/N Well I'd say our couple had a pretty good chapter last week :) Thanks everyone for reading, commenting and the follows and favors. This week we're picking up right back there in Merle's bed ;)
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Something was waking him and whatever it was he could feel himself fighting it. Maybe it was because he could feel her warm little body in his arms and he had no desire to let go. But the noise just wouldn't stop and he realized it was his phone. The ringing seemed a little muffled and he remembered the damn thing was still in his pants' pocket.
Whoever it was they weren't giving up. The ringing would stop for just a minute, then start right back up again. Finally he gave into it and as he slowly rolled over he saw the time on the beside clock, two a.m. That made him smile, damn they must have been tired. They'd worn each other out.
He hated to disturb her but whoever was calling obviously wasn't stopping until someone answered. He quietly slipped out of bed but she stirred. Her voice was a little low and raspy, to him it was sexy sounding as she whispered, "Merle?"
"Yeah Honey, sorry. Just some asshole keeps callin'. I'll get rid of 'em." He pulled the blanket up over her shoulder and went in search of the phone. When he saw the screen he said a silent, "Oh shit." It said, "Greene."
That cleared his head in a hurry, bringing him right back to reality. No wonder they hadn't given up, their girl didn't come home and he'd always gotten her home by midnight. They were probably worried and no doubt pissed off. So many changes had taken place in just one short night. He slid back under the covers, kissed her shoulder and whispered, "Honey, it's your folks. Ya want me ta call em back for ya? I'll apologize, make up a story, I'll tell em I'll have ya home right away. Just say the word."
"I'd better call them Merle."
"A'ight. Ya want me ta leave the room? Give ya privacy?"
"No, I want you to stay right here in bed with me."
That surprised him in a pleasant way and he smiled broadly as he replied, "Yes Ma'am, my pleasure."
He'd never been more floored than when he heard her on that phone. "I'm so sorry I made you worry Mama. We fell sound asleep here at Merle's. I guess we must both be exhausted. Anyway Mama there's nothing to worry about, I'm fine, we're both fine. No Mama, I'm not going to come home tonight. I'm staying here with Merle." His eyes were on her, she was really doing this. She sounded so sweet but also so determined.
She paused then, listening as her Mama spoke, then she responded, "I'm sorry you're hurt by this Mama. I would never want to hurt your feelings, you know that. But I'm a grown woman now and Merle and me love each other. We want to be together when we can. I understand, I know it's not how you want things to be but it's how I want them to be. I love you Mama, you really are the best Mother in the world. But I also love Merle."
He couldn't quite believe this was happening, that she could really love him so much she would say these things to her Mother. She'd all but told her they were in bed together, that they'd made love. His sweet, shy and innocent woman was going to bat for him and for them, in the sweetest of ways.
She listened again, "Okay, yes Mama I'll ask him. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Mama."
He wasn't often speechless but he was then. It was alright though, he wasn't feeling the need to speak. His hand went to the back of her hair and he gripped it firmly as he drew her lips to his. He kissed her hard and full and in a way that let her know that need he had, that desire to have her again. His desire grew when she kissed him back with a kiss that was every bit as full of love and need as his.
His hand moved to just lightly cup her sweet little mound and he asked, "Ya sure Honey, not too sore?"
"I want you Merle, I know you'll be careful."
He reached behind him pulling open that night table drawer and along with the condom he withdrew that little bottle of lube. "I'm always gonna be real careful with ya Honey. I told ya I never mean ta hurt ya, an I won't. I love ya Beth an that's a fact."
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He was coming awake Sunday morning but Honey was still sleeping hard. He smiled, still unable to get over the fact that this perfect little woman had given herself to him. There were so many things he felt about that. Love for her, happiness that she would allow him that pleasure with her, and just that bit of guilt there in the back of his mind. That little nagging something that told him he wasn't good enough for her, for this.
He fought passed that feeling and headed toward the kitchen to make her coffee. It was as he filled the water receptacle he suddenly realized he didn't know. Did she drink coffee? Was she a tea drinker? Did she do like his little brother and start the day off with a coke?
He made the coffee, he'd find out when she woke. But did he really want to wait? No, not really. He went back in the room and crawled back in bed with her . He scolded himself, what man in his right mind would leave a woman like her in bed alone? No man.
He couldn't keep from touching her, from lightly running an open palm along her arms, her leg, her bottom, finally letting it come to a stop as he cupped her breast and nuzzled his face into her neck and hair. She started to move, to stretch and he couldn't help but smile, that's the way you wake a woman.
"G'mornin' Honey. Ya sleep good did ya?"
She managed to roll over without ever leaving his arms. Her little hand was on his cheek and she smiled a small sleepy smile, "Oh yes Merle, I slept so good. It was warm and wonderful here with you." Those words got him, he could feel his body immediately respond with desire. But nah, he couldn't. It was too much, too soon, she'd be hurting for sure.
"How bout a cup a coffee? Are ya a coffee drinker?"
"Well I should probably start drinking it, now that I'm all grown up and everything. I'll try some."
