And here we go….this is it….I hope you all enjoy this final chapter as much as I did writing it.

Chapter 40 – Epilogue – 8 years later

Beth and Carol worked side by side to carry plate after plate of food out to the large wooden table that Daryl and Merle had set up the day before. Both women had been up since the early hours preparing so many dishes for the days celebration but as they looked at one another with large smiles, they knew it had been worth a few hours of less sleep.

"Mom" Mika called as she approached them.

Carol straightened from where she'd been turning a large tray of rolls this way and that, as Mika approached her, Carol smiled before tucking a stray piece of hair behind the girls ear, "What's up, honey?" she asked.

Mika scoured the area as she answered, "Have you seen Lizzie? I was going to do her hair"

Looking over her shoulder towards the land that surrounded Daryl and Beth's home, Carol smiled before turning back to Lizzie, "she's with Uncle Daryl and your father"

Mika beamed, "are they showing her the house?" her head whipped between the woman she had called mother for the last eight years and her Aunt Beth; whose heads were both nodding enthusiastically.

"C'mon" Carol started as she wrapped an arm around her daughters shoulders to turn her back towards the house, "they shouldn't be too long, and in the meantime you can help me and Beth with the cake"

…

"Where are we going?" Lizzie questioned with a confused look on her face as she followed her father, Merle, and her Uncle Daryl across the fields that surrounded her uncle's property.

Each man looked at one another with a knowing look, which only confused Lizzie further.

"You do realise that I'm supposed to be getting ready, right?" she explained, as if they may have forgotten what day it was.

Merle stopped and turned to face her, a scowl on his face, "I know yer supposed t' be getting' ready Lizzie, how could I forget" he muttered the last part under his breath, before continuing his walk.

She looked to Daryl to see if he could shed any light on the situation but he merely shrugged and followed his brother.

Several minutes later they stepped through a clearing of trees, and there nestled to one side was a small wooden cottage. Both men continued to walk, but Lizzie's feet seemed to slow. She had spent many days roaming her uncle's land over the last eight years, but she had never seen this house before.

Merle spun and began to walk backwards a smile on his face and his arms open wide, "well, what'd y' think?"

At his words, Lizzie's feet froze as she looked from her father and uncle to the house behind them. Her eyebrows drew together in confusion and she wrapped her arms around herself unsure of where this was going.

It was Daryl that clarified the situation, "me, Rick and ya pa have been workin' on this for quite a while now" Merle nodded at his words before taking over the conversation, "Seein' that the boy has a way with farmin', I brought some land from your Uncle Daryl over here" he gestured in his brothers direction, "figured you'd need a house since yer gettin' married and all"

As he finished his sentence, he hung his head. He'd enjoyed having Lizzie and Mika so close and he couldn't help but feel he was losing his little girl. Himself and Carol had spoken over the years about the girls growing up and eventually starting their own families, he'd just hoped it would be way, way off in the future.

Lizzie gasped at the news and the vision of the house behind her most favourite men, with exception of her fiancé, before rushing forward and knocking into her father with a "whoosh" as her body slammed into his.

It took him a moment longer than usual to steady them before she felt his warm and familiar embrace circle around her. Pulling back with tears in her eyes, she watched as he frowned at her, "y' don't got to marry him baby girl" he started but she could tell he was partly joking, "y' can still keep the house"

Daryl laughed at his brothers words, causing Merle to snap his head in his direction with a scowl on his face, "jus' you wait brother, one day you'll be wavin' off your lil'one jus' like I am"

It felt like a punch to the gut and Daryl's head dropped to the floor. Immediately, Merle released Lizzie and stepped over to his brother, already beginning to apologise. It had been no secret that Daryl and Beth had been trying for another baby since their youngest was born four years ago. They had even succeeded a few times, but the pregnancy just didn't take. Although they had four son's he knew they would both love a little girl to complete their family and felt awful at the words he'd spoken.

Daryl waved him off, not wanting to ruin Lizzie's big day. Reaching into his pocket he retrieved a key and held it out to the young woman that stood close to them. He watched her familiar smile, so similar to Beth's, swell across her face.

