A/N Thank you, thank you, I can't say it enough. I love this little Dixon world where Merle is so tender, but also tough as nails. Let's see what our little family is up to…
Three days after the "incident," Rick, in uniform, showed up at Merle's business. Merle was in his office checking some parts orders.
"Hey Rick, what brings ya by?" Merle asked it cheerfully, but he thought he might know and he sure didn't want trouble with the law.
Shit, his knuckles were scabbed over and he had a swollen and bruised spot above his right eye, and there was the cut that was just now healing at the corner of his mouth.
"Well Merle, ya know that guy Dave Johnson? I think you had a little trouble with him out at the roadhouse a few months ago," Rick was staring him hard in the eye.
"Oh yeah, Dave, well we worked our differences out since then, why?" Merle was just going ta play innocent, he didn't know what the hell else to do, and he wasn't gonna admit ta anythin'.
"Well it appears that someone beat the crap out of him three days ago in the roadhouse parking lot," Rick stated.
"That so? huh…" Was all Merle said.
"Yep, it was bad enough he had to go to the hospital, had to get some stitches and have his ribs wrapped, had to get his nose set, probably gonna hurt real bad every time he pees for a while too, someone did some damage to him," Rick continued to stare hard.
"Gee whiz, he musta really pissed someone off, I wonder who," Merle just stared right back.
"Funny thing," Rick continued, "Jim over at the service station said you called him that day, wanted to know what time Dave got off work, said you were gonna buy Dave a beer."
Merle nodded and said, "Yep, that's right, I did. But then I got ta feelin' guilty cuz Beth ain't been feelin' good and I thought I should get on home ta her. Thought I'd see Dave for a beer some other time."
"I see," Rick went on, "Whoever did that to Dave would probably be interested to know that he left town. Asked Jim for whatever pay he had comin' and said he was gettin' outta this godforsaken town."
"Well that's too bad, I guess I won't be havin' that beer with him will I?" Merle furrowed his brow.
"Guess not Merle. I'm glad to know you didn't have anythin' ta do with this, I'd hate ta see you gettin' in trouble," Rick knew, and Merle knew he knew.
"Say, why don't we all go ta dinner this Saturday? Beth and I tried that new restaurant over in Robinson a while back and it was real good. We'll take the kids and have us a nice time," Merle smiled his best full-of-shit smile.
"Sounds nice Merle, I'm sure Lori would like that, I'll let her know," Rick smiled his best I-ain't-fooled-by-your-bullshit smile, tipped his hat and left.
xxxx
Beth had made a chicken pot pie for dinner and it was damn good. He'd never been disappointed in one of her meals. Afterward she played some piano and sang, and he thought life was real, real good.
Tommy was sound asleep when they finally crawled in their own bed. He gave her a quick kiss, said, "G'night Darlin', yer husband loves ya." And just like that she started ta cry.
He couldn't imagine what was wrong, they'd had a nice evenin', shit, all he did was tell her goodnight. He put his arm around her, "What's the matter Darlin', why ya cryin', what happened?" Damn he hated this cryin' business worse than anythin'.
"I don't know why you don't want me anymore Merle, what did I do?" She sounded so sad.
His heart was breakin' and he didn't even know what the hell had gone wrong. "What're ya talkin' 'bout Lil Darlin', what's come over ya?"
"I think it's more of what's come over you Merle. I don't understand why you never reach for me anymore, it's been nearly two weeks since, you know, you've touched me that way, and I don't understand," she said through some pretty heavy cryin'.
"Darlin', a course I want ya, a course I wanna be makin' love ta ya any time you'll have me. I just thought you was in a delicate way and couldn't be doin' that stuff no more 'til after ya had the baby, cuz ya know, there's the baby and ya got yer anemia and all a that. I's tryin' real hard ta be a good man here Beth," Shit, he was confused as all get out.
"Oh Merle, I'm not dying from something. You making love to me isn't going to hurt me or the baby, and it surely isn't going to bother the anemia," She caressed his cheek in her tiny hand.
