Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Thanks to Dino-SOAR, Brazen Hussy, piratejessieswaby, Annelisa,FanFicGirl10, Dixon-sBikerBabe,Lilone1776, Emberka-2012, kadieliz, Effigy, BeingLolaStar and the guests who took time to review.

I didn't think I'd get much support for a Beth/Merle relationship. Thank you for the guest who voiced their concerns about it taking away from the story. I have made Beth slightly older in this story, but in this sort of world I feel age is no longer a factor. At the moment it is just a crush for Beth because every young woman has had a crush on an older man at sometime in their life. If I can write it so I keep everyone in character then the relationship will go further. I could write you an essay on why Beth and Merle would and could work but I'm sure no one is interested in my ramblings. If you are, feel free to message me for a Meth chat and I'll explain it all. So I'm very sorry if this stops anyone from reading the last thing I want to do is alienate my readers and reviewers, but trust me if I can't make it seem in character and natural it won't happen.

Chapter 21.

If the group were to believe the Dixon brothers today was the most important day on the calendar. Today was Hope Dixon's first birthday.

The boys had decided that Hope's party would take place inside where it was warmer. The gifts had been placed in the living room and Patricia and Carol were working on a birthday meal for the group.

Carol watched as Daryl placed the small pink tricycle in the middle of the room, she shook her head. "That girl is going to be a troublemaker when she hits her teenage years." Patricia gave a small laugh.

Carol looked over at the woman. "What's so funny?" She asked smiling.

Patricia placed the potato she'd been peeling down. "I'm just thinking about Hope as teenager, all those awkward things the boys will have to tell her."

Carol found herself laughing. "I can't wait to see her bring home a boy."

Patricia smiled and put on a cute voice. "Daddy Merle, daddy Daryl, this is my boyfriend."

Carol pointed the knife at Patricia as if she was holding a gun. "Bang, bang." Carol then did her best Dixon impression. "Yeah well now he's ya dead boyfriend."

Both women broke into a fit of giggles as Daryl entered the room.

Daryl eyed the crazy women up. "What's so funny?" He asked.

Carol tilted her head and shrugged. "Just thinking about the future." Carol smirked. "Imagine if Lori has a boy."

Daryl shrugged. He wasn't interested in Lori's baby. "What of it?"

Carol bit her lip and smirked. "Well it would be a little boyfriend for Hope."

Daryl turned pale and his eyes widened. "She don't need a boyfriend not now not ever." Daryl looked around. "You seen Merle and Hope?"

"Merle said something about a fishing trip ready for dinner tonight and Hope is with Beth." Patricia smiled.

Daryl squinted at both the women; he snorted, shook his head and walked out. He could hear the women's laughter as he left.

Merle was preparing Dale's canoe and fishing poles outside the RV. Beth sat on the RV step with Hope on her lap, she watched as Merle checked over the boat.

Merle could feel a pair off eyes burning into his back. He looked over his shoulder to see Beth staring at him. As soon as Merle made eye contact with the girl she blushed and looked down at the floor. Merle gave a little smirk.

"You okay there girl?" Merle called over to Beth.

Hope waved her hands in the air. "Yes." She bounced on Beth's lap.

Merle laughed. "Well I wasn't talkin to you squirt but I'm glad to hear it." Hope laughed and clapped her hands.

"Hey Merle." Daryl came walking towards his brother. "You need company fishin?"

Merle rubbed his chin. "Yeah don't see why not. What's up brother?"

Daryl shook his head and picked up the tackle box. "Women are nuts."

Merle smirked. "Took you this long to notice?" Merle nodded behind Daryl. "Here comes another crazy one."

Andrea came jogging up to the boys. "Hey, Dale said you're going fishing." Andrea hadn't been fishing since she lost Amy. "Can I come?"

Merle smirked he raised his eyebrows and blew a flirty kiss in Andrea's direction. "A few minutes with me sugar and you'll cum alright."

