A/N Thank you again for the Reviews, Faves, Follows, PM's, if we were at the roadhouse I'd buy you all a beer. Hold on to your hats...
Rick and Lori had said they'd be driving Tommy home after breakfast, so as usual Merle left early Sunday morning to go hunting. But his mind wouldn't stop, he just kept thinking Beth was so young. He kept telling himself, "shit, I'm 30 years old, I'm too old for a young gal like her." So after killing a couple of rabbits, and kicking himself in the ass for a while, he decided he needed to talk to another man, someone he trusted, so he went by Rick and Lori's place.
Lori answered the door and he nodded and asked, "Hey Lori, can I borrow Rick for a few minutes?" She smiled and said, "Certainly Merle, you look like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, so if Rick can't help come talk to me," he gave her a broad smile as he stepped in the house.
"Merle, what if she'd told you she turned 18 two weeks ago, would that make a difference?" Rick asked. "Well yeah, I don't know, shit, but 18 seems like the magic age when it'd be okay," damn, he was rubbing his head and he was getting more and more worked up. "Knock it off and listen to me Merle. The legal age of consent in Georgia is 16, less than ten years ago it was 14 so that's not a problem here. But let me ask you, do you care for her, are you just curious, or do you just want a roll in the hay?" Rick looked serious. "Aww, fuck Rick, it ain't like that. Shit, I think I love her and the kid. I think I want her in my life forever," the big man answered.
"Merle, I came within a hair of losing my wife, losing my family and it was a fight to get our lives back on track, but it was worth the struggle, the tears, all of it. We don't get a lot of chances to be happy. When you and I fought in the war we learned firsthand life is fragile, you'd better grab onto the things that matter to you and hold on tight," he patted Merle on the shoulder. "Now from what I've observed, I'd guess Beth has some feelings for you too, so why do you want to throw away a chance at happiness because there's an age difference? Don't you think if Beth thought you were an old man she wouldn't have had anything to do with you in the first place?" he smiled.
"Thanks Rick, I'll go on now and you have a nice Sunday with yer family," Merle still looked a little perplexed, and Rick replied, "Thanks Merle, and you go have a nice day with your family."
Just across the county line was a roadhouse and it was open on Sunday. Merle decided maybe he'd have a quick one, decide what he should do next, and then get on home to Beth and Tommy.
The little bar was already busy, and Merle ordered up a draft. That's when Dave came over. Dave was one of those fellas, he seemed calm and friendly on the outside, but Merle knew he could be serious trouble. "Hey Merle what're you doing, haven't seen you around here in quite a few weeks." "Yeah, hi Dave, nah, I been busy, taking care of things around my place," Merle responded. That's when Dave started laughing, "yeah I heard what you been takin' care of around your place, heard you been screwing some sweet young blond..." and that's when the fight started.
Merle took the first swing and connected with Dave's jaw, Dave stumbled back but he managed to right himself and connect to the side of Merle's head, they were trading punches and if left to their own devices there's a very small chance they may have settled it, but then it turned into a full fledged donnybrook and the whole bar was in on the action. Beers were flying, chairs were flying, bodies were flying and that's when the bartender fired his pistol in the air. That quieted everybody down long enough for the barkeep to yell, "All y'all get the fuck outta here, NOW!"
And that's when he made up his mind, he knew what he wanted. All he had to hope was that it was what she wanted too.
When he got home she and Tommy were in the backyard. She was sitting on a blanket on the ground with some sewing in her hands and Tommy was digging a hole with a big spoon over by the fence. He walked over to her and sat down on the blanket, she looked up at him and started to smile, but then she saw the damage Dave had managed to inflict.
"Oh no Merle, what happened?" she sounded a little panicked. "Don't worry Darlin', I'm fine, just had a little altercation with a fella, nuthin' too serious," he smiled at her, but she still looked worried, "maybe we should get ice, maybe you need stitches." "Nah, ain't nuthin' ta worry about, I'll be all healed up in a couple days," he just kept smiling. "But what happened Merle, why would someone hit you," damn, she would ask that, so he figured he should tell the truth, just not the whole truth, "Ah you know how it is, I stopped at the bar for a quick beer after huntin' and you get a bar fulla guys havin' a beer and somebody says the wrong thing to somebody else and pretty soon everybody in the bar is throwing punches, that's how that goes." "Oh," she looked confused, "I had no idea that's what went on in bars." Damn, she was so adorable.
"Did you have some luck hunting?" she asked. "Yeah I did Lil Darlin, looks like we're havin' rabbit for dinner tonight," he smiled back. "Oh goodie! Is it okay if I make a stew?" she asked so damn sweet. "Now Beth, I've told ya, I don't want ya thinkin' ya always gotta ask my permission, I'm not yer boss. If ya wanna make a stew, make a stew, this man right here is gonna be happy ta eat whatever ya cook," he smiled as he gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.
After dinner, clean-up and music, when Tommy had fallen asleep, Merle turned thoughtful, "Beth, I wanna talk to ya 'bout somethin', wanna ask ya sumthin'," he looked so serious that she got a little nervous, "okay Merle, what is it?" "Beth, you're the prettiest, sweetest, best woman I ever knew. I ain't never loved a woman, but I love ya Beth and I want ya in my life forever. I want Tommy in my life I wanna be his Daddy, I wanna be yer husband. If you'd have me Beth, I wanna marry ya, the sooner the better," she saw how nervous he was, he was even a bit red faced.
She was thrilled, touched and surprised; she felt tears in her eyes and a swelling in her heart. "Merle, you are the best thing that ever came into my life, into Tommy's life I love you too and I would be proud to be your wife, but I'm afraid Merle, I'm so afraid," a tear rolled from her eye as she spoke. "Afraid? Whaddya afraid of Lil Darlin', I ain't never gonna lay a hand on ya, or Tommy, I'ma be a true blue man, no other woman ever, no heavy drinkin', no gamblin' and no drugs. I'ma work hard ta provide for ya," he was confused and more than a little concerned.
"It's not that part Merle, I know what a good man you are and I trust you but it's, it's, it's…the bedroom part. I don't know what to do, I'm afraid of it. It's only been that once and that was scary and it hurt and I know it's my duty as a wife and I don't want to do wrong," now the tears really started. Fuck.
"Beth, darlin'," he wrapped his arms around her, "I'ma be as patient as ya need me ta be, I ain't gonna ever force ya ta do sumthin' ya don't wanna do. I don't wanna have relations with ya cuz ya think it's yer duty, I want ya ta want to cuz we're in love and it makes us both happy. I'ma do everythin' I can to make it good for you and for me. I love ya Beth, I wanna make ya happy."
Her look turned serious, "Merle, I do trust you, and I want you for my husband, but I have to ask for one thing," she looked right in his eyes. "Anything Darlin', what is it?" he asked, "I want you to get a new bed for us. I don't want to sleep with you on a bed you shared with that mean woman, and we need new sheets too," she had a fire in her eyes and it made him happy. "That seems only right Lil Darlin', I will see ta that this week. You start making the plans, the weddin' is gonna be however ya want it ta be, I just want ta be yer husband, Tommy's Daddy," his smile was ear to ear.
And then he put his arms around her, held her close and asked, may I? She nodded her consent and he kissed her gently on the lips. "I love ya Beth, so much."
As soon as he got to work the next morning Merle was on the phone with Sears ordering a new bed. He wasn't gonna waste any time. He'd made up his mind he wanted to marry Beth now it just couldn't happen fast enough.
At lunch he went over to the JC Penny catalog store and picked up a catalog for Beth. He wanted her to pick out what kind of sheets and other things she needed for the bed. That was just somethin' a woman cared more about than a man. What was important to him was that she was happy.
He'd tried to get hold of Daryl, but Daryl's wife had told him he was gone on some "mission" he wasn't s'pose ta talk about and she didn't know nuthin' about it. He didn't know what the Marines had that boy doing but it was always sumthin' he couldn't talk about. The wife told him Daryl was usually gone about three weeks at a stretch and he'd already been gone two, she'd have him call as soon as he got back.
The next person he called was Rick and he shared the news with him. Rick was happy for him and they talked about what lucky men they both were, then Merle asked him if it would be okay if he called Lori at home and asked her if she could take Beth shoppin' for a few things. Rick gave him the go ahead.
He shared the big news with Lori and she was positively giddy, then he told her he needed a little help. "Of course Merle, I'm so excited, how can I help you?" "I s'pose ya noticed, Beth don't have much in the way a clothes and shoes and what not, and neither does Tommy. I don't know nuthin' about that stuff, and I'm sure she don't want me goin' shoppin' with her. I's wonderin' if you could take her. I got an account down at Davison's Department Store, thought maybe you could help her pick out a few things," he was nervous even talking about it. "I would love to take her shopping Merle, that's a wonderful idea. Ask her to give me a call and we'll set up a time. I can have my neighbor Karen watch the kids for us. This is going to be great!" Lori was so excited he wondered why he didn't think of this sooner.
