Merle slowly came to. Him and Michonne were both naked from last night's tryst. And he felt his dick spring to life as he silently recalled the events. He just wanted to lay back down and cuddle up against her with his morningwood. However, despite his body's urges she still wasn't ready. He also had a shop to run…but more pressingly, he had a brat to return to his father. He gazed longingly at his sleeping queen. Well, shit. The world could stand still for a few more moments. He laid back down and snuggled against her, she shifted against him.

"Merle?" She asked, still half-asleep.

"Yes?" He answered, his voice docile and warm. He paused, realizing that. He felt his face turning red. Was he her bitch now? Not only was he drooling over her, he'd do damn near whatever she said. But nothing else felt more right than being snuggled up against her in his bed; correction…THEIR bed. What was his, was hers…literally and figuratively. The nagging desire of giving her his thick cock to enjoy danced around in his male brain. "Put some clothes on, sweetheart." He begged in a strained voice. As much as he'd like to take a peek, it was just too risky, and he felt another slow rise under the covers.

She raised her brow. "What?," She inquired, nearly falling out. Merle was telling her to put her clothes on? Was he sick? "Why are you so prudish all of a sudden?" She teased.

He scoffed. "I ain't a prude," He murmured begrudgingly. "I just don't need to walk out there and scare the kid."

"I was only kidding, Merle." She replied with a smile, rolling her eyes.

He flashed his signature Merle Dixon smirk. "Right, well I also don't feel like getting slapped this morning."

"What time is it?" She asked with a yawn.

He glanced over at the black digital clock on the nightstand to the left of him. "It's almost 11," He watched as she slowly sat up. She was beautiful in the morning, even with sleep in her eyes and a bit of drool on her chin. She looked back at him and smiled. She faced him, giving him a welcomed view of her perky breasts. He grumbled. "Are you goin' to tempt me this morning?" He asked, a bit frustrated. Somehow he knew that she loved to get him riled up. And these days it didn't take much.

"Depends on if you like it or not." She teased, looking back at him and running her petite finger down his heaving chest. It really DIDN'T take much.

He sucked his teeth and groaned softly. "Gal," He watched her wandering finger intently as she tortuously flicked at his nipple. His body jolted at the surprising effect, blushing at the tingling sensation. He quickly grabbed her hand, then flashing a toothy grin. "What kinda number is that?"

The amused smile on her face was a mile long. "I didn't know your nipples were sensitive." She said in a matter of fact way.

He glanced at her hand and kissed it playfully, then pulling her back into bed and in his arms. She sighed in content, as his arms were fleshly velvet against her bare body. "I can show you what else is sensitive," He said, channeling his southern drawl in a deliberate way. He took notice how much Michonne liked his raspy southern voice; he took notice at how tense she got. How the knot in her throat sunk down to her stomach. She locked her gaze into his gorgeous blue eyes. Damn. For such a hellion, he had beautiful eyes. And surely his gift of gab and playful banter was his and his alone. He kept hold of her hand, placing it on the covers. "Touch me, Michonne." He said with a low sultry voice.

The knot appeared in her throat once more. "Where?," She aimlessly asked. She had already known the answer. Merle was certainly a sexual being, overwhelmingly dominate and male. She paused, then licking her lips. "Here?," She asked, slipping her hand underneath the covers and firmly gripping his hard dick. Her womanly passage clenched and ached once more. His eyes mirrored his primal lust. He wondered how long it would be until "it" happens. As much as he craved her touch, he wouldn't be able to last much longer. He moved her hand, in an effort to save face. Michonne raised her brow in suspicion. "What's wrong?"

He regrettably pondered an explanation for his cold feet. "I don't feel like changing the sheets today." He said with a half-smile.

She looked at him and busted out laughing. Noticing her loudness she covered her mouth.

"Come're sweetheart," He cajoled as he bought his lips to hers. This kiss was different, it had hit him from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. He looked at her with a strange look in his eyes. "I'm glad we met." He blurted out.

"Me too." She replied, blushing like a high school girl.

She was so beautiful, though typically he didn't like prim and proper women. But Michonne was certainly special. Her and her boy. He stood up and put on his boxers. He then walked over to Andre's crib. She watched him in awe, he had that look in his eyes again. The same look he had for her.

