A/N Thank you all again, so very much. Shall we see how things are going in the Dixon household? They may be facing challenges.
It seemed as if there was a black cloud hanging over their home.
It had started out as nothing out of the ordinary. He had a sore throat; Beth treated it with hot tea mixed with lemon and honey and hot compresses. But it continued to bother him. She'd finally gotten scared enough to take him to the doctor. The doctor said it was a type of infection and had almost run its course.
It finally cleared up, he seemed to be on the mend, but two weeks later, when she went in his room that morning, he'd developed a rash, seemed too tired to wake up, and his little joints were swollen.
Merle and Beth were near panic, could it be, no please no, not Rheumatic Fever. Children could be bedridden for a year, have permanent damage to their hearts. They couldn't bring themselves to speak about how bad the epidemics were, and how many children died.
Merle wrapped him in a blanket and they rushed to the car. They were at the hospital in 10 minutes, them and many other parents with sick children.
They waited, and they waited. Merle was becoming more and more agitated, but he knew the other parents in the waiting room were just as upset as he and Beth.
And he was almost as worried about Beth as he was Tommy. She was trying so hard not to cry, her small hand was shaking as she kept running it tenderly over their little boys head. She spoke low and soothingly, "Its okay Tommy, Mama and Daddy are here with you. The doctor is going to make you feel so much better. Please hold on sweetie."
It was finally their turn to see the doctor. Beth held the little boys hand while the doctor examined him, and Merle kept his hand protectively on her low back.
The doctor confirmed their fears, rheumatic fever. If the little boy survived there was the threat of permanent damage to his tiny heart. In the meantime the symptoms could be painful, there was the fever and the hot swollen joints often felt like the worst case of arthritis, even making the skin around the joint red. The only good news seemed to be the disease was not contagious and so Beth could be with her son.
There was no treatment except bed rest and aspirin. And he was so little, so young. There were no convalescent hospitals for him in their area, he would have to be cared for at home. They were relieved, really. They wanted to be the ones watching over their little boy.
Merle took his family home. They put the boy to bed and Beth asked him to bring her rocking chair to Tommy's bedside.
When he returned home that evening she looked exhausted. She'd made a big pot of soup, and his dinner, while continuously rushing in to check on Tommy.
He didn't want to see Beth trying to keep up this pace. She had her own health problems; and a baby on the way.
Merle felt like he had a gun to his head. He had a very sick little boy and an emotional, anemic, pregnant wife. He needed to take care of his family.
The first thing he did was call Edith. Well, like a lot of folks, Edith didn't have a phone, but he had the phone number of her Aunt who he could ask to have her call him about work, someone would go to her home and let her know, and she'd go back to the Aunt's house and call.
When Edith returned the call, he told her about Tommy's illness and asked her if she could begin coming four days a week, all day. The woman was distressed over the news of Tommy's illness. One of her own sons had the Fever just last year. She readily agreed to the extra hours and told Mister Merle she would do everything she could to help Mrs. Beth and to care for little Tommy.
He would have Edith there Monday through Friday and he would begin taking Fridays off. Tara could reach him by phone if they had questions, or really needed him at the shop.
He was determined to get his family through this, no matter what he had to do.
Beth wanted to just sleep in the rocking chair in Tommy's room that night. Merle put his foot down. She needed to get her nightie on and get herself in her own bed. They'd take turns getting up in the night and checking on their son.
When they'd finally gotten to bed he put his arm around her and she rested her head on his chest. "Ya listen ta me now Lil Darlin', this is a bad time we got here. Our boy is bad sick, and you ain't completely healthy either, and yer carryin' our baby. Ya got ta take care a yerself Darlin'. If ya get weak and sick ya ain't gonna be no good ta our boy or our baby, and yer gonna break yer husbands heart. I can't have it Beth, I can't. Edith's gonna be here first thing tamorrow, you let her take care a you and Tommy. Ya gotta promise me yer gonna take care a yerself. Please Darlin', please."
"I want to Merle, I do, but I can't help feeling like this is my fault and I have to make it right by Tommy and be right there."
"Now Darlin', how ya figure it's yer fault? How could you a caused this?" He was confused by her words.
"I should have taken better care of him when he got the sore throat, I should have known it could lead to something else. I let him down Merle. I wasn't a good Mother to him," and she was crying.