Everything was perfect and just the way Lizzie pictured her home to be. It helped that she was still so close to her family, but far enough away to have some privacy for her and her husband.

"I love it" she cried as she spun in a circle taking in the space around her.

Both men looked at one another and smiled with pride at the work they had managed to get the house finished on time.

Finally stopping, Lizzie reached into her apron pocket before approaching them both. Merle's eyebrows drew together as Lizzie held her hands out to him. Slowly, he took the offered paper.

Daryl leaned over his brother's shoulder so he could skim the page before he looked at the girl in front of them with wide eyes. It took Merle a moment longer to finish reading before he too looked at Lizzie in surprise.

"I wanted to do this properly before I get married" she offered as she gestured to the paper in Merle's hand.

Merle smiled at her words and stepped forward to hug her, tears in his eyes, "dint need no bit o' paper to tell me I'm your daddy" he kissed the top of her head that came to just under chin.

Lizzie looked up into his older and more heavily lined face before bringing her palm to his cheek. No matter how many years had passed since Merle and Carol took herself and Mika in, he still looked the same to her, "I wanted it to be official" she explained, "I know I'm marrying Carl, but I'll always be your daughter"

"You'll always be a Dixon" Daryl added from where he stood allowing them a private moment.

Lizzie nodded and chuckled, "that's right, Uncle Daryl. I'll always be a Dixon"

Each of them stood looking at one another before Lizzie stepped back and dried her eyes, "shoot, I need to head back and start getting ready"

Merle looked to Lizzie before turning to his brother, offering a toothy grin, "race ya back?"

Daryl shook his head as he laughed, whilst Lizzie looked unsure, "not too old are ya?" Merle goaded.

Lizzie's face straightened at the almost dare before she spun on her heel with her skirts in her hands as she ran as fast as her legs would carry her.

"Cheater" she heard as her father yelled after her.

…

Beth had finished the cake half an hour ago and was just waiting on Daryl and Glenn to carry it outside. Leaving it on the kitchen counter she headed back outside to call Carol in. Mika had popped downstairs a few moments ago for Beth and Carol to help assist Lizzie with her dress.

Adding the last flower to the arrangement at the end of the aisle that Lizzie would walk down, Carol turned and stretched before noticing Beth on the steps at the kitchen door.

"Lizzie needs help with her dress" Beth explained.

Carol smiled and headed in her sister-in-law's direction. Herself and Merle had been discussing the girls growing up and starting their own families, however where Merle had been stubborn about the whole thing, Carol had let herself become excited and now she was about to help her eldest daughter put on her wedding dress. When Sophia had died so many years ago, she never dreamed that she would be lucky enough to experience motherhood they way she'd always wanted.

Heading up the steps, Beth and Carol wrapped an arm around one another backs before entering the kitchen as they laughed and joked about the men in their lives.

Just as they entered the kitchen Beth froze and dropped her arm from Carol before approaching the wedding cake that she had so lovingly iced with flowers and snowdrops. Frowning, she moved closer and sighed as she took in the small indents of fingerprints that now adorned one side.

Straightening up, Beth spun to face her large kitchen "Theodore Elijah Dixon" she hollered knowing full well it was likely her four year old son that had been helping himself to the frosting. His small head popped out from the large larder cupboard that Daryl had added a few years ago. A cheeky smile marred his face, so much like his father. Like his three older brothers, Teddy had his fathers hair and smile, but her blue eyes and nose.

Carol's head flicked between the mother and son as she tried to keep the smile off her face.

Beth raised her hand and rotated her finger to wave her son forward. Gingerly he stepped out of his hiding spot and approached his mother. He stood in front of her with his hands behind his back and his face looking down at his shoes.

"Teddy, did ya do this?" Beth gestured to the cake as Carol sniggered, she could clearly see the remnants of white frosting still decorating the boys fingers behind his back.

Instead of answering, her youngest son looked up at her with his usual puppy dog eyes and she felt her heart beginning to melt at the look he used too well and too often.

