A/N I want to thank you all again for reading this story. I know a lot of it hasn't been fun or easy. I hope I've done some justice to those who suffer, and to those who love someone who does. You guys are terrific.

Six Months Later

He felt like he was doing really well. He was finally coming full circle, coming to grips with things, with his life. With his strengths and with what he knew were always going to be his weaknesses.

Although his right arm worked well enough, it wasn't quite right, wasn't ever going to be. But no one would ever guess it wasn't 100%. And the hand wasn't quite right. Those fingers had a problem with the real small stuff. Again, the average person meeting him would never suspect, but he knew, and she knew and Merle knew.

And he also knew that even with his disability, he still carried his weight at the shop. He wasn't getting a free ride just because he was the owner's brother.

He could still handle plenty of the trickier repairs and modifications most of the other mechanics couldn't.

He'd done a lot of work to build strength in his other hand, his left hand. His PT had really helped with that, and he was getting comfortable with using it. But it was going to take time.

And then there was that damn wounded psyche of his.

He'd had three real bad nightmares since they'd gotten married.

Beth had done the right thing, locked herself away from him. And they hadn't been real violent.

The only one he'd really hurt was himself, because he'd had so much guilt. How could he make her live like this? Hiding behind locked doors. Why would she stay? She deserved better.

But she'd made him talk about it with her. And she reminded him that she'd always known what could happen. She'd accepted it. They were in this together.

And she reassured him, yet again, his nightmares had nothing to do with whether or not she loved him. He was her husband, she told him she was in this for life.

And Tom and Rob had talked to him, listened to him, he'd listened to them.

Tom's wife Catherine and Beth had been having lunch together every week or two. Catherine had discussed the challenges she and Tom had faced over the years they'd been married. It had meant so much to Beth to hear from another wife what it was like to live with a spouse suffering from PTSD.

And the two couples had gotten together a few times and talked about the fears, and the doubts, and the trauma and the problems.

Sometimes it was just good to know you weren't fighting the battle alone, or fighting a battle that no one had ever been able to fight and win.

Beth and Daryl both came away feeling better, stronger and even more grateful.

And they had developed a special relationship with this older couple. A closeness based on a common denominator. It grew, and it developed. It was solid, it was supportive and it was so helpful. And it was loving.

xxxx

She was so proud of her husband. Not only had he done a great job with the painting, he'd even done some refinishing work on a couple of the wood window frames, some of the moldings and the floor in their bedroom.

Everything looked wonderful. As far as she was concerned, it was perfect.

And the backyard was gorgeous. He'd put in a play area for kids, a garden for fruit and vegetables, a flower garden, and a conversation area with a firepit.

He had so much pride of ownership and it showed in everything he did around the house. It may be old, but it was gorgeous and they both loved it. It was their home.

She'd made him go shopping with her for furniture, he'd resisted, saying he didn't know anything about furniture.

But she wasn't letting him out of it, and it turned out he had plenty of opinions, and they'd mostly agreed, and when they hadn't they'd made every effort to compromise.

One thing they had no problem agreeing on was the baby furniture. They were in love with everything made for babies.

She told him she'd always wanted to be a Mom. She'd lost hope before she met him, she didn't think it would ever be a reality for her. And now, with him, being a Mom was right there on her horizon, and she was thrilled.

He'd told her how he had always wished someday he could have children. But he never thought he would.

After having lived those first years of his life with the man who'd fathered him, the abusive psychopath that had left both physical and emotional scars, he'd been afraid. He sure as hell didn't want to follow in the old man's footsteps.

But then he'd had the opportunity to see how he could be with kids, being around the Chaos had let him know that he could be kind and loving and patient with children.

But with all the trouble he'd had letting anyone get close, well he'd always been certain he would never have the opportunity to be a Dad.

Then he'd met her.

And again, together. Together they were going to make this happen, and they could hardly wait.

xxxx

She was lying on the bed and they were each holding a hand to her stomach, so excited to feel the movement of their baby. The baby was getting stronger every day. Sometimes a good hard kick would wake her up in the middle of the night. She didn't mind a bit, her little boy was strong.

And Daryl had even managed to make a joke about their situation, "Poor Beth, all the men in your life wake you up in the middle of the night."

He'd talked to her about what he wanted to name the little boy and when she'd seen the look in his eyes, she'd readily agreed.

When he'd talked about it, it was moving and it was emotional.

She encouraged him to take the next step. But he just didn't know if he should. And he didn't want to feel like he might be opening up any old wounds. But she'd told him if it was her, she would want to know.

Tom had assured him, the wounds would never heal anyway, and this was far more likely to bring comfort than pain, to all concerned.

