It's Complicated Chapter 8, a walking dead fanfic

A/N Thank you all! Well so much for taking things nice and slow. Let's see what happens next...

He woke to a kind of dull throbbing in his head, a dryness in his throat, and eyes that felt scratchy like they were full of sand. None of that mattered though. All that mattered was Baby was laying in his arms.

She told him she loved him. He'd like nothing better than to believe that, if only it could be true. He just didn't see how it could be. And he was confused by these feelings he had for her, he wasn't sure what they were all about. The only thing he was clear on was that he wanted to keep her close to him, he never wanted to hurt her and he sure as hell wouldn't let anyone else hurt her. He wanted her to be happy, he wanted to be the one to make her happy. He wanted to care for her in every way a man can care for a woman. He was sure he'd never desire another woman. Was that what love was all about? He had no fucking idea. Falling in love. Love. It had never even crossed his mind. Not until this small delicate woman knocked on his motel room door and turned his world upside down.

He marveled at the situation he found himself in. How could this have happened? Why would she let him have this with her? He had no fucking idea but he thought that maybe, just maybe, and at least for now, he was going to try and just roll with it. He was going to allow himself to enjoy whatever time he was allotted with this woman who had given herself, at least temporarily, to him.

He could feel her starting to come awake as he softly kissed the delicate skin of her back, and then his heart nearly froze. He zeroed in on the bruises, she was so hurt. Shit, he'd probably caused her more pain when he made love to her. Talk about hating yourself in the morning. If he'd added to her pain he'd never be able to forgive himself.

She moved her body back and closer to him but as good as it felt he was still worried. She wasn't the kind to tell him he'd hurt her, she'd been taught the hard way not to complain.

He whispered into the back of her neck, "Mornin' Baby. Ya doin' okay? I didn't hurt ya did I? Tell me the truth now."

She was confused by his question, "Hurt me? You were wonderful to me Merle. I never knew it could be that way. You showed me how a real man makes love to a woman." Just like that she had him wanting more. But first things first. He wanted to be close with her but he was self-conscious. His mouth tasted like shit and probably smelled worse. He needed to brush his teeth and shower up.

He had her butt cheek cupped in his hand, giving it a tender squeeze, "Let's go clean up Baby. C'mon, we can help each other wash."

She swore she could feel her whole body blush, but it did sound good. She couldn't help asking, "Are we going to, well is what we did last night going to happen in the shower?"

He smiled at her sweetness, "Nah Baby, I don't think so. I think we'll have us some fun and games in there but we'll save the real deal for the bed. There ain't enough room in that little shower ta get it done right."

She was nervous and embarrassed when he first began rubbing the soapy wash cloth carefully over her skin. Even though they'd been so intimate just the night before the light had been dim, and she'd been a little drunk. There in the bathroom the light was bright and Merle was touching every part of her, and telling her how sweet every part was.

She began to feel aroused and she wanted her turn to wash him. He was the one hesitant and embarrassed when she began to wash his back. "Ya ain't gotta do that Baby."

"I know, but I want to. You think I'm seeing nothing but scarred flesh. I think I'm seeing the strong, broad back of the most manly man I've ever known. Everything about you gets to me Merle. I told you last night, I don't see scars, I don't feel scars, I see you and I feel you. You're good, you're strong but you're gentle and you make me happy." Fuck, how could this woman be this sweet and this hot? How could she be so perfect?

He didn't think about it, he didn't plan to say it. Not to her, not to any woman ever, and shit he barely knew her, this was more like some kind of hotel fling than a real romance. Wasn't it? No. The words came out, "I love ya Baby. You're always gonna be my Baby."

That's when they hurried to dry each other off and get back in the bed.

It was check out time before they finally left their room and now that they'd worn each other out, his next order of business was to feed her.