"Is that the truth Beth? Cuz if it is, that there is mighty good news," He still sounded unsure.
"Yes Merle, it's the truth. If I thought for even one minute it was going to hurt me or the baby I would ask you not to," She moved closer and put her cheek to his chest.
He put his arms around her and kissed her deeply on the mouth, then began to kiss her neck and caress her small breast. He reached his hand under her gown and skillfully removed the garment.
He kissed her breast and gently sucked on her nipple, he slid his hand down in her panties but stopped just as he slipped a finger in her, "You sure this is okay Darlin'?"
"Yes Merle, please," and she kissed him. And he removed the panties as deftly as he had the gown.
Merle relaxed into it and so did she. He slipped another finger in and she wasn't acting like it bothered her, in fact, she was getting more and more wet and softly moaning his name. He began to rub that special little spot with his thumb, while he continued to suck on her breast and flick his tongue across her nipple. When she came he held her tightly, "I love ya so much Lil Darlin, so much," he was nearly as breathless as she.
He moved his manhood into her, and then abruptly stopped. "Are you sure this ain't hurtin' ya Darlin'," he was still full of doubt.
"Please don't stop Merle, please, it doesn't hurt," she tried to reassure him.
He entered her fully then and begin to move within her. She could tell he was trying to hold back some, but when he slipped his hand between them and rubbed that little spot she came again and when she did, he came hard.
Merle went to work the next morning, just as usual, but at 9:00 he told Tara he had a quick appointment and he'd be back.
He drove to her doctor's office and when inside said to the receptionist, "Name's Merle Dixon, I ain't got an appointment or nuthin', but if the doc has a minute I need ta ask him 'bout sumthin'."
"Let me check," she smiled.
She came back to the desk and said, "The doctor said to please come on back, let me show you to his office."
Merle followed the woman and thanked her.
"Mr. Dixon, how can I help you today, I hope Mrs. Dixon isn't having any discomfort," The doctor looked concerned.
"Well it ain't that doctor but I got a worry," Merle looked at the man.
"Please be seated. What's your concern?" the doctor's expression relaxed.
"Well doc, I hadn't been havin' marital type relations with Beth cuz I's scared I'd hurt her or the baby. Then I's worried 'bout the anemia too. But damn, her feelin's was hurt and last night she started ta cry. I can't abide her cryin' like that, and I was missin' her and all, and so we had relations doc and I'm just worried. I don't wanna take no chances a ever hurtin' her," Merle looked like the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
"I see," the doctor responded, "Mr. Dixon let me assure you, as long as she feels able, it's perfectly alright to enjoy a physical relationship with your wife. The relations won't have any impact on her anemia. You're obviously a man who would stop if she asked you too, so as I said, as long as she's willing, all will be fine. If for any reason during the course of her pregnancy I feel you should stop having relations I'll let you know. Does that sound fair?" the doctor smiled at him.
"Yeah, thanks doc, I feel better now, just didn't wanna take no chances," Merle looked and sounded relieved.
"Thank you Mr. Dixon. It's nice to have one of my patient's husbands show such concern. Please call or stop by any time you have a question or concern," The doctor stood and held his hand out to Merle and they shook.
xxxx
Beth found that she enjoyed having Edith in her home. The woman was pleasant, a hard worker, and she had a knack for telling a story. Edith and her husband, George, had five sons so there were always plenty of stories.
She noticed too how Edith watched out for her, seemed concerned about Beth's well being and was always asking if she'd like a snack or if she'd like her to watch Tommy so she could nap. She did find herself taking the chance to nap.
She was trying hard to do everything the doctor told her. She'd started eating her meat at dinner, and tried to eat a little at lunch. She'd never eaten liver before but Edith had shown her how to prepare fried chicken livers. Beth found she could eat them but only if Edith made them. So it had become a weekly routine for Edith to fix her a lunch of chicken livers and collard greens.
Edith liked the young woman very much. Her heart was pure and she always saw the good in everything and every one. She treated Edith as an equal. Sat with her at the table when she took her break and even offered to make her tea or pour her lemonade.