For himself he'd decided to wait, see how he felt about it when he held his son. And that was something he just couldn't wait to do.

In the meantime he'd taken that photo he had, it was the only one he knew of that existed. Anyway, he'd taken it over to Glenn and Maggie's, Glenn was a computer geek, he knew he could do it.

Daryl had never asked him for anything, and Glenn felt almost like he was being honored to be asked to do this small favor.

Glenn had scanned the photo and done a little Photoshop work on it. Oh he hadn't changed much except to improve the clarity of it, and improve the color resolution. And he'd printed out two 8x10 prints of it, and two smaller ones, the old wallet size ones.

One of the 8 x 10's would hang in his son's room, one he just wasn't sure about.

And he slipped the wallet sized one right in there, next to his driver's license.

"I'm glad I could help you out Daryl. And I have it saved in my cloud so we're not going to lose it. If we need more copies, no problem."

Daryl had nodded, shook Glenn's hand and told him, "Thanks a lot man, really, it means the world to me. Appreciate it."

xxxx

They were getting close now. The best that they could estimate, two weeks away.

He'd done the classes with her, determined to be in the delivery room when their son was born. Merle had enjoyed teasing him about it. Telling him he hoped he didn't faint.

But the brothers knew, with the things Daryl had witnessed, this wouldn't get to him, not in a bad way at least. Oh it was going to be hard to watch Beth in pain. But they'd talked about it and she'd told him she didn't mind going through it for the reward it would bring. Their little boy was going to make all that pain worth it.

He was at work when a beep signaled a cell photo message, it was from her. "It's time Daddy."

He'd told Merle and they'd shaken hands and Daryl was headed home.

The first thing they did was hold each other, "I love ya Baby, so damn much sometimes I swear to God it hurts."

"I love you too Daryl. I would never have believed I could love someone so much."

She'd called Maggie, and she'd called the Doctor. The doctor had called the hospital, and they were on their way.

It turned out to be a long labor, 12 hours, and it was tough to say who it was harder on. Physically, no question, her. Emotionally, Daryl figured hands down, him.

She'd been right though, when the nurse put his son in his arms it was an incredible feeling. His boy. His boy with Beth. The only woman he had ever or would ever love. He could feel the tears in his eyes, and hers were falling freely.

He held her as best he could with her lying in that bed. And again he told her how much he loved her, how much he loved their son.

"Are you still sure you're good with the name Beth? It ain't my right to just name him. I want you to want it to."

"I do Daryl, it's perfect and its right and he'll have a proud legacy."

And Daryl looked at the little boy and this time a couple of tears did roll down his cheeks and he said, "Welcome to the world Thomas Wayne Dixon. Tommy Wayne."

And Daryl knew then he was going to do it. Yes, as soon as he got home he was going to take care of it.

Maggie and Glenn, Merle and Carol, Tom and Catherine, they'd all stopped by the hospital for their chance to hold the baby, even though Beth and the baby would be going home in just a few hours.

Merle told Daryl to take two weeks off work and help Beth take care of that new Baby Boy. "Ya just do whatever Sis tells ya to do. That's yer job now." And Merle had put a strong hand on his shoulder and smiled that big smile of his, "I'm real damn happy for ya son. Only thing ever made me happier was when you was born and when my own children came to me." And he'd patted him on the back and Daryl just nodded.

Merle was a lot of things, but the most important thing that Merle was was a man who knew what mattered most in his life. Family.

Merle

We been blessed. The little fella is strong an healthy an he seems like a sweet little guy. At least he ain't squawkin' yet. I'm sure he'll have his moments, its part a the deal.

James was a squawkin' little fella, but I didn't much mind. He's my boy, I expected him ta be full a piss n vinegar just like his Daddy.

Daryl come ta talk ta me when they found out they was havin' a boy. He asked me would I be offended if he was ta name the boy Tommy Wayne, 'stead a namin' him after me.

I couldn't believe my Little Brother was worried about my feelins in all this. But it's like I always say, he's a different breed a cat. Not like any other Dixon ever walked the earth. He's a tenderhearted man.

I told him if I'd a felt the need ta burden a child with a name like Merle, I'd a done it ta my own boy.

'Sides, I think it's a wonderful tribute to this man who fought shoulder to shoulder with Little Brother. Was a good friend ta the boy.

It's real special. I sure ain't got a problem with it. I told him that.

Beth

I can't believe how happy I am, how filled with love I am. I have the most wonderful husband, and now we have a perfect little boy.

I can't believe how my life has changed and this blessing that I've been given.