He didn't take her to one of those joints where he usually grabbed a bite. A lot had happened between them, everything was way different now. For some reason this felt like it should be more special, like he ought to step it up. Everything meant so much more. He'd heard talk about a nice little bistro not far from the hotel, and since it was nearly lunchtime that's where he headed.

They sat side by side with their legs touching. His hand was resting on her thigh and her hand was resting on his thigh. "Ya wore this old man out Baby. I'ma hafta get myself in better shape ta keep up with ya, but right now I'm hungry as a bear."

"I think you're in perfect shape Merle. And quit saying you're old." She smiled shyly and that got to him in a certain kind of a way. They'd seen and felt every part of each other, yet she still had a little of that shy nervousness about her.

They were both ravenous, they'd really had quite the workout. They went with the soup, the salad, the huge French dip sandwiches and dessert. She was putting that last big bite of cake in her mouth when she smiled and suggested, "Maybe we can find a place to stop for ice cream on our way."

He'd never known a woman, or anyone for that matter, that could make him feel just plain happy to be alive, "If it's ice cream ya want I'ma see to it I find ya some." When she squeezed his thigh the way she did he knew he'd buy her the whole fucking store if she asked him to.

They finally got on their way to Clear Springs and he knew there'd be no house hunting when they got there. It was going to be way too late in the day. They'd be getting a room and dinner out. That wasn't all bad. He didn't have any complaints about the drive either, not with Baby sitting real close and resting her head on his arm, her hand laying on his thigh while she sang him along the way.

He didn't know why he was surprised when she asked. They hadn't really talked about it but it just seemed logical to him. After the way things had happened in the last few hours, that she would know he wanted her to stay with him. But she did ask. "Merle, do I have to get my own apartment? Please can you keep me with you? At least let me stay for a little while?"

"Baby, don't talk like that. C'mon now, think about what ya just said. Whaddya thinkin' ya are here, a possession a mine? Ya ain't. I don't own ya Beth. If you're askin' do I want ya with me, fuck yeah I do Baby, but it ain't some kinda privilege I'm givin' ya. It's my good fortune ya wanna stay. A'ight?"

She moved as close to him as she could, "So can I? Can I stay?"

"Baby, ya really think after everythin' that went on with us last night and this mornin' I wanna let ya go? Yeah, I'm keepin' ya with me as long as you'll stay."

As luck would have it, when they stopped for a fill up they saw it, right across and up the street. An ice cream parlor. He'd never enjoyed watching anyone eat a vanilla ice cream cone the way he enjoyed watching Baby. While she did he made a call to the Realtor letting the woman know there was no way he was making it to Clear Springs in time to look at property. They set up a meeting at her office for the next morning at nine.

He was watching Baby when he noticed again, her clothes. "We ain't got nuthin' we gotta do til nine tomorrow mornin', let's go shoppin."

"Okay. Shopping for what?"

"I wanna buy ya a few things. A pretty woman should have pretty things."

"You don't have to buy me anything Merle."

"That's right Baby, I'm doin' it cuz I want to."

Baby was thrilled with all of her new items, everything from fancy underwear to jeans and tennis shoes. She even got two new dresses. Mostly he'd bought her practical things, the everyday items she needed. The he told her, "You're gonna wanna look like ya fit in when ya start goin' ta school and such."

"School? I have to go to school? But Merle, I already graduated from high school."

"I know Baby, what ya need is ta learn a trade. Ya always gotta be able ta take care a yourself in this world. What if I ain't around and what about when ya decide ya wanna leave me? I's thinking maybe ya might wanna learn about computers and keepin' books and such. You could help me in the business a while."

"I'd like to work for you Merle. I'd love that. Thank you."

He was smiling as he loaded her packages in the back seat, "Don't thank me, you'll be the one doin' all the work." What he didn't notice was Baby wasn't smiling. She was happy about going to school so she could learn a trade, and she was very excited about working for Merle. But there was something she wasn't one bit happy about.

By the time they finally reached Clear Springs it was getting close to seven. He pulled into a restaurant and they had a bite to eat and a glass or two of wine. Everything seemed just right to him. He was perfectly happy having his leg pressed up close to Baby's, and real pleased with the way their day had played out.

After their dinner he drove over to a nice hotel he'd found on his phone app. He carried their bags to the room and smiled as he wrapped those big strong arms around her. That's when he knew. Baby just sort of stood there, she didn't hug him back. His first thought was that it was already happening, she didn't want anything more to do with him.

He stepped back from her and folded his arms across his chest, ready to take it like a man, "Sorry Baby. I just thought, well never mind. It don't matter what I thought. What's goin' on?"

She loved him and she didn't want to fight. She didn't want to call mean names or say things she'd regret, but this thing he did, it had to stop. She tried not to be nasty, "I'm not very happy with you right now Merle. It's even more than that. I'm pretty darn mad at you. You've been a big poop and I'm getting sick and tired of it."

If he didn't think his world was about to come crashing in around him he might have laughed, but it was just as well he didn't, that could only lead to more trouble. Then in the next moment he was pissed, shit he'd been nothing but good to her all day. At least that's what he thought. "A big poop huh? Well fuck Baby. I been called alotta things in my life but ain't no one ever called me that. Just what did I do ta earn it?"

"I'll tell you what you did. You said that about me deciding to leave you. Why would you say that to me Merle Dixon? You made love to me and I told you I loved you, you told me you loved me back. Then you go and act like I didn't mean what I said. I don't like to call names but that's just wrong and you are acting like a big poop. While I'm at it I'm going to tell you something else I'm pretty darn sick and tired of, that's you always telling me how old you are like you're some kind of relic or something. I just really wish you'd knock that shit off because I don't want to hear it anymore. I won't hear it anymore, that's that."

He could see the fire in her eye, Baby was coming out of her shell and he knew she wasn't kidding around. By gawd he liked her trying to put him in his place. He also knew he had to fix this, and in a hurry. He walked close and took her in his arms again and Merle Dixon told her the truth, "I didn't mean nuthin' against you Baby. Ya gotta know that. It's just I can't seem ta believe a woman like you could really want a man like me. I keep thinkin' you'll start thinkin' more clearly, come ta your senses and realize how much better you could do."

"Well that's the craziest thing I've ever heard Merle, there's no one better than you. I told you that. Now you just quit thinking that way. I love you Merle and I tried everything to show you that's true. I didn't just let you have sex with me, I made love with you. I have never ever told a man I loved him, and we did things together I've never done with a man, and I liked them too. So just quit it."

He was smiling so hard it damn near hurt, but it was okay because she didn't know, his face was buried in the curve of her neck. "I'm sorry Baby, a course you're right. I don't doubt ya. You been nuthin' but sweet and good." As he went on and on about just how wrong he'd been and just how right she was and how much he loved her and he wasn't going to say those things ever again. All the while he spoke his nimble fingers were removing her clothes one article at a time. Well of course she knew just what he was doing and she made no attempt to stop him. She was enjoying it all way too much.

Their first night in Clear Springs turned out to be a real good one.

They were up early, it was hunger, and not just for each other. He could take her somewhere for breakfast, but what fun would that be? They had a lot of time before they had to meet the realtor so why not do something he'd never done before. He'd never had anyone he cared to do it with, not until Baby. He called room service and ordered them up a big meal. Him and Baby were going to have breakfast in bed. Maybe even dessert.

They were at the real estate office right on time and he found that he was feeling quite proud, he was looking for a home to share with a sweet and beautiful woman. It was hard to believe that just a couple of days before he was sure he'd be living alone the rest of his life.

He'd already discussed his requirements with the woman and she had some homes lined up for them to visit. He wanted three bedrooms, one for himself of course, one for little brother if he needed a place to stay, and he thought he'd like one for an office or a den. He wanted two bathrooms. If Daryl did come to stay a while it'd be better. Maybe most important were his business needs. He either had to have a place that already had a shop, or he had to have enough land to build a shop.

The first couple of places they looked at Baby didn't say a word about whether or not she liked them. Every time he asked she'd just say something like, "Well if you like it then I do too." Uh huh. He didn't want that. He wanted her opinion. At the third house he excused himself from the Realtor, "Me and Beth we gotta talk about something."

He smiled as he took her hand and they wandered out of earshot. "Baby I need ya, I need your help. I need ya ta tell me what ya think, what ya like and what ya don't like. I ain't gonna be the only one livin' in the place. I want ya ta be happy, it means sumthin' ta me. A'ight, will ya be honest?"

She was quiet for a moment, then she squeezed his hand, "Okay Merle. I don't really care for anything we've seen yet. They just don't feel like us, you know? I want you to have your nice shop area, and I want room to grow us a vegetable garden. I don't think we found it yet."

"See there, that's what I need ta hear. We'll keep lookin'."

It seemed liked they'd looked at a million places, none of them quite right. It was getting late and everyone was feeling a little discouraged. The Realtor had one more place to show them. They followed behind her and this last place, rather than being close to town like the others, was a couple of miles out. Not far. That seemed good to Merle, he'd be close enough to town, but also right on the way to where he knew there were plenty of vacation homes.

It was older and the yard was overgrown, but both his and Beth's minds were going. That yard growth could be cut back easy enough, the place could quickly be transformed into a beauty. There were fruit trees and flowers which got Beth excited, and there was a big steel shop building off to the side and rear of the house.

When they were out of the truck the woman told them there were two acres of land. That would have been more than he wanted to care for, but the bulk of it was "native," not grass he'd have to cut or other landscaping to tend to.

The house was in need of a fresh coat of paint, but other than that it looked good. Baby was squeezing his hand in both of hers, "Merle I love the front porch. I can see it fixed up just right for you and me." He smiled and nodded as they walked inside. It had a nice front room and a dining alcove that she loved, and the three bedrooms and two bathrooms that he wanted. Everything needed a good cleaning and a coat of paint, but there was nothing that seemed to be too much, especially not when the realtor told him the price.

Finally they walked in the kitchen and Baby almost started to cry. It was her dream kitchen. Not because it was new and modern. It wasn't at all. No it was really quite old and dated. But it was big with lots of cabinets, a wood center island for baking and a huge pantry. There were nice old appliances like she grew up with on the farm, and a big white porcelain sink.

She was standing there with her hip leaning against the counter and gazing around. As she was taking it all in he asked, "Whaddya think Baby? The kitchen's kinda old timey. I don't know. Ya like it?"

"I love it Merle, it's perfect. I'd love to have a kitchen just like this." It was one of those freakish things. As she was speaking he was reaching up to open an upper cabinet and Baby had a reflexive reaction to his raised hand. She cowered, her shoulders hunching as her hands flew up to cover her face. All as if he was about to hit her.

He knew what was happening and his heart was breaking when he pulled her to him, "Nah, ya can't think that way a me. Is that what ya think? That I'd do that? No Baby, please. No."

She was holding him as tightly as she could when she tried to assure him, "I know, I know. I know you wouldn't. It's just, I don't know what happened Merle."

"I do. I done that same thing before myself. Conditionin' I guess. All I care about right now is that ya know I love ya Baby and ya know that ain't ever gonna happen."

"I love you too Merle and I do know."

The Realtor was just standing there with no idea what in the hell those two were talking about and what might be going on between them. She didn't really care anyway, not once Merle Dixon turned to look at her and said, "We'll take this one."

Fuck it, he was doing this thing.

A/N Merle and Beth are very different people with so much in common. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and that you'll leave a comment / review. You can find the chapter photo on my tumblr blogs gneebee and bethylmethbrick. I hope to see you all back here next Sunday for more of It's Complicated. Until then remember, I love ya large! xo gneebee