He thanked his lucky stars that the tyke was an easygoing kid. It never ceased to amaze him how he could sleep through noises and sounds. He opened the door and saw Daryl playing spades with Carl. Merle snorted, eying up the two. Seemed like Daryl was a kid too. "Don't you be teachin' him any habits like ours," He muttered. "Officer Friendly won't be pleased." He joked.

Daryl smirked. "Well," He retorted, throwing down his hand. "I know who was pleased."

Merle's smartass face turned stone pale. Daryl heard. The kid heard. Everything. "Ah, shit," He said, running his hand down his face. He looked at Carl, who immediately looked away. The poor kid was scarred. "Well I've been wantin' to make these walls thicker," He muttered, crossing Carl's awkward glance. "Don't tell your daddy bout' this," He huffed. "He'll think I'm a bad influence or some shit."

"You kinda are." Daryl retorted, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a box of cigarettes.

Merle stuttered, then scoffing at his cheeky baby brother. His color-drained face was flushed with a hint of red, out to the tips of his ears. Damn him and that brat's hearing. Fuck.

Michonne emerged from the room in her nightgown. "Would you like some breakfast, Carl?"

The poor kid was blushing. He couldn't even look her in the face. "N-No ma'am." If this wasn't an early lesson on 'the birds and the bees', nothing was.

She was mortified. He had heard everything last night. She was just as embarrassed as Merle. It couldn't be helped though. Daryl chucked. "Ya'll done scarred the kid."

"Put on your shoes so we can get goin'." An embarrassed Merle barked impatiently to the awkward boy. His arms were folded and he was still red from ear to ear. The walls were thinner than he had remembered. Note to self, renovations had to be done. Then he'd really be able to "play". Shit yes.

Carl put on his shoes, then looking up at Merle. He fought the impulse to smile at the prideful man. "I'm ready," He said, putting his hands in his pockets. "Thanks for letting me stay." He said, turning to Michonne and Daryl.

Daryl smirked. He was a man of very few words. "Go on," He urged, looking to his persnickety older brother. "Next time you're here I ain't gonna let you win at cards."

"I don't need you to treat me like a kid." Carl retorted with a boyish smile.

"Yeah, yeah," Merle muttered impatiently. "Let's go, half-pint."

"Half-pint?!," Carl fumed, his cheeky smile not leaving his face. "You don't have to be a grumpy old man, you know?"

Michonne shook her head in amusement as her and Daryl watched them walk out the door. "That's your brother."

He grunted. "I am lucky, ain't I?," He said with a low laugh. "He's come a long way from how he used to be."

She sat down across from him. "Well you seem vibrant yourself."

"Suppose a good woman'll do that," He had his own glow to him. "She has a daughter, you know?," Michonne's interest was piqued. "Her name's Sophia, sweet kid," It warmed her heart to see not only Merle happy and flourishing, but Daryl as well. "Merle and I always wanted to add on to this tin can." He went on to say. Him and Merle had very good reasons to do so. Their home, after renovations would be a great set-up for a nuclear family. Shit, why not? Both brothers could stay out of trouble that way…especially Merle.

"Tin can?," Michonne asked with a raised brow. "Home is home." She firmly believed that after being emancipated from her prison of a home. She would gladly embrace a place like the Dixon brothers' home. It was safe. Despite the brothers' checkered pasts they gave her and Andre' a safe haven.

He shrugged. "Suppose it is," He closed his eyes, in a brief thought. "Never thought we'd have company round' here I guess. It's been just the two of us for a long time," He rubbed at his beard. "Bachelors," He chuckled at the drastic change of everything. "But here we are."

"I wanted to thank you also-," She paused. "For having me and my son." She looked at him intently.

His dark, mysterious eyes softened. "I never seen Merle so happy," He smirked. "It makes me happy when my brother's happy," He closed his eyes. "Cause' he needed someone to wake him up, somethin' beyond me, I guess."

She raised her brow and smiled. "That's so sweet of you to say."

"Nah," He said playfully. "Not a chance," He chuckled. "That big jackass is your responsibility now."

She laughed, then leaning against the table with her chin in her hand. "Somehow I think he already was, since I began working at the shop."