Daryl rolled his eyes and Andrea gave a disgusted snort. "What?" Merle chuckled. "I'm only playin."

Beth frowned and stood up. "Maybe Hope and I should go with you. I'm sure Hope would like to see the fish."

"Yesssss." Hope screeched. "Miiiiine." She sang out loud.

Merle and Daryl exchanged glances.

"What do think?" Daryl looked at the three girls.

Merle shrugged and took Hope from Beth. "Might as well, Hope will be safe with us."

Beth smiled. "I'll go let daddy know and see if I can't get us some food." Beth ran towards the house her blonde hair flew behind her as she went.

Beth had just finished loading a picnic hamper when Jimmy walked into the house. He looked around at the gifts that were piled high in the living room.

"That's one spoilt kid." Jimmy muttered. "She'll turn into a brat."

Beth frowned. "She won't Merle won't let her." Beth pulled her hair into a ponytail. "Were you looking for daddy?"

Jimmy shook his head. "No I was looking for you, haven't seen you for a while."

Beth picked up the hamper. "You said that you didn't want me chasing you around so I stopped."

Jimmy scowled. "C'mon Beth..."

Beth walked towards the door. "Sorry Jimmy I have to go fishing, I don't want to keep them all waiting." Beth left that house and skipped down the porch steps and jogged towards the fishing group.

Andrea held Hope in her arms. The closer Beth got to her the more the young girl wiggled and struggled to reach for Beth.

"I'll do you a swap, Hope for the hamper." Andrea offered.

Beth gladly took Hope into her arms. The small girl looked slightly disappointed when she couldn't grab Beth's hair.

Merle and Daryl picked up canoe between them. "Alright let's go." Merle instructed.

"Wait." Hershel called to the group.

Merle huffed. He wanted to catch some fish for dinner not stand around all day chatting.

"What's up?" Merle asked as politely as he could manage.

"I just want to remind you boys to take care of my daughter. As fathers you appreciate how important children are." Hershel looked at both men sternly.

"Dad I'm not a child." Beth whined.

Merle chuckled. "Hey peaches your daddy is just watchin out for you. I won't let anythin happen to her." Merle looked over his shoulder at Beth. "Who else will cook me a meal and watch my girl, ain't that right peach." Merle threw a wink a Beth.

Beth blushed and her heart raced. "He winked at you Beth, he must like you." She thought to herself.

Merle nodded at Andrea and wiggled his eyebrows. "C'mon blondie you lead the way."

Andrea rolled her eyes and walked towards the gates.

The large lake was beautiful and clear, the group had been fishing for a few hours now. Andrea and Daryl sat in the boat fishing whilst Merle sat on the shore in just his pants gutting the fish that had already been caught, with his bladed hand.

Beth watched Hope pick up a worm in her chubby hand. "No Hope that's icky." Beth took the worm away from the baby.

"Ick?" Hope called out. Her little head swirled around in search of Rick. "Ick?"

Beth giggled. "Not Rick, icky as in ewww."

Hope giggled and pointed at Merle. "Ewwww."

Merle smiled. "Excuse me I ain't a ewww, I'm daddy."

Beth watched Merle gut another fish. "Where did you learn that?" Beth asked trying to engage Merle in a conversation.

Merle swiftly gutted another fish. "Taught myself, had to eat. Our old man had a habit of spending food money on booze, drugs and women." Merle threw the fish guts into a bucket that sat near him.

Beth shuffled closer to Merle. "Can you teach me?"

Merle looked up at the young woman. "Nah, you're too squeamish for it girl."

Beth frowned. "I can do it. Patricia lets me help pluck the chickens."

Merle wiped his nose on the back of his hand and sniffed. "Okay." Merle pulled his knife from his sheath and handed it to Beth. "Right grab a fish." Merle grabbed the back of Hope's coat and pulled her close to him. "Get back here Squirt." He didn't want to risk Hope wandering off.

Hope babbled angrily as Merle pulled her towards him.