Edith had told her, "Now Mrs. Beth yer not s'posed ta be waitin' on me, I'm here ta make yer life easier. Mister Merle don't want his wife workin' ta make tea and snacks for the hired gal."
Beth just smiled happily and said, "But Edith, you deserve it, you take such good care of me. The only person who takes more care of me than you is my husband." And both the women smiled at that.
Edith knew that man doted on his wife, he'd given Edith very specific instructions about caring for her, and he called his young wife every day to check on her and see if she needed anything.
xxxx
Merle and Beth had agreed they'd wait until she was four months along before letting anyone know they were going to have a baby. They'd tell Daryl and Michonne first of course, and then Rick and Lori. Beth planned to write Maggie a short letter and let her know.
Michonne and Daryl were both excited with the news, little Ben would soon have another cousin. They made plans to come for a visit right away.
Lori, Rick and the children had come by with a Teddy Bear for the baby and they'd all celebrated. Merle and Rick with a beer, while Beth, Lori and the children had lemonade.
xxxx
She'd been using that third bedroom as her sewing room, but now they wanted to use it for the baby. So Merle was fixing up the apartment out back as her sewing room. He planned to leave the bedroom in the apartment as it was, for Daryl and Michonne when they came to visit, and also so Tommy and the baby would have a place to nap while Beth was doin' her sewin'. And he didn't plan on changin' the kitchen, it was just that living room.
He was gonna move her stuff down there and make it a comfortable place for his wife to pursue this sewing she seemed to enjoy so much. He wanted ta make it nice for her. He'd built shelves for her materials and incidentals, put up rods for her to hang clothes and he'd built her a high table for cutting her patterns.
He smiled to himself thinkin' it had been just a short time ago all he planned for this place was to make money renting it out to some bachelor.
She wanted the baby's room to be pale yellow; she planned to sew curtains, sheets, blankets and pillows. And she was also planning to make the baby's clothes, gowns, undershirts, bibs and diapers. She'd already been to the store and picked up all of the material and she was anxious to get started.
Merle was fascinated that she knew how ta do all that. If it were up ta him he'd just go to the Sears store and buy it all. But his wife, she loved that kinda work.
She'd have ta leave the house while he painted the baby's room and she and Lori had a plan ta take the kids and look at baby furniture. He'd told her to get whatever she thought the baby needed, he knew nuthin' about what that might be, besides a crib.
She was excited when she saw how the baby's room looked, "Oh Merle it's perfect, just the color I wanted." When she smiled that smile he knew, as much as he hated paintin', he'd paint that damn Golden Gate Bridge for her, twice.
"I'm glad ya like it Darlin', now how'd ya do with yer shopping, ya find what you was lookin' for?" He caressed her cheek as he asked.
"Oh yes Merle, I found a crib and a chiffarobe that are so cute. The crib has little lambs painted on the end of it, and the chiffarobe has lambs painted on the doors. It's going to be perfect with the materials I bought. And the chiffarobe is low so I can make a nice little pad and use the top for a place to change the baby. And I got a nice baby buggy so we can take walks. I'm getting so excited," And there was that big ol' smile again.
"When they gonna bring it over, or do I need ta pick it up at the store?" he was gettin' excited his own self cuz damn, he loved seein' her so happy and thinkin' they were gonna have a baby together.
"I had to order it, they said it would take about a week, then they'll call and make arrangements for you to pick it up, I really want you to set it up because I trust you more," she told him.
"Sure Darlin' I got no trouble doin' that," he smiled.
"The only thing I still need is a diaper pail for the bathroom, I'll get that over at the Woolworth's store. Tommy and me can have a cherry lemonade at the counter while we're there," She didn't know if she'd ever been more happy.
xxxx
Merle was looking forward to his brother, Michonne and Ben comin' for a visit, but Beth, Beth was so excited he thought she'd burst.
As was necessary, they arrived late at night, Merle had left the gate unlocked so Daryl could simply slide it open and park close to the apartment out back.
