A/N Thanks so much for the faves and follows for this story. I love this couple. Best get yourself a snack, it's a long chapter.

One Month Later

She was almost six months along and he loved the way her tummy was getting more round. She was such a small, slim woman, and he had no complaints about that, but he just loved putting his hand on that round belly. And with this pregnancy he could swear her figure seemed fuller, even through her hips and breasts, than with Suzy. Well, she was definitely eating much better these days.

She'd been feeling good and that was such a relief for him. He'd been so worried that his terrible behavior would cause some sort of physical damage to her or the baby.

He walked in the kitchen and there was his family ready to start the day. Beth was standing at the stove cooking grits and eggs for him and the kids, Suzy was in her high chair eating a sliced banana, and Tommy was coloring in a book. It was perfect, and he thanked God for letting him have one more chance with them.

He walked over to his wife, wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck, "Mornin' little Darlin'."

She turned to face him, kissed him on the cheek and said, "I won't be little much longer Merle." And they smiled at one another.

She served the breakfast and sat down next to him, put her hand over his and said, "I have a doctor's appointment late this morning. You don't need to go if you're busy at work, but I know you like to so I'm just reminding you."

"Oh I didn't forget Darlin', I'll be back ta pick ya up at 11." And he leaned down and kissed her cheek.

Then she asked him something he had never even thought about, "Merle, I was thinking, it's just so darn hot this summer, and my hair is so long and heavy, I was thinking of getting one of those new short haircuts, would that be okay?"

And he'd been trying so hard to be a new man, to not be overbearing with her, but damn, he loved that beautiful hair, still, he said, "Darlin', it probably ain't fair for me ta say no if yer uncomfortable. I don't want ya ta be miserable." And he was rubbing the back of his head and his neck, and she could tell how badly he did not want her to cut her hair, yet he wasn't going to tell her no.

xxxx

It was hotter than the hubs of hell and he'd been sweating, so he came back to the house about 10:45 to get changed from his work clothes before her appointment.

Edith was watching the kids and Beth was just getting changed herself. He could see her hair was damp with perspiration around her hairline, and he could see why she'd want to cut it. It was kind of breaking his heart to think that hair would be cut, but he was willing to accept it.

The doctor said everything was going well with the pregnancy but cautioned she not overdo, and to drink plenty of water during this time of excessive heat and humidity.

It was his nature to worry about her anyway, but now he had real concern and on the way home he said, "I don't want ya tryin' ta cook in this heat Beth. I'ma just take you an the children ta the diner tonight, please Darlin'."

She smiled over at him and said, "Oh thank you Merle, I swear I'm ready to climb in the refrigerator to try and cool off."

At the diner she barely ate a thing and now he was really worried, "Darlin', ya need ta eat, for you and the baby, please."

And she explained to him, "It's just so hot Merle, I lost my appetite. I'll try, I promise."

And she did, but it still amounted to nothing as far as he was concerned.

The children were in bed, he was in his chair reading the sports page, and she came in from the kitchen with a glass of lemonade and she handed it to him, then made a move to sit in his lap. He set his glass on the side table and put his arms around her, letting that one hand slip up inside her dress a little and rub her thigh.

They were smiling at each other and he said, "This here is real nice Darlin'." And she leaned down and kissed him.

Then she surprised him, "Merle, I'm never going to cut my hair short. I know you love it long, I know you think it's sexy. I know you wanted so badly to tell me 'no' this morning, I could see it in your reaction, but you didn't. You used to always tell me when you didn't like the idea of me doing something, or wearing certain things, and now it's like you think you're not allowed to say anything anymore. I think its maybe from the trouble we had that you feel this way. But Merle, I want you to always tell me what you like and what you don't like, just like you ask me to tell you in the bedroom. You're my husband, I want to please you. And I am deeply in love with the Merle I married, you don't have to change to make me happy." She kissed him now with more passion, and his hand slid further up her dress to rub her bottom.