"Hang on a minute." Beth placed the knife down and went to the picnic hamper. She pulled out a teething biscuit. Beth placed Hope back at Merle's side and handed her the biscuit. "There you go Hope."

Hope sat down and started to suck and chew on the tasty treat. Merle looked surprised. "How the hell did you learn to do that?"

Beth picked up the knife. "Do what?"

Merle ruffled Hope's hair. "Make her sit still."

Beth smiled. "She just needs to be kept entertained." Beth didn't want to tell Merle she learnt it after Hope escaped from her several times.

"Right grab a fish." Merle instructed. Beth pulled a face of disgust as she grabbed the slippery sea creature. "Don't be a pussy bout it girl grab it." Beth held the fish firmly in one hand. "Insert the knife into the back of the fish, right near to the tail. Good now draw the knife toward the head." Beth poked her tongue out of the side of her mouth in concentration. "Good right now what ya wanna do is spread it apart with your fingers. Reach in and pull out the entrails."

Beth pulled the fish guts out and placed them in the bucket Merle had been using. "Is that it?" Beth asked smiling.

Merle felt proud of himself. He'd taught Daryl how to gut and skin animals but he'd never taught a girl before. Merle couldn't wait to teach Hope.

Beth looked over at Daryl and Andrea fishing. "We need to start getting back. Hope has gifts to open and we need to cook the fish."

Merle nodded he stood up and gave a whistle to the couple in the boat.

Daryl looked over at the shore. Merle, Beth and Hope were looking out at them. Merle waved his arms in the air.

"Time to go in." Daryl pulled his fishing pole into the boat.

Andrea looked towards the shore and her mouth flew open. "Daryl, walkers."

Daryl looked up and saw four walkers coming out of the woods. "Hope." Daryl muttered. "MERLE WALKERS!" Daryl yelled. He looked at Andrea. "We gotta get to shore now."

Merle turned around as the walkers started approaching them. He grabbed Beth and pushed her behind him. Hope whined at the rough jerky movement.

"Keep behind me." Merle glanced at Beth from over his shoulder.

Beth held Hope tightly to her chest trying to keep the small girl from seeing the carnage about to unfold.

Merle ran forward driving his blade deep in to the first walkers skull, he dislodged the creature with his hand and let it fall to the ground. Walkers two and three attacked together in a corpse double team. Merle kicked walker two to the floor whilst stabbing the third through the eye. By the time the final walker came forward Daryl was on the shore and at his brother's side. Daryl took care of walker number four with a well placed arrow. Merle walked over to the fallen walker and looked down at it struggling on the floor.

Merle gave the ugly rotting walker a look of pure anger. "All I wanted was a nice day out with my baby." Merle gave a snarl and stomped on the walkers head until it was no more than a mangled mess. "Guess it's too much to ask." Merle looked around at Hope; his little girl had started to grizzle.

Daryl started to pack away the supplies. "I thought you said this place was safe."

Merle grabbed his wifebeater off the ground and wiped his bloody knife on it. "No place is safe nowadays brother. This place is safe enough it's nowhere near the red zone."

Andrea helped Daryl pack everything away. Beth felt sadness in her heart at Merle's words "no place is safe nowadays" Beth softly rubbed Hope's back. "What about the farm?" Beth asked.

Merle handed Andrea the picnic hamper that was now filled with fish. "What about the farm peach?"

"Isn't that safe?" Beth asked in a panicked tone.

Merle ran his hand through his hair. He could tell Beth was scared and he didn't like it. Merle walked over to the young woman and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Listen girl the farm is safe." Merle gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I wouldn't let anythin or anyone hurt my family. Okay?"

Beth nodded slowly she kissed Hope on that cheek and took in Hope's scent. The little girl was lucky to have a couple of great protectors in her life.

Daryl loaded his crossbow. "I'll take the front, Beth you stay tight behind me. Merle and Andrea will be behind you carrying the canoe."

Beth moved around the dead walkers, she tried to shield Hope from the gruesome sight but the baby caught sight of one of the dead walkers. Hope gave a small whine and buried her face into Beth's chest.