"Now don't ya go thinkin' like that or talkin' like that Beth Dixon. Yer the best Mama I ever saw or heard of. Ya did what ya was s'posed ta do ta take care of a sore throat. How was you ta know it was that strep thing? Hell, I didn't think it was anythin' unusual myself. Just thought the poor little fella had him a bad sore throat. And what was ta be done about it anyway? The doctor couldn't a done more than you did. You done everythin' ya could. Our boy's gonna make it Darlin', he has to, and you're gonna take care a yerself, and I'ma take care a both of ya," He just wanted to think of some way to fix all of this.
"What about you Merle, who's going to take care of you? You're always so strong and so protective of me and Tommy, but I know you're as scared as I am, don't try to tell me you're not. You're my husband Merle Dixon, I know you, you think you have to take care of us, always have to be so strong, never show you're afraid or worried about things. But I know you are. Maybe we should just promise to take care of each other and Tommy," and she wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"Okay Darlin', but promise me yer gonna keep eatin' right and gettin' yer rest, please," and he held her tighter.
"I promise Merle. I love you so much, I could never face this without you, I wouldn't make it," She kissed him.
"Thing 'bout that Darlin' is, ya could and ya have. I said it before, ya took care a that boy all by yerself, kept him and yerself alive. I ain't ever gonna forget that Beth. Yer the toughest person I know, I love ya Lil Darlin'. Now kiss yer husband and then get ya some rest," and he kissed her lovingly and they slept holding tight to one another.
They settled into a routine. Edith was an enormous help to Beth, not just with household chores and helping to care for Tommy, but also in calming Beth. She insisted Beth take time every morning to visit the apartment out back and do her sewing, "It's good for ya Mrs. Beth. Ya got ta keep yer mind and yer hands occupied. An' I know ya want ta make things for yer new baby. How ya gonna do that jus sitting here all day? I can watch the boy. I done watched over my own and he come through this thing, jus like yer boy will. Now go on, lemme have my time with Tommy."
She did trust Edith. Something about the woman made her feel that everything was in good hands. And Beth did as the woman told her. She went to the apartment every day and did her sewing. Soon she had curtains, and blankets, diapers and cloths for the baby.
She also did her grocery shopping and other errands. Edith told her to just go on, it would help her keep her mind clear if she got out "in the air."
And she went to the library. She brought home many children's books, and that became her afternoon routine. She would read to Tommy until it was time to begin preparing dinner. Edith had offered to do the cooking for her, and Beth had been very grateful, but she told her, "It's important for me to cook for my husband, to care for him." And Edith smiled and nodded in understanding.
They kept water cold with ice and when Tommy's fever went up, they would cool him with damp cloths. When the little boy would whimper from the joint pain, they would wrap ice in a damp cloth and hold it on the inflamed joint. The only other treatment they had to help his pain was aspirin.
The Doctor stopped at their house every other morning to check on Tommy and listen to his heart. Thank God he hadn't heard any murmurs; Tommy's heart didn't seem to be suffering the effects of the disease.
Lori came by every two to three days just to visit and see if Beth needed anything, and she and Rick stopped by every three or four nights just to say 'Hello.' Beth and Merle both felt good knowing they had such caring and concerned friends.
When they'd first been told of Tommy's illness, Merle had called his brother. Michonne was upset and sad to say, Daryl had just left on a mission, but as soon as he returned they would come for a stay.
Daryl called Merle as soon as he returned; he and Michonne would come right away. But now there was a new complication, how would they keep Edith from finding out about Daryl, Michonne and Ben? It just wouldn't be possible.
Michonne asked if Merle would have Edith call her the next morning when she came to work. Merle agreed.
Edith didn't know what to think the next morning when Mister Merle said his brother's wife wanted to speak to her on the phone, but she didn't question, she just took the receiver he handed her and said, "Hello."
All Merle and Beth could hear on their end was, "Yes'm." "Uhuh." "I ain't." "No." "I understand." "I know." "I will."
When Edith handed the phone back to Merle, Michonne had already hung up. Edith told him, "Yer brother, his wife n boy gonna be here after dark tanight. She done tol' me 'bout her situation. I ain't bothered. My brother's woman is white. Who ya fall in love with ain't always convenient." And that was that.
Very early the next morning Daryl snuck Michonne and Ben in the house so they could spend the day with Beth and Tommy.
Daryl planned to help Merle out at the shop for the day. Axel was on vacation with his family, and work at the shop was getting backed up.
Beth took great comfort in having Michonne there. She told her about her concerns not just for Tommy, but for Merle. "I'm worried about him Michonne. I've told him he can't just think about taking care of me and Tommy, that he has to think about himself. I know he's not sleeping; he's leaving here at 5:30 in the morning Monday through Thursday, and not getting home until 5:30 or 6 at night. When he finally goes to bed I know he's not sleeping. He just wants to make all the bad things disappear for me and for Tommy and it's killing him that he can't. I don't know what to do to help him."