That led to an increase in the heat index, and soon he'd picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. They stood by the bed and he was kissing her heatedly, he had the skirt of her dress pulled up as he pressed her to him. He slipped the dress off, and began to tease her breasts over the full slip, while rubbing his other hand up under the her slip and on her fanny, alternating between kissing her lips, and her neck, and gently sucking on her earlobe. He slid the straps of her slip off and it fell to the floor, he moved his mouth to her breast, and was flicking his tongue back and forth on her nipple while sucking gently, she was moaning and he sat her on the edge of the bed. He stood over her at the side of the bed and removed his shirt and undershirt, and then he asked her, "Will ya take off my pants for me Darlin'," and she unbuckled the belt and slid her hands down past his waistband and moved the pants down. The sight of his manhood always sent a rush of heat through her and she moaned again. He slipped his feet out of the pants, laid her down on the bed and skillfully removed her panties ,"Yer the most beautiful woman I ever seen Beth. Ya make yer husband so full a need for ya. And ain't nuthin' I want more right this minute than ta quench yer need, bring ya pleasure," and then he was on the bed with her.

He continued to suck on her breasts, her neck, and kiss her fervently on the mouth, while his finger found its way inside her, now they were both having trouble controlling the moaning. "Ah Darlin' love ya, and I love that right there."

And she whispered to him, "Oh Merle, I want you now, I want to feel you inside me."

She only had to tell him once, he lifted her up so she could straddle him, and as she raised her hips he guided himself into her.

It wasn't long and they were both finding their release. But then he was worried again. She was so flushed, and her skin felt so hot. She seldom perspired, but her whole body was covered with dampness. He put his hand to her cheek, "Darlin', let's take a cool shower, I'm a little worried ya might be too warm." She had her eyes closed but nodded 'yes' to the idea.

He rose from the bed, picked her up and carried her to their bathroom. They both felt better in the cool water of the shower and he held her close and whispered in her ear, "Love ya so much Beth, yer the best thing that ever happened in my life, I'm sorry it's so hot, wish there was sumthin' I could do."

She had her cheek on his chest and her arms wrapped tightly around his waist and she told him, "I love you my husband, I thank God every day for leading me and Tommy to you and for bringing us all back together. Bringing you happiness and pleasure is what brings me happiness and pleasure."

xxxx

The next morning at work it dawned on him, air conditioning. Sure it was kind of a new idea for people's homes; but they'd been making those window units since about '47 so he figured they must have got the bugs worked out by now.

He got on the phone to his buddy Ken over at the Sears store and told him what he wanted, told him the square footage of his house, and Ken told him he thought he'd need two units, a large one in the front window to cool down the living room, kitchen and Suzy's room, and a smaller one in the master bedroom window to cool down their room and bathroom and Tommy's room. Ken said he could have them ready for pick up, along with everything else he'd need to install them, first thing Saturday morning.

Merle went right out to the shop and asked Axel if he'd like to earn some extra cash on Saturday, and the man with three mouths at home to feed quickly agreed.

Saturday came around and he and Axel headed over to the Sears store, got those AC units and went to work. Being something completely foreign to them, it was quite the job, but they got it done.

When Merle turned on that unit in the front room, and felt that cool air, he breathed a little easier. He didn't want his Little Darlin' to be uncomfortable.

One Month Later

Things were busy at their house.

They'd signed Tommy up for kindergarten and Merle and Beth were both feelin' a combination of proud and sad over that. Their little boy seemed to be growing up too fast.

Daryl and Michonne were coming to visit for three days. They always loved having them, but it was getting tougher and tougher to have them in the apartment instead of in the house with the rest of the family. The children didn't understand the need for separation and secrecy, and the truth was the adults didn't really understand either.

They had a little phone meeting and decided to take a big chance, they'd all stay in the house with Merle and Beth.

Beth thought it would be a good idea to have the little boys camp out in sleeping bags in Suzy's room, so Daryl and Michonne could have a little privacy in Tommy's room. Merle thought that sounded just fine.

But it got him to thinking. "Ya know Beth, with another baby comin', maybe it's a good idea if we was ta sell this place n get a bigger house."

She had a horrified look on her face, "Don't do that, please Merle. I never ever want to leave this house. This is our home, this house has our story. I can't leave, please don't make me." And she started to cry.

