A/N Thank you all so much, here's what we've all been waiting for, a Bethyl Baby!
The baby was due any day and it was hard to know who was most excited, Beth, Daryl or Annie. Or maybe Maggie.
Beth thought she looked like the Goodyear Blimp, but Daryl thought she looked adorable. She was carrying all of her weight right there in the front, like she had a beach ball under her shirt. He'd sneaked around and managed to snap several pictures of her standing sideways, he'd take a look at one when he was working, and it just made him smile.
Everything about the pregnancy fascinated him, and for his part, he was enjoying every minute of it. He'd never thought he'd get a steady woman, much less a wife and daughter, and now he had a baby on the way.
He had read all the pamphlets from the mid-wife and the doctor's office, and studied everything he could find about pregnancy and online. He accompanied her to all of her doctor and mid-wife visits, and he asked questions. Daryl liked to know what to expect. He wanted to be prepared, and he wanted to do whatever he could for Beth.
She had to remind him many times that, although she appreciated his helpfulness, she was not helpless, she was not sick, she was just pregnant. He'd just smile, shrug and say he was sorry, that he just wanted to feel like he was doing something to help.
Beth wanted to have the baby at home under the care of the mid-wife. The doctor was a back-up in case there were complications late in the pregnancy and she had to go to the hospital.
Daryl had been unsure about all of it at first, but even the doctor had reassured him that it was a common practice and he didn't anticipate any issues with the birth.
The mid-wife had trained him on how to be a valuable "assistant" to both herself and to Beth during the delivery. Although he had a little case of the nerves about it, he wasn't scared, he was thrilled.
They'd decided early on they wanted to be surprised by their baby's gender, which seemed to be okay with everyone except maybe Maggie, she was worse than a little kid, so excited for this baby and dying to know if she was having a new niece or a new nephew. She didn't really care either way, it was just that Maggie simply had no patience, she wanted to go on a baby clothes shopping spree.
"Gee Beth, you made me suffer through this with Annie do you think it's fair to put me through this torture twice?" And she tried to look so serious and so pitiful, that she and Beth both started laughing.
"Yes Maggie, don't you know that's the only reason Daryl and I decided not to find out? We wanted to make you suffer. I see our plan is working perfectly," and then she stuck her tongue out at her sister.
"I swear Beth, if you weren't hugely pregnant with my niece or nephew, I'd whoop your little butt right now!" And they both laughed.
But the mood and the conversation turned serious when Beth's laughter turned to tears. "Oh Maggie, it's times like this I just miss Mom so much. I want her here with us, us girls would be having so much fun. Plus I know Mom would be on my side," and then she was laughing and crying.
"Oh I'm sure she would Beth, you were always her favorite," Maggie teased, but then got serious, "You know, she is here with us, watching over us, and I know she's so happy for you, not just because of the baby, but because you found such a wonderful man. I liked Daryl right from the start, but I had no idea just what a good man he is. He's been perfect for you, and my gosh, the way he is with Annie, I don't know how anyone could be a better Daddy to her." And Maggie held Beth tightly and it was so comforting.
Beth and Daryl hadn't given up on their sex life either. The only problem was, since she seemed to be carrying everything right in the front, they'd had to get a little bit creative. Daryl told her the experimenting was half the fun, and she agreed.
Just about the only thing they couldn't agree on was the baby's name.
"Daryl I don't understand why you're so resistant to Daryl, Jr.," she sighed.
"I don't wanna do it ta the poor guy, I just don't wanna make him a junior," Daryl was adamant.
After going back and forth on it for two nights, he finally told her what he wanted. "My Mama had a brother, he died not too long after she did, I's about nine. He's the only man I can remember treatin' me nice when I was little, well 'sides Merle, I guess Merle was a man. Anyway, he was the guy took me out in the woods startin' when I was just tiny, taught me about readin' signs, how ta dress out an animal, 'bout bein' humane and how ta find yer way in the woods. He had a compound bow, showed me how it worked. He's the guy taught me how ta bait a hook. Only grown man I ever remember showing me a once of concern when I was little. Anyway, his name was Chance. If I had a boy, I'd like ta name him Chance."
It had almost made her cry to hear him share this part of his past, she hadn't ever heard about this Uncle. It must have been buried deep in his heart. "Okay, Daryl. Chance is a wonderful name, I like it. Could it be Chance Daryl?"
He almost laughed, "Geez Beth, ya never quite give up do ya? Yes Baby, it can be Chance Daryl."