He couldn't help laughing just a little, "Yeah, you're all grown up now Honey." He kissed her forehead while lightly patting her bottom and said, "I'll fix it up special just for you. Be right back."
She propped the pillows, waiting for him to return and she had a little smile on her face. She'd expected that if she gave herself to Merle everything would change, that she would feel so differently about herself and about him. She did.
She'd known the big rough man could be tender and gentle and he had been. But at the same time he'd left her no doubt that his desire for her was deep and that he was all man. Strong and powerful. And that was the key. He didn't have to act rough to show her his strength.
She'd never felt more loved, more desired or more appreciated than when Merle held her and made love to her. He'd taken her innocence but she had no sense of loss. It was the opposite really. She felt like her life was now more complete. She felt happy and excited for them both as they entered this new phase of their relationship.
He may have been standing in the kitchen but his mind was in the bedroom. He'd had so many women in his life that in some ways he felt ashamed by it. But this, she was so different. Never had he been with any woman that it meant so much to him to make sure she was happy and satisfied. To make sure she understood just how precious she was to him, how much he loved her. He wanted to tell her that not just with words, he wanted her to feel it in the way he made love to her.
He was making their coffee and filling her cup with generous portions of both cream and sugar. It made him smile, sweets for the sweet. His hands were calm but his mind was spinning. As much as he loved her and as much as he was so happy to be entering this new time for them, a time of not just emotional but also physical love, he felt somehow overwhelmed.
He felt responsible. Responsible to make her happy, responsible to always be the best man he could be, responsible to care for her and responsible to provide for her. She hadn't asked him to take these responsibilities on, but wasn't that what a good man does? Doesn't a good man care for a woman in all ways?
He brought the coffee back to the room and when he saw her, all propped up in his bed, her blond curls laying on his pillow, the soft smile on her lips and the look of love in her beautiful blue eyes, he thought to himself, "Fuck it, I'll do whatever I gotta do for her."
He set the cups on the night table before slipping in beside her, then handed her hers and lifted his, "Here's ta you Honey."
He didn't think he could have made her cup any sweeter, but she took a sip and scrunched her nose a little and said, "It's so bitter. How do people drink it?"
"Well Honey I think it's kinda an acquired taste, like whiskey."
She'd put off mentioning it to him but she knew she really shouldn't wait any longer, "Mama wants you to come for Sunday dinner Merle. Will you? Please?"
It was right up there near the very top on his list of things he didn't want to do at all. He'd much rather grab little brother for a day of fishing and beer drinking, but instead he smiled and told her, "Honey, if it's you that wants me there, then yeah, I'll go."
She smiled and nodded, "Yes, I want you there. Thank you Merle."
He'd gotten cleaned up, he had on pressed khakis and a pressed shirt, his good boots and he was ready to sit around with her people. People that he didn't dislike in any way, he liked them just fine. And he respected them for the way they were, their strong beliefs in their faith and in the way life should be lived. And he couldn't have felt any less like he belonged at the same table with them. They weren't anything like him and he damn sure wasn't anything like them.
But he was good, he knew how to play the game. He could put on the act he needed to put on. He could make them feel at least a little at ease about their daughter dating the likes of him. He had a good reason to do what he was doing. She had something in common with the drugs he used to take, he had an all-consuming need for her.
Beth had showered and straightened up her clothes as best she could. "As soon as I get home I'm running up the stairs as fast as I can and changing. Maybe Mama and Daddy won't see me."
He smiled as he reached for her hand, "Honey ya do whatever ya gotta do, but I think the cat's outta the bag. They already know ya was with me all night. I don't think ya left your Mama much room for doubt."
Ah and there were those pink cheeks. She was still his shy girl in so many ways. "I know, but I think I'll just feel better if they, you know, don't see me in yesterday's clothes."
He stunned himself then, "Well Honey maybe ya oughta keep a few things at my house. I got more than enough room for whatever ya wanna bring." Shit he'd never let a woman leave so much as a toothbrush at his place.
She looked even more pink, more shy, "Gosh, um okay, um that sounds good. I will. When do I get to stay again?"
He felt that grin go from ear to ear, "Well Honey I wanna have ya here any time ya wanna stay." And it was true. He'd never slept so well as he had with her in his bed and in his arms.
He couldn't give a shit less for himself, but he was happy for her when they got to the house, in the front door, and she got up those stairs before her Mama came in from the kitchen while her Daddy walked out from his office.
Merle nodded and greeted them in turn, "Ma'am, it's real good ta see ya. Thanks for havin' me over." "Sir, you're lookin' fit, that leg don't seem ta be slowin' ya up much."
He saw the look in her Daddy's eye, and yeah, if looks could kill Merle knew he'd be a dead man. He wasn't one bit surprised when Hershel Greene asked, "Merle, can we speak in my office?"
"Sure thing." He'd been expecting it and he was ready.
"I don't think I need to tell you Beth's Mama and I are not at all happy about our daughter staying with you last night. That is not a type of behavior we condone or appreciate."