"Can't argue there," Daryl muttered as he stood up. The younger Dixon brother was just as enigmatic as his older brother. "Well I'll catch ya later, I'm gonna head to the shop."

"Right," She said, her prim smile not departing from her face. "Don't work too hard now."

He fought back a chuckle. "Tell your bone-headed boyfriend that he should work a little harder." He joked.

"Boyfriend?" She said to herself, then blushing.

Daryl smiled as he closed the door behind him. Michonne was as fun to mess with as Merle was, only she wouldn't kick his ass like Merle would. They seemed to be the perfect balance, it was better for her to drive him up the wall, than for Merle to be raising hell somewhere.

40 minutes later Michonne heard the front door open and close. Merle called out to her. She greeted him and leaned against the doorway. "Hey." She said bashfully.

He smiled and silently walked over to her. He grabbed her in his arms and gazed at her. "Did you miss me?"

"You weren't gone but only 40 minutes or so." She said with a cheeky smile.

He batted his eyes at her, and she grew hot. "Can't say you didn't miss, ol' Merle," He said playfully as he ran his hands down her back. She nearly squealed as she felt his hands cup her behind. They locked eyes. "Mhmm, I like that."

She licked her lips. "I suppose I can't say that," She responded primly. "And I'm…sure you do like my-" She felt so painfully self-conscious around him. Merle sure knew how to lay his firm hands on her and make her stutter her words.

A low sound of satisfaction echoed from his throat. "Do you know how much it turns me on when you lick them sweet lips?" He asked with a raised brow.

"I can feel it." She mentioned in a half-joking way. Merle must've been hard 24/7, and if not that often, it certainly didn't take much for him. She was aware of men, obviously. She wasn't a virgin, but Merle was…different. He was the kind of man she had never dreamed of. He was a rugged alpha male, imposing at times, but gentle in his own way. But damned if she didn't want him in just about EVERY way. He was the type of man she had never encountered before. That aspect heightened her already bothersome attraction to him.

He saw the uncertainty in her eyes. He could read her pretty well at that point. The attraction was definitely there, but his chocolate queen seemed a bit skittish. And honestly, after what she's been through he couldn't be frustrated with her. But shit, his feelings and the exhilaration of the chase kept him adoring her and wanting more. Even if he had to wait a while. Aside from a case of blue balls, he was okay with that. "Let's go out." He blurted out. It was an impulsive move, but he felt a little stir crazy. Plus his mind seemed to wonder to his bedroom, and what he'd love to be doing in there.

"Just us?" She inquired, immediately worrying about daycare. She hadn't wanted to keep calling up Tonya, though she hadn't minded watching him.

"No," He replied. "You, Andre' and me," She looked at him curiously. "What?" He asked with a half-smile.

"Nothing," She said as she wrapped her arms around him. Was this a family outing? Her faced glowed a tinge of red. He was irresistible, even now. She couldn't lie, she was a bit turned on. Talking about a family outing sure got her engine purring. The gesture showed that Merle wanted her, and Andre' too. "Wait, aren't you supposed to be going into the shop today?" She really didn't feel like hearing another one of him and Daryl's brotherly quarrels.

He paused. "Yes," He watched as she parted her lips in an effort to speak. "But Daryl will have Carol to help him," He quickly said. She gave him a look of "I'm-not-buying-it". She figured he was trying to shrug off his responsibilities at the shop. As happy as she was about the potential outing, she knew his absence wouldn't go over very well. He flashed her a shitfaced grin. "Come on, sweetheart...he'll be fine," He cajoled. He was dying to spend some time with her and Andre', and when the mood strikes why put it off? "You don't wanna take a trip to the park?" He asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Sounds really nice," She said dreamily, then eying him up. She pushed the stars from her eyes and regained her wits. "At least call Daryl and tell him," She urged. "Don't leave him hanging," She was certainly Merle's conscience as well as his reason for insanity. "Do that for me?" She said sweetly, then giving him a lingering kiss. Before she disconnected her lips from his, he took her hands into his. She noticed the look again.

He looked at her fondly, briefly running his fingers through her dreads. "Okay, I will," He assured, pulling out his cellphone. "Then I'll pack some food, why don't you get him ready?"