Sighing she ruffled his hair, "go on outside and find your brothers" she told him gently as she moved to go to Carol so they could help Lizzie into her dress. She would deal with this later, maybe she could add a sugar flower to cover the marks. However, as she stepped away she caught Teddy, from the corner of her eye, jump forward and swipe his finger through the frosting; a large lump on his finger, before stuffing it in his mouth and running to the door.

Rushing after him, Beth paused at the door unable to catch him, "Teddy Dixon" she yelled "your daddy's gonna wear you out when he gets home"

Carol laughed at her words as Beth shook her head and turned to the woman, "you and I both know" Carol started affectionately, "that Daryl won't lay a hand on any of those boys"

Beth nodded in agreement, not once since Davis had been born eight years ago had herself or Daryl raised their hand to their boys. It seemed that the mere threat of it was usually enough, "yeah" Beth said wistfully "but they don't know that"

Both women started laughing at the comment and continued chuckling as they made their way upstairs to where Lizzie and Mika waited in Beth's bedroom.

…

Daryl bent at one end of the wooden bench he had put together for the wedding as Rick gripped the other. Looking up, Daryl noticed his oldest son, Davis, standing on the first rung of the fence that lined the pasture. Honeysuckle, was nuzzling his out stretched hand as Judith stroked her mane.

Inclining his head to Rick in their direction, Daryl noticed his son wearing his vest; the wings that Beth had lovingly sewn onto the back still shining under the sunlight. Shaking his head, he smiled; that boy was going to be a handful in a few years. With his dark hair and his mother's features the boy was already getting noticed by the girls in town, but so far he'd only had eyes for Judith.

Rick smiled knowingly as he turned back to face him and together they lifted and moved the bench to where Beth had directed them earlier.

They worked side by side moving each bench into position when Bob and Sasha arrived, their daughter Adelaide running straight for Daryl's youngest son, Teddy, who was swinging on the swing Daryl had tied to a tree just outside the house.

Bob immediately offered his services, but before Rick and Daryl could wave him off, Sasha pushed their two month old son, Ira, into his arms before heading into the house to see if Michonne needed any help getting Carl ready.

The men stood talking when Daryl noticed his six year old twins near the other end of the top field, their heads bobbing as they ran. Frowning at where they were running off too he looked to Rick who smiled, "go, I'll keep an eye on Teddy" Daryl smiled gratefully before taking off in his son's direction.

He could hear them talking animatedly as he approached, "Jake? Jess?" where you boys off too?" he quizzed.

Both boys stopped and turned to their father as they squinted up at him under the sunlight. Just like Davis and Teddy, Jesse James Dixon and Jacob Jonathan Dixon had his dark hair and his mothers eyes, however unlike Davis they were the image of their father. Although Daryl loved his sons with every fibre of his being, he couldn't help but wonder that if they'd managed to have another child whether it would have been a girl with Beth's blonde hair; a spitting image of the angel that changed his life.

"We jus' wanted to go see grandpa" Jesse answered in his small six year old voice as his brother added "we made him something"

Daryl smiled at the boys in front of him. Initially they'd been shocked at having twins but they'd managed and he loved that the boys were so close and alike; they were always finishing each-others sentences. Beth would tell him they were two halves that made a whole and he couldn't help but agree.

Although they needed to finish getting things ready for Lizzie and Carl's wedding, he couldn't deny the boys time with their grandpa. Nodding his head towards the lower field he smiled, "fine, but we gotta be quick"

The boys fell into step beside him when Jacob chirped up, "Daddy, tell us the story of how y' met momma"

Daryl smiled and started his tale, it was a story the boys asked for often and a story he liked telling; although he made sure to leave out certain parts where necessary. He neared the end of the story as the tree where Hershel was buried drew closer.

When he'd reached the point of the Governor and how he killed him and rescued their mother, the boys began to pretend to fight with swords. He didn't give them the ins and outs, he merely made it sound similar to a fairy tale where the prince rescued his princess.

"I bet ya swished him with y' sword, like this" Jesse exclaimed as he thrust the twig he'd found at his brother.

"Na uh, I bet it was like this" Jacob replied before doing the same thing.

Chuckling, Daryl stepped between them and laid a hand on each of their shoulders, Squeezing tenderly before nudging them towards Hershel's grave.

"Hey grandpa" they said in unison as they stood at the foot of the rocks that lined the outline of where the man lay.

Daryl smiled to himself at how the boys spoke to their grandfather. It was something Beth loved and she told the boys stories of her father so often that they all felt as if they knew him.

"We made ya this" Jesse offered as he stepped forward and laid a small round piece of wood near to the cross that Daryl had erected a few months after they buried the man.

Kneeling down between each of his sons, Daryl leant forward for a closer look and saw a painted picture of their family adorning the wood. Flicking his head between each of his sons, he smiled knowing that they had spent a lot of time on their work of art. It was something Lizzie had offered to teach each of the boys to do and whilst Davis and Teddy enjoyed painting, they didn't have the same artist streak that their brothers did.

"Daryl? Boys?" a voice called from the fence.

Looking up Daryl saw Maggie standing on the first rung of the fence as she lent over with her hands cupped around her mouth. Knowing they needed to get back to the house to clean up, Daryl raised to his feet and waved at Maggie who waved back before turning around.

"C'mon" he told them as he took their small hands in his own, one on either side of him "we need ta head back and finish up or your momma is gonna be turnin' up a storm"

Both boys giggled at their fathers words knowing full well that their mother rarely got angry.

As they reached the fence line, Jacob stopped and looked back over his shoulder, his small face scrunching in concern. Stooping down, Daryl looked at him "Jake?"

Jacob looked at the ground, similar to how Beth did when she worried and just as he did with his wife he reached forward, tucked his finger under his small chin and tilted his son's small face to his own. Jacob held his lip between his teeth before releasing it to ask on a whisper "do y' think he'll like it?"

Whilst the twins looked alike, Jacob was definitely the most sensitive; just like his mother. He was always concerned or worried for everyone else and wasn't afraid to show it, but Daryl knew that Jesse would be there for his brother to reassure him just as Daryl did himself with Beth.

"I know he'll love it" Daryl told him but Jacob shook his head, "but how do you know that? He asked.

Daryl smiled tenderly, "I know it, Jake, because you and Jesse made it. He would'a loved anythin' you boys make, same as I do"

Jacob nodded at his words and when he looked to his side he could see Jesse was nodding too. He reached out and wrapped an arm around both of them before pulling them towards him in a warm hug.

…

"C'mon Mika" Beth said as she pushed the young girl gently towards the door, "let's leave your mom to finish up"

Carol glanced at her in gratitude before turning back to Lizzie as the door closed. Lizzie stood staring at herself in the mirror that sat in the corner of Daryl and Beth's bedroom. Her hands constantly smoothing the white material of the satin dress that she wore. It was the very same dress that Beth had worn so many years ago when she'd married Daryl and Lizzie couldn't help but hope that it would provide her with the same love that it had Beth.

"One more thing to add" Carol cooed as she lifted Lizzie's veil from the bed before approaching her.

Reaching to the back of Lizzie's head, Carol inserted the comb that was attached to the veil into her hair before standing back and admiring her daughter. Lizzie turned as the sun streamed into the room and saw Carol with tears in her eyes and her hands at her mouth.

"You look so beautiful" Carol whispered.

Lizzie could feel tears filling her own eyes as she approached the woman in front of her, "thank you mom, for everything"

No matter how many times Lizzie and Mika had called her mom over the years she never got tired of hearing it. Lifting her hand to the girls cheek, she rubbed her thumb over her soft skin and smiled affectionately.

"Me and your father are so proud of you Lizzie"

As Lizzie opened her mouth to speak a knock sounded at the door before a voice called out, "you about ready in there?"