He hugged her closely, "Darlin', don't be cryin' now, ya know yer husband can't take that. If ya don't wanna move I sure ain't gonna make ya. I thought you'd be happy ta get a bigger place. Now don't be upset Beth, please Darlin'."

That's when he got a notion, why not add on another bedroom, maybe even a den? They had plenty of land. He'd talk to her about that tomorrow evening; he wasn't going to bring up anything else right now.

She had a doctor's appointment late the next morning, he planned to take her, and then take her to lunch.

The doctor did his exam, and then he and Beth joined Merle in the doctor's office. The doctor was glad to see they were back to being a loving and affectionate couple, because he had some big news for them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, I have some happy news to share with the two of you. When I was examining Mrs. Dixon I distinctly heard two heartbeats."

Beth's hands immediately went to her cheeks, and she seemed to be laughing and had tears at the same time, "Oh my, oh my, I never suspected that."

And Merle had no idea what they were talking about here, "Is sumthin' wrong? What does that mean?"

"It means Mr. Dixon that I'm almost certain Mrs. Dixon is carrying twins." The doctor smiled.

Merle wasn't sure what to do or say, this was something he never even considered.

When they got in the car Beth said, "Are you excited Merle?" he'd been so quiet, she was worried.

"Just seems like way too much for you ta go through Darlin', all this was my mistake, and this here is all my fault. I'm so sorry Beth."

She never raised her voice to him, but she did now, "Don't you ever say that again Merle Dixon! These are our children, we love each other and we love them, they're a gift. You don't EVER call it a mistake or a fault ever again!" And now she was crying hard and her small shoulders were shaking and all he knew to do was take her in his arms.

"I didn't mean for it to seem like I thought they was a mistake Darlin', a course I'm happy, excited, ya know I love ya more than anythin' in this world, an I'ma love them. It just seems like so much for a young woman like you ta go through. Barely 21 and four children ta raise," and he was rubbing her back and rocking her softly and she quit crying.

"I won't be raising them alone Merle, they have a Daddy, we'll be raising them together," She looked in his eyes when she said it.

"Yer right Darlin', I'ma be right there by yer side."

They had their lunch and he brought her home. He went in their room to put his work clothes back on.

Edith just knew something was going on, and she was scared something was the matter with the baby, "Don't mean ta step outta line Mrs. Beth, but is everythin' okay?"

Beth put her arms around the woman and said, "Edith, the doctor says its twins!"

And Edith started to laugh and clap, and then she said, "We best be getting Suzy potty trained right away, we don't want ta be changin' diapers for three!"

He came in the kitchen and smiled at them, "We're gonna be busy 'round here for sure. Edith, does yer oldest boy need work? I'm plannin' ta add on ta the house, I mean if Beth likes the idea," And he looked to his wife.

She smiled, "Oh that's a wonderful idea, because I'm never moving."

Edith laughed and said, "Yes, my boy's been tryin' ta find work for a month, he definitely help ya any way he can."

The next evening they shared the news with Daryl and Michonne over dessert. Daryl gave Beth's hand a squeeze and said, "Guess I better get busy and make another cradle." Then he gave his brother a questioning look, but Merle just smiled.

Michonne was excited, "Daryl and I are thinking about having another child, but now I'm sure we'll never catch up to you two!"

Later when Daryl and Merle went out on the back porch, Daryl was chewing his bottom lip and his brow was furrowed, he asked his brother plain and simple, "You n Beth all made up now? Ya been treatin' her right Merle? She good with havin' all yer babies ta take care of?"

"Yeah little brother, I learned my lesson. I know everythin' ya said before was right, an I know how lucky I am she give me another chance. I don't know what was wrong with me, was like I lost my mind, but I'd kill myself 'fore I'd ever treat her that way again, and I ain't never gonna be able ta thank ya enough for bringin' her home ta me. She says she's happy 'bout the babies, and I believe she is."

Rick, Lori and the children came over the next afternoon, to visit with everyone, and they told them their big news. Lori hugged her and told her she'd help in any way she could. Rick smiled, shook Merle's hand and said, "Congratulations Merle, you better get an account with that new diaper service in town."