"Thank you Daryl," she was smiling broadly now. "For a girl I like Claire, how do you feel about Claire?"
"I like it, it's real pretty. Could it be Claire Elizabeth?" He smiled.
"Yes Daryl, if that's what you want."
And now they finally felt like they were ready.
xxxx
Carol was now six months along and she was having a few problems with her pregnancy. She was 40 years old, and although she was active, ate well and was healthy, there was an issue.
At five months she was diagnosed with gestational high blood pressure. She was on a salt restricted diet, and she was being closely monitored by her doctor. She had weekly check-ups now.
Merle was a hammer and nails kind of guy, he wanted to be able to fix this thing, but there was no way that was possible.
Carol got after him every day about "mother henning" her. But really he just wanted her to be cautious, when she got tired, he wanted her to sit down, take a break, and he wanted her to quit thinking she had to do the work of two people.
She reminded him the doctor had advised her to stay active. She told him not to worry, she ate right, she was following doctor's orders, she was a healthy woman with a small problem.
"Yeah, he told ya ta stay active, he didn't say stand on yer feet eight hours a day, he didn't tell ya ta never take a break, and he didn't tell ya ta refuse any help. Ain't no reason ya gotta keep this up Carol, plenty a people willin' ta help ya out, and I'm at the top a that list a people. And that small problem could turn into a big problem, ya know that."
And she yelled at him, "Just get off my back Merle. What do you know about being pregnant? I can take care of myself!"
She went back to making the cookies, and he let the whole thing slide. He knew she was hormonal, he knew she was tired.
But the next afternoon when he got home from work, it all came to a head.
She'd been standing on her feet all day, and he could see her feet and ankles were swollen.
He asked her, "Sweetheart, what the hell ya doin' standin' at the stove when yer all swollen up? Now I may be just a dumbass redneck, but even I know ya oughta be sittin' down with yer feet elevated. What the hell's so important on the stove?"
"I'm cooking your dinner Merle!" she knew she'd yelled it at him, she knew he was right, but she just couldn't seem to be reasonable.
"Well I don't want any fuckin' dinner if it's gonna cause this. I told ya before, I'm perfectly capable a comin' home and fixin' us all some dinner. Ya ain't gotta do everythin' Carol. Quit tryin' ta prove how damn tough ya are and take care a yerself and the baby for chrissake!"
And she burst into tears.
And Merle softened his voice and said, "Ah fuck, I'm sorry I yelled at ya Sweetheart, c'mere."
She shook her head "no." But he knew better. He wrapped his arms around her, hugged her close and said, "We just gotta get through a couple more months baby, we can do this, but ya gotta let me help ya, gotta let Sophia help, and Maggie, Karen, Lori. Everyone wants ta lend a hand, ya got ta let them."
He reached over, turned off the stove, and led her to the couch. He propped a small pillow up on the coffee table, and lifted her legs up so her feet were resting on it. He knelt down and was massaging her ankles, and she was still crying.
"I'm sorry Merle. I know I've treated you terribly the last couple of weeks. I just don't know what's the matter with me. One minute I'm fine, then I'm happy, then I'm miserable, then I'm angry. I didn't go through this with Sophia. And I'm worried, worried about the baby, worried I'm going to make you fall out of love with me. Worried Sophia is going to hate me for being so crabby with her."
"Now slow down Sweetheart. First off, ya ain't ever gonna make me fall outta love with ya. I might get the urge ta spank ya, but hell, I might get that urge on any given day," and he gave her his big Merle grin, "And Sophia ain't no dummy, she knows her hormonal Mama is a little off, and if she really needs ta talk she can come see Pop. We're all worried about you and the baby. That's why ya gotta let us help. We're all feelin' pretty damn frustrated for sure." And he hugged her and said, "I love ya Sweetheart, no matter what, I'ma love ya."
And they hugged it out and she agreed, she would slow down. And Merle told her, in the nicest way possible, he wasn't fuckin' foolin' around any longer, he was gonna talk ta Maggie 'bout either gettin' more help for the store, or closin' the thing down.
And for once, Carol didn't fight him on it.
About that time Sophia walked in from the kitchen, "Mom, Pop, dinner's ready, I hope it is anyway, if it's supposed to be creamed chicken on biscuits, then yeah, it's ready."
xxxx
All day Beth had been feeling like this must be the day. She couldn't seem to get rid of the feeling she had to go to the bathroom, but mostly nothing happened when she tried, so she figured it was just the baby pushing on her bladder. She felt extra heavy in her stomach, like it was all pushing down, but at bed time still nothing had happened. She was glad the next day was Saturday because she was just sure it was close and she really wanted Daryl there for the whole experience.