All he could think about on his way home was holding her in his arms. He didn't have to wait; she was standing at the kitchen door smiling at him when he walked in.
He played with Tommy while she put dinner on the table and when they sat down he told her all of the arrangements he'd made. Ordering the bed, calling Daryl and the plans he'd made with Lori. She tried to protest about the shopping trip with Lori, "Merle, I can't let you buy Tommy and me all that stuff, that doesn't seem right." "Beth you're gonna be my wife, it's my job ta make sure I provide for you and for Tommy. Now you and me we both know ya need some clothes and shoes and so does Tommy. It's my responsibility ta make sure ya have that stuff. You deserve to have nice things. I'm firm on this Beth, alright?" He looked so serious. "And Beth, I don't want ya wearin' a sweater all the time, it's just too damn hot and I worry about ya. See if ya can't find some a them costume jewelry bracelets or sumthin' you can wear if ya feel ya need ta hide it, it don't bother me." "Yes Merle, if that's what you want. I appreciate it so much," and she had tears in her eyes.
"Now don't start cryin' darlin' you finish yer supper, Tommy and me are doin' the dishes tanight, you call Lori, I got their number wrote down on that pad by the phone." She smiled that great big smile at him and his heart swelled with a combination of love and pride.
Beth and Lori made a plan to go shopping the next morning as soon as the store opened. Beth was getting more and more excited. She'd never been to a big department store and she was excited to go with Lori. Lori had told her Karen would be tending the children and they'd be well cared for, and Lori said they would have lunch at the department store's restaurant. Beth had never had lunch out with another woman; in fact she could not recall ever having lunch out. Tomorrow would be filled with first time experiences.
After dishes and music and Tommy falling asleep on the couch, Merle remembered the Penny's catalog, he got it out of his truck and gave it to her to look at. "You pick out what all ya need for the bed, pillows, sheets, blankets, bedspreads, you know what ya like, it don't matter ta me, if you're happy I'm gonna like it. You pick it and I can order it right down at the catalog store. They usually get stuff in in about a week. And ya know, I bought this place with most a this stuff in here, maybe ya wanna add yer own touch, decorations and such as that, if ya see sumthin in there ya think ya want, you let me know" he was quite serious, but he smiled at her.
"Oh Merle, I'm feeling so overwhelmed with all of this. You are going to be the best husband in the whole world, I just know it," she was giving him those big baby blues and he loved it, "That's my goal Darlin', ta be a good husband to ya. Now speakin' a being yer husband, have ya thought about the weddin'?"
"I have," she began, "I just think I'd like to get married right here, in the backyard, if that's okay with you. I thought we could maybe plant some more flowers and it would be perfect. I don't really have anyone to invite. I'm pretty sure Maggie and her husband won't make the trip, I'll ask, but I don't think so. The only other people I would think to ask are Rick and Lori, and Carol, the woman who helped me."
"Well that sounds perfect to me too, Darlin', the only other person I'm invitin' is my brother Daryl. I'm sure his wife will come down here with him, but she won't be able to come ta the weddin'," he looked a little sad.
"Why Merle? Why can't his wife come to the wedding?" she was confused again.
"Well darlin', it's getting' late and that's a long story, we'll talk about it more later," he was gonna dodge it for now. "Let me carry Tommy home for ya and maybe ya let me get in a goodnight kiss and a little huggin', ya think?" he smiled broadly.
"Yes Merle, I think we can arrange that," she smiled but also turned bright red. He smiled and thought to himself, "Damn I love that right there."
He tucked Tommy into bed and then joined her in the living room where she stood waiting for him. He went to her and began to take her sweater off, she stiffened at first, but didn't stop him. He wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, "I love ya so much Beth, I ain't never been happy like this, it's you, you make me happy." "Oh Merle," she responded, "I love you too. I can't wait to be Mrs. Dixon." That made him lift his head up to look in her eyes, he didn't think he'd ever smiled any bigger. He bent down, put his lips to hers and this time, he let his lips linger a while, tasting her sweetness, applying a little more pressure. Then he took her left hand in his, raised it so her scared wrist faced him, he begin to gently kiss the scars, then he went back to kissing her lips as he gently took a hand and ran the tips of his fingers slowly along her arm, while his other arm remained firmly wrapped around her waist holding her close to him. He felt her respond and it thrilled him to know he could get a reaction from her. She had him for as long as she wanted him, and he hoped it was forever.
A/N Merle doesn't mess around, when he goes for it, he's all in. Thank you so much for reading, please review xo