Michonne took in a deep breath, "Our Dixon men are simple at the heart of them Little Sister, they think everything is their responsibility, that they have to save everyone in their lives they care about from ever having any trouble, a worry or a care. It's not possible. They feel obligations they shouldn't feel, guilt they shouldn't feel. I think how hard they make their lives by how deeply they feel this misguided sense of responsibility. I don't know how we can make it better for them. It's just who they are. I don't know what we can do for them except to just love them and let them know how much we appreciate them. And one other thing I know you can do to help Merle, take very good care of yourself and do all the things you know you're supposed to be doing. At least that should put his mind to rest a little."
She smiled and the women hugged each other tightly. It was then that Edith came in the door, "Mornin' Mrs. Beth, and you must be Mrs. Michonne, mornin' ta you too."
Beth rose and greeted the woman, "Good morning Edith. I'm so happy for you to meet my sister in law, Michonne Dixon. Michonne this is Edith Campbell, I don't know what I would do without her." Edith and Michonne nodded to each other.
Michonne said, "I'm honored to meet you. Beth has told me how much you have helped her and Tommy. I have to tell you I appreciate it too, they mean the world to my husband and I. Thank you for being here for our family."
Edith didn't know how to deal with all the praise, she simply nodded and said, "Yes 'm."
"Can I get y'all some breakfast Mrs. Beth?" Edith then asked.
"No thank you Edith, we've eaten, I think we're just going to spend the day with Tommy and Ben," and she smiled broadly at the thought.
Daryl, Michonne and Ben were able to stay five days, and Merle did seem to relax with his brother there. Work was back on schedule at the shop and Axel had returned from vacation. The yard work and the garden were well tended and Tommy was holding his own.
They promised to return soon, but for Beth and Merle it couldn't be soon enough, especially now that they were unable to travel to Daryl and Michonne's cabin.
Beth was relieved to see Merle was sleeping and eating a little better.
That night as they got ready for bed she did something bold, something she had never done; she reached for her husband and asked him to make love to her. At first he just took her in his arms and held her tightly, then he said, "Darlin', ya know how that makes me feel that ya'd ask me? Makes me think my wife trusts her husband enough ta tell him what she wants, what she needs. I love ya Darlin', I ain't never gonna say no ta lovin' on ya."
Her belly was rounder, her breasts fuller, even her hips just a bit wider, and he now that she had made a move, he felt confident enough to say to her, "Darlin' would ya be willin' ta try somethin' just a little different? Don't have ta if ya don't wanna," and he kissed her deeply while he gently massaged her fanny.
She just said, "Show me Merle." And he did.
He was on top, the only way he'd been with her, but he slowly rolled onto his back while holding her firmly to him until she was on top. At first she seemed embarrassed, but he reached for her breasts and began to gently pinch her nipples as he moved in her, getting her more and more aroused. Soon she was moving rhythmically on top of him. When he knew she was close he put one hand on her low back and pushed her harder on to him, while raising himself to an almost seated position, he still massaged one breast and tweaked her nipple with his other hand. She came hard whimpering his name, while he hoarsely whispered, "Come for me Darlin' come for yer husband, show me yer my woman." And his climax followed hers.
xxxx
They felt both greatly blessed and greatly relieved when Tommy recuperated. It had been a long 10 weeks, but they knew it could have been so much worse. There appeared to be no heart damage, but his heart would be closely monitored the rest of his life.
They had just over two months before the baby was due, and Beth was anxious to get everything ready for their new arrival. Merle insisted they keep Edith working no less than three full days a week.
To their pleasant surprise Daryl and Michonne were able to make another trip to visit them. Daryl brought another gift he'd made the baby, a small cradle for Beth and Merle's room, "Will be good for him the first few weeks," Daryl seemed slightly embarrassed.
"Oh Daryl that's just perfect, thank you so much. I almost bought one of those bassinets, but it wouldn't have been nearly as lovely as this," she gave him a hug as she spoke. He was becoming a little more comfortable accepting gratitude and affection from her.
They had one more surprise for Tommy, a big red firetruck. After Tommy had thanked them Merle offered his brother his hand and they shook. Merle said, "Thank ya little brother." And they just looked hard into each others eyes and nodded ever so slightly.
A/N Just FYI, in the 1920's, 30's and 40's Rheumatic Fever was a huge health problem in the U.S., what begins as strep throat can progress into Rheumatic Fever. There weren't the antibiotics to help prevent infections back then. Thank you all so much for reading my story, please review xo