"I understand completely sir an I do respect your feelings. All I can say is she's old enough ta make her own decisions an as far as I'm concerned, it's always her decision. I want ta assure ya again, I love your daughter. I respect her, an I will never stop tryin' ta be the kind of man that deserves the love of a woman like her."
Hershel just looked back at this man, a man he knew he couldn't beat in any sense of the word. "I know I can't win this one. I know you're right. She's an adult and she's obviously made her decision. But I'm not happy and her Mother's not happy. All we can do now is pray you keep whatever promises you must have made to her for her to have strayed so far."
"I would never break a promise ta Beth. C'mon man, I busted my ass on this farm. I told ya an I'm repeatin' it, I done it for her. I'ma say it one more time, I love your girl. I ain't just in this for sport."
Meanwhile Mama had hurried up the stairs to talk to her girl, "Daughter, what have you done? Have you really given yourself to this man?"
She thought she might choke on her own words, or she might pee her pants right there, but she stood as straight as she could and looked in her Mama's eyes. "Yes Mama. I love Merle and he loves me. He's a good man. You have to know that. Look what he's done for our family. And he's good to me Mama. He's kind and he's patient and he's gentle."
Then she thought she'd crumble when she saw a tear roll from her Mama's eye. She hugged her close, "Please Mama, I know the way you see things. I respect your way, Daddy's way. But Mama it feels so right. I just know Merle is the right man for me, and I believe I'm everything to him. Please don't cry Mama."
It was a saving moment when Maggie and Glenn came banging in the front door, followed by Otis and Patricia. After "Hellos" it was time to sit and, as far as Merle was concerned, get through what he was sure would be an ordeal.
There was a thick layer of tension in the air, everyone could feel it. Although Maggie and Glenn had no idea what was going on, she just had to take one look at Beth and Maggie was sure it had something to do with her sister and her sister's boyfriend. She knew that despite everything Merle Dixon had done for their family her Mama and Daddy were having a very hard time accepting him and Beth being together.
After a blessing by Hershel Greene, that included the line, "We pray our family members will hold tight to their beliefs and their values," it was time to eat.
The second of the saving moments came when Maggie happily announced, "Glenn has really big news. Tell them Glenn, tell them!"
Glenn looked at her with that exasperated look he seemed to give her so often. A look that was always followed by a smile. "Well there isn't anything definite, nothing's written in stone or anything. But one of the big software companies I've been shopping my new app to has requested an interview."
Although there were those at the table who had no clue what an app even consisted of, everyone knew this was the kind of opportunity Glenn had hoped for a very long time. Beth smiled at him, "That's so wonderful Glenn, I'm so excited for you. When's your interview?"
"This Thursday. They've booked me on a flight Wednesday evening. I fly to San Jose, California and someone picks me up at the airport and takes me to a hotel for the night. They're sending a car for me first thing Thursday morning and they told me to be prepared to spend the day at their company headquarters. There are more meetings Friday morning so I won't get back to Atlanta until Friday evening."
Merle commented, "Well man they must be real, real serious if they're flyin' ya out there an puttin' ya up an all. That's great Glenn, really great."
He meant it too, he really was happy for the man. Glenn had worked hard and earned it. But Merle felt that twinge. That little nagging thing at the back of his mind. It told him he was "less than" and that he'd never be "as good as."
A counselor he'd worked with when he got off the dope had told him, "That's why you lead with the tough guy attitude and act like you don't give a shit. The truth is you do give a shit, in fact maybe you care a little too much. Until you believe in your own mind you're every bit as good as the next guy you're always going to have that nagging feeling."
He didn't want to leave her but he also didn't really care to spend his whole Sunday with her family. So Merle didn't stay long after dinner. Just long enough to be polite and not seem like he was rushing away. She walked him to his pickup and asked, "Will you be here after work tomorrow night?"
He seemed like he was drained and maybe a little down, but he answered, "Yeah Honey, I'll be here."
Was it her? Could he be tired of her already? "Can I come home with you then?"
He looked in her eyes, he should say 'no', they should let her parents adjust to what had already happened. But looking in those blue eyes he knew he couldn't say 'no' and he damn sure didn't want to say 'no.' If they didn't like it, if they couldn't figure out a way to accept him, it was their fucking problem.
His fingers played with the loose strands of curls that framed her face and he smiled, "Honey if that's what ya want then it's exactly what I want. I love ya Beth. I'll text ya later an I'll see ya tomorrow." He didn't care that they were right there in front of her folks house, and he was sure those folks of hers were peering out the window. He cupped her face in his hands and pulled her in close, giving her a deep and very sexy kiss.
"I'll be back for more a that tomorrow."
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A/N I hope you enjoyed the morning after :) Thank you all for reading and I hope you'll leave me a comment / review. The chapter photo of the rough and rugged Merle and sweet and not quite as innocent Beth, is posted to my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. Please check that out. I look forward to seeing you back her next Thursday for more of The Sacrifice. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee
