Merry Christmas everyone I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. A big thanks to my wonderful beta and I really hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 20

Defiantly a Dixon.

Merle and Glenn had been gone for almost two hours. Maggie tried not to worry but the truth was no matter how many times they went on supply runs and returned safely there was always the risk that one day they wouldn't. She sighed walking the prison yard keeping her eyes out along the dirt road for any sign on them.

"He'll be alright sweetheart," she heard her father's soft voice behind her, turning she smiled softly at him.

"I know but I still worry."

Hershel nodded understanding. "Have you seen Beth? I was going to ask for her help in the garden."

"She's up in the watch tower," Maggies replied pointing up at Beth who was scanning the area with binoculars.

"I thought T-Dog had watch."

"He does, I think she is keeping an eye out for Merle… this is his first real run to town since he proposed." She heard her father grumble something under his breath as he turned to walk away but she quickly grasped his arm forcing him to face her. "When are you going to accept the fact that Beth and Merle are in a relationship?"

"I have, I said they could marry," he snapped defensively at her.

"Yeah in twelve months… daddy, look around, this is a brave new world and in twelve month we could all be dead."

"Maggie…" he sighed softly; she could see the fear in his eyes at the thought of his two girls dying.

"I know Merle Dixon isn't the man you pictured for Beth, he's rough and rude and he clearly has a dark past not to mention the fact that he is probably twice Beth's age but he loves her so much that is clear and that should be enough for you to give your blessing."

"Maggie I wanted more for you girls and just because the world has changed don't mean I can't still want those things for you girls."

"It does if it means you stopping us from finding happiness…. Daddy you're not being fair to Beth, she is happy and in love and you're standing in her way and all that is going to do is push her away, force her to sneak around." Maggie sighed moving closer to Hershel hugging him tightly before stepping back. "We love you dad, we always will but I need you to think about this…. Do you think Beth would ever forgive you if something happened to Merle and they had never fulfilled their desire to be husband and wife? Would you forgive yourself?," she asked him her tone and expression serious, she turned walking away not giving him a chance to reply but time to really think about what she had said.

Hershel sighed knowing and hating that she was right. Truth was, it wasn't just Merle's character that made him put the twelve month ban on them but also that Beth was his little girl, his baby and he was finding it so hard to let go but he knew if he didn't she would end up walking away from him in the end.

Taking a deep breath he couldn't help but look up at Beth as Maggie joined her. He could see all the fear, concern and love over her young features, he had hoped that maybe this thing with Merle was a phase, just simple lust but he knew now he was wrong. Beth was in love and it was time he accepted that. He was just about to head inside the prison when he heard Beth call out to everyone.

"They're back," she yelled pointing out to the dirt road where the car came into view. Beth and Maggie ran down opening the gate and letting the car in before quickly closing it behind the car. The car came to a stop as the two men stepped out and Beth couldn't stop herself from throwing her arms around his neck pulling Merle close to her.

"I was so worried," she whispered into his neck, he couldn't help but smile before pulling back to look at her.

"Hey what did I tell you sweetheart?"

"Only a Dixon can kill a Dixon," she smiled.

"That's right so quit your worrying." She nodded closing her eyes as she brushed her lips softly across his earning herself a groan from him. She pulled away smirking.

"How did the trip go?" Hershel asked moving closer to them.

"Good, we managed to find a small town about half an hour from here, not much there just a small pharmacy, corner shop and a fuel station," Merle started to inform them, "salvaged what we could find which honestly wasn't much... some tinned food, half a can of fuel and some pharmacy supplies…. Antiseptic, bandages, aspirin but best thing a few pregnancy tests and some pregnancy vitamins," he opened the bag to show Hershel.

"Good work," the old man smiled patting Merle on the arm. "Come on let's get those two an answer." Merle was shocked by Hershel's praise but he shock it off, nodding he followed him inside the prison to find Daryl and Carol.

Carol and Daryl sat nervously waiting for the test results, Hershel had said it would only take a few minutes but it felt like hours had passed and Daryl was growing impatient. Just when he felt like he might go mad, Hershel and Merle walked back into the clinic.

"Well?" Daryl asked standing from his seat.

"Congratulations baby brother, you're going to be a daddy," Daryl felt like he had just reached for the heavens when Carol felt fear and panic take hold of her like a vice grip. She had already lost one child to this hellish world and she feared she wouldn't be able to protect this one either. Hershel could see Carol seemed to be struggling to catch her breath as she broke out in a visible sweat.

"Carol, are you alright dear?" Hershel asked stepping closer to her.

"What are we going to do? A baby is hard enough to take care of before but now… this world is dark and evil…." She spoke her voice laced with panic as she struggled to catch her breath.

"Carol you need to calm down" Hershel said taking her pulse which was beating rapidly.

"How can I calm down? This world is all but overrun by the dead, things that want to rip us apart how can I bring a child into the world? A child who can't defend herself, to face an ugly death like her sister did?" Daryl stepped forward all but pushing Hershel out of the way, grasping her face between his hands he forced her to look at him.

"Hey you listen to me woman, ill protect you and our baby, I will never, ever let anything happen to either of you, you hear me?" Her breathing started to slow as she got her panic under control. "I swear to you I will make this place safe, a safe place to have and raise our child, alright?" She nodded her head knowing that if anyone could it was Daryl.

"Good, now cut your crap," he ordered, she couldn't help but laugh softly.

"You're right, I'm sorry… I just… I can't lose another child," she whispered.

"I promise you, you won't" he replied moving forward to kiss her and enjoying the feel of her lips of his. He knew they would have to be extra careful now, having a baby in this world was dangerous but he knew no matter what he would never allow anything to happen to either of them as long as he lived.

"Carol, would you mind laying back? I would like to examine you, see if we can determine just how far along you are" Hershel interrupted, nodding she quickly laid down lifting her shirt to revile her tummy. Hershel moved forward taking her blood pressure and temperature before poking softly at her tummy before stopping to write some notes.

"Well from what I can feel you look to be at least six week"

"But that would mean I was pregnant when Tyrese took my captive" Carol sat up.

"That's right" Hershel nodded.

"But I was dragged through the woods, hungry, dehydrated; I took a massive fall from that tree"

"Defiantly a Dixon" Merle muttered, Daryl smiled proudly

"Strong and stubborn like his mum" Daryl spoke grasping her hand, Carol couldn't help but laughing softly at this.

"And his dad" She whispered smiling happily at him.