When Daryl first mentioned naming our son Tommy Wayne, I'd agreed because I knew how much it meant to him. It made me emotional. But it certainly wasn't a name I would have picked. I just figured I'd get used to it and it would be okay.

But then I saw Daryl holding our baby, and he had those tears rolling down his cheeks and he said, "I love you Tommy Wayne." And then I knew, it was perfect. It fit. And I'm so happy I agreed.

And now Daryl tells me he's going to do it. I know he's struggled with it, but I think it's right. I think it will be hard, and then I think it's going to be freeing in some way.

I don't think he'll ever regret it.

Oh I'm just so in love with both my boys. There's no happier woman in the world than Beth Dixon.

Daryl

I been torn, didn't know if it was gonna be the right thing. Thought it might cause them problems.

But when I held my boy, an I looked at his little face, and his perfect little hands an feet. I knew it was the right thing.

They deserved to know the things I had to tell them.

I can't even fucking imagine how awful it would be to lose your child.

But damn, it was so hard. It kicked my ass. Took me two days to finish the letter to his folks. I never had contacted them after Tommy Wayne died. I was too much of a fuckin' mess myself.

When I started to come back a little, I knew I was still all screwed up. Hell, it was worse than the Deep Blue Funk that followed it.

By the time I finally felt like I might really survive, actually have a life, it had just been so long.

But I had to do it, I knew that. I kept thinkin' if I woulda died and Tommy Wayne woulda lived, he'd a got in touch with Merle.

He knew Merle was all I had for family. I knew he was an only child.

I hadn't done right by him, well I couldn't for a long time. I needed to explain that to them too.

And I needed to tell them how proud they should feel about what a good man their son was, a brave man to the end, and the only friend I'd ever had. I told them that I loved him like a brother. What an important part of my life he was and I would never forget him.

And I told them how much he loved them.

There was no one else to tell them. I had to do it, and I wanted to do it.

I told them a little about the trouble I'd had getting back to living life. But the good that had happened, meeting Beth, the special programs, the people that had helped me find my way.

I told how we named little Tommy Wayne after their son.

I got a small box, I put the 8 x 10 picture and the wallet size of me an Tommy Wayne, taken when we was over in the Sandbox, standing in front of a tank. But we looked happy, almost like we was having fun. And a picture of me and Beth at the wedding, and two pictures of our son, along with the letter in the small box.

And I sent it to them. And I can only hope that they're happy to get it, that maybe it helps.

I'm living a life I never thought I'd get to live. I got a wonderful wife I love so much, and a new baby boy, a job I love, a house I'm buyin' myself that I'm proud of. I got nuthin' to complain about and everything to be grateful for, and I am grateful.

xxxx

They were sitting on the couch cuddled up with the baby between them, enjoying just looking at their son, watching him sleep.

"The day I come to rent the apartment, an I wouldn't even look up, couldn't make myself talk. When I was scared to death just by the idea of havin' my own place. Could you have imagined then this would be how we'd wind up?" He smiled at her.

"No, and it wasn't just your Deep Blue Funk Daryl, it was my powder blue funk too. But I did know I thought you were a handsome hunk of man." She loved how he'd still blush when she said things like that to him.

"Well even though I didn't let you catch me lookin', I thought you were a beauty."

Then the doorbell rang. It was the UPS man with a package addressed to him. He saw the return address and he was both excited and a little nervous.

He set the box on the table and opened it with his pocket knife.

On the top was an envelope with his name written in small, neat handwriting. He sat back down, opened it and read it aloud.

He hadn't gotten through the first two paragraphs and he and Beth both had tears.

They thanked him for sending the letter, for telling them about the things their son had done. They told him how sorry they were for the troubles he'd had, and how proud he should be that he'd fought his way back.

They told him Tommy Wayne had told them about him, about how he finally felt like he had a real friend in life.

They told him how beautiful his wife and his son were, and how much it meant to them that he and his lovely wife would name their son after their son.

They said they hoped he would stay in touch and continue to send them pictures of his son. How they hoped someday he and his family would see their way clear to come for a visit.

And they told him about the things they'd put in the box. A baby quilt and a little pair of pajamas she'd made for her son, with his name embroidered on each. His army hat and his medals to save for their Tommy Wayne.

And there was a framed photo he'd never seen. It was him and Tommy Wayne in their full dress uniforms smiling proudly at whoever had taken the picture. There was a brass plate at the bottom of the photo frame that said, "Rangers Lead The Way."

A/N Again, I thank you so much for reading along. I've appreciated all of your encouragement, your reviews and your comments. I hope you'll consider reading my new story, The Biker and the Bobby Soxer. You guys are the greatest. xo