Beth and Merle had heard the truck pull into the driveway and had hurried to the apartment. Daryl quickly slipped Michonne and Ben inside, Beth rushed in after, and Merle and Daryl unloaded the visitor's things from the pick-up and carried them in.
Merle and Daryl shook hands, but Beth and Michonne hugged each other tightly. Michonne said, "I've missed you little sister. I made a little something for the baby," and gave Beth a fancy little box. Inside were too pair of tiny knit booties.
"Daryl has a little surprise for you too, something he made. Daryl please bring it in from the truck, you can take it up to the house in the morning," she smiled broadly at her husband.
"Whatever you say woman, you're the boss and I know it," he smiled and kissed her on the cheek before going out the door.
He came back in with a beautiful rocking chair and simply said, "You're gonna be needin' this little sister," and he smiled at Beth.
She hugged him and said, "Thank you so much Daryl it's the most beautiful rocking chair I've ever seen, I love it so much."
"I'm real glad ya like it, I's happy ta make it for ya," he nodded.
"Thanks baby brother, that there is real special," Merle shook his hand and they exchanged that "Dixon Brother's Look," as Beth and Michonne secretly called it.
They all enjoyed the brief visit, but it was hard on Beth when Daryl and Michonne had to leave two days later. Merle felt bad but all he could do was promise that, if the doctor said it was okay, he'd take her to visit Michonne soon.
xxxx
She'd put off the trip to Woolworth's but she was feeling much better and decided it was a good day to get that diaper pail and have her cherry lemonade with Tommy. Then she got the idea to stop at the shop and see if Merle could come have lemonade with them.
She went in the office and Tara greeted her warmly, she asked if Merle was available and Tara said, "He's out in the shop area with Axel, let me take you to him."
Merle was talking to Axel about a big job they had coming up for the county, when he saw her he paused, "Hey Beth what brings ya ta the shop," and he smiled at his pretty wife, tousled Tommy's hair and said, "Hey son, ya takin' good care a yer Mama?"
"Yes Daddy," the little boy smiled and hugged Merle's leg.
Merle picked him up, hugged him close and said, "Yer a good boy son." Then set him back on his feet.
Axel nodded toward her, "Miss Beth. Merle, I'll just go on over ta my station, we can talk more when ya ain't busy."
"Yeah thanks Axel," Merle nodded.
Then he looked at her and she replied, "Tommy and I were going to Woolworth's to get that diaper pail and have a cherry lemonade, we came to see if you have time to come with us," and she smiled that big smile.
But the big smile wasn't what made him decide ta go with her, even though he was way too busy. What made him decide was the way that little sumbitch he'd just hired, Randall, was eyein' her fanny. It wasn't just that he had a quick glance, he couldn't blame a man for that, but he had quit workin', was starin' hard, and lickin' his lips.
He gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek and said, "You bet Lil Darlin', that sounds real nice. Let me just wrap up a couple things here real quick and I'll see ya out at the car." He bent down, patted Tommy on the head, and smiled at her and his son.
Once she'd left the garage he went up ta the kid. Merle'd resigned himself, as long as he had such a pretty little wife men were gonna be lookin', but he wasn't gonna have none a this blatant lustin'. "What ya lookin' at there boy?" He asked Randall.
"Ah hey boss, just lookin' at that sweet piece ya got there. I bet she can wear a guy out," and the boy was smilin'.
So Merle explained it to him, "I'ma give ya a break kid cuz I just beat the fuck outta another man for disrespectin' my wife, but you're just a stupid kid and I'm feelin' charitable. I ain't gonna beat the fuck outta ya this time, just gonna tell ya ta get yer stuff, stop in the office and see Tara ta get whatever pay ya got comin', get outta here and don't ever come back, cuz if I ever see ya again I'ma kick yer nuts up inta yer throat and yer gonna choke ta death on 'em."
And then he went out to the wagon, smiled at Beth and Tommy and said, "Let's get on over ta the Woolworth's and have us a cherry lemonade, sounds delicious."
A/N I hope you enjoyed it, thanks so much for reading, please review xo