Carol shook her head with a chuckle on her lips, "Yes Merle, you can come on in"

She hadn't even finished her sentence when the very man stepped into the room. The smile dropped from his face at the sight of his daughter and his mouth sat in the shape of an 'o'.

Carol wrapped her arm around Lizzie's back, the movement causing Merle to regain his thoughts, "doesn't she look beautiful?" Carol cooed as she fiddled with the veil to distract herself from crying.

"Prettiest damn thin' I ever saw" Merle admitted.

…

Lizzie sucked in a breath as she stepped out of the kitchen and into the summer heat. So many of their friends and family sat waiting on the benches that faced the wooden canopy that Merle had spent several months making just for her wedding.

"You sure about this?" Merle whispered as they started to walk to the beginning of the aisle that she would follow to her future.

Looking at him but feeling unable to speak she simply nodded in reply. Tapping her hand that was tucked into the crook of his arm he pulled her more closely and straightened himself to his full height.

Glancing to the end of the aisle she spotted Carl waiting for her in his finest suit and she felt her heart pound in her chest at the sight of him. Looking to his side she saw Carl's father, Rick, standing as his best man; a proud look displayed on his face. She watched as the man turned to his other side and laughed at something her Uncle Daryl said to him before they both shook their heads and turned back to wait for her to walk to where they all stood.

For a moment, all she could do was watch everyone; the people that had become her family. Carol and Mika sat on the opposite side to where Carl, Rick and Daryl waited. Like Rick, Carol displayed a look of pride as she talked with Michonne, who was heavily pregnant and standing with a protective arm around Judith, who was busy smiling at Daryl's eldest son that stood next to his mother, Beth.

Turning her head, she watched Maggie lean into Glenn's side as he bounced their youngest son, Matthew, on his knee as Hershel Junior sat beside his mother, a noticeable bump becoming more prominent as the days went by.

Shifting her eyes to where Maggie's sister, Beth sat, she saw Davis and the twins standing on either side of her as she shifted her youngest, Teddy, on her lap; a wide smile on her face.

Bob stood near the back bouncing a fussy Ira in his arms as Sasha sat with Adelaide at her side who was showing Anthony, Shane and Andrea's son, something in her hands. Moving across the row, she saw Tyreese and Karen with their daughter Lily who was leaning towards the open arms of Dale Horvath and his wife, Irma.

Swinging her gaze back round, her eyes found Merle who watched her with concern. She couldn't believe all of these people were here to see her get married. Over the years each and every one of them had become family and she owed it all to the man that stood clutching her arm.

"I love you daddy" she whispered.

A tear slipped down Merle's cheek at the words the young woman next to him spoke. He was so proud of the person she'd become. Reaching up with his free hand, he wiped the tear away as he lent towards her, "I love y' too baby girl"

…

Daryl watched as his wife moved around their circle of family. Although not all of them were related, they had become close enough over the years that they could use the title.

Every few months, all of them would congregate at their farm. The children would play and run around, the women would cook pot luck dishes and the men would often have shooting matches or marvel over the escapades that always followed 'girls night'.

He smiled as Beth reluctantly handed Lily back to Karen as Teddy pulled at her skirts to get her attention. He felt something tug deep within that he would not be able to provide Beth with the one thing she longed for; a daughter.

She never let on how much she wanted a daughter, but he could see it whenever she looked at Judith or Adelaide; it was a longing that would grace her face before she shook it away to focus on her boys. No matter what she was doing she always made time for her boys.

He watched her crouch down as she spoke to their youngest before turning and pointing in the direction of where his brothers were playing with the other children. Immediately he gave her a quick hug before running as fast as his legs would carry him to join in the games.

As if she could sense his gaze, she stood up and looked around before her eyes settled on where he stood leaning against the pasture fence. With a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face, that hadn't faded over the years, she moved through the throng of people that mingled between them until she stood in front of him.

"What are y' doin' hidin' over here Mr Dixon?"

He smiled before pushing himself off the fence. Looping his arms around her waist at the same moment hers wound around his neck, he dipped his head and caught her lips before pulling away, "was jus' waiting on you"

Beth smiled at his words and pressed up on her toes to kiss him again. Forgetting the people around them, Beth pressed closer to his body as his arms tightened around her.