She smiled, reluctantly breaking contact. She went into her room and started getting Andre' ready. She was more excited than she thought she would be. This would be their first outing with Andre'. After a rather mild call to Daryl, Merle rummaged through the fridge and grabbed an assortment of fruit, lunchmeat and some leftover chocolate. A few bottles of water and some juice and jarred food would suffice for Andre'. He was glad that his brother did in fact have help from Carol, Philip and Andrea. Daryl was actually happy that Merle was doing something positive and honest. He nearly fell out when he actually received a call from him, notifying him of his absence. Merle sighed, all is well in the Dixon household.

An idea came to him. He knew exactly what he was going to do, other than the picnic. After getting Andre' ready, Michonne and Merle loaded up his truck, eager for their outing. The drive was exhilarating, the windows rolled down, with the warm Georgia air hitting their faces was Heaven within itself. Merle gripped the wheel with one hand and cradled the shift stick with the other. Michonne felt herself falling more and more for him. He looked so intense while he drove, his jaw tensed, then relaxed. He briefly glanced over at her. "Somethin' on my face, sweetheart?" He inquired with his Dixon grin.

She smiled back. "No," She bit her bottom lip in an effort to stifle her girlish smile. "Are you too pretty to look at?"

"Maybe a little," He snorted, then licking his lips and he shifted in his seat. "But not as pretty as you, chocolate drop."

"Chocolate drop," She mused. "That's clever," She murmured, looking back at him. "What should I call you, my vanilla crème-sicle then?"

A hoarse laugh escaped him. "You can call me whatever you want, sunshine," He purred. "Long as you call me." He jumped in surprise as he felt her warm hand on his. They were so soft and feminine, as always; and even that minimal skin-to-skin contact excited him. But it also made him feel eerily secure. He wasn't uncomfortable, he just felt strange. His arousal was a bit of a nuisance too. He certainly didn't dislike the tender gesture, but he was a bit new to it. Instead of causing hoopla he kept his awkward feelings to himself. Deep down he did enjoy that constant contact.

20 minutes later they arrived at a modest park a few miles away from a pre-school. The environment was peaceful, the air was fresh in the rural area. It was certainly an area where Michonne wouldn't mind bringing her son to play. As Merle looked at Andre', he realized how small and frail he was. He was well-loved and cared for. But he couldn't help thinking that him not walking or eating solid foods had something to do with Mike. They were both free from his tyranny, so why not take the first step to claim their newfound freedom? "I'm going to teach Andre' how to walk."

Michonne was floored. "Wh-What?" Where did that come from? Was this what Merle meant by a "trip"? She hadn't been angry. However, she was definitely caught off guard, but in a good way.

"I want to show him out of concern, you know?," He didn't want to push the sensitive issue, but shit...he may as well have been Andre's daddy. At this point he did way more than his chicken shit sperm donor did. All he wanted was to help Andre' meet an important developmental milestone. "I'm just worried for him," He went on. "Has he ever been to head-start or anything?"

She paused. "Mike had his own ideas for Andre'." She finally said with remorse in her voice. She looked up and saw Merle's eyes in hers, he could see the frustration and sadness in her. "But, I'm not a bad mother, Merle." She defended.

He quickly grabbed her shoulders. "I know that, sweetheart!," He exclaimed. "I wasn't sayin' that you were. I get that you had to do what you had to do to keep you and Andre' alive," He watched the hopeful light flicker back into her soft eyes. "But ya'll are safe now, you deserve a normal life. Andre' deserves a normal life. And I'll help you have it," He watched her fluid reactions, she went from hopeless to hopeful, then to genuine happiness. He saw that undeniably feminine smile curl on her full lips. He smile highlighted how kissable those lips were. "I want you to have it."

"I trust you." She assured him, the smile not leaving her face.

He ran his hand down her face. She had him feeling some sort of way, seemed like he was doing everything he never thought he'd do. But it felt natural and right. Merle looked down at Andre' who sat quietly on his blanket. He seemed to be taking in his surroundings. Merle wondered if the boy had ever been outside on freshly cut grass or smelled the crisp country air. Regardless, he'd show him the wonders of nature. "Alright, baby boy, you ready to learn how to walk today?"

He looked up at him and reached for him.