"Diaper service?" Merle questioned.

'Yeah, they drop off the clean ones and take away the dirty ones, name is Tiny Tots Diaper Service," Rick shrugged.

Merle made up his mind right then he'd be calling them to make arrangements.

One Month Later

The date was getting close now, and again they'd had a disagreement about where the babies would be born. He wanted her to go to the hospital this time because he was so worried something might go wrong. He never told her it was her he worried about more, he loved and wanted those babies, but he knew he couldn't survive long without her.

She insisted she would have the babies at home. The doctor tried to reassure him she'd be fine and he'd be close. Merle wasn't happy, but he accepted it, it was what she wanted.

xxxx

They were in the front room, Merle looking through a tool catalog and Beth reading a Good Housekeeping magazine. "Darlin', have ya settled on baby names?"

"Merle, you know I want to hear your ideas," She smiled that beautiful smile.

"If they're girls I like Beth and Mary. If they're boys I still like Roy and Charlie. What about you Darlin'?" He smiled back at her because he already knew he was naming those babies whatever she wanted to name them.

"I still love the name Katherine, Katie for short, and I also like the name Claire. For boys I agree, I like Charles, Charlie for a nickname, and I like Bill too, but I think I'd name him William and we could call him Billy when he's little."

"Sounds perfect Darlin', I like 'em," And he did. All he really cared about was her gettin' through this okay, and the babies bein' okay.

Two weeks later she went into labor. It was 10 in the morning when Edith called him at the shop and he rushed home.

Beth was in the bed, and he could see by her face she was having a much harder time already than she'd had with Suzy. He went to her, knelt by her, and took her hand, "How ya doin' Little Darlin'? What can yer husband do ta help?"

And she gave him a tired smile and said, "Just holding my hand is nice Merle, and maybe a kiss," She smiled at him.

Edith had called the doctor and Mrs. Camp and both arrived shortly after Merle.

He stepped from the room as the doctor examined his wife. Merle was worried, afraid something wasn't right.

The doctor came out a few minutes later, put his hand on Merle's shoulder and assured him everything was fine, nothing out of the ordinary. "I know you worry a lot about your wife Mr. Dixon, but she's much stronger than she appears. She's going to do fine, and the babies heartbeats sound strong. I won't be far, I'm just going over to the hospital, check on a few patients there, and then I'll be back."

Merle went to Tommy and told him, "Son, we're gonna have us some new babies taday, two of 'em. Ain't that excitin'?"

And the little boy smiled and said, "Yes Daddy, I hope there's a boy!"

And Merle smiled back and said, "Mama said she'll try her best for ya, we'll just have ta see. Ya wanna give yer Mama a kiss? Gonna be pretty quick now she'll be too busy for that stuff."

And he walked the boy in and let him sit on the bed with Beth for a minute, but they were both afraid he'd get scared when he saw her have a labor pain, so they didn't have him stay long. Merle took him back to Edith who had the new playroom all set up to keep the children entertained for the day.

Merle went back to their room and again he knelt on the floor by the bed. She smiled and said, "Merle, get yourself a chair, that seems so uncomfortable."

But he said, "Nah, I just wanna be as close to ya as I can. Love ya so much Darlin'."

And she knew that he did, and she knew how he worried, and she tried to act like the pain wasn't there, but after five hours of labor the pain was getting so intense.

The doctor and the mid wife were both in the room. They told Merle he didn't have to stay, but he insisted. He'd been with her when Suzy was born, and he would be with her when these two babies were born.

It was seven hours after Edith had called him that a baby boy was born, and just two minutes after that that a baby girl came.

She was exhausted and he lay his head down next to her on the bed, with his arm wrapped around her stomach. "Ah Darlin', I know that was rough, but ya done just right, ya give us two beautiful, perfect new children, a boy and a girl. Our Tommy's gonna be mighty happy."

And she opened her eyes and smiled at him, "Charlie and Katie." And then she drifted off to sleep.

A/N Phew, we got through more babies being born! One more chapter to go, sniff, sniff, but I've got another Beth and Merle fic for you I'll be posting in just a day or two. Thanks so much for reading, please review xo