"Daddy's kissin momma" Teddy shouted to the other children as he pointed at his parents, a large smile on his small face.

His announcement caused Daryl and Beth to break apart before turning to face all of the children that were now staring at them.

After a few minutes each of them went back to whatever game they'd been playing allowing Beth to return her gaze to the handsome face of her husband. Apart from a few more lines to his face, he remained the same as the day they'd met. His hair was still longer than most men wore, although it was now littered with a little bit of grey which also lined the stubble on his chin. But, his eyes were still as blue as crystals and right now they roamed her face.

She looked different, but the same. He kept looking over her face as if trying to put his finger on what was different but found none.

"Daryl" she whispered causing him to stop his perusal, "I gotta tell you somethin"

"A'ight" he offered as he took her hand and started to lead them to one side where they'd have more privacy, "y' not sick are ya?" he'd noticed Beth speaking with Bob earlier, but at the time thought nothing of it.

"Maybe a little" Beth admitted causing him to jolt as worry swept through him. Gently, Beth laid her small palm over his heart and looked up to his face. He frowned at the small smile on her face, "but, it's nothin' that won't go away in around five months"

For a moment he wondered what on earth she was talking about, but then realisation came to him and his eyes widened. He didn't even manage to ask the question when her head started bobbing, "I'm pregnant"

Without thinking he picked her up and spun her around causing everyone to stop and stare. Beth swatted him playfully, "stop that, you're gonna make me sick"

Immediately he placed her back on her feet, but kept a grip on her arms, "you're sure?" he quizzed.

"Mmhmm" Beth offered, "Bob confirmed it two months ago, but I wanted to keep it quiet just in case, you know…" he did know. Three times she'd fallen pregnant since Teddy but for some reason she would lose the baby at around eight to ten weeks.

"Bob's been checkin' on me and confirmed tonight that I'm around eighteen weeks. Although we got another two weeks to go before we are fully out of the clear" Daryl smiled and lent forward to kiss her lips as he sent up a prayer that she wouldn't lose this one.

…

Five months later…

"It's a girl!" Bob cheered as he placed the tiny bundle in Beth's waiting arms. Daryl sat behind her, as he had done during each delivery of their children, and gasped at the tiny body in his wife's arms.

Although Beth had gone to full term, the baby in her arms was tiny. She was smaller than any of their boys had been when they were born and he could honestly say that she was the tiniest, most delicate thing he'd ever seen.

Reaching out with one finger, he was shocked when the tiny thing gripped it tightly. He looked to his wife who sat looking down at the little girl in her arms, tears in her eyes and it was the most beautiful sight in the world.

"What are you going to call her?" Bob questioned, pulling their gaze from their daughter.

Beth looked at him with a smile on her face and he offered a curt nod for her to tell the man. Moving her gaze back to Bob, she sighed with happiness as she announced "Annette Rose Dixon". Daryl leant forward and kissed the side of Beth's head before looking back down to his daughter.

…

"Theodore Elijah Dixon, you take one more cupcake and so help me…" Beth reprimanded.

Immediately Teddy's hand froze before he retracted it to his side. He turned to his mother with his head hanging low before a smile rose on his face the same time one covered Beth's. Leaning forward, she wrapped her arms around their youngest son and tickled his side.

"Hey dad" Davis called from where he sat on a branch in the tree above their heads "Can ya tell us the story of you and momma?"

Before Daryl could answer the twins moved back to the picnic blanket, that lined the grass near Hershel's grave, from where they had been rolling in the grass. Teddy climbed onto Beth's lap, Jesse and Jacob moved either side of him and even Davis climbed down to lay between himself and Beth on the blanket. Lastly, Annie Dixon, laid back against his thighs as he reclined back on his elbows.

Looking over his family, he saw the expectant look on his son's faces and the smile lining Beth's.

Taking a deep breath he began their story, "One upon a time…."