"I'm gonna pull you up and we're gonna practice standin'," Merle said softly as he grabbed his hand. He fought back a smile as he heard Andre' laughing as he was pulled up. Merle stooped down and grabbed hold of his other hand. The tyke wobbled from side-to-side and began to whine. "It's okay, ol' Merle ain't gonna let nothin' happen to ya." Michonne watched intently as she sat on a gray blanket and munched on a few grapes. She was entranced by the interactions between Merle and Andre'. He was so good with her son, and Andre' seemed to take to him instantly. Andre' locked his innocent eyes into Merle's in a gesture of trust.

"Mer!" Andre' whined.

"You're okay," Merle assured him. "I got you."

"I'm…scared." Andre' whined.

"It's okay," He said calmly to him. "Now, I'm gonna let you stand, but I'm right here," Merle smiled at him. "Don't worry, baby boy," He slowly removed his hands from his. Despite a few sounds of whining, Andre' successfully stood on his own, he wobbled a bit but the boy seemed naturally tenacious. Just like his mother. He suddenly fell forward, but Merle was true to his words. The boy landed into his arms. "You're okay." He assured.

The determined boy gingerly moved his head just enough to get a look at Merle. His tiny fingers tensed against Merle's rough forearms. He began pushing himself upward. Michonne couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her little boy was strong, determined even. No doubt that Merle was an intense man, he seemed to bring out the emotion and intensity of just about everyone he's around. Even her boy.

"You can do it, baby boy," Merle urged, as he watched him continue boosting himself up. His legs looked weak, but his young eyes looked different. He didn't part his eyes from Merle's, as he finally stood up on his own two feet. Merle grinned from ear to ear. He looked back at a stunned Michonne. "See him?" He asked excitedly.

She nearly dropped the bag of grapes. Her face lit up as she clapped enthusiastically for him. "Andre', you did it!," She exclaimed jovially. "You're standing!"

"Mom! Mom!," He shouted excitedly. "I did it!" He looked down at his feet curiously.

Merle snorted. "That's my boy," Michonne took notice of that phrase, she wasn't sure if Merle caught what he had just said; but it spoke volumes of his affinity for Andre'. His boy. Somehow Michonne wasn't against that, as she trusted him with Andre' more than she trusted his own father. Merle was just tickled pink, standing was a milestone within itself. And Andre' rose to the occasion like he believed he would, he was so proud of him. He doubted that there was anything that little mini-Michonne couldn't do. He scooped him up and tossed him up in the air several times. "Told ya, you could do it!" Andre' laughed hysterically at he felt the crisp air in his hair, the beaming sun in his face, and the safety of Merle's embrace. Andre' standing was certainly a celebration to be had.

Michonne stood up and walked over to Merle as he horse-played with Andre'. She stooped down and plated a kiss on his forehead. Merle stood up, keeping Andre's hand in his. Michonne kissed Merle on the lips. He looked at her curiously with a smile on his face. "This was amazing," She said to him. "Thank you."

"It's just a start," He assured her. "I'm sure he's tired out. But at least he learned the technique, he already has the guts so when he's rested I'll try him to take a step or two," He looked down at Andre' and playfully scruffed up his hair. "I'm gonna have to get you talkin' a lot more too."

"Are you two hungry?" She asked, motioning them over to the large blanket.

Merle scooped up Andre' and walked over to the blanket. He placed him onto it and sat down next to Michonne. He reached into the basket and pulled out an apple, he took a bite and watched as Michonne handed Andre' a tiny bag of animal crackers. He then laid on his back with his head on her lap. "You're a bigger baby than my beloved." She joked, looking down at him. So this is what a normal family was like. No screaming or getting the tar beat out of her, this had to be a dream. A man like Merle just had to be a dream. She bent her head downward and gave him a peck on the cheek. Now she could actually put all of her pain behind her.

He closed his eyes and smiled. "How can I not be, with a good momma like you?" For once in his life he was actually happy, he felt cared for. Wanted. And he had never felt genuinely wanted by a woman in his life. He figured it stemmed from his neglectful mother. But Michonne's tender care bought him back to life, her and her boy. He sighed in content as he felt her run her fingers through his hair. He really liked that. He really liked her; her and her boy.

*This is my first update in a while, so please review! I'd love to know what you think...and maybe I'll have a bit more motivation to update a bit faster. Thanks for reading!*