She woke up starving. Annie was just getting up and she set her at the kitchen table with her coloring book and a box of crayons.
"Mommy's going to cook us a big breakfast, I'm starving, how about you Annie, are you hungry?" She smiled at the little girl who'd grown so much these past few months. She was losing that "baby look," her speech was getting better, and she was becoming more and more independent.
"Yes Mommy, I'm starving too," her little girl smiled at her.
Daryl walk in and kissed Annie on top of the head, "Good morning to you Sunnyside, how's my girl taday?"
"I'm really good and I'm really starving Daddy, how are you?" She smiled up at him.
"Well I'm the same as you, really good and really starving,"
And he walked over to Beth, kissed her on the cheek and said, "And how's my wife this morning? Can I do that for you? I'm happy ta cook breakfast Beth."
"I'm really good and I'm really starving Daryl," She smiled at him, "And I really want to cook breakfast, but thank you for offering."
"Fine, then I'll just set the table, how's that?" And he went to get the plates and just about that time he heard her exclaim.
"Oh my God!"
And it was like a gush of water came out of her, "Daryl, my water."
He acted quickly, "Annie, don't get up until Daddy cleans up the water, don't want ya fallin'. Be right back Beth, just hang on."
He grabbed a couple of bulky towels from the linen closet to get up the very warm water. "Stay right there Annie, Daddy'll be right back for ya." And he helped Beth to their bathroom.
He helped her clean-up and got her a clean nightgown.
"Thank you Daryl, darn, I just kept thinking something was going to happen. I wish I could have had breakfast first."
He smiled and said, "Let me help ya ta bed. I'ma get Annie cuz I know she's out there squirmin', I'll get her ta come in here with you. I'll call the mid-wife and the doc, and I'll get breakfast."
"Thanks Daryl, what would I do without you?" she was smiling.
"Probably have a baby either way," he smiled back.
He went out to the kitchen, scooped the little girl up from her chair and said, "Mommy's gonna have the baby taday Sunnyside."
And the little girl said, "Daddy, Mommy peed her pants." And he couldn't help himself, he laughed.
"Nah, that's just sumthin' happens when the baby gets ready ta get born. It's the baby's water." He had no idea how to explain it, but that must have satisfied the little girl because she didn't say any more about it and he was real relieved.
"C'mon I'll take ya ta keep Mommy company while I get ya some breakfast, k?" He kissed her cheek.
"Yes Daddy, please."
He went back to the kitchen and called the mid-wife, Sue. He told her that Beth's water had broken, there were no consistent pains yet, and everything seemed to be fine. She told him she'd plan to be there within two hours unless she heard from him that the pains were more regular.
Then he called Maggie, asked her to call everyone and just let them know. She would be coming over now to help with Annie. Daryl told her he'd called Merle himself.
And that was his next call, "It's gonna happen taday Big Brother, yer gonna be an Uncle, Claire or Chance." Daryl found himself grinning from ear to ear.
"That's great news Little Brother, so happy for you and Beth. Is there anythin' I can do for ya?" Merle asked.
"Nah, ya got yer hands full there. Maggie's on her way ta help with Sunnyside. I'ma call ya with any news soon as it happens."
And finally, he cooked breakfast. He made a light breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast and took their plates to the bedroom so they could all eat together.
She'd been timing her pains and they were closer, but she said not too bad yet.
Maggie arrived, gave everyone hugs, gathered the dishes and quickly cleaned the kitchen.
The mid-wife arrived shortly after, examined Beth and told them she expected things to go quickly from this point. And she was right.
Maggie took Annie to her room to play a little game Annie had made up called Fairy Princess. Daryl held Beth's hand, or rather she squeezed his, hard, he stroked her hair, helped her with her breathing and just kept telling her he loved her.
The mid-wife was calm and reassuring and kept telling them both what a terrific job they were doing, and that everything was going great.
It was just before noon when she told Beth, "Okay, push. Once more." And then she said, "Your baby has arrived!"
Daryl kissed her while stroking her hair, "Ah Beth, you were awesome. I love ya so much."
He cut the cord, helped the mid-wife clean the baby up, and then brought the baby to her, "It's our son Beth, it's Chance."
A/N Awwww, Chance. That's a little homage to my own Uncle Chance. Thank you for reading, please review xo