The group all sat around in the living room of the farm house. Hershel sat in his arm chair, his daughters sat on either arm next to their father.

Daryl and Merle sat on the rug next to Hope; the small girl seemed more interested in a large box than the toys sprawled around her.

Hope was now standing up and looking in the large box.

Daryl held up a rag doll. "Bug, look at the dolly." Daryl shook it in front of her.

Hope slapped Daryl's hand away. "No." She whined. Hope placed her weight on the box and it flipped over landing on top of Hope.

Hope laughed from underneath her cardboard cage. Merle tapped on the box with his stump.

"You alive in there Squirt?" Merle chuckled.

More laughter was heard and the box started to move along the floor. Maggie smiled at the moving box, she stood up. The farmer's daughter went and sat next to Glenn. Glenn smiled and held Maggie's hand then kissed her.

Daryl lifted the box up slightly, the only thing he could see were Hope's large blue eye. "Boo."

Hope laughed. She crawled around in a circle under the box and started to drag it around the living room again.

Daryl picked up the box making Hope scream. "Hey now Bug its bed time."

Daryl and Merle had extended Hope's bed time for her birthday and the girl had become overtired.

"Noooooooo." Hope howled and kicked her legs.

Merle picked Hope up and placed her on his lap. "Aww c'mon let her stay up."

Daryl pointed his finger at Merle. "No, she needs to sleep, she needs boundaries."

Merle snorted. "She's a baby, she don't understand."

"She understands plenty." Daryl snapped back.

Merle was far from impressed by his baby brother's attitude. "You wanna rethink how you're talkin to me brother. Cause it seems to me you may end up with a few teeth missin."

Hershel looked at the fighting brothers, he gave a small smile. The Dixon boys were becoming overtired themselves. Hershel held Beth's hand. "Bethy, how about a song?"

Beth shook her head and looked around the room in embarrassment. "No daddy I don't want to."

Hershel patted her hand gently. "Please, I love to hear you sing and it may smooth things over in here."

Beth bit her lip and took a deep breath. She started to sing.

"Could you fall in love with me, ohh,

Love is such a mind blowing mystery.

I know you're very busy, and the timings not quite right.

But I would take a bus on a late Sunday night, to see you, to see you."

The whole room fell silent at the sound of Beth's heavenly voice. Beth looked up at Merle, she noticed him looking at her with an odd sort of calmness. Beth blushed and looked back down at the floor. Hershel caught the look his girl had given Merle and it made the farmer uncomfortable.

"Could you be my boyfriend, ohh.

Boys are such a big book that I've barley read.

I know that you're much older, and you've had many lovers.

But there's no place I'd rather be than under the covers, next to you, next to you."

Hope snuggled down in Merle's arm. Merle found himself captivated by Beth's dulcet tones. He noticed the girl look at him and blush again. Merle smirk, he liked the fact he could still make a young girl blush.

"And I'm tellin myself to be patient,

And I'm tellin myself to wait.

Because when it comes to your love, I over anticipate.

And I know that I've done this before.

And I know I know I can't predict fate.

But when it comes to your love, I over anticipate."

Beth stopped singing and a warm serenity seemed to linger in the air.

"You got a good voice." Merle yawned. The last time he'd heard anyone sing like that was his mother. The woman used to sing Daryl to sleep all the time.

Beth sat up straight and smiled. "Thank you."

Daryl stretched his body out and stood up. "Right, let's get Hope to bed." Daryl took the small slumbering girl from Merle's lap.

Merle stood up and brushed himself down. "We'll pick up the toys in the mornin'."

Hershel gave the men a nod, he watched his youngest daughter look at the elder Dixon and he gave a small frown. Tomorrow he would need to have a chat with Merle about Beth's growing affections for the redneck.

The song is called "Over Anticipate" and it's sung by Emily Kinney who plays Beth. If you haven't heard it you should check it out along with her other songs, they